//------------------------------//
// Reinforcements 
// Story: The Voice of the Sun 
// by Lev the Lurker 
//------------------------------//

Chapter 13: Reinforcements
The rest of the journey to the griffin city was carried out in near silence. None of the griffins escorting them seemed to be very keen on talking. Even Bootheel wasn’t his normal chatty self, the bolt still protruding from his leg probably wasn’t helping. He only told then that he’d managed to force one of their attackers to take him to the griffin city where he’d managed to persuade the king to send help. 
Lyra spent most of the trip checking the teleport booster, her activation of its immobility function had prevented them from falling to their dooms but had drained more of its power. She switched it off and left it for the actual teleport effect to charge up again. She thought it would probably be at least an hour before she could use it to contact Twilight, maybe longer, such devices were hardly her forte. 
Upon arriving at the city they were quickly brought to a reception chamber outside the king’s hall. Lyra had insisted the booster be brought with them and nogriffin seemed to want to argue so Raindrops had carried it around. Once there, their wounds had been tended by a local healer. Lyra, Gilda and Raindrops had come out of the fight without too much damage and therefore didn’t need much treatment. There wasn’t much the griffins could do for captain Lightning, although the stallion did seem to be recovering by himself. He still had a tendency to nod off every few minutes but was now mostly lucid when conscious. Bootheel, however, required more serious treatment. First the healer, an elderly griffiness missing a wing, had washed his wound with something which smelt to Lyra like it was about 200 percent proof, a suspicion that was only heightened when Bootheel was given a few mouthfuls of the stuff before the bolt was removed. To Lyra’s surprise the soldier actually took the surgery rather stoically, with only his flattened ears showing the pain he must be in. Lyra couldn’t bring herself to watch as the bolt was pushed all the way though his leg in order to remove it safely. Once the bolt was removed the medic packed the wound with herbs to staunch the bleeding and then bandaged it. Lyra was a little surprised how professional the surgeon was, her treatment was probably as good as any Bootheel would have received in Equestria. Maybe all their fighting meant griffins had to develop their medicine as well?
Once the treatment had been concluded they were left to wait for a few minutes before the guards returned and ordered them to appear before the king. 
“Let me do the talking,” hissed Gilda as they entered the chief’s hall, “I think I can get you out of this.”
Garvill sat on a stone throne at the far end of the hall. The room was much changed from when it had been used for the feast only a few days ago now. The tables had been moved aside to leave a long open path towards the king. Along the sides of the room various griffin nobles sat, their eyes following the visitors as they made their way to the king. The battered members of the royal family, sans Terror Wing, stood some distance away from their father presumably in disgrace. Garvill himself remained motionless as the party approached, neither his face or body giving away any clues as to his feelings.
They came to a halt several lengths from the throne and to everyponies’ surprise Gilda bowed low, wings spread wide as her head almost touched the ground in supplication. “Your majesty,” she announced formally, not sounding at all like the griffin who had come to Ponyville last year. Recovering from her surprise Lyra quickly moved to copy Gilda’s bow followed by Raindrops, Lightning and finally Bootheel, although the latter had difficulty given the state of his leg. “I ask you to offer sanctuary to these ponies,” she gestured to her companions. 
“Gräfin,” proclaimed Garvill causing Lyra’s ears to twitch. That was a griffin noble rank wasn’t it? “You forget yourself, you are in no position to request anything!”
“My apologies, but I fear for my companions’ safety if they are not protected.”
“Really, and who do they need protection from? This one,” he pointed at Bootheel, “told us they were under attack, but when my soldiers arrived they found them pursued by their own countryponies. Why should I risk Equestria’s wrath for their safety? If their own people want them why shouldn’t I just hand them over, like a good ally,” he scoffed, “many, including yourself, have counselled that we support the ponies.”
“The embassy has been taken over by those sworn to Corona, these are loyal to Luna,” said Gilda meeting the king’s gaze. “Your own son was involved!” A hubbub of whispering broke out from the members of the court. Lyra wasn’t sure if they were supporting or condemning the actions, possibly both.
