//------------------------------// // Act Two // Story: The Wizard and the Griffon King // by Daedalus Aegle //------------------------------// Long ago. Clouds lay against the skies like ocean waves, stretched out to the horizon and awash with golden light that burned the eyes of the earthbound. Star Swirl looked up at it as he crossed the ridge. Powerful winds blew across the sparse grass and moss that clung to life on the rock, and tugged violently at the pony’s robe. In the distance he saw the king-tree of Aetite. The heart of the Aetite Duchy was a testament to the reach and ingenuity of the griffons. Following the model of Griffonstone, the aerie was a great winding tree of staggering size made into a city, rising from the top of mountains far above the treeline. Its roots bent down by the shores of a lake, its icy waters fed by the snow-capped peaks, and from which ran the rivers that plunged down the mountains to the plains. It dominated the country around it, from the long jagged spine of the mountain range to the vast forested valleys and plains below, and from its heights the eagle-eyed griffon could see a thousand miles. It was the pinnacle and the center of the duchy. And as in Griffonstone the palace of its ruler sat on the cross of its highest branches. A great round opening at the base of the trunk led into the tree’s hollow interior, a vast open space of staggering height that stretched from the roots to the palace at its crown. Round apertures led out to landings for flight, and let shafts of natural light into it from all sides. The effect was dizzying. Standing at the bottom and looking up, a creature could go weak in its legs, and feel like it was falling into a strange abyss. The road through the ground opening led down into the lower levels at the bottom of the hall, in the center of the tree’s ring. Griffons of all stripes filled the air above as they went about their business, many of them armed soldiers, while on the walkways below the earthbound subjects of the empire worked under their watchful eyes. Above and around him the griffons of the aerie flew by, giving him wide berth, and watching him intently. “What’s he here to offer? Does he come with treasures for tribute? Pledges of fealty and alliance? Secret intelligence to turn the King’s eye elsewhere? He must have something.” “He came alone, and brought nothing with him. If he has anything to offer it isn’t here.” “He’s a great wizard, apparently. Maybe he has a dragon’s hoard under that hat.” “That’s the great wizard? He looks like a homeless bum!” “The Unicorn King must be desperate to send him. Did you know he was coming, Grindaxe?” “Of course I knew he was coming,” the one called Grindaxe replied before taking a sip of her indulgence. “King Titanium’s stooge, here to deliver his surrender.” “He’s not surrendering.” The third griffon, a young male peregrine and grey forest cat wearing a dress uniform jacket, bright blue with a red sash across the shoulder, scowled at him from behind. “That pony is dangerous. I’ve read about him.” “Read about ponies? Gouge! Whatever for?” Grindaxe scoffed. The young officer cawed back sharply. “For the war of course. To earn my honors, and make the King proud. Star Swirl the Bearded is not to be trusted.” He shot the others a sharp look. “Do you know who that is? That’s the one pony who sided with Nightmare Moon.” At that every head turned. The Lunar Rebellion. The War of the Two Sisters. When night fought against day and darkness refused to yield the sky, when evil dreams and the shadows that were always with us demanded their due and showed their power – and were defeated. Everyone had some idea, some image that came vividly to mind of the final battle. Of the dark Princess in her warrior form, accompanied by her Shadowbolts, stalking the halls of the Castle of the Two Sisters, bringing every fear with her where she went. Star Swirl the Bearded saw it all happen. And he was there when the smoke cleared, and the castle stood abandoned, and the three tribes were left to their own devices, their questions unanswered. The last gasp of the Old Dominion. “Nightmare Moon was the only pony who could stand to keep him around.” The young officer’s eyes followed the pony unblinking. “After she fell he was cast out. He spent years wandering in the wilderness while ponies moved on without him. It seems the Unicorn King decided to give him a second chance.” “A relic of a bygone world,” Grindaxe muttered from behind her goblet. “The lands of ponies were once the greatest power in all of Equis. Wielders of magic