Night Patrol 2: Chapter 48
By Foxgear
Under the mountain of black lava rock, earth ponies and earth rinin worked tirelessly to dig through the cooling stone. The noxious fumes of methane overwhelmed the filters of the earth pony miners. Even the rinin struggled to breathe the fumes as they dug deeper and deeper below the newly formed mountain.
Hours had passed. Teams were rotated, and many laid sprawled outside the mine gasping for breath. Wondering aloud why they were risking their lives like this.
The officer in charge merely replied they were trying to save lives. An encouraging, if not a hallow, seeming statement for the rescue teams. Many figured they would be the ones need saving at this rate.
The following day. After nearly ten hours of digging. The recuse teams found an entire section of Sombra’s castle. The poisoned air was filtered out with powerful magic, and the tunnels reinforced. Their search began as they looked through the intact levels of the crumbling castle for anything alive.
At 20:50 (9:30 PM) hours, Team Cabbage breached a wall leading into a network of crystal catacombs. Not unlike the ones under Canterlot. And found the remaining crystal ponies.
The Crystal Ponies were dull, with little shine in their coats, and looked at them with fear. Word was sent to the Princesses. While medical teams were escorted down. The path to the surface labeled and secured in record time. Under two hours.
When Princess Celestia, Luna, Cadence, and Queen Kira arrived, the first pony they saw was a skinny silver coat unicorn mare with a jade mane and eyes. The pony squinted at them, studied them, and then sunk to her belly in an utterly submissive pose.
“Are you our new Master?” She asked with the deadest eyes on a living pony.
“Please stand. We are here to free you.” Celestia put on her best smile and raised the pony’s head with her magic. “Please stand. No one here will hurt you. What’s your name?”
It had the opposite effect. The Crystal Pony curled into a tight ball, shivering and sobbing, struggling to break out of Celestia’s magic. “Shiny Irony.”
“Shiny? Are you related to Shiny Stone?”
Irony shielded her face. “I don’t know! I don’t know! Please! Please! Be merciful!” She tucked herself into a tighter ball. Gaps in her fur revealed the whip lashes on her skin.
“Sleep…” Luna said, gently brushing the pony’s mane. “Sleep.”
A white thread traveled from the Moon Princess’s horn, connecting her with Irony. She hummed a soft melody, moving into Irony’s dreams. Luna’s peaceful demur cracked, and she broke her connection to run behind a corner. The sound of her relieving her stomach, made the others cringe.
Luna returned, wiping her mouth. “Get these ponies out here. Gently. That said, don’t be afraid to put them to sleep. I’ll… do what I can for them.”
Much to their surprise, Cadence stepped towards the hole, where a gaggle of trembling Crystal mare stared at her crystalized body and floating mane with wonder.
“I am Mi Amore Cadenza,” An astonishing murmur broke out. “We are here to help you.”
The ponies hiding in the shadows stepped onto the artificial light. Drawn to the shining form of Cadence. The majority of the crystal ponies were mares and fillies of various ages. The only males were colts and young stallions, withered from a lifetime of hard labor and lack of proper nutrition.
“They’re in better shape then I expected.” A random medic stated. “The females.”
“If they’re being used as an incubator, it’s only natural.” Doctor BlueCross sneered. “Being properly fed was probably their only luxury. That said, turning out foals over and over again has its own problems. Let’s get them out of here and start exams ASAP.”
The doctor stepped beside Cadence, causing the curious ponies to stop. BlueCross did a once over of herself and removed her helmet. Putting on her best smile because she was still in her blood-covered combat suit. Her red stained utensils sticking out of her pouches and pockets.
“Sorry, I know I don’t look very reassuring, but I’m a doctor. See.” She tapped the red cross on her uniform. “Those ponies behind me wearing this are too. We’re here to help you.”
“I can vouch for her. I will lead you to the surface.” Assured Cadence turning around and waving for the Crystal ponies to follow her. When she began walking, they slowly began to file out. Their eyes were wide, with a small spark of hope.
“Keep your pace slow, Princess.” Advised BlueCross. “We don’t know their condition, but it’s too risky to treat them down here one by one.”
I understand I will go slow.”
Celestia, Luna, Kira, and the others watched the Crystal Ponies procession march by, led by Cadence’s light. As they were freed from their cages, the crystal ponies were tallied. Their age and gender noted.
Most of the ponies were mares. Estimates were about seventy percent. Of that percent, a quarter of them was with child. Fifteen percent were children, ranging from newborns to teens of both genders. The remaining fifteen percent were males. All of them were thin and haggard, nearly starved to death. None of them appeared over the age of thirty.
“They’ve probably lived their entire lives down here,” Celestia muttered in num shock.
“If the numbers are accurate, they would be the second or possibly third generation to live under Sombra’s rule.” Luna theorized. “None of Symphony’s ponies are left.”
