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// Ch6 Cirrus's World 
// Story: The Third Commander 
// by Priceless911 
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                Cirrus opened his eyes to find himself standing in a small town. As he looked around he started mumbling to himself, “Where… am I? This looks similar to Ponyville… but, much newer.”
As he looked around, he hears some calling from two mare who were standing outside a house, “Come on Sweetie Belle! We’re gonna be late!”
Cirrus looked at the mares as a third one exited the house and spoke, “Sorry, I needed to finish getting ready for tonight’s show. I’m going to head there once we finish talking with the princess.”
The three mare started trotting up the road as Cirrus couldn’t help but follow out of curiosity. As the mares trotted up the road the pegasus in the group spoke, “Speaking of which, how is your singing going Sweetie Belle?”

The unicorn of the group replied, “It’s pretty good, so far a number of talent scouts have offered me contracts to sing professionally, but unless they let me continue staying in Ponyville I'll just keep turning them down. I love singing, but I'd rather do it here in Ponyville.”
The earth pony in the group replied, “That makes sense but ain’t you worried that you won’t get a contract at this rate? It’s quite the conundrum for the first of us to get her cutie mark.”
Sweetie Belle replied, “Well if I don’t, I don’t. After all you’re going to be staying in this area with your interior design business right Apple Bloom?”
The earth pony replied, “Sure I will, but you can’t go riskin’ your career for somethin’ as simple as that, after all I ain’t goin’ anywhere anytime soon.”

The pegasus replied, “Apple Bloom is right, You shouldn’t focus on a job that keeps you where you want to be. You should focus on something you enjoy. I mean, look at me. In three weeks I'll be off to basic guard training and then who knows where I'll end up.”
Apple Bloom looked at the pegasus as she replied, “That’s right, you just recently passed the royal guard test didn’t you Scootaloo. How was it by the way?”
Scootaloo sighed in anxiety, “it was annoying… who knew that guards had to be book smart too. Well luckily thanks to Princess Twilight’s tutoring I pulled through with a passing grade.”
Sweetie Belle smiled, “Well congratulations. Thank Celestia that the test isn’t like the old exam that Mr. Bolt used to take over a thousand years ago.”
Scootaloo chuckled, “yea, if I had to fight a dragon, I don’t think I’d have a chance.”

As the trio carried on with their conversation, Cirrus continued to follow closely until the three arrived at the town square where a large number of ponies were gathered. As he arrived on sight, Cirrus tried to look at the center of the herd where the ponies were gathered to see what all the commotion was about. In the center of the group, stood two tall alicorns, one with a cream colored coat and a faded rainbow mane. The other was slightly shorter than the other, but this mare’s coat was navy blue with a mane that resembled the night sky. And between the two stood a young filly with a gray coat, and a mane that seemed familiar to Cirrus. But at this time he couldn’t remember where he had seen this night black mane with a blue and yellow stripe. Cirrus felt confused not only were the three mares a complete mystery to him, but the three weren’t even the only alicorn in the area. Watching them closely, a fourth alicorn, a purple mare with a purple striped mane approached as she spoke, “It’s good to see you Princess Celestia. I received your letter about wanting to visit so the town made itself ready for your arrival.”
The cream colored alicorn replied, “Thank you Princess Twilight, but I’m afraid our visit may be rather brief. I only came so something could be asked of you.”

Princess Twilight gave Princess Celestia a confused look as she asked, “Really? Then why come all this way when you could have just asked me in a letter?”
Princess Celestia smiled as she replied pleasantly, “Well… that’s because it isn’t me who wishes to ask… it’s my niece.” Celestia looked down at the young filly, “Umbra?...”
The young alicorn looked nervous as she looked up at the blue alicorn who smiled and spoke, “Go ahead sweetie.”
With that the young filly stepped forward as she mumbled, “Um… Princess Twilight… ma’am… I was wondering if… y… wo…. each… mm…”
Not being able to hear the young filly’s words, Princess Twilight replied with a pleasant smile, “I’m sorry, you might have to speak up. Don’t worry I won’t bite.”
The shy little filly rubbed her arm as she averted her eyes and repeated a little louder, “I was wondering if… well… you could… teach me some magic?”

Princess Twilight gave the young filly a surprised look as the filly continued, “you know… just… a little… I um… I want to learn magic so I can be a good princess.”
Princess Twilight smiled as she replied, “Princess Umbra, magic isn’t what makes a good princess. Being a good princess means making decisions that help your subjects.”
Princess umbra replied “but, if I can’t use magic to protect my subjects then how can I be a good soldier like my daddy.”
Princess Twilight was confused, “A soldier?...”
The tall blue mare replied, “She has had this obsession with becoming a soldier like her father was. She has even asked both Commander Gilda and Shining Armor to train her in both hoof to hoof and combat flight.”

