//------------------------------// // Chapter 14 // Story: The Carnivore Council // by CreativeOverflow //------------------------------// Prisons are not typically known for their hospitality, and while Canterlot boasted among the most beautiful and scenic of skylines, its dungeons did not betray their purpose. The bare stone tower nestled against the mountain’s face and hung precipitously over the city’s foundational balcony. The only comfort offered in the otherwise bare stone cell was a simple bed of hay. It smelled faintly of mould and urine; doubtless full of unwanted bugs as well. The air was cold and the pitiful excuse for a window peered over an endless horizon; above a hopeless drop, to sharp crags, hundreds of feet below. The thin sliver of moonlight shining through the window split the dim room with a cold white light. Remedy pushed her muzzle as far through the barred window of the cell door as possible. “I WANT TO SEE THE PRINCESS!” she yelled at a retreating guard. She smacked the heavy oak door with her hoof but it was apparently designed for ill mannered guests. She sighed heavily, and rested her head against the door. “Well isn’t this just dandy…” Faolan whimpered behind her. His muzzle was bound in a bridle of thick rope, his mouth clamped shut. Remedy walked over. He dipped his head to allow her access to his restraints. She hesitated for a moment. Faolan gave another pitiful whine. She sighed, grabbed the knot in her teeth and pulled it loose. Faolan gasped as the restraints fell away. “Pah – it’s hard to breathe in that thing. You know, I don’t think ponies are as nice as I’ve been led to believe," he said, rubbing his muzzle. "Thanks for saving me by the way, though you certainly took your sweet time.” Remedy turned away from him. “I’ve spent nearly an entire day tracking you, and everywhere I went – I found blood.” Faolan whimpered and his ears flattened. His nose twitched; the fiery defiance in her aura had dimmed and a delicate purple fragrance had replaced its bright hues. She was not happy. “It's hard enough to forgive you for the bunny. But I’m not a little filly, I know what you are. But the circus ponies? What were you thinking?” she whispered; her voice desperate, almost pleading. Faolan frowned and tilted his head. “He deserved it,” he said, gently. Remedy snarled and spun around, her aura flared into a brilliant red. “Deserved it? DESERVED IT!? HE’S DEAD! DON’T YOU UNDERSTAND?” Faolan reeled back and mixed emotions of confusion and annoyance competed for the real estate of his face. “Hey, I didn’t want to, but…” “BUT WHAT? YOU WERE PECKISH? YOU WERE OVERCOME WITH BLOODLUST!?” Remedy advanced on him. “HE WAS HURTING ME!” Faolan snapped back angrily, firming his stance. “Oh I’m sorry, is he still hurting you?” she mocked fiercely. “What? No, not any more.” “Are you still hurting?” “Well, it still hurts a little.” Faolan complained, touching the scorched fur of his neck. “YEAH, WELL HE’S STILL DEAD! AND I DON’T THINK HE’S GOING TO GET OVER IT!” Remedy screamed, inches from his face. Faolan barked back angrily, “HEY! THIS ISN’T FAIR. I didn’t want to kill him.” “AND I’M SURE HE DIDN’T WANT TO DIE. LOOKS LIKE NEITHER OF YOU GOT WHAT YOU WANTED!” “WHAT WAS I SUPPOSED TO DO!? I DIDN’T HAVE A CHOICE!” “NO CHOICE!? Was YOUR life in danger?” “Maybe? – I don’t know – probably not.” “Then how can anything he did, have deserved his life!?” pleaded Remedy, desperate for an ounce of remorse from the canine. Faolan lifted his head defiantly and looked down at her. “You weren’t there. I couldn’t run and he was hurting me.” “YOU – TORE – OUT – HIS – THROAT!” she yelled, flailing her hoof desperately. Faolan growled and jabbed a claw into Remedy’s chest. “And he deserved it!” Remedy fumed. She opened her mouth wide, and bit down hard on his extended paw. “OW! You BIT me!?” yelped Faolan, horrified. He cradled his paw and twisted his body away in case she tried to take another bite. “NOW I’VE HURT YOU! ARE YOU GOING TO TEAR MY THROAT OUT TOO?” she screamed. Tears gathered in the corners of her eyes even as they burned with unresolved rage. Her mouth was twisted into a grimace, her teeth bared, and clenched so tight the muscles in her jaw bulged under strain. Faolan blinked in astonishment. Remedy’s fiery aura soured and dulled to purple then into an inky black, like deepest, starless midnight. It bubbled off her like boiling treacle and pooled