Garvill’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “This is a grave allegation Gilda, you saw Terror Wing attack any of the embassy staff, or enter the building uninvited?”
“Well... no,” admitted Gilda after a moment, “he and his followers met with some of Corona’s ponies outside.”
“Good! because as you know the embassy is considered Equestrian territory. Any invasion of it would be an act of war, as would, say, a griffin of my court brawling with the embassy guards!” Gilda’s eyes dropped to the ground, she mumbled something which didn’t seem very apologetic. “This is an internal matter for the Equestrians to deal with,” he proclaimed, “once they are well enough to travel they are to be returned to their own people!”
“Wait a minute!” cried Raindrops, “they aren't real Equestrians, they follow Corona. They might pretend to be good ponies, but they’re liars!” she said fiercely. 
The king's gaze turned to the pegasus. “In my experience all Equestrians lie to get what they want, be they ‘good’ or ‘evil’. Whether your Luna or Corona win their little family feud I have no doubt the real losers will be the other species of this world. Your princesses tend to look after their own to the detriment of others. My father trusted ponies and where did it get him?”
Lyra’s brow furrowed, there was apparently some history between the king and ponies but she hadn’t been told what it was. “Please,” she said, “I’m sure the princess with reward you if you just keep us safe for a bit longer, then we can go and be out of your mane-um feathers.”
The king didn’t look convinced.
“Right, that’s it,” said Gilda, sounding like herself for the first time since they entered the room. “Who do I need to challenge to get them sanctuary? Who are you going to put up as a champion, her?” she pointed to a nearby armoured griffin, “Or do I go straight to the top?” she glared at the king.
A collective gasp rang out over the chamber followed by a moment's silence. Then, to Lyra’s surprise, the king started to quake on his throne and give out a series of staccato caws, her eyes widening as she reaised that he was laughing. “Oh Gilda,” he said, wiping a tear from his eye. “What ever have they done for you to protect them with such fierceness?”
“Well,” Gilda looked down at the ground, her claw tracing a pattern on the stone, “Dropsy’s sort of cool, she can really fight and Dash is a friend as well, you know, not all ponies are that bad, some of them are almost awesome... almost...”
“Awsome?” said Garvill with a raised eyebrow. “Sometimes I feel you spent too much time in that country.” 
“My lord, it makes sense to continue to support princess Luna,” continued Gilda starting to rally. “She does still hold the land and she is a major trading partner. Corona’s people may have offered more but they took the embassy using deceit rather than open combat. If they’ll do this can their leader be trusted to keep her word?”
Garvill seemed to consider for a moment, tapping a talon on his beak as he thought. “Very well, I have no wish to see you kill yourself in a duel over such a trifle,” Gilda bristled a bit at that. “I will grant them membership of my court, any attack on them outside of a legal challenge will be considered an attack on the crown! They are to be protected until they are ready to leave.” He turned to the pony delegation. “Just keep out of my sight, or I might change my mind.”

*        	*        	*

Taking the king’s words literally, the ponies and Gilda quickly returned to the room they had been given earlier. 
“How much longer till that thing’s ready?” asked Raindrops halting her pacing to turn to Lyra. 
The unicorn had spent most of the time since they’d returned from the king’s chamber leaning back against the teleport booster in a very uncomfortable looking position and strumming her lyre. Raindrops didn’t know if this was supposed to do something to speed up the booster’s charging or if it was just to pass the time. “It’s just about done,” said Lyra, her aura running over the jewelled pillar, “another few minutes I think.”
Raindrops sighed and felt a tiny trickle of tension leave her. Just another few minutes and they could be gone from this place, away from the Griffins, and the solartics, and Kindle. She didn’t know what was going to be done here, would the princess send troops to clear out the embassy? Or abandon it entirely? But it wouldn’t be her problem any more, she could just return to her normal life and forget everything that had happened here... if only it was that easy. What had happened here, what she had found out about herself, well she couldn’t just forget that, as much as she might want to. She sighed again, just a good night’s sleep in her own bed, in her own tiny bedroom, in her family's cozy little house would be nice. Although that was probably still a few days off, the trip from Twilight’s estate to Ponyville would be that long at least. 