Princess Twilight looked at the blue mare as she asked, “She really wants to be a soldier?...”
Umbra stepped forward again, “Please princess… please teach me. I promise I'll try really hard. I just want to protect the kingdom like my daddy did.”
Seeing the determination and hope in the young filly’s eyes, Princess Twilight sighed in defeat as she replied, “How could I deny a request from his daughter when she wants to make kingdom a better place? Sure I'll teach you magic, as long as you listen carefully to my lessons.”
The young filly smiled with glee as she replied, “Yes ma’am, I will!”
As the group continued talking amongst themselves, Cirrus could hear a voice overshadow them as it spoke, “Funny… all she wanted was to be as great a hero as her father was. She was willing to give everything for that one chance to live up to his name.”

Cirrus turned to see the same cloaked stallion from before as he asked, “Who is she?”
With the hood of his cloak covering his head, the stallion replied, “She is Princess Umbra of Equestria. She is my daughter.”
Cirrus turned to the stallion as he replied, “So… you’re the hero she wants to be like?...”
The stallion shook his head, “No… I’m no hero. I’m just the remnants of a war long since passed. She… would have been the greatest princess that Equestria could ever hope for… but… it wasn’t meant to be.”
Cirrus asked, “What happened to her?... Why haven’t I ever heard of her before? I hear of Princess Twilight, and Princess Celestia… but this Umbra… I just don’t know that name?”
The stallion replied in an angry tone, “And you wouldn’t… long before you were born, she was defeated and her name… erased from history. No pony, not you, nor Zine… not even the rebellion know this name.”
Cirrus could tell that the subject weighed heavily as he asked, “What happened to her?”

The stallion replied, “She… was… defeated. Struck down by darkness… more than five hundred years ago.”
Cirrus looked back at the group of princesses as he asked, “is… this the past?...”
The Stallion replied, “Yes.”
“Are… you from this time?...”
The stallion shook his head, “no…”
Feeling annoyed that there was no explanation to the stranger’s reply, Cirrus looked at the stallion as he replied, “Who are you?... why are you showing me this?”
The stallion didn’t reply, instead he just turned away from the herd and started trotting away as Cirrus followed, “Wait! I’m still ta…”
When Cirrus reached out to grab the stallion’s shoulder to turn him around, the vision ended as Cirrus found himself laying in a bed with his hoof out in the air over his head. Seeing that he was reaching for nothing, Cirrus lowered his hoof and began rubbing his head as he mumbled to himself, “another dream… but… what do they mean… and… who was that po…”

All of a sudden Cirrus heard a knock on the door as he could hear Thundaga speaking on the other side, “Cirrus?... I apologize if I’m waking you… but… may I enter?... I wish to ask you something.”
Feeling a little confused that a royal alicorn was asking him for permission, Cirrus replied as he sat up in the bed, “I… um… y-yes your majesty. You may enter.”
At that moment the door opened as Thundaga entered the room followed by two guards. Seeing the guards made Cirrus nervous as Thundaga spoke, “Good morning Cirrus… I apologize if I woke you.”
Cirrus replied, “not at all your majesty… I was awake when you knocked.”

Thundaga smiled, “Good then… I wouldn’t want to disturb you for any other reason… but… well… I was going into Canterlot on some business, and I thought that while I did, I could show you around the city. As I recall you mentioned that this was your first time in Canterlot so I wanted to give you the full tour… that is… if you want?”
Cirrus felt a little odd at the way he was being asked, but since he didn’t want to say no to the princess’s kindness, he replied, “Um… sure… I think that would be alright. It’s not like sitting around here will help me remember anything right?”
Thundaga was pleased as she replied, “Very well, when you’re ready meet me at the castle doors, and we can depart.”
With that, Thundaga turned and left the room as she made her way out into the corridor.

Meanwhile in Ponyville Commander Mist entered the interrogation room as he sat down at the table across for the skittish pony as he spoke, “Mr. Luck?...” The twitching pony looked at him as he continued, “Mr. Luck… are you okay?... do you know who I am?”
The skittish pony replied, “Y-yes… y-you’re the commander… aren’t you?... Commander Mist… right?...”
Commander Mist replied, “That’s right… and from what I understand, you were attacked… can you tell me who attacked you?”
The Informant twitched as he replied, “Not who… what…”
Commander Mist gave him a strange look as he replied, “Alright… what attacked you?”
The pony replied, “Ants… they… they dug under my skin… ate me from inside… they… they were everywhere. They… they are still there… I… I know it…”
The commander asked, “Where did they dig in? How do you know they are still there?”

The skittish stallion raised his hoof and showed the bottom as he replied, “don’t you see it?... this cut here… they got in through that. See it… it’s right here… see?… you see?”
When Commander Mist looked at the stallion’s hoof, he replied, “There isn’t anything there… there is no cut. What attacked you wasn’t ants. You were hit by a hallucination created by a powerful spell. Can you tell me who cast this spell on you?”
The pony put his hooves on his head as he replied, “A s-spell?... no… it was the ants… they did this… I know it was… they dug into my mind… attacked me from inside… I… I know it…”
Commander Mist shook his head, “no… it was a spell… there is no cut on your hoof. The ants were an illusion. Now tell me… who did this?... was it Zine?”