without peer, masters of weather and agriculture, even keepers of the very heavens themselves! And all of it ripped apart in a single night – thanks to him.” She chuckled. “Without the royal sisters ponies are a shadow of their former selves. But we griffons can endure anything, adapt to anything, and rise to any challenge. We picked up where the sisters left off, and now the Griffon Kingdom rules the mightiest empire on Equis.” Her grin turned sour and she shook her head. “The world is changing. It would be poetic – in the worst way. That pony has done better service to the Griffon Empire than any other, and now he’s here to plead for the unicorns? It makes no sense.” She cawed at the crudeness of the situation. On a wide platform in the middle of the ring, flanked by wardens and placed above the workers’ quarters, stood a great statue of a griffon armed and armored, carved from the heartwood where it grew: Duke Godfrey, the Adamant Claw. Star Swirl the Bearded looked up, and took it all in. To those who watched him it seemed his cold, calculating gaze sought out the highest reaches of the tree, looking past everything else, calculating his path to the peak as though everything else, everything that stood between him and it was of no consequence. “How did Nightmare Moon ever fall?” A young griffon muttered. “She fought beside King Blaze, and he praised her. She was a great warrior. How could she have been beaten by her sister?” Gouge watched the pony climb the roots with distrust. “He knows.” “You do go on. Let me get a… Oh!” An elderly vulture dressed in the finery of nobility bent over to peer down at him, and clasped her talons together. “He looks ferocious. You are all wrong. This is quite fitting.” “Whatever you say, Countess Gloriel,” Grindaxe muttered, rolling her eyes. “Kittens and hatchlings, all of you,” the Countess said. “The King will decide the future of Equis here in Aetite: whether it be ruled by the strength of griffons or the airy words of ponies. The Unicorn King knows this, and he has sent his champion.” She grinned. “Think what might happen when these two archons clash?” Let me tell you a story. It was in the days when the Griffon Empire was at its height, and Griffon King Blaze decided to conquer the lands of ponies. He invited the unicorn ambassador and spoke to him. The Griffon King was a well-fed turkey and house-cat blend, and his plumage shone lavishly like his crown. The unicorn ambassador was a ragged old stallion in worn and tattered clothing. “So, unicorn, you ponies think you will be better off outside my empire? I challenge you to a debate. I can show you greater wonders in my realm than anything you can conceive of, and so you will see how much better off we are. But if you can convince me you are better off without it I will leave you be.” “Very well, I accept your challenge.” “I have an army that can conquer the world!” “In my imagination I can create as many worlds as I need. I think I am the better off.” “I rule an empire so vast I could eat a delicacy from a different people every night and not have the same for twelve years!” “No thanks, I only eat my oats. Anything different upsets my stomach.” “My wings can carry me across the skies, faster and farther than any pony!” “I have sheets of paper and crayon, I can draw more skies than you could ever fly across.” “My palace is full of gold that shines like the sun!” “Does your gold move? I can look in the water at the beach and see it shine like the sun, and dance on top of that.” “My artificers can build machines that mimic life and thought!” “I can do tons of tricks with my yo-yo. I call this one ‘parabolic orbit’.” “I have debated the deep mysteries with the wisest sages and they have praised the depth of my knowledge!” “I once argued with a rock, and the rock won. I praise that rock more highly than all the most learned of ponies, griffons, and kirin.” The King turned away. “Curses! This unflappable unicorn underling has an answer for everything. This spurious spellcaster has me bamboozled and befuddled! What can I say to shut him up?” Star Swirl the Bearded slapped on a large fake beak and mustache. “I know the wizard’s closely guarded secret! He was once roundly beaten and humiliated by a mischievous spirit called Iser Hender. When next you see him ask him about that, and he will surely crack.” “Aha! Very well!” He turned back to where the wizard stood, having just tucked away the beak and mustache. “Wizard! What would you think if I said Iser Hender?” “Very well, I accept your surrender.” “Curses! I am foiled!” King