around her in a thick hock-deep cloud. Faolan’s eyes darted around her and his nose confirmed the verdict. His own anger evaporated, and the defiance in his eyes was replaced with pain. “You ... hate me.” Remedy glared into his sorrowful blue eyes, then huffed and turned away – storming to the other side of the cell. She paused and glanced back, her bangs masking her eyes. “I hate what you did.” She slumped down on the pile of hay in the corner and curled up with her back facing Faolan. All around her, the thick miasma of black and purple continued to bubble and swirl. Faolan whimpered. “No… You hate me for what I did.” Faolan slumped into his corner, opposite. The beam of moonlight streamed through the narrow slit and split the room in half like a white-hot knife  – an impassable gulf between them. Foalan whined again. He slid down the wall and rested his head on his paws. He stared at Remedy's back – as cold as the stone his rested against. The sound of hoofbeats clopped on the stone outside the cell. A pair of eyes filled the door's window and scanned the room. Three loud knocks followed, rapped loudly on the door. “Rise and shine. Looks like it’s your lucky day.” There was a jangle of keys followed by the clicks and metallic clunks of the lock mechanism. A burly guard mare swung the door open, another guard standing behind her. Remedy stepped out of the cell and squinted in the bright torch light. “It seems your story has some merit. The princess has asked to see you at once,” said the guard. She looked past Remedy and had to take a second glance. She stared with some disbelief at the unmuzzled Faolan, then back at Remedy. “The captain told me you refused your own cell. I didn’t think you’d be crazy enough to unmuzzle him. Is he going to behave?” Remedy looked dolefully back at Faolan and shrugged. Then without a word, she walked past the guard and down the staircase towards the lobby. Faolan bowed his head and followed, The guards backed against the stone and gripped their weapons, but Faolan didn’t pay them any heed. Remedy stepped through the final portcullis leading into the lobby and was immediately bull-rushed by Sunny. “Remedy! Are you all right? I was so worried,” she fussed. Remedy smiled wearily and managed a single tired chuckle. “I’m fine, I’m fine. How did you go with Scarlet?” “She’s home safe now. Poor Mother Grace, she certainly has her hooves full…” Faolan entered the lobby behind and Sunny froze. Her eyes flicked between Remedy and the wolf, and a fearful smile played, painfully, across her face. “Well, anyway, we better not keep the princess waiting,” she finished. Trade entered the lobby from a different wing, escorted by another guard stallion. He saw Remedy and ran up to her, “Remedy, I’m glad you’re okay. I heard you shouting last night, and I was worried,” he said, ignoring Faolan. “I’m ok,” she said with a smile she wore like a millstone around her neck. “Er-hrm,” interrupted the guard mare. “Everything is ready. You’re being seen before the court opens. A guard escort has been arranged; it’s still early so hopefully there will be few ponies around to gawk.” “Thanks, sorry about last night. I hope that guard pony I kicked is all right,” said Remedy weakly. The mare laughed. “Haha, he’s fine. Mostly it’s his pride that’s hurt.” Remedy tried to smile but it wilted into a heavy sigh. “Well – let's get this over with.” The trio walked towards the front door where three more guards in full armour were waiting. Faolan followed them quietly past the threshold. Four more guards – hidden beside the exit – stepped in behind and to each flanks. Faolan watched the trio lead on and quietly followed; surrounded by armour, weapons and the ever present aura of wary confidence that simmered from the guards. Ahead, an ugly palette of emotions mingled above the trio. Trade clung close to Remedy and marched forward at a stiff determined pace, an angry boiling cloud of barely contained red stormed above him. Sunny walked forward but kept stealing glances back at Faolan. Faolan tried to smile, but she quickly looked away when their eyes met. An ugly purple gloom of fear flowed from her like a cloak. Remedy walked with her head weighed down, and her ears drooping. Drowned in the same depressing miasma of black revulsion that had stricken her last night. Faolan whimpered. A dark, almost-purple blue leaked into the air around him. He bowed his head and followed