//------------------------------// // Chapter 57 // Story: A New Dragon in the Crystal Empire // by Vedues //------------------------------// “… And this is the floating city of Cloudsdale,” Celestia said, coming down for a landing on the soft clouds. Yol Toor looked over the white surface that made up the city. “Should I remain flying?” Luna flew past him, a slight frown on her lips. “I have altered the dreamscape to allow you to walk on clouds as a pegasus does.” She landed next to Celestia. Yol Toor came down near them. “An interesting texture, to be sure.” He pressed down on the clouds, driving his front paw into the fluffy surface. Celestia leaned over to Luna. “Thank you for setting this up, Sister.” Luna kept her eyes on Yol Toor. “I still believe it was a mistake to deactivate the enchantments in his cell.” It had been necessary to let Luna access his dreams, of course, especially from all the way up in the Crystal Empire, where her body rested. “He barely has a fraction of his full power,” Celestia said. “I can easily subdue him if he attempts to escape.” Luna nodded silently. Celestia took that as her cue to turn back to Yol Toor. “I think you will appreciate the military history of the pegasi. They have always formed the bulk of the Equestrian Army.” She directed the small group toward a museum. “This is the Hall of Heroes.” The inside was one room full of paintings and sculptures of military leaders, each with a plaque describing that pony’s life and accomplishments. The clouds of the building were all darker gray, giving the whole area a more stern and formal feel than the rest of the bright and colorful city. Likewise, the paintings favored darker tones, often accentuated by silvers and golds. Yol Toor stepped into the building slowly, almost reverently. His gaze swept across the whole room, then he bowed his head. Celestia exchanged a look with Luna, followed by a shrug. Different cultures always meant at least a few unexpected behaviors. The first griffon ambassador she ever met had drawn a blade in front of her. She had almost attacked before the griffon extended the blade to her hilt first. She later learned that it was tradition to offer your weapon to kings or nobility, who were supposed to take the blade and then give it back as a gesture of good faith. After a moment, Yol Toor looked up. “I did not expect ponies to have a Hall of Remembrance.” “We call it a museum,” Celestia said. “It is a place to remember, though, and to learn about those that came before us.” Yol Toor nodded and approached a sculpture of an earth pony general from several centuries ago. His claws brushed across the plaque at the statue’s base. “These legends are much shorter than the ones in drake Halls of Remembrance. This one only tells of a single battle.” He looked around. “Are they not organized by family?” Celestia joined him at the statue. “I believe General Mountainside died without ever having children of his own, and even if he had, I would hope that there would be no tribute to them in here.” She caught Yol Toor’s eye. “There are many types of museums in Equestria. This one is to honor generals who died in battle.” She touched the plaque with one hoof. “And these are only a small reminder of the ponies you see here. Their real histories are written in books so that anyone can read them.” “Interesting.” Yol Toor turned back to the statue, frowning slightly like it was a puzzle that he wanted to solve. “Are the remains of these heroes placed here as well?” “No, those are in cemeteries, usually next to the remains of their family members.” Cloudsdale obviously didn’t have any cemeteries. Their dead were laid to rest in the Hallowed Fields, a vast cemetery at the base of Canterlot Peak. Yol Toor touched the plaque once more, his claws brushing across Celestia’s hoof. “It is strange. Halls of Remembrance are very similar to your museums, and yet they are also very different. A drake Hall is lined with the skulls of the deceased. On each skull is written the legend of that dragon’s life. Sometimes the legend is so large that it will not fit, and so metal plates contain what the skull cannot.” A smile crossed his lips. “That is why drakes always try to die while in their battle form, so that their descendants will have more room to write of their deeds.” Celestia watched him in silence, not even moving her hoof. “The skulls will often be reorganized to account for new dead,” Yol Toor continued. “They say that it is impossible to walk through the same Hall of Remembrance twice, for each time an ancient hero will be found anew, and each hero brings with him or her a legend, reminding us all of who we were and who we still are. “I have spent countless hours walking through the Hall of the northern clans, and still I cannot describe its every corridor and cavern. Once Snow Storm was lost to me for thirty-two years before I found her and could read her