//------------------------------// // Take Me With You // Story: Sacanas // by Lets Do This //------------------------------// "I just can't believe it..." Palladium said. She and Sacanas were taking lunch by the fountain as usual. But this time they were accompanied by a pair of Sacanas's looming, ape-like soldiers, with Sacanas's warship circling in the sky overhead. "Everypony's talking like I'm going to be the Princess," Palladium went on. "Royal Princess, I mean." She glanced around at ponies passing by, who all bowed respectfully whenever they saw her looking at them. "It's merely your fair due." Sacanas idly trailed a hoof in the fountain's pool. "They need a caring, thoughtful ruler such as yourself. And isn't this what you've always wanted, Highness?" "Sure it is, but..." Palladium looked worried. "Do you think I'm ready? That I'll make a good Royal Princess? I haven't gotten all the lessons and training my brother has. There's so much to learn. I don't want to let anypony down." "If you're aware enough to ask, Highness, you've no need to worry. Only an actual imposter would have no fear of being caught out." She smirked in amusement. "You want what's best for your subjects, to see them safe and happy. That's a start. The rest of it is just management and bookkeeping." "It wouldn't have happened without you," Palladium said. "Thanks." The sorcerer shrugged. "I want the same as you, Princess. To use my abilities to the utmost, to ensure the safety of my kind and keep them free from interference by lesser tribes." She made a face, then quickly smiled again. "And if I can help you to achieve your dreams along the way, so much the better for both of us, hmm?" "But will we always be friends?" Palladium stared at her, looking worried. "I can't do this on my own. And nopony else seems to care about me the same way you do. There's nopony else around here I can just talk to about stuff. I don't ever want to lose that." Sacanas stared at the Princess at length, looking troubled. Then she shrugged off an armored shoe, and reached over to touch the Princess's shoulder gently. "I am yours to command, Highness," she said firmly. "I'm not going anywhere. It's the two of us against the world, come what may." Palladium smiled up at her, relieved. "Thanks, Auntie." The sorcerer simply nodded in return, for once lost for words. Then, clearing her throat, she reshod her hoof. "For Platinum's sake," she grumbled, glancing about, "what is all that noise? Is there some celebration we weren't told about?" For there was a rising tide of cheering and applause now, off in the distance. It seemed to be coming up the main street, from the lower gate near the river. Getting up, Palladium and Sacanas crossed over to where the townsponies were gathering, lining up on both sides of the main street as if for a parade, murmuring agitatedly amongst themselves. Seeing Palladium, Sacanas, and especially the two furry soldiers, the crowds respectfully made way for them. The Princess and the sorcerer found a place by the curb, at a corner where they could see down the length of the street. And they saw, coming up the street itself, a tall pony with a long, white beard. He was clad in a blue robe and pointed hat covered in moons and stars. The hat had small gilded bells set around its brim. There were more of them decorating the hem of the cloak. He strode up the street as if he owned it, waving grandly at the crowds with a forehoof. Palladium wanted to laugh. He looked utterly ridiculous, so pompous and full of himself, like a pantomime sorcerer. Then she heard Sacanas groan in disgust. "Oh, please," the sorcerer sighed. "Not Star Swirl again!" "Who?" Palladium asked. "Star Swirl, the Bearded," the sorcerer replied sarcastically. "As if whiskers somehow connoted wisdom. And remember what I said about wizards, Highness? Overeager, excitable, meddlesome? Look no further than this one for an example. I can only imagine what hare-brained folly he's come up with this time and..." The sorcerer's voice caught, trailing off to silence, and she stared, wide-eyed and open-mouthed. Palladium did likewise, astonished. Coming up the street behind the proudly gesturing wizard were two young fillies. One was tall, brilliant white in color with a flowing pink mane and tail. The other was shorter, with a pale blue coat and a sky-blue mane. Both had long, sword-like horns -- and wings as well, which occasionally fluttered and resettled nervously in response to the cheers and excitement being showered on them by the watching crowds. The two fillies looked about, smiling bashfully yet proudly as Star Swirl led them up the street, apparently heading for the Palace. And as the two ponies approached, one could sense the strong, powerful presence that surrounded each of them: a combination of personality, thaumic strength, and sheer irrefutable being. One could not avoid noticing them. One could not help feeling trust and attraction, even devotion to them. Charisma wasn't the word for it. These ponies needed a word all their own... "Alicorns!" Palladium gasped. "I thought they were just a myth." She turned to look up at Sacanas