Extended Holiday
Chapter 181: Tying Loose Ends
Hammer Strike stepped through the rift made before the Crystal Empire. The dome in the distance appeared to be holding strong, and the location had only seen minor changes in comparison to what he left it as.
“I’m glad the antenna is still working well.” Hammer Strike gave a small smile as he took in the empire.
“So, this is the last bastion of the Children of Faust,” Grav’vaar commented, looking around.
“Was. I saw to that.” Hammer Strike sighed before pressing forward toward the shield.
“Of course.” Grav’vaar nodded. “I meant that.”
“Fair enough,” he shrugged. As they drew near the shield, he ensured his augments sent out a ping to alert Vega to his presence.
The barrier protecting the Crystal Empire from the ravages of the eternal winter tundra opened easily to allow the Pony passage. And with it came a slow glissando as Vega’s voice rose from its shutdown state to active in Hammer Strike’s augments. “Greetings, Hammer Strike. It has been well over three thousand years since you last visited. Would you like a status update on the progress of the experiment?”
“If you would,” Hammer Strike replied as he continued on his way to the ‘castle.’
“With each passing generation, a proper scan of the artificial lifeforms was performed to be kept in aggregate. As you can see from the chart I’ve downloaded to your ocular enhancements, the strain you embedded into the initial subjects has since yielded a ninety-eight percent herd immunity to the effects of the control code. In the event anyone should manage to access administrator privileges, at the very most, they would only experience what some might consider a rise in charisma, making it easier to convince the crystal entities to follow their suggestions while still leaving them with the will to object.”
Hammer Strike hummed to himself. “While that’s more control than I’d like, it’s still within acceptable parameters,” he replied mentally as he looked toward the castle. “We’ll continue this shortly after I conclude my business.”
“Of course.”
The crystal guards he encountered moved aside pretty much instantly. Changeling lanterns were present, so there was no reason to block him in their eyes.
“Is Cadance in the throne room?” he questioned the guards.
“Of course,” one guard responded. “Should we tell her you’ve arrived?”
“Sure, and please have Shining Armor be aware as well. His presence would be appreciated.”
The two guards immediately sped off in separate directions as two more moved in to take their place.
Hammer Strike had the layout of the entire empire in his mind, so moving to the throne room took no time at all. “Grav’var, would you mind waiting outside the door?”
“Of course, Sir! I will be here when you need me,” the Gryphon said, resting his axe on the ground to the noted discomfort of the guards. To be fair, the axe was probably the same size as they were.
The throne room was, as ever, grandiose, elegant, and perfectly symmetrical. Queen Cadance sat atop her throne, surrounded by great purple gems. A long carpet led to the base of the dais and climbed the stairs to where she waited to address the new visitor. That is, until she saw the condition of said visitor.
“Hammer Strike?” She gaped at the stallion, taking in his glowing eyes, increased height, and far more prominent scars. “What in Faust’s name happened to you?”
“A lot.” Hammer Strike sighed. “Basically, I’m whole now in comparison to the versions of myself that were here before.”
“And by whole, you mean…?”
“I’m sure you’ve noticed that I am quite different, being that I have grown and currently have glowing bits that used to be eyes.”
“And how does this make you whole, exactly?”
“I’m several thousand years old. The versions of myself before were just fragments of a whole. Hence why they were shorter, and not quite what I am currently.”
“Cadance? I heard that Hammer Strike was—” Shining Armor strode into the main hall and gaped at the stallion. “Who-wha-Hammer Strike, we, uh … weren’t expecting you so soon. Or … so … glowy.”
“You’ll get used to it,” Hammer Strike replied simply. “So, now that both of you are here, there are some things I should address.”
“Is this the emergency saving the world kind of address or more a casual sort of address?” Cadance asked.
“A little of the latter, followed by more of a third option.” Hammer Strike shrugged. “One major thing to address, as I’m certain you will receive news of it quite soon, I’ve taken rule over Equestria once more. And yes, I did say once more.”
Shining armor frowned. “You mean like what happened in the Third Gryphon War?”
“No, as in I am now the legitimate King of Equestria, effective this morning.”
“And the princesses were okay with this?” Shining asked intently.
“They are my daughters. And considering I founded Equestria, it was technically always my role.”
“I’m sorry. Did you just say you founded Equestria?” Cadance asked.
“Yes, hence my comment of being several thousand years old.”
“But you’re not an Alicorn,” Shining objected. “I mean, no offense, Hammer Strike, but how could you manage to live for that long? Not even Star Swirl the Bearded managed that.”
“That moron of a spellcaster could only do so much within his self-limitations,” Hammer Strike replied bluntly. “I was altered to secure my age as I am, up until I found an alternative method of stopping my aging. I need not be an Alicorn to achieve this.”
Shining armor squinted as he looked over Hammer Strike intently. “He doesn’t look corrupted,” he said. “And if he were sick, someone would’ve sent word ahead.” He rubbed his chin. “Did The Doctor have anything to do with this?”
“He brought me to this point in time, but he did not assist in the halting of my aging, nor my rule of Equestria.” Hammer Strike sighed. “You know, I should probably get this part out of the way, too… Cadance, do you know a spell to check familial relations between two individuals?”
Cadance frowned. “Yes. As the Alicorn of love, binding families and detecting those ties is an intricate part of my magic. Why do you ask?”
“I’ll explain afterwards. Perform it between Shining Armor and myself. Don’t ask questions. Just please do it, and then I’ll give some more answers.”
“... All right. Though I’m not entirely certain what you’re trying to accomplish with this. Honey, if you could stand next to Hammer Strike, please?”
“Of course,” Shining agreed immediately and quickly stood next to the tall Earth Pony.
The mare’s horn charged as the cutie mark on her flank shimmered, followed by a stream of blue energy spiralled by pulsing hearts. The energy struck the two stallions, and as it did so, Cadance’s eyes glowed white. Seconds passed into minutes as the spell continued its work and glowing lines began to trace through the throne room, pulsing toward and into Cadance to feed her energy as the spell continued its work.
“Cadance?” Shining moved to push forward, but Hammer Strike raised a staying hoof to hold him back.
“Give it a moment.”
Cadance’s body reverted to its crystal state as the spell continued to better channel the energies she needed. Finally, the stream from her horn died as she snapped her horn away and fell to the floor. She panted as the crystal coating disappeared and bowed her head weakly as her legs trembled. Shining ran to her side immediately. “Cadey, are you all right?”
“Fine. I … I’m fine,” Cadance huffed. “I just … need a minute.” She looked up at Hammer Strike. “I always knew there was something between you and Clover, but this….” She shook her head in disbelief.
“A number of generations down the line, it turns out our bloodline is still around. By the way, Shining, it’s on your mother’s side.”
Somewhere in the distance, one could hear the breaking crystals that rang through the air with the sound of shattering glass while Shining’s eyes widened.
