Tails of Sacrifice
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Chapter 7
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Final Preparations
"Oh my! That is one stunning bowtie. It looks simply divine on you," said the sea-serpent, both his head and neck were standing out from the body of water. "You should have invited me. I would love to go fashion-shopping and find something just as magnificent for myself." He wrapped the tip of his right mustache between his fingers, rolling it back and forth playfully. "And here I believed your natural beauty did not need it. How wrong I was."
Thank you very much, Sir Steven, but buying it for myself was not my intention. It was a gift Lady Rarity bestowed upon me, Kyuubi explained as she approached a small bridge. It was her creation to connect a rocky road that was separated by a small river, looked after by her aquatic friend. In all honesty, it wasn't the first time I wore clothes as I sometimes played a dress-up with the princess when I was little. It brings back memories from decades ago.
"You mean those adorable pictures of you in a pink dress and bows wrapped around your tiny tails and ears?" Steven sighed, his hands now held close to his long chest. "I feel honored you showed them to me. A true highlight of the tea party from two years ago."
His train of adorable memories was interrupted upon noticing a levitation aura wrapped around the bridge. "My apologies, but I have to ask: Why are you removing this ever-so-useful construction? Ponies will stop coming by and talking to me when they learn there's no bridge here." He tapped his chin. "I mean, I could offer to let them walk on my slim figure, but still..."
It’s only temporary, I promise, Kyuubi said as she moved the uncharmed bridge further ahead, hiding it behind a few trees and bushes. The construction itself had a metallic skeleton keeping the wood together as if made of four puzzle pieces easy to reattach at any spot of the short river. Sir Steven Magnet. I have a big favor to ask of you. She turned her massive head, looking back at him with a pleading stare, though he noticed hints of seriousness as well.
"A favor? For you, my friend, anything." He raised further up, trying to match the height of the ever-growing kitsune. "How can this humble sea-serpent help a lady like you?"
Kyuubi looked back at him with a sheepish smile, a little blush formed on her cheeks. If a pony or a group of ponies head this way, please delay them or convince them to return to Ponyville. It is very, very important that nopony reaches the Everfree castle for the next few hours.
"Ah, so you wish for some privacy. I understand. I shall use my utmost charm to convince the ponies not to interrupt you. As for the bridge, I will return it to its previous spot tomorrow morning so you won't need to bother."
You have my utmost gratitude, Kyuubi replied, her smile once again warm. Steven moved to the side, watching as the massive kitsune ran and jumped over the gap with a mighty leap. Waves in the water raged the moment Kyuubi landed on the other side. As he waved his farewells, he noticed a little pony waving back at him from a spot next to the kitsune's right ear. The kitsune looked back to him with that same smile as she left. Good evening, Sir Steven. Always a pleasure, my friend.
He could only smile back and feel warmth in his heart, watching the departing pair. The friendship between a massive predator and a little but powerful pony was still as strong as ever. He could tell that it wasn't going to change, no matter the size difference between them. Lady Kyuubi is still living peacefully among her prey, resisting the temptation for decades. Such strength of will. It is an honor she considers me her friend. Ahh, if only she thought better of herself.
Kyuubi walked out of her portal once again, the vision of the stone wall before her. While her destination was a ruined castle, there was still one more place she wished to visit, one last stop before her big confrontation. Her ears perked up and down as she felt a ticklish sensation on her head.
"Don't you think that asking a manticore to scare away anypony heading towards the castle tonight is a bit, well, overkill? Also, what's up with removing all the bridges?"
Kyuubi raised her forepaw, holding it in front of her face before tilting her head to the side, waiting for Lily to either fall or jump on it. Her student quickly understood her intention and landed on the sole of her paw. I need to be sure that Twilight won't reach the castle until our confrontation with Nightmare Moon is over. I don't want her to get involved unless necessary.
"I get that, and I understand asking Steven Magnet to delay her, but why the bridges and the manticore?" Lily asked, standing on her rear hooves while staring back with a rebellious glare. She held her forehooves by her sides.
Kyuubi stared back in silence for a moment, caught off guard as sweet Lily had rarely questioned her judgment before. Not that she wasn’t supposed to, but it was still rare. After thinking out a response, she answered, If you're afraid Twilight will get hurt, don't be. I fed the manticore with an orb made of my magic, and she understands how important it is for me that she doesn't hurt anypony. It is just a precaution. A bit of intimidation, nothing more.
"Knowing Twilight, she'll just trap the manticore with her levitation and pass by her, but okay. And the bridges?"
