//------------------------------// // Entrances are everything // Story: The Artifact // by The Sumareian //------------------------------// The hanger overlooking the imperial city of Sumareia is a sight to behold, as billows of smoke rose in the distance the bazaars and shops scattered willy-nilly each producing a scent . Sen sniffed the air loudly "just like bread" he said aloud to nopony in particular. just as Sen was alone in his reverance of the city he heard the clopping of hooves behind him. He turned to see his child hood friend Ingot "I want to show you the airship you are taking." Sen looked at the craft he thought it was a impressive battle zepplin that had his name blazed across it. ingot pulled the prince from the familiar sight. The Admiral was correct in her assertions that the airship is small, at least by air fleet standards these were use to transport troops.Though Sen remembers piloting one of these ships in the invasion of Neighrobi "Ingot what if we run afoul of some flying creature?" Sen said as he noticed the firing points being occupied by living space. "no problem these engines are the most powerlful in magic based technology we have currently they could out pace a dragon and still not be at full power." She mused histaricaly Sen thought to himself note to self Ingot has a teeny tiny bit of crazy mad scientist in her. Several minutes later the airship was primed for launch Sen stood in the control deck as the radio crackled "Bronze eagle you are clear for launch, I repeat you are cleared for launch." the pilot pushed forward on the throttle lever and the Ship sailed out of the hanger like a bird leaving its nest. Fireworks and celebrations could be seen as the ship circled around the city " good Smooth you got this lets see what these engines can realy do." just then there was a crackle from the internal radio channel "Sen Dont you do what i think you want to do." The disembodied voice of Ingot warned. "Hit it." Sen said with a devilish smile on his face as the Admiral opened the door to the control room "Your Highness you may be my superior in Sumare but here I am the queen of the skies." Tempest said as she sat in the commanders throne. "Ensign full speed ahead bearing route seven six two." all that was heard after was "Yes mam." As the ship banked on its side to follow the nearby river keeping low to avoid the larger airships patrolling the skies. Tempest had everything well under control. Sen retreated to his cabin. but as he got ready to open the door he heard a shuffle inside. Shadow appeared right next to Sen instantly.She turned her hoof releasing a blade from her greave. Sen opened the door imboldend by the fact that his other guards had done the same. Sen opened the door and all the strength was sapped from his body.his guards started to tremble a little as if the were fighting to stay conscious. Sen knew this feeling it was a taste of what the orb could do luckily for Sen already posesed superpony strength and reaction time. he felt slugish this is when it would happen. He would fall and have to wait for its effect to ware off. As he hit the grates he heard Ingot come out of his room "Oh my gosh are you okay Sen can you hear me?" Ingot lifted Sen up with her horn. and placed Sen in his room proper. Good this is a good spot put him on the floor stupid stupid stupid Ingot thought to herself Just as Ingot was done beating herself up about placing Sen on the floor he gasped for air. "Sen are you okay what was that?" Sen got to his hooves still panting from the effort.The orb somethings happeing to it like it was dropped or activated. Sen stumbled over to a couch and laid himself upon it Ingot rushed to his side "The orb I think somethings messing with my powers." Ingot snorted "you dont have powers." Sen looked her in the eye " We royals are different then normal ponies you know." Ingot looked over the drained stallion. " I'll get you some food." ingot said before galloping out of the room to the galley. In Canterlot princess Luna felt a wave of raw magical power echo trough the air. She turned to inform her sister of the situation but was only met with her sisters 'something is wrong' gaze. "twat shall we do while waiting for thine diplomat sister?" implored Luna. "I dont know ,all we can hope for is that the emperor's brother truly does arrive." Sen awoke quickly letting sensation flow through his legs as he realized that Ingot was standing over him. "Good morning Sen how was your nap?" Sen started with a jump "morning!" he saw a loaf of bread next to him, but he couldn't eat now he had to talk to Tempest about their location. Ingot grabbed Sen with her magic preventing the Prince from moving "You are going to eat something or so help me..." Sen knew she wasn't kidding around,he reached for the loaf of bread and bit into it. it was unappetizing to say the least as with most of the military rations. he looked for a glass of water to wash the taste out of his mouth. finding none he simply hoped the after taste would go away. Sen burst into the command deck to only see the piloting and navigations officer making sure they stayed on course."Where is the Admiral?" Sen asked in a commanding tone. "Shes in the training room sir" the Navigator stated with a salute. "Carry on soilder" Sen