“What?” he asked, half in disbelief, half in stunned incomprehension.
Cadance seized his chin gently and laid her head against his. “Dear, Hammer Strike is your ultimate patriarch. He started your bloodline.” She smiled softly. “Shining, you’re a Strike.” Then she chuckled. “No wonder I fell in love with you. You share your grandfather’s sense of honor.” She smirked. “And his stubborn streak.”
“On to the next thing,” Hammer Strike remarked, completely ignoring the fact that Shining.exe had officially crashed. “How would you like the next bit of news, blunt or a little more on the caring side?”
“Is it liable to break my husband?”
“This one may lean more toward you.”
Cadance raised a brow. “You may not approve, but given the fact I just exhausted myself with that reading to prove your claim, I think I’d prefer the latter.”
“Then you’ll be pleased to note you will be getting some vacation time, on top of not worrying about nobility,” Hammer Strike replied. “However, this stems from one … major fact.”
“And that is?”
“I’m technically the owner of the Crystal Empire,” he replied as a crystalline scaled replica of his throne materialized behind him, followed by him taking a seat on it. “And sadly, due to ‘recent’ incidents, I’d like to stabilize things completely here.”
Cadance stared at the throne, then at Hammer Strike, then to her husband, and finally back to Hammer Strike. “You know what? I’m too tired to process all of this right now.” She ran a hoof down her face and sighed.
“Well, I can at least fix the exhaustion on your magic,” Hammer Strike replied as he briefly connected his thaumic field to her and recharged her magic supply.
Cadance shuddered as she rose like a wilting flower refreshed by a watering. Then she shook herself to regain full focus. “While I am grateful not to be so exhausted anymore, this just leaves me with more questions. First of all, what was that? And secondly, how the flaming Tartarus did you do that with your throne? Thirdly, you said something about taking over?”
“I’m related to Hammer Strike….” Shining muttered, even as he continued to stare with glassy eyes.
“Yes, dear, you are. Now let the rulers talk,” Cadance said gently.
“I simply gave you a small portion of my power to recharge you. Second, the Crystal Empire is technically a living machine, and I am classified as the owner in its system. I can make anything out of crystal here. Third, considering the empire has resulted in the creation of Sombra, I need to start monitoring it again. I don’t mean anything ill toward anyone here, but I need to ensure everyone’s safety.”
“So, you’re kicking us out of our role as royals?”
“No, you’re still going to be ruling the Empire. It’s just that you answer me. That, and you’ll go back to the whole princess and prince titles or whatever you prefer.”
“So, it’s basically going to be like before the Crystal Empire came back?”
“Yes, but you can actively ignore most nobles. You don’t have to play nice to them. That, and I wasn’t kidding. You actually do get vacation time.”
“What about Cosy and Alto?”
“Probably going to continue almost as normal. Things shouldn’t change too much for them.”
“So, you essentially want us to go from allies to a vassal state under your authority?” Cadance asked.
“Correct.”
The mare shrugged. “You saved our lives and our home. I can’t really think of better hooves to trust, and neither would the rest of the empire, except maybe Spike’s.” She chuckled. “The Crystal Ponies worship him like a god.”
Hammer Strike shrugged. “To be honest, I’m still trying to figure out where everything split the way it did. Speaking of, that’s another topic to discuss. Between just us. Shining Armor, would you return to the moment and take a step outside?”
Shining Armor shook his head and blinked as at least a modicum of his self control returned. “Um, … sure,” he said awkwardly. “I’ll, uh … I’ll just step out for a little bit to gather my thoughts.” The normally confident stallion rubbed the side of his head as he departed the hall.
Hammer Strike sighed as Shining Armor left the room. “I nearly forgot about this, but Vega happened to serve as a reminder of the news I bring.”
“Vega?” Cadance asked.
“Cadance, the information I am about to give you is not something to take lightly, just to warn you. I will simplify it down, but it isn’t something pleasant.” Hammer Strike frowned. “The origin of the Crystal Ponies.”
“The origin?”
“Long ago, Alicorns naturally lived within this world in their own empire. Doubtless, you heard the legends from Celestia, Luna, and the remainder of the court during your stay with them. The Alicorns were quite advanced compared to the current age, but this led to their greatest flaw. They experimented on everything, living or otherwise. This place is one of their ‘outposts.’ The Crystalline Forward Operating Base, later to be turned into something ‘greater.’ They needed a workforce to handle the construction of this place, and so, they made the Crystalline Ponies, a splice between Ponies, and crystal technology.” He sighed. “Similar to golems, but living and sapient, and … enslaved. I found this place and killed the last of the Alicorns responsible before they could do more harm, but there was the matter of the Crystalline Ponies. So, in the end, I worked with Vega, an artificial intelligence, to create strains and modifications to allow you all to have the free will of any species. This, … is your true origin.”
“So, you’re saying that we’re essentially the product of a highly controversial scientific experiment, and that our original forebears were born from a test tube, rather than being crafted by Faust?”
“Yes.”
Cadance frowned. “You realize that’s exceptionally difficult to believe,” she pointed out. “I know you have no reason to lie, but … this would turn everything our citizens believe from a theological standpoint on its head. Worse yet, if word of this ever got out to the nobles in Canterlot….”
“It wouldn’t, but I believed at least you, their ruler, should know the truth, even if you keep it to yourself. Know that at least with me ruling, they will have no say in anything toward the Crystal Empire. And if I need to provide more proof about my claim…” Hammer Strike gestured to his side as a small pillar raised next to his throne. “Vega, introduce yourself, if you would.”
“Salutations, Queen Cadance. I am Vega, the artificial intelligence that was programmed to oversee the smooth operation of this command outpost in the time before the destruction of the race known as The Firstborn, or Alicorns. I am certain you must have many questions, including why I did not intervene in your time of need as a young filly. The simple answer is that I could not at the time. I am not allowed to interfere in the development of the Crystal Pony strain directly. My purpose was to ensure that the immunity to command code broadcast was properly developed in your species. I am happy to report that the inoculation designed by one of your ultimate predecessors has proven successful. It was this unit’s greatest wish that the race that would come to be known as Crystal Ponies have free will to do as they pleased. This directive also applied to the one you call Sombra, and led to a logic lock that prevented me from acting to prevent his coup. If you wish to learn more, I will gladly endeavor to provide you with all the pertinent details, assuming User Hammer Strike grants the proper authorization. Regrettably, it appears that the file on this Pony has been misplaced. It will take some time to retrieve the pertinent data from backup systems.”
“I’ll have to tweak your settings.” Hammer Strike sighed. “But, that is the general case.”
Cadance’s brow furrowed. “Command code?”
“Complete and utter control over the Crystal Ponies. Since I am still considered the Administrator, I can briefly demonstrate, if you would prefer an undeniable fact.”
