//------------------------------// // Chapter 8 – Locomotives of History // Story: Evenfall: Verdant White // by Yinglung //------------------------------// “… Pisa.” “What’s it, Spike? You’re acting strangely ever since Marin surrendered to us.” “I, um, just wonder why he’s so submissive to you once you show up. Is this a Crystallian clan thing?” Pisacan turned to Spike, and drily chuckled. “… Yeah. Despite our differences, Vinidis, like other crystal ponies, value our family above everything. Our ties to our clans are the cement to our status within the Crystallian society. Out of the clan, we’re nothing. A denunciation from a clan matriarch like me, though exiled, still carries a high degree of authority, or at the very least, psychological pressure.” She then looked more riled as she went on. “That’s one more reason I hate that orange witch. She wants to dismantle the clans in favor of some nonsense allegiance to the state. I just want my clan to stay together.” Spike looked thoughtful for a moment, and then he smiled. “You look so tough and authoritative in front of Marin.” “I have to be leader-like to all of my clan, but Marin in particular demands a harsh treatment, not least because he’s now working for that orange witch. He’s a smart-aleck who can’t be trusted with a sack of potatoes.” “Why? He seems competent enough. After all, he successfully marched this band of Vinidis up the mountains and evaded the Villians. He arguably saved their lives. And as a Vinidi matriarch, shouldn’t that be a merit in your eyes?” A storm was brewing on Pisacan’s face after hearing Spike’s words. At last, she breathed in and out slowly and said. “Marin is the son of one of my many uncles, precisely, he’s my third cousin. That uncle of mine had always had his eyes set on the vast inheritance of the senior Vinidi branch. So he’s been always pushing us two to marry.” “Oh…” “I know what you’re thinking. I hate cousin marriage as well. I don’t want the others think the Vinidis as a bunch of inbreds.” “Actually, from what the girls taught me, third cousin couples usually produce the healthiest and most numerous foals.” Pisacan’s face alternated from each of the three principal colors. At last, she squeezed out a flimsy laugh. “Haha, very funny. Anyway, I just hate his guts. He’s smarmy bastard who sucks up to anyone. His advances were awful and head-splittingly annoying. Before I learnt to be harsh on him, he bought gifts for me almost every week, acted all ‘gentlecoltly’ at my every step, and offered to help the minutest chores at our house.” Spike gulped. That sounded dangerously close to what he used to do to Rarity before they finally got together. Fortunately, Pisacan pointed out a difference as she continued. “… But he must’ve done all those at his father’s command. No vomit bag in this world could contain my disgust.” “He does look like an impressionable young stallion, and I know you’re extra irritated by him proclaiming adoration for Sunset Shimmer, but, well… he did not look like the calculating type, and I doubt he meant anything nefarious.” Pisacan finally could not hold it but groan aloud. “Spike, why are you speaking for him so much?” “I’m not speaking for him. I’m speaking for ‘getting along’.” Pisacan narrowed her unseeing eyes instinctively. Spike sighed and said. “By sheer luck, we’ve survived a great flood unscathed, and chanced upon enough supplies to support many more days of marching. This luck might end any time, and we need as much good will as we can gather.” “You don’t have to butter Marin up for that. I’ve talked with ponies of my own blood within the surrendered army. They all deferred to me when they saw me, and their compliance will be doubtless.” “I believe you. But I still think that having Marin around would help us get an insight into how Sunset Shimmer enthralled and transformed Crystal Empire. At the very least, he might let off some military secrets on their side if he felt comfortable enough in our company. Might save us big time in the future.” Pisacan sighed reluctantly, that was when a bell-ringing interrupted their talk. Spike shouted to the outside of his tent. “Who’s there?” “It’s me, Captain Marin. I obtained permission to speak with you about supply matter.” Pisacan’s face contorted. “Speaking of the devil…” She was about to wander off and hide behind some curtain, but Spike already replied. “Come on in.” Marin poked his head into the tent, and walked in when he locked eyes with Spike. With his armor and helmet off, Spike now saw him more clearly. He was a well-toned stallion with a buttery coat and short, spiky grassy green mane. He only noticed Pisacan was also in the room after walking nearer, and already he was sweating beads. Spike gave Pisacan a gentle poke. The yellow mare shifted uncomfortably, before she shakily pulled up an unconvincing smile. “H- Hey, Marin. Ciao.” Marin’s expression froze. After rubbing his eyes to confirm that he was not hallucinating, he looked completely overjoyed. “L- Lady Pisacan, d- did you just-” Pisacan immediately frowned again. “Do not push your luck, Marin. I’m only giving you the benefit of the doubt because Spike said so. I’m still never going to consider your ridiculous proposal.” Marin nodded off nervously, but with a big silly grin. Spike thought to himself that if Pisacan could see, she might again fail to hold her temper and would have punched him in the snout again. He lightly coughed. “Ahem.” Marin immediately turned to Spike, and lavished his appreciation. “Oh, my fair and just dragon commander, I thank you immensely for speaking for me to Lady Pisacan.” “… That’s fine.” Spike breathed through his nose and made a meaningful blink to him. “But before we discuss the supplies, how about you filling us more in about the terrain around the Ville and their organization?” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The next day, the army decamped and again moved down the snaking Whinnypeg River Valley. After passing through a small pine forest at the mountain base, the sprawling city of Ville de Platine entered their sight. At first glance, the city looked somewhat like Cloudsdale, with clouds of whites and falling rainbows dangling from the sky. However, unlike other pegasus-dominated cities in Equestria, the whole city was built on an elevated plateau, surrounded by a wide and deep moat fed by water from the Whinnypeg River. The entire city was vast, not quite like Manehattan yet, but certainly more expansive than Ponyville, and could easily house hundreds of thousands of inhabitants. Still, a gem-encrusted wall surrounded the whole city, giving it a sense of impregnable defense. The pegasus’ clouds snugged closely over the city center, far from any disturbance any outsiders could cause. The army scouts reported that there were rows of empty houses and fields around the city, which were presumably evacuated into the city proper, as battles had raged on the wide prairies. Some signs of battle could be seen, such as burnt patches of grasses, broken swords and shields, as well as destroyed hay silos. The army immediately raised a sea of black flags, which were a recognized symbol of parley. They carefully closed in the main gateway of the city, and stopped short of the distance at which unicorn mage could usually cast their bombarding spells. A large bonfire was built, and after hanging up the various flags of the northern alliance on a tall pole nearby, they patiently waited. After several hours of waiting, a lone pegasus flew out from behind the walls and towards them. After being stopped and searched by guards at their camp, Spike and other commanders came out to hail the messenger. The messenger, who was grey pegasus mare with black mane, spoke up. “Saluer! Qui êtes-vous que intrusion sur notre terre?” “Hail! Who are you that intrude upon our land?” Pisacan muttered under her breath. “Speaking Prench even to outsiders, huh? Stuck up as usual.” Spike, though, responded in kind in Prench. “Je vous salue, Madame messager. Nous venons en paix. Nous ne sommes pas en Cristalie, nous ne sommes pas sous le commandement