Arc and the others wait for the students to enter the classroom. They trot into the room happily talking and laughing. Most of the foals look over at the new arrivals with confused looks on their faces. Dinky spots her father and waves at him happily as he waves back. Cheerilee calls the class to attention
“Everypony please sit down! We have a lot to do today!”
The foals quickly take their seats and face Cheerilee.
“We have some very special guests. The Hero of Light himself has brought some representatives from the Griffon Kingdom to observe our class today.”
She introduces the younglings and the class begins. Ember leans over to Arc and whispers.
“Why are we doing this?”
“Because it’s important to my plan.”
“But…!”
Arc shushes her. “No talking during class.”
Ember opens her mouth to retort, but instead turns her eyes back to the front of the room and frowns, clearly bored with the current situation as Arc chuckles to himself. The class spends the morning listening to Cheerilee teach, doing assignments and even a small science project in which they mix baking soda and vinegar. Ember looks on, confused.
“What is this?!”
Arc looks over to her. “Science, Ember.”
Ginny giggles. “Science is cool!”
Geoffrey nods. “And messy!”
Glynda claps her talons together happily. “I want to see more!”
Gigi smiles. “Me too!”
A bell over the door rings. The foals quickly stand up and rush out of the room. Gallus looks around.
“What’s going on?!”
Arc stands up. “I believe that’s the bell for lunch.”
Cheerilee nervously walks over to Arc
“How did I do, sir?”
“Just fine, as I knew you would. Now why don’t all of us get some lunch?”
Ginny rubs her stomach. “Yeah! I’m hungry!”
Gallus frowns at her. “Ginny!”
Natalya shrugs. “Well, it has been a long time since breakfast.”
Arc heads for the door. “We can fix that. Follow me everyone.”
He leads them to the nearby cafeteria. The younglings marvel at the large room filled with happy foals and hot food. Dinky runs over to them.
“Hi dad! Did you and the others like our class?!”
Natalya smiles at her. “Yes, indeed!”
Gallus nods. “The teacher seems really good at her job.”
Ginny giggles happily! “I liked it!”
Geoffrey smiles. “Me too!”
Glynda turns to Dinky. “As did I!”
Gigi flutters around! “School is fun!”
Geoffrey looks to Arc. “Can we have something to eat, sir?”
“Sure, go ahead.”
Dinky nods! “I’ll help! Follow me!”
The younglings follow Dinky to the end of the lunch line as Gallus looks to Arc.
“Thank you for showing them what a school is, sir.”
Natalya nods. “Yes. Back home they would never have been able to set a talon in one.”
Arc nods. “Yes, well… why don’t we get something to eat as well? This day is far from over.”
Ember grins. “You don’t have to tell me twice!”
Laughing, Arc, Natalya and Gallus join Ember in the lunch line. They get their food and sit down with Dinky and her friends. Pipsqueak and Aquamarine skootch over to make room.
“Hello again, sir!”
“Did you make some new friends in the Griffon Kingdom?!”
Apple Bloom laughs. “Of course he did!”
Sweetie Belle nods. “He’s very friendly, after all!”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence. I have indeed! This is Natalya and Gallus. They and these four younglings are here to learn about our land and customs.”
Geoffrey looks up, confused. “We are?”
Natalya nods. “Yes. As long as we’re permitted to stay, that is.”
Ginny smiles. “I hope that’s a long time!”
Glynda looks to her friend. “Me too!”
Gallus turns to the younglings. “Be sure to eat all your food now. Don’t let anything go to waste.”
“We won’t!”
Dinky smiles at them. “Did you guys like our class?!”
“Yes! I liked it very much!”
“Who knew learning could be so much fun!”
Gallus nods fervently. “It’s definitely more fun looking that the schools we have back home.”
Ember looks confused. “What’s the difference?”
Natalya sighs. “They’re… very structured.”
Gallus rolls his eyes. “By ‘structured’ my sister means boring!”
Natalya nods. “I suppose that is correct.”
Pipsqueak looks up at her. “Why?!”
Aquamarine looks to Dinky. “We learn so much more when Miss Cheerilee makes it into a game!”
Dinky laughs. “Yeah!”
Gallus sighs. “In our land, school is for learning and nothing else.”
Arc turns to them. “Does it work?”
Natalya shrugs. “Sometimes.”
Ember raises an eyebrow. “Sometimes?!”
Gallus nods. “Some griffons make it and others don’t. Not sure why though.”
Arc thinks for a moment. “Probably because not everyone learns the same way.”
Glynda looks up to him. “There are different ways to learn?”
“Sure! Some learn by reading and lectures. While others learn better with frequent visual aids and games.”
Sweetie Belle nods. “Right! I do best reading and learning on my own!”
