The Canterlot Wedding was just the beginning, Chrysalis little more than a pawn in a game to draw Celestia and Luna to face a foe with an ancient grudge against the alicorns.
The Canterlot Wedding was just the beginning, Chrysalis little more than a pawn in a game to draw Celestia and Luna to face a foe with an ancient grudge against the alicorns. The diarchs of the heavens have done much in the past now long forgotten, and the consequences for their actions arrive in a way that catches them both off guard.
Chrysalis thought back to how this all started in the first place, how starvation drove her and her hive to desperation. So much, that when he had appeared with an additional plan, with the sheer audacity to offer her help after so much aggravation and resistance on his part... she caved in and accepted. That damnable prince! She could always taste his emotions, the sweltering love of his subjects, the sheer arrogance in his abilities, the boiling rage beneath the surface, even when he would stand on the edge of the hive's territory.
“If he had just left me to my own devices... then I'd be slain once back in Canterlot...”
She kept running through the forest, twigs snapping underhoof, branches and leaves falling in her wake, leaving an obvious trail for the Guards approaching her. She could hear the beating of pegasi wings through the air, the shout of orders from stallions. All the while, she thought back to how this all began...
The hive was abuzz with activity, drones and soldiers swarming about with messages and news as their unwanted guest walked through the tunnels. The human kept a bearing of royalty about him, dressed in the finest clothes possible for the kingdom of Mana and wearing what few jewels that could be scrounged up from the withering mines. Despite being alone, the changelings kept their distance from him as he strode along into their hive, flashing a grin to the occasional creature to show off teeth too sharp for a human.
“He has arrived!”
“Alert the Queen!”
“Hide the larva!”
He ignored their cries of fear, head raised in pride as he entered the central chamber, the jagged, black throne of Queen Chrysalis in the center. She tried to look just as prideful, even with her carapace sunken in along the waist, her face near-skeletal. A low hiss came from the changeling queen as her eyes narrowed at him, wings flared out to the sides.
“Come to finally do the deed, Slaar? Burn the hive, butcher the queen?”
“It is nothing like that, my dear Chrysalis. I have need of your people's services.”
She rose from her throne and stalked over toward him, tail lashing irritably. “You put my people on the spiral to starvation, slaughter us whenever we are found in your lands, and you have the audacity to tell me to help you!?”
He looked her right in the eye and nodded, his grin falling in an instant. “I was merely protecting my people from yours, it was nothing personal Chrysalis. In fact, the solution to your problem is one that coincides with an issue I am having.”
“We are already working on our hunger, we do not need your help!”
“Equestria, I know. It's the only other nation near by that your people have any possibility of using as a food source... as well as mine. Equestria, is our common goal. Walk with me Chrysalis, this plan I have requires the both of us to be completely devoted to it.”
“And why should I trust you?”
His face softened, looking so much more tired than she had known him to look. “Because I am putting trust into you.”
She ran, had been running for some days now. The Royal Guard were swift to mobilize after the beaten Changelings, the failure of the wedding putting Plan B into effect. Her changelings were well trained, and not all were in Canterlot for the attack, that much she was grateful for. The thought of failure weighed heavily upon her mind still, her legs burning from the exertion of running. Her wings had been damaged in her fall, useless to her now. All Chrysalis could do is run until she fell and was captured, giving Slaar some more time.
“You think my invasion will fail? The plan is perfect!”
“You know as well as I do that plans fall apart in the face of the enemy. If your plan does work, then I'll admit that it was better, but for now just think of this as a backup.”
“What about the Cosmic Council?”
“They will not be an issue. This will be a purely Tribunal manner, and both sides have agreed to not interfere with the other, even if the Princesses themselves are involved.”
“I do not know about that.”
“Believe me, if any other group tries to bully their way into this, it would make Equestria look worse to the gryphons and minotaurs. Being able to fight your own battles is important to their cultures. Due to our history, I will have to be hostile to you during the proceedings so that no one will think we are working together.”
“You have little faith in me and my changelings.”
“On the contrary! It took me years to finally figure out how to set up a defense against your kind, and even then you find cracks in the wall. You changelings have my utmost respect in your abilities.”
“I do not like the idea of being put at the mercy of ponies, if, I fail. How do you know I will not be executed on the spot?”
“Stories of Celestia nowadays paint her as being kind and forgiving. That will give us this opportunity to stall until things are ready.”
Queen Chrysalis had gone down fighting, the royal guard using chains and ropes to keep her contained. The unicorns had focused their magic to keep her from controlling their minds or changing form as they wrapped a rope through her open mouth to keep her from speaking, her wings tied up to pain her on the trip. How surprising it was that her capture was so swift, not a single track of her changelings to be found through the whole of it. As only proper for a prisoner, she was forced to march back to Canterlot with the rest of the guardsponies, only allowed to rest when her captors would bed down for the night. Shackled as she was, it would be impossible to break free.
“Something's foul about all this,” one unicorn said to a pegasus, “we found her alone and easily subdued her.”
“Aye, but our mission was clear, capture the queen and drag her back to Canterlot in chains. The easier this is, the faster we can get home.”
“Right, but it's odd that Princess Celestia put Princess Cadance in charge of this. I mean, Cadance was just a foal-sitter for Captain Armor's little sister, she's not experienced in the matters of law and order like Celestia.”
The pegasus shrugged and shook his head. “Look, Discord himself could be in charge of all this, in the end her head's gonna be rolling off the chopping block when we get back to Canterlot.”
Similar conversations spread throughout the camp about their prisoner, all the while Queen Chrysalis watched and listened. Even with her muzzle tied the corners of her mouth twitched up in a smirk.
'Perhaps, Slaar, this plan of yours will work after all.'
*****
Canterlot was all abuzz as the royal guard returned to the city, triumphant in their mission. A week had passed since they left, and now lauded as heroes for the capture of the queen who tried to usurp their princesses. Despite the underlying feeling of dread through the guardponies, the citizens were cheering their success, quite a few throwing rotten fruit at Queen Chrysalis and calling for her head on a pike. The sentiments were infectious, and many of the guards themselves were eager for the spectacle of an old-fashioned execution.
She marched along with the guard, head held high even as the decaying produce was thrown at her. Each step of the way she was roughly pushed onward, ever closer to Canterlot Castle and the judgment of the Royal Sisters. Not a hint of fear was on her face as they passed through the doors to the throne room, filled to the brim with nobles and the royal family itself. Celestia, Luna, and Shining Armor were all there awaiting for the prisoner.
Princess Luna nodded to Celestia, the large white mare standing up and looking down at Queen Chrysalis. Normally so full of compassion, the Princess of the Sun regarded the changeling queen coolly and motioned for the guard to remove the mouth bindings.
“Queen Chrysalis, you impersonated my niece, invaded my city, and plotted to take control of Equestria.”
Princess Luna stepped up next, “For your crimes against the Crown, Canterlot, and all of Equestria, we have determined the manner of dealing with you.”
Shining Armor was the last to speak up, “You shall be executed by hanging, and your body left for the crows. The execution will take place two hours from now.”
Queen Chrysalis lowered her head, letting all the room gaze upon her with hate and contempt. Slowly she rose, holding her chin high as a cruel grin spread upon her face. “I call for the Right of Tribunal.”
Time seemed to slow down as she spoke those words, Celestia's eyes going wide with shock. The Sun Princess stomped her hoof on the ground, shooting a glare at the Changeling.
“Lies! The Tribunal does not recognize the Changelings as a chartered nation!”
“Then perhaps you should look over any messages you received while Canterlot was under lockdown,” Chrysalis hissed out, her condescending smirk never leaving her face. “Of course, if you don't believe me then you'll just have to send a message to King Agathon Goldenclaw. That could take some time... a matter of weeks even!”
“Guards, get her out of our sight!” Luna shouted.
The guards quickly muzzled Chrysalis and dragged her away toward the dungeons, the changeling queen laughing all the while.
Shining Armor had been pacing about, muttering curses of all kinds. Cadance stuck to his side, pacing with him and trying to comfort her husband, a wing draped over his side. The four had gathered in the 'war room', so long unused. Celestia herself had a hoof up to her head while she mulled things over.
“This, Tribunal, was created after my banishment?” Luna asked as she read over documents detailing the old laws.
“Indeed sister. There was an incident with the griffons, and so the Tribunal was made in order to settle international incidents, or to determine if war crimes were committed. It is an alternative to the Cosmic Council, for those nations who do not have beings like us ruling them. I never thought it would actually ever be invoked, but we cannot execute Chrysalis until we get a message back from King Goldenclaw. If the changelings did sign the treaty then I was not informed of such and I cannot take this letter as proof considering the time it was sent.”
“Why bother waiting? She invaded Equestria, assaulted you personally, let her hang!” Luna shouted as she stood her full height.
“It is not that simple Luna! She called for the Right in front of dozens of ponies, if we execute her then there will be sanctions against Equestria and it would make us look very bad, especially to the griffons! There is nothing we can do except go along with the Tribunal.”
The Moon Princess took in a deep breath and nodded slowly. “Forgive me for the outburst Sister, learning what happened was very trying on my nerves.”
Celestia smiled softly to her younger sister until Shining Armor spoke up with anger in his voice.
“The Tribunal is held on neutral ground and afterward she can be free to leave! We can't allow her to get away with what she's done!” Shining Armor snapped, stomping his hoof on the ground firmly.
Luna let out a sigh. “What we should do is contact the Cosmic Council for ass-”
“No, the Cosmic Council is forbidden from interfering with the Tribunal. Equestria is the sole participant of the Council and Tribunal both. It would be a disaster and show the minotaurs and griffons that we think ourselves above the laws I helped write.”
Finally Cadance spoke up. “What Chrysalis did to me, to Equestria, is awful and she needs to be punished, but she called for Tribunal. It will delay us for a time, but Griffdonia is across the sea, she will need to find some other manner of transport once it's finished.”
Celestia nodded to her niece before turning to Luna. “Luna, you shall represent Equestria during the Tribunal. I shall contact Twilight for her to let you have Spike so we may communicate with each other. Take your retinue with you, Chrysalis has prepared for this and we need more information. Under no circumstances is Chrysalis to be harmed. Now if you'll excuse me, there are other matters to attend to.”
“But Princess!”
“There are other matters to attend to Shining Armor,” Celestia said sternly. “This is not what you or Equestria may want but there is no changing what has happened. If Chrysalis truly is part of the Tribunal laws then we must act accordingly.” The Princess of the Sun stood up and began walking out of the room, leaving the others to their own aggravation.
I do not wish Chrysalis' death, not even Discord was warranted such, Celestia sighed to herself as she mused her thoughts, but the people called for blood, the changelings were something they could actually fight against... I should be thankful that she called for Tribunal, but something is definitely wrong about all this.
Within the dungeons of Canterlot, Chrysalis was imprisoned in a rather respectable cell, Princess Celestia affording the other monarch some luxury. The food was bland, but that was more from the changeling's inability to actually taste it. Still, the courtesy was something to appreciate. She shifted about as comfortably as she could, that ever present smirk still on her lips. The changeling queen looked up at the night sky, clouds blocking the light of the moon.
“They shall learn their lesson, they are but pawns in the game,” she hissed out, suppressing the desire to laugh at the situation.
“Shut up in there!” a guard snapped with irritation, the unicorn trying to focus on a spell. “Princess Celestia is too soft-hearted, should just string you up for all of Equestria.”
She scooted over toward the bars as best she could, letting out a low chuckle. “Perhaps then you should do the honors. Does your blade thirst for my blood? Or perhaps you'd like to do what even your Captain could not.”
“Shut up!” With a loud clamor his spear smacked against the iron bars. “I won't listen to you badmouthing my Captain.”
Chrysalis flashed her fangs in another grin of hers, tail twitching. “Come now, just jab your spear right into the cage, pierce my carapace and let me bleed out! It'll be an accident, and no one would know.”
The guard clenched his jaw and turned away, going back to attention to continue channeling the spell. “I will not betray Princess Celestia's trust in me. You will stay in there until we verify that you are indeed part of the Tribunal. Until then I suggest you shut your mouth.”
*****
Twilight Sparkle paced back and forth nervously, her tail giving a twitch every now and then. Princess Celestia mentioned that she needed Spike for an important mission alongside Princess Luna and she had been busy collecting everything she could to detail to the Princess on how to properly care for a baby dragon.
“She's going to need 'Dragons and You', 'How to Raise a Dragon', 'Dragons: A Reference', an-”
“Twilight, it's no big deal! I can take care of myself just fine, Princess Luna won't need all those books.”
“But Spike, you've never been on official Equestrian business outside of Equestria, and Princess Luna probably doesn't know how to take care of a baby dragon, I have to get everything in order first!”
“Come on Twilight, I'll be gone for just a week. I'll be back before you know it!”
The purple unicorn let out a soft sigh and pulled Spike into a hug, giving him an affectionate squeeze. “Oh I know Spike, but I can't help the worrying. Queen Chrysalis needs to be escorted, you'll be traveling across the sea to Griffdonia, and you know how I get when I worry!”
Spike gave Twilight a hug back, the little dragon smiling to reassure her. “Oh, don't worry Twilight, I'll be with Princess Luna! The only other pony I could possibly be safer with would be Princess Celestia herself!”
Despite his words, Twilight was still feeling the nerves twisting at her stomach. A million different scenarios played out in her head over and over at what might happen to Spike, Princess Luna, and all of Equestria! She shook her head and took in a deep breath, forcing out a smile.
“I'm sorry Spike, I'm just worrying so much! I can't imagine what'll even be going on at the Tribunal.”
“It's okay Twilight, I know you're nervous. I'll write to you every day, I promise! I'll even detail how the whole Tribunal stuff works for you to read over.”
A wide smile spread on the unicorn's face and she gave him an affectionate nuzzle. “Thank you Spike, now let's get your things ready, the Royal Carriage will be here any moment!”
As if on cue, the familiar sound of Royal Guard could be heard just as Twilight closed the bag full of Spike's supplies for the trip. One of Luna's Night Guards opened the door, the bat-winged pegasus standing off to the side as the princess herself entered the library.
“Twilight Sparkle, it is good to see you again, albeit briefly. Greetings Spike, I am glad to have you along with me, your talent in long-range communication shall be valued. Griffdonia is across the ocean as you know, a land of nothing but high mountains and fertile valleys. I suggest you do not leave the retinue, Spike, for griffons are vastly different than ponies.”
Spike nodded his head, a smile on his face. “No problem there, Princess Luna!”
Her guard coughed politely. “Princess, your sister shall be waiting in Manehatten with the prisoner.”
Luna nodded and turned around briskly. “Come along Spike, we shall talk more on the trip.”
Spike gave Twilight one last hug before picking up his case. “Goodbye Twilight, tell the others I'll be back soon!”
Twilight waved to the two as the carriage was loaded up and took off with the Night Guard pegasi carrying it along, tears welling up in the unicorn's eyes. “Take good care of him Princess!”
Luna's midnight mane flickered in the wind as she poked her head out of the carriage window, offering a smile. “I will treat him as if my own!”
A sense of dread never left the lavender unicorn, even as the carriage disappeared from view.
The trip to Manehattan was uneventful, but pleasant, as Spike detailed his life as he did when he had first met Fluttershy. Luna was polite, smiling and nodding as she listened but was quite reticent on her own life, preferring to just mention that there was much she had done that would be best left forgotten. For his part, the young dragon was tactful enough to know not to pry, knowing that everypony needs their secrets.
“I've never been to the Griffon Kingdoms before, what's it like Princess Luna?”
“It has been quite a long time since I was last there. From what I have learned however, because of the richness of the mountains, the griffons have began to mine their mountain homes on quite a scale. They say that thick plumes of black smoke erupt from factories as they mine iron and make it into steel on a level I never thought possible before my banishment.”
“Whoa, so kinda like having a bunch of dragons sleeping in one spot!”
“Yes, you could say it is similar to that. Of course, they do so out of their own will and it's more profitable for them as well as for Equestria. Equestria itself prefers to minimize environmental damage and have the griffons process the metals for us instead. We do not have such a sizable outfit as the griffons are working on.”
Spike nodded attentively, a spark of curiosity in his blood fueling his interest. Luna began to drone on and on about the various metals most common in Equestria as well as their uses and what other nations they trade with to keep their economy running. While most of it went over Spike's head, a natural greed kept him enthralled.
The carriage had begun it's descent toward the Manehatten docks where an airship was being prepared. Queen Chrysalis was led on board, chained and muzzled before taken to a cell below deck. Princess Celestia stood upon the deck of the ship, looking out toward the waters. Once the carriage had landed on the docks, Luna and Spike walked up the gangplank and to the Sun Princess as guards carried their things to their rooms. The young dragon had taken off below deck to leave the two sisters to their goodbyes.
“I'm rather glad that she called for Tribunal.”
The Princess of the Moon nodded as she stood next to her sister. “I know how you feel about execution. Shining Armor and Cadance were just so, incensed, I was too caught up in it. After all, I was not there to help you...”
“No, Luna, Chrysalis was powerful enough that neither of us would have made a difference, unless you would be willing to demolish half of Canterlot in the process.”
“To protect you, sister? I would have wiped out the entire changeling army with a falling star.”
“Luna...”
“Well, after we had routed them into a large, open field of course! I'd not risk that lovely bed in the northwest tower that I have after all.”
Celestia turned to smile at her younger sister, giving a soft nuzzling and wishes of a speedy journey before taking her leave. Staring out into the waters, Luna's ears twitched as the captain called for the gangplank to be hauled up and for the ship to depart. Her most trusted and loyal guards were keeping an eye on Chrysalis below deck, leaving the Moon Princess to her own thoughts.
With a lurch the airship began to drift out onto the waters, the propellers warming up. Luna looked up, watching with a bit of awe as the metal blades gleamed in the light as they twirled and helped lift the wooden ship out of the water and into the air. She glanced back briefly to see Celestia standing on the dock, her mane and tail flickering in the wind. Their eyes locked for a brief moment and they shared an uneasy smile as the ship took to the skies.
*****
King Goldenclaw had gotten preparations for the Tribunal underway, contacting several of the other Tribunal members as soon as he had received word of Chrysalis' imprisonment. Security was increased ten-fold since the announcement, griffon guards patrolling the skies and ground as they eagerly awaited the first Tribunal since its founding.
The king was an older griffon, his feathers fading to gray, beak and talons not as sharp as they once were and reflexes dulling with time. Despite these handicaps he could best any challenger to his throne, experience trumping youthful vigor as he would take their overconfidence as a weakness. He wore a crown wrought of iron rather than gold, signifying the griffon's as an industrial power with military strength. A cloak of the finest Equestrian silks, with a dizzying array of reds, purples, and gold, trimmed with fur from foxes in what used to be the Crystal Empire, went over his shoulders and down his back. On his wrists were two bracers of solid steel, much like a prisoner's chains, to show that he was to serve his people first and foremost.
A griffon guard approached the king as Goldenclaw carefully examined the High Judge's seat, the younger male standing at attention.
“Your Majesty, Prince Slaar of Mana has arrived.”
“Send him in at once,” he said with a smile.
With a trilling whistle the doors opened and in strode Prince Slaar and his retinue. The humans were armed with weapons and armor forged from griffon steel, a sign of good faith in their hosts. Prince Slaar took the lead, his face finely chiseled with well groomed facial hair and a crown of gold encrusted with rubies and sapphires upon his head. Two bracers of platinum were set upon his wrists, glowing with enchantment. Much like King Goldenclaw, he too wore finery, the best fabrics the weavers of his kingdom could provide for their liege and above all that he wore a fine breastplate with a rapier at his side.
The two rulers bowed before one another graciously, the griffon smiling as he spoke. “It's always wonderful to see you my friend! I hope the accommodations are suitable to you and your guards.”
“Hah! No one expected a dragon to ever join the Tribunal after all, let alone humans. Come old friend, we have much to discuss before the minotaurs arrive, as well as the Equestrians and changeling.”
As the 'human' prince put his hand on the king's shoulder they politely ordered their guards to wait outside. The lead human, an older man with graying hair and soft blue eyes, frowned slightly.
“Are you sure my lord? The men have been rather, anxious, around the griffons.”
“Please Vincent, the only one who needs to be worried about the griffons is Agathon here, and he's bested every challenger.”
The king laughed, the sound much like a bird song as he smiled and nodded. “Oh indeed! And as long as Slaar is around his magic can keep me safe too.”
Vincent bowed lowly at that, motioning for the men to leave. “Forgive me, it's just that we never left Mana before and we don't know a lot of these lands or their peoples.”
“Yes, well, that's a failing on my part, but Mana isn't exactly the place for international gatherings after all. I shall rectify the situation once we've returned home though! For now I must talk with Agathon, if you'd please, Vincent.”
He bowed once more and left with the other guards. Slaar kept a polite smile on until the doors were closed, then he turned to the king with a determined look.
“Who will be representing Equestria in the trial?”
“Princess Luna.”
“An interesting choice, though I would have preferred Celestia herself. Still, this may play in our favor.”
“Slaar...?”
Slaar grinned down at the griffon king. “Do not fret old friend, when have I steered you wrong?”
“Well there was that one time when we were exploring Zebrica and yo-”
“When have I steered you wrong politically.”
“Again, in Zebri-
“Bah! Always trying to undermine my point whenever we chat!”
“I can't help it, all the mistakes you've made before are just too amusing to forget!”
Slaar rolled his eyes and sighed. “Yes, yes. Now, seriousness. No changeling can be within the city during the trial. We must make every attempt to keep them out so that things can proceed smoothly.”
“But of course! We could not risk Chrysalis escaping after all.”
Slaar nodded, walking over toward a window. “She's planning something. I see no reason why her capture would be so easy otherwise.”
The griffon nodded as he began to sort out some files left on the High Judge desk. “Yes, something is amiss with this. Of course, the only ones that know what really happened with her invasion of Canterlot is herself and the Princesses, and I can be damn sure she'll be lying through her teeth the whole time.”
The prince continued to stare out the window, thick plumes of black smoke rising into the sky. With such a great altitude it was easy to see factories belching out the fumes for miles around.
“Chrysalis is a skilled manipulator. We must be better if we are to end this trial.” The griffon king approached the prince with a folder in hand.
“I've been in conflict with the changelings since I took control of Mana, I know many of her tricks. To think, abusing the Tribunal as soon as she could!”
“Indeed. I shouldn't keep up anymore of your time, you need to brief your men on griffon customs and the minotaurs should be arriving shortly as well. We can expect the Equestrians and Chrysalis tomorrow.” He handed the folder over to Slaar before moving toward the door by the judge's seats.
There was a series of irritated squawks and trills from the guards outside before the doors burst open, a young female griffon stomping inside toward Agathon, a fierce glare in her golden eyes. She was in similar dress to Agathon, bracers on her wrists, a similar cloak over her back and wings with the curious sign of a large bird as an emblem. She blew her purple crownfeathers out of her face and stood in front of the griffon king, a hind paw tapping the ground impatiently.
Agathon raised an eyebrow at her. “We have guests, you know. It's polite to introduce yourself to their prince.”
“Look, dad, I know this Tribunal thing is important and all but did it really have to postpone the Equestrian-Griffdonian contests?”
He frowned and shook his head. “We will not discuss this until you remember your manners young lady!”
She sighed and turned to Slaar, giving a bow. “Princess Ermengilda Roc, but just Gilda if would please, sir,” she said in a rather bored and practiced manner.
Slaar bowed back. “Prince Slaar of Mana, a pleasure to meet you Gilda. I didn't know you had a daughter, Aggie. Roc is certainly not your family name.”
Agathon scowled playfully and shook his head. “Gilda is not my blood relative, but she showed a rather remarkable skill connecting her to my family line. With the unfortunate death of my dearly beloved Alexis and no heirs, it was rather fortuitous that she was in Griffdonia.”
The prince nodded and offered a smile to Gilda. “I am sorry that these contests have been postponed. This whole mess is my fault, Chrysalis asked for support to join the Tribunal, and while I absolutely loathe the changelings I had thought that them joining the international community would help!”
She gave an idle shrug. “Eh, whatever. I was looking forward to watch, I'm not allowed to compete anymore. Those dweebs think I'd be too good for them.”
“Gilda's rather special gifts would put her above and beyond, if she kept practicing them that is.”
With an irritated huff Gilda rolled her eyes. “I'd be practicing the Cry more if it wasn't for that fucking violin.”
“We do not swear in the presence of guests young hen!”
“Please, Agathon, it's all right! I'm fine with breaches of etiquette so long as it's you or your family! Now Gilda, I understand you have your own wants and desires, but if you don't want to be a useless wastrel like some other nobles then it would be important to learn from Agathon.”
She ruffled up her feathers slightly before bowing to Agathon. “I'm sorry for my behavior, but I'm a griffon and we pride our freedom. Even the military couldn't take that from me.”
The king walked over and gently pulled Gilda into a hug. “I understand. Before I was king I went about exploring Zebrica's mysteries. I never told you the stories, have I? I'll do that once the Tribunal is over.”
Gilda gave a small smile as she hugged back. “That sounds good, Father. I'll go back to my studies then.”
With a nuzzle from Agathon, Gilda took her leave. Slaar watched her walk out before turning his attention back to his friend.
“You're close after, what, a year or so? It took me a decade or so before I got comfortable with my subjects. Longer for them to fully accept me.”
The griffon king smiled brightly and puffed out his feathers “She's the heir I've always wanted. Headstrong and impatient, but what good griffon isn't? From what she's said of her life, this is the best thing to ever happen to her, and she reminds me much of Alexis from our adventures in Zebrica." With a shake of his head he sighed, "I'm sorry, Slaar, but I need to get readied for the Tribunal, as should you. We'll catch up some more later.”
The prince and king both bowed as they made their exits, Agathon whistling a soft tune while Slaar read over the papers in his hand. He sighed to himself, a small grimace forming on his face.
'I'm sorry Agathon for dragging the griffons into this...'
Spike had sent his letter to Twilight, detailing the new boring day of their trip from Manehatten. He had expected such things like griffon sky pirates attacking them, or monsters rearing up from the ocean or something exciting, but Luna would merely laugh and chide him for such childish notions.
“You have such an imagination Spike. Couple that with your writing talent and you could become an author. Just imagine, the first dragon author in Equestria, you'd sell books from that novelty alone.”
Before he could respond there was a knock at the door.
“Princess, we have just crossed into the Griffdonia.”
“Thank you Night Shade. You may come in if you'd like.”
The door opened and a dark-coated unicorn walked in, wearing not armor of a guard but a heavy cloak to conceal his features. He bowed, nodding his head to the Princess.
“Nothing new to report I assume?”
“Actually Princess, I was contacted by a Prince Slaar as soon as we were spotted by griffon patrols.”
Luna raised an eyebrow and motioned for the unicorn to rise. “Prince Slaar? The dragons have no kingdom, they're nomadic be- creatures,” she said, catching her words in front of Spike.
“He rules not dragons, but humans. He said that he'd prefer to talk to you face to face once we've arrived at the capital.”
She frowned and began to walk past Night Shade to the way on deck. “Humans? I haven't seen a human in a long time...”
Night Shade and Spike hurriedly followed after Luna onto the deck of the ship, just in time to see the factory-cities of the griffons. It was chilling at their altitude, snow-peaked mountains as far as the eye could see with deep, lush valleys in between. Many of the mountains had factories built into the side, with a steady stream of mined materials moving into the metal behemoths. On opposite sides of the mountains would be the aeries themselves, the civilian griffons running day-to-day lives. Griffon 'weather' teams corralled up the clouds of smoke that belched from their factories, running them through smaller weather-factories than the one in Cloudsdale.
Luna let out a soft gasp at the sight, of how organized the griffons were in their movements.
“It's breathtaking, isn't it Princess? To imagine the griffons being such an industrialized forced. Like a well-oiled machine.”
“They produce tons of steel from a single factory alone don't they?” Spike asked as he looked over the railing of the ship to watch the finished steel being loaded up onto cargo zeppelins.
“More than that. They produce steel, sell most of it to their allies, and use the rest to make weapons for themselves. Each year many griffons are sent to Zebrica in attempts to colonize and each year they call for recruits and weapons.” Night Shade replied to the young dragon
Luna nodded as the airship took a turn, heading toward the tallest mountain in the region. Unlike many of the other griffon buildings, the top of the mountain had buildings carved right from the stone, a castle not unlike Canterlot's, but with a greater amount of defensive structures in place.
“I remember this place... Look at the size of the buildings, they are much too large for the average griffon. Yes, I know it all too well now,” The Moon Princess whispered to herself.
“Princess?”
She shook her head. “Never mind, I am just reminiscing on things.”
Princess Luna and the others on deck jumped as they heard a mighty roar in the distance, a massive dragon suddenly appearing along the walls of the ancient castle. It's deep blue scales reflected light akin to the waves of the ocean. The large beast stretched, much like a cat just waking up, it's wings flaring out as the dragon let out a massive yawn before shaking its head. It turned to look at the airship steadily approaching and suddenly vanished.
Spike scratched his head. “What was that all about?”
“That was a dragon that can consciously use magic.” Luna stood in place, transfixed upon the spot the dragon had been.
“That... that's not common,” Night Shade said with a frown.
“No, not common at all.”
“I can use magic, sorta!”
Luna nodded as she looked to Spike. “Yes, you have an innate talent which many lack. Nearly all dragons however, are incapable of even minor spells. That however, was not something we should have expected. Night Shade, please tell the others to ready themselves to disembark.”
“At once, Princess.”
Down below in the brig, Chrysalis lay out on her side, eyes open as she listened to the soft hum of the ship as its speed began to slow. She glanced over to the Night Guard stationed right across from her cell and she smiled over at him.
“We are almost there.”
“Yes, my queen.”
“Remember my orders, and everything shall be fine.”
Hoof steps suddenly filled the air and the changeling queen looked over to the doorway, Night Shade walking inside.
“Get the prisoner ready for transport, we're docking soon.”
The bat-winged pony gave a crisp salute and approached the cell door, unlocking it and grabbing the harness attached to Chrysalis. He gave a rough tug, causing her to be pulled up to her feet.
“Get up you,” he said with a sneer, dragging the changeling queen until she caught the ground and followed.
Chrysalis lowered her head slightly, but flashed Night Shade a grin as she was pulled up on deck.
The unicorn sneered at the changeling queen, almost raising his hoof to strike her before stomping it down.
“Damnable beast,” he muttered as he followed close behind.
“Vincent!” Slaar called out as he checked over his clothing. “Get the men ready, we'll be meeting with Agathon and King Phaitos to greet Princess Luna of Equestria. Now, I know the griffons and minotaurs have been rather unsettling for you and the men...”
“Because they're monsters from old stories.”
“...But the Equestrians are amusing in that they tend to be brightly colored ponies. If they knew we used horses for labor they'd probably be frightened. They've probably never seen a human before either, so it'll be a shock to them too.”
Vincent nodded, letting his eyes roll in the process as they walked through the halls of the fortress toward the docking bay. In what seemed like no time at all they arrived, the griffon king with a retinue of his elite warriors and the minotaur king, Phatitos, wearing a rather elaborate set of bronze armor, the chest molded to look like his musculature and his guards wielding large, round shields and spears with red feathers attached below the spearhead.
The three monarchs nodded politely to each other as the airship docked and the gangplank lowered, a Night Guard clearing his throat.
“Now presenting, Princess Luna of Equestria!”
Luna stepped down along the gangplank, holding her head high as she regarded the other three rulers. She looked to Agathon, who bowed politely, then to Phaitos who held his head up high to expose his throat. When her gaze fell upon Slaar, he merely looked her over with a bit of awe in his face before he shook his head and bowed.
“Princess Luna, let me be the first to welcome you to my kingdom. I am King Agathon Goldenclaw, it is an honor to be having you here, despite the circumstances.”
The Moon Princess offered a polite smile to the griffon, giving a bow back. “Indeed, I haven't been in the Griffon Kingdom since my return, I rather like what's been done with it.”
“Ah, thank you Princess Luna! Please, we should get the prisoner in the dungeon right away and we'll have a feast for everyone's arrival. We can begin that Tribunal business tomorrow.”
King Phaitos cleared his throat. “Excuse me, King Agathon, but I believe there are others that need to be introduced.”
“Oh my, forgive me for that, it's just we don't get the Equestrians on this side of the sea.”
The minotaur nodded and smiled to Luna. “I am King Phaitos of the minotaurs, it's a pleasure to finally meet one of the fabled Sky Sisters.”
“Indeed, a pleasure to make your acquaintance King Phaitos, it's good to see the minotaurs have a solid government. Now if only the buffalo could learn from you.”
The minotaurs all smiled proudly, pleased to hear such praise.
She then turned to Slaar, their eyes locked as they examined one another carefully.
“I am Prince Slaar, of the kingdom of Mana.”
“I was unaware that the humans have managed to survive as long as they have, let alone to be ruled by a dragon.”
He smiled slightly, the left corner of his lips curled up higher than his right. “When I came across humanity they were a shattered people, clawing at each others throats like starved beasts. They were children without a parent, and so I united and guided them.”
“Do I not get an introduction?” the buzzing tone of Queen Chrysalis spoke up as she was led down the gangplank.
Slaar snorted and narrowed his eyes. “Quiet you miserable beast. Be glad we even recognize you as a sovereign!”
Agathon put a hand on Slaar's shoulder, frowning slightly at his friend. “No need for hostility my friend, if the Tribunal is to work you need to be impartial.”
“Yes, I am sorry for the outburst.”
Chrysalis smiled sweetly, a sickening sort of sweetness from eating too many candies. “It's so good to see you again after such a long time, I can still taste the love you have for humanity.”
He snorted and turned away. “Men, get ready for dinner,” he said, motioning for his retinue to follow as he left.
Agathon and Phaitos both appraised Chrysalis as she watched Slaar walk away, the changeling queen shifting in her enchanted bindings before looking to the griffon and minotaur.
“Your lands are too far from mine to be threatened by the Hive, I'll be sure to leave immediately once this trial is over,” she buzzed out.
The griffon king raised an eyebrow at her briefly before letting out a soft trill to his guards. “Take her to the prison, do not remove those bindings or you'll fall under her spell.”
Chrysalis merely cooed as the griffons took the reins from the disguised changeling, dragging the disgraced queen into the bowels of the castle. Phaitos frowned as he looked to Agathon and Luna after watching Chrysalis disappear with the guards.
“She's abusing the laws of the Tribunal,” the minotaur king said.
“Indeed she is. Perhaps we need to revise them before putting her on trial.”
King Agathon was taken aback, looking to the Moon Princess incredulously. “Are you mad!? We cannot simply put her on trial under revised laws! Yes, she's abusing the current ones, but what you suggest is simply not right!”
Luna shook her wings and sighed deeply. “She is a danger to my people. I was tempted to slay for the whole trip, though I know my sister would disapprove and it would only make Equestria view me unfavorably.”
“Princess Luna, if I may be so bold to say, but having the support of your people is far more important than personal desires. Royalty does not exist because we wish to indulge in idle things, that's for the rest of the nobility,” Phaitos said softly.
The host monarch clapped his paws together. “Enough of this unpleasant talk, allow me to get you two settled in your quarters and then dinner will be along shortly after!”
Slaar had mentioned some business to take care of in the castle, leaving his guards with the orders to contact him magically when the dinner invitation arrived. He walked through the halls of the massive fortress, taking seemingly odd paths as he tried to recall the layout.
“Now I know one of the torches has to be... it!”
He grabbed the base of a torch, just three feet away from a window that overlooked the side of a cliff. With a light tug on the wooden shaft, the stones under the torch began to grind and pull back to reveal a staircase leading down. Straightening out his clothes he began the walk down, the door closing up behind him. Slaar had to duck his head every now and then to keep the thick webs out of his hair and face. With what seemed like an eternity of walking he soon was faced with a solid wall. He put his ear up against the stone and began tapping brick by brick until he heard a hollow ringing. With his eyes closed he reached out with his magic, sensing for the mechanisms inside the wall.
“Right... there!”
Like the previous hidden door the stones began to grind as it slowly swung inward. Slaar stepped back until it was open enough for him to walk through. The castle prison was rather large, designed to hold all sorts of creatures in its bowels. With another dusting off of his clothes he stepped on over toward the bat-pony guard who merely nodded his head toward the cell across from them. Queen Chrysalis rested her head on her front hooves, eying Slaar carefully before another one of her smiles spread along her face.
“Will you be breaking me out now?”
“No, it's too soon. We have much to discuss before you can 'escape'.”
She sighed and stood up, stretching out her back while looking to the prince. “If you wanted information then perhaps I should have have brought more changelings than just him.”
“No, one changeling will suffice for th-”
With an audible pop, a small scroll appeared in front of Slaar. He opened it up and glanced at the words before crumbling the parchment. “Forgive me my dear, but dinner is to be served soon. I shall return after the meal, then perhaps I'll have more information for us to use.”
Chrysalis rolled her head and sat on her haunches. “You tease too much. A dinner amongst friends, I can only imagine how delicious all the good feelings would be!”
Slaar let out a low chuckle, reaching his hand past the bars to pet Chrysalis like an animal. She let out a low hiss and pulled away, eyes narrowing at him. The dragon merely grinned before leaving the way he came.
“Why are we allied with him if he treats you like a pet, my queen?”
“Without him we would not have known about the Tribunal and I would be dead. Where would the Hive be without its queen? I must make sacrifices for the good of my people, and if things go right then Equestria will be ours.”
The 'guard' shifted about nervously. “Are you sure my queen? I trust him as much as others would trust us.”
“Have a little faith, we are far too useful for him to betray us. If he wanted us dead, he would have done so by now.”
“As you wish, my queen.”
Slaar walked into the dining hall, right on time to his delight. The various leaders were just getting ready to sit down as he made his way to his seat on Agathon's right side. He gave a smile to everyone as he sat down.
“Forgive me, I was just exploring the castle, seeing if there were any changes since I was last here.”
“The food's not out yet and not everyone has been seated, so no need to apologize Slaar. Nothing's changed since the last time you were here... how many years has it been?”
“Too many.”
Agathon inclined his head toward Gilda as she took the seat to his left. “Ah ha, my daughter Ermengilda shall be joining us. Normally she eats alone, but I felt this was a good occasion for her to be out.”
King Phaitos took the seat to Gilda's left as the princess was seated opposite from Slaar, with Spike sitting between the minotaur monarch and Princess Luna. Vincent took up the seat next to Slaar, the middle-aged human rolling his sleeves up midway his forearms. The griffon king squawked as servants began to file in carrying trays of food. Cooked meats and fresh plants were set down as rich red wine was poured into their goblets.
Luna cleared her throat and nodded to Spike. “I am sorry but my, assistant, is rather young to be partaking of wine.”
Spike on his part, had already drank half of his goblet by the time Luna had spoken, causing the three other monarchs to laugh. Phaitos had already collected a sizable portion onto his plate while Agathon took some prime slices of juicy meat. Slaar looked at Spike curiously before sipping at his wine.
“Pace yourself, you're a dragon but you can still get drunk off this stuff. For griffon alcohol it's actually rather good.”
The younger dragon wiped his mouth with a napkin, suppressing a burp. “Hehe, sorry, Twilight never lets me drink this stuff.”
His goblet was engulfed in blue magic and pulled away, Princess Luna shaking her head. “And I shall not let you have anymore either. I told Twilight I would care for you and that includes no alcohol.”
“I'm rather curious where you came across a dragon whelp. Mothers tend to be violently protective of their nests.
“I have a name you know! It's Spike!”
“Spike, plea-”
“No no, he's right. I apologize Spike, it's just that I haven't actually seen a whelp in... I can't even remember!” Slaar smiled as he looked toward Agathon. “Have a servant fetch a diamond for Spike. Gems are important to a dragon's diet, especially when growing up.”
Spike's eyes brightened up at the prospect of a real diamond to feast on. “Whoa, really!?”
“Slaar, you're such a bleeding heart!” Agathon said with a low chuckle.
Phaitos raised an eyebrow as he swallowed his meal. “I'd say it would be rather unbecoming of a monarch, but considering what I know of your kingdom, Prince Slaar, it just seems appropriate.”
“If I recall, King Phaitos, you yourself are rather hands on and caring with your own kingdom,” Luna chided gently.
“Aye, true. Seems like the only monarch in this castle who is not as kind as us four is that insect in the cells below.”
“Actually, the changelings are a rather tight-knit society. While they are willing to die in droves for their queen, she too prefers to not risk even a single changeling if she can help it,” Vincent said before taking a sip of his wine. “Ah, I have not introduced myself properly! I am Vincent Windweaver, Prince Slaar's court wizard.”
“Court wizard?” Spike stuffed a bit of meat into his mouth as he asked.
“Ah, sort of like a unicorn as I've been told. I'm trained in magic in order to assist my liege.”
Luna's fork dropped to her plate with a clatter as she looked at Vincent, eyes wide. “Humans can use magic? But, how?”
“Training. Much like with anything else. Humans are not ponies. While some are better at things than others, a human could go their whole life without discovering some 'special talent' only to gain great skill and renown in something else. Besides, our neighbors are changelings, they need magic to weed out the imposters and to rescue captives.” Slaar popped in some beef fat into his mouth and began to chew, savoring the flavor.
“Of course, it's a difficult thing to learn. Prince Slaar here had to teach the first wizards magic and then hope for it to filter down into the rest of society. I myself had the great fortune to be taught by the master himself.” Vincent beamed with pride as he spoke.
“Ponies and humans can use magic eh? I'm surprised you two haven't allied together before, no one would wish to interfere in that situation. Even minotaurs, as powerful as we are, do not have formal arcane teachings. For the best, I suppose, that kind of magic just seems to be more of a tool.”
“Minotaurs have the same magic as zebras. Shamanism, with a healthy dose of respect. It's simpler, but more awe-inspiring in my experiences,” Agathon spoke softly with a smile of reminisce on his face.
“I am curious, King Agathon, Prince Slaar, as to how you two know each other. Your nations are further apart than Equestria and Griffdonia.” Luna took a careful nibble of some lettuce after speaking.
“Oh, that's a story that would take ages to tell, but simply put we met in Zebrica years ago. I was young, looking for adventure in an exotic, unknown place. It was before my family was regarded as royalty, that I earned upon my return.”
Slaar smiled fondly at the memories. “I was looking for ancient lore long forgotten. We had met by accident really, I stumbled into a nasty situation that nearly ended me but Agathon here stepped up and saved my life. We've been best friends ever since.”
“Hard to believe a dragon having such trouble, even alone!” Luna exclaimed with disbelief.
“I like a good challenge. We cannot grow and learn if we are not challenged after all. Besides, Zebrica has a delicate environment and ruins, I'd hate to have destroyed them!”
“Hah, delicate environment my beak! You don't know suffering until you've been stuck in that humidity with all those massive insects buzzing about and the diseases they spread! If we didn't run across that shaman we both would've died.”