For the next several hours, all through the night, to midday, over three thousand captured Crystal Ponies were freed. Seeing the Sun through an unclouded sky for the first time in their lives.
The following day marked the third day since the end of the war. A message from Admiral Hunter McGather arrived mid-morning. It stated the Nightmare was operational once more and that he’d be bringing the ship north to help ferry the Equestrian soldier’s home.
A welcomed relief for King Kusanagi and Queen Haibara. With the news of the Admiral coming, they pushed for the post-war delegations to be held as soon as possible. After being pushed back twice and entering the third day since the hostiles were declared over and no enemy contact. They were eager to return home to their youngest daughter.
Kira was the real leader of Nippon, but she only recently awakened from her stone slumber. Thus, any political matters she wanted Kusanagi to deal with until she could be brought up to speed. At her insistence, whether all the ponies cleared of their injuries or not. Celestia and Luna caved to their friend's demands.
The delegations were held on the top deck of the Emerald Cutter. Kira sat on her throne to rule over the proceedings and act as the arbiter. Kusanagi represented Nippon, along with his wife, Haibara, their son Prince Kiri, and the High Miko Nagato.
On the Equestrian side were Celestia and Luna, of course. Followed by Sixes, Fierce Fury, General Cobalt Blaze, and Cadence. Missing was Topaz Slicer, Gloves, AppleJazz, and Trifecta. The last one flat out refusing to attend. Stating it was beyond his position and that the Commanders should deal with this kind of stuff.
He would later get a very stern lecture from the attending two Commanders.
Lastly, Lucky Shamrock was there to represent his branch of Night Patrol. He stated at the outset he probably didn’t have much to say.
Despite Celestia wanting her there, Twilight Sparkle was unable to attend. Doctor BlueCross and the Miko Uzikaze held authority over the Princess concerning the welfare of their patient. With both BlueCross and Uzikaze against her, it was clear Twilight was not in a state of health required to attend a high-stress meeting. Subsequently, Twilight’s friends were told they need not participate, which none of them did.
(I understand they didn’t get involved in the processing’s the last two times either, but I am disappointed.) Celestia mused while Kira called the meeting to order.
“Alright, we all have better places to be, so let’s get this thing started. The first order of business, from the Nippon side. Compensation for organizing the second fleet with little warning nor done through official channels.”
“Compensation?” Celestia and Luna gawked. “We’re allies, are we not? We didn’t even call you!”
Kusanagi nodded, “True but in section 13, clause 5 of the Revised Alliance treaty of 810 ANM. You, Princess Celestia, agreed to the terms that: Whether called upon or not if we help you in any military endeavor at a greater expense of 500,000 bits. Equestria will compensate for the at-cost expense of organizing our forces. We did have to cancel a lot of holidays and pull in a lot of offduty sailors to man the ships.”
Celestia wore a wavering smile, while Luna tugged on her face. “Right, I guess we don’t have a choice since it’s in the treaty…”
“Also, the meter is still running on that as we speak.”
“What?”
“The current balance is $2,745,890 bits in counting.”
Again, both sisters shouted: “WHAT!”
“Sorry, but we have to keep our economy in mind. The shells, fuel, and labor, it all adds up. Luckily this is only at a cost. If we were charging Gross expense, you would really blow a gasket. This is actually an outstanding deal for you because if you had hired us outright, it would be times five more.”
Celestia took a long deep breath, and exhaled, visibility slouching. Her eyes glanced towards Kira pleading for leniency
Thankfully, the Goddess of Nippon was merciful. Kind of. “The previously stated amount will be set. Equestria will not be billed henceforth. Payment details will be hammered out later.”
Now Luna sighed in relief, “Thank you, Kira.”
“If that is your will great mother,” Kusanagi bowed, dropping the matter. “We give the floor to The Royal sisters.”
Both sisters straightened up, flipping through their prepared notes. “Setting your payment as per our treaty dictates. I wish to inquire what you intend to do regarding the Crystal Empire and its remaining inhabitants?”
The entirety of the Nippon delegates, Kira included, blinked. Looking like deer in headlights. They murmured amongst themselves for a full minute before Kira called for order.
Clearing his throat, King Kusanagi addressed the Sun Princess, “What do you mean exactly, Celestia?”
“I’m asking if you’d be willing to invest in rebuilding the Empire until its citizens are back on their feet? In exchange, I’m sure they could allow you to build a base on the coast of their territory in exchange. Equestria will, of course, be offering aid.”
Celestia looked on expectedly, while Luna frowned, carefully studying the stone faces of the Nippon Ponies and even their own subordinates. Everypony was focused on the King’s response, but he punted the question to Kira.
The goddess of Nippon gestured for her pipe. Seemingly unperturbed by the expectant gazes upon her. After a long puff, she exhaled a smoke ring, looking sour.