Cadance shuddered. “If what you say is true, then I’d ask you to do it in a gentle way. Please.”
Hammer Strike’s eyes glowed ever so slightly brighter as he thought it over. “Let’s see…. Administrative command, Cadenza, raise your left hoof, and be unable to place it back down until authorized.”
Cadance watched with wide eyes as the hoof in question shot up immediately. Any attempts to move or lower the hoof left her magic fizzling out or her wings and free hoof stopping mere inches away from the appendage. Only when she had resolved not to move it, and merely to examine it, was she able to actually touch the part of her body that had been ordered to act. She shuddered again. “And can anyone access this … command code?” she asked sickly.
“You’re all resistant to it from yourselves and outside sources, apart from myself, since the Alicorn programing dictated that there had to be a technical ‘owner’ of this facility. You’re authorized to place your hoof down again.”
Gravity reasserted itself, and the hoof fell with a heavy clop that left a dull ringing in its wake as the crystal carried the vibration of the impact from Cadance’s horseshoes. Cadance paled as the full implications of what Hammer Strike had said struck her. “What does this mean for us after we die, then? We’ve been worshipping Faust and Sleipnir for millennia, but … they didn’t make us. Do we even have souls for them to claim?”
“I’m positive Faust has taken a step for you all. She’s quite generous in how she acts. After all, you were still made of Ponies, even in your earliest stages. There was true organic life, even from the beginning.” Hammer Strike admittedly wasn’t one hundred percent sure of it, but from the information he had, it was the most logical conclusion.
“You act as if you’ve met her.”
“I have, as well as Sleipnir; Bonnie; Bahamut; and technically not a ‘god’ of this realm, but still up there, Asmodeus,” Hammer Strike confirmed.
Cadance sighed wearily as a wing draped over her face and her head lowered. “Somehow, you always leave me with more questions, even when you answer. Do I even want to know how it is that you can to be so intertwined in the affairs of the gods?”
“If you wish, I can retrieve that information from my archives. As the core systems administrator, a backup of the data Hammer Strike accumulated within his augments is also formed in my systems in the event anything should happen to him that requires his memories to be rebooted,” Vega offered.
“That won’t be necessary, Vega. Thank you.” Hammer Strike returned his attention back to Cadance. “A useful feature, by the way. Always good to have a backup. Though the best answer I could give you is that within my thousands of years of life, I have spent many years forming a harmonious relation between all Ponies and, at one point, Gryphons. I’ve fought in several wars and even felt the backlash of the Winds being banished. Thankfully, my meetings with them have been positive, as they appreciate the lifetimes I’ve worked here.”
Cadance groaned. “That alone should be enough to get Equestria to bow to you. That practically makes you a divine envoy.”
“Shh,” Hammer Strike hushed Cadance. “I don’t need that hanging over me. I’ve already been stuck with Sleipnir’s horseshoes. I don’t need things pressed further in this age. If I’m going to set Equestria straight once more, I need to do it without provoking the world.”
“The next thing I know, you’re going to say you’re also guarding a doomsday weapon that could challenge the gods themselves.”
“Cadance, I was feared in my rule. It may have been considered the golden age of Equestria, but the Dragonlands are what they are now because of me. Not an army, not the Dragons’ own greed. I, and I alone, nearly made the Dragons go extinct.”
“And that’s how you got Bahamut involved?”
“Actually, he spoke with me about my adopted son, Yharon, the last Feathered Dragon to exist, first. Though a second meeting did follow that, which resulted in a contract to ensure I stop killing Dragons so long as they don’t kill or attack Ponies or any of my other subjects.”
“So, you’re also offering us that protection by taking over the Crystal Empire?”
“Correct.”
Cadance frowned. “Why are you telling me all of this? You could have just left it at your reasoning for adding protections to the empire, instead. It would have made things a lot simpler for you.”
“Because you deserved to know. I only hide knowledge if it is something that should be forgotten. Forever.” Hammer Strike stood from his facsimile of a throne as it was absorbed back into the crystal floor. “I have witnessed things beyond mortal comprehension, and have knowledge of things that could end this world in an instant. I will remember all of this until the day I finally pass. And even then, there is no guarantee I will forget it in the afterlife, wherever I end up. This, however, isn’t one of them.”
“I don’t know what to do with everything you’ve just told me yet,” Cadance said. She sighed and shook her head as she rose from her throne. “Somehow, you always know how to make me feel like a little filly again.”
“You’ll adapt, I’m sure.”
She smiled wryly. “Over generations or just as me?”
“One or the other.”
“And that sheer bluntness is how I know you’re Hammer Strike.” She sighed. “I’m not normally one to do this, but I think the situation calls for an ancient remedy passed down among the princesses of Equestria.”
“And that would be?”
“Cake. Lots and lots of cake.”
Hammer Strike sighed. “Ex Divinia etiam.”
The morning air was crisp and calm in Ponyville. For all intents and purposes, it appeared to be a perfect dawn. This was particularly troubling, given the fact that it was also the morning of a Tuesday. And as all of Ponyville knew, Tuesday always meant at least some form of trouble. And naturally, it fell to one or more of the Mane Six to fix it.
Button Mash sighed as the crystal tones from his joyboy cascaded through his ears. The song was simple, but granted a strange sense of peace and ethereal wonder to it, a fitting composition for the mare that now sang in pixelated perfection with harp in hand. “Sweetie Belle would love this,” he said from his place beneath the tree.
“That song sounds amazing!” a voice spoke up. Button looked up in surprise to the sight of a peach-colored filly with blond mane and pointy ears standing nearby. Her cutie mark seemed to be an ocarina with a glowing yellow triangle. Next to her was a smaller colt with similar colored fur and mane but wearing a long pointy green hat. His flank was blank.
“Thanks. It’s a new game I just got. I … thought a friend of mine might like to hear it, too. So, I guess I should say thanks for telling me you like it. You’re a girl, so she must like it, too, right?”
“I’m not sure it works that way.” She laughed. “I’m Zelda, and this is my brother Link,” she said.
Button smiled. “Button Mash. I don’t think I’ve seen you guys around Ponyville before. Did you just move here?”
“We’re from New Unity, actually, though our mother did run a shop here for a while,” Zelda said “She thought it would be good for us to come into Ponyville today.”
“Then I guess I should be saying welcome back.” Button chuckled. “Wanna try, Link?” he asked as he motioned toward his joyboy.
The colt smiled happily before taking the joy boy and starting to play.
“You’ll have to forgive him. He doesn’t talk,” Zelda said. “Thank you very much.”
“You mean he’s like Vinyl Scratch?”
“Yes.” Zelda nodded.
Button frowned. “That must be tough to get people to know what he’s thinking, then.”
“It can be, though we tend to understand one another well.” She smiled. “So, who’s this Sweetie Belle?