“It has been such a long time since I've left Equestria, but even before then I never saw Zebrica. Perhaps when I return home I should read up on it. Why, there's even a zebra that lives right in the middle of Equestria, in the Everfree Forest.”
“Hmm... Is that castle still in the Everfree Forest? You know the one m'lord, where the church says the heretics will was broken?” Vincent spoke up.
Luna nearly spat out her wine, but managed to keep it down enough to cough and shake her head.
“Are you all right Princess?”
Luna coughed some more before wiping her hoof around her mouth “I am fine. To answer the query, yes, the castle still stands, though it is no longer used. Rather, it is much like a monument.” To the sins I have committed, she finished to herself.
“The Church of Sol Invictus has been fully committed to trying to set up a pilgrimage to that castle. I have told them repeatedly to focus on efforts at home. The people need help in Mana, not to risk their lives to a battlefield that should be let forgotten.” Slaar's words were venomous as he spoke, stabbing at his food, face scrunched up.
“At odds with the religion of your people, Prince Slaar?” Phaitos asked curiously. “Rather a strange position to take. I myself have fully taken to the clergy, they're some of my biggest supporters.”
Slaar scowled and looked down. “The church had been at war with what they deemed as 'heretics' for centuries when I arrived. I told both sides to send their champions to fight against mine to determine who shall rule Mana. In truth I had no champion, rather I fought against them myself. It did not endear me to the clergy, but I have been working on that.”
Luna looked to Slaar, examining the anger on his face as he spoke. “Religion is not very common in Equestria. My sister and I discourage attempts to worship us, but we will not ban the practices unless they get out of hand, like they seemed to have in Mana.”
The door to the dining hall opened and Night Shade stepped in, approaching the princess and whispering softly to her. Luna nodded and stood up, offering a nod of apology. “Forgive me, but even here I have duties to attend to. I shall return shortly but I must raise the moon over Equestria.”
As she left, the dragon prince appraised Night Shade carefully, looking the unicorn over before he disappeared with his princess.
“Agathon, perhaps you'd like to entertain Princess Luna and King Phaitos after dinner? I'd like to explore some more, it's been ages after all.”
Agathon trilled softly and smiled, giving a nod. “I'd be delighted to share some stories with the guests, just don't get lost. Tomorrow we'll be getting started with the Tribunal, the sooner we can get this settled the better.”
Slaar looked toward the younger dragon in the room. “So, Spike, you've been raised by ponies?”
Spike looked up, having been busy with eating as much as possible. “Huh? Oh, yeah! Princess Celestia took care of me until Twilight was old enough to do it. I've been her number one assistant ever since!”
“You seem to enjoy your lot in life.”
“Mmhm! I mean, I know dragons live for a really long time and all, and I'll outlive all my friends, but I have to make the best of things with what I got.”
“I understand what you mean. I've had many a good friend over the years, it's always painful to see them pass on. Still, there's new friends to make, new stories to be written! The best thing you can do for those gone is to keep them in your heart in your own special way. I myself have written biographies of my friends, so that I can reread the trials they've been through, whether I was with them or not.”
“Yeah, all my friends have had lots of adventures together! I'm pretty good at writing, maybe that's something I should look into sometime.”
Slaar smiled warmly and nodded, not noticing that Princess Luna had returned. “Your friends and all of Equestria might appreciate you keeping an accurate view of history.”
Phaitos gave a polite nod to Luna as she took to her seat. “Welcome back Princess Luna. I'm curious, is raising the moon difficult?”
“It is no more taxing for me than exercising for a couple hours would be for a normal pony. As my special talent, it would be shameful if I could not do it relatively easily.”
“Much like how frivolous politics is our forte,” Slaar chuckled out as he dabbed his lips and chin clean. Agathon rolled his eyes, but gave a soft laugh of his own, the griffon king puffing out his feathers for a brief moment.
King Agathon rose from his seat as servants began to clear the table. “King Phaitos, Princess Luna, would you two like to come to the den and share stories for a while?”
“Will Prince Slaar not be joining us?”
“I would, it sounds like a lovely time, but I like to spend my time alone you see, and I like to make sure my memories of this place are still correct.”
“Heh, dragons. Never know what kind of odd hobbies they pick up over the years!” Phaitos said with a grin as he stood up.
“Oh indeed, when you have all the time in the world so many peculiar things can catch your interest.”
With Slaar spending time alone, Agathon and Gilda escorted the other two monarchs into the king's den, a fireplace lit up already with two butlers at attention. Phaitos and Luna took to the seats offered them, Spike settling by the fire.
“Gilda, would you perhaps entertain our guests with some music for a bit?”
She nodded and motioned to a butler to bring her instrument. “I don't carry the thing with me, so it'll be a bit before I can begin.”
Spike looked at Gilda, wheels turning in his mind before he spoke up. “Hey, weren't you in Ponyville before? Yeah, I remember seeing you, you're Dash's friend!”
Her face contorted slightly. “I was her friend, then that dweeb had to throw away years in a couple minutes! Some 'loyal' friend she turned out to be!”
“Hey, Dash is a good, loyal friend!” Spike snapped, getting to his feet.
“Well, maybe if she tried a little harder to get that annoying pink bitch to leave us alone I wouldn't have snapped like I did!”
Spike pointed his finger at Gilda with a heavy scowl. “Take that back, Pinkie's not annoying, or a bitch!”
“Enough.”
Spike and Gilda both flinched from Luna rising to her hooves, giving a glare to both of them. “Spike, you will apologize to Princess Ermengilda for provoking her.”
“But Prin-”
“This is not up for debate.”
The young dragon grumbled, then looked up at Gilda. “I'm sorry.”
“You will apologize for your own outburst, Gilda,” Agathon said.
She crossed her arms and shook her head. “No. I'll apologize for a lot of things, but not for that.”
Agathon frowned. “Gilda...”
“No, this is not up for discussion.”
Luna shook her head. “It is quite all right King Agathon. My charge is the one that initiated this.”
Phaitos nodded in agreement with the Lunar Princess. “A host should never apologize for their guests.”
Spike sat back down, looking at the ground and twiddling his thumbs. There was an uneasy silence until the butler walked back in, handing Gilda a violin case. Quietly she opened it up and prepared the instrument. She ran the bow over the strings, a low, sorrowful melody coming from it, eyes closed as she felt the music.
Luna waited patiently until Gilda's performance was over, gently clapping her hooves together with a smile. “I know that tune quite well. Nearer My God to Thee, correct?”
“Oh, uh, yes. It's part of the songs I've been learning, all from the Kingdom of Mana.”
“I see... yes, that's where I remember it from.”
Agathon leaned in slightly, looking rather perplexed. “You've been to Mana before? I thought Equestria was still rather ignorant of it?”
“The ponies at large? Yes. My sister and I? We know it all too well... Forgive me, I prefer to not talk about it. Onto a different subject, how long have you been playing the violin, Ermengilda?”
“Just Gilda, if you'd please Princess Luna. I've been at practice for several months now. It's not as enjoyable as I've seen, but it can be rather relaxing.”
“Only a few months? Most nobles would get their children started on the arts as soon as they could, no?”
“Oh, Gilda is not mine by blood, I formally adopted her just little over a year ago.”
Phaitos gave a slow nod. “Really? I must've been busy dealing with the diamond dogs, what family are you from, Gilda?”
“None of any importance. I'm lowborn who joined the military and was just lucky enough for Father to be doing an inspection during a free for all.”
“I know from experience that royalty would not just adopt anyone, unless there were special circumstances involved,” Luna said.
“Gilda here has the Cry of the Roc! I was shocked to see that it had manifested in a lowborn, but how could I ignore it?”
“The Cry of the Roc?” Phaitos asked with a curious expression.
Luna's eyes widened slightly. “The Roc? Truly?”
Gilda gave a soft smile and nodded. “Well, everyone's got to be a little special you know? Ponies have those cutie marks and all. Hell, Dash is the Bearer of Loyalty, right? You'd think the Elements of Harmony would manifest in the nobility of Equestria and Dash is the daughter of a merc! I never saw that coming when I heard about it in Cloudsdale.”
The minotaur king let out a soft laugh and smiled. “The blood of the Founders finds it way to reappear in even the lowest of us it seems. It is good to see you afforded this opportunity, Princess Gilda. I hope that you can grow to rival Agathon in his abilities with time.”
With a laugh Agathon patted Gilda's shoulder, smiling proudly. “I have little doubt that she'll be able to prove herself.”
He followed the same path as before, offering the griffon guards polite hellos as he made his way back to the secret tunnel. After checking for that hallway to be unguarded he was swift in slipping through the door, down the steps, and out into the prison. Slaar looked over to the now griffon guard in front of Chrysalis' cell.
“My queen, he has returned,” the 'griffon' said.
As he walked over toward the changeling queen's cell he could see her hooves reach out past the bars, Chrysalis giving him a polite smile. “Do you have a plan in mind now?”
He gave a curt nod. “Indeed, one that will play into our favor greatly.”
Sleep was a luxury alicorns could rarely afford, especially in the running of a nation such as Equestria. As such, Princess Celestia was more at peace reading in her study than laying in bed, the Princess of the Sun rereading an exploration charter for Zebrica to make sure the expedition was funded appropriately and that any spelling or grammar errors were corrected before the official documents were printed and archived. She took in a soft breath as the wind rustled the curtains of her study, green ashes flowing onto her desk and forming a letter.
Dear Sister, I shall be brief, these developments have been rather unsettling. The humans of Mana are an organized nation, led by a dragon named Slaar. Not only is he able to actually lead, he can use magic and has taught humans magic as well. Despite being affable, we both know that dragons should not be as capable as he is, not without the intervention like Spike has had. I will have Night Shade try to learn everything he can about him during the Tribunal.
Also, that human cult that you said you dismantled has instead grown to be the dominant religion in Mana, much to Slaar's chagrin. Perhaps you should have that investigated while he is busy over here, they may turn out to be your greatest ally once more.
Your Sister,
Luna
Celestia read over the letter again and again, trying desperately to believe that Luna was trying to trick her. She shuddered and put the letter down, walking over toward her balcony to look over the southern stretches of Equestria.
“Mana, that church... I handled things terribly the first time around and it seems like someone else has to clean up after me.”
With a shake of her head, Celestia stood up and opened the door to her study. “Tell Captain Armor to send his most experienced scouts to me, now.”
“At once your highness!”
Short and succinct orders and the guard hurried off. The Sun Princess began tapping her hoof against the marble floor of the balcony as she walked out on it. She looked up to the sky, the beautiful night that was her sister's. Celestia blinked back tears and shook her head, wiping at her eyes with a hoof.
“Others were sacrificed back then sister, though you were the greatest I had hoped to bury the rest in the past.”
The court room had been designed specifically for the Tribunal so many centuries ago, the judge seats arranged for three. The middle and highest seat was reserved for King Agathon, the griffon settling into the chair as Prince Slaar took to his left side and King Phaitos his right. Princess Luna and Spike were seated a dozen feet in front of Slaar while Chrysalis was seated across the aisle in front of Phaitos. The changeling queen had been mostly unchained, the dangers of her natural powers too much to risk complete freedom.
The was a loud bang as Agathon smacked his gavel down. “The Tribunal has been called in order to determine if the changelings under the command of Queen Chrysalis have committed any crimes against the laws signed by King Aeschylus and Princess Celestia six hundred years ago and upheld by Equestria, the Griffon Kingdom, Mana, Knossos, and the Changeling Hive. I am King Agathon Goldenclaw, representing the Griffon Kingdom.”
“Prince Slaar, representing the Kingdom of Mana.”
“King Phaitos, representing Knossos.”
“Princess Luna, representing Equestria.”
“Queen Chrysalis, representing the Hive.”
Agathon cleared his throat as he folded his hands and looked to Luna and Chrysalis. “We shall begin with the events of the invasion from Equestria's view. Princess Luna, if you'd please.”
The Moon Princess nodded and stood up. “Very well. It began roughly a week after the wedding preparations for Princess Cadence and Captain Shining Armor began...”
**********
Night Shade had walked through the halls of the castle. The trial was a private affair amongst the leaders involved, as such it gave him ample time to explore and map out where Slaar and the humans were staying. Given with how hospitable King Agathon was, along with the politeness the leaders other than Chrysalis were giving, the different guards mingled rather well with each other. Other than the human guards, whom viewed the minotaurs and griffons with some mild apprehension and the ponies with outright confusion.
The reactions the different races had to each other made his job easier, despite his normal want for stealth Night Shade realized that humans were curious creatures and they had plied him with all sorts of questions about ponies when he revealed that he was not an obvious threat.
“Ponies do not eat meat. We simply are not made for such.”
One human guard raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Well, that's gotta save up some space and food for ya then. Think of all that space where you don't need to have them smelly cows or pigs taking up room.”
“Oh, we still have cows and pigs! We take care of them in exchange for milk and truffle hunting.”
“Truffles? You ponies must be living in fine land to have a lot of truffles!”
“From the sounds of things, Mana must not be doing so well.”
A couple of the guards looked at each other and shuffled on their feet.
“Our kingdom has always been in a state of suffering, though while I'd like to think it makes us stronger for it I can just look to our neighbors to see that is not the case.”
Night Shade jumped before turning to see that Vincent had joined them, the human wizard straightening out his clothes as he let out a sigh.
“They say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger,” the unicorn replied.
A ghost of a smile flickered on the wizard's lips. “We're survivors, first and foremost. The Church claims that this life is hard because the afterlife is one of great peace. Slaar says why wait until death for great peace when we can try working for it now?”
“Yes, every human I've talked to holds your prince in high regard. He holds a role similar to my princesses from what I've gathered.”
“He is a monarch, no? I am rather curious about Equestria itself, the people and culture. Perhaps our nations can find common ground and maybe start up some trade.”
“I am no diplomat, just a lowly guard for Princess Luna.”
“But you have her ear, that I can see.”
“Princess Luna would need to discuss with her sister first, even if I can convince her of something so big as trade with a nation that, quite frankly, I had just learned existed some days ago.”
“Perhaps we should discuss this in greater detail in private. It's really not something you can talk about while standing around, and they're busy with the Tribunal so that gives us plenty of time.”
The dark-coated unicorn nodded. “Lead the way.”
Vincent opened the door to the room the guards were milling about in front of, motioning for Night Shade to walk inside before closing it behind him. The unicorn took a look around, the flag for Mana being rather prominent in the room, two humans , one white and one black, both kneeling at the sides of a dragon.
“That flag represents Slaar bringing the religious factions in line. Despite the Church's power, so-called 'heretics' still held strong and could contest with them. The fighting had kept us struggling until Slaar showed up and put things in order.”
“You have a lot of respect for Slaar,” Nightshade noted with curiosity.
“I should! My family was poor but he sensed I had talent, and so took me on to teach me personally.”
Night Shade nodded slowly as he tossed the hood of his cloak back and sat down as Vincent took a chair. “So you're his personal student then? Princess Celestia has done something like that now and then over the years.”
“More than a student of course, I'm his confidant and top adviser, which is why I'm offering to discuss with you about Equestria and future dealings, if you are able to convince Princess Luna.”
“Well... I guess it would have to start with what exactly can Mana offer Equestria?”
“That IS a good question, isn't it?”
“You're certainly not making a good case for yourself. Equestria is almost entirely self-sufficient, if not for our need of metal than we would probably not bother talking to anyone outside the borders. Not even our military is lacking, the Royal Guard have garrisons in all major cities and outposts along the borderlands.”
Vincent lowered his head slightly and let out a tired sigh. “We're not doing so well. Even with Prince Slaar doing everything he can it's a struggle and Equestria could be the answer to our problems. We can offer, services. If Equestria needs, say, someone expendable for something that you wouldn't expect a pony to do, we could do it instead.”
“Hmm. Princess Celestia could be moved to sympathy for your plight, while Princess Luna may be glad to have people she can consider expendable. As I said before however, I will have to discuss this with her. Do not hope that either of them shall give the go ahead for support though.”
“All we can hope for is for it to at least be known to your princesses.”
“Well, perhaps we can discuss that later. I'm rather curious about Prince Slaar, and what he's done for your people.”
Vincent brightened up and nodded. “I'd be glad to talk about everything Prince Slaar has done for Mana.”
**********
Three pegasi flew with a cruising speed over Equestria toward the south, letting the myriad settlements pass by them without a thought. They all carried unmarked saddlebags filled with supplies, going from cloud to cloud in swift, well practiced maneuvers. The lead pegasi was a stallion with a gray coat, his mane and tail pure white, the other two pegasi following him were another stallion, his coat of a soft beige and a sky-blue mane while the last was a mare with a reddish-purple coat and a pure red mane. They kept in close formation as they cloud-hopped, keeping out of view from other pegasi and from the ponies down below.
“Princess Celestia seemed really worried about creatures that we didn't even know existed before, sir.” The younger stallion, Downdraft, kept to the middle of the group.
“Yeah, well everyone thought Nightmare Moon was a myth and we never heard of Discord until that happened,” Mist Weaver, the mare at the rear, spoke up.
“Normally I'd tell you both to cut the chatter, but it's not like anypony would really bother us. I just wish Celestia let us take our armor, at least until the border. Supposedly the humans are unable to control their weather, so it'll be like the Everfree Forest down there,” Captain Windgust snorted out.
“I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing, sir,” Mist said as she glanced behind herself every so often in case other pegasi had spotted them.
“Well it should be civilized, so if the weather goes to shit then at least there won't be monsters. Just say we're explorers and hope for the best.”
“For all intents and purposes Downdraft, this is a 'first contact' scenario with an indigenous people. We are to observe without being noticed and to report back with our findings.”
“What if we do get noticed, sir?” Downdraft asked curiously.
“Hope they're not hostile. More than just spying on these humans, we're also to map out the lands for more complete maps, the cartographers back home'll be happy to have some blanks to fill in.”
They fell into silence for the rest of the trip. Even with their evasive maneuvers, the flight of the pegasi was much faster than walking and soon they could see the Badlands below. They made sure the Hayseed Swamp was visible to the east, with orders to stick as close to the shoreline once out of the Badlands.
**********
Solar Court was not something Celestia had been wanting to do this day, with all the information she had received the previous night, but her duties called and Equestria needed her wisdom to keep some ambitious ponies in line. Scores of her subjects would flock to Canterlot from all over Equestria for any help she could give them, though her chancellor would screen out those arriving for minor matters while letting in the bureaucrats. The Solar Princess let out a soft sigh as she attended to the complaints that the Transportation officer in front of her was lodging.
“Maintaining the railways to places such as Appleoosa and the frozen north will require an increase of funding in order to expand operations. While I myself would like to shut down the route north because there is nothing there, by your own orders we must keep the way clear. With the weather as it is and there not being any sort of civilization there the accountants have seen that we will need an increase of roughly 8% our current funding.”
“Very well, I understand the Transportation Department has been getting irritable over maintenance of the northern routes but the pegasi are fond of cold weather so it could be a good region for them to expand.”
The earth pony nodded and gave the princess a tired smile before bowing. “Thank you Princess Celestia.”
She gave a polite nod back and a warm smile of her own. “Take care, my little pony.” She would say those five words at the end of each matter brought to her attention in court, and she always meant it each time.
Celestia steeled herself for the next petitioner when one of her unicorn guards hurried over from the door way. She held her hoof up to keep the petitioner from approaching as she leaned toward her guard.
“What is the matter?”
“Your Highness, a strange creature has arrived wishing to see you.”
The princess raised up an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. “What manner of creature are you talking about.”
“I do not know, Princess. He handed this over though.” Using his magic, the guard levitated a gold necklace, with Celestia's cutie mark hanging from it. “He asked to relay a message, 'May the sun shine on your morrow' and said you'd know what it'd mean.”
“Solar Court is dimissed, send this creature to me immediately.” Her tone as simple and direct, and though the petitioners protested the glares of the guards made them shuffle out. Celestia felt some worry and panic, though brief it was that was enough to unnerve her.
The doors opened up and she watched as the human walked inside. He was dirty from living out in the wilds, his clothing filthy with remnants of battle, with the symbol of the sun as cleaned as it could in such a state. His chain armor clinked as he approached, a matted beard on his face as he looked upon Celestia with the same awe a foal would have. No words were spoken as he knelt in front of Celestia, eyes fixed on the ground.
“Rise and speak, Sir Roland of Mana, he who holds the Blade of the Sun.”
Roland merely lifted his head to look at Celestia, blue eyes locked with hers. “I awoke at the castle, but it was in disrepair and the forest had claimed it. The sun was in the sky, so I assumed the battle won, and the Demon of the Dark defeated.” With a deep breath he rose up to stand, left hand resting on the hilt of his blade. “I managed to leave the forest, but not before talking with a curious pony. She told me that it had been a thousand years since then, and that Equestria knows nothing of humans.”
Before Celestia could blink, his sword was out, the golden metal igniting with ancient enchantments. She did not flinch, her eyes locked with Rolands as she flared her wings to keep her guards from approaching.
“Tell me, my goddess, why you did not keep your promise,” he hissed out, knuckles going white as he gripped the hilt of his blade.
She rose her hoof and put it against the flat of the blade, the fires of the enchantment merely licking along her flesh as she pushed it down. “There is much to discuss then. A lot has happened since that battle, I had not thought the consequences would take a millennium to catch up, but it has.”
He let out a light grunt and sheathed his blade, straightening out his tabard. “I have all the time in the world.”
Celestia nodded to her guards. “Take Sir Roland to be washed up and then to my study. Delegate all petitioners to meet with my chancellor instead.”
“Yes Princess.”
She smiled sadly up at Roland. “I never thought I would see you again... but I am glad that you're here.”
His own face turned to a smile as he bowed his head. “It is always a great honor to be in the presence of my goddess.”
The three pegasi continued with their flight, stopping only for food and drink. The lands below had grown harsher and more drier, stretching from the mountains to the west and the shore to the east. Clouds became more and more scarce as a result, but with seemingly no life for miles they had little to worry about.
“I wish Celestia told us just how far this place was!” Downdraft's irritation was almost as palpable to the others.
“She did. 'A proper military excursion to or from these lands would possibly take some months due to logistics involved',” Mist snorted out.
“Don't be a smart-flank Mist, and stop your whining Draft. Humans probably did something wrong to be tossed out in lands like these, and the Princess is worried enough about them that we need to do this.”
“Still, isn't it a little odd, Sir? Celestia knew about this place for how long and just know has decided to do something about it?”
“The Princess has her reasons to be secretive. We just have to have faith in her to do the right thing.”
“Hard to not have faith in the Princess, sir,” Downdraft quipped.
Windgust snorted. “The Princess has done a lot for Equestria. She's still just a pony though and can make mistakes. Once you've been in the Guard as long as I have, thinking of Celestia as perfect doesn't tend to stick. Well, unless you're an optimist like Captain Armor. Good stallion, horribly naïve.”
They fell back into an uncomfortable silence, time ticking away as they continued on their travels. Days passed, less time used than if they were on hoof, but the three stopped to set up for rest and food every so often.
It was not until their second week of travel that they had finally caught sight of dark clouds up ahead, the temperature dropping rapidly. The winds began to howl as a snowstorm suddenly enveloped the three pegasi.
“Climb up above the clouds!” Windgust shouted over the wind.
The three scouts pushed their way up through the clouds, using their wings and hooves to move the hundreds of feet up into the air. Once on the upper cloud layer, the pegasi collected their wits only for their jaws to drop.
“Are those...”
“No way!”
“Windigoes.”
Out in the distance the monstrous apparitions of legend were swirling around inside of the clouds, blanketing the land below in frost. If they had noticed the pegasi they made no note of it, intent on turning the land into a frozen tundra.
Windgust turned to the others, a frown on his face. “Look, now I know we have orders but these are windigoes. We can continue onward with our mission, or we can head back to Equestria. I'm not forcing you two into a situation like this.”
“With all due respect, sir,” Mist said with a slow nod, “but the Princess is counting on us to do our duties. I'd fly through Tartarus is that were my orders.”
“Same here sir, we have to do what we have to do and whatnot.”
The pegasi captain merely nodded and motioned for them to follow, diving back down through the clouds toward the ground below. “We'll keep this nice and easy, stay low to the ground until we hit civilization! This is no longer a 'first contact' scenario, we will assume that humans are on the level of ponies and act accordingly!”
“Why the sudden change in parameters, sir?” Downdraft shouted.
“Because if the windigoes are involved than humans will need our help more than our caution!”
*****
Agathon was sitting in the judge seat, head on the desk. His eyes were open and he let out a weary sigh as Gilda brought a tray of food to him, carefully setting down the platter of grubs, raw meat, and wine.
“This stuff's taking too long I guess?”
“A proper trial usually takes about a few months to a year to finally get going. A Tribunal starts as soon as possible, but takes forever to get resolved! Phaitos thinks that the Changelings were in the right to invade Equestria without prior warning, that Tribunal law is about consequences for some actions, not to outright deny certain strategies.”
Gilda took to the seat next to him, nodding as she popped some grubs into her mouth. “What does Slaar think?”
“Oh by the Roc, he's the worst of it! He and Luna have been pressing for Chrysalis to get the full punishment that Tribunal law can dictate, but capturing ponies to suspend and feed off of their emotions is nothing like genocide!”
“It's kinda close though, if they don't let the ponies breed, right?”
“No, it's like how we and the humans keep some animals to raise for food. Cows and pigs are quite intelligent, but they have no civilization, no culture, and so would wind up being food for monsters in the first place.”
Gilda shook her head. “The ponies do have a civilization and culture though, so if the changelings managed to succeed then it's as good as genocide then.”
Agathon picked his head up and opened his mouth, then shut it and gave a nod. “That's true. I suppose you don't have to kill them totally to eradicate their presence from the world. Though in that case we'll need to set up something with the changelings so they don't die of starvation... This is just a complete mess, I never should have accepted the Changelings into the Tribunal in the first place!”
She put her hand on his back and began to rub slowly. “It's okay dad, you thought you were doing the right thing. Anyone else could have done the same thing. Hell, Slaar hates the changelings but he was willing to help them!”
He smiled and gave Gilda an affectionate nuzzle. “That's true, yes. I suppose Chrysalis just wanted her people to survive, which is why Phaitos is supporting her. Still, I'm at a loss of what we can do. The Tribunal is at a stalemate, we don't have nearly enough other nations involved to help break it either.”
“The zebras would probably be more inclined if we weren't invading them every year.”
“Now you know that I have never endorsed the Zebrica invasions, but if the nobles don't get to show off then it'll cause tensions to build up here. Last thing we need is another Aeries War, especially since how different nobles control the different aspects of our industrialization works! Nobles who rule the miners could cut off he flow of iron to the forges, nobles that control the forges could direct the materials to be shipped to their own forces. It'd be utter chaos!”
“Dad, dad! You're worrying about this way too much. Just, relax, okay? I haven't seen you so stressed out until this all started. Once it's over maybe we can make a trip to Equestria.”
Agathon trilled softly and nodded with a smile. “Oh, yes that's a good idea! I haven't seen Princess Celestia since my coronation, and we could maybe get a new trade agreement settled as well! Yes, that's something to look forward to.”
“Maybe Slaar can come along too?”
“I wish, but he's always so busy with his kingdom. He once told me that Mana relies on him more than Equestria does the princesses!”
Gilda giggled softly and shook her head. “Maybe when he finds the time then, if he's your good friend then it'd only be wise for me to get to know him too.”
“This is taking too long Slaar. We need to do this, tonight,” Chrysalis hissed out.
“The Tribunal is deadlocked, so long as I keep agreeing with Princess Luna's side and Phaitos keeps taking yours then we can stretch this ou-”
Her hoof stomped the ground. “No! My people are starving to death, we need to get this plan started! And don't you forget, Mana is beset by all sorts of monsters, if you're not there then it'll succumb! Or do you not want to keep ruling over those petty humans, how they bicker amongst themselves over their foolish worship of Celestia and Luna... Having them die would make it so much easier!”
Slaar glared at the changeling, and pressed up against the bars. “I have half a mind to kill you for thinking I don't care about my people!” He paused and took in a deep breath and turned to the disguised guard. “Tonight, fine. I just hope you remember your role. This is to go off without a hitch.”
“I will not fail my queen.”
With a snort Slaar took his leave through the hidden passage, muttering under his breath. “It is not your queen that you can't fail.”
Once he was out of sight, Chrysalis turned her gaze to her guardian. “He's right, you know. If you make even the smallest mistake it is your life on the line, and I do not like risking my precious children. But, if your death advances our cause than you will be immortalized as a hero.”
“Serving the queen, the hive, that is all a changeling needs,” he said with a bow.
With a flick of her tail she settled back into the hay bed and nodded. “Then do what Slaar has asked of you, and nothing more. You will begin as soon as the moon has risen, understand? This gets done tonight, you know what you must be do.”
“Of course my queen.”
**********
Roland had taken his time in getting reacquainted with Canterlot from the last time he had been to the great city, though Celestia refused to let him wander without a proper escort, namely herself. To throw a human into such a city would bring all sorts of madness, to have the princess along with him would at least calm what fears her subjects would have. It was highly unorthodox, and Shining Armor was against having Roland walk through the city in the first place, but Celestia had convinced the guard captain that a full escort was not required. As such, Shining Armor decided to be their escort into Canterlot proper.
“Oh Auntie, you're going into the city? I was looking to go, there's a new bookstore opening and I'd like to see what they have to expand my collection!” Prince Blueblood said as he swiftly joined the trio, making sure his mane was perfectly set and straightening out his bow tie.
Shining rolled his eyes and let out a sigh while Celestia let out a light giggle.
“Oh nephew, we're just getting the ponies comfortable with Sir Roland, so that he doesn't need an escort all the time. Having the entire royal family might be a good way of doing that actually.”
“Cadance won't be joining us, she said she had some business out in the city to take care of,” Armor said before glancing nervously to Roland.
“Are you worried about my sword? It's a cultural thing, a knight does not go into the presence of their liege without being able to defend them. So long as Princess Celestia is with us, I am honor-bound to carry.”
“I really don't think that is necessary, Sir Roland.”
“It isn't, no, but better to have and not need than to need and not have.”
“Perfectly logical reasoning, shall we go now? Auntie may have the schedule clear for today but we simply must get in as much as possible before the sun sets!”
Celestia put a wing over Blueblood's back, shaking her head as she lead the group into the city. “And to think, some ponies find you a boor, nephew.”
It was quite a shock for the citizens of Canterlot to see their Princess walking without a sizable escort of guards, having only her nephew, captain, and that strange, tall beast with her! Roland was unperturbed by the stares and whispers, merely basking in the radiance that was the noon sun. It was Blueblood that was essentially leading the group along, casually chatting about new styles and artworks that have gotten popular in the last month. Shining wasn't caring much while Celestia merely nodded along.
“Ever since the changeling invasion, a few designers decided to go with glossy black leather and such for some of their latest designs. I myself couldn't be seen in such a thing, but I can understand the inspiration! Oh my, it's almost time for lunch, we should get that settled,” he said, making sure his mane was straight as they stood right in front of the most luxurious restaurant of Canterlot, Ancien Régime.
“Prince Blueblood, I'm not sure this is a good idea, this place is always full of paparazzi,” Armor said.
“Oh, nonsense! Paparazzi aren't going to try bothering Princess Celestia after all!”
“I do not think it is I we should be worried about.”
Roland, for his part, simply frowned. “I will be on my best behavior. I represent myself, humanity, and Celestia after all.”
Blueblood raised an eyebrow. “You represent Auntie? I know you have her cutie mark on your tabard and all...”
“I'll explain when we're inside and seated, only proper to tell a story over food.”
“Of course, of course!”
The sudden appearance of not just Princess Celestia, but also the captain of the guard and Prince Blueblood sent the restaurant into a titter, making sure Blueblood's usual table was open and cleaned up meticulously before the four were offered seats.
The maître d' was swift to join them before they were even fully seated.
“Ah, what a marvelous grouping of guests that have graced our humble eatery! What shall I be getting you all for drinks?”
“Hmm... A bottle of Prench champagne for the table?” Blueblood offered.
“I will just have tea, thank you,” Celestia said with a polite nod of her head.
“I will too, not allowed to drink on the job,” said Shining.
“I'll have some rye whiskey, I remember Canterlot being rather good with whiskey.”
The maître d' coughed nervously and bowed to the group. “I will be right back with your drinks.”
Blueblood shot a curious gaze at Roland. “Whiskey? I could've sworn you were a bourbon stall- er, man.”
“Hah! Bourbon is whiskey. A specific kind actually! But I've always enjoyed rye over corn. You know, Blueblood, I was warned up and down throughout the castle that you were an ass, but you don't seem so bad really! Much more agreeable than those other nobles I've seen come to court with their complaints.”
Blueblood cracked a grin and gave a nod. “Auntie's been helping my family for generations, there's a lot of love and loyalty between us. I'm not agreeable on a lot of things I will admit, but in my position I'm more concerned with making sure things run smoothly rather than amassing more wealth. If that means I have to be an ass, then so be it.”
Shining for his part, bit his tongue back while Celestia patiently waited for her tea.
In due time their drinks were brought out and food was ordered and set, Celestia, Shining, and Roland all ordering a rather simple salad for the restaurant while Blueblood got his a bit more fancier, if having a larger portion loaded to the brim with extras is simply 'a bit more' of course. The prince took a long sip of his champagne before letting out a pleased sigh.
“Excellent, as always. Now, Roland, I believe you were going to tell us a little story? I don't mean to pry. I do, actually, but you've been in Canterlot for some time now and only Auntie knows anything substantial about you!”
Shining cleared his throat. “Blueblood, it's rude to pester a guest with such frivolous things, if he wants to tell us it'll be on his own accord.”
“It's quite all right Captain Armor,” Roland took a sip of his whiskey. “It's a rather long story, not one to be told over a single lunch, I'll keep to the basics though. A thousand years ago I became head of the knights of the Celestian Church. We were rivals of the Lunarians until Nightmare appeared. It sparked a huge war between both religions as we wanted to help Celestia and they were devout to Luna. So through the war, Celestia and I were inseparable until the final battle in the Everfree. As the two goddesses fought in the skies, my brother and I faced each other.”
“Your brother was a Lunarian? I don't think I could ever raise a weapon against my sibling,” Shining said with a frown.
Roland sighed and nodded slowly. “Aye, but that's the difference between humans and ponies. You'd look for every option before resorting to violence while sometimes violence must be met with violence.”
Blueblood nearly spat out his drink. “That's barbaric!”
“It wasn't easy! Oliver and I were dear friends before we chose our goddesses, then rivals to bring glory to our respective churches, then finally foes on the battlefield. It weighed on my heart that I would have to kill my own brother, but that's when the Rainbow appeared. It engulfed us both, along with the Demon. Then I woke up at the castle which was overtaken by nature and made my way to Canterlot.”
Shining slowly stirred his tea. “You call Celestia and Luna goddesses?”
Celestia cleared her throat. “Yes, humans have seen my sister and I as such since we had found them.”
“Why didn't Equestria keep contact with them Auntie? It sounds like they would have been a great help in our conflicts with the griffons over the centuries.”
“Because... I abandoned humanity after sealing Luna in the moon.”
Roland took another sip of his whiskey. “We went over this several times already, and while I disagree I understand why you did it Princess, I probably would have done the same thing in your position.”
“Humans are... different from ponies,” Celestia began, then suddenly found it difficult to continue.
Shining raised an eyebrow and looked to Roland expectantly. With a heavy sigh the human knight continued for the princess.
“As we said before, humans are violent creatures. My brother and I raised swords against each other, and he wasn't possessed by bitterness or hate. All the reason he had was the love of his goddess in his heart. We also require a steady diet of meat as well, and I know how ponies take to humans consuming pork and beef.”
An uncomfortable silence descended upon the quartet as they finished their meals and drinks. They sat as their dishes were collected before Blueblood left a generous tip, then the four getting up and walking out.
“Back to the castle for the evening then?” the prince asked.
“There's one place I would like to see first, if it's still standing.”
Celestia gave Roland a soft smile. “I couldn't bear to have it demolished. It's near the center of town, all the original bricks still in place. Nopony uses it though, at least to my knowledge.”
His mood uplifted, Roland didn't even bother to give thanks, taking off down the road. Shining instantly took off after him, shouting for the human to slow down. Celestia giggled and spread her wings, taking flight after them. For his part, Blueblood let out a drawn-out sigh and began walking in their direction.
“Honestly, they're like children.”
Roland, Shining, and Celestia had all made it to the quaint church, Blueblood trailing far behind. Reverently, Roland placed his bare hand onto the stone of the church wall and lowered his head. His fingers trembled against the solid rock as tears patted against the ground. The Solar Princess walked up to his side, draping a wing over his back.
“Is he...”
“Yes, Turpin is still interred here. Not a thing has been changed.”
He reached for the door and pushed it open. Roland only took a single step inside to notice that the small, humble church was not completely empty. There was perhaps a handful of ponies seated quietly, but the most shocking one was at the podium, dressed in the white and gold trimmed robes of a Celestian.
“Cadance?” Shining Armor walked over to his wife, and she had suddenly realized that they had entered the church.
She cleared her throat softly and put on a large smile for them. “Welcome to the Celestian church of Canterlot. I know this is a shock to you all that I'm here dressed as I am.”
“Cadance, you know how I feel about, this,” Celestia said, making a motion with her hoof to the vestments.
“I do, aunt, I do! It's just, when we first met? How could I not think of you in such a way after that? I went there a pegasus and came out an alicorn, and it was after meeting you. And, this place, it's peaceful and brings happiness to those that know it. I enjoy bringing happiness to others.”
“So, this is where you've been sneaking off to when you have the chance. Can't say I'm entirely surprised and with your position it won't be such a scandal as if some other noble was leading this place,” Blueblood said with a nod. “Well, you all do take care, I have some errands to run.”
Roland walked forward and knelt before Cadance. “For me it seems to be only a few weeks since I had last heard the blessings from a priest, though I know it has been a millenia since. I ask for the blessing, if you'll allow it.”
“It seems unorthodox to ask me to bless you when Celestia herself is right there.”
“Dear Celestia does not view herself as a goddess, her humility is one that needs to be appreciated.”
Cadance looked up to the older princess, Celestia giving a nod of her head. The younger princess walked back to the podium and pulled a vial of water before moving back to Roland. He raised his head up and she sprinkled the water on his brow.
“The dark comes, but the sun will rise to banish the shadows. Monsters lurk, but flee from the righteous. To be a knight of the sun, to be a Celestian, is to steel yourself against your fears and to let the light of Celestia's love and wisdom guide the way. When all seems to be lost, remember that the sun shall shine upon your morrow.”
“The Knight's Prayer, said before battles, to assure victory,” Celestia said as she walked to them. Shining Armor took to his wife's side and embraced her with a smile.
“That was beautiful, Cadance, but why didn't you tell me before about this?”
“It's a private thing really, I didn't think it'd be something you'd be interested in. Aunt Celestia doesn't really seem to approve of it very much, so I never spoke about it.”
“While I do not approve, Cadance, it's good to see that you've been keeping this place in excellent condition.”
Cadance smiled up at Celestia and bowed. “Thank you aunt.”
Roland stood up, looking refreshed. He smiled warmly at Cadance and gave a bow. “If you'll all excuse me, I have an old friend I need to see,” he said as he walked toward the door in the back, leading down into the catacombs.
**********
Night had fallen over Griffdonia after another grueling Tribunal session before the leaders retired back to their rooms. Agathon slumped into his chair, Slaar sitting across from him. They both contented themselves with wine and Gilda's violin, the younger griffon gently playing with a few snags here and there.
“You're rather good, Gilda, especially for how long you've been playing!”
“It's not a useful skill, most griffons prefer martial prowess over other sorts.”
Agathaon scoffed. “It's not griffon nobles I want to show off to. They're easy to please, flash some talons, break some bones and you get all the respect you need. No, it's the Equestrians that I'd like to make a stronger connection with. Our cultures are different, but I've found the ponies to be admirable in their own ways.”
Slaar shook his head as he sipped the wine. “What, us humans aren't good enough for Griffdonia?” he said with a laugh. “I understand Agathon, Mana doesn't have the best offers to the other nations... I need to get back as soon as I can, the windigoes and faeries will have been active without my intervention.”
“Yes, the Tribunal... Slaar, we need to break this deadlock. It's clear Chrysalis is innocent of war crimes. Kidnapping, impersonation, and a sudden sneak attack do not qualify under Tribunal laws, but even then so long as you take Luna's side we can't get anywhere!”
“Are you asking me to side with Phaitos and have Chrysalis freed? You know that her changelings feed upon my humans!”
“Yes, they do, if I were in your position I'd be taking steps to protect my griffons, but the fact of the matter is that the changelings are starving to death while we're locked up in deliberations about if we should free their queen or not!”
Gilda's playing stopped as she looked between the two. “You know, you could try to set up a deal with Equestria. I mean, the changelings are starving, right? Play on the ponies and their pathetic empathy, make it look like the invasion was some desperate act and they didn't think of alternatives. With how you've been treating them, Prince Slaar, it has weight to it.”
The dragon-prince let out a snort through his nostrils. “The laws are right, Chrysalis should not be kept any longer. I suppose then that I will talk with Princess Luna about this then, to make her understand that I do not want Chrysalis free but we have no right to keep her. Well, Equestria does, but they will have to recapture her again.”
Agathon raised his glass, giving a wry grin to his friend. “A toast then, to finally ending this damned Tribunal. Next time we meet for Tribunal business, it'll be to rewrite the damn laws!”
With a laugh, they clinked their glasses together and downed the rest of their wine, settling into their seats. As Agathon began to pour another glass the door to the den was thrust open with magic, the griffon king dropping the bottle with a squawk. There was a whistle of air and a thud, Agathon clutched at his chest before slumping back in his seat.
Slaar's head snapped around, spying the intruder, Night Shade. He shot up out of his seat and towards the unicorn, who looked at the enraged prince with fear in his eyes. As the pony tried to turn away there was a hot flash filling the air, the crack of thunder, and suddenly where the dark stallion once stood only a pile of ash remained.
Gilda was by Agathon's side, blubbering as she tried to shake him awake.
“No no no no no no! You can't be dead, you can't!”
He left her to her grief, walking out into the hallway. The two griffon guards had their throats slashed, and he grimaced. Slaar turned to Gilda and felt his heart torn, seeing her cry over the body of his beloved friend. “Gilda, Gilda! I know this is hard, but right now we need to rally the guards. It was that pony of Princess Luna's that did this, we need to arrest her immediately.”
She was at a loss of words, her eyes red and wet with tears. Her head pushed into Agathon's shoulder as she sobbed, begging for the world to go back to how it was just moments ago. Slaar clenched his fist as several griffons rushed into the room. He turned his attention to them, a stern look on his face.
“King Agathon was assassinated by Princess Luna's guard, Princess Ermengilda will need consoling. Check on King Phaitos and Queen Chrysalis! We don't know how much danger the rest of the castle could be in!”