“No,” Kira stated flatly, earning a soft gasp from the Sun Princess. “Nippon will not aid in any reconstruction efforts because there is nothing to reconstruct. This place is a cold, winter wasteland, the only agricultural land must be maintained with magic, magic that only your niece can use. Do you intend to have Princess Cadenza take over these lands?”
Celestia glanced sideways, mumbling, “Well, it was one possibility.”
“I see,” Mumbled Kira. “My answer remains. I will not waste good coin on a sinkhole such as this, especially since the Crystal Pony population is on the verge of extinction.”
“What if you took the Empire as a colony?” Luna suggested to Kira. The Nippon leader wrinkled her nose at the idea.
“We don’t have vast wide-open lands like Equestria, but please don’t insult us by offering us a frozen rock of land Luna. I’ll take my home island over this place thank you very much.”
Luna’s ears drooped. “It was no insult, Kira.”
Kusanagi coughed to clear the air, “My apologies, my friends, but you're asking us to take on quite the population…”
“It’s five thousand ponies if we divided them between our nations is practically nothing! They just need homes for a few years so they can rebuild.” Celestia pointed out.
“I don’t disagree, but I see no point in rebuilding. We would be willing to adopt a few into a new clan under my banner, but I will only take a maximum of two hundred.” Was Kira’s offer as she blew out another smoke ring. “We don’t have the land to just give away to ponies that won’t be staying. There are also the Crystal Ponies' mental capabilities. I find them questionable. These ponies have spent their entire lives in a cage being treated worse than livestock. I question whether they have the will or drive to even form their own nation. Let alone even fit into a different society.”
Kusanagi intervened. “I stand beside the Great Mother’s reasoning. If we were absorbing their population into our own, it would be one thing, but build them up and then send them back here? Do they even want to be here? This place of horrible memories? Besides, Equestria is much closer and culturally similar. They would do better in your care. You do have much-underdeveloped land, Celestia.”
“I could section off some territory near the north border or somewhere of their choosing. Though I would assume they Crystal Ponies would prefer their traditional homeland.”
Kira slapped the ground with her tail. “Then let us ask them. Go get a vote from all adults, and a representative if they have one or can elect one. In the meantime, we’ll continue hammering out details.”
“At once, Great mother!” A Miko bowed, running off to full fill the task.
“Let’s set the politics aside and look into the military reports. General Cobalt Blaze, if you would take the floor.”
The blue unicorn stood up and moved the center with all eyes on him. A foot-high stack of papers floating in his magic. “As there is a plethora of information here, I will summarize the best I can for expediency. Starting with the Equestrian causality report. Of the three battalions of 1500 each, totaling 4500 soldiers. We have 2345 remaining, including injured. The remaining 2155 are presumed MIA or KIA. KIA being the most likely. Of 2345, over 1300 are injured, and an unknown of critically injured. Deaths post-battle have not been tallied yet; we’ll have those numbers later. That concludes the causality report.”
Celestia nodded grimly, “Thank you, Cobalt.”
“Moving on, after reviewing several reports from our officers, I feel the need to confirm somethings. Firstly, the total of Sombra’s offspring was seven, correct?”
Everypony that had dealt with the Siblings nodded, “To the best of our intel, that is correct.” Confirmed Fury speaking for the group. “What’s the problem?”
Cobalt merely continued, forgoing the question. “The sons are listed as Erebus, Scath, Ombre, and Schatten. The daughters Zil, Cien, and Skaggi?”
“Correct, it’s all in the report. What is the point?” Complained Sixes.
“I would merely like to confirm the kills. Lady Kira, you reported killing the eldest son, Erebus, correct?”
Kira nodded, looking satisfied, “He was a fun youth. I would have liked to fight him at his best, but yes, I did kill him.”
“Thank you, Prince Kiri, you killed the second son, Scath?”
“Yes, his head is being stuffed as we speak.”
“Ok… thank you. Next, Commander Topaz Slicer reported killing Ombre, but he is not here to confirm.”
“Topaz would not lie about something like that.” Defended Sixes, looking agitatedly at Cobalt now.
“I understand, I was not discrediting him, only stating his absence.” Cobalt said smoothly, not looking away from his notes. “Next, Schatten was killed by Master Chief Sergeant Lucky Shamrock and Senor Chief Sergeant Essex, correct?”
“Aye, the ol’ ball and chain, and I wasted him good!” Several hardened glares fell on the green rinin’s being. “Ah… correct, sir…”
“Thank you, and finally, Princess Celestia, you confirmed… the death of the youngest daughter, Skaggi?”
“Correct.” Monotoned Celestia. “Is there a point to this?”
“Only the fact I have no reports detailing the demise of Zil and Cien or of their bodies being found. The search is still on, they could be buried in the lava rock somewhere, but no pony has claimed them for kills either.”
All at once, the gathered officers and royals frowned, troubled by the news of the two of Sombra’s daughters still at large. Cobalt retook his seat, but the mood of the meeting was forever changed as delegations shifted to a discussion of how to track down the two Dark Princesses. Wherever they may be.
