//------------------------------// // Chapter 7: A Trip To Canterlot // Story: Man in a Diamond Dogs World // by monkey king //------------------------------// It was just another normal day and Fenriss was getting sick of listening to nobles ramble at her. More of them telling how she should stop with her tax increases on the nobles and take more from the lower class. Honestly she was at her wits end and just prayed for something to come in and shut them up. Just then the entrance to the throne room opened up and Commander Howler walked inside, causing the whole room to go silent. Fenriss fought off grinning at how she got her wish. She then gave a small cough and asked,” Commander Howler, for what reason are you disturbing my court?” Commander Howler gave a small bow and said,” sorry majesty but ponies sent messenger for you.” Fenriss raised an eyebrow and said,” oh they have have they.” She then stood up and said,” court is now adjourned for the day and are free to go home.” She then watched as the nobles left the room, leaving only Fenriss and Commander Howler. She then sat back down and said,” please show the messenger in.” Commander Howler then gave a quick bow before leaving to grab the pony messenger. When he walked back into the room he was accompanied by a Pegasus female with ruby fur and a golden mane, The Pegasus walked up to Fenriss and gave a respectful bow. While still in a bow she said,”  greetings your highness I do so hope I that i’m not disturbing you.” Fenriss waved her hand in front of face while saying,” oh no you are perfectly fine.” She then cleared her throat and said,” now I hear that you have a message to give me.” The Pegasus then rose up and said,” indeed I have your majesty.” She then craned her neck around so she could reach into her saddle bag. She then pulled out a scroll that was sealed with a wax seal. Fenriss stood up and walked so the Pegasus and grabbed hold of the scroll. She then opened the scroll and in her head began to read. Dear Queen Fenriss, I am sending you this letter as a way to remind you of the Royal summit between are two kingdoms being held in Canterlot in one weeks time. As you know this meeting is so we can look over, and revise, are trade territorial agreement. The summit should only take a couple days at most to get everything taken care of that needs to be. I am so looking forward to seeing you again. From: Princess Celestia of Equestria PS: I have heard rumors of you becoming a mother a few years back and would just love to meet the little one, so please do bring him along. Fenriss’s eyes shot open in shock when she read that last line and began to panic. How could she have found out about KIba and why would Celetia ask her to bring him along she wondered. After taking a moment to compose herself she said,” thank you for bringing this to me, please return to Celestia and tell her that we will be there.” The Pegasus gave a small nod and said,” it shall be done.” She then turned around and made her way out of the throne room. Once the Pegasus was gone, both from vision and ear shot, Fenriss let out a long tired groan. Commander Howler turned his head to the side and asked,” Majesty okay, something troubles you?” Fenriss rubbed her temples with her paws while saying,” I am fine commander Howler just very tired.” She then asked,” could you please go fetch KIba and miss Lassie for me?” Commander Howler gave a respectful bow and quickly left to find the pair. After about ten minutes KIba and Lassie were escorted into the throne room. As Kiba walked into the throne room he quickly ran up to his mother hugged her neck. KIba then backed off and asked,” hey mom, why did you need to see us all the sudden, especially when you are supposed to be in the middle of court?” Fenriss smirked and asked,” is it so hard to believe that I just wanted to see my precious Gem and one of my closest friends?” Kiba and Lassie gave her gave her a are you serious look. With a sigh said,” fine, I called you here to inform you about  the up and coming Royal summit in Canterlot.” Kiba and Lassie looked at each other and then back at Fenriss. Kiba then asked,” um what are you talking about mama, what Royal summit?” Fenriss smiled and said,” well Kiba it is a meeting that us and the kingdom of Equestria hold every ten years in order to discuss trades, border lines, and finally any grievances either of are nations have.” She then smiled and said,” are next summit will be held in a weeks time and you two are coming with me.” Lassie and Kiba’s eyes shot open and Lassie asked,” your majesty surely you mean you and Kiba are going correct?” Fenriss gave a quick nod and said,” yes I did and you are coming as well Lassie.” She then smirked and said,” how else do you expect me to keep Kiba in line.” This caused both Fenriss and Lassie to laugh while Kiba pouted. Fenriss then rubbed a small tear from eye and said,” now in all seriousness I will need you to keep an eye on Kiba while i’m in my meetings, at least until I can meet up with you two afterwards.” Lassie smiled as she gave a small bow and said,” it would be an honor your majesty, I will not let him out of my sight.” She then stood back up tall and looked at Kiba who had his arms crossed over his chest. Lassie then asked,” is something wrong