The guards hurriedly saluted and hurried out onto their assigned tasks, the sudden shock of their king's murder coupled with Slaar's forceful orders sending them out. Slaar moved back to his seat in a daze and landed on the cushion, looking at the glazed eyes of his friend, feeling them accusing him. Gilda continued sobbing over the king's corpse and the prince put his face into his hands, a shudder running down his spine.
Word spread throughout the castle mere moments after Agathon's death, the alarm bells ringing loudly. Spike awoke with a start, mumbling as he rolled out of his bed and onto the ground. He rubbed at his eyes as he walked over to Luna who was staring at the door.
“Princess, what's going on?”
“Spike, when the guards come just stay quiet and do what they say.”
“The guards? What's happening?”
Her face contorted into a grimace. “King Agathon was murdered by Night Shade.”
“What!?”
“Night Shade left for his usual walk, and next I hear is shouts of the king being slain in his den and Night Shade has not returned. Likely is that he murdered King Agathon.”
“But why would he do that?”
Luna lowered her head, eyes closed. “I do not know.”
It took just a moment longer for the guards to barge into the room, weapons leveled at the princess. When she made no motion of resistance, they clapped her hooves and horn into irons, capping her horn completely to prevent her spellcasting.
“Princess Luna, you are hereby charged with the murder of King Agathon Goldenclaw,” the guard captain said with a snort, the large griffon pushing Luna roughly to get her walking.
“Take the whelp to the other Equestrians.”
A griffon gave a sharp salute before picking up Spike, the baby dragon struggling as best he can to try to escape.
“Let go of me!”
“Quiet kid,” the guard snapped, shutting his beak sharply.
Spike gulped and nodded, letting himself be carried off.
Chrysalis awoke in a daze to two very powerful hands wrapped around her throat and the burning rage in Slaar's face, the dragon-prince throttling her. He had such force in his grip that her chitin started to groan from the force. She kicked her hooves out, looking up at him with a hurt, confused expression, attempting to pry his hands from her neck.
“He killed him, he killed him! Your fool of a changeling killed Agathon! What the fuck were you thinking?!”
He could hear the cracking of her black chitin before letting go of her, tossing the changeling queen hard against the wall with a sickening thud. Slaar started to take in deep breaths as Chrysalis groaned and tried to move up onto her hooves.
“H-he what?”
“He KILLED Agathon! He was only supposed to attack him but now Agathon is dead! My... my friend is dead...”
With a shake of her head the queen tried to walk toward Slaar, only to fall to her knees to catch some more air.
“That... wasn't supposed to happen.”
“Of course it wasn't supposed to happen! And what's worse is that I don't know if he was really Night Shade all along or if he killed the unicorn and dumped him somewhere!”
“Night Shade was certainly not one of mine.” Chrysalis began to rub at the cracks along her neck, frowning from the damages. “We can only hope the body was disposed of properly.”
She glanced up at Slaar, feeling the mixture of rage and sorrow coming from him. It was such a bitter taste, even normal food was preferably to the disgust she felt, bile rising in her throat from the emotions.
“...Plans have changed, Chrysalis. I do not have as much influence over Gilda as I did Agathon.” Slaar spoke with a low, deliberate manner. “We will have to protest for Luna's innocence and blame the attack on Celestia instead.”
“What?! Why not just let them think Luna did it and have them execute her?”
“No! Luna is far more powerful than the griffons, if she can find a way to escape she'll take it. No, we get her to come with us back to Mana, yes. With her off the map the griffons will be agitated and blame Equestria. Mana is cut off from the rest of the world, which is where you and your infiltrators come in.”
“You want us to spy on Equestria and Griffdonia then.”
“Exactly, mostly Equestr-”
Talons and hooves rattled against the stone as the silhouettes of several griffons and ponies made there way down the stone steps to the prison.
“We'll continue this later!” Slaar whispered out before focusing his magic and disappearing in a subdued flash and pop.
Chrysalis settled back into her hay bed, half-lidding her eyes to look as if the noise had woken her up.
“Mm, visitors to my humble abode?”
Two guards snorted as they opened up the changeling's cell, tossing in Princess Luna, her wings tied down firmly and an iron circlet fitted firmly onto her head and horn. The dark alicorn looked worse for wear, sporting a swollen left eye and several scratches along her body. Her royal regalia had been removed from her, further indignities to the princess.
“The king has been assassinated by a pony, the Tribunal's been dismissed. You're free to go.”
Chrysalis had felt such glee a handful of times in her life before. To see an enemy broken in such a way, at her very feet! She buzzed her wings to see if the injuries were as severe as she thought, but with no pain along she smiled widely. The changeling leaned over to Luna, baring her fangs.
“A lot of bad luck has befallen you it seems, and no Elements of Harmony or other princesses to help you. Is this how Equestria falls then, by picking you princesses off one by one?”
Luna turned her head away as Chrysalis walked out of the cell cackling as the changeling queen took her leave of the prison.
The wisp of magic filled Celestia's ear as she looked over to the horizon, horn aglow and helping the moon ease up into the sky over Equestria. Once the task was complete she picked the scroll up from the ground, the parchment scrawled hastily and not even sealed properly. Panic rose in her, the solar princess reading over the letter and her worry and fear only grew. She could feel the blood drain from her head as she grew faint and as she nearly collapsed Roland was there to support her.
“What is the matter?” He asked in a gentle tone.
When she didn't answer he picked up the dropped letter and read it, the hasty writing made it a little difficult for him to understand at first glance.
Princess Celestia, the griffon king is dead and they're blaming Luna! Chrysalis is free and the rest of us are in prison!
Roland frowned as he kept supporting Celestia, gently guiding her to sit and relax. He had seen her like this several times before, in the distant past...
“My lady, fear not. Your sister is resourceful. Whatever may come to pass know that my sword is at ready to serve you.”
Her eyes shifted slightly to look at him, unsure if his declaration of loyalty was reassuring. The war against Nightmare Moon was so long in the past, then a thousand years of peace and stability. Now a proper international crisis has sparked and the wise solar diarch felt lost for the first time in centuries. The Elements of Harmony could not quell a nation's anger at the death of their monarch. For griffons, only blood could pay for blood.
“Get Blueblood and Shining Armor.”
Roland nodded as he left to find the two unicorns, his armor jingle echoing through the massive halls of the castle. It took some time for him to find and relay the messages to both stallions before he made his way back to Celestia to see her having had set up a strategy map of Equestria, surrounding territories, and several other maps of the southern lands and across the sea.
Shining Armor and Prince Blueblood arrived at the same time as each other, the two unicorns being addressed of the situation as soon as the door closed.
Blueblood paced back and forth in thought. “This is quite a difficult situation Princess Celestia. As you know, the Equestrian forces haven't actually been used in... well since the Nightmare Moon incident! We have a merchant marine but they're mainly just focused on peaceful trade and logistics. We'll need to greatly expand the army and navy immediately. No doubt we'll have a deluge of glory-seeking pegasus to protect Equestria from the air, but the pegasus lack the discipline of their pre-Equestrian ancestors. We can be thankful in that the minotaurs do not have a strong naval presence at least, and that most of the griffon warmachine is dedicated to doing petty acts of violence elsewhere.”
“The Royal Guards, Solar and Lunar, are at the ready to serve.” Shining said with a salute. “Admittedly, our numbers are relatively small even compared to the current military reserves. We can only really serve as we have so far, Princess.”
Celestia was seated in front of a map of the world showing the distances between Equestria, the Bad Lands and the lands further south, and Griffdonia across the sea.
“With their king dead the griffon nobles will be locked in bloody murder to claim the throne for themselves, unless this Princess Gilda truly does bear the Roc's Cry. Coupled with the help of an actual dragon claiming to be a prince as well...” She shook her head, her ethereal mane shifting.
“What IS this Cry, auntie? And the Roc for that matter.”
Celestia's lips pursed a little in thought. “It has been so long since I witnessed it. The power of the Roc is the power of storm itself. It is rain, it is gale, it is thunder and lightning. The weather manipulation both pegasus and griffon make use of stem from the power of the Roc. His Cry is channeling that but through the voice. Last we are aware of, Princess Ermengilda is the currently only known wielder of this power, but Agathon's family had a long and storied history of similar feats and why he adopted her.”
Roland stroked his beard in thought. “Such ancient powers are often needed to be found, or are granted after vigorous quests. For such to be bestowed so, lightly...”
Blueblood chimed in. “Then this 'Roc' has something planned. Griffons warring against Equestria could be something for such powers to see, if only to 'shake up' the status quo of the world
“The Roc, nay, all of the Old Ones have not been seen since, a very long time.” Celestia said as her bottom lip began to quiver.
Dutiful as always both Roland and Shining Armor went to her sides, Shining offering her some water while Roland gently rubbed her back.
“Deep breaths now, deep and hold them my lady. Anxiousness hitting like this after the last is not a good sign, you should delegate your duties to others and rest.”
She looked at the map forlorn, tingling numbness in all four hooves as she breathed rapidly. “I'm a princess, I need to be strong for my little ponies.”
“And you are princess, but for now you need to rest like Roland said. We should get you to bed.”
While the other two escorted Celestia out Blueblood kept looking over the map, frowning. “Far, far too many unknown variables in all of this. We can't form a proper defense plan without knowing anything about the changelings and humans. Ah, well. I'll send out a conscription call. At the very least the populace should be trained for war if it comes down to it. I shall have to see if those scouts have returned yet.”
Windgust, Downdraft, and Mist had been greeted by the human populace of the village with confusion, but warmth. Their colorful coats made them far more appealing than the menaces that engulfed the land in biting chill and snow. The farms outside of the village faced the worst of it, but the village itself seemed to be more gripped in an autumn twilight than a winter's blizzard, the warmth of a stone building bearing Celestia's cutie mark the source of the magical heat.
It was there they had been offered shelter, an old man calling himself a priest gave them food and water and immensely pleased to see them.
“We have kept stories of your people. Of the pretty horses full of magic, the favored servants of the goddess. You are pegasi, yes? You can control the winds and the rain at her behest. But you alone cannot ward away the windigoes.”
As leader of the little group, Windgust took to the talking. “Right. It was only the unity of the three tribes that pushed the windigoes away. None alone could do it.”
“Mm. And here we Celestians are at odds with the Lunarians and the Royalists.” The priest said as he sat down gingerly. “Oh, the good prince tries, and we appreciate his efforts, but he is no goddess.”
“Couldn't you try to make peace with the others?”
“With the Royalists, yes. But they want us to stop feuding with the heretics, the Lunarians. It was their demon that caused brother to turn against brother, and any that still follow that monster cannot be trusted. We've seen the signs, that it was freed from its prison but nothing else after. Did the Unconquerable Sun finally vanquish the foe?”
Windgust let out an uncomfortable cough. “Ah, well, the nightmare as it were, was defeated.”
“Praise be to Celestia then!”
“But she was purified and redeemed and sits at her sister's side again.”
The revelation made the priest furrow his brow and frown. He hummed a little as he poured himself some cold wine and swirled it in his glass.
“Truly?”
“Quite so. I was one of the few to be transferred to her service temporarily before she could organize her own guards.”
A gentle sip from the glass. “This changes some things. For the better, I should hope. Hmph! Perhaps you should join me and tell the other congregations across Mana then. It would be, at the very least, heartening for some to learn that we can unify without Prince Slaar's interference.”
They were military scouts, not diplomats, and yet Windgust couldn't help but be curious about humanity and their leader. For the report, of course. “You're not overly fond of your prince?”
“That would not be inaccurate. He wields great temporal power, that is true, but he constantly steps in on the realm of the divine in ways that are, disconcerting. He's treated both Celestians and Lunarians equally which, for much of our history, is rather abhorrent.”
“How come he hasn't dealt with the windigoes.”
The priest closed his eyes. “He's tried, so the stories go. But if what you say is true, that the people need to be unified, then his efforts would be for naught regardless. Still, he does infuse the land with his own power, letting us grow crops even in the bitter chill.”
“You don't consider him a god in that case?”
“Pshah! Any wizard with the training in the earth could do it! It's nothing compared to being one with the sun!”
Mist leaned over to Downdraft to speak out of earshot of the priest. “I haven't heard of any unicorn doing something like that.”
Downdraft whispered back. “That's 'cause there's no unicorn that would bother with crops in the first place.”
Distraught wasn't the right word for Gilda's state of mind, it was too weak for the range of emotions she was feeling so soon after Agathon's murder. The king had adopted her into his family, gave her a new life to shed her old one from, and now he was gone, as cold as the stone the castle was made from.
Worse, news of his death would soon spread and challengers to the throne would begin to appear. Cry or not, Gilda was still a young hen with only basic military training. Many nobles had scars and experiences from their forays into foreign lands. Challenges that were refused were considered signs of weakness, and would make her unworthy of being listened to anyways.
Phaitos was already preparing to return to his people after pledging support for war with Equestria over the assassination. Slaar was as torn up as Gilda was- no, he was in a much worse state. His clothing had been torn and he was crying almost all the time. Chrysalis herself stuck around as well. She had no way of getting back to her people for the time being, and while she had no love for Agathon she didn't make such feelings public, but she was gloating over Luna's imprisonment.
At least until Slaar threw the changeling at a wall.
Before he could do anything else Gilda had slapped him across the face with her talons, leaving bleeding lines in his skin. The strike itself wasn't much, but the blood put him in a daze and he sat down.
“Will you two get a hold of yourselves?! You're rulers of entire nations, I'm the one that should be acting up!” Gilda snapped before slumping back into her chair, holding back another round of tears.
Chrysalis hissed as she got up onto her hooves, feeling more subtle cracks in her chitin. It would be some time before those closed up, unless she got to feed. The previous injuries throbbed in fresh pain.
Slaar was looking at the blood on his hand from the scratches on his face and he burst out into soft, choked giggles with fresh tears. “He hit me like this before. We were arguing, he cut me real bad. I punched him in the beak and we just, wrestled each other off of a cliff!”
It took him a moment to continue. “We panicked as we fell, then we remembered we could both fly right before we hit the ground!” The dragon prince rubbed his face, mixing the blood and tears together and not caring. “Gods, we were fools. Wouldn't have had that bastard any other way...”
He closed his eyes and turned his head. The guilt was eating him up, but he couldn't let anyone know what he and Chrysalis had done, had planned.. This did mean she could blackmail him if she thought she could get something out of it, but such a thought was far from his mind. Not just Agathon's death, but Luna's imprisonment. That could not be avoided in the plan, but did they need to have been so harsh on her? Of course they did. The griffons lost their king, and the ponies were the immediate suspects to blame.
“Gilda, who will be the greatest challenger to your rule?” He asked as blood dripped onto his disheveled clothing.
“Other than Princess Celestia at this point? Lord Nikola of the Black Iron Mountains. He's contested the throne for ages.”
“Chrysalis, you have a target. Get to it.”
Gilda's eyes widened while the changeling just looked peeved.
“I am not allowing a changeling to act inside the borders like that!” The griffon snapped as she rose from her chair, getting ready to cut Slaar again.
“Can you fight this Nikola, Gilda? Can you fight every challenger that will come you way, Cry or not?”
She clenched her beak and flexed her talons as anger flashed in her eyes.
“As I thought. We take out the biggest threat to your rule now by forcing him to become a friend.”
Gilda began to pace around, mind racing. She was too young for this sort of thing, that she was sure of. Plots and plans fit for dragons, changelings, ponies even! But not griffons.
“No. If he comes here for the throne I'll defend it. I can't use such methods. Father-”
“You're right. He wouldn't use such tricks.” Slaar sighed out.
Chrysalis snorted. “What am I going to do for food?”
She felt so, helpless, seeing the moon cross the sky without her assistance. Luna's eye still ached from the punch, but it was healing. The others of her group had been separated from her, and she could only hope they were all right. The iron seal placed on her horn kept most of her magic locked down. Most. By closing her eyes she could still cast her gaze from the moonlight to witness anything the light touched. Movement was nothing out of the ordinary but... there was Slaar, his clothing in tatters and dried blood all along his front, moving through the halls toward the dungeon.
Despite knowing he was coming down, hearing the rattle of the bars and seeing his bloody visage made her stumble backwards.
“I want to get you out of here and I know how. It's just, going to be a bit.”
She eyed him warily as she got back up to her hooves. “Pray tell what thy plan is.”
“Like I said, it'll be just a bit. First we need to get the griffons to be mobilized enough for war to start moving their forces across the ocean. Queen Gilda will have to lead them directly, given her having the Cry.”
“Thou shall help mine escape after the griffons are off to war?! Art thou mad?!”
Slaar took in a deep breath. “Listen, there is no way to get you back to Equestria right now or when they're crossing the ocean. The best I can do is to smuggle you with me to Mana for a time first and from there we can make the journey back to Equestria.”
Luna steadied her breathing as she looked at the disheveled prince, cut up and covered in dried blood like some rogue from the more realistic novels she'd gotten her hoofs on. She could not deny the predatory gaze in his eyes, or the fangs he could not conceal. The human guise worked poorly for him, she believed. With her breathing more calm, her speech calmed as well.
“Why do you want to help me?”
“I know you're innocent, and had I known the moon to be so beautiful I would have done something sooner.”
That would have made her bluish if she weren't sitting in a cell with her eye still aching.
“If you were so smitten with my beauty then you should know I cannot allow my subjects to be at risk of harm, and you would be doing everything you could for me.”
Slaar smiled sadly. “Unfortunately, sweet Selene this plan will require some sacrifices.”
The hairs on the back of her neck bristled. “Where did you learn that name.”
“Ancient ruins scattered around Zebrica.” Slaar said, a little hastily. “Agathon and I plundered many such places in his younger years, the tales of Sol and Selene still are rumbled there, as well as in some isolated parts of Knossos.”
“You will not address me by that name ever again.” Her voice was stern, eyes narrowed.
For his part, Slaar looked a little surprised and bowed. “My apologies.”
“And I will not see a pony harmed through this either.”
At that, his lips pursed. “Night Shade is already dead, princess. There's no turning back, either you sit in this cell until this unnecessary war ends or we do things my way and smuggle you out to Mana.”
“And not Equestria.”
“Not until the war is over, at least. Otherwise there are other nations that will see it as that Equestria is involved in the murder of a foreign monarch. Mana would thus be the safest place for you until then...”
“But Agathon was your friend, and the griffons will expect you to march with them. Gilda will expect you to march.”
A pained looked crossed his face. “The only help I can give is assure Gilda's control of Griffdonia. Mana lacks the manpower. The distance is too great, the people divided between worshiping you, your sister, and myself.”
There was a pregnant pause as Luna gingerly laid down. “Having me there will encourage the Lunarians to side with you. The Celestians will then either need to give in, or grow more stubborn. I will be, protected, from the wrath of the griffons and minotaurs for this debacle. Many will die regardless.”
As she closed her eyes he could not help but admire the sparkle her tears made in the moonlight.
“Who are you, Slaar?”
He looked up to the moonlight pouring through the barred window, soaking in its radiance before he looked back to her. “A prince, a dragon... a fool.”
Slaar took his leave, his steps slow and unsteady. For all of his years, few things have affected him so deeply. His stewardship over what remains of humanity, his friendship with Agathon, and now his attraction to the lunar princess. An ancient desire for revenge battled with his new desire for something more. With a deep breath he made his way to where Luna's entourage were confined.
The guards watched him as he approached. "You two are dismissed, the Queen wants these prisoners freed and sent on their way immediately."
Neither griffon moved and kept looking at Slaar, who grew increasingly annoyed with their silence. "Do I have to get her to come down here herself for this? Do you really want to risk her wroth?"
Both guards looked to each other before they shrugged. "If you say so, Prince Slaar." The one of the left said before they both walked off.
With that situated Slaar hurriedly opened the door to the room where Spike and Luna's guards were sequestered. With weary eyes he blinked and saw Slaar there, covered in blood and tatters. For some reason it didn't make him as afraid as it should have.
“Get up, all of you up. Queen Gilda is allowing you all to go back to Equestria immediately.” He said as he walked around the room before holding a hand out to Spike. “I'm sorry all of this happened Spike. Your first foray into Griffdonia should have been far more pleasant.”
Reaching up, the baby dragon took the older one's hand and stood up. “It's okay Slaar, it's not your fault this happened. I bet it was that scheming Chrysalis!”
Slaar winced. “Regardless, you'll be out of here post-haste. The trip back will take longer than it did to get here though.” The older dragon looked to the guards as they readied their things. “The griffons will be claiming the Azure Archipelago, your ship will need to circumvent that area. You're being freed, but you're not being given an escort.”
Two of the guards murmured at that. “The Azures? They're key to controlling ocean travel. If Griffdonia gains control of them-”
“Then the griffons and minotaurs will be able to use them as a staging point for incursions against Equestria, yes. That's why you need to be on your way immediately, while the griffons still need to gather their wits.”
“Your majesty, if you don't mind us asking-”
Slaar glanced behind him into the empty hall. “I'm helping you because the sooner Equestria can move the sooner I can get Luna out of here. Trust me.”
Spike walked up to Slaar, looking up to him with trepidation. “Is Princess Luna going to be okay?”
The dragon prince knelt down and put a hand on Spike's shoulder. “I swear to protect her until she can return home little one. I swear on the graves of my family.”
On the edge of Mana's borders, a smithy was operating late into the night. A man with dark hair and scars across his arms and face hammered ancient metal into a crown fit for royalty with sockets for gems. Once in the shape he desired he quickly doused it in oil to cool it off immediately and then pulled it out. He examined the crown, the metal a strange midnight blue, and set it down next to some gems along with other bits of shaped metal.
He killed the forge to let it cool down, the chill from outside seeping in rapidly. Uncaring he picked up gems as black as pitch and went to work slowly insetting them into the regalia, a smile on his face.
”How long has it been? Brother went north, of course, but the stars guided me south. That, pretender. She is not you, my goddess.” Even in the dark light reflected off of the gems. “I will meet her again someday no doubt, and you shall be reborn. My goddess. My Nightmare.”
To say Gilda was angry that the prisoners were allowed to escape was an understatement. That none of the guards bothered to stop them was a sign that her power was much more limited than Agathon's was. Coupled with how Chrysalis was gone, no doubt to flee back to her people or do her work on Nikola. Either way at least that smug bug was out of her feathers but unable to be found to do Roc-knows-what in Griffdonia.
Slaar remained of course, and she had her talons sunk deep into his human guise. His pain was clear on his face, but he took it. If she so chose, she could have torn him apart and he didn't seem to resist it. Even his guards stood by, watching the violence.
“Why did you let them free?!”
“T-they were unimportant!” He choked out. “Luna's the only one we need!”
Gilda kept strangling him for a while longer before she finally let him go and stomped around trying to think.
He sat up, rubbing his throat and coughed. “We-we will need time to solidify your rule over the griffons. During then the Equestrians will mobilize, their focus on Griffdonia.”
“And how is that supposed to help us?!”
“The changelings. The changelings will infiltrate their civilian populations, weaken the resolve for the conflict. They're starving, and with the Equestrians distracted it'd be a prime time for them to get to work.”
Gilda's breathing was heavy and she brushed feathers away from her face as she turned to look out a window. She took in deep gulps of the chilled air and shook her head. Her limbs trembled as she looked back to him. “Father told me- he told me you always came up with half-assed schemes. Never thinking things through, just having some vague idea and going with it. He trusted you.”
That stung badly, but he couldn't let her see that in his reaction. Instead he nodded as he stood back up. “Aye, he always trusted me.” And now he's dead because of that. That thought gave him pause. Could he really keep it going like this? One mistake out of how many successes and yet things were spiraling rapidly. But then, why shouldn't they?
She looked back out at the vast expanse of snow-capped mountains. “I'll trust you too then. But if you make me regret this, I will kill you.”
“Thank you. First things first, we need to solidify your rule over the other nobles. Gather your trustiest soldiers and we can begin. If we're lucky, Chrysalis will have made herself useful in this endeavor.”
“Do you really trust that insect?”
“Not very, but her people are starving. She'll be useful to us so long as she thinks it will help them.”
Gilda took in a deep breath and clenched her fists. “Well then we better get started on organizing around here then.”
Much of the rest of the day was getting the griffon guards in line. While still young and sprightly, Gilda's combat inexperience would still have been against her, if not for being capable of shouting at such a volume that made even the toughest griffon grimace and knees buckle. That she was followed by Agathon's best friend gave them pause as well. After demonstrating for the more stubborn guards it was not difficult to make the others fall in line.
After being satisfied that the house guards had pledged themselves fully to her the young griffon queen looked the dragon in the eye. “Bring the pony along, we have a nation to unite.”
Slaar let out a cough. “What?”
“You heard me. We can't leave Princess Luna here alone, and while I'll trust your advice Slaar, I can't trust you and yours to be alone with her. What if you free her too?”
His lips twitched slightly at that. “Very well, Queen Gilda.”
Luna was not happy when she was roused from her slumber, blinking wearily. She had tried her best to acclimate to the day for the Tribunal, but now that it all had gone to Tartarus she slipped back to her normal sleeping habits. Her eyes focused on Slaar as he opened her cell and offered a hand to her.
“Princess Luna, I'm sorry to say that we're not getting you out of Griffdonia just yet, but we are getting you out of this cell at least.”
She eyed him warily, lips curled in a frown. “Why then should we take thy hand?”
“Because Queen Gilda commands it. We're leaving this castle to see to her securing her rule over Griffdonia. They still enjoy bloodying each other up to establish and maintain dominance.”
The dark alicorn stood up without his help, tossing her mane back. Her nostrils flared out in a snort as she walked right past him. “Very well. We shall endure these misfortunes a while longer.” Her hoof stomped on the floor and she turned to glare at Slaar. “But we will hold you to thy promise to see us back home.”
Slaar bowed with a smile. “It will be my pleasure to assist you, Princess Luna, in any way possible.”
Her voice softened. “Assist me with knowledge. Tell me of yourself.”
His smile flipped into a frown as they began to walk together. “I am a dragon, and a prince. There's just... not much I can really say. I didn't want to be Dragon Lord, but I wanted to rule, and I traveled and found humans. They proved amiable enough for my ambitions.”
“That is remarkably vague and sparse. You know spells, and can shift forms.”
“I've had myriad teachers in my youth. I was hungry for knowledge you know. That little one, Spike, he could be doing the same really. Just need a good knife to start things off, until the claws come in proper. Flint is a good start for such, at least until one can buy a decent knife.”
As they walked his guards fell in line as they made their way to the airship moorings with Vincent behind the prince and princess, the soft thud of his staff against the stone.
“You must have left your nest when you were very young then," Spike she recalled was raised by her sister first, then Twilight, and had lots of friends. "Too young from what you say. Forgive me for asking, but what of your family?"
Slaar cleared his throat as they walked outside into the brisk air. “Too young indeed, but I'm here now. I cannot dwell on a past when there's a present and future to focus on. Oh, it looks like the griffons want you on their ship. Heh. Gilda doesn't trust me as much as I'd like! Shame, I'd like to talk more. Perhaps at the next aerie.”
He bowed to Luna as the griffon guards took over her escort and led her to their airship. Once both were fired up and their rotors going they took off. Slaar watched as Luna was forced into the bowels of the ship and he let out a sigh, while Vincent let out a bemused sound.
“You're infatuated with the lunar princess.”
“I am, and I shouldn't be.”
“Would it be wise to seek to court one accused of murdering your dear friend?”
It took him a moment to respond, a sorrowful expression on his face. “No, it wouldn't be wise. But I am not wise, Vincent. I am a fool. I shall always be a fool. That shall not change.”
“Be careful then Slaar. You are our prince, our lord. I shall stand by you until the end of days if possible. I owe you too much to ever abandon you. I am sad about what happened with Night Shade, we had such lovely talks. Then again, I knew him very little. To think of such a brazen assassination attempt, perhaps it was them being desperate to keep Chrysalis from being freed.”
Slaar merely nodded as he let the words sink in, then he leapt over the side of the ship. He twisted about in midair, giving some room before he shed his disguise. Scintillating blue scales rippled across his form as his human body vanished to be replaced with his real one, the massive dragon spiraling down before his wings spread and he caught the wind, bringing him back up to level with the ships. The griffons gawked and watched, Gilda included, at the display of the prince. With a deep breath of the chill air he let out a roar and barrel rolled away. With a twist he brought an eye to one of the portholes on the griffon ship, the slitted eye able to peer in. He could see Princess Luna looking back at him, apparently unamused. He picked up speed, going past the ships to take the lead and allowing them to fly in his wake with the sunlight making his scales glitter like sapphires.
Gilda snorted at his display and turned to go inside. “What a showoff.”
Vincent watched, leaning on the rail of the airship to watch his lord's antics. “There's something off about all of this.” He muttered to himself.
“You wish to send out a Conscription Call?” Celestia asked as she looked over the detailed proclamation Blueblood had written up. “Hmm. The reasoning is sound, and the conditions are not too drastic.”
“I had some time to think on it, auntie. We just need a good look at the potential pool of ponypower we can draw from after all. There is a special exception for the Elements of Harmony, though given from what I've studied the Element of Loyalty would likely volunteer on her own.” Blueblood swirled a glass of brandy before sipping. “Her ability in doing the Sonic Rainboom could be useful to us, but stories of her shown her being very brash and hotheaded. Daring is all well and good for old war romances, but can be disastrous in the real world.”
“Indeed. Shining, how are the anti-changeling techniques coming along?”
Shining saluted briskly. “As well as we can your highness. Without actual changelings to practice on we have to make use of our own illusion spells to counter. It has been slow, but we can reliably set up anti-illusion fields over a wide area. Whether this can work on changeling magic, we'll just have to see.”
Blueblood walked over to the balcony overlooking Canterlot and looked across the city. “Is Sir Roland at the church again?”
Celestia let out a tired sigh. “He is. He's been spending much of his time lately helping catalog those interred, as well as any and all relics as well.”
“Praying with cousin Cadance as well, yes?”
“Yes, praying with Cadance as well.”
Blueblood turned to look at Celestia, humming gently. “Does it work, can you feel the prayers?”
With a raised brow the solar princess shook her head. “I'm not truly a god, nephew. Despite what others wish to think of me or my sister, we are just ponies.”
“Supremely powerful and nigh-immortal ponies who control the sun and moon.” Her nephew pointed out. “By most measures that would count you two as gods.”
She winced. “The hubris of others is how we attained our positions in the first place, I do not seek to make those same mistakes.”
“And you haven't, princess!” Shining said as he cut in. “You're one of the most humble ponies I know. You're well composed and treat people fairly, and you only seek to do what's best for your subjects. That is what inspires us about you, not your power.”
“Not just your power. Take that all together, and what other conclusion can some make?”
Celestia narrowed one eye at her nephew as he took another drink of brandy. The constant back and forth of her potential divinity was such a hot topic since Roland came back proclaiming with all of his heart about her being a goddess. She could have told him to stop it, to keep it to himself, but the guilt of abandoning his kin so long ago weighed on her. Her own ponies actively talking about it, to her however? That was frustrating.
“Enough. We will not talk about this in these halls. It is irrelevant.”
Blueblood bowed low. “Forgive me, auntie.”
She waved a hoof, sighing. “We have generals to talk to about the southern border and the ocean. We'll need to patrol the Azures for griffon activity, it is key to protecting Equestria from any incursions by them.”
Shining stepped forward. “On the nature of the griffon threat we still need time to gather intel, but we're confident that the new queen will require some weeks in order to get support from the nobility and industry owners.”
“Does that take into account that there is a changeling queen and a dragon roaming freely through Griffdonia?” Blueblood asked curiously.
The captain winced. “Well, maybe not very confident. It will still be time before they can mobilize however. In the meantime we can have pegasus teams at the Azures and securing it for us. We'll need to get some cloud outposts there first and secure the weather first before we can ensure it's defensible against griffon forces.”
The princess nodded. “I'll send the proper orders, I want aerial teams at the Azures ASAP. They'll need to be prepared in case Queen Gilda takes to the field herself.” Celestia grimaced. “No, she will take to the field. It'll be her chance to prove to the others her power and better solidify her support over the military. It's what I would do in her situation.”
The door opened and the familiar jingle of Roland's armor could be heard as he walked in. “No diplomatic solution to this situation, my lady?”
With a tired sigh Celestia looked at the man. “Their king was likely murdered by Chrysalis, but they're sure it was Equestria that was behind it. When griffons put their mind to war, it is difficult to dissuade them. We've fought several wars with them over the centuries, each time they were the aggressor. Nay, the only way to get them to the table is to bloody their beaks first. Griffons respect strength of arms more than honeyed words.”
“Ah, of course. Actions speaking louder and whatnot. I'm sad to say I will not be able to assist in the fighting then.” Roland knelt down in front of her. “But if there is anything I can do, I shall.”
Celestia looked down at her faithful knight, so full of love and compassion for the object of his worship. It pained her that he was so devout in serving her when he could have gone to do anything else in his life.
“Roland, you can honor me by going to Knossos to speak with King Phaitos of the minotaurs to try and convince them to keep out of the conflict. The minotaurs are an honorable people, and I do not doubt they pledged their support to the griffons. I do not want to see minotaur warriors heading to Equestria, can you attempt to dissuade them?”
“Minotaurs? I will do my best, for your sake my lady.”
Celestia lowered her head, touching her horn to his shoulders. “That is all I can ask Roland, thank you.”
Twilight was worried. It was a constant state of being for her, to worry. Something's were minuscule. Well, most things she worried about were. That there was no word from Spike or about the trial for days set her on edge, but trials were lengthy things. There were lawyers and evidence and talking, lots of talking! Of course that recent conscription notice happened as well, that was a bit worrying too. She was thankful that her and most of Ponyville was exempt, whether that was Princess Celestia's doing or just old demographics laws about vital services she'd need to ask for clarification. Of course before that, that strange bipedal creature had wandered out of the forest as well! So many were shocked and afraid, he was covered in armor and had a weapon, but Lyra had helped him leave the town.
Overall, a lot was going on that she wasn't sure about, and it had her worried.
Rainbow Dash on the other hand, was much less worried and much more frustrated. She was rereading one of the older Daring Do novels as the next one wouldn't be out for a bit yet, but her thoughts went to the romanticized stories of ancient pegasus warriors battling it out among the clouds against rival families, griffon raiders, and the errant dragon. Her mind became full of thoughts of her dressed in ancient regalia, using her Sonic Rainboom to batter all the foes of Equestria!
Twilight noticed her friend's dreamy gaze and let out a polite cough. “Rainbow, I know you're upset that you weren't asked about, this military business, but your job was Ponyville's weathermare is vital too.”
Rainbow turned over onto her back and let out a sigh. “I know Twilight, and I wouldn't abandon everypony when they needed me, but if I could find a replacement then I would totally sign up as soon as I could!”
The purple unicorn shook her head as she got up to start getting tea ready. “Because military service would have the Wonderbolts look at you more favorably?”
“Wait, really?! I didn't know that!” Dash said as she sat up. “But, no. We pegasus have a long history of combat, it's in my blood!” Jumping off of the couch she started to shadowbox. “Equestria's fought a bunch of battles against the griffons and it was mostly pegasi on the frontlines for it!”
Twilight came back out with two cups of tea, offering one to Dash who accepted.
“And each time those wars were fought to a draw with no clear victor, with Princess Celestia abstaining from the conflicts due to her importance in administrating Equestria. The last Equestrian-Griffon war ended with concessions to Griffdonia's naval claims as well as establishing the Tribunal between us, which later grew to incorporate the minotaurs and apparently now the changelings as well.”
“Unlike all those times, my Rainb-”
“Rainbow, please, we don't even know why they sent out a conscription call! Most likely they're just going for unicorns for anti-illusion magic to try and find changelings.”
“Yeah, maybe, but we could still totally be fighting griffons too!”
Twilight rolled her eyes as she sipped her tea. “We are not fighting griffons Rainbow.”
“Yeah? Did the princess tell you what's going on?”
At that Twilight frowned and shook her head. “No, it's not really my place to ask about that sorta thing.”
“But you're her student, you should be learning about this sorta thing! How about this, you go up to Canterlot to ask her what's going on and I'll watch the library while you're away! I'll even restock up on any food you need.”
Twilight raised a disbelieving eyebrow as she took another sip of you. “You promise? It's a little short notice, and while Spike's with Luna I can't really tell the princess I'm coming.” Rainbow offering to go food shopping was pretty tempting, especially since without Spike to handle that the cupboards were going a bit bare.
They had enough supplies to last them the time it took traveling over the ocean. Despite the prince's warnings about the Azures the guards were well aware of griffon society's flaws and made for a beeline over the ocean. With the sun high in the sky they kept a look out and neither above or below were their shadows of griffons to be seen.
For his part, Spike could do little except assist with whatever minor duties he could, whether they be cooking, cleaning, or mending fabrics. Food and water was rationed out as appropriately for them all, but paper and writing materials were scarce. He couldn't get a message to Princess Celestia since their release, and he could only imagine how worried everyone else could be...
He heard a cry of land and he looked over the railing, seeing the Azures for the second time on this trip. A chain of islands, each about the size of Ponyville and connected by sandbars that vanished with high tides. The clear waters allowed them to see schools of fish swimming about, feasting on plankton and fleeing predators. The islands were mainly flat, hills at most, with a smattering of trees serving as homes for singing birds and buzzing insects. The airship slowed enough for them to admire the beauty of the islands.
That's when Spike noticed a mound with stones circling around it.
“What's that?” He asked as he pointed it out.
One of the unicorns looked over and narrowed his eyes. “It's a cairn, for the dead. We've fought a few battles with the griffons for the Azures and neither side's managed to hold it.”
The unicorn brought a hoof up to his face as a light flashed in his eye. Spike could see the glinting off of something on the middle island. As soon as he saw it, a griffon sprang out of the brush and shot off toward Griffdonia.
“Dammit. Get those engines going double time, we need to get out of here ASAP! The griffons were already scouting the area out!”
The three pegasi had been traveling across Mana with the old priest for several days, the villages rather close together. In that time they learned his name was Samuel, a very old name from before Mana's known history. Most of the churches they had seen were dedicated to Celestia, but there was a couple dedicated to Luna. Celestia's churches were rather modest and homely, the priests tending to them welcoming to the ponies and their stories of Equestria and Hearth's Warming. The three did their best to impress that only harmony could drive off the windigoes, and the lesson seemed to take to heart.
The rare church to Luna was surprisingly more opulent, in a sense. Celestia's churches were stone and wood, with carvings in both about the solar princess. For Luna however, despite the smaller size of her pool of worship, or perhaps because of, more effort was put into making her churches more decorated, with dark gems and silver and great paintings. The ceilings were even covered in diamonds to emulate the night sky with the same constellations that could be found, with a great skylight in the center for moonlight to illuminate the dais.
“In honor of our goddess and her humility, we too are humble in kind. In honor of their goddess and her night sky, they put far more money than they should have. It is perhaps their desire to pour wealth to her that caused her fall...”
“It is a possibility we have discussed many times in our history. Far be it from me to refuse a Celestian priest, we both serve our goddesses the best we can.” The Lunarian priest said as he came out from the back, swathed in dark blue robes with a necklace of the crescent moon hanging from his neck. “I cannot say the same for many of my brothers or congregation, but our ladies are sisters, should we not count each other as brothers?”
“Brothers, aye, but as the prince has said when he raised Lord Gabriel from poverty-”
“'The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb', yes we all know that saying dammit. Will you accept my hospitality or not you incorrigible oaf? I've got dinner for two ready but my brother had official business to attend to.”
Windgust let out a cough which drew both priests attention.
“Oh, right, ponies yes? We've passed down the stories of your kind. I'm sure I can get you some good greens to have to eat. Sweet Selene knows the grass outside isn't much fit given the chill.”
“Selene?” Downdraft asked with a flick of his ear.
The lunar priest nodded as he ushered them to the back. “It is just one of her many beautiful names. Luna, Selene, Artemis, and those are but a few. Each name is representative of her different aspects. Selene is the name we invoke for calm and peace. Artemis is invoked by hunters and trappers. Luna of course, is invoked for normal services, and to steel ourselves for challenges both martial and political.”
“What about Nightmare Mo-” Downdraft froze as the Lunarian priest turned on his heel, eyes wide and face red.
“THAT NAME IS NOT SPOKEN IN HIS HOUSE!” he shouted, reaching into his robes and pulling out dried out flowers of moon vine, throwing them in the air. “Sweet Selene grant peace upon this humble abode. Swift Artemis shoot down all shades that threaten this place. Luna, great goddess of the night sky, grant us your blessing, grant us your protection.”
The three pegasi huddled together, watching the man's hands tremble as he sat down to collect himself. Samuel looked to the three sympathetically before looking back to the other priest.
“Forgive them, they are ignorant of our ways, but they have said that the nightmare had been cleansed from Luna and that she sits along with Celestia in rulership of their realm.”
“Truly? The nightmare is gone and our goddess is truly returned?! ...Has she abandoned us, as Sol had abandoned you?”
“We haven't been abandoned! They have temporal duties to attend to. They're far more responsible than the wyrm.”
“Hah! I cannot argue there. That damn lizard is away more often than not. Good thing it's not my problem to have to deal with him on behalf of the church.”
“Surely your prince has done good things for Mana!” Mist spoke out as she and the others took chairs.
“Hmph. He did end the violence. And he allows us to be able to farm. And despite the constant snow we do have roads to move about.”
Samuel chimed in as he poured himself a glass of wine. “And basic education for all children as well.”
“So why aren't the windigoes gone if things are pretty swell otherwise?” Downdraft asked as the Lunarian set bowls full of vegetables in front of the pegasus trio.
“Maybe the windigoes aren't here for the humans after all.” Windgust said. “Maybe they're here for your prince. But why not follow after him?”
Both priests paused in their motions and looked to each other, thinking things over.
“Well,” Samuel started after another sip of wine, “that is quite likely they're here for him. He's old, and no doubt has many secrets that he does not share. As for why they stay instead of follow him, perhaps punishing us is supposed to harm him as well.”
The Lunarian priest waved a hand dismissively. “Bah, if that was the case he still doesn't care. He runs off doing Luna knows what whenever he pleases. He's no lord, he's a child playing with toys.”
“I've learned in my long years that's all lords, sir.” Windgust said which elicited chuckles from around the table.
“Sir, hah! No no, I am no 'sir' in the house of the goddess. I am merely Otto, a servant to Luna.”
“A pleasure Otto. I'm Captain Windgust of the Equestrian 8th Scouts. These are my subordinates, Corporals Downdraft and Mist Weaver.”
“And what pray, Captain, brings your people here to Mana?”
“Well, Princess Celestia was surprised to hear that humans have survived since the Nightmare War and wanted us to see how things were going. It's, not as bad as it could be. That you've endured the windigoes as long as you have is truly remarkable, and I personally hope to try and assist humans as best as we can. First we do have to go back and make a report, we have our own duties after all.”
