//------------------------------// // Chapter 49 // Story: A New Dragon in the Crystal Empire // by Vedues //------------------------------// Cliff checked the batteries on his suit. They were all empty, of course. He wasn’t surprised that they hadn’t mysteriously refilled in the last ten seconds, but hey, a dragon could hope. It wasn’t like he had the energy to do anything else. Fighting against Luna tended to have that effect. “Alright, good job, everyone.” Spirit’s voice carried across the practice field. “Group training is over for the day. You can go and grab breakfast.” Ponies and dragons all over the field slowly picked themselves up and started shambling toward the medic station. Among them were members of the Wonderbolts, the Earth-shakers, the Solar Unicorns, and of course, the Everfree Platoon. Cliff could even see Celestia weaving her way through the crowd toward his team. More specifically, toward Luna and the Element Bearers, all of whom were standing nearby. A concerned yellow face appeared over Cliff’s head. She wasn’t wearing her helmet, but that was normal. Fluttershy always took her helmet off as soon as she could after training. The rest of her armor shined brightly in the morning light. “Are you okay, Cliff? Did Luna hurt you very much?” “I’ll be fine.” Cliff tried to sit up without much luck. His stomach muscles screamed in protest as soon as he tried to move them, and where was a good lava pit to relax in when you needed one? Fire Eyes came into view as well. Like Cliff, dirt and grime covered her armor. “I’ll admit, you did pretty well out there.” Her voice probably sounded perfectly normal to everyone else, but Cliff knew his oldest friend well enough to pick up the hard edge to it. “But maybe you should be a bit more careful.” Cliff met her gaze without flinching. “We have to keep them safe.” He had to force down some anger in his voice. The Requiem Guard was attacking more often lately, slipping into the Empire at night and slaughtering a household or two before disappearing without a trace. At first it had been once a week or so. Now it was practically every night. Equestria needed a small, mobile group if they wanted to have any chance of catching the Guards and defeating them. That group was the Element Bearers, Cliff’s team, Cliff’s grandparents, Zephyr, and the Immortal Sisters, and this ten-against-one insanity was their morning training. That didn’t mean he had to like it though. A small army was attacking his wife every morning, and they weren’t even allowed to use the Shadow-form Rune, because it didn’t work against the Guards. Fluttershy knelt next to him and helped him up. “Fire Eyes is right. You need to be careful.” “I thought he held his ground admirably,” Luna said, drawing near the trio. “In fact, your whole team did a magnificent job of holding me off.” Cliff pressed a hand against his aching skull. What Luna called a magnificent job, he called a desperate scramble. It didn’t help that Rainbow had to stick with the other Element Bearers now, leaving them short a team member. They had been on the verge of getting overwhelmed when training ended for the day. “Thanks, Princess,” Eyes said, “but I think you’re giving us too much credit.” She leaned down and put a hand on Cliff’s shoulder. Cliff’s whole body tensed for a moment as his friend’s magic flowed into him. Recovery magic, as the name implied, let the body recover from a workout almost instantly. The only downside was a few seconds of feeling like your heart was about to burst out of your chest. Cliff collapsed back against Fluttershy when the spell ended. “Thanks, Eyes.” Fluttershy shivered a bit but held her ground. “You shouldn’t push yourself so hard.” “Eyup,” Big Mac said, approaching the group as well. Like Fire Eyes, he looked tired and dirty but ready for another round if the situation required it. Luna walked over to the large stallion and put a wing over his shoulders. “Big McIntosh and Lady Fluttershy do have a point. Performing well in training is of little merit if it incapacitates you for the battle that may follow.” Cliff rolled his eyes and produced a gem from the dimensional pocket at his waist. “These can recharge the batteries on my suit,” he pressed it against the magic battery over his chest, “which then recharge me.” Cliff dumped the battery’s magic into himself. “There you go, I’m back in fighting shape.” Except for a headache, weakness, and strain from using too much magic, but none of them needed to know that. “A useful innovation.” Luna took the gem and held it up to the morning sun. “When did you develop it?” “They’re just regular anti-aura gems,” Cliff said. “Actually, it was dumb luck that I realized they could be used like this.” “Tell me why I’m not surprised,” Fire