//------------------------------// // Sweet Child of Mine [12] // Story: Stories in Stone, Capricorn's Curse // by TDR //------------------------------// Stories in Stone Capricorn's Curse By TDR Sweet Child of Mine [ Two years after the defeat of Tirek ] Luna yanked her head back from the small bed, stumbling away from it before she sat down against the wall panting hard. Her aqua eyes were wide, as she stared at the sleeping form laying in the crib before her. The castle was almost complete, though her personal quarters had not been fully rebuilt and her family was currently staying in the guest quarters of New Canterlot Castle with this connecting room set up as the nursery. Luna had been teaching Twilight Sparkle dream walking, the mare having taken to it quite readily, even going so far as pointing out things Luna had been unaware of. One of those things had led her to take a closer look at her daughter's dreams. Rynthia was fine, her dreams were the usual mishmash of colors and sounds that all most every young foal had. Dawn's were not. They were much sharper and focused, full of pictures of things that Luna was not sure the foal had ever even seen. Granted with how often Dawn was riding around on Jer'rahd's back, it was hard to tell exactly where he had taken her so she bore it no mind at first. Until her daughter dreampt of a cavern. Luna recognized the cavern. It was one that had been buried in an explosion and was home to a number of atrocities in the past Luna that Luna had willingly ignored as Nightmare Moon. There was no way Jer'rahd would have brought her to that place under Winnysor castle, there was no way he even could have brought her there, Scarlet had destroyed it before the War of Gods. This lead her to investigate her daughters dreams a little closer, even though she was no longer Goddess of the Moon she could easily mimic the spell she had used for so long. It was not nearly as strong as what Twilight could do. Luna was simply a spectator now, rather than a force that could do something in some one elses dream, but it was more than enough to wander through Dawn's dreams. Exploring the landscape of her daughters dreams was an experience in of itself. Currently she was watching her daughter dream about playing in a sand box on a cloudless day with the specters of herself and Jer'rahd watching over her. It was all very peaceful and quite adorable in all honesty. Much better than Pips dreams had been since he was a teenager, they often featured Scootaloo and well..... after the first few times she stopped visiting his dreams. Dawn's dream was still in sharp detail and Luna still had not seen anything else odd. She was thinking to leave when she felt a flutter of reality that signaled anothers presence in the dream, glancing to the side she caught sight of Twilight trotting into the dream as well. Likely the new Princess was here to check up on Luna and see what was going on. When the new Princess of the Moon appeared she nodded a greeting to Luna before freezing in place, staring at the sand box, taking a step backwards. Luna blinked and turned around quickly to see what had spooked Twilight, her own eyes widening at the sight of the sandbox. Foals who have not yet found their identities in life will often show up in their dreams as they were in their previous life, if they were reincarnated. Foal's like Rynthia and Shin were new souls and as such had no previous life to fall back to, often their image of self took longer to form because of that. Dawn had been Dawn since Luna first noticed the oddity of her dreams. At the time Luna had assumed that Dawn was a new soul as well, just a rapidly adjusted one. The presence of the Goddess of Dreams along with the former Goddess of Dreams in Dawn's dream shattered the delicate illusion of normalcy. Not to say the dream turned dark, it just grew less sharp as it reverted to how a dream was supposed to be. The day was still sunny, the shades of her and Jer'rahd still watched over their foal in the sand box. But it was no longer Dawn playing in the sand box. The figure was far too tall to be a foal and would have been taller than Luna had it not been sitting. It's red and aqua colored eyes seemed focused on the play castle it was building, though they darted up to the images of Luna and Jer'rahd occasionally. She sported a pair of wings on her back, one leathery and black like a proper Kirin's the other deep blue and covered with feathers. Her black coat almost seemed to shimmer in the light of the dream scape, and her amber mane and tail fluttered about as if in a unfelt breeze. Her mane was dotted with sparkling points of light that seemed to gather the most around the spiral horn emerging from her forehead. The figure was clearly an adult and had the cutie mark to prove it, a white crescent moon on a gray blue knight's shield. Nocturne. Luna had flashed out of the dream so fast she was back peddling across the floor of the nursery before she realized she was out of the dream. The Changeling Queen lay back against the wall staring at the cribs with her daughters in them. All that was in them was the orange scaled Kirin that she had given birth to and her adoptive daughter Rynthia. Both still sleeping soundly. A bright flash of light filled the nursery followed by a soft pop. Luna didn't look away from the crib, she didn't have to to know it was Twilight. “Luna... what was that?” Twilight began. “ Why is Nocturne in Dawn's dream?” “Because it seems....... that my daughter is Nocturne......... or was......” Luna stated calmly. “How is that even possible?” “Well Jer'rahd and I loved each other very much and.....” “LUNA!”Twilight hissed.”This could be serious.” “You think I don't know that?” Luna snapped back. “ Best case she's simply reincarnated from Nocturne and has no memories. Worst case Nocturne did something to be reborn.” “Is that possible?” Twilight asked. “Dawn did not put up that glamor in her mind. I was starting to think that it was my fault that her dreams were that clear. I traveled the dream realms quite often when I was heavy with her. Not like