//------------------------------// // Chapter Sixteen: Vix-Lei, Rex, Page Turner, Wind Breaker // Story: Picking Up the Pieces // by Evilhumour //------------------------------// Chapter Sixteen Vix-Lei This was the best. Vix-Lei couldn’t stop herself from smiling as she looked around, taking in the view of the skimmer. She had seen other ZRX-29 Novas back home but this was top of the line. She would have loved to get a peek at its engine, but considering they were still in the air right now, she didn’t think anytaur else would appreciate her poking around. Still, she was back in the sky, and that was what counted. A noise came from behind her, and she looked back to see a somewhat rumpled Night Blade coming out of his cabin, blinking the last of the sleep out of his eyes. “Morning!” she greeted him. Night Blade’s response was just barely audible, and unprintable. Still, she chuckled. “Yeah, I know. Too early to be this cheerful?” “You could say that,” Night replied grumpily. “One key difference between Page and I - she’s a morning pony, I’m not.” “Completely understand,” Vix-Lei said as she stretched. “Me, I’ve always been a morning ‘taur. Need to be when you’re always getting up early to work at the shipyards in my family.” “Quite.” Night Blade looked around. “How close are we to our destination, anyway?” “About an hour and a half or so,” Vix-Lei told him. “Gray Cloud says it’s been smooth sailing.” “Good.” He then tilted his head to the last cabin door and asked, “Has Wind Breaker been up yet?” “Not a peep from him,” Vix-Lei replied. “It’s just been me, Gray and the sunshine.” “Hmm,” Night stretched his head towards the door. “Do you think I should go check on him?” “Hmmmmno,” Vix-Lei said while pulling him back while Night just flared his wings in surprise. “Let him sleep some more. He clearly needs it.”   Night just settled his eyes on her before turning his head to the direction of the kitchen. “Do you know if anything has been made?” “No and do you know what that means?” Vix-Lei might have grinned a bit too much because Night was backing up. “It means that we have to go find the staff?” he asked warily before she shook her head. “Come on Night, don’t be silly,” she said while dragging him towards the door. “While we were out on that little adventure of us, you barely cooked anything.” “That’s because I don’t really know how to cook?” he ventured tentatively. “You saw yourself when we were out in the Everfree, I can make sandwiches at most. The rest of the time, I have somepony else cooking for me - it’s how I grew up.” “Well that’s going to change,” she said, dragging the bat pony into the kitchen. “And besides, don't you want to surprise Page with something that's not smoke and ash?” “It would be nice,” he admitted before shooting her a look. “You don’t play fair.” “I’ve got seven little brothers, Night,” she said as they walked into the kitchen. “Only a fool plays fair in these kinds of things.” “Point.” Night Blade sighed. “Still, how do we even start?” “Depends on exactly how much you already know,” Vix-Lei replied. “I mean, I know a guy from the yards who didn’t even realize that some foods had special drawers in the refrigerator - he put the cheese in with the lettuce and vice-versa. If he can learn to cook, so can you.” Night Blade winced. “I’m not that bad,” he said. “Like I said, I just don’t have the opportunity to try it for myself most of the time.” Vix-Lei could hear some self-pity in that tone and she mentally shook her head; that wouldn’t do. “Well, we’ve got some now. And besides, we can get Windy to tell us how you did.” “I thought we are trying to make him feel good, Vix-Lei,” Night grinned at her and Vix-Lei knew that she was on the right track. “So, first step is to see what’s here.” Vix-Lei opened the refrigerator. “Hmm, looks like the basics… eggs, dairy, juice, veggies, ooh! Olives!” She grinned as she pulled a jar out. “Not exactly breakfast food, but I love ‘em. Mom makes ‘em stuffed with feta cheese, and they’re great.” “Not sure as I’ve had that particular variety, but we have had olives stuffed with something at a few of the fancy dinners I’ve been to,” Night Blade told her as he peered in from above as well. “I’ll have to tell her when she visits then,” Vix-Lei said as she set the jar back in the door. “But let’s see… how good are you at slicing veggies?” she asked as she pulled a few items out. “That, I can handle,” Night Blade told her. “Good. Wash these and then cut them up - thin slices, okay?” she said as she handed him a package of mushrooms. Night Blade nodded, and began to carefully follow her instructions while she pulled a pan and a couple of bowls out. When he’d finished, she checked his work. “Good, good… and you knew to use the cutting board, that’s another sign that you’re better at this than you think,” she said, remembering how Argus did it on the counter and how Mom wanted to kill him for it - one of the few times he hadn’t been seeing as clearly as he usually did. “Now, watch me.” As she talked, she cracked an egg into a bowl. “Aim carefully so you hit in precisely the right spot. Just smashing one of these will make a big mess.” She tapped another egg against the edge of the counter, sliding it into its own bowl afterward, then added it to the first one. “Need to make sure they’re good before you mix them into one,” she explained. “That’s another way to keep from wasting ingredients.” Once she’d gotten three into a single bowl with some seasonings, she poured it into the pan, turned the heat on, and eyed it. Once it had cooked up enough, she flipped the whole thing, letting the underside cook a bit, before switching it back and tossing some of the mushrooms and shredded cheese into it, then folded the whole thing over. “Another thirty seconds or so, and serve,” she said. “Voila: your basic omelette. Cooked just long enough to solidify without getting overdone.” Night Blade shook his head. “You’re really good at this,” he said. “I learned from the best,” Vix-Lei replied. “Now, your turn. And I know it’s easier with fingers than with hooves, but I know you can do it.” Night Blade swallowed nervously, but did as she had, and while she did need to give him a few urgings when it came to timing, by the end he’d turned out two more pretty good omelettes. There was a little charring on the bottoms and edges, but Vix-Lei told him that that was a common error even for those who’d been doing it for a long time. “Now we just need Windy,” she said. “If you could carry these to the table, I’ll see how he’s doing.” “Right,” Night nodded his head, lifting the plates with his wings before he paused and looked at her. “Thank you for this.” “You’re very welcome,” Vix-Lei told him as she disappeared into the back. A few minutes later, Vix-Lei had returned with Wind Breaker, who was still blinking sleepily. “Was the party blower in my ear really necessary?” he grumbled. “I almost hit my head on the ceiling