legend again. Another time I became lost for several days.” He closed his eyes and took a deep, peaceful breath. “Even the greatest fool can feel the dead in those tunnels, feel their honor, their legacy, and their love. I have never felt more safe than when I laid down to sleep among them. It was almost a shame when I found the exit.” Silence fell on the group for a moment. Even the light from the windows darkened, most likely a reflection of Luna’s mood. Celestia felt a kind of tugging at her mind. Luna had told her what that meant. “Someone is trying to wake me, but perhaps we could visit the northern Hall of Remembrance tomorrow night,” she kept her eyes on Yol Toor. “If that is acceptable to you, of course.” He smiled faintly. “I would like that.” There was another firm tug, and Celestia found herself lying in her bed. “-elestia, please wake up!” Celestia rolled over and looked toward the voice. Kibitz was standing at the side of her bed. A worn blue dressing robe covered his old frame, and his mane and mustache were in disarray. “What’s the emergency?” Celestia asked, rising with a groan. Kibitz wouldn’t wake her in the middle of the night unless it was urgent. “Lady Rarity just returned to the Castle, claiming that she was attacked by an unknown wyrm who she believes was a spy for the Dragon Alliance.” He stepped aside as Celestia rushed past him. “She is currently in your office, accompanied by Fire Claws and a changeling who witnessed the attack. I’ll prepare a pot of tea. What flavor would you prefer?” “Oolong, if you could.” Celestia only paused to don her royal regalia before rushing to her office. She could already hear voices coming from inside. “You were more charming when you were trying to seduce me,” Rarity said. “Stop and think about that for a second,” an unfamiliar voice said. Celestia opened the door just in time to see Fire Claws roll her eyes. The wyrm dragoness was standing behind Rarity with her claws lightly touching the unicorn’s temples. A changeling sat in a chair to Rarity’s right. Celestia couldn’t see his face, but his body posture was that of a pony trying very hard to look relaxed. “You know,” Fire Claws said, “it’s harder to check for implanted suggestions with your emotions riled up like this. Calm them down.” She looked up at Celestia. “It’s good to see you again. Care to lend me a claw?” “Perhaps first you should fill me in on what happened.” Celestia looked at the changeling. “I am told that you witnessed it …?” “Nymph, Your Highness,” the changeling said. “You see, Miss Rarity was at a bar when this stallion came up to her …” The story unfolded quickly, ending just as their tea arrived. All signs pointed to an Alliance spy. Why else would a wyrm attack one of the Element Bearers and then erase her memory of it? “Is it possible,” Celestia asked, “that you told him anything in those few seconds that you were under his control?” Rarity shifted in her seat. “I don’t know. I suppose I could have, but there wasn’t time to have shared much.” Celestia took a sip of her tea, reflecting on what she had heard. “If nothing else, we now know that the Alliance will specifically target the Element Bearers even here in Canterlot. You and the others should remain in the Castle until I can arrange for a team of bodyguards to accompany any of the Element Bearers whenever you go into the city. We will also need to improve security in the city as a whole.” She could bring in guards from other cities just in case the Alliance chose to attack in force. It wouldn’t be nearly the size of the army stationed at the Crystal Empire, but at least it would be better than nothing. “Meanwhile,” Celestia continued, “Luna should know to stay on alert in case the survivors of the Requiem Guard attack the Crystal Empire while the Element Bearers are away.” Celestia looked at the changeling, Nymph, and decided not to mention added security for Yol Toor. Chrysalis knew of the dragon lord’s location, but most of her swarm probably did not. “Everfree can supply guard details for the Element Bearers,” Fire Claws said, still standing behind Rarity. “At least, until we go back to the Empire.” Celestia shook her head. “No, you all deserve a chance to relax.” “If you insist.” Claws finally stepped away from Rarity. “I finished checking her mind for foreign magic. Somedragon was messing with her head recently, but none of their spells are still active.” “Thank you,” Celestia said. She’d have a unicorn specialist check Rarity in the morning, just to be safe. “No problem.” Claws walked to the door. “I’ll be asleep if you need me for anything else.” Celestia watched her go, frowning slightly. “No doubt at least a few ponies saw you and Nymph making your way back to the Palace.” She turned back to Rarity. “We will need to prepare a press statement as soon as possible, preferably before the newspapers catch wind of this.” Rarity nodded, fidgeting slightly. She