//------------------------------// // Monarchy // Story: What Happens in Terraria // by BioChemicalWolfGear //------------------------------// (I hate the new layout. but nothing to terrible. Just wish the featured box was back where it belongs is all. Other than that I can live. but as long as I feel like expressing my feelings I'll talk about my chapter here :D Not sure if like...that is all.) I sat on my throne for one day. A full day, before a messenger of Celestia’s finally came in through the skylight. Within that time, I not only was able to skim through the Crystal Storm tome, but I also got fifty pages of the Cursed Flame tome done as well. I made occasional visits to the Biology Lab, but stopped when I went down there last time, and saw the congruent lime green trunk had safely pulled apart Rainbow Dash, and was adding things into her. I bugged Radiant Garden about that because I didn’t want her to die. It wasn’t exactly easy to explain why you had put your Thane in a tree, just so she could be torn apart, to the goddesses of the sun and moon. After he assured me of her safety, I continued on my way and remained in the throne room, until Celestia had the guts to message me again. The Solar Guard trotted up to me while I was still reading the Cursed Flame tome. “Sir Puppet Master?” he asked, with a salute. I removed my nose from the book, and looked at him with interest. “Yes? Celestia sends for me?” He put his hoof back on the ground. “Well, yes. She said she agrees not to press treason charges, but wishes to speak to you about other matters.” “What other matters?” I responded. “I don’t know. That’s all she told me.” “Do you know what the treason charges detail?” “I’m one of the guards that chased Rainbow Dash herself to your tower. I’m very much aware of the situation that you and her are in.” “May I ask your opinion for what to do with Rainbow Dash? I know it’s not your place, but I wish to know the honest truth from you stallions. I want to know if my Rainbow Dash needs protection.” I stated, trying to seem sincere. “What? Nononono sir, no guard will take personal revenge. The situation unnerves us all greatly, but we wouldn’t act on our own to get revenge. I admit I am troubled that the most loyal pony in Equestria would take your side, as opposed to Celestia’s. But no Solar Guard would dare want to harm an innocent. Even if they are suspected of treason.” He responded seriously enough, so I would believe him. “Do you mind if I put my hand on your head?” I asked. “…What?” he put on a quizzical look. “I wish to trust your judgment, I will know if I put my hand on your head.” “I’m sorry Puppet Master, but I don’t feel comfortable with you touching me.” he said consciously. [&]‘Time to see if he’s working for Celestia or someone else.’[/&] “Fair enough. I’ll head to Canterlot straight away. Oh and come with me, I want to have an escort with me when I arrive at Canterlot.” “I’m sorry sir, I have to return to Cloudsdale. Good journeys to you.” he turned around to leave and flew off through the skylight. “Darkness.” I said loudly when I knew he was out of earshot. “Yes, my Lord?” replied the Thane of Corruption, as he stepped out from behind a square pillar. “If he comes back, capture him and wait for my return. Actually capture anypony that comes in that has military relation. However if it is a griffon, then watch them closely. And let them know they’re being watched.” “It will be done, my Lord.” I unfurled my wings and took off out the skylight. It was easy to navigate myself to Canterlot. I’ve done it several times already. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Monarch of the new griffon empire has been in power for ten years and he is ready to make big changes to his kingdom. Mainly changes in trade and conquest. It is true that all tribes and countries of the griffon lands have conquest ideas. But for one to start taking land from the weak, means others will begin to prey on his lands. But Monarch Maluk of the Clawsack Empire wanted conquest. But he didn’t want griffon lands… no. He wanted Equestria. The griffons don’t care for Equestria as they do each other. If a nation was to fight Equestria and come out victorious, then they will earn respect and citizens will rebel just to annex their cities to that one empire. Only Maluk had the ability to do such a thing to Equestria. He has ways of making griffons and ponies alike serve his needs. Equestria isn’t used to spies, so after years of practice in the intelligence agency for the previous empire, Maluk was able to hone his skills. But being Monarch gives you benefits that you can’t have when you’re a simple g-man working for an emperor, king or queen. Influence. Influence and power; money as well. But mostly influence. Once you get nobles on your side, you can control the lands you now own. He has his nobles and the influence to rule all of Equestria, without the need of Celestia. Like all great leaders, he knows he can’t just conquest a country. You need to own it and influence it first, so you don’t anger the citizens. And the only way to do that is make yourself either look