//------------------------------//
// Chapter 2 
// Story: Tribunal 
// by Carnifaxy 
//------------------------------//


Chapter 2



Spike had sent his letter to Twilight, detailing the new boring day of their trip from Manehatten.  He had expected such things like griffon sky pirates attacking them, or monsters rearing up from the ocean or something exciting, but Luna would merely laugh and chide him for such childish notions.
“You have such an imagination Spike.  Couple that with your writing talent and you could become an author.  Just imagine, the first dragon author in Equestria, you'd sell books from that novelty alone.”
Before he could respond there was a knock at the door.
“Princess, we have just crossed into the Griffdonia.”
“Thank you Night Shade.  You may come in if you'd like.”
The door opened and a dark-coated unicorn walked in, wearing not armor of a guard but a heavy cloak to conceal his features.  He bowed, nodding his head to the Princess.
“Nothing new to report I assume?”
“Actually Princess, I was contacted by a Prince Slaar as soon as we were spotted by griffon patrols.”
Luna raised an eyebrow and motioned for the unicorn to rise.  “Prince Slaar?  The dragons have no kingdom, they're nomadic be-  creatures,” she said, catching her words in front of Spike.
“He rules not dragons, but humans.  He said that he'd prefer to talk to you face to face once we've arrived at the capital.”
She frowned and began to walk past Night Shade to the way on deck.  “Humans?  I haven't seen a human in a long time...”
Night Shade and Spike hurriedly followed after Luna onto the deck of the ship, just in time to see the factory-cities of the griffons.  It was chilling at their altitude, snow-peaked mountains as far as the eye could see with deep, lush valleys in between.  Many of the mountains had factories built into the side, with a steady stream of mined materials moving into the metal behemoths.  On opposite sides of the mountains would be the aeries themselves, the civilian griffons running day-to-day lives.  Griffon 'weather' teams corralled up the clouds of smoke that belched from their factories, running them through smaller weather-factories than the one in Cloudsdale.
Luna let out a soft gasp at the sight, of how organized the griffons were in their movements.
“It's breathtaking, isn't it Princess?  To imagine the griffons being such an industrialized forced.  Like a well-oiled machine.”
“They produce tons of steel from a single factory alone don't they?” Spike asked as he looked over the railing of the ship to watch the finished steel being loaded up onto cargo zeppelins.
“More than that.  They produce steel, sell most of it to their allies, and use the rest to make weapons for themselves.  Each year many griffons are sent to Zebrica in attempts to colonize and each year they call for recruits and weapons.” Night Shade replied to the young dragon
Luna nodded as the airship took a turn, heading toward the tallest mountain in the region.  Unlike many of the other griffon buildings, the top of the mountain had buildings carved right from the stone, a castle not unlike Canterlot's, but with a greater amount of defensive structures in place.
“I remember this place...  Look at the size of the buildings, they are much too large for the average griffon.  Yes, I know it all too well now,”  The Moon Princess whispered to herself.
“Princess?”
She shook her head.  “Never mind, I am just reminiscing on things.”
Princess Luna and the others on deck jumped as they heard a mighty roar in the distance, a massive dragon suddenly appearing along the walls of the ancient castle.  It's deep blue scales reflected light akin to the waves of the ocean.  The large beast stretched, much like a cat just waking up, it's wings flaring out as the dragon let out a massive yawn before shaking its head.  It turned to look at the airship steadily approaching and suddenly vanished.
Spike scratched his head.  “What was that all about?”
“That was a dragon that can consciously use magic.”  Luna stood in place, transfixed upon the spot the dragon had been.
“That...  that's not common,” Night Shade said with a frown.
“No, not common at all.”
“I can use magic, sorta!”
Luna nodded as she looked to Spike.  “Yes, you have an innate talent which many lack.  Nearly all dragons however, are incapable of even minor spells.  That however, was not something we should have expected.  Night Shade, please tell the others to ready themselves to disembark.”
“At once, Princess.”