“She’s one of my best friends. We’re both part of the Cutie Mark Crusaders. It’s always an adventure when I’m with her.” He beamed, then frowned. “The only downside is all the baths I have to take after….”
“Just friends?” Zelda gave a teasing grin.
Button Mash blushed. “She’s not my special somepony, if that’s what you mean….”
“Of course not.” Zelda giggled. “So, she likes music?”
“Yeah. She’s got a great voice. Just … don’t ask her to do rock and roll.” He shuddered.
“Sounds like you value her friendship a lot.”
“Well, yeah, she’s great. Not always the best at video games, but she’s never afraid to try something new or different. That’s one thing I really like about her.”
“It’s nice to hear you have such a close connection,” Zelda said. “True friends are often rare.”
Button laughed. “In Ponyville? I’m not so sure that’s true. Seems like everyone’s making friends here, especially with all the new people moving into New Unity.”
“There’s a difference between friends and true friends.” Zelda shrugged.
Button frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Friendships are formed and broken every day. Ponies make and break bonds all the time, but true friends are people you find that have bonds that can never be broken.”
“So, kind of like family?”
Zelda nodded. “Though some people make their own family, but that's true.”
“But what if one of them has to move away?”
Zelda giggled. “A true friendship won’t be broken by something as trivial as distance.”
“Really?”
“Really really.” Zelda smirked.
A grinning Link crowed his triumph at the victory he had just achieved in the game, breaking the moment with his excitement as he rushed toward the two to show what he had just accomplished in the game. Button couldn’t help but smile. “Great job, Link.”
Link continued to grin, then handed the game to his sister and pointed toward the screen. A puzzle laid before the pair.
“I’m … going to guess that he does the fighting and you do the puzzle solving?”
“Oh, he’s quite apt at puzzle solving too, but he knows I enjoy a good puzzle,” she said, taking the offered system in her magic and starting to work.
“A bond that can never be broken.” Button smiled. “All right, Zelda, let’s see just how smart a puzzler you are.”
Vital Spark knocked on his teacher’s door, as he always did, with scroll in magical grip. The letter had given strict instructions to arrive as soon as he could manage and not to make a fuss about it. Given Clover’s newly acquired youth, he wasn’t sure whether that meant to move quickly and stealthily or to act as normal. He chose the latter. Watcher and his new focus both crossed over his back as he waited patiently for his teacher and mentor to grant him entry.
Clover opened the door and let Vital in quickly. “Good. You managed to keep people from suspecting anything.”
“You were vague enough to let me act my usual level of paranoid, instead of going overboard. What’s this all about, Clover? You’re not usually one to call me by mail. You usually just teleport right to me instead if you want something.”
“Sometimes, things need to be handled delicately,” Clover said. “Even more so when forces such as you and I possess are involved.”
“To clarify, when you say forces, I assume you mean…?”
“Thaumaturgy, yes,” Clover said.
“Is there a project that you need one of the aspects from my field for to assist with?”
“No. We need to start really working on your exercises.”
“I thought Grif was the one who was helping me with that.” He frowned and stroked his chin. “Then again, you’re just as qualified, I suppose. And you were already my teacher before I started my training on thaumaturgy, so it makes a certain amount of sense,” he mused. “Has Grif been told about this?”
“He has.” She nodded.
“Then, as always, I put my trust in you, Shifu.” He bowed his head respectfully.
“Let's start by reviewing what you already know, what is thaumaturgy?”
“The unique manipulation of the foundation blocks of the universe, also known as aspects. This power can only be fully utilized by those who bear a thaumaturgic field. It is a powerful and dangerous art that is said to tread on the very feet of the gods.”
“And what are the basic principles for manipulating thaumic energy?”
“One must ensure that there is enough of an aspect to control. The energy is tied directly to the capacity of the user’s field. So long as the field can reach, the thaumic skills unleashed can also stretch. The six basic aspects are the most stable and easiest to manipulate. All other aspects spring from combinations of them and are known as compound aspects. Much like a muscle, if the field is not constantly exercised, its power will wane and can ultimately expire.”
“And what are the consequences of thaumaturgy done poorly?”
“In a word, unmaking.”
“And in an explanation?”
“In the worst case scenario, the energies will fall completely outside the user’s control and result in a catastrophic release of the aspect or aspects in question, capable of widespread destruction of everything within its radius down to their base components and aspects or extending beyond to eradicate even those.”
“What is a thaumic crystal?”
“A stabilization of aspect compacted into a crystalline form. Provided it isn’t triggered by another thaumic user or by a wavelength that can disrupt its integrity, it can remain in that form indefinitely without causing any damage.”
“And what uses do thaumic crystals have?”
“In theory, an infinite number. A few examples include utilizing them for elemental attacks, manipulating the environment, and compounding into new aspects.”
“Very good. Have you been taught any formulae yet?”
“Can’t say that I have. It’s mostly been learning how to create and dispel aspect crystals up to this point. I was just on the verge of being able to attempt combining some of the base aspects, but Hammer Strike specifically says none of us are to do that for the first time without proper supervision.”
“Well then, let's start with that. Have you been told the theory?”
“I don’t know that I have yet if you mean the formulaic kind. Grif was more of a hands-on kind of teacher. He made sure I understood what I was doing before we tried anything, but for him, experience was the best teacher.”
“Very well, then. We’ll start with Thaumic formulae and equations for combining aspects.”
Vital Spark nodded. “I’m ready to begin when you are, Clover.”
Hammer Strike sighed as he put everything away on his desk. He had a few meetings to attend to, but there was something on his mind that he needed to address.
That thing being Stor E. Teller and his survival of the island. He didn’t have much of a chance to in the last few days, but he truly wanted to know more on what had happened, and given Teller was the only surviving member, he had plenty of questions.
A familiar face appeared in the doorway. “You know, they say when the Alicorns finally bit off more than they could chew, only a handful of people escaped. Among them was a prisoner they had tortured and experimented on. With him were two little fillies destined to rule,” he finished his bit as he stopped before the desk.
“To think, there was a story you held on to, and never told it a single time,” Hammer Strike remarked.
“Some stories can’t be told at just any time. Otherwise, it ruins the impact.” Teller shrugged.
“Still.” He sighed. “I honestly can’t help but find it amusing how you tested who I was, and despite failing that test horribly, you still knew it was me.”
“E mentioned the fact you’d said you were from a different time. I figured I’d met you before you’d met me.” Teller looked at him. “You just hadn’t faced the true horror that connects our stories at that time.”
“The lack of glowing eyes didn’t give it away?”
“Well, I mean, if my lack of anything resembling internal organs didn’t.” Teller shrugged.
“Fair enough.” He frowned. “You’re probably the last surviving member, besides Celestia and Luna, from the empire.”
