Chapter 15
Ignitus' suitcase was rather empty, having taken not much more than his trusty crossbow, his coat, shaving kit, and a few writing materials. With his clothing ruined from his own son's attack, he packed the remains of the tattered trench coat and his hat into the small black case and shut it with a gentle click.
“Sir?”
A guard was behind him, trying to get his attention. Ignitus turned his neck slightly to acknowledge the soldier's existence.
He grunted, “What do you want?”
“Techorse and his friends have returned, they have bad news apparently,” reported the armored stallion.
“In case you weren't aware and chickened out of the battle last hour, I've been banished from the Crystal Empire,” the unicorn said softly yet with a hint of frustration.
“Techorse asked the princess to let you hear the news, then you may leave,” instructed the stallion.
Just as quietly as he could wearing heavy armor, the soldier wandered away to go hear the speech prepared by Techorse.
The name made him angry now... what a failure in his mind. Supposedly that green inventor was a hero of Equestria, somepony who was finally going to teach his son how to serve his country in the way envisioned by the detective. Instead, he had taught his son how to rebel against authority and go his own path away from what he needed him to do. Of course, Techorse wasn't there to defend his own point of view and give an explanation as to how he wasn't encouraging “rebellion”, but that didn't concern Ignitus.
Slowly he picked up the suitcase with his magic, and exited his room.
“Might as well hear what he has to say...“
As peaceful of a place as the Crystal Palace was supposed to be, it was still a defensive structure at the end of the day, and had a planning room deep within the spire where tactics and strategy could be discussed. It was a square, darker room, no reflective crystals save for a few light fixtures powered by them, heavier blue stone made up the walls, and magical conduits ran through the floor to a flat marble table in the center of the room, where tactical maps and unit pieces could be set up. A large ring of stiff chairs with the bare minimum of cushioning surrounded this presentation place. The current map of the empire itself had a plastic model of the palace in the center, but no pieces to represent troops at the moment. They had all been removed so that Techorse and his three friends could stand on the table.
Ignitus entered the room to see the guards having filled the chairs, Shining Armor and Cadance having taken a standing position next to the table, and his cousin with Limpwing at the back, lurking. There was a lot of chatter amongst the guards, wondering what had become of the zebra running loose.
Midnight spotted his father entering the ready room and looked away instinctively. Techorse picked up on the cue and knew the detective was watching.
“Shining,” he said, “can you please bring your guys to attention?”
“Right,” nodded the unicorn.
He flashed a bright pulse of red energy from his horn, his agreed-upon signal with his team. Instantly the soldiers all fell silent.
“Tech, go ahead and give your report,” Shining said, confident he wouldn't be interrupted now.
“Thank you,” declared the pony on the table, turning around so that the maximum number of guards could see his face, “after the attack on the bank, my friends and I gave chase to Rosseth. We followed him through the city to this river here on the east...”
His saddle opened up with a whir, and one of the robotic hands pointed down at the freshwater river entering the city on the map, a marking to indicate the bridge Rosseth had crossed.
“Here we intercepted Ross. He wanted to put up a fight, but his bags spilled on the bridge,” explained Techorse, trying to maintain a sturdy tone.
Some of the soldiers laughed at the thought, Techorse was trying to be serious, but the idea of their enemy spilling his stuff on the bridge was hilarious. How could the dangerous robber, a master of illusion and destructive magic they had engaged an hour ago be such a klutz? Techorse frowned at how the troops wouldn't take him seriously, and retracted his mechanical arms back into his saddle.
“Quiet!” shouted Shining Armor angrily.
Again, the troops went quiet.
“Ok, I know it sounds stupid,” sighed Techorse, “but that's what happened out there. We didn't really get into much of a fight... Rosseth dropped some smoke on the bridge and likely escape out the thermal barrier keeping the city warm.”
“Well then he's a zebra-cicle,” giggled Limpwing from the back, “it's dozens of degrees below the freezing point beyond that barrier.”
“I don't know Limpwing,” answered Techorse, losing the military tone, “he had those fireball potions. He could use those as a source of warmth to survive out there.”