like a hero, or the trustworthy leader you can retreat to. His plan was to annex parts of Equestria, while Celestia worried about the ‘war’ between her and Puppet Master. In fact, that’s why he was at the castle. “I feel this deal will be mutually beneficial to both our great nations. I understand the conflicts are dying down in my country, and we’re taking a more capitalist approach to stabilize our economy. I’m sure the upper class would like some well weaved clothing.” stated Maluk. He was flanked on both sides with two griffon guards, with swords on their sides and light leather armor. “That’s a splendid idea. I’m sure a few Clawsack models would be able to gain money off of Equestrian magazines as well.” “Then its agreed?” “It’s agreed. I’ll make a few letters out to Photo Finish so she can make the first images of the mutual advertisement campaign.” *creak* “Princess Celestia!” exclaimed a guard who peeked in the door. “Puppet Master is here, and is ready for an audience!” “Let him in.” responded Celestia, still holding her smile. The guard nodded and pushed open his half of the door, while the other guard followed suit. Puppet Master revealed himself from behind the large double doors, and strolled in confidently. “Hello Celestia.” I looked over to the griffon in front of her throne, and noticed his guards had their swords drawn. “Am I interrupting something?” “Oh, sorry about that, they don’t know what you are yet.” he said nervously while motioning for his guards to put their swords away. “It’s forgiven. I’ve been given a few threats since coming here but most of those are out of fear of the unknown. I was naive like that, once. But I grew out of it by coming to terms with the world, and learning how to control my own nation. May I ask your name?” I said as politely as possible. “My name is Maluk, and I’m the Monarch of the Clawsack Empire.” “I am Puppet Master. King of the Red Rose Empire.” I responded. “Clawsack, eh? You know there’s another place in my world, that sounds similar to that. They call themselves Cossacks. It’s pretty interesting how similar both our worlds are.” “Oh, really?” he said with interest. “How did they turn out?” “I believe they may have been conquered or renamed itself because I only found that country in history books.” “Oh, that’s unfortunate.” he deflated. “Not really. Every country steps aside, at one point. One day mine will disappear, and you wouldn’t even think it was there in the first place.” I smiled. The Monarch gave me a quizzical look. “Doesn’t that worry you?” “No. As long as I leave behind a legacy, then I’m fine with what happens to my people. The Cossacks for example remain a significant part of our history. They left behind a legacy. Maybe you will too, one day.” “Thank you for those endearing words.” he replied gratefully. “I will reflect on them later. Although, I believe you two had something to say to each other?” he inquired with a look in his eye, that said he wanted to know what it was about. “Ah yes, Celestia you summoned me to talk about our friend, but I came here with a proposal.” Celestia cocked her head to the side. “And what would that be?” “A declaration of friendship, between our two empires.” I responded with the biggest smile. I felt the griffons’ morale drop, from where I was standing. “That would be lovely. I’d consider it, but let’s speak about another topic in private. That is unless the Monarch has anything else to speak to me about.” we both looked expectantly at the Monarch. “No thank you, Celestia. I believe I’m done. I’ll leave you two alone.” he bowed respectfully and left. “Guards, leave us.” commanded Celestia, her face dropping to a small frown. The guards left the room with haste. “What was that about?” Celestia inquired curiously. “The declaration of friendship? That was real. It appears to me that the forces that are trying to get us to become enemies, want that the least. To ensure your safety and my own, I believe declaring our nations allies would be beneficial.” “Well, technically, you need citizens before you call yourself a nation.” she said slyly. “Oh, I do have citizens. But just a few…. fine, call me a tribe leader if you really want. Either way I still have land, and a castle.” “And no right to rule.” she shot back while leaning to her right, and putting her chin on her hoof. It mocked Darkness’s nonchalant sitting position, whenever he sits on my throne. “You know… I’m finding it really hard to like you right now. You wanted to see me?” “Well yes, I’d like to speak to Rainbow Dash, if that is all right with you?” “Well Celestia, I can’t say I like the idea. I’ll give it a thought. But she will require an over-watch, or at least some protection. I don’t trust you very much anymore. I was ready to come to a few agreements, that will be used to fool whoever wants us to be enemies.” I took on a cynical tone, and folded my arms. “But you know, the safety of the innocent obviously isn’t important, so we should still be at each other’s throats or something.” Celestia glared at me. “Fine, what do you propose?” “Let’s look like we’re friends. Make it look like we