The Princess, Twilight Sparkle, herald as the savior of Equestria from many a dangers stood nervous and confused by the manner in which the Thestral tribe had taken to her. With Spike poking a jest and the Commander offering little respite for her, she regressed to a trained mental state she'd been trying to master through the aid of the other Princesses on Celestia's request. Royalty was her new station no matter how much she wanted to down play it, in this case it was one of those situations that she'd have to endure. Though the many eyes upon her made it rather difficult to sum up the courage, notes upon notes flew by her forethoughts as she decided on the right way to respond.
‘Where did I… I know I memorized R.I.-4 series 2? I specifically tailored the greeting based upon… ah! There it is, I knew I studied those lines after the Yakyakistan incident.’, she smiled in relief seeing she’d be equipped to make her first royal debut to an unknown village, a foreshadow of how she’d interact with Neighpon and its neighbors.
Stiffling the butterflies in her stomach that tried to rustle her nerves she straightened her posture and imagined Celestia as she spoke eloquently, "Greetings everypony... I am the Princess of Friendship, Twilight Sparkle... um… please rise... we are all Equestrians no matter the status we hold." she watched as the thestrals rose as one from their bow, the little foals seemed eager to talk to her with tongues stilled and hooves shifting anxiously like a levee near bursting from flooding.
"Not too bad." Spike noted with the signature grin of his as he whispered under his forked tongue.
Clearing her throat in spite of her assistant's commentary, "I have been informed that the frequency in which the princesses of Equestria is a rather... rare occurrence than it should be in your village. I've come to rectify that, I will be a common sight here among your village, once I return from a trip to bring friendship and peace to a distant land. Please do go about your business, let me not cause you any delay in your daily schedule. I look forward to seeing your home and your culture." she dipped her head as a signal that she concluded.
There was a momentary silence as a few among the gathered crowd of nearly a hundred tilted their heads, the rest stared blankly at her as if she'd given them a riddle and even Spike was left speechless. Twilight lifted her head slowly with unease growing in her mind, seeing not the exact nor expected results she’d versed herself in from watching the two sisters and Cadence. An anxious grin tore into her lips spreading along her muzzle with the sense of failure weighing heavily upon her like any test given by Celestia, they could see it in her eyes as they panned across the thestral gathering and the otherwise quiet tunnel section. For the whole mass was nearly every pony in the area save for the few cart vendors who understandably couldn’t leave their goods and crafts unattended. Even if it were the initial section of the cave system the tribe inhabited and undoubtedly more villagers to encounter, the confused looks about the muted furred denizens quickly set off a rising panic attack.
Spike having sensed things were not going to plan did what he could, “Psst!! Don’t freak out okay Twi? Just say something else?”
Sparkle spoke through the corner of her mouth as quietly as she could, “I… can’t!” her nerves started to quiver her frame.
Respite thankfully came from not from a then alert Thestral Commander nearby, but the eldest of the many who wore a dusty white beard flowing down their muzzle. An elder of some sort who saw the black suited baby dragon and the small similarly dressed regal for who they were and not what they came as. His well groomed dark blue coat shone in the torches and gem lights of the cave, scars of a bygone era decorated the long lived pony who seemed to be familiar with the etiquette of the speech. The two hadn’t noticed him yet as speckled white mane stallion tapped an old mangrove cane attached to the left elbow of his forelimb a few times echoing throughout the marketplace for all to heed. The Commander Vigil was the first to pick up on the wordless command while everypony else simply turned their ears towards the source. Then as a flight of birds every mare and stallion broke composure as if realizing what the gesture meant. The three watched as the crowd thinned out orderly and peacefully to go back to their previous tasks, though they murmured and smiled at her with such happiness it appeared as if there were no hard feelings of being sent away. The foals who were not dragged away by their parents appeared to want to stay and talk to her as evident by their massing numbers where the adults had once stood. Like a flood of muted browns and blues with a few off colors, furry bodies with wings and piercing metallic eyes surged forth after enough of them had gathered until the two new arrivals were but a mere island among a sea of questions and fascination. Tiny bodies hopping and bumping into each other as they all wanted to make contact with another alicorn.
Even as she was bombarded with queries she could make out the closest ones to some degree, “Princess! Hey Princess! Did you really defeat the Indomitable Tirek!?” a chestnut filly asked huffing from excitement.
“Princess!? Were you really there when the Crystal Empire came back?!” a charcoal black colt to her right even tried to fly to get above the two older colts that flanked him.
“Pwincess!!?! I like your mane!” another filly shouted.
For a moment she felt reasonably capable of handling the some fifty odd foals begging for her attention, until they wouldn’t cease and let her get a word in.
“Twilight?! Princess Twilight! Is it true there is another world you went to?!” sought a much older filly the height of to her left whose head just made it above the others naturally from her age.
“Ohh ya?! Hooman World?!” then some ten other foals said together in unison whose positions couldn’t be ascertained.
“What was it like?” more asked simultaneously, the elder to whom dispersed the original crowd was nowhere to be seen.
She began to panic, even with Spike’s help trying to answer every filly or colt as he leapt onto her back to get out of being smothered and trampled on or less his attire be sullied. Her breathing started to climb as did her heart rate with her own failure to calm the situation down or satisfy the inquisitive little ones. She felt like she had been given a test by the Princesses to see her worth with future subjects and perhaps maybe it wasn’t, then why they didn’t come down to visit such a close tribe of citizens when they were just under the castle? Maybe she was to preside over the citizens while they handled the cycles of the sun and moon as well as government when her time came, yet Luna seemed to be their only visitor so was it not the Princess of the Moon? Would they force her into a new position or was it out of their hooves to prevent and just let her remain in Ponyville without a populace to rule?
“Did you fight other baddies too?!” a squeaky filly much like Rarity’s younger sister squirmed her way through the large pond that were foals around her.
Some questions went so far as to be in both Equish and the Thestral tongue which made it even harder for her to fathom answering so much as she stuttered to attempt to answer another. Suddenly she noticed how deeply curious the crowd had quickly become as they started using their wings to touch her mourning dress unaware of personal space though who could fault them. A rather odd behavior as when young pegasus rarely did it was among friends, something about the sensitivity of the winged limbs lent to a greater degree of understanding what they were curious about. Of course her status might have had a play in encouraging such a thing, she did note that it might be a thestral custom to feel or embrace another much like the Saddle Arabians method of greeting which involved touchless peaks on both sides of the muzzle. A good breather from the whirlwind that was her thoughts, she was grateful for the distraction of culture from the still pouring stream of questions.
One voice managed to go through the myriad of maddening sounds just as the commander had begun to wade through the undulating throng, “Princess!? Are you related to Princess Luna?” the tiny filly earlier of gray and ocean blue had put herself front and center where even Spike could see her from a top Sparkle’s back.