Down below in the brig, Chrysalis lay out on her side, eyes open as she listened to the soft hum of the ship as its speed began to slow.  She glanced over to the Night Guard stationed right across from her cell and she smiled over at him.	
“We are almost there.”
“Yes, my queen.”
“Remember my orders, and everything shall be fine.”
Hoof steps suddenly filled the air and the changeling queen looked over to the doorway, Night Shade walking inside.
“Get the prisoner ready for transport, we're docking soon.”
The bat-winged pony gave a crisp salute and approached the cell door, unlocking it and grabbing the harness attached to Chrysalis.  He gave a rough tug, causing her to be pulled up to her feet.
“Get up you,” he said with a sneer, dragging the changeling queen until she caught the ground and followed.
Chrysalis lowered her head slightly, but flashed Night Shade a grin as she was pulled up on deck.
The unicorn sneered at the changeling queen, almost raising his hoof to strike her before stomping it down.
“Damnable beast,” he muttered as he followed close behind.


“Vincent!” Slaar called out as he checked over his clothing.  “Get the men ready, we'll be meeting with Agathon and King Phaitos to greet Princess Luna of Equestria.  Now, I know the griffons and minotaurs have been rather unsettling for you and the men...”
“Because they're monsters from old stories.”
“...But the Equestrians are amusing in that they tend to be brightly colored ponies.  If they knew we used horses for labor they'd probably be frightened.  They've probably never seen a human before either, so it'll be a shock to them too.”
Vincent nodded, letting his eyes roll in the process as they walked through the halls of the fortress toward the docking bay.  In what seemed like no time at all they arrived, the griffon king with a retinue of his elite warriors and the minotaur king, Phatitos, wearing a rather elaborate set of bronze armor, the chest molded to look like his musculature and his guards wielding large, round shields and spears with red feathers attached below the spearhead.
The three monarchs nodded politely to each other as the airship docked and the gangplank lowered, a Night Guard clearing his throat.
“Now presenting, Princess Luna of Equestria!”
Luna stepped down along the gangplank, holding her head high as she regarded the other three rulers.  She looked to Agathon, who bowed politely, then to Phaitos who held his head up high to expose his throat.  When her gaze fell upon Slaar, he merely looked her over with a bit of awe in his face before he shook his head and bowed.
“Princess Luna, let me be the first to welcome you to my kingdom.  I am King Agathon Goldenclaw, it is an honor to be having you here, despite the circumstances.”
The Moon Princess offered a polite smile to the griffon, giving a bow back.  “Indeed, I haven't been in the Griffon Kingdom since my return, I rather like what's been done with it.”
“Ah, thank you Princess Luna!  Please, we should get the prisoner in the dungeon right away and we'll have a feast for everyone's arrival.  We can begin that Tribunal business tomorrow.”
King Phaitos cleared his throat.  “Excuse me, King Agathon, but I believe there are others that need to be introduced.”
“Oh my, forgive me for that, it's just we don't get the Equestrians on this side of the sea.”
The minotaur nodded and smiled to Luna.  “I am King Phaitos of the minotaurs, it's a pleasure to finally meet one of the fabled Sky Sisters.”
“Indeed, a pleasure to make your acquaintance King Phaitos, it's good to see the minotaurs have a solid government.  Now if only the buffalo could learn from you.”
The minotaurs all smiled proudly, pleased to hear such praise.
She then turned to Slaar, their eyes locked as they examined one another carefully.
“I am Prince Slaar, of the kingdom of Mana.”
“I was unaware that the humans have managed to survive as long as they have, let alone to be ruled by a dragon.”
He smiled slightly, the left corner of his lips curled up higher than his right.  “When I came across humanity they were a shattered people, clawing at each others throats like starved beasts.  They were children without a parent, and so I united and guided them.”
“Do I not get an introduction?” the buzzing tone of Queen Chrysalis spoke up as she was led down the gangplank.
Slaar snorted and narrowed his eyes.  “Quiet you miserable beast.  Be glad we even recognize you as a sovereign!”
Agathon put a hand on Slaar's shoulder, frowning slightly at his friend.  “No need for hostility my friend, if the Tribunal is to work you need to be impartial.”
“Yes, I am sorry for the outburst.”
Chrysalis smiled sweetly, a sickening sort of sweetness from eating too many candies.  “It's so good to see you again after such a long time, I can still taste the love you have for humanity.”
He snorted and turned away.  “Men, get ready for dinner,” he said, motioning for his retinue to follow as he left.
Agathon and Phaitos both appraised Chrysalis as she watched Slaar walk away, the changeling queen shifting in her enchanted bindings before looking to the griffon and minotaur.
“Your lands are too far from mine to be threatened by the Hive, I'll be sure to leave immediately once this trial is over,” she buzzed out.
The griffon king raised an eyebrow at her briefly before letting out a soft trill to his guards.  “Take her to the prison, do not remove those bindings or you'll fall under her spell.”
Chrysalis merely cooed as the griffons took the reins from the disguised changeling, dragging the disgraced queen into the bowels of the castle.  Phaitos frowned as he looked to Agathon and Luna after watching Chrysalis disappear with the guards.
“She's abusing the laws of the Tribunal,” the minotaur king said.
“Indeed she is.  Perhaps we need to revise them before putting her on trial.”
King Agathon was taken aback, looking to the Moon Princess incredulously.  “Are you mad!?  We cannot simply put her on trial under revised laws!  Yes, she's abusing the current ones, but what you suggest is simply not right!”
Luna shook her wings and sighed deeply.  “She is a danger to my people.  I was tempted to slay for the whole trip, though I know my sister would disapprove and it would only make Equestria view me unfavorably.”
“Princess Luna, if I may be so bold to say, but having the support of your people is far more important than personal desires.  Royalty does not exist because we wish to indulge in idle things, that's for the rest of the nobility,” Phaitos said softly.
The host monarch clapped his paws together.  “Enough of this unpleasant talk, allow me to get you two settled in your quarters and then dinner will be along shortly after!”