du Sunset Shimmer.” “Hail, madam messenger. We come in peace. We're not Crystallian, nor are we under command of Sunset Shimmer.” The messenger looked subtly satisfied when she heard Spike’s Prench. “Then name your allegiance, strangers. We have already beaten back an army three times our size, and we will not tolerate or forgive any false-flag trickeries as well.” “I assure you, madam messenger, that we are none of that sort. Although some of us came from south of the Everhoof, but the bulk of our army are inhabitants of the so-called Frozen North. The story of our formation is complicated, but let’s just say that we’re in principle opposed to Sunset Shimmer and her wanton ambition to subdue everything in and out of her sight.” “We welcome any and all friends that cherish our newfound liberty. If you stand alongside us against tyranny, then you may come in and talk with the director of the revolutionary council. Hopefully you’ll prove to be as steadfast as our other Equestrian friends in the East Coast.” Spike narrowed an eye at the hints she dropped in her speech, but he simply nodded. “I’m Spike the Dragon, commander of the Northern Alliance. May I know your name, madame messenger?” “Salutations, Spike the Dragon. I’m Octavie-Fontaine, lieutenant of the Regiment of Chasseurs. Vive la République Prançaise.” Spike looked surprised. “Wait, did Ville de Platine declare their independence?” “Proudly so. With the usurpation of power by Sunset Shimmer, the Kingdom of Equestria no longer have a valid mandate over her city-states. We the Prench are pleased to be the first among the Eastern cities to stand up against the arrogant attempt of the Crystallians, as well as our cowardly, cruel and callous nobility who so readily collaborated. The director has been popularly proclaimed by plebiscite, and he shall lead us to our freedom. Down with tyranny, and long live the republic!” Ignoring the stunned look on the dragon’s face, she calmed herself a bit and continued. “In any case, it would be impossible for us to allow a foreign army to march into the city in this moment of time. So if you wish to talk with the directory, only a small group of leaders and followers would be permitted to enter.” Spike coughed. “Before continuing, I must tell you two things up front, lest you accuse us of withholding crucial information.” “I’m listening.” “Despite our neutrality, there are some Crystallians in our army. First, we have forced a surrender out of a support brigade which have fled up the Whinnypeg Valley. The captured soldiers are now in our custody.” “That’s superb news, Commander Spike. That brigade has evaded our search party for some time already. Director would be most pleased if you would transfer them to us as a gesture of goodwill.” Spike’s expression was difficult. “Well, this is related to the second issue. The Princess of Crystal Empire and her Prince consort are also in our company.” “What?! I thought they are…” Spike knew that she could not possibly have known their real conditions, but he decided to leverage the hatred against her. “Are you surprised that Sunset Shimmer lies to people?” “… Touché.” “Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armor are victims of Sunset Shimmer’s mind control, since they stood in way of her ambition. We have found them in the custody of the muskoxen tribe, who are cousins to the yaks. They have since become our allies against the treachery of Sunset Shimmer.” Octavie-Fontaine mulled, her face now tainted with suspicion. “… This is not a light matter, and I would have to report back to the directory. But just a warning, we in the Prench Republic detest royalties, not to mention Crystallian ones. Do not expect us to accommodate your autocratic excesses.” “… Very well. We have no desire of making an enemy out of Ville de Platine, republic or not. We merely wish to pass through unscathed, and possibly exchange crucial strategic information. We can even offer other forms of… help, perhaps in exchange of cooperation, information and material supplies. If your director do not wish to see some of us, we can make accommodation. If it is all of us, we understand fully and will retreat from your sight.” “Wise decision, Commander Spike. Let me communicate the information with Director Lion Museau. Meanwhile, you’d do well to stay put within our sight.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Octavie-Fontaine came back after a few hour with a small contingent of well-equipped guards. The grey pegasus, as well her soldiers, now wore full military attire. Three large feathers were stuck on her black bicorn, one light blue, one white and one velvety purple. Her brilliant blue coat flapped in the wind as she flew slowly towards the gate, guiding the assorted leaders of the northern alliance into the city. Immediately, a group of unicorns swarmed onto them. After a few frantic search and high tension, it was made clear that they merely wanted to make sure that they did not bring with themselves dangerous materials like explosives and weapons. Geuse was livid that her trident was to be taken away, but Spike’s words calmed her down and she relented eventually. Cadance and Shining Armor, though, being an alicorn and unicorn respectively, had to undergo something even more severe. “Whelp, that’s humiliating.” Shining Armor drily noted, as he stroked the magic limiter on his horn. “Don’t say that, Shining. It’s fortunate enough that they let us in despite who we are. They almost made us go through the magic neutralizer, which is much worse.” Cadance softly said. “Sorry for that, Cadance, Shining Armor. I can only speak for you two so much without irking these Prench ponies.” Shining Armor sighed and smiled defeatedly. “It’s fine. You’ve done more than enough to keep us afloat. I’m just surprised that they would denounce the idea of an Equestrian nation altogether just because of Sunset Shimmer’s action alone.” “Republic, huh…” Spike muttered. “Never thought something out of ancient history books would pop up again in the modern world. What exactly are the Villians thinking?” Pisacan merely shrugged. “But it’s not like the idea of ‘hating tyrants’ needs to be rediscovered by some great philosophers, is it? Kings, queens, princes and princesses have screwed up royally so many times in history. Or in like Sombra’s case, even outright evil. Can you really blame them if they think getting rid of all royalties is the solution?” Spike bit his lips. “I know. Witnessing the failure of the Princesses to deal with two major crises in such a quick succession must’ve shatter many ponies’ confidence in the royal government. I wonder what’s happening elsewhere in Equestria…” Kanipha said. “You said they said that the Eastern cities are their friends. So perhaps they’re also up in arms against Sunset Shimmer too.” Geuse added. “And Ponyville pretty much barred themselves up and shunted the entire south off to the Crystallians. I think that the remaining friends of ours there have things under control. If Marin’s words are to be believed, they’ve even done a pretty bang-up job evacuating the citizens of Canterlot too.” Shining Armor wondered aloud. “Canterlot! That’s easily tens and tens of thousands refugees, perhaps more. How in Equestria did they manage the logistics of transporting so many ponies under the eyes of Sunset Shimmer?” Spike smiled. “If anyone can do this, it has to be the girls. They are a bunch of miracle workers.” Octavie-Fontaine had been silently walking in front of everyone, and she did not speak a word even though she was proficient in Equestrian like almost all Villians. Noises permeated through the rues and streets, but the very boulevard they walked on was cleared of any civilians by numerous patrolling soldiers. Spike suspected that the large boulevard alone had more soldiers than his entire army, a testament to the size of the ancient city. After passing a white marble bridge on a wide river, they arrived in front of a large building. Ancient Trotian portico formed its exterior, twelve white columns stood majestically in front of the buttery