Thankfully, as Twilight noticed the gathering go silent and perk up even more upon the little foals words, had the booming voice of Steel not put a stop to it all she would have had all of them berate her ears altogether, “Alright!! Alright younglings! It’s time you were off to whatever you were doing before! The Princess will be here for a while and you can see her at another time. Scatter before the Moaka comes from the shadows and takes you!!” he playfully tried to scare them which had the foals scatter like startled cats, giggling all the while as they bounded and flew away.
Relieved of the swarm and the numerous claws of their wings, Twilight could breathe easy as the commander strode up to her wearing a rather jokingly humorous smirk. She would have thought herself near the precipice of snapping as she had with the day she created that awful want it need it spell, being late to offer a friendship report. Even spike wiped a claw down his face as he then fell backwards still on the alicorn’s frame mentally exhausted from that impromptu youth press conference.
Looking a little frazzled though her wardrobe suffered no damage, she was fully unprepared for the actions of the commandant as he used one of his wings to fix her mane from the many strands that stuck out from the stressful moment. Locking in place as if she were hit by a freeze spell, she didn’t stop him once she realized what he was doing while keeping it very professional. A few combs with the one clawed digit of both appendages and she was prim proper to walk the halls like a royal should appear. Once he withdrew he nodded his head proud of his work before speaking up again, giving a couple cresses in her dress a once over on the black fabric.
“Shall we be off Princess Twilight? We still have two hours before the ceremony starts, I can show you around and take you to our educational wing. I know you wanted to help revamp our learning system if I recall correctly?” He smiled at the two of them coaxing them to follow, “Besides your presence here gives much needed respite from what has transpired, an alicorn royal is an icon of safety to us as a whole.”
Spike had only just begun to recuperate enough to sit back up before Twilight started to move on ahead. Still feeling slightly overwhelmed from the experience the two joined Steel in a slow trot back among the many others that had gone to the market area. Indeed as they witnessed, the entrance to the tribes village had opened up to a shopping district and how intricate it was became all the more evident. They headed down towards the west wing of the tubular section of the cave system, fresh food stalls dominated the initial trek as vendors harkened in words Twilight knew so little of. Garbed in shop keeper attire or wearing cloth covers over their muzzles, they appeared to promote prices and the quality of which their products through fine displays and illustrations on flags all varying the color spectrum. From fresh fish on ice of many species to the most succulent of fruits and vegetables there seemed to be no end in the variety of goods to be had. There were even cooks mixed in the farmers and fishmongers, pastries to sizzling meats gave the air an added savory atmosphere for which at least two of the three took delight in. From the swarm of announcements by the carts and wooden venues did they and passerby’s greet Twilight and her entourage with the utmost sense of respect and reverence.
“Wow… your market has so much to offer?! Even the Canterlot square seems more redundant than this!?” The princess awed as her mind began to list the names of most of what she saw, though some escaped even her vocabulary by far they were documented nonetheless.
With a note of pride the Night Guard officer agreed, “Tis something gained when your tribe is given the task of looking over all of Equestria, where as the Solar Guard are more stationary and less… adventurous. My troops bring in news of exotic foods from as far south to the roughest drought tolerant succulents to the fertile grounds near the northern tundra. They especially enjoy the main ports of the coasts where the more… rarer items can be found. Such a wide range of foods has allowed us to become as diligent and capable as we are today, with no offense to the other tribes of course to them I mean no offense.” He swayed a hoof to excuse his remark.
“No I quite agree with your statement Commander Vigil, the Health Ministry has studies of pony, griffon, and minotaur diets which range from limited food choices to the equivalent of a banquet on five year research trips across Equestria. The correlation between health of body and mind and various edibles has been made very clear and proven. Primarily due to the rise of places such as my favorite fast food eatery the Hay Burger in Ponyville.” She blushed at the admission she herself made, “While it is okay to have what most call junk food, a steady diet of such a way has lead to short comings in learning capabilities as well as physical aptitude. It has always been advised to eat a wide assortment of vegetables, fruits, and grasses for ponies at least. Minotaurs are along the same line, but for the Griffons they of course need a steady supply of grains and seeds for proper feather and bone health… with the exception of the Birds of Prey who need fish of course.”
Steel chuckled gently, “I see you are going to make a fine impact upon our foals Princess, with the ever presence of the A.O.S. we must be sound of body and mind. We’ll be passing by the cooked food stalls in a moment, care to try Thestral cuisine? I know there will be a Feast of the Dead after the ceremony, but trust me you’ll love it!” He offered just as the smell of something sizzling caressed the two newcomers nostrils making its way by all the other scents, even for Spike who with a lick of his scaly lips began to search for the origins of the heavenly aroma as proper for a dragon.
“All the health facts aside, I’d sure love to see if you guys have anything with gems perhaps?” his reptilian eyes searched for anything of the sort.
“Ahh… sir Spike, why you’d be surprised what has grown in the crystal mines the miners did not want. Since our tribe has lived in Mount Canterhorn, we’ve come to learn of the nutritional uses to certain minerals among the gems. Something a fine young drake such as yourself would appreciate no?” the commander chortled as he moved his wings a little, more citizens passing by giving a greeting to the three.
“Well now that you mention it, ya we totally eat that kind of stuff. But I’ve kinda been spoiled by precious stones which are pretty easy to find around Ponyville.” He sheepishly admitted before catching another whiff of something particularly fancy.
Offended at being denied such valuable information on her number one assistant, “Spike?! Why didn’t you tell me before!?! I would have made sure to have picked up anything you needed so your growth pattern remained immaculate! Now I’ll have to reformulate the pantry when we get back from the trip mister. No stunted growth or soft scales for you! That would explain why you haven’t grown at a faster rate without a hoard of your own.” Twilight chastised the little one before the question came to head, “Wait, what do you do with the minerals then to make them edible? I know that specific gems themselves can be toxic depending on the heavy metal or chemical composition that compose them. Only the constitution of a Dragon can nullify the toxic metals while still deriving particular use from the stones towards scale health and bone density.”
The Commander simply gestured with a head nod to the right side of the pathway they were taking of the west wing, zeroing in on a rather simple looking cart whose cooking apparatus seemed to glow like fire from over the heads of those who surrounded it. Mares and stallions alike wearing pouches, saddlebags, or hanging canvas bags around their necks seemed to be waiting in line for whatever was being served.
“This is my foalhood favorite, run by a family for three generations now. They discovered the use of Black Moonstone and Basalt which not only boosts our metabolism, but they also fend off the fungus which can gestate inside the airways due to the living in a moist cavern as we do. The mineral they provide creates an inhospitable surface for the spores to land on and thrive, the problem has always been making them palatable enough to ingest. Hence why I love them.” Even the mighty thestral stallion seemed to give a slight drip of saliva from his eager mouth.