clearly wasn’t happy that all of Equestria would soon know about her disastrous night. “Meanwhile,” Celestia turned her attention to Nymph, “your quick thinking likely saved Rarity’s life. Please allow me to award you with a Star Medallion for bravery this Friday evening.” “I wouldn’t call what I did bravery,” Nymph said. “I just shouted ‘hey, you’ at some wyrm.” Celestia gave him a reassuring smile. “Will you accept?” Honoring a changeling would also help affirm that they were equal citizens in Equestria now. Nymph bowed in his seat. “It would be my pleasure, Your Highness.” “Perhaps the other changelings could help us too,” Rarity said. “Their abilities would be ideal to track down this spy.” Nymph looked back at Rarity like she was crazy, but then his eyes moved back to Celestia. “Er, you could ask Chrysalis, Your Highness, but I wouldn’t bet on her help.” “Changelings could volunteer,” Rarity said. “Chrysalis isn’t your queen any longer.” Nymph turned back to her. “She’s still my boss, and I’d rather not get fired for going against her orders.” Rarity arched an eyebrow. “You work in a brothel. I would think you’d be happy to upgrade to working for the crown.” Celestia chose not to point out that she had offered Nymph a medal, not a job. “I happen to like working in a brothel, thank you very much. The pay is great, I get free room and board, there’s all the lust you can eat, and I get to spend most of my work nights pretending to be Princess Celestia.” His eyes shot wide as the last words left his mouth. The entire room went uncomfortably silent, and Celestia tried her best to not think about what she had just heard. “Er, I mean,” Nymph turned back to Celestia, blushing heavily, “it’s amazing how much the ponies of Equestria really love you, Your Highness. Most of them can’t even get through a bondage session before they untie me and start begging for my forgiveness-” He cut himself off with a strong facehoof. “I’ll, er, I’ll stop talking now, Your Highness.” “Thank you,” Celestia said, getting up and turning to the door. “Both of you will need to fill out a full report about the incident. Wait here and I will send somepony by momentarily.” She needed cake, and she needed it now. -_-_-_-_-_- Rarity waited until the door closed behind Celestia before slapping Nymph across the cheek. “How dare you say things like that in the presence of the Princess?” “Ow.” Nymph rubbed the red mark on his cheek. “Look, I’ve only got two modes—seductive, and myself. It was either be honest or try to get Celestia into bed.” “I was under the impression that changelings were supposed to be able to imitate anypony,” Rarity said, crossing her hooves over her chest. “Why couldn’t you have imitated somepony with manners and tact?” “I’m an overnight impersonator,” Nymph said. “Some other changeling stuns the spouse, I give the other spouse a night they’ll never forget, we slip the stunned spouse back into bed, and I fly home with a ton of love for the swarm.” Rarity gagged. “So you’re a professional rapist. How charming.” Nymph groaned. “Remind me again why I saved your life.” “I,” Rarity sighed, “oh, very well, thank you for saving me in my hour of need, but I simply cannot overlook your behavior.” “Well I’m not a rapist,” Nymph said a bit harshly. “I only ever suggested sex. The husband or wife was always the one that said yes. I didn’t even force them if they just weren’t in the mood.” “Husband … or wife?” Rarity pushed her teacup away. “I do believe I’m going to be ill.” “Oh, for the Queen’s sake! Look, it was my job to harvest love from any pony I could, and that meant meeting whatever preferences they had. Every other seduction specialist was in the exact same boat. Now would you stop looking down on my race, my profession, and me just because we don’t happen to fit with your precious little sensibilities?” Nymph grabbed Rarity and turned her to him. Rarity’s training kicked in, and she broke the changeling’s grip before pressing a bolt of telekinetic energy against his throat. Nymph tried to pull away, but her grip was firm. “Please don’t kill me,” he said shakily. She released him with a gasp. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to do that. It was just the stress of the night getting to me.” He took several steps back, rubbing his throat. “Yeah, stress.” He turned to the door and pulled it open. “Excuse me, could I fill out my report in another room?” The royal guard outside shrugged. “I don’t see why not. Follow me.” “Thank you.” Nymph gave Rarity one last glance before following after the guard. The sound of the door closing seemed to echo all through the room, making Rarity feel very much alone. She buried her face in her hooves and tried not to think about how she could have died tonight if it weren’t for the same changeling that had just walked away from her in disgust. -_-_-_-_-_- Dawn had risen on a surprisingly pleasant day for the