“I think it’s ready,” announced Lyra rousing Raindrops from her thoughts. 
“So Dropsy, this is it then?” asked Gilda.
“Yeah, well look... thanks for all your help,” said Raindrops awkwardly, she still wasn’t sure why the griffin had helped them.
“It was nothin’. It was worth it just to tweak Terry’s beak.”
“There won’t be any problems with him will there?” Raindrops didn’t like the idea of Gilda having to fight the giant. 
“Probably not, it doesn’t look like his dad’s all that keen on throwing his lot in with Corona so Terry’ll probably get in a huff, but it’s mostly hot air. Worst comes to the worst maybe I’ll come visit you and Dash in Equestria again?”
“Yeah, I think I’d like that,” said Raindrops, things hadn’t gone all that well during her last visit but Gilda seemed calmer now. 
“Right, let's get this show on the road,” said Lyra resting her horn on the booster. Her aura flashed for a moment and the gems on the column glowed with a faint blue light.
“Now what?” asked Raindrops. 
“Well they were probably expecting a telegraph message first but I’ve just sent out an emergency signal. If Twilight’s on the ball we shouldn’t have all that long to wait.” She stepped away from the booster.
“When they get here,” said Raindrops quietly, “can you not tell them about me and Kindle, please?”
“Like I said I’m sure they’ll understand...” she looked into Raindrops’ eyes, “but if you don’t want me to, I won't. But you should talk to them about it. You’ll feel better.”
Raindrops tried to smile but she never wanted her friends to find out how stupid she’d been, the mistakes she’d made. 
Any further conversation was cut off by a high pitched whine from the booster and in a flash the figures of nine ponies bust into existence. At the edge of the group four of princess Luna’s royal guard stepped smoothly forwards their spears held at the ready, heads scanning back and forth looking for any danger. Behind them stood the four missing element bearers. Each wore the necklace or tiara containing their element and looked ready to use them. Finally in the middle of the formation stood Twilight Sparkle, her horn sparked for a moment then shut off as she staggered forwards. Quickly, Ditzy Doo and Trixie moved to catch her before she could fall. 
“Told you I could do it!” gasped the purple unicorn. 
“Sure you could Sparkle,” said Trixie looking around the room. “This isn’t the embassy, what happened?”
Carrot Top and Cheerilee had already advanced from their original positions to give Lyra and Raindrops a muzzle. “We missed you,” said Carrot Top with a grin. 
“Yeah,” added Cheerilee, “Staying in a huge mansion with hundreds of servants on call was starting to get..,” she was cut off as Raindrops leaned heavily into the older mare and wrapped her wings around her in a hug. “Hey, are you alright?” she said hugging back.
“It’s, it’s been a hard few days,” mumbled Raindrops trying to hold back her tears. 
“‘Ello gorgeous,” called Bootheel from where he was lying causing Trixie to cower away, her horn glowing. 
“Dame Heartstrings,” said one of the guards to Lyra, “are we secure here?” Two of her fellow guards had already moved to examine Bootheel and captain Lightning while the fourth was splitting his attention between Gilda and the door. 
“This is the Griffin city of Felshimmel, we’re safe here for the moment,” explained Lyra. 
“What happened?” asked Trixie again. “Your telegrams didn’t say anything about moving to the city? Was the embassy attacked or something? Where’s the ambassador?”
“It’s a bit complex,” said Lyra plucking at her instrument’s strings as the rest of the mares gathered around.
“Wait a minute, are you going to sing or something?”
“Just a bit Trixie, it helps me get my thoughts straight,” explained the bard. “Now where to begin...”
Lyra did indeed sing at least part of the story of their time here. She told the new arrivals about Terror Wing and Smoke and the Voice. About the fight between the sun crazed griffin and his siblings and about Haymaker and Quizzing’s treachery. To Raindrops’ relief Lyra brushed over her part in the events, only stating that the pegasus had been captured later without explaining why that had been. Ditzy glanced over at Raindrops during that part of the story but if she suspected something she didn’t say anything. 