Eyes said. Celestia drew near the group. “Sister, I believe that it is time for our meeting.” Luna sighed and removed her wing from around Big Mac. “Very well.” She turned to the red stallion. “I will see you tonight.” Then she joined her sister and set out toward the Crystal Bunker. Fire Eyes shook her head and leaned over to Big Mac. “You know, these late-night walks where you and Luna disappear for a few hours aren’t doing much to stop the rumors about you two.” Mac just shrugged and started walking in the direction of his sister and the rest of the Element Bearers. “I’ll never understand that pony.” Eyes turned to Cliff and Fluttershy, and her expression hardened. “Anyway, Fluttershy, I’m going to have to borrow your husband.” Then she grabbed Cliff by the shoulder and roughly pulled him away. Cliff didn’t try to resist. Eyes walked until they reached a relatively deserted part of the field, far enough away that Fluttershy couldn’t overhear them. She whipped around to face him. “Okay, what’s going on?” Her voice came out in a harsh whisper. “The way you threw yourself at Luna today was borderline suicidal.” “Did you forget about last night’s attack?” Cliff demanded. “One of these nights we’re actually going to catch the Requiem Guard. We have to be ready when we do.” “Yeah, I forgot all about spending half the night on a stakeout only to have the Requiem Guard attack some other neighborhood.” Eyes sighed. “Look, Cliff, I worry too, but if you keep this up, someone is going to hit you in just the wrong way and you’ll wind up dead before one of us even has a chance to heal you.” Cliff didn’t respond. Eyes gave him a probing look. “Just try to be a bit more careful, okay? Fluttershy needs her husband, and Miracle needs her father.” His heart ached at the words, like it always did when someone mentioned his daughter. Cliff nodded stiffly. Eyes winced. “Sorry.” She pulled him into a hug. “I’m sure you’ll get to see her soon.” “Be careful,” Cliff said, returning her embrace, “the rest of the platoon might start to think that you actually care.” A jolt of electricity course through him, just enough to be painful. “That’s their mistake.” Eyes pulled back and smiled sadly. “Anyway, I’m going to grab some lunch. I’ll bring something for you two in an hour or so.” “Thanks.” Cliff gave a weak smile of his own before heading back to where Fluttershy sat, holding her helmet under one wing and staring at the ground. Seeing Everfree Armor still made her uncomfortable, especially if it was worn by a wyrm. “Sorry about that. We can go now.” Fluttershy rose and walked with him back toward the Crystal Bunker, but there was a slight frown on her lips. Cliff waited until they were off the practice field before he spoke. “What’s wrong?” “Fire Eyes was really worried about you,” she said quietly without looking up. “She’s just worrying about nothing.” Fluttershy was silent for a moment. “Is it because of the way you’re fighting lately? Blueblood said that you’re taking more risks than normal.” There was real fear in her voice. Cliff bit down a surge of guilt. “I’ll be more careful from now on, I promise.” She nodded, and they continued in silence. They were reaching the outer barracks that separated them from the Bunker. Cliff looked at the two of them in the reflective surface of one bunker wall. His own reflection was completely ordinary; just another wyrm in armor. Fluttershy though … she was different. Her armor was still fresh and shiny, and the way she walked was a little stilted, like she hadn’t fully adjusted to wearing it yet. There was more than that, though. Cliff couldn’t really describe it, but the Fluttershy at his side today was different from the one he had said goodbye to in the caves beneath the Empire more than half a year ago. He had felt something similar when she came to visit him for that one day, but it had just been a fleeting thought at the time. Now he was thinking it more and more. These practice battles still scared Fluttershy, a lot, but she faced them every morning without complaint. Cliff asked her once how she could stand it, and she had simply replied, ‘I think about Miracle.’ Miracle … Every time Cliff thought about her, he couldn’t help but reflect on how easy it would be to run back to Everfree Village and spend a few hours with her. Cliff could almost feel her fur against his scales and hear the gentle mumbles of his newborn daughter. Would she smile at him when he held her for the first time? How long until she first called him daddy? Cliff shook his head. He would never forgive himself if the Requiem Guard attacked while he was away. His focus needed to remain here, where he could actually do some good. They finally reached the lab, and Cliff silently helped Fluttershy take off her boots. “Thank you.” Fluttershy sat in the small nest that they had been sharing since he got out of the hospital. She rubbed her forehooves together. “Uh, Cliff?” She glanced up at him. “Is there anything I can do to help with your research?” “I wish.” Cliff thought about Genesis, Rune, and Clodhopper. They were probably the only creatures on this half of the continent that could help him develop new runes, and they worked for the Dragon Alliance. “Thank you for the offer, though.” Fluttershy’s eyes fell and she nodded. “In that case, could I borrow Discord’s cloak, just for a little bit?” “Of course.” The top layer of Cliff’s armor seemed to peel up, coalescing into a single mass on his back. Meanwhile, it reverted to its original colors, black with gold highlights. Cliff removed the cloak and held it out to Fluttershy. She took it and wrapped it around herself. A warm smile lit up her face moments later. Cliff turned away and sat at his desk. The cloak was their only connection back to Everfree Village now that Twilight was staying up at the Empire. Through it, a dragon or pony could stay in mental contact with Discord, and through him they could see … Miracle. A lump formed in Cliff’s throat, but he forced it down and focused on his desk. It was covered with pieces of paper, sheets of metal, and runes, all holding information and observations about the Requiem Guard. There were even some notes by one of the minotaurs that had helped create the Guards. Cliff picked up the nearest sheet of paper and continued reading. Apparently the Requiem Guard could generate a field that negated kinetic energy. They had to activate that enchantment consciously, though, and it drained a lot of their stored magic. That would explain why it was so hard to pierce their armor … unless of course the armor is just naturally that tough. Cliff frowned. He had seen one of the Guards take a hit from a drake without even moving. No matter how tough their armor was, that kind of blow should have sent the Guard flying. It must have been using that enchantment to hold itself in place. However, the Guard he fought might not have bothered to use the enchantment against Cliff’s gems. A few punctures wouldn’t even bother one of the Requiem Guard. Cliff scribbled a few calculations on some scratch paper. It had taken somewhere between thirty-seven and fifty-six thousand newtons of force to break through one layer of Guard armor. Assuming it hadn’t been using its kinetic-suppressor enchantment at the time, and taking the rough guess that said enchantment doubled the suit’s durability, more than two hundred twenty-two thousand newtons might be required to punch clean through a Guard that was at full strength. … That was way beyond what Cliff could generate, even on a good day. He might be able to get through one layer if he aimed for a thin spot in the armor. Maybe. And he was only guessing about how powerful the enchantment was; it could quadruple the armor’s durability for all he knew. So relying on gems was a risky proposition at best. Maybe he could hold them in place somehow. A strong net of some kind might work, assuming it didn’t rely on magic. He had long since given up on trying to melt the Guards with dragon fire. It was theoretically possible, but the Guard would have to be holding still for a long period of time. Melting them just wasn’t as practical as trying to keep them busy for a few seconds while Fluttershy and the others charged up the Rainbow Harmony Blast. Cliff glanced over his shoulder at Fluttershy. She was lying in their nest with her eyes closed, spending time with Miracle the only way she could. Cliff turned back to his work. He had underestimated the Requiem Guard once before, and it had nearly cost him his life. He wasn’t going to make that mistake again, especially now that Fluttershy’s life could be hanging in the balance. “Wait for us, Miracle,” he whispered. “I’ll bring your mother back alive, no matter what.” -_-_-_-_-_- Celestia paced back and forth self-consciously. Today was the eleventh day since Fluttershy left her newborn child, and they still had nothing to show for it other than more dead ponies. She thought she had finally found a pattern to the Requiem Guard’s attacks when she set up the stakeout last night. Obviously, she had been mistaken. “Sister,” Luna said gently from the bed, “cease this pacing before thou wearest a groove in the floor.” They were back at their shared quarters in the basement of the Crystal Bunker. It housed the only alicorn-size bed in the Empire, and so the two of them had been sharing it. Both sisters had been required to explain at length that they were fine with the situation and turn down numerous offers to convert three normal beds into one