quietly. The group moved as silent as a funeral procession through the streets towards the main castle. Thankfully, they were almost deserted and eerily quiet in the first light of morning. Smoke drifted from chimney stacks and hung low just above the rooftops, mingling with the receding fog of night. Everywhere, the first smells of breakfasts and the muffled clatter of pottery could be heard in the kitchens of the city. The group climbed the long curving staircase to the Royal Tier of Canterlot and the main keep loomed against the mountain side above them. Faolan lifted his head to take in the awesome sight. He had to admit, it was intimidating and he swallowed against the growing dryness in this throat. Abidah had warned him of the legendary magic of these ponies, and the majestic scenery bore home the weight of his words. This castle was a monument to their power. An entire city fused to the side of a mountain. Sweeping gilded arches, and towering columns of polished marble; evenly spaced, and expertly sculpted. All wrapped in glowing gold and stained glass, dozens of feet high. It was beautiful and terrifying. What plant life that remained was carefully sculpted into rigid perfection and completely assimilated into the regal geometry. Each in its place with many a shear or secateur ready to control disobedient growth. The group came to a stop on the steps outside the palace. A pair of doors, big enough for an ursa, barred the entrance, and were guarded by four more royal guard in polished golden armour, welding sharp spears. “Only you and the wolf are to go in,” said the guard mare. “This is a special audience with the princess, and we want to keep a low profile. I’m sure you understand.” Remedy turned to her friends. “I’ll only be a little while. Back before you know it. Then we can go home.” Trade and Sunny, shared a concerned frown, but quietly stood to the side. The guards parted and the giant doors opened inward with a groan like a mountain’s yawn. Faolan followed Remedy inside. Sunny shied behind Tradewind as he passed and Tradewind fixed him with a fierce glare – the first time the stallion had looked at him today. Faolan dipped his head and stalked past quickly. As with the exterior, the cavernous hallway was filled with opulence. Its regimented marble columns towered as tall as cathedral spires and each was gilded with a sconce and decorated with fresh arrangements of flowers – each a perfect harmony of colour. Between them, windows of towering, coloured glass chronicled a history of many great and legendary achievements by Celestia and other famous pony figures. At the end of the hallway, a pair of doors of equally inordinate size led to the throne room. Stone unicorn statues flanked the doors in eternal vigil. Remedy stopped in front of the doors and sighed heavily. She turned and faced the wolf. Faolan’s ears drooped. She sighed. “Let’s just get this over with. This is the princess of Equestria. She raises the sun in the day and the moon at night, she IS the light of Equestria. I don’t need to tell you how important she is, or to be polite.” “I am here representing the Council of the Carnivores. I won’t disappoint them,” said Faolan, quietly. Remedy took a deep breath and pushed against the heavy doors. They slowly crept open. A pair of concentric golden platforms commanded the center of the large room, flanked by a dozen royal guards. Water cascaded from features in the side of the platform and drained, unseen, into the bowels of the mountain. Thick red carpet carved a path straight through the room, and scaled the ramp leading to the throne. On either side of the room, more polished marble columns rose to the high arched ceiling, and between every column one of the royal guards stood with spear in hoof – as still and stone-like as the pillars they flanked. Magnificent tapestries depicting scenes of Equestrian life and history hung from each pillar and brilliant light poured in from yet more ornate stained glass windows set between. But none of it was as brilliant or intimidating as the pony who sat on the throne. More than twice the size of Remedy, with a horn, long and sharp. Her coat, an iridescent white like a fresh snowfall. Her mane and tail glimmered in a  trio of soft pastel colours, and ebbed and flowed with an eternal, ethereal wind. Light seemed to pour from her, a powerful aura of white gold filled the room and both Remedy’s and