//------------------------------// // 56 - Wheels Within Wheels // Story: Age of Kings // by A bag of plums //------------------------------// Emerald Edge watched as Lady Emerald Edge was escorted out of the castle by Sir Boercival and Sir Gallophad, worry scrawled on her face as she beheld the defeated look on her doppelganger’s face. They had all heard the commotion on the throne room earlier and Dash Spiral and Spirit Flicker had gone to investigate. By the looks of it, whatever had happened, it wasn’t good. “It cannot be, Lady Emerald being escorted to the dungeons?” Captain Jade Crystal breathed as she lifted her helmet to adjust her green hair. “First Sir Prancelot, then Sir Morn and Mage Moon Tide. Now this? Surely the king has lost his mind?” Just then, Dash Spiral and Spirit Flicker returned, their faces morphed into those of horror and shock. “The king has lost more than just that…” Dash fought for air as he spoke. “His majesty is dead.” “He-He is…” Jade almost couldn’t handle the news. “How? How did this happen?” “Tis Sir Morn Dread.” Spirit Flicker pointed inside. “He now wields the king’s sacred sword and he is doing something to the other guards and knights. He is imbuing them with the golden magic of his sword and tis as though they have lost all free will. They now serve him without question.” “Treachery!” Jade hissed and brandished her spear. “He dares to take the throne?” “Stop! You heard what they have said!” Emerald stopped her from running in to face the new king. She had sympathy for Sir Morn when she heard he had been disowned by the king and his mother thrown in the dungeons, but after hearing this, it had all faded, replaced now by anger and disappointment. “If you go in there, you become like one of them.” “Then what do you suggest we do?” When Emerald didn’t answer, Jade pushed her shoulder. “Huh? What do you think we should do?!” “Stop! I am working on a plan!” Emerald barked back, then composed herself and looked to the direction of the dungeons. “We need to speak with Lady Emerald. She would know what happened and what we should do.” “Then to the dungeons we go,” Flicker said. “I do not like what is becoming of Canterlot. Not one bit.” Jade nodded and slapped her spear against her shield. “Emerald and I will go. Flicker, Dash, I want you two to find the others. Anyone else who is willing to help and is not yet controlled by Sir Morn. Go.” “What are we planning to do? Start a revolt?” Jade shook her head. “No, not yet. But we will need to leave. We cannot have him control us. And most importantly, we need to get Lady Emerald Edge away from here. She is the key to winning this, I know it.” “I agree with the captain.” Dash nodded. “Excalibur is from the lady’s world. If anyone can stand against it, it will be her.” “Then we have our plans. Let us go.” Emerald followed behind the captain, trying to act as normal as she could so as to not arouse suspicion. With Sir Boercival and Sir Gallophad escorting Lady Emerald to the dungeons, they must already have their minds controlled. They needed to play this carefully. “And to think Canterlot was going to thrive after finishing off the Fir Laimhe Liath and the marauder attacks.” Jade shook her head with a sigh. “Seems I was wrong to think so. What has happened of us, Emerald?” “I suppose there was more to King Dawn Saber than anyone knew.” Emerald shrugged. “Whether Morn is really his son or not, things turned bad from there. A man has his pride, after all.” “If only we could go back and change what happened. If we could make it so Canterlot would still be a seat of power for all to see…” “No use dwelling on the past, Jade.” Emerald gave her a firm look. “For now, we need to look ahead and protect the lady knight. You are Captain of the Guard. I will do as you say.” “I am happy to know that I can count on you, Emerald.” Jade stopped to give her a pat on the shoulder. “On all of you. Now we must hope our friends have not joined Morn, this… knight of treachery.” And with that, they continued their path to the dungeons, hoping to rescue the only one who would save their land from the new king. Emerald Edge sat in the dungeons, her weapons and armor confiscated from her, though even if they had left them on her, she wasn’t going to do anything. There was no point to anything anymore. She had lost her friends to Excalibur’s magic, she had lost Amore, and she had lost Morn, the love of her life. Pair this with losing her empire, her princess and her friends back in Equestria, Emerald had been dealt a devastating blow. One she didn’t see a point of returning from. What could she even do