//------------------------------//
// Chapter 21 
// Story: The Darkness in our Souls 
// by Black Light 
//------------------------------//

Chapter 21

I looked up at the griffins that were taking the stage. I looked at every feature. I never forget a face and I had seen all of theirs before. I quickly turned to Twilight.

“Quick tell me where you brother is.” 

“What? Why?” she asked.

“Because those are not diplomats from the griffin kingdom” I said.

“What? How do you know?”

“It was a while ago when I was still traveling. I was on the border of Equestria and the Griffin Kingdom. There was a group of griffin soldiers looking for some criminals that had attacked the griffin embassy. They showed their pictures around town but no one had seen them. I memorized their faces though, and I can say for a fact those are the exact same griffins from the poster.” I said. “I don’t know why they’re here but it can’t be good.”

“We need to warn the princess.” Twilight started to run but I stopped her.

“No we can’t they have the advantage. If we don’t do this carefully they have the opportunity to attack the princess before we can stop them.” I said. “That’s why we need to find your brother first and organize the guard.”

“Alright, but I have no idea where to find him.” Twilight said.

I tried to think of all the possible places he could have gone. “Armor told me about his wife Cadence. Did she come with him here?” I asked.

“No, the princess told me she wasn’t able to make it.” Twilight said.

“Then we’ll find Armor in the garden.” I said walking towards the door.

“How do you know?” Twilight asked.

“Because that’s the stereotypical place a stallion goes when he is away from his wife.” I answered walking out the door.

We went into the garden and started to look around and sure enough Shining Armor was there looking up at the sky. I didn’t want to interrupt him but I knew I had to. “Captain, we need your help.” 

Armor looked at me surprised since he hadn’t heard me approach. “What do you mean?”

“I think the princesses are in danger.” I said.

“What?” he responded very surprised.

“Those griffin diplomats at the party are not really diplomats. They’re wanted criminals from the griffin kingdom. The only reason they would come her disguised as diplomats is to get close to the princess, so they must be their goal.” I said.

“Then we don’t have any time to waste. Come on we have to get the rest of the guard ready.” Armor said running off towards the barracks. 

“I’m going back to the ballroom to keep an eye on things” I said. “Twilight, Rainbow come with me I’m going to need your help if things turn sour.” Twilight and Rainbow gave me a nod, and we headed towards the ballroom. Upon entering the ballroom we noticed Celestia had just ended her speech to the guests and the griffins were talking to her. I turned around to the two girls who were following me. I reached my head around and took Skies off my back and put her in between them. “I have a plan I need you to stay out of sight for now and tell Armor to gather the guard around the conference room.”

“Are you going to tell us your plan?” Rainbow asked.

Skies shook her head. “Don’t even try he will never tell.”

I smiled. “You know me so well.” And I ran off in the direction of the princesses.

I approached them and I slowed down and straitened my suit, and walked towards the princesses. “Hello Princess Celestia, Princess Luna.” I said with a bow. “I have come to reconsider your offer.”

“Really why the sudden change?” Celestia asked.

“Well I started to consider my little sister. I want her to grow up in a good environment, so having a successful career would help with that.” I said

“Alright, then as the princesses of Equestria we name thee the royal ambassador.” Celestia said with a nod from Luna.

“Great” I turned to the griffins. “Forgive my intrusion, but since you are here would you like to move to the conference room and have an official meeting?” I asked.

“Of course, I believe that would be a good idea. Will you be joining us princesses?” the lead griffin asked.

“Unfortunately I have to stay at the party for formalities.” Celestia said. “Would you feel okay attending the meeting in my place Luna?”

“Of course I will go for you sister.” Luna responded.

Luna, the three griffins, and I walked down the hall to the conference room. We walked through the doors and the guards shut the doors behind us. We walked to the table in the center of the room and sat down. The griffins sat on one side while the princess and I sat on the other. As we sat down I let my fake smile I had on drop.

“Alright, tell me the truth why are you really here?” I asked.

“What do you mean by that? We are simply here to enhance relationships between the griffin kingdom and the land of Equestria.” The lead griffin said.

I started using my power and found the griffin’s fear. Luckily for me his fear was that I would discover his real plan, so I didn’t even half to search through his fears to find it.

“Forgive me for not believing you. I think you real goal is to capture one of the princesses and hold them for ransom.”

“What!?” the griffins shouted. “How did you learn of our plans?”

By now the princess was speechless, so I continued.

“I’m just good at that type of stuff. Now I see three problems with you plan. One, me.” I said pointing at myself. “Two, them.” I pointed behind them. They turned around and met eyes with practically the entire royal guard. “And three, did you really think you would be able to capture a princess. They are quite possible the most powerful being in all of Equestria. Did you really think you would be able to prevent them from getting away from you? Are you really that dense?”

The royal guard grabbed them all and put them into chains. By now Princess Celestia had heard the commotion and had come into the conference room. I walked up to one of the royal guard.

“Contact the griffin kingdom. Tell them that we have captured a small group of griffin criminals. Transport them back to the griffin kingdom so that they can be tried. I’m sure that they will be treated accordingly.” The guard gave a salute and left the room. I turned back around to face the griffins in time for one of them to spit in my face. I casually wiped the spit off of my face and opened up my power to search for a fear, and I found the perfect one. I gave the griffin a smile that could have frozen a dragon’s fire. I whispered to one of the guards to get some supplies I would need and he left to fetch them. I turned to face the griffin who had lost his composure. The guard returned with a trolley with a cloth covering the object I had sent for. The princesses and the girls were obviously worried that I would do something drastic, but I gave them a calm smile to reassure them. However as I turned to face the griffin my smile changed to one of calmness to one of insanity. I wasn’t really going to hurt them, but I wanted them to think that I would.

“Do you know what’s under this cloth?” I asked the griffins pointed towards the trolley. They shook their heads. “I’ll give you a hint it’s something that I never thought I would use. Most would say it’s a bit unorthodox, but I think it will fit your punishment perfectly.” I said. They were visibly shaken now. “I hope you find this fun because I know I will.” I said reaching under the cloth and grabbing onto the object within. I pulled it out from under the cloth to expose… a pie. That pie was then slammed into the face of the griffin who had spit on me. Upon which I fell onto the ground laughing and was quickly joined by Skies. I looked up at the princesses who were chuckling as well. The griffins were led out of the room. I stood up and walked over to them. “I say that was a rather exceptional negotiation.”

“I would agree. I’m sure the griffin kingdom will be so happy upon the return of their diplomats.” Celestia said with a smile. “Well at least something good came out of this. We at least have a new ambassador for Equestria.” She said indicating to me.

“Oh that reminds me.” I said. “I quit. I’ll be leaving now.” And upon that note I left the conference room went back to the ballroom grabbed some punch and enjoyed the rest of the Gala with Rainbow