when you startled me!” “Didn’t want breakfast to get cold while you took another hour to wake up,” Vix-Lei replied lightly. “C’mon, we’ve got just enough time to eat and clean up before we land.” The griffon grumbled a little more before settling into his seat, and began to have his breakfast. His eyes brightened as he ate. “Say, this is really good!” He took another bite. “My compliments to the cook.” “Thank you,” Night Blade told him. Wind’s eyes widened. “Wait, you-” “Vix-Lei showed me how while you were sleeping,” Night Blade told him. “I don’t mind saying I was a little hesitant at first, but she really knows her stuff.” “Like I said, I learned from the best,” Vix-Lei said as she munched her own omelette. “Mom taught all of my brothers and I at least the basics, and more than that for some of us. I’m not perfect by any means, and I’m better at some things than others, mainly because I’ve been around the longest.” “That makes logical sense,” Night Blade told her. “At any rate, it was pointed out that I should be capable of making more than just sandwiches.” “Well, you succeeded,” Wind Breaker replied. “This is really good.” He swallowed another bite. “Certainly better than my first attempts at anything. Then again, I doubt anypony could do worse than Cloth Cutter - he was one of the griffons at the Hatchery that I grew up with. The first time they put him to work in the kitchen, he burned lemonade.” “How - no, I don’t even want to know,” Vix-Lei said as she shook her head. Standing up, she carried her empty plate over to the sink, then peered out a window. “Looks like we’re pretty close to the harbour,” she said. “Better finish up here and strap in.” The two males quickly wolfed down the last few bites of their breakfast, then headed for the main area of the skimmer. Bracing themselves as Gray Cloud’s voice came in over the intercom warning them to prepare for descent, the trio watched the mountains come into sharper details with flags of the griffon nation flying high in the air. “Just occurred to me guys,” Vix-Lei tilted her head as she looked at her friends. “Do we need to have passports as we are in another country.” “I would think you’d already have yours,” Night Blade replied. “After all, you came from Ledra to Equestria earlier.” “Well, yah,” Vix-Lei, reached into her pack to pull out hers. “But do you guys have yours?” Wind Breaker facetaloned. “I don’t think I ever had one,” he said. “Second-class citizen at best until yesterday, remember?” Night Blade frowned. “This could be a problem… I have one of my own, my parents did arrange for it when I was younger, but I didn’t even think about Wind Breaker needing one for this trip.” “Doesn’t his book count?” Vix-Lei asked. “Yes it would… if I hadn’t burned it yesterday,” Wind Breaker said miserably. “Got caught up in all the excitement, and there were a bunch of others tossing theirs in bonfires… I didn’t even think I’d need it anymore. Guess I botched that one big-time.” He hung his head. “I’m sure we can fix this up,” Night Blade said. “There’s an Equestrian embassy in the Isles, if all else fails we can go to them for help.” “Besides, maybe we’ll get lucky and no one asks?” Vix-Lei said. “I don’t know; we will need to go to some official to get some information about Wind’s family,” Night said, tapping his chin. “Then again, we might be able to use those as official papers?” “Can’t hurt to try guys,” Vix-Lei said with a grin. Then something occurred to her. “Wait - maybe they gave you a new one in that file you got?” Wind Breaker blinked and began to root around in his bags for the file. Once he’d found it, he started to flick through the papers before pulling out a small little book. Flipping that open, he let out a sigh of relief. “Thanks Vix-Lei, I wouldn’t have even thought to check for a new passport, let alone all this paperwork.” “It just came to me,” Vix-Lei replied. “Good thing too - that’s one problem solved.” “Now just to find out where I came from,” Wind Breaker chirped, raising his head high as the ship sailed into the dock and they were able to disembark. Rex “Thanks for sticking with me, Rex,” Xvital told him that morning as the pair approached the Academy. She glanced at the Cadenza Guards behind them. “Nice to have some friendly company.” “It would have been my pleasure to come with you, even if I hadn’t been called here myself,” Rex replied in earnest. “I believe that if you made some more overtures, they would be friendlier.” “I tried, but got nowhere,” Xvital said. “Besides, they’re Guards, and with my past, I’m still very nervous around them. It’s going to take a while before I feel comfortable around law enforcement.” “I can certainly understand,” Rex replied. “And I suppose your guards are not helping matters any more.” Xvital answered with a shudder, then did her best to calm herself before she cast another bout of wild magic. “You said it. The only one who doesn’t really bother me is Tizy’s best friend Axayacatl, and that’s because I’ve known him for years - he and Tizy practically grew up together, so I got to know him as more than a guard back when I was still living in the capital.” There was a faint blush on her face when she spoke of that. “My heart was always Tizy’s, but Axayacatl was a great guy too.” “Was he not the one who was standing with you during our return here?” Rex asked. Xvital nodded. “That’s him.” She let out a sigh. “I think Tizy is going to make him my personal bodyguard.” “Is that an issue?” Rex asked her. “Not particularly, but a girl likes her privacy, you know?” Xvital sighed. “The one negative side of this is that I’m going to be in the public eye a lot, and I don’t much appreciate the attention. Especially if I’m trying to get some time to myself. Heck, I remember an incident where I had to slip into a local privy just to try and get away from a reporter… and he still followed me in!” She shook her head. “One of the few times I’ve been glad to have a Guard show up.” Rex let out a snort of disgust. “There is such a thing as going too far, and that individual clearly crossed a line,” he said. “You said it,” Xvital agreed. “Tizy was furious with him when he found out. It took everything that guy had just to keep from being thrown in jail on the spot, and even then I think his boss switched him to covering stuff away from the capital afterward as punishment.” “One can only imagine and hope that it was the case.” Rex shook his head. “At any rate, we are here.” He stared at the massive building. It was a sprawling complex with far stretching wings attached to the main multistory building, with multiple mini gardens scattered around where ponies of all tribes were discussing different all matters of subjects. Here were some sitting on the edge of the fountain, and in the case of the three seaponies in the fountain, holding drawings up to each other. All eyes, however, drifted towards them, as they got closer and Rex could see Xvital