“Hey, wake up.” A voice coldly demanded. She groaned, her entire body aching, and chilled to the bone, the pony kicking her in the side was not helping either. “I said, wake up!”
Cien snapped awake the harsh tone and the hard-hit in the ribs. Rolling over in the snow, Cien looked up at her tormentor, who was silhouetted by the sun, making her hard to see. By her voice, it sounded like a mare.
“You too.” The mare’s tone was cold and harsh, her kicks brutal as the popping of bones filled the frigate air. Cien was happy to see her elder sister, Zil, alive. Though she sported a strange scar on her neck. “And you as well.”
The third pony was a surprise, it was her biological mother, Gleam Sparkle. The elder mare was awakened much more gently. Maybe due to her age? Cien didn’t understand what was going on, but she did understand Dom/sub dynamics. Right now, she was the bottom. The pony, whose face she couldn’t make out, was way above her. The pressure of her magic alone felt like a mountain was pressing down on her.
On wobbling legs, she rose beside her mother, observing their situation. All their finery and riches were removed, replaced by ragged, worn wool cloaks and what looked by three saddlebags of supplies for each of them.
“There is a town in the wastelands of Equestria, run by the Apple Family called Appaloosa. You will go there. You will stay there, and before the year is up to all the two of you.” The would-be Master pointed to Gleam and Cien. “You better be fat with child. The Apples are known for high fertility and have plenty of hardy males to spare. This task should be easy for you.”
The mare then pointed to Zil. “You will ensure they do this and keep their bloodlines alive. Fail, and death will seem like mercy. Besides those instructions, you are free to live normal, humble lives in the land of your enemy.”
“What if we refuse? What if we decide to run?” Cien asked, instantly she felt her neck tighten. She grasped for what she thought would be a control collar or something, but there was nothing!
“Cien, your neck!” Gasped Zil.
Gleam’s eyes narrowed, “A Slave seal?”
The mysterious mare chuckled, “Interesting, and here I thought the art would have been lost. Your BDSM outfits were a nice touch, but clunky when compared to good old slave tattoo engraved on the skin. Don’t worry, they only hurt if you disobey. Personally, this is a very lean punishment for everything you three did, right?”
“So what? You want us to live long, boring lives then?” Cien gasped.
The mare shook her head. “I could care less how you live. All that matters is the Sparkle bloodline continues. It’s good to have multiple sources. That said, this day forth, you three are Glimmers. Chose whatever names you want, but form this day until the end of time, you are of the Glimmer clan.”
“What do you want? Why do this? And who are you?” Demanded Cien.
The cold north wind blew, blowing the mare’s hood off.
“You? But…”
The mare pressed a claw to her lips, “Shush, now. You don’t need to worry about anything so over your head anymore. I had hoped not to resort to this, but better safe than sorry. Some… memory alternating is in order. I’ll start with you, Cien, no… how about Starlight Glimmer?”
--break
On the Emerald Cutter, the delegations were winding down as both sides made their reports and demands to the other party. With the day winding down, a lull set in as the participants grew tired from the long debates.
The only thing holding them back from declaring everything over and done was the matter of the Crystal Ponies. Gathering a vote from the recused populace took time. It was almost assumed they wouldn’t even have an actual representative to speak on their behalf. Yet, with the amount of work needed to take care of so many refugees, they needed to know what the Crystal Ponies wanted to do.
So, when the sun burned a bright pink in the background of the evening sky and a silver Crystal Unicorn mare was escorted into the meeting. Everypony was anxious to hear what she had to say.
“I’m called, Shiny Silverina, I’ve been selected to speak on my herds behave.” Her speech was slow, and she fumbled her words, clearly nervous about being the center of attention. “We voted…” Shiny Silverina looked around the chambers, cowed by the expectant looks of Celestia and Luna. “To abandon this place. You can have it if you let us live somewhere else. If that’s not asking too much, that is.”
Shiny flinched before any pony even spoke, clearly expecting to be reprimanded for her answer. When no pony rebuked or assaulted her, she sighed, relieved. She still remained curled as ball through.
Celestia blinked, “But this is your ancestor homeland. It’s yours to rights. Surely don’t just want to give it up?”
As if she found her spine, and maybe she did, because what Shiny Silver said next made her previous appearance seem like façade. It would only be known later, that Cadence, with her mastery of mental magic. Cast a spell that rid the mare of her fears, allowing her to speak her mind, boldly and a bit uncouthly.
“The fuck we’re staying in this hell hole!” Shiny Silverina’s face was surprised by the volume of her own voice but seemed envigored by it and continued. “What kind of cruel bitch are you to make us stay here? Huh? Do you even know what happened here? Do you! I’m glad this rotten place is burned to the ground, it deserves it!”