anyway? Morn had Excalibur and all she had now was a broken sword and her hidden blades. There was no stopping him now and perhaps maybe she would even just consider joining him. That way, at least she would still have Morn. That worked out, right? Emerald shook her head. His new order wasn’t something she wanted to be a part of. If anyone were to go against him, they were simply put under his control from Excalibur. The only reason she was even sitting here right now was because Excalibur’s mind power had no effect on her. Whatever it did to the others’ minds, it didn’t seem to affect Equestrians. “Why Morn?” she whispered. “Why have you done this thing…?” A rat scuttled past Emerald’s foot but she could not find the energy to react. The rat squeaked and skittered on into a hole in the wall. Perhaps this was all just a bad dream, and she would wake up any moment now to a much nicer reality.  Settling down on the straw, Emerald closed her eyes and tried to go to sleep. Emerald awoke to the sound of a door hinge creaking. She rubbed her eyes and sat up slowly. She was still in the cell. It was not just a bad dream. “Ah, horseapples…” Emerald sighed. Perhaps if she had any weapon on her right now, she would just end it, but alas, she did not. By the light shining in through the tiny slit of a window in her cell, it looked to be very late at night. Silvery moonlight dappled the inside of her cell, illuminating the face of someone who had just entered the dungeons.  “Psst.” the newcomer hissed. Even in this paltry light, Emerald could see that they were not a grown person. “Emerald, are you in here?” “Sp-Spectrum Song?” Emerald asked.  “I was ordered to bring you dinner,” Spectrum whispered. She was indeed holding a wooden tray with some bread and cheese on it, as well as a clay mug of water. “Eat up, Emerald. This meal comes from a friend.” She slid the tray into the food slot that all the cells had. Emerald rushed up to the bars. “Spectrum! It’s so good to see a friendly face here. What’s happened up above? What’s going on?” Spectrum shook her head. “I can’t be down here too long, Sir Hors will get suspicious. Captain Jade and Emerald are holding him and some of the others for as long as they can. But don’t worry, Em. We’ve got a plan hatching. Just hold on a while longer, alright?” “Spectrum, wait-” “I’ll see you soon.” And with that, the squire was gone. Emerald sat back down, her mind trying to comprehend what she had just heard. There was a plan hatching. Her friends were planning something. Maybe a way to retake Canterlot. Why, that was good news indeed, but the other half of her mind struggled with it. What about Morn? Would she have to try to kill him again? Bringing herself to lift that sword against him had pained her more than she had ever felt before, but she knew for the good of this kingdom, it had to be done. Morn was not himself anymore, corrupted by his anger against the king, his own father. Could I raise my sword against him again? Emerald picked up the bread and tore it in two. As she did so, a small piece of folded parchment fell out. Curious, she unfolded it and held it up to the window to read.  My friend Emerald, it read in elegant, loopy handwriting. It is with great surprise and sorrow that we have been informed of what has happened in the castle. Your friends in the castle guard have told us everything. We are currently gathering everyone we have to try and free you from the dungeons. Do not despair. Be prepared.  Yours, Jewel Pin and the rest of your friends. P.S. Destroy this message after reading it to avoid being found out. The former pegasus stared at the parchment, embers of hope enkindling in her heart. She was not alone, and her friends were working to break her out! She smiled in spite of herself and sat back down on the straw. After reading the message several more times, she crumpled up the piece of parchment and popped it into her mouth along with a piece of bread, chewing and swallowing the evidence. Looking to the dungeon’s hallway, Emerald spotted three Canterlot guards, their eyes a light gold. It seems Sir Boercival and Sir Gallophad had already left, likely recalled by their new king. While she still loved him, Emerald knew it now. Morn was no king of hers as long as he ruled like this, and he could not be left in power. There was no telling what else he might do. As her spymaster training began to kick in, Emerald picked out someone across from her. There was a druid in the opposite cell and he was flashing her a very cunning smile, fishing for something under his cloak sleeves. “You are the one. You foiled