tense up at the looks with the ahuizotless’s tail flicking around and as such, more motes of her magic were flickering about in the air. Remembering what had happened last time, Rex placed a paw on her shoulder. “Xvital, are you well?” he asked, causing her to face him. “Yeah, just… nervous,” she admitted. “All of these guys are so advanced in their fields and here I come in with no idea what I’m doing… plus I don’t really belong here and-” “That’s nonsense,” Rex interrupted her. “You have every right to be, even if you did not gain magic.” “Come on Rex, don’t be silly. That’s Vix-Lei’s job,” she laughed, shaking her head. “The only reason I am here because of my magic. You're the one that belongs here, what with your brains and all.” “Xvital.” Rex took her hand. “Magic or not, you do belong here, and there is nothing you can say that will ever convince me otherwise. Especially considering they teach more than magic here. Night Blade’s brother teaches art in this school, as you may recall.” She snorted, shaking her head. “Point. And until I get a better grip on my magic, you’re right.” She paused in front of the main doors. “So you know what you need to do?” “I have my instructions memorized, Xvital,” Rex told her. “The Academy Director and the Dean of Alchemy are expecting me in the Director’s office, and I have been assured that they will be giving me a fair interview. Admittedly, I wish it was more due to their recognizing my talents and less due to my recent change in status, but it’s something I appreciate.” Xvital blinked for a moment. “Oh yeah - you were talking about that back when we were on our way to help with Wind’s thing, that morning at the inn.” She shook her head. “Well, I hope things work out… now if only I knew exactly where I was going.” “Still not good with maps?” Rex teased her with Xvital sighing. “They change the room on me every time for my safety,” she said in a tired tone. “You guys won’t let me live that down, will you?” “Why would we do such a silly thing, Xvital?” he grinned at her pouting, which broke out into a grin. “You do realize we’re not trying to be offensive about it though - it’s just good-natured teasing.” “Yeah, I know,” she said rolling her eyes. “Good luck with your interview, I’m off to learn how to make light appear that won’t set stuff on fire.” She then grumbled under her breath in her native language while glancing at the paper in her hand and started off in one direction, leaving Rex alone with his own small little retinue of protectors. With a deep breath of air to reinvigorate him, Rex began to walk off to his own location, repeating a mantra that he did belong here to keep his nerve. When he had reached the office, he knocked on the door, and a moment later a voice responded. “Come in!” Entering the office, Rex observed the two unicorn mares waiting for him, with Director Decorated Page sitting behind her desk and the Dean of Alchemy, Polished Spring if he recalled right, just off to the side. Both were wearing half suits and had very serious looks on their faces, but after a moment, they settled back into a more relaxed position. “Mr. Rex,” the mare behind the desk began. “Please, take a seat.” Once he had, she continued. “I understand you have applied for a position with us before.” “That is true, Director,” Rex replied. “And you were rejected at the time because…” Rex forced himself to keep his tone even. “Because the individual who reviewed and rejected my application felt that due to my species and lack of inherent magical ability, I also lacked the understanding necessary to teach about it.” “And just who was it who reviewed your application?” the Director asked. “It was signed Stone Spear,” Rex replied. “I got a response back less than a day after submitting.” The two mares exchanged glances, and one of them sighed. “Oh, him.” Rex raised an eyebrow at this, and the mare cleared her throat. “Stone Spear is someone we’ve had more than a few complaints about from both existing staff and various applicants,” she explained. “You’re not the first one to be turned down by him, and the only reason we haven’t gotten rid of him before now is because he has family connections, and because he makes sure to include thorough explanations for turning down a candidate that look good on paper. From what we’ve observed though, the real reason though is… well… let’s just say you’re not the kind of person he likes to hire, and it’s not just because you’re not a pony. We try to have somepony else double-check on his work before it gets mailed out, but some of these applications always slip through.” “Might I ask what kind of person he likes to hire?” Rex asked calmly. “Mares,” the two chorused. “The stallion is a notorious womanizer,” Director Decorated Page explained. “In all the time he’s worked here, I don’t think he’s accepted more than a hoofful of other stallions, and those were mostly ones who had family connections to rival his, meaning they could get him in trouble if he declined them.” “I see.” Rex sat back as the Director and Dean began looking over a sheet of paper each, which he suspected were copies of his application. Finally, the Dean set hers down. “I, for one, am very impressed with what I’m seeing here,” she said. “Am I to understand that this is your work, a modification of a Reclaimed spell?” She held up a very familiar object. “Yes,” Rex replied as he recognized one of the necklaces he had been giving out at the Honour Festival. “My two associates are capable of performing the spell in its original form, but I was the one who researched it and figured out how to recreate it, before modifying the formula into the form you now carry.” “I am very impressed,” the Dean replied. “When one of my students showed me this and the pamphlet that came with it, I wanted to find the one responsible right away.” She leaned forward. “Would you care to accompany me to one of our labs and demonstrate more of your work?” “I would be delighted,” Rex replied. “Teaching has been my dream for a long time.” “We can always use more skilled teachers,” the Director spoke up. “And I am personally looking forward to observing you in an actual classroom situation.” “I look forward to proving myself, Madame Director,” Rex said as he rose and bowed to her. She nodded back, and after the Dean had risen from her own seat, he followed her out of the room. Rex felt a bit of confusion when he saw several students begin to follow them and a realization to what was about occur when they had entered a classroom that had students waiting within. The Dean stepped forwards and said to the students, “Mister Rex is here to demonstrate the procedure to producing the Reclaimed spell.” She then turned to Rex and gestured for him to step forwards. Moving to the front of the desk, Rex took a short breath before he reached for a piece of chalk and began to write on the board. Page Turner Page tilted her head upwards when one of