Frozen North. The air was still as cold as an ice wyvern’s breath, but the sun’s glowing presence and the lack of wind were slowly bringing the temperature up to something that a sane creature could enjoy. It was about the best weather Talon could have hoped for to get caught up with her oldest friend. “So, Crystal,” Talon said, settling down next to the other wyvern, “how are things going with you and Cloud? Are you two officially courting yet?” Crystal blushed and looked toward the canyon edge, where Cloud sat next to Tornado. “They can’t hear us,” Talon assured her. She reached into her bag of rations and pulled out a sapphire. “So come on, start talking.” “It was nice of Tornado to clear off the snow for us,” Crystal said. They were sitting on the side of the canyon opposite the plateau. Things were a lot more mountainous on this side, giving them a nice little alcove out of the wind. As Crystal had said, Tornado’s fire breath had cleared away the snow and ice to give them a patch of dry ground to sit on. “You’re not getting out of giving an answer,” Talon said, smiling a little. “Come on, you two are wrapped all around each other in the nest most nights.” Crystal blushed. “Do you promise not to tell anydragon?” Juicy secrets, then. Talon grinned and ate the sapphire. “I promise.” Maybe the two of them have been courting in secret for a while. Maybe they’re lovers already. Maybe there had been a secret wedding- “We aren’t courting yet.” Maybe I need to keep my expectations in check. “What?” Talon asked. “Why would I need to keep it a secret if nothing’s happening?” “Well,” Crystal pulled an emerald out of her own ration bag, “I’ve been hoping for a while that he’d ask me to start courting, but he hasn’t yet. I’m starting to think he never really liked me that way at all.” Talon facewinged. “Crystal, did you forget that Cloud’s throat was injured when he was a hatchling?” Crystal blushed a little. “Of course not.” “Then what made you think he’d ever start a conversation?” She gestured to Cloud and Tornado. “Just look.” Both of their battle partners were sitting near the edge of the canyon, looking at each other impassively as they ate. Crystal fidgeted. “I don’t want to have to bring it up myself. What if he says he isn’t interested? I don’t know if I could handle the rejection.” Talon sighed and tossed another gem into her mouth. “I’m doing this for your own good. You’ll thank me later.” She turned and shouted, “Cloud, get over here!” Cloud stood up, gripping his ration bag in one foot, and took to the air. “What are you doing?” Crystal asked, looking around frantically. “You can’t say anything! You promised!” “I promised not to tell anyone that you aren’t courting yet.” Talon watched as Cloud came down next to the two of them. “Crystal wants to know if you’d like to start courting.” Crystal froze with her shoulders hunched and her wings covering her face. Cloud, on the other wing, just looked relieved. He nodded, smiling widely. “Let me guess,” Talon said, smirking a little, “you’ve been hoping for a while that she’d ask you?” Another nod. “There you go,” Talon said. “You get one kiss, and then I’ll be monopolizing my friend again until lunch is over.” And kiss they did. It started with one of those adorably nervous looks, then a tender brush of lips, then it escalated to one of those desperately passionate embraces, to the point that Talon felt embarrassed just watching them. She counted to ten and then cleared her throat. Crystal jumped back, blushing furiously. Cloud looked like he was in a daze. “Okay,” Talon shook her head, “I’m going to pretend that didn’t just happen. Cloud, go back to Tornado.” Crystal and Cloud exchanged another of those adorable looks before Cloud took to the air again, leaving Crystal to pull Talon into a tight hug. “Thank you,” she whispered, “I couldn’t have done that on my own.” Talon hugged her back. “You’re welcome. Ancestors help me, I’d better not have to propose for you too.” “You won’t.” Crystal pulled back, doing her best to look casual. “If I ever do propose, of course.” She grinned. “I can’t believe he wanted to court me all along!” “I can.” Talon settled back down and ate another gem. “It’s pretty obvious from the way he looks at you.” “How does he look at me?” Crystal asked. “Like he’d do anything at all just to be with you.” Crystal sat down as well. “I never noticed. Is it kind of like the way Tornado looks at you?” “I … guess.” Talon idly crunched on another gem, trying to recall exactly how Tornado looked at her. “It’s a bit different with Tornado. Cloud looks at you like he’s, I don’t know, satisfied? No, more than satisfied, but in a relaxed way. It’s the kind of expression a cold dragon might have as a warm breeze blows across her scales. Tornado’s look is more firm, like a warrior going into battle, but with a sense of awe, like a fresh recruit seeing one of the Hurricanes up close for the