//------------------------------// // Truce and Consequences // Story: Chessmaster through Life and Shadows // by Prismfire Productions //------------------------------// Rainbow felt alone. With Crypt on patrol and Windy out doing some shopping, she only had her thoughts, herself, and the hat that Crypt had given her. The hat was, due to the size difference between her and Crypt, way too big. However, it did have an effect by making the hues in her mane look darker. After she managedto climb out of the bed and search around the room, she got lucky enough to find a discarded paper towel roll. Looking between the roll and the full-length bathroom door mirror, a grin formed as she made her way towards it. “Will ya’ll shut the buck up?!” Rainbow said, imagining herself yelling at an audience as she stood in the ring with her idol and his brother at the prime of their careers. Her idol had made his legacy as an unbeatable babyface, one that struck fire and brimstone into his opponents and filled them with unholy terror; however, for a few short years he was a dastardly heel, but it was her favorite gimmick. “None of you can compare to us. None of you can beat us. None of you are even worthy enough to step a hoof into the ring with us. Since we came together, we have been unstoppable, unbeatable, and that is the way it shall remain. “Go ahead and boo, that doesn't mean a damn thing, because you still paid to sit your pathetic flanks in those seats to watch us run over the tag team division! The stallions backstage? They are nothing more than geldings trying their best to make a name for themselves, yet they are so inferior you feel the need to cheer them on. The Canterlot Cobra and The Brick are so over that they could slap somepony in the audience, and yet, you would still cheer them on. However, they don't have the ruthlessness, aggression, nor attitude we do, so their title dreams will rest in peace.” Rainbow was in the zone, not even feeling the effects of her sickness as she continued in her mental escape. The flickering of camera flashes adorned the stands, the screams of rowdy ponies letting her know just how they felt about her remarks. Crypt was in his trenchcoat and hat, and his brother was wearing a mask that matched his flame-red coat. As for herself, she imagined herself wearing something far more striking. She imagined herself wearing a solid black, form-fitting body sock, a cape of black silk rolling over it and flowing like a dark river behind her. On her head, she wore a black crown adorned with ruby skulls and the very rare Silver Moonlight Rose. The crown, enchanted by Crypt, allowed the hues of her mane and tail to appear as nothing more than shades of grey, as if the will to live had left from them. “The Brick has got to be one of the dumbest names ever! He coulda been 'The Rock' or 'The Boulder' like a decent Earth Pony. He went and bucked that up, which is the only thing he's ever bucked in his life! His ‘Can you see what the Brick is Poundin’ phrase sounds like something out of a cheap, one-bit porno! In fact, the only thing the Brick is gonna be pounding is the pavement on the way to the unemployment line when me and my crew drop the Hoof of Justice on him and turn him from the Brick to plain gravel!” That clearly didn't go over well, the boo’s intensifying as she switched the mic from her right wing finger to her left. However, it was the reaction she wanted. She loved being a heel, and there was nothing that would change her mind. “Now to top everything else off, Cobra and Brick are trying to worm their way back to the belts by getting in ol’ Vinny Meerkat's mind that they would do a better job of representing the company. They can come, they can try, but as I said they will be buried alive just like all the others. ‘The Queen's Favorite Servant’ Caretaker Cain will deliver them. The Gravedigger will open the Gates of Tartarus to trap them. Then I, The Queen of the Damned, will sentence them to their demise. As for all of you out there in the audience, even you aren't safe from us. When my mother’s moon and stars paint the sky with their beauty, and you sip on your lovely glass of warm milk, tuck yourselves into bed, and turn out the light; the Stable of Shadows will be there to tell you… Goodnight.” “Not bad Rainbow,” Crypt said, snapping the mare out of her mental scene as she turned to look at the unicorn. “However, we need to make a an exit, somepony must have figured out who Windy was because Commander Hurricane is on the roof.” “Commander Hurr-” Before Rainbow could finish her remark, her ears flicked towards the window, the sound of beating wings getting her attention. “Crypt, get down!” Bracing for impact, Crypt had just enough time to snag Rainbow to him as the window busted in. Glass shattered, feathers flew everywhere, and the thud of the two pegasi landing made the floor vibrate. “So the tip was accurate,” Commander Hurricane said, looking directly at Rainbow. “Princess Celestia had received an anonymous letter stating that there were a pegasus and unicorn who were acting strangely, with multiple Lunar Republic posters appearing in