Kiba?” KIba looked at her and with puffed out cheeks said,” why do you two always act like I can’t be left on my own for more than a few seconds.” Fenriss smirked and with a chuckle said,” because the last time we left you alone you decided to practice your alchemy in the garden, which destroyed at least half of the garden.” This caused Kiba to rub the back of his head with a blush and said,” okay you have a point there.” Fenriss and Lassie burst into a fit of laughter as they saw Kiba's reaction. Once Fenriss and Lassie calmed down Fenriss said,” okay now that that is out of the way.” She then cleared her throat and said,” I want both of you to start preparing to depart, get everything you need to in order.” Lassie then gave a small nod and asked,” your majesty if I might ask, when exactly are we leaving?’ Fenriss smiled and said,” I am glad that you asked, we will be leaving in six days time.” Her smile the dissipated and with a sigh said,” and we will be going by flying carriage, provided by Equestria of course.” This caused Lassie to join her in frowning at the thought of using one of those Pegasus drawn carriages. Neither of them, or most Diamond Dogs for that fact, liked being to far from the ground. Because to them the ground represented both home and safety, where as the sky was none of those things. KIba, on the other hand, was so excited to be able to go up in one of those carriages ever since he heard about them from Magnus. Honestly he couldn’t understand how anyone could not be  excited with the idea of getting to fly in the air. Fenriss shook her head as a way of clearing her head and said,” anyways for the next six days I want you two to make any preparations that you may need to be ready for this little trip of ares.” She then stood up and asked,” do you both understand?” Kiba and Lassie both gave Ferniss a nod to show that they understood and left the throne room. And so for the next five days the three prepared for their trip to Canterlot. Then at long last the six day had come, the day of their departure. Kiba ran out of the main tunnels entrance to the surface and happily screamed,” finally it is time to leave!!” He then turned back towards the tunnel entrance and as his mother, Lassie, Magnus, and Commander Howler walked out. Kiba then with a chuckle asked,” what about you mama, are you as excited as I am?” Fenriss chuckled a little bit at her pups behavior and said,” excited isn’t the word I would use but sure.” She then looked up at the sky and said,” Ah I think that would be are ride now.” Kiba and the rest of the group then looked to the sky as well and noticed something grow closer to them. As the object drew closer it became clearer and clearer to be a golden carriage drawn by a pair a male Pegusia wearing golden armor. Once the carriage had touched the group Fenriss gave a small sigh and said,” well let us get this over with.” She then looked at Kiba and Lassia and asked,” are you both sure that  you have everything that you need?” Lassie gave a small nod and said,” yes your majesty I am ready to go.” She then looked at Kiba and with a smirk said,” I even made sure that Kiba was ready in time.” This caused both her and Fenriss to let out a small chuckle. Fenriss then said,” well that is good to know, we both know that Kiba is just a tad forgetful.” She then turned to Kiba and playfully began to ruffle his hair while saying,” aren’t you my little Gem?” This caused Kiba to blush and say,” I am not mama, it was only that one time that I forgot my bags in the tunnels.”  Fenriss and Lassie let out a simultaneous chuckle at Kiba’s reaction. After Fenriss calmed herself down she look over towards the chariot and sighed. She then said,” well I guess it is time for us to get going, don’t want to keep them waiting.” Fenriss , Lassie, and KIba then started to walk towards the chariot. Magnus then put his hand up and said,” hold on for a moment your majesty, I have something for the young pup.” Fenriss sighed as she stopped and said,” oh alright but please make it quick.” She then nudged Kba to walk over to Magnuss. Magnus looked down at KIba and with a small smile said,” now before you left I thought it prudent to warn you about a couple things.”  He then put his left paw on Kiba’s shoulder while holding up his right paw while saying,” the first, and most important, thing is that the pony culture is far different from ares and often makes them more hostile towards other creatures, especially where you are going.” He then pulled out a metal octagon and said,” which is why I made you this, just incase something happens.” KIba carefully took the metal octagon and looked it over, making sure he took in every detail of the octagon and asked,” is this what I think it is master?” Magnus gave a small nod and said,” yes it is an alchemist weapon, your alchammest weapon.” He then stood up tall and asked,” you remember how to activate it correct?” KIba gave a rapid nod and closed his eye while holding onto the octagon. He then focused and pouring energy into the octagon and imagined it transforming. A white light then enveloped Kiba’s hand and once it disappeared two gauntlets were now on his arms. While KIba looked over his newfound gauntlets Fenriss walked over to Magnus and angrily demanded,” explain