//------------------------------// // Chapter 4: To Battle // Story: In Exile No Longer // by cunning_linguist //------------------------------// The walk from the train station was an uncomfortable one. Cadence gamboled ahead of an irate River but only to guide her in the direction of the palace. That left River and Shining Armor taking up the rear; the former stewing in her anger and the latter shuffling awkwardly from side to side. He wanted to apologize if only to clear the air, but he also didn’t think he had done anything wrong expressing his concern for River’s well-being. That put him at a crossroads of what would be the decent thing to do and what his pride told him wasn’t necessary. Shining Armor was then quite surprised when River was the one who broke the uncomfortable silence. “I’m… sorry, Shining Armor,” she spoke at a shamed whisper. “I’m not good at talking about myself.” She trailed off, as if wanting to say more but was incapable of finding the words. Shining Armor, to his credit, didn’t bask in his victory for long, instead adopting an understanding smile. “I really do get it, you know. I’ve seen dozens of soldiers fall into despair because of memories they were too proud to acknowledge… myself included. Would you like to hear a story?” “I… guess?” River was hardly in the socializing mood, but she didn’t want a pony she considered not just a friend but also a comrade to think she hated him. Cadence, having heard the two ponies reconcile, slowed her gait and eavesdropped. She was happy that they hadn’t stayed mad at each other for long, and the grin on her lips betrayed that. “When I first joined the guard, I wasn’t even a stallion. Just a whelp of a colt who had just earned his cutie mark and thought his shit didn’t stink.” Using such a filthy idiom had the desired effect. River spat out a laugh, turning her head to hide her mirth. She was more than accustomed to swearing but since