Otto flashed a ghost of a smile. “I for one would appreciate our goddesses coming down to take control from that dragon and teach him some damn manners and how to rule. A toast then, to the sun and moon?”
“Aye!” The others all called out, clinking glasses together.
After eating Otto had bunks prepared for his guests and as the three pegasi settled in to sleep for the night he found himself looking to Samuel, both priests looking tired.
“Do you think your sun will grace us with her presence when they return to her?”
Samuel took a moment as his eyes wandered across the table. “I hope so, but I doubt it. Do you think the moon will?”
“If what they said is true, she has a thousand years of catching up with her sister. Familial duties seem more important. But if she is back, perhaps a pilgrimage would be in order.”
“Hmm. Perhaps... We would need to gather supplies, and with the blizzards growing that would be difficult. The prince would have to return first, then the harvest and rationing finished.”
Otto sat back and closed his eyes with a pensive look on his face. “It doesn't need to be a big group. Just a handful, four or five. Enough to not be too sorely missed if misfortune befalls upon them. Perhaps even for the sake of solidarity in the eyes of our goddesses we draw from each other? Tis a thought.”
“A thought indeed. I for one would love to see the true power of the sun for myself. Perhaps I shall make the journey.”
The Lunarian priest raised the last dregs of his wine. “Moon guard your dreams.”
“Sun bless your morrow.”
Slaar watched with distaste as Gilda browbeat the poor little griffon. Some lord's son sent to deal with them, but the lord himself was old, blind, and long past his prime while his son was half Gilda's age. She didn't hurt the boy in anything but his feelings, shouting and puffing up her feathers to intimidate him.
Then he started to cry.
Before it could continue the dragon leaned in with his large head and gave Gilda a glare for her to back off which she did so after puffing her feathers out. One eye turned to the little blubbering griffon cub and a deep rumble reverberated through his throat.
“There there child, it will be all right. Your father is just more stubborn than he should be. Ermengilda here is the queen now you know. She's just dealing with a lot right now.”
The cub trembled as he looked up at the big, blue dragon and struggled to speak.
Slaar lowered his voice to a whisper, which was still loud enough for him to be heard by the others. “She has lost her adoptive father recently, the king. Did you know Agathon, child?”
“Y-yes sir. He came around every year. He'd tell me stories of him and a big dragon looking in ruins in Zebrica!”
“A dragon named Slaar, I assume?”
“Yes sir!”
He flashed his fangs in a smile, which made the little griffon's eyes grow wide. Not in fear, but in amazement. Griffons were top predators, and so were dragons, and to see those rending teeth up close made him forget all about Gilda yelling at him.
“I am Slaar, the very same Agathon talked about!”
“Really?!” came the squawk of joy as the griffon buzzed his wings in excitement.
“Really! Come, let's talk with your father about giving proper support to the new queen. What's your name, lad?”
“Scythe!”
“Scythe! A good name. Why don't you sit on my head as we go to your father so he can give a proper audience.”
With a cry of happiness and more buzzing of his wings Scythe situated himself on top of Slaar's head, the dragon turning slightly to Gilda.
“Shall we, your majesty?”
Gilda puffed out a breath of annoyance. This was her kingdom, and this dragon was the one ensuring the griffons lords and merchants bowed to her instead. What did it tell of her own power if a dragon was doing the work for her? Her eyes widened. What did it mean for a dragon of all creatures to be the one doing most of the work for her? For some it could mean that perhaps the dragon had some other plans, but dragons didn't have such plans. Gears clicked in her head as she moved to walk in front of Slaar to take the lead. Yes, she just had to lay down that she was in charge in all things in Griffdonia and things would flow naturally from there.
For his part, Slaar was a little surprised that Gilda took the lead finally, and her guards swiftly flanked her sides. His lips curled into a proud smile.
The lair of the old lord was sparse, only the bare minimum of decorations on the walls and floors. His guards however, clearly had enchanted arms and armor. The old lord was flanked by guards who looked less enthused about seeing the new queen walking in and her dragon ally peeking in from a window with the lord's son perched on his head. The old lord himself grumbled and squawked in irritation as he sat up and blinked with unseeing eyes, dressed in little but had a mass of rings around his fingers.
“Ah, that stench. Smells like that lout Agathon and a hen. Yes yes I've heard what happened, I'll throw my lot in with you but only if you bring the moon princess before me.”
Gilda let out a snort. “And why should I do that?”
“She's powerful, and my eyes are long gone. I want them restored!”
“Why would I do that when I could just push you from that little throne of yours and claim it for myself?”
“You'll make his son cry again Gilda.” Slaar said from outside as he peered in. “There should be no trouble in bringing Luna in to see what she can do. But, you are the queen and it is you call.”
After a moment Gilda motioned for her guards to fetch the prisoner. As they waited Scythe gently buzzed off of Slaar's head and into the room and waddled up to his father. The old griffon bent down and picked up his son, setting the little cub in his lap and patting him gently. Scythe wriggled a little and let out a pleased squawk from the attention.
“Have the queen and prince been good guests to you son?”
“Slaar's amazing dad! He's so big and strong, I bet he could take on a hundred griffs at once!” He looked to Gilda and leaned in to whisper. “The queen's mean though. She made me cry!”
There was a derisive snort from the queen as she glared at the lord and son. More moments passed in awkward silence until her guards returned with Princess Luna in tow, the alicorn keeping her composure.
“Lord Barbstorm. My sister had told me much of your prowess in weather manipulation. It is you the other griffons go to to keep the air of the kingdom clean.”
“Princess Luna, welcome to my humble abode. I would ask how you are enjoying your time in Griffdonia but I'm aware it has not been pleasant. I shall make this quick for all our sake. Can you restore my eyesight? Dark winds are blowing, I can feel them, but I have grown too feeble here and my son too young to inherit. With Agathon dead and his heir still struggling to get her bearings that miserable old fuck we call Nikola will no doubt seek to expand his own holdings.”
Luna stepped close to Barbstorm, her cyan eyes looking over his milky white ones. Long moments passed as she examines the old bird before she stepped back and shook her head.
“Your sight is too far gone. Had you gone to someone when they began to fail then they could have been saved. Alas, I can do nothing for you now. Even if I wished they would have to release the magic binder on my horn, and what guard would give their prisoner access to a weapon?”
Barbstorm huffed in irritation and sat back. “One more question for you, Princess of the Night.”
“Yes?”
“Did you have Agathon killed?”
Luna stiffened up and glared at the old bird. “No. The king's death is a tragedy that I had no part of, and there is no reason for Equestria to provoke three kingdoms into war.”
A moment of silence went by before Luna turned to see Gilda glaring.
“There is a reason, princess.” Barbstorm spoke up in a quiet tone. “Each time Equestria and Griffdonia has gone to war there has never been a clear victor, but we have won concessions. Now Equestria does not just have its lunar princess back, but also the Elements of Harmony. Now would indeed be a perfect time to show that your nation is not weak.”
Luna turned on the old griffon with a fire in her eyes and Slaar could feel his heart skip a beat at the sight of her.
“Honesty, Loyalty, Laughter, Kindness, Generosity, and Magic. Pray tell what half of them can even be done for war?” She said in an angry hiss.
“Winning hearts and minds of course! It is how Agathon took control. And just because one has to kill another does not mean it cannot be done kindly. Do you think we griffons merely eviscerate our prey while they still live and feast on their still beating hearts? No!” Barbstorm shot up in his seat and Scythe hanged on as best he could. “We go for a clean kill, an easy kill! What greater kindness can there be when a life must be taken, hm? We griffons have humiliated you ponies over and over, it is only because the vast expanse of the Fangs is the only land that can truly connect our lands and why we have not bothered to spread out that way. But the Azures, the Azures can change everything for us. Agathon was planning on securing it soon anyways, those plans are still well underway.”
Luna flexed her jaw slightly as she frowned and without a word walked out of the room for Gilda's guard to escort her back to the ship.
For her part, Gilda stepped up toward Barbstorm and cleared her throat. “So, are you with me Lord Barbstorm, or do I have to go bloody Nikola's beak first to soothe your fears?”
Several moments drifted by as Barbstorm 'looked' at Gilda with his dead eyes and gave a solemn nod. “Just teach those damnable ponies their place. That is all I ask.”
Underneath the Cathedral of the Sun in Canterlot were the catacombs for the ancient knights that Roland had served alongside so many lifetimes ago. Enchanted lights keep them well lit, the errant pony acolyte keeping the burial chambers clean of dust and dirt. As per tradition the knights were all buried with their arms, armor, and special trinkets carried in their lives. He remembered their names, one and all. Turpin, their grandmaster had been just and kind and taught Roland all he knew. Ogier, who claimed to be from the land of the griffons and was just as fierce, with blood that ran hot even after leechings to temper his humors. Fierabras, who had been a Lunarian until the Nightmare struck and swore allegiance to the Sun. So many and more that he had stood with, drank with, prayed with, and fought along side with.
He stopped in front of Turpin's resting place, flanked by two empty spaces. One held his name over it, at Turpin's right side as he belonged. On the left...
“Oliver.” The name came out like a curse on the knight's lips as he shook his head in sorrow. “Brother, I ask each day what could have caused you to renounce us and join the Nightmare. Even Fierabras knew the Nightmare was too much!”
He knelt in front of Turpin and lowered his head, taking in slow breaths.
“Turpin, my captain, I am to go on a long journey at the behest of our goddess. I am to represent her and her people to the great bullmen across the sea, the ones that had raided and traded with our coasts in times long past. I know it is to her I shall pray to but I wish for my brothers in arms to watch over me and to steel my resolve. War comes to our noble lady, though I wish it not. Guide my arms when I must fight, guide my thoughts when I must speak.”
Long moments went by as he kept kneeling there in the catacombs, breathing in the stale air and hoping to the sun and stars that his fellow knights were watching over him. Once satisfied he stood up and made his way out of the catacombs, thinking as his boots thudded against the stone stairs back into the chapel proper.
He could hear Cadance having a quiet argument with a voice he was unfamiliar with, and as he rose up from the steps he saw a purple unicorn with a star on her haunch.
“-stitous nonsense is-”
“May I help you, priestess Cadance?” Roland asked in a quiet voice, loud enough for the two mares to hear.
The purple one jumped at the sound of his voice, and looked at him, her front hoof scuffing at the floor nervously. “Y-you're the human Lyra helped out!”
“Ah, the harpist. Yes, she was a curious one. Has she been well with that candymaker friend of hers?”
“You mean Bon Bon? Yes, they've been well. I don't talk with them much myself, but Bon Bon sometimes helps out Sugarcube Corner with big orders when asked.”
“Sir Roland, it seems you're getting along well with my sister-in-law. This is Twilight Sparkle, she is Princess Celestia's personal student.” Cadance said softly, happy to shift the conversation to something more pleasant.
“Truly! How blessed you must be to have such a patron! When I was a lad it was every Celestian's dream to catch the eye of our goddess. She was always like the sun, loving, warm, but always at such a distance. Her sister was much the same to our counterparts, the Lunarians. Beautiful, and untouchable.”
Twilight listened with rapt attention. Despite her own feelings on the matter, the older human certainly seemed smitten in a sense. “To humans, but not to ponies.” She said, brow furrowed in thought.
Roland let out a soft sigh and nodded. “Yes. Come, let us sit and talk for a while. I have business I need to tend to later, but I am always willing to share stories if you have some to give in return.”'
“I have a lot of stories, but I suppose you'd want to hear about the princess?”
“If you wish, though I hope not all of them are of her.”
“Oh no, I have plenty about the adventures of my friends and I!”
With a nod Roland took a seat at a pew, sitting as comfortably as he could. “Tales of camaraderie and adventure, yes I think I have one or two of those as well. Do you know of Sir Ogier the Mighty, who laid low a dozen griffon warriors and their war chief in one battle to hold the frostbitten pass of the Fangs?”
“But the Fangs are so far, what was he doing up there?”
“It was before he and his people traveled south to ours, in the ancient days when mankind was scattered across the world and struggled to survive. He and his people had been living near the griffons in that time...”
Hours of storytelling went by as the sun steadily drifted down toward the horizon, unicorn student and human knight wrapped in each other's stories. For Twilight they were just as good (maybe a little better, by a smidge) than Daring Do's adventures, and Roland spoke with such passion and emotion that she was sure if they weren't real then they felt real. On her end, her more quaint stories and the morals she found in them had the older man nod approvingly, especially in how her friends came together to overcome.
“...and that's how Fluttershy helped us make the dragon leave the mountain!”
“To stare a great creature like a dragon in the eye and make him submit, your friend Fluttershy has great potential in her! Her humbleness and shyness is just proof that such power is safe in her hands. Er, hooves, as it were!” He said with a laugh. “Humility and modesty are two virtues I take to heart. To have great power and to use it wisely, those are lessons that are often ignored.” Roland sat back, pleased. His throat was dry but he could deal with it for now. When he noticed the hour he gently stood up.
“Oh, it's gotten late and I totally forgot I was going to meet the princess!” Twilight said as she bolted upright in a panic.
“Calm yourself child, the princess will be there in the morning. You have family here, yes?”
“Oh, yes. My mother and father live in Canterlot, not too far really.”
“Then just take your time, Celestia isn't going anywhere. Ah, but I must! I was supposed to leave earlier, but my trip is going to be a long one I wager.”
Twilight looked up at him, one ear perked up. “Where are you going Roland?”
“The princess has asked me to speak with the minotaurs, to see about keeping them from joining the griffons in war against us. It will be sometime I suppose before I return, but when I do I hope to share more stories with you Twilight.” Roland bowed low with a smile.
Twilight felt a pit open up in her stomach. War, against griffons and minotaurs? “O-of course! Lots of stories, yes. I-I have to get going, it was nice meeting you bye!”
As her hooves clapped against the stone floor she knew she had to see the princess immediately.
Roland stroked his beard as he watched her run off and noticed Cadance frowning at him from the corner of his eye. “Oh, priestess Cadance.” Realization dawned on him and he frowned. “I said something I wasn't supposed to.”
As the sun went down Celestia ate her dinner in peace. Shining Armor and Blueblood were orchestrating with the military leaders on her behalf, giving the solar princess time to relax. With Roland off to the minotaurs a burden was lifted off of her withers and she could not help but sigh happily. Not everything was going right, but the things that were seemed to be just fine.
Until the door of the dining hall was slammed open and a panicking Twilight ran over to her. Already her heart dropped into her belly as she saw her student crying.
“Where's Spike?!” She cried out at Celestia's hooves, tears pouring from her eyes as she beat her hooves against the princess's side. “Where's Spike, why is there a war coming with the griffons?!”
Movement drew Celestia's eyes and she saw Roland in the doorway, looking guilty. Her heart ached, and she knew that it was her fault and no one else's.
“Celestia I swear I had no idea you were keeping it from your student.” He said as he walked into the room steadily, his gaze to the ground.
The solar princess closed her eyes and swept Twilight up into a tight hug. “I'm sorry, I'm so sorry Twilight.”
“What happened to Spike?” The unicorn choked out.
“I don't know, I'm sorry. Things have happened to fast. The griffons think Luna is behind the murder of their king.”
“W-what? But that doesn't make any sense! I-it had to be something Chrysalis did! You never should have let her leave Equestria!” Twilight shouted, eyes puffy and red from crying. “J-just not execute her, but keep her prisoner...”
Celestia hugged her pupil tighter and shut her eyes tight. “I couldn't. She called for a Tribunal and I had to obey. I'm sorry I put Spike over there. I'm sorry I didn't go myself. I should have kept Luna here to watch over Equestria.”
“You did what you thought was right with what information was at hand. That is how we all must try to do, my princess.” Roland said as he knelt on one knee next to Celestia and Twilight.
“Roland... Sir Roland. I cannot blame you for what you said. You did not know I didn't alert Twilight of what was going on. Spike is dear to us all, but I could not worry solely on him. The griffons no doubt have him and the others imprisoned. They'll remain like that until we can arrange a prisoner exchange-”
Before she could finish a guard ran in, huffing. “P-princess, the diplomatic airship has returned! They're coming right to Canterlot!”
“Oh thank the sun and stars!” The princess said in relief. “Who is all on board?”
“All but your sister and Night Shade, your majesty. Everyone else is there.”
“Even Spike?!” Twilight asked as she slipped out of Celestia's hug and tried to wipe away the tears and mucus from her nose.
“Aye, the dragon is there too. Pegasus patrols verified as they flew over Manehattan. They'll be here in a few hours.”
The unicorn slumped to the ground, her breathing steady as she smiled. “Spike's coming back, he's fine...”
With a nod of her head Celestia gave her guard a tired smile. “Prepare a room for Twilight and Spike. Get one of the other airships ready, Sir Roland here needs to be on his way to Knossos immediately. Send the others to debrief me as to what happened in Griffdonia.”
The guard saluted and helped Twilight onto her hooves before gently escorting her out. Roland stood back up to his feet and furrowed his brow.
“I wish I could do more for you my goddess. And, I am sorry for telling your student about the upcoming conflict.”
It took her a moment to look at Roland, looking utterly tired and drained with mist in her eyes. “You meant no harm Roland. I should have told her sooner that something had happened. What if, what if something worse occurred? What if Spike died over there? Twilight would hate me for keeping it secret from her, I would hate myself for putting him there.”
Seeing how distressed she was he took a seat, looking rather comical given the size difference. “When the war began, I had my brother go and keep an eye on the Lunarians. He was as devout as I was, remember? One of the first to services, ensuring everything was just right.”
“But you were the one I chose to bestow the Blade of the Sun upon. I could see your devotion was true, and modest. All you wanted was to serve. Oliver wanted-”
“Recognition. He wanted to be loved, and to be in everyone's esteem. Aye, not unlike the tale of your sister falling to darkness. If I had known how things turned out, would I have made him the scout? No. Fierabras would have done just as well, but we didn't truly trust him as he had defected to us first. Turpin was too well known. Ogier couldn't hide if you buried him! Oliver knew stealth. He knew the arts. And so he betrayed us.”
“I know the lesson you seek to teach, Roland. I am very old you know, older than you.” Celestia said with a kind smile. She opened her wings and draped one around him in a hug. “But thank you nonetheless. For all of your love, all of your devotion, I have a gift to help you on your journey.”
“Yes, my lady?”
“The minotaurs have a calm temper, but when driven to violence can be frightening. You will need strength to keep up with them, and so I shall grant you a blessing. Stand before me, Sir Roland and present your arms. Your actual arms.”
Princess and knight moved positions, Roland standing in front of Celestia with his arms out, the fine steel gauntlets covering his hands and wrists. Golden magic formed along the length of her horn as she leaned her head down to touch them. Her magic rippled down along the metal, settling inside.
“Pray, Sir Roland, and accept this gift. As long as your faith remains true and you wear these you shall have the strength to hold the heavens themselves if necessary. Now go, my brave knight, and help keep the realm safe.”
“I shall, my lady, I shall.” He turned around and began to walk before he stopped. “Oh Celestia, She of the Sun, there is one thing I must ask.”
“Yes?”
“My brothers, when it is my turn to join them I think it would be best if we had our final rest in your sunlight instead of the catacombs.”
A moment of silence passed before Celestia nodded. “You're right, you're right. They sacrificed so much for me. It is only fitting that they meet their final rest as Celestian knights.”
“Thank you, my lady.”
Some hours went by as Celestia relaxed in the war room, the detailed maps of the world splayed out plotting out courses for potential military maneuvers. The Fangs, as far north as they were, would have been a key land bridge if there was anything growing there. Mountainous terrain and lack of anything edible for either side meant only a very well prepared expeditionary force could even dare attempt the crossing. She considered for a moment before noting that a few scouts constantly patrolling the lands before the Fangs would be for the best. Her eyes were then drawn to the map of the ocean, and the Azures that lay between her nation and the griffons.
Her ears swiveled as she heard the doors open and the clop of hooves of her guards. Before they could say anything she let out a weary sigh.
“It always comes back to the Azures doesn't it?”
“Indeed, princess. As we flew over them on our way back we noticed a lone griffon scout in the area. Given the timeframe, we believe that King Agathon was already preparing on attempting to secure the islands.”
She turned to face the ponies that had gone to protect her sister. “Tell me what happened.”
And so they broke down what had occurred, to the best of their knowledge. She sat there in rapt attention, saying nothing and merely writing notes down as her frown deepened and deepened up until the very end with their escape.
“He let you all out but not my sister. Chrysalis is free, and the new griffon queen is attempting to solidify her rule over the land.” She tilted her head back and closed her eyes. “We can work with this. We have to. We need to secure the Azures immediately. That means as many combat capable pegasus units as possible. They'll need to ready defenses for the inevitable griffon attack as well.”
“Princess, is it wise to bet solely on the Azures?”
“It is the only stopping point for the griffons and minotaurs, and if the people of Knossos see reason then it will just be griffons we will have to worry about.”
“And what of the southern borders, where the changelings and humans could come up from?”
She looked at the stallion and grimaced slightly. “There's lots of empty expanse there. Then again, the changelings did infiltrate Canterlot. We'll need to keep unicorn patrols there as well for anti-illusion spells. That would need to be discreet however. Changelings need love to feed off of, they would no doubt travel along the more populated areas to feed from. These are all just general ideas, I want you to pass these notes to the generals to get their input on things.”
The guard saluted as he took her notes. “We'll copy these and bring them to the generals immediately your highness.”
“Good. How are Twilight and Spike?”
“They're sleeping. They cried, ate, and went right to bed after that.”
Celestia took in a deep breath and smiled. “I'm glad that they're back together. Tell them to meet me for breakfast in the morning as well. Take care and goodnight my little ponies.”
“Goodnight princess!”
In the morning Celestia waited in the dining room, taking her time with a small breakfast. She had a busy day ahead, but dreaded the duties to come. Organized acts of violence against another state was always cause of consternation in her. Whether it be from the various wars against the griffons in the past, the Nightmare War, or other, far more ancient conflicts, they caused dread in her heart.
Next to her were two folders full of papers. One was titled 'Agathon' which was rather thick of information. The other said 'Slaar' across it, but was much, much thinner. Her eyes raised up as Twilight and Spike were allowed in, their plates already situated next to her.
“Good morning Princess Celestia!” Spike said with a smile and a wave.
“Good morning princess.” Twilight said more demurely.
Celestia couldn't help but feel relief at seeing Spike being himself and she motioned him closer. “Spike, I'd like for you to sit and eat with me, like we used to.”
His eyes widened and he hurried right on over, Celestia gently scooping him up to sit him in front of her. He felt her wings snug him tightly and she kissed the top of his head.
“I'm so sorry Spike," she whispered gently.
“It's okay princess, I'm fine! Really! Just, I feel really bad that Luna's still over there and that Night Shade... but it's not like anypony knew what was going to happen.” He quieted down a little. “I hope Princess Luna is all right. I hope Slaar is as nice to her as he was to me.”
He felt Celestia stroke his head gently as a butler set down a plate of gems for Spike. “Tell me about Slaar. What was he like?”
“Oh he was great! I only saw him as a dragon once, but he was so big! His scales looked like sapphires, and he was always laughing and telling stories. At least, until...” Spike silenced himself with food, focusing on that instead.
Celestia raised the file she had on the dragon and shuffled through it, reading what scarce information she had.
“What's that princess?” Twilight asked.
“I've had my scholars gather as much information we had on this Slaar fellow. It is very, very thin. The most we know is that a big, blue dragon was often in Zebrica for many years, often in the company of two young griffons. Sadly, we know little of those times there. Even Agathon's file doesn't tell of the times he was there, except for his very last expedition.”
“What happened?” Her student asked as she chewed on a pancake. Celestia gave her a motherly look that said 'don't talk when you chew' but otherwise said nothing in that regard.
“King Agathon and Queen Alexis took one last tour to Zebrica three years ago. There they were said to try and unlock the tomb of an ancient temple they and their dragon-friend had discovered when they were all so much younger. Queen Alexis fell ill and passed away, and Agathon returned home right after. There's no sign of their dragon friend being with them on that journey.”
“Princess, what would a dragon being doing in Zebrica?”
“Have you SEEN the kinds of gems that come from there Twilight?! I've been wanting to go since reading that geology catalog Rarity has of gems from around the world! Lightning Topazes, Ice Sapphires, Fire Rubies, all in abundance! It's a buffet!”
Celestia let out a little giggle at Spike's exuberance but the thought did weigh on her mind. Why would a dragon be down in the jungles of Zebrica, scrounging through ancient tombs built for...
“The Ancient Lords.” The words came unbidden to her lips, her eyes widening in realization. She suddenly regretted speaking aloud, knowing the questions would follow.
“What ancient lords?”
“Must be really ancient for you to call them that Princess!”
"Spike!" Twilight hissed out in horror.
Celestia ignored Spike's comment, on that she was quite old. “When Luna and I were just fillies, there were six ancient lords that settled across the world. Their tombs have all been lost to time, or so it seems. Zebrica would be the location of at least one.” The solar princess cleared her throat and her horn glowed, showing a globe of the world. “'Oh untamed and majestic lands, where once gods left their mark, we six lay to rest in your embrace. Oh gentleness, oh mirth, we lay down in the mountains and ice. Oh truth, oh fealty, we lay down in the mires and jungles. Oh charity, oh sorcery, we lay down where we first awoke.”
Twilight and Spike watched in awe as five points across the world lit up. Standing up, Twilight studied the globe intensely. “Oh, oh, there's a light in Griffdonia, one in Zebrica, there's one in that frozen tundra north of Equestria... is that Knossos with the other light? And that one is-” she gasped, “the Everfree Forest! But Celestia, you mentioned six, why are there only five points?”
The magic died down as Celestia looked to her student with a sad smile. “Two of them decided to be together, and passed together.”
Tapping her hoof to her chin Twilight put her mind to work. “Where they first awoke, and it was the pair... That means these lords grew up in the Everfree! But we haven't seen anything like a tomb- The castle! The tomb is beneath your old castle!”
“And that is why you are my pupil, you're very astute Twilight.” Celestia said with a warm smile.
“My friends and I have to investigate!”
“No.” Celestia's voice took a sudden hardness to it. “No, Twilight. The ancient tomb is not to be disturbed. It is... it is a monument to sins that should best be forgotten.”
“Did you fight these lords a thousand years ago using the Elements of Harmony?” Spike asked.
The question caught Celestia off guard and she couldn't help but giggle. “Oh, oh no not that!” She said with a sad smile. “But regardless, it is not an important matter. If Agathon and his friend were trying to find the old tombs they seemed to have failed. For the best, I think. There's naught in them but bones.”
Gilda let out another noise of irritation. Slaar was always irritating her, and this time more so than usual. Their airships hovered over a valley, a river crossing right through along the bottom from runoff of the snow. The valley was filled with trees and she could see deer flitting about. She was getting hungry, and she hadn't had a proper hunt in some time. Perhaps this stop wouldn't be so bad after all.
Slaar was flying close down through the valley, taking his time and wasting Gilda's. Oh yes, Lord Nikola had to be dealt with, but this was important for him. His eyes scanned the valley as he beat his wings to slow his descent until he finally was in front of the cave. It was impossible to see from the air, but on the ground the entrance was shaped much like an gigantic dragon skull. He climbed up onto the structure and dragged his claws to mark it before he kicked off to take into the air and back to the airships.
“I have need of the princess!” He called out over the spinning of the rotors and the beating of his wings. “It's urgent!”
“No! We're wasting too much time here already, what could be so important?!” Gilda squawked out in annoyance.
“It is one of the Tombs of the Ancients, Agathon and I had spent years in Zebrica uncovering one of them, and it had a map to the others! But we need the magic of an Equestrian to unlock it!”
A sealed tomb that's sat for centuries, millennia even... “What's in it for me?”
“I just need specific trinkets inside, I can leave the rest to you.”
“How do we know there's even much inside of there?”
“We don't!”
She rubbed her face and glared at the dragon who was trying his best to look like a child waiting for their parent to say 'yes'.
“You two aren't going alone in there, understand?”
“Very well, send a couple guards then!”
“No, I'm going in myself.”
“As you wish, your highness!”
He took off once more, adding some spins. Slaar seemed rather pleased with himself as he went into the cave. Dipping inside to investigate he could see age old marks of magic burns in the rock and deep gouges from claw marks. Gouges deeper than what his own claws could do to the stone. As he walked closer to the end of the cave the sounds of hooves clopping against the stony ground reached his ears but he was enamored by the ancient signs of battle. At the very end of the cave stood a massive stone door, more signs of battle damage upon it with several ancient arcane seals carved across the surface of it.
He turned his head and saw Gilda and Luna coming up to him, the griffon keeping right behind the alicorn and prodding her forward. Luna's eyes glanced around, studying the surroundings intently to try and familiarize herself with the darkness. Slaar snapped his fingers, emitting a steady glow from the tips to illuminate the area. Once in light, Luna's eyes widened in realization.
“This is... Yes, an ancient and cruel tyrant lays here. N-no. They were not cruel by choice.” Her hooves tapped gently against the ground as she walked up to the sealed doors, the seals beginning to react to her presence. Her voice sounded as if she was distracted and distant. “Sister and I, we did what we had to. She was too far gone.”
“How old were you?” Slaar asked in a gentle tone.
“Still a filly. I hadn't even earned my Cutie Mark yet at the time. But we were charged with bringing our foes down, to bring harmony back to the world.”
“Well this is a fascinating history lesson but just so we're all aware I am not unsealing her magic unless you keep an eye on her Slaar.”
He turned his head to look down at Luna and their eyes locked. “I want to see what lays beyond these doors.”
“You will not like what you find, but, I shall not flee. I will help unlock the seals, and you may imprison me once more.”
Gilda raised a brow at that. “Swear on your sister you won't and I'll do it.”
Luna turned to face Gilda. “I swear upon my sister and her sun and on my moon and stars that I shall not flee.”
Shuffling her feathers uncomfortably Gilda gently unlatched the horn inhibitor. Luna waited for the griffon to step back before her horn flared to life. At the same time Slaar's fingers glowed and together they poured their magic into the seals. There was a groan and a rumble as stone ground against stone, the arcane seals glowing brighter before suddenly dimming. The rumbling continued as the doors parted to reveal an even larger chamber within.
Bones. Piles upon piles of bones were scattered around, The largest pile of bones was of just one creature, a dragon that was easily twice the size of Slaar. He was dumbstruck as he stared up at the ancient bones.
Gilda put the inhibitor back onto Luna without any resistance and took stock of their surroundings. “Must have been one hungry dragon.” She said as she walked over to one bone pile to look it over. “Can't really tell what's what.”
“Nay, it was not hunger that drove her, but cruelty. She would have eaten many of these, yes, but only after performing terrible tortures on their bodies.”
Picking up one bone Gilda nodded in agreement. “Some of these bones look like they've been broken and reset poorly. What could cause someone to do something like this? Oh, there's a bunch of pony skulls in here, weird.”
“What indeed, what indeed.” Slaar said in a quiet tone as he stepped closer to the giant dragon skeleton. He shifted up onto his hind legs and placed a hand onto the massive skull.
Luna walked over next to him. “She was known as Succor. For many years she would heal those that needed it, often without any reward. There was no gentler being in her time.”
“So what caused her to go nutty and start torturing creatures?” Gilda asked as she winced at the sight of a human skull that was cracked neatly in two.
“She and her kin were corrupted by evil forces outside of their control. Tell me, Slaar, what drove your interest in this tomb?”
“Agathon, Alexis, and I found a similar one in Zebrica so many years ago, but my magic alone could not open it. It was only after many, many days of scouring where we could that we uncovered an ancient map that pointed to other tombs. We then consulted what soothsayers and mages we could, but in the end the old seals could only be undone by a dragon and an alicorn and I could not fathom why at the time. But now I can guess you and your sister sealed the tombs.”
“Aye, that we did. There is nothing in them but bones and dust. I could only pray they found peace in death.”
Gilda was fuming. “We came down all this way for just bones, and for what Slaar, for what?! Because you and Father were interested in what was in here? Well look, look at the damn bones for as long as you want! I'm heading to Nikola to kick his ass and bring him in line, you can do whatever you damn well wa-
“Shut up you miserable child!” Slaar snapped with a fury in his eyes. “A dragon died here and this is her tomb, you will show respect to the dead!” His body rippled with rage, his voice echoing off of the walls with such intensity that Gilda and Luna wilted away from his boiling anger. As soon as his anger came it vanished and he slumped down, tears welling up in his eyes. “F-forgive me Gilda. Agathon would not want me to be so angry with you." He turned his head to the giant dragon skull. "She wouldn't have wanted such anger displayed in her presence either, would she?”
It took a moment for the pair to collect themselves before Luna nodded. “No, she wouldn't. She was a gentle soul.”
For her part, Gilda merely turned around and walked toward the entrance, too shook from the yelling to try and argue back.
With a deep breath he turned back to the massive skeleton until a glint in its jaws caught his eyes. He walked over and stuck his head into the skull's mouth and looked around before he found a smooth sphere resting where the teeth and jawbone connected. Taking it carefully he pulled it out to examine it. “A memory crystal.”
That piqued Gilda's interest and she turned back around. She stepped in a little closer this time, right next to Luna.
Slaar gently set it down on the ground in front of him. “Should I... Yes, I want to see what is in here.”
“Are you sure, Prince?” Luna asked cautiously. “We know not what lay within. The memories could even force themselves into your mind, or merely display around us. There is no way to know for sure until it has been activated.”
“I am sure, but I appreciate your concern for me.” He said with a gentle smile.
Working his magic he let out a gentle breath, rather than flames pure arcane energy flowed out from his maw, engulfing the crystal in magic. It began to glow brighter, and brighter, until the cave was washed out with a projected memory.
A massive dragon with bright pink scales faced off against two young alicorn fillies. The field was littered with the broken bodies of warriors of all kinds, the air smelt of smoke and death. It almost looked vaguely like the valley outside, yet with no trees. There was fear in the eyes of the alicorns and the dragon's were full of contempt.
“Have the gods sent such a pittance to fulfill my needs? Bah, they have failed us once more it seems.” The pink dragoness said. “Still, I am sure you will both scream delightfully loud for me!”
As the dragon lunged the scene flickered and changed into a running battle, the two young alicorns flinging magic at the dragon's face with little effect. With a deafening roar Succor came crashing down upon the pair, wings and tail whipping around. The little blue filly got caught in the billowing winds from the dragon's wings and was flung away while the older white filly managed to stand her ground. Golden magic blazed across the alicorn's horn as she shot off another bolt of magic in desperation, the bolt hitting at Succor's snout at an angle and causing it to arc up right into the dragon's eye.
The scream of pain was even worse than the previous roar as Succor closed her eye, blood spilling from the socket. In a fury she lashed out again, grabbing at the alicorn in her massive hand and began to squeeze. “I WILL HEAR YOU BEG AS I CRUSH YOU!”
Over the din of battle between dragons and other beasts there was the other alicorn, standing precariously on a rock. “CELESTIA!” she cried out, horn flaring with magic. “Let go of her!”
Succor turned her head to look at little Luna and took in a deep breath, building up her flames when the skies began to tremble. All the flying beasts, dragons and griffons alike, panicked and fled as an orb came crashing down from the sky. Succor looked up, forgetting Celestia in her hand and let loose as much of her magical might as she could to stop the falling star from landing on her.
Celestia managed to wriggle free as Succor's panic allowed her freedom, her wings crushed and her ribs aching. Pain lanced up and down her body and made it hard to focus, but she could see the blinding light of the falling star. Her horn flared with gold and she winked out of existence to be right next to Luna.
One alicorn's might was not so hard for Succor to stand against, as young as Luna was, but when the sister's powers combined the dragoness struggled to handle it. For long moments the magical forces struggled against one another, but the two sister's forcefully surged their might to break the deadlock. Succor's eye widened as the star came down on her, searing out her remaining sight and she let out a horrific scream of pain.
The lights flashed, then faded, the falling star soon being sent back up into the sky. Succor lay on the ground, shaking all over from pain, her pink scales blackened from the heat of the star. Each movement caused the scales to break and weep rivers of red to the ground. She was on her back, her breathing harsh and rapid.
“I-I'm sorry...” rasped out the dragoness with one hand out to the alicorns, the talons charred and cracked. “I didn't, I didn't mean to. I'm sorry, I'm sorry!” Each word caused such pain that she could not help but writhe, the pool of blood under her growing with each moment.
“Sister, please, you're hurt!” Luna pleaded as Celestia gingerly walked toward Succor's fallen form, limping.
“Succor...” Celestia said with a wince as pain shot up from her ribs. “I'm sorry it's come to this. You were always so gentle, so kind. Forgive us, we didn't want to do this.”
The dragoness groaned, her blackened scales across her chest breaking into pieces. “It wasn't our fault, we did everything we could, everything that was asked!”
Luna trotted after Celestia, trying desperately to heal her sister's wounds. “Sister please, you need to rest!”
Celestia sat in front of Succor's claws, so brittle and frail after the power of the star struck her. A claw moved forward and gently touched the white alicorn. A pink glow flowed from the dragon and into Celestia and slowly she unfurled her wings, testing them and finding her wounds healed.
“Thank you, Succor.” She said as tears welled in her eyes. “If that damnable spirit never escaped to do this to you, we could have been great friends.”
“Y-yes, I would have liked that... Celestia, Luna, you precious little alicorns, can we still be friends?”
“Yes!” The sisters cried out in unison.
Succor's breathing hitched and her lips curled into a cracked smile. “Thank you...” A few more heaving breaths before there was a pained rattle from her throat, and she fell still.
The scene ended.
Whatever stoicism the three had ended with the vision. Slaar was wracked with heaving sobs, Luna looked ashamed for her role in the death of Succor, and Gilda was trembling.
“W-we carried her, back to her lair. We interred her with her victims, in the hopes that they could forgive her for the crimes she did when she was not in control of herself. After that, we managed to retrieve the god-given power from her.”
“What power?” Gilda croaked out.
“Kindness.”
Slaar sniffled and wiped his eyes. “The Elements of Harmony were once held by the ancient lords?”
“Once? They were the first entrusted with the power. When my sister and I fought Succor, we had already claimed Laughter, Loyalty, and Honesty. After that, Generosity and Magic were the last. That battle... No, I will not lead you to that tomb. I cannot. I do not wish to open up anymore of these tombs!”
Gilda gently clawed at the ground before she looked up to the dragon. “I'm sorry Slaar, for angering you earlier.”
Breath in, breath out. “No, Gilda, you were right. I distracted us from more important matters. These, ghosts of the past. It was not what I expected.”
They had gathered up as much intel as they could on the beleaguered human kingdom, said their goodbyes to their new found friends, and took off into the biting chill of the windigo storm to head back to Equestria. Windgust, Downdraft, and Mist Weaver flew in formation low to the ground to avoid drawing attention from the malevolent spirits. As soon as they broke the storm they rose up higher into the sky and began cruising back home.
“That was quite a sight wasn't it, sir?” Downdraft said as he stretched his wings wide. “Shame we couldn't meet anyone that knew the prince, but we got a lot of info for the princess to look over!”
“Mmhm.”
“What's the threat assessment on the humans, sir?” Mist asked.
“Without magical assistance there's no way they're going to make it to Equestria. With such however, they might not be able to push far in but would still be nasty to fight. I wager that on their own they could make it to Appleoosa and probably run the ponies and buffalo out. If there's no trains there at the time then they'll take some time to move, but if there is, they could hit Ponyville hard before we could even respond to Appleoosa being lost. At least they're divided on religious affiliations, and they worship our princesses. That could be in our favor. Once we get back to Canterlot I'll write up the report and see about getting you two some R&R. My duties are never done, but you two have earned it after this mission.”
“Yes sir, thank you sir!” Downdraft whooped and did a spin. “Oh boy, I'm going to use my time to visit my parents in Fillydelphia!”
“I might just go to Las Pegasus myself.”
Windgust let out a snort. “Just don't come begging for me to bail you out again after last time Mist!” He said as he turned his head to the mare with a grin.
“Wouldn't dream of it sir!”
Roland watched the water below as the airship sped through the skies to the southeast. He felt the wind whipping through his hair and across his face and took in a deep breath. “Beautiful. To think these things would allow anyone to fly like a pegasus! If we had these back then, heh, Ogier would be the first to want one for himself. He'd go on like 'we could have a whole group on one and lure them nasty griffs in nice and close and surprise 'em!' Ah... How long until we reach Knossos?”
The white unicorn mare at his side adjusted her glasses. “At this speed, with weather permitting, a few more days. If a storm kicks up we'll have to land on the water and ride it out.” She wrinkled her nose. “Untamed weather, sickening. Do you need a study on minotaurs, Sir Roland? We don't want any, incidents.”
“Hmm. We have plenty of time, and the last time I encountered minotaurs they were raiders Celestia hired during the war to help us hold the line against the Nightmare's forces. They were strong and well disciplined, that I remember. It had been just months before we had fought the very same bullmen, I remember the scars I had given their leader. To think we were standing side by side as night reigned over us! He appreciated it as well, I wonder what happened to him.”
Raven Inkwell flipped over some notes and hummed. “You mean of the seafaring king Aegir, who had been renowned among his people for pillaging across the coasts of Griffdonia and Equestria?”
“That was him! What an absolute bastard to hunt down. Always coming and going like the tides, it'd be months between raids in areas.”
“King Aegir returned to Knossos after the Nightmare War with more ships than he had left with, loaded down with the wealth his men had earned as mercenaries. He's known as the greatest of minotaur kings, as his new wealth allowed him to invest in the people rather than continue raiding and helped transform Knossos into the trade capital it is today, serving as the center between ponies and griffons with the lands of Zebrica.”
“Well I'll be damned, truly? I will have to pay my respects to him when we arrive.”
She smiled at that. “The minotaurs will no doubt appreciate your own appreciation of their history. They take great pride in their culture. If you have any questions, any at all, please do not hesitate to ask me.”
Roland nodded as he smiled down to Raven. “I am glad that Celestia sent you with me. I would have been quite lost on my own, I believe.”
Raven took in a breath and sighed. “Indeed. I had wanted to go with Princess Luna's entourage, but I was told that Night Shade was her personal assistant and my help wouldn't be necessary. I even tried to aruge with Princess Celestia that she should go to Griffdonia instead and let Princess Luna learn how to handle running Equestria while she was away.”
“Listen, Ms. Inkwell, I have been through this conversation with many others and I will offer you the same advice. Stop focusing on what has happened and focus on what we can do instead.”
Her lips pursed and she nodded. “Of course. It's just frustrating. I do have a question for you, Sir Roland.”
“Mm, yes?”
“Do you love the princess?”
“Of course I do! She is the sun, the warmth that gives the land life. How could I not love her, when I had devoted my life to her service and worship?”
Raven shook her head. “I meant in a more, romantic sense, Sir Roland.”
