* * *
The Zealots had been getting louder and ever more difficult to ignore with each passing day since their formation; they'd been taking to the streets with a fervor and anger befitting mutiny or treason.
The unrest had left Otto with sleepless nights which only served to worsen his mood and his growing paranoia: Paver was going to uncover him any day now, Zunbil Zoor was inciting people to violently take to the streets in the name of Celestia, and Starlight? Starlight was still skipping around the Crystal Empire, and had yet to even send a word back to Manehatten! Where WAS she?!
...At times he didn't want to leave the house: Any of his enemies could try to attack him if he did. He'd managed to convince himself that the effectiveness of Bulwark as a bodyguard would outweigh the chances of a foolish pony trying to do something stupid. He wasn't going to suffer personal attacks or risk of death when he was SO CLOSE to achieving all of his goals.
Perhaps he could still successfully break his city free from Equestria's rule even without the ascension, he pondered to himself over breakfast. Sure, crowning himself as Grand Prince would be much more difficult as a mere unicorn; it was a definite risk that many would question his legitimacy if he remained a unicorn. That being said, all of that could be managed with his army; the REAL danger lay in the long game: His own mortality would eventually become an issue. He was weaker as a unicorn, and with alicornhood, there was an admittedly slightly chance he could extend his own longevity, at least to long enough that he'd be able to secure the stability of the city state, and perhaps even his own succession... Seriously, why was she taking so long?! What was she doing? ...What was she up to?
These thoughts and more invasively haunted Otto as he left and headed out: Today he was going to the barracks where his army were stationed. The new shipment of weapons and armour were due to arrive today.
Jabsco and Sketchbook were already waiting when he arrived. He enter the room where they were waiting in time to see Sketchbook fiddling with her bracelet, again.
"Good Morning sir!" Jabsco cooed as he entered.
"Morning..." Otto quietly, his eyes focused on Sketchbook. "You know that thing isn't coming off, don't you?" He asked.
"I know." She quietly replied. "It doesn't stop me from trying though. Every, single, day." Judging from her hoof, and the cuts, scratches and even a small burn mark on the fur and skin around her bracelet, she wasn't exaggerating.
"But I so enjoy your company." he retorted. "Perhaps the feeling isn't mutual, but I can say this: If that's what you think." He responded. "It's going to be quite tragic for all of us."
She winced. "I hate you."
"That's a shame." Otto snorted, a fake smile on his face. He was done with her, pushing past, he gave her orders as he left to the training yard. "Go help bring the equipment into the yard, and don't speak another word until I'm done here." With that, her mouth suddenly snapped shut, unable to open, and her legs quickly dragged her off to help bring the deliveries inside.
It was terribly impressive for Otto, seeing all the griffins and the ponies with their armour and their weapons. The crossbows were works of art: A lightweight weapon which could be easily stored away as the arms of the weapon could be folded away into the body of the weapon and carried on one's back with ease alongside a quiver of bolts; some griffins and unicorns had even managed to put telescopic scopes on their weapons: The idea of having marksmares and marksponies able to snipe people from a distance excited Otto to no end, and these new, improved crossbows would serve that purpose perfectly.
For everypony else, there were the spears, glistening and silvery, yet to see blood, but a number of their carriers looked more than eager to try out the new polearms... Or the shock batons they had strapped to their sides, all encouraging things for a prospective army.
Otto took to a small podium, clearing his throat to address his soldiers.
"Listen up!" He barked. "You mercenaries have gone from paycheck to paycheck, without any care for a cause! Until now! Now, you have come under my employment!" He paused for a moment; technically, he was improvising a bit here: It hadn't failed him up to this point. "Now you, you're smarter than mere hired goons. So now, I present you a choice! Look at the weapons you hold in your talons and your hooves, look at the emblems on your uniforms, and the bits in your pockets. From today, I will offer you this: You will be mercenaries no longer, and instead become soldiers of my army, professionals, loyal to me and the good of Manehatten! Do this, and you'll see nothing but wealth and glory, and a pension worthy of your hard work! To all of those who refuse, you may lay down my weapons and walk out of these barracks, and you will NEVER work in this city again! Those who stand against me? I'll run you through myself! Now is not a time for disloyalty! The Zealots seek to bring us under the rule of an incompetent and arbitrary autocrat! Changelings want to enslave and feed off us all! And for the love of all that you hold dear, remember Tirek!"
If utter silence could become MORE painfully silent, that would be the atmosphere of the barracks at that moment: Many of them DID remember Lord Tirek, the giant centaur monster who nearly destroyed Equestria not longer than a year ago. Many had been subjugated by him as he attacked Manehatten: Otto himself had managed to escape, hiding in a safe room in his attic, but many had suffered for the princess' failure to contain him, or successfully protect their people from his wrath.