that would fit. Celestia paused then let out a sigh. “I’m sorry, Luna. I saw you speaking with Fluttershy and Cliff Runner. Neither of them blames me for what has happened, but I couldn’t bring myself to look them in the eyes.” Luna rolled her eyes and flipped onto her back. “I do not blame myself that the Alliance has reconstructed its anti-magic circles and blocked my access to their dreams. When wilt thou learn from my example and stop blaming thyself for things that are not thy fault?” “When will you stop using archaic pronouns?” Celestia shot back. “Hardly anypony understands the significance of them anymore.” “But thou doest.” Luna smiled. Celestia paused as realization set in. The th- pronouns had fallen out of usage centuries ago, but they had once been used to convey a sense of emotional closeness, such as between friends or family. So that’s why she still uses them with me. “I’m sorry for snapping at thee, dear Sister. These long days of waiting have worn upon my nerves.” Luna’s smile widened. “This is why I suggested that thou return to Canterlot for the day. All that red tape will doubtless calm thy nerves, though the why of it is beyond me.” How long had it been since she deliberately used archaic speech? Celestia couldn’t remember for sure, but it felt good. “Paperwork is almost like meditation after so many centuries, and I’m sure that a great deal of it has built up in our absence.” Celestia’s wing’s fluttered at her sides. “Thou wilt inform me immediately should the Requiem Guard attack, yes?” Luna laughed softly. “I am just as capable of teleporting the Element Bearers around the Empire as thou art, but yes, I will inform thee.” Celestia nodded, and started charging her horn for the teleport back to Canterlot. “And when I return, I would like to formally meet the stallion that has caught thine eye.” “I am simply repaying him for protecting me,” Luna said a bit too quickly. Her face flushed red. Celestia rolled her eyes before opening her wings and releasing the spell. She reappeared hundreds of miles to the south, about ten feet above her throne. Her wings immediately caught her weight and held her in the air. Most ponies probably thought that Celestia did this sort of thing for dramatic effect. She didn’t. Not since that time she appeared, practically straddling a delegate from from Phillidelphia in front of a crowd of thousands. The throne room was empty today, except for her guards, Raven and Kibitz, and—Celestia had to resist the urge to facehoof. “Queen Chrysalis,” she forced herself to smile, “what a pleasant surprise.” Chrysalis grinned. “Why, Celestia, what excellent timing.” “Princess,” Kibitz said quickly, “I had no idea that you would be returning to Canterlot today.” He gestured at Chrysalis. “This … scoundrel has tarnished your good name in the worst way imaginable.” Celestia landed gently next to her throne and tucked both wings at her sides. “You know that I allow my subjects to say or do anything that they desire, within reason.” She turned to Chrysalis, and her expression hardened. “What is it that you have done?” Chrysalis held onto her smug grin. “Business is going extremely well, but I fear that some ponies haven’t heard of our unique services, so I commissioned a few pamphlets to help with advertising.” “A few?” Kibitz sputtered incoherently for a moment. “Canterlot has practically been inundated with your smut.” “Now that’s unfair.” Chrysalis put a hoof to her chest. “It wasn’t just Canterlot. We sent copies to every major city in Equestria.” A sinking feeling told Celestia that she wouldn’t like where this was headed. “What was in those pamphlets, Chrysalis?” “Just honest information about our humble brothel.” Chrysalis’s horn flashed, and something the size of a small magazine appeared in the air between them. The cover showed the old barracks that Chrysalis had turned into her ‘business,’ and large green letters spelled out, ‘The Queen’s Palace: See What You’re Missing.’ Chrysalis extended it to Celestia. “See for yourself.” Celestia knew that she would regret this, but she accepted the pamphlet, and opened it to the first page. -_-_-_-_-_- Back in the Crystal Empire, Fire Eyes paused and glanced up. Had the sun just flared for a second? -_-_-_-_-_- Chrysalis looked at the pile of ashes that had once been a pamphlet. “What’s the matter, Celestia, didn’t you like what you saw?” Celestia took several deep breaths. “Freedom of the press does not permit you to publish anything you want, Chrysalis, and it especially does not allow you to make deliberate character attacks.” “Actually, this is protected.” Chrysalis produced another pamphlet and flipped it to the back. Bold letters there stated, ‘All models within this pamphlet are transformed changelings. Not all changelings can perform all transformations. Please schedule an appointment to ensure that an appropriately skilled changeling will be available.’ “As you can see,” Chrysalis said, “we make it clear that you are not the actual model of any of these pictures, regardless of how accurate they may be. The treaty you signed specifically gave changelings the right to take any form they desire, as long as they make no secret of what they actually are.” Celestia ground her teeth. Chrysalis was right. “Very well, but I will be issuing a royal decree today. No pony can purchase, sell, or own these pamphlets unless they are of legal age. I won’t have impressionable young colts viewing material like this.” “Ah, why not?” Chrysalis turned the pamphlet to herself and flipped through a few pages. “Can you imagine how many more colts would want to grow up and join the royal guard if they saw this?” She turned the pamphlet back to Celestia. The alicorn caught a glimpse of herself and Luna, splayed out on a bed and looking seductively at the camera, each with one hoof pressed against the other’s- A burst of flame reduced the second pamphlet to ashes as well. Celestia ignored the rising heat in her cheeks. “My decree stands. If you violate it, the pamphlet will be recalled and your brothel will be heavily fined. Do I make myself clear?” “Oh, if you insist.” Chrysalis chuckled. “By the way, would you like to know which alicorn princess is being requested most?” “Out,” Celestia said briskly. “I have other matters to attend to today.” “Very well, I’ll just post the results in tomorrow’s newspaper.” Chrysalis bowed deeply. “It was a pleasure, as always, oh great and wise Princess Celestia.” Then she turned and sauntered toward the exit. Celestia let out a groan. “Kibitz, I am going to my office. Have any important paperwork sent there. Raven, send a cake as well, chocolate with cherry filling and vanilla icing on top.” Kibitz gasped. “Princess, think of your cholesterol!” Cholesterol was the least of Celestia’s worries these days. “I will be returning to the Crystal Empire at sundown. We have until then to get as much work done as possible.” Raven nodded. “Understood, your highness. The cake will be delivered momentarily.” -_-_-_-_-_- Celestia stared at the paperwork in front of her without really seeing it. On top of everything happening at the Crystal Empire, now she had to deal with Chrysalis and her sadistic games. Celestia paused. Where was I in this document again? She sighed, took another bite of cake, and started over from the beginning. It wasn’t like this was the first time that her subjects had developed an erotic interest in her. At least a dozen artists had asked to paint her in some provocative pose or other during the early classical period. Then there was that time a few centuries ago when Prench erotic art was all the rage. She had dealt with the unwanted advances then and she could do it again. Celestia realized that she was at the end of the document and couldn’t recall any of its contents. She started over once more. … Maybe she could just turn Chrysalis into stone. There had to be some minor law somewhere that she could use to justify it, and the other changelings would certainly be more open to friendly relations without their queen around to keep them focused on petty revenge. Celestia was nearly at the end of the document again, and all she knew was that it had something to do with hiring more castle staff. She sighed, got up, and opened the door to her office. “Kibitz, I’m going to speak with Yol Toor. There are some details of our peace treaty that I would like to discuss.” Kibitz fell into step beside her. “Yes, your highness. Is there anything that I can provide you?” “No, but thank you.” She had to remind herself to walk slowly so that Kibitz could keep up. “If possible, I would prefer to eat lunch with the crystal pony children that are staying with us.” “I suppose that can be arranged.” The old unicorn glanced up at her. Celestia could almost see the gears in his head turning as he tried to decide if it would be appropriate to comment on her unusual behavior. He must have decided against it, because they continued in silence until they reached Yol Toor’s cell. Celestia ordered the guards to go outside and barely waited until the door shut behind them before letting her calm demeanor shatter. “I can’t believe that Chrysalis would have the gall to do something like this!” She generated a flat shield in front of her and then punched it as hard as she could. The shield held, but a shock-wave of energy shook the room shook around them like something had exploded. “Princess, are you alright?!” The door burst open and her ten guards poured back in. Kibitz was right behind them. Celestia