Twilight wanted to know more about it and the potential dangers of living in such an environment as within the former crystal mines, what were the infectious diseases the Night Guard put up with daily and lived to fight the next day? Perhaps there were minerals for ponies too, some that might help infections that would become resistant to normal methods of healing? Ponyville Hosptial would love to have some samples to run tests on if only she could get the thestrals to agree to it.
“I know about Basalt and its uses in magic, though I would have never figured to use it in ones dietary reqitour? Black Moonstone however… I’d like to take a sample with me for test if that’s okay?” her mind running with potential avenues of new knowledge for an unknown material only to be bogged by the scent of the delicious food stall just beyond their reach, “Speaking of which they really made it smell fantastic, I wonder what the minerals must taste like to go to such lengths?”
“Who cares! I gotta have some of that!” Spike gleefully said as he rubbed his grumbling stomach.
Just then it seemed as the orders for the initial patrons were fulfilled as they disseminated from the area and allowed entrance to the cook and his station. There stood a simple cherry wood cart which had been crafted directly from tree trunks all the way around, varnished to perfection but possessing a satin surface. A top the wheeled business inlaid into the counter top was a granite basin with an iron grill over what appeared to be burning crystals. Sitting freshly deposited over the small emission free flame were seven sausage shaped items speared onto wooden kebab spikes lay sizzling as they cooked to perfection. The blended mix sported powdery deposits which were soon glistening as the juices of the foods started to coat the surface along with it. From the smell alone it was a blissful aroma of the most fragrant of spices and seasonings combining seamlessly with what had to be a composite of vegetables or so it seemed. Both the Princess, the Commander, as well as the young drake were awed by the senses tickled into oblivion which nearly caused them to miss the cook of the small shop as he went about his duties.
“I see my family’s secret recipe has even the crown enraptured by its delicate show?” spoke the owner, “Well if it isn’t good ole Steely! My lad it’s been a week since I’ve seen you around. Come now, partake and enjoy, my dish is half off in memory of the lost. May their souls rest well.”
As if the trance from the edibles were shattered, the large stallion rose to his full height in seriousness, “May their souls rest well. Copper Pot you are well I see.”
Twilight and Spike properly rose from their own captivation and made themselves presentable for the coming introduction, though Spike was a little slow on the up go.
“Aye, been fine lad, got another call for service soon for a three month outing to the north. Spooks up there and all that, so me nephews will be runn’n the show while I’m off trouncing around and knocking some heads. So what’s a busy Commandant like you doin with the newest Princess of Equestria? Show’n her all the fun and splendor eh?” Copper laughed heartily, the bronze furred stallion pushed back a rouge gray lock of his mane away.
“Yes as a matter in fact, we have the Princess of Friendship and her assistant Spike the Drake. I’d like you all to meet the best cook around in the village, Copper Pot.” Steel introduced as he gave room for the three to meet.
“Princess Twilight it is an honor to my family’s food cart, if only me pa could be here to see this!” Pot actually shed a crystal clear tear of joy from his one eye, a black patch over the right one made it understood that he was indeed a veteran in combat.
“Yo!” the little dragon waved.
“Salutations Copper Pot, Commander Steel just finished explaining why your meal on a stick was so important to life in these caves. By the way what’s in them and are those firestones you’re using in lieu of combustible carbon fuel? I thought only laboratories used them much less had access to a steady supply?” she inquired innocently.
The cook simply nodded with a look of cockiness behind his smile, “Aye Princess, safer use’n in here that we can both agree on. Get them from imports of Cinia and Neighpon honestly though, cheap and easy for a thestral such as myself. As for my menu well it’s up to what you prefer lass! The ones to the left are mainly fish, center are good healthy veg, and the right are mushroom all blended with asparagus and broccoli as a base and flavored with my clan’s secret sauce all of which are dusted with your fungi fighting minerals we grind by hoof. Sell a hundred a day and usually close early!”
“Oh, I’ll be heading to Neighpon soon, unfortunately not for the best of reasons I’d rather not talk about. Strange though I would have thought customs regulations would prevent civilian purchase without a license? Normally speaking of course?” she cleared her throat hoping she did not offend the thestral warrior.
“Aye, but I’m enlisted in the Guard which allows me access to firestones as part of armory restocking. But since they only bring them in bulk we’re often supplied with more than is needed for month long trips or more, so the Commanders receive payment back for extra that we cooks take.” He nodded with a wave of the hoof, “Something trouble brewing up around there huh? Might explain the slow increase their them prices huh? Oh well I can bite the extra bit.”
“Enough financial politics, I gotta try me one of those! How much for one?” Spike interrupted as he pulled out a small bit pouch he had hidden in his suit.
“Eager stomach this one has! Ha hahahahaha!!” the cook went on, “It’ll be two bits fer the Princess’s assistant. Will you be having any Princess Twilight Sparkle?” the one eyed cooked asked as he took payment.
The mare seemed shy at first from the fish inclusion to which her little dragon had started to gluttonously devour even almost the stick itself, “Are the vegetable and mushroom as is or do they have any meat in them? Sorry for asking.”
“Worry not your highness, Copper here gets more business with the greens anyways, but a little seafood here helps draw in the meat hungry ones. Try one, I promise you won’t regret it.” Steel offered as he shelled out two bits for himself and tossed them to Pot’s waiting wing, grabbing the mushroom sausage he was soon hoofed to grab.
She eyed the long tubular food as it sizzled from the liquid it expunged, something about the mushrooms had a very aromatic scent that even she found irresistible. If the Commander vouched for the stall then she had no reason to fear, besides all the worry she had about the trip had worked her appetite once over. With a soft and slow yes with her head, she reached for her own bits pouch she stored in her mane, using her magic to remove three bits after she saw the sign behind Copper Pot. Hanging on the stone wall was what appeared to be a menu from the three listed entrées with an image of a bit and a number she could thankfully understand. Though when she offered the coinage to the cook as he presented the other shredded mushroom on a stick he swept his head in a no while the other wing pushed her levitating bits back towards her.
“Princess you eat free here, you be doin us a favor just visit’n. Knowing you your time must be hard to give away.” He smiled warmly as her magic grasped the meal, the look of conflict clearly evident upon her features.
Vigil knew what was occurring and figured it would be best explained from his end to avoid a verbal mishap, “Copper, I think we all know how new to the crown she is. The generosity of other ponies would make any of us feel too entitled. We are all equal under the Moon’s light, so perhaps two bits for her wouldn’t hurt noone especially since I’m around to witness.”
The Commanders bare kebab stick held in his right wing carried along with his words like a conductor of sorts. He spoke every word Twilight herself would have went on to negotiate with and if she did not feel relieved at someone familiar with the vendor she’d have been facing a cultural barrier she might have mucked up. Of course that was going off how she originally announced herself to the crowd in the beginning.