Apple Bloom turns to them. “And I do better with pictures and listening to Miss Cheerilee talk!”
Arc looks to his daughter. “What about you, Dinky?”
“I’m both!”
Pipsqueak nods. “Dinky hears something, and she remember it!”
Aquamarine giggles. “Yeah! She’s the smartest foal in our class! There’s nothing she doesn’t know!”
Dinky shakes her head. “There’s plenty I have to learn!”
“Right! You never really stop learning.”
Ginny looks to Arc, amazed. “Ever?”
Ember laughs as she shakes her head. “Nope. For example, I’ve learned so much just by following Arc around.”
Gallus appears surprised. “Like what?”
“A lot of different ways to fight for starters!”
Natalya nods. “You two seem to do a lot of that.”
“I suppose. But is that really all you’ve learned from me, Ember?”
Ember shakes her head. “No. I’ve also learned about life, love and… loss.”
Geoffrey looks confused. “What does that mean?”
Dinky puts a small hoof on his shoulder. “I think we’ll understand it when we get older.”
Arc nods. “Right.”
They finish their meal as the foals go outside for recess.
“Want to play with us, dad?!”
“I wish I could, but I have to see Coco Pommel now.”
Pipsqueak frowns. “Awwww.”
Aquamarine sighs. “Do you have to?!”
Arc nods. “Such is the life of a hero. I don’t just fight evil and punch bad ponies in the face.”
Ginny looks up to Arc. “You don’t?”
“No. Sometimes I have to do other, less interesting things such as go to meetings. Like right now.”
Geoffrey looks toward the door. “Can we go play?”
“The four of you should probably come too. This involves all of us. Dinky, would you please tell your mother to come as well? As an employee of the orphanage, she should be at this meeting too. Then you can go play.”
Dinky trots off to the kitchen. “Okay dad!”
Derpy comes out from the kitchen with Dinky. She joins the group as Dinky runs out the door to play with her friends. The younglings appear confused, but follow Arc and the others upstairs to Coco Pommel’s office. He knocks lightly.
“Come in!”
They enter the office. Cheerilee is already there, looking a bit nervous. Coco Pommel trots over to him.
“Hello Arc! Quite a big group you have with you today!”
Arc kneels down to give her a hug. “That I do. Sorry for the late notice on this.”
“It’s okay!”
Derpy looks around the crowded office. “Maybe we should have this meeting in the classroom instead, Miss Pommel.”
Cheerilee nods. “There’s certainly more room there.”
“Agreed, Miss Derpy! Let’s go!”
The group returns to the classroom. Everyone sits down at the student desks as Arc takes his place at the front of the room.
“This is a very complicated issue we’re now facing. Let me start by saying I’m very impressed by your teaching abilities, Cheerilee.”
“Th-thank you sir!”
“I recently returned from a diplomatic mission to the Griffon Kingdom. There was so much to learn about their culture.”
Derpy smiles. “I’m sure you did fine, Arc.”
Natalya nods. “He did! We learned as much about you as you did from us, sir!”
Ember frowns. “Arc, does this have anything to do with that meeting you had the other day?”
Arc nods. “It does. I’ve put forth an official request for a peace treaty to be formed between our two nations.”
Ginny looks to Ember, who is sitting next to her. “What’s a treaty?”
“It’s an agreement not to fight.”
Geoffrey thinks for a moment. “So, it’s like when two countries become friends?”
Gigi looks to him. “Can they do that?”
Coco Pommel smiles and nods. “Something like that… I think.”
Derpy nods. “Forgive me, Arc. But what does that have to do with us?”
“Well, if we want to be friends with the Griffon Kingdom, Equestria has to give them something in return.”
Cheerilee looks confused. “Give them something?”
Natalya, equally puzzled, stares at him. “In return for peace?”
Arc nods. “Yes. The princesses will, of course, have to agree to the terms of the treaty before we can move forward with our part of it.”
He paces in front of Cheerilee’s desk as he continues.
“You see, their country is having quite the problem with a rebel faction.”
Natalya shudders.
“They’ve recently been trying to recruit homeless younglings to join them!”
Coco Pommel stands up, clearly shaken by this news. “Wait! They’re trying to make young griffons into warriors?!”
Gallus nods. “Yes. Some of my youngling friends have already been approached by them! So far no one has been hurt or anything. But I believe it’s only a matter of time before their tactics become much more forceful.”
Natalya looks to her brother. “Agreed!”
Coco Pommel grits her teeth angrily. “This is monstrous! How can we help?!”
Ember stands and calls forth her spear. “I know what we SHOULD do! Find these rebels and teach them a lesson!”
Natalya nods! “I’ll help with that!”
