//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: Triple Threat // by Violet Mist //------------------------------// “I think that will be enough for today, Sparkling.” Borealis said with a grin. The knight was tangled up a in a mess, for she had accidentally cast a spell that fused her armor to her body. Borealis sighed and undid the spell, leaving Sparkling back to normal. “Look, I don't see how my cousin saw potential in you. You're not well experienced at all.” He told her. She frowned and looked down at her hooves in shame. Something must've triggered on Borealis’ happy personality again, because next thing he knew, he was no longer in control of his words. “But I wouldn't give up yet. You may come here once a week, every Monday, just like today. Eventually you'll get better. You just need time and practice.” Happy Borealis said. Just then, Sparkling looked up with a smile. “Huzzah!” She shouted, and lunged at the wizard for a hug. Borealis tried to move out of the way but it was too late, and he found himself trapped in the knight’s metallic and surprisingly super strong grip. He could barely breathe. “Urk!.... ok, that's enough…” he told her. Sparkling let go immediately and Borealis let out a sigh of relief. “Go on. Back to camp for you.” He ordered, straightening himself out. Sparkling gave a salute and marched out, lucky she did not hear the wizard mutter ‘dork’ as she left. Borealis surveyed the room—a hole in the wall, 3 obliterated bookshelves, and a damaged spiral staircase leading to the upper part of the library. Perfect. He got to work to fix the place up, using his magic abilities to replace the hole in the wall with brand new concrete bricks and some pieces of wood for the staircase. He could not do anything about the staircase however, but instead used the scraps of wood to build a brand new table and chair. Not only had he fixed the place up, but Borealis believed it looked even better. It was a rare sight, for the wizard was never considered selfless. By committing to this act of generosity and fix the library up for others, he showed there are lighter sides of the war, and that even the most evil or powerful ponies are really just ponies. Borealis let himself yawn as he slumped into his chair in his personal study. He could not remember what page he was on in the spell book he was reading in before, but it didn't matter, as he needed to reread it anyhow. “Are you absolutely sure you're ready for this, princess? It is a dangerous mission, if you are caught, they will interrogate you and—” The griffon was cut off as Zephyr Song placed her hoof to his mouth. “Shush, Gray—that's what I will call you now—it's not like I have a choice. I am forced to embark on the mission. And I know how potentially dangerous it is, but I feel this could be an opportunity to show my father that I can rule this Empire and join its soldiers on the front lines, just like what he did when he was younger.” She responded. Gray nodded and a black griffon, whom Zephyr called Coal, stepped up. “Well said princess. You really know how to get things said and done. I have no doubt that you will succeed on this mission.” He told her. Zephyr smiled and started to put on the golden armor. The armor was a Pegasi princess tradition, in which the princess would wear to foreign meetings and such. But because it was so reflective and easy to spot, Zephyr had to put a cloak around it. The armor was smooth and light, capable of agility moves and speed while providing protection at the same time. A useful thing to wear, especially during war time. The squad was full of experienced strategists who helped the Gryphon Kingdom beat the Yaks in a war for territory. They had Zephyr convinced they were top of the line commandos, and she believed them. She also believed them when they said they would keep her safe and unharmed. The gryphons said it was the emperor’s orders, but Zephyr knew it was just to make him look like a good father. Deep down inside, he didn't mean it. After she put the cloak on, Gray was already heading for the door, with the other gryphons following him. Zephyr proceeded to follow them, eager to get the job done and please her Empire. 2 hours later… “Here we are.” Gray whispered as he landed on a mountain ledge with the other gryphons. Zephyr landed beside him soon after. She was behind the whole way, stunned at the gryphons’ amazing flying ability. It was so stunning because Zephyr was a talented flyer as well—but the gryphons put on a show. “Great.” She replied. The gryphons waited for a bit before Coal elbowed her gently in the ribs. “That's your cue, princess.” He said. As if she had snapped back into attention, Zephyr nodded and glided down to the stone building. It was fixed on a ledge, and she was confused how it was still upright. The position was just so… awkward. She finally concluded that it must've been the work of unicorn magic as she landed. The wind was brutal in this area, and