“I suppose I might be. Me and E got separated a week after we escaped. Rockslide in a canyon. I tried to track her down but never had much luck at it,” he admitted. “Spent the years traveling from one story to another.”
“Unity would have welcomed you,” Hammer Strike added as he looked at Teller.
“I couldn’t show my face. I had the one job, and I failed. Not to mention what happened with Andre, Terra, and Tempus. I couldn’t bring myself to face you or them.”
Hammer Strike sighed, “I suppose that’s fair enough. At the very least, I can tell you something about Terra and Tempus. There’s not an ounce of bad feelings.”
“Spoke with them?”
“A request I made to Faust. In return, there is something I’ll have to make, but she has yet to deliver the supplies or explain the item she wants. I would have called for you, but we had less than twenty-four hours, and I wanted their daughters to at least see them.”
“It’s good to know they're all right,” Teller said. “They were good people.”
“They were.” He frowned. “They were, but … there’s nothing we can do about that anymore. The thing we can do is look forward and keep the momentum moving.”
“You’ve been doing a good job at that.” Teller chuckled.
“I suppose I have. But … there is something that I never did ask of you, and I suppose now might be a good time to ask. What did you specialize in at the empire?”
“I was a soldier,” he said. “Got wounded fighting the Gryphons. That’s why I'm in this suit.”
“Fair enough.” He hummed. “It does make the most sense. I admit I was slightly hoping for a different answer, but that's no issue.”
“Because of the suit still working like your augments?” he asked.
“Admittedly, yes. These augments were experimental when they were installed. And while a number of them were removed by the cube, there’re still plenty stuck in me.”
“Wish I could help you,” Teller admitted. “I can tell you they seem in working order, at least.”
“It’s honestly a miracle, and….” He frowned. “I actually can’t put it past that.”
“Yeah, I've had those thoughts, too.” Teller laughed. “But I’ve come to realize E likely made this suit too well.”
“I wouldn’t put it past her.” Hammer Strike chuckled. “She did tend to make things too well at times.”
“Would have been nice if she put in a lethal dose of morphine a few thousand years ago.” Teller chuckled dryly. “I’m old, Hammer Strike. Far too old, even for an Alicorn.”
“Yeah…. While I can’t say the exact same, my lifespan was supposed to be a hundred years at best.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I certainly have those feelings as well.”
“I’ve decided by now my role must be to see everything I can and relay it for newer generations. Really live up to the name, you know?”
“That you do.” Hammer Strike gave a brief chuckle. “Though some may ignore you, there are many that listen to those tales of yours.”
“The ones that ignore me just end up making more stories.” Teller laughed. “Of course, most won’t believe that you were in Zebrica at the same time as you were waging war with the Gryphons.”
“Yeah, that was a fun trick.” He sighed. “In any case, I’m glad you’re still around. Despite the empire’s attempts, you were a great ally and friend.”
“Well, I mean, they made both of us semi-immortal abominations.” Teller laughed. “Just good to not be alone.”
“It certainly does feel that way at times.”
Moon River giggled as she launched yet another suction cup dart toward a bobbing flame and easily snuffed it out. The living room of their chambers was filled with the whole family for once, including one particularly special guest. Nanami couldn’t help but smile at the rambunctious filly.
“She has the heart of a warrior, all right,” the kitsune said. “And much potential.”
“After what Grif taught her, I’m not surprised,” Day Moon said. Then he bowed his head respectfully. “Thank you for joining us, Sensei.”
Nanami smiled. “You cut your fangs for the first time against the dark. I’m only sorry that I missed the show. I am certain you performed admirably.”
“Your water crescent technique helped a lot.”
“Perhaps. But so, too, did your own natural gifts.” She smiled and patted the colt on the head. “I know the touch of a goddess when I see it. And it pleases me greatly to know that you have found your patron at last.”
“Bonnie, Bonnie, Bonnie!” Inigo and Cristo cheered.
“Boys, that’s enough. You don’t want to call her here, do you?” Lunar Fang chided.
“We’re just cheering for her,” Inigo said.
“She brought Day Moon back safely. Isn’t that something we should be thanking her for?” Cristo asked.
“And you can thank her as many times as you want, so long as you don’t keep shouting her name.”
“But aren’t we supposed to—?”
“If you overuse it, it could lose its meaning,” Lunar fang said.
“But we can cheer for Day Moon, right?” Inigo asked.
Nanami chuckled. “Whenever you want. By the way, your brother tells me you’re handy with a knife.”
Inigo nodded. “I’m really good with skinning.”
“And throwing?”
Inigo blushed. “Maybe a little.”
“A little can grow into something great, if it is properly tended.” She smiled. “If you ever need instruction, my door is open. And if you are at all like your brother, then I look forward to cultivating your talent.”
Fox Feather smiled. “That’s very generous of you to offer.”
“He does have the heritage of his mother, but that does not mean he should neglect the heritage of his father. If I can manage both in harmony, then I am confident that he will also.”
“Wise words,” Pensword agreed as he peeked out from the kitchen. “Assuming he keeps up with his studies and gets good grades, I’m willing to allow it.” He looked at Lunar Fang and Fox Feather. “What do you think?”
“He should be learning.” Lunar fang nodded. “First hunt comes soon enough.”
“This first hunt; I am curious about it,” Nanami admitted. “Is it performed solely for a single cub each night or do you go out in a group and then leave them to hunt alone under supervision?”
“We have a group with several warriors shadowing them, and no one bites off more than they can chew. The Gryphons believe that addition makes the test less fitting, but Threstrals believe family is the core to society.”
“A sound belief to hold. Without the wisdom of elders, the young would be doomed to repeat their mistakes, stifling growth or slowing it to a crawl. Better often for water to follow the path that has been forged than to have to forge anew without guidance.”
“Still, supervision doesn’t mean help,” Lunar Fang clarified. “The one hunting must be prepared to kill, dress, and skin their kill if necessary.”
“And then they get to enjoy a proper warrior’s welcome when they return home.” Fox Feather smiled. “With how many young ones we have in this batch coming up, it may have to be a general feast instead.”
“That will be up to the council and their families to decide,” Pensword said. “But I am inclined to believe you are right. Each of the boys has their own strengths to play to, and I’m sure they look forward to joining their brother in this passage to stallionhood.” He chuckled. “By the way, Nanami, I hope you don’t mind us sharing one of our peoples’ delicacies. It seems only fair after everything you gave to us when we visited the empire.”
The fox smiled. “After all the offerings and banquets I had to attend, Equestrian food is a welcome change. I believe I detect hints of fruit and spices, if my nose does not deceive me.”
“That you do.” Pensword’s smile widened into a grin. “Around these parts, we have a unique breed of bat that’s grown up, possibly as a lingering aftereffect of Discord’s chaos magic from the Discordian Era. They are a delicacy among our people. And the best part is you hardly have to season them.”
