A Chance Encounter
After walking south from the hospital for a good while thinking of where I could find Celestia at, out of the corner of my eye I caught a glance of the figure of Celestia and turned my head to indeed see it was Celestia. ”Well, that was easy.” I thought to myself as I started walking towards her. She was not to far east from the park and just a couple feet from the bridge.
Celestia seemed like she was watching something until she turned her head left and saw me. Upon seeing me she turned towards me and gave me a warm and motherly smile. “Ah Sarius, I see you’ve recovered?” She asked in her motherly tone.
I nodded. “Hmm hmm. Just got released from the hospital this morning. I was about to try and find you actually.”
“Oh you were? What for?” She asked, curious.
“Luna visited me last night and she mentioned you wanted to talk to me about something.”
Celestia giggled. “I see. I figured she would let you know. Luna and I will be heading to a remote location outside Baltimare to meet with the current Griffon king to discuss things. Before you ask, we will have a hoofful of guards with us.”
“Why do you need me then?”
“Well, as you already know. Your uncle has mentioned you to me and Luna and while the battle between you and your other half showed us, as well as against my sister and I, you’re quite capable and powerful in battle. We want to find out if you’re just as good on protection detail. He didn’t give much information I’m afraid.”
“Yeah. I thought as much. He does have a lot of things to watch over. And I would like to think I’ve been doing great on protecting my friends and family.”
Celestia smiled. “I like the fact you have a lot of confidence in yourself, Sarius. But know that confidence will only get you so far.”
I laughed. “I know. I’ve been reminded of that a lot. I’m confident because I know the full extent of my power. It’s just a matter of judging when the right time is to use it and how much of it I should use. Hence why I’m always holding back.”
“So I’ve seen. Also I do want to mention, we want you with us so we can get to know you better. Luna especially.” Celestia winked at me and gave me a sly smile. I knew what she was getting at so I started blushing and turned my attention away from her.
“Anyway, what are you doing out-” Before I finished my question I noticed a large house almost a yard away from where Celestia and I were just next to a river. “Celestia, that house-”
“Indeed it is, Sarius. It’s yours. I personally saw to it’s construction. It’s supposedly big enough to house you and 5 others in it. The worker ponies were certainly hard at work with this and I do believe their finishing up the interior soon.”
As she said that, one of the said worker ponies came over to us with a hoofful of papers. Judging by appearance, size and muscle build the pony seemed to be a stallion “Construction is complete your highness. The other workers are just finishing up.” He then turned to me. “So I take it your Sarius Trusdale?” I nodded in confirmation still surprised out of my gourd. “Good, here are copies of the construction papers that tell what was installed and added.” I subconsciously took the papers in one of my claws due to being dumbfounded. “Enjoy the house.” He turned back to Celestia and bowed. “I must be going. There are other projects to work on.” Celestia nodded and the pony left.
Celestia looked at me and started laughing. “Is it too much Sarius?” She joked.
I closed my eyes and shook my head to snap myself out of it. “Are you kidding? This house is way too big for me.”
“I know. I had it built with the idea you might have others living with you. Like your siblings.”
My shock was fading now after hearing that reason. “Oh. I see now. That makes a lot of sense now.” I started walking towards the house as the workers began leaving it.
The front doors were typical doors a mansion would have. The make and wood material of the house was certainly nice, but those kind of details in a construction project never get my attention. I opened the doors to find the inside was easily bigger than what the outside showed, but I only saw the house from one side. The house was separated into three sections it seemed. There was a second floor and perhaps a third floor or just an attic with two stairs leading up on both sides of the hall. The main hall was pretty big, almost taking up half of the house since there was a wall at the opposite end of the hall with double doors. The other half I assumed was a big kitchen and a big dining area. The hall was long but not wide, there were two doors on each side of the hall. I opened each one and saw they were bedrooms with another door that seemed to lead to the adjacent room but were actually bathrooms that linked them together. The bedrooms were large but the bathrooms were of considerable size too, made for two individuals to share. I then checked the double doors at the end and found it did lead to a big dining area like I thought. Though the dining area seemed bigger than the kitchen that was on the right, but the kitchen itself was large too. Large enough to have several cooks in it working together. One thing that did catch my attention, every room had practically no furniture or anything aside from lights, kitchen appliances, curtained windows, toilets, sinks, bathtubs, showers and electrical outlets. Were ponies able to use electricity or were they magic outlets that act as electricity? That question was making my mind run wild with curiosity. How advanced was the magic they use. Questions I would have to ask Celestia or Twilight when I had the time to.
I made my way back to the front doors and went up the stairs on the left and came to a hallway with a door on the right and a door on the left side of the hall. I opened the door on the right and walked into a mini library, or a study with large shelves filled with books. A couple tables with chairs sat in between the space from the door to the other door on the other side. I closed the door and started moving down the hallway which wasn’t long, opening the first door I came to. The door opened to reveal an average sized bathroom. The hallway continued to the right for quite a distance and connected with another that went right, with two doors on the left side. I opened the doors into two more bedrooms or regular rooms. It was hard to tell what the rooms were supposed to be since there was nothing in them. I came to the next hallway which was the longest yet and went to yet another hallway going right. There were three doors on the left and one on the right, which led to the library. Two of the rooms on the left were much smaller than most of the rooms so far. The room through the middle door however when I opened it, I was surprised to see it was fully filled furnished. From the looks of it, this was a master bedroom with a couple dressers, a King sized bed with end tables on both sides and three doors, two to the left and one to the right. Two opened up to closets, while the last opened to another bathroom with a shower, hot tub, toilet and sink. I left the room, closed the doors on the way out and proceeded to the next hallway. This hallway went right again at the end and the rooms on the left side seem to mirror the opposite side of the second floor. The last hallway led to stairs and yet another door that opened to the library which meant the stairs led back to the front door. I walked down the stairs and indeed ended up at the front door, where Celestia was standing smiling.
“Is the house to your liking, Sarius?”
I shrugged. “It’s certainly big. I’ll give a better opinion on it later when more individuals are living here with me. Though aside from the master bedroom, bathrooms, kitchen and library, every room isn’t furnished. It gives this mansion an empty feeling.”
Celestia laughed. “I apologize. There wasn’t enough time to furnish the whole mansion. So I thought to only do the essential rooms after the mansion was finished being constructed. The other rooms will be furnished overtime, I promise.”
“Makes sense. I noticed there are actually electrical outlets around the mansion as well. Do the ponies use electricity or is it magic?”
Celestia rubbed her chin and closed her eyes, thinking. “You’re asking about something from a long time ago. So my knowledge of the origin is very vague, but I can say with certainty they’re run by elemental magic.”
“I see.” I looked around the main hall once more still trying to take in the fact that this mansion is mine now.
Celestia turned to the doors and stopped just short of opening them. “By the way Sarius. The time and day of the meeting is tomorrow at first light of the sun. So you have the entire day to do prep for it.”
“So I’ll see you tomorrow then Celestia.”
She nodded and smiled warmly. She opened the doors and started walking only to turn around suddenly. “OH. I almost forgot to mention that you’ll be getting visitors soon. I’m unsure if it’s today or not but at least you know. Anyway have a pleasant day Sarius.” With that she closed the doors and left, leaving me in silence trying to ponder what she meant by visitors. I shook my head and decided to not focus on that. I went to the master bedroom since I had a call to make.
I closed the door behind me and laid on the bed to check what type it was, which seemed to be a spring bed. I relaxed and made myself comfortable to the best of my ability, shut my eyes and focused on my sister. After a few minutes of meditating I spoke with my mind, “Circe, Can you hear me?”. For a good minute there was complete silence, it never took long for my sister to get back to me.