Derpy nods soberly. “Me too!”
Gallus looks to his sister. “When do we start?!”
The younglings nod, clearly relieved to see action being taken.
“Make them pay!”
“Yeah! The mean griffons need to go away!”
“They won’t hurt anyone after Lord Arc gets finished with them!”
“We just want to live in peace, after all!”
Arc shakes his head. “That isn’t the plan.”
Derpy looks to him, confused. “Then what is?”
“The Council of Lords is looking to save some bits and soldiers by lessoning the security around the warehouses of Griffon’s Gate. But to do that, they need the younglings that live there to stop raiding the goods stored there.”
Gallus furrows his brow. “But they need to eat!”
Arc nods. “Agreed. In return for peace, I’ve put forth a plan to relocate the homeless orphans living there to Equestria.”
Coco Pommel hurries over to him and looks up, pleadingly. “They can come here, Arc!”
“Thank you, Coco Pommel. That was the plan.”
Cheerilee nods. “How many would be sent here?”
“I’m not sure. Gallus?”
Gallus sighs. “There’s dozens of younglings living in Griffon’s Gate.”
Derpy looks worried. “Dozens?! As amazing a place as the Little Hooves Orphanage is, we don’t have the facilities to handle that many!”
Coco Pommel looks to Derpy with a determined look on her face. “We’ll find a way to make this work, Miss Derpy! No one should have to live on the streets! Much less young griffons!”
Cheerilee sighs. “Sir? A capable teacher I may be, but I can’t teach a class that large! Not by myself!”
Arc nods. “I understand. After this meeting I’m heading to Canterlot Castle to talk this matter over with the princesses. If this treaty goes through, we’ll need at least one more full-time teacher, more help in the kitchen and most likely an addition built.”
Gallus’ eyes grow wide. “An addition?!”
Coco Pommel thinks for a moment. “A larger dormitory with more restrooms and a second classroom would be required at minimum.”
Arc nods. “Agreed.”
Derpy nods. “What about the foals living here. Where will they go while the construction is underway?”
“I’d be willing to authorize the use of Light’s Hope for a temporary orphanage and school. My conference room could be the temporary classroom. That and we have ample facilities to provide meals for everyone.”
Coco Pommel thinks for a moment. “That just might work!”
Ember smiles at him. “You certainly thought of everything, Arc.”
Arc shakes his head. “Not really. I’m kinda making this up as I go.”
“You mean…”
“Yes Ember. Another half-baked plan. But I couldn’t just leave the younglings on the street! We have to act! And quickly!”
Ginny looks to Arc. “Sir? What about us?”
Geoffrey nods. “Yes. Are… are we going back to Griffon’s Gate?”
Glynda shudders. “I hope not! That place is terrible!”
“The Council of Lords gave me permission to keep you four here pending a full ratification of a treaty.”
Gallus smiles! “You… you mean…”
“Yes, Gallus. They can stay here in Ponyville.”
The younglings cheer happily. Gigi points a talon.
“Wait! What about Gallus?!”
Natalya sighs. “He’s not an orphan, so what the Council decreed sadly doesn’t apply to him.”
Ginny appears almost ready to cry. “He doesn’t have to leave us, does he?!”
Arc shakes his head. “No. He can stay as well.”
Gallus breathes a sigh of relief. “Thank you, sir!”
Gallus turns to Coco Pommel.
“Do you need someone to help out around here? I already know quite a few of the orphans that would come!”
Coco Pommel nods. “I suppose I will if this treaty works out. Arc?”
“It would be wise to have at least one full time griffon employee on staff. The younglings that come here would welcome a friendly and familiar face!”
Coco Pommel turns back to Gallus. “Very well. If we are allowed to hire more help, you’ll be the first to come aboard.”
“Thank you, ma’am! I won’t let you down!”
“I’m sure you won’t. If Arc says you’re okay, I believe him.”
Cheerilee looks to Arc, nervously. “And me, sir?”
“If this happens, Canterlot will have no choice but to hire another teacher. Don’t worry, you’re not going anywhere.”
“Thank you! I love my job and the foals I teach!”
Arc looks over at Derpy. “I’m thinking another full-time cook will be in order too. Do you think we need a bigger kitchen, Derpy?”
Derpy shakes her head. “No. But we will need more hooves working it to feed that many mouths!”
“I’ll see what can be done. Now in the meantime, please don’t tell the school foals about this. It will only make them nervous right now.”
Gigi frowns. “Nervous?”
Arc nods. “I want you four to join the orphans here and try to make friends with them. My daughter Dinky can help you with that. Both groups will need to adjust to this new arrangement after all.”
Geoffrey smiles. “We understand!”