Mr. Luck shook his head, “no… it was the ants… it was… they… they dug into my mind… they made it seem like it was something else… but I know it. It was them, they…they are still there… eating… and eating…” His voice got louder and more frantic, “Eating… eating!... EATING!!! THEY ARE STILL THERE!!! EATING ME!!! THEY ARE EATING ME!!! EATING!!!”
Screaming in his fit of hysteria, the earth pony stood up from the table as he backed himself all the way to the back wall causing the guards at the door to draw their weapons to protect Commander Mist in case he became hostile. However, the earth pony only continued holding his head as he continued screaming, “EATING!!! THEY ARE STILL THERE!!! EATING!!! EATING ME!!! EATING!!!”
With this being his only words, the unstable earth pony turned to the wall behind him as he began smashing his head against the wall as hard as he could. Confused as to his actions, the royal guards in the room looked at each other with no idea how to respond as Commander Mist stood up, “Calm down! You’re completely safe there are no ants!”

Still hysterical the earth pony continued bashing his head against the wall, “IT’S NOT TRUE!!! THEY ARE STILL THERE!!! EATING AWAY AT MY MIND!!! EA…”
Before he could finish his last call of hysteria, the crazed pony used one more fear powered action to hit his head against the wall with enough force to knock himself unconscious as he fell to the ground and stopped moving. Worried for the informant’s life, Commander Mist pushed the guards aside as he rushed to the earth pony and checked his pulse. When he felt it, he sighed, “he’s unconscious…”
as the commander stood up, another guard spoke, “We will send him to the hospital till he regains consciousness. After that we will try again to get some answers from him.”
Commander Mist shook his head, “No… his mind is gone. And I have no doubt in my mind that Zine is responsible for this.”

The second guard asked, “Should we arrest him?”
Commander Mist shook his head, “No… if we do, we will have to explain the charges to Thundaga, and you know her opinion on informants… she would say his actions were justified. That he was just ensuring that the citizens were honest with one another.”
The first guard helped the unconscious pony up as he replied, “Then what do we do sir?... Should we begin investigating why Zine did this?”
Commander Mist shook his head, “I'd rather not… with the investigation on the museum robbery, the rebellion’s hide out and now this… Cirrus pony. Our numbers are running thin as is. If he attacks another pony without reason, then we will take him in. Till then we will let him continue his games no matter how blasphemous they may be.”
With that said, the commander left the room as the two guards started carrying the unconscious pony to the nearest hospital.

Back in Canterlot, Thundaga, Cirrus, and a few guards were trotting down the street as the passing ponies bowed in respect. As they continued, Cirrus felt awkward that the ponies bowed as Thundaga saw his expression and spoke, “don’t pay them any mind… in a way they are merely showing their trust in my protection. Despite all this talk of rebellion and distrust in my rule, there are many here who are grateful that I have established peace in this kingdom. And many more who will defend it, whether they be guard or citizen.”
Knowing that this was dwelling into a subject he didn’t want to get into, Cirrus replied, “So um… what sights are there to see in Canterlot?... I would like to se…”
“HALO!”
As soon as he heard the familiar voice, Cirrus froze as a filly rushed to his side and hugged him, “I’m so happy to see you!”
Seeing Allium hugging him Cirrus patted her on the back as he replied, “It’s… good to see you too… but what are you do…”
“Vell vell, now zis is a surprise.”

Cirrus looked up to see Madam Melody approach as she spoke, “Bonjour Cirrus… and… her majesty?”
With that Madam Melody bowed in respect as Allium realize what was happening and also bowed. Seeing this Thundaga waver her hoof, “now, now, no need for that Madam Melody. Am I to understand that you and Cirrus know each other?”
Madam the gracious earth pony rose from her bow as she replied, “Mais oui, young Cirrus and I met almost a veek ago in Ponyville.”
Thundaga looked at Cirrus and asked, “Cirrus… you remember this?”
Cirrus put his hoof on his head and pretended to think as he replied, “I… remember that a little… but a lot of it is still fuzzy.”
Madam Melody gave Cirrus a confused looked, “Really?... did… somzing happen?”

Thundaga replied, “I’m afraid Cirrus had lost some of his memories due to an incident that took place the night before last. Luckily they seem to be returning little by little however, they’ve yet to return entirely.”
Although both Madam Melody and Allium were worried for Cirrus, Allium pouted as she spoke, “you better not be using this as an excuse to break your promise to me…”
Seeing her pouting face Cirrus smiled, “Don’t worry Allium I won’t forget it. As soon as you can fly I'll be back so we can fly together.”
Reassured, Allium smiled, “good… as long as you remember.”
Smiling at his kindness Madam Melody asked, “So I know zat you have memory problems… but… how have you been since… ze orphanage?”