Jer'rahd would let me do much physically.” “That can have an effect?” “I have no idea as far as I know I'm the only mare since Starswirl created the spell to get pregnant while I still had control of the spell. Keep that in mind if you do any gender swap spells with Tia.” Luna snarked as Twilight blushed. Luna sighed moving away from the wall to the crib looking down at Dawn who had managed to tangle herself up in the blanket and was gnawing on the end of her tail. She could see a small resemblance to Nocturne, though perhaps that wasn't fair given the fact that Nocturne was a composite of she and Jer'rahd, as was Dawn, but in a different way. “Starswirl says it has nothing to do with the dream walking. In fact he has a few theories about whats going on.” Twilight stated suddenly evidently having tapped into her magic to speak with Starswirl on the moon. Luna had not even known he was there when she held the power. She had briefly seen his image when she gained the power, though that had been it. Twilight was studying under him in her free time. “Some idea is better than nothing.” “Nocturne was killed before Dawn was born so she very much could simply be the former incarnation of Dawn. A chance to raise a lost daughter you didn't expect. His words not mine. The glamor spell confuses him as well, but he knows of no spell that would affect a dream like that.” Luna lets her horn glow shifting the blanket to cover Dawn up again. “I am not going to take any sort of action just yet. I would like you to keep an eye on her with your nightly rounds and I will do much the same as I am able. Let me know of anything out of the ordinary Twilight.” “Are you going to tell Jer'rahd?” “I had not planned to.” “You had better. Or I will.” “ Don't, he's already been through enough in the last few years I don't want to add more to him.” “You don't think he would take it well?” Twilight frowned. “He would take it fine, on the outside, I doubt it would even seem to phase him. But it would eat at him as it is eating at me now. If we find nothing and she eventually becomes her own self, I won't worry about it. If she remains Nocturne in her dreams, or she develops manurisums similar to Nocturne, it may be an issue we have to address. But not now. It will be a few years yet before she would dream solidly of who she is supposed to be. Perhaps she simply needs time to become herself.” “Are you going to be alright?” “No, I am going to be wary, and simply hope that every one else considers my increased attention to Dawn as little more than normal mothers worry. And not that I expect my own daughter to grow up to try and finish what she started in a previous life.” ==================================================================== [ Current Day, Crystal Empire, Nap time ] High pitched screams caused the trio to break into a run, and in Dawn's case a furious flapping of wings as she tore through the air. The next dream they had come upon was a recreation of the Crystal Palace, though it was filled with blackish and gray crystals and flickering ominous red and green lights. They had yet to figure out whether the dream was Shin's or Glimmer's when they heard the first high pitched scream. Still not sure which of their friends was in trouble, the group rushed off into the palace galloping through it following the screams until they came upon the throne room. The place was oddly deserted and looked as if it had been for a long time. The throne itself was in shambles the windows smashed out and every bit of the crystal making up the room seemed to have bite marks in it. At the far side of the room numerous mutated black scaled Kirin were standing around something they had cornered. The took turns lashing out at whatever they had trapped. What ever it was , was big as occasionally one of the monster Kirin would be flung off into the air to crash against a wall. Granted when that happened the monster simply faded into dream stuff and another formed to take it's place. Despite being menacing, they seemed confused as if they were dealing with something that they hadn't expected. Dawn fluttered up to the ceiling looking over the large Kirin to what they had cornered. Glimmer lay curled in the corner, hugging something tight to herself and letting out a scream every time one of the monsters roared. Between her and the Kirin however was a very large, young Hippogryph. Talon had used his magic and was several sizes larger than a normal adult Griffon now He held his ground between Glimmer and the monsters, lashing out with short flickers lightning or a pair of steel claws he was wearing. Talon was holding them off, but he was visibly shaking in place and Dawn could tell why. His body was covered by a swarming black mass of bugs. Given she had seen the Hippogryph freak out over a toy spider, the amount of willpower he was displaying in not running off in terror was amazing for the seven year old. The monsters roared and he roared back, his cry little more than a high pitched shout despite his size, but Dawn thought it was awesome. “They've got 3P and Brainy cornered.” Dawn snarled as she dropped back down to the others. Elusive nodded to Dawn and rushed forward at the monsters without a moments pause. Dawn was off the second Elusive started moving leaving Rynthia staring after them. “SPOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!!!!!” The orange Kirin shouted as her battle cry, latching her claws onto the head of the first monster Kirin she landed on, her claws scrabbling at the back of it's neck as she chomped down on it's ear. Elusive plowed hard into the back legs of the monstrous creatures, knocking them off balance and sending them tumbling as he used his small bulk the best he could. He pressed his attacks, hitting the monsters where he could, following the advice of Uncle Jer'rahd and aiming for soft spots. Rynthia sighed muttering under her breath about trying to plan something before rushing in, though soon enough she ran into the mix as well, striking at joints and soft spots like her father and mother had shown her with far more skill than Elusive