“But your ancestors…”
“Were bleedin’ fucking idiots! What morons build a city in the artic! Granddad always spouted about the glory and pride of the Crystal Empire, well ya know what? He was a daf fool! Romantic to the point of being stupid! I’m glad all the old cloggers are gone!” The mare turned to Cadence. “Also, we don’t want a bleeding monarch! We’ve had our fill of Kings and Queens, thank you! We’re done with them!”
Shiny Silverina panted, her body visibly shaking with adrenaline. She clearly had more to say but became tongue-tied as the spell afflicting her waned and her subdued nature resurfaced. And was clearly horrified by what she just said. To her, liberators no less!
“That’s… uh… what we want. We don’t want to live here anymore, and that’s it.” She finished with barely half of the former firebrand. Which left her standing awkwardly in the middle of the meeting before excusing herself.
“Well,” Kira said chipperly. “That settles that then. I guess you’ll have a new colony to look after Celestia, Luna. Now I believe that wraps up everything we can do here. Let’s have the ambassadors earn their pay, my children grow restless worrying about their baby filly at home.”
“Thank you for indulging our selfishness, great mother.” Bowed Kusanagi. “We will depart within the hour with the first half of the fleet. The second half will leave upon Admiral McGather’s arrival. It will be wonderful to have you home.”
Kira tilted her head, looking positivity mischievous. “Home, right. I guess I should have mentioned this earlier, but I’ll be taking a quick trip to Equestria first.” She announced much to the shock of the Nippon royal family. “If you don’t mind, I’ll be taking a ship too.”
Next, Kira eyed the royal sisters who were equally surprised as their Nippon counterparts. “I hope you don’t mind a little visit. I think we have much to talk about, privately.”
“That’s fine,” Celestia said neutrally. “There are matters we wish to discuss, as well.”
“Perfect. I’ll have sake ready for us.”
The next day, The Nightmare arrived. The large carrier ship dwarfed many of the Nippon ships, it’s loading ramp lowered, allowing all surviving Equestrian forces abroad with lots of room to spare. On the deck, the royals waved goodbye to the Nippon Fleet, all but one of their Airships steadily disappearing into the rising sun. The Emerald Cutter moored beside the Nightmare.
Once everypony was accounted for, Princess Cadence stepped towards the edge of the deck away from the others. Taking one last look at the abandoned Empire. Nothing was left. Not a building nor pony remained. Once she lowered the barrier, all that would remain of the Crystal Empire’s existence was the two colossal broken statues and the stone memorials of the fallen. Both of which would soon be buried by the unyielding snow.
Gathering herself, Cadence said goodbye to her biological parent's homeland. Feeling, well, nothing for it, which made her feel bad. Through Luna and Celestia told stories of them, King Treble and Queen Symphony would forever be strangers to her.
“King Treble, Queen Symphony, I’m sorry, but this place is better off forgotten.” Even now, she couldn’t call the King and Queen that gave their all for this Kingdom, her parents. She had parents already, who raised and loved her back in Equestria. “I’m truly sorry.”
With those last words, she let the barrier fall. Instantly the frozen north went to work freezing over the remains of the Empire. In less than an hour, nothing but a snowy field would remain. Cadence didn’t even wait to watch it, choosing to go inside the ship where it was warm.
(They were right, who would want to live here?)
Twilight Sparkle stared out the frosted window of her cabin in a daze. Her mind, body, and magic had been pushed beyond anything she’d experienced before. The events of this ‘adventure’ or whatever you wanted to call her had her thinking. Thinking about what she was doing with her life. Was she actually living or just following Celestia’s chosen path?
That was a stupid question. It was Celestia’s path, but one she’s been willingly following with the devotion of a fanatic. Yeah, she had some rebellious moments. Like during the Nightmare Moon incident. Looking back, she was embarrassed by her own pride and arrogance.
She was right about Nightmare Moon’s return, but the way she acted when the Princess told her to make some friends. It was really embarrassing. Acting like she knew better than a pony nearly three thousand years old.
The battle with Discord put on display more of her faults. Including her failure notice that something was amiss with her friends. Nearly leading to their downfall. Though it was the princess sending back her scrolls that righted things.
Then the Changling invasion. For Twilight, she would forever feel that was she failed the Princess. It was perhaps her pride or stubbornness that got in the away that day. No, not just her, everypony in that room heard Celestia command them to leave, to run away.
They disobeyed. In an ignorant display of mass naivety. Everypony thought they needed to protect the princess by being by her side. When in reality, they were in the way.
“And then there’s this time.” Twilight honestly didn’t know what to think of this one. It seemed so simple, yet nothing had gone according to plan. Her stomach tightened when she thought about how close her friends where to being captured or killed. She didn’t know what to say if they asked about her own capture. And as much as it hurt, she was glad they hadn’t visited.
Rubbing the blackened part of her fur, she wondered just what happened to her. “I am I cursed? What is this really?” She didn’t want to expose her friends to whatever this was. Not until she was sure it wouldn’t harm them.