Before I could worry about the possibility that I couldn’t reach her, I heard a distant voice. ”Sarius?…”
Circe. I’m here. I can barely hear you.”
”Dang it, how do you work this stupid thing….” Her voice sounded closer.
”Focus on me Circe. Were you not doing that?”
”Oh right. Of course. Give me a sec…” A couple seconds of silence. “How’s that, can you hear me properly?” She asked, shimmering into existence in front of me.
“Yes perfect.” Her current form she took was her human form. She had long curly red hair, bright blue eyes, C cup breasts, and nicely toned muscles. She wore her typical study or lazy outfit, which consists of a blank yellow t-shirt and regular blue shorts.
She breathed a sigh of relief. “Good. I guess I wasn’t focusing. Sorry. Anyway, are you doing okay Sarius? You quite literally dropped off the face of the Earth, and felt far away suddenly. Tirean said he wasn’t concerned, but I could tell he was. Though Kalia wasn’t concerned either, I guess she could just feel you were still alive, since you two are so close and all. So I guess I should be trying to cut our brother some slack. Say something, bro.” She said rather quickly.
I rolled my eyes and smiled. Pinkie Pie and Circe were too similar in personality it helps with handling Pinkie Pie. “It’s kinda hard to say anything when you don’t give me a chance too sis.” I said with a chuckle.
“Oh sorry.” She smiled sheepishly.
“First off, I’m getting by alright so far. This world I’m in is certainly something one has to experience to understand. Secondly, you can thank our uncle for my sudden disappearance. I’m absolutely sure he’s responsible for sending me to this dimension. Has anything bad happened there since my departure?”
Circe shook her head. “Nope. It’s been very quiet, even with you disappearing.” Circe then decided to look at me. “Uh, why are you in your dragon form Sarius?”
I placed a claw on my face and sighed. “It’s not a long story but it will sound far-fetched for sure if I try to explain it. The gist of it is in this world my dragon form is more natural to take to blend in.”
“I see. I’ll take your word then.” Circe then sat down in a chair that manifested out of thin air. “So what is it you want bro?” Circe was really smart and could easily figure out I called her for a reason then to just chat.
“Well, I wanted to see if you can transfer a couple of my things over to me if you can.” As soon as I said that, I thought about how she could do that. “Somehow….”
Circe raised an eyebrow, showing a look of disappointment. “That’s it?” She sighed this time. “Alright, tell me what it is you want transferred. I’ll send them via our connected Pocket Dimension.”
My eyes went wide and I face palmed myself. “Of course. The Pocket Dimension. I can’t help but feel like I forgot about that completely. Anyway, it’s my pendant that I didn’t have on me for some reason, and that set of Energy Armor you made for me. Is it finished by the way? Last time I checked it was just a prototype.”
“Yes and yes. I had quite enough time to complete it. Though I understand why you would want the pendent, but not the armor. Care to explain bro?”
“Well.” I thought about it for a minute not realizing I would need a reason. “This world is quite different from our own, I wouldn’t be surprised if there was something that could harm me or render my power useless the same way Cobalt or Lapis Lazuri does. The armor could help protect me against that or at least keep me protected if my power wanes. Besides, I've been asked to be an escort for two princesses who are technically queens in this world.”
That got Circe’s attention even more so despite the fact that I already had her full attention. “Oh really? My brother’s being a personal escort for royalty already? How do you do it Sarius?” She said winking at me in a mocking manner. I rolled my eyes as she laughed. “In any case, it’s not like I wasn’t going to send it, just wanted to know the reason, that’s all. I’ll get the items for you. Give me a minute.” She then shimmered away.
After a good few minutes, I felt a ripple in the connected PD my siblings and I share. Then she shimmered back. “Alright their up for grabs. So I have to ask, when do you think you’ll need Tirean and I?”
“Soon, most likely. I should mention Kasulis and I have finally made peace and are working together now. He mentioned sensing a large amount of negative energy in this world. I also can’t shake this feeling that there’s something dark and evil under the surface of positivity and it’s something that I most likely can’t uncover by myself.”
My mention of the current situation with Kasulis caused her to flinch, mostly due to bad memories of him. “Are you sure you and Kasulis have made peace? Remember what happened that one time between him and Tirean.”
I closed my eyes and sighed deeply. “I know, Circe. I would rather not be reminded of it, and he certainly doesn’t want to be reminded. He regrets everything he’s done sis. Trust me, who could possibly know him better than me, his good half. Besides, it was Kalia’s idea that I try to work things out with him. And I don’t think it’s a stretch to say you and Tirean came to a similar conclusion that Kalia did”
Circe reminded silent for a while, thinking about it. “Alright. You’re right for a change. Logically speaking you and him are two halves of one soul, and that soul isn’t evil or corrupted. So even though he’s the quote unquote bad side of you, he’s not likely to commit murders or crimes for the heck of it. Like you he needs a reason to kill. Am I correct?”
I nodded. “Yup, he and I follow the same two rules I placed upon myself. To which I hope you remember what they are.” I gestured my claw to her asking for a reply.
“Yes. No killing unless it’s the only option left aside from death and protect, save and put others ahead of yourself no matter what.”
“Good. Now as for when the two of you will join me here, soon I imagine. As long as one of us puts the word in to our uncle at least.”
“I will. I need to give him a piece of my mind anyway for yoinking you out of this dimension without a warning.”
I laughed. “Make sure he’s still alive please when you’re done ranting at him.”
She laughed at my poor joke. “Ha ha. You’re such a riot. Anyway, guess we’ll talk later bro?”
“Yup, perhaps it’ll be when you arrive. Give my regards to Kalia and tell her Kasulis and I have worked it out now. It’ll make her smile I’m sure. Also inform Tirean as well and tell him I still worry for him.”
Circe rolled her eyes when I said I worry for Tirean. “Okie dokie. I love you bro.”
I smiled. “Love ya too sis. Take care”
“Ditto.” With that she vanished for good this time, but I knew she and I were still connected through a very deep link.
After I opened my eyes and got off the bed, I focused my energy in one of my claws till it started glowing blue. I then took that claw and punctured a hole in space-time and opened a portal that led to the PD I shared with my siblings. I walked in the hole and into a black empty space with a door that lead into a storage room. Several items, artifacts, trinkets and various other stuff were carefully placed in different places. Things my siblings and I came across, collected and stored here either for future use or to keep them away from evil hands. I found my pendant and armor, which was a small blue sphere, next to 6 different brightly colored stones and a wood badge with an acorn carved into it. I picked up the pendant and took a good look at it. It was a shiny silver pendant with a dragon that has stretched out wings curling around the middle of the body in a protective pose, the tail was curling around the base of the pendant. A bright blue sapphire is attached to where the heart of the dragon would be. I slipped my head through the silver chain and grabbed the sphere. The pendant itself was four inches in both length and width and almost an inch and a half in thickness. I left the room, turning back to look at everything one more time before shutting the door and watching the door disappear. The room is a part of our PD but was specifically designed to only appear when we wanted it to. I walked back through the portal and making sure to close it shut.
Not one second afterwards, I heard a faint wood creaking sound. It was somewhat hard to pinpoint, but I was able to deduct it came from downstairs. I put the sphere on the closest end table then proceeded to open the door, closed it and trekked my way to the main hall while keeping my hearing sense on high in case another noise was made. Once I made it to the front doors, I took note it was still bright outside. Judging from the shadows outside, the sun was nearly setting it seemed. It still surprises me that my internal conversations with either Kasulis, my siblings via our link or telepathy with others took so much time. While I seemed too focused on what was outside my senses still picked up the slack as my ears twitched when I heard the same faint noise but slightly louder this time. It sounded like it came from the dining area.