displayed. Still after being attacked while still in her crib and foal napped a few years ago her parents did their best to teach her how to fight. Dawn had never payed attention during any of Jer'rahd's self defense training, though in all honesty it was unlikely she needed much training. Dawn was fast, strong, and between her teeth, claws, and tail she was a veritable weapon all unto herself considering her young age. It didn't hurt that she acted like a furious wrecking ball of doom any time she went after anything. Given the nature of the attacks against them, any real threat would have little issue in dealing with a hoof full of foals. These nightmare Kirin however seemed to have issues with things that were not afraid of them. It didn't take long before the lot of them started vanishing one after another until there was nothing left. Dawn bounded around growling at corners as if expecting them to come back. Though Rynthia noticed she tried to take a bite out of the remains of the crystal throne as well. Rynthia rushed over to check on Glimmer while Elusive checked Talon. Talon was panting heavily and shuddering as he struggled not to panic. Bugs swarmed the over-sized Hippogryph, centipedes, roaches , flies, and countless others, all squirming and crawling across him in a writhing mass. The only spots on the Hippogryph that wasn't swarming with bugs were the shining steel pair of gauntlets on his fore limbs. Glimmer was bruised up and dirty, she looked like she had been hit a few times, her mane and tail were all sorts of mussed up and she was curled around something that she was protecting with her wings and legs. “Holy crap dude are you alright in there?” Elusive asked his magic grabbing at as many bugs as he could trying to rip them off Talon's face, only for more to seem to form around him. “Also where'd you get the gauntlets?” “I am decidedly not alright.” Talon stammered though he swallowed hard his eyes shutting tight.” Is Glimmer alright?” “She is little more than a bit bruised, though how are you two together, I am confused.” Rynthia asked. “I heard her scream even in my nightmare so I came here and dragged my fear along with me to protect my friend.....” the Hippogryph stammered.” How did you get here? “Pretty much the same way, though we followed Dawn's nose. She's gotten surprisingly smart.” Elusive points back at the orange Kirin who was rolling across the floor having attacked her own tail thinking it was a new enemy. Elusive slapped his hoof against his face.” Well she WAS smart.” “Glimmer you can calm down now....... what is that thing, some sort of cow?” Rynthia asked her hoof resting lightly on the pink pegicorn's shoulder. The creature Glimmer was curled around was a small odd looking creature. It looked some what like a pig, though with a long tail with a bit of fluff on the end like a cows. It had a pattern of angular patches on its yellowish tan fur that were a bright purple. The creature had long rabbit like ears and what looked to be a short elephant trunk for a nose. It's soft blue eyes were wide and it squeaked in fear as Rynthia approached as if trying to get away from her by pulling back under Glimmer's wing. “It's okay, they're my friends...and Dawn.” Glimmer muttered to the creature, the beast seemed to relax a little at her words. “ I'm not sure what he is, but I don't think he's supposed to be here. Those things were attacking him and I couldn't let them kill him.” Glimmer slowly uncurled and set the small creature down. Standing on it's own on little cat like paws it did not look any less strange to Rynthia. The creature looked around sniffing at Rynthia before slipping free of Glimmer's hold and hobbling over towards the trembling Talon. “Oh dear his back legs still hurt... Charlotte come back....” Glimmer stated rising to her hooves and trotting after the small creature, though she froze as she saw the swarm of bugs all over Talon. “Talon what.... bugs.... aren't you ...” Glimmer stammered. “A knight has to protect a Princess...” Talon grumbled. “ I can't let my fear stop me....” “Wait I thought I was the knight?” Elusive asked with some indignation. “There can be more than one Knight.” Talon snapped. “I am not sure of the uproar, on the board are there not four?” Rynthia asked. “Wrong sort of knight “ Elusive snorted. “What's the Taipair doing?” Dawn asked curiously rolling over to lay on her belly before Talon watching the small creature. “The what?” Elusive demanded. “Him.” Dawn points a claw at the little creature who suddenly opened it's mouth wide showing a distinct lack of teeth. A strong wind formed, pulling at them all as the suction started drawing everything towards the creatures wide open mouth. The others yelped and panicked, though Dawn simply watched as the bugs swarming over Talon slowly started to turn to black mist and get sucked into the creatures mouth. In a few moments there were no more bugs covering Talon, though his gauntlets had also turned to mist and were vacuumed up by the small creature. The beast closed it's mouth, licking its muzzle with a odd blue tongue and burped satisfied at the bugs it just ate. “What is that thing?” Elusive demanded. “Taipair. A dream eater, they're natives of the dream realm, they wander about eating bad dreams and unimportant ones that linger around past their time. It's why there's not a ton of random dreams lying about. I guess he tried to bite off more than he could chew with the monsters, but the bugs seemed right up his ally.” “While this might not be news to you, he ate your gauntlets too.” Rynthia added as the Taipair moved back over to nuzzle against Glimmer. “Seems you made a friend 3P.” Dawn giggled. “That's good luck.” “It is fine, I'm not sure where the gauntlets came from. I did not have them when I came in, though I do recall they looked like my mothers war gauntlets.” Talon muttered though he suddenly froze again looking at Dawn.” How do you know so much about this creature?” Dawn rolls her eyes. “ Long story, not telling it again, lets go find Buggy before those things come back.” Dawn stated rolling to her