A couple of burnt guards in the back of the room near Limpwing gave each other knowing looks about the aforementioned fireball potions. If it wasn't for Cadance their injuries may have been far worse.
“So he got away and left another cape behind,” added in Flaming Ivory, “but what's really gonna blow your minds is what we saw spill out of his bags.”
“And what did he drop?” questioned Princess Cadance, a soft smile on her face.
Techorse's friends looked at him, urging him on to spill the information despite his reluctance.
“Before I say, you have to promise not to panic,” he requested.
“Promise,” continued the alicorn, “what was it, Tech?”
He took a deep breath, “Rosseth was carrying King Sombra's horn...”
Cadance's smile evaporated, and the room erupted into quiet whisper once again, even Shining Armor went a bit pale despite his white coat making the expression difficult to read. Even Ignitus himself felt an unfamiliar feeling of dread in his heart, and his cousin Arbiter was struggling not to curl back in disgust.
“But that's impossible,” Cadance stammered, “he's gone. Totally destroyed by the Crystal Heart.”
“I'm not sure how either, Cadance, but it's what we saw,” Techorse sighed, “that horn of his is pretty unique.”
“Ok, so he has a fragment of... him,” Shining Armor grunted, swallowing back fear, “so what? It's just some creepy keepsake. He's making fun of us!”
Techorse turned his look to his azure friend, “Midnight?”
Midnight Blaze stepped forward, “Rosseth not only has the horn, but he has the Lunar Chalice and a hooful of energy crystals. It's going to sound crazy, but I believe he has everything he needs to bring back King Sombra....”
“Impossible,” muttered Captain Arbiter in the back, swishing his cape audibly, “King Sombra is history. I concur with Shining Armor, as much as it pains me to say that... this is just a scare tactic to throw us off.”
Sounds of agreement came from the guards,
Flaming Ivory looked into the back of the room, “Ok, we get you think Sombra's as dead as disco, but my buddy Midnight here's the best magical item guy I know...”
“Um, Flaming... he's the only magical item expert you know,” whispered Shadow Breeze gently.
“Thanks Shadow,” muttered back the unicorn sarcastically.
With the room talking about the disaster that was the possible return of the evil king, the Princess of Love was left with a terrible decision. If she believed her friends, she would need to tighten security, maybe even send the guard out to look for Rosseth in the cold. Plus, if word of this were to ever escape, the mere idea that Sombra might return would seize up the Crystal Empire until the horn was found and contained. If she chose to ignore it in favor of public peace, there was the chance that Rosseth would be able to cause a true problem. She had seen his anger at her, the hatred and hurt deep in his heart from his ruined life. The alicorn was aware that a lack of love was just as powerful a motivator as an abundance of it.
Princess Cadance took a deep breath to ease her mind, and calmly asked, “Midnight Blaze, if you truly believe that Rosseth has the ability to revive King Sombra in any way, shape, or form... I believe you.“
“We don't even know where he went,” protested Captain Arbiter, walking down towards the table, “how can we do anything at this point?”
“We'll find a way,” answered Cadance calmly, pointing at him with a hoof, “first thing tomorrow morning.”
“The moon will be full tomorrow night, charging the chalice up,” warned Midnight Blaze, flicking his tail in frustration, “if he's going to bring back King Sombra, it'll be then.”
“We can find him before then,” said Shining Armor, “we'll need our heavy gear, but we'll be ok outside the barrier.”
Still concerned about her long lost zebra, Cadance asked, “He's got to be tired after that battle. You'll be able to bring him in safely, right?”
“It may come down to something unpleasant,” answered Midnight Blaze, “he's had his chances to change, and I won't let him bring back Sombra.”
Techorse looked over at Midnight Blaze, his statement having made him take pause. He was considering how he'd likely have to beat down Rosseth too in order to get him to stop, but there was something different about the way Midnight put it that concerned him. It was almost out of character, at least in light of his father's pushing to make him behave in exactly that manner.
Midnight realized what he had just said, and let out a dry cough, “Sorry about that. I mean to say we might have to rough him up a bit if he doesn't come with us this time, after all, he's hurt some of your guards.”