“And King Garvill in his wisdom
did offer us the protection of his Kingdom
And grant us this space in which to find reprieve
Until such time as we could leave,” sang Lyra.
“Not bad,” said Trixie tapping her hoof on her chin, “But I’m not sure if wisdom and kingdom truly rhyme.”
“It’s a first draft!” exclaimed Lyra in exasperation.
“Are you sure we're safe here?” asked Carrot Top looking around nervously and trying not to stare at Gilda. 
“Unless Terry or the Voice can convince the king to turn to Corona,” replied the griffin. “Not likely, but you lot should probably get going.”
“We can’t do that yet,” said Twilight from over near the teleport booster. It was the first thing the unicorn had said since her arrival. 
“What’s up, Sparkle?” asked Trixie. “You said you could make another teleport after getting us here.” She looked a little worried.
“I can. It's a strain but I could take all of us back home, if the booster was working properly. This one's been almost entirely drained by our arrival. It should be good for three, maybe even four jumps but someone must have shut it down. We can’t leave for a few hours at least.”
Trixie let out a breath. “Ok, so we hunker down here for a bit and hope nothing happens. If the griffins do turn we can probably handle things for a bit, right?”
The leader of the guards nodded. “There’s only one entrance and Lady Twilight can probably teleport us away if we start to be overrun.”
“Probably,” said Twilight, “but it’s not just that. If the ambassador has turned then Corona’s gotten access to all of his papers, code books, files, reports; we can’t let that sort of thing fall into her hooves! If she does decide to attack she’d know just where to hit us, or she could turn it over to other nations to try and get them to ally with her. It could be a disaster!”
“If he’s on their side won’t he have already passed all that stuff onto them?” asked Ditzy.
“The ambassador wouldn’t have it all memorized, there’s far too much of it. It’ll take a while to move it all.”
“His office seemed quite full when we were last there,” chimed in Lyra, “I don’t think he’d started clearing it out then.”
“So we need to get a message back to Equestria and tell them to send us some help?” said Raindrops. 
“We can’t contact our reinforcements without a telegraph,” pointed out the night guard leader, “and the only one nearby is in the embassy.” 
“We can use the booster when it’s recharged,” noted Twilight. 
“True,” nodded the guard, “but it’ll take most of a day before we can get get enough troops here, and that’s if the griffins are willing to allow them into their territory. Most other nations aren't that keen on letting large numbers of enemy soldiers into their lands.”
“What about the princess?” suggested Lyra, “she could probably clear the embassy by herself.”
“There was a sighting of Corona in the south of Equestria yesterday, she had to leave,” explained the guard. 
“Thinking about it now it was probably a diversion,” added Cheerilee, “we thought we checked with you by telegraph at the time but I guess it was just Quizzing sending the all clear.”
“Plus, if the griffins don’t want us to bring in troops then I’m sure they’d be fine with the princess blowing up chunks of their land,” added Trixie sarcastically.
“You could ask us.” All heads snapped around to look at Gilda. “From what I’ve seen of the guards at the embassy they're not exactly top notch, no offence,” she grinned at the royal guard. “A few dozen of the king's troops should be enough to clear them out.”
“Should we really have another country attack one of our embassies when we’re trying to save confidential documents?” asked Carrot Top timidly.
“Beggars can’t be choosers,” said Gilda with a shrug. “I can’t guarantee any of your stuff won’t go missing, but it might be better we have it rather than Corona.”
“The king didn’t seem all that keen on ponies,” said Lyra. “Do you really think he’d help us now?”
“Maybe, he’s got history there. He spent some time in Equestria when he was a cub, after his dad got overthrown. Things didn’t work out all that well,” she grimaced.
“I remember my mother telling me about that,” said Twilight resting a hoof on her chin in thought, “He might actually owe my family a favour.”
“I don’t think he thinks so,” grumbled Raindrops. 
“Well has anypony else got any ideas?” asked Trixie looking around the group. “Anypony? No? Well looks like we might be paying the king a visit then.”