Although he didn’t know about General Rich or his demise, Cirrus assumed she meant since the orphanage closed down as he replied, “well… I can’t say it’s been easy… but other than a few memory problems… I’ve been fine.”
Thundaga gave Cirrus a shocked look, “The orphanage?... You were in an orphanage?”
Madam Melody smiled, “Actually your majesty he vas a caretaker zere. He helped raise young Allium at least until ze place closed down.”
Thundaga felt a little guilty, “oh… I’m sorry to hear that. So Allium here was an orphan there?”
Madam Melody replied, “oui, but since I adopted her, she has been as happy as can be isn’t zat right Allium?”
Allium replied, “Oui I’m learning Prench, I have my own room, I even learned to dance like a noble mare.”

Thundaga smiled, “Prench? Really? May I hear a little?”
Allium replied, “Okay… um… Bonjour votre… Majesté, Comment se passe… votre journée?”
As Allium spoke, Madam Melody translated quietly so Cirrus could understand, “Good morning your majesty, how is your day?”
Thundaga smiled, “Ah, très bon. Very good, I see you are learning quickly.”
Allium nodded her head, “Merci beaucoup.”
Madam Melody translated, “Thank you very much.”
Cirrus nodded, “Yea… that one I knew, thanks.”
Before anything else could be said, Allium spoke up, “I know… Mom! Could we invite Halo and The princess to dinner please! Im sure it will help him remember everything he forgot.”

Madam Melody shook her head as she replied, “Allium, it isn’t polite to invite her majesty vithout notice. I’m sure her majesty is far too busy to…”
Before Madam Melody could finish her statement, Thundaga interrupted, “Actually… if it’s not too much of a bother, I wouldn’t mind spending the day with you two. It would help Cirrus regain his memory and better acquaint us since you were unable to attend the last few grand galloping galas. That is… if it’s alright with you madam.”
Although she didn’t like the idea, Madam Melody looked at Allium who was giving her a hopeful stare as she sighed, “It’s hard to say no to a face like zat. Very vell, let us retire to ze manor. Ve finished our errands for ze day anyvay.”
Thundaga felt unsure, “If it’s any trouble, then we can postpone for another time.”
Madam Melody shook her head and waved her hoof in a dismissive way, “No-no-no zis is no trouble at all. Any friend of Allium and Cirrus is always velcom in my home.”

Although Thundaga felt that Madam Melody’s words were less than honest, she didn’t have the chance to question them as Allium started jumping around and cheering, “YAY!, Halo, I can show you the manor, and all the many rooms that are so much bigger than the sleeping bay at the orphanage. Like the ball room, the lobby, the Dining room, even the Garden! Well… that’s not a room… but I can still show it to you!”
Although she still wanted to reply to Madam Melody’s statement, Thundaga decided to just ignore it when she saw the joy on Alliums face. As the group started trotting toward Madam Melody’s home, the guards stopped forward as the higher ranking one spoke, “Your majesty, I need to protest to this visit. We still have to meet with local law authorities to discuss matters of the city’s security.”

Hearing the guard, Thundaga stopped as the group also paused at the objection. When Thundaga looked back at Alliums fading expression of happiness though, Thundaga shook her head as she looked back at her guard and replied, “look around you sergeant… the walls are standing, the citizens are currently safe and at this time, there is no worry of an enemy attack. I think that for once, I can rest easy and allow myself a little leave. In fact… why don’t you do the same? Guards… inform the Captain that I will be taking the rest of the day for rest. Then go home to your families. From now till tomorrow, you are free to enjoy personal time. Dismissed.” Thundaga turned back to her party, “shall we?”
The Guard tried to reply, “your majesty, this isn’t the…”
Thundaga replied without turning to him, “Sergeant… I said Dismissed… that would mean that you should reply with?...”
The guard sighed, “Yes… your majesty.”
Thundaga smiled before leaving with the group, “Good, then go, and I'll see you tomorrow.”

After arriving at Melody Manor, Madam Melody and Thundaga sat in the Master Study enjoying tea while Allium Dragged Cirrus to every room she could to show him all the changes since she left the orphanage. As the two mare’s sat in the study, Thundaga spoke, “your home is beautiful Madam, I understand that it has been in your family for well more than a few generations.”
Madam Melody smiled, “oui Majesty, as I recall, it vas one of many building rebuilt from ze Eden’s Kiss Catastrophe.”
Thundaga smiled, “yes… if I remember right, your ancestor of the time was Mr. Octavia Melody. A talented mare who’s beauty was only outshined by her music’s.”
Madam malady nodded as she looked into her tea and replied, “Oui… ve vere once a talented family filled with beauty that was only visible through our music… although… somezing changed as ze generations vent by…it is as if ze music faded.”

Thundaga sighed, “I understand the feeling… but if we continue looking at everything wrong in the world… it will continue to shadow what’s right.”
Hearing a comment like this from Thundaga seemed strange to Madam Melody as she replied, “Excuse me for asking majesty… but, is zere somzing vrong zath shadows ze right from you?”
Thundaga smiled with a smiled that was too fake to ignore, “There is more wrong in this world then even I can ignore… I just wish I could hide it from everypony. However, despite all the wrong that this rebellion claims me to be doing. I know that if I chose to sit on my throne and hide my power from the world, then no doubt. Another leader, or even citizen would seek me out to use it for evil. But enough about my problems… may I ask about Cirrus?”
Although Madam Melody felt that she was seeing another side of Thundaga, she still agreed as she replied, “of course your majesty, vat is it you vould like to know?”