now!” Magnus waved his hand in front of his face while saying,” your majesty please calm down and I will explain.” However, all he got from her was a deep growl that told him that if he didn’t start explaining then he would be dead. Magnus then let out a small gulp and said,” well you know how those ponies can be towards other species, they view them their lessers.” He then looked over at Kiba and said,” and that view often leads to mistreatment, and I just want you all to be safe.” Fenriss blinked in surprise and said,” I had no idea you cared for him so much sir Magnus.” Magnus returned his gaze Fenriss and said,” of course I do, he is the first pup in a long while that have taken on as an apprentice.” He then slightly looked away and with a blush said,” pulse I view the boy as my own grandson.” Fenriss smirked at his last statement and said,” oh so he has wormed his way even into your hard heart.”   While Magnus and Fenriss talked Kiba slowly opened his eyes and stared at the gauntlets that now where on his arms. Magnus then turned his attention away from Fenriss and back to KIba and asked,” like them, I made them myself?” This caused Kiba to look up at Magnus and ask,” really master, you made them for me?” Magnus smiled at the boy and gave him a nod to show that he was correct.  Kiba was speechless, he never thought that his mentor would do something like this for him. Kiba then quickly ran up and hugged Magnus as tight as he could while saying,” thank you, thank you, thank you!!”   Magnus pat Kiba on the head and said,” think nothing of it pup, just be sure to only use it in dire circumstances.” He then lightly pushed Kiba away while saying,” now you best get moving or they might just leave you behind.”  Kiba chuckled as he turned around and put the octagon in his pocket while he ran to join his mother and Lassie at the carriage. He then hugged his mother as tight as he could before getting on the carriag followed by Lassie and Fenriss. As soon as everyone was on the carriage Fenriss gave the pegassi a quick nod, which caused the two pegassi to begin their takeoff.  As they flew to Canterlot Kiba found himself amazed as he watched the ground bellow pass them by. Meanwhile Fenriss and Lassie just closed their eyes and waited for them to land, and after a little over half an hour they finally landed.  Once the carriage was on the ground Lassie and Fenriss quickly, and happily, got off. Kiba on the other hand whined as he got off and said,” aw man I don’t want to get off yet.” Fenriss looked back at Kiba and with a chuckle said,” come on Kiba we will be back in a couple of days so you will get to fly again.” Kiba smiled and happily ran up to his mother asking,” really we get to fly again?”  Fenriss pat Kiba's head while crouching down and saying,” yes my little Gem you get to fly again.” She  then stood back up straight,” but for right now we have someplace to be.” Fenriss then grabbed Kiba’s hand started walking alongside Lassie through Canterlot and towards the castle. As they walked Kiba looked in awe at all the new buildings, given that they were not made of crystale like they were back home. However, the one thing that he found most interesting was seeing all the ponies. In all of Kiba’s life he had only seen like five or six ponies top, so this was really a treat to him. However, unlike Kiba, Lassie and Fenriss didn’t even look at the building or the ponies. But they could tell that they were being looked at by then and every once in a while they could hear ponies whispering, about them they could guess. All the attention caused Fenriss to tighten her hold on Kiba’s hand, which did cause Kiba to look up at his mother with a bit of concern. Fenriss looked down at Kiba and with a smile said,” sorry dear, just not used to being above ground for this long, that is all.” Kiba smiled back at her and then just returned his attention back to looking at the sights. In this way Fenriss was happy that her son was, for lack of a better term, easily distracted when it came to new things or places. After walking through Canterlot for a bit the royal castle came in perfect view, which caused Kiba to gasp in awe. Kiba then looked up his mother and asked,” Is this it mama, is this where that summit thing will be held?” Fenriss chuckled as she said,” yes it is dear, a bit different from ares isn’t it?” She then lead Kiba and Lassie to the front gate of the castle, where she was greeted by two Stallions in golden armor. The stallion on the right stepped forward and said,” Queen Fenriss it is a pleasure to see you, her majesty awaits you and your..” The stallion then looked past Fenriss at KIba and Lassie and said,” um entourage, in the throne room.”  