our plans, lass. How is it, now down here with us? Great, is it not?” He pulled out a little brown sac, dipping his fingers inside it. “Since you are trapped in there, how about a little pain to spice up your time here? You deserve it!” Taking out a pinch of red dust, Celestia knows where he got it from, the druid tossed some over through the bars. Emerald leapt back as the red dust landed where she had just been standing. Already, the stones and metal began to hiss and steam, the magic eating away at them. “Hey! What is going on?” The guards came over, their spears in hand. As soon as one of them spotted the druid and his magic, his spear was through the bar and the druid’s chest, its tip coming out on the other side and spraying blood across the cell. Emerald was taken aback at the sudden attack, and when the guards turned to face her, her body tensed up, ready for them to attack her too. Their faces held no emotion, and while their eyes were glowing, it was like they were dead inside. It gave Emerald the shivers. Then, the guards withdrew their spears and marched back to their posts. Whatever Morn had done to them, it was like they didn’t even have control anymore. They were like empty shells, replaced by Excalibur’s magic. The druid’s attempt hadn’t gone without effect though. Part of the bars were now melting away. If she waited a little longer, they might just melt enough of it for her to break her way out. The problem now was dealing with the guards. In such an enclosed space without any weapons, getting past them wasn’t going to be easy. Emerald was about to see if she could squeeze out when she remember the message she had swallowed. What if her friends had a better plan for getting out? There was no guarantee there wouldn’t be more guards outside, even if she could deal with these three. This melting cell door would have to be a backup plan. In case whatever plan her friends had were to fail, she could attempt to break out to help them. Emerald stared at the bars, then sat back down and picked up the wedge of cheese. It was stale, but it would have to do for now. She needed to make sure she would have enough strength to get out of here.  Sunlight Radiance peered into the throne room from behind a side passage door. Most of the mess had been cleaned up by the Knights of the Round Table, of all people and Morn Dread had pulled the throne back up, now sitting in it as two servants brought in a new set of armor for him. This one was of a darker metal and had much more sharp edges. “Yes, this will do.” He nodded, one finger touching at his new pair of fangs jutting from his gums. Sunlight smiled to herself. Finally, things were going according to plan. With Morn replacing her weakling of a husband, there was finally someone strong enough to wield Excalibur. It was a pity Emerald Edge wanted no part of this. With her on their side, there would be so much more they could accomplish. For now, Morn would have to do. “Tis a fine day for you, is it not… King Morn?” Sunlight strode up to him. “I am sorry for the way my husband has treated you. He was wrong, of course. As your father, he should have treated you as heir. Alas, the outcome was the same in the end, yes? Here you are, now king.” “What do you want?” Morn said, not taking his eyes off Excalibur in his right hand. “Why, I am here to congratulate you, your majesty.” Sunlight stopped beside him. “The kingdom is now ours. Tis all thanks to you.” Morn glanced up at the queen with something akin to scorn in his eyes.  “Ours?” he repeated. “I do not recall asking you to rule alongside me, woman.” “Woman?” Sunlight didn’t like his tone. “You will address me as queen. I am not some simple commoner.” “You are no longer queen. Dawn Saber is dead and the only queen I would want ruling beside me is Lady Emerald. If she will not, then I have no need for a queen.” “Listen, you,” Sunlight said, an edge of steel entering her normally serene voice. “I will not be spoken to like that, especially from one of my subjects. Apologize.” Morn looked at Excalibur, then pointed its tip up at the queen. “Who rules Canterlot now? Is it you, Queen Sunlight?” “As your matriarch, I demand you lower that sword this instant.” Sunlight said coldly. Her fingers drew into hooks and tiny green flames ignited in her eyes. “You do not speak that way to your new king.” Morn’s eyes and Excalibur’s blade flared golden. “You now bow to me. I am the true king of Canterlot. Through me, all the kingdoms will see order.” Sunlight sniffed and turned away, making back toward her quarters. “Then enjoy your kingdom while you can, your majesty.”