“Are these the fruit bats that I’ve heard so much about?”
“Vampire fruit bats, actually. I guarantee, you are going to love them.”
Nanami laughed. “Love at first sight, Pensword?”
“On the contrary. As all the world knows, the fastest way to a warrior’s heart is through the stomach.” He smirked impishly. “It will be love at first taste.”
“Then I am certain Chien-po will regret missing this opportunity. Who knows? Perhaps I will be able to share a few techniques from my homeland with your tribesponies at a later date.”
“I am certain they would appreciate the offer, provided you ask their permission first.”
“Then until that day, I suppose we shall just have to enjoy the time we have here together as friends, now won’t we?” She smiled as she grabbed the suction cup dart a stealthy little mare had launched at her head out of the air, then flung it back, which prompted a startled squeal from the filly as she toppled from her perch. Nanami was quick to act, and approached the filly with the grace and speed of both her arts. “A lesson for you, little one. Not every person you meet will take your attacks lying down. Be ready to guard yourself against those who become aware of your presence. Stealth will only serve you for so long. And once the element of surprise is lost, so, too is your advantage.” Nanami quickly picked up the filly and smoothed back her mane, then booped her on the nose. “Adapt to both circumstances and you will grow that much stronger.”
Moon River sniffled and struggled to hold back her tears.
“There there, little one. Better to learn now while you are young. Your godfather taught me many a painful lesson in a short period of time. You have many years yet to learn. And I look forward to seeing just who and what you become with that time.”
Moon River flew as fast as her wings would take her to Lunar Fang and buried her face in her mother’s mane. The occasional hitch of her breath could be heard as she struggled not to lose her composure in front of the rest of the family.
“She’ll be fine,” Lunar Fang assured them. “She just needs to learn not everyone is going to let her win.” She chuckled goodnaturedly. “It seems she inherited much of her mother’s pride. Suitable for the blood of a lion.” A wing folded gently over her back to stroke the filly’s mane. “But dangerous when not weighted by humility.”
Fox Feather chuckled. “Yup, Cosy’s definitely going to have his hooves full with that one.”
“And we are going to have our mouths full,” Pensword said triumphantly as he removed the bats from the oven. “Dinner’s ready!”
And thus a filly was humbled, a young colt praised, and new bonds established in the space of a few hours.
“And so, when the monkey king's head was not returned to him because of the treachery of the immortals, a voice was heard from deep inside his body. ‘Grow!’ And pop!” Grif made a popping noise. “A new head exactly like the old popped out to replace it.” He smiled at his cubs and his godson.
The cubs stared with wide eyes, and in the case of the twins, open beaks. The idea of an unkillable person who could always win no matter what always had an irresistible allure to children, and even to adults, particularly if the challenge is great enough to strain even those abilities.
Avalon chuckled as she preened Tazeer’s feathers. “And what happened next to our dear brother?”
“Having passed the test, he insisted the tiger strength immortal had to show he could do the same. Using a hair, Wukong created a clone of himself who then took the shape of a dog and, when the tiger strength immortal’s head had been cut clean off his body, the dog grabbed the head and ran off with it, so when the tiger tried to return his head, it would not come. Eventually, the tiger strength immortal died, and his body reverted to what it had been, the form of a simple tiger.”
“So, was this immortal a demon, a god, or something else to ascend from such a beast?” Avalon asked.
“A tiger who became so powerful it took the shape of a person,” Grif explained. “All the immortals were just animals trying to pass themselves as humans.”
“And what happened next?” Shrial asked. “Did Wukong have to fight?”
Grif shook his head. “He dealt with both immortals in a similar way. And when they were all dead, the king was forced to realize who was stronger and let them go.”
“It sounds like Earth was a world that only relied on strength for just about everything. That, and Pigsy was an absolute idiot,” Gilda grunted as she rubbed her distended stomach.
“At one time, yes.” Grif nodded as he moved to Gilda and rubbed her stomach as well. “But stories teach us lessons.”
“And did this one make a difference?”
“It changed a lot of things for a lot of people, broke the idea that their lives were beyond their control.” He smirked.
“Hmm. Now if only I could control all this bloating.” Gilda yawned. “Seriously, these little guys tucker me out, and they’re not even born yet.”
Shrial chuckled. “Welcome to the final stage of pregnancy, Gilda.”
“Gee, thanks. You’re too kind,” Gilda returned sarcastically.
“Oh, it’s not that bad,” Avalon said. “Besides, we have to be careful about sarcasm around the cubs. We all agreed. They don’t learn that particular skill until later.”
Tazeer yawned, then climbed onto his mother’s back and kneaded there before settling in.
“And I believe that’s a sign that it’s time for the cubs to get some sleep,” Avalon said with a loving smile.
As Gilda and Avalon hauled them off, Grif smiled. “I’m truly blessed,” he told Shrial.
Shrial chuckled. “Wait till after those cubs are born. You may not feel the same way then.”
“Why would they change things? Yours didn’t. Tazeer didn’t.” Grif smirked.
“That’s because they haven’t begun fighting yet.” Shrial returned the gesture. “Six children will definitely keep our plates full.”
“True. I guess Avalon hasn’t told you yet.”
Shrial sighed. “How many?” she asked.
“Three.” Grif’s smirk widened.
Shrial groaned. “Winds help us all.”
“Pretty sure that's how we got here in the first place,” Grif joked.
Shrial nudged her husband in the ribs. “Shut up and help me put the cubs down. You know they won’t go to sleep until you come tuck them in.”
“Yeah, yeah.” He kissed her forehead gently. “How’d I ever get someone as wonderful as you?”
“Well, you did help make me. Not many husbands can claim that, you know,” she said as she laid a wing over Grif’s back and leaned in to nuzzle.
“I just brought out something that was there. Besides, not many husbands can claim their opening line was helping to kill their wife’s father.”
“Ah, but that’s ancient history, love. Literally.” She kissed him on the cheek and purred.
“I know,” Grif said. “Come on. Let’s put the kids to bed and then have some fun.”
The air in the Everfree was absolutely still and calm. No creatures cried. No timberwolves howled. No rockodiles snapped. Any hydras that may have been in the area kept a very clear distance. That quiet was unnerving to Zecora. It was a silence that she had come to know well over the centuries. The forest was afraid. And to cause a forest to fear was no easy feat. Zecora seized her bo staff and prepared to meditate in search of the cause when a heavy knock shook her door and nearly caused the whole tree to vibrate.