the.. her Guards came to the threshold to her door. Since Memorizing Gaze was rather busy with his own work to deal with the ongoing strike by the main branch of the Guards and supplementing them with his own, he’d left Sound Record and High Finish to help her this morning, and they’d delivered several different proposals to help her hive that had been drafted by a variety of ponies. Other than that delivery, things had been relatively quiet for her until now. “Yes?” she asked them, raising an eyebrow while in her unicorn form. While it was an open secret that she was a changeling and some of her hive was slightly uncomfortable with her continuous usage of this form, it was a matter of habit and comfort that would take some time to change. “I…” the drone, Tymbal as she recalled, shifted his eyes guiltily. “Sound Record had wanted this to remain with the Sages until such matters were resolved to avoid any conflict, I… felt that you would want to know of it.” Tymbal shifted awkwardly on his hooves. “I know that Captain Gaze told me to follow his brother’s words as if they came from him but I know that he wouldn’t approve of this.” “What is it, my drone?” Page asked calmly while wondering with deep concern to exactly was going on that it caused one of the Hidden Guards to break rank like this and why he felt he couldn’t tell her via the hivemind. Tymbal’s face went red and he timidly walked over to her and whispered into her ear. Page immediately dropped the proposals and stared at him. “This better not be some sort of joke, Tymbal,” she said sternly, causing him to wince. “I wish it were, my Queen,” he said, backing up to avoid her wrath. “But they are discussing such matters now that it was brought up.” “I appreciate you bringing this to my attention, my little changeling,” Page said. Standing up, she marched out of the room and down through the hallways of the Great Library to the area her Sages had taken as their residence until she could either find a better place or maybe to the old hive in the badlands. She had taken a slightly longer route to the room as to calm herself as this had to be handled carefully, though not too much as this was completely unacceptable. Pushing the doors open, she saw her Sages in the midst of a discussion with Sound Record glaring at them and a confident drone that was wearing a well made half suit. All of them turned to stare at her sudden entrance with one of her Sages staring to stand up before Page glared at her to sit back down. “I have just recently learned that you are discussing a very important matter concerning myself and my chosen life partner,” she said coldly. “And I am not happy about what I have heard.” “My queen,” the drone said, oozing with confidence. “I am sorry that you had to hear it in this fashion but you are correct.” He walked over with Record narrowing his eyes and stepping closer to Page’s side. “My name is Stock Market, my queen, and like any member of our dear hive, our first concern is the Queen and the continuance of your royal bloodline.” He continued to smile at her before looking at the Sages. “We are aware of the fact that due to the previous feelings towards our tribe had limited the previous Queens in choosing a drone as their consort in order to get around the changeling detector lights, as many other families had to do.” Page glared at him, wishing she could rebuke it except for the fact that she didn’t know about her maternal line’s reasonings for their consorts. He saw her pause and smiled ever so slightly more at her. When he took another step closer to her, Page saw Record resting a hoof on his sword and could now sense several of her changelings that had been hiding in the room make their appearance known. “As the Pardon has been passed my Queen,” Stock Market continued, seemingly unconcerned about the Guards coming towards him as he addressed her. “It would only stand to reason that everything that can be done to improve our hive be done. I, and a few others that were capable of inserting our families within the Equestrian high society, for example, had prepared for the day when our hive and tribe was no longer persecuted and have already began to start funds to support the hive financially.” Page tilted her head in reluctant agreement, not trusting herself to speak just yet to this drone. “And how else can the moral of our hive be further strengthened if not by having our Queen choose her consort now and let them know that the next generation is already being thought of and being taken care of?” “Your concerns for the hive is appreciated, my drone,” she said stiffly. “But you overreach yourself by-” “My Queen, a thousand apologies for interrupting you, but I highly disagree,” he said, giving her a glare that caused her wings to throb in anger and the Guards were now twitching at being restrained from doing anything to this drone. “The royal bloodline must be reinforced with changeling blood for the betterment of the hive.” “And you have gone behind your Queen’s back to seek the Sages’ support for this… proposal?” Page snapped, causing Market to take a step backwards. Not even giving him the chance to make some sort of argument for this, she turned her attention to her Sages. “And you all began to discuss this without alerting me?” “My Queen,” one of the Sages said a bit nervously, tapping his hooves against the desk. “He came to us asking about how Queens in the past with mixed blood compared to those with purer blood and…” he gestured around the room weakly before he steeled himself. “And we must remind you that it is our duty to ensure the continuance of our hive’s traditions and ways in any way possible and that does include ensuring that those coming into our hive will not harm the hive.” “We were in the midst of discussing of the possible benefits of the next Queen having her blood less… diluted, shall we say, when you came in,” another Sage said with more confidence. “We do hold the power to dismiss the Queen’s consort if we feel that they are a detriment to the Hive, and this is not the time for confusion to who your consort is… or will be, my Queen.”   “There leads into another factor,” one of the Sages spoke up, flinching slightly at her glare but continuing anyway. “We believe that in choosing a non-changeling, you are showing yourself to have… a lower opinion of your own kind, much like the ponies themselves did for centuries.” Page internally grunted at this subtle rebuke; it had been no secret in her hive that she had no desire to continue the hive until they had managed to secure the Pardon and now it was being used against her. “By taking another full changeling as your mate, regardless of whom it may be, you would be showing your pride in our race, and that you have not inherited this bias.” “You may be right in that,” Page acknowledged. “However. I am still Queen, and my word is still law. And I have chosen a non-changeling as my partner not out of necessity, but because I love him and he loves me. And seeing as how we have come through major difficulties together and emerged closer than before, I will not be changing my mind on that matter ever. Do I make myself clear?” There were a series of nods from some of her Sages, and she continued. “Furthermore, it is my opinion that allowing such bias against inter-tribe breedings to influence the hive would bring us back to practices that our pony kin have long since abolished. Tribalism is effectively dead outside this hive, and I won’t have it brought back out of a desire for so-called blood purity. Should any changeling wish to become involved with a non-changeling out of love, that is their choice, and I will not oppose it.” Looking around, she caught the edges of a smirk on Record’s face - he knew whom she was thinking of. “Those are wise and wonderful words, my Queen,” Market said, taking a bow before her. “I feel it would be wonderful if we could properly meet with this partner of yours so the Hive could become accustomed to this undoubtedly kind and caring partner.” Page frowned, seeing that he had not given up on his plans. “Night Blade is away at this time,” she said. “He is -” “Night Blade?” One of the Sages that hadn’t nodded at her statement interrupted her and stood in horror. “Is he not that infamous Butcher of the Everfree Forest?” “That is an unwanted title, Steady Knowledge, and I do not wish to hear it spoken again,” Page said sharply, baring her fangs at him. “But the stories are true, are they not my Queen?” Market asked, raising an eyebrow at her. “If you mean that he killed a number of ponies who were trying to kill me and our other friends, they are,” Page replied with another glare with her hoof striking the floor and now Market looked worried. “Hmm,” Steady Knowledge said, tapping her chin causing Page to turn back to her. “Not many ponies are willing to kill due it being outside of their nature and I do not believe having one of our own being responsible for a death would be the best for the hive currently. Unless,” she drifted her eyes to Market who was now looking very pale despite not being in his pony identity. “You are capable of doing such an action as Blade did, Market.” Market stood quietly for a moment before he reluctantly shook his head. “I am not well versed in combat as mister Blade is and… I would be unable to protect her as he could.” The words clearly were hard for him to spit out and thus admit he was unsuitable to become her consort. While Page wanted nothing more to rub this into his face after everything he tried to pull, she knew it was beneath her to do such a petty act. “Market, I do appreciate your concern for the safety of our hive and the future Queen,” she said while placing a hoof on his shoulder. Using her magic to lift his chin to make him look in her eyes, she continued saying. “And your promise to help with the fiscal aspect of our hive is a wonderful boon, my drone. I would like to ask your help, along with these other changeling families, in securing proper legal means for our hive so that one day we need not rely on the Equestrian government for our own financial security.” “It would be an honor to aid you in this goal, my Queen,” Market said as he bowed again. “If I may take my leave?” “You may,” Page said. Market bowed again, and left. When he had gone, she noticed Steady Knowledge still had a hesitant look on her face. “Is there something else you wish to say?” she asked. The Sage looked uncomfortable. “My Queen, I recognize that you are rather close with your… Night Blade. But while it is a good thing that he acted in your defense, I am still concerned about his ability to restrain himself when necessary. The article we read did describe him as a… mindless berserker, as I recall.” “The ponies attacking us were led by an individual who was specifically out to kill me because I had previously acted to prevent him from killing an innocent mother and infant of our tribe,” Page replied. “As had our friends who, despite not being changelings themselves, willingly stood up for us. When Sharp Point encountered me in my natural form in the forest, that further drove his desire to kill me. He is the one who informed the papers of what happened during that battle, so he hardly represents an unbiased point of view in regard to those events.” The Sage nodded. “Ah. So, he was exaggerating at least some of it in an effort to make all of you look bad?” “I expect so,” Page said before shifting her eye. “Though I have not had the chance to look at any official report on that day so I do not know how accurate or inaccurate it is.” “Considering the headline called you The Traitorous Six, I’d say that at least someone was believing those early lies being spread about the six of you and your intentions,” Record spoke up. “That’s one inaccuracy right there.” “Thank you,” Page told him. She turned back to the Sages. “Now, while I am well aware that you are my advisors, and will have concerns about my choices in the future, I would suggest that, if you wish to have such discussions, that you inform me rather than going behind my back. Am I clear?” “Yes, my Queen,” several voices said in unison. “And if you have any concerns as to what your charges are doing, Sound Record, I would prefer to hear about them,” Page said as she turned to him. “I realize you were doing what you felt was best on this occasion, but if it concerns me, I do want to know about it.” Sound Record bowed. “As you command, my Queen,” he said respectfully. “Truthfully, I knew you would not stand for what they were seeking, and had hoped to put an end to this nonsense quickly and quietly so as not to disrupt the rest of your work.” “I can understand that,” Page told him. “But in the future, please just tell me immediately.” Record bowed again. “I will, my Queen.” “I will need to speak to Memorizing about this, you know,” Page said, with the drone wincing at the mention of his brother. “Even if you had come to me about this right away, the fact there are changeling families out there that have managed to defeat the detector lights is something that needs to be addressed.” Record blinked. “I expect they used the same methods we Hidden Guards did,” he said thoughtfully. “If they did, or if they had another means, then it would be indeed of interest to him.” “Exactly,” Page said nodding her head. “Now if that is all settled and there is nothing else to be discussed?” She turned to look at her Sages who shook their heads. “Then if you will excuse me,” she said, and left to return to her work. Wind Breaker Wind Breaker shifted as Night continued to deal with the griffon running the hotel, eying all the griffons around them. So far, they had kept their distance and despite Vix-Lei’s prodding, he had kept his from them. After everything that had happened, he had no idea how to even begin to ask around for help to find his parents or his family