”Is there someone in the mansion right now? If so, who and why at this hour?” I thought to myself. Then I remembered Celestia mentioned I would have visitors. Despite being told that, I still kept my guard up as I slowly made my way to the door to the dining area, staying as light footed and quiet as possible to ensure I didn’t give my position away. My hunter instincts were on, but not my predator instincts to ensure if it was an enemy I could capture and not kill by accident. Once I got to the doors, I leaned in to listen closely. I simply heard faint breathing, I couldn’t make out whether there were multiple individuals breathing, a unison of breathing or just one who was close to the door. I grabbed one of the doorknobs carefully, took a deep breath and slowly opened the door.
The room was pitch black, even the windows had the curtains and blinds covering them. I still heard breathing but it came from every direction meaning I was potentially surrounded. Though if this was an ambush I would have been jumped already, so my guard was lowered slightly. Something told me I was meant to announce myself now, so I took the leap hoping that whoever was here wasn’t simply waiting for me to drop my guard.
“I’m here. Show yourselves now.” I thought I was expecting anything, but turns I wasn’t since what happened next caught me by complete surprise.
In the span of a single second light flooded the room, blinding me for just a second revealing a lot of ponies gathered in the dining hall and Pinkie Pie appearing right before me, all yelling “SURPRISE!!!”
My eyes went wide from shock, my wings unfolded in surprise, my teeth were gritted and my face had gone white as I shouted. “Holy Mother Naturis!” Both my eyes and ears were sore now from the combination of sudden light and loud sound. It took me a whole minute to regain my composure and calm myself down from the sudden shock.
Pinkie however, wasted no time in striking up a conversation. “Hi again, Sarius. Did you like the surprise? I did say I was going to throw you a welcome to Ponyville and Equestria and Congratulations You’re a Couple Party in one single PARTY!!” She shrilled on the last word. “You didn’t forget did you, nah of course you didn’t. That would be sil-” I cut her off by grabbing her mouth and shutting it.
I rolled my eyes and smiled. “I do like surprises Pinkie, but I never had one to this degree.” I detached my claw from her mouth. “Though I must point out, there’s no need for a ‘Congratulations You’re a Couple Party’.”
Pinkie looked confused. “Really?” She asked with a cute high pitch. “Then what was the thing between you and Fluttershy about?”
“Um, we only agreed to work things out when there was time, Pinkie.” Fluttershy was slowly making her way forward through the crowd keeping her head low out of shyness. “We’re not really a couple.” Fluttershy whispered the last word out.
“Besides Darling.” Rarity appeared out of the crowd now. “A romantic relationship isn’t usually so immediate. It takes time to develop and starts from friendship. Right, Twilight?” She said to Twilight who was beside her.
“That’s exactly right. I may still be learning about friendship and have little knowledge of romance, but I do know that a romantic relationship takes time to build from friendship. Being a friend is easy, but being a romantic partner is harder. Not to mention a true bond must be forged to have a healthy relationship.”
“Their exactly right, Pinkie.” I chimed in giving my two cents. “I’ve may have only dated at least three females and have little knowledge of romance as well, but I was friends with my partners first before things got serious. It’s best to know someone really well before deciding if you actually like them as just a friend or a lover.”
“You’ve dated only three females?” Rarity asked slightly surprised. “Forgive me for assuming, but I thought were a looker or a mare magnet. Considering your charm and appearance.”
I laughed. “You flatter me, Rarity. But believe me when I say my looks as a human are slightly disappointing. I personally like to believe my dragon form is my best look.”
Rarity’s eyes sparkled. “OH, it most certainly is, but it’s still surprising to hear you didn’t date many females.”
I waved my claw. “Even so I’m not the type of male who tries to date every female I find attractive. In fact, the three I dated I felt a real bond with. Anyway-” I turned to Pinkie. “How did you know I had this mansion and I recovered today?”
“Princess Celestia duh.” She said, like I should have known. “She told all of us. And by all of us, I mean, Me, Twilight, Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. I just got everything ready for the party, and we set it all up.”
I was baffled by that. “Wait, the six of you put all this together while I was just upstairs?” I looked around and noticed the dining hall was filled with party decorations. “And how?” I added after looking around.
“Yup. Ya seemed out of it, so we thought we could get it done before you noticed.” Applejack said standing next to me. “Fer some reason, ya didn’t hear the racket.”
“And as for how. Well.” Pinkie pie leaned to my ear. ”It’s a trademark secret.” She smiled. I simply rolled my eyes. “I needed to throw a party anyway after the whole mirror pool incident. Being trapped in a room filled to the brim of your own clones and being forced to watch paint dry is really boring. I wouldn’t recommend it. Oh, I just remembered I need to give a yelp review for the mirror pool. Hope you enjoy the party.” Pinkie hopped away humming to herself.
I stood there slightly confused. I looked at Twilight. “Equestria has yelp?”
She gave me a confused look. “What is yelp?”
I gave a deadpan look. “I swear Pinkie is getting random by the minute.”
“Tell us about it. I always keep saying that.” Rainbow Dash said hovering in mid-air a couple inches above me.
“Ah Rainbow Dash. I was wondering where you were. I have to be honest though, every time I see you, you’re just hovering. Why?”
Rainbow shrugged. “Don’t know. Habit I guess.”
Fluttershy stepped forward and started looking at my body closely. “Have you recovered fully, Sarius?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Like I said, I have a healing factor. Two actually, but that’s beside the case.”
Fluttershy walked around me like she was looking for a scar. “I know, I just never expected you to be healed so quickly. I expected to see at least a scar.” She then saw my pendant which wasn’t around my neck before. “Oh, what is this? It looks beautiful.”
I wrapped my claw around the pendant. “This is my family heirloom that has been passed down through generations. I’m uncertain how long the tradition has been going on for but I’m the current holder of it. As for the scars, trust me I do. A lot of them. You just can’t see them since my power is active. Though honestly I would rather avoid the scenario where I have no energy for a while. It’s one of the few things that scares me, feeling vulnerable without my extra healing factor.”
“Wait, that’s a thing?” Rainbow asked.
“Yes, it is. A serious thing.” I answered with discomfort. “It’s not a pleasant time I can guarantee you.”
“So Sarius, what exactly happened before you collapsed? You seem like you were talking to Kasulis and there was a bright light then it was just you.” Twilight asked.
“Simple, Kasulis and I finally accepted each other for who we are, made up and now we’re working together for now on. While we recovered, I had a long talk with him that was long overdue.”
“Are ya sure he can be trusted, Sarius? He did try to kill us after all. I would dare say if it weren’t for you or the princesses, we will be dead fer sure.” Applejack asked, obviously having doubts.
“I’m certain. You all trust me, right?” I asked. The five mares nodded. “Then you can trust him as well. I won’t lie, I believed everything I told everyone about Kasulis as well. But after actually thinking about it and remembering a conversation with Kalia about him, I realized he’s not as evil as I pegged him to be. He was only the more ‘expressive’ side of me when it comes to things, like anger or jealousy for example. He’s even a naughtier version of me.” My eye twitched when I recalled Kalia saying that. “Despite trying to convince myself I’m not naughty. I am a male, so it’s only natural. On the bright side, I can rely on him to help keep my negative emotions and thoughts in check, while helping him remember the good and positive things in our life.”
The mares still seemed skeptical about Kasulis, and I didn’t blame them. Though they didn’t have the experience of dealing with him over a long time, so compared to my friends back home the mane six and the celestial sisters can easily forgive and accept him. I made sure Kasulis was getting my thoughts, because now I think there is a way to help my friends forgive him. By showing his best to the inhabitants of this world and getting accepted by them, they could vouch for him to my friends. I felt a ripple move through my body, which was new. I assumed Kasulis was saying he got the message and understood.