*        	*        	*

“The king will see you now,” grunted the guard as he pushed open the door to the throne room. The chamber seemed little changed over the last few hours, even the courtiers were still present.
“Approach,” the king growled, he didn’t sound any happier than last time. “I recall telling you that you should stay out of my sight.” He glanced around at the larger party. Not only were the element bearers present but so were Bootheel and the night guard. Even captain Lightning had managed the trip although he was swaying slightly on his hooves. “And now there are more of you. I thought you were going to leave, not bring more of your kind here.”
“My apologies your majesty,” said Trixie doffing her hat and bowing low. “I am dame Trixie,” she paused for a moment, “Lulamoon and these are dame Carrot Toppington, dame Black Cherry Lee and dame Ditzy Doo. With us are an honour guard of her royal highness Princess Luna’s personal guard and our, associate, Twilight Sparkle.” Twilight looked like she was going to say something for a moment but she kept quiet and gave, if anything, an even more polished bow than the rest of the company. 
Raindrops was rather impressed Trixie actually seemed to know what she was doing. “We are here at the request of Princess Luna herself, she sends thanks that you have taken such good care of our associates. The Princess would however like to ask a favour of your majesty.”
Raindrops tried not to look to shocked, the princesses didn’t know anything of what had actually happened. Sure she’d probably agree if she did know but Trixie was really stretching the truth here, if not outright lying to the king. 
“Greetings, dames,” said the king after a moment, “and what request does Princess Luna ask of me?”
“The equestrian embassy held on your land has been taken over by forces loyal to the Princess's sister,” began Trixie, looking up at the king’s unreadable face. “Princess Luna asks that those ponies be apprehended, with, um, the minimum amount of force and returned to her lands as soon as possible.”
There was silence for a moment then the king stood, wings outstretched. “You want me to attack the Equestrian embassy? To arrest its personnel?” He didn’t sound too happy at the idea.
“Well yes I suppose so, I wouldn’t put it quite so bluntly, they’re not exactly Equestrian you see, well they are but they follow Corona, so I don’t know,” Trixie began to babble in the face of the king's wrath. 
“And of course you have papers to confirm your princess’s wishes? A document with her seal? Deeds abolishing the sovereign territory the embassy represents?”
“Well, no, not really but the Princess would really appreciate it if...”
“I am sure the Princess would very much appreciate it if I attacked her ponies on their own land. Would very much appreciate that such an act of war would make it very much easier to justify her own forces attacking me! So much easier than if I chose to favour her sister and she was forced to punish me without such a casus belli!” he roared bearing his talons. The group in front of him cowed back at his wrath, even Gilda looked unnerved. “Why exactly should I trust ponies in this way given how they have treated me in the past?” he demanded. 
“I.. well... you see, Corona...” began Trixie.
“Your Highness,” came a clear voice. All eyes turned to Twilight as she stepped forwards. “You should do it because of the promise you and your father made to my Grandmare.”
“Who-who are you?” demanded the king.
“I am Viscountess Twilight Sparkle, Lady of the Northern Reaches, Lady Protector of Poniszawa. Baronett of Lankswalla, Stabledawn and Drum-mark. Daugher of Vicereine Twilight Velvet, granddaughter of Vicereine Sparkling Sky.”
Everypony and Everygriffin sat in stunned silence for a moment as they processed this information. Twilight shifted uncomfortably under their gazes. “Some families give their foals oranges in their hearthswarming stockings, my mother gave out titles,” she mumbled. 
“I remember your grandmother,” said Garvill thoughtfully, “and how she betrayed my father!”
“No-no treachery was meant, your highness,” said Twilight, her composure starting to crumble a little.
“My father's rule was overthrown by his own brother and my family was forced to flee to Equestria.”
“My grandmother gave you sanctuary within her own home. Your father promised her future aid...”
“And she promised to help my father reclaim his throne!” he cried. “But then Equestria turned around and made peace with my uncle!” His talons tightened on the arm of the throne as if preparing to cut into flesh. “His rule was considered to better support Equestrian interests!”
“She argued against the treaty at court...” began Twilight.