have an inseparable bond of friendship. I’m guessing that whoever wants us to be enemies, also wants us to go to war, and eventually become too weak to defend ourselves.” “How do we look like friends then?” “Open our borders. Your troops, and mine will be allowed in our territory. And if it doesn’t look like we’ve opened our borders, to whoever wants us to fight each other then they will think we are at war, and will wait for the ‘fighting’ to cease so they can move in, and declare war on either of us. Then we’d know the face of our enemy.” “As interesting as those ideas are, I don’t think they will be necessary.” Celestia replied, her face calm and collected. “What do you mean?” “Do you per chance have a truth-telling potion? If you did, then we’d be able to successfully interrogate a spy.” “Maybe, but my guess is everypony pocketed doesn’t have an idea of who their boss is. Maybe their race, but there is many different races of intelligent beings on this planet. Even us new Terrarians.” “Do you have anything that will allow us to find out who is a spy, and who’s not?” “Well actually, I have a unique ability to look into the minds of ponies and people I touch. I’ve honestly used it before, on a few ponies that were absolutely terrified of me. Did you know, some ponies have a phobia of tall things?” I replied, completely bullshitting the story, but saying it so casually that Celestia believed it quickly. “I seriously doubt you can read minds.” Ok, maybe she didn’t believe me. “If you don’t mind then, can I touch your head?” “Only if you annex your tower into Equestria.” she said with a playful smile. “That, actually can be arranged. But as of now, I don’t really care for your rule. You haven’t proven to me that you really deserve a nation. I’m sure being immortal gives you some tricks that only time can teach, but you need to prove to me that you will treat my children with the proper respect.” “Wait, children? I wasn’t aware that you were a father.” she stated with much puzzlement. “Radiant Garden and Darkness are my children.” “I can’t see the resemblance.” Celestia deadpanned. “That’s because I made them out of body parts that I just threw together. Creating them, was no different than shaping clay.” “As interesting as that is, I still don’t believe you.” Celestia replied, unconvinced. “I don’t care if you believe me or not. But until you prove to me that you will care for Radiant and Darkness like your own, then I cannot leave.” “Leave?” “…” if I was going to leave and go fix the mistake that made me come here, then I’m going to have to take care of Radiant, Darkness, Celldric, and Hunger. Rainbow already has a place here, so I don’t need to worry about her when I leave. “I’m dying Celestia. Slowly and painfully, I want my children to grow happy and strong without me.” “They seem quite mature to me.” she stated with more puzzlement. “That’s because I made them that way. Darkness and Radiant aren’t even a full two years old yet.” The more I talked about it, the more I realized how true this is. “They were born knowing everything Terrarian, but nothing Equestrian. Can I trust you to not harm them, when I leave?” “You have my word, I won’t punish them for anything you’ve asked of them, and what do you mean, dying? I was under the impression you were immortal.” “I am immortal. But just because you can’t succumb to time, doesn’t mean you can’t die.” “That… I agree with.” whatever Celestia thought of at that point it must have been tragic. This is the first time I’ve seen Celestia’s ears lower. “I understand then. If you need anything for when you do ‘leave,’ then you can ask it of me. Just nothing to do with power.” her smile returns. “I don’t need promise of power or wealth from you, Celestia. Just a promise of friendship.” I returned her smile. “Well… being allies still doesn’t sound like the best idea, considering what just happened. Maybe we can talk over tea?” “That’s funny, Luna offered the same thing. Maybe we can arrange a get together and discuss the realm.” then, I narrowed my eyes and smiled playfully. “Or discuss the terms of your surrender.” “Never.” Celestia said calmly with a smile, getting my joke. “Then it’s settled. Tea time for us, then.” “Indeed. Now what are the details of your death?” “My body will be left behind. And my soul will move on. Such is the way all creatures die. Though, I won’t actually move on.” I admitted sheepishly. “Where will you go? The Gates of Gamore? Most immortals that die usually go there. They are forever remembered in the stars.” “Well my death won’t be as, ‘romantic,’ as that. But I will be gone, and become a toy for the ones who torture all the evil in the world.” Celestia looked alarmed. “Are you saying you’re evil?” “No, but I’ve killed the guardian of hell. He’s like a gate keeper of Tartarus, from your world. I’ve been in my own Tartarus, deep below the surface of the world. I collected minerals and battled demons. And I’ve destroyed a being that held back a terrible power…” I remembered the time I went into hell alone, one day when wolfGear was on the surface. It wasn’t a major event, so I didn’t