Blaze stomped and screamed so loud and so hard that the ground cracked and the sky was filled with strong winds that knocked his griffons from the heavens, and they never flew again. And that’s the story of Star Swirl the Bearded and Griffon King Blaze. “At least we know this version isn’t true, eh, Twilight?” “Don’t be so quick to judge, Starlight. There was once a panel convened at an academic conference to discuss it. They named this story ‘most credible’ as a compromise when the vote was split between ‘Savory Pumpkin Pie’ and ‘The Notorious Distemper’ and the attendees wouldn’t stop fighting.” “Truly, ponies never change.” Long ago. Star Swirl the Bearded climbed the hall methodically, confidently moving along paths not made for walkers to reach the middle ring, not waiting or asking for assistance. And bit by bit he rose. It wasn’t long before a griffon seneschal, a spectacled owl and tortoiseshell carrying a heavy book of scheduled events, descended from above to greet him, on behalf of the Duke. She informed him that accommodations were being prepared for him until the Emperor would see him. His room would be ready shortly. Until then she invited him to explore the aerie. And so it was that more griffons saw the strange pony figure skulking and lurking around the middle tier of the city. Soon, perhaps drawn by some kind of gravity of knowledge, he looked upon the tree-trunk columns that framed the doors of Aetite Museum, and went inside. The first thing any visitor to the museum saw was the Heart of the Mountain. The painting showed an eagle’s nest, the mother feeding her young with wings outstretched, while the chicks reached up and beat their wings for the feast. The nest sat atop the stone walls of a ruined structure with corners long filled with sand and overgrown. The ruin seemed to blend in with the mountainous landscape in the sunlight, and the bones of previous meals picked clean lay fallen in the golden grass. It was enormous, towering over the observer and filling their vision when they crossed the threshold of the museum. Star Swirl stood there, looking up at it, contemplating it in silence. “The Heart of the Mountain is beautiful, is it not?” He turned to glance at the griffon who had interrupted him and nodded, though his face did not suggest he appreciated its beauty. Her back half was lion, like most griffons, but her front was a parrot, emerald green, with darker green eye-shadow and wearing a doctor’s sash. She looked at him with a condescending smirk, though it seemed more made of habit than aimed at him in particular. Crow’s feet marked the corners of her eyes and her beak and face were tense. “It wouldn’t exist without me, though good luck getting any of them to admit that. I secured the materials. The pigment, the yak-hair brush, the canvas… I suggested the composition as well. It’s true! I said to him, Gustav, have you thought about doing something with sunlight? Something grand? And this was the result. Couldn’t have done it without me, not that I get any gratitude for it from that vulture.” She glanced backwards as though the object of her ire would be there for her to glare at, and when he wasn’t, glared anyway before turning back, her glare put aside and replaced again with the satisfied smirk. “Yes, your eyes do not deceive you. I am Grindaxe, the foremost historian and scholar of griffonkind, in feather and fur. I can see you are enjoying my museum.” He gave a single nod, though he did not look like he was enjoying it much. “The finest center of culture and learning in the Empire, dedicated to the study of griffon greatness. My specialty, of course.” She nodded to the painting. “It’s about the griffon spirit, you understand. The spirit of the age.” She drew herself up proudly, a slightly manic grin under her unsmiling eyes. “Do you know what makes us special? In a world of guided creatures, we griffons made our own purpose. Without special magic, without a fair start, without divine guidance we fought for our own and learned to adapt to anything. That is the world we now live in.” Star Swirl had turned, and was looking down the other wing of the gallery. Alongside the various works of art on distinctly avian themes were displays of the other creatures that lived in Aetite: mountain goat clothing and climbing tools, diamond dog bangles and collars adorned with gems. Educational signs describing their history with the griffons who, according to the signs, had always lived here. Knives and clawguards. A battered breastplate of leather and bronze with ragged tears where it had been