Fenriss smiled as she gave the stallion a nod while saying,” thank you, we will head there right away.” Just then the castles gates began to open and the stallion guards moved to the side so they could walk through. As they walked through the gates KIba was blown away by how different the architecture was from back home. In the Diamond Dog Kingdom there were many rough edges to the building, while in Canterlot everything was smoother and more symmetrical. Kiba continued to aw at all everything he saw all the way to the throne room entrance. Once they reached the throne rooms entrance Fenriss looked back at KIba and Lassie with worry. She had no idea how the Princess’s would react to seeing her son, especially considering how close minded the ponies could be. Fenriss’s was wracked with worry as to what might happen when she entered this room. As Fenriss began to lose herself in her worry, Lassie laid a comforting paw on her shoulder, almost as if to say that everything was okay. Fenriss smiled appreciatively at Lassie and gave her a quick nod to show that she was okay now. Fenriss then turned her attention back to the doors, and with a small nervous gulp pushed knocked. It took a couple seconds before the throne room doors slowly began to open to reveal a massive  room, lined with stained glass telling different stories, and beautiful marble columns with flowers adorning them. However, the main focal point was the raised Golden throne at the back of the room and the pony sitting on, and standing next to the throne. Fenriss quickly took hold of Kiba’s hand and lead him to the foot of the raised throne, while Lassie stayed next to the doorway. She then gave a polite bow and said,” Princess Celestia, Princess  Luna, it has been too long.”  The pony sitting on the throne then rose to her hooves, giving Kiba  a chance to get a good look at them both. Kiba could hardly believe what he had seen, both ponies were much larger than any he had ever seen before and had both wings and a horn. Kiba then pointed at the taller of the two strange ponies and asked Fenris,” mama why do they have both wings and a horn?” Fenriss eyes shot open with alarm and quickly grabbed and lowered his arm. She then somewhat angrily said,” Kiba what have I told you about pointing at others, and about pointing out others differences!” Fenriss then turned to the two princesses and with a bow asked,” Please forgive my pup, he didn’t mean to be rude?” She then sternly looked at Kiba through the side of her eye, causing him to bow and apologize as well. As they did this a small chuckle could be coming from the taller of the two ponies. She then descended the stairs that lead to the golden throne, stopping when she was in front of Fenriss and Kiba, causing both of them to raise their head to look at her. Kiba was blown away at how stunning the tall pony before him looked. From her perpetually flowing rainbow mane, to her almost shining white fur, to finally her warm demeanor. As he looked at her he started to wonder if this pony was really a pony at all, or if she was a spirit of some kind. The pony then smiled as she said,” Don’t worry I fully understand, I am probably unlike anything that he has ever seen before.” She then walked down from her throne and walked up to Kiba. Once there she smiled down at Kiba, who looked up at the tall pony with wonder in his eyes, and said,” My name is Celestia and I am a Princess of Equestria, it is a pleasure to meet you.” She then offered her hoof, which Kiba happily shook. After a couple seconds Celestia pulled back her hoof and warmly said,” I am happy to finally get to meet my friends first child.” She then looked over to Fenriss and said,” He really is something special Fenriss, I am very happy for you.”  Fenriss smiled as she gave a small bow and said,” Thank you Celestia, that means a lot to me.” She then leaned down and nuzzled Kiba’s cheek. After a moment she looked up at Celestia again and asked,” So Celestia, mind telling me what is on the docket for this summit this time.” Celestia smiled as she shook her head and said,” Same as always Fenriss, right down to business.”  She then turned her head to face her throne and said,” Well sad to say you will have to wait until tomorrow to begin.” Ferniss turned her head to the side and asked,” Oh, and why would that be if you don’t mind me asking?” Celestia turned back to look at Fenriss and said,” Well to start we have two new ponies joining us this time.” She then smirked as she looked down at Kiba while saying,” Besdies I am sure you would like to spend some time with your son, showing him around and such.” Ferniss looked at Celestia before looking at Kiba, who had a very exciting look on his face. She then chuckled while saying,” Well I must admit that does sound fun.” She then looked down at Kiba and asked,” Would you like that sweetie?” Kiba looked up at his mother and beamed with joy and said,” Heck yeah, that sounds awesome.”He then hugged hi mother as tight as he could while saying,” Thank you mama!” Fenriss smiled warmly as she hugged him back while saying,” You are so welcome my little Gem.” After a second she pulled back from Kiba and said,” But we will have to wait until tomorrow, alright?” Kiba gave a quick nod to show that he understood. Fenriss then smiled as she ruffled his hair while saying,” That’s my boy.” She then looked up at Celestia and asked,” So, care to show us to are courters?” Celestia gave a swift nod as she said,” Certanly my friend, I shall summon a guard to take you to where you will be staying.” She then summoned a Unicorn Stallion in golden armor and had him show Fenriss, Kiba to their room, and Lassie to hers.  After getting ready for bed Fenriss and Kiba climbed into bed and Fenriss said,” Goodnight dear, sweet dreams.” She then kissed him on his forehead  while laying her arms over him and falling asleep.