A sudden knock startled her, causing her to panic, “Who is it?” But the voice that answered wasn’t one of her friends. No, the pony at the door was gruff and male.
“We need to talk.” The owner, Commander Sixes, didn’t wait for her to ask if it was ok to enter. He didn’t wait for pleasantries either marching straight to her bedside, examining her with shining orange eyes. “Well, you’re alive, I guess. Better than those before you.”
“Before… me?”
Sixes ignored her and sat down, looking tired. “What made you want to be Celestia’s student?”
Caught off guard by his sudden intrusion and out of the left-field question, Twilight summarized her early life best she could.
“Well, there was this test with a dragon egg, and I managed to hatch it. After that, the Princess offered to take me under her wing. I still had to attend regular classes, but I was the only one that got one on one with the Princess! It made me so happy!”
Twilight’s genuine smile was like that of a young child. Heartwarming and precious. It was sad to see it fade with doubt and fear.
“I just wanted to be useful to her. What Equestrian wouldn’t? She’s Princess Celestia!”
Sixes nodded, having heard it all before, from the others. “So, after this, how do you feel about being Celestia’s student? Her chosen champion?”
“Champion?”
“That’s just what we called Celestia’s students. She never told us what her end goal was for them, so we assumed she was trying to manufacture a new hero or something. Whatever Celestia’s plans, the students that fell under our care…” Sixes stalled out, his face a plethora of pained emotions. When he regained control of himself, he looked at Twilight with the softest expression she’d ever seen him have. “Quit.”
“What?”
“Quit being Celestia’s student. Don’t end up like the others, crippled or worse, trying to reach the impossible heights Celestia set for them. Don’t be the next young talent thrown into her meat grinder for lofty unknown goals.”
“But it’s thanks to Celestia that I realized the magic of friendship and found my friends.”
Sixes snorted humorlessly, shaking his head. “The magic of friendship? Is that what she’s been chasing after? Ironic.” A dry, mocking laugh escaped from the black rinin. Next, he was rolling on the floor, the volume of his laughter growing and growing as small tears formed in his eyes. “HAHAHA! That’s so rich!”
Twilight puffed her cheek, her anger swelling. “What’s so funny! The Magic of Friendship is real! I’ve seen it and used it!”
“Sorry,” he waved carelessly, wiping the tears from his eye. “But don’t you find it funny? That the one who taught you about friendship, the most loved mare in all of Equestrian history, with centuries of relationships across the spectrum. Can’t use the magic of friendship? Instead, she had to use a proxy like you?”
His words caused Twilight to blink, the gears of her mind slowly turning. There plenty of holes in Sixes’ argument, but it did strike her as odd, that Celestia. The pony that taught her the value of friendship and the magic of it has not displayed it. The magic part, at least.
“The Princess has friends!” Twilight argued.
Sixes, still recovering from his belly laugh, flatly replied, “No, she doesn’t. She has subjects. Here, name one that isn’t Luna.”
“There’s… uh… um…ah… Fancy Pants? Maybe.” Twilight cringed. “No, wait, there’s Cadence!”
“That’s her niece. Family members don’t count.”
“Yeah, they do!”
“Are family and friendship really on the same level? Would you do things for a friend you’ve known for a month that you would normally only do for your brother or parents?”
“Well depends on the thing… I’m still studying friendship, so I can’t really answer that.”
“I don’t need an essay, Twilight. Just answer the question.”
“Look, I don’t know! Anyway, just because I can’t think of any, that doesn’t mean Princess Celestia doesn’t have any friends. I’m The Princess’s…” Twilight’s words petered out; her face twisted with complex emotions. “I’m her student, but we can be friends, right?”
Sixes tilted his head, “I don’t know, you tell me. Call her by her name, no titles.”
Twilight opened her mouth, but no words come from it.
“Can’t do it, can you? Do you consider her, your friend?”
The unicorn averted her eyes. “She’s my teacher and ruler, calling her by her name with no title feels disrespectful. But I do love and respect her. Platonically.” Twilight quickly added. “She was a second mother or an aunt growing up. There did always feel like there was this invisible wall I could never get passed. Like it was as close as I could get to the sun without being burned. Do you know what I mean?”
“Perfectly. You’re not as… dense as I thought you were.”
“Hey!”
“I didn’t say you were stupid, only naïve. You’re Celestia’s student, you’d have to be brilliant to be, but a pattern I noticed is all you all tended to be, what’s the word? Self-absorbed or no, single-minded, that seems right. Whatever Celestia’s goal was, you all galloped towards it, no questions asked. No concern for your own dreams or futures. Tell me, Twilight, before you became her student, what was your dream? What does your mark represent?”
Twilight stared at her mark on the verge of being consumed by the black fur that scarred her body. “My talent is magic.”