His lips curled into a small smile. “As any knight would love a lady, Ms. Inkwell. Courtly love, it was called. I could not, dare not, think that she could ever truly love me more than what would be proper of one of her station, and even if she did I would have to refuse as it would be improper for either of us.”
“That's so, sweet and romantic, just like the old stories. You've never had a wife or family then?”
The old knight shook his head. “I did not, no. We of the Solar Knights dedicated ourselves solely to Celestia. We forsook having families or inheriting wealth. My sister was the one to take over our family's holdings until she married and had children of her own, but that was long ago.”
The wind picked up and Raven shivered. “Let's go inside so I can start your lessons on the minotaurs.”
“Of course, of course. Ladies first.”
Twilight hated to think about disappointing Princess Celestia, but a mystery on her hooves was incredibly tempting. She was also still sore about things in Griffdonia going sour being kept from her, but it wasn't enough for her to consider breaking the princess's trust in her.
Spike on the other hand, had blabbed to the others about, everything. Neither of them were told to not say anything but Twilight had far more tact than the baby dragon. With everyone gathered around inside of the library Spike regaled them with the story of Griffdonia, including the strange dragon-prince Slaar, the murder of the griffon king, the escape without Princess Luna and finally of the ancient tombs across the world.
Rainbow was too busy frowning at what Spike had been saying to give Twilight a smug look of satisfaction in that Equestria was indeed going to war with the griffons.
Rarity was right next to Spike and had some gems for him to snack on as he talked. “Oh my poor Spikey-Wikey, everything's better now and this Slaar sounds like such a gentledragon to look after you like that! But to think that Gilda of all griffons would now be queen of her own kingdom! That sounds like a story all of its own!”
“What's this 'Roc' business?” Rainbow finally asked, her frown still prominent on her face.
“Oh, the Roc is one of the Old Ones!” Twilight said as she pulled out a book to put on the table. “I had to ask Princess Celestia if I could go into the forbidden archives. Don't worry, there's no dark magic or anything in this, it's just very ancient history that's hard to come by.” She cleared her throat and used her magic to illuminate the tome, the silhouette of a bird coming from the pages.
“The Roc is the Old One of the skies. All modern pegasus and griffon magic stems from him. Very rarely this magic can manifest in two ways of almost supreme weather control. For griffons it's called the 'Cry' where they, well, let out a cry that's even louder than a normal griffon should be capable of! For the pegasus, it's the Sonic Rainboom.”
Dash blinked and she leaned in. “What, really? The Sonic Rainboom is from some ancient magic? I knew I was awesome, but that-”
“That means Dashie is even more awesome than she already is!” Pinkie exclaimed as she jumped out of her chair. “Oh! But if Gilda has the Cry that means you're going to have to fight her!”
There was a collective cry of 'What?!' around the room as the others looked at Pinkie.
“I got a lot of faith in you Dash, I really do, but I saw that Gilda and she's a big one, even for a griffon our age. You'd gotta hit her fast and not get caught, and one slip up...”
“Yeah AJ I know that! I-I don't want to fight Gilda! Yeah we're not really friends anymore, and we're going to be at war, but like, we still used to be friends!”
Fluttershy mumbled behind her hair before Spike leaned in to her, drawing attention from the others. “Rainbow, you shouldn't have to fight Gilda if you don't want to. No one should be fighting...” a strange gleam flashed in the yellow pegasus' eyes. “But if you're the only one that can fight her, you'll be asked to do so anyways, a-and they'll play on your loyalty to your friends, to Equestria for it too. You might have to be ready to kill a friend for your country.”
Rainbow certainly looked shocked at Fluttershy's words, everyone was. Even Pinkie seemed off-put by what her most demure friend said.
“S-sorry. I haven't been feeling myself lately. I've been having... nightmares.”
“Are they the kind of nightmares from eating too many cupcakes, or too much ice cream?” Pinkie asked.
Fluttershy shook her head and took some breaths to steady herself. “N-no. I don't know where they came from. I just, it's terrible.”
“Oh Fluttershy dear, you don't need to say anything! Have you tried drinking tea before bed?”
“I have Rarity, teas, incense, exercising. N-nothing's been working.”
“What are the nightmares about Fluttershy?” Twilight asked in a gentle tone, motioning for Spike to start making tea.
“Well...”
“Shucks sugarcube, you don't have to say anything you don't want to.”
“No, no, I think I need to share this.”
Fluttershy took in a deep breath and looked around the table at her friends, all of them waiting patiently for her.
“I've been dreaming of a dragon. A big, pink dragon.”
“Like me pink, or your mane pink?” Pinkie asked to add a bit of levity.
“Oh, uh, not as pink as you, but darker than my mane. There's a, hmm. You all remember when Discord affected us?”
They all nodded as Spike came back in quietly and started setting down tea for the girls.
“It felt like, that. But worse.”
Rarity gasped. “How could it be worse than what he did to us?!”
Fluttershy went quiet as she looked at her tea. “What's the opposite of kindness?”
“Cruelty.” Twilight answered immediately.
The yellow pegasus nodded as she gingerly sipped her tea. “Lying, betrayal, greed, paranoia, cruelty. Discord did that to us. I-I think something similar happened to this poor dragon. Every time the nightmare comes, I can feel her cruelty, but I know she doesn't want to be cruel, deep down. But she can't stop it and it hurts.” Tears welled up in Fluttershy's eyes and they trickled down her cheeks. “And then I wake up.”
“Girls,” Applejack started, “I think we need to get to that tomb under the castle in the Everfree. Might be something there connected to all this.”
“But Applejack, the princess said-”
The farmer cut Twilight off with a firm hoof to the ground. “Twilight, at this point I don't give two hoots. Princess Celestia kept what might've happened to Spike hidden from you. You of all ponies have a right to know if something could've happened to him and now poor Fluttershy's getting nightmares! If you don't want to go, fine, but I will.”
“I'm with AJ on this Twilight. If it means helping Fluttershy out I gotta!”
Pinkie bounced to get between Applejack and Rainbow Dash. “Count me in! I've always wanted to explore an old tomb!”
“I can't say going into some musty old tomb full of bones is the most appealing thing in the world, but if it's possible to help a friend then I shall do so gladly! With proper preparations of course.”
“Oh, no, I wouldn't ask anypony to do something like this on my behalf...”
“That's why we're doing it anyways Fluttershy!” Rainbow said with a smile.
Twilight looked down at the table. “You're right. We're friends, and we're going to do this together! And maybe Zecora knows something too that could help.”
“Twilight? Can I come along?” Spike looked up at her, eyes full of hope. “I know after what's happened you'll want me to be safe here, but I want to help out too, I'm not a baby anymore!”
Her lips curled slightly into a sad smile as she leaned down to hug him. “I know Spike, after all of that I'm nervous about bringing you along, but I know you're a brave dragon.” Twilight stood back up. “All right, we'll get ready and leave tomorrow morning for Zecora and then the castle!”
The next day they left Ponyville early in the morning to avoid most of the worst creatures that lived in the Everfree. Timberwolves were still a threat of course, but with six ponies (and a little dragon) they were confident they could get to Zecora's without difficulty.
Rainbow scouted out ahead, flying over the trees to keep an eye out for any creatures that could be lurking around while the others walked. Fluttershy could tell right away that something was off in the air and it made her stomach clench and spin.
“M-maybe this wasn't a good idea...” Fluttershy started. “Maybe my nightmares will just go away on their own, that's right.”
“Come on sugarcube, we're almost to Zecora's. Ain't nothing to be afraid of, it's still nice and early today.” Applejack said as she gave the pegasus a gentle touch. “You can lean on me if you need to.”
“Thank you Applejack, I'll do that.”
By the time they reached Zecora's a brisk wind was blowing through the trees. They could see the zebra brewing something in her cauldron through shadows cast from her window. Twilight walked up and knocked politely on the door.
“Zecora, it's us! We stopped by for a little advice on somethings!”
The door opened and Zecora smiled, ushering in the ponies (and Spike) into her home. “Welcome my pony friends! I was going to visit on the weekend. Did you come because of the castle's glow? It certainly put on a show!”
The girls looked at each other in confusion. “The castle glowed? When was this?” Twilight asked with a flick of her ear.
“Hmm. It was five days before. I could see it from my door! Mystic lights of green and white, it almost gave me a fright.”
“Five days ago?” Fluttershy said in a quiet voice. “That's when my nightmares started...”
“Maybe the lights are from the old tomb under the castle! The ghosts living in there were escaping!” Pinkie shot up onto both hooves, bouncing excitedly.
Zecora looked perturbed at the mention of a tomb and went back to her cauldron. “I remember lights such as those. Disturbing tombs is not what I'd chose.” Turning her attention to Fluttershy she offered a gentle smile. “Tell me of your nightmare, and I shall see about the proper care.”
With a nervous swallow Fluttershy told Zecora of the nightmares she was having, shivering in the memories.
The zebra paced around her hut after Fluttershy had finished, idly looking through her ingredients. Nothing about the timing felt right, and as far as she knew it was out of her hooves. Such nightmares, not even a placebo would be able to fix.
“You have not been visited by the Princess of Dreams? Surely she could quiet the nightly screams.”
“Princess Luna's been imprisoned by the griffons!” Spike spoke up. “They think she ordered the death of their king!”
“Princess Celestia showed us that there's another such tomb in Griffdonia too. It might be one of the tombs opening has triggered Fluttershy's nightmares.” Twilight tapped her hoof to her chin. “But that begs the question, why?”
“Well Twilight, the princess said there were six of these old lords, yes? And there's six of us! Perhaps we're connected to them, perhaps even reincarnations!”
“Rarity, all study into the afterlife is highly restricted and even then reincarnation has been discredited as being impossible to actually credibly verify.”
“Do not be so quick to deride, powerful souls often try to find new homes to reside. Lords of old with powers terrible and true would be happy to be born anew.”
“Yeah Twilight, what were them words Celestia used in that little spell thing? They were all acronyms of what our Elements are.”
“Synonyms, but...” Twilight's horn flared as she conjured up the same globe Celestia had and lit up the same spots she had seen. She tapped her hoof against her chin as she recalled the old words. “Laughter would be up in this frozen tundra, just north of Equestria. Kindness is in Griffdonia. Generosity and Magic are here in the Everfree, Honesty is in Knossos, and Loyalty in Zebrica. If Fluttershy is having nightmares, that means the tomb in Griffdonia has been opened!”
“And if we open up the tomb here you and Rarity will start too.” Rainbow pointed out with a frown. “I'm all for helping Fluttershy but you're already not much of a morningpony as is Twilight. Nightmares will make you worse!”
“Gee, thanks Rainbow.”
“Well if opening up the tomb's a bad idea, what're we gonna do?” Applejack asked as she adjusted her hat. “Ask the princess for the Elements and see if they help?”
The group fell into discussing their next course of action, Spike sat next to Zecora and put on his best thinking face, brows furrowed.
“Well young Spike, not what you expected on this hike?” The zebra asked as she offered him a little hoofful of nuts to snack on.
Graciously accepting he chewed on one as he watched the girls talk and he looked at the globe still slowly spinning. He didn't want Rarity or Twilight to suffer nightmares, but something tugged at him.
“I want to open the tomb.” He said.
“Spike-”
“No, listen, I know it might give you and Rarity nightmares, but Fluttershy is already having them. We're already deep in the Everfree, the castle isn't really much farther. It's, it's something I feel like we need to do!”
“Maybe,” Fluttershy started, “it has to do with my nightmare involving a dragon? We can't know for sure if the others are, but it would be possible.”
“A dragon already lives in the Everfree. I suspect you will meet with he.” Zecora said as she packaged up some more little snacks for the others and passed them around.
Spike coughed nervously. “Oh yeah I met him already...”
“Don't worry Spike, we're all here to help out if something happens.” Twilight said as she ruffled his head with a smile.
“Well what're we waiting for? Let's go see what's in a dirty old tomb full of bones!” Pinkie said with a smile. “Thanks for the hospitality Zecora, see you later!”
The others gave their thanks to Zecora and waved goodbye as they walked out and back on their way to the old castle.
Some more hours went by, the forest strangely silent. They found themselves on the familiar path to the ancient castle and saw the rickety bridge across the gorge to it. Beyond, at the entrance of the castle, stood a large, green dragon. He was just, standing there, looking at the castle and not moving. Carefully they approached and his wings twitched, his head turning to look at them. There was a flash of recognition at seeing Spike, but he turned his attention back to the castle.
“I will not block your progress. You have come for the old ones. I heard their cries the night the lights flashed.” The dragon took in a deep breath. “My father and his father were not yet eggs when they were laid to rest. The scars of their battle had long since been healed here. This castle, this monument, is enchanted. I cannot continue. I do not want to continue, but I cannot leave either.”
“Don't worry, we'll take care of it!” Spike said earnestly. “We're going to open up that tomb and see for ourselves!”
A ragged, hissing laugh came from the green beast. “Then go, and see what ghosts you uncover.”
He stepped out of their way and watched as the ponies and baby dragon quickly made their way into the ancient castle. Once inside they immediately fanned out in the massive foyer, taking their time to go through every stone to see if there was some sort of secret passage. The foyer, so long abandoned, had part of the roof caved in and doors leading to all sorts of hallways. The tapestries and carpets had begun to rot away, whatever magic used to keep them pristine steadily failing.
“Be on the look out for ancient traps!” Pinkie said, skipping every other tile.
“Pinkie, this used to be a royal castle meant for ponies to live and work in. There's not going to be any ancient traps on the immediately available levels.” Twilight pointed out.
“But there might be traps on the unavailable ones, let alone the way to this old tomb. Rainbow, think you can handle that for us?” Applejack asked as she gingerly pushed open a door to see down a hallway lined with rusting pony armor.
“Of course! Actually, let me scout around outside! These old castles would have libraries right? I'll try to find it!”
“Good idea Dash, we'll keep prodding around until you find something!” Twilight said with a smile. “Just be careful, if any of the stone work looks like it's crumbling be sure to point it out to us and don't walk on it.”
“Got it, see ya in a bit!”
As the pegasus zoomed off to explore around the outside Rarity couldn't help but examine the tapestries. Her lips were curled in a pout, frankly insulted that such fine work was damaged and left in the middle of nowhere. More than that however, it was also set slightly lower than the tapestry on the other side! It wasn't a big different, but there were still a couple inches different that just tickled the back of Rarity's mind. She gently pulled on the tapestry with her magic and it fell to pieces right in front of her. The white unicorn gasped in horror at what she had done, but then grew curious as behind the tapestry was a small alcove with a hole big enough for a hoof to be inserted.
“Oh girls, I found something!” She called out, lighting up her horn to look in the hole. “There seems to be something in there.”
“Scooch over sugarcube, lemme see that.” Applejack said as she got up on her hind legs and stuck a hoof inside. “Woo nelly, it's cold in there. Cold and damp! Ain't no bugs in there but... there we go! I feel a key! Gimme a moment.”
Tongue out in concentration Applejack grabbed onto the key as best she could with her hoof before carefully pulling it out of the hole. Holding it up they all saw it was a silver key.
“Oooh, there might be a matching gold key somewhere!” Pinkie said cheerily as she hopped on over to another tapestry and looked behind it. “Hmm, not here!”
“All right everypony, let's spread out and find that key! If the silver one is Luna's then a gold one would be Celestia's!”
“What would the key even be used for?” Fluttershy asked. “It seems odd for it to be in the foyer here like this.”
“We can ask the princess later. Keys are meant to open things, and that'll help out!”
They looked behind each tapestry in the foyer, and didn't find another key. At the same time as their little search ended Rainbow came down from the hole in the roof.
“I found the library, it's this way! I'll lead you by the windows, come on!”
Following after Rainbow was easier said than done, the castle a veritable maze of halls and ruined rooms. For her part Rainbow did help guide them as best she could, detailing the best path she could see from the outside. The rooms and halls were dilapidated, untouched after centuries of neglect. The ambient magic in the air from preservation spells lingered, slowly wilting away.
It took only a couple of wrong turns before they were back on the correct path, and then past a set of heavy oak doors into the ancient castle's library.
Twilight's jaw dropped at the sight of shelves upon shelves of books. Leather bound tomes of various sizes, magic shimmering along the shelves but faded from age. Hooves clopped against the floor as they spread out to look over the sheer volume of books before them.
“Where do we even start?” Spike asked as he began to climb up a rolling ladder. “There's just so many of them! 'Manticores and How to Tame Them', 'Mandrake Root Uses', hey a lot of these books aren't in proper order!” He pulled himself and the ladder down a little and grabbed another book. “'Mankind'? Huh.”
Rainbow and Fluttershy both flew around to look across the tomes as well while Applejack decided to take a look around the walls and floors. Pinkie had laid out a blanket and plates while she prepared lunch with Rarity's help. Twilight looked at the silver key and hummed a little as her horn lit up with a tracking spell. The key began to float and glow and started to fly through the library.
“Rainbow, after that key!”
Without a word the cyan pegasus saluted and took off after the key with Twilight trying to follow behind. The key flew out of the library and Rainbow continued her pursuit of it, flying after it as it went through a window of one of the slowly crumbling towers. She blinked as the key flew under an old bed and took stock of her surroundings. The room was dark, not from the light but from the colors decorating it. Navy blue, black, smatterings of white. It was then she noticed the moon and star motifs around as well, and as she landed her hooves sank a little into the ratty carpet.
“This is, Princess Luna's room!”
Her heart hammered in her chest, this was invading a princess's privacy! But then again, the castle had been abandoned for a thousand years, so surely anything of worth was already taken out, right? Crouching low she shuffled over to the bed and under it, coughing at the dust and cobwebs. The key was resting on top of a patch of carpet and she noticed that it had been cut to get to the floor underneath. Gently Rainbow pulled the flap of fabric out of the way and saw a keyhole in the floor board. The key fit in perfectly and turned just fine with a satisfying 'click'. She pulled on the key to open the floor board up and reached a hoof inside, feeling a couple books in there.
“Whoa!”
She pulled them both out, each with a similar lock on them as was in the floorboard. Carefully she pulled the key back out and made sure to hold it and the books close together as she wriggled out from under the bed. Curiosity piqued she took another look at the room, with the well worn dressers sitting, one with a broken mirror on it. Rainbow trotted over to the dresser with the mirror and opened up the top drawer before swiftly shutting it.
“Okay yeah that's enough snooping Dash, the others are waiting.”
After a few more minutes of flying back Rainbow zipped through an open window of the library. The others were nibbling on their lunches and had piles of books to go through. She skidded to a halt and plopped down next to Twilight, presenting the two books and key she had found.
“These were in Princess Luna's old chambers, under the bed! They might be her old journals.”
“Rainbow, we can't just look through her old journals! That's an invasion of privacy!”
“Well Twilight I can't disagree, but if the princesses built this here castle over the tomb then maybe there's something in here we can use.” Applejack said after swallowing a bite of food. “Besides, if she princess wanted 'em she'd have come back for 'em.”
Somehow Rarity already had one journal and the key, opening it up. “And just think of the gossip that could be inside!” She tittered as she flipped through some pages, stopped, and suddenly frowned. “Oh dear...”
“What is it?” Spike asked as he tried to peer from his seat though it was hard to see.
Rarity cleared her throat. “'Sister and I haven't even gotten our cutie marks yet, and we've already had to rally the crystal ponies to face off against Joy. It was a mercy, in the end. I cannot forget the terror in her eyes.' Goodness, this is so morbid!”
“What the hay is a 'crystal pony'?” Rainbow asked with a mouthful of food.
There was a collective shrug, not even Twilight knew. The other unicorn unlocked the other journal and flipped all the way to the end and her brow furrowed.
“This is her later journal, what she wrote here is during her descent into Nightmare Moon. 'The humans have come again with their empty platitudes and worship. No matter how often they are driven away they come back, eager for our attention like foals hungry for their mother's milk. Sister puts up with them but I care little. It is not they whom I seek the love of. Equestria is my nation, my people, they are the ones whom should be worshiping me!''
“Oh my. Princess Luna already had people eager to give her the love and adoration she wanted, but it wasn't from ponies so she rejected them...”
“It's not that odd Fluttershy. Why if I had suitors that I had no interest in and they were persistent then I would be rather annoyed with them as well!” Rarity said with a flick of her mane.
“Why don't we just skim through them journals until they say something about the tomb here. Meanwhile I can see if this here book of local maps means it's got the plans for the castle.”
Twilight nodded in agreement. “Good idea Applejack, let's get to it!”
Day turned into night as the ponies and dragon scoured every word, every line of Luna's journals for any hint they could receive. The second journal was started long after she had settled into the castle, so they turned their efforts to the first one while Applejack kept going through the maps and floorplans she could find in the books they had gathered.
There was a collective yawn as tiredness seeped into their minds, Spike already curled up and snoozing peacefully. Twilight just finished highlighting a few passages in Luna's journal before closing it with the highlighter nestled on the pages. Quietly they said their goodnights and hunkered down on the floor to drift off to sleep.
As with every night thus far, Fluttershy was beset with nightmares. She twisted and turned in her sleep, whimpering. In the dreamscape she was inside of she could see the large dragoness tormenting ponies and griffons, making them suffer, making them bleed. It hurt her heart to see such abject cruelty, more so when their eyes met and she could feel the pain in the dragon's soul. Then there was a horrific, wet ripping sound as the dragon claimed another victim.
Fluttershy woke up screaming.
The others sprang awake, groggy and frightened. When they saw Fluttershy hunched over and breathing hard they scooted closer to her. Applejack took to rubbing Fluttershy's back gently and whispered soothingly to her.
“It's all right sugarcube, we're here for you. Come on now, deep breath, hold it, release. Deep breath, hold it, release.”
Following Applejack's instructions the yellow pegasus managed to calm her breathing.
“T-thank you. I'm sorry I woke everyone up...” She said in shame, shifting her head to hide behind her mane. “Oh, where's Spike?”
Twilight turned around, Spike not where he had been. Her eyes widened as she bolted off, shouting his name. She rounded past shelves and saw a door slightly ajar and ran right for it. After she pushed through she saw Spike walking, almost in a trance.
“Spike!” She called out.
He didn't respond and kept walking along his path, the silver key in his hands. Twilight ran right after him and managed to catch up. She reached to touch him, to shake him out of his stupor right when Rainbow caught up too.
“Wait Twilight! We should watch where he's going, he might lead us somewhere we need to go!”
The unicorn chewed her lower lip before nodding. “You're right Dash, this might be important.”
Quietly they followed after Spike as he wandered before he stopped in front of an old, weathered statue. It was hard to make out what it was exactly, but upon the dais it was set on was a carefully hidden hole that Spike slipped the key into. There was the noise of old metal grinding as the statue pulled into the wall, revealing stairs that led down underground. Before he could start walking down them Twilight grabbed him in her magic and gently pulled him back.
“Spike, Spike wake up!” She said softly, giving him a little shake.
“Huh, wha-” The little dragon mumbled, eyes blinking blearily. “What time is it?”
“It's late. Fluttershy had another nightmare, and you were sleepwalking.”
“Oh, huh. I kind of remember hearing something. Is Fluttershy all right?”
Twilight and Rainbow nodded as the others came up from behind, all of them peering down the stairs.
“I guess that's where we go next.” Twilight said as she mustered up her courage. “All right, let's go everypony!”
Down they all went, the glow from Twilight and Rarity's horns the only light to show the path. The stairs were wide, enough for them all to trot down without worry. The stone work shifted from that of the castle to rough hewn work of natural caverns. It went down quite a ways and before they realized it hunger struck just as they stepped out onto a smooth, flat floor.
The sense of hunger was lost as they all looked around in amazement at the massive cavern they found themselves in, Twilight lighting her horn brighter to show a massive stone door with glowing glyphs on the face of it.
“This... this must be the tomb...” The purple unicorn said as she approached it carefully. Her horn lit up once more as she tested her magic against the glyphs. They gave off a faint glow, but remained otherwise dormant. Even after a few moments, nothing.
“Twilight's magic isn't working, and she's the most magical pony besides the princesses!” Pinkie exclaimed as she bounced up to the door, giving it a firm tap with her hoof. The glyphs glowed again in response to her touch, causing her to tap her chin.
“Dashie, use some pegasus magic on the wall!”
“How? This cave is kind of, not outside. Though, there is some moisture in the air. Twilight, think you can help condense the water?”
“What if you just, touched the door like what Pinkie did?” Twilight suggested. “Maybe that's it. Maybe it needs an alicorn to unlock, so it won't react to one pony, but there's six of us, two of each tribe!”
Murmuring softly in approval all six of them came to the door and pressed against it. The unicorns and earth ponies had it easier to channel their unique magic into the glyphs while Rainbow and Fluttershy had to be flying to work theirs. The glyphs glowed brighter than before... but the door was still shut.
They groaned in frustration and slumped down.
“I don't get it, it's like there's a piece missing!”
Spike walked up to the door and put his hand on it. “Hey, one more try! We're this far, we can't give up now! Maybe it's not just an alicorn that's needed to unlock the tomb!”
The idea didn't seem too off, after all, if Fluttershy was having a nightmare with a dragon, and there were dragons being drawn to the castle, then maybe a dragon was the final key of the puzzle! Twilight nodded and got back into position with the others. Together they pushed out their magic into the door, the six ponies and Spike. The glyphs flashed bright before suddenly dying. A moment of dread crossed Twilight's mind, thinking they had failed, when the cavern began to rumble and the massive stone door sank into the ground. They all gasped as the door vanished into the floor to reveal the tomb beyond.
Piles upon piles of old treasure were laid about, mountains of gold coins, precious gems, and ancient weapons. Two massive dragon skeletons were laid together, looking as it they were in rest with one another, one resting on the piles of treasure and the bigger one on the solid ground. Immediately Rarity and Spike headed for the piles of treasure, though Spike went past the tasty gems to gently touch one of the massive fangs of the dragon skeleton.
“These aren't bits, these are ancient gold coins from pre-unified Knossos! And there are coins with Princess Platinum on them, dating to around Equestria's founding! These are all positively ancient!”
Rainbow traveled down the length of the skeletons, taking stock of them. She didn't touch them, instead she flew all the way down to the other end of the cavern and had to shout to the others. “There's a nest over here, and I think I can see egg shell!”
Twilight raised her head up, letting out balls of light to latch onto the ceiling to better illuminate the area.
Fluttershy stared forlornly at the skulls. “This was their home. They even had an egg together.” She sniffled a little and pawed at the ground.
Pinkie wandered up to the bigger skeleton and right through the gaps of its teeth into its mouth. “Whoa. This dragon could gobble up all of Ponyville in one big bite! I bet he had to eat a lot of gems. Oh, there's one in here!”
The pink pony wriggled out before she fell backwards onto her rump with an 'oof', a sphere in her hands.
“Pinkie, that's not a gem, that's a.... that's a memory crystal!” Twilight hurried over to examine the sphere carefully. “Without a doubt. The thoughts of this dragon crystalized after death, thanks to a spell to allow such to happen. Memory crystals are very hard to do, they require a lot of magical prowess to make. Lots of elderly unicorn nobles make them to pass on memories to their heirs, or to blackmail rivals. This one was in the dragon's mouth?”
Pinkie nodded. “Yeppers! And I bet the other dragon has one too!”
Spike had sat down, just watching the giant bones with a sad sense of awe as Pinkie fetched the second memory crystal. Rainbow came back to the others, holding large shards of an egg. She held them up to the light and the egg shell glittered like sapphires.
In Canterlot Celestia had just raised the sun into the sky and settled in for breakfast when a letter appeared before her. She took a sip of tea before reading it and she felt a headache start.
Dear Princess Celestia,
We found and opened the old tomb under the ancient castle and recovered two memory crystals and the remnants of a dragon egg. The tomb is filled with treasure that no doubt folk from all around the world would want returned to their homelands. We'll be bringing what we found to Canterlot post-haste.
Slaar snorted awake, his room on the airship dark save for a small light that shouldn't be on. Vincent was sitting beside him, looking down with furrowed brows. The mage turned his head to look at the door and stroked his beard.
“I sensed something, or someone, was trying to look into your dreams. I woke you up to stop them.”
The prince yawned and rubbed his eyes. “What? Dreamwalking? Urg, that explains some things...” He sat up and looked to see Vincent frowning. “Is something wrong?”
“Who killed Agathon?”
Slaar felt his mouth go dry as he tried to think. “The main suspect is Equestria, but we both know that doesn't fit.”
“Indeed my lord. The only one that does fit would be Chrysalis and the changelings. And yet, your anger with her had all but dissolved at the end of the Tribunal. I know you are a dragon of odd moods my lord, gods know how often we see you go from one to the other... Perhaps I am merely imagining things and the death of your friend has driven you to sorrow and that you are more focused on trying to ensure his heir is secure.”
Words hanged in the air and Slaar immediately picked up on the insinuation. He glowered and growled, casting a silence spell on the room.
“You dare think I have something to do with Agathon's death!?” He snapped as he stood up, stomping to a dresser to pull on clothes. “We scoured every damn inch of Zebrica together for lost ruins and adventure! I was there when he and Alexis married, and I was by his side as she passed!” His hands were trembling as he gripped a fine shirt from a drawer.
Vincent's gaze hardened, as much as it pained him to inflict such misery upon his lord and master. “Were you behind Agathon's death?”
“Yes!” Slaar shouted and trembled. “I-I didn't want him dead! But that stupid changeling ruined everything! It was simple dammit, simple! Go in disguised as a pony, attack the king, spark war with Equestria!”
Vincent suddenly looked confused as he stood up. “Why spark a war with the ponies?”
“Because they killed my parents!” The prince sat back down on the bed. “Gods. I was, so small. Mother, she was crying as she told me to go, to run away. I didn't know, I was so scared. Eventually she got so angry I wasn't moving and forced me out of the den.”
“How long ago was this?”
Slaar shook his head. “I don't remember. I was young. But, but I know the princesses killed my family. Seeing Succor's memory crystal just confirmed it.” He looked down, pained. “But that they were corrupted by something, I never imagined...”
“So your best friend is dead and your plot for revenge is turning to ash in front of you. Have you considered what this means for Mana, for our people?” Vincent's words were harsh as he glowered. “When, not if, but when the griffons finally find out they will want your blood. The ponies will certainly not take kindly to this either! You've damn near ruined everything you built for what, for what?! And Princess Luna will certainly not think of you any better than she does already!”
The prince slumped back, looking defeated. “What do I do now?”
“You stay the course. You keep pushing the queen into this war against Equestria. We secret the princess back to Mana and use her presence to unify the factions under your rule. There is no other path we can go on, my lord.” The mage held his hand out. “I swore to serve you, for good and for ill. I will die for you, Slaar. I will ask however, one question more of you. Who is Chrysalis in all of this?”
Slaar wetted his lips and let out a weary sigh. “She took care of me when I was a whelp.”
Vincent looked surprised, then disturbed. “You've been colluding with that insect for how long?”
The prince tried working his mouth, feeling exhausted. “Recently? Only a manner of months. You think I have sold Mana out to the changelings?” He snarled. “Who do you think it was that devised all of out anti-changeling techniques? How do you think I knew of such things? We shouted and screamed and came to blows when I told her I could not, will not let them feed off of humanity any longer.”
“And you've recently reconciled with her?”
Slaar frowned and shook his head. “Reconciled? No, not at all. I've used her, because her people are starving and she's desperate for any help she can get after the failure at Canterlot.”
Vincent's face was unreadable as the mage nodded and went for the door. “My loyalty to you is unquestioned, my lord. But do not doubt, my trust in you has faltered and I know not if you can ever attain it after all of this.”
Luna shook her head with a groan as Gilda looked at her expectantly. “Did you find anything in his dreams?” The griffon queen asked the princess.
The mare shook her head as she got up onto her hooves. “Nothing, particular. I recall he was... yes, he was very small. And scared. But I could not stay to see more, something came and brought him out of the dream. Are you so sure of this, your highness? He was your father's friend, and to invade his mind like this for information is, unsavory.”
“Don't you do it all the time to ponies?”
Luna frowned. “I do it to soothe nightmares of my subjects. Tell me though, what has caused your mistrust in him?”
Gilda frowned as she sat down in the makeshift cell next to the princess. “I've been talking to the others, and the assassination and everyone's reactions afterwards are all off. Slaar had been, a little kinder to Chrysalis afterwards. You've been nothing but helpful, even when given opportunity to escape you stay.”
“You believe he is perhaps to blame for what happened?”
“I don't know, maybe? He and father, they looked to be the best of friends. Then during that Tribunal business he was so hostile to Chrysalis only to calm down after the murder!” She ran a hand through her feathers on her head. “But then, father said Slaar was one of strange moods. Quick to sorrow, quick to anger. He never told me much of their adventures in Zebrica, but he did say when his wife passed how dark Slaar's mood turned and that he mourned worse than father did for a couple days before suddenly delving into anger and just, slaughtering local animals. Maybe I'm just thinking too much into this, maybe he's just as torn up as I am...”
“And that he is helping the heir of his friend, because he wants to do right by you as he did by Agathon. Even if it means war with Equestria.”
Gilda twiddled her claws. “I think at least it was Chrysalis involved. Slaar was in the room w-when...” She took in a deep breath and leaned back against the wall. “I don't want war with Equestria, but the other griffon lords demand blood. If we can just get our claws on Chrysalis and make her confess then we can punish her instead.”
Luna was quiet as she gently tapped the ground. “But Slaar had already freed my ponies and Spike and let them flee. Sister will no doubt send forces to the Azures to prepare for a griffon assault.”
The griffon's beak gaped open before she grimaced. “Yeah, that's right. And Barbstorm said father was already looking to claim the Azures for himself too. The islands are supposed to be a demilitarized area, if pegasus forces start building fortifications then I'll have to respond in kind.”
“Tis not easy to wear a crown. Nor to wage a war either. Your people will not even consider to sit at the tables until the outcome of the Azures has been decided, and if it is in victory they shall seek to press on for greater gains. Are you prepared to fight, Gilda? You bear the Roc's Cry, and all will expect you to fight.”
“I don't want to. I just, I just want to be back at the aerie, playing the violin for father and grumbling about it the whole time. I want to be soaring over the mountains, practicing the Cry and feeling it echo through the valleys. I want to go to Equestria, to see Rainbow Dash again and give a try at making amends.”
She felt a hoof on her shoulder and turned to face Luna, the princess looking stern but with gentle eyes. “I wish I was home as well. I wish I was never made to face down six dragons as a filly. I wish I took the adoration that was bestowed upon me rather than shun it. What I will do is continue to be your prisoner until such a time comes that you decide to release me. What you will do is be the queen your people need you to be. Lord Nikola is your next challenge, and he shall be the greatest. It is you who will have to face him. Slaar cannot fight him for you, nor can I.”
“You've been so, helpful, Princess Luna. But I can't free you. Not until there's a prisoner exchange. Otherwise they'll think you escaped, or manipulated us into letting you go and just galvanize them even more.”
“That is, perhaps, what is necessary.” Luna mused as she put the magic inhibitor back onto her horn.
“W-what? What're you talking about?”
“Slaar is fully invested in you securing Griffdonia. I myself would be rather fond of having one of your stature in charge than someone like Nikola or Barbstorm. As regrettable as war is, I understand it is necessary at times as well.”
Gilda blinked in surprise and furrowed her brow. “What?! You mean you're fine with ponies and griffons killing each other? Why?”
The princess looked up to the ceiling and let out a weary sigh. “I need to make amends for sins I have committed a thousand years ago. I need to go to Mana and reconnect with the Lunarians. Slaar would no doubt be happy to escort me. Of course, my sister is no doubt beside herself with worry for me, and truthfully I do not wish for any deaths to occur.”
“So why not wait until after the violence, why start now?!”
It took Luna barely a moment to respond. “It is through conflict we discover our true selves, Queen Gilda. I am a vicious mare, it is hard for me to grant mercy, or forgiveness. What of you, what sort of griffon are you? Have you found yourself yet, have you been tried in the fires of battle?”
“No...”
“And neither have many ponies, humans... dragons. I must see what kind of folk live in this strange new world I have been brought back to. Here is what I propose, your highness. You will face Nikola in combat, and afterwards I shall go with Slaar to Mana. The official story shall be that I escaped back to Equestria. This will give reason for Griffdonia to seek war with Equestria”
Gilda squinted, partially confused and partially horrified at what she was hearing. “How can you say it like that, so casually?”
A moment passed between then as Luna looked to the floor. “I am a relic of ages long past. The world is more peaceful than it used to be, and I cannot find my place. I was a warrior, a general. I organized armies, conducted battles, and waged wars. Now? The last war was so long ago. It pains me to think of my people dying, all because I am trying to find myself again. I'm selfish, a foal. I wish I had never been born an alicorn, so that I could have died ages ago instead. But I endure, and I must find my way.”
“This is ridiculous! I thought you pony princesses were supposed to be all about peace and friendship! I-I can't just sit by and watch people die needlessly.”
“But if you try to stop the war the other lords will call into question your ability to command and lead. Many swore allegiance to you because of Slaar's influence and that he had with Agathon. If you throw that away you will see civil war.” Luna's tone was not accusatory, but gentle, to try and assuage Gilda.
The griffon queen's feathers were ruffled and she shook her head. “An Aerie War would be disastrous. There's so many mercenaries and adventurers in Zebrica that we're already hearing reports of coming back to Griffdonia for the conflict. If an Aerie War was to happen... it'd be my fault.”
“All those that wear a crown must make harsh decisions. Slaar's continued time here means he is unable to fend off the windigoes preying upon his people, but he does so for the heir of his friend. The longer I keep from Equestria the more my sister will worry for my safety, but I must right wrongs of ages past. Being freed from the Nightmare, remembering all of the Lunarians that did not side with me, who opposed me... If I were to go home I could never convince Celestia of this course of action. I must go to Mana. I must speak with my worshipers.”
Rubbing her face Gilda let out a groan. “Why are you telling me all this? Okay you know what, fine, you wanna go to Mana, help fuel the fires of this war, go ahead. But I will collect my dues from you personally Luna. For each griffon slain, I swear to the Roc.”
Her mane rippled as her cyan eyes looked into the griffon's golden ones. “In the event of no clear victor, or Griffdonia winning, aye. I shall pay gilt for each fallen griffon soldier myself. I shall even ensure to pay for Agathon's funeral, when the time finally comes. I understand that he is currently being kept in a stasis of sorts, until a proper state funeral can be arranged?”
Gilda nodded. “Yeah. After we unify the country I was going to have his funeral.”
“Then Slaar and I shall take our leave afterwards. It is only right he say his goodbyes to his friend.”
Celestia watched as Twilight and her friends brought forth two memory crystals and the remains of a blue dragon egg. She knew all of the old lords would have memory crystals give their age and power, but the egg was definitely a surprise for her to finally see. The solar princess stepped over and picked a bit of shell in her magic.
“Alms and Sage had a child? Poor thing... I can't imagine what it would have been like to be born in such circumstances. Likely they didn't survive long either.” She shook her head and let out a tired sigh. “Gods be good, those were awful times. Still, that you seven managed to unlock the seals by coming together, Luna and I never imagined such could occur. That was very clever of you girls, I'm proud.”
She then took the two crystals as well, gently pulling them from the group.
“Are you going to show us what's in the memories?” Twilight asked as she looked at the two crystalline spheres.
“No. I will not subject you to the horrible memories that lay within. I will seal these crystals away until I am more comfortable with the idea of sharing what happened in those days.”
“But Fluttershy's been having nightmares since the tomb in Griffdonia was opened!” Rainbow Dash shouted in a pleading tone.
Celestia paused, then frowned. “Why didn't you say so sooner? One moment, I'll have the Elements brought over. Twilight, Rarity, have either of you had nightmares?”
Both unicorns shook their heads. “No Princess.” Twilight said.
The solar princess sat back, lips curled into a frown as she looked at the two crystals. She examined both carefully before she motioned for a guard to go and grab the Elements of Harmony. As he left she raised one of the crystals up. “This was Sage's memory crystal. I believe now that if I activate it and we look into his memories, that you too will develop nightmares, Twilight. The same with Alms crystal and Rarity. Truth, Joy, and Devotion would no doubt affect Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash as well.”
“But why Princess? You and Princess Luna used the Elements too.” Applejack asked.
“We did, yes, but we were born when the old lords still lived. You six were born afterwards, I have no doubt that your souls are all linked. Not reincarnation exactly, but you embody Harmony just as they once did.”
“It was Discord, wasn't it? In my nightmares, I can feel Succor's pain at being made to do what she wasn't, and it's just like what Discord did to us...”
Celestia looked away and nodded.
“But if that's the case, why didn't he corrupt Twilight?” Fluttershy finished.
“Well Fluttershy, we're ponies, and these old lords were dragons. No doubt Discord thought they presented a more active threat to his being than we do! After all, if I had to face Alms in battle, why, I would not be sure if I could survive! It's such a dreadful thought, but at least his underestimation of Twilight played well into our favor!”
Rarity's explanation had some sense, which with Discord involved, didn't make sense. Celestia pursed her lips as the guard returned with the box. Accepting it she opened it to see the Elements within. She picked up the Element of Kindness and passed it over to Fluttershy.
“Wear this while you sleep. I do not know what will happen, in truth I don't know if anything will happen at all. But it is worth a try. You may go and spend the rest of the day as you please... Rainbow Dash, I do wish to speak with you alone.”
Rainbow nodded and bowed to Celestia as the others said they'll be at Donut Joe's later. As they left Dash stood there looking up at the solar princess. Celestia had a soft gaze as she smiled at the pegasus.
“Rainbow Dash, Bearer of Loyalty, I have a favor to ask of you. You do not have to do this if you do not wish to, but I must ask all the same.”
“What is it princess?” A mere formality, Rainbow already had an idea of what was to be asked.
“As you know, the Sonic Rainboom is a powerful thing that you alone are known to wield in the modern era. If I weren't so out of shape I would be able to perform it as well.”
Dash looked nervous, and spoke up to cut to the chase. “You want me to face Gilda because she has the Roc's Cry.”
A brief look of shame flashed in Celestia's eyes before she nodded. “Yes. Queen Ermengilda is the first known bearer of the Cry since the last war with Griffdonia. Back then, the progenitor of the Goldenclaw clan was a griffon mercenary named Memnon. He served both sides of the conflict, until the final battle over the Fangs. After the war he settled down in the central aerie of Griffdonia, and the Goldenclaw clan had prided itself with saying they had remnants of the power of the Cry, if not the full might of it.”
“So that's why she's queen now? Because the king learned she had this power?”
Celestia nodded with a sad smile. “That seems to be it, yes. And we have to be sure the griffons will want her to fight, to prove her worth as their ruler.”
Rainbow frowned and idly kicked her hoof back and forth. “I don't want to fight Gilda. I mean, she didn't make a great impression in Ponyville, but being mad at a friend is different from, this.”
