//------------------------------// // Second Meeting // Story: Tomb Kings of Equestria // by FleetlordAvatar //------------------------------// Sepa was no stranger to Empires, his fathers had been modest and he had grown up on stories of the legendary Settra the Imperishable, King of Kings and the one who forged Nehekarah into a legendary superpower. With that in mind, Sepa gauged the Crystal Empire as they were escorted to the palace. Despite scarring from the recent battle, the landscape remained a breath-taking sight, if they'd had any left. Green trees swayed in a gentle breeze while colourful fields of shining flowers and shimmering crops broke up the rolling green hills of the landscape with splashes of contrasting colour. Birds were singing, sheep bleated from their paddocks, it felt so alive. Sepas’ soul grew heavy as he thought of Nehekhara. The vast deserts once held their own life, from the creatures of deep jungles of Lhamia to the wild horse tribes of Bhagar and the bustling port of Zhandri. He remembered how sunlight was reflected from the gleaming white marble of Settras pyramid, the smell of the markets, the sound of people, everything that made Nehekara a blessed place to live. Of course, that was before Nagash, before his vanity and ego destroyed everything. Poisoning the great river, raising his own Black Pyramid that blotted the sun and cursing everyone and everything with eternal undeath when they defeated and denied him. He was like a spoiled child that broke his toys just because he couldn't have something he wanted. But the worst came after, skeletal farmers harvesting dead crops or fishing in the toxic river, the wailing of damned souls among the ruined ports and marketplaces, and the many cursed creatures that now roamed the desert sands. A great illusion of life, in a dead land. A coin for your thoughts, my king? Sepa's thoughts were interrupted by Rehu, the lich priest shuffling up alongside him. This place brings back memories of what Nehekhara used to be. He admitted. I know, replied the priest. I've not thought of our lands as they were for a very long time. Could it be whatever magic we felt passing through the shield? he questioned. Possibly, This 'Crystal Heart' is supposed to be a great source of magic, powered by the light and spirit of the Crystal Ponies. Perhaps it is awakening old memories.  See if you can glean anything more about it from our hosts, if it is affecting us, then we need to know what else it's capable of. Yes, my King. Rehu dropped back as the procession entered the capital city proper, marching up the shimmering road and heading directly for the palace. The street was deathly quiet, the crystal buildings that lined their path all shut up tight as the inhabitants dared to peek past shutters and curtains to glimpse the creatures which were marching towards the Crystal Palace. The air was thick with fear and tension as Shining Armour watched a pony get pulled out of sight as she tried to peek out an open door that slammed shut a moment later. "You'd find more cheer in a graveyard," muttered Shining Armour. "Rather appropriate when you look at our guests, don't you think, Sir," chipped in Diamond Edge. “They look like something from a horror movie.” The prince had to agree with his captain, their guests didn't exactly strike him as a cheery lot, the leaders muttered to each other while the guards remained eerily silent, the unnatural fire burning in their eye sockets and leering grins really didn't help endear them to their hosts. Of course that didn't stop some ponies. "Ooh, don't you look scary, I'll bet your loads of fun at Nightmare Night." Pinkie Pie was bouncing in front of one of the Tomb Guard, backwards, so she could look him in the eye sockets with each bounce. "Do you even have Nightmare Night where you're from? You've got to have something, I mean, who doesn't love scaring ponies, bobbing for apples and getting free candy." The guard remained silent. She suddenly gasped dramatically, remaining aloft mid-bounce as she did. "You haven't had a Nightmare Night before!? In that case you've got to come to Ponyville this year, I'll make sure we have the biggest party ever! Speaking of parties, I'm going to throw all of you a big 'Welcome to Equestria' Party with a capital 'P', I spent all night planning it, there's going to cakes and balloons and games galore!" Rarity watched as the pink pony continued to talk the...metaphorical...ear off the skeleton, she was sure its rictus grin was becoming increasingly strained as her friend started calling it 'Bonesy' then started singing a welcome song. "Pinkie's gonna Pinkie," chuckled