white brick wall. On top of the portico, there used to be a façade of unicorn nobles and princes that once ruled the city. The noble title to the ancient city had been nominally held by Prince Blueblood, himself a unicorn of partial Villian extraction. But he had largely opted for life in Canterlot and attention towards the more prestigious title of Dukedom in Lower Canterlot, only visiting his ancestral home once in a long while. However, it was now completely defaced, with heads crudely lopped off and other details chipped. In the middle of the cleared area, a slogan was carved deeply onto the white marble – ‘Liberté, Égalité, Harmonie’. In front of tall, rusted copper doors, she turned and said. “Welcome to the Palais de la Concorde. This is where the directory operates and rules the city, after we have cleansed this city of royalists and Crystallians.” Spike nodded. “Thank you for leading us here, Madame Fontaine. I trust that despite your leanings, Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armor are not to be mistreated, are they?” “Naturally. We still respect basic diplomatic protocols, and we’re not going to harm anyone on a diplomatic overture, barring any erratic behavior on your part. Now, go forth and enter. My soldiers and I will stand guard outside the Palais to prevent any disturbance.” Spike was blunt. “Disturbance? I thought the directory has full control of the city?” Octavie-Fontaine waved. “Of course we do. We’re just here to prevent some more passionate elements from doing some overly damaging actions, like attacking you or the nobles that we rounded up. They’ll be dealt with eventually, but only after we ensure our national survival. Despite what the royalists claimed in their foolish propaganda, we’re not a mad mob aiming for complete anarchy and ruin.” “… If you have the welfare of the people in mind, then I bid you every success.” “On behalf of the great Prench public, I thank you for your kind words.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The group streamed inside the Palais. The main corridor was ornately decorated, with classical wall carvings depicting Villian history all the way back to the days when it was the Unicornian capital. These were curiously spared the destruction they saw outside. Large chandeliers hung from the ceilings, illuminating the way to a large hall to the front. When they entered the hall, they saw a clearly hastily arranged scene. The place was likely originally a ball room, but it had been repurposed as a meeting place for the people. Chairs were arranged in semicircles, and a few planks was erected in the middle as a make-shift dais. Standing behind the dais was another bicorn-wearing unicorn. He had a light red coat, and a mane of striped black and white. Noticeably, he had a very defined snout and jaw, making him quite naturally intimidating. He was also wearing a ceremonial uniform of mostly white, and he promptly stopped his work and walked towards the group when he saw them. In slightly accented Equestrian, he greeted the group. “Salutations. I’m the director of the Prench Republic in Ville de Platine, Lion Muzzle. What brings you, strange visitors, to the doorsteps of our nation?” Spike introduced the leaders one by one. When he mentioned Cadance and Shining Armor, Lion Muzzle looked at them intensely for a moment, but he then returned to a neutral expression. Afterwards, Spike briefly described their journey in the north, omitting some details but outlining how the coalition of forces came to be. “Interesting, interesting.” “Your Excellency, we would like to know how you’ve come to be and what you stand for as well.” “Of course.” “What are your stance on the Equestrian royal government? What about Princess Celestia and Luna?” “We no longer answer to the royal government, which is now merely a thrall and extension to the Crystallian menace. The confederation of city-states have always been a marriage of convenience, and it hinges on the shaky premise of Canterlot exercising its regressive feudal responsibilities. The princesses are amiss, failing to move the celestial bodies, and honestly useless like they were in the changeling crisis. Their representative in the city, the decadent twit that is Blueblood, is merely a tool of foreign despot. We the people must take control.” “Well…” “Commander Spike, I know you. You’re linked to Twilight Sparkle, royal student to Celestia. I saw you in several photos in the papers.” Spike was truly surprised. This Lion Muzzle somehow picked him up from the small fragments and scant mentions in the news. Lion Muzzle continued and pointed towards Cadance and Shining Armor. “And now you appear alongside them.” He entered into a meaningful silence, waiting on the response from the purple dragon. Spike gritted his teeth and said. “Yes, I have a close relat… I like Princess Celestia, and I’m close to Princess Cadance and Shining Armor as well. I’d like to see everything go on as it was in the past. But the Equestria as we know it is clearly no more. The world is changing quickly, and so much have happened in the past few months. Personal emotions must be set aside for the good of all. If the people in Ville de Platine decide that they would be better off this way, all the power to you.” “Excellent. Now, perhaps let’s move onto the real issues. What are you here for?” “We want to know more about the current situation in Equestria. We’ve heard of something about the Eastern cities rising up against Crystal Empire too?” “Indeed. After our successful revolution earlier this month, Manehattan, Fillydelphia and Baltimare were inspired by our heroic resistance. We have established correspondence with local leaders, and they have thrown out royal representatives in each of the cities. A few days ago, I have received news that they planned to band together to fight against the opportunistic griffons that responded to the call of Sunset Shimmer.” “… Wait a minute, griffons?” The listeners were aghast. “Oh, seems that you’re not aware. The King in Griffonstone now has his greedy paws over the Eastern Coast. It should be an unholy alliance for them, given the history between Griffonstone and Crystal Empire, but here we are, tyranny attracts tyranny. The griffons have sent in invasion fleets and raiding ships all over the eastern ocean, and reports said the Griffish Isles have already been completely taken. One fleet has sailed into Horseshoe Bay and set fire to Baltimare. They would like to use the rails to invade us as well, but we have destroyed the rail line in anticipation of their action.” “Holy Tartarus, now even foreign forces are involved.” Geuse muttered. “So much is at stake, and the republic will not stand idle to those who want to take away our liberty.” Kanipha gulped. “Director, we would like to know if there’s any news from south of Canterlot as well.” “Not much, I’m afraid. The Crystallian forces have taken over royal apparatus all over the West and around Canterlot and shut down all passages. Pegasi from Cloudsdale and their bat pony cousins at first courageously rose up when the coup in Canterlot happened, but they were crushed, from what we’ve heard, in Rainbow Falls. Cloudsdale was punished with Sunset Shimmer’s evil magic. A black pillar, dark as her heart, was summoned to pin the proud cloud settlement onto the ground, a testament to her heartless abandon to the people.” He briefly paused and continued. “Ponyville has reportedly risen up as well, they had beaten off the invaders and scorched the earth to prevent any more invasion. Given that and the griffon blockade, we couldn’t have known much more than that. In fact, what I’ve told you was almost wholly extracted from captured Crystallian soldiers.” After Spike translated the information for the rest of the leaders, he turned and said. “This presents many difficulty and options for our next course of action, we need some discussion among ourselves. But above all, we want to make clear that we offer a branch of friendship to the Villians, for we’re all in this to oppose the tyrannical Sunset Shimmer.” “And the Prench