Thundaga gave her a serious look, “do you know about his past?... anything could help. Family, friends, occupation, or at least sompony who would know?”
Madam Melody sighed as she poured herself more tea and replied, “It is true, zat I knew Cirrus before he lost his memories… however, I only knew him as a caretaker to ze foals at ze orphanage. From vat Allium tells me, he vas a kind pegasus who got his cutie mark from high altitude flight. His parents… died ven he vas little, so he spent his whole life in zat very orphanage.”
Thundaga was shocked, “that’s… that’s terrible. How did they die?”
Madame Melody didn’t want to answer truthfully so she replied, “zat part… I do not know. However, he never let it change ze vay he took care of ze foals.”
Thundaga sighed, “I wish there was something I could do.”
Madam Melody shook her head, “ze past is ze past. And nozing can be done to change it.”
Thundaga asked, “Is there anything else… anything… that can help him?”

Madam Melody replied, “Sadly, I do not know any more about him.”
Thundaga sighed, “That’s unfortunate… I was hoping I could understand him a little more. Then maybe I could find a way to help him.”
Although Madam Melody heard rumors about Cirrus and the Lightning Orb she still kept it quiet as she replied, “Majesty… if zere is anyzing in zis vorld that is needed to be known about Cirrus… it’s zat, he is a good pony vith a kind heart. And zat is all I need to know.”
Thundaga smiled at the comment, “you’re right… that is all I need to know. Thank you Madam Melody.”
Madam Melody smiled, “Majesty, I zink it vould be better if you could call me Aria. Zat is my first name after all.”
Just then Allium and Cirrus entered the room as Allium spoke, “And this is the Master Study… it’s like a second bedroom for the lord of the manor, or in this case Madam Melody.”
Cirrus smiled, “Um Allium, this was the first room you showed me.”

Allium hesitated a few seconds in embarrassment as she started to think to herself, then she replied, “Did I show you all fifty three rooms already?...”
Madam Melody spoke, “Allium! Vat have I told you about boasting? It is an ugly attitude zat a proper mare may keep, but only in silence.”
Allium rubbed the back of her head as she replied, “I wasn’t boasting, honest….” She looked back at Cirrus, “so Halo, where are you staying now? How many rooms?”
At first Cirrus rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment as Thundaga replied, “He is staying in a royal suite at the Canterlot Castle. Two hundred and fifty rooms the last time I counted. And that’s just the west wing.”
Allium and Cirrus looked at Thundaga in shock as she could only smile in a boasting manner as she continued, “Cirrus… I believe the words you’re looking for are… I win.”
Allium could only pout as the rest of the ponies in the room laughed at Thundaga’s joke as a butler entered the room and spoke, “Madam and Majesty, Dinner is served in ze main dining room.”
Madam Melody smiled, “Zank you Frances, Majesty? Cirrus? Shall ve?”
With a smile and nod, Thundaga, and Cirrus followed as Madam Melody trotted out of the study and made their way to the dining room.

Elsewhere in the kingdom, Zine meditated in the Everfree Forest as Spike landed down next to him and spoke, “seriously?... you’re just sitting here?... how can you just sit here calmly with no idea as to what’s happening in Canterlot?”
Zine kept his eyes closed as he replied with sarcasm, “oh hey Spike, how’s it going?- That’s good to hear. What? Me? Oh I’m fine thanks for asking?- What was that?- oh it’s good to see you too thanks for saying so.”
Spike sighed as he started pacing back and forth, “it’s funny that one who plans so much can seem so calm when we don’t even know if Cirrus was imprisoned, released, or even executed.”
Zine opened his eyes as he sighed, “for Princess Twilight’s world’s greatest assistant, you sure do worry too much. Haven’t you heard the rumors?”
Spike gave him a dumb look as he replied, “um… sorry, I’m a little bit outside of the average rumor chain…”

Zine felt a little embarrassed, “Oh… well… then I'll tell you. According to the rumors, The Thunder Grounds were awakened by a pegasus who used the fabled Lightning Orb. That pegasus is currently a guest in the Canterlot Castle and is rumored to have lost most of his memories. So far all he knows, or has spoken about was the fact that his name is Cirrus, and he is a resident of Ponyville. His friends, and family are currently unknown as is why he was in the Everfree Forest to begin with. So in the meantime, Thundaga will keep him as a guest until she knows more about him.”
Spike felt nervous, “Wait… what if she finds out his parents were the ones who started the rebellion.”
Zine shrugged his shoulders, “She’ll deem him a traitor, execute him, and that will be the end of it.”
“WHAT!”
Zine smiled, “got ya…”
“That’s not funny you know!”