slashed open. On a stand in a glass display case in a prominent location, surrounded by the weapons and armor, was a leather cap covered all over in what looked like bones. The sign read: Boar-Tusk helmet of Rover, the Rock Dog King. Claimed in battle by Duke Godfrey. “You’re doing the right thing.” Star Swirl turned his head slightly and gave her a sideways glance. “Oh, I’m sure it must be hard for so proud a pony as yourself. But surrender really is the only option. There’s no shame in admitting defeat… Well, maybe a little shame. But your fellow equines will see that it was all for the best. After all, what can they do?” She rolled her talon in a gesture that said ‘it’s inevitable’. “And ponies… ponies did admirably, I will grant you. The system worked well for a long time, your magical marks giving you a purpose and a role to play in your civic structure. Charming, really. And so much more convenient than having to test your underlings until you find ones that are worthy – I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wished I could spot incompetence just by looking at a griffon’s haunches! I can tell a lot from looking at a good rump but alas, not that. But… Well, that system has rather broken down, hasn’t it?” Star Swirl said nothing. Grindaxe chuckled. “Don’t feel bad, you gave it a good effort. You kept the sun and moon moving for years without assistance, we’re all very impressed. But as believers in destiny you must acknowledge that it’s over. Your time in the sun has passed. Griffons will control the movement of the heavens from now on. It’s better that way.” Still Star Swirl said nothing. “We have a lot in common, really. King Blaze learned a great deal from watching ponies, and we built on it to create something… greater. The legacy of the Princesses will live on through us.” She looked thoughtful. “When Equestria joins the Empire I will visit the lowlands and see the famous pony cities. I look forward to it. Once my plans win the day, I will surely be magistrate of one of your scholarly cities. Cambridle, perhaps. I have always wanted to visit its famous library. Oh, but that will only be a diversion at that point, for enjoyment’s sake… I studied the past my entire life,” Grindaxe said, gazing up at the painting. “What a waste. It’s time to move into the future. For both of us.” Grindaxe enjoyed the warmth that emanated from the pony. She smiled. “Here. Have a souvenir from your trip.” She held out a slim book with the griffon flag on its cover. Star Swirl took it in his magic and looked at it. It was titled The Rise of the Griffon Empire, volume I, by Grindaxe the Griffon. It was also signed in thick blue ink, and had a little doodle of a griffon diving towards a rabbit. “My masterpiece. The Duke himself is sponsoring my print run, naturally he was impressed with my work. Years of effort, finally brought to fruition! Once I cut off the parasites who were holding me back, that is. Treasure it, it’s sure to be the most valuable thing you own someday.” Let me tell you a story. One version of the story says that when the wizard first entered the king’s chamber they spoke directly and severely about the situation. Each outlined their goals clearly and established room for negotiation to see if it were possible to find a peaceful solution. King Blaze was even impressed with the pony, who came armed with a very solid strategy. It is said that he had a real offer to make that would be very compelling to King Blaze, which would be of great benefit to griffons and secure the peace between the ponies and griffons. Things took a rough turn when King Blaze remarked on the wizard’s beard, saying it reminded him of the shaggy hide of a wild boar he had hunted the week before. At the same time the wizard tripped over his robe and tore down the shelf where the King kept his porcelain figurine collection, which shattered all upon the floor. From that moment onward battle was inevitable. Long ago. Soon Star Swirl was approached again, and told his accommodations were ready. He was given chambers to stay in fit for an ambassador, dark and rich and spacious. There were also spies. There had to be, for several reasons: the Duke had to feel that he was informed about what happened in his domains. The dignitary had to feel that he was considered important enough to spy on, lest he feel slighted and diplomacy suffer as a result. The spies had to justify their budget by providing results. And the world needed to see when it looked upon Aetite that its rulers soared above the crowd, and that nothing was hidden from their