Rainbow Dash as she hovered overhead. "Indeed darling," agreed the unicorn. "I just hope she doesn't cause an incident before we get a chance to speak properly, I want to ask about those robes.” “Those mouldy old things?” exclaimed Dash. “Come on Rarity, even I know you can do so much better.” “It is not my intention to copy them Rainbow Dash,” huffed the unicorn. “While a tad…musty, these designs have my instincts tingling. With a little tweaking here and there, they will be the talk of the town.” “Whatever,” Rainbow Dash shrugged. “Just don't use me as a ponyquin again, you know I can’t stand still for that long.” The Pegasus flew low and landed at a trot as they passed under the palace archways and towards its main entrance, a pair of guards stood at attention either side of the double doors, awaiting the group. The Crystal Heart thrummed as they passed, the jewel slowly spinning as it floated above its pedestal, bathing them all in its light and love. You can feel the power coming off that thing, muttered Hassep. Indeed, mused Phar, examining the runes etched into his bones, which had begun to glow a soft blue once again. Such an artefact would help us greatly against Nagash. Don't do anything stupid! Quietly snapped Hassep. Our position here is still precarious. I know that you imbecile! countered Phar, watching as Rehu paused in front of the heart.  Speaking of doing stupid things, he muttered, pausing as the column slowed to a stop. The lich priests' robes fluttered in an unseen wind as he muttered an incantation. The heart's light intensified as it responded, its spins increasing as guards made a move to grab Rehu, when the heart suddenly dimmed and returned to normal, the priest shuffling back to his king. Diamond Edge barked an order and the group was ushered quickly past the heart and into the palace, Rehu quietly conferring with Sepa. “Well?” “It is the same power affecting the souls in our care,” replied Rehu, showing the runes on his palm to the young king. “It is also affecting us as well, but it doesn't push at the protection runes like Nagash.” “What do you mean?” “Yeah, what do you mean?” They looked up and saw both Diamond Edge and Shining Armour had fallen in on either side of them. “It is…complicated,” replied Sepa, hesitantly. “Well how about you summarise it quickly,” growled Diamond Edge. The two Nehekharans shared a look as the Equestrians closed in. “We…are cursed.” Stated Rehu. The ponies paused, looking at one another, Diamond Edge’s expression reminded sceptical, but Shining Armours showed just a crack of sympathy. “Is that why you all look like-” he gestured up and down at them both. “Yes, though there's more to it than that.” explained Sepa. “I’d rather explain it fully only once.” “But, to clarify my actions,” added Rehu. “The runes on our bodies protect us from magical influences. An unfortunate necessity prior to our escape, I was taking a precaution to see if the Heart was hostile, it is not.” Diamond Edge scrutinised his words, sharing another look with his ruler before dropping back, leaving Shining Armour with the Tomb Kings. “I’m sorry if we came off too hard,” he apologised. “But you must understand, The Crystal Heart has been in the wrong hooves before and we don't want history repeating itself.” “I understand, I shall refrain from repeating my actions.” The Prince nodded and returned to the head of the column. “That's not the full story,” muttered Sepa. “There's more you have to tell.” “You are getting observant,” congratulated Rehu. “The Heart reached out to me and brushed against the runes with a silken touch. At that moment I felt its intent, it wants to know who we are, to ease the suffering of our souls, but it wont do so without permission.” "You mean it's alive somehow?" "I cannot say for certain my king, further observation will be needed." Any further questions Sepa might have had were cut short as they reached the dining hall, the double doors already wide open to reveal the chamber beyond. Crystalline tables groaned under the weight of a heavy spread of food and drink. Unsure what the Tomb Kings might eat had caused the chefs to cook a bit of everything, cakes, vegetables and steaming plates of fish were laid out for their guests to sample. Thus the group dispersed to try and mingle before the real diplomatic work could begin, the Tomb Guard taking position near their lords as the Crystal Guard did the same with the Equestrians. Rehu shuffled along the table, admiring the different delicacies that had been prepared and dearly wishing he still had the ability to enjoy them. Vague memories of sumptuous feasts with exotic flavours