Republic appreciate it.” “I’d be shameless and upfront. Is it possible for the Ville to spare some supplies for us? We might stay, or we might try to reach the East Coast and leave by sea.” “I’d be blunt as well. What good would it do to us if we’re to share our already tight supplies with you?” Spike sighed. “… I suppose that good will is not enough. I alone cannot promise you at the moment, but would an alliance against Sunset Shimmer interest you?” “It would be welcomed. However, we’d be also interested in some sort of official recognitions of our newborn republic, for detractors have wrongly denounced the legitimacy of our government.” “Very well, let me discuss with our leaders and commanders first. Thank you, Director Muzzle.” As Spike turned to the assembled group again, Pisacan approached Lion Muzzle with a pleading look. The director clearly looked non-too-pleased at her being a crystal pony, but she pressed on regardless and began in flawless Prench. “Director... I might be a Crystallian, but I detest the orange witch more so than anyone else in the world, for she wronged and dismantled my very clan that I lead. Still… I’ve heard that my relations, including my brother, are being detained here in the city. I would be forever grateful if you can spare a kind thought and let me see him.” “A clan, huh? Are you a Vinidi?” Pisacan nodded. “Yes, wise director. I presume that you’ve had some understanding of my clan from some captured crystal ponies.” “The commander of the siege, Asclepias, had confessed much under some suitable… coercion.” Pisacan felt as if her heart was twisted like a towel. “Please, director, have mercy. I want nothing more than a look and a short chat with him.” Lion Muzzle was about to dismiss her, when some loud sounds of ruckus could be heard outside the palace. He quickly shouted to call the guards in, and then he asked in Prench. “Guards! Report the situation!” Octavie-Fontaine reported back. “People are marching up the boulevard, chanting the war song for the revolutionary army!” “Why are they coming to the directory? We’re on the side of the revolution!” A Villian soldier galloped into the hall nervously and whispered something into the grey pegasus mare’s ears. She then coughed and replied gravely. “It appeared that some of them have caught wind of the presence of royals in the directory. False rumors are flying around that the directory is in collusion with Crystallian royals. We have already sent in soldiers to maintain order peacefully, and attempted to communicate with the protesters, but the crowds are highly passioned. They have stormed the Julliet Fortress and dragged out those high-profile prisoners, among them the Crystallian commander. They’re beaten up and being paraded on the street right now. The crowds want blood, and they want it on the Place de la Concorde.” Colors drained from those who could understand Prench. Spike immediately said. “Director, we have diplomatic privilege!” Lion Muzzle narrowed his eyes. “I will go address the crowd myself.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The crowd chanted the revolutionary war song loudly, shouting slogans of all kinds to the repurposed grand palace. As Lion Muzzle appeared between the columns, the crowd’s noise grew louder. Some of them welcoming and celebratory, glad to see their leader coming out to address them, but others were clearly angry and condemning. Lion Muzzle opened his mouth. He let out a loud roar like his namesake, made even more booming with his magic. The crowd immediately grew quiet, at awe of his sheer dominance. “Citizens of the great republic! Your voice is heard, so now, hear me out as well.” He walked down the porch and stood down to the height of the crowds, seemingly unconcerned with his safety. “Against tyranny, we have risen up in arms, that’s what we’re all here for. I have promised you that we Villians, brave sons of Prance, will never be packed and sold to corrupt royals and nobles, and if I ever betray the will of the people, let my blood be spilled and soaked into the verdant fields of liberty as well!” Some murmurs could be heard from the crowd, but clearly a number of them were not convinced by mere emotional appeals. A few faint insults and angry words could be heard hushing around. “Many of you have heard about that there are Crystallian royals in the city, and in the very Palais you’re seeing. That’s a fact.” Gasps could be heard around the plaza, and the angry shouts of anti-monarchist slogans, in both Equestrian and Prench, grew much louder. Some ponies were again chanting the war song of the revolution, which were joined by more and more protesters. The Crystallian prisoners and nobles, forcibly chained to elevated poles, were moved forward and crudely brandied about. The assorted leaders gazed from a small window behind the portico, and almost all grimaced. Most of them, except arguably Yolana, were royals, and Spike’s translation and explanation more or less unnerved them to the core. Princess Cadance and Shining Armor looked pale, not simply because of fear, but because of the seeming failure of the monarchy to its people. “… Eh? Where’s Spike?” Kanipha looked around and suddenly noticed that the dragon was nowhere to be seen. “He’s out there!” Geuse almost shouted. The purple dragon walked near the red unicorn, who turned with some surprise. After some hushed exchange, Lion Muzzle graciously let him onto the raised column platform near him. He turned to the crowd and said again. “I’ll let the representative of this delegation speak for themselves. You, the people, with your free reason, be the judges of his merits.” Spike difficultly climbed higher, so that more in the crowd can see him. The crowd was clearly surprised at the sight of a small, civilized dragon to address them. He seized their shock and used it to his advantage. “Citizens of Ville de Platine, I bid you well. My name is Spike, and I command a small coalition of force currently stationed outside of the city. Today I stand here, in front of the Villian public, I only ask for your brief attention.” Someone in the crowd shouted something, seemingly accusing the dragon of being a royal relation. Irrational anger spread out quickly, and Spike winced at the distant sight of the bloodied prisoners on poles. “The northern alliance consists of forces from beyond Everhoof, and none of them are enemies of Ville de Platine. Instead, we gather to oppose the treachery of Sunset Shimmer, who duped the people of Crystal Empire and Equestria and caused this needless war to further her own ambition. You should know that the Crystallian princess and her husband themselves are pronounced dead by Sunset Shimmer herself. Why? For it was she who planned to seize power from them. Yes, the princess and prince are here, but they by no means condone what Sunset Shimmer did.” He then said grimly. “I understand your frustration, and I know that the ship has sailed. The people of the Ville had declared that they have enough of royals, and we do not have the intention or can change that. But I ask of you, think of Cadance and Shining Armor for a moment not walking symbols of privilege, but fellow ponies who just as passioned in life as you, and intend for nothing of this to happen to the innocent public. As a people, you have suffered, so I dare not call on you to see them as much the victims as you yourselves are. But let us not shed any more blood than necess-” A light beige mare with blue and white striped mane climbed up another pony’s shoulder and yelled. “Shut your mouth, you royalist lapdog! The soil of liberty must be fertilized with the impure blood of royals and criminals!” As the crowd joined in the abusive shouts, Spike felt cold sweat forming on his forehead. His last-minute gamble on his public speaking ability seemed not to be working out well. He had been pandering to their republican leanings to his best ability, despite his deep bemusement how a people content in the rule of Princess Celestia just two months ago could be radicalized and turned against the idea of monarchy so fast. Distant