Fluttershy then spoke up. “Well I’m willing to give him a chance.” She was the first to say this, naturally. “Like you said Sarius, you and him are the same. So he should be just as kind and caring as you are.”
”She reminds me of Kalia. No wonder you developed feelings for her.” Kasulis spoke in my head.
I blushed a little. ”I don’t need you to point that out right now.” I heard him laughing.
Somehow the mares saw me blushing. “Are you alright, darling? You’re looking a bit more red than usual.” Rarity asked.
“Yeah. Just being teased by Kasulis.” Rarity, Fluttershy and Twilight giggled, while Applejack and Rainbow Dash chuckled.
“Well, if Fluttershy is willing to give him a chance, I guess at least we can do the same. Right girls?” Twilight asked the others.
“Eeyup.” Applejack replied.
“Yeah. If Fluttershy and AJ are okay with it, then I am too.” Rainbow answered.
“Of course darling. I don’t see any problems with giving him a chance.” Rarity chimed.
“Same here.” Pinkie said as she hopped on my back, which did surprise me a bit. “Though now this a great opportunity to celebrate this party even more. A Happy Reforming Party.” She moved her front hooves in a half circular pattern and somehow releasing confetti and making a party noise simultaneously. A bit of the confetti fell on my head and got in my hair, but I simply smiled.
“Thanks girls. I’m sure you’ll help him get some experience of being a good drake.” I felt at ease and so did Kasulis it seemed.
“Well with all that said, enjoy your party Sarius.” Pinkie said as she jumped and somehow disappeared into the crowd.
Fluttershy then looked at my pendant again, enticed by it. “So care to tell us what the tradition for this pendant is?” Even Rarity was examining it, considering she was fashionista I wasn’t surprised she was interested.
“It is quite gorgeous, darling. The gleaming silver color makes it extremely elegant as well. Do tell what the materials were when this was made if possible as well. Please?” Rarity asked adding to Fluttershy’s question.
“Alright. To answer your question Rarity, I am unsure of all the details. But I do know this pendant was forged and made from a very powerful silver elder dragon’s scales. I’ve been told that the elder dragon is a female and her power courses through the pendant. It would make sense, since whenever I put it on, I feel slightly different. As for Fluttershy’s question, the tradition is this pendant is handed to a male child from the mother, who then decides which female will receive it as a gift. But most importantly as a declaration of undying love. That female would wear it till she gives birth to another male child and the process starts again.”
Fluttershy was blushing. “A declaration of undying love, that sounds really romantic.”
“I agree.” Rarity replied. “Seeing how absolutely beautiful this pendant is, it most certainly should say nothing less when given as a gift. So you have to decide who receives this Sarius?”
I blushed a little. “Yup, I do. The one I love with all my heart gets it. If you noticed the sapphire in the pendant is placed where the dragon’s heart is. So this pendant is a representation of my heart. So technically my lover is given my heart as a gift.”
“Oh my. That is certainly romantic. I would certainly be overjoyed at that proposal. I can’t help but feel envious of the one who gets such an astonishing treasure.” Rarity was beaming now.
I smiled. “Well if you like it that much, would you like to have it, Rarity?” I joked. Fluttershy shot me a look of sadness and disappointment not realizing I was teasing Rarity.
Rarity’s face turned from white to complete red very quickly. She was waving her hooves out frantically. “Nonononono. I mean, I would be overjoyed to be picked by you. But after hearing such a romantic and thoughtful tradition your family created, it would hurt me deeply if the one you truly love didn’t receive your heart.”
Fluttershy looked like she was about to cry. I lifted her head to look at me, I winked at her with a sly smile trying imply I wasn’t serious. She seemed to have gotten it as her mood lightened a bit. “Oh come on, Rarity. You seem to be a big fan of romance and you like me a lot. Why not just accept my heart?” I kept teasing.
“NO! You couldn’t have decided on me so quickly.” Rarity cried out.
“But what if I did Rarity? Are you really gonna turn down my proposal and essentially break my heart?” I asked with a very sad tone.
Steam was rising for Rarity’s face and ears. “I-I-I-I-I-I-I” She was stuttering very badly and seeing my sad expression wasn’t helping her. She was trying her best to regain composure. She closed her eyes and took deep breaths. After a minute she walked up to me, face still red and took one my claws and placed her hoof in it. “I…. Appreciate the thought dear Sarius. But I’m afraid you can’t simply just choose me over somepony you truly love. I would be happy just seeing that pony receive their eternal happiness from you.”
“Are you absolutely sure Rarity?” I asked slightly serious.
She nodded. “I am. I am the element of Generosity, it would go against my own element if I took this from somepony who truly deserves it.” She smiled at me.
I smiled back, released her hoof and placed my claw on her shoulder. “And that is the correct answer. I apologize for teasing you. I just wanted to make sure you were the pony I saw in your soul.”
Rarity’s blush lessened as she became slightly annoyed. “You were just teasing me?! How could you take such a serious matter like love, romance and traditions and treat it like a sport of amusement?!” She shouted somewhat furious.
My smile vanished and was replaced with a serious expression. “It was the only way I could test you, Rarity. If you are true to your element and yourself, you would refuse a false proposal and instead insisted I choose the one I truly loved. Which you did. I just wanted to make sure the pony I was introduced to was different from the one I would come to know properly, aka the Real Rarity.”
Rarity’s anger quickly disappeared as she understood my motive. “Oh I see. Well when you put it that way. Your teasing sounds reasonable. Still.” She paused as the blush returned a bit. “You shouldn’t have teased me like that. I thought you were serious.”
I laughed. “Again, I apologize. I just thought it was the only way the real you would show itself. Are we good?” I asked wanting to be sure.
Rarity just sighed and smiled. “Apology accepted. And yes we’re good.”
The party lasted from sunset to almost midnight, by the end most of the ponies had left and went home to sleep. I also noticed every pony in Ponyville was here which surprised me. Though I figured Pinkie was everypony’s friend and didn’t want anypony feeling left out. The Mane Six stuck around to the end of the party, if only to help me clean up the mansion which I appreciated. Once the task was done, I said farewell to the Mane Six and went to the bathroom attached to my room and rinsed myself off in the shower. I shut the water off and stood there for a minute, listening to the water on my body drip to the floor.
”What’s up, Sarius? You’re unusually quiet right now. In both mind and soul.” Kasulis spoke up, breaking the silence.
“It just occurred to me, that these ponies became our friends so easily and quickly. In our world it’s never that easy to become someone’s friend. There’s always complications.”
Kasulis was silent. “And it’s not just the Mane Six or the Celestial Sisters, I got along with a couple of the ponies in this town and became friends with them too. They’re all so kind, it just-” I cut myself off for a second. “It convinces me that the humans of our world are far crueler and uncaring.”
”I know that all too well. But despite all that, remember your- I mean ‘our’ friends back home. I would say they are the best the human race has to offer. It’s not just them either, there are plenty of humans who are just as good. And just because everypony in Ponyville has treated you like a friend, doesn’t mean everypony in Equestria will. I’m certain there are a few bad apples in this world as well. Besides, a true friendship comes from acceptance and eagerness to do anything you can for another. Wouldn’t you agree?”
I smiled and started laughing for a whole minute. “Wow. I never thought I would see the day where my dark half was giving me a talk of friendship and the bright side of things.”
He chuckled. ”I’d say you rubbed off on me too well.”
“So I did. Thanks.”
”I’m here for you, and you me. Don’t hesitate to talk to me, Sarius.”
“I won’t.”
I got out the shower and dried myself off. I left the bathroom door open and proceeded to lay on the bed. Making myself comfortable, I let my eyes close and wondered what was next for me after escorting the princesses. Little did I know, everything would change after tomorrow.