Spike belched a little as his 10 inch fish stick had vanished into his gullet, “Well… I guess I can see that? Fair enough, no need to put pressure on the princess like that. Guess I’m just use to Princess Luna when she shows up… my apologies your highness.” Copper extended his wings and bowed.
“It’s quite alright honestly, here take a few extra from me to your cart. A gift to your nephews when they take your place?” she told while grasping the menu item after depositing the golden disks on the table from her own bit bag from her dress.
“You’re too kind, the wee little ones always had a fasincination with ya after you beat Tirek and helped fight off those bugs that invaded the Capitol! Fancy that!” he giggled and collected the payment.
“Twi you’re going to love these things! It’s like an… an explosion in your mouth! You did something awesome with these ha ha I gotta tell ya!” Spike complimented as he gave another two bits for another serving.
As the two made another business transaction, Twilight looked to her own piece and then glanced at Steel feeling nervous to try the thing she’d never had before. He left her no room to doubt as he joyously promoted her to partake in it through silent gestures mimicking the action to eat. Eventually she did with a small nip off the side as if it were a corn cob and daintily chewed. She wasn’t sure if the mineral dust might feel like sand in her mouth grinding and crunching like sand swept onto an ice cream cone. Her hesitance however amounted to nothing once the compacted mushroom cylinder worked its magic upon her taste buds. There were no words to describe the concoction which burst every taste receptor she’d known into ectasy, even the Hay Burger failed to even come close. The bliss of endorphins kicked up by the supple flavor had her melt like a bar of butter during a heat wave. The little morsel she took had a heavy potency to it and in no time did she follow in Spike’s eagerness to devour the goodness on a stick much to Pot’s delight.
“Ha hahaha!! No one has ever not liked our home grown Oyster Mushroom and Puffball sausages! Me great great ole gran’s recipe is unparalleled.” Copper lauded all the while as he replenished what the trio had taken from within the cart’s storage door.
“See? Nothing to worry about Princess, it’s not only harmless but good for you too. Let’s continue on before you end up buying all his supplies. Come on now you two. Thanks Copper, I’ll catch you later.” The big stallion used his right wing to corral the two and hasten their leave.
“Ya come back now ya hear?!” the cook sent them away laughing to himself as if a bar joke had been successfully told to a drunkard, his cackling echoing even amidst the common static of the busy market.
Unlike her assistant, Twilight took careful pleasure in her bites to maximize the experience and to attempt an analysis in hopes she might recreate the treat later on. Though her dreamy eyes and ravenous moans made her deaf to anything the thestral that accompanied her explain as they trotted on slowly.
Taking a long route to the next section where only civilians passed by from either direction, Steel made sure the shenanigans were through before they made any more progress into an inner sanctum. From the Marketplace they traversed into a snake hole devoid of crystal shards where they merely existed as speckling dots in the tunneled out section flushed with the walls. A good eight minutes took the three through a traffic ladened path, but it was not in anyway an inconvenience with the addition of hoof food to pass the time as they shortly trotted to their next destination to which the commander invoked.
“Well your Highness, I welcome you to the Dwelling… the first collective ever made since the tribe called this mountain home.” Steel proudly looked about before them, many of his most reliable stallions were based in the zone with their families if they had any.
They emerged from a packed corridor riddled with smoothed tool marks from use over the ages and into the residential zone of the village’s western area. It was home to half the clans that made up the tribe with some seventy pairings and half that amounted with the mateless individuals held within a huge horizontal oval space. The rock had been chiseled with such precision the walls were nearly textureless in their appeal, the openings into homes dug into the mountain were perfect circles. It made it easy for those who lived up high to fly in and out of through heavy cloth drapes rather than solid doors. The idea made sense to Sparkle in her post foodgasm state, a tribe which operated as the elite fighting force to Equestria and constantly under threat of infiltration needed quick ways to evacuate should the need arise. Having a solid door only took away precious seconds in response to an alert and could mean the difference between trapping a family or making it out safely. There was little else to speak of the Dwelling except to admire the abilities the thestrals possessed to have used nothing but their hooves and possibly tools to forged their first sanctum.
“Neat! Kinda reminds me of issue seventy nine of the Stallions in Black, they came across a subterranean city of super mutants living deep under the planet’s surface!” Spike iterated with excitement.
“SPIKE! Manners!” Twilight scolded only for Vigil to agree with a chuckle.
“Tis true, was the author Sooty Pencils by chance?” he asked with a smirk as the three moved on down the seven hundred foot long chamber.
Spike’s jaw dropped, “How did you know?”
With a giggle, “Because that pony my draconic ally is a thestral too. Served two tours and was maimed pretty badly during an A.O.S. counter assault upon an operation, he left with high honors to start a new life in Manehatten writing stories. He’s been under guard protection of course but the baddies seem to have no interest in him thankfully. I’m glad you like his work.”
“Woooooww… I would have never known?” Twilight rolled her eyes at the wonderment in her assistant’s dilated pupils as he awed at the newly revealed identity to a comic book series creator.
Steel cleared his throat, “Each room on the lower to mid levels are designed for family units, a main room, kitchen, two bedrooms, and of course a small personal armory. Restrooms are at the corners besides the ways in the Dwelling. Upper rooms are smaller and made for singles, those who either cannot raise young or do not want to foster any. The other Dwelling we call the Concave was only recently constructed several centuries ago after a boom in the population required the next housing section. We call it that because the way we’ve designed the entire cave network, all to funnel the would be enemies into killzones.” He seemed delighted to admit.
His rather straight forward use of vocabulary drew a double takes from the princess, “I’m sorry come again?”
“Killzone your highness? We took into account those who’d seek to exterminate us and make Equestria an easy picking, devised a plan halfway through the village’s creation. Then figured out how an invasion might occur and ways to weaken it or delay in time for reinforcements.” He answered as they exited the Dwelling and into another busy tunnel filled with trotting and flying villagers either bound for their home behind them or shopping at the market, “This way leads further in for a complete circle around into the market, but there is also a third hall from the market to where we are going. Either which bottlenecks the enemy.”
“But didn’t you say there was only one way in? How would anypony else know you were in trouble?” she seemed honestly concerned even as she periodically waved to a bowing pony.
“Ahh but you don’t give us enough credit my princess, all officers of high rank possess one way alarms. These to be precise…” he dug into one of his armor plates of the shoulders with his left hoof and brought out a pendent containing a Tiger’s Eye stone, “Like the old name sake in that it wards off the ‘Evil Eye’, these were gifts from Princess Luna when the A.O.S. began a resurgence many years ago before she was banished. Instead of warding away evil, it pierces through it and communicates with all other Tiger’s Eye stones from the same quarry that were blessed by her majesty’s mana. If one of us triggers the stone, no matter where they are the magic will light up all other stones and alert everypony to a coming danger. It also recalls every unit within 500 kilometers of the initial trigger.” He explained as he placed the charm back where it was safe and sound.