Simple. The river and the ravine will stop Twilight's progress. She can't fly, after all, Kyuubi explained.
Lily raised an eyebrow. "You do remember that she can levitate herself and teleport? Right?"
Kyuubi's eyes opened wide at the realization. With a swift movement of her paw, she slammed it into her forehead with great force. Her massive facepalm caused a loud thudding noise to be heard from a mile away.
The kitsune panicked upon realizing that she just smashed Lily like a fly. She lowered and examined her raised paw, but the filly was no longer on it. Suddenly, she felt nuzzling on her forehead and then spotted Lily landing on her muzzle. Her guilt and desire to apologize vanished the moment she saw a cheerful smile on her student's face.
"If you think hugging me with the fur on your forehead is going to convince me not to tease you over this mishap, you have another thing coming," Lily joked with a grin. "But seriously, how could you forget that she can teleport?"
Kyuubi looked to the side to avert her gaze, failing as the filly was sitting on her muzzle. She answered with a nervous tone, W-Well... C-Considering that the Everfree Forest tends to tamper with spells, it was fair to assume that teleporting wouldn't be efficient enough." She continued with more confidence. What I mean is: my magic is well adapted to this place after I lived here for a decade. And yet, my teleporting gate has only half its usual range and is less accurate.
"Oh yes, the Everfree magic. It can prevent Twilight, a master of hundreds of spells, from crossing a river or a ravine with her well-trained short and long-range instant teleportation. You are correct as always."
Kyuubi sighed before lowering herself to the ground as Lily stepped from her muzzle. She raised her large forepaw over the filly who nuzzled it with her head, accepting the pat-pat. After decades of interacting with each other, the little student understood her gestures without the need for a single word.
I messed up. I get it. I would prefer it if you called me Miss Forgetful for the rest of the night rather than hearing your sarcastic remarks. Hearing them from you of all ponies makes me uncomfortable.
"Nah, I was kidding. I won't tease you. Besides, we all make mistakes. Of course, some of us make more than others." The filly ran over to the wall made of stone which was a bit transparent upon a closer look, barely hiding an entrance into the cave. Lily sat next to it and added, "Go in. I will wait."
Kyuubi raised to her full height, walking into the cave. She glanced at a few runes carved into the walls of the cave and a few paper talismans, all filled with her powers. Ever since she had discovered the mysterious magical tree, she often visited, feeling a sort of familiarity with it, as if they both were similar beings, in a sense. Unlike her, however, the mighty tree could neither talk, nor move, nor defend itself.
Feeling the need to keep it safe, she had added numerous safety measures over the years to keep any hostile spirit and potential intruders away. Atop that, she placed a few illusion charms to hide the entrance into the cave from the common eye. Unfortunately, her lack of a specialty with illusion magic meant the illusions were low-tier. Good enough to fool bypassing ponies from a distance, but easy to see through from close by in an exploring party.
How have you been? Kyuubi asked telepathically, not expecting an answer. It has been more than a decade since an incident called the 'Sonic Rainboom,' the very day when Lily discovered this cave, and still, she hadn't heard a single response. It didn't stop her from sharing her worries with the tree, telling it bedtime stories, reading books, or giving it words of comfort, hoping that it heard her. One of her favorite things to do with the tree was to curl herself around it.
The kitsune lay on her side, this time only wrapping her tails around the tree, being big enough to wrap them around the whole thing. I have been thinking. You appeared on the same day that Twilight had a surge of magic. On the same day, my mentor saw a sign in the sky, believing it to be the Elements choosing their new bearers.
The tree remained silent as always as Kyuubi kept staring at its crystal form with a patient smile. There seemed to be a shape carved on each branch, similar to the cutie-mark of a few ponies she had just met in Ponyville. The middle part of the tree had a star-shape hole in it, resembling Twilight's cutie mark.
Did this 'Sonic Rainboom' incident bring you into existence? Or maybe. She paused, tapping her chin and narrowing her eyes. Did you cause it? Are you responsible? Are you related to the Elements in some way?
She started at the tree for a moment with an assessing glare, only to soften a little. She gently patted the surface with her paw. I apologize if it was insensitive of me. It’s just… The kitsune sighed. If I fail to purify Luna from corruption, it will be up to Twilight and the Elements.
Kyuubi rubbed the back of her neck and looked to the side. I know I have an ace, a spell I created with God's guidance, but I prefer to use it only as my last resort.