Faolan’s paled into insignificance. Faolan felt the power of her gaze and tried not to wince. Her stern expression was impossible to read. Remedy approached and knelt, her head bowed so deep her nose almost touched the ground. Faolan reciprocated, also bowing his head but never losing eye contact. Celestia spoke in a soft, motherly tone. “Rise, my little pony” – Remedy rose to her feet, as did Faolan – “You have some wonderful friends. I believe Sunny would have bested the entire royal guard to get to my chambers for your sake.” Remedy blushed and looked down, an embarrassed smirk fought for dominance, “Thank you Princess, she is a great friend.” Celestia’s warm smile faded as her eyes wandered over at Faolan. “But you have also come here with less than savoury company and grim purpose. It is not everyday you see a pony and a full-blooded wolf travelling together. Most unfortunate, it also seems – not entirely without incident.” Faolan bowed his head. Remedy panicked and her words tumbled out in a frantic stammer. “P-Princess, I’m so sorry, if I’d kept a closer eye on him, if I hadn’t…” Celestia held up a hoof and her motherly tone returned, “It’s all right my little pony, Sunny told me about your story. You have shown tremendous bravery in these past few days. In regards to the circus; the events of last night are undeniably tragic, but that pony was meddling in dark powers beyond his understanding. He was foolish and what he was doing was evil. Evil deeds, often, have evil ends. If not for this wolf, it is likely another creature in his care would have sealed his fate. The other animals he kept will be released back into the forest." Remedy blinked, dumbfounded. Her mind reeled and disengaged from her mouth, “Oh. Uh, O-Ok? I thought...” “Would you do me the honour of an introduction?” asked Celestia. Remedy shook the ringing white-noise from her head. “Oh. Princess Celestia, this is Faolan. Alpha of the Moonshadow Clan of Everfree. He seeks an audience with you today to open negotiations with the Carnivore Council. I can translate for you.” Celestia smiled with the warmth of a summer afternoon. “Thank you, but that won’t be necessary.” Remedy stepped back and Faolan crept forward. He dipped his head, but kept eye contact. “I thank your grace for allowing this address. I know our accord with the pony tribes has been long and tenuous at best. However stresses have been building within the forest, and for this reason the Carnivore Council would seek consultation with her majesty in order to dissuade any escalation.” Celestia’s expression darkened. “That almost sounds like a threat.” Faolan quickly flattened his ears, and bowed until his nose almost touched the ground. “Forgive me, I didn't mean to provoke. Our situation is pressing, and we do not want a war. Please, I dare not speak more on the Council’s behalf, I am but a simple wolf. I have come to simply ask your acceptance of another’s presence. The current chair of the council Abidah would like to speak with you, but the forest guardians would not dare to approach without an invitation. Such an act might be… misinterpreted. If your grace permits, I can call him forthwith.” “Very well, summon him.” Faolan dug a small bead out of his coat, “Princess Celestia, it is my humble pleasure to introduce Abidah the Wise, Chair of the Council of Carnivores, Spirit of Wisdom and Guardian of the Everfree Raptors.” He dropped the bead and crushed it under his paw. White mist spewed forth with a loud hiss. Faolan stood back, tossed his head high into the air and howled a loud solitary howl. The mist foamed and boiled from the bead. It swirled and billowed upwards into a large column of white cloud. A blast of air scattered the mist and in its place a giant owl with two long curving horns stood towering; wisps of vapour trailing off his outstretched wings. The guards flanking the plinth fell into a low protective stance. The other guards around the room shuffled nervously, clutching their spears. The spell of their statuesque forms broken. Abidah looked around the throne room. He gave Faolan and Remedy a respectful nod. Faolan gave a bow and backed away. Remedy ,seeing Faolan retreat, gave a small bow then quickly followed. Both of them stepped outside the throne room and closed the giant doors behind them, leaving the two ancient creatures to deliberate. Remedy let out a long breath and began the long march back to the