reach. But they struggled. “He’s just sitting there,” the first spy said. “He doesn’t even have a staff,” the second spy muttered. “Or any materials. Is he not even planning to prepare his case? Any sensible ambassador would show up with a cartload of books and papers filled with arguments and historical examples to draw from, and a dozen clerks to command, to present a show of force and order. How can he expect anygriff to take him seriously when he doesn’t have anyone to command? Is he even trying?” “Is this how ponies do things?” “No. Have you never been to Equestria? Ponies love to talk, it’s hard to get them to shut up. They love to flock together and surround themselves with others of their own kind, and fill the air with empty noise. Their leaders are worst of all. They talk as though words are talons, or salves. This one is just…” The spy’s face scrunched up in a grimace as he tried to find the right words. “Not a good pony.” “He’s a lunatic.” The minutes ticked by in silence. “Molt this,” the first spy said. “This is a waste of time.” “We have to report something to the Duke or he’ll have our heads.” “We could do the Garbo option?” “…That would work.” They would, in the end, follow the accepted custom of writing an entirely fictitious report crediting him with lofty and devious schemes appropriate to his station, to spare his dignity. And thus everygriff was pleased. Excerpt from The Life of Star Swirl the Bearded, by Clover the Clever. Decades after the event this report was leaked by parties unknown. It is widely considered the closest thing to an official version from the Griffon Empire’s government of the event: From a report compiled by Griffonstone Intelligence, recovered from (redacted) after the fall of Aetite. Griffon King Blaze stood tall before the unicorn and they looked at each other, each sizing up the other’s threat. The magpie and white cheetah griffon, speckled white and black, wore a sharp form-fitting black suit and a simple yet elegant platinum band for a crown, and the two of them studied the other as the griffon stalked down the floating stair from his glass throne. “The Great Wizard, the scourge of Saddle Arabia and the witness of the Two Sisters’ downfall. We meet at last,” King Blaze said. “So you’re the Unicorn King’s errand-colt. I should have suspected he would send you – the wizard who destroys everything he touches. I know your treachery well. But you are too late.” Hanging in the air all around them in the otherwise dark chamber were scrying screens through which they saw the massing griffon armies across mountains, clouds, and forests, poised to unleash havoc on the unsuspecting towns of peaceful ponies below. The Griffon King’s throne floated in the center, the eye of the storm watching all things. “The invasion is about to begin. Your fate has already been decided, and you are powerless to stop it.” Star Swirl chuckled softly, and smiled a knowing, amused smile. “I am afraid not, great king. Your invasion has already been thwarted, and you did not even realize it was happening.” “You are bluffing,” King Blaze snorted. “My spies have watched you since you first set hoof on this mountain, and you have done nothing.” “So you thought. But I came here with a secret mission. While your spies thought they were watching me they were only watching a phantasm. I have penetrated your armory and your command center, have seen your plans and your capabilities, and have sent them back through magical means to your enemies.” Star Swirl swept his cloak to the side and pointed a hoof at the Griffon King. “While you swept across the continent the Unicorn King worked in secret to form an alliance of many nations. Now all the world’s creatures stand united – against you. Your schemes are over, o king. Stand down your forces and surrender your crown, or your downfall is inevitable.” “You overestimate yourself,” King Blaze said. “My spies saw through your illusory double. They know that while you feigned inaction in your chamber, in reality you were scouting our military facilities in secret – or so you thought. But you played right into our claws.” Star Swirl’s eyes widened in shock, and King Blaze grinned. “Your secret informant was working for me all along. I know about the portal gem you planted in the yak enclosure, and the weapons cache for the diamond dog rebel litter. And oh yes – the invasion plans you sent back to your allies were false. When the attack comes they will be completely defenseless.” Star Swirl shook his head in horror. “No, this cannot be! I covered my tracks perfectly, and