Kyuubi sank her chin into the fur on her side, covering her head in embarrassment. Please don't judge me. Whenever I pray, I have blurry visions of what will happen if I use this spell. Those visions were clearer the closer I was to this very night. She sniffed. I saw a cold lonely place as if in exile. I saw myself struggling against dangers. Please understand, I don't want to face this fate if it’s possible to avoid it. I'm sorry!
After a few long moments to vent off her emotions. Kyuubi withdrew her tails and stood to her full height, bowing her head to the tree one more time in an apology. I wish you could tell me if it is okay if I reveal your existence to my mentor. Thus far, nopony, except Lily, knows about your existence. I hate keeping secrets from my mentor, and I trust that she wouldn't harm you. I only wish I knew if you are okay with it.
Kyuubi sighed, considering whether to tell Princess Celestia about this magical tree once Luna was purified, hoping the tree wouldn't be mad at her. Walking away, she approached a little spot for praying she had prepared long ago.
Her memories of her youth had gaps after five decades, especially her youngest years. But, she still remembered some small details of her time at the church. Using those memories, working a few weeks straight during her exile years after what she did to Sunset, she had carved two pony-size statues of humans with wings. Between them was an elegant cross made of wood.
Her young mind had failed to memorize any details other than the cross being important. It was what priests and monks had prayed to. As she lowered her belly and chin to the ground, humbly bowing, she started her praying, already expecting another vision.
If it is in your will, please bestow your subject with your blessing on this dire night. Please watch over us during the coming confrontation. And should it come to it, I ask that you gift Twilight and other bearers with your protection. She gulped as the vision started forming in her mind, even less blurry than before. She swallowed and added, And if there is no other way to save Luna, please give me the courage to use the spell you taught me, and watch over me as I face the consequences. As soon as she said it, the vision was gone, much to her surprise. God had given her a choice and explained the consequences, and she understood them. It was up to her to make this decision.
Lily trotted next to Kyuubi as they made their way through the halls of the ruined castle. Fortunately, the main hallways leading to the throne room were spacious enough to accommodate the size-able kitsune.
Taking several quick steps for each long one of the kitsune, she watched the distress visible on Kyuubi's face. After each prayer, her mentor seemed distressed for some reason. It couldn't be stress related to the coming confrontation, as it had been going on for the past three years. Her mentor tried to hide it around her, but with her experience, she had little difficulty noticing distress on such a large head.
With a quick leap, she reached the kitsune's side, quickly climbing up her neck before reaching her right ear. "You seem to be worried about something, and I can tell that it is related to your prayers." The kitsune stopped, and Lily noticed that her mentor held back her breath. "Is there... is there something you wish to share with me?"
As the ears on Kyuubi's head drooped, the silence lasted for an entire minute. Never before the atmosphere between those two felt so tense.
Knowing that she won't get the answer and was stressing her mentor, Lily said, "If you don't wish to speak about it, I understand. Just know that I'm willing to listen if you change your mind." She stroked Kyuubi's cheek with a forehoof. "We will get through this, I swear." As soon as she released the kitsune's cheek and landed from nearly a five meters height, her mentor resumed her walk.
Once they reached the throne room, Lily narrowed her eyes. There was a time when she could get away with acting carefree and careless, behaving immaturely, not fit for her rank and age. She looked like a filly and often acted like one. Now, however, Lily needed to keep this in check. The time to act professionally was due, and she wasn't going to disappoint.
"Attention!" she shouted in a commanding tone, her little lungs showing the power behind it. The armored ponies quickly saluted and stood at attention.
Lily examined her new surroundings with a watchful eye, beginning her inspection as commanding officer of the Knight Templars. At the recently-repaired double door into the throne room stood two earth ponies, their full-plated armor similar to the old dusty armor that decorated the halls of this castle. Each earth pony stallion had an enhanced tower-shield attached to their backs. Shields and chest-plates each had a five tails insignia decorating it.
Thanks to restoration efforts, the throne room had gained six new pillars that replaced the ruined ones. Next to each one stood an armored templar.
The first one was a fully armored earth pony, a mare equipped with a shield on one foreleg and a glove on the other.
Two unicorn stallions stood tall in medium armor, levitating two weapons each. One bore a staff with a yellow crystal at its tip that Lily recognized as a custom craft of the electric spirit, and a mace with small blue crystals. The second had a staff with a green crystal and a mace with small flaming-red crystals. Fire, ice, wind, and electricity, the four elements accounted for maximum diversity in their attacks and defenses.