“Is that what they mean now?” Sixes asked curiously. Presenting his own mark, six intersecting red slashes. He pointed to each one. “These represent the six ponies I care about and my devotion to keep them safe. They are my friends and the ponies I love more than anything in this world. Heed my words when I say, I would do anything, anything! To protect them.”
Sixes' face reverted back to its usual intensity, the frown lines on his face resurfacing in an angry scowl. Realizing he was giving Twilight a death glare, he toned it down, but the smile she had wrangled out of him seemed like a distant dream.
“It’s funny, but despite my best efforts, some of them still got hurt.” He choked up, giving a thousand-yard stare. “Some of them died, and I was powerless to help them. Worst I had to hurt the one I loved most.”
“What are you trying to say? What do you want from me?”
Sixes stared at her, or rather the reflection he saw in Twilight’s eyes. “I don’t want you to end up like me. I know I don’t have any right to give you advice. I can see Celestia’s changed a bit since I last saw her, but she’s still Celestia I knew deep down. She loved them, you know. All of her students. Whatever age or gender they were, she treated them as one of her own. The same with my son, he was fond of them as well. Perhaps, to her credit, she didn’t baby them. But Twilight, I’m tired of watching young ponies like you die for her. That’s why I can never quit fighting, so ponies like you don’t have to fight. You should have never come.”
Twilight stared down at her bedsheets, her face obscure by her hair. “Well, you might be right about that. But!” She turned to face him. “I’m not quitting, at least not until I get answers from Princess Celestia myself. If she has a destiny planned for me, that’s fine, but… I will choose whether to follow it!”
“Hmph, glad to hear it. Oh, and Twilight, never be afraid to be direct with Celestia. She respects straightforwardness. Though maybe not from me.” He chuckled. “Good luck, and also Kira is holding a feast, so come by her room when your feeling better. Celestia will be there.”
“Thank you, Com… I mean Sixes.”
“Good girl.” He patted her on the head. Smiling genuinely. “Tell your brother, good job, too.”
“Ok… but can’t you?”
“I got an image to uphold.” Was his reply before shutting the door.
In the inner sanctum of the Emerald Cutter, Kira’s private quarters, which expanded the entire top level of the ship. Quite the luxury considering the Emerald Cutter was a battleship. Where every square foot was maximized for efficacy, Kira’s room blatantly tossed the concept overboard.
The Goddess Shrine, dubbed by the Nippon ponies, spanned 1000 square feet. The size of the single-story three-bedroom house. That was including the healing hot spring, a dining room, a bathroom, a master bedroom with a bath, and two guest suits. There was also a small kitchen, which was staffed.
Gathered in the dining room was: Kira herself, Celestia and Luna, Sixes, Fierce Fury, Cadence, Shining Armor, Daring, and perhaps the most intriguing, Twilight Sparkle and her friends. The dubbed mane six awkwardly assembled on the opposite end of Kira, sitting at the head of the table.
A small feast was spread out across the table. Much to the discomfort of the regular ponies, there was sushi and other variety of fish available for those that had canine teeth.
“Poor fishes…” Fluttershy mumbled as any louder protest was cowed by the predatory smiles the rinin wore, all but slobbering over the non-red meat.
Kira picked up a crawfish, cracking its shell open and slurping its insides in one go. “Well, dig in. I’m sure your all hungry.”
For the non-rinin of the group, it was the most blatant display of the draconic side of Rinin biology. Sixes and Fury ate entire mouthfuls of battered shrimp and sushi rolls. Kira was no better, well she kept her table manners. The bliss of consuming something once living showed clearly on her face.
“Pass the crab, Fury!”
“Try the squid with sake!”
“You two need to try the eel, you're missing out!”
“Pass it over then!”
The ever-watchful Miko sighed behind their masks. “The Great Mother, really… hangs loose… when in the presence of Lord Sixes and Lord Fury.”
Tani bobbed her head, “Just as the stories say, but it is enjoyable to see, no? Look how happy they are.”
“Indeed, this is a blessed day.” Nagato clapped her claws in prayer.
“Tani! Another batch if it’s no trouble! More sake too! We’re getting Tia, and Lu smashed!”
“At once, Great Mother!”
The feasting when on for the next hour. For the three reunited rinin, it was a spectacular time. The room was filled with joyous laughter, the hard-boiled scowls of Sixes and Fury were relaxed and without care.
From her, seat Luna shreds a tear that she quickly hid.
“Luna?”
“I’m sorry,” She mumbled, looking away from Celestia’s curious gaze. “It’s just… how long has it been since I’ve seen Sixes this happy? Or Fury? For me, it shouldn’t be that long, yet I’ve forgotten how they were before…”
Celestia rubbed her back, “It’s been a while for me too. He’s so high strung, they all are. I… well, it doesn’t matter now. I’m sure in time, we’ll get to see this side of them more often.”
“I hope so.”
“Alright!” Shouted a flushed Kira snapping her claws. “That’s it for the food! You can still order drinks, but now its time to do some semiserious talking.” She pointed at Cadence. “Starting with you, if you don’t mind! That thing you did at the end, how’d you know to do that?”