entrance. Faolan paused for a moment then loped up to her, “Remedy? Look, I want to apologise. I don’t really understand Pony culture or beliefs. But I do know I’ve hurt you. All of you. And I’m sorry for that. I truly am. You can believe that.” Remedy stopped and gave a big sigh. “I’m sorry too. After Celestia just... dismissed it like that, I-I don’t know what’s right anymore.” Remedy slumped onto her haunches on the thick velvety carpet, “I just don’t know how you can treat life so casually.” Faolan dipped his head to look up into her downcast eyes. “Remedy, life is just as precious to us. You mean to tell me ponies don’t care about trees or plants just because you eat them? Sometime you have to kill a few weeds so that the good stuff can grow.” Remedy gave him a disapproving glare. “That is not a fair comparison.” “No? Even some plants are carnivores you know.” “I don’t think insects count.” “Insects don’t count?” he chuckled. “Tell that to Aleena." Remedy shivered but gave a smirk. “Don’t you dare tell Aleena I said that.” Faolan smiled and drew a cross over his chest with a claw, “Cross my heart and hope to die...” She smiled, but scrunched her nose at the distasteful remark. "But I wasn’t talking about insects," Faolan continued. "I should take you for a walk through the forest sometime – you’d be surprised at the savagery of plants. What about the Heart's Sacrifice?” “Heart's Sacrifice?” said Remedy, confusion plastered on her face. “Widow’s Tears? You know – that black flower you’re so fascinated with.” “Oh. Wild Darkbell?” Faolan rolled his eyes. “It has many names but trust a pony to come up with something so uninspired as ‘Wild Darkbell’.” “Hey,” Remedy whinnied, “I called it that because it makes it easy to identify. It’s mostly black and cannot be cultivated. And I’m only so fascinated in it because it is a rare and powerful herb.” Faolan chuckled, “Rare? To a pony perhaps. And it’s no wonder you can’t grow it.” Remedy crossed her forelegs across her chest with an indignant huff. “Oh and now you’re a herbalist as well? Well then mister expert, you tell me why I can’t get the darned thing to grow in a flower bed.” Faolan shrugged. “It’s simple. You lack the required conditions.” “The soil at the farm is no different to the soil in the forest!” Remedy countered. “Ah, but it IS different – there are no predators.“ Remedy snorted. “So?” “There’s a reason we call it ‘Heart's Sacrifice’ or ‘Widow’s Tears’. It’s a blood flower. It only grows where blood has been spilt.” “What?” “As the story goes, the flowers are born from the spirit of the slain. They are a gift given in recompense for the life sacrificed. The sacrifice of the one, provides flowers which can be used to heal and mend many others that might otherwise fall to sickness or injury. The balance of the forest.” Remedy gaped, astonished. “So all this time, these have been... funeral flowers?” she looked down and rubbed a chill from her shoulder. “It’s not your fault. Carnivores and ponies have lived segregated for more than a millennium. You wouldn’t have known. It’s kind of amazing how you know about them at all.” Remedy sat in quiet contemplation. Faolan sat quietly, opposite, taking in the wonder of architecture around him. “It’s also not surprising you find us monstrous,” he said solemnly, “but in an age past we did once cohabitate. Perhaps not in peace and harmony, but certainly in balance. At least... until him.” They sat before one of the giant stained glass windows. A creature of miss-matched parts manipulated the strings of pony marionettes with a wicked glint in its eye. Discord. The guards, flanking the throne room, composed themselves and resumed attention once more. Abidah folded his giant wings like a cloak, and presented a dip of his head to the reigning monarch. Celestia returned a respectful nod. “Hello, Celestia. Thank you for allowing this audience. I do wish we could have met again under more pleasant circumstances. It has been an eon since you walked the woods.” Celestia sat, mute and expressionless. Abidah cleared his throat and continued, “I have come on behalf of the Council of Carnivores to discuss issues of mutual concern. As you know we – denizens of the carnivore tribes – have constrained ourselves to living within the Everfree forest; in accordance with our oath. An honour bound oath that we bear with the greatest reverence. Within these limits, we have continued to