“Where did that come from?” thought the shocked unicorn, “Rosseth's not innocent, but...”
“Oh they're fine,” Cadance said, breaking his thoughts, “a couple of pieces of armor they're not getting back and some burns, but they're fine! I asked them.”
She pointed out the small group of torched guards behind her, who were laughing about their injuries and odd bandage placement.
Being the more blunt component of the couple, Shining Armor stepped forward, “I think we want Ross back in one piece, guys. We'll get the artifacts away from him next time and then we can sort things out.”
“Please...” pleaded Cadance quietly.
“We'll do our best, starting tomorrow,” said Techorse, smiling, “we won't let you down, Cadance.”
“I know you won't!”
The four stallions descended from the table and left out with most of the guards, Ignitus waited patiently outside with his suitcase. He wanted to bid his son farewell despite his feelings, having heard a little bit of himself still in Midnight's statement about bringing in Rosseth.
Midnight was the last to leave the room, along with Cadance and Shining Armor, Ignitus stepped in front of them.
“Ah, captain Ignitus,” said Cadance, tilting her chin up in rejection of him, “thank you for joining us to hear your son' s statement about the security of the nation. Are you going to talk with us about Midnight's future, or are you leaving?”
Ignitus refused to budge on the issue, “I'm just about to go. I only wanted to tell my son goodbye. We're always going to differ on this issue Princess Cadance.”
Cadance was about to give Ignitus another sound verbal thrashing when she was interrupted by one of her guards. Apparently there was a guest at the ground floor of the palace trying to get in.
“Your Majesty,” he said, “there's a mare here to see Midnight Blaze at the door. Claims to be his mother.”
Midnight lifted his head up, “Mom's here?”
“Oh no, she didn't need to get involved,” groaned Ignitus, slapping a hoof over his face.
“Let her in,” ordered Princess Cadance, “I want to talk to her.”
Her husband gave Ignitus a sarcastic grin, always enjoying a nice shot at the other former captains of the guard. No other pony was as kind or caring of a leader as he was... so far. Ignitus glared back with his bright orange eyes, he knew he could easily whip Shining Armor in a duel, but now was hardly the time for that.
Cadance had them all brought into the tea room where she had shared her previous conversation with Midnight. She sent Shining Armor out to go fetch tea, hoping it would help ease up the tension between her husband and Ignitus. The ponies sat awkwardly around in the chairs, far softer than the ones in the planning room. Eventually, the glass doors opened up once more, and in entered Shining Armor and Midnight's mother with the most maternal look of worry on her face.
She was a beautiful mare with a creamy white coat, flowing azure blue mane hair highlighted with a lighter shade. Cadance took note of the mare's cutie mark, a very obvious and elegant one of an open book with a golden ribbon bookmark, a blue star on the small bit of cover visible on the book.
“Faerie Tail,” Ignitus said in the softest, sweetest voice he'd used since leaving on his trip, “why did you come out here? Things have been mad in this city.”
“I heard you left from your cousin Arbiter,” she answered, entering the room, “and I also heard our son has been out risking himself to stop some insane individual! Oh Ignitus, how could you let this happen?”
Shining Armor wanted to laugh at Ignitus's obvious marital problems, but Midnight caught him and gave him a warning.
“Don't laugh Shining Armor, that might be you and Cadance someday!“
The whole “fourth year of marriage” problem was realized by Shining, and he nervously shifted in his seat, wishing he could take his words back.
“Well first of all our son was in good hooves, he was aiding Techorse in apprehending the criminal,” argued the detective, standing up and lecturing his wife, “I figured an Equestrian hero would be good for our son's education in serving his country as he should.”
“We have had this argument hundreds of times Ignitus,” reminded his wife calmly yet firmly, “our son does not have to go into the military if he doesn't want to! I cannot believe you have been so insistent on that for so long, and now the guards tell me you've gone and gotten yourself banished from here by the princess!”