Zine waved his hoof in a dismissive way, “Calm down, it’s just a little joke. Even if they did find out who his parents are, they would never execute him.”
Spike was curious, “How do you know?”
Zine smiled sinisterly, “Thundaga has fear too. And right now, her greatest fear, would be to lose the only link she has to her father and his legend. And as far as she knows, he is that link. So much in fact… that I have a theory.”
Spike was curious, “What kind of theory?”
Zine replied as he stood up and began trotting towards his staff, “just a simple idea. Don’t worry about it. What we should worry about is what will happen when the mare of the mountain meets our little friend. Will the heartbroken legend kill the new age hero, or will she accept her fate and help him.”
Spike gave Zine an unamused look, “knowing her hatred towards you… she’ll definitely kill him if you’re the one who asks.”
Zine looked insulted, “What? Am I not likable?”

Spike sighed as he rubbed his head out of irritation, “first off, yes… to a pegasus like her you’re unlikable. And second, it’s not about who you are, it’s about what you did.”
Zine rolled his eyes, “yea, yea, yea, she wants to kill me, I know. Jeez for a pretty face she can definitely hold a grudge cant she?”
Spike nodded his head, “yea… and if she could, you’d be dead right now… by the way, I didn’t say anything to her about Cirrus… should I tell her?”
Zine shook his head, “I'll tell her when we introduce the two… insinuating she won’t try to kill me on sight. Although, a mare like that… can kill me any day she wants.”
Spike gave Zine a stupid look, as Zine shrugged his shoulders, “what?... I'd be lying if I said I wasn’t attracted. You of all dragons should know that I’m a sucker for a good wing span.”

Later in Canterlot Madam Melody and here guests were back in the Study. On one side of the room Thundaga was playing clapping games with Allium. While on the other side, Cirrus and Madam Melody watched as Madam Melody smiled, “I hope zis day has returned most of your memories… or in ziz case, made more.”
Realizing what Madam Melody meant, Cirrus gave her a concerned look, “Yea… about that… I really didn’t lose any of my memories… actually I only forgot what happened moments prior to the accident.”
Madam Melody nodded her head, “I see… vorried your past may land you in ze dungeon?”
Cirrus nodded head, “yea… I was a little… wait…” Cirrus gave her a serious look, “You know about my parents?”
Madam Melody nodded her head, “Oui, Monsieur Toll told me everyzing about it. However, I also decided to keep it quiet around her majesty. Zough, I did tell her about ze orphanage, your talent, and ze fact zat you vere an orphan.”

Cirrus felt a little nervous, “is that all?...”
Madam Melody smiled, “Oui, zere vas nozing more she needed to know… alzough… from the vay she is acting today, I could almost say zat she vouldnt react the same if she did know.”
Cirrus looked back at Thundaga as he couldn’t help but agree. For as long as he had known Thundaga was the pinnacle of evil, and mercilessness in this world. But seeing her, playing foalish games with Allium as if there was not a single care in the world seemed almost impossible. The evil, look of anger or ill concern on her face was filled with a pleasant joy and smiles that Cirrus never knew existed. It was as if it were a dream, and a good one at that. Then all of a sudden, the clock over the fireplace chimed 7pm, as Madam Melody stood and spoke, “Allium, I understand you are having fun, but it is time for your evening studies.”
Allium looked at Madam Melody as she replied, “aww, can’t we just skip it tonight mama?”

Madam Melody shook her head, “remember our agreement, you can only skip it vonce a veek, and zis veeks day vas already used, so I’m afraid skipping is out of ze question.”
Allium stood up in disappointment as she pouted, “all right… I guess I'll go study then.”
Madam Melody smiled, “Now, now, vat do ve say to our guests.”
Allium turned to Thundaga as she bowed in respect, “Au Revoir your majesty it was a pleasure to have you as our honored guest.”
Thundaga smiled peacefully as she bowed and replied, “It was you who invited me Madam Allium, so the honor is all mine.”
Being called Madam from royalty made Allium feel a since of pride as she rose from her bow and trotted towards Cirrus. When she got to him, Allium threw her hooves round him and hugged him as tight as she could as she spoke, “Bye Halo… I hope you can come visit again real soon. And… don’t forget our promise.”

Cirrus hugged her back as he replied, “of course, I couldn’t forget even if I tried.”
With that Allium stopped hugging him as she turned and left the room to where she studied. After Allium was gone, Madam Melody looked at Cirrus and smiled, “It vas a good day for little Allium. I know zis is ze first time I’ve seen her zis happy since ve left ze orphanage.”
Thundaga smiled a pleasant smile, “she is a good filly with a promising future. You should be proud to have raised such a prodigy.”
Madam Melody shook her head, “no, it’s Cirrus who should be proud. It is he who took care of Allium before I adopted her. She never seems to stop talking about all ze fun she had playing vith her friend Halo.”
Cirrus smiled, “all the orphans at the orphanage had no parents, so it was my duty to make all of us seem like a big family. Allium to me was no different than a little sister. So I looked out for her just like any big brother would.”