My mind wandered for quite a while. I had questions but not the right individuals to ask and get answers. I opened my eyes, and looked out the window. It was still dark outside and my internal clock was saying it was sometime past 1 am in the morning. I was glad I couldn’t physically sleep and just get the benefits by just closing my eyes. The thoughts that were running through my mind would definitely keep me awake.
I stepped off the bed and walked to the end table that the armor was sitting on. I picked it up and examined it. It looked like an ordinary sky blue sphere. I tried using my energy to levitate it and ended up activating it. It split down the middle and spread itself around me, engulfing me in a blue hue. But instead of being absorbed it covered my body, acting as a secondary layer of skin. I opened my wings up a bit, as the sphere now turned energy blanket covered my wings with a secondary layer of wing membrane. The sphere finally reached the tip of my tail.
I walked to a mirror and saw a blue dragon staring back. The parts of me that were red or silver became blue by the armor. My pendant was still visible and my eyes and claws were still the same color. I didn’t have much thought on the armor as this point, only it made me feel weird being all blue. Though the armor was giving off a blue glow, maybe Circe infused the armor with actual Energtris energy. Afterwards I tried to get some semblance of rest before dawn.
After a few hours of finally resting, I saw sunlight shine through the cracks of the curtained windows. It was now 5:30 am, Celesita and Luna were going to arrive soon. As I got off the bed and looked out the window I both of the sisters and a handful of guards, twelve in all half sun and half moon. I started walking out of the room, shutting the door behind me, walking down the stairs and through the dining hall out the double doors. I noticed there were double doors in the dining hall leading outside during the party last night. As I walked out the doors and closed them, I saw Celestia smiling at me warmly while Luna was simply smiling and I smiled back.
“Good morning Sarius.” Celestia said.
“Yes good morning, Sir Sarius.” Luna added. “DId you sleep well?”
“I didn’t really sleep, but yes. I have a lot of questions that need answers which kept me from resting for a while. I highly doubt those questions will get answers anytime soon, so I need to focus on the task at hand.”
“A lot on your mind, Sarius?” Asked a familiar voice. It came from one of the Sun Guards who stepped forward. He came up to the bottom of Celestia’s neck in size, with a golden halberd attached to his armor.
I quickly recognized this stallion. “Morning Dew?! You’re on of the guards on this escort?”
He nodded. “Yup, I am top of the class.”
“I hate to be rude, but we have a lot of ground to cover before we reach the meeting place. So I personally believe we shouldn’t be wasting time.” A mare’s voice from one of the Moon Guard spoke up as she stepped forward. She had a quiver filled with arrows and a bow attached to her armor. She looked and sounded familiar, scarlet red mane and tail, light blue fur color and dark green eyes. She was at the hospital when Cadence paid me a visit.
“Relax, Scarlet Yumi. We’re taking the train to Baltimare.” Dew said.
“Scarlet Yumi. You’re the mare from the hospital aren’t you?” I asked.
She looked at me with a calculating stare. “Yes, I am. Everypony’s got to make a living.”
“Now now, everypony.” Celestia spoke in a motherly tone. “I understand you take your responsibilities as our personal guards seriously, but there is no need for unnecessary tension.”
“My sister is correct. Scarlet Yumi I assure you, Sir Sarius poses no immediate threat to any of us. So I would appreciate it if you didn’t make him feel uncomfortable while being in our midst.” Luna instructed.
Scarlet Yumi narrowed her eyes at me before looking away. “Very well, your highness.” She said reluctantly. “But I’m still keeping an eye on him regardless.”
Celestia sighed. “Now then, shall we depart?” With that we all walked our way to the train station. Luna was walking beside me trying to stay close but not too close. Celestia was walking ahead of us and looked at me and Luna, giggled and winked at me. I rolled my eyes. The 12 guards were walking in a rectangular pattern around the 3 of us. I could feel Yumi’s eyes glancing at me every once in a while. It didn’t bother me, I was used to being on a watch list of the most dangerous entities. After a few minutes of walking, and getting curious and/or interested looks from the town folks, we arrived at the train station. Celestia ordered the tickets and we all boarded the train and departed for Baltimare.
Between me, the princesses and the 12 guards, we got a whole train car to ourselves. Wither the 15 of us took up the space or a security detail is up for debate. I sat on the bench on the left side of the car in the middle. I could easily lay on it and take up the space entirely, but reluctantly chose to sit up. Luna decided to sit on the same bench as me, causing my heart to run the heat engine slightly hotter than usual and Celestia sat across from us taking up the whole bench herself. I noticed Luna was slowly trying to scooch over closer to me, make the engine get hotter by the second. She was a mere one and a half inch away from me as I started hyperventilating. Trying to catch my breath, I noticed Luna was slightly blushing despite trying not to while Celestia was trying her best not to laugh at this. Scarlet Yumi was across the car sitting with Morning Dew, staring daggers at me while still having the calculative stare. I looked at Morning Dew asking him ‘a little help’ he curved his lower lip and switched between looking at me and Yumi. He simply smiled and shrugged as if saying ‘sorry can’t help ya’ I replied with a roll of my eyes saying ‘yeah thanks for nothing’.
Thankfully the silence was broken after a while by Luna who said something a little too straight forward and humorous. “So Sir Sarius, mind telling me why your suddenly blue?” I heard Celestia snort a little loudly trying to hold in her laughter.
Still trying to catch my breath from having Luna so close I spoke without trying to sound strained. “It’s uh, armor made by my sister. I had her deliver it to me so I could use it today.”
Celestia was intrigued by that. “Oh, your sister must be quite smart and talented to make something like that.”
I nodded. “She is and I’m proud to be her brother.”
Luna started leaning in to take a closer look at the armor. “It doesn’t look like armor. I assumed you just painted yourself blue.”
I was starting to sweat a bit. “Well, it’s not normal armor. It’s more like a secondary layer of skin and scales that is quite tough.”
Luna’s eyes brightened. “Oh I see now.” She then noticed the pendant around my neck. “And what’s this?” She held her hoof out to touch the pendant.
I was starting to blush now since I was gonna have to tell her about it. “That’s a family heirloom. It was given to me by my mother. You see, there’s a tradition in my family that the male child would receive this and would give this to the one they truly love as a sign of undying love.” Hearing that Luna started blushing more. “This tradition has been in the family for a very long time. It all started when an ancestor of mine was given the scales of a powerful female silver elder dragon to forge and make items out of. This pendant was one of them.”
“Well, it certainly is beautiful.” Celestia remarked. “I can also sense something from it.”
“That might be the dragon’s power from the scale. I did say she was a powerful elder dragon. It would also explain my increased capabilities when I wear it.”
“Oh, so it makes you stronger?” Luna asked still flustered.
“Only by a little bit I think. And if what my sister said is true, this pendant isn’t fully complete.”
“Why’s that?” Celestia asked more curious than before.
“I don’t know. It’s physically complete but not complete in the natural sense. Maybe it requires a dragon’s power to use it’s full potential. I would have to ask my sister about it when I can.”
I looked out the window of the train, still trying to calm myself a bit. Talking to the sisters helped with that but the fact, Luna was so close was still getting to me. The train was currently running through some empty plains with a forest and a couple mountains out quite a ways, a river was not too far ahead. My attempt at calming myself was getting harder after realizing Yumi was still glaring at me. I didn’t have to see it, I felt it.
Luna must've noticed Yumi’s stare since she said something. “I deeply apologize for Yumi’s behaviour Sir Sarius. I’m afraid she takes her job as part of my Moon Guard a little too seriously. I tried convincing her you were no threat and don’t deserve such a treatment. She obviously didn’t listen.”