Such news of magic she had never been told of put off a mixed reaction in Twilight, wowed by the method of security and fuming about once again missing out on very important magical knowledge. While she reasoned herself into placidity that the case with the Tiger’s Eye had been a genuine act of protection for the hidden village, she still would have appreciated some rudimentary details for her own theorization and research. It had begun to paint a rather unique picture of the younger princess, maybe perhaps she gifted such magical artifacts to the thestrals for their loyalty. They may have put themselves in her favor and thus Luna studied hard to come up with such items for her once believed only support within the kingdom.
“Dude, that’s some next level stuff!? Think the Crystal Empire might want something like that? I mean what if Sombra comes back again? He wasn’t really defeated, just subdued!” Spike seemed worried when it was in fact true that the black magic warlock had his mana still detectable, dispersed throughout the icy wastelands of the North.
“While it may be true we broke the corporeal form he manifested, I don’t think he’ll ever come back to power with the Crystal Heart back where it belongs?” Sparkle added with a raised brow of how he even knew about that information.
“Fear not young drake and princess, the Night Guard are already stationed up there by Princess Luna’s orders waiting for him to come back. Now… enough about that bloated hot air bag, we are soon to pass into the training vault so please stay near me just in case. Only Princess Luna has ever been this far deep so there may be some jumpy recruits.”, their guide warned to which Twilight finally understood why there were so many thestrals coming to and fro through the narrow way.
The three finally broke through the nearly congested thoroughfare which expanded into another intricately excavated cavern which put even the Thunderbolts hanger to shame. A long line awaited them before an metal gate they could barely get a glimpse of, even for Spike as he used Twilight’s head to add another foot to his height. Ponies chatted as their held their spot which moved at a decent if not slightly slow pace, most wearing saddle bags or draped in robes of reds and white. Foals behaved as foals would when nothing interesting occurred, annoying their parents or playing some kind of game of tag with any others nearby. Their joyous hollers and squeaks shrilling in the air like the whistle Rainbow Dash used when training Scootaloo, to Twilight the waiting line already had her brain on auto record for later writing.
As they stopped just a few feet past the end of the three lines of awaiting thestrals, Steel gave the two a wink and unfurled his large powerful wings. After a few pumps he started to take to the air shortly followed by Twilight with Spike taking a proper seat on her back. Reaching the proper distance it all became clear as to what the Training Grounds were to the village, earning an astounding awe from his guests he easily picked up with his superb hearing.
The vast expanse revealed a complex system at work and one of which put the Solar Guard to shame with its incorporation of villagers among the Night Guard in a very effective process. Immediately, Twilight saw what appeared to be sparring matches and workout zones with families and soldiers participating together in intense and friendly activities. One on one refereed hoof to hoof as well as aerial duels clashed like a swarm of angry bees in a concerted coordination. That being the first zone she noticed right off the bat, as on the other side of the traffic lanes which appeared to part the four areas there were grounded thestrals eagerly at work. Using mock armaments such as swinging wooden replicas of varying types creating pops as the sturdy wood did its best to withstand the abuse. Like the Prance art of fencing, only instead of using thin bendable metal rods the tribes members were locked in artful contests that had them bounding, leaping, sliding, and every other bodily movement to evade and attack. Such initial inspection over their training bore the reason the fourth tribe were so successful against bigger threats of fell mages or at least anything below a Chaos God, a magic sucking centaur, and a loose astral bear cub.
Further back the other two areas hosted a range for long distance arms with a huge line for users practicing javelins, spears, all manners of arrow launching, and some rather weirder tools she was not accustomed with. Then there was the ‘Rank and File’ discipline zone for the Night Guard home guard to maintain coherency and unity just as with what Shining Armor endured or close enough. She could barely hear the shouts and commands of officers leading their troops into organized formation, but her eyes spotted a decent endurance course which ran along the borders of the fourth zone. Obstacles that had to be maneuvered with and without their use of flight, dummies that had to be struck in particular fashion, and even an inner ring where flight and full on gallops appeared to be enforced for a good portion of time. All this could be seen with the use of gemstone lighting, giant shards embedded into the caverns steep arching bulwarks which provided the illumination that was nearly as good as daylight itself. Last but not least, the trio took sight of the many brightly colored and clothed thestral warriors who appeared to be surveying the actions of their fellows high in the air near the ceiling. Occasionally one would swoop down and stop a battle in progress, another might power down into the running course and pull an exhausted soldier out of the line. Off the sides were possibly medical stations of some kind, white with red striped scarves decorated the ponies operating in the dug in rooms. For what it was worth, it was an all too impressive experience that she’d never soon forget especially if they were going to walk through it in a moment.
Twilight fluttered back down onto the cavern floor with the Commander popping a very unique question, “How is it not an ear shattering atmosphere? You’d think the confines of this village would echo and amplify the activities going on over there?”, though she failed to notice how the line of awaiting civilians to their left had gone deafly silent themselves.
“Sound absorbing spell fixed into the gem lights my princess” he trotted off with her right behind him, “Even our own hearing would be maddened if we trained without it. Now then… here we are!”
Three burly looking warriors stood at the iron gate which blocked the legged route in, wearing weathered and stern faces the likes of which meant they’d seen combat in its ugly form. Above them hovered a grid of armed and armored Night Guard standing vigilant for anything that appeared to be bringing trouble. Upon seeing Commander Vigil they appeared to liven up quickly as one of them cleared the way with a spear, their other weapons stayed and holstered as they welcomed one of the most capable of their kin.
“Commander! Attention!!” the thinnest one ordered to which even the civilians parked a hoof over their hearts though some foals simply looked from under their parent’s forest of legs.
“At ease!! Lieutenant Burning Glaive, I am here to show our guest the village. Her highness Princess of Friendship, Twilight Sparkle and her assistant Spike.” He stepped aside and let the purple alicorn be seen past his bulk.
“Uhh… greetings?” she stumbled with her words unprepared for being put under the light.
“Hiya!” her little dragon waved back to the then bowing ponies, even the guards in the air above the gate put their heads down in respect.
The mumblings of ‘Princess’ and ‘The holy Ones’ stirred through the common folk in worship, the guards however were rather restrained and simply acted as they had been drilled to do before one of the crown. For a tense few moments there was little again she knew of how to react to such a greeting, and it took Spike once more to help her.
He whispered into her ear, “You may want to say rise my fellow ponies! Do not let me interfere with your lives. Or something like that?”
Her ears perked up as she recited the phrase and instantly the queues stood back up and slowly went back into routine though they bore minute smiles from the drone emotionless ways they had partaken in. Another deed well done by her number one assistant, she’d have to give him something special or treat him to a good meal in Neighpon for his help as long as it had the new minerals she needed to ensure he had. Even being a comic book lover he still did his studies into old Equestria and cultures of time past she asked him to read. As she left the train of thought for later, Steel had trotted up to the guards which initiated the access they requested by his being there alone.