remember it that well. But what happened when I died in molten armor I put on was terrifying. That wall morphed into a room on my death and tortured me for what felt like ages, even though it was a few seconds. That wall was evil, and I set out all of its secrets onto the world to collect. Stronger corruption and the hollow was released because of destroying that beast… and it wanted revenge. “Sorry, did I blank out for a moment?” “Yes, you did. I was getting worried. What is it you destroyed?” “The Wall of Flesh.” *whispers* I noticed Celestia looking around the throne room, and I followed her example. After a while, we looked at each other with a considerable amount of concern on our faces. “I’ll never use that name again. I don’t even know the ramifications.” “Agreed, what exactly was released when you destroyed that… that wall?” she finished quietly. “I released many evils into the world. I make innocent looking creatures become violent, and plunge the whole world into chaos. I don’t regret my decision because there was almost nothing left in the world I lived in to begin with. Besides, Terrarians love to pursue power and strength. I’m no different, and when I destroyed it, I got this armor from the souls of the powerful things I released into the world.” “That’s horrible.” she replied with a face that also said, ‘rethinking tea’. “I’m sure you’re uncomfortable with my actions Celestia. But I took precautions and built a castle much like the one I have now, that is sealed off from the outside world so it can protect what is within, and keep my people well fed.” “Well glad to hear you kept them safe when the whole world was destroying itself.” She deadpanned. “What? It was all I could really do. Much of the world has already succumbed to the evils of Corruption, among other things.” “What other things?” “Hollow actually. But thankfully, the hollow doesn’t exist in this world. It’s what turns harmless creatures into warmongering monsters.” “That’s good it’s not here. But do you think it can resist the power of harmony?” she asked with a hopeful smile. “Resist?” I spoke a little louder. “The Hollow feeds off of harmony, if it were to be released into Equestria, we won’t be able to stop it even if every stallion, mare, and foal came to help. It’s one force of evil, that I had to build a castle in the sky just too keep my people safe from. I’m afraid to face it alone.” “Oh, well I’m happy that you are free from something so oppressive now. I actually had doubts about your sincerity to protect the innocent. I’m sorry for that.” she frowned. “I won’t blame you. I don’t believe I’ve been acting very kingly, lately. It’s probably the stress. I’ve never had to deal with someone so unsure of my abilities before.” “I’d like to help you, as you pass on.” her smile returned. “You mean in death?” “Yes, for an immortal, death is another step that, when it has to be taken, can be very frightening.” “It’s ok, Celestia. Your concern is noted, but I’ve already come to terms with what has to happen. Oh, on a side note, may I have a sample of your blood?” “What?” her expression became quizzical. “Why do you need it?” “For a new body. Terrarians require new bodies, every few centuries. When I die, I will possibly fade into another universe. It is common for Terrarians to wake up in an alternate dimension of the one they are currently in. And since I’m in Equestria…” I let the sentence hang for her to respond. “Then you’ll go to an alternate Equestria.” she finished, her eyes widening. “Yes! And I need to experiment with Alicorn blood. I actually want to become a unicorn or an earth pony, but I also need the abilities of a Pegasus. Oh, and don’t worry, I won’t want to impersonate you.” “You can impersonate me with my blood?” “Yes, I can completely clone you, if I wanted. But then that will get weird, when I meet you now, wouldn’t it?” “…agreed. But how will you get all the abilities of an alicorn, by being an earth pony?” “With a little trial and error. I hope you can help me with this. I may die any time soon or maybe in three years. But I want to be ready for when that happens.” Celestia’s face scrunched up in thought. She gazed absentmindedly at the floor for a minute then spoke. “I’ll give you my blood, after I’ve seen the body you’re creating.” She grinned. “It’s not being formed at this time. But I do have Rainbow as a donor, so I have her blood. I guess seeing the body while its being formed, isn’t out of the question. How about when its being created, I’ll send you a letter.” “That will be wonderful. Is there anything else you wish to talk about?” “I should ask you that, you summoned me here.” “We got rid of my first few questions early on. I’m sure that I’ll think of something to question you about later. But for now, we’re done.” “Ok then, I’ll be off. Oh, and am I still invited to the Gala?” She gave me a soft smile. “Of course. A lot of leaders want to meet you, and are attending the Gala just to do so. I can’t let our relationship get in the way of diplomatic relations.” “Then, I bid you, adieu.” I used the magic mirror that I had in my inventory, to get back home.