I looked away from the window and at the floor, sighing. “It’s fine, Luna. I’m used to it. I know I’m dangerous.” I ended up giving a small smile. Maybe it wasn’t so bad though. Having her keeping an eye on me is encouraging me to try harder to be better. I wasn’t going to say that though, not in that way anyway. “But being on a watch list does help remind me to stay in check. I always want to prove I’m in full control of myself and my power and no one has to fear me.”
“I see.” Luna gave a small smile herself. “You always seem to try and see the positive side of things and stay hopeful. I think…” She paused and started blushing again. “I think I’m really starting to like you Sarius.” She said as she turned her head to me.
Just as she said that her eyes widen in realization at what she just said, blushed harder and placed her hooves over her mouth in embarrassment after letting a gasp out. I started blushing again from the sudden confession and widen my eyes in surprise as well. Without realizing it Luna and I were looking into each other’s eyes a bit too deeply.
We didn’t realize until Celestia started laughing. Luna and I looked at her confused. “Oh goodness. You two look so adorable together.” She smiled sheepishly.
Luna’s face turned completely red as she started waving her hooves up and down in embarrassment and squinting her eyes like some anime girl. ”DON’T TEASE ME SISTER!!” She yelled in an almost booming voice.
Celestia smile went from mischievous to regular. “Relax, Lulu. It’s all in good fun. Besides, you shouldn’t try to ignore these feelings you have for him. If you put this off for too long, it might end badly for somepony.” Celesita in a concerned tone.
Luna calmed down but was still blushing a bit. “I know. And please do not call me Lulu in public.”
I was confused. “What’s wrong with Lulu? Is that a nick-” I was cut off by Luna staring at me with a pouting face and a glare warning me to stop while I could. I started sweating a bit from the combined glare of Luna and Yumi.
Celestia giggled. “Forgive me. I’m afraid Luna here isn’t fond of being called by her nickname in public or by others she doesn’t like. In fact if she’s giving you that look, she likes you enough to warn you at least.”
“Oh.” I merely say blushing.
Luna then stared at Celestia. “Why did you have to tell him that?”
Celestia shrugged. “Just thought he ought to know the reasoning about that.” Luna merely responded with a grunt.
I looked out the window again and saw a city in the distance. “Is that Baltimare?”
Celestia turned her head to see. “Yes, indeed it is. It seems we’ll be arriving shortly.”
“So where’s the meeting place at then? In the city?” I asked out of curiosity.
“No. It’s a place in the forest outside the city.” Luna replied now starting to fully calm down. “The Griffon King asked us to pick a location away from the populace. He has nothing against ponies, but finds it rather uncomforting being in a place filled with them.”
“That makes sense. I wouldn’t want to be surrounded by individuals I didn’t trust.”
The conductor announced we were arriving shortly. The guards started gathering around the 3 of us, as we slowly came to a stop. The princesses and I got off the benches and were escorted out of the train by the guards. When we stepped out I noticed we were in the middle of a large street. Not as big as Time Square back home but big enough to have two roads on both sides of the train tracks. The buildings around us ranged from single story tall to several stories tall and everything in between. Baltimare didn’t look like Baltimore back home, it was much smaller in scale but still quite big to have the namesake of a city. Lots of ponies were walking around the street block and a large amount of those eyes caught sight of the princesses and decided to smile and wave in their direction, only to look at me. get nervous and walk away.
I sighed. I felt Celestia’s hoof press against my left shoulder. “Don’t let their actions get to you. The ponies of Baltimare are the closest to the Dragon Lands. So they’ve seen more dragons flying about than most.”
“I’m not. After all I keep saying I’m used to it. I just wish there were some random strangers didn’t look at me in such a way.” I said feeling like a broken record at this point.
We then started walking north east and I saw a paved road leading to the forest. We walked onto the sidewalk and were about to head out on the road when I felt a small hoof touch my front right leg. I looked down to see a filly looking up at me with curiosity in her eyes. The princesses and the guards stopped and looked in my direction, it dawned on me that the guards weren’t around me at all. I looked down the sidewalk and saw a few ponies were watching me, one mare in particular had a look of distress. Must have been the mother of this filly.
“Are you a dragon?” Asked the filly in a cute voice.
I looked back down to her and instantly forgot I was being watched. I lowered myself to the ground to look her in the eyes and try to show the older ponies.I wasn’t a threat. “Yes I am. Half actually, but still counts.” I answered with a slightly high voice releasing my inner child.
She tilted her head. “My mommy and daddy say dragons are dangerous. Are you dangerous?” She asked innocently.
I chuckled. “I think I’m not, but what do you think?” I asked taking a blunt claw to boop her nose, getting a giggle from her.
“I don’t think you're dangerous. I think you look silly for a dragon.” She said booping my nose causing me to smile.
“Well I like to think I am a silly and funny dragon. The fact you think so too must make it true.”
“Honey come along now. I think the dragon has things to take care of.” The mother called out.
The filly gave me a sad look. “Really, is that true Mister Dragon?” The filly asked sadly.
“Yeah it is. See the princesses over there.” Me and the filly turned our heads to the princesses and the guards, Luna and Celesita smiled at us. “They asked me to be their personal escort for a trip. You wouldn’t want to keep me from my job do you?” I asked.
The filly shook her head. “No.”
I patted her head. “Besides, I think you’re mother is getting concerned about you. I wouldn’t want your mother to worry herself over you.”
“Alright.” She said as she walked back towards her mother, keeping a sad look.
“Though I want you to remember one thing for me.” The filly stopped and turned to me with the mother getting more concerned. “Not every dragon you’ll see is gonna be like me, okay. So please be careful around them. You understand?”
The filly nodded. “I do. Be careful Mister Dragon.”
I smiled. “Back at ya and turn that frown upside down. Don’t be sad about me leaving. You might see me again one day.” The filly smiled in response and ran back to her mother’s side. After a few seconds everypony started going back to their business.
I got up and walked towards the princesses. “Wow Sarius. I never knew you were so good with children.” Celestia said.
“I’ll say. You have experience with young ones?” Luna asked.
“I do cause I have twins back home.” This shocked everypony present.
“You’re really a father of two?” Dew asked.
I nodded. “Yup. Though I haven’t been able to spend as much time as I wanted with them. I hope I can remedy that one day. Anyway Luna, Celesita you two can ask me all the questions you want later. I believe we still have a meeting to attend.”
The sisters shook off their shock, nodded and we departed down the paved path into the forest.
We walked through the forest for several minutes, staying on the paved road. I caught sight of a building through the trees not to far out. When we got to the entrance, it looked like a well preserved ruin. But it was a home made out of brown marble that stood two and a half stories tall. It certainly didn’t seem too special about it, just your average home. The inside however was a different story.
The interior was about ten yards in length with walls on each side holding up a second floor balcony with stairs at the entrances. There were large pillars that held up the roof. The second floor seemed to have walls and open spaces for windows on every yard of length. The pillars seemed to block the window spaces at different angles but there was always one window that wasn’t blocked. I was too busy with the interior layout that I didn’t notice there were what seemed to be comfortable chairs in the middle of the building with a large table. Right now there were only two chairs on my side and one on the opposite side. I did see the other chairs stacked against the wall on my right.
Luna and Celestia began taking their seats and I noticed only two guards were with them, one Moon guard and one Sun guard respectively. I assumed it was Scarlet Yumi and Morning Dew. “Where are the other guards?” I asked with slight concern.
“They are either patrolling around the premise or staying guard outside making sure nothing gets in.” Celestia said.
“Our guards are trained well, Sir Sarius. We have nothing to fear or worry about from outside.” Luna added.