“You may enter.” One of the guards sounded as he and the other armored soldier moved the gates ajar, their steel plates softly clattering and scraping against other segments.
“Let us head out then shall we? You’ll be able to see why we hold our position in Equestria’s defense far above anything the Solar Guard can muster.” Vigil joyfully trotted through with Twilight close behind, “And maybe you too may lead us in the future?”
His last words fell on deaf ears as he purposely whispered and then mouthed out the comment, as it was further obscured by the prideful grunts and agreements by the overwatch guards around them. Like a foal going through the fence of an amusement park, out into the unfiltered light of the training section the spectacle before the two upworlders appeared far more stupendous without the checkpoint in the way. With detail easier to discern as they drew closer, past the leaving mares, stallions, and foals in tow Twilight soon understood how the system seemed to work as both a gym and a military boot camp. The moral ramifications justified considering who these ponies were as the intensity of the combatants really were the closer they got. Even Spike seemed rather enthusiastic to observe as if one of his comic books had come to life right before his eyes which was likely as it seemed.
Trotting down the initial lane of the flat oval-like staging grounds, staffs implanted into the substrate held more phosphorescent gemstones to further light the way for the sake of order. Occasionally a banner or two would appear though no wind would move it naturally they seemed to flutter by the batting of the thestral wings which were many. Twilight found herself just feet away from the first quadrants for observation, the sparring ground to the left where mainly villagers and a few armored or robed bat winged equines wrestled till one side submitted seemed to be fever pitched in their attempts. The first few were a mix of both genders having it out with some sporting smiles while huffing or scowls of determination. There had to be as many as forty pairs if her initial calculations were correct with rock piles acting as bleachers on the edges with resting and rooting watchers too scattered about to count. The duels on the gravel strewn floor were appearing restricted to their hooves only, as the trio passed even deeper along the route Twilight saw none even attempt to fly and used skill and tactic to overcome their opponents in quick succession before another repeat. Those who lost too quickly and beyond thrice flew up into the air to swap out for air combat.
One particularly interesting set of duels drew Twilight’s interest as what appeared to be triplets with subtle differences. Three mares without any garb easily downed and pinned their opponents consisting of two stallions and one other mare unrelated. Their golden yellow eyes shimmering, sweat darkened their gray brown coats as they removed themselves simultaneously from their defeated, victorious as they were they basked in the afterglow. All three wore their mane styles akin to Pinkie Pie’s firm sister Limestone though a little longer and with more jaggedness to their bangs, tinted in a soft azure darkest upon Lattice and lighter with Sheer. The beaten flew away to another match as Steel caught on to the Princess’s fascination quickly and held the walk.
“Those are the best of block nine, a rare birth to ever have… three from the same mother. They are known as the Viper Sisters, left is Sheer Cliff whose well known for quick K.O’s with her hooves alone even against armored enemies. Center is Night Shade who specializes in take downs and submission holds for live captures of A.O.S. or any who hold information that could save a life. Then, lastly, is Golden Lattice with the fastest rate of jabs known to any thestral mare. Together they form a core unit who have taken down thirty fell mages, seventeen rouge animals, and busted up to forty odd guarded A.O.S. magic caches to date. Viper Sisters this is Princess Twilight Sparkle.” Steel gladly introduced the five.
While they waited for their next in line to duke it out the three ponies looked behind them and did their own form of a bow. Though it was not meant to offend it did urk the Commander, his guests however found nothing suspicious as they rose back up with bright entrancing irises each fitting of the mares. The Viper Sisters exited their square fighting ring and walked up to Sparkle and Spike almost as a cat would investigate a strange new object.
“Wow, so ya the real deal huh? Tamed Discord and beat that six legged red freak? My… color me impressed!”, Night Shade whistled, “I knew when I got that poster of ya after you beat Nightmare Moon it was worth it! Ha!! Back at ya Sheer!”
Spike leaned in close to speak only to the lavender mare’s ears as the sisters playfully teased each other, “Wow I don’t think even the Royal Guard has any mares in their ranks?! Even with that kind of record.”
Though nervously Twilight did little than hum in agreement as the three siblings turned their full attentions back onto them with Golden next to engage, “So who’s the squirt? Nev’a seen a baby dragon that wasn’t try’n ta burn me.”
“Ohh Spike?! He’s my number one assistant! I raised him myself ever since my exam at the School for Gifted Unicorns. Why he’s even saved the Crystal Empire from King Sombra by rescuing the Crystal Heart with Princess Cadence, they erected a statue of you didn’t they?” she nervously inquired as the assertive spirits of the Viper Sisters were putting her off incidentally.
“Dang bro! Nev’a would have thought some drake like you was the Savior of that place. King Sombra nonetheless… Them shadow lovers always envoked his name whenever we were beat’n them into the ground. Good on ya.” Lattice swept part of her mane from her sight.
Sheer Cliff hummed in agreement, “Big things come in small packages as they say? So what’s ya doin around here of all places, somepony… errr I mean a princess as you figured would be out there doin stuff?” she corrected herself after a glare from Steel sent her manners back into proper place.
“Oh… well… I wanted to pay my respects to those lost in the recent operation, I’ve been invited by Commander Vigil in place of the princesses. I’ve also wanted to see your village because I was curious and maybe help refine the educational phase of the foals. Nothing builds better character than a good mind and a good book.” She proudly said with glee.
Night Shade seemed to embrace the generocity, “Well bout high time the crown lends a hand about that, fitt’n it be you Princess Twilight. Pretty sure the Commander’s mentioned the state of our book keep’n. Battle only teaches you so much, like Colonel Amber. That stallion spent just enough time in those books it made him keep his warriors during the tough years.”
“Could ya be anymore of a crush on that stallion?!” Cliff prodded her sister in jest.
“I wasn’t hitt’n on him I just mean he’s one of the few who didn’t sacrifice when the enemy made it hard to win is all…” the mare’s face flushed slightly, turning away sheepishly.
“Lay off Sheer, she speaks the truth and you know it. Commander Hurricane’s Blitzkrieg strategy will learn ya a thing or two instead of just running and sock’n.” Golden harshly reprimanded.
In no time the sisters were quarreling, earning them a very perturbed disappointing frown from their superior as they acted before one of the crown. Having sensed the potential backlash from Steel Twilight felt a change of topic might earn the girls less punishment for breaking behavior code if she suspected right.
Loudly she made herself the center of attention, “Wow, you guys must have a pyramid assessment! Those on the ground hoof combat only, hovering in the next tier, moderate flight above that, and the wing only high air warfare where the most space is to maneuver while others engage simultaneously!” she pressed the interest factor.