“I understand-”
Dash continued, not realizing Celestia had started speaking. “But if she's going to be fighting anyways, and if I'm the only one that can have a chance of dealing with this Cry, then I have to! I just, I just hope I can talk some sense into her, maybe end this whole thing before it gets too out of hoof.”
The blue mare's hopes for a peaceful resolution gladdened the princess's heart, but she knew griffons too well to rely on such hopes. Still, she gave Dash a reassuring smile.
“If she's really your friend I have no doubt she'll listen to you. You'll be leave for the Azure Islands tomorrow morning with a few of our scouts. Officially you'll be a civilian weatherpony attachment to help keep the weather around the islands clear, but if Gilda engages in fighting you'll be expected to go after her. Go and try to enjoy the rest of your day Rainbow Dash, spend time with your friends.”
Rainbow bowed again before she shuffled out of the throne room. Celestia slumped in her throne and rubbed at her head with a hoof. Suddenly she realized how much she missed Roland's presence, if not his words. She knew, deep down, the other ponies did treat her like a goddess even if they didn't say as such. Roland worshiped her, but treated her more like a noblemare than a goddess. The irony of it all put a little smile on her face as she sat back.
“Be safe Rainbow Dash.”
The next morning Dash and the others waited for the other pegasi to show up. The mood was tense and they were all nervous. Attempts at conversation were awkward and stilted. For all their time together they had done many things and encountered all kinds of monsters, but things felt different this time. Rainbow Dash was going to a possible battlefield, and no one had any idea of what to expect.
Three pegasi flew on down to the platform they were waiting on and the lead stepped forward.
“I'm Captain Windgust, these are Corporals Downdraft and Mist Weaver. You're the legendary Rainbow huh?” He stuck out his hoof with a smile. “I saw you at the competition in Cloudsdale when I was visiting my family. That Rainboom was certainly something else kid. You ever think of officially joining the military? We could use a mare with skills like you.”
With her ego suitably stroked Rainbow gave a cocky grin and shook hooves with Windgust. “It was no big deal really. I thought about signing up when that conscription went out, but I'm Ponyville's main weathermare and I couldn't just abandon my duties there, but Princess Celestia asked me herself for this, so...”
“Can't let folk down huh? That's a good quality to have. We're gonna be heading out immediately, you well fed and rested?”
Dash nodded at the captain. “Made sure to get an extra helping of breakfast!”
Windgust grinned. “Good, because our rations are shit and you'll be living off of 'em for a while! Mist, Down, cruising speed until we hit the ocean. Rainbow, just follow right behind us. Though you could probably make it there faster on your own, it'd look bad for a civvie to be going all alone to the Azures.”
“I won't let you down sir,” the cyan pegasus said in a salute that Windgust waved off.
“You don't have to call me 'sir', or salute. All right everypony, in position!”
The four pegasi got into a diamond formation before kicking off of the ground. Rainbow turned and waved goodbye to the others, well wishes being passed along.
“Don't you gals worry, we'll make sure everything goes just fine!” Downdraft said as he waved with a smile of his own.
“Yeah, we'll treat Rainbow like she was part of the squad!” Mist gave a wave as well.
All four pegasi rose a little higher into the air and Windgust barked out their headings. They took off across the sky, heading for the Azure Islands.
“Dashie's gonna be okay, right girls?” Pinkie asked, trying to keep up her smile. “There's nopony or griffon faster than she is! She'll fly circles around the griffons!”
“Oh yes, Rainbow is simply the fastest living pegasus. I can even imagine after this she would look positively amazing in a proper military uniform.”
“Rainbow's as tough as any earth pony. If nothing else, she's as stubborn as I am.”
“She has the Sonic Rainboom, it's a powerful form of magic. If she pushes herself enough she could pull off several in quick succession.”
Fluttershy wasn't sure if she should speak or not. What words to say that came to mind were not pleasant ones, mired in pessimism and doubt, influenced by Succor's connection to the mare. She tried to suppress the dark thoughts.
Succor, c-can you please not be so brooding?
Apologies little one, I forgot you are not a dragon. Loyalty will not abandon her cause. She will do all she can for you.
Finally with the courage to speak Fluttershy watched the rainbow trail grow smaller against the horizon. “Rainbow will do everything she can to help Equestria. That's just the kind of pony she is.”
As they flew Dash couldn't help but start up some small talk. “So how long have you three been flying together?”
“Oh Tartarus, I picked these two right out of bootcamp.” Windgust said. “I never saw a pony able to kick up a field of fog as fast as Mist here can and she was already partnered up with Downdraft and I couldn't just separate such a pair.”
“I'm also Mist's back up when she blows all of her bits in Las Pegasus!”
Mist huffed and glowered at her partner. “I win big all the time!”
“And you lose double twice as much!”
“Hehe, calm down you two, we got a guest flying today!”
Rainbow could see the bonds between the three and it made her happy, such loyalty among comrades being one of her specialties. “You guys know the Wonderbolts?”
“Shucks, I don't think any of us military fliers don't know 'em! Almost every pegasus that signs up does so to join them, at least until they find something else they like doing.” Downdraft said. “Not to say me and Mist here know 'em like friends, but Captain here is pretty close to them.”
“It's true. I was an aspiring Wonderbolt myself, ages ago. Back with Spitfire and Soarin' in the academy,”
The cyan pegasus' eyes widened. “What happened?”
“You mean that kept me from becoming one? They were looking for volunteers to go scout out the Fangs, that big bird Nikola was testing the borders and the princess wanted a full report. I decided, why not? The academy wasn't going to drop me for accepting an important duty. In fact, it would've looked more favorably on my record. So I went, scuffled with a griffon or two, mapped out potential problem areas, scuffled with another griffon, then came back home. I figured, stunt flying is great and helps keep ponies happy, but being out in the field called to me more. I told the instructors I wanted to be recon full time and have been part of the 8th Scouts since.”
The wind whipped by them as they flew across fields and forests, towns coming and going under their flight. Dash nodded along to the story, her curiosity satisfied. Sure, she would still seek to become a Wonderbolt, but now something niggled at the back of her mind, what if she found something else flying related she'd rather pursue? Being a Wonderbolt was her dream since she was a little filly, but after that story the realization hit that just because her special talent was the Sonic Rainboom, didn't mean it had to just be for airshows. All this thinking put her in a pensive mood, as if perhaps there were other tasks she could have occupied her life with-
She didn't see the bird until she flew right into it, the hawk squawking angrily as his flight was disrupted by the inattentive pegasus, flapping his wings in Rainbow's face until she could dislodge him. He gave another irritated cry before he dove off to the right. Dash's face burned in embarrassment, but the other pegasi kept themselves well composed enough to not laugh at what happened.
“Down has that happen to him at least once a week.” Mist said in support, which caused Downdraft to snort out.
“I hate to say it but it's true.”
The aerie of Lord Nikola of the Black Iron Mountains was truly a marvel of modern stonework and metallurgy, a brutalist sort of structure that demanded its occupants to either endure or flee. What warmth there was came from individual hearths as the chill wind of the mountain peaks was allowed to blow through. What prisons there were were small, cramped, and cold. Whatever criminals there were in his domain either served him as thugs, or fled his iron-taloned justice to neighboring aeries. His guards wielded only the finest steel weapons and armor, specially treated to give them a golden sheen.
The halls were filled with trophies. Hides of beasts from far flung lands, treasures taken from ruined temples and the aeries of lesser foes. In his main hall sat the lord himself, a griffon of such size one could mistake him for a manticore at a distance though his feathers were a silvery gray, his fur a rich, earthy brown. Above his throne was an alcove, empty, but for a name above it. Agathon.
The king's death left mixed feelings in Nikola. On one hand, dealing with the upstart hen would be easy. On the other, he longed to pry the iron crown off of Agathon's head himself. No other griffon gave him such grief, such consternation. Just thinking of that smug prick made Nikola throw his half-empty goblet across the hall, letting it clatter to the ground.
Before he was even situated properly the small, green-eyed hen that had come to his aerie instantly replaced his drink with a fresh one. His red eyes looked into hers and he pulled her up boldly into his lap. She let out a squawk and a giggle as her feathers fluffed out.
"Oh my, Lord Nikola! You're being so, presumptuous!" She said as she batted her eyelashes at him.
"Christine was it?"
"Crystal, sir."
"As you know Crystal, all in my domain obey my laws. We've not had a hen on the throne since the found of the Black Iron aeries. There hasn't been a hen as monarch for longer than that. That little upstart, she'll be coming here soon enough. Would it please you for me to put her in her place?"
"Well of course my lord!" Crystal said as she trailed a talon across his chest slowly. "We all must do what we can to serve you in whatever way you want us to!"
"Good. Come along then."
Later that night, as Lord Nikola slept under a pile of furs and hides, Crystal checked herself in the mirror. Green fire rippled across her form as Chrysalis examined any damage to her exoskeleton. Some scrapes, a couple gouges, but nothing that couldn't be fixed. Slaar had done worse when he strangled her in the cell. The love she managed to siphon from Nikola was, basic. The old lord didn't have much in the way of it, other than basic, primal urges. It was enough to feed from, but not satisfying. The changeling queen glanced at the sleeping form of Nikola, and pondered if she could assassinate him as he slept.
Shaking her head, she donned her disguise and slipped out onto the balcony, feeling the cold air blow across her. It was so different from the still, dry heat of the Badlands. Part of her pondered if perhaps Griffdonia, with it's myriad mining operations, would be a better place for her hive. There's so many nooks and crannies the hive could live under their noses for so long and never be seen...
She let out a sigh as she leaned against the railing. It would take months to transfer them all over. Every worker, soldier, larva... An operation that would draw too much attention. A tired sigh escaped her as her eyes were drawn to two shapes in the distance. Right away she could tell they were airships, stalled in the air, waiting for day before they would begin their final approach.
"Hmm, maybe I should see how this all plays out. Oh Slaar will not be happy I haven't been able to break Nikola's will, but feh, that old buzzard is beginning to be too much of a hassle."
The airships waited until day break before making the final approach to the Black Iron Fortress. A marvel of modern siege craft and architecture, it was impenetrable from the ground given the long, winding paths up the mountains. Approaching from above without the authority to do so wasn't easy either, most of the castle closed off save the occasional balcony situated in the main keep. Getting there without being noticed would be impossible however, as Lord Nikola ensured there was never a cloud in the sky for his guards to keep an eye out.
What defenses could be seen were difficult to point out, but the dozen or so griffon guards along the top of one of the corner towers with crossbows were evidence enough that there was plenty to try and protect the lair of the lord if push came to shove. The airships would be easy targets if the order to attack came.
Two guards were waving flags to direct the airships to land over at the carefully hidden mooring rigs. As the airships pulled in Slaar noticed right away that they were situated in such a manner that more griffons could fire bolts at them. That more guards did appear, fully armed and aiming at them, only proved the idea.
Gilda puffed out her feathers and adjusted the iron crown on her head. She gathered up her courage before she squawked at the guards.
“I am Queen Ermengild Roc of the Goldenclaw Aerie and I have come to meet with Lord Nikola of the Black Iron Mountains!”
The guards were quiet for a moment before their commander, an nondescript griffon with a tabard over his metal breastplate compared to the other guards just having plates, motioned for the others to stand down.
“We recognize you, Queen Ermengilda. Only yourself, Prince Slaar, and Princess Luna may step inside the castle. The rest of your guards and servants must remain on your airships.”
“Hold on now, I go nowhere without my court mage!” Slaar said, putting an arm around Vincent. “Surely you could handle four of us just as easily as if it were just three! Your are Lord Nikola's personal house guard after all, the best in all of Griffdonia!”
The commander preened a little at the praise, even as he eyed the human wizard warily. “We can ask Lord Nikola, but I can assure no promises.”
“Very well, that is acceptable.”
Slaar and Gilda dressed in the finest they could. Not just her iron crown but also a cape of red velvet trimmed with fox fur and rings on all of her fingers. Slaar had dressed in fine silks from the distant lands of Neighpon, his own golden regalia situated comfortably on his person. Even Princess Luna was reunited with her crown, peytral, and shoes.
Together the three of them were escorted through the halls of the griffon fortress. Gilda tried to be brave, any faltering would seriously hamper her standing. Luna kept her eyes forward while Slaar looked around in curiosity, noting the various trophies hanging on the walls. His eyes narrowed at how many there were, and how varied. The group walked in silence as they were led to the main hall and saw Lord Nikola sitting upon his throne, paying them no mind as he discussed something with his seneschal.
“Those mercenaries want to be paid per pony they're out of their Roc-damned minds. Those mongrels wouldn't know what a good price for their work is worth after spending so much time among the zebras frolicking in the fucking mud thinking they're warriors. You tell them the contracts is for a set period of time, they won't get a copper more you hear!”
The seneschal nodded. “Of course my lord, of course. Oh, it seems the guests have arrived.”
The older griffons sneered at the three before he bowed out to leave.
Lord Nikola snorted out as he leaned forward in his seat and eyed Gilda with sheer contempt.
“You look like you still need to be in the nest. What makes a cub like you think you can be queen of Griffdonia? You might as well abdicate to me right now.” He said with a dismissive snort. Nikola snapped his talons. “Hand over the crown then. I've no time for foolish hens that don't know their place.”
His sheer audacity caught them all off guard as the large griffon sat there waiting, as if he actually expected Gilda to hand the crown over. She puffed out her feathers again and looked Nikola right in the eye.
“No.”
“No? Stupid hen, no griffon has been able to usurp my rule here since I took control of the Black Iron Mountains save for Agathon, and you are no Agathon. Yet you come here, with his fool and his murderer, to do what? Intimidate me?”
Nikola got off of his throne and approached them, showing just how much bigger he was than Gilda. From Slaar's reckoning, he was truly monstrous in size. He wondered if Chrysalis had run away, or perhaps Nikola had slain her. Such a beast of a griffon would be difficult for even a changeling queen to try to get a handle of.
Gilda didn't move, she kept looking up at Nikola. Gold met red and didn't shy away. She couldn't show weakness, not in front of Nikola himself.
“In that case, hen, I must challenge you for the throne of Griffdonia. Single combat, no calling for champions. Prove your worth, as little as it is. Perhaps I shall toss you to my guards afterwards. They've never had an ex-queen before.” There was no cruel smile, no mocking tone. Lord Nikola looked deathly serious as he spoke to Gilda so brazenly.
“Where and when?” She asked, her hackles raised.
“Tomorrow at noon in the peaks.. If you want food I hope you brought some with you. I do not deal with freeloaders.”
Luna cleared her throat. “So your stores are so poor that you cannot accommodate for guests? That is a bad sign for a hunter.”
Nikola glowered. “I will not allow a murderer to speak of me in a such a manner!”
The night princess didn't let up. “The Black Iron Mountains are known for their prodigious wealth, was that a lie perhaps, to make yourself seem more important? Honestly, lacking even food to feed guests. Challenge or no, the queen of Griffdonia is here under your roof and your disregard for Agathon's heir will certainly make the other lords not look kindly upon you. Forsaking the ancient laws of the flock that the Roc had given unto your kind... Shameful.”
The large griffon's wings flared out and he let out a terrible screech at Luna, who remained unperturbed.
“To Tartarus with the Roc and his laws!” Nikola shouted out.
Gilder interjected. “So you're forsaking the foundations of our laws? Are you claiming that you're rebelling against Griffdonia in front of its currently lawful monarch and one of her allies, nullifying your own challenge to claim the throne, opening yourself to be treated as a rebel and not a lord?”
His countenance didn't change, still full of contempt and fury, but he took a step back. “You miserable fools. As soon as that crown is upon my head I shall seen you executed for murdering Agathon. Commander! Take the three to a room. They want hospitality then we shall give them some.”
True to his word the room they had to share was small even for one occupant. And he refused to let them go back to the airships for anything at all, saying that the moment they stepped on board his hospitality would be over and they would have to leave. It was not an ideal situation for any of them, but from all of Agathon's stories of Nikola the old griffon was supremely unpleasant for everyone.
There was a small fireplace, and a bed big enough for one griffon. No dressers, nowhere to hang anything up. A small window was all that was in the wall to look outside.
“I really hate that bird.” Slaar said as he staked his claim of floor and leaned on the wall. “If you had asked, Gilda, I would have just swooped down and crushed him in my claws.”
“Oh gee thanks for telling me that now.” The griffon said with a roll of her eyes. “And what happened to that stupid bug anyways, didn't you tell her to come here?”
As soon as she said that there was a knock on the door before a pretty griffon with green eyes sauntered in with plates of food for them all. She gave them all a big grin as she closed the door behind her, then her mood instantly dropped along with his disguise.
“I can't believe I listened to you.” Chrysalis hissed at Slaar, even as she gave him food first. “Nikola is nothing but contempt and base urges. I can sustain myself off of him, but it's nothing like feeding from a human or a pony.”
Slaar took notice of the wounds on Chrysalis' exoskeleton and he grimaced. “Oh gods you've been sleeping with him.”
Gilda started to fake gag as she took her plate while Luna watched on with amusement.
“How else am I supposed to harvest love from a damned monster like him?” The changeling snarled. “Feeding love from others is easy, but I can't hypnotize him. His mind is like the iron he mines.”
Chrysalis blinked as she turned and noticed that Gilda was right behind her. Her horn started to spark green right as the griffon grappled onto her, talons digging into chitin.
“Hey, get off of me! Slaar!” Her hoof came up, smacking Gilda in the face only for the feathered queen to snap her beak at the leg and got her upper beak through one of the holes and started to bite down hard.
Chrysalis yowled in pain and her horn flared once more, only for Luna to saunter over and give the changeling a kick to the head to daze her. The changeling's magic sputtered off and she groaned from the blow. Gilda pulled her beak from Chrysalis' leg and growled.
“Why did you kill my father?”
Slaar felt his throat go dry as he watched.
For her part, the changeling queen blinked to refocus her vision and saw Luna and Gilda over her and she took a moment to process the question. “T-to spark a war with Equestria. But, he wasn't supposed to die!” She claimed, only to get a backhand from Gilda. “It's true!”
Talons wrapped around Chrysalis' throat and Gilda squeezed down hard. “And who benefits?” Gilda snarled out.
Choking as she was made it hard for the changeling to answer, so Luna gently touched Gilda's arm for the griffon to ease up a little.
“Who doesn't benefit?” Chrysalis wheezed out. “My changelings would be able to infiltrate and harvest love more readily. Griffons would love to have another go at Equestria's military might!” Her eyes went to Slaar. “And it helps bring humanity back to the forefront, to rub their faiths in the faces of the princesses even after you abandoned them to die!” She gave Luna a wicked smile, showing off her fangs.
That just earned her another hoof to the face.
“So it seems we have the culprit of Agathon's murder, and she readily confessed to it. What is your punishment for her, your highness?” Luna asked, keeping her eyes on the bug on the ground.
Gilda's talons sank into Chrysalis' neck, causing green blood to dribble out. Her whole body trembled as the changeling gasped and wheezed, limbs trying to flail about to escape. She held that position for several long moments before letting go and backing away, looking at the blood on her hands.
“I-I can't do it.” She said in a small voice. “I want to kill you. I want to make you suffer.”
“Killing is hard, the first time.” Slaar said as he knelt down beside Chrysalis to check the wounds. “Killing prey for food should make it easier. Why, you could just snap her neck and be done with it yes? What of you, Princess Luna? Do you pass judgment on her for the murder of Agathon, for her attempted conquest of Equestria?”
Luna looked up to see Slaar staring right at her and she frowned. “Celestia did not want her executed. Myself, I do not particularly care either way, to be honest. I know little of Cadance and her husband other than their close connection to Twilight Sparkle. Kill Chrysalis, or let her live.”
Chrysalis hissed and bit Slaar's hand, sinking her fangs in enough to draw blood. He growled out as he pulled his hand from her mouth and bled onto the floor. The changeling didn't say a thing, her eyes roiling with anger and dribbles of red running down her cheek.
He clenched his hand into a fist before he roughly pulled Chrysalis back up onto her hooves. “Just, go. Go back to your damnable hive. Go back to your people.”
The changeling flicked her mane as she kept her eyes on Slaar. “I want to see how Queen Gilda's fight with Nikola ends. I am, curious.” She gave another grin. “I truly wish I could help, but I suppose you're all tired with me interfering, so I'm content to watch for now.”
Chrysalis could feel the mix of negative emotions in the room, and despite it normally being bitter and disgusting she could still savor it coming from them. Then her eyes widened as she saw Slaar raise his leg, ready to kick her. She managed to jump to the side as his foot came down where she had been standing and with the force of an earth pony he cracked the floor.
For a moment he could see fear in the changeling's eyes and instantly he felt remorse for trying to crush her. Chrysalis slipped back, donning her griffon guise before she rushed out of the room panting in fear.
“Was that truly necessary, Prince Slaar?” Luna asked as she poked at the small crater in the floor.
Without answering Slaar walked back to his food, sat down. As he ate he looked absolutely miserable, shoveling the food in to try and distract himself. “I need wine. Preferably lots of it.”
The changeling queen had fled some distance and a few halls down before ducking inside some other empty room. Chrysalis stamped her hooves on the ground, brewing in anger.
“That miserable, ungrateful whelp!” She hissed and snarled. “How much of this is his fault?! My hive wouldn't be starving if he didn't keep us from feeding on humans, I never should have taken up that offer for this Tribunal business!”
She jabbed her horn into the bed repeatedly, imagining that it was his stupid, smug face. And then in her anger she saw the flash of a little blue dragon, eyes full of tears. Her face contorted in in a mix of disgust, anger, and sorrow.
“Damn you Alms. Damn you to Tartarus.”
The morning came, Slaar and Luna waking up on the hard floor while Gilda was already worrying over every little detail she could. The pony princess walked up to the griffon and whispered softly to her while Slaar stood up.
“Lord Nikola will be the greatest challenge you shall face.” Luna said softly. “He will be relentless and ferocious. You must keep to heart what will happen to you should you fail.”
Gilda's feathers fluffed out as she walked out, nodding glumly at the pony's words. Even with all the other lords having pledged allegiance that would all come crashing down like an avalanche should Nikola defeat her. Can defeat her. Will defeat her.
The sound of the door opening up took her out of her dark thoughts and she watched as Chrysalis in her griffon guise place down three plates of food for the three of them. Her green eyes trailed across the griffon, pony, and disguised dragon before she looked to the ground as she scooted backwards.
“Good luck to you today, Queen Gilda.” She looked out into the hallway for a brief moment. “Lord Nikola's age has been catching up with him. His joints get achy if a storm draws too close. I don't know if that can help you very much, but it's why he keeps the skies around here clear all the time.”
She closed the door on the way out, leaving them all to eat in silence and contemplate. Time passed as they ate their breakfast in silence until they all finished. As soon as breakfast was put away Gilda got up and made sure she was presentable and took in a deep breath.
“It's not yet noon, but we should get this started. I want to be out of here.”
“Of course, Queen Gilda. We're behind you all the way.” Slaar said.
The three of them walked out and made their way to the land entrance of the fortress, feeling the cold wind whip through the halls. The guards paid them no mind as they walked right up to the barred door. The guard commander made his presence known as he walked over and motioned for the door to be opened.
“You're all early. Milord was not expecting such, but he is pleasantly surprised. He said 'that damn hen wants to be humiliated this early? Fine!'” He cleared his throat. “Do you know your way to the Roc Peak? It's that mountain there. You know the legends, Queen Gilda. Good luck to you, and may the Roc bless your hunt.”
The griffon watched in curiosity as the guard commander walked away only to see Luna and Slaar going outside.
“What is the legend?” Luna asked as she looked upon the peak in the distance. Her eyes narrowed as the glare of sunlight reflected off of the snow. Even from the harsh light she could see the peak looked like something had gouged chunks from it, and not from wind and weather.
“That when the Roc swept down from the heavens it was that peak that he first rested on. He saw that the area was harsh and unforgiving, and perfect for his children, we griffons, to claim as ours. But we needed hot blood and raw flesh to feed on, and he looked out to the west, to the Fangs and past them, where soft little ponies ran around. He led his children to learn to hunt prey, until the day came where the other old ones gathered together to shackle the Roc and teach his children humility. Since then, eating another creature that can speak is punished by shackling the offender at the peak of a mountain until they die.”
Luna hmmed as she raised a wing to shield her eyes from the sunlight, surprising Slaar in that she was unbound. “Do you know the other old ones, Queen Gilda, Prince Slaar?”
“Should we? It was so long ago, few can remember those days I wager.” Slaar said with a shrug as the rough terrain made it difficult for him to walk as a man.
“I only know of the Roc, Minos, and Faust. Those were the biggest ones from legends.” Gilda admitted as she jumped into the air to hover.
“Yes. The Roc, progenitor of the griffons. The great bull Minos who fathered the minotaurs. Lady Faust, the first alicorn. Despite what some may think, she is not my mother though I will admit she had a role in my birth. There were many others. The six great dragons, all fallen to my sister and I. Triton, who spawned the seaponies only to rest in the Great Abyss and never rise again. There are some even I do not recall fully however. Some creatures like the changelings do not have an old one, as far as we know. As it is, their queens have been rather reticent on their origins.”
A shadow passed over them, making them look up to see Nikola heading for the Roc's Peak. Gilda's gaze followed him as he made it to the peak and stopped on it. The large griffon let out a cry that echoed across the mountaintops, a challenge issued to the queen.
As the wind whipped Gilda undid the clasp of her cloak and let it dance through the air as she took off to the mountain, her eyes focused on Nikola. The gusts of wind across the mountainous terrain were strong, any weaker flier would have been tossed about. It was still a struggle for Gilda to acclimate to them and it made her trepidation only grow. She felt her wings get caught in a gust and had to tuck them in fast, losing altitude as she awkwardly managed to land on the other side of the Roc's Peak. Her and Nikola made eye contact and flared their wings out. Her heart was beating hard in her chest. They both took in deep breaths, to initiate the challenge with the traditional cry for battle.
The power of the Roc's Cry could be hard for one to control. As Gilda let loose the power deep in her chest welled up and exploded, overpowering Nikola's own call. Snow rippled across the caps from the force of the Cry, dislodging enough little chunks for several avalanches to begin falling. The unintentional force disorientated Gilda, and shocked Nikola. He watched as the chunks of snow and ice fell, growing larger and larger. His ears hurt as well, but he couldn't let her know that. As Gilda recovered from using the Cry her eyes widened as Nikola flapped right at her.
The battle for the crown had begun.
She ducked around the side of the peak as he came to her, his talons scraping across stones and ice. With his size he needed to take more time to slow down and turn, giving Gilda the time to bolt down the mountain, grabbing up a fistful of snow. It was soft and powdery, which made her grimace as she tried to pack it in. She saw his shadow come over her and she quickly corkscrewed to gain speed then angled up her right wing to bank left. The ball of snow was brought up under one of her arms to help heat it up.
Nikola was still close behind her, the mammoth of a griffon reaching out with his hands to try and grab onto her. Her tail just flitted out of reach when she banked left. He had to shift his weight enough to follow her, his eyes narrowed. A strong gust of wind blew across them, knocking Gilda off course while Nikola had better control. The gust was a blessing for her, taking her further away from him.
With an irritated noise he tucked his wings in enough to slow to change his angle of chase.
“You have to fight me!” He shouted as he kept up his pace after her. She was flying faster than he was, but he had the years and experience on his side. When she flipped around to fly upside down he furrowed his brow in confusion.
When the snowball slammed into his beak and snow covered his eyes he squawked in rage. His wings pumped and with surprising speed he zipped right up to Gilda, talons flashing. She let out her own squawk of pain, her head twisting at the last second. Hot blood soaked over her left eye as she grimaced and kicked upwards, both feet connecting with Nikola's stomach. He let out a sharp noise as the air was driven out of his lungs and he barrel rolled, claws grasping at the mountain to stall his flight and to catch his breath.
She swooped on in return like a proper bird of prey, her talons extended and her left eye shut. Her angle was sharp and she was fast. Nikola took a deep breath and slashed upwards at Gilda's descent. She had taken in a deep breath on the way down, and just before impact she spread her wings out wide to come to a sudden stop.
The Cry was just as ear-splitting as before and Nikola could only endure the pain echoing through his skull. But Gilda was stopped and close to him. His legs kicked off of the mountain and he slashed at her again, talons slicing across her chest. Gilda cried out in pain and kicked him again, her claws extending out of her foot as she cut across Nikola's belly. His voice got caught in his throat as he felt the pain blossom across his gut.
He fell backwards away from her, grabbing at his stomach and seeing that she had cut his belly but didn't rip it open. The old lord blinked and glowered at the hen as she backed away to another mountain, her flying haphazard from the pain in her face and chest. He chased after her soon after, eyes narrowed in rage. Just as he came up to her she turned around, tossing a huge sheet of snow and ice onto him. Nikola squawked out in confusion and cried in anger as the snow weighed him down. He saw she started to run down the mountain and he shook as much snow off as he could before he took off after her.
Gilda flew down in a straight line, tossing up snow behind her. Keeping after her wasn't hard, but maneuvering with a bleeding belly was difficult and more snow hit against him. He took a handful of snow to press against his wounds to ice the pain enough to pick up speed after her. They flew down, down the mountain side and right to the tree line. The trees were densely packed together, making it difficult for a griffon as large as Nikola to dive through them as well as Gilda could.
She dove into the forest and he had to slow down and circle above, his red eyes narrowing. His wings began to itch as he could feel the snow and ice start to melt into his furs, making him fluff them out in irritation. Keen hunter eyes saw a lot of movement in the forest. Something riled up the animals, no doubt to distract him.
There was a low rumble and he kept his eyes on the forest below. It was up to Gilda to come to him, he was no fool. He kept circling around slowly and tried to figure out what she was trying to do. Slowly a mist began to fill the forest and he began to hover in place as he watched before he let out a guffaw.
“She's making clouds? Stupid hen, what could clouds possibly help her with?” He snorted out in derision.
His wings began to pump hard, displacing air to try and disperse the mist. From his height it would seem almost impossible, but his size made up for it. The mist began to lessen until Gilda came rocketing out of the forest right underneath of Nikola. Her beak opened up wide and she let out another Cry right at him, the flow of the air being disrupted by the shockwave of her voice. Nikola gaped in surprise and as the Cry hit his wings his flying was hampered, the large griffon struggling to maintain his position until he came down. His aim was true however, and he made sure to come down right on top of Gilda.
She let out a trill of terror as his larger bulk collided with her, pulling them both down into the mist filled forest. Branches snapped beneath the pair and they both landed hard, Nikola on top of her. They both groaned in pain, and Nikola winced and hissed as he felt her talons and claws cutting into him. He pulled off, for the first time in a long time feeling woozy. Adrenaline and blood loss mixed together to make a potent feeling of dizziness.
Gilda groaned in pain, one of her wings crushed from the fall after hitting several branches and having Nikola on top of her. Her back was sore, but she could still move her legs. Stumbling up onto all fours she took in a deep breath and focused. The pain shooting through her spine from her wing was intense. The mist around them was weak, and so she took in another deep breath.
The mist came in closer around them, growing thicker. With only one working wing she had trouble turning the mist into a proper fog, but soon enough it had grown thick enough to make it hard for either her or Nikola to see. With his own wounds it was already difficult for Nikola to keep his eyes focused, but now as the air grew dense with moisture he could feel an almost forgotten sensation begin in his joints.
With another screech from the queen, the fog rumbled around them and sparks flew. A clap of thunder and a bolt of lightning, the sizzling energy hitting the tree next to Nikola and charring the wood, weakening the trunk and making it tilt. Gilda came charging out of the fog and Nikola swiped at her, missing by inches. As she ran around his side he turned, giving another swipe and slashing at the charred trunk. The wood groaned, then snapped and despite the haze he knew enough to dive out of the way. Blinking in the growing darkness of the fog he took in a deep breath. He could feel his fur begin to stand up on end as another crackle of lightning came shooting through the fog.
It went past him, but close enough to singe feathers and fur. His joints began to ache more as the humidity of the fog seeped into him. Panting he grabbed onto a tree and began to climb up it, to try and get out of the fog and into open air. As soon as he broke the fog bank he felt the same sensation of electricity and cried out as the bolt of energy shot right into his spine and passed into the tree. Shaken up and feeling like he was on fire, Nikola dropped into the fog with a crash.
The fog slowly dissipated as Gilda limped over to the fallen griffon, her right wing drooping from the breaks. Her breathing was hard and ragged as she looked on her fallen foe.
“Do... you... yield?”
He looked at her with one eye, beak agape and breathing harshly but not speaking. Pain and tiredness filled Gilda as she took another step to him. His hand shot out, grabbing at her wrist and rolling to throw Gilda into the nearest tree. She let out a cry of surprise that turned into a sharp squeal of pain as she landed on her already broken wing.
“N-never. You stupid hen.” Nikola hissed as he unsteadily got onto his feet, glowering at her. “You have been, impressive. But it is time to put you in your place.”
She winced as he got closer, struggling to breath. She couldn't do another Cry with her being so unfocused, in such pain. And then his hand wrapped around her throat and began to squeeze. Gilda grasped at his hand, trying to pry his fingers off from her neck. Spots formed in her eyes as blood was constricted from her head. He pulled her off of the tree and slammed her down hard against it and there was a crack as one of the upper branches snapped off. Nikola tried to throw her aside to move out of the way, but it came down too fast. The branch nicked at Gilda's other wing and arm but the bulk of it landed firmly onto Nikola's arm and there was another crack, this time of his arm being bent in a way it shouldn't be.
He screeched in pain as his arm went limp. Without thinking he yanked it from underneath the branch and snarled in pain, forced to keep his left arm at his side. The wound was awful enough that he could feel blood pour out of it and he looked on Gilda with a burning anger that could not be easily satiated. Nikola approached her, his breath coming out hot and heavy as he looked down at the beaten and broken hen before him. She was breathing hard and fast and he let out a vicious snarl as he raised his good arm up, flashing his talons. He swung down, intent on ending this. Gilda looked up at him, her chest puffed full of air.
She let out the Roc's Cry.
Various griffons circled high over the forest they had seen their lord disappear into and had hear the final Cry. Slaar and Luna also watched from above, the prince and princess hovering in the air as they watched and waited patiently to see the end.
“Look, there they are!” A griffon called out.
Sure Queen Gilda was coming out of the dense cluster of trees, dragging the still form of Lord Nikola out into the open. There were squawks of surprise from the griffons as they rapidly descended, some congratulating Gilda for her victory, others trying to make sense of Lord Nikola's defeat.
Slaar couldn't resist but let out a roar of delight at the sight of Gilda's unexpected victory. Luna was much more subdued with just a smile and the two flew down to join her.
Gilda was in bad shape, bloodied and bruised with a broken wing. Nikola had several deep scratches and a broken arm, and burst eardrums. Both were worried over by griffons, well prepared with medicines and salves. While Nikola lay there insensate his arm was put back into order and splinted, and Gilda's wing was treated likewise which elicited an angry hiss from the pain. She watched as the dragon and alicorn approached her and then bowed to her.
“Hail, Queen Gilda of Griffdonia!” Slaar said.
“Hail, Queen of Gold and Black Iron!” Luna said.
The griffons, even those attending Nikola, cried out. “Hail, Queen Ermengilda Roc!”
She couldn't do much else but look at the ground with a weary smile. Then she collapsed.
Slaar watched as the Black Iron Fortress disappeared behind them, his airship carrying two new passengers as it angled for a route back to Mana, one avoiding the Azure islands. He let out a sigh as he heard hoof steps as Luna walked next to him.
“Agathon's funeral has been delayed.” He said solemnly. “With Gilda's injuries and the scouts seeing pegasus cloud fortifications at the Azures, there's no time to lay him to rest. Not that he belongs in these cold mountains anyways.”
Luna raised a brow as Slaar turned to look at her.
“His wife, she's buried in Zebrica. He should be laid with her. That land, so full of wonder and curiosity. It's where the three of us all met, once upon a time.”
“To bury a husband away from his wife, it would be wrong. But, could he not bury her in Griffdonia?”
The prince shook his head with a gentle laugh. “Why would he? That land, it's where they grew up. It's where we adventured, it was the greatest times of our lives! Gods be good, the nostalgia. So full of bugs, heat, disease... Alexis fell ill and died there, despite the best efforts from what doctors and shamans we could get. I-I told Agathon and Alexis, I could try something, but they refused. 'If it's to be my time, then so be it. My soul will fly with the Roc, and wait for you Aggie to join the flock'.”
She could see the tears in his eyes as he turned away to keep watching as the mountains vanished behind the airship.
“For what it's worth,” Luna started, “I believe you did the right thing. For Queen Alexis, and Queen Gilda. She will recover, and I do believe I know what kind of griffon she is.”
“Oh?”
“She is driven and determined. She will suffer any injury, any slight, to achieve victory. That will either cause her to die gloriously in battle, or to win. Either way, her victory over Lord Nikola will already cement her legend among the griffons. The Queen of Gold and Black Iron.”
“You called her that. Why?”
“Lord Nikola is without an heir, and Gilda will need to marry soon.”
Slaar turned on the princess with a grimace. “I am not letting my friend's daughter be some kind of broodmother for a brute.”
“What other lords are there in Griffdonia that could allow her to secure not just a huge swathe of territory but also sheer economic and military might? Barbstorm has a son but Scythe is too young. Leon of the Valley controls a large portion of the ranching lands which is important, but as we know his lands are already being partitioned between his brothers and nephews as his mind has slowly left him. There are many more various petty lords scattered across the aeries, all with their own lines of allegiance among them. No doubt an alliance between Goldenclaw and Black Iron will cause many to either capitulate or try to resist.”
“Try, because Gilda has the Cry and Nikola is still a fearsome warrior in his own right. Coupled with the guard levies of both houses, in addition to the mercenaries Nikola has in his employ right now. It would be advantageous for Gilda to marry him. Fuck.”
“You do not like the idea.”
“Of course I don't!” Slaar snapped with a sneer. He sighed. “But it's her decision to make, should it come down to it.”
“Sometimes a choice isn't much of one.” A new voice said, causing the dragon and alicorn to look up.
The 'griffon' Crystal sauntered over to them and looked over the side as the clouds rolled under the airship. “When the choice is between a desperate ploy or starvation, what would you choose? When the choice is between disobeying and being killed, or following along, how can you say no?” She shook her head and trailed a talon along the edge of the wood railing. “For what it's worth, Lord Slaar, Lady Luna, I am sorry I've tried my damned best and failed miserably. None of this would have been happening if everything just fell right into place perfectly.”
“I suppose I should apologize for not standing beside my sister and pushing for clemency for your actions. Your people are starving, and despite your needs, should we punish the wolf for when he slaughters a lamb?”
“Those that raise sheep would gladly kill every damn wolf they come across.”
Luna and Chrysalis looked at Slaar as he kept his eyes out at the mountain side.
“As humanity has done to my kind. As ponies will as well. We will not go quietly into the gentle night, princess. We have to survive.”
“Survive you must, yes. You still have a role to play in all of this after all. I suppose the two of your are curious about my own stance on how things have turned.”
When the others didn't speak up Luna continued.
“I wish to see how you all act in the upcoming conflict. I am, curious. The last war I fought in was...” she shook her head. “And there had been others since then. I wish to see how things have changed, how fighting has changed.”
“That is incredibly callous of you, princess. I didn't think you had it in you.” Chrysalis said with a wide smile. “Though, given your history it isn't that unusual I suppose.”
Luna let out a snort as she glared at Chrysalis. “At least I was forthright with who and what I am, changeling. Perhaps you would be treated more favorably if you took pride in what you are.”
“She is proud. Too proud. And despite everything, she's a mother and does her best to ensure her charges are not in danger if she can help it. Did you not see her fight in Canterlot?”
“I was sleeping.” Luna said with a little kick of her front hoof against the ground. “I had no idea anything happened until the reception. Sister informed me, that even though you had no idea if the power you had was enough you still willingly went up against her. That is a level of foolishness, or bravery, that I did not expect to see in anyone in so long.”
“Perhaps Princess Celestia has grown soft in the thousand years since your banishment.” Slaar said as he looked at the lunar princess. “Ruling can make it difficult to keep one on well trained for battle.”
Luna's eyes met his. “And are you soft as well, Prince Slaar? I would hate to see that you could not fight to your fullest, I have high expectations for you in the coming battles.”
He blinked and looked a little flustered. “You do?”
“Indeed. Do not disappoint.”
With that Luna left for the hold she had been designated for the ride back to Mana. Chrysalis looked slightly amused as she glanced up to Slaar.
“Things are perhaps not as bad as I expected them to go. How curious.”
Knossos was a city built from marble, the designs as such that either emulated pegasus building methods, or inspired them. Regardless of the architectural history it still served as a major port for the seas, with peoples of all kinds coming and going with wares and money. From Equestria by airship came Sir Roland of the Solar Knights, Wielder of the Blade of the Sun. By normal ship all manner of vessels had come to Knossos, but the growing tensions of war as King Phaitos pledged himself to Griffdonia had seen many merchant ships from the ponies being restricted at best, or turned away completely. Griffon mercenaries were coming from Zebrica, along with whatever curiosities they brought with them to barter and trade to secure passage back to Griffdonia.
The main harbor was reserved for the minotaurs themselves, and a great fleet was busy being organized. Food, water, and weapons were being loaded up as minor lords from throughout the island were coming with what ships they too had.
As the airship grew closer two griffons wearing the livery of King Phaitos swooped in and motioned for the ship to follow them to a proper landing zone.
Roland watched on as the ship steadily descended to an open area, high up on a hill, with a small party of minotaurs waiting for them. Once the ship had landed he walked down the gangway with Raven right behind him. The minotaurs waiting greeted with nods of their heads.
“Sir Roland, I presume?” The lead minotaur asked as he held out his hand. “I am General Haestus, King Phaitos could not come to meet you directly, he is back at the palace organizing the logistics for our fleet. I had finished overseeing my own preparations when I was asked to escort you.”
Roland took the bullman's hand and shook it. “A pleasure, general. It pains me that we must meet under these circumstances, though I know your people take honor seriously and the accusations against Equestria do not look well at this hour. Still, I would hope to try and come to some accord between Equestria and Knossos. This is Raven Inkwell, she is Princess Celestia's personal assistant.”
Haestus nodded and smiled at the unicorn. “Doesn't look like much of an assassin as the last one. A poor jest, I know, apologies. Shall we, then? My lord has lunch prepared and it would be ill-advised to keep him waiting.”
“Let's.”
The trip to the minotaur palace took them down to the harbor, then further down and outside of the city itself. A cottage upon a hill overlooking the city and sea, made out of all that one would expect a peasant of some wealth to build their home out of. Roland was curious as he looked the building over as they approached.
“The real palace is undergound isn't it?”
“Perceptive, Sir Roland. So has it been since the very first king whom built a labyrinth beneath the ground, to serve as a fortress in times of crisis. Back when the griffons would come swooping in on northerly winds to raid and pillage, and when we were still divided among city-states across the island.”