Slaar had mentioned some business to take care of in the castle, leaving his guards with the orders to contact him magically when the dinner invitation arrived.  He walked through the halls of the massive fortress, taking seemingly odd paths as he tried to recall the layout.
“Now I know one of the torches has to be... it!”
He grabbed the base of a torch, just three feet away from a window that overlooked the side of a cliff.  With a light tug on the wooden shaft, the stones under the torch began to grind and pull back to reveal a staircase leading down.  Straightening out his clothes he began the walk down, the door closing up behind him.  Slaar had to duck his head every now and then to keep the thick webs out of his hair and face.  With what seemed like an eternity of walking he soon was faced with a solid wall.  He put his ear up against the stone and began tapping brick by brick until he heard a hollow ringing.  With his eyes closed he reached out with his magic, sensing for the mechanisms inside the wall.
“Right... there!”
Like the previous hidden door the stones began to grind as it slowly swung inward.  Slaar stepped back until it was open enough for him to walk through.  The castle prison was rather large, designed to hold all sorts of creatures in its bowels.  With another dusting off of his clothes he stepped on over toward the bat-pony guard who merely nodded his head toward the cell across from them.  Queen Chrysalis rested her head on her front hooves, eying Slaar carefully before another one of her smiles spread along her face.
“Will you be breaking me out now?”
“No, it's too soon.  We have much to discuss before you can 'escape'.”
She sighed and stood up, stretching out her back while looking to the prince.  “If you wanted information then perhaps I should have have brought more changelings than just him.”
“No, one changeling will suffice for th-”
With an audible pop, a small scroll appeared in front of Slaar.  He opened it up and glanced at the words before crumbling the parchment.  “Forgive me my dear, but dinner is to be served soon.  I shall return after the meal, then perhaps I'll have more information for us to use.”
Chrysalis rolled her head and sat on her haunches.  “You tease too much.  A dinner amongst friends, I can only imagine how delicious all the good feelings would be!”
Slaar let out a low chuckle, reaching his hand past the bars to pet Chrysalis like an animal.  She let out a low hiss and pulled away, eyes narrowing at him.  The dragon merely grinned before leaving the way he came.
“Why are we allied with him if he treats you like a pet, my queen?”
“Without him we would not have known about the Tribunal and I would be dead.  Where would the Hive be without its queen?  I must make sacrifices for the good of my people, and if things go right then Equestria will be ours.”
The 'guard' shifted about nervously.  “Are you sure my queen?  I trust him as much as others would trust us.”
“Have a little faith, we are far too useful for him to betray us.  If he wanted us dead, he would have done so by now.”
“As you wish, my queen.”