I stood next to Luna and decided to take it upon myself to look around the place one more time. Sure they might have nothing to worry about outside, but what if something was already inside waiting. I noticed two windows on the second floor, one on each side of the building that was perfect for an archer to shoot the princesses. I couldn’t help but feel something was in the building. I never noticed the Griffon King and his three guards were on the other side of the table until the king spoke.
“Princesses Luna and Celestia. I am glad to see you two here. I was worried you wouldn’t show.” The griffon said in a gruff voice.
“You shouldn’t have been worried, King Galedon. Nothing is more important to me or my sister than the well being of every creature in Equestria.” Celestia said.
“Indeed. We wish to have all the creatures of Equestria to live together in Harmony. We want to be able to deal with any and all troubles before they rise out of control and become a problem for all.” Luna added.
“Good. That’s good to hear. In that case, my home of Griffonstone is in distress. Ever since we lost the Idol of Boreas, the city has never been the same. But I reckon you already knew of that.”
“Yes, it is quite tragic that you’re greatest treasure was taken by a cyclops and lost with it’s fall.” Celestia acknowledged with sympathy. “My sister and I are willing to do what we can to help the once great city of Griffonstone return to its former glory.”
I suddenly got a feeling of danger in the air. I immediately shut off the conversation that was still going on and focused, trying to enhance my senses. I wasn’t picking up anything, so I decided to use my aunt’s gift, ‘Life Sense’. My eyes turned bright green as I could now see pulses of life. I clearly saw the life sighs of the guards outside and the current individuals inside the building. That being the four guards, the king and the princesses.
”Wait four guards. There were three griffon guards, I’m sure of it. Where did the third one go then?” I thought to myself. However I couldn’t search as that feeling of danger was getting even stronger. I decided to look to the second floor, and unbeknownst to me the griffon king asked about me.
“Uh, I didn’t notice you two brought a…. Dragon with you.” He said with hesitation. “Should I be worried about him?”
Luna shook her head. “No you have nothing to fear. He’s not your typical dragon. He’s surprisingly half dragon. We personally asked him to escort us to test him.”
“Okay. But he’s being a bit... weird.” The griffon said trying not to sound insulting.
“Don’t fret, your highness. Like my sister said, he’s not your typical dragon. He does have abilities and powers we never seen before. But I assure you he’s no threat to you or your subjects.”
I sensed nothing on the right side of the second floor but when I looked to the left, I noticed a faint pulse. Unlike everything else I sensed, this life pulse was far weaker or was trying to give the illusion of being weak to hide itself. I deactivated the ‘Life Sense’ to see a pony that was barely visible. It was cloaked and staying low to the ground. But when I enhanced my sight, I quickly noticed the pony was notching two arrows and seemed to be aiming for the princesses.
I heard the faint sound of the bow string being released and had little time to act but enough to quickly unfold my left wing entirely and cover the princesses. The arrows met my armored wing with a loud ding that echoed through the building. The entire collective of souls present gasped in shock and horror at my display. The princesses themselves saw the arrows that fell on the table, now realizing how close they were to being shot. Yumi and Dew jumped to action quickly, trying to pinpoint the location of the arrows origin.
The pony on the balcony stood in surprise and seemed to stare at me and I stared back with an angry glare. “Yumi and Dew. Protect the princesses for me. I gotta catch the culprit.” I said demandingly and unfolded my wing.
I was fully expecting Yumi to retort but didn’t bother to stop and listen to her, as I mustered all the strength in my back leg muscles to launch me to the pillar next to the window. The pony got its senses together and made a mad dash somewhere, as I leapt off the pillar through the window skidding across the floor a few inches.
“Oh no you don’t!” I shouted as I gave chase.
I was barely to register the passage I was taking while chasing the pony, all that I knew was that we ended up in a long pathway somewhere. The pony was certainly fast but I was no slouch in speed and was quickly catching up to it. However I didn’t need to stop it as we came to a dead end.
I decided to take a good long look at the pony and identify it. Silence filled the air for half a minute before I tried to have a conversation. “Seems like you’re stuck doesn’t it.” I said being as bluntly obvious as possible in an attempt to annoy the culprit. “So mind telling a few things, like who you are?”
A few more seconds of silence followed by a sigh as the pony turned to me and removed the hood. “Nelkanth. You have earned the right to hear my name at least.”The pony was a stallion around Cadence’s height if my memory was correct. Though most of his body was covered by the cloak, I could see a part of his cutie mark which seemed to be a dagger dripping poison and an arrow drawing blood. He had a horn that was almost hidden underneath a dark gray mane, and a dark greenish tone of skin. His mane was of medium length like mine. His eyes were light blue, but what was throwing me off about his eyes is it seemed his soul was void and empty of anything. I was able to piece together quite a bit of information from just looking at him. “I’ll admit I was surprised you sensed me and stopped the arrows.”
“I take it you’re an assassin?” I asked nearly eighty percent sure of my assumption.
“Yes I am.” He answered with a hint of disbelief.
Even though this stallion looked and sounded young, my instincts were telling me to not take him lightly. “Why kill the princesses? Aren’t you one of their beloved subjects?” I asked starting to get into the big questions.
He chuckled finding my question humorous for some reason. “I’m afraid you’re not gonna make me talk that easily, my friend.” He smiled.
I smiled back showing my teeth for the first time in a smile. “Oh really? Well the way I see it, it’s you tell either me willingly, or tell the guards after they torture you. Either way you’re gonna talk, ‘friend’.” I put emphasis on friend.
“Oh, and do tell what you see right now?” He asked trying to be oblivious.
“You’re trapped between me and a dead end. I don’t see any way of you getting out.” I explained despite him trying to act ignorant.
He laughed again. “Well, the way I see it, this is only a minor inconvenience.”
I narrowed my eyes at him wondering what his game was right now. I decided to try and ask one more question. “Are you working alone or is there another helping you? I highly doubt you would let the Griffon King or the guards get away and tell the ponies that their princesses are dead. Plus you only had enough time and resources to kill the princesses.”
He tilted his head in ignorant confusion. “How would you know if I didn’t have the time or resources? Maybe my whole plan was to let the king go and start a war between the griffons and ponies.” He righted his head position and looked me dead in the eyes. “You shouldn’t make assumptions like that. Sarius Trusdale.”
Hearing him speak my full name caught me by surprise. I instantly went from being shocked to taking a fighting pose. “I have no idea how you know my name, but it’s enough proof for me to take you in right now. You clearly know something and I’m not about to you let you go now.”
He laughed once more. “My source was right, you are very smart and straight to the point. I’m sure you would actually capture me in any other situation, but I’m afraid this isn’t one of them.”
I stepped forward ready to pounce on him. “Enough with the confidence. You can not escape.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. I planned for this. I’m afraid you just lost you’re only chance to capture me.” He grinned amusingly.
”NO MORE GAMES!!” I shouted as I jumped him.
Not even a second later, an explosion takes out the wall behind Nelkanth which pushes me back and creates a large cloud of dust. My ears rang for a minute and my eyesight was slightly blurry but I was able to unfold my wings and create a strong gust of wind to blow away the dust. Unsurprisingly, Nelkanth wasn’t there anymore and only a huge hole where the wall had been remained. I walked to the opening and looked around, using my Life sense to find him or the other who caused the explosion. No luck, the surrounding flora was covering up any pulses of life I would have found. I gritted my teeth in frustration feeling anger build up but I relaxed and took a deep breath. I decided to head back through the pathway back to the main building.
After walking through the long underground passageway and climbing stairs to the main floor with another set of stairs going to the second floor and exiting an open doorway, I came back to the place of the meeting. The first thing I noticed was the third griffon guard that wasn’t here was back. I had a suspicion that the griffon helped Nelkanth escape and that name was slowly nagging my brain. That name sounds familiar but I didn’t have the faintest idea why. I ignored the thought for now and checked on Yumi, Dew and the two princesses. They were unharmed but obviously shaken up. Yumi noticed me walking toward them, gave me an angry glare and trotted to me halfway.