feet and pronking off. “What happened to her?” Glimmer asked slipping the small creature up between her wings where it could rest it's hurt leg. “ I don't ever think I've seen her serious.” “ We'll let you know when we figure it out.” Elusive sighed turning to follow after the orange Kirin. ==================================================== [ Two months ago, New Griffon Empire] The cold wind blew across the cloudscape before her, sending clouds racing across the sky, save one. Starfall looked down from the cloud she was sitting on high above the Peregrine Aerie. This was the first and last city of Griffon kind left on Equss. Tirek had nearly wiped them out as a whole, if not for Regent Breezy and Regent Dusty's actions, there likely would be no more Griffons on Equss at all. Starfall was still unsure how she felt about that. Wind Razor was dead, very dead, Starfall made quite sure of that. Perhaps she had been a little excessive in separating the body into multiple parts, burning it and then burying the parts at the ends of Equss, but she had to make damn sure that bird was gone. The issue was, she still did not like Griffons as a whole. Despite getting to know Dusty better since she became the Griffon equivalent of a Princess, Starfall still didn't like them and part of her had wished Tirek had succeeded. She hated that part of herself. Jer'rahd and Luna both knew this and as such when ever something needed to be discussed with the Griffons, she and Peach Blossom were sent to deal with them. Starfall would have told Jer'rahd where to stick it, if it was just him ordering her, but Luna and Celesta were in on it as well. The pair were also making Jer'rahd meet with the Seaponies. Seemed the sisters had gotten it in their head that old prejudices needed to be set aside from every one. Of course this all stemmed from Twilight and Luna trying to get Celestia to at least tolerate Changelings. Misery loved company it seemed. Still Celestia and Jer'rahd were both trying. Starfall couldn't refuse if those two were at least trying. Still she hated being here. Jer'rahd and Luna were willing to watch her foals whenever their schedules allowed, though Starfall more often left them with Rainbow Dash and Big Mac. Despite her great-however many times it was now, Granddaughter's penchant for being lax and reckless, when it came to the foals. Only Jer'rahd was likely a more protective guardian. Both Jer'rahd and Dash were willing to pull any strings or any favors they could get for the foals. Given that Jer'rahd was friends with Discord and Dash was friends with Pinkie Pie, this amounted to a lot. Hence, she knew her three were enjoying the slightly out of season Pinkie Pie fun faire in New Canterlot, while she was stuck in the new Griffonlands. Starfall's ears perked as she heard heavy breathing. She looked around before dipping her head to poke through the cloud she was laying on. A small figure was straining his wings hard to fly up to her. She watched for a moment as he drew closer, lifting her head out of the cloud just as the small Hippogryph flew up above her cloud then crashed down atop of it panting heavily, his back hooves twitching a little as he clung to the cloud trying to catch his breath. Starfall tilted her head looking out over the edge of her cloud. She had come up as high as she could to stay out of the way of any Griffons that might be flying around below her. Her altitude was such that the cold of the wind would have been a bit of a problem with out her Wonderbolts flight suit, and even then she had buffered her cloud like a walled keep so she would have shelter from the wind. The steep climb had been a work out for her, she couldn't imagine the seven year old Hippogryph managing this. Yet here Talon was, clearly what ever he wanted was important. Starfall sighed as Talon slowly regained his composure. She worked a small bowl out of cloud stuff and reached a hoof up tapping against a slightly higher cloud, getting a mini rainstorm from it. She filled the bowl with water before offering it to Talon who drank greedily from it. “Don't gulp it down, you'll choke, drink it slow.” Starfall said calmly her ears flattening.”What are you doing up here Talon? Does your mom know you're here?” “She knows, huff, I was seeking you. Wheeew.... but I do not expect she knew you were this high up.” Talon gasped ruffling the feathers about his head. Starfall wasn't sure what to think about the cross breed foal. Let alone that he was a god. The dark blue furred foal had the back end of a equine with matching tail dotted with white feathers. He had large feathery white and soft blue griffon like wings and feathers and his front end came with the lion like paws and claws of a normal griffon. He had a pair of pony like ears poking up through a mane of white and blue feathers and a short slightly curved beak like a griffon. On one hoof he was sort of adorable in the way most foals were, but on the other hoof he was part griffon. Really she shouldn't be having such a stupid internal debate with herself simply due to the fact he was part griffon. The ruffled head feathers however gave her a clue as to why Dawn called him Puffy. “Why were you looking for me?”Starfall asked. “I have .. questions...”Talon gasped. Starfall rolled her eyes. She should have guessed. Talon was smarter than most adults she knew and he had a desire to know things that rivaled Twilight's. Unlike Twilight however there were very few books left in the Griffon Empire for him to read. Most of the funds went towards rebuilding basic infrastructure first. Lucky for him they were close enough to the Crystal Empire that getting books for him was relatively easy, and it had become even more so when Princess Twilight decided that she would use her own funds to put a Library in the new Peregrine Aerie. Starfall briefly considered simply ignoring him, but he was still a foal, half griffon or not. Not to mention he came all the way up here to talk to her, a impressive trip in itself for any one, not just a seven year old. “How did you find me?” Starfall asked. “It was not