Slaar walked into the dining hall, right on time to his delight.  The various leaders were just getting ready to sit down as he made his way to his seat on Agathon's right side.  He gave a smile to everyone as he sat down.
“Forgive me, I was just exploring the castle, seeing if there were any changes since I was last here.”
“The food's not out yet and not everyone has been seated, so no need to apologize Slaar.  Nothing's changed since the last time you were here...  how many years has it been?”
“Too many.”
Agathon inclined his head toward Gilda as she took the seat to his left.  “Ah ha, my daughter  Ermengilda shall be joining us.  Normally she eats alone, but I felt this was a good occasion for her to be out.”
King Phaitos took the seat to Gilda's left as the princess was seated opposite from Slaar, with Spike sitting between the minotaur monarch and Princess Luna.  Vincent took up the seat next to Slaar, the middle-aged human rolling his sleeves up midway his forearms.  The griffon king squawked as servants began to file in carrying trays of food.  Cooked meats and fresh plants were set down as rich red wine was poured into their goblets.
Luna cleared her throat and nodded to Spike.  “I am sorry but my, assistant, is rather young to be partaking of wine.”
Spike on his part, had already drank half of his goblet by the time Luna had spoken, causing the three other monarchs to laugh.  Phaitos had already collected a sizable portion onto his plate while Agathon took some prime slices of juicy meat.  Slaar looked at Spike curiously before sipping at his wine.
“Pace yourself, you're a dragon but you can still get drunk off this stuff.  For griffon alcohol it's actually rather good.”
The younger dragon wiped his mouth with a napkin, suppressing a burp.  “Hehe, sorry, Twilight never lets me drink this stuff.”
His goblet was engulfed in blue magic and pulled away, Princess Luna shaking her head. “And I shall not let you have anymore either.  I told Twilight I would care for you and that includes no alcohol.”
“I'm rather curious where you came across a dragon whelp.  Mothers tend to be violently protective of their nests.
“I have a name you know!  It's Spike!”
“Spike, plea-”
“No no, he's right.  I apologize Spike, it's just that I haven't actually seen a whelp in...  I can't even remember!”  Slaar smiled as he looked toward Agathon.  “Have a servant fetch a diamond for Spike.  Gems are important to a dragon's diet, especially when growing up.”
Spike's eyes brightened up at the prospect of a real diamond to feast on.  “Whoa, really!?”
“Slaar, you're such a bleeding heart!” Agathon said with a low chuckle.
Phaitos raised an eyebrow as he swallowed his meal.  “I'd say it would be rather unbecoming of a monarch, but considering what I know of your kingdom, Prince Slaar, it just seems appropriate.”
“If I recall, King Phaitos, you yourself are rather hands on and caring with your own kingdom,” Luna chided gently.
“Aye, true.  Seems like the only monarch in this castle who is not as kind as us four is that insect in the cells below.”
“Actually, the changelings are a rather tight-knit society.  While they are willing to die in droves for their queen, she too prefers to not risk even a single changeling if she can help it,” Vincent said before taking a sip of his wine.  “Ah, I have not introduced myself properly!  I am Vincent Windweaver, Prince Slaar's court wizard.”
“Court wizard?” Spike stuffed a bit of meat into his mouth as he asked.
“Ah, sort of like a unicorn as I've been told.  I'm trained in magic in order to assist my liege.”
Luna's fork dropped to her plate with a clatter as she looked at Vincent, eyes wide.  “Humans can use magic?  But, how?”
“Training.  Much like with anything else.  Humans are not ponies.  While some are better at things than others, a human could go their whole life without discovering some 'special talent' only to gain great skill and renown in something else.  Besides, our neighbors are changelings, they need magic to weed out the imposters and to rescue captives.”  Slaar popped in some beef fat into his mouth and began to chew, savoring the flavor.
“Of course, it's a difficult thing to learn.  Prince Slaar here had to teach the first wizards magic and then hope for it to filter down into the rest of society.  I myself had the great fortune to be taught by the master himself.” Vincent beamed with pride as he spoke.
“Ponies and humans can use magic eh?  I'm surprised you two haven't allied together before, no one would wish to interfere in that situation.  Even minotaurs, as powerful as we are, do not have formal arcane teachings.  For the best, I suppose, that kind of magic just seems to be more of a tool.”
“Minotaurs have the same magic as zebras.  Shamanism, with a healthy dose of respect.  It's simpler, but more awe-inspiring in my experiences,” Agathon spoke softly with a smile of reminisce on his face.
“I am curious, King Agathon, Prince Slaar, as to how you two know each other.  Your nations are further apart than Equestria and Griffdonia.”  Luna took a careful nibble of some lettuce after speaking.
“Oh, that's a story that would take ages to tell, but simply put we met in Zebrica years ago.  I was young, looking for adventure in an exotic, unknown place.  It was before my family was regarded as royalty, that I earned upon my return.”
Slaar smiled fondly at the memories.  “I was looking for ancient lore long forgotten.  We had met by accident really, I stumbled into a nasty situation that nearly ended me but Agathon here stepped up and saved my life.  We've been best friends ever since.”