so was the cold. This brought Zephyr to a test of courage and gut. She worked her way down the mighty steps leading to the building even as the wind was blowing against her. Finally, just as it began to snow, Zephyr reached the iron door. It was attached to what looked like golden hitches that made it stand out in the cold and bitter wind. She didn't need to knock, as she noticed there was a crack still open. Slowly, she opened it all the way, and luckily nopony was there. Breathing a sigh of relief, she brought herself in and closed the door, leaving the sounds of the wind against the building echoing in the hallway. It almost made it seem ominous. But Zephyr was tough—she wouldn't let sounds ruin her important mission to please her father, and of course, bring the war closer to an end. The clomping of her hooves also echoed through the hallways adding even more of a chance to be spotted. At last Zephyr came along the only doorway that seemed to be light inside, based on the light coming from the cracks of the doorframe. She figured it was worth a shot, and that perhaps the relic was just beyond the wood of the door. Quietly, she opened the door and peeked inside. It was a library, with a large collection of books and scrolls. In the middle of the room, there was a blue unicorn stallion, hunched over a book as if he was sleeping. It didn't seem like he was paying attention, and there was no way he could find out that she was actually a Pegasus, because of the cloak. Zephyr stepped inside, and she got another look around the room. There was a spiral staircase leading to what seemed to be a second floor, and more tables and chairs around the room. It looked like a university’s library. But as Zephyr stepped closer to the blue stallion, she made a large creaking sound, due to a crooked piece of wood in the floor. Her luck expired, and the stallion sprung up, staring right at her, as if he was staring right into her soul. “Well, hello, little mare.” The caves were dirty with blood, vomit, and sweat. They were filled with the sounds of foals (and some full grown ponies) crying, moans of the wounded and dying, and just whispers. Luckily, Ice Dust and Diamond Dust were unharmed, and were of aid to others who weren't so fortunate. Diamond cured for a small colt who had sprained his hoof while Ice looked on. “But it hurttts!” The colt cried. Diamond shushed him and gave him a quick hug, kissing his hurt hoof in the process. “There, there, young one… it'll be ok. Just lay off of it for now.” She replied. The colt gave a smile and was picked up by his mother, who had a bandage around her arm. Ice chuckled and patted his sister on the shoulder. “Looks like you're ready for motherhood, huh?” He asked. Diamond sighed and got up. “Yeah, if there was a stallion to be the father.” She replied sadly. This made Ice frown. “Dawww… maybe someday, sis. It's only a matter of time.” He told her. Diamond shrugged and started walking further into the caves, with her brother following. The caves were explored by earth ponies many years ago, before the age of sophisticated civilization and the rise of technology. The walls were blotted with ancient pictures of life before, long ago. The Pegasi were unaware of this, even when they had complete control over the Earth Ponies. It was the clan’s most prized secret—a place where they could regroup or meet secretly. Even use it for shelter, as they were doing now. Diamond took a lantern that was sitting idly against the wall. Then she proceeded into the cave’s dark unknown. The sounds of the fussing faded away, but the clomping of her brother’s hooves stayed within whispering distance of her. She found it strange that he hadn't asked why she was going alone into the unknown. But she shrugged it off and continued down the cave. The lantern started to dim, but she was lucky, as she had a torch in her bag to light as well. Finally, she came to the end of the cave. “What?...” was all that could come out of her mouth. It was an outpost. A PEGASUS EMPIRE OUTPOST! She could tell by the posters on the wall and the male Pegasus drinking something at a table. Diamond turned around to inform her brother but gasped when she found out her brother wasn't following her at all—it was another Pegasus! The Pegasus chuckled as Diamond backed into the outpost. It was a dumb move, as two other Pegasi pounced on her, pinning her to the floor. Her strength wasn't enough. The brother imposter kneeled in front of her and sighed. “You know too much. We’re going to have to silence you.” He told her in a solemn tone. Diamond was about to yell when the Pegasi covered her mouth with their hooves and backed her up more. Eventually the Pegasi were in the air and Diamond was standing at the edge of a pit. “We’ll be sending your damned brother down soon.” The imposter said, giving the final push. The Pegasi let go, and the earth pony fell. She was able to yell one last time for help until everything went dark.