said exiting the command room heading aft to the cargo hold. Sen opend the door to the improvised traing room to see it completly empty though he could hear the ratteling of wieghts bieng returned to thier piles. Sen walked to the sparing ring and saw Tempest doing wing ups in the middle of the ring. A look of determination on her face. "You know the ring is for sparing not sweating right." Sen said throwing off the the mares focus that lead to her collapse of the mat."I told the crew not to disturb me" she said getting back up. "I'm not part of the crew remember. would you care for a little friendly sparing." Tempest grined with determination "Bring it." Just as she finished her challenge she sprung forward using her wings to speed her up to a near blinding speed. Sen simply jumped over the gray pony landing on his hooves as if nothing happened.Tempest stopped mid air and went for another pass. Sen stepped to the side and tapped Tempest in the shoulder her left wing went stiff and she crashed into the mat. Tempest tried to move her stiff wing but to no avail she was grounded "How did you do that." she asked panting with effort.Sen stood composed and ready for his turn. "Pegisi have a nerve cluster that helps them flap their wings, I simply confused your nerves and the muscle tensed up." Tempest finally felt her wing relax again. "So its my turn now." Sen said with confidence. He rushed the mare, but she jumped up and was flying around to continue her passes. Sen jumped up and quickly jabbed the over confident mare in the back rapidly. Tempest thought What is he doing I cant feel my wings. Sen landed on the mat gracefully With Tempest slung over his back. " You'll be fine all I did was temporally paralyze you." Sen said. "Know the enemy and their strengths and then know yours." Sen said wisely. "But how I was in the air how did you do that your just an earthpony." Tempest said. " When your able meet me on the command deck." Sen said walking away from the dazed and confused mare. I hope she doesn't get too upset about that little duel. Sen thought with worry at his admirals apparent pride. She burst into the command deck her coat hastily tossed over shoulders " Commander on deck." the ensign shouted. Everypony but Sen saluted their battered commander."Canterlot is about five minutes away Admiral" called out the Navigation officer "Good Legend keep us on course." Sen realized why she was assigned this job as she got on the radio "Attention all crew we are executing the red dawn protocol, shore party prepare for immediate drop." Sen recalled the red dawn maneuver as flying low over an open space and dropping of as many ponies as possible at full speed. " Ah.. Admiral you are aware that they my think we are invading them correct?" Ingot said over the ship board comms. Tempest sneered at the opportunity to show the percision of the Sumareian airfleet.Sen simply laughed at the notion of Canterlot being invaded twice in the same month. Celestia looked out over the mountain seeing a rather agressive looking airship headed for the palace. it bore the emblem of the sumerian empire a triangle with a dragon in the middle. it was headed right over the city at an alarming speed So his brother did indeed come that's good. The airships loading hatch opened to show forty ponies in red plate armor.They jumped unicorns first each using magic to slow their fall a little above the ground. then the earth ponies each being caught by the unicorns already on the ground.A deep purple pony peaked his head out of the loading bay. Inside the place, royal gaurd scatted to thier respective battle stations as the airship began to drop ponies into the royal walk. the shock troops simply lined up at the border of the walk as if nothing happened. the airship came to a slight hover near the palace "Are you sure you want to do this?" Ingot asked as the wind whipped her mane up. " I'm less sure then I was five minutes ago if thats what you mean." Sen said with a smile on his face "Here we go." Sen shouted as he jumped off the loading ramp into the midst of his guards. "How reckless." Luna pointed out as she saw the stallion jump out of the airship."Well thats Sen for you always thinkig at the last second." her sister commented. Luna looked on with a jugmental stare. To think he is our best chance to find out whats happening. The thought crossed both Luna and Celestias minds. Sen looked around the walk and was struck at the beauty of the palace infront of him To think I just did that in broad daylight oh man the princesses are going to be mad.Sen reviled in the thought of seeing Celestia angry." Move out!" Sen shouted as he and his men approached the throne room of the sister rulers.the doors to the palace flew open to reveal Luna and Celestia with a happy smile on thier faces. "Welcome Emissary to the land of Equestria" Luna started. But before she finished her sentence both her and her sister stared at the bowing prince as he offered them his sword."On my honor as Emissary of the Empire of Sumareia. I promise to respect you customs and people so long as we have our continued friendship." Sen exited his bow ,sword still in hoof offering it to either one of the princesses "Oh yeah sorry forgot to explain my entrance." Sen said with a gleeful smile.