hard, you always tend to take to the air as much as you can when you come and visit Peregrine. The rest was simply triangulating the location of the densest cloud cover, coupled with fronts that had not formed naturally......”He continued on for a moment before realizing that Starfall was simply staring at him in confusion. “Sorry, basically I looked for the cloud that wasn't moving as much...” “It is also rather dangerous to come up this far, especially for the untrained.”Starfall stated looking him over to see if he was suffering from any sort of flight strain, she shouldn't have worried, he was a godling after all. “Which is one of the reasons I wished to speak with you. With how often you have come here lately I wonder if it is possible if you could help me with my flying ability.” Talon asked. Starfall tilted her head a little the other way. “ Why not your mom and dad? Both of them are superb fliers or they wouldn't be in the Shadowbolts.” “Father knows how to fly as a Pegasus. Mother knows how to fly as a Griffon. Neither of them can figure out how to adapt the two to where it would aid me. My wings are a cross between a Griffons and a Ponies as is my flight form. There were never many Hippogryphs to begin with and now there are even less. Of those that remain I am the only one that can fly either due to injury or not having wings.” “So why me?” Starfall questioned. “You are a legend in the air Mrs. Silvertail. If any one could help me improve my flight ability I would expect it to be you or Mrs. Dash. Though I regret I have met her only once.” Talon stated flatly. Starfall considered a moment looking back down at the ground far below. She probably could figure out how to help him fly better. She knew how Pegasi flew of course, and she had studied Griffon flight in order to better kill them. Heck she even knew how harpies and dragons flew and was in the process of studying Kirin and Linorm to aid Dawn when she was old enough. Talon wasn't an enemy, the Griffons themselves were no longer enemies. Why was she even hesitating on this? A foal had flown up here on his own with considerable effort to ask her directly. A feat of that nature was something she should take note of as a Wonderbolts talent spotter alone. “Mrs. Silvertail, might I ask another question?” Talon asked trying to straighten his feathered mane with his fore claws with next to no success. “Hmm sure go ahead.” “Why do you come up here every time you visit? You seem inclined to spend as little time around others as possible. I have seen you in New Canterlot and you do not flee like this so I do not think it is that you are anti social. It seems that it is more you are trying to avoid the Griffons themselves.” Talon pondered. Starfall perked her ears at that. She tried to be polite when she had to speak with some of them, but the foal was right, every chance she distanced herself from the Griffons as much as she could, going so far as to flat out not allow her own foals to come any where near this place. She had one of her first major fights with Peach about his coming here. Old memories and fears it seemed were not easily squashed. “Exactly how much do you know about me Talon?” Starfall sighed figuring the best way to answer was a story. “I have read several pulp fiction novels about your exploits, but as you have never been known to give a clear story of your adventures I assume that most are grossly exaggerated.” Talon admitted. “Some of them yeah. Okay most of them. Any way have you read the one by Kingsly?” “Night flyer. That one was more of a horror suspense story, but yes.” “That's the closest one to the truth. Kingsly wrote about how my daughter and I were stalked and hunted over Equss by a monster that was willing to kill any one to get what it wanted, which was my death. The story told of how it collected grisly trophies of those it killed and when it killed some one new it went out to eliminate that creatures whole family.” Starfall sighed. “He started that story by pointing out that it had already killed my husband and that was where it got the taste for me, killing my family until no one but myself and my daughter were left.” “And that was the most truthful?” Talon blinked in shock. “Yes, although in truth it wasn't a monster in any physical sense of the word. Wind Razor was just a Griffon. A solider with a blood lust that was trained into her by the Griffon war machine when they were fighting Equestria during the War of the North. She killed my husband and brother, then my mother and father. After that my sister and her lover met their end by her as well. I joined the Guard and I fought Griffons for most of my military life because of her. Habits and fears like that are hard to get out of and old hatreds are even harder to shake. “ “So because of what she did, you have an aversion to Griffons as a whole?” Talon pondered. ”Despite the fact that there are no Griffons living now that had anything to do with what went on in the past?” “Pretty much. I know it doesn't seem to make sense, but that's how it is. I don't really want to deal with Griffons at all.” “No it makes sense. It is negative reinforcement built up over a long time and thus not likely to be easily resolved.” Talon stated causing Starfall to stare at him and wonder if the Hippogryph was channeling Twilight. “So why are you here then if you want nothing to do with Griffon kind?” “Because both my husband and my friends think it would be good for me to deal with Griffons off the battlefield. Despite how I feel about it I have to trust that they are right, because I know their vision isn't as colored as mine. I know they would do anything for me and that should be willing to do the same. It's that trust and loyalty to them that are the reason I'm here. I've got a job to do so I'll do it despite what I want.” “You seem alright with my mother, and she is full Griffon.” Talon pointed out. “Heh, ask her to tell you about what happened in her basic training, I took a lot out on her and the other Griffons in that group, I still do when I help Jer'rahd. But she stepped up and did well enough that