“Faerie Tail, with all due respect,” interrupted Princess Cadance in her defense, “I am here to help resolve your family's problems. As the Princess of Love it is my duty to Equestria to help settle family matters and struggles in relationships. I only wanted to remove Ignitus from the situation to give him time to cool down, I didn't mean it to come across as a permanent banishment from the Crystal Empire!”
She went silent, and Cadance pointed to a chair next to Midnight with her wing, encouraging her to take a seat.
The mother sat down next to her son and gave him a hug, kissing him on the forehead, “I'm here now, Midnight. I'll do everything I can to finally make peace between you and your father.”
“How did your marriage hold up?” asked Shining Armor carelessly, granting him a look from his wife that equaled getting the couch that evening.
“Probably for the sake of my little brother, Twinken,” answered Midnight Blaze honestly, hurt in his turquoise eyes.
“Oh that's not true, honey,” assured his mother, running a hoof through his slick mane, “your father has high expectations... but we still love each other. I promise.”
“Ignitus, can't you see you're putting insane amounts of stress on your family?” asked Princess Cadance, staring into his eyes, “All you have said so far is that Midnight needs to serve in the military without giving a good reason. In fact, it sounds to me like you haven't given a reason for years.”
“The reason I serve and he should serve is a guarded secret. If he knew it...”
“Captain Arbiter knows it,” interrupted Shining Armor, “so if you don't spill it, he will, Ignitus.”
“Arbiter would never tell,” chuckled the investigator, shaking his head, “you're naive if you think he would, Shining. That secret can never be known.”
“Then can you at least come to peace with it and let Midnight Blaze follow his own dreams?” asked Princess Cadance, “I know deep down you truly love your son. Let him follow his inventing career path like his friend.”
“Please Ignitus. Midnight must be his own stallion, but I want peace,” begged Faerie Tail with tears in her eyes, “we love you too much to keep this up any longer.”
Midnight Blaze couldn't stand to see his mother cry, and remembered his previous offer. He couldn't believe he was going to make such a bad compromise, but it was worth it if it meant making everyone he cared about happy.
“Well, dad, I could go into the military on my own terms. Princess Cadance has offered me a desk job with the Crystal Guard,” he announced, startling everyone in the room.
“But Midnight!” protested Faerie, her ears falling back.
“It's not the heavy duty hero work, but it's service to Equestria's new lands,” he said, unmoving, “I don't like it very much, but it'll make you happy dad... and we can move on.”
There was pure silence for a short while, and Ignitus's eyes softened, “Midnight... I'm sorry. You can't just sit behind a desk to get around your debt.”
Midnight Blaze's eyes filled with tears, the unicorn shoved past his father, “Then I'll never make you happy. Go away!”
“Midnight, wait!” called Princess Cadance, but he was already gone, having slammed open the glass doors magically nearly to the point of shattering them.
Princess Cadance waited a moment, and slowly turned her angry expression on Ignitus, “In my entire career, I've never seen anything like this before, detective. I want you gone first thing in the morning.”
“Princess, please!” whined Faerie Tail, “Let me speak.”
“Later, Faerie Tail,” she snapped back, startling Shining Armor who had never seen his wife act this way.
Ignitus simply turned around with the same dead expression and left the room, his wife starting to cry. Shining Armor and Cadance did their best to comfort the mare, and eventually got her to cease her tears over a nice soothing cup of mint tea.
“Faerie Tail, if I was you... I would consider ending your relationship with Ignitus,” Shining Armor said, “he's an abusive stallion just like his cousin Arbiter.”
“But even Arbiter learned,” protested Cadance, unhappy with her husband's thoughts.
“Yeah, he learned when Twiley beat him to a pulp,” argued Shining Armor, raising his voice, “what, you want me to get my sister to rough up Ignitus, too?”
“What!? No!”
Faerie Tail shrank back, eyes wide as the couple started to quarrel about the situation. A fight between an alicorn and her husband was a terrible place for a timid storyteller like herself.
“Well then what do you plan on doing? He has NO LOVE for his family at all,” Shining yelled.
“THERE'S STILL SOMETHING THERE, HE CAN CHANGE!” she screamed, spreading her wings.