“There are few I know who can shake this tree. I wonder who my visitor could be,” she mused as she seized the door handle and cautiously peered beyond. The first thing she saw was the scars, a crisscrossing map of raised lines and puckered skin under a shiny fur coat. Then came the legs and torso, followed by the familiar sight of a radiant bird with flaming wings and a dead stare that matched that of its owner, save for the new addition of glowing mechanical eyes. “Hammer Strike!” Zecora gasped. “It seems I’ve no need to be so tense. The forest’s silence makes a lot more sense.” Then she frowned. “But what has happened to cause such a change? To say the least, you look rather … strange.”
Hammer Strike gave a small smile. “The best way I can explain it is that some thousands of years happened. To be honest, it’s been a long time since I last stood here.”
Zecora’s gaze narrowed. “The long way round is never fun, but it seems you have finished that particular run. The magic that called you leaves me stunned. They tread on the field of my patron’s son.”
“Gaia was your patron, correct?” Hammer Strike questioned.
Zecora nodded.
“Fair enough. I actually came here to discuss something of minor importance. If you have the free time, that is.”
“Time, I have in much supply. Come, let us talk, just you and I.” She motioned to the inside of her hut as she drew the door farther open.
Hammer Strike gave a nod before he entered, ensuring he didn’t bump into anything in the process. “The primary reason for my visit is to discuss the whole land situation, since I have been working on the Everfree Forest. This, of course, leads to, well, your home.”
“Go on,” Zecora urged as she retrieved some feed and poured it into a bowl before laying it on a table and motioning for Renati to partake if he wished.
“I was wondering if a half mile radius around your hut would be sufficient space for you to work with, or if you would require more,” Hammer Strike asked.
Zecora laughed. “In truth, all land belongs to me. Or rather it is a part of She. But if that is what this visit’s about, then I am honored to hear you out. You’ve treated me well where others have not. This gift is a very precious thought. Give more or less as you think best. I have no qualms. Those demons rest.”
“Even so, I would like you to have ample room to work with, as to both give you necessary distance while performing your tasks and to keep others from disturbing you by pushing construction into your residence,” Hammer Strike clarified. “I understand the whole ‘everywhere and anywhere’ by technicality, but I would still rather provide you with working space.” He gave a gentle smile.
Zecora smiled in return. “You rule justly, Hammer Strike. My thanks for this gift, and ….” She sputtered in frustration and shook her head, uttering what doubtless was a swear of some kind in her native tongue. “Forgive my lapse to native speech. I find it’s better to swear than it is to screech. Although it does not happen every time, there are certain periods where I cannot rhyme.”
“That’s perfectly fine,” Hammer Strike replied in Zwahili. “Though it makes it interesting, considering I understand nearly every mortal language on the planet.”
Zecora gaped at him. “Since when could you speak Zwahili?”
“Since before the augmentation, actually. I learned some of the language during the Third Gryphon War, and furthered my efforts when I had traveled to recollect Vital. You were present for that, if I recall. By that point, I could hold a conversation. I simply preferred Equish. Beyond that, my comprehension was … artificially expanded, I suppose is the best way to explain it.”
Zecora sighed in relief. “I’m not ashamed of the price I paid, but one does get tired of having to constantly speak in rhyme.”
“I believe it.” He gave a brief chuckle. “It must make things difficult when coming up with a roundabout way to finish a sentence without it going too far off the mark.”
Zecora chuckled. “Living for over a millennium helps with that. I’ve had a lot of time to hone my skills.”
“It’ll get easier as more and more time goes on. That much I can agree on.” Hammer Strike smirked.
“Perhaps. But I think your road still has yet to reach its end. Time is an interesting challenge when it comes to you, Hammer Strike.”
“I have much more to do, indeed. It will be some time before I hit the end of my road.” He chuckled softly. “If I’m allowed that, that is.”
Zecora smiled knowingly. “You are a wise man, indeed. And a wise Pony. Would you care for some tea before you go?”
“I would very much appreciate it.”
“All right. I hereby call this treehouse CMC girl’s night sleepover to order!” Sweetie Belle said as she beamed at her three friends. “It’s been too long since we just did some stuff for ourselves, and Dinky here gave us the bright idea of having the best, the greatest, the spookiest, the coolest, most awesome sleepover ever! So, cheers to Dinky Doo Hooves for helping us to bring this party together.”
The room filled with the clops of the girls’ hooves.
“Now then, first order of business, to get the ‘girlie’ stuff out of the way, we’re gonna do facials.”
Scootaloo gagged.
Sweetie Belle continued unhindered. “So we can have our war paint on when we have our pillow fight!”
That one perked the filly right up.
Dinky giggled. “Besides, it’ll let us talk about how things are going here for everypony. And about some of our other members.” The mare lifted a large basket onto the treehouse floor and removed a number of muffins. “My mom had me pack all these for us, so we can have treats all night long. Dig in if you want. There’s plenty more where that came from.”
Applebloom took a big bite out of an apple streusel muffin and beamed. “How does your mom always make these so tasty?”
Dinky giggled. “She calls it her muffin button.”
Sweetie Belle smiled as she dropped down from their pulpit. “Well, I guess we could talk about the members first, then do the facials.”
“No sap,” Scootaloo said firmly.
“With us, it’s a statistical impossibility not to have sap appear in some form when we’re doing things together,” Dinky said. “Don’t ask me how. I’ve tried to quantify it and I still can’t find the reason.”
“Speaking of reasons, why don’tcha tell us about the Gantrithor, Scootaloo?” Applebloom asked. “You got to ride in it with Day Moon not too long ago, right?”
“I mean, it was awesome, but I only got to see one area,” Scootaloo said. “And that was mostly helping to move things around.”
“And you got to see Day Moon, too, right?” Sweetie Belle smirked.
“And?” Scootaloo asked “Daymoon’s awesome.”
Dinky giggled. “How so?”
“He trains with Grif for hunting monsters. How is that not awesome?”
Dinky shuddered. “Trust me, Scootaloo, there are some monsters you don’t want to meet.”
“I know. It’s awesome,” Scootaloo repeated. “It takes a lot of bravery.”
“Y’know, if we’re going to talk about boys, maybe you can tell us about Button Mash. Wasn’t he your knight on the train?” Dinkie asked Sweetie Belle.
“Well, yeah, but it’s not like that’s bad or anything. A lady is supposed to have a knight. And besides, he teaches me how to play great games!”
“He’s a lot of fun to hang out with, too. He knows how to turn everything into a game,” Applebloom added.
“What about Pip?” Scootaloo asked.
“What about him?” Dinky asked.
“You play with him almost as much as you do with us.”
Dinky shrugged. “It’s fun playing the pirate.”
“The pirate or the damsel in distress?” Sweetie Belle teased.
“I’ll have you know that I am his first mate, thank you very much. And none of his raids would have worked without my strategy.”
“Not to mention big you almost always has him around,” Scootaloo noted.
“He is one of our best members,” Dinky pointed out. “And he has a great imagination. It makes sense I’d choose to make him a companion.”
“You mean like your mom is for your dad?” Sweetie Belle asked.