Glynda rubs her chin. “What should we do exactly?”
Coco Pommel smiles at them. “For now, just get to know your new classmates.”
Gallus turns to her. “Would it be all right if I stayed here with them? We’ve been together for quite some time.”
Coco Pommel smiles and nods. “That would be for the best.”
Arc clears his throat before continuing. “One other thing. Until this goes through officially, the younglings are still part of the Griffon Kingdom and as such must be overseen by a griffon representative.”
Gallus looks nervous. “Me?!”
“Capable as you may be, Gallus, you are a bit young for that. Natalya will report back to Griffonstone any problems along with her personal thoughts of this matter via official reports submitted regularly.”
Natalya nods. “I’ll do my best. Will I be staying here?”
“General Blackbeak didn’t require it. You may if it’s okay with Coco Pommel. Or you can stay down the road at my base, Light’s Hope. We do have proper guest facilities there, after all.”
Coco Pommel smiles at her. “Whichever works best for you is fine by me, miss…?”
“Natalya. Thank you, ma’am! I’d like to stay here with my brother and help him look after these younglings.”
“Very well. If you would like, I can have another bed delivered to my quarters.”
Natalya smiles. “Thank you, I’d appreciate that.”
Coco Pommel walks back over to Arc and smiles at him. “Thank you for letting us know about this! With any luck, the wheels will turn quickly in the matter!”
Cheerilee nods. “How long do you think it will take before we have a timetable established?”
“There really is no way to know. Any ideas, Natalya?”
“This is uncharted territory as far as the Griffon Kingdom is concerned. They’ll probably take their time in an effort to get it right.”
Derpy sighs. “To say nothing for the princess’ own response.”
Coco Pommel looks nervous. “I understand there will be a lot of back and forth between the two parties. But I do hope they will put the needs of the orphans first.”
Arc nods. “As do I. Now, does anyone have any other questions?”
Ginny raises a talon. “What about our friends back in Griffon’s Gate?”
Geoffrey nods. “Yeah! I miss them already!”
“If this treaty goes through, they’ll join you here. Until then, you’ll just have to be patient.”
The younglings nod sadly as Gallus joins them.
“Cheer up you four! Lord Arc will see to it this goes as quickly as possible!”
“Right. After I leave here, I’m heading to Canterlot Castle to get this ball rolling on our nation’s end.”
Coco Pommel stands up. “Well then, we won’t keep you any longer than necessary, Arc!”
Derpy smiles at him. “Let us know if anything changes!”
Cheerilee nods. “Yes! I’ll look at revising my lessons for the new arrivals.”
“Good idea. Just be aware that very few, if any, have had the benefit of a formal education. You’ll be starting from scratch.”
She sighs. “This may be harder than I thought.”
Arc nods. “We may have to hire another teacher just to instruct them on basic reading.”
Natalya looks to Arc. “One must first learn to read before they can read to learn.”
“Everyone keep thinking and planning. Wish me luck in Canterlot.”
He calls forth his gauntlet and opens a portal before turning to Derpy.
“I’ll try to be home for supper. You want to come, Ember?”
“Sure! Lead the way!”
Derpy waves. “Bye, Arc! Good luck!”
Arc nods and smiles as he and Ember step through the portal together. Coco Pommel turns to those assembled as the portal closes.
“Well, we had all better get busy.”
Gigi points a talon out the window. “Can we go outside and play?!”
Geoffrey looks out at the foals playing happily. “Everyone appears to be enjoying themselves!”
Ginny looks up with puppy dog eyes. “Please?!”
Coco Pommel smiles and nods. “Very well.”
The youngling rush outside together. Cheerilee turns to Coco Pommel as Gallus and Nataly follow them.
“But Ms. Pommel, recess is almost over.”
“I think we should extend it a bit today.”
“Whatever for?”
Derpy looks out the window at the younglings as they join the foals in their games. “So everypony can get to know one another. This transition will be difficult for all of them. Us included!”
Meanwhile, Arc and Ember arrive in his quarters in Canterlot Castle. They leave his room and walk quickly toward the Audience Chamber. Ember turns to him, clearly impressed at what he has accomplished.
“You must have really turned on the charm to get the Council of Lords to agree to this!”
Arc chuckles. “It was actually easier than I thought it would be.”
“Really? How so?”
“To them the orphans that call Griffon’s Gate home are little more than a nuisance at best, and squatters at the worst. They just want them gone.”
Ember shakes her head. “I feel bad for them. I mean… no one really wants them around.”
“Maybe we can change that.”
They approach the exterior of the Audience Chamber. The normal horde of ponies awaiting a royal audience is roughly that of any day Ember looks around.
“Wow! Does this EVER change?!”