“He's not going to change for ANYTHING! He's a lost cause and so's their life together!”
“Shining quit being ridiculous, we can still save their marriage!” shouted Princess Cadance, “I don't care what you think about Arbiter Axechop, Ignitus Enflame, or their family, there's hope!”
“Hope?” he groaned, rolling his eyes, “Oh yeah, suuuuure. Just like there was hope for Rosseth, right?”
Cadance's wings slowly wilted as her anger melted away, she soon looked like she had been hit by a truck, and the princess's eyes started to fill with tears.
Shining Armor knew he'd taken things too far, he discarded his anger as fast as he could, but he had already done the damage.
“Honey... I... didn't mean to say that.”
“I... knoooow,” she bawled, tears streaming down her face as she embraced him, “I just didn't want to fail again! And now with this new threat... it's all too much!”
Faerie Tail watched Shining sit down with his wife and hold her tightly as she let out her emotions about losing Rosseth thanks to her failures. Having not resolved the conflict in Midnight's family had dug back up a rough patch, and Shining had simple wished she would get over it. Despite their pain and anger, the couple held each other tight, and let their emotions out until they had both stopped crying in each other's hooves.
A humble tissue was offered back to Princess Cadance by Faerie, the unicorn mare floating over the helpful thin paper transferred from aura to aura. She daintily blew her nose and discarded the tissue into the trash can. The couple couldn't help but wonder why Faerie tail was sitting there with a broad smile on her face.
“You're smiling...” trailed Cadance, her nose stuffed up still.
“Of course,” answered the storyteller, “you've given me hope.”
“But why?” asked Shining Armor, frowning, “We didn't help much at all.”
Faerie Tail lifted up her nearby cup of tea, still a bit warm, and took a sip to clear her mind, “Yes you did. Your marriage was talked about in all of Equestria for a month. The Princess of Love choosing a spouse... it was simply a moment of glory.”
“Oh please, I tried to not have a big deal made out of it,” Cadance answered, shortly blushing afterwords, “I guess it kind of went that way though, huh?”
The mother smiled, “Maybe. But what I just saw... was a fight between the strongest couple in Equestria, and how even that didn't drive you apart. It gives me hope that some day, Ignitus may finally make peace with my son and we'll be a strong family again.”
Princess Cadance laughed, her clogged nasal passages making her sound strange, “We're not the strongest couple in Equestria. I met a couple who have been married for fifty years... now that's a strong marriage.”
“Even so, you've done your best, and given me hope Your Majesty,” she responded, standing up only to bow gracefully.
“Please, don't treat me like royalty, I'm your friend, Faerie Tail!” requested the princess, moving over and giving her a hug, “I'm glad you came tonight to talk with us. If there's anything else you need, just let us know.”
In the middle of the hug, she sprung her trap, “Can you please let Ignitus stay?”
“Except that,” answered Shining Armor, annoyed.
“Please?”
“I... I'll give him another day,” stated Cadance, releasing her new friend, “I won't give up on Ignitus as easy as I gave up on Rosseth.”
“Who is Rosseth, exactly?” she asked, a bit confused.
“He's the mad individual, you were talking about,” said Shining Armor, waving a hoof in a circle.
Faerie Tail frowned, “Oh dear, and you knew him?”
“I'd be happy to explain it over a late night snack!” offered Cadance, smiling weakly.
“I would like to hear, but... I must go see Midnight again, he was really hurt,” said the concerned mother, declining the invitation, “and my husband...”
“There's always tomorrow, go see them,” assured the princess, wiping away some of her dried tears with her wing, “I'll have another room prepared for you.”
She bowed slightly again, and left the tea room to the royal couple. Shining Armor kissed his wife on the forehead good night to go return to his post for the night watch. Once he was gone as well and Cadance was left alone in the room, she felt a twinge of hope in her heart. It was worth the fight with him to realize that she was not a failure, and that her struggles gave other ponies like Faerie Tail hope that their relationship pains would one day stop. Now there was only one more broken heart left to think about...
“I will save you, Rosseth. I promise.”