cannon blasts were suddenly heard from the periphery of the city. The crowds’ angry chant got overshadowed, and a large column of soldiers marched up to the protesters. At first, the angry mob thought the directory finally turned their guns and spears onto its people, and was enraged beyond reason. But then the army of soldiers began to ring a bell with a distinct dull and trembling quality. The crowd gasped aloud and began to disperse, some even let go of the prisoners’ poles and let them hit the ground callously. “Enemy attack!” “The Crystallians are coming again!” “Holy Tartarus!” Spike actually had half a heart to ‘thank’ the Crystallians for their timing, but he was not foolish enough to think that they would be spared if they fell into the invaders’ hooves. “Director! We must leave at once to command our armies! They’re hanging dangerously outside the city wall!” Spike bit his lips briefly and threw in an extra incentive. “Please, we will help defend Ville de Platine!” Lion Muzzle widened his eyes slightly, but he then quickly said with a calculated smile. “Good, I’ll have Octavie-Fontaine escorting you lot out of the gate. She would stay and act as our intermediate. We will coordinate and offer support, do not disappoint us.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “Buck those ponies, let’s just go! We’ve had captured enough supplies to march to the East Coast anyway!” Kanipha huffed as they were rushed out of the city gate. The enemies seemed to be on the other side of the river, having just crossed the hilly pass and preparing to ford the Whinnypeg River without the bridge. “No... We make a promise to defend the city, it must be followed through. It is a golden opportunity to demonstrate that we are not their enemies.” Geuse frowned. “So we’re going to go head to head against real soldier’s spears to convince those mobsters, whom we are going to leave alone anyway, to lay down their pitchforks? Doesn’t sound like a good deal to me.” “That’s simply so if we think only of tactics. We’re dealing with a bunch of ponies, who until a few months ago were still calling themselves Equestrian, now so eagerly calling for the heads of their former leaders. Given how Sunset Shimmer is our enemy anyway, we have a unique opportunity. By showing that we’re with the people, we can recover the image of a united Equestria. This will help come a day we march on Sunset Shimmer’s lair together.” Shining Armor looked unamused. “These ponies might be against Sunset Shimmer, but they are also perverted with their poisonous thought that all royals and nobles, with their harmony-preserving duties, should instead be cast out or even worse!” Spike shook his head. “To these Villians, Blueblood and Sunset Shimmer are their most intimate experience of monarchy. If these are the only sources of my understanding of the Kingdom of Equestria, then I’d be a republican too.” Shining Armor looked aghast. Cadance said gravely. “Spike, you can’t mean-” “Don’t be silly, what I’ve said was clearly hypothetical.” Spike mulled. “It’s also a matter of careful study after this died down, but I’ve thought about that somewhat. Three feet of frozen ice on a lake can’t be due to merely a day of cold. Lion Muzzle more of less implied that republicanism in the Ville is not something that randomly popped up after Sunset Shimmer’s rise. Before coming here, I thought it is only an ancient idea from the early days of pony civilization, but it’s clear that it’s alive and well and has been clearly fomenting in at least some circles in the Ville.” Pisacan interjected with some pride. “Ancient Vinidia is a republic, too. We used to pride ourselves in having elected ponies guiding the doge in managing stately matters.” Spike showed a helpless smile. “We don’t really know how and why the Villians harked back to their Prench roots and declared a republic, and we’d do well not to dwell on a debate whether they’re right or not at this very moment. What we have now is a dire threat to Equestria, and an opportunity to build a united front to save our homes.” A white wolf scout galloped to the side of the white wolf duo and whispered something to them hurriedly. Suologievra was already getting impatient because she could not understand a word of what Spike said. After listening to the scout’s report, she immediately interrupted their discussion. “Respected Spike, we must hurry up! My wayward son is seen opposite the river!” “What? Laske is here?!” “Can’t be mistaken. His falling star pennant flew above them. He must’ve crossed the great mountain and led the remnants of his army to the crystal ponies’ capital.” “We shall deal with our internal division ourselves. It so happens that our battalion sat directly across them. I shall personally defeat their first charge and capture brother, ending this pointless fight once and for all.” Spike looked surprised. “Puuska, you… you’re simply in our custody you don’t have to-” “I want to talk to my brother, and I know him. He will not give up unless thoroughly beaten.” The mother wolf looked at his son with a neutral look, but then she shook her head. “Let’s go, Puuska, back to our positions.” Spike waved them off, and he communicated the situation to the remaining commanders, who quickly went to their respective posts. After he began to receive streams of reports from battalions getting into positions. Another scout, this time a Firstling, reported in with a much more nervous look. “Hail, Aage, what did you see out there? Is it the white wolves?” “Commander, our brilliant savior, this time it’s not the wolves. The crystal ponies have followed them from behind, and they come with a dreadful weapon!” “Calm down, which kind of weapon did you exactly see?” “They have been repairing those ruined iron tracks (jernbane) to the West, and they are bringing in a very large, fire-spewing barrel! It is at least thirty ponies wide, and it is almost fifty ponies long! They have fired onto the mountainside, seemingly as a warning, and it crumbles the entire foothill!” “Ridiculously large cannon… From the crystal ponies… oh Celestia, no!” Spike breathed out heavily. “Aage! Tell the scout team to look out for a pink pony with puffy mane! She is a very important target!” The battle seemed to have already commenced at the time they spoke. Aage scrambled out of the tent, and Spike closely followed. At the far side, the white wolves on their side were trying to stop Laske’s army, which seemed to be about to ford the river. The other battalions could only offer limited support, however, as they were guarding crucial positions opposite the advancing Crystallians. Fearing the devastating range and blast that the giant cannon would cause, Spike quickly jumped on a rushing medic chariot to the front-line and hitchhike to the fighting white wolves. “Puuska!” The younger white wolf was directing logistics at the rear and busily communicating with dispatch runners. “Respected Spike, what brings you to the frontline? You would do better to direct the battalions at the safety of the main camp.” “The Crystallians have reinforced Laske with a battalion of their own. Moreover, they brought with them a giant cannon. With the egregious caliber that it possesses, it will annihilate an entire battalion in one hit. Even with they simply use it in the siege, it would swiftly bring the city to her knees, with unfathomable casualties.” “That doesn’t sound good at all.” “Moreover, I suspect that…” Spike sighed bitterly. “Let me be frank. My marefriend is probably there with the cannon. This has all the signs of her hoofiwork, for she has a ridiculous penchant for tinkering. When she’s herself, she only uses those for parties, but I’m afraid now Sunset Shimmer had brainwashed her and made her create killer cannons for her army. I want my marefriend back, and we need to take away their advantage in weapon technology.” Puuska thinly smirked. “I understand your frustration. The Ursians kidnapped my fiancée as soon as we arrived at Kiova. They wanted to use her as a leverage. Apparently they did it to all diplomats with family.” “What the hay?” He