when the Shadowbolts were formed she was one of the first I offered the training to. And she passed. She's part of the team so despite being a Griffon I trust her and Breezy. Everyone else here, not so much.” “So she proved herself to you and thus you do not dislike her as you do all the others...” Talon pondered. “It seems that trust went both ways when you offered her the position and she accepted. There is an underlying loyalty there between you two that ignores racial barriers. Though that still does not answer my first question. I am far more interested now than I was before with the knowledge that you trained my mother and father. “ Starfall rolled her eyes. “You didn't need to analyze it.” “My apologies it is something I tend to do more often than not. I have oft been accused of over thinking things.” Starfall wondered briefly if that was his problem, he thought too hard on how he was supposed to fly rather than just doing it. It was something to think of later. “At the very least given that I am only half Griffon, perhaps working with me might be a step forward to overcoming your dislike of the species.” Talon continued. “You are trying rather hard to get me to do this.” “My apologies again Mrs. Silvertail, but you have yet to grant me an answer.” Talon blinked. “ I am simply trying to weigh things in my favor further.” Starfall smirked. It would be a while yet before her own foals needed flight training, maybe this would be a start, besides she likely already figured out his main issues. It was sure to be less boring than sitting on a cloud most of the time while she was here and Princess Celestia would probably consider it progress both politically, and for her own emotional state. “Yeah sure. You came up here to find me I might as well.” Starfall smirked. ================================================== [Tamberlane current time.] “He's got three minutes. Jer'rahd growled. “I am very much aware of that, you needn't remind me every minute how much time he has left.” Celestia snarled from where she sat atop one of the ruined rail cars. “Fine. He's spent an hour and fifty seven minutes of the two hours you gave him being stupid.” Jer'rahd snapped back. Celestia didn't respond, instead her gaze lifted skyward and to a silvery orb slowly making it's way across the sky. Jer'rahd followed her gaze and smiled.” Seems like Sparkles alive then.” “Yes it seems that way, but it feels odd, like it's not her magic moving it.” Celestia grumbled. “Think it could be the interference of the shield?” Jer'rahd asked suddenly a bit more concerned. “It's possible. I never really had full control of the moons abilities for the thousand years Luna was gone. I cannot tell for certain.” Celestia admitted. “There was nothing in Spike's book that said anything about Grogar being able to steal powers. Who else could be moving it? If he had killed her and raised her as a zombie under his control the power of the moon would leave and go to some one nearby that it considered worthy.” Jer'rahd pondered. “ At least according to what Sparkle and Luna have said. “This is true. I suppose I should take it as a good sign then.” Celestia admitted. ================================================== [The Moon] “BWWHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAAHA!!!!!! IT IS DONE! THE MOON IS MINE!” Avianna screams out into the void. Strands of aether gather in the air around the glass field where the book of Orbsah known as the Crystal Chronicle was buried. The wisps of energy flowing and forming above the book taking the shape of the mare who lived in the buried book. The energy became more solid forming into the shape of a light blue alicorn. “Finally with all this power, I can destroy Equss and rebuild it as I see fit, with subjects who will only adore and worship me......” Avianna smiles wide looking up at the blue orb in the space far above her. “Geez do you write your own lines? Cause if so you need to fire your script writer, I've read better lines out of a old beefcake action novel.” “What?!” The magically constructed form of Avaianna whirls scanning the moons surface. She did not have to look long before spotting the speaker. A dark red furred and black maned earth pony stallion was sitting on a rock nearby not even trying to hide. The stallions cutie mark was a trio of crossed cupids arrows, and he bore a number of scars over his slightly transparent form. “Who dares?”Avianna's eyes narrow as the figure chuckled waving a black hoof in the air, one connected to a blackened leg. “Forgot me already? Well I suppose the last time we met I wasn't exactly in any shape to challenge you or comment on your flank. I was almost dead if I recall. Besides Jer held your attention pretty well.” The figure slipped off the rock cricking his neck as a zebra mare strides around the rock he had been sitting on glaring at him in annoyance. [“Do you really think taunting her is a good idea?”] the zebra mare asked. “What's she gonna do, kill us again?” the stallion snorted. “Who are you?” Avianna demanded rather confused. She could feel something here, but she was unsure of what it was. There should be nothing up here at all on this barren rock. “Just a few impatient friends I called.” another voice stated from the other side of her. Avianna whipped her head to the side frowning as this figure she recognized. An old gray unicorn stallion with a long white beard and mane, wearing a ridiculous blue outfit covered in bells. “Starswirl.” Avianna snarled. “Part of me any way. The part that's caretaker of this place.” Starswirl sighed. “ I understand that later in life I chose you to be my successor. At least from what young Twilight has told me of my exploits after my echo came to inhabit this spell. I felt you a bit ago when you first started gathering magic to yourself. Since the Element's of Harmony are busy at the moment I opted to deal with you myself, along with a number of others who have a connection with the Moon.” More figures start to appear from around various rocks or simply popping out of thin air around the alicorn. A white Unicorn with a