first time.” “I always thought it was more adoring,” Crystal said. Adoring. That was a fairly good word for it, Talon had to admit. Crystal selected a gem from her bag and chewed on it while looking at Tornado and Cloud. “I’m surprised you two aren’t courting,” she grinned, “like Cloud and I are.” Talon followed Crystal’s gaze. “I never really thought about courting anydragon. Surviving this war has always been enough to keep me occupied.” “Do you want to?” Crystal asked. “Court Tornado, I mean?” Talon looked at Tornado for a long moment. Drake biology was strange—there was no getting around that. Tornado’s legs were far shorter than the legs of a wyvern, not to mention the fact that he had four of them. His wings and tail were attractive enough, and his face wasn’t bad either. His golden scales, unheard of among wyverns, gave him an exotic look, and the way they shimmered in the light was undeniably beautiful, regardless of the dragon they were attached to. Tornado was also dependable and hard working, two traits she admired most. Of course, he could also be unbelievably clueless, and the way he insisted on protecting her bordered on insulting. He was probably the only dragon in existence who seemed to think that she was all-knowing and all-powerful, but worried that she’d die by tripping over a rock the moment his back was turned. His blind devotion to her was kind of charming, but she could never tell if there was anything romantic behind it. Did she want there to be? “I don’t know,” Talon said at last. Crystal nodded and went back to her lunch, sneaking glances at Cloud every now and then. Talon found her own mind drifting to all the same subjects that she had hoped to get away from: spy updates from the Empire and Canterlot, whatever was going on with Providence lately, status reports on rune creation, and the endless debates about what the Alliance’s next move should be. That wasn’t even mentioning all of her duties as a squad leader for Synapse. She still had to prep Clodhopper for the Squad’s training battle after lunch, do the usual performance evaluation for him, talk to Silver Tail about some new technique that built off the Wind Spear, and get in her two hours of individual training. Her thoughts were interrupted when Heart climbed over the side of the canyon wall next to Tornado and Cloud. “Talon, Crystal,” she motioned for them to come over, “big news!” Talon ate the last two gems of her lunch and then glided over to her friend. “What happened?” “We found Yol Toor!” Heart grinned. “Our spy in Canterlot confirmed that he’s being held in the dungeon beneath Canterlot Castle. We need-” She was cut off as Tornado pulled her into a tight embrace. “I knew you and Talon would find him!” He nuzzled down into her head spikes. “Thank you. Thank you!” Talon wasn’t quite as enthusiastic. Providence didn’t seem to care about killing Celestia anymore, so Yol Toor’s vote was the only thing keeping the Alliance away from peace, but the Hurricanes would want to launch an attack as part of the rescue operation. Canterlot didn’t have nearly as many troops as the Crystal Empire. Thousands of pony soldiers could be killed if Talon didn’t find a way to warn them, but should she? Equestria would have to be stupid to keep Yol Toor in Canterlot if they knew that the Alliance was coming to get him. He would disappear, and the Storm only knew if they’d ever see him again. Without his vote on the Council, peace would never be achieved. Maybe Equestria would set him free on their own eventually. But … maybe they wouldn’t. Could she really take that risk? Maybe she should just have a spy send a letter to Crystal Palace, explaining that Providence was normal now and the Alliance would vote for peace if they just released Yol Toor. She could warn them that the Alliance would attack again if they refused. Hopefully they’d realize that her message was a warning, not a threat. Meanwhile, Tornado finally released Heart. “I am sorry, I hope I did not squeeze you too hard. It is just,” a wild grin split his face and he wrapped his legs and wings around Talon instead, “we found him!” “So I’ve heard.” Talon hugged him back. She turned to Heart. “Do the Hurricanes know yet?” “Not yet,” Heart said. “It’s just us, a couple of IHQ workers, and Providence right now.” “He’s still hanging out in IHQ?” Talon asked. “I thought he would’ve taken his lunch …” Right, possessed suits of armor didn’t need lunch breaks. She broke off from Tornado enough to facewing. Heart chuckled. “Yes, he’s still there, telling stories about ancient Minos to pass the time.” She sat down and motioned for them to do the same. “For now, though, let’s focus on what’s important. We can’t hide this from the Council. At least one of the workers is going to say something sooner or later. So we need to figure out exactly how we’ll present this to the Hurricanes so they don’t use it to hurt any more ponies.”