looked reminiscent. “I did not bulge, and I arrange to have the wife of their foreign minister… transported onto our ship. Magically, my fiancée appeared back in my quarter a few hours later. But by then she’s too traumatized by the experience and wanted nothing to do with me anymore. She’s not one to get close to me because I’m a potential heir, and I liked her for this exactly… Anyway, I hope that your marefriend is all and well.” Spike blinked with a slightly stunned look and said slowly. “Thanks, Puuska… I just wonder, though. Do you think you can spare some fast legs?” “Oh? Are you planning to rescue your marefriend?” “Yes. The white wolves have quick legs, and I want to recruit some mobile elites to go with me in case she’s really found.” As they talked, a ruckus developed in the front of the formation, and the organized Snow Guards showed a rare moment of panic. The columns retreated somewhat disorderly from the river bank. A female wolf, almost completely losing her composure, pushed aside rows of soldiers and ran to the younger wolf with a desperate look. “P- Puuska! Respected Puuska! It’s- It’s a disaster!” “Quit panicking, Ilona! What happened?” “T- The matriarch… she…! Laske…!” The female wolf rubbed her eyes of fearful and shocked tears. “The matriarch is- is sniped on by Laske!” “What? Mother? How? They’re still quite a distance away from us!” “Laske pulled a false flag on us! He pretended to want to talk with matriarch under a flag of truce, but once she stepped out of the formation and crossed the river, h- he… he ordered the crossbow archers to shoot at her!” “How dare he! Had he no shame, no sense of honor?!” Spike looked horrified. Puuska froze, his face completely blank with expression. After a while, he muttered. “And here, foolishly I thought, that I was the foxy one.” The army in front of them parted, and a stretcher covered with bloodied white cloth was hurriedly carried back towards them. Without a word, Puuska went over and lifted the cloth. Spike closely followed, and saw the sickening sight with his very eyes as well. Suologievra was no more. Arrows pierced her white body, turning it into stripes of bright red. One arrow, in particular, slashed through the back of her neck and came out just below her jaw. This must be the killing shot, taking away her life as she ran away from the rain of arrows. Her eyes were lifeless, though her look of shock, fear and betrayal etched deeply in her last expression. Revulsion turned in his stomach, the stench of blood causing him to almost vomit. A selfish part in Spike could not help but think of Rainga, who almost suffered the same fate in the Deermark forest. Anger rose within his chest, causing him to shake furiously. Puuska stroked his mother’s face almost reflexively. His face did not betray any emotion. Though Spike suspected that the young wolf knew not what emotion to feel. The young wolf once acquiesced to the fact that his mother was to be exiled, and would have starved to her death. But Spike did not think that Puuska ever intended to witness his own mother’s violent death with his own eyes. He swept her dull blue eyes close, his forelegs shook like two blades of reed. A loud, familiar voice boomed from across the river. Spike was even more shaken when he heard that voice that he so long sought after, but had no intention of hearing it from behind the enemy lines. “Hiya! I don’t know if anyone in your army can understand Equestrian, but if there is, listen up! I’m Pinkie Pie, friend to First Consul Sunset Shimmer, Crystal Empire… and all of you as well! And uh, hey, you white wolves, Mister Laske has already neutralized your leader, so just surrender already and join…” The voice of the pink pony continued, but Spike was already mentally filtering out the rest. His rage was beyond his rational control. Suologievra was basically blatantly murdered by treachery, her blood needlessly shed. He knew that he could have done little if he used a confidence trick on his own mother, but somehow he felt an intense sense of guilt. And who were they pushing out in an indirect admission of guilt? His very own Pinkie Pie! Puuska was still kneeling down in front of the stretcher, when he noticed that the purple dragon next to him roared to the sky and glowing in brilliant white. The young white wolf stared with a stunned look together with his white wolf soldiers. The purple dragon began to grow in size, his small youthful physique began to become taller and more muscular. His green eyes were tinged with fiery red, and his trunk continued to lengthen and thicken. He leapt into the air, eyes locked onto the opposite bank of the river. Between a pair of his back plates, two streams of white particles shot out and materialized into two giant wings, formed from pure white light. Growing to over several dozen times of his original sizes, he roared again, this time demonstrating the dominating pressure of a fully grown dragon. The white wolves looked on with fear and amazement, mostly amazement on his side, and much more fear on the opposite side. He flew above the swarming mass of white wolf soldiers on his side and across the river. A whole slew of crossbow arrows immediately flew towards him at high speed, but they just reflected off his hard scales like raindrops. Some stray arrows came close to his left eye, but he simply engulfed it with a highly concentrated stream of hot flame and swept away the ashes. A small formation of white wolves under Laske’s command gathered up and charged at the dragon, who had flown low and been searching through the ranks to locate the offending white wolf leader. Spike gave little notice to them, until the rank split open to reveal a giant ballista, aiming right at him. Without warning, it was let loose towards his unprotected underbelly. He breathed out a ray of flame to incinerate the giant dart, but it could not completely pulverize the projectile, nor could it reduce its momentum. The dragon therefore pulled up and swayed to his left side. The dart still managed to plant deep into his shoulder, spilling blood immediately all over his side. Pumped with adrenaline, however, he pressed on and soon used the wind pressure created from swaying his white wings to sweep away the resisting white wolves. With unbelievable precision with someone his size, he dipped down into the back of their lines, and swept the commander in shiny white armor up, tightly in his claws. Laske glared at the dragon and tried to shake himself loose to no avail. His personal guards also tried futilely to stop the dragon, but Spike was overwhelmingly strong and yet clinical in his strike, and cleanly disengaged. Roaring with power to the sky, he then yelled to the rubberducking white wolves on his side opposite the river. “Eteenpäin, sotilaat! Nimissä Suologievra!” “Forward, soldiers! In the name of Suologievra!” As the white wolves, presumably under Puuska’s command, began to regroup and launch a counter-attack, Laske’s followers showed signs of panic, chiefly at the dragon’s terrifying presence, and the fact that he so easily picked their leader out of the formation and took him away like plucking a grape from a bunch. Spike glared at Laske, who looked up defiantly but spoke nothing. He almost tightened his grip and squeezed the life out of the treacherous wolf, but he gritted his teeth and let out a smoky breath. His rational mind won over his emotion. Quickly enough, Puuska’s army crossed the river and tore into the lines of the now leaderless enemy, inflicting carnage. Trumpets blew aloud around the battlefield, and the three battalions of crystal pony soldiers in stand-off with the northern alliance finally made a move to salvage the situation in their far left flank. Immediately, both the Villians and the northern alliance moved in to capitalize on the thinning of their front line. The defender pegasi poured out from behind the wall and shot towards the right flank of their enemies. Unicorn mages situated in the high towers on the wall blasted magical projectiles to cover for them. In coordination, the Firstling and the