Lily smiled at her female friend and her favorite subordinate, her second in command, Rosey. She hadn’t known her for long as they had met a few years ago, but from what she knew, Rosey was Kyuubi's school friend. At first, Lily liked the mare for being her mentor's trusted friend but quickly learned to respect her. While far behind Twilight in terms of raw-power and knowledge, Rosey more than made up for it with enthusiasm and skills, putting many earth ponies to shame.
Rosey wore bronze armor. Leg protectors and enhanced steel performed more than a decorative role. Despite looking heavy, she ran and jumped in it with little difficulty, not slowed down in the least during their training. Next to the unicorn were two long weapons: a spear, and halberd, both resting against a pillar. Rosey waved her foreleg at Kyuubi, which had a small shield attached to it. She playfully saluted her a moment later.
Finally, Lily looked at two pegasi, those wearing a camouflaged black/violet suit and goggles instead of armor, more suited for speed and stealth at night rather than confrontation. Lily's attention focused not only on their crossbows but their bags as well, all filled with special bolts with non-lethal poison provided by non-other than Zecora herself.
One of the pegasi had a white mane standing out from her camouflaging costume. A former Wonderbolt named Fleetfoot. After a few combat practices between the Templars and the Wonderbolts, Fleetfoot had decided to join the new fighting force, which made Spitfire somewhat upset. Lily personally toughened up the recruit, though she knew that her strengths still lay in mobility and speed.
Finally, her gaze rested on a massive square dining table in the middle of the throne room. It wasn't massive to store a lot of food, though, as it had a low quantity of various drinks and dishes. No. It was so large to accommodate the massive kitsune and a few more guests.
Kyuubi sat in the middle, her long tail now resting on the red carpet, which hid the holes on the old floor. On Kyuubi's left side hovered a tornado-like wind spirit and a slimy water spirit. As much as she wanted to shout 'Windy!' at her favorite spirit friend, she decided against it. She was now on duty and had to act like it.
On Kyuubi's right were sitting Zecora and an earth spirit, this one not flying but firmly on the ground, built from a mix of earth and stone. Zecora had a saddlebag of her own, filled with combat mixtures and a magic-weakening powder.
Lily climbed onto a cushion prepared for her next to Zecora. "High Templar Rosey, please join us," she commanded, gesturing with a hoof for the unicorn to approach. The unicorn cheerfully trotted forward, sitting between her and Zecora.
Her attention focused on a seat on the other side of the table. This one was a copy of Luna's throne, painted in a color of the night sky and decorated with half-moon and stars. While not as big, it was still a seat fit for royalty.
Lily took a deep breath and looked up at her mentor. It would be most improper to jump towards her ear or muzzle. Wanting to be heard, she shouted, "Priestess Kyuubi! The troops are ready, the food is fresh, the drinks are cold, and Luna's seat is dust-free! We are most prepared to face Nightmare Moon!”
Kyuubi looked down and gifted her with a proud smile. Thank you, Hierarch Lily. I am most proud of everyone. I believe that together, we may overcome even the power of an alicorn. I only hope we won’t need to resort to that.
"And we shall!" Lily said, fully understanding her mentor's intent. While Kyuubi's goal was to purify Luna from her corruption, the kitsune wished to go further than that. She wanted to welcome Nightmare Moon back after her long banishment and attempt diplomacy, trying to prevent the conflict and win the battle with words.
Lily didn't fully believe it would work but knew that if anyone can convince a vengeful alicorn to surrender, it would be her kind mentor. Furthermore, there was still time left for Kyuubi to fully recover her magic and face the alicorn at her full strength.
She glanced over herself, being the only one from the Templars who didn't wear any armor. While enchanted protective gear was most helpful for others, it would do little to help a pony of her size, and she had enough durability without it. If the negotiations failed, her hooves were more than enough. She looked at Rosey and said, "High Templar, bring me my helmet."
"Yes, Ma’am!" Rosey saluted, levitating over a knight’s helmet fitted for a pony’s head.
Seeing Kyuubi’s tail reach towards her, Lily sank her hoof into it, searching for a souvenir from Ponyville. Not long after meeting Pinkie Pie, her mentor offered to use her fifth tail as a little storage. A moment later, Lily attached an array of blue feathers in holes along the sides of her helmet. No matter what happened tonight, her new friend and rival would be with her in spirit.
“Thank you, Priestess Kyuubi.”
The little hierarch raised her head in pride. While she did not need armor, she wanted to look presentable. At least as presentable as a pony of her posture could be. She looked towards the window as the moon was shining on the horizon. The face of the mare on the moon started to vanish. The seal was on the verge of breaking. The time to face Nightmare Moon had come, be it with words or with hooves, weapons, and magic.