eagerly, hoping the sorcerer might tell her something about them. Then she saw the look on Sacanas's face. It was a pinched, wretched expression, as if the sorcerer had just swallowed something horrid that she wanted urgently, desperately to throw back up. It was a look of complete, utter, livid revulsion, a disgust so deep-seated and unrelenting that she appeared choked, almost strangled by it. The sorcerer wrenched her gaze away, seeking something, anything to look at other than the proud, powerful fillies who were even now passing before her. She settled for staring at her own armored hooves, breathing hard and angrily, as if she might explode. Worried, Palladium reached up a hoof to touch Sacanas's shoulder. "Are you okay?" Sacanas cleared her throat, gratingly and fiercely. Then, in a very quiet, very carefully controlled voice, she spoke. "We should get back to the Palace, Your Highness -- at once." She swung about and marched straight off without further word, without even a backward glance, glowering at anyone foolish enough to be in her way. And Palladium hurried after her, worried and frightened, even as she wondered about the strange fillies -- the alicorns -- who had arrived so suddenly and unexpectedly. She couldn't see why they made her closest, best, and most powerful of friends look so sickened and anxious... ------------------------------ "Well, this is quite the news," said Princess Platinum. She was seated on her throne, with Star Swirl and the alicorns standing respectfully before her. "This... Canterlot, you called it? It would be the ruling seat for the entire unified kingdom?" Star Swirl shook his head. "Not quite, Majesty. The three kingdoms will continue to maintain their own governments for the nonce, whilst we work out internal trade and other legal frameworks. But there'd be a central seat, a high seat, in Canterlot. To which disputes and issues affecting all three tribes may be brought for judgment, and if necessary, unified action." He gestured to the alicorns. "And our young royals here, they would be the ones to sit in judgment. As you can see, they represent in their own forms a unification of all three tribes, of all that is best in each type of pony: earth, pegasus, and we unicorns. They have already demonstrated a remarkable gift for diplomacy and impartiality. I think we can safely rely on them to listen, guide, and lead the way to a unified Equestria." "Hmm..." Platinum looked troubled and doubtful. "Seems a rather long way to travel, any time there's a disagreement over pastry imports or the like. We already have plenty of long-range diplomatic issues with those good-for-nothing griffons," she added, sniffing primly. The pink-maned alicorn stepped forward, bowing respectfully. "Your Majesty, my sister and I have discussed this. And we feel it would be best to create a Royal Council in Canterlot, so that decisions affecting all the tribes can be made and acted on with speed. It is our suggestion that each tribe have its own royal representation. More than simply ambassadors, the Council would include royals themselves, representing the interests of their tribes personally." "And we also hope," the dark-coated alicorn added, "to establish a Court of the best and brightest in all the lands. A gathering of nobility, scholarship, and free exchange of ideas. If my sister and I are to properly render judgement, we shall need advice from and deep understanding of all those who have entrusted their kingdoms and futures to us." At the words, Platinum's eyes lit up eagerly. "Oo-oooh! You mean a salon, of sorts? Where all the top ponies and trend-setters would meet and exchange ideas?" The pink-maned alicorn nodded indulgently. "Something like that, Majesty. And we had hoped," she added, "that we might persuade you yourself to be part of it. We have already spoken to the Chancellor of the earth-ponies, and the Commander of the pegasi. They seemed quite positive on the issue." "Hmph! Insistent, more like," said her sister. "They each said something about wanting to be there, just to keep an eye on what the other tribes were up to." "Well!" Platinum nodded. "That puts quite a different spin on things, certainly. We should very much like to be part of this Court as well! Ahem, to hear the latest news and gossip, and see what the best and brightest ponies are doing and saying. Oh, doesn't it all sound so grand, Argy?" "Well... I'd miss spending time with the fellows at the Club. But whatever you think best, m'dear." "Oh, psht! I'm certain your friends would be there as well," Platinum enthused. "Everypony of importance will want to be part of this Court, this... Canterlot. It sounds positively thrilling! I'm all for it. Which means," she added quickly, "we shall have to move forward the succession a little sooner than planned. So that the realm remains in firm hooves in our absence." Her gaze swept hurriedly round, flustered and excited. It swept past Palladium and settled instead on her brother. "Prince Electrum! It is our decision that you will succeed us," she said formally. "You will take charge of the Silver Throne immediately, whilst we are away at this