alleyways all over town. Putting two and two together, she sent out patrols, and here you are.” “So, what does she want?” Rainbow said, looking at the two guards. “Arrest us, chain and hobble us, then parade us all the way back to Canterlot like a pair of captured game trophies?” “Nothing like that at all, Madame Nova,” Firefly said, making Rainbow’s jaw drop that the general had used the title. “Princess Celestia simply wishes to have a chat, and she would like you and your assistants to join her over a cup of tea. No tricks or gimmicks, and at the conclusion the three of you will be free to run off into the night.” “You can say ‘no’, of course,” Hurricane said, causing both Crypt and Rainbow to look at the commander. “If you refuse, we will report to her that you are alive and well. Although, I think it is worth reminding you that the entire Manehattan Police Department is still actively searching for you after the chaos you caused with that little chase through town earlier.” Talk about being polar opposite… Rainbow thought, thinking over her choices and quickly realizing she was stuck in the middle of a no-win situation. If she refused the meeting, the police would still be hot on her tail, and it would mean missing out on a chance to try and get some long-held grudges buried. However, if she accepted, she knew it would hurt Windy's feelings, but if she played her cards just right… “I choose-” “Enough!” Windy's shout came from out of nowhere, the pegasus leaping over both Crypt and Rainbow before landing in a defensive warning pose as she glared at the guards. “You want her? You're gonna have to go through me. Crypt, teleport her out of her while I deal with these two nosey ponies.” “Stand down Windy,” Rainbow said, causing Windy to recoil. “My dear Auntie wishes for a meeting, and we are going, whether you like it or not.” “Has your sickness gone to your brain?!” Windy said, staring at Rainbow like she had grown a second head. “They are the enemy Commander! Servants of the Sun Tyrant, and now that she wants a meeting you agree without a fight!?” “Lieutenant Whistles,” Rainbow said, her sharp change in tone muffled slightly by a trapped cough. “We will go, and there are to be no arguments about this. They already said that part of the deal is that we can freely leave after the meeting, so I see no harm. I recall from my youth how she always honored truces, no matter the circumstance involved” “If I may,” Crypt said, forming a sphere of a sanitizing spell around Rainbow as he contained her it before placing her on his back. He knew interrupting would mute the escalating tension, and Windy’s bewildered silence showed that his hunch had worked. “Madame Nova is currently recovering from a severe case of the Germaren Sneasles, I hope that we don't have to travel far, for her health is a top priority.” “Germaren Sneasles?” Hurricane asked, only for Crypt to nod. “How is it you two aren't affected? As far as travel, Princess Celestia is currently at city hall. She sent everypony, including the mayor, home in order for us to not be interrupted during the proceedings.” “I put up a ward on me and Windy that makes us immune, and this bubble I have Nova in will prevent a mass outbreak as long as she remains in it,” Crypt said, adjusting the pony on his back so it would be easier for him to walk. “If there are no further questions, you may lead the way.” The two pegasi nodded, leaping back out the window before Crypt teleported Windy, Rainbow, and himself to the cobblestone streets below. The air felt thick with tension, like a rubber band being stretched too far, and the stone-cold silence made each pony's coat stand on end. “I hope you know what you are doing,” Windy said, whispering in Rainbow's ear. “I got a very bad feeling that we’re being lead into a setup.” “It is a risk I'm willing to take,” Rainbow said, patting Windy's head before clearing her throat. “Commander Hurricane, am I the only one who feels uneasy at the fact the streets are this quiet? I would’ve thought we would see at least one townspony by now.” “You aren’t the only one, Madame,” Hurricane said, ears fully alert. “Considering your weakened state, stay close, we still have a little ways to go since city hall is across town.” “I do have a question,” Windy said, burying her annoyance for Rainbow's sake. “Why did Celestia only send two guards? Considering Madame Nova's… ‘status’, I would have thought she would send at least a full squadron.” “Two reasons,” Firefly said, mirroring the commander's movements as she watched the group's six. “One, considering the ponies of Manehattan are a little bit edgier than the rest of Equestria, outside of Ponyville that is, they would be terrified of a large increase in patrols. Two, she believed it would be in Nova's best interest that only two came to deliver her message. In her mind, she felt that any more troops would escalate the situation beyond what it needed to be.” “Well, she wasn't wrong,” Rainbow said, falling into silence once more as her coughing returned with a vengeance. She could see the occasional empathetic looks that Hurricane and Firefly cast her way, but