Spike coincidently followed suit, “Awesome, just like in the Redeemers comic series!”
“Quite the observation there sir Spike, yes we use a combination of Minotaur fighting brackets and Pegasi training regimes all in one. Where those in need of more practice continually are pushed to their limits by being transferred to the next level of dueling until they return to ground level. Minotaurs do this for fun however leaving the superior bulls in their rightful rank until they can be upended. It allows us to focus the best qualities of each warrior and then place them where they need to be to make the Night Guard fully capable by maximizing each guard’s unique concentration. While one may be good in hoof combat to some extent, if they remain in the aerial dog fighting tier then they show more promise as a scout and rapid response units.” Steel detailed though his demeanor maintained its discontent which the Viper Sisters realized too late.
“Uhh… ya, like for us we… uh… we’re CQP, low level flyers who engage enemy hoof mobiles when they are totally expecting an attack from the air! Isn’t that right Golden?” Night chuckled nervously fearful of the punishment that was likely to come at them.
“Yes yes ohhh very much, baddies think they’re expecting wings and don’t watch their chins! Us’n magical tomes and items to get the upper ground, when ya know how ta disarm them they’re worthless at protecting themselves like toothless Timberwolves.” The second sister nodded vigorously.
There was little else to be said under the ire of the alpha thestral looming over even one of the most elite Nigh Guard, for a terse moment even the countless sounds of battle surrounding them were of little distraction like the flapping of a butterfly. Few caught on to what happened yet dare not try to watch, their ears were more than sufficient to gather what was happening. To embarrass a Commander of the Night Guard and not just any commanding officer, the punishment was usually so harsh that words were never shared of it.
Twilight chewed her lower lip before feeling a tap from Spike, once again he helped her go the right path as she picked up on his claw gestures.
Clearing her throat with a hoof to her muzzle, “Commander Vigil I find that my own close friends, the former element bearers, are rather similar to the Viper Sisters. I’d like to interview them if that is at all possible? And as agreed it would be for my personal library, a birth of three triplets is rare indeed but so is the chance that they’d be so powerful an asset to your Guard.” She smiled honestly looking to both the three mares and then to him.
“Hmmm…” he rubbed his slight scruff of tuff under the chin as the glower wore off, “I think you’re right my princess, then it is settled. You three, Viper Sisters, will report immediately to the princess whenever she summons you and you will remain with her for as long as she deems fit or you are called onto the field. In which case you WILL resume the interview and questions after so, is that understood?” his dominating aura instantly had the girls salute crisply.
“SIR YES SIR!!” they said in perfect unison.
“Dismissed!” he turned with a wing to direct the other two to follow.
Spike looked behind them and saw what had become of the punished, happy he could save them from something worse. They did not sulk nor show much of anything or at least as much as he could study. The Viper Sisters turned tail and calmly went back into their spots where new opponents awaited flexing and stretching. That kind of reaction meant he shouldn’t feel sorry for the mares so much as those whom they’d take their anger on. Poor ponies wouldn’t know what hit them or the next batch, quite potentially even further down the line.
Ponies who took notice bowed before Twilight or saluted to the Commander after the spectacle from some of the stars of the village, occasionally some engaged in the duels lost outright when they responded as such which usually ended in a knock out in the most comedic way possible. As humorous as it was to see it did not bold too well for Twilight who waved back at them and continued on seeing the ponies return shortly to their activities or murmur about the presence of an alicorn. Though what she saw within the second zone was a little more than breathtaking from the first quadrant if somewhat extreme for her at least, being from such a peaceful albeit occasionally monster invaded surface world. The epic clashes for dominance vying for control with what was at hand really drove the point home to the perfection the thestral tribe pursued.
“So those ponies there, using replicas to hone their own focus with a particular weapon?” Spike asked in place of Sparkle, having noticed her squeamish reaction being so close to violent activity even if it was under constant watch of referees in the air swooping around like falcons for anything over aggressive and careless.
Vigil waved a wing towards the other group of fighters, “While fighting without a weapon is key to survival, the A.O.S. and other threats to Equestria may require a bit more handiwork with a tool such as those they wield. That’s not to say we aim to remove anything from their possession per say, but to simply disarm our opponents if they have a weapon of their own no matter what it may be. Each warrior and civilian has their own preference and specific bodily coordination, so to figure out if they are best with a battle axe, small daggers, swords, and the like. Our Sergeants pick out the promising and ensure they receive the full course in tactics with what they are naturally fluent in, it is best this way to avoid… unnecessary accidents while in the field. The real weapons are often blessed by Luna with some kind of sacred rune or gemstone, capable of breaking through any wards or charms a mage might have and to which a simple knock to the keester with the butt of your weapon ensures they are in for a little sleep.”
“Just as the Redeemers said, ‘A lost enemy tells no secrets.’… woooow.” Spike recited.
“Correct, there is no need for any loss of life if it can’t be forced to help. Luna’s taught this whenever she visits when she can. A memento from her darker past, for she who knows the shadow itself can find empathy in the lost and guilty. So to take a life means we only feed the darkness until it regains power and reforms once more.” He solemnly recanted eyeing the progress of the dueling whose sweat flew threw the air with every impact and evasion.
The closest were mighty stallions using what surmounted to a shield breaker or club, poles whose ends were thick metal with stubs or in this case an oak copy. Twilight knew how those were used and the damage they could inflict, they had a reputation when the pony kingdoms still vied for supplies before Hearth’s Warming Eve ever came to unite them. They were a pegasus worst enemy as a single impact would obliterate the wings and shatter their hallow bones which permitted flight. Those two thestrals danced with the grace of striking griffon fisher birds, those of the eagle and hawk variety more often than not perfected a method of grasping silver morsels and swooping back into the air. Where one would side swipe their club, the other stepped away or twirled with the strike before bringing their own attack with such power that dust kicked up with stone fragments. Using either their mouth or their forelimbs to hold the pulverisers they traded attacks in expertly coordinated dances until one slipped up and received what they had been trying to prevent the whole time. Though what amazed Sparkle was the restriction and control by the victor who swiftly retarded the energy they had initially put in till the clubs head merely tapped or drummed upon their conquered. Having nearly passed their session the two stallions burst into laughter as one helped the other up, as if nothing serious was ever even taken.
Twilight couldn’t help but find relief in the doctrine they seemed to follow as rather brutally efficient as they seemed to be, until he brought up the nightmare. Nightmare Moon and Nightmare Rarity came to her forethought which conflicted with what the Commander had explained just then.
“But I thought Princess Luna destroyed the Darkness after it tried to take over my friend Rarity?” she raised the question.