Arc nods. “It’s nice that the princesses see anyone who has a need. Many leaders couldn’t care less about their citizens.”
“Like the Griffon Kingdom?”
“You felt that way too?”
“Yes, I did! Hey, there’s Shining Armor and Trixie!”
“I wonder what they’re doing here.”
Ember shrugs. “One way to find out.”
Arc and Ember make their way over to the pair. Shining Armor salutes him respectfully.
“Well, this is a surprise!”
Trixie nods, happily. “Yes! What brings you two here today?!”
“I need to report to the princesses. There’s been some developments on my mission to the Griffon Kingdom.”
Trixie gestures to the doors. “Shall I let them know you’re here, Arc?
“Yes. Thank you.”
She hurries to the Audience Chamber to announce him as Shining Armor leans in close and lowers his voice.
“So what’s this about the Griffon Kingdom?! Are we being invaded?”
Arc shakes his head. “No. But I think you and Trixie should join us in the Audience Chamber. Your thoughts on this might be helpful.”
“Very well, sir.”
A few moments later Trixie escorts the previous audience out and quickly returns to Shining Armor’s side.
“The princesses will see you now.”
“Thank you. If both of you would please join us, we’ll head inside.”
Trixie responds in a confused tone. “Very well, sir.”
The four enter the Audience Chamber together and approach the monarchs. Luna and Cadance appear happy to see him.
“Welcome back, Arc. I hope your mission was successful.”
Cadance nods. “We’ve been waiting anxiously for word of your mission since you left!”
“Well, I’m here to satisfy your curiosity. But we should probably sit down first. Lots to talk about.”
Luna gestures with a hoof. “This way please.”
She and Cadance lead the group into their office. Kibitz is organizing papers on the desk as they enter.
“Please make yourselves comfortable.”
Arc and Ember sit down on one of the couches together as Shining Armor and Trixie join them. Kibitz looks over to Arc.
“Good to see you back, sir!”
“Likewise, Kibitz. Say, you’re familiar with the laws of the land, right?”
He nods. “I am. How can I be of service?”
“Just listen to our conversation. I’ll probably need some legal advice at some point.”
“Yes sir.”
Luna sits down next to Cadance on the couch across from Arc and company. “Now then. How did it go?”
“My mission to Griffonstone was certainly not without incident.”
Ember chuckles. “It was a bona fide adventure!”
Arc brings all assembled up to date on his exploits in the Griffon Kingdom including his being responsible for Natalya’s demotion. The events regarding the rebel attack on Lord Gestal’s party. His conversation at Lord Gunter’s dinner party. The evening at the Griffonstone Library including the meeting with Wiseman. Arc then relates to them the attempts by the rebels to recruit him and Natalya to their cause. The events at the promotion ceremony which led to his early return. Their airship ride to Griffon’s Gate, including his own attempted kidnapping at the talons of Captain Celaeno, and finally his adventures in Griffon’s Gate with the orphans.
Cadance puts a hoof to her head and closes her eyes in an effort to take everything in. “That is quite the tale, Arc!”
Luna nods, clearly impressed. “That it is! From what you’ve told us, I’d say you’ve made quite an enemy of those rebels!”
“Well, we’re certainly not friends.”
Cadance frowns. “Good! We can’t have our forces supporting such factions! You did the right thing in refusing to help them!”
“Agreed. Tell me, how much power has this group amassed?”
“It’s difficult to say. But they’re very well connected for just a bunch of disgruntled citizens.”
Ember nods. “I’ll say! That armor might just be military grade quality!”
Shining Armor looks confused. “But where would extremists get such things?”
Arc shrugs. “Unknown. Their leader didn’t show me their face. However the way she spoke led me to believe she’s well educated.”
Cadance looks confused. “Is that a clue?”
Arc nods. “It is. In the Griffon Kingdom, only the wealthy can afford to send their young to school.”
Luna appears suddenly angry. “What?! Why?!”
“That’s how they do things.”
Trixie nods. “Can we do anything about these rebels?!”
Arc sighs. “A better question would be, SHOULD we do anything, Trixie. It’s an internal matter right now. Our involvement would only serve to portray us as meddlers.”
Kibitz walks over. “Yes, indeed! We certainly wouldn’t want them being involved in our own affairs! That and it’s against Equestrian law for the leadership of our nation to do so!”
Cadance turns back to Arc. “What of this Lieutenant Natalya? Can she be trusted to be loyal to the legitimate governing body of the Griffon Kingdom?”
“I would think so. She and I both received ‘invitations’ to join the rebels. At the time she seemed genuinely frightened at the prospect. When I told her she would be returning to Equestria with me, she seemed very happy at the idea.”
Luna nods. “Where is she now?”