...It had been as he hid in the shadows and silence, surrounded by tinned beans and moth-bitten books that he'd finally lost faith in Celestia entirely: Had Tirek never invaded Manehatten, perhaps he'd have continued to simply sit in the shadows and control the former mayor from afar, criticizing but never taking decisive action. But no, destiny intervened, and Paver had been laid low in the gutter with everyone else: She'd proven herself weak, unable to preserve herself, and unwilling to question the Princesses, even when rumors of them simply giving up their magic to Princess Twilight proved to be truth. No, she couldn't be allowed to remain as mayor any longer: He had to take the reigns by force, and drag Manehatten away from oblivion...
"Remember how he ramaged through our land! Remember how he subjugated and enslaved us! Remember how he nearly destroyed EVERYTHING we hold in our hearts, be you griffin or pony! And remember, my friends, how Princess Celestia did NOTHING as he besieged Canterlot and brought them to their knees! I will not forget. And I will let Celestia feel the weight of her failure!" He stamped his hoof into the ground. "So, Manehattenites! Griffins of Griffonstone, who carry the legacy of King Grover in your hearts! Tell me now! Do you wish to be mere mercenaries, or do you wish to help me forge a state anew, free from inept rulers and the terrors outside Equestria's walls?! If I can count on the wings on your backs, the horns on your heads, the weapons in your grasps, the blood in your veins and the fires in your hearts, step forward! Stand forward and let yourselves be counted as soldiers of Manehatten!"
There was yet more silence, and for the briefest moment fear sparked in Otto's heart: If nopony moved, his talk of identity and Manehatten would be for nothing, he'd have no army to fight with; this was the final test he needed for the loyalty of his followers, if he couldn't rally them now, he'd have fallen at the first hurdle...
...Then, a pony nodded, and stepped forward. He recognized the pony, it had been one of the mercenaries who'd followed him home following the riots outside Grand Central Station. He removed his helmet drove it into the dirt and kneeled. "For the Prince Mayor!" He shouted. "And for Manehatten!"
Slowly, more and more men followed in that first pony's lead, perhaps out of genuine loyalty, or perhaps out of the knowledge that Otto had usurped Ashfeather as Captain of their order and thus feared reprisal. Whatever the reason, suddenly, every pony, griffin, and everything in between was kneeling, all of them chanting "For the Prince, and for Manehatten".
Something about being CALLED a prince stirred something in Otto, a sense of excitement beyond anything he'd experienced before. He could taste it in his mouth, even if this was simply his men declaring their loyalty to him, it was a taste, hopefully, of things to come.
He'd been tempted to send them on a march, a demonstration of their loyalty on the streets of Manehatten, but it was a foolish move and he knew it: It was far too soon and sudden, and would disrupt a lot of Manehatten's streets and roads; he didn't want to waste the loyalty of his men on simply showing off, he'd up their pay and give them better rations and sleeping quarters as a quick and immediate reward for their fealty; finally, he wanted to keep his cards close to his chest, and having his army marching through the streets would reveal too much, too soon.
...Besides, at that moment, he was called to City Hall: He had a package... From the Crystal Empire.
Night was slowly beginning to crawl into the sky as he went with his bodyguard and his two servants to City Hall, practically galloping to the front desk.
"Hello Janine." He spoke with breathlessness, having wasted no time travelling to the City Hall as quickly as his hooves would allow. "I understand you've got a package for me?"
"I do indeed sir!" She smiled, a letter: The handwriting was Starlight's... Was that it?
"Excellent, excellent!" He feigned a smile for the very happy looking intern. "Thank you."
Quickly, he retreated alone to his office and tore open the wrapping paper, first reading the letter which had come with it.
Dear Otto,
I've done it. Through days of working my way through the more disloyal corners of the Crystal Empire, I've managed to rally some support from the Crystal Pony families who hold secret loyalty to King Sombra, and who denounce the reign of Princess Cadence. Through black markets and some shady deals, I've managed to secure you two things: A vow of support from the prestigious House Standard, one of the oldest families in the Crystal Empire, who have agreed to help me with another little project I have in mind. What's more, I think I've found what you're looking for.
By the looks of things, the spell involves creating a pentagram with use of 5 channeling crystals, and the use of a chant to begin the spell. I suspect it requires the Alicorn Amulet to power them, and thus turn you into an alicorn... But, this spell is untested, and I suspect it's not a pleasant process. Although I've got a fair number of Sombrian books and documents I've managed to get from what I can only describe as a magic black market in the underbelly of the Crystal Empire, I'll keep the materials and the spell I've found with me until I return to Equestria.
With love,
Starlight.
PS: I'm sorry to say I'm going to need to stay in the Crystal Empire for a little longer, and will return in a couple of days or so. I have a surprise for you! X.
Like a fire on dry wood, Otto felt anger start to burn inside him, spreading as wildfire through drylands. She had the spell, the spell needed, but she refused to give it to him! She'd betrayed him! Why?! Thoughts spiralled out of control in Otto's head as he furiously left City Hall. Heads were going to roll for this...