Court in Canterlot." She gasped, starry eyed. "Oh, I simply can't wait!" Electrum gaped, amazed and overjoyed. He turned to look at Palladium, smugly aloof as if already making plans for his first royal proclamations. He eyed Sacanas as well -- severely, suddenly unafraid of her. And then he trotted forward to kneel before Her Majesty, and graciously accept her blessing. Palladium was crushed, utterly. She hunched miserably, aghast. Then she leaned forlornly against Sacanas, seeking reassurance. And the sorcerer obligingly put a hoof around her, holding her close. Yet Sacanas's attention was fixed firmly on the two alicorns, standing so calmly and proudly before her. The look in her eyes was fierce, livid, beyond rage. Some things are not to be tolerated, that look said. Some things breach a boundary, cross a line we cannot allow to be crossed... And this was one of them. The only one, in fact, that mattered... ------------------------------ Late into the night, Sacanas bent over the worktable in her study. She'd consulted grimoires of dark-magic spells, ancient texts containing designs for arcane artifacts, and a few choice works on mythology as well -- those making up in detail what they lacked through excessive credulity. The result, spread before her, was a broadsheet of spell-parchment. It was covered with sketches and finely lettered spell components, laying out the tools she would need. A staff, first of all -- a staff not of power, but one that would consume power, harnessing it and rendering it safely under control of the bearer. And proper mage-armor to go with it, to defend herself from any and all magic assaults. And also to project the darkest and blackest of offensive spells against her enemies. Plus other, lesser artifacts... nice-to-haves, so to speak. Sacanas nodded in grim satisfaction. This was the easy part. Now she actually had to find what she would need to craft these items. And she wasn't going to find it here. "Auntie Sacanas?" Sacanas waved a hoof, causing the scroll to snap itself closed and then levitate over to land in a small carryall nearby. The carryall contained the important things, things she could not afford to lose. She glanced behind her, to where two of the ape-like soldiers were packing other books and artifacts in crates, then hefting them on their bulky shoulders as easily as matchboxes, to be carried upstairs to the waiting airship. Only then did Sacanas turn her attention to the door. "Yes, Your Highness?" Palladium was standing in the doorway, another of the soldiers standing behind her as escort. The Princess rubbed her eyes and squinted around at the nearly-bare study. "Are you going away, too?" Sacanas considered a gentle lie, only to dismiss it. The Princess wouldn't be fooled for a moment. "I'm afraid so." "Why?" "Isn't it obvious? I'm not going to be welcome here much longer." "But you're not afraid!" Palladium objected. "You're not afraid of anypony. Not my brother, or Mother, or anypony, or anything!" "That's... not entirely true, Highness." Sacanus snorted in amusement. "In fact, were I to remain here I am afraid... that I might do something we'd all regret..." Palladium trotted over to Sacanus's chair, hunting for words, and finding none. Then she simply sat down and silently held up her forehooves, a miserable look on her face. The sorcerer hesitated, briefly. Then she reached down and picked the Princess up, holding her close. And Palladium hugged her back, tightly and fiercely. "Take me with you," Palladium whispered. It wasn't a request, wasn't a child's pleading. It was an order, a firm statement of fact. And Sacanas sighed. "You know, Princess, there was a time when I would have simply spirited you off without a second thought. And now... now I'm not so sure I should. Looks like you've taught me a thing or two as well." "I don't want to lose you," Palladium said desperately. "You're my best friend... my only friend." "And you mine, Princess," Sacanas allowed. "But what of the succession? You're the one who lectured me about accepting it graciously, even if we don't like it." Palladium sat back, looked her in the eye. "That was different. I'd thought Mother would be here, to remind Electrum to be nice. But she'll be away, off in this Canterlot place. And Electrum will be able to do whatever he wants. You saw him in the Audience Hall! He'll make me bow and scrape, put me in my place every chance he gets. Because he likes it. Because he can." She shook her head. "After that, I'll never be anypony's successor. Nopony will ever respect me again." Sacanas nodded. "You might be right, at that." "I'm not going to be Royal Princess," Palladium said, with firm finality. "So maybe I should try to be a sorcerer... like you." "Remember what I told you," Sacanas warned. "A sorcerer's life is not an easy one. It's lonely. You have to live by your wits, most of the time." "I don't care," Palladium said. "I want to be a sorcerer. Will you take me with you, and teach me? And maybe... maybe you and I can sorta be a family together. Teacher and student, like you said. That way, neither of us will be alone any more." Sacanas stared at