“Before King Aegir came back with riches and set about bringing the others under his influence?”
“Indeed. Ah, King Aegir. They don't make kings like him anymore!” Haestus said with a chuckle as he opened the door to the cottage, allowing Roland and Raven inside first.
On the outside it looked like a cottage, but on the inside there were stairs that went down, down, down into the depths of the earth. It was unsettling to the old knight, being separated from the open sky like this, the jingle of his armor echoing around them. Once they reached the bottom of the steps they saw that it wasn't so much an underground palace as it was an underground city, carefully dug out and reinforced to allow all sorts of minotaurs and even diamond dogs to go about their business.
“By Celestia, this is amazing...”
“Hah, it is isn't it? Knossos is the city we present to the world, for all sorts of foreigners to come and spend their money at. But here, the Grand Palace? This is the beating heart of the kingdom! We have an entire underground road system built and maintained by diamond dogs connecting to the different cities. Come, come, the king's hospitality awaits!”
The underground city was much more straightforward than above ground, with a wide road that lead right up to the main plaza where the central palace was a three story tall building carved from marble. Statues of ancient lords, heroes, and gods were placed nearly all over the place. Roland stopped as he looked on two marble statues labeled in the minotaur as 'sun' and 'moon', depicting Celestia and Luna with their respective cosmic orbs above their horns. It was for but a moment, but Raven nudged him gently to get him moving again.
Inside the palace was far more modest than outside, with wide, open areas for servants to move with ease. King Phaitos sat at a table, already eating ripe fruits and cooked meats. He motioned for Roland and Raven to join at the table. Besides him was a minotaur cow on his right with a child in her lap and on his left was an older minotaur bull with bulges on his knuckles and eating leafy greens.
“Sir Roland. Named for the great hero of the Nightmare War that served alongside King Aegir?” Phaitos asked.
“Nay, I am that very same man before you, your highness.” Roland said with a bow. “When my lady landed the final blow on the Nightmare all went dark until I woke up in an overgrown forest. Much has changed in a thousand years since, but I had always known ponies to be odd beings so I feel I have acclimated well.”
Phaitos let out a little snort and nodded. “This is my wife and daughter, Hera and Elise. This is my uncle Adras.”
“I have gout.” The older bull said with a snort. “So I have to eat like I'm being prepped for slaughter instead of the good stuff.”
“It's because you kept eating 'the good stuff' that you got gout in the first place uncle. Now calm down, we have guests.”
Roland bit back a laugh as he sat and took up his fill of food onto his plate. Raven for her part preferred to leave the meat where it lay and focused more on the bread and fruit instead.
“It is unfortunate we have to meet under these circumstances, King Phaitos. Knossos is a beautiful country, and I would have loved to be more of a visitor than a diplomat.”
It took a moment for the minotaur king to respond, having taken a deep drink of wine first. “It is a shame. I have already pledged my armies to assisting the griffons against Equestria. I am a bull of my word, and I cannot go back on it. I do not do this because I do not respect Princess Celestia, and the details around King Agathon's murder are in question, but the aftermath of such a brazen crime left me in no good position of my own. I could not just say I would hang back and see how things developed. My host was murdered and his heir left to unify the griffons, that is not an easy task.”
As the bull king spoke Raven took notes, nibbling on some lettuce. “Surely your highness,” she said gently, “that diplomatic talks could take some time. Time enough to perhaps see how the opening phase of the conflict turns out before committing.”
Phaitos looked over at the unicorn and frowned slightly. “That sounds underhanded. Admittedly I am reluctant, but when the news came back many warriors and lords were eager to set sail immediately. Of course, there is a little snag in the plan.” He said as he wrinkled his nose.
Raven nodded. “The Azures, yes. Without them any military action on either side of the ocean is foolhardy. The griffons need them to strike into Equestria, and for your people to stop on the way as well. As such, Equestria needs them as well, to harass Griffdonia and Knossos.”
“And you ponies will have many pegasi in the area. Our warriors could contend well with them, on land, if they didn't use weather to their advantage. As such, on boats my warriors are most vulnerable. But I cannot abandon the griffons when I gave my word.”
“King Phaitos, I had the pleasure of fighting side by side with King Aegir, back when he was little more than an upjumped raider. But he honored his deal with Celestia and he lost many a good man against the Lunarians and did not falter once. You remind me much of him. I will not ask you to go on your honor, but I know you respect strength as well. So let us have a contest of arms then. I, representing Princess Celestia and Equestria against the champion of Knossos and the minotaurs.”
The minotaur king sat there, looking at Roland cautiously. He took another sip of his wine.
“In that case I shall set the wager. If I win then you must leave for your home immediately and we will go sailing for war. If you win, you can stay for a week but must leave after that, but we shall stay until we receive word about the outcome of the Azures. Victory or defeat we will still sail for Equestria.”
“Two days hence, at noon then.”
Phaitos nodded. “Two days, at noon.”
The next day had Roland and Raven wandering around the docks of Knossos, taking notice of all the ships the minotaurs were preparing for launch. They could see griffons and diamond dogs helping in moving goods onto the ships, each one nearly a copy of the other save for what colors of flags were being flown.
“I'm surprised the king is letting us take down this information.” Raven said as she adjusted her glasses. “If I were in his position I would ensure that we'd be kept away from here.”
“The king is an honorable man- er, bull. He's letting us take stock of the warriors coming to Equestria, so that we can be prepared. The minotaurs don't want an easy fight. They want resistance, they want to earn their glory. King Aegir always alerted settlements to his presence before landing. Killing farmers that weren't ready for you wasn't fair to him. Let the militias organize, let the local hunters grab their bows. Honor the dead, but take everything valuable off of them.”
As they walked Roland noticed that the harbor didn't just have soldiers and supplies being moved but also merchants and fishers gathering up their own wares. Warehouses lined along a good portion of the area, mixed intermittently with loud taverns and the occasional scantily-clad creature calling for customers even during midday. The knight wrinkled his nose in disgust as they passed by one such public house, only for him and Raven to jump back startled as a griffon came flying out of the window in a shower of splintered wood and glass.
Roland's hand went to the hilt of his sword as he knelt down to help the griffon up, the lad young and looking dazed with blood dribbling from cuts from the glass and a particularly nasty gash across his forehead.
“Raven, tend to his wounds if you would.”
Before she could make a noise of protest he walked right into the tavern and saw a brawl in process, griffons and diamond dogs slugging it out. The hired muscle for the place were having a hell of a time handling the two groups as both sides were rather sizable. For a moment Roland considered leaving them to their own devices, but part of him railed against letting such violence continue unabated. He joined into the fray, as unwise as it may have been, and began looking for the more dangerous of the groups to single out first. Any with weapons, though griffons still had their talons, were of priority.
Despite appearances, the diamond dogs were the bigger threat than the griffons were. They were stockier and more muscular and openly held weapons. The griffons on the other hand, actually had what weapons they did carry properly peacebound to keep them from being easily drawn. With that in mind, Roland did his best to help the bouncers in subduing the ruffians. A solid punch to a jaw here and there helped daze the would-be rioters enough for them to get their arms tied back and forced to sit on the floor.
Two dozen diamond dogs and griffons were eventually settled on the floor and each one had a bucket of cold water tossed on them to help them sober up. Just as Roland doused the last griffon with cold sea water another walked into the tavern.
The griffon wasn't the largest, but he had a vicious scar going down the right side of his face and the eye rendered useless from it. He wore strange armor that Roland had never seen before, not even a simple breastplate but rather a variety of thick leathers layered about seemingly haphazardly, only for the knight to realize that they were positioned in such a way to protect his vital organs below his ribs, and were layered over his wings. The griffon puffed out his chest and glowered at the other griffons.
“All right you louts, which one of you started this mess? Little Lloyd's got a bad concussion and can't speak right so that'll be more time for us to stay here and not get paid, got it?”
The griffons were looking about guiltily before one of the minotaurs walked up and snorted.
“It doesn't matter who started it. All of you, out.”
Griffon and diamond dog alike began to protest before the bouncer let out a loud snort and stomped his hoof, causing the rabble rousers to scatter out as best they could. Even Roland was carried out by the swarm of bodies back outside and next to Raven as she stood beside Lloyd, the other griffons soon surrounding their peer carefully as their leader knelt down and hefted the smaller griffon onto his back.
“Hey pony, uh, weird two-legged thing.” He said as he turned his gaze to Raven and Roland. “Thanks for shaping my boys up. I was busy being responsible but none of these featherbrains would know what that is if it pecked 'em in the eye!”
There was a cheery sort of admonishment in the one-eyed griffon's tone as he clacked his beak in humor.
“Let's have lunch and drinks on our ship, as a sign of hospitality! I'm Alexander,” the griffon said with an outstretched hand.
Roland took it and shook with a nod and a smile. “Roland of the Solar Knights.”
Unlike the fleets of triremes of the minotaurs, or the various more modern vessels employed by the other foreign powers and even Griffdonia, the surly griffons that offered up their hospitality to Roland and Raven were on a much more primitive bireme. It took Roland back, standing on the deck as the waves gently rocked the boat.
“Gods be good, a thousand years later and people still use biremes?” He asked the lead griffon as they sat down to eat, chairs and tables brought out to the deck.
Alexander shrugged as salted beef from the stores and fresh veggies from shore were laid out along with some goblets of watered down wine. “Often we just travel from our aerie in Zebrica and Knossos, but the call for mercenaries from the homeland has us curious and wanting for coin. Hunting the big game of the golden plains paid well enough, but the zebras have been growing fiercer in protecting the animals. That, and more griffons have been coming at the behest of the distant nobles to seek treasure and trophies making it harder for us native griffs to make a living!”
Raven took an idle sip of her wine. “I thought the griffons of Zebrica were all originally from Griffdonia?” She asked before nibbling on some kale.
Alexander nodded as he took a deep draught of his wine. “Oh sure, my grandparents came from Griffdonia, as did my mother, but I was born and raised in Zebrica! That makes it as much my homeland as it does any zebra there.”
The boat gently rocked as Roland took a big bite of the salted beef and chewed, deep in thought with his brow furrowed. The warmth of her sun made the meal all that more enjoyable, the griffons around them enjoying their own lunches.
“Home is where we lay our roots, and as one dear friend had said to me, where one can excrete comfortably.”
Roland's words shocked Raven and she looked at him with mouth agape while Alexander snorted and laughed, clacking his beak in joy.
“That's very true! Both parts I think!” The one-eyed griffon said with a slap to his leg. “And the closest family is whom we choose, and these sorry louts around me I wouldn't trade for even the favor of gods. To family and glory!”
The griffons cheered 'To Alexander!' and they all took deep drinks of their wine. Even Roland was swept up in the camaraderie and drank half of his goblet. Raven was much more subdued but still took a sip as well.
The human gave a smile to his host. “How long have you been leading them?”
“Oh, damn, years now. My father ran this group and when I was old enough I joined. No special treatment either, I was cleaning and cooking like every other initiate. We're all from, if not the same aerie, then near ones. We're bound by ties of oaths and blood. We've learned how to fight, to survive, and to live. You said you were of the Solar Knights, yes? I've never heard of such an order, but I suppose it's not too different.”
Roland smiled sadly as his gaze drifted to the rolling waves that lapped against the sides of boats moored at the harbor. “No, not too different at all. But, that was a long time ago, and I am the last of my order.”
Alexander's face softened in understanding and he nodded. “To be the last, to carry on all of those traditions and stories on your own. You have no apprentices to teach?”
The warm air of the sea filled the knight's lungs as he took in a deep breath. “My order is a relic of a bygone age. I am a relic. No, I serve my goddess as best I can, but when my time comes the Solar Knights shall be no more. I think sometimes that perhaps it is what she wishes as well. Those dark times have caused pain that should not have lingered so long.”
“Dark times?”
“The Nightmare War, when Lady Luna was consumed with a black magic and sought to bathe the world in night eternal. There is but one soldier left from then, when there should be none.”
“That's tragic, Sir Roland,” Alexander said in a soft tone, “For the sake of your battle brothers, take an apprentice and teach him your ways, your mysteries. They wouldn't want to see the Solar Knights languish and fade, would they?”
Roland's eyes met Alexander's one and held for a few moments before he finished his wine. “You're right, I suppose. No, no you are. Old Turpin would never forgive me when I meet him in death if I was to be the last Solar Knight.”
“Lloyd, Lloyd c'mere.”
The younger griffon waddled on over, holding ice wrapped in cloth to his skull. “Yeah brother?”
“I'm going to offer you to become the apprentice to Sir Roland here.”
Roland let out a cough and shook his head. Raven raised an eyebrow. Lloyd's beak gaped open in surprise.
“You mean, you don't want me here anymore?” The other griffon asked dejected.
“No no no, not at all!” Alexander pulled Lloyd in with a wing hug. “It's because I know you're a dependable sort that I'm giving you this chance. Besides, Roland here's a proper knight, just think about what you can learn from him!”
“I do not mean to damper your hopes, but the Solar Knights are a religious order as much as a martial one. We worship the Dawnbringer after all, and as she rules Equestria there may be a conflict of interest here.”
Silence lingered over them before Lloyd fluffed out his feathers. “If brother thinks I can help you, then I will.”
“Even if it means possibly having to face him in battle? Fighting your own blood is no easy thing.”
Lloyd's beak opened up and then shut before he looked to Alexander for help.
“We're a group of at least a hundred strong. This group here is just what I decided to take with me to Griffdonia. Your order is just you, Sir Roland, and my heart bleeds for orders on the cusp of death.”
“Why?” Raven asked finally. “Why offer to help a complete stranger, one who serves the nation you'll be going into battle against?”
Alexander looked to Lloyd and then to Raven. “I want my brother to see more of the world than just home and here, and I'm nervous about taking him into a proper battle.”
Lloyd fluffed out his feathers in irritation. “I'm not a cub Alex! I can handle myself, you know it!”
“I know you can. That's why I want you to learn from Roland here. If he'll accept.”
Roland leaned back in his seat and looked over Lloyd. Young, impetuous, quick to frustrate regardless of what he will say. All too familiar, he had been just like that. A smile twitched at the knight's lips.
“I would be honored to take you as my squire, Lloyd. You will begin immediately, should you accept.”
Silence lingered over the table, Lloyd looked anxiously between his brother and Roland. His feathers flattened against him as he shuffled over to the human.
“What're your orders, sir?”
Roland smiled warmly. “We eat and celebrate to the newest squire of the Solar Knights of course! Then you'll pack your things and come with us so that I can give you a rundown of your duties and responsibilities. Alexander, I shall be having a duel with the king's champion tomorrow. We have known each other for not even half a day, but I offer you an invitation to come and watch, if you'd so be inclined.”
The griffon perked up and tilted his head slightly before grinning. “You just want us to see what the knight of the princess herself can do to intimidate us,” he said with a chuckle, “I'd be happy to see you in action! It'll settle my heart knowing my brother's in good hands.”
The next day at noon there was a crowd gathered in the grand plaza of the city, before the mighty temples dedicated to the minotaur gods. Priests and priestesses came out in droves, scattering sacred flowers around the edge of the sacred arena where challengers for matters both mundane and holy would come. Many of the gods and spirits were unique to the minotaurs, coalesced over the centuries from tales of distant lords and reimagined in their image.
Save for two.
Roland looked at the twin statues of Celestia and Luna then fell to his knees in supplication to his goddess and offered up a prayer to her sister as well. Griffons, minotaurs, and diamond dogs alike prayed to their own gods in their own ways as various issues were settled between individuals, guilds, and noble families.
The most common contest Raven noticed was the bulls stripping down to nothing and coated in olive oil before wrestling each other into submission. A contest to limit as much bloodshed as possible, while extolling their virtues of physical worth in the eyes of their deities.
King Phaitos and his family were there, his uncle in a wheeled chair that showed his gout had attacked his knees and ankles just as much as his fingers. The minotaur king talked with one of the priests, an elderly bull with finer robes than his peers.
Lloyd shuffled nervously by Roland's side and waved to his brother when he saw him in the crowd. Alexander gave a smile and waved back before he turned to chatter with some of his crew as they waited for the main event.
Eventually the noise of the crowd died down as the high priest waddled to the center of the ring and held his hands up.
“Friends, foreign and domestic, we are here under the gaze of the gods, from the great Minos who birthed our people to the light of Aurora-Haired Virgin, to bear witness to a contest of might between our great king himself and the emissary of the Virgin, last of the Solar Knights and veteran of the Nightmare War itself.”
A murmur arose across the crowd as many eyes looked upon Roland, still deep in prayer to Celestia. Uncaring of their collective gaze he rose up to his feet and approached the ring to stand across from Phaitos.
“Sir Roland of the Solar Knights, are you ready to contest against the great king Phaitos in a contest of might?”
“I am.”
The priest nodded and turned to the king. “Great king Phaitos, are you prepared to contest against Sir Roland in a contest of might?”
Phaitos snorted and nodded. “I am honored to do so.”
The priest raised his right arm and both man and minotaur shed their armor and clothing. Phaitos was rather average as far as minotaurs went, but compared to Roland he was a monster with thicker muscles and taller. Roland had the musculature of a warrior, but was still dwarfed by the minotaur king.
Hera walked up to her husband and began covering him in olive oil. Lloyd looked on nervously as he approached Roladn with his own helping of oil and did the same.
“I'm not sure this is part of my squireship, Sir Roland,” the griffon added wryly.
“Apologies Lloyd, but this is the minotaur customs. You are my apprentice and are expected to do this for me.”
After both combatants were oiled up they took positions on the ends of the wrestling square. The priest kept his arm in the air as he watched and made sure the king and knight were both ready, then lowered it to begin the contest.
Phaitos charged forward, using his greater reach to grab at Roland. The older knight pushed forward, the oil coating his skin helping make him slippery enough to push past the king. His arms went around Phaitos' waist to try and grip and he kicked at one of the king's hooves to knock him off balance.
It worked, Phaitos' greater weight being leveraged against him to try and topple him over. With a snort he pushed back against Roland, shifting his weight around to push them both into the opposite way. Rather than keep his grip and try to regain control Roland let go and skidded backward which allowed Phaitos to steady himself once more. The bull turned and snorted out as he stomped his hoof against the ground.
Their eyes locked as Phaitos charged and Roland stood his ground. As the king brought up his hands to grab at the knight Roland reached up to grab at Phaitos' hands and kept them locked in place. The knight grit his jaw as he tried to hold steady while the king slowly pushed him backwards towards the edge of the ring.
Roland furrowed his brow. The king was larger and stronger so he couldn't just overpower him, and the oils covering them both made grappling difficult especially with the minotaur's body hair thick enough to be even more slippery than bare skin. There were no real stakes in the contest, but victory was still preferable to defeat.
He pulled one hand free from Phaitos, once more knocking the king off balance, then reached up to grab at one of the bull's horns. With it in hand he pulled, lifting himself up enough to try and grab the other horn, but Phaitos gripped his other arm and yanked. Roland let out a grunt as the rough pull caused him to lose his grip on the horn and fall back to his feet. The knight balled up his fist and landed a punch right in the minotaur's solar plexus.
With air being forced out of his lungs the bull doubled over but one gasp was enough for him to recover. Roland went in for another grappling attempt only to have Phaitos' arms around his waist and squeezing hard. The human grit his teeth in pain and felt the air being forced out of him as the king carried him over to the edge of the ring and forced his feet onto the outside.
“King Phaitos is the victor!” The old priest called out.
The crowd cheered, bets were honored, and the king let go of the knight.
“You did better that I expected, for an unarmed and unarmored human. Had we been ready for actual combat I'd likely be bleeding out. Still, with this you and yours must leave Knossos as soon as possible, but I shall give you until midnight before you must set sail.”
Roland wheezed as he looked up to the minotaur. “Your generosity knows no bounds King Phaitos.”
The moonlight reflected off the waves as the crew readied the airship for departure. Roland sat on the deck and looked out to the temple district of the great minotaur city as Lloyd walked up with dinner for the older knight.
“Here you go sir.”
A moment passed as Roland didn't pick up the food and kept looking out. “Did you say your goodbyes?”
Lloyd clicked his beak together and nodded. “Brother and the others had shoved off at sunset. They're taking the long route to Griffdonia.”
“Mm, good. It's good you and your brother still love one another. War has a way of tearing families apart.”
“Well, is it really a war? Maybe after the ponies and other griffs bloody each other at the Azures they'll sit down and talk things over.”
“Maybe, I would pray so, but Griffdonia has a new queen and she needs to show strength. From what the Princess has told me, if King Agathon still lived none of this would be happening. Yet Queen Ermengilda is still young and not as entrenched in her position.”
Roland picked up his dinner and began to eat even as the airship began to turn on and ascend into the sky.
Lloyd idly scratched at the deck. “Yeah. That's like the aeries back home. New leaders need to go out and have some skirmishes, show that they're good enough to be in charge. But that's just how we griffons are like, so I guess this Ermengilda lady is going to need all the help she can get. Brother will be able to do so, but if it comes down to it Sir Roland...”
“You don't think you could face your brother or other friends in battle.”
“...No.”
The man turned and gave a gentle smile. “Good. If you had said that you could I would reconsider your squireship. The Dawnbringer had to face her sister, I had to face my brother. It is not easy, even when our family has fallen into darkness.”
“Will you teach me of the Nightmare War?”
Roland shook his head. “In due time. For now I'll teach you proper etiquette for a knight, and we'll need to get you outfitted for arms and armor. I've no horse so you don't have to worry about learning how to care for one.”
It had been two weeks since Gilda's fight with Nikola and despite her injuries still taking time to heal she hobbled about the halls of the mayoral residence in the border city of Thiva, one of the few places griffons lived near the Fangs. She wore a cloak over her that covered most of her body to keep her injuries from being fully seen, but everyone knew how rough it had been. Lord Nikola was still back in his fortress, but the damage inflicted upon him were just as severe, if not worse considering his age.
Though half-lucid, Nikola had given his reluctant support for Gilda and with him and Barbstorm behind her the rest of the griffon lords fell in line though not without some issues.
The Queen of Gold and Black Iron...
She was jolted out of her thoughts by one of her guards stepping into her way and bowing before her.
“My liege, should you not be resting? The surgery was a success and all, but you still have wounds to heal.”
She clicked her beak in disapproval, though she knew he was right. “The machinists said that I should still be somewhat active to promote a proper acclimation to the prosthetic with the rest of my body. It was my worst injury after all, the rest of them will be fine. Besides, you can't keep a good griffon cooped up for long, we're not chickens.”
“Of course, Your Highness.”
Talking about the prosthetic made the joint where it was attached itch, but that was a common side effect until full assimilation has occurred, which could take months of just letting it heal naturally.
She didn't have months, Equestria was fortifying the Azures and griffon scouts had been running skirmishes against the pegasi. Word of a rainbow-haired pegasus had made Gilda nervous, Dash was a fast flier but did she have what it took to fight? She worried for her friend, even if they didn't part on good terms.
The joint began to itch again as she grumbled and headed for the dining hall. The mayor was some lout that only cared to keep things running at the base minimum, but then again Thiva was an out of the way place that folk only used for the peace and quiet to rest and heal after grievous injuries if you had the money for a private vista. It was Nikola's seneschal that had set her and her guards with the mayor's residence, which made her suspicious but after two nights of vigorous searching nothing was amiss.
The machinists with their experimental prosthetics came from Olympia to the south, the main trade port for Griffdonia from all across the ocean with claims of being inspired by similar research in Equestria, with a healthy dose of the griffon industrial know-how. They were really proud of their work, and despite the materials of its construction they said it would be as good as any natural wing.
Gilda flexed her wings a little, just enough to ruffle her cloak, and both seemed to work just as well. Her guard fell in line beside her as they made their way to the dining hall. Once there it wasn't long before she was seated at the head of the table where the mayor would normally sit and eating a hot meal with water.
“Any news from the other side of the mountains?” She asked her guard.
He shook his head. “Small raids into the Equestrian heathlands but there's little out there.”
She made a noise as she ate, her eyes looking to the tapestries around the hall. “How long until we can get an airship for the Azures? I need to be there as soon as possible before Equestria is too entrenched.”
The guard glanced up to the ceiling. “We can go at anytime, Your Highness. I and the other guards do believe you should remain here to fully heal.”
There was a noisy ripping of meat as Gilda took a chunk out of her meal. “There's no time for that. I need to be out there and show to the world who I am. I am Queen Ermengilda of Griffdonia. I am the Queen of Gold and Black Iron.”
The changeling queen stomped around Slaar's throne room, dug out from the ground to fit a dragon of his size rather than he continue to take a human guise. Vincent watched impassively while Slaar busied himself in figuring out the best route to Equestria over land.
“I keep telling you, there is no good land route from here to there!” Chrysalis hissed out at the dragon. “It took months of planning and preparation to get the bulk of my forces into Canterlot from the Badlands and we were closer! You'd need to initiate a long range teleportation and for that you need a beacon for such a force in the first place. I could get you set up with one, but that would mean letting me get out of here!”
“Unacceptable. Everyone knows you're here now, I cannot just let you leave,” Slaar said as he didn't take his eyes off of the maps. “Technically we're not at war, and you will need to lead your hive in the conflict, but there's a lot of other preparations I need to do... and I need your help for it Chrysalis. You understand the necessities for mass mobilization and logistical organization.”
“You can't be serious my lord.”
“Of course he's serious. My little boy has many talents, but war simply isn't one of them!” The changeling queen risked patting Slaar on the snout in which he retaliated by bumping her enough to push her back and he glared.
She looked him over for a moment and frowned thoughtfully before shaking her head.
“If you are done patronizing me Chrysalis I suggest you begin looking at the information for a plan-”
“No.”
Slaar faltered with his words and looked at Chrysalis dumbfounded. “No?”
“No, Slaar. I am thankful your little ploy for the Tribunal helped let me live thus far, but I have my own people I need to organize and prepare. Besides, you owe me tenfold after all I had done for you.”
Shifting himself up a bit he spread his wings out, the room large enough for the dragon to stretch out fully as he pleased. “You would be dead right now without me!”
She snarled and bared her fangs. “You would've been dead if I didn't take you in so don't even play that to me! How much time and effort did I waste on such an ungrateful whelp?! Too much! If I didn't owe your mother I would have left you where I found you!”
Slaar furrowed his brow as he looked to Chrysalis. It was only a moment before he broke away and looked down at his maps and plans.
“Go then,” he said in a small voice. “Go and be with your people, your real children.”
Chrysalis' horn flared and she teleported in a puff of green fire.
Vincent walked over to Slaar and began chanting a small spell. Though his power was nowhere near his lord the dragon allowed the spell to wash over him and calm him until his eyelids drooped and he settled in for a comfortable sleep.
The wizard ran a hand over his head and let out a weary sigh. “How much longer is this farce to play out my lord? How long until every dirty secret has been dragged out and you're made to pay for your foolishness?”
Elsewhere in the human kingdom the princess of the moon trotted through snow covered pathways to a forge. The small village was out of the way and near where the worst of the blizzard hit. Celestia's worshipers were scarce here, nearly the entire village dedicated instead to Luna and upon speaking with the priest of the small chapel she was directed to the smithy, for the most devout Lunarian lived there constantly forging jewelry in the name of the moon.
Despite the late hour the forge was operating and the clinking of metal on metal could be heard and the princess entered without a sound. The heat of the forge blasted at her but she ignored it, instead looking around the workshop as the man carefully hammered what looked to be silver into a bracelet with sockets for gems. Even as he worked, seemingly unaware of her presence, he spoke.
“I was wondering when you would grace me with your presence, Sweet Selene. Long have we waited for your return to us, and after a thousand years here you are.”
“I had committed terrible misdeeds against mankind. You were my most ardent supporters, and yet it was only the ponies I cared about. I have heard of you, and your skills. They call to mind one I knew that long ago.”
He didn't turn to give her attention, still working, but she continued to speak.
“His name was Oliver, I recall. A fine smith, but he had a dark heart. He turned against his brothers to join me in my foolishness.” She shook her head, her starry mane wavering in the still air. “Seeing you it makes me hope he escaped to have a family. It would be no better end for a loyal servant.”
There was only a brief pause in his motions, but it was enough as Luna narrowed her eyes.
“But that is not what happened. It is you, isn't it Oliver? After all this time, you had somehow survived a millennia.”
“When my goddess returned so did I. But before I could assist her, she was struck down and you had returned in her stead.”
“I am the Nightmare, and the Nightmare was me. It was my anger and my jealousy made manifest, it was not some separate entity.”
The small hammer used for fine work struck out and hit Luna across the skull. His speed was not unsurprising, he was the greatest of the human warriors that served Nightmare Moon after all. That he had the audacity to strike at her was surprising however, and caught her off guard enough that a follow up blow cracked her head. The lunar princess collapsed to the ground and groaned before she felt her crown being replaced by another one, the dark energy within the new accessory so familiar to her.
“I will have my goddess returned to her proper place!”
Luna felt the power wash over her, the power that was rightfully hers. The monster that went bump in the night, the shadow between the stars, it all flowed from the black gems set in the crown and into her being. With a sharp intake of breath she stood up onto her hooves, her eyes turning to slits. She looked upon Oliver who was grinning gleefully and knelt before her.
“Oh sweet Nightmare, you have retur-”
Her hoof lashed out, striking him across the temple as her eyes refocused. He fell to the ground with a grunt. Before he could get back up Luna placed her full weight onto him to pin him to the ground. The glow of Luna's magic illuminated the forge as she placed her horn on the back of his head.
“You disappoint me, Oliver. As such, I have no choice but to ensure your death in service. You will join Slaar's army when he marches onto Equestria, you shall fight, and I shall hope you die on the field of battle for I shall seek you out myself if necessary.”
With the geas placed upon the fanatic she stepped off of him and quickly gathered the rest of the Nightmare Regalia that he had crafted, humming softly as she considered the rest of the set. She carried them in her aura as she went for the door only to turn to look on Oliver in scorn.
“To think you betrayed your brothers for the Nightmare. At least they had the decency to die for their goddess.”
When Luna finally returned to Slaar's abode the hour had drawn late and few were awake. Even Vincent had turned in to bed after no sign of the lunar princess for some hours. Carefully she stepped into the dragon prince's lair only to see the blue beast fast asleep. Seeing the opportunity she focused on her magic and stepped into the realm of dreams and directly into Slaar's.
Upon entering the dragon's dreamscape she realized something felt off. She stood inside the very same room that she had been in the real world, and Slaar was fully alert and staring right at her. Her fur bristled at this unfortunate turn of events, the princess trying to salvage the situation.
“Sweet Selene, is something the matter?” Slaar asked in a soft tone as he approached.
Realization struck her that Slaar was not aware that there was any change of the dream. He had been dreaming of her.
“No, of course not. I was just admiring the way the light reflects off of your scales.”
The big beast let out a strange, feline-like purr as he smiled. “And I was admiring your mane! Truly, even among divinity you are above others.”
“Oh, I am not divine! Not truly. Semi-divine at best!”
Slaar let out a rolling chuckle as he nodded. “Ah, to think that I wanted you and your sister dead. Truly, seeing you had struck me with such a terrible affliction that I can only content myself with Celestia's end!”
Luna resisted a shiver at that. He had wanted her and Celestia both dead, and yet he was lovestruck upon seeing her. There was no doubting he had power, but how much and if he could truly pose a threat to her and her sister remained to be seen.
“Enough of that dour talk, Slaar,” she said as she regained her composure. “Surely there is something else we could chat about on this fine evening.”
He approached her, and the world around them melted away to be replaced by crisp chill of Griffdonia's peaks, the pair high above the castle where Gilda would now rule from.
“Dour talk is all I have right now. I've so many sins against me, and though I know this to be but a dream and you a construct of it I still must confess. Agathon is dead because of me. The plan had been initiated before my heart ached for you, though admittedly I am not much of a planner.”
She saw great big tears form in his eyes as he looked down upon the silent stone castle below.
“It may be your fault, but you only did what you thought was best. For yourself.”
He winced at the accusation but nodded in agreement. “Indeed. I had brought the idea of the Tribunal to Chrysalis when I caught wind of her plans for Equestria. Truthfully I doubted her capabilities, and while she did fail she was on the cusp of victory! Oh how sweet it would have been for me to hear of the defeat of the princesses even if I could not enact it myself!”
“And of course bringing the changelings in would serve two purposes. In victory you could use your position to stonewall the minotaurs and griffons from retaliation, until all parties dissolved the Tribunal. In defeat, you would use it to lure myself or Celestia into a trap to try and kill us or start war with Equestria. But there was a snag.”
Slaar let out a weary sigh. “Two snags. Agathon wasn't meant to die, merely wounded in the attack. And of course... had it been Celestia there I would have seen to it she died.”
“But what if you fell for her instead?”
“That is indeed a question I have asked myself. What if, what if, what if! But I cannot deal with what ifs and maybes, I have to deal with what's happened and I fear I am leading myself to my own destruction, but perhaps that is for the best. I've been disrespectful to the one who raised me, I have lied and betrayed those dear to me, and I seek to slay the sister of the one whom my heart sings for. Perhaps I should surrender, end this poor charade.”
“No, you cannot.”
He looked at Luna in surprise and furrowed his brow. “Eh?”
“You must see this through to the end. If you truly think your death will assuage the sins you've committed then you cannot surrender now, otherwise you would be shown leniency which will only make your guilt grow in your heart. And, and Princess Luna would not look kindly on one who had caused so much hurt merely to give up now. When she became the Nightmare do you think she had her guilt, her doubts prior? Of course, but if she had given up then she would have continued to languish in Celestia's shadow before it finally broke. Now, she still carries her sins, of all those who fought and died in her name. There is no turning back for her, for Celestia, or for you.”
It took only a moment for Luna to realize she may have given it away as Slaar looked at her oddly, as if he began to figure out she was not a mere dream construct after all. Her horn glowed as the dream washed away from them both and she focused on muddling his mind of the encounter. When her magic died down she saw she was in Slaar's throne room, the dragon still sleeping peacefully. She let out a sigh of relief as she turned around only to be face to face with Chrysalis.
The changeling queen motioned for the lunar princess to follow her out into the bitter chill. The wind was quiet, snowflakes gently falling to the ground.
“Everything is falling apart isn't it?” Chrysalis asked as she looked up to the overcast sky.
“At the seams. I have no intention of letting Slaar kill my sister.”
“Will you kill him?”
Luna was taken aback by the tremble in the changeling's voice. “Only if it is truly necessary. Celestia and I had slain the six great dragons when we were barely mares after all. Slaar may not prove to be much of a challenge. You did defeat my sister at the wedding, but she could not bring her full power to bear in the heart of Canterlot.”
“Do you truly believe that? She had sat on the throne for a thousand years without practicing and each war against Griffdonia had not seen Equestrian victory. How can you two claim to be so powerful when you've done little to prove it?”
“Even as the Nightmare I never wanted to be what Faust wanted us to be. Her shadow looms over us still. But why do you care what happens to him?”
Green, slitted eyes looked to Luna and held for a moment. “Alms saved me from the Empress and I swore myself to her service after that. Then when the time came for her death she made me swear to protect her child.”
“Child? You mean... Slaar is the son of Alms and Sage.” The alicorn's eyes widened. “Of course, it all makes sense now. I know he wants Celestia dead. We killed his family, why wouldn't he want us slain? But then he saw Succor's memories of her final moments and knows we had no choice in the matter.”
“But things have gone too far to stop now, haven't they? The ponies and griffons will fight over the Azures. The minotaurs will be sailing as well if they haven't already. My people need to feed, and humanity needs its revenge for being abandoned by you and your sister. There will be blood.”
“You should have killed Cadance or Twilight when you had the chance to. Your victory would have been assured.”
Chrysalis scowled. “It was assured! But I let the pink one get too close to the puppet. Besides, it wasn't in my interest to kill either of them. I left Cadance in the mines with enough time for her to be picked up after the wedding and even then there was a supply of water down there for her to not die of thirst. Think, why would I want the Princess of Love to die? Still, I could have put in a little more effort into spying on her but frankly Twilight never even met with her again until the wedding. It was an unknown I wasn't properly prepared for.”
The changeling took in a deep breath of the cold air and let out an evil hiss as she exhaled. The distant cry of the windigoes could be heard as the storm attempted to intensify. Her wings began to buzz as she took to the air.
“You are heading back to your hive then. I pray you do not lose too many of your kin in the upcoming battles, Queen Chrysalis.”
“And I hope not many ponies die as well. I need them to feed on.”
Praying to a pony god was still strange to Lloyd, but he had sworn himself to serve as Roland's squire and part of that meant adopting the religious principles as much as the martial ones. Still, it wasn't all bad. The cathedral to Celestia was rather stunning, comparable to the temples in Knossos on the outside, but on the inside even grander. That, and the pony goddess of love herself officiated services!
The catacombs beneath the cathedral, full of Roland's brothers-in-arms, was what struck a chord most with the young griffon. His master had brought him to the resting place of Grandmaster Turpin and a chill ran down Lloyd's spine.
“It was always the role of the Grandmaster to bring initiates into the order, to teach them the rituals that they must first master before delving deeper into the mysteries. As the last living member of my order, it should be me to become Grandmaster, and yet...”
He looked up to Roland for a moment and nodded in understanding. “I don't think I'm really worthy of being here either, Sir Roland. But we're both here, so we need to do what we must right?”
Roland turned around about to speak when he stopped, his eyes looking down the passageway. Lloyd turned and saw Princess Celestia walking silently down the way, not dressed in her normal regalia but in a light, airy white dress trimmed with gold and a necklace of her cutie mark hanging from her neck. She stopped before the pair and bowed which the knight and squire returned in kind.
“Sir Roland, young Lloyd. I have realized that I have been negligent in some of my duties, to your order.”
“My lady, please, you do not need to do this.”
Celestia raised a hoof and smiled gently at Roland. “You have other things to worry about Sir Roland. As such, I shall formally be accepting the role of Grandmaster of the Solar Knights once more, as I had done so in the years before Grandmaster Turpin rose to the position. And that does include accepting new members as well. You taking Lloyd as your squire has made me realize that the tenets of the Solar Knights must not fade away.”
Lloyd bowed nervously, his feathers puffed out. “It is an honor, Princess Celestia.”
Roland knelt down next to the griffon. “An honor indeed, Grandmaster Celestia.”
They both felt the touch of her horn on their shoulders as Celestia recited the oaths.
“Do you knights of the sun swear to uphold the laws of the celestial realm?”
“We do.” They said in unison.
“Do you swear to serve Princess Celestia, goddess of the sun? To act with chivalry and honor in all things?”
“We do.”
“Do you swear to never take wife, land, or titles? To serve the brotherhood and its goddess solely?”
Roland said 'We do' but Lloyd paused a moment.
“If you do wish to take a wife, land, or titles you may ask at any time to be released from your oaths. There is no shame in following ones heart, should it lead you to a new path to happiness. All the knights have known this, and I shall never take the choice away from you. But as long as you serve the order you cannot accept outside influences.” Celestia clarified.
Lloyd gulped and nodded. “I swear.”
A flow of magic went through the both of them and a sigh passed Celestia's lips.
“Now go, the both of you. Get to your training, study the maps I will have sent. War comes to my land, and as my knights I will have to call upon you both, Sir Roland, Squire Lloyd.”
Time seemed to drag on and on for Rainbow Dash. Day after day of tedium, but it was clear from speaking with the others that this was normal. It boggled her mind to hear that the Wonderbolts spent their usual days like this as well, when not training. Most of the time was spent on patrolling the skies for griffons, looking over the cloud defenses, and making sure waste was disposed of properly.
It was drudgery of the likes that Rainbow Dash never thought possible. Even the skirmishes with griffons couldn't outweigh the sheer boredom. She tried to nap during a calm day, restlessness keeping her unable to sleep comfortably and so she shifted about when the bell of the alarm sounded. Rolling over, the pegasus expected just another griffon patrol testing their defenses, only to see a wall of cloud drifting closer to the islands.
“Rainbow!” Mist Weaver called out as she landed. “The captain and Down are already getting into position, scouts say that wall has a full fleet of griffon airships heading this way with their queen leading them!”
“What?! Gilda's coming already? Didn't intel say she was badly hurt in that fight against that other griffon?”
Mist shrugged helplessly. “Well she seemed to recover pretty fast! If she joins the fight you have to too!”
Dash looked out to the cloud wall and her wings twitched in trepidation.
Gilda watched as the guards finalized the chariot for transport. The straps were secure, the harnesses put on. All that was left was for her to step inside. One of her guards stepped in first, holding the unified Griffdonian flag, rarely flown except in conflicts with foreign powers. With a nod of her head they took off from the deck of the airship and flew towards the Azures and the pegasi defenses.
Spitfire, Windgust, and Rainbow were among the pegasi assembled to greet the griffon monarch and her small entourage. A moment of regret flashed in Gilda's face when she saw Dash before she steeled her resolve and drew her royal cloak tighter around her frame.
“We can save Equestria from a fight if you abscond from the Azures. Any fight here will be a bloody one, and neither of us would want needless casualties.” Gilda started off. “The minotaurs are currently sailing. While the pegasi are busy with us in the air, the bulls will be taking the islands. I have with me several companies of experienced mercenaries and house guards from various conflicts across Zebrica and Griffdonia.”
Spitfire hovered a little forward to speak next. “We are under orders to hold the Azures, and that's what we'll do. The Equestrian military is well trained and disciplined, and we're not afraid of your Cry.”
“Wait!” Dash interrupted, getting too close to Gilda for her guard's comfort. The griffon queen waved them off to let Rainbow speak. “What if we settled this in a race?”
The thought brought a bit of warmth to Gilda's heart, memories of better days... “This isn't the Junior Speedsters Dash. A race won't cut it.”
An errant breeze blew by as the queen closed her eyes and felt the chill flow in under her cloak, raising it and revealing her injuries.
Rainbow gasped at the sight of metal attached to Gilda's back. “G, what happ-”
“A race won't suffice. But a duel will. A duel of champions, Rainbow Dash!” She threw her cloak into the wind and spread her wings, the metal one making her wince a tad as the fresh connections pulled at her muscles and tendons. “Show me the power of the Rainboom!”
It all happened so fast, one moment they were supposed to parley, the next Gilda flung herself at Rainbow, talons extended and a battle cry on her beak. The others had pulled away just in time as the griffon's talons swiped through the air, whistling right above Rainbow's mane as she ducked.
“What the hay G?!”
“This is the only way Dash!”
“What?! Are you nuts?!”
Rainbow's rear leg connected with Gilda's arm, causing the next swipe to miss completely.
“I didn't want a big battle to break out, I'm sorry!”
Dash ducked under an overextended leg and almost gave Gilda a solid punch in the lower back if not for the flashing of the metal wing.
“Is that why you're not seriously putting your all into this fight?”
“Well it's not like I wanted to see you here, but I'm guessing the princess put you up to it!”