Thundaga smiled, “so have all of your memories returned to you Cirrus?”
Cirrus thought to himself, “some yes… but there are still a few blanks. Like my home, and... How I ended up in the Everfree Forest.”
Thundaga nodded her head, “feel free to take all the time you need to remember. Little progress is better than none.”
With that said Thundaga looked at the clock and asked, “Well, it’s not too late that we should end the day just yet, so what shall we talk about in the mean time?”
The three started thinking to themselves as Madam Melody replied, “perhaps since ze innocents are out of ze room, ve can talk about somzing zat I have alvays found curious.”
Thundaga replied with a curious tone, “oh? And what would that be?”
Madam Melody asked, “I vas vondering if her majesty could tell us about ze, Peace or Var Campaign. You know since you are ze var hero of zat time.”
Thundaga asked with a concerned expression, “you want to hear… about that?...”
“oui, just a little about ze Griffin Kingdoms and ze time that followed. I have alvays had interest in history and ze history books ver very brief vhen talking about ze end of ze Griffin Kingdoms.”
Thundaga liked at the ground with an uneasy stare as Cirrus replied, “If it’s too much, then I don’t mind talking about something el…”

Thundaga shook her head as she interrupted him, “No… as painful as it was. I think talking about it might make me feel better. And who better to talk about it with than my friends.”
Taking one more bracing sigh, Thundaga continued, “The day after my mother and aunt’s banishment, I in my fit of rage amassed the largest army in Equestrian history. Almost two hundred thousand soldiers… with them, I began marching from Canterlot, on a nonstop convoy to Gryphus. The capital city of the Griffin Kingdoms, and the most powerful fortress that the griffin king had in his talon, rumored to be the only fortress in their history that has never fallen, that is… until I arrived. I turned a five day trip into a three day march, and with my rage still in control, I and my army advanced and destroyed the first of the city’s four walls without warning the very moment I arrived in the city. Shortly after the king tried to fight back, but to no avail. Within five hours after arriving in Gryphus, my army had breached all four walls and spread throughout the city capturing every street and preventing griffin soldiers from regrouping and fighting back. Then… shortly after I entered the Castle… I did what I never thought I would ever do in a battle…”

Cirrus could see the depressing stare on her face as he asked, “What did you do?...”
Thundaga sighed as she continued, “Out of fear, the griffin king and his soldiers were standing unarmed in the throne room with their talons up… but even as he stood there renouncing his throne to me… I couldn’t hold back my anger… I tossed a sword to one of his personal guards and ordered him to take the king’s life… when he refused, I killed him, and handed the sword to the next, giving him the same order as the first guard. I… forced one of the griffin king’s royal guards to do the one thing that all royal guards are sworn never to do… I forced him, to kill the one he was sworn to protect.”
Both Cirrus and Madam Melody were shocked, neither one had ever heard this story before as Madam Melody couldn’t help but speak her mind, “Zat’s… horrible.”
Thundaga nodded her head, “it’s more than that… at the time I only did this to prove to the king that betrayal can be one of the world’s worst ways to die, since he betrayed Equestria as allies. But… my anger proved to show much more. By doing this, I destroyed not only a kingdom… but a guard’s very spirit. This sin… turned out to be just one of many in the wars to follow… but this was truly the end of The Griffin Kingdoms. From here, I had a republic form in the king’s place, and left them to decide who should rule from then on.”

Cirrus put his hoof on his head, “I… I never knew this. According to history books the king was hung in the square later that day, before the republic formed in his place.”
Thundaga nodded her head, “This is true… but he was dead before his corpse was hung there… the history books say only what I wanted them to say. But…not a day goes by that I wish what they say is the truth. This only makes my guards look worse. How am I to uphold my father’s legacy when I have scorned it with such disrespect?”
Cirrus couldn’t help but feel this scenario was familiar, as Thundaga looked at the ground in disappointment and held back her tears. Then, Madam Melody patted her back as she spoke, “Ze past is past, it’s how you choose ze future, zat is vat truly matters. I zink zat if your fazer vere here, he vould forgive you if you kept zis in mind.”
Thundaga gave Madam Melody a curious look, “You think so?”
Madam Melody smiled, “Alzough I am a mozer by adoption only, I know zat as a parent, I vould forgive my daughter if she did somzing terrible and vished to make amends for it. After all, ve all make mistakes majesty, even royalty.”

Since Cirrus knew the subject was dwelling close to the story of Commander Bolt, something he still didn’t believe. He decided to keep his comment brief as he replied, “sure, I’d believe him to be forgiving right?”
Madam Melody nodded, “Zis is true, he vas a forgiving stallion.”
Although it was brief, Thundaga smiled at Cirrus’s comment as she replied, “Then… I'll try to make amends. Every way I can. Thank you Cirrus, Aria, thank you for listening.”
As Thundaga gave a peaceful smile of hope, a tear rolled down her face as she quickly wiped it away and remembered her place, “oh… I apologize. It must be awkward hearing your princess talk with such… never mind. I thank you both for your advice, and hope to put it to good use.”
Hearing Thundaga’s tone go back from casual and friendly, to royal and serous made both Cirrus and Madam Melody sigh in hopelessness as Madam Melody’s butler entered the room, “Pardon ze interruption madam, but I believe a Commander Mist is at ze door for you, your majesty.”