her, surprised -- and utterly lost for words. Then a crafty smile stole onto her face. "What if," she said carefully, "there was a way you could be both? A sorcerer... and a Princess?" "How?" "Not here, Highness." Sacanas held a hoof to her snout. "If we're to do this properly, we'll need to be discreet." Then she eyed Palladium sternly. "And you will need to do exactly as I tell you. Understood?" Palladium nodded seriously. "When do we start?" "Not just yet. Right now, I'm going to need you to do something you're going to find very difficult and challenging." Palladium stared, wide-eyed. "What?" Sacanas smirked. "Go back to your bed. And stay there quietly, until morning..." ------------------------------ "We shall be most sorry to see thee depart, Sacanas," Platinum said the next morning, as the sorcerer stood before her in the Audience Hall. Electrum huffed. "Some of us won't," he muttered sourly. Then he quickly fell silent when Platinum glared reprovingly at him. "We had dearly hoped," The Royal Princess went on, "that you might accompany us to Canterlot, and be our advisor there. And, of course, continue as Pallas's tutor. We shall want our heir apparent with us, and if the best and brightest of Equestria will be there too, she will need someone capable to serve as her guide. Someone to help her separate the silks from the satins, as it were?" Sacanas raised an eyebrow at that. Then she shook her head firmly. "I'm afraid it's not possible, Majesty. There are other, pressing matters that require my attention just now." "Ah." Platinum nodded. "Well... we shall not pry. Do not meddle in the affairs of sorcerers, and so forth. Go then, Sacanas, with our thanks. And be welcome in our Court, whenever thou should chance to return." Sacanas bowed graciously. "Majesty." At that moment, the doors of the Audience Hall crashed open, and guards hurried in. Her Majesty made a face, then gave the guards a stern look. "What is the meaning of this? I am trying to make a gracious and memorable farewell speech here!" "Apologies, Your Majesty," the Guard Captain gasped. "But it's Princess Palladium -- she's missing!" Sacanas whirled, incensed. "What? I left her sitting at her breakfast table not half an hour ago. Have you managed to lose track of her already?" "She was there, Your Majesty," the guard objected, beside himself with anxiety and confusion. "I have four officers who will swear to it! The next thing we knew she was gone! We are already combing the Palace, but there's been no sign of her, or of who might have made off with her!" Sacanas examined a hoof darkly. "Somehow, I doubt you'll find one," she muttered. "What say you, sorcerer?" Platinum asked. "Do you know where she is?" Sacanas turned back to the throne, scowling angrily. "I've had my suspicions of late, Your Majesty." Her baleful glare swung briefly in Electrum's direction. Then she turned back to the Princess. "The Griffon Kingdom would not permit our routing of their assault to pass so lightly. They were made to retreat in utter failure and disgrace. That is unlikely to sit well with their leadership, such as it is. And whose name, after all, is associated so indelibly with the repelling of their attack?" "Pallas..." Platinum gasped. "Oh my darling, what have I done?" Sacanas shook her head. "It was not thy doing, Majesty. If anything, it was mine. But one can never tell... with foreigners..." She came to attention, tall and proud. "It is fortunate that I had not yet taken my leave. For I still consider the Princess to be my personal responsibility. I shall set out at once to locate Her Highness and bring her home, safe and sound." "Oh, Sacanas!" Platinum smiled gratefully. "If thou can do so -- I mean, when thou does so -- thou shalt have our undying gratitude!" Sacanas nodded respectfully. "Majesty." Then the sorcerer trotted forwards, to stand glaring practically snout-to-snout with Prince Electrum. "And if I should find," she growled, "that you had anything to do with this, Prince... well, let us just say there won't be a hole deep enough." "What!" Electrum shouted. "You would dare threaten the Crown?" "Oh no," Sacanas replied silkily. "I would never threaten the Crown, Your Majesty." Sacanas added a brief glance in Platinum's direction, then returned her gaze to Electrum. "I'm threatening you, personally. So take my advice, young royal: don't get in my way, and don't give me a reason!" Snorting angrily, Sacanas swung round, strode back to a clear space before the throne. Then she turned and bowed one final time. And in an explosive flash of teleportation, leaving a star-shaped scorch-mark on the carpet... ... was gone. ------------------------------ Through roiling, ice-white clouds, the small fleet of armored airships skulked like leviathans. They appeared briefly, half-glimpsed like looming predators. Then faded, slipping back into the swirling mists. Aboard the largest, most heavily-armored of the airships, Sacanas stood watch near the prow railing. Her horn sang with a clean, clear, shimmering electric-blue magic. And in her eyes, there was only cold, scheming death. Behind her were two of the looming eldritch