A shake of his head told otherwise, “That was a clever ruse to keep you six and others safe, fear of the darkness fuels its resurgence. Darkness has been seen as part of the cosmos where we have Light and Dark working in tandem to balance the world as well know it, both must exist or there lies no existence. It is an eternal battle that we hope to keep the Light forever overwhelming the Dark. She knows this from merging with it when she became Nightmare Moon… she’s seen its past and what it plans eternally for the future no matter how many times it has been defeated. I’m afraid the Darkness is very real, the issue at hoof is what form will it come through again? Will it be smarter than last? And if so… how far will it sink its tendrils in hopes we slack in our vigilance.”
“I hadn’t thought of that, I truly believed we… then if what you say is true I can’t dwell on it then. I should be resilient as Luna would want of me!”
“That’s the spirit, now princess we’re entering the Range and the Drill zone. While the Range is open to everypony, only Night Guard are in the…” the Commander ducked just as a wayward thestral lost his bearings and through disorientation from the circular flight path flew off like a fresh recruit of the Wonderbolts.
Two overseer Guards rushed over but Twilight and Spike never learned anymore of what happened to the poor stallion, “In the Drill zone, there we ensure our newest members know the hierarchy and how to function as a unit. Becoming one with twenty others and knowing each other to the point you can rely on the next set of wings to your right means all the difference in battle.”
The two gazed upon the swirling twister of circuit runners encompassing officers and instructors who commanded processions and maintained the ranks as they marched in numerous manners. They appeared like golems in their lack of any individuality from the slightest turn to the movement of their limbs, the Guard had a different feel about them separate from the Solar Guard in some fashion. Even after they caught glimpse of her in the traffic lane they acted solely upon whatever their orchestrator deemed of them. One massive block of warriors had such a authority as they shouted for their salute to her. As one their hooves stomped loudly, their heads turned to her with one hoof over their chest, little more than dolls poised by their puppet master as they passed by them. It was eerie to see the efficiency compacted so tightly into a unit more than she’d seen already, it was a step up from how Shining Armor commanded the Guard when she arrived for his wedding. How peeved she was and nearly received a shower of spears upon her from eager soldiers.
“Those laps they run keep them awake and active, running marching drills can wear down your mental energy. So a few dozen laps in and around a few barriers or flying in a perfect circle keeps their blood going.” Steel further explained before pointed with his head to the Range.
“Hey isn’t that a mana bomb they’re using?” Spike pointed out the glowing spheres of magic held within what appeared to be a glass ball.
Twilight took notice as well and her eyes widened in fear only to feel a wing from the officer try to keep her calm, “Yes those are, but they are duds. We don’t trust such munitions in our caves so we have simmunitions instead. Unicorn crafted visual spells charmed upon those decoys, once they are activated and thrown, they technically go off to show the effective range of the thrower.”
He could hear a sigh of utter relief, “Never thought that was possible?” her assistant scratched his head.
“Here we let our tribe ensure they know how to use the armory should the need ever arise or for our guards to be ever ready for deployment. Anything that can be shot, thrown, and swung is permitted and you’d be surprised of what the foals can do with the miniature versions.” To which Twilight noticed several young colts working properly sized crossbows with an adult sashed officer helping them as they aimed.
All the ponies on the Range were far too busy to notice the alicorn nearby, far honed in their skill and performance to pay her any heed. The loud thwacks of thick poles tipped with bronze and iron spearheads embedding themselves in self repairing circular targets thumbed the pair’s hearing. The sharp hiss of arrows and bolts flying at high speeds added to the chorus, all of which were majestic to see occur as their one spot accuracy showed. Mares, stallions, foals alike showed prowess that Twilight was sure the Cutie Mark Crusaders would spend a few months on using as an attempt to gain their marks from. All in all, the thestral tribe left her speculating just how they lost so many to an incident they seemed fully capable of withstanding even a few losses from. What exactly had done such harm to them that even their might in combat couldn’t topple?
Having followed close by the Commander closely they neared the edge of the Training grounds quickly enough and judging from the checkpoint nearing them the guided tour seemed close at hoof to end. Spike kept a keen eye as the scenes of war preparation started to shrink away, but to Twilight she observed the total of three checkpoints which all were under close observation. Her mind tickled with theories and speculations as to who the A.O.S. might even be and how effective they were compared to a Changeling to warrant such a high breed of capable fighters. She shuttered a thought and left it for another time just as Steel spoke up to announce their next venture.
“Well my princess, I hope you enjoyed that aside from the slight mishap in conduct… I am taking you to the next Dwelling but before that we shall visit the Elders. They are eager to see you.” The three passed through the far less busy eastern checkpoint.
“I’d… be happy to! Please lead the way.” She agreed hoping the older ponies might offer a prospect less testosterone fueled atmosphere and a more reasonable interaction, not that she was put off by the Viper Sisters or the battle readiness of the tribe.
Having relived the same experience as with the other side, they side stepped the waiting queues who gave their respects to the princess before heading down the rough walls and pebble littered floor. The path took a left halfway down the gloomy granite tunnel which spoke of antiquity since its carving into Mount Canterhorn, into the new route a smaller Dwelling of a sort sporting the same kind of rooms that were carved into the walls with vacancy apparent. Those she felt were in use had been covered by drapes of various cloths and textiles more rich and decorated with ornate patterns befitting of an Elder’s home. Some were shown to have a candle or gem light from deep within their bowels peering through the fabric doors, leaving her to wonder what secrets had the thestrals kept behind rudimentary access points. Perhaps even without horns they had mystical powers similar to Zecora, maybe even alchemical and scientific wonders of bygone ages were waiting to be shared? The thought brought the lavender princess back into her normal cheery mood as she looked forward to meeting the most experienced ponies of the fourth tribe. So many questions wrought her brain wanting answers though she knew she was on borrowed time as her trip drew nearer.
The avenue of the reserved residential hollow went further inward into another part where a rose hued fire flickered lively, a portion that the engineers had shrank the high arching ceiling into one last room made for special gatherings. The dancing light had to be more firestone being used and providing illumination to the older thestrals like the bison bonfires, but what drew Twilight’s attention as they proceeded towards the final area of the sanctum was the slight sound of giggling and a scraping of sort behind them. She turned her head to the surprise of her little dragon with the speed of which even he was unprepared for and nearly shocked him into falling off if not from the whip of her mane on his snout. She barely caught the glimpse of something of a tail or a wisp of some kind too blurry to make out. Not like that of the thestrals she knew but it happened within two seconds of time and her ability to analyze that minute data failed her. She could have sworn she saw something yet nothing was there for her to study which peeved her like a random floater in the eye betraying a sight in the peripheral much to Spike’s confusion. Seeing his friend act all weird for no reason he too looked behind them, finding nothing that his draconic sight could lock onto. The little guy looked back and shrugged to both her behavior and to nothing out of the ordinary.
“Come… we’re almost there.” Steel said as they reached a long line of suspended raggedy cloth that fenced off the other side.