“She talked, and talked and talked about how things should be, but did nothing!” he slammed a taloned foot down, the boom reverberating around the chamber.
“Even a Vicereine is bound by the word of the Princess, your majesty. She did what she could, your family eventually retook its lands.”
“After many long years in exile. My father did not live to sit upon the throne again!”
“I’m sorry, I really am but my family did what we could. We make mistakes sometimes, big mistakes, all I can do is admit we’re wrong and say... say sorry. Sorry,” she looked up at the, king her eyes wet. 
Slowly, the griffin slumped back into his throne and let out a long sigh. “What is past... is past,” he said eventually. “Your grandmother did provide us with aid at our time of greatest need. I... I accept your apology on behalf of your family Countess Sparkle. If my father had had his throne handed to him by a pony then I do not think my people would have respected him, or me as much. The years have shown me that politics sometimes stop us doing what we wish... I will accept your request to attack the embassy. But consider my debt paid!” he added. 
“Thank you your highness,” said Twilight bowing again as she stepped back. 
There was a crash from the back of the hall causing Raindrops and her companions to spin around. The gates, and their guards, had been thrown aside. There in the doorway, striding towards them, was a gigantic flaming shape. “FATHER STOP!” cried Terror Wing, his spread wings seeming to almost fill the entire hall. To his left stood a smaller but similarly coloured shape. Raindrops’ heart skipped a beat and her body tensed preparing for a fight as she recognised Kindle fully garbed as The Voice of the Sun. His burning gaze locked onto her for a moment and she felt a confusing mixture of rage, fear and shame run through her. Smoke was following the party staying just behind the Voice, the smaller mare had to almost gallop to keep up with her larger companions. Behind them followed a dozen or more of Terror Wing’s griffin followers and a few embassy guards looking rather nervous being around so many griffin. “THESE PONIES ARE TRICKING YOU!” continued Terror Wing approaching the throne. Raindrops looked back and forth feeling trapped between the approaching forces of Corona and the king on his throne. However the giant griffin only had eyes for his father and ignored the ponies present. “They want you to be their creature, to work for them like a vassal! And for what?”
Garvill looked down at his son. “For peace,” he said quietly. “Sometimes that is the best we can hope for.”
“PEACE! CELESTIA OFFERS US GLORY AND POWER!” he looked around the room wings spread wide. “LOOK AT ME!” There was a few cheers from about the chamber. Garvill’s eyes wearily tracked his son’s supporters. 
“I am my son, and I no longer recognise you. I see power and strength but no honour, what is the point of life if things are given so easily? You wanted strength and Celestia gave it to you, you did not have to work for it, you did not earn scars, instead you lost them. There is no honour there.”
“NO HONOUR! WOULD YOU RATHER CRAWL ON YOUR BELLY TO LUNA AND HAVE NOTHING TO SHOW FOR IT!” cried Terror Wing in disbelief. 
“You overstep yourself!” growled the king, silencing Terror Wing for a moment. 
The Voice of the Sun stepped forwards to fill the gap. “These,” he pointed at the element bearers, “have no authority to ask you to attack Equestrian property. Lacking a higher authority the ambassador speaks on behalf of Equestria and he asks that you turn these over to him.”
“And where is ambassador Quizzing?” asked Garvill.
“He has... other duties to attend to,” said the Voice. Probably trying to clear anything important out of the embassy, thought Raindrops. “But he has given me authority-” the Voice held up a scroll.
“Enough!” declared Garvill, “Lady Sparkle’s family has done more for me that the ambassador ever did, my decision rema-”
“NO!” cried Terror Wing, “I CHALLENGE THEM! ONE OR ALL OF THEM! I WILL FIGHT THEM FOR THE OWNERSHIP OF THE EMBASSY!”
The king blinked in surprise at his son. Around him the mumbling of the crowd began to pick up, one or two griffins cheered, others hissed. Several of Terror Wing’s supporters began to chant. “Challenge, Challenge!” Raindrops glanced around nervously, trying to position herself between her friends and harm. It looked like open fighting could break out at any point. 