“Yeah!”
“So, you wanna marry him?” Sweetie Belle asked with a smirk.
Dinky blushed. “Well, if my timeline says I do….”
“That's gotta be weird, knowing that ahead of time?” Scootaloo asked
Dinky shrugged. “You sort of get used to it. Daddy calls it spoilers.”
“Spoilers, huh?” Applebloom tapped her chin thoughtfully. “You think he’ll mind if we work on some designs for the treehouse, then? I mean, things we can’t do with ours here and now, ya know?”
“If we do, the pool needs to be kept where it is and not splash all over us if things get tilted topsy turvy,” Sweetie Belle said.
Dinky giggled. “That’s a great idea. But I still want to make it so we can free the water if we need it.”
“With everything else your dad can do, that’ll be a cinch!” Applebloom said excitedly.
“Do you know what this means, girls?” Sweetie Belle asked as she grinned gleefully at her compatriots.
What followed was as inevitable as the oldest question in the universe. And just as world-shaking.
“Cutie Mark Crusaders architects, YAY!”
The day was sunny as two Ponies dined at a table outside a tiny restaurant in the lower district of Canterlot, where noble spies were less likely to infringe on their dealings. In a manner very much like her adopted son, Twilight Velvet breathed green fire, followed by a wash of smoke out her ears as she guzzled water to clear her palate. As the last of the exhaust dispelled itself with a steamy hiss, she let out a contented sigh. “Now that’s what I call a kick!” she exclaimed as she eyed the lump of green wasabi sprinkled with cayenne. The flavor melded surprisingly well with the mashup of Mexicolt and Neighponese cooking. A wide array of dipping bowls sat in front of her with hot sauce, soy, and any number of other concoctions between the two hemispheres of culture to go with the various dishes they had ordered to sample, mix, and match. “Wanna try some?” she asked of the scarred Earth Pony.
“I’ll try some next time.” Hammer Strike gave a brief chuckle. “My appetite never fully returned to me, so I still don’t eat much.”
“Then you’ll just have to take some of this to go,” the mare insisted. “You deserve a little different every once in a while.”
“Perhaps. Though, I technically only recently returned, so a number of foods are quite new or more developed.”
“All the more reason to try them, then.” She chuckled. “I remember when Shining used to talk about you after the guards told him some of your legends in training. Did you really season your food sometimes with poison, just for the flavor?”
Hammer Strike chuckled once more. “Technically, I suppose so. Though it never really was me that added it.”
“Is that so?” She sighed and shook her head. “I guess some things never change.”
“Indeed.” He smiled. “I’m sure you’ve probably been wondering as to the sudden visit, especially given recent events.”
“I’ve also learned to expect the unexpected from you. It helps after raising three children, one of whom happens to be a dragon.”
“This one may be slightly more unexpected than most could anticipate.” He reached into his coat and pulled out a scroll. “I mean, I certainly found it unexpected as well,” he finished, offering the scroll to her.
“You mean to say it surprised even you?” She whistled. “That is a surprise.” The scroll unfurled slowly. “A family tree?”
“Unroll the rest.”
The mare used her horn to levitate the scroll and keep it away from the food. Her name stood at the top, and the farther back it stretched, the more her eyes widened. “This must go for thousands of years.” And then the horseshoe dropped, along with Twilight Velvet’s jaw. She blinked, rehinged said jaw, then turned her head aside slowly to look at the newly proclaimed king of Equestria. “My family … our family … is this real?” By now, the food had long since been forgotten.
“Yes.” Hammer Strike nodded. “You are one of the descendants of Clover and myself.”
“That means Twilight, and Shining, and….” She pointed to herself, then peered at her hoof in thought. “Mother always wondered where my lust for adventure came from. I … guess I have you and Clover to thank for that.” She took a heavy drink of water. “So, … where does this leave us now? I mean, we’re family, but … what are we even supposed to call you?”
“Call me Hammer Strike, like always. I’m not going to have you or the others stress about all the small details. I figured, however, that I wouldn’t mind telling you all your family origins. That, and I suppose a small alteration of your stance in the nobility.”
Twilight Velvet sighed. “I suppose I should get ready for greater opposition and intrigue in the house of nobles, then, shouldn’t I? Or were you planning on keeping this revelation private?”
“I mean, that choice I’ll leave in your hooves, as the one who it would affect the most would be you.”
“You mean it?” She frowned, then shook her head. “Of course you mean it. You never say anything you don’t mean.” She nodded. “I suppose the best thing I can do here is say thank you, Hammer Strike. I’ll try not to let it go to my head.” She smiled as she levitated the scroll into her purse. “Though speaking of heads, did you tell my kids yet?”
“Yes. Twilight was in the room when Clover cast the spell, and Shining was told while I was on a visit to the Crystal Empire.”
“Did they take it all right?”
“Both of them stopped thinking for roughly ten to twenty minutes before they started to respond to anything again.”
Twilight Velvet chuckled. “That’s perhaps the one thing that really helps people see that they’re siblings. That and the streaks through their manes, I suppose.”
“It certainly is an interesting addition,” he chuckled. “But yeah, that was the main part of the trip, but I figured I could extend it to an actual visit, especially since it has been a while.”
“Well, you are the king,” Velvet noted impishly as she reached for another bite of food. “That means you can do whatever you want.”
“Indeed.” He sighed. “I never truly expected things to turn out this way, but if this is the way it needs to be, then so be it.”
Velvet frowned. “Just make sure you don’t work yourself too hard. You need time to do things for you, too, you know.”
“Many have told me that, but I tend to always put my wants and needs last.” He gave a brief chuckle. “It’s worked out for the most part during my previous reign.”
“Watch it, Mister. I may not be your mother, but I still know a thing or two about how to get people to take a break when they need it.” She smirked. “I suppose Twilight got that from you, too. Or would that be more from Clover?”
“Both.” He smiled. “After all, I ruled for well over a millennium straight with little breaks, and she was there by my side through it, training her own battlemage academy.”
Velvet groaned and rolled her eyes. “At least tell me you two are finally going to take a honeymoon.”
“Technically, we already did.”
“When?”
There was a brief moment where his eyes dimmed before returning to full brightness. “Roughly a thousand three hundred years before my departure, where I left Celestia and Luna in charge.”
“In that case, after you get things ironed out here, take her out again.”
“You see, that’s the thing. She’s not a vacation type of Pony. I mean, neither am I, but the point stands. She’s happier with a small break here and there, and then back to her arcane studies, or summoning, or demonology, or divinology…. You know what? You get the idea.”
“It must be interesting trying to top your anniversaries.”
“I think the best one was the one during the war with the Gryphons,” Hammer Strike remarked after some thought.
“Really? What did you do?”
Hammer Strike chuckled. “I think it was my most elaborate one yet….”