purple mane and a tall Kirin with black scales move up near the first two that appeared. The mare seemed rather high class and the Kirin seemed rather angry. A solid black earth pony stallion with a mane, tail and eyes, the same color of his coat, with a blue flower as a cutie mark stared at her from another spot. A black Pegasus in old Guard armor fluttered up onto a rock to look down at her. His hair a deep blue streaked with silver and almost glowing amber eyes danced as he smirked rather evilly at Avaianna. A bright pink unicorn with a mane and tail that was awash with more colors than a Rainbow appeared out of nowhere What looked like a cat wearing some sort of pastry and riding a rainbow was his cutie mark. A dark blue Pegasus mare stood off to the far side of Avianna, her white mane and tail whipping in a unseen wind. A tan earth pony with a dark blue mane and tail, that seemed to move and flow about her form like a magical aura one saw on the Princesses, stood near the blue Pegasus. Behind them stretching as far as Avianna could see were countless others. Guards, monsters, normal ponies and other species. Every one of them staring directly at Avianna. “What is this?” Avianna demanded. “We were having one heck of a wedding after party when we got a message from tall, gray, and bearded here. And we figured why not, it's not a party until a bad guy gets thrashed.” The gray Pegasus snarled. Avianna growled her eyes narrowing as the energy crackled around her. “You fools think you can beat me?! I am a god here?” “No, you're just a ghost that hasn't had the sense to fully pass on yet” Starswirl stated, his eyes glowing softly. “And since you moved your consciousness from your book to my domain, you are fair game. You've pissed off a lot of creatures Avianna. And all of them want a crack at you.” “Indeed.” boomed a loud voice that seemed to shake the moon itself. “I honestly thought I would have to wait much longer before you showed up some where where I could get my claws on you.” “I hope you don't mind. I invited a few others who I thought might want to be here.” the red earth pony grinned even wider. “ They don't exactly have the same connection to the moon and it's wielder that the rest of us do, but hey, the more the merrier right.” Avianna whipped her head glaring back at the sound of the booming voice, her eyes widening in terror as the mob of other creatures moved aside allowing a massive red dragon ,his scales flickering with spectral flames to advance towards her. Trotting along side of the massive beast to his left was a battle scared Zebra stallion in full plate armor with only the helm removed, his blue eyes staring daggers at the alicorn. To the other side of the Dragon was a equally large and imposing sky blue earth pony stallion with a black mane and tail streaked with red. His green eyes burned in anger as he stared at Avianna. Astride his back was a gauzy fined Seapony whose mane floated around her like it was drifting in unseen ocean currents. Despite being exceedingly beautiful her face was contorted into a rage that made her look more like a monster than anything else. Sitting atop the massive dragons head were another pair. A black furred unicorn with odd insect like plates of armor covering her body , and flowing forest green hair rested on the dragons head, looking a little uncomfortable with her perch, though her attention was primarily focused on Avianna. Her gnarled horn glowed lightly as her bright green eyes stared at the alicorn. A black Kirin with glittering red scales around his joints rested next to her atop the dragons head. His gradually curved red horn emerging from a mass of his black mane. His green eyes glared down at her as he presented a fanged sneer towards the mare below him. The Kirin atop the dragon narrows his eyes as the dragon stopped, his black mane fluttering in a unseen wind as he glares down at the spectral alicorn. “Hello mother.”snarled Sombra. ************ The page flips up to show an angry Discord with a sleepy Pinkie Pie draped over his back wearing a purple nightcap decorated with stars and moons. Discord frowned glaring at the text scene above him.”Why wasn't I invited to this party? I've got a lot of issues to work out with that mare too!!” Pinkie Pie rolled her eyes hugging tighter to his back as she lightly nuzzled into his mane. Meanwhile Discord simply glared at the author. “Cause you're not dead.” Pinkie Pie commented ruffling Discord's mane idly with her nose hoof. “Can we go back to bed now?” “Oh yeah.” Discord admitted pulling the page back down to let the text continue. ******************************** It really didn't take long for the amount of ghosts milling about one very violent spot on the moon to attract notice. Thankfully for most it was only Mirth that showed up, though the sliver and gold Griffoness was less than thrilled with what had transpired. “You know I am rather ashamed of you all.” Mirth crossed her arms, the massive Griffon staring down at the assembled mass of ghosts. “Still worth it.” Crystal chuckled as she nuzzled against Sombra, the pair of them no longer sitting on Forgescale's head. “I mean Bonnie let you all wait around so you could have a big party for those two when they got married and what happens? You all keep the party going for years and then get in a big fight!” Mirth sighed throwing her claws in the air in exasperation. Some how the massive griffon had developed a blue beehive hairdo and was wearing a pink apron with a chicken on it while waving around a rolling pin like a 1950's sitcom mother. The moon looked.... well much the same, though the spiritual side of things was a bit of a wreck. Several thousand ghosts all lingering around a big crater with a prone and thoroughly thrashed alicorn body at the bottom of it. “Seriously, Starswirl you aren't even here, you're just an echo... Hooper you're in the wrong era... again, and most of the rest of you should be heading on to your next life already.” Mirth barked pointing at the gray Pegasus who feigned shock. “If Bonnie wasn't so busy with everything else that's going