Lucentian battalion pushed forward and attempted to recreate the pincer movement that had worked earlier in the narrow valley, now possible as the enemy had to maneuver away from the raining fireballs from the city walls and the chaos in the white wolf ranks. The muskoxen guarded their rears and directed the medical and logistical support towards the front lines. There was some discussion on whether presenting Cadance and Shining Armor to the crystal ponies would confuse or even sway them to their side. But at the end, Spike counseled against this idea, as it was still not yet fully clear how complete Sunset Shimmer’s control was over the government machineries of Crystal Empire and Equestria. Therefore, they stayed far behind the front line alongside Kanipha and Pisacan, with Geuse as their guard. It was then a loud metal clanking sounded out from beyond. Spike dodged another wave of crossbow arrows and pulled up, and was aghast to see the giant cannon described by Aage earlier now pointing menacingly to them. It was a terrifying piece of weapon. It went forward on newly repaired railway at a snail’s pace, but it was not the technology’s fault for its slow speed. The railway gun was a ridiculously large siege artillery, weighting probably over thousands of tons. Its long, wide barrel extended and towered over its operators, positively miniscule in comparison. It was almost bewildering how come so many pieces of heavy steel could be welded together without collapsing on its own weight, but then Spike noticed that large pieces of black crystals were embedded within the machinery, perhaps to strengthen the sprawling chassis. The dragon flew forward, intending to destroy the dread weapon with his physical body. He was smart enough not to plan to breathe fire on it, lest it exploded into an all-encompassing fire ball. But soon enough, loud grinding noise could be heard as the operators began to load the giant piercing shell into the long barrel. Spike internally gasped in horror as the barrel then raise at an angle before he could reach it, and then it fired in a spectacular, ground-shaking blast. Almost everyone on the battlefield covered their ears at the shattering blast. The shell whirled through the wind at a speed seemingly physics-bending towards the city wall, crowded with defenders behind its protection and taking pot-shots at the hapless crystal ponies. Spike could not even begin to flap his wings to chase behind, before the city wall was consumed by an explosion that completely obliterated a large section of the wall, as well as three associated wall towers. The pegasi made a leap away from the exploding shell, but some of them were still badly injured from the flying debris or trapped under the rubbles, now filling up the moat and forming a convenient foray into the city. The crystal ponies immediately made way into the city through the big hole in the wall, bypassing the northern alliance forays altogether. They seemed to want to make use of the panic created among the defenders by the giant gun, and quickly forced a surrender out of Ville de Platine. The assaulting crystal ponies quickly raised some gem-encrusted pennants, which slowed down their movement, but they seemed to neutralize the magical missiles frantically thrown at them by the remaining mages. Unfortunately for their commandership, they did not quite take into the calculation of the appearance of a strange army interfering with their attack. Their formation was chiefly with organizing a siege in mind. They also seemed to be underestimating the disruption they could cause given the numerical advantage, as they were content with the rear open in exchange of quick assault. Spike had quite some confidence in the combat ability of his side. The engagement in the Deermark forest showed that the Firstling and the Lucent were not two toy armies. In term of battle readiness, they should outstrip those in Equestria, which only saw action at most since several months ago. He elected to continue on his way to the dread cannon. After feinting a fire breath that sent the crystal pony infantry to both sides of his way, he endured one more ballista shot to his lower belly, before shaking his pursuers loose and reached the front of the artillery. Its operators, clearly conscripted technicians and not military personnel, began to flee in terror when they saw a dragon as large as their very cannon, but the officers in charge whipped them back in positions. Spike was about to body-slam into the piece of artillery. Knocking it sideways or destroying the barrel should prevent it from firing. However, the cannon seemed to be ready for another firing as he approached, and he also saw a shocking sight – the very pink mare he was looking for was piloting the cannon with a manic look herself. In the pause caused by his surprise, the artillery was fired again. This time, it was directly towards the frontline of the Firstlings. The explosive shell arced forth, and it was about to bend above him and land in the middle of the soldiers. Spike gasped. Although from the initial blasts, it was clear that this artillery was mainly a fortress buster, and it would not be the most effective against moving armies. However, even at lower effectiveness, its blast could cause severe carnage, and it must be stopped at all cost. Without much thinking, he flew up and stayed in the expected path of the incoming shell. He turned his back to the shell, rolled up and held his captive in the space created by his two cupped paws. The shell landed on the back his waist, and immediately exploded. Spike let out an agonizing scream of pain, as the sheer energy of the blast had blown a big hole in his body like it did at the wall. He felt his life dimming, blood showering out of his body and onto the battlefield in a crimson rain. He was losing stamina to even keep himself in flight. However, he was determined to do at least one thing. He allowed himself to drop, until he finally closed in to the cannon. He smacked the barrel down, causing it to crash down to the chassis. There he could see the pink mare, frozen with a bemused expression. He then roared and dug his claw, forcibly plucking the mare along with the platform she was standing on. She did not even resist, as the dragon began his return flight to his base. Some more arrows found their way onto his exposed wounds, compounding his already unbearable pain, but he did make his way back to the rear of his coalition army, before collapsing listlessly in the dead center of the camp, in the view of a great number of gathering ponies in burning concern. Blood continued to gush out of his wounds, as the medics were running around like headless chickens, and only managed to remove the arrows and rubbles, as well as clean the wound somewhat. None of them knew how to treat a wounded dragon the size of a small fort. Many of them were panicking, worried that the object of their fervent worship would simply die on them, shattering their hope and guidance. A red pool congealed around the fallen dragon, and his grip on the pink pony and white wolf gradually loosened. Both of them were stunned by the sonic blast of the explosion that hit Spike and went out. I- Is it the end of me? Darn, I haven’t made it back to see Twi, Rares and the others yet... And I didn’t even manage to talk sense into Pinks… ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ His wings of light particles dissipated, then they rose into the air like a water stream, and poured over the wounds on his shoulder, belly and waist. Like filling a mold with concrete, they quickly became solid and became blood and body. The medics all stopped and gazed in wonder, and Frigg, who had rushed back to the main camp from the Firstling rear to follow the sky-trail of the dragon, let out a sigh of amazement. There was one conspicuous detail, though. The healed patches were white in color, not purple like Spike’s own. The dragon groaned in pain, but as strength returned to him, his eyes fluttered open. “Ah… Well met, Frigg...” He growled in Old Firstling. “Be happy and