“Stop! Stop!” cried the king, it took several moments for the ruckus to die down and even then the murmuring did not entirely stop. “You cannot challenge them, they are not griffin!”
“She is,” said the Voice pointing at Gilda, “she can stand for them.”
If she was intimidated Gilda did not show it. “Bring it, Terry!” she said stepping forwards so her chest almost touched the larger griffin.
“I’ll stand with her!” said somepony. It took Raindrops a few seconds to recognise the voice as her own. She had stepped forwards so her wing almost touched Gilda’s. 
“You are not a griffin,” growled Garvill grinding his beak. 
“You did accept her as a member of your court,” said a nearby griffin earning himself a death glare from the king, “so they can take part in... challenges...” he finally noticed the danger and his voice trailed away. 
“I will stand with you too!” declared Lightning tottering forwards.
“The Great and Powerful Trixie will aid you as well,” said Trixie stepping forwards. Raindrops noticed a slight tremor in her step.
“I’m up for a fight,” noted Cheerilee with a grin. Suddenly it seemed all of the ponies present, guard and civilian, were shouting their support, even Ditzy and Carrot Top. Terror Wing and his supporters were squaring off against them looking like they were ready to start a fight right there in the throne room. Smoke’s horn glowed and the shadows behind them seemed to darken as if they were living creatures pushing forwards to the attack.
Trixie stuck up her muzzle and sniffed in distaste, behind the ponies the lights seemed to brighten haloing her friends in a golden aura.  “The Great and Powerful Trixie’s subtle and awe inspiring illusions can easily overcome the minor conjurations of a meer special effects artist,” said Trixie flipping her cloak out behind her and sneering pompously. 
“Meer!” exclaimed Smoke. The normally quiet mare stamped forwards putting herself between the Voice and Trixie. “I worked on Bridleway! La Commedia Della Luna! The Royal Theatre! Where have you ever performed? At a foal’s party!”
“There’s nothing wrong with playing foal’s parties! They really appreciate my work!” yelled Trixie glaring at the smaller mare, their heads almost touching. 
“That’s because it’s-”
“SILENCE!” bellowed Garvill, his voice seeming almost to shake the hall. He glanced around the hall where several nobles glared back rebelliously. “I will allow the challenge, but there will be order! Not a brawl! Each side may pick three champions from among those accepted into my court! And no more!”
“But-” began Trixie looking at the king.
“No more!” he growled stopping the unicorn in her tracks.
“I WILL STAND!” cried Terror Wing automatically. “As will my allies!” He swung out a mighty wing to indicate the Voice and Smoke next to him. The pegasus looked like he was going to argue for a moment but then nodded. 
“I wouldn’t miss this,” said Gilda with a grin. Raindrops nodded as well, of her friends she was probably the best fighter, apart from maybe Cheerilee, and it looked like Gilda would need all the help she could get. 
“And I will-” said Lightning.
“Captain,” interrupted Lyra, “You can hardly stand!”
“I can still fight,” he said stubbornly.
“You don’t have anything to prove,” she insisted. 
“It is my duty, I cannot let anypony else get hurt in my place. It is my job to protect you.”
“You’re a brave stallion,” said Lyra, her horn starting to glow and a soothing humming seeming to appear from nowhere. “But aren't you tired?”
“Tired?” he asked blinking a few times.
“Yes, being brave is so very tiring. You’re so very brave, it must be so hard to keep your eyes open,” Lyra continued, her horn flashing into the dazed stallion's eyes.
“Brave... tired... no you’re...” Lightning started to sway on his hooves. His eyes widened for a moment then crept closed again. “Cheater...” he breathed before collapsing into Ditzy’s grasp. The mare slowly laid him out on the ground. 
“I wasn’t going to volunteer by the way,” said Bootheel cheerfully.
Lyra rolled her eyes and stepped forwards. “I’m the third,” she announced.
“Very well. A duel to submission,” Terror Wing looked like he was going to argue but the look in his father's eyes stopped him. “Will take place in one hour on the ritual field. My decision in this matter will be made on the outcome.”