and more to the point, it somewhat terrified him. He desperately wanted a drink right now, and if not for the promise he’d quietly made to himself the day before to not do so until after he’d found his family, he’d be running for the nearest bar. Tilting his head as Night raised his voice, indicating it would take them even longer to get settled in, Wind let out a sigh before Vix-Lei snorted. “Come on, let’s go - Night, will you be fine on your own?” she asked with Night waving his hoof at her. “Good; come Wind,” she said, walking towards the bar. “Um, Vix-Lei?” he asked, wondering what she was thinking. “Do you really want me in a bar?” “Look, we don’t need to order anything alcoholic but we have been waiting here for almost half an hour now and you need something in your talons or you’ll tear a hole in the carpet with all the nervous fidgeting you’re doing.” That caused the griffon behind the counter to lean up, glare at them and begin shouting back at Night even louder. “You’re right,” Wind said as he turned away. “Let’s just go.” Walking into the bar, however, felt a like a big mistake. He could smell all the different brands they had in stock and it was nearly overwhelming. If it wasn’t for Vix-Lei placing a strong hand on his shoulder and directing them to a booth away from the counter, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to control himself. Except for that one bottle he saw open. He recognized the scent and, squinting, glanced at the label before turning away and shuddering. “Something wrong?” Vix-Lei asked softly. “You see that one griffon over there?” Wind Breaker replied just as quietly, doing his best to ignore the looks they were getting. “I know what he’s drinking, and it’s something even I never had a taste for.” Vix-Lei looked at him questioningly. “Salmon-flavored vodka.” She shuddered. “No kidding.” Settling into her seat, she glanced around. “Stay here; I’ll get some water for us; you hungry or do you think you’ll ralph if you eat?” Wind Breaker felt his face heat but he shook his head. “I don’t think it’s a good idea if I eat now,” he said, drumming his talon onto the table. “Hey, don’t worry, I’ve got this,”Vix-Lei said, patting his side before standing up. “I’ll be back as soon as I can, okay?” Wind Breaker nodded his head, tucking his wings in closer to himself as he watched her walk away. “Hey.” Wind Breaker looked up to see an unfamiliar griffon, who looked to be about the same size as Diamond Back and seemed to be wearing some kind of belt-like strap around his waist, staring down at him. “Yes?” “You’re new around these parts, aren’t you?” The larger griffon eyed him suspiciously. “I am,” Wind Breaker replied cautiously. “Just arrived in the Isles this morning.” “So what’s a newbie like you doing in a place like this?” The other griffon sat down across from him with two others joining him. “Waiting for my other friend to finish getting our hotel room,” Wind Breaker replied. “Mm.” The larger griffon fell silent for a moment, then spoke again. “Name’s Gordon, that’s Gerard and Garrett. You?” “Wind Breaker,” Wind replied. At the other griffon’s snort, he sighed. “And I get that kind of reaction all the time.” “I’m not surprised. Sounds like a pony name to me,” Gordon said with a chuckle. “Well, I grew up in Equestria,” Wind Breaker replied. “Former Hatchery griffon.” Gerard snorted in disgust. “Hatcheries. Hate those damn places, and so does every other griffon I know. So, you trade an egg to buy your freedom?” “Not at all,” Wind Breaker told him a bit defensively. “The Hatcheries all got shut down yesterday.” Garrett reared back in surprise. “Shut down?” “King Well Banded made the announcement himself,” Wind Breaker said. “Said they’d uncovered a lot of corruption in the system, and that they were shutting down every last one of them. We’re free; I’m pretty sure that a lot of the former residents will be heading here.” Gerard snorted louder, bringing his glass down hard on the table. “Figures that you Equestrians wouldn’t bother telling us about it.” Next to him, Garrett nodded. Gordon waved him quiet and leaned towards Wind Breaker. “Why exactly are you here, Wind Breaker?” “Because that’s what these papers told me; that I was from here,” he said, reaching into his pack and pulling out his file. Gordon got very stiff in his posture with the other two griffons looking more alert than before. “May I see that?” Wind Breaker eyed them carefully before he placed the paper down onto the table with the griffon picking it up and reading the page. Scowling in anger he passed it around the other griffons before they started to push themselves out of their booth. Gordon handed the page back to Wind Breaker but grabbed his arm. “This better not be some sort of fake, or you will be in severe trouble, do you understand me?” “I swear to you, it’s the real deal,” Wind Breaker told them nervously, trying to pull his arm back. “It has the official seal and everything, and when my friend over there gets back, she’ll back me up.” “Ain’t good enough son,” Garrett shaking his head. “I’m not sure if you’re aware of what this means, but we do and I doubt the boss there will let them get away with it a second longer.” “Boss?” Wind Breaker asked as they stood in front of him. “I’m the Chief Constable of the regional police,” Gordon said. “And this orphanage,” he added, tapping the page in Wind Breaker’s talons. “Has long been thought to be up to no good with how their numbers fluctuate a bit too much.” “But now we have proof so we can finally take them down,” Gerard said, placing a talon on his shoulder. “Thanks Windy.” “Chief, shouldn’t we have him tag along?” Garrett said, causing the other two to stare at him. “I mean, if he was stolen from them…” “Garrett, we can’t take him on official business,” Gordon said. “He’s a civilian. We’d be pushing it if we had a consultant along, if we had one.” “Come on, you know as well as I do that this orphanage is run by old biddies that can’t even fly anymore.” “Garrett, these old biddies are also perfectly fine selling kids off to them ponies,” Gerard said. “We can’t take him. End of discussion.” “As much as I hate this, Garrett is right,” Gordon sighed, rubbing his eyes. “It hasn’t become news yet that the Hatcheries have ended and we will need proof to arrest them, which only he has. If we wait too long, they can destroy any evidence and get away with it.” He rubbed his face. “Much as it goes against procedure…” “Excuse me.” The three looked up to see Vix-Lei standing over them with a tray of glasses and a small bowl of nachos. “You boys bothering my friend?” she asked with one hand sliding to Señor Hardhead. “It’s okay, Vix-Lei,” Wind Breaker said quickly. “They’re on our side.” “Look Wind, we’re going now so if you want to help out, you will need to come now,” Gordon said sternly with Vix-Lei turning her head to look at him. “What’s going on?” she asked, placing the tray down. Gordon