“Who do you think you are ordering us around? And where is the culprit? Don’t tell me they escaped.” Yumi said being on the verge of yelling. I remained silent which angered her more. “ANSWER ME!!!” She shouted echoing her voice in the building.
”Stand down Yumi!” Luna’s shouted as if she was using a megaphone. She walked over to me and Yumi, while Yumi just turned to her with a look like she wanted to argue. “Sarius was acting in the heat of the moment. He wasn’t trying to command you. Besides, you should be grateful, if it wasn’t for him. My sister and I…” She paused feeling dread from what transpired. “Would have died. We all should be grateful actually.”
Celestia came up to me and bowed to me in a respectful manner. “Luna is right, we should be grateful. I believe I speak for everypony here when I say thank you.” Dew and Luna bowed in the same manner, Yumi did the same with hesitation. I was getting a bit flustered from this.
“Did you find out who the culprit was?” Asked the griffon king who was obviously nervous.
“Yes and no. I only got the name, Nelkanth and nothing else. But I did figure out he was an assassin and came here to kill the princesses.” The princesses gasped.
“Was he a pony?” Celestia asked.
I looked at her and Luna and hesitated to answer. They deserve to know who it was that tried to kill them, but were they ready to understand it was one of the very subjects they look after and care for so much. It would cause more problems if I didn’t answer and truthfully. “Yes.”
Celestia held a hoof to her mouth in horror, while Luna looked at the ground in solemn disappointment.
“How did he escape Sarius?” Dew spoke up trying to help the princesses think of something else.
“I’m not entirely sure. He was trapped with no way out, or so I thought. There’s a passageway under the building that leads somewhere a dozen or so yards away from here. The other side seemed to be closed off with no way of opening it. He was only able to escape because of an explosion that created an opening for him. So I suspect he wasn’t alone here.”
Dew and Yumi went wide-eyed. Yumi then took a defensive stance and looked at the griffons. “Maybe their in league with him?”
The griffon guards stepped forward claws on their weapons ready to defend the king while the king was getting even more nervous.
“Let’s not jump to conclusions Yumi!” I shouted trying to get her to stand down. “If you attack the king or the guards right now without any conclusive evidence, you’ll be starting a war.” As I said that I remembered Nelkanth mentioning a war. “The unicorn actually gave me a vague idea he was here to start a war. Let’s not make it a reality.”
Yumi looked at me from the corner of her eye. I gave her a look that I knew what I was saying and wasn’t afraid to back up the words. Yumi sighed and relaxed. “Very well. You make a good point. But I would advise we still keep an eye on them.”
“We have nothing to do with this. I’m only here on the notion of peace and trading. The griffons are suffering after all.” Galedon said trying to be reasonable.
“I have no doubt you are here for peace Galedon. But I can’t help but think that one of the guards you brought with you aren’t.” I said trying not to sound suspicious of the griffons.
One of the guards stepped forward. “What are you trying to get at, punk?” The griffon sounded female but had a grunty voice.
“Now, now Gilda. I doubt he’s placing any blame on any creature. Just relax.” The king said trying to defuse the situation before it got out of hand.
“He’s right. I’m not placing any blame here. I will point this out though. When you four arrived you were all together, but when Nelkanth was taking the shot, one of you was missing. And when I came back after chasing him and losing him I immediately noticed that the one guard was back like they never left. Now I’m not saying they helped him escape, maybe they took a bathroom break at a convenient time. I just wanted everyone to know I noticed this. It’s the griffon’s call to figure it out if they want to.”
The female griffon Gilda was eyeing me with a somewhat malicious intent. Before things could have a chance to get worse, Galedon spoke up. “Alright, princesses. Perhaps it would be best if we make agreements later?”
Celestia nodded. “Yes, perhaps it would. If you’re willing, Luna and I will arrange a meeting with you at Canterlot Castle where it’ll be safer to discuss things.”
“Sure. I mean, after today I won’t be able to feel safe anywhere now so why not. We’ll take our leave then.” The king said as they departed. I went to the table and decided to take the two arrows to study.
The princesses, Yumi, Dew and I left ourselves, regrouping with the rest of the guards and made our way back to Baltimare train station. I looked back at the building then noticed a much smaller building in the distance. I recognized it as the exit point of the underground passageway. It must have been an emergency escape route if anything happened to the main building.
As we left the forest and made our way onto the train and heading back to Ponyville, no one said a thing. I didn’t blame any of them. The guards were more active and on guard than the last time we were on the train. Luna was sitting next to Celestia in the middle of the car, with Yumi and Dew sitting across from them. I decided to sit in the back of the car on the right side. I took out the arrows and examined them closely.
The arrows were crafted much differently than normal arrows. The feathers on the end weren’t of a birds but perhaps something stronger. The stick seemed to emit an aura of some kind that was affecting my armor. The arrow tip seemed like it was dipped in something acidic in nature, but I knew it wasn’t anything I was familiar with. The tip however I knew was smelted from a mixture of a dragon scale and a sturdy metal. These arrows were made for one thing and one thing only: to kill anything in one shot without problems. And it definitely would too, the acid on the arrow tips would have been more potent on entry in the bloodstream. I figured the princesses have healing factors of their own and powerful healing spells to boot, but this acid would ensure they didn’t have the time to heal themselves. The wood would also most likely nullify any shield spells.
I then remembered the arrows hit my wing, so I unfolded my left wing and turned it so I could see the spots the arrows hit. To my surprise, there were two holes in the energy armor that left my wing vulnerable to another attack. I looked at the arrows again, trying to visualize how this was possible. I came up with nothing as to a proper explanation, whatever this arrow was made out of was able to neutralize my energy. If hadn’t worn this armor who knows what state my wing would be in. The armor didn’t seem like it was regenerating, either my sister didn’t incorporate the ability to regenerate or the arrow was more effective than I originally thought. I folded my wing back up and just stared out the window for the rest of the trip.
So much was happening so fast and I didn’t have a single answer to the questions I already had and I was now getting more questions. We went through a tunnel and came out with Ponyville in sight. I decided it’s high time I contacted my uncle and get the aid of my siblings. There was no way I could solve any of the current problems without them.
When the train stopped at the Ponyville train station, I got up and noticed the 12 guards and the princesses weren’t leaving. Luna looked at me, got up and walked to me. “This is your stop, Sir Sarius. My sister and I along with the guards are staying on the train for Canterlot. So this is farewell for now.” She went silent for a few seconds and started blushing about something. I was wondering why when she unfolded her wings and moved forward to embrace me with her wings and fore hooves in a hug. I instantly started blushing and understood why she was too now. She was warm to the touch and her wings brought more warmth, but also had a sort of coldness about her. I couldn’t place my claw on it though. Maybe it had something to do with her control of the moon and stars. The hug lasted only half a minute and the warmth she gave was replaced with the slightly cold air.
“I can’t possibly thank you enough for saving me and my sister today. But we will need some time to ourselves for a while I’m afraid. You understand why, right?” I nodded knowing full well what she was implying. “I want to say I’ll spend some time with you tomorrow but it might not happen. So instead I’ll see you tomorrow night and go from there. That okay with you?” She asked.
“Yeah, it’s fine. Knowing you almost died is pretty overwhelming, I would know. So take as much time as you need Luna.”
Luna smiled warmly. “I will. Thank you again Sarius.”
I walked off the train and waved farewell to the sisters and the guards as the train departed for Canterlot. I started walking back to my mansion wondering what my next move should be.