forced herself to smile. “I am fine. I was just displaying some earth pony combat techniques for Yol Toor.” The guards seemed to buy it, although they shot Yol Toor suspicious looks. Kibitz just looked at Celestia quizzically. “Please allow us to speak in private,” Celestia said. “We still have much to discuss.” “Will you be demonstrating further techniques?” Yol Toor asked with a faint smile. Celestia cleared her throat. “Yes, quite possibly.” She shooed the guards and Kibitz back outside before shutting the door once more. She turned back to the ancient dragon. “Thank you.” Yol Toor looked better than he had the last time Celestia spoke with him. His scales had regained some of their shine, and he didn’t seem as weak or exhausted. “Leadership is a heavy burden to bear.” He curled up on the floor of his cell, with his head facing her. Celestia had learned his body language well enough to know that he was inviting her to talk about it if she so desired. “Chrysalis is …” Celestia grit her teeth and punched the shield again. “She is being Chrysalis.” “In other words, infuriating,” Yol Toor said. Celestia nodded and reared up to deliver two more punches. “And the Requiem Guard is attacking more and more frequently.” Another punch. “Every time I think that I can guess their next move, they prove me wrong.” Two more punches. “And every time I fail,” she turned and bucked at the shield with both hind legs, “more ponies are butchered in their sleep.” Celestia grit her teeth and launched into a series of blows against the shield, stopping only when she realized that she was starting to pant from the exertion. The Princess of the Sun forced herself to stop and take a deep breath. Hesitantly, she turned to Yol Toor, fearing what he would think of her foalish display of anger. To her surprise, he looked back at her soberly. “Silver Tail cannot go back on his alliance with the Requiem Guard unless they either betray him or are all destroyed.” Celestia nodded. “Can they be destroyed by anything other than the Elements of Harmony?” “I,” Celestia shook her head, “I do not know. There used to be ten. I destroyed two of them during the Great Minotaur War, but they were both alone and surrounded by Equestrian troops. Even so, I nearly died both times. If the remaining eight work together, I doubt that anything short of the Elements could stop them.” Yol Toor took a moment to absorb that information. “Have the crystal ponies agreed to our terms of peace?” “Yes.” Celestia sank down so that she was sitting opposite Yol Toor. “Sixty-eight percent of the population would be willing to give up a piece of the Crystal Empire if it meant an end to this war. One business owner named Fleur de Verre even offered to give up a large part of the farmland her company controls. It is well within the borders of the Crystal Empire, and a preliminary scan showed plenty of gems. We just need to locate and destroy the Requiem Guard,” she let out a sigh, “somehow.” “I have confidence that you will succeed.” Yol Toor paused thoughtfully. “When that happens, please trust me enough to release me. I know I have not earned such trust yet, but my vote on the Council may make all the difference between peace and warfare.” Celestia looked him in the eyes. “And if they choose war, in spite of your best efforts?” “Then I will join them on the battlefield once more,” Yol Toor said, “but I will continue to plead with them until peace is reached.” Drakes were honest, Celestia had to admit. Perhaps too honest for their own good. He might be able to help bring about peace, or he might use his power to lay waste to Equestria’s armies. Setting him free wouldn’t be a choice as much as a guess, a wild gamble to see if he would do harm than good. “I … will think about it.” He nodded. “That is all I can expect. Though I do have one more request, if you would indulge me.” “What is it?” Celestia asked, more than willing to change the subject. “The Alliance needs a new ruling system of some kind.” He sighed. “Drake and wyrm society as they exist now can only support communities of one or two hundred before order dissolves into anarchy. That is why our races have always been too thinly spread to form a country. Wyvern society can accommodate communities of millions, but everything about that society is built around the assumption of constant warfare. As soon as peace is declared, it will fall apart.” Celestia almost asked if he wanted her to help him design a better government, but she quickly realized that he wasn’t the kind to think that way. He would accept answers if they were given to him, but he preferred to be given the tools to find the answers himself. “You want me to teach you about other forms of government?” He smiled. “If you would be so kind.”