pulled a badge out of the side pouch on his belt. “Chief Constable Gordon, ma’am,” he said. “And your friend has evidence that could help us put some criminals away for a long time.” “He means the people who stole me and sent me to Canterlot,” Wind Breaker explained hurriedly. Vix-Lei grinned. “Well all right,” she said. “Sounds like a plan. And I hope you throw an unabridged encyclopedia at them when they go to trial.” “So do I, ma’am,” Gordon said with a grin of his own. “But we need to go no-” “Good news, I got the rooms settled,” Night said as he walked up to the table, grabbed one of the glasses of alcohol and downed it. “Now we just need to get set… what’s going on?” “Night Blade,” Wind Breaker said, sighing inwardly at having to explain again. “These are the griffons who are going to help us with why we came here in the first place.” Night Blade looked around at them. “The things I miss when I’m not around,” he said tiredly before looking at the glass in his hoof. “As such I doubt that this was yours, Wind Breaker.” “That would be mine, pony,” Gerard said with a glare. Whatever he was about to say next was cut off as Gordon waved a talon. “I take it you’re with them?” he asked, gesturing to Wind Breaker and Vix-Lei. “I am,” Night Blade replied. “And if you’re here to help my friend out, I’d be very glad of it.” “Then come on, let’s get moving.” Tossing a small sack of bits over to the bartender, Vix-Lei grabbed her bowl of nachos as the six headed for the door, and Wind Breaker raised an eyebrow. “What?” she asked. “I paid for it, I’m going to eat it.” Wind Breaker just shook his head as they left the hotel with the three griffons opening their wings and taking flight. Wind Breaker was following them before he realized that Vix-Lei couldn't fly. Turning his head, he saw her wave them on with Night hovering uncertainty before Vix-Lei waved at him to go with them. Turning, he and Night flew after the other griffons who seemed to be giving Night dirty looks. NIghty, being himself, didn’t respond to them, instead just focusing on where he was flying. Wind Breaker spread his wings out and flew to catch up with the griffons who moved aside to let him inside their group. “So tell us,” Garrett said, as they closed up again with Night giving them dirty looks as he tried to match their new pace. But due to his wings being built for endurance and not speed, the nox pony was slowly being left behind. “What was them Hatcheries like?” “It was mediocre,” Wind Breaker replied. “Sure, we got enough food and all… I mostly got ignored by the ponies running the place because there were so many of us. The work we did was okay... kept me busy. Some of the other places were worse though, from what I heard. The worst I ever had to deal with was when other griffons teased me a lot for my size and habits.” “What kind of habits?” Gerard asked suspiciously. “I’m more interested in what jobs you had to do,” Gordon said. “Work was mostly construction-related, for me at least,” Wind Breaker said. “And the occasional waiter’s job. Thankfully none of them required me to dye my coat.” “Excuse me, did you just say you had to dye your coat?” Garrett said in surprise. “For a while, at least,” Wind Breaker told him. “They wanted us to have brighter colors - said it would be more ‘aesthetically pleasing’ to the ponies outside. I haven’t had to do that in a long time though.” Gerard snorted angrily. “Ponies; always thinking they’re superior.” He might have gone on if not for Gordon elbowing him and tilting his head back towards Night who was struggling to keep up. “Night,” Wind called out, banking out to fly back to his friend, only to get buffeted by the griffons. He stared at them with Gordon and Garrett parting to let him pass and slowing down with Gerard huffing angrily. “Night, are you okay?” The nox pony shook his head and began lowering to the ground. “I’m getting cramps in my right wing; must be left over from when we fought Sharp… I thought it was all healed up after that last fight we were in, but it’s hurting again,” he winced in pain. “I’m sorry, I can’t keep up, I need to land Wind Breaker.” “That’s fine Night, they can go ah-” “No, I’ll be fine,” Night said as he began to do spirals to lower himself faster. “Go ahead, I’ll try to catch up.”   “Are you sure?” “I promise, I’ll be there when I can,” Night told him. “You go on - you need this.” “Right.”  Wind nodded to his friend before flying back up to the others. “Let’s go.” “Your friend there going to be okay?” Garrett asked as they went. “Old injury from a while back catching up with him,” Wind told them. “He’ll catch up, he said.” “Sure it’s not just making excuses?” Gerard asked, and Wind Breaker had to restrain himself from snapping at the other griffon. “Night Blade is the most loyal guy you’d know,” he said. “He and I may have had our differences in the past, but we’ve worked through it. Now he’s one of my five closest friends, and I wouldn’t trade any of them for the world. And if it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have gotten here as soon as I did - this whole thing came out just yesterday, and as soon as he and I got back to our hotel from picking up my information, he was calling his family to see about getting us over here as soon as possible.” The other three all regarded him in surprise, and then Gordon shook his head. “Never would have thought a pony would be willing to help a griffon like that,” he said. “So, what about that minotaur?” Garrett asked from where he was flying. “She one of your five besties too?” “Vix-Lei? Yeah,” Wind Breaker told him. “She’s a real barrel of laughs once you get to know her.” Gerard gave a snort, but flinched when Gordon gave him a stern look in response. “I’m still waiting on an explanation for what you said about habits,” Gerard said after a minute. “Short version, people didn’t like me because I was too honest,” Wind told him. “So I kept getting into a lot of fights for it when I was little.” “Sheesh.” Garrett shook his head. “They really didn’t care about you chicks, did they?” Wind Breaker blinked before he realized what he had meant. “Yeah, they really didn’t. I mean, it doesn’t take much effort to get the kid drunk in order to shut him up.” Wind continued to fly for a bit before realising he was flying alone with the other griffon hovering on the spot. “They did what‽” the trio roared. “It was supposed to help me keep my beak shut, and believe me, I’m getting help for it now,” he said. “I have it on good authority that the ones responsible have all been arrested.” “They gave you alcohol when you were a little chick,” Gordon repeated. “I thought I’d heard some bad things about Hatcheries, but that takes the cake.” “I was in Upper Canterlot; there they at least make some effort to look legitimate opposed to the Middle and I don’t even want to think about the the Lower,” Wind shuddered as he remembered the horror stories the older