health- ugh-” Frigg looked mortified and elated at the same time, gazing upon what she thought was the ‘true’ form of Spike. “Don’t overexert yourself, my splendid champion! You need to be happy and healthy yourself!” Spike huffed out a cloud of smoke, and he turned back to the distant view of battlefield. “Hope I helped out there.” “Brilliant Spike, your very presence have boosted the morale of our troops, and struck fear into those ingrates who dare to oppose you, the bearer of divine justice.” “Uhh… Oka-” Realizing he had a façade of severity to keep, he shifted gear despite his urge to roll his eyes. “I mean, very well.” A Lucentian runner came up to the duo, and whispered something into Frigg’s ear. The silvery mare listened and lit up with joy. “We have routed the perfidious foes outside the city wall! Our victory is assured!” “Whoa, really? When I flew out and checked, there were at least several times as many enemies out there.” “As far as I observed, brilliant Spike, the remainder of the forces left to guard the dread fire-barrel were disrupted by your operation. Thane Magnar immediately began to penetrate through their overextended front line, with Prince Stellan and Princess Rainga carried out parallel pursuits at their flanks. If all is well, the dread fire-barrel should be in our hooves shortly.” “But our forces should still be far numerically inferior than them, aren’t we? Have the Villians joined in?” Frigg’s gaze flickered. “In a sense… the main body of our foe’s army had gone into the Ville, seemingly in the belief that forcing the city to surrender would force us to do so as well.” “That doesn’t sound good at all. If they’re let in the city, it’s no difference to let in an enraged ox into a china shop, no offense to Mkondo.” “Brilliant Spike, may I ask what a ‘china’ is, and who is Mkondo?” “Uh… we can talk about them later. But now, the more important thing is to stop-” As if on cue, Octavie-Fontaine had flown into the camp and landed gracefully next to Frigg. She gave a sprawling dragon an appreciative look and began, this time curiously in Equestrian. “Greetings, I presume that you’re Commander Spike?” “Don’t look like it, but I am. The very Spike who exploited his emotion and greed growth to do a foolish maneuver to their rear and almost got myself killed.” “Indeed, I’ve heard of how dragons could grow in an amazing spurt in a pinch, but I’ve never witness it in person, not to mention when it is to our tactical advantage, rather than when they cause a fracas over some colorful stones. It’s quite a scene I must admit. And ah, your bravery is very much appreciated.” Spike lowly huffed and ignored the uncomfortable underlying irreverence in her tone. “What leads you to our camp again, lieutenant?” “We merely ask you to command your army to envelope the broken section of city wall. Our director is about to flush these vermins out of our homes, and he does not want anyone of them to escape.” “… We will do that, naturally.” “Excellent. Then, excuse me and let me report this to Director Museau post haste.” As the two eyed the departure of the grey pegasus, Frigg narrowed her eyes and glared at her receding visage. “What a mannerless filly. My Equestrian is not good enough to make out what she said, but her tone was terrible. How dare she act so insolently before you?” “Fret not, Frigg. I don’t know much about Villians before, but from what I’ve heard, the fact that she’s using Equestrian to talk with an outsider like me, when it’s clear that it’s not out of necessity, is already a sign of respect. They are famously stuck-up.” “We… you have spilled blood for them! And that’s the kind of respect she gives?” Spike sighed. “We should talk about this no further.” Frigg shuddered. “Y- Yes.” Spike frowned. “Ah, I don’t mean to wave my ‘authority’ around. I just want to leave this discussion later, when we actually discuss the aftermath with Lion Muzzle. For now…” Spike almost raised his voice to call for a runner, but realizing that his volume had scaled up with his size, he simply waved one by and reiterated the command to accomplish a single envelopment. He glared at the two figures laying prostrate near him. He first restrained himself from getting worked up over the sight of the white wolf, and merely ordered several muskoxen, the race in the camp who had the least contention with him, to put him somewhere guarded and more secure. Next, he drew in a large breath. The very pink mare that he did not manage to rescue several months ago was in front of him. Presumably, she had been made to do all sorts of things against her true self, like making that dread cannon using her uncanny mechanical skills. A small part of him wondered whether she would feel more blissful if she was left alone, thinking that serving her orange ‘friend’ was the only thing that made her happy and fulfilled, without feeling guilty of all the atrocities she might have caused. But he quickly shook away the irrational thought. Grimly shuffling, he dug his claws in one of his chest scales. “Thank goodness it’s still here. I thought it would certainly be crushed or fall out when I grew big.” A black slab of crystal was plucked out, and he handed it to the stunned silver mare. “So, Frigg.” He pointed to the pink mare. “This is my marefriend, Pinkie Pie.” “S- She’s from the enemy lines… I presume that she’s fallen to our enemies’ witchery?” “Yes… uh, at least I hope so. So to prove that, please smack her head with this slab of magic-negating crystal to see if it restores her to sanity. I’ve kept it on me for a long, long time for this very moment.” Frigg widened her eyes, but soon enough she nodded with a solemn look. “As your command.” The silver mare flipped up her wavy purple mane and took up the crystal from his paw like it was a holy relic. Then when she raised it up high above the pink pony’s head, Spike added nervously. “Hey, Frigg, remember to smack gently.” Frigg chuckled, but quietly nodded. She lowered the crystal. Like carefully placing stones on a chessboard, she dipped the sharper end on her forehead and drew a half arc. Before she even made actual contact, the black crystal shook with a strong tremble. Frigg bit her lips and held on tightly, and soon enough, a dark blue tinge formed around the pink mare’s forehead, and the silvery mare felt appreciable physical resistance. Frigg widened her eyes, and she let out an aggressive grunt. Waving her thick cape up using her spare hoof, she then dipped it into a small pouch on her side and smeared some red powder under her eyes. Spike looked on with some surprise, but he did not intervene. Seemingly with renewed vigor, she shouted something aloud and pushed on. The black crystal made contact with the blue mist, and unlike the time when he used it on Cadance and Shining Armor, this time the magic-negating crystal outright shattered in the hoof of the silvery mare. She yelped as she sheltered her eyes from the splinter. She then looked on with disappointment and some worry. “H- Have I failed?” “Let’s have a look first, don’t fret yet.” The pink mare collapsed after the ritual, but she quickly showed some signs of movement. Frigg walked around to shush away the on-lookers, citing the need for more fresh air. It was not known that it was due to that or Pinkie’s own recovery, but the pink mare soon opened her tired eyes and looked up. “P- Pinkie!” He called out with excitement. The pink pony was completely expressionless. Her gaze floated across the giant form of the purple dragon. When she finally came across the puddle of blood and the white areas of healed wound, she shed a single drop of tear. She then said with a voice with so much sadness, it was unbelievable that it came from a pony known for her laughter. “Spike, I- I’m glad to finally see you… talk to you properly… But… goodbye.” “What-” The dragon’s joyous expression froze, as he witnessed the pink pony bite on her own tongue. A poignant smile welled up on Pinkie’s face, Frigg covered her mouth with disbelief, but none would surpass the look of shock and horror on the purple dragon’s face. “N- Nooooooooo!”