plumbed the depths of your facility to the last!” “You are wrong, wizard,” the Griffon King gloated. “For all your cunning and your tricks you failed to uncover the true secret of Aetite before it was too late. Beneath these mountains there is buried magical power beyond reckoning. I have already claimed my prize: the Heart of the Mountain is in my possession.” A piece of the floor slid open and a plinth rose up from below with a soft humming sound. On top of it rested a pale crystal orb that glowed with unearthly power. King Blaze took it in his claws and held it up. “Aetite aerie was only a means to an end. For this, I had the Empire conquer these mountains, subjugate its inhabitants, and put them to work in the mines deep within the rock. Now at last the Heart of the Mountain is in my possession, and with it I can power the ultimate weapon of conquest. Behold! The METAL GRIFF!” The scrying screens blinked out of existence and were replaced by a single giant image that loomed over them from behind the throne. It showed a dark metal chamber, within which stood a single enormous entity, a giant griffon of black steel and mithril that radiated unstoppable power. “With this, I will lead my armies into battle, and I will destroy all who dare oppose me! What I have set in motion cannot be undone, and you come only to witness your tribe’s downfall!” It looked down on them from far above, its sharp beak locked in a permanent frown, its eyes of black quartz glowing with inner fire as it came to life. It spread its massive metal wings, every feather a giant blade, and let out a shriek that shook the hall. King Blaze’s grin of triumph faded into irritation as Star Swirl stood unmoved, and clapped his hooves. “An impressive toy, King,” Star Swirl said without fear. “But your spies are no match for my genius. I knew they were watching, and that the invasion plans were false. That is why in addition to the double in my chambers I created an illusory triple for them to chase like cats following a red dot! And while they were chasing down false leads and blind to my true whereabouts I infiltrated your top-secret research laboratory in the mithril mines beneath the mountain disguised as Professor Gravitas, and sabotaged your secret weapon!” “What?!” King Blaze roared, raring up on his hind legs. “Impossible!” “Not only possible – history,” Star Swirl said with complete satisfaction. “And now that you have revealed the Heart of the Mountain, the last remaining piece of the puzzle, I can detonate the arcane bomb and destroy Metal Griff, forever!” With a flourish and a flash of light Star Swirl cast the spell, and the secret underground hangar erupted in flames as the whole aerie shook. Griffons screamed and alarm sirens blared. King Blaze looked around in shock as the ground beneath them was rocked by explosions, and he turned to the pony with burning rage in his eye. “Why would you do this?” the King demanded. “I know who you are, wizard. Nightmare Moon’s henchpony cares nothing for the lives of others. So why do you want to stop me?” “You are correct. I care nothing for ponies, and it means nothing to me whether the Griffon Empire conquers the world or not. The downfall of your petty schemes is only this: that once I have committed myself to a task I will never stop until it is completed to the best of my ability – my brilliant intellect demands no less.” He took a battle stance, spreading his hooves and lowering his horn. “Now come, and let us see who is the greatest warrior of the two of us!” “GrrrrRRRRAAAAAAAHH!” King Blaze roared in fury as fire grew around them. “You may have destroyed my plans, wizard, but I will still have your head as my trophy! I will never rest until you are dead!” “Twilight, are you… Are you sure these are the same creatures?” “Well, it’s a little unclear,” Twilight admitted. “Many of these figures took on legendary stature over time, which makes it hard to separate historical fact from embellishment. King Blaze was already considered the timeless, ideal image of a griffon king in Star Swirl’s day, and it’s possible his name was just stuck in at pivotal historical moments for literary purposes. It’s hard to say for sure which griffon king Star Swirl even met, if he really did meet King Blaze or if maybe several different griffons were replaced with the legends after the fact. Honestly we’re not entirely sure when the early griffon kings were even supposed to have lived, the time-span is all over the place.” “What is it the Foal Free Press says? Never let the facts get in the way of a good story.”