//------------------------------// // Surprise Witnesses // Story: Death's Final Verdict // by Jaycren //------------------------------// The Princess, her consort, and their child, sat cramped into the royal chariot. Across from the Royal Family sat the Princess's Crystallier, The King of the Changelings, and his Captain of the Guard. The Cystallier holding his girlfriend tight, her head against his chest. The quiet only broken by the babbling of the Royal infant. Out of the King's mouth green flame materialized. The king snatched the letter, then stopped. He looked to his Captain of the Guard. "Pharynx it's for you." All looked to Pharynx, who was as mystified as the rest. The Princess spoke. "I didn't know you knew Spike." "I've never met him, Shining Armor would you please put a containment shield around me. Isolate me as much as possible, I don't want even sight or sound to escape it. Make the isolation both ways. Hold the shield till I give the all clear." Shining looked questioningly upon the veteran, "Any reason for that last request?" "If it's from spike he sent it to me, I don't read modern Equestrian, Thorax would've mentioned it. So knowing this, what my precautions would be upon the arrival, including the logical conclusion that where I got this is as important as when, it means that this is likely for my ears only. If it's not from Spike it's an assassination attempt and I need to trigger this but limit the damage." "What will be the all clear?" "A physical knock on the shield shouldn't be effected by the dampening effect, Thorax will know if it comes from me." Shining sighed, then shook his head, he often questioned Pharynx's methods, but never his judgment or dedication. "I can find no fault as to your reasoning. Alright, the shield will go up on my mark, in 3, 2, 1, Mark!" The Violet aura of Shinning's Magic isolated the changeling, and then.... nothing. Each passenger straining, the moments passed, until a hard knocking was heard. "That's Changeling guard code, He's giving the all clear." Thorax exclaimed. As the shield fell, they all noticed that the letter had been torn to shreds. Pharynx shook, his eyes glaring red, his lips pulled back in a snarl. Starlight was the first, "Pharynx is everything Okay? What's the matter? Is Spike in danger?" "Spike's fine," came the low growl, "When I met him, I owe him thanks." Prince Pharynx, Royal Guard Captain of the Changelings, Older Brother to the King of The Changelings, crossed to the door of the airborne carriage. "I regret that has to be later, I've been informed of another matter that requires my attention. Regrettably, I have to ask you all to trust me and that you need to continue to the hospital. Sunburst, remember to look after my Sis, Starlight and my Little Bro Thorax. I'll meet up with you all at the conclusion." Sunburst, shook his head, then nodded, "Of Course." With that, Pharynx opened the door, and when the safety wards re-engaged, he was gone ######################################################################################### A bearded Pony sat upon a hill overlooking what had once been his village, but was now ruins infested with field mice and foxes. He thought it strangely appropriate. He had removed his robe and hat, in favor of the nudity ponies of today. It was honestly pleasant to feel the wind against his skin, to enjoy the warmth of the grass in the sinking of the sun. An older unicorn mare approached, her white hair blowing in the wind. She too had taken to going around nude, the stallion admitting it suited her. Laying next to him, she offered him the warmth and comfort of her body. They lay together a moment more, staring out into the forgotten, but not empty, ruins. The Mare chuckled, "I find it strangely appropriate, Starswirl, that your town has become, field mice being lorded over by foxes." Starswirl glared upon the Elder Mare., "If naught but field mice and foxes are from this place, what then, Mistmane, am I?" "Why, it makes you a Silver Fox, Starswirl, my dear." She groused back, placing a kiss upon his lips, the act still new enough to illicit a blush from the Unicorn Mage. Pulling away, Mistmane stared up at the older unicorn, a smirk and a glint in her eye. Snickering, she leaned in for another kiss, only to watch as, green mist rose out of her beau's mouth, knowing what was coming she leaned back to make room, flame shot from Starswirls mouth, only to coalesce into a sealed letter. Starswirl, Harrumphed, "I truly wish there was a better way to do that." Grabbing the scroll, he quickly read the contents, then consumed the letter in flames. "Mistmane." "Yes, Starswirl?" "We have to get to Canterlot." "Why?" "My Daughter is getting married." ######################################################################################### Two dark colored unicorns sat across from one another, one small, grey and frail, with a bowl cut mane and piercing eyes, the other was enormous, coloration of dusty black, his unruly pitch black mane framing his handsome face. Both held cards close to their chest, the two mares at their sides smirking. "Alright Stygian, I call!" Came the pronouncement of the larger stallion, placing his cards upon the table he grinned, his white teeth gleaming on his face. "A Straight Flush." The smaller unicorn tapped his finger upon his lip, "If I remember correctly Sombra, the only hand that would let me win is a Royal Straight Flush?" The Smaller Unicorn, glanced down at his cards and sighed sadly, lifting his eyes Stygian placed his hand upon the table. "Well, Darn, that means I ultimately win again, would you mind actually being challengeing next time?" Mage Meadowbrook slapped Stygian across the back of his head, Sombra flinched in sympathy as his opponent hit the table, hard. "You're supposed to be Nice." Meadowbrook admonished. "It was just a little ribbing, Sombra can take it, right big fella?" Stygian returned. Sombra made to answer, but caught the look of the mare next to him. "Radiant, thinks I need to take constructive criticism better, so I thank you for this lesson in strategy and humility." Glancing once more at Radiant Hope he let out a sigh of relief as she graced him with a smile. "It is good for both of our stallions to get that lesson every so often, isn't it Mage Meadowbrook." Radiant said to her counterpart. "Indeed, Radiant Hope, it is a good lesson indeed." Stygian wilted under the stare of the Pillar of Healing. "Maybe my words were harsh, I apologize for any insult." "Not at all, Stygian, I value input from one that is as Knowledgeable as you." Bowing his own head, the once King Sombra, now purified of his madness, bowed to the former Pony of shadows, two beings that perhaps understood each other better then the mares at their sides. Both mares gazed lovingly at their Stallions, when, simultaneously, green whispy smoke began to billow out of the mouth of Stygian, as well as Sombra. Forcing it's way out, fire materializied into twin scrolls, each was snatched by its respective recipient. Both Stallions read quickly, then turned as one to their mares. "I need to get to Canterlot Now!!!!!"