griffons had told him when he was little. Garrett shook his head. “That’s just rotten.” “I’ll say,” Gerard added. “As if we didn’t have enough reasons to hate ponies for what they’ve done to our kind…” “Well, they’re cleaning house now,” Wind Breaker told him as the four started flying forward again. “Did you hear they Pardoned the entire Fourth Tribe recently?” “Only because that one changeling had saved them; can you imagine how bad it would have been if they just arrested her after it?” Gerard said. “Same reason to why ended the Hatcheries, just bad PR for them.” “If they had arrested Page, they’d have had to arrest me too,” Wind Breaker responded. “I was part of that same team.” He was immediately met with three stares, and then Gordon shook his head. “I see we’ve got a lot more information coming our way,” he said stiffly. “First the Equestrians don’t inform us that they’re sending a large number of our people, people held wrongfully for centuries, our way without us having time to prepare, then they neglect to inform us one of the most famous griffons our times is one of them.” “Technically, they’re not sending griffons away, they’re just not stopping them if they want to go,” Wind Breaker pointed out. “And they’re not all leaving Equestria - one of the guys I grew up said he was going out to Los Pegasus to meet family there. But I agree on the whole thing being all haphazard - hay, the pony I got my file from said the whole thing had been put together at the last minute when it should have been spread out and better organized.” Gerard wrinkled his beak. “Something’s rotten in the state of Equestria, that’s for sure,” he said. “I mean you’re dealing with that civil war still in the Crystal Dominance and your king felt it was the best time to have this happen?” Wind Breaker felt his face flush. “Oh right,” he muttered. “Didn’t realize that was still going on… then again, I don’t blame them. I know what it’s like not having all the same rights as every other pony.” “Griffon,” Gerard said with Gordon glaring at him. “You’re a griffon, not a pony.” “I know, and it’s going to take a lot of effort to get rid of old habits like that,” Wind Breaker told him. “It’s a work in progress.” “Enough, we're here,” Gordon said, hushing them with Wind spotting the orphanage. It was a large rectangular building with a path leading up to it. Wind could spot a few other buildings out around the main building but they all looked in bad repair, something that would never have been allowed in the Upper. “Stay behind us, Wind Breaker, you’re still a civilian.” “Yes sir,” Wind Breaker said, his talons still going for his crossbow with Gerard giving him a look before flashing him a grin on his beak. Walking to the door, Gordon was about to knock when a very old looking griffoness opened it. “Mister Gordon, what did one of my charges do this time to grant me the pleasure from four fine officers?” she asked in an overtly sweet tone that did nothing to hide the sarcasm behind it. “Grendel, we are not here because Gary broke a window,” Gordon said sternly. “We would like to ask you some questions.” “Do you have any warrants, Mister Gorden?” she asked sharply, raising an eyebrow before she glanced off to to the side. Wind Breaker followed her eyes to see another somewhat elderly griffon watching from the side. “No, but we have reason to believe that you were not following the law regarding the discharging of those under your care,” he said with the griffon Wind Breaker spotted darting backwards with her eyes wide. His instincts told him to follow her and Wind did so, slipping away as Gordon got into a loud shouting match with Grendel. Following her along the rooftop, Wind Breaker saw her make her way to small a building that had a lock on it. Gliding downwards quietly in the manner that Night had shown him, Wind Breaker saw that it was an office of sorts and she was grabbing pieces of paper that she was about to destroy in the shredder. Pulling out his crossbow, Wind Breaker fired off a shot that slammed into the wall which made her jump in surprise. “Don’t even think about it,” he said, aiming his already reloaded crossbow at her. “You would really sh-shoot a helpless old griffonness like me?” she said in a frail tone but something within Wind Breaker told him not to believe her. “You’re as helpless as the sky is green,” he said while tilting his head. “Now come out of the-” “Wind Breaker, what are you doing‽” Gordon shouted. “Stopping this one from destroying evidence,” Wind called back. “She’s got files and a shredder in here.” Gordon stepped next to Wind with Garrett grabbing the elderly griffon and pulling her out of the room. “Damn, you’re right,” he said. “In which case, I’d say we’ve got a clear-cut case of criminal activity. Gerard, take that one,” he said as he gestured to Grendel. “With pleasure, sir,” Gerard responded as he moved behind the other griffon, pulling out a set of cuffs. “Gothel, Grendel, you’re both under arrest for attempted obstruction of justice and interference with an official criminal investigation.” Gordon turned his head towards the gathering children starting at them with wide eyes. “Sorry kids, this is a crime scene now,” he said. “I’m calling for backup to get this place sealed off as well as social services to find somegriffon that can take care of these kids.” He then slapped Wind on the back. “Quick thinking son; I can only imagine how many pasts you saved there but please, next time, get one of us to do this.” “Understood sir,” Wind told him. “I’m still getting used to being on the right side of the law again, after that time we spent on the run…” “Well maybe now you can make a good future for yourself now that you’re back here where you belong.” “Yeah… maybe,” Wind Breaker said. As he stepped back towards the fence surrounding the property, he couldn’t help but wonder though. Was this really where he belonged? “Wind Breaker?” Wind Breaker turned around to see Night coming up behind him. “Good, you’re here,” he said. “Wing feeling better, and any sign of Vix-Lei?” “Somewhat, but I’ll have to get some x-rays to be sure,” Night replied, looking at his wing which was hanging a bit lower than normal. “As for our mutual friend, I think she’s a block or so behind me.” He shook his head. “For as dense as her bones and muscles are, she can move very fast when she wants to.” Wind Breaker nodded, and the two fell silent as more police arrived, some who began surrounding the buildings and some who were escorting the two griffonesses away. Both gave Wind Breaker very dirty looks as they passed. As they were taken off the grounds, Vix-Lei popped up on the other side of the fence. “Looks like I missed all the fun,” she noted. “You could say that,” Wind Breaker told her. “So what now?” Vix-Lei asked. Taking another look at the scene and wondering if it was possible he had found his home at long last, Wind Breaker shook his head. “I don’t know.”