came to mind, but without a sense of smell or taste, let alone a digestive system, the effort didn't mean anything to the Nehekharans, except leave them with a sense of longing. "Um, excuse me," The question had him slowly turn and come face to face with the purple alicorn who was nervously clearing her throat. "I was wondering if I might speak with you?" Forward, and polite, much like Sepa when he had been a student. Of course, my king wants us to get to know one another after all. "Thank you." She indicated a set of chairs and a table by one of the windows, just out of the way enough they wouldn't be bothered by the other delegates. Nodding his assent, Rehu shuffled after the alicorn, noting the two crystal guards who remained just far enough away to appear inconspicuous, and mentally summoning a pair of Tomb Guard to do the same as he sat opposite the pony. "My name is Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship," she introduced herself. "Pleased to meet you, I am High Priest Rehu of the Mortuary Cult" he replied, cordially. "I'm also a close friend of Flash Sentry." "I see," replied Rehu. Slowly processing the statement. “For what it's worth, he had passed when we found him." "I...just need to know...why did you do it? How did you do it? No pony has that power anymore.” "That will take some explaining,” he replied, noting she said no one had the power ‘anymore’. “Are you sure you wish to know?” “Please,” she begged. “I have to know.” “Very well, but I have warned you.” So he told her the history of his people, the rise of the Mortuary Cult and Settra's quest for immortality, and how Nagash brought them all low. All throughout she sat with rapt attention, even conjouring a notebook and quill to make notes as he started to explain the intricacies of the resurrection rituals and rites. Across the room, Rarity was sat by one of the Tomb Guard, a glass of red wine floating daintily in her magical grip while her designers eye took in every detail of it's decayed finery, from the mouldy crimson cloth wrappings to the intricate patterns of silver and gold depicting the Nehekharan gods upon its shield and headdress, she scrutinised every inch of the stationary skeleton. "I was right,” she cheered, excitedly. “These clothes have such a classical air to them, despite being so cruelly neglected, why, I could extrapolate a whole new line of clothing!" She approached the warrior and produced a sketchpad and pencil. "Excuse me my good sir, would you mind terribly if I took a few drawings of you?" The warrior remained silent, although its gaze did move to the alabaster unicorn as she remained sitting before it. "You know, it's rude to keep a lady waiting like this," she replied, impatiently. The Tomb Guard cocked its head slightly. "Fantastic!” Stated Rarity. “Now, just hold that pose darling." As inspiration took hold, she moved methodically around the Tomb Guard to take it in from each angle, even producing a tape measure that snaked its way around the skeletal soldier like a living creature so she could get its dimensions, and that of its headdress. Across from the unicorn, the Tomb Guard, ‘Bonsey’, was possibly experiencing something worse than eternal undeath, as Pinkie Pie ceaselessly spoke to the unresponsive skeleton. "You know Bonesy, I reckon you guys are all so stiff because it's really cold out there and you don't even have fur to keep you warm, so I made you this!" She produced a pink, wool sweater and somehow managed to get it ONTO the static skeleton in the blink of an eye. ‘Bonsey’ creakily looked at itself in apparent bemusement. "There, now we match!" grinned the Pink pony, somehow sporting her own sweater as she bounced around her new friend. "Of course, I was always a woolly Jumper hee hee!" Pinkie giggled at her own pun as she dragged him over to the table. "Come on now, we can't let all this go to waste, try the cupcakes, do you like cupcakes, do they even have cupcakes where you're from? GASP! They don't! Then we've got to try them!" Phar grumbled at the sight of the hapless Tomb Guard being dragged off to the dessert table by that infuriating pink creature, it was disgraceful that a soldier of Nehekhara, let alone one of the vaunted Tomb Guard, be treated like a childs toy. "So, what's your deal anyway?" came a raspy voice from above him. His skull snapped upwards to see the hovering form of Rainbow Dash.. "I mean, you're standing over here, all alone and broody, makes me think you don't want to make friends." "We are kings,” he growled. “We don't make friends." “Well, you've been making friends with that wine glass for a while now,” she snarked. Phar stopped his hand, which had been moving said glass to his mouth for a drink, his eye sockets flickered as he slowly pulled it back like he was in a daze, he didn't even remember picking it up. Realisation dawned as his grip tightened on the glass and he cast it to the floor, blood red wine flowing over the crystalline marble with the shattering glass. “This is foolhardy!” he cried.  “Hey!” The new voice came from Diamond Edge, the crystal pony trotting to join them. “What's this about?” he snapped. “Beats me,” shrugged Dash. “I just said he’d been holding that wine for too long.” “Phar!” Sepa had marched over with a pair of Black Legion Tomb Guard. “Behave yourself, we are kings, and their guests.” “Kings, ha!” he barked. “I am a King, Hassep is a King, I served a King who commanded my respect and who I suffered a SECOND DEATH FOR!” Phar closed with Sepa, who held up a hand to keep his guards back as the ruler of Numas stared him down an inch of space between them. “But you,” he growled. “You are a child playing politics with these weak, pathetic creatures, your dynasty has no legacy and your city was forgotten long before Settra walked the hallowed sands.” He turned and stalked towards the door, a pair of Crystal Guards swiftly moved to block the way. “Let me pass!”  demanded the Tomb King. Diamond Edge looked to his rulers, who nervously considered their options. “I’ll keep an eye on him.”  volunteered Hassep, who had wisely remained out of the incident, but he knew Phar couldnt be left on his own. “As will I,” replied Diamond Edge, intending to watch both Kings like a hawk. Gathering a pair of soldiers each, Cadence nodded her assent and so the door guards stood down, allowing Phar to stalk from the room, swiftly followed by the others. “I apologise for his behaviour,” stated Sepa, shoulders sagging in the approximation of a sigh as he approached the rulers of the Crystal Empire. “Why did he do that anyway?” questioned Shining Armour. “It…has to do with our curse. I will explain it all fully when we begin the talks properly, but the short version is we do not require food and drink and we sometimes forget that. Now, if you'll excuse me for a moment.” He turned from the pair and moved to a private corner to collect himself; he didn't want to show it, but Phar had rattled him with his tirade of insults. The new King had a lot of doubts and was doing his best to control them, he just had to remain calm until the negotiations were over. He wasn't the only one shaken by the incident as Fluttershy was doing her very best to keep her knees from knocking in fear. "O-okay Fluttershy, you can do this," she quietly muttered to herself. "You can s-speak to these t-t-terrifying-" "Hiya Fluttershy! With a squeal of fright, the pegasus launched herself skywards to cling to the underside of a crystal chandelier. "Whatcha doing up here?" Looking up, she saw Pinkie Pie lazily lying on top of the same chandelier. "Oh, Pinkie, you scared me." "Did I?" replied the pink pony, apparently just noticing where they were. "Sorry about that," she apologised, grabbing the pegasus hoof. "I was just so excited to introduce my new friend to somepony.” They were back on the ground in an instant as she dragged the pegasus before one of the skeletal guards, only this one had a paper crown in addition to the jumper she had gotten onto it. "This is Bonesey, he doesn't talk so much but he's a great listener, we were just trying the cupcakes, did you know they dont have cupcakes where he's from?" Fluttershy was sure that Bonesey’s rictus grin looked pleading, like he was saying, 'please get her away from me.' "Anyway, now you're all introduced, I thought you might like to meet my new friend." Fluttershy looked at the pink pony in bemusement, this skeleton WASN'T her new friend? A split second later, there was a stuffed vulture on Pinkie Pie's hoof, then she realised, it wasn't stuffed, it just looked that way. The creature looked around in confusion before squawking loudly at Pinkie Pie. "I think he likes me," she grinned. It squawked again, flapping its wings angrily. "Actually, he's not happy you took him from his perch," she replied, quietly. "He is?" Pinkie enquired, avoiding a few angry pecks. "Whoops, sorry about that, you just looked so bored on that staff I thought you might want a break." It screeched and flapped its wings again, shuffling on her hoof. "He says that he's Mister Rehu's familiar, and that he has to stay near him at all times." "Okie dokie Loki!" replied Pinkie, passing the vulture off to Fluttershy. "Would you mind taking him back, I want to show Bonsey around some more." With that, she trotted