“Hard to believe a dragon having such trouble, even alone!” Luna exclaimed with disbelief.
“I like a good challenge.  We cannot grow and learn if we are not challenged after all.  Besides, Zebrica has a delicate environment and ruins, I'd hate to have destroyed them!”
“Hah, delicate environment my beak!  You don't know suffering until you've been stuck in that humidity with all those massive insects buzzing about and the diseases they spread!  If we didn't run across that shaman we both would've died.”
“It has been such a long time since I've left Equestria, but even before then I never saw Zebrica.  Perhaps when I return home I should read up on it.  Why, there's even a zebra that lives right in the middle of Equestria, in the Everfree Forest.”
“Hmm...  Is that castle still in the Everfree Forest?  You know the one m'lord, where the church says the heretics will was broken?”  Vincent spoke up.
Luna nearly spat out her wine, but managed to keep it down enough to cough and shake her head.
“Are you all right Princess?”
Luna coughed some more before wiping her hoof around her mouth  “I am fine.  To answer the query, yes, the castle still stands, though it is no longer used.  Rather, it is much like a monument.”  To the sins I have committed, she finished to herself.
“The Church of Sol Invictus has been fully committed to trying to set up a pilgrimage to that castle.  I have told them repeatedly to focus on efforts at home.  The people need help in Mana, not to risk their lives to a battlefield that should be let forgotten.”  Slaar's words were venomous as he spoke, stabbing at his food, face scrunched up.
“At odds with the religion of your people, Prince Slaar?” Phaitos asked curiously.  “Rather a strange position to take.  I myself have fully taken to the clergy, they're some of my biggest supporters.”
Slaar scowled and looked down.  “The church had been at war with what they deemed as 'heretics' for centuries when I arrived.  I told both sides to send their champions to fight against mine to determine who shall rule Mana.  In truth I had no champion, rather I fought against them myself.  It did not endear me to the clergy, but I have been working on that.”
Luna looked to Slaar, examining the anger on his face as he spoke.  “Religion is not very common in Equestria.  My sister and I discourage attempts to worship us, but we will not ban the practices unless they get out of hand, like they seemed to have in Mana.”
The door to the dining hall opened and Night Shade stepped in, approaching the princess and whispering softly to her.  Luna nodded and stood up, offering a nod of apology.  “Forgive me, but even here I have duties to attend to.  I shall return shortly but I must raise the moon over Equestria.”
As she left, the dragon prince appraised Night Shade carefully, looking the unicorn over before he disappeared with his princess.
“Agathon, perhaps you'd like to entertain Princess Luna and King Phaitos after dinner?  I'd like to explore some more, it's been ages after all.”
Agathon trilled softly and smiled, giving a nod.  “I'd be delighted to share some stories with the guests, just don't get lost.  Tomorrow we'll be getting started with the Tribunal, the sooner we can get this settled the better.”
Slaar looked toward the younger dragon in the room.  “So, Spike, you've been raised by ponies?”
Spike looked up, having been busy with eating as much as possible.  “Huh?  Oh, yeah!  Princess Celestia took care of me until Twilight was old enough to do it.  I've been her number one assistant ever since!”
“You seem to enjoy your lot in life.”
“Mmhm!  I mean, I know dragons live for a really long time and all, and I'll outlive all my friends, but I have to make the best of things with what I got.”
“I understand what you mean.  I've had many a good friend over the years, it's always painful to see them pass on.  Still, there's new friends to make, new stories to be written!  The best thing you can do for those gone is to keep them in your heart in your own special way.  I myself have written biographies of my friends, so that I can reread the trials they've been through, whether I was with them or not.”
“Yeah, all my friends have had lots of adventures together!  I'm pretty good at writing, maybe that's something I should look into sometime.”
Slaar smiled warmly and nodded, not noticing that Princess Luna had returned.  “Your friends and all of Equestria might appreciate you keeping an accurate view of history.”
Phaitos gave a polite nod to Luna as she took to her seat.  “Welcome back Princess Luna.  I'm curious, is raising the moon difficult?”
“It is no more taxing for me than exercising for a couple hours would be for a normal pony.  As my special talent, it would be shameful if I could not do it relatively easily.”
“Much like how frivolous politics is our forte,” Slaar chuckled out as he dabbed his lips and chin clean.  Agathon rolled his eyes, but gave a soft laugh of his own, the griffon king puffing out his feathers for a brief moment.
King Agathon rose from his seat as servants began to clear the table.  “King Phaitos, Princess Luna, would you two like to come to the den and share stories for a while?”
“Will Prince Slaar not be joining us?”
“I would, it sounds like a lovely time, but I like to spend my time alone you see, and I like to make sure my memories of this place are still correct.”
“Heh, dragons.  Never know what kind of odd hobbies they pick up over the years!”  Phaitos said with a grin as he stood up.
“Oh indeed, when you have all the time in the world so many peculiar things can catch your interest.”