she decided to play it off. In her mind, everything was falling into place, her failed attempt at being captured swinging into her favor. Although, not even Windy knows what I actually have planned… and it will stay that way until I deem the time is right. “That cough sounds pretty bad,” Hurricane said, picking up the pace as town hall came into view, guards positioned in a perimeter around the building. “Hopefully Princess Celestia can do something about it. She is waiting for us in the meeting room, so there will be some space to move around if you start to feel uncomfortable.” “That’s good to know,” Windy said, a slight edge in her tone that did not go unnoticed by Rainbow, the batpony giving her a glare as the doors opened. “I hope this is worth our time, and I want it noted that the only reason I am here is because Madame Nova wouldn't let me out of this.” “Duly noted,” Windy froze her rant at the pony's voice, the voice that she had to listen to during her entire time in the guard, and one that everypony past, present, and future would come to revere. Princess Celestia, to her credit, sat at the end of the oaken table, a hot kettle of tea and four teacups rested in front of her. “Please sit, we have much to discuss while my commander and general return to their posts outside the door.” Taking their cue to leave, Hurricane and Firefly both gave Celestia a nod before leaving, closing the door behind them. For a few, tense moments, nopony dared to speak or move. Crypt kept a neutral expression, much like Celestia, but it didn’t take too much guessing to assume that Rainbow wanted to be seated. Placing the Siren of the Shadows off his back and into the seat right beside Celestia, he coaxed Windy to sit at the opposite end of the table before sitting beside the anxious pegasus. “Splendid,” Celestia said, allowing a smile to show as she passed out the tea, Rainbow eagerly downing hers. “I hope I made the right choice by going with a lavender honey tea with a mango infusion . Although, I am perplexed as to why a sanitization bubble is around my dear niece.” “Germaren Sneasles,” Crypt said using his magic to sip his tea, a warning hoof placed on Windy's side to keep her from venting. “Got a nasty case of it after a chase involving a certain Solar Guard and a garlic stand.” “Hurricane told me about losing her on the streets while debriefing me, and it prompted me to at least attempt a meeting, and I'm thrilled that it was accepted,” Celestia said, looking down to Rainbow, who suddenly looked slightly terrified. “As for you, dear niece, you certainly have caused quite a pickle for yourself. Destruction of public property, unneeded use of guard resources, and cause of mass panic are just the bare minimum of the charges levied against you. That isn't even including the charge of treason the mayor wants to add in.” “Treason?” Windy said, all eyes landing on her as she scoffed. “We have broken no laws, nor done anything that can be deemed as an act against the crown. What grounds does the mayor have to try and slap treason against us?” “He actually has a good one,” Celestia said, presenting Windy with one of the crudely drawn NLR posters that the pegasus had been spreading around. “The mayor's daughter brought this to him, and judging by the description of the mare that she got it from, it would be fair to say that you were the one who gave this to her, Captain Whistles.” “I am no longer a captain in your army, Celestia,” Windy said, deliberately omitting the alicorn’s title and her glare carrying enough heat that the princess actually flinched. “I serve Madame Nova as her first hoof, I swore that on my own life, so I will do what I must in order to serve her wishes.” “Be that as it may, it is still illegal.” Celestia said, looking towards Rainbow as the batpony was taken over by another violent coughing fit. “Although, I think that Rainbow's health should take top priority. Do you know how to help ease the coughing?” “I learned from Crypt what blend of medicine was needed,” Windy said, her own concern showing in her eyes as she gave Rainbow a half-hearted smile. “I was actually out on a supply run when I spotted Hurricane and Firefly near our hideout, so I panicked and forgot to finish it so I could get Madame Nova out of there if it was necessary.” “I need some blood,” Rainbow said, causing Celestia’s jaw to drop and both Windy and Crypt to jump to attention. “I'm starting to feel a slight craving for it, and there is so much of it around me right now…” “Relax Madame,” Crypt said, moving over to the seat beside Rainbow and offering a fetlock. “Go ahead and take what you need, and it is good to see you are starting to get your appetite back, that shows you are starting to recover.” “Blood?” Celestial asked, arching her eyebrow as she watched her niece bury her fangs into Crypt's offered appendage and began to drink. “How often does she have to feed when fully healthy? And what does she use as a means to gain the nurishment?” “Couple times a week,” Crypt said, holding up his free hoof in Windy's direction. “At least, that is what Windy told me. Normally, she takes turns rotating