Thundaga sighed in disappointment, “Oh well, looks like our night must end… Cirrus, let us depart back to the palace. Madam Mel… I mean, Aria I thank you for your hospitality. This was… um… an enjoyable experience. Or… I should say… fun.”
Madam Melody could tell that Thundaga was rusty at this sort of thing so she smiled and bowed, “Zank you your majesty for your vonderful visit. I hope zat ve can do it again soon, as long as your schedule allows it. And Cirrus, I vish you luck in regaining your memories. I hope zat soon, you find vhere you belong.”
Cirrus smiled, “Thank you Madam Melody, I hope we can do this again sometime soon.”
With a smile on their faces, Thundaga and Cirrus trotted out of the room and met Commander Mist at the front door as they left the manor and trotted back to the Canterlot Castle.

A few minutes later back at the castle, Thundaga, Cirrus, and Commander Mist trotted through the corridor as Thundaga couldn’t help but notice Commander Mist’s silence, “Commander… is something wrong? You’ve yet to say anything since we left the Melody Estate.”
Commander gave a sharp yet brief glance towards Cirrus before he looked at Thundaga and replied, “It’s a matter that should be discussed later you majesty.”
Thundaga nodded her head as they came to a fork in the corridor, “I see… Cirrus?”
Cirrus looked at Thundaga, “Yes your majesty?”
Thundaga stopped and turned to him and smiled peacefully, “Thank you for today. It’s been a while since I spent time with subjects that wasn’t strictly business. And, I enjoyed it. So… thanks.”
Seeing the peaceful smile on her face made him smiled as he replied, “Thank you your majesty, I also had a good time. Well… since I have to go this way to my room, I guess I'll wish you a good night your majesty.”
Thundaga continued smiling, “Yes… good night to you too.”

Watching Cirrus trot away, Thundaga hesitated before stopping him, “Wait… Cirrus?...” he stopped and turned to her as Thundaga continued, “Since… you showed me a bit of your world today… perhaps tomorrow… I could show you a bit of mine?”
Although he didn’t quite understand what she meant by her world, Cirrus still smiled as he replied, “Sure, that would be nice. Well… good night your majesty.”
With that Cirrus turned back to his path as he trotted away. As he continued, Thundaga smiled peacefully as she mumbled, “Good night… Cirrus…”
As Thundaga watched him trot away, Commander Mist couldn’t help but wonder about the type of smile she was giving as he spoke, “Your majesty… are you aright?... you don’t seem… never mind. I want to give you my report.”

Thundaga nodded as she started trotting back to her room, “Very well… what have you discovered?”
Commander Mist replied, “So far all our leads on the museum robbery are still dead ends, and also nothing on the whereabouts or the identity of the next rebellion gener…”
Thundaga sighed, “enough about that… what about Cirrus?... have you found anything about his lost memories?”
The commander gave her an uneasy look, “None so far… your majesty?... I think you might be getting too friendly with our guest. From my understanding, you canceled your schedule today because he wanted to see a few friends of his. I understand you want to help him… but we still don’t know who he is. What if he happens to be a member of the rebellion trying to get close to you?”
Thundaga sighed, “I know the risks of my actions… and I would advise you to have trust in my judgement.”

Commander Mist continued to argue, “Your majesty, I do trust your judgement, but I don’t trust him. The way he just shows up out of nowhere like he did… it’s too suspicious to ignore. Please, keep your distance from him. I don’t want to give the rebellion a chance to…”
Thundaga stopped and turned towards Commander Mist as she spoke with a noticeable anger, “Commander… I have mentioned that my trust in him is of my own risk… so if you need further convincing, then you better do your job and gather the information needed to return his memories. Now if you will excuse me, I need to rest, so as I said before… good night.”
With anger in her step, Thundaga turned and left the commander speechless in the corridor as she went back to her bedchambers to rest for the night.

Back at the melody manor, Madam Melody was pacing back and forth as her butler was writing a letter for her. As she paused she asked, “How much is left?”
Frances replied, “Just enough to close Madam.”
Madam Melody nodded as she continued, “Then close it vith; 
in conclusion I vill renounce my Colonel position and inform you zat my defection vill in no vay endanger ze rebellion. However, I vill claim my neutrality and stand by until ze commander claims his position and decided to lead from ze front. I zink zat vith confidence, ze next commander vill lead us to a new era of peace and harmony. Till zen, I vill have nozing to do vith ze rebellion and vill ensure Cirrus Cloud’s safety.
Zank you for understanding and good luck.
Madam Melody, Former Colonel
P.S. Viva La Rebellion, and 
Viva Commander Halo.”