With Slaar spending time alone, Agathon and Gilda escorted the other two monarchs into the king's den, a fireplace lit up already with two butlers at attention.  Phaitos and Luna took to the seats offered them, Spike settling by the fire.
“Gilda, would you perhaps entertain our guests with some music for a bit?”
She nodded and motioned to a butler to bring her instrument.  “I don't carry the thing with me, so it'll be a bit before I can begin.”
Spike looked at Gilda, wheels turning in his mind before he spoke up.  “Hey, weren't you in Ponyville before?  Yeah, I remember seeing you, you're Dash's friend!”
Her face contorted slightly.  “I was her friend, then that dweeb had to throw away years in a couple minutes!  Some 'loyal' friend she turned out to be!”
“Hey, Dash is a good, loyal friend!” Spike snapped, getting to his feet.
“Well, maybe if she tried a little harder to get that annoying pink bitch to leave us alone I wouldn't have snapped like I did!”
Spike pointed his finger at Gilda with a heavy scowl.  “Take that back, Pinkie's not annoying, or a bitch!”
“Enough.”
Spike and Gilda both flinched from Luna rising to her hooves, giving a glare to both of them.  “Spike, you will apologize to Princess Ermengilda for provoking her.”
“But Prin-”
“This is not up for debate.”
The young dragon grumbled, then looked up at Gilda.  “I'm sorry.”
“You will apologize for your own outburst, Gilda,” Agathon said.
She crossed her arms and shook her head.  “No.  I'll apologize for a lot of things, but not for that.”
Agathon frowned.  “Gilda...”
“No, this is not up for discussion.”
Luna shook her head.  “It is quite all right King Agathon.  My charge is the one that initiated this.”
Phaitos nodded in agreement with the Lunar Princess.  “A host should never apologize for their guests.”
Spike sat back down, looking at the ground and twiddling his thumbs.  There was an uneasy silence until the butler walked back in, handing Gilda a violin case.  Quietly she opened it up and prepared the instrument.  She ran the bow over the strings, a low, sorrowful melody coming from it, eyes closed as she felt the music.
Luna waited patiently until Gilda's performance was over, gently clapping her hooves together with a smile.  “I know that tune quite well.  Nearer My God to Thee, correct?”
“Oh, uh, yes.  It's part of the songs I've been learning, all from the Kingdom of Mana.”
“I see... yes, that's where I remember it from.”
Agathon leaned in slightly, looking rather perplexed.  “You've been to Mana before?  I thought Equestria was still rather ignorant of it?”
“The ponies at large?  Yes.  My sister and I?  We know it all too well...  Forgive me, I prefer to not talk about it.  Onto a different subject, how long have you been playing the violin, Ermengilda?”
“Just Gilda, if you'd please Princess Luna.  I've been at practice for several months now.  It's not as enjoyable as I've seen, but it can be rather relaxing.”
“Only a few months?  Most nobles would get their children started on the arts as soon as they could, no?”
“Oh, Gilda is not mine by blood, I formally adopted her just little over a year ago.”
Phaitos gave a slow nod.  “Really?  I must've been busy dealing with the diamond dogs, what family are you from, Gilda?”
“None of any importance.  I'm lowborn who joined the military and was just lucky enough for Father to be doing an inspection during a free for all.”
“I know from experience that royalty would not just adopt anyone, unless there were special circumstances involved,” Luna said.
“Gilda here has the Cry of the Roc!  I was shocked to see that it had manifested in a lowborn, but how could I ignore it?”
“The Cry of the Roc?” Phaitos asked with a curious expression.
Luna's eyes widened slightly.  “The Roc?  Truly?”
Gilda gave a soft smile and nodded.  “Well, everyone's got to be a little special you know?  Ponies have those cutie marks and all.  Hell, Dash is the Bearer of Loyalty, right?  You'd think the Elements of Harmony would manifest in the nobility of Equestria and Dash is the daughter of a merc!  I never saw that coming when I heard about it in Cloudsdale.”
The minotaur king let out a soft laugh and smiled.  “The blood of the Founders finds it way to reappear in even the lowest of us it seems.  It is good to see you afforded this opportunity, Princess Gilda.  I hope that you can grow to rival Agathon in his abilities with time.”
With a laugh Agathon patted Gilda's shoulder, smiling proudly.  “I have little doubt that she'll be able to prove herself.”