Cadence was like a deer in headlights, her brow contorted deep in thought. Everypony there thought she just didn’t understand the question. Kira had drunk a lot and was slurring really bad. Before, the statement could be repeated by the soberer.
Cadence scratched her head, “I don’t know… I remember somepony talking to me… but I can’t remember their face, voice, or even their name. Only that the Crystal Heart should respond to my call. Leaving out this,” Cadence gestured to her new appearance. “would happen. Silly question, but is there a way to turn back to normal, or am I stuck with floaty hair forever?”
“An ethereal mane is like an exhaust port for magic your body can no longer contain. I’m afraid turning it ‘off’ just builds up pressure. Like a dam, but one that causes magical discharge when it bursts.” Explained Luna.
“Oh.”
The room shared a laugh, but Sixes and Fury looked beside themselves. “So, are we just going to ignore some rando gave Princess Cadence helpful, yet suspicious advice about an artifact that you two don’t even know the workings of?” Fury asked the royal sisters, who, in a strange display of disinterest, shrugged. “Ok, this feels familiar, doesn’t it Sixes?”
The black Rinin fiercely scratched his head, “Yeah, it does, but funny enough, I can’t remember from where.”
“Same here,” Admitted Fury.
“Let’s not worry about that for now.” Celestia carelessly waved away the mysterious topic with her hoof. Leaning in to speak to Kira. “What I want to know is how you knew to save us? That was too perfect of timing.”
Kira stared with half-closed eyes at her sake cup, “I won’t call it perfect. We were actually supposed to arrive hours earlier, according to our informant, if they hadn’t tried to be so mysterious and cryptic and run away from me. I might not have to waste so much time capturing them. Isn’t that right, Sake?”
From one of the guest rooms, Princess Sake of Nippon was dragged into the room, bound in yards of white cloth with Nippon markings. The runaway Princess was placed right next to her ancestral grandmother, who grabbed Sake by the scuff of the neck.
“She has an interesting trick for disappearing unless you're holding on to her twenty for seven. Even though no magic was ever sensed. Poor thing was puking her guts out after the fourth time, and that’s when we managed to bring her to heel.”
“Great Mother Kira, please, I have my mission. Let me go!”
Kira’s eyes were cold as the frozen north. “No. You don’t get to play the mysterious heroine when you caused your family to worry for years. Now…” Kira leaned close, so her lips were right next to Sake’s ears. “Who are you working for?”
Sake gulped but said, “I can’t say.”
“Sake.”
“I can’t! I promised…” The Runaway Princess bit her lip.
“Promised who Sake?” Kira’s grip on her neck tightened. Not strong enough to choke her, but to let the young rinin know Grandma’s patience was growing thin.
“It’s me,” A new voice suddenly declared.
There, with no warning or sign of entrance, stood a cloaked figure with a longhorn. In seconds the hidden shinobi were on the intruder, tearing her cloak way and putting cold steel against her throat. Or so they thought. The Mare was now beside Twilight and then sitting beside Kira as if she had always been there.
“It’s been a while, everypony.” She greeted sipping sake from a cup that had not been there before.
Luna, Celestia, Kira, Sixes, and Fury all blinked at the new arrival. Daring stood up in shock. They all knew her, some better than others. Though her appearance had once again changed drastically. Once she had been a small unicorn filly, next to a full-grown mare, and now she had wings. She was the daughter of history's greatest inventor, one of the ponies lost in the Rainbow Factory.
“DUSK?”
Dusk made a popping noise with her mouth, her shining silver eyes showed her maturity, as well as the dark circles under her eyes. “Yep. That’s me. Alicorn of Time now, yay me, right?” Her voice was the apex of an overworked worn-out adult that just wanted to fall asleep where they sat.
Instead, like most adults, she took a very long drink of alcohol. Guzzling down her entire cup in one go and then a bottle. And another. And another. All under a minute.
Kira applauded the display. “I’m impressed, but I also have questions. I’m sure we all do. Staring with what happened to you?”
Dusk was drowning her sixth bottle, not looking anymore flush than before. Instead of answering, she peered down the ceramic jar wistfully. “I wish I could get drunk.”
“Dusk,” Luna stood up, approaching the tawny alicorn cautiously. “Dusk, what’s happened to you?”
Tears began to roll down Dusk’s face. She made no attempt to stop them, instead choosing to smile as if it wasn’t happening. “Can we talk about that a little later? I’m… the happiest I’ve been in a long time. Please? Please can I just enjoy this moment a little longer?”
Dusk’s plea was like that of a child’s, and it effectively swayed Luna’s and everypony else's heart.
“Of course,” Luna said, hugging Dusk tightly. “We can stay like this for as long as you want. It’s good to have you back, Dusk.”
Dusk closed her eyes, “Thank you.”