With a snort the pegasus threw another punch, her hoof connecting with the griffon's fist.
“I could've refused!”
“No you couldn't! You don't leave your friends hanging, if they're ponies!”
Rainbow's wings flapped rapidly, conjuring up a brief cyclone to push Gilda away.
“You were being a total asshole and you know it!”
“Because we both were total assholes, it's why we were friends in the first place!”
Flying forward, Rainbow went for a corkscrew. Sparks danced across Gilda's wings. At the moment they connected they were both thrown back by an explosion of electricity, the griffon squawking as her wings pumped to try and regain altitude and hissing from pain.
“Fucking wing carries a charge too well!” She snarled as she grabbed where the joint was, feeling how tender and hot it was after the jolt. “Okay, no more lightning.” Even flapping caused her to wince, her muscles shaking.
As Dash recovered she took quick stock of Gilda's status. On one hoof, beating her now would be pretty easy. On the other, she looked pretty shaken up and hurt and they weren't even fighting that long. Regardless, Gilda set the terms and it was up to Dash to finish it. She flapped her wings, going for a head on strike. Seeing this, Gilda took in a deep breath. Right as that hoof was going to land on her beak, she let out the Cry.
Dash tumbled down from the sky, her senses all out of whack from the sudden burst of sound. It felt like being on the receiving end of a Rainboom, which in that moment she supposed was the point. As her vision cleared she could see Gilda circling above, but not making any moves otherwise. In the distance, the cloud wall was dissipating, revealing several griffon air transports that were making their way to surround the Equestrian forces.
She worked her wings in righting herself and zipped up back toward Gilda. The air began to resist against her, the cone started to form. Gilda watched with wide eyes as the rainbow began to form in front of her old friend. Her wings pulled in and she dropped from the sky as Rainbow shot up, a hundred feet between them as Rainbow's Rainboom went off. As the ring of light expanded, Gilda let out another Cry.
For the first time in living history did anyone see what happened when both of the Roc's gifts to mortals finally clashed. As the sounds from the Rainboom and the Cry clashed the air warped momentarily before silence reigned. Gilda glided carefully, her eyes up on Dash while the pegasus watched in amazement of what happened.
“She... she stopped my Rainboom, just like that!”
A moment passed as their eyes locked, griffon keeping as steady as she can, pegasus hovering. At first she thought Gilda was holding back because of their friendship, as broken as it was, but seeing the griffon queen's shaky flying, the swelling of her wingjoint...
“Gilda! I'm not going to fight you, you're in no shape for it!”
“If you don't fight me Dash, you yield! And if you yield you lose!”
Rainbow felt her hackles raise.
“I'm not going to fight a cripple, G!”
Gilda's eyes flashed with hate and she immediately angled for an ascent, rising as fast as Rainbow remembered. The pegasus' eyes widened as she quickly ducked away from the slashes only to cry out as she felt stinging pain across her gaskin along with the warm trickles of blood. Her other hoof kicked out, cracking across Gilda's beak and they both spun away from one another.
“Y-you cut me!” Dash shouted in disbelief only to briefly duck away again as the griffon came in for another.
“I can still fly, I can still fight!” Gilda roared out, using her speed and the angle to go for another swipe across.
More bleeding lines appeared along Dash's body, the pegasus wincing in pain. Just as Gilda passed she grabbed onto the griffon's tail with her teeth and gave a harsh yank, causing the queen to yelp and kick out, only to hit air as Dash flapped back and then forward right after, striking her front left hoof square at the metal wing's joining to Gilda's back.
Her beak gaped in shock and pain as the muscles screamed and stiffened, causing Gilda to begin to spiral down towards the glistening waters below. Mind racing, she flapped her right wing to try and fix her angles but it was no use. With a deep breath electricity sparked across her wings once more, less than she had used before. The slight spark shot into the joint for her prosthetic and with a yelp the muscles twitched and spasmed before they relaxed and she regained control of her descent.
Looking up for a moment, she saw the telltale sign of the rainbow cone as Dash barreled through the air directly at her. She had only just regained wing control and with being below Rainbow, suddenly dropping altitude wouldn't help at all. In that brief moment her pains ceased, her mind cleared. There was nothing left to do but breathe.
The Sonic Rainboom collided directly with Gilda, and in that very moment, that one millisecond, all the world stopped as she Cried.
Around the two former friends it seemed as if reality warped, light and sound ceasing and inverting. Never before had either of them experienced such a strange moment. Blinded and deafened the pair tumbled about in midair, neither ascending nor descending as ancient winds rippled across and blew them about.
Another cry rang out, so similar, and yet so different. Deeper, divine. Everyone's gaze was drawn up to the clear blue skies as a dark figure flew. So small it was that at first it seemed to be a gull, but the wing shape was all wrong. It was only then they realized it was so high up as to look small, but it's cry was as crisp and clear as Gilda's had been.
The Roc had come.
Gilda watched, mesmerized, even as she fell from the sky after the world had righted itself. Rainbow Dash was only distracted for the moment before she noticed the griffon falling and flew off to catch her. As the pegasus drew closer she heard Gilda let out a yelp of pain as the metallic prosthetic ripped free from her back and the pegasus was unable to dodge. Rainbow's vision went black.
When she awoke her mind felt abuzz from sedation. She could hear words and felt her back being poked and prodded at but little else. Her beak moved and her tongue flopped out. Attempts to get up were denied with her being strapped down onto the medical table.
“The queen's awake! We pumped her up with enough drugs to knock out a manticore!”
“She's a tough hen, that's for sure.”
As they talked she tried to focus on their voices. She could recognize the one as the machinist who had implanted her wing in the first place. He sounded rather angry, but his words were muddled by the narcotics flowing through her blood.
“Bloody stupid is what she is! Months, it takes months for the prosthetic to be integrated well enough to stand up to the rigors of combat! If we put a new one in that will just get ripped out in a few weeks! The damage could be irreparable unless we get some damn zebra potions or a unicorn healer!”
One of the medics looked to the machinist. “One of the mercenary companies hails from Zebrica. They're bound to have something to assist. We'll discuss it with them in time, for now we need to get the new wing attached. That is non-negotiable.”
Rainbow Dash watched as storm clouds rolled in, the ever present form of the Roc still circling so high in the sky, higher than any pegasus dared go. Her head was bandaged, dried blood clinging to her mane. The air of the mobile base was thick with tension, the griffons swooped in on occasion for a brief scuffle, but even with them surrounding the pegasi there was no serious attempt at an attack. Until then, Dash had several visitors, each one impressed by her duel with Gilda but she had remained quiet, even when the Wonderbolts came to check in on her.
Windgust sat down next to her bed and ruffled his mane.
“That was a hell of a fight you put up Dash. And that wing the queen had, didn't know griffons got so far along in artificial limbs like that. Knocked you out too. Mist had managed to pull you to safety before you hit the water. That Ermengilda wasn't so lucky.”
Rainbow remained staring at the ceiling.
“The griffons pulled her out of the drink. She's still there on the lead airship, as far as we know. There is something I wanted to know.”
Silence.
“When she was falling, were you trying to save her?”
Her head turned and she looked to Windgust for a moment before she fixed her vision back to the ceiling. “Yeah.”
He gave a slight nod before he stood up to walk out. “I'll give you some peace and keep the others out of your mane while you rest up.”
It was a few more days before the pegasi began to perform evacuation maneuvers. The storm was going strong, and no one desired to try and stop it. When lightning flashed across the skies everyone could see the silhouette of the Roc hovering just above the dark thunderheads. Flying airships in such storms was for the foolish or the insane, but the griffons didn't break cloud cover or set the ships to sea to ride out the storm.
Gilda watched from the bow as rain fell in fat drops, her vision barely obscured as she made out the rainbow colors of Dash as the pegasi carefully retreated from the Azures, using the storm as cover to fly low over the roiling waves of the ocean. For one moment she tried to open her wings, only to wince as both were bound tightly to let them heal. She looked in irritation at the prosthetic on her back and let out a huff through her nares.
Her guard leaned a little over the railing only to jump back as lightning shot right in front of him with a squawk. Gilda's trilling laugh was drowned by the harsh patter of water against the deck. He harrumphed at his queen and stood back at attention with a frown.
As her laughter died down she looked back to where the ponies had been, and they were gone.
“I wish I could have congratulated Dash on a fine performance. She was no Nikola, but she has guts.”
“Will you make an order that none may injure Miss Dash too severely, your highness?”
She waved him off in a dismissive manner. “I don't think she'll fight unless it's me. Dash is brave and loyal, but how far can that be pushed? The Azures are ours, King Phaitos will be arriving in a week with the rest of his fleet, and the Roc has come to bless our war. I thinks things are looking up for us.”
Gilda's dreams were dominated by terrible storms. Cyclones ripped through the landscape, lighting smashed the sturdy stones of castles, rain and hail pelted massive lines of faceless griffons. Above her, perched upon a mountain so impossibly high, was the Roc. He spread his wings, plumage glittering as a bolt of lightning struck him. Tilting his head back he let out a massive cry and the storm ceased in an instant, clouds breaking and a rainbow scattering across.
“Ermengilda.”
She blinked in surprise and noticed that the Roc was staring right at her.
“Oh sweet child of the skies. You disappoint me. The Sonic Rainboom and my Cry were my final gifts unto the world, to the pegasi and the griffons. It was that which I allowed to seal me away to perpetual slumber. And then they clashed, and my seal broken. Why, little songbird, why have my children turned to use my gifts as weapons?”
Her beak gaped open in shock and she struggled to think. “Because the Cry is useful for combat? Without it I wouldn't have won against Nikola and secured my position as queen of the griffons!”
“It is no mere blunt tool to be swung about to bash your foes. If I had the means, I would strip the gift from you! It is well and truly wasted upon the likes of you, Ermengilda.”
She flared her wings out in irritation and flapped, only to stumble and fall forward. Looking back, she saw she only had one wing. Scrambling back up she paced, looking at the Roc. He looked back with disinterest.
“If you truly wish to show me what you're worth, then reach me. Without the metallic attachment of your engineers, nor without those flying ships of yours. I shall await you in the waking world, songbird.”
Before she could speak he let out a cry, a bolt of lightning coming from the cloudless sky of her dream and crashed into her.
Gilda jolted awake and stumbled out of bed to the window of her cabin. The storm had yet to abate, and the Roc had finally dipped down below the clouds to circle around the Azures. She went out onto the deck as the rain kept pouring down and she gripped the railing. Both of her wings were still firmly secured to keep her from using them too much and it was stifling.
With a grunt she sliced the bindings to free her wings and it was then she noticed the Roc had turned in his flight and was looking right at her. She froze up, her heart hammered against her chest in a bid to escape. When she finally regained control of her limbs she staggered back from the railing and could hear the cry of disappointment from the massive, ancient bird. Shuddering as the rain soaked through her feathers and fur she stumbled back to her room and slumped to the floor.
“You managed to convince the Lunarians to march with my army. The Celestians will as well, per your instructions. A curious thing, for a god to ask their followers to fight against them,” Slaar said as he rechecked the logistics being organized.
Luna let out a mirthless chuckle. “Did I not say before that I seek to gauge you on the field of battle? It is much the same for the others as well. They worship my sister and I, but it is you who rules over them. We shall forgive them their transgressions against us, for they will be doing so by their worldly connections, which we have always put as the most important bonds one can have.”
The prince nodded as snow was being cleared away by the mages. The blizzards had ceased, and the sun was shining through the clouds, steadily breaking them apart. The windigoes had gone quiet, but their presence was still felt.
“The Lord of the Skies has returned to make them go quiet. Not even I could manage this.”
The princess nodded in agreement. “The Sonic Rainboom and the Cry must have clashed and drew his attention. I hope he is the only one of the ancients that have reawakened.”
“At least there are six we know that won't.”
Luna gave the dragon a look with a flash of sadness in her gaze before spread her wings and leaped up into the air to take flight. Slaar watched the way her mane and tail dazzled with stars and let out a sigh as she swooped around.
“If things were different, I would ask if you had to go. But I know you must, and that we will meet again on the battlefield.”
“Do not hold back, Slaar. Come with all your might or not at all.”
His lips curled into a smile. “I will not disappoint.”
Luna nodded and turned back to the sky, her horn glowed brightly before she vanished with a flash. With the lunar princess gone, Slaar turned back to the preparations for the long march ahead. Vincent walked over with a map in hand.
“My prince, we have divined the fastest route up to Equestria. There is a land where the buffalo run through. It is not a hearty land, but the changelings have shared with us their own information and there is a transportation system we can obtain control over at these two towns. They are called Appleoosa and Dodge Junction.”
Slaar took a look at the maps, then at the carts and wagons being loaded up. “Get the mages together. We'll attempt a mass teleportation as far as we can.”
At her hive Chrysalis took stock of what love was gathered up in her absence, along with intelligence from the southern regions of Equestria. Masses of changelings moved around, tending to the larva, spreading stored love to feed the others, polishing and preparing armor.
She had her greatest warriors by her side as they plotted out the marching orders, using various maps laid over one another for as best a route as possible.
“Given Mana's circumstances he will want a single, decisive battle for either glorious victory or humiliating defeat. He can't afford to keep an army out on the road for very long. For that reason, we have planned for operations targeting Las Pegasus, Appleoosa, and Dodge Junction. Gaining control over the southern rails will be vital for further operations deeper into Equestria.”
Chrysalis nodded as she listened to her experienced soldiers and their plans. All sound ideas, certainly.
“I will take our most inexperienced forces to assist Slaar in his foolish gambit.” Chrysalis said as she gazed around the room. “That is not up for debate. You are all fine warriors in your own right. If I fall, you must spread and build your own hives. You all have the potential to become great queens. Let it be written that, for all my faults, my love for my children has never wavered.”
“The Roc is following us, your highness,” her guard said as she watched as the coastline in the distance slowly grew closer and closer.
The griffons having had chosen a route to make landfall between Baltimare and Fillydelphia. The minotaurs were close behind them, their ships being carefully towed by several of the other airships.
“He won't let the airships close. He wants me, and me alone, to try and reach him. Without the prosthetic.”
The guard blinked and furrowed his brow in confusion. “What? How? I mean, you could grab a cloud but you'd still need wings to push it.”
Push... push... Gilda blinked as she turned around, spying the great form of the progenitor.
“I think I know what must be done. But, that will have to wait until we're better situated. Slaar and Chrysalis should be moving their forces from the south by the time we reach Baltimare. We'll need to support the minotaurs from the air.”
King Phaitos stood on the bow of his ship as it cut through along the waves, breathing in the salt-spray. Their sails were augmented by his men rowing, drums beating to keep them all in time. “We shall pillage and raid the coasts as our ancestors had done. We must strike fast and take what we can and torch what we cannot.
Celestia looked upon the plans laid out. She looked up to her assembled generals and nodded. “Begin all military operations immediately. Appleoosa and Dodge Junction are the furthest south and the most vulnerable. We lose those and they gain rail access to the rest of Equestria. Have the Manehattan militia head to Fillydelphia to hold position until we can verify if the griffons will strike there or Baltimare.”
“And leave Manehattan undefended?” One earth pony general asked.
“Manehattan would be hell to try and take for the griffons. It has many large buildings closely packed together. They wouldn't go for it. No, Fillydelphia and Baltimare are both organized in a less dense manner, making them prime targets. Baltimare is the most southern of the three cities along the coast as well, if they want to have all of their forces to link up they need to take that city for its rails.”
Prince Blueblood cleared his throat. “Princess, this may be uncomfortable for me to suggest, but given the forces arrayed against us in such a swift manner and the inevitable loss of the Azures perhaps we should lift the ban on wingblades for the pegasi.”
Celestia closed her eyes and her lips creased into a frown. “We will wait for initial force projections once our forces at the Azures give a report. And give word to all cities connected by the rails that they cannot lose the railyards to the enemy. Destroy them if capture is likely.”
Las Pegasus was a city of sin and waste deep in the desert. Enterprising pegasi had thought to build a place to indulge in frivolity and gambling and it wasn't long before investors of Canterlot poured bits into the project. A city of luxury and delight, far from the eyes of the princesses? It was perfect.
Regardless of the hows and whys, the city was still well ordered and laws enforced but that didn't stop every hustler and ne'er-do-well from dropping in every so often to make some quick money. There were those that applied their talents in a much more fair and honest means, usually entertainers and stage magicians.
Jack Pot was one such magician who could go from one gambling hall to the next and be welcomed, not once doing any of those confidence games that lesser practitioners of sleight of hand would do to scam their audience. Normally the stallion worked alone, but recently he had a partner by his side.
“The Humble and Helpful Trixie thanks you all for your patronage!” The unicorn in her cloak and hat of stars called out to the crowd of the plaza where she and Jack Pot had set up, their show coming to a close.
“Mares and gentlecolts, a round of applause for my dear assistant and daughter! Truly my shows have been even greater than before with her help!”
The crowds cheered as Trixie and Jack Pot smiled to one another and with one last trick Trixie tossed down a smoke bomb and with a flash and pop the two unicorn magicians vanished behind the stage. They both broke into giggles and hugged one another.
“Another marvelous show father! Trixie is glad she came to visit you! Now if only mother would come by once in a while. She doesn't say it, but she does miss you.”
Jack Pot smiled as he nuzzled her. “I just haven't had reason to go back to Canterlot. All those folk act too good for the rest of Equestria even when they come here to gamble fortunes away. But it's true, my little firecracker, I miss her too. Maybe we'll make the trip together, go to Vanhoover first to see the sights?”
“That would be great father! But first!”
Trixie's horn glowed as she pulled forth a couple of brooms.
“We must clean up our act!”
The evening was much like any other, bright lights illuminating the city like a beacon. On another other night it would not be much of a problem, but tonight it lured Equestria's enemies directly towards it.
Normal changeling modus operandi was to infiltrate, take out important persons, and cause chaos as chain of command broke down.
Las Pegasus was the direct counter to the usual methods. While anti-changeling charms developed after the failure of the wedding were not always foolproof, the organizations running the businesses across the desert city were swift to adopt them and to constantly use them as employees and customers filtered in and out. Even before then, paranoia of rivals and of betrayal within was rife and more than one changeling scout found themselves gutted in an alley.
Not that the 'authorities' shared such with Equestria at large. It would be bad for business.
Trixie and Jack Pot settled in for the night, playing blackjack and trying to outwit one another, each victory and defeat seeing chocolate coins being passed back and forth.
“Are you counting cards, firecracker?” Jack asked with a discerning eye.
“Of course Trixie is! Why, she learned it from you after all!”
“Attagirl!”
After another victory for Trixie, she opened up one of the chocolate coins and popped it into her mouth. Her eyes wandered across the little room, seeing all the awards and trophies her father had earned over the years.
“Trixie would like to leave for Vanhoover tomorrow, father.”
“Hm? Tomorrow? Well I could get tickets right in the morning, most folk don't leave for Vanhoover on Tuesdays.” He tapped his chin. “You're worried about this war business, aren't you Beatrix?”
She nodded solemnly and subtly pulled her cloak tighter around her.
“There's nothing to worry about firecracker, Las Pegasus is in the middle of nowhere, there's nothing anyone would want with us. Changelings don't even use bits!”
The old, outdated air raid sirens began to sound. They were rough second-hand purchases from Stalliongrad that had been stored away in crates for far too long and barely worked. Tested once a year to see if they still made any sound.
Trixie bolted upright but her father put a hoof to her withers to try and calm her.
“Relax, they're just testing the sirens. Give it a minute and they'll stop.”
“But what if they don't stop?!”
There was a knock on the door and Jack turned his head to it with an ear perked up.
“Yo, Jack! The guards say they saw changelings coming from the south, a lot of them! We're getting everyone out of here, now!”
“Ah dammit! Give me a minute Hoss!”
“We ain't got a minute!”
Trixie was shivering as she started to rush to pack what she could. Jack shook his head as he ran into his room to look for anything he wasn't willing to lose. Once he had his attire on he went back to his daughter and motioned for her to follow.
“Just like when you were a filly, stick close to me at all times Beatrix.”
“Yes father!”
The door opened to reveal the big, bulky earth pony that served as Jack's assitant and bodyguard.
“We're getting everyone to the train yard and out of here!” Hoss said as he let Jack and Trixie go first to bring up the rear.
Already the sounds of fighting could be heard over the din of the sirens, shouts from pegasi in the air as well as panicking unicorns shooting off errant bolts of magic into the carapace-filled sky.
“The train yard is too far, we'll never make it before the changelings get us!” Trixie said as she kept pace with her father.
Jack Pot turned to look at her with a grin. “Come on now firecracker, just think of it like running from an angry crowd! We're both good at that!”
“I ain't!” Hoss said as other ponies in the hotel were beginning to panic.
Outside of the hotel wasn't as bad as it could have been, the fighting freshly started. Changelings swarmed across the night sky in attempts to overpower what pegasi defenders there were. Unicorns on the ground and in the buildings fired off, some changelings being struck and falling to the ground only to be replaced by another.
Jack Pot nudged Trixie to get her out of her trance while Hoss already began the run toward the train yard.
“C'mon firecracker, we gotta go!”
Running through the sandy streets of Las Pegasus was harrowing as changelings buzzed in the air. Many swooped down to try and pick up ponies off of the ground. Unlike Canterlot where they infiltrated and replaced many ponies, here was an upfront assault and their attempts to overwhelm met stiff resistance where the various bosses managed to group up with their crews. It wasn't the best defense, but it was better than nothing.
Jack Pot, Trixie, and Hoss kept on their path to the train station when several changelings dropped from the sky toward them. Hoss reared up and clapped his hooves against a couple of them while Jack Pot conjured up mirror images to confound his attackers to allow him to press on. Trixie's horn flared and several magical firecrackers flew off and popped point blank in front of some changelings, blinding and deafening them.
The trio continued to fight their way through the streets toward the train yard. Resistance across the city was steadily breaking and reforming as the gangs used their knowledge of the buildings and streets to evade and ambush the changelings when they flew too low to the ground.
The train yard was utterly swarmed by the buggers, workers fighting valiantly but ultimately being overrun. Just as three changelings were dragging the ticket mare out of the booth did Hoss' hooves connect with two of them and the third was blinded by a flash of light before father and daughter bucked it right into the wall.
“This ain't good, the trains are the fastest way out of town!” Hoss said.
“That's why they targeted them first! If they can get control over the trains... Sweet Celestia...”
Trixie helped the poor mare back to her feet. “Where are the supplies for the trains? Ropes, fuel, everything?”
“What're you planning Trixie?” Her father asked with concern.
“We give Las Pegasus the biggest show it'll ever see!”
Gathering everything was easier said than done. Trixie and Jack Pot pooled their power together to spark off grand illusions to distract the changelings while Hoss bashed up some and carried supplies into the train station's enclosed rest area. Each run out was fraught with danger, but they also returned with an extra pony or two to help fortify their little base.
As Hoss put down a barrel of coal with the others Trixie carefully cut her cloak for a makeshift bandage around her father's foreleg.
“What're we gonna do?” One of the engineers asked as he tied a length of rope around the handles of the front doors to seal them off as best he could.
“We need more coal!” Trixie said as she looked over what they currently had. “Or, no. We can use the coal that's in the trains coal carts. But we need to get black powder somehow!”
“There's dynamite in the locked storage in all of the train engines!” The engineer said. “They all use the same key, I got mine right here.”
“Perfect!”
“Firecracker, hold a moment. You're not gonna use dynamite to enhance your firework spell are you?”
Trixie puffed her chest out. “You're damn right I am! We need to drive the changelings off, so we need to fill the air with smoke and explosions!”
The booth mare fidgeted as she used what scant medical supplies remaining to daub some blood off of Hoss' face. “But what about all the pegasi?” She asked.
“The air is thick with changelings, any pegasi will be flying low to the ground or around the buildings. It's basic pegasus combat training, even for militias and thugs!”
The engineer walked toward the rear of the rest station and peered out the window, seeing black bodies buzzing. “It's no use. Can't go two hooves outside without one of those bugs in the way. We'd need support, reinforcements!”
“Father! Trixie needs you to cast an enhanced voice projection asking for help! It will draw more changelings, but it will bring more ponies to assist as well, and we have no other options!”
Jack Pot nodded. “I can do that easily, you can count on me dear. Oh, I can use the speaker system too, I can reach all over Las Pegasus that way!”
With his horn glowing he took to the microphone and spoke into it as he channeled his spell.
“Ponies of Las Pegasus, changelings are trying to gain control over the train yard! If they do they'll spread all over Equestria, we can't let that happen! Otherwise who'll come to spend their hard-earned bits here?”
Some soft chuckles rippled through the resting area at Jack's little joke while they worked to keep the windows and doors secure from the beating masses of changelings. Glass began to crack even as they attempted to board up the windows desperately. The engineer looked out the entrance door window and started to untie the rope around the handles.
“We got ponies coming this way, and lots of 'em!”
As soon as he finished the doors burst open as dozens of ponies rushed inside, a few unicorns walking in backwards as they shot off several stun bolts into the mass of changelings trying to claw their way inside. Hoss and some other earth ponies rushed to the doors and bucked them shut, then hold steady as the ropes were tied back around.
“Jack, you old son of a mule! What's yer plan?” One of the new arrivals said.
Trixie cleared her throat as she stood on her hind legs. “Step one of the plan is for all unicorns not myself or my father to shoot at as many changelings as possible. Pegasi are to try and whip up as much wind as possible, and earth ponies are to keep both groups safe!”
“And what're you and Jack gonna do, filly?”
“We're going to light the tenders on fire to fill the air around the train yard with too much smoke for them to remain in the air!”
The crowd murmured and looked to one another before an older pegasus stepped forward. “Is that all? Sounds easy enough. I'm on the weather team around here, getting enough wind to keep those buggers away should be easy enough for old feathers like me to do it!”
“Step two,” Jack continued, “is once the air is full of smoke Trixie and I are going to use explosives to dazzle and confuse as many changelings as possible.”
“Step three! With all this rope we can weave some nets to tie up a lot of changelings at once, and we're going to need to do so to keep them out of the fight!”
With the plan set they had as many unicorns as possible lined up at the back windows and door, horns charged with magic. Once the word was given they were opened and a barrage of multicolored bolts flew out into the teeming masses of the invaders. Screeches could be heard as dozens tumbled out of the skies, colliding with others, then crashing to the ground. The changelings attention was thus diverted to the rest station and they swooped down to swarm around it, firing off their own bolts of magic.
The unicorns inside had cover while the changelings outside did not. As soon as a dozen of the insectoids reached the back doors they were blown open by a terrible gust of wind from the pegasi inside, wings flapping hard to push out a cyclone that sent the invaders tumbling about. Any that did manage to get too close were knocked senseless by the solid hooves of an earth pony.
Right before the next changeling charge Trixie and Jack Pot both threw out several smoke bombs that were swiftly followed up by another unicorn barrage. With the path obscured the pair ran forward, the engineer's key safely tucked under Trixie's hat. Gathering their magic they took control over the smoke of the bombs, dragging it along to keep them mostly hidden and to allow the pegasi to blow out another harsh gust at the changelings.
Several trains in the yard were being worked over by the changelings though few seemed to actually possess the knowledge to get them up and running. Even so, fewer still were aligned properly to the tracks leading out of the city. The unicorns threw a smoke bomb into the engine compartment which caused several of the buggers to flit out in coughing fits. Just as one tried to swoop in to nab Trixie a barrage from the rest station flew in towards them, stunning the changeling as well as providing cover from the rest.
“Father, light the tender up! I'll find the dynamite!”
Jack Pot nodded as he sparked his horn at the coal, causing a few to ignite. Not enough for a big plume of smoke, the embers needed time to properly catch. Trixie rummaged around through several of the locked compartments before finding a bundle of dynamite.
“Success!” She exclaimed before suddenly shouting in shock as a changeling flew in through the open window and collided with her, wings buzzing and green goo leaking from it's maw.
“Hold on firecracker!” Jack shouted as he ran forward, horn lowered. He slammed into the bug, stabbing through where its jaw connected to the rest of its skull. The changeling gurgled and collapsed, Trixie panted with her eyes wide.
“Y-you killed it...”
He swallowed and nodded. “I'm not losing you to these things Beatrix.”
Several more changelings flitted into the engine cabin, wings buzzing. Trixie held up the stick of dynamite and her horn flared, drawing on the explosive power inherent in the dynamite. There was a loud bang and flash directed outwards and away from her and Jack Pot.
The explosion was greater than she had anticipated, the entire cabin of the engine room in front of them blown to shreds, along with the changelings. The force caused the coal in the tender to scatter and burn greater than Jack's initial sparks did, causing smoke to billow upwards into the sky. The pair of unicorns were flung back into the metal work of the engine, both crying out in pain.
“T-that was bigger than Trixie thought!” She hissed out as she stumbled up to her hooves.
“Dynamite is powerful stuff firecracker, nothing like the fireworks we use for our shows!”
The buzzing of wings increased and the pair looked to the remaining sticks of dynamite and the other trains.
“Change of plans father. We blow the train engines.”
“All right, let's do it.”
Pain lanced through them with each step, but they galloped along nonetheless. Equestria was counting on them.
Fighting across Las Pegasus intensified as groups took to barricading buildings, daring the changlings to assault. The biggest hotels that held dozens of ponies were marked as the biggest targets, after the train yard. However, once the first train engine was blown to smithereens did the changeling swarm redirect to try and regain control.
“General Carapace, they are putting up greater resistance than our projections showed!”
The big changeling hovered above the swarm as he watched the battle below unfold. His bright green eyes turned to his subordinate and he nodded.
“I knew Las Pegasus would be a tough hive to invade. The ponies living here are paranoid criminals. But that is why I was chosen to lead the assault, we must take those trains!”
At that a second explosion rippled from the train yard, another engine going up in smoke. With a clacking of his jaws Carapace began to descend to the yard.
“Have the others pull down those buildings. Snuff out all resistance. I will take care of the saboteurs!”
Trixie limped into the third train engine, wincing with each step as the fresh bite to her croup bled, a changeling fang still embedded in her. Her father hurriedly pulled the tooth out and used part of her cloak to dab up the blood as best he could as she put a stick of dynamite into the engine. The buzzing outside began to diminish and she let out a sigh of relief only to feel Jack Pot start pulling her out.
“We gotta go, something's not right-”
The roof of the engine cabin tore open with a terrible screech and the pair looked up to see a large changeling above them. The mandibles dripped with viscous goo and it casually tossed the jagged metal aside.
“Two little ponies causing all this mess. We need these trains, it'd be best if you surrendered now. I'll just put you in pods, not kill you.”
Carapace dropped down into the engine cabin, and Trixie and Jack Pot jumped right on out. At that moment the dynamite in the furnace exploded, sending twisted metal out in a burst. The changeling general screeched as his shell was perforated. Trying to avoid the angry bug, the two unicorns tried to run back to the rest station where the defenders were still warding off the errant drone trying to get close.
They had gotten past the first train they wrecked when Carapace flew right into Jack Pot, hooves grappling and fangs sinking into his back. He collapsed with a scream of pain and Trixie turned to face them.
“Father!”
“R-run Trixie, go!”
Carapace hissed as he started to pump venom into Jack Pot, his wings buzzing rapidly to begin ascent. Trixie ran right toward the pair with tears in her eyes as her horn flared with one stick of dynamite in her magic grip. She jumped up and channeled the spell, using the force of the explosion to rocket her up into the sky. Jack Pot and Carapace both watched as she arced up and down towards them, hooves stretched out.
The changeling tried to juke to the left but she still managed to clip his wings, making him and Jack fall roughly to the ground. Trixie rolled and stumbled, landing in dust. She tried to get up but shouted as she collapsed.
“My leg, I broke my leg!” She screamed as she rolled onto her side, body shaking.
Carapace let go of Jack and turned his attention to the crying mare, mouth open and hissing as he began walking on over to her. Jack tried to crawl over, his own hind legs numb from the venom that was pumped into his system. His horn glowed then sputtered as his concentration broke.
“Boss!”
Jack looked over to see Hoss galloping at full speed. Carapace too turned, jagged horn glowing. Right before Hoss could even get close he was blasted by the green bolt of changeling magic and stumbled into the dirt.
When he turned back to Trixie she was panting and sweating, her front leg twisted unnaturally. The changeling's eyes widened as he saw the stick in her telekinetic hold. Her gaze was unsteady, her teeth grit together as she lit her horn.
“No lines of communication from Las Pegasus. No trains either.” Celestia muttered to herself as she paced around the room.
She could feel the sun begin its descent over the horizon and the time for her to raise the moon. With a deep breath she went out to the balcony and closed her eyes, her senses reaching out. There, that silvery orb bereft of its mistress. She grasped onto it.
Her magical grip slid off of it as Luna's was already there, raising it into the sky. Celestia let out a surprised gasp as her eyes opened and saw her sister there, horn aglow as she performed her duty.
“Good evening sister, it is wonderful to see you again.”
Celestia forcefully yanked Luna into a crushing hug, tears streaming from her eyes.
“Oh dear Luna, what happened?”
“Get us some tea, it is a bit of a story.”
Hours after Celestia should have gone to bed she was still awake and alert as she listened to Luna relay the chain of events, ending with her flight back to Equestria. The solar princess set her cup down and her gaze was not one of relief or worry.
She was angry.
“All of this could have been avoided if you protested your innocence early and pushed for an open investigation. Instead, you let things happen, even pushed for them. Why, sister?”
“I'm lost, Celestia,” Luna admitted in a small voice. “I am lost and adrift in this new world I find myself in. Peace has reigned in Equestria for centuries. The griffons have factories and produce wonders on such a scale I never thought possible. Alms and Sage have a son, a son, who rules over the remnants of humanity that we had left to die! I am not a diplomat. I am not an administrator. I am a warrior, a killer. My place belongs on the battlefield, whether that be in the dreamscape scouring nightmares from our subjects or with my hooves soaked in blood.”
Celestia shot up from her seat. “Las Pegasus has been invaded, Baltimare and its surrounding towns are being ransacked, we lost our hold of the Azures and Rainbow Dash almost died in that fight because you feel lost?!”
“You sent Rainbow Dash into a battle? Did you ply on her loyalty, convinced her to risk life and limb when she is simply unprepared for such a struggle?”
“Because you have allowed the griffons to prepare for and push into war!”
“I did not send one of the Elements of Harmony into a potential warzone!”
“The Sonic Rainboom was the only counter possible against the Roc's Cry Luna, you know that!”
“And can you not perform the Rainboom yourself? Could you not simply go and crush Gilda in single combat without issue?”
“I could have if you had come back here sooner instead of deciding to convince the rest of humanity that yes, their gods want them to march to war! It's like Faust has been whispering in your ears!”
Luna slammed her hooves onto the table. “Do NOT say that. I am NOTHING like what she had wanted of us!”
“Bringing all of our rivals into one big battle in hopes we crush them, establish our dominance over the rest of the world? It's exactly what she wanted after we had slain the dragon lords! The Roc has come back too, and if he's back she will no doubt rouse from her slumber and we do not control the Elements anymore!”
Luna took a step back and her ears folded against her head. “We do not know for sure if the Roc's return will herald the others awakening.”
“Oh to Tartarus with that Luna, it's a possibility we need to prepare for, in addition to driving our foes from Equestria!”
A knock on the door interrupted their arguing and Celestia took a moment to work on her mane.
“Yes, come in Sir Roland.”
The knight walked inside, followed closely by Lloyd. The young griffon looked like he should have bedded down a while ago, but still kept pace with his teacher. Both human and griffon bowed before the pair.
“My lady, Princess Luna.”
“Princesses.”
Celestia sat back down and nodded to the pair while Luna looked with her jaw agape.
“Sir Roland... The Solar Knights yet live?”
“Indeed, Princess Luna. Glad am I to meet you hale, whole, and without that corruption in your veins.”
She looked aside and to the ground, avoiding the other three in the room. Her hoof scrapped across the floor.
“Your brother lives as well.”
Roland grimaced. “I should have known. Where is he?”
“He marches with the army from Mana. I placed a geas on him, so that when I was to see him on the field of battle I could slay him properly.”
Lloyd looked up to the older knight and shuffled on his legs a little. “Are you going to face him?”
“I must. As we had so long ago. He is a stain upon our order and must be excised once and for all.”
Celestia poured two more cups of tea for the others as she downed her cup and refilled it. She looked miserably at her sister, who kept avoiding her gaze.
“Cadance and Shining Armor will be going to Appleoosa and Dodge Junction. I shall head to Las Pegasus with Sir Roland.”
“Should I not go to Baltimare, sister?”
Celestia glowered at Luna and shook her head. “You've done enough Luna. You will remain in Canterlot to oversee the government while I clean up your mess.”
An awkward silence passed as the four sat and drank tea.
“At least some good has come from this.” Celestia muttered.
Luna raised a brow. “You see a silver lining in this mire of my creation?”
Celestia nodded and motioned to Roland and Lloyd. “The Solar Knights yet live. Perhaps I could oversee a revival of your Lunar Knights in kind. After all, someone has to keep an eye on you now.”
The moon princess wilted under her sister's accusations. “I will not apologize for my actions. The changelings have been properly dragged into the light. Mankind will not be ignored any longer by us either.”
A sigh came from the elder sister. “I do not expect you to apologize. Yet. You've always been a stubborn one Luna, but this has severely damaged my trust in you.”
“I understand.”
“Do you?”
Roland gently tapped the table. “My lady, your sister, whatever misdeeds she has performed recently, she is not whom I remember all those years ago. The Luna I bore witness to then was far more vicious when accused. More defensive, and quick to pull out a dagger.”
Celestia shook her head and stood up. “I've been up too late. I must rest. Goodnight Luna, Sir Roland, Lloyd.”
They bid her goodnight as she stepped out to head to her room, leaving the three alone until Lloyd tried to suppress a yawn.
“Go sleep. Remember to wash up and pray before bed.”
“Yes Sir Roland.”
With a little salute the griffon walked out.
Roland looked to Luna pensively. “I will not accuse you. Nor shall I forgive you either. Many lives are on the line now. My return would have been enough to push Celestia into action with my people, you did not need to let a war fester and boil up.”
Her cyan eyes met his and she shook her head. “The changelings were going to be desperate and hungry. The griffons were always looking for an excuse for another war. I could have stalled things a while long, certainly. But the changelings would have been scattered across our cities, leeching love from my subjects. The griffons would have continued to strike from over the Fangs, raiding outlying villages.”
“Hmph. So you figured bringing all the potential enemies together would let them be crushed all that much easier then?”
Luna nodded. “Partially. And, I wished to engage in battle once more.”
Roland stroked his beard and frowned in thought. “I'd say that wars aren't won with one big, decisive battle, but the War of the Nightmare ended just like that. Perhaps this one shall be too? You've made quite a mess for your sister, goddess of night.”
“If she had let me stay here to rule while she went to handle that Tribunal business then perhaps things would have been different. Perhaps Agathon wouldn't have been murdered and his adopted heir forced to become queen so soon. Perhaps Chrysalis would have had her head decorating the griffon's throne room. Perhaps Prince Slaar would have fallen for her and not I. But we cannot deal in what ifs and maybes. We deal with what has happened and what will happen.”
“And you wanted this to happen.” Roland said in a calm voice.
She shied away briefly. “Yes. We're both relics of a bygone age, Roland. What would you have done without wars to fight, enemies to face?” Luna brought her face back up to look him in the eye. “Would you have been content to train the next generation of knights in a world that might not need them?”
His shoulders drooped for a moment. “I had considered asking Celestia to release me from my oath, and to then try and court her.”
He saw Luna staring at him in disbelief and he smiled. “Who else in the world could I ever love as much as Celestia? I devoted my entire life to her. Even if she never reciprocated such feelings, the ideal will always be there.”
With an amused sound Luna sipped the remnants of her tea. “She is lucky to have you, Roland. You are one person she can trust absolutely. To think, falling to envy and hate wasn't enough to break her trust, even after the war I plunged Equestria into. Perhaps it was because of our nature that let her forgive me so easily there and not here.”
He shrugged. “I could not say what my lady's thoughts are of all of this. My opinion? Letting misdeeds go on in front of you and not working to fix them or stop them is reprehensible.”
She looked down at the empty tea cup. “I have consigned hundreds, perhaps thousands, of sapient beings to death. All because I cannot find my way in the world I am in. But I cannot sway from my path. I must commit. I already told others to commit to their chosen paths, who am I to try and steer from what I have set out to do?”
“I'll not tell you what to do, princess. It is late and others have gone to sleep, so I should as well. It was good meeting you, Luna. As the real you.”
“Nightmare Moon was the real me too, Roland. As twisted with evil as I was, it was always me and my choices. There was nothing else.”
He looked at her for a moment then nodded as he headed to the door. “I suppose I'm not surprised. Even Celestia had her dark moods at time. Good evening, Princess Luna.”
“Sleep well, Sir Roland.”
Once the door closed she slumped down in her chair and rubbed at her face with her hooves.
The moon lit up the sky as Slaar settled down for the evening along with the rest of his army. The journey to Appleoosa and Dodge Junction was taking longer than expected, many of the soldiers having drilled only in the cold afflicted by the windigoes and coming to a desert was a complete shock. Still, the nights were as cold as they were used to, even if the days were far hotter.
Chrysalis had returned with an army. Fighting side by side with the changelings was a challenge for many to try and consider, but with their prince by their side they were sure Slaar would keep them safe.
The dragon and queen watched one another as they had settled in for the evening, neither blinking for a long while.
“I'm sorry.”
Chrysalis kept staring at Slaar.
The dragon shook his head. “I've been a terrible son to you. We've had our arguments and disagreements before, especially when it came down to helping our respective peoples.”
“You tried to kill me.”
He wilted back and looked away from her.
Chrysalis stood up and bared her fangs. “You tried to kill me in Griffdonia. The whole plan was your idea. My servant may have misjudged his aim but that was not my fault nor intention. Then, even after that, you just had to fall in love with one of the pony princesses and cause even more hangups to occur.”
“Chrysalis, moth-”
“Do not finish that word Slaar.”
She shook her head and let out a weary sigh. “I am still helping you, because you need it. Though I do expect you to give thought to letting my people feed from yours for all of this now.”
There was a buzzing of wings and they both looked in confusion as a changeling stumbled in to their shared area.
“General Carapace has fallen!”
Shock passed through the both of them. Slaar's face twisted into confusion.
“What, Carapace?!”
“Carapace? Dead? Impossible!” Chrysalis snarled as she jumped onto her hooves. “He was my personal choice for the mission! He was... he was...”
“I am sorry my queen, he was slain by a pony with an explosive spell. He was in close range.”
The changeling queen stomped her hooves into the sand as she gnashed her teeth. As she fumed a massive wing came down in a comforting manner and she glowered up at Slaar.
Their eyes met and she could feel the sorrow radiating off of him. “I am sorry, mother.”
She tried to choke out curses at him but felt the bitter sting of tears in her eyes.