“When I left her she was at the Little Hooves Orphanage observing the class there with her brother Gallus and the four younglings I met in Griffon’s Gate.”
Cadance looks nervous. “We trust your judgment in bringing them here. But do the griffons know they’re here?”
“Yes. The Council has permitted them to stay here for now.”
Luna looks relieved. “Good! It wouldn’t do to start things off on the wrong hoof!”
“What can you tell us about the leader of the Council of Lords? Lord Gestal, was it?”
Arc shrugs. “He’s a typical aristocrat leader. I’m not really sure if he cares about those under him or not.”
Ember frowns. “I lean more towards not.”
Luna nods. “And his daughter, Lady Ashe?”
“She seemed a bit more… pleasant.”
“Have you spoken to her at length?”
“Somewhat. After the dinner party at Lord Gunter’s estate I escorted her home. It gave us time to chat.”
Ember nods. “From what I overheard, she seems to actually care about others.”
“Right. A trait not exactly common over there. That dinner was also where I first saw their nation’s Arbiter.”
Luna appears confused. “Arbiter?”
Arc nods. “It’s kinda like their version of the Hero of Light. Arbiter Ghaleon is a rather imposing individual. During supper, all he did was observe me.”
Ember rolls her eyes. “That sounds like fun.”
Cadance nods. “That really is understandable, Arc. From their point of view, an emissary from Equestria is an abnormality that bears further study.”
Luna appears to agree with Cadance. “In any case, did you find anything of note in their library?”
“I didn’t have time to look over the books. Most of them were in pretty rough shape though. Twilight took them and will do her best to salvage what she can.”
Cadance smiles. “I’m sure she will be thorough.”
Shining Armor chuckles. “If she can only resist the urge to read them until she passes out.”
Trixie sighs. “She really is dedicated, isn’t she?”
“Well, yes and no. While my sister is very dependable, she sometimes loses focus of her original goal. Normally that’s not a problem. But if you give her a time limit, it may not end well.”
Arc shudders. “Yeah, I know. When the princesses were lost in the Lunar Realm, I let her stay in Princess Celestia’s room while I was away. But when I got back, she was crazy from lack of sleep.”
Cadance sighs and rolls her eyes. “It wouldn’t be the first time.”
Kibitz nods as he examines his watch. “She will learn to budget her time as she gets older. For you see, eventually she will figure out that she doesn’t have all the time in the world.”
Luna sighs. “That was a hard lesson for me to learn as well.”
“What about that human you met in the library?”
“He only referred to himself as Wiseman, gave me some rather cryptic advice, and vanished as soon as he left, Princess Cadance.”
Trixie frowns. “Perhaps he is using illusion magic. Trixie knows all about such spells!”
Arc sighs. “If he was, I’d like to know what exactly another human would have to do to attain magic!”
Luna looks to Arc. “Are you absolutely certain he had magic?!”
“That’s the only reasonable explanation. He could see me through my magic cloak and could hear Cherry when she spoke to my mind.”
Cherry sighs. “Yes! It was a rather unpleasant feeling!”
Shining Armor appears nervous as he turns to Arc. “Princess Cadance told me about you, Miss Cherry. Could you… sense anything from him?”
“Not really. He didn’t strike me as somepony would wanted to do us any harm though. However, his ability to hear me was a bit unnerving.”
Arc nods. “I first encountered him on Earth inside a burning building.”
Luna looks to him, suddenly wide-eyed. “ON EARTH?!”
Cadance appears equally rattled. “How did he get here then?!”
Arc shrugs. “Not a clue.”
Ember shakes her head. “That guy knows more then he’s letting on though! Much more! That and we’re STILL not sure how he did… whatever he did!”
Trixie raises an eyebrow. “Such as?”
Arc counts on his fingers. “He jumped over thirty feet to get to a roof, traversed an inferno without being burned, instantly knew how to get out of the building, followed us back to Equestria, somehow got to Griffonstone, knew when we would be at the library, was able to speak to me by name, saw through my magic cloak, heard Cherry and I talking telepathically, and vanished without a trace after walking outside.”
Arc looks up to see everyone’s mouth agape and eyes wide.
Shining Armor shakes his head. “HOW?!”
“Which part?”
“Trixie would think any of it!”
Luna shakes her head. “Do you know ANYTHING about this individual, Arc?!”
“Nothing concrete. However, I can’t shake the feeling that isn’t the last we’ve seen of him.”
Cadance nods. “What was the advice he gave you?”
“Only to tell my Honor Guards to stay vigilant during Lord Gestal’s party. A good thing too, as the rebels were there to crash it.”
Luna nods. “These rebels. What do you think their priorities are?”
“They claim to want to make their nation great and powerful again.”