off with her hooves pulling the skeleton with her. "SQUARK!" "I know she can be a bit...energetic, but Pinkies are one of the best ponies I know. Although she might need to cut back on the cupcakes." The vulture chirred in agreement, going to clean its feathers as Fluttershy transferred it to her back. "I must say, you are a beautiful creature," admired the pegasus. Vultures were often considered ugly, but she knew they were the perfect desert scavengers. It made them beautiful in their own way. The compliment had the vulture preen as it shifted position, spreading a wing to show off its mummified feathers. Rehu had cleaned it up prior to their visit so they did have some of their original sheen. "You have such a lovely wingspan." It chirred again, lowering its head to show off its deadly beak causing the pegasus to tense at the sight of its eyeless skull. "S-such a lovely beak as well, we should see if we can find your friend Rehu before I wear out the conversation." She trotted off to find the wayward Liche priest, chatting with the vulture as it snipped and preened over her compliments. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Passing out into the corridor, The King of Llamia found himself striding alongside Diamond Edge as they set off after Phar. Hassep really didn't want the king of Numa’s ego ruining any chances they might have with the Equestrians. Like it or not, they needed to get out of the cold and somewhere they could properly take stock and try to rebuild their forces.  “Phar!” he called after the retreating king, only to be ignored as he turned a corner and dropped out of sight. Looking out of the crystalline windows at the city below he saw some of the Crystal Ponies trying to peer up into the palace, while many others attempted to go about their business, heading to stores and market stalls that were selling shimmering fruits and crystal berries, though a heavy air of tension hung over everything. The group turned after Phar and found themselves at a crossroads, with multiple routes into different parts of the palace. “Where did he go?” questioned Diamond Edge, looking down each of the four potential paths. “We should split up to find him.” “Sure, and shall I just hand you the Crystal Heart as well?” sarcastically replied the Crystal Pony. “I warned him not to do anything stupid,” grumbled Hassep. Before the conversation went any further, there was a bright flash of light and Hassep found his vision filled with…pink? Stunned, he took a moment to realise that something soft and fluffy was holding his skull . Carefully wrapping his skeletal hands around the object, he gently pulled it off his face, and saw it was a pony. A soft pink alicorn foal with blue highlights and a cloth diaper was staring back at him with infantile curiosity. He tilted his head as it sucked on a hoof, gently booping his non-existent nose with the other as it giggled and babbled in his grasp. "Sweet Celestia, Flurry Heart!" exclaimed Diamond Edge He and his men immediately had the Tomb King at spearpoint, Hasseps own guards responding in kind, but the king raised a bony hand to stop them. “There you are!” Their gaze snapped to the voice as an orange unicorn with glasses and a blue cloak galloped up to them, panting in exertion. "I-I'm so sorry, she got away from me *huff* her magic, really *huff* unpredictable at times, thank you *pant* for finding her.” The unicorn stammered as he carefully took Flurry Heart away from the stunned Tomb King with his magic, the foal squealing in joy as it floated out of Hasseps grasp and over to him. “Sunburst,” groaned Diamond Edge as they all stood down. “Please keep a closer eye on her, we’ve already got enough problems right now.” “Yes, sorry,” apologised the unicorn. “Anything I can help with?” “My…associate King Phar has wandered off, perhaps you've seen him?” “Oh, yes,” he nervously replied, pushing his glasses back into place. “He pushed past me and frightened Flurry, which is probably why she disappeared, he was going toward the training hall.” “At least it's not the Crystal Heart,” muttered Diamond Edge. “Now, please take Flurry Heart somewhere safe while we deal with this.” “Yes, sure,” he affirmed, lifting the infant onto his back. “Uh, good luck with him, he looked really grumpy.” “Sadly that's how he is these days,” sighed Hassep. Parting ways, the king of Lahmia found himself looking back at Sunburst as he carried off Flurry Heart. The baby alicorn waved at the Tomb King, babbling a farewell and he found himself returning the gesture as something bloomed inside his ribs. If he didn't know better, he could have sworn it was his heart.