servants. They edged closer, put together massive paws that could have crushed a pony's skull, and bowed obsequiously, servilely. They awaited the command of the pony whose power had called them into existence... and who now barely tolerated them. "Maintain course and speed," she snapped, not looking round. "We will make use of the cloud cover until we clear the northern range. Then bring us about northwest, for the caverns in the Crystalline Mountain. We'll hide there until we know we're not pursued." The servant on the right rumbled and hooted worriedly. And now Sacanas did look round, with a glare that made the furred behemoth hunch fearfully. "You had best hope we were not followed!" she growled. "I don't have to tolerate failure. And if there is an airship back there, tailing us..." She came about, her face set, merciless and grim. Her voice hissed sharply, like a blade unsheathing. "Bring... it... down!" The servant drew back, concerned. Sacanas snarled, disgusted by the show of weakness, of mercy. "You heard me! No survivors! No witnesses! GO!" Bowing anxiously and repeatedly, the servants backed away. Then they turned and hurried off, their large feet thumping heavily on the deckboards. Shifting to aerial forms as they ran, they spread broad wings and took to the skies. And as they went, they summoned others, forming up into an implacable winged armada and flying off into the mist, to carry out their mistress's orders. Sacanas snorted in disgust, swung back to the railing. The things we have to put up with, she thought sourly. But one day... one day soon, I'll rid myself of them. Of all of them! All the lesser creatures who would stand against me. They shall bow, kneel, serve my will. And then... Her teeth gritted in cold, heartless fury. ... then I shall annihilate them. She paused. Her expression softened, just a bit. And then maybe... just maybe... she will finally be safe... Behind her, the door leading below-decks cautiously creaked open. The maroon unicorn swung her head round to look over her shoulder. And smiled kindly, comfortingly. "It's all right, Princess. It's safe to come up now." Palladium glanced about. Then, pushing through the door she trotted over to the railing. She hooked her forehooves over it and peered out at the roiling clouds, and the ghost-like warships escorting them. "Why did we have to leave in the middle of the night?" Palladium complained. "I thought you said I should stay in bed until morning." "To throw them off track, of course. The illusion of you at the breakfast table worked perfectly. They'll believe you've been kidnapped, but they won't know by whom." She smirked proudly. "And as your guardian and protector, I of course had to immediately set out to find you..." She bent her head to whisper in the filly's ear. "How fortunate I already have, hmmm?" The Princess giggled. "It's like a game. Like hide and seek?" "Yes, Princess. With one important difference. They shall not find us. None will think to look this far in the eternally frozen north. The memory and fear of the Windigoes is too fresh in their minds." "But you're not afraid, right?" The Princess smiled up at her. "You're not afraid of anything!" The unicorn was silent for a long moment, staring down at her. "I gave up fear a long time ago, Princess," she said, "when everything else that mattered was taken from me." Then she drew herself up, proudly and fiercely. "And that is why," she went on, "I shall see to it nothing happens to you. We shall found an Empire of our own, you and I. In the Frozen North, where nopony ever comes... save for those select few whom we shall allow. I shall place a shield around it, so that you will always be safe, from the weather and from any... inferior creatures who would try to harm you. The lesser ponies, who think themselves our equals, the earth ponies, and pegasi..." Her teeth ground. "And worst of all, those accursed alicorns, who would set themselves up as our masters." She snorted, aggressively. "Hmph! They are unworthy of our loyalty." Regaining control of her temper with difficulty, she smiled again. "And you, Princess, shall rule over a land eternal and unsullied, a land that reflects your kindness and love. As is your rightful due, as Royal Princess of the Unicorns." "Wow..." Palladium peered off into the distance, as if trying to see the promised Empire through the swirling mists. "I only hope I can be a good Princess, and make everypony feel welcome and happy and loved and safe and..." "I'm sure that you will," Sacanas interrupted softly. "Much as you did for me, when nopony else would have." She smiled fondly down at Palladium. "You are a truly special little pony, you know that? There is none like you, none in all the world." "And you'll teach me? How to be a sorcerer, I mean?" Palladium asked. "You said I could be both, right?" "Of course. That is, if you'll still have me as your regent and tutor." "You bet!" The Princess smiled up at her. "I love you, Auntie Secanas!" Eyes welling with tears, the sorceror bent her head to nuzzle the filly's mane. "And I you..." she whispered, her voice catching. "My little love... mi amore cadenza..."