“How?”
“Ultimately, a coup.”
Shining Armor nods. “Thank you for not helping them with that!”
Trixie turns to Shining Armor. “Right! We don’t need more trouble with them, now or ever!”
Luna looks to Arc. “What do you think of the rebel’s cause?”
Arc sighs. “Honestly, they’re not completely wrong.”
Kibitz looks confused. “Sir?!”
“I know it may sound like I want to help them, but the current leadership of their nation is… rather indifferent to the needs of the citizenry.”
Ember scoffs. “That’s putting it mildly!”
Arc nods. “Yes. It’s elitism at best, and borderline despotism at the very worst.”
Cherry clears her ‘throat’ and speaks. “If I may… from what I saw in the Griffon Kingdom, you’re either someone important or you’re nothing in the eyes of those in power.”
Kibitz shakes his head. “Nevertheless, Equestria’s leadership cannot back any foreign faction other than the legitimate governing body!”
Ember turns to the advisor. “What about the Hero of Light? Can he do anything?!”
“Legally, yes. However I beg you to be aware of the precarious position that would put us in, sir!”
Arc nods. “I understand. Don’t worry about me leading a charge against the Council of Lords anytime soon.”
Cadance smiles. “Good! Now about their leadership. How does their monarchy compare to ours?”
“No comparison. Here everyone has enough to eat, a voice, and leaders who actually care about them. While I’ve yet to meet King Guto, I imagine he’s just like those who rule by his side. Birds of a feather flock together, after all.”
Ember nods. “The commoner food is awful, they have no rights, and care nothing for those around them whom are hurting! Frankly I’m surprised no one has started a revolution yet!”
Shining Armor shakes his head. “If nothing changes, I see an all-out civil war on their horizon.”
Luna sighs. “Future generations living in such conditions. What did you learn from those young orphans?”
Arc grits his teeth, angrily. “That the Griffon Kingdom cares NOTHING for helping young griffons who’ve lost their parents!”
Ember nods fervently. “They’re discarded like yesterday’s leftovers! Left to fend for themselves!”
Shining Armor looks surprised. “Is nothing done for them? Where do they go?!”
“The streets of a city known as Griffon’s Gate. The four younglings I met were living near a garbage dump infested with savage predators known as Marauders.”
Trixie looks nervous. “Are they dangerous?!”
Arc nods. “Very! We were attacked on our way to their ‘home’.”
Ember grins. “Flash Sentry and I took them on. They weren’t exactly what I would call a challenge. But for young griffons with no weapons or training, the Marauders would be lethal!”
Arc sighs. “They seem to be rather territorial of the dump. Probably as a source of food. While they don’t appear intelligent, they do seem to live under a simple hierarchy. One is the leader, with the rest as followers.”
Trixie nods. “Like wolves?”
“Exactly.”
Cadance looks to Arc. “How is the young griffon doing? The one who was injured?”
“I took her to Ponyville Hospital. She’s was bedridden with a severe and extremely fast-moving bacterial strain. While her attacker’s claws were most certainly a petri dish of germs, I have a hard time believing it could move THAT fast!”
Shining Armor frowns. “Are you saying that she was sick prior to her attack?”
Ember shrugs. “It would make sense. You would be too if you lived there.”
“Fortunately she responded well to Doctor Horse’s treatments. Glynda has already been released from his care and will recover fully with some antibiotics taken by mouth over the next few days.”
Luna nods. “Where are she and the others now?”
“The Little Hooves Orphanage. They’re all observing the school there at the moment. None of them has ever set foot in one before.”
Cadance shakes her head. “I’m liking the Griffon Kingdom less and less the more we talk about them.”
Luna nods. “As am I. Have you made any headway on your original mission, Arc?”
“Somewhat. I was able to secure an audience with the Council of Lords after I helped General Blackbeak’s subordinate. She’s back on her feet now.”
“That’s good to hear!”
“So what did you talk to the Council about, Arc?”
“I recommended a peace treaty of sorts.”
Ember looks confused. “A treaty?”
Cadance raises an eyebrow. “But we’ve been at relative peace with them for many years.”
Shining Armor steps forward. “Begging your pardon Princess Cadance. But our relationship was rather strained while you and Princess Luna were trapped in the Lunar Realm.”
Trixie nods. “Yes. At one point, war seemed inevitable.”
Luna sighs. “I was not aware how dire the situation was back then.”
Arc nods. “Sorry if I was unable to explain the situation adequately.”
Kibitz clears his throat. “They appeared to be taking advantage of the turmoil here and with our other enemies. This vulturous behavior could have made a very bad situation much worse.”
“I’m hoping by strengthening our relationship with their nation we can head off any future issues. They agreed with the idea and will send over a draft as soon as they can put one together.”