on she'd probably force all of you on your way to the next life, including those of you still hanging around for your friends.” Mirth's eyes narrow looking at the Zebra mare and the red earth pony stallion, both of who tried to whistle innocently. Another glare from the first Griffon at the black scaled Kirin and white unicorn mare added another set of innocent whistles to the mix. “Really now miss Mirth the end result was quite cathartic for several of them, and I am this was something that was needed.” Starswirl began before Mirth cut him off. “Fine all of you go, get back to where you're supposed to be right now before Bonnie notices. Honestly she took up the role as a guide for the dead and she lets you all walk all over her... she's far too nice sometimes.” Mirth sighed rolling her eyes and shooing the lot of them away from the crater before floating down into it with a small flap of her wings. The great Griffon paused crouching down a little over the fallen alicorn and clicked her beak. She briefly glanced up from the bottom of the crater as the ghosts went back to their own places in the sky. Satisfied that they listened she lowered her head back to Avianna her beak stretching into a rather malicious grin. “And here I thought collecting the souls of five of the books in one go was a boon I would never see repeated. Yet here's the newest book, separated from the protection Zachle provided you in book form all on your own. “ Mirth sighed reaching down and picking up the limp form of the alicorn. “I'm glad Bonnie's busy, cause I hate her having to see this. But a soul like yours, you'll be in the reformation zone for a long time.” A portal into nothing opens behind the griffon and a flick of her wrist flings the alicorn into it. The mare barely having time to scream out before it snaps shut behind her. The Griffoness sighed looking up to Equss far above, or below her, depending on perspective, and let the smile fall from her face. With all that was happening, none of them had had a chance to peek out into the real world for some time. Bonnie and the others had a lot to do with all the deaths brought about by Tirek and they were just now catching up. Add to that welcoming Troph and Grace back into their ranks and they didn't have time for much. Now that Mirth had paused to take a look at the place they had all given their lives to protect, she noticed something. Something that shouldn't be there. Or more accurately, some ONE who shouldn't be there. “It's gonna be a busy week.” Mirth grins, with far less humor and far more menace than there should be for the source of the Element of Laughter . =============================================== [Two years and six months after the defeat of Tirek.] Luna glanced over to the sound of giggling foals, watching as both Rynthia and Dawn clamored over Jer'rahd as he lay in the grass of the court yard. She could hear a few of the patrolling guards talking about how soft their Guard Captain was after witnessing the scene. She almost pitied them if Jer'rahd heard them talking. Knowing him, he likely did. Her ears remained perked up as she kept an eye mostly on Dawn She had poured over memories and knowledge of the past from the Changelings for anything that might be similar to what she had seen. Unfortunately Chrysalis, or Crystal as most history books were starting to call her from the time before she was cursed, had never had access to the dream realm. The spells to control the sun and moon were created thousands of years after her initial ascension and were given to some one, who at the time, was a trusted friend of both Crystal and Starswirl. Twilight's discussion with Starswirl on the Moon had not added anything to her knowledge. She had piggybacked into her daughters dreams a few times and seen much the same as she had before, a far too clear mask of who she was, one that was easily disrupted by Twilight's appearance in the same dreams, though nothing else seemed to change. She and Twilight had determined however, that who ever had put up the glamour was trying to protect Dawn from others who might jump to conclusions, not hide Nocturne from being found out. Despite her best efforts Jer'rahd had noticed her sudden aversion to their foal and she wasn't sure if he bought into her 'Changeling issues' story. Still after all these months with no change Luna was inclined to believe that perhaps it really was nothing. Nocturne was not plotting revenge, she had simply reincarnated and her soul had returned as their actual daughter. That was oddly a comforting thought. A child who was spawned artificially between two ponies barely connected by anything other than duty. One that had no foal hood and needed to be destroyed, now had a second chance at being a foal with a pair of ponies who greatly loved each other. It was that that made Luna suspect the Element of Magic as behind it. Still without any physical way to speak with the Element's of Harmony, that was little more than speculation. Luna slowly rose to her hooves, finally deciding that she had spent too much time worrying about this. She trotted over towards the trio. Jer'rahd slowly looks up as Luna lays down next to him, wincing as Dawn chews on his ear before tumbling off his head to the grass. Rynthia tottered over towards Luna falling over against her side letting out a light squee as she managed more than a few steps on her own without support. Dawn hesitated a moment longer before bouncing off Jer'rahd's chest and half galloping half tumbleing over to crash against Luna's fore hooves. Luna looked down at the orange Kirin foal, the tiny half dragon looked up at her sitting back on her tail and rear legs reaching up with her foreclaws trying to grab at Luna's muzzle. Jer'rahd raised a brow, though his ears flatten a little as his daughters left him to go over to their mother. If Luna didn't know better she would swear he was jealous. Oh wait, she did know better, and he was. Luna lifted her hoof up poking the small Kirin on the nose, causing her to tumble back wards into the grass. “Boop.” Luna smiled as Dawn giggled like mad.