reduce our numbers to that for which the forest can provide in balance. However, in recent decades the number of stock available for hunting has continued to diminish as has the borders of the forest itself. A result of ponies clearing the land and sheltering the prey species of the forest. Even now, more and more of the stock species are seeking the sanctuary of pony territory. This is breaking the equilibrium we have sought to maintain and we now sit upon the threshold of starvation and extinction.” Celestia sat as still as a statue, only the gentle undulation of her mane gave away her living breath. Abidah hesitated before continuing in a very gentle and deliberate tone, “We, the members of the Carnivore Council, request that you and your ponies refrain from harbouring the other stock races so that they might return to the forest and its balance.” An icy silence reigned. Celestia raised a confused eyebrow and broke her silence. “What do you expect me to say?” “I hope,” Abidah responded carefully, “that you will say something unexpected. With this proposal we could maintain harmony with the pony race.” “Harmony? You speak of harmony, but you would ask me to turn away any creature seeking respite from the forest? What cruelty would you have me demand my subjects display to give you your fill? Should they drive the deer and sheep back into the forest? Do you expect them to cast a blind eye and cover their ears; to deafen the cries for help that echo, silent, moments later? I thought you represented wisdom, Abidah. No. I will not ask my ponies to display such unkindness. You have never had problems maintaining within the forest and we have always sheltered those that asked for help. This was our agreement” Abidah quirked his own eyebrow and poked his head forward at a sceptical angle. “Have you forgotten? The forests used to span from coast to coast. A great green band that divided the continent. Even with the ponies offering sanctuary to all and every creature they could, there were still many who lived in the forest. Such that the balance could be maintained. Following Discord’s reign the land was shattered. Great swathes of the forest were destroyed and in their place, rolling chaotic plains - later turned into pastures. The balance of the forest was broken, and the mighty carnivore tribes were first to feel the fall. “Perhaps YOU forget! Who was it that stood up to the tyrant? It wasn’t the birds of prey or the wolf clans, nor the cat prides. It was the ponies who stood up to him. Where were the ‘mighty’ carnivore tribes then? We’ve earned our way of life with great sacrifice, and hard work.” Abidah winced and his head cowed like he’d been punched in the stomach, “Yes, it is true. We will never forget. In those moments when we should have stood and fought, we cowered. Discords tyranny affected all, carnivore and herbivore alike. Your triumph was our shame, and for our cowardice we have paid. The lands we once called Everfree are now called Equestria, our place in them all but extinguished, and where we once roamed all over, now our hunting grounds reduced to a few scattered woodlands. We have paid this price, as we have for generations. We pay it dutifully and without complaint. To you; the reward for your courage – the stewardship of these once Everfree lands and security from the carnivores for all outside the forest. That is our oath. Yet, we must survive. I’m not asking you to give up your victory, merely that you  – in light of your expanded influence – cease offering sanctuary for the other stock species, so that they might once more return to the forest.” Celestia scrunched her nose at Abidah like he'd grown a second head. “I will not ask my ponies to turn a blind eye to those in need, Abidah. And even if I did – I’m sure they would not cease to show kindness regardless. However, even I do not seek a slow and agonising demise of the carnivores, so instead I make a counter offer.” Her countenance brightened, and her voice warmed and became welcoming and earnest. “Join us. We have not been idle in the long years. Our magic and technology have developed to the point we can now sustain a carnivore’s diet without the loss of life. I have seen wolves leave the forest and find friendship working alongside pony settlers. I’ve seen eagles stand vigil over foals. Many in Canterlot even share their homes with cats. Instead of berating our kindness, why not take this