Cadance appears skeptical. “Is peace all they wanted?”
“Not exactly.”
Shining Armor sighs. “Why do I get the feeling this is where you tell us the bad news, Arc?”
“They did want something in return.”
Luna frowns. “We are NOT going to pay them tribute!”
Cadance nods. “Agreed!”
“Lord Goldstone, ironically, suggested that. However, I suggested a different form of payment.”
“Explain.”
“Their city of Griffon’s Gate has been the home for their nation’s orphan population for many years. In exchange for a peace treaty, Equestria will take in their orphans.”
Kibitz appears surprised. “That’s… oddly reasonable.”
Luna sighs. “Aren’t they afraid we’ll use them as leverage during a future conflict?”
Arc shakes his head. “I didn’t get the feeling they really cared HOW they got rid of the orphans. Had I suggested bringing them here to use as guinea pigs in scientific research or dissection, their response would most likely been that of ‘how fast can you get the out of here’.”
Cadance turns to Luna. “We can’t just leave the young to suffer like this!”
“Agreed. We will of course have to wait for the full terms of the treaty to arrive. But, if nothing else, we’ll do our best to see to it the orphans have a home in our land.”
“Thank you. I’ve already spoken to Matron Pommel, the teacher Miss Cheerilee, and my friend Derpy who runs the kitchen. If this happens, the Little Hooves Orphanage will need quite an expansion.”
Trixie sighs. “Can we afford this?”
Cadance turns to her. “It’s not a matter of money when young griffons are living in dumps.”
Luna nods. “I will tell Hard Hat to submit some drawings for a potential expansion as soon as possible.”
“Thank you. I guess all that’s left to discuss is the prisoners I brought back the other day.”
Shining Armor grins. “Did they really try to kidnap YOU, Arc?!”
Ember chuckles. “They did.”
Trixie laughs. “Are they CRAZY?!”
Arc shakes his head. “Not crazy. Just desperate.”
Cadance looks to Arc. “What do you mean?”
“Apparently they needed to make some quick money to pay their debts. From what they told me, the rebels offered them a sizable amount of bits if they would turn me over to them.”
“Any idea why?”
Ember frowns. “I still think they wanted to ransom you, Arc.”
Shining Armor nods thoughtfully. “Or perhaps they hoped to turn you to their side.”
“Trixie thinks both of those ideas are correct. Had they been unable to make you see their point of view, ransoming you back to Equestria would be the most logical conclusion.”
Kibitz nods. “Indeed! We most certainly would have paid quite a pretty sum to get our nation’s greatest hero back!”
Cherry sighs. “That and it would destroy any chance for peace between our nations.”
Cadance looks to Arc again. “Do you think that’s what they were going for?”
“I don’t think the rebels care either way about how our two countries feel toward one another.”
Kibitz frowns. “They aren’t afraid we’ll attack in retribution?”
“No. Their leader is a very intelligent griffon. She knows we wouldn’t be the aggressor. So our hands really are tied on taking any action against her or her organization.”
Shining Armor puts a hoof to his chin. “Why doesn’t the legitimate government do something about them?”
“I’m not sure, but I assume it’s due to their pride. To act on this would be to acknowledge the rebels are a threat.”
Kibitz shakes his head. “That mindset will be their undoing.”
“True. But it’s their country, not ours. We’re getting a bit off topic though. About Captain Celaeno’s treachery…”
Trixie scoffs. “I say we let her and her crew rot in a cell!”
Shining Armor shakes his head. “They should probably be turned over to the Griffon Kingdom to stand trial. Kibitz?”
“According to Equestrian law, that is the correct course of action. The crime did occur on their soil… or in this case, above it.”
“That may be, but I don’t think they really deserve what their homeland has in store for them.”
Luna sighs. “What do you mean?”
“According to Lieutenant Natalya, the punishment for such a crime would be death. And not a quick and painless one.”
“You’re the one whom she and her crew wronged, Arc. Therefore, you should be the one who decides their fate. Turn them over to the Griffon Kingdom’s government, or do not. It’s up to you.”
Arc sighs. “I’ll have to think about it, Princess Luna.”
Trixie rolls her eyes. “What is there to think about?! They’re criminals!”
Shining Armor turns to his lieutenant. “Like you and I were, Trixie?”
“I… that’s different!”
Ember shakes her head. “Not by much.”
Cadance looks at Arc soberly. “You have as much time as you need to think about it, Arc. Just be aware that the longer you take, the longer they have to sit there, uncertain of their ultimate fate.”
Arc nods and stands up. “I understand. Let me go talk to them. Perhaps… perhaps there is yet a way to resolve this.”