He followed the same path as before, offering the griffon guards polite hellos as he made his way back to the secret tunnel.  After checking for that hallway to be unguarded he was swift in slipping through the door, down the steps, and out into the prison.  Slaar looked over to the now griffon guard in front of Chrysalis' cell.
“My queen, he has returned,” the 'griffon' said.
As he walked over toward the changeling queen's cell he could see her hooves reach out past the bars, Chrysalis giving him a polite smile.  “Do you have a plan in mind now?”
He gave a curt nod.  “Indeed, one that will play into our favor greatly.”


Sleep was a luxury alicorns could rarely afford, especially in the running of a nation such as Equestria.  As such, Princess Celestia was more at peace reading in her study than laying in bed, the Princess of the Sun rereading an exploration charter for Zebrica to make sure the expedition was funded appropriately and that any spelling or grammar errors were corrected before the official documents were printed and archived.  She took in a soft breath as the wind rustled the curtains of her study, green ashes flowing onto her desk and forming a letter.

Dear Sister,
I shall be brief, these developments have been rather unsettling.  The humans of Mana are an organized nation, led by a dragon named Slaar.  Not only is he able to actually lead, he can use magic and has taught humans magic as well.  Despite being affable, we both know that dragons should not be as capable as he is, not without the intervention like Spike has had.  I will have Night Shade try to learn everything he can about him during the Tribunal.

Also, that human cult that you said you dismantled has instead grown to be the dominant religion in Mana, much to Slaar's chagrin.  Perhaps you should have that investigated while he is busy over here, they may turn out to be your greatest ally once more.

Your Sister,
Luna

Celestia read over the letter again and again, trying desperately to believe that Luna was trying to trick her.  She shuddered and put the letter down, walking over toward her balcony to look over the southern stretches of Equestria.
“Mana, that church... I handled things terribly the first time around and it seems like someone else has to clean up after me.”
With a shake of her head, Celestia stood up and opened the door to her study.  “Tell Captain Armor to send his most experienced scouts to me, now.”
“At once your highness!”

Short and succinct orders and the guard hurried off.  The Sun Princess began tapping her hoof against the marble floor of the balcony as she walked out on it.  She looked up to the sky, the beautiful night that was her sister's.  Celestia blinked back tears and shook her head, wiping at her eyes with a hoof.
“Others were sacrificed back then sister, though you were the greatest I had hoped to bury the rest in the past.”