between me and Windy, but before I joined up with them last week Windy was the only one who she fed on.” “I see,” Celestia said, draping a wing around Rainbow as she moved behind the group. “Is this why you fled all those centuries ago my little Prism? Scared to face me about what you had become? I do recall a certain dream that happened in which you mentioned being turned into a vampony. I simply thought of that as part of your subconscious as an effort to try and scare me.” “My curse is one part of the reason why,” Rainbow said, pulling her fangs out of Crypt's fetlock and licking the blood off her muzzle. “So much happened to me on that night, Auntie. You sent mom to the moon, I got turned into one of the undead, I massacred every single guard in that room… That combined with my intense hatred is why I fled, and to be perfectly honest, it was freaking rough being alone until I met Windy. So, were you the one who made that dream, not Fille?” “Only initially, because I wanted to see how you would react to me being gone. Everything that happened after that point, however, was fully Fille's doing. As far as the pain is concerned, I can side with you there my dear niece,” Celestia said, leaning down to muzzle Rainbow's mane. “It really is painful not being around those you care about, I deal with it constantly; however, I am glad that you found somepony that can be a terrific role model for you. Windy was a splendid guard, one that set the standard on how I view both the commitment and ethics proper to a member of the ranks.” “I appreciate the compliment,” Windy said, actually surprised that Celestia had spoken of her in such high regard, but she still wasn't ready to drop her defenses just yet. “But, of course, it is starting to get a tad late, so can we get down to the purpose of this meeting?” “My apologies,” Celestia said, sitting back up and clearing her throat. “The purpose of me calling this meeting, as it were, was because I have a proposition that might benefit all sides involved. In exchange for a full pardon on all charges currently levied against your heads, the three of you and any followers you managed to pick up while here, are to spend a minimum of ten years in Canterlot. While there, you will be instructed on how to properly rule, and oversee the development of your troops.” “Hold on a second,” Windy said, giving Celestia a credulous look. “You mean to tell us that you are practically giving Madame Nova control over half of not only the guard, but also the government? I hope you can understand that I feel highly suspicious of that offer.” “I can see how it would look like that,” Celestia said, giving a reassuring smile. “But there is another reason why I am offering this. As you are aware, I am the Princess of the Sun, but my duties have been doubled since I banished my sister. Even though I am an alicorn, it is extremely taxing on me, stressful enough to the point I have developed an addiction to cakes as a way to ingest large quantities of sugar just to keep me functioning.’ “So basically I would be doing my mom's job, which is nothing more than dirty work,” Rainbow grumbled, her tone more sour than a moldy lemon in the middle of a summer day. “Should I choose to accept, what's in it for me?” “I expected you to play hardball…” Celestia said, a small bit of disappointment briefly manifesting before it disappeared. “If you agree to the deal, I will personally spend 4 hours of every night after I lower the sun with you, ensure that you have a nice mango stipend, and weekly blood supply from the extra storages of the blood banks. I am curious, was it you that caused terror two centuries ago in Ponyville? Because of that incident, the legend of the Boogymare was born.” “Yeah, that was me,” Rainbow said, her mood parking up to the point she smiled. “You had me at mangos, I'm in, but I require two feedings from you per year in return.” “I’m glad a deal could be reached,” Celestia said, looking towards the other two ponies in the room. “Now then, Ms. Whistles do you have any informants or the like here in Manehattan?” “Just a mother, daughter, and their maid,” Windy said, shrugging off the topic, but deep down she was highly concerned that Rainbow gave in so quickly despite the training she had received. “Why do you ask?” “I want you to bring them to me,” Celestia said, but she could tell by the way Windy's expression changed that she had slipped up. “Before you worry too much, it is just going to be an informal greeting, that way I can inform the staff back at the castle as to who will be moving in.” “Um, question,” Windy said, getting out her seat and making her way towards the door. “Aren't you concerned about catching the Sneasles? You have gone into Nova's bubble several times now, what are you going to do if you catch her sickness?” “I’m not worried about it in the slightest,” Celestia said, a mirthful grin forming on her face. “I have already steeled my immune system with my yearly anchor shot. After all, everypony knows that is the most effective way to defeat the dastardly Sneasles.” The collective groan that followed would have made a Windego run away.