opportunity to embrace it. Give up your carnivore diet, and the brutal traditions of your savage history. We will supply food and shelter as we have to the other races. Then we could truly live in harmony.” Abidah wrenched his head away in disgust. “Bah!, I’ve seen what becomes of those that ‘accept your kindness’. Their minds and bodies atrophy until, but hollow shells, they become nothing but mindless subservient animals. The great eagles wither, glorified fowl in gilded cages; forgotten by the infinite horizons they were born for. The wolves, so bold and free, lose all semblance of will. Whimpering surrogates; betraying their former heritage – rolling in the dirt and begging for their next treat. The great cats who once stood so proud, and fierce with unwavering courage – now waste their lives away in an eternal languor. Paralysed by the gluttony of their unearned appetites. All of them, pets. Playthings of foals and old mares. Domesticated tools for their new masters. No, I think not. Death would be the kinder offer.” Celestia’s eyes narrowed. “You would seek death before harmony, why? All the carnivores I have seen that take up willing host with my little ponies are happy. Why do you insist on continuing your brutal ritual? If all the carnivores gave up their ghastly diet, you would have no need for your claws and strength. Join the ponies so this bloodshed can end once and for all. Then every-creature can find happiness.” Abidah’s feathers bristled. “There is more to life than the shallow pursuit of happiness.“ Celestia raised her head high and stared down from her throne in disdain. “Instead you propose a life endured in the misery of an eternal, needless struggle?” “Life is fraught with misery, Princess. Your subjects would do well to be familiar with its embrace. You also know we carnivores have a role to play in the world. No matter how ghastly you think it is. Without one side, the other will ultimately suffer far worse. Your ponies are already spreading to every corner of the land, and you are constantly destroying the forest to feed and sustain your ever expanding realm. On the other claw; one sickly or weak member of the stock species provides sustenance for a hundred others, serves to strengthen both sides AND keeps our growth in accordance with what the land can provide. Even you know that the diseased branch must be sacrificed if the tree is to grow healthy – the moon itself bares the very mark of your conviction. “Tread carefully, owl,” Celestia growled, standing to her full height. She glowered down at the contemptible creature and continued with a deep and deliberate intonation. “I have experienced more of sacrifice than your entire genus and I am all too aware of the gravitas of my responsibilities. I have born them all with a heavy heart. We have not remained idle in these peaceful years. Our knowledge and magic have grown strong without the constant distraction of corporeal concern and I am more than confident we can overcome any ‘difficulties’ as a result of less predator activity." "We may not all be predators, Celestia, but we are ALL prey. Your peaceful years have been, largely in part, due to our role in keeping the darker and more twisted elements of our chaos-touched lands, trapped within the forest. A job that is becoming increasingly difficult to perform and without your ‘predator’ problem, you invite a far greater strife.” “Typical,”  she sneered. “You boast respect for the sanctity of life and consider yourselves wisely considerate of the future, yet you still cannot see past your own traditions. Those you prey upon are not simply meat to fill your bellies. They are sovereign individuals; each with families, hopes and aspirations. You predators have no right to take that away.” “Hypocrite!” Abidah accused. “You protest that we do not see the value of individuality or hold sacred, every creature’s divine spark – yet with the same breath your final solution is to strip us of ours. Yes, predation brings with it a measured suffering, we are under no delusion. But it is always fair. It is not an act of jealousy or revenge or greed and it is not needlessly cruel.” “Death is forever,” Celestia rebuked, stepping down to the next tier of her throne, her head almost eye-level with Abidah’s. “It cannot be cured, or reasoned with. There is no reformation, no second chances, no encore – it is the final curtain.” “And yet only a predator can turn it into life. Can you not appreciate the beauty of our cycle?” Celestia stood tall and her voice quieted, but power flowed from her like the sun and her eyes were as hard and cold as stone. “I have fought many a predator, and witnessed their cruelty. I have lost friends, and saved others. None of it held beauty - only tragedy. Your era has ended, Abidah. We no longer need that old brutal history. Keep your oath, or join – the decision is yours.” Abidah reeled, his wings flared in frustration and he glanced around as if expecting a crowd of equally astonished onlookers. “Do you think we will go quietly? Do you think we will keep our oath till the last hungry breath is drawn. Our oath was merely a courtesy we gave in thanks for defeat of Discord. But if you become the archetype of our demise, the oath will not stand.” Celestia’s lips pulled back into a twisted forced grin, revealing her clenched teeth. “Do you threaten? Have you grown dull in your old age? Have you not seen my power? Has your witness of my ferocity ebbed? If you strike against any of my subjects, my retribution will be swift and unrelenting. I will swallow the forest whole within the fury of my intent.” “All hail, Celestia the Merciful” Abidah chided sarcastically. He jutted his beak forward, flared his wings and shouted into her face, “WHAT CHOICE DO YOU GIVE US!? We have as powerful a will to survive as any race! Our numbers have dwindled, but we are still strong and growing desperate. If need be, we WILL render history, crimson.” Celestia roared, the full brunt of her magically enhanced voice rattled the windows and shook the foundations. “I HAVE GIVEN YOU A CHOICE! Only your stubborn pride prevents you from seeking the path of Harmony. You would choose meaningless bloodshed over peaceful acquiescence? To what end!? You will still perish!” Abidah wheeled around and paced angrily. “Assimilate or Emaciate?” – he balanced each option on a wing – ”Both a rose by different names and bare the thorns of death! You refuse to give up a small aspect of your nature and instead demand we give all of ours. One more of your prisoners, sentenced to an eternal punishment. At least the dead do not suffer. No! We will NOT stand idly by and waste away into the annals of history, neither by starvation nor subjugation! ” Abidah turned and rose to his full height, eye level with Celestia even as she stood on the platform above. His chest billowed and his feathers ruffled, inflating his bulk. “We would rather go, raging,”  he bellowed. “And wild.” He stomped forward, his talons gouging marble and carpet. “True to our nature.” Another talon wrapped around the edge of the ramp. “And of sound mind.” Another step had him towering over the defiant alicorn. “And of clear identity,”  he shouted. Celestia glared with all the fury of an ancient sun. Abidah brought his beak within inches of her nose, her horn inches from his brow. He growled low and quiet, punctuating his words with absolute certainty. “And IF you don’t tell your guards to back off, they will witness a vision of this future you so earnestly seek with unprecedented clarity!” Celestia glared quietly. She glanced to her sides. The guards that once stood vigil now surrounded the Great Horned owl, their spear tips poised to strike and a tense silence gripped the room. Celestia let out an annoyed snort. She stepped back and dismissed the guards with a hoof. “That’s enough,” she declared. She ascended the ramp and retook her place on the throne. “If you refuse to reform, then I cannot help you. You have your choice.” Abidah frowned and stepped down, away from the platform. His head swivelled to look back at Celestia. ”It seems there’s only one.” He stepped into a cloud of mist and disappeared. Clouds raced past in a bright blue sky. Faolan grinned maniacally from ear to ear, his tongue lolling out and flapping in the breeze. “This is amazing! Why didn’t we do this from the start!” Remedy sat beside him, her hooves dug tightly into the side of the flying chariot. Sunny and Tradewind flew ahead, hitched to the front. “One, because we didn’t have a chariot and two, I hate flying!” Remedy yelled above the wind. The chariot dipped into a gentle bank, Faolan barked with excitement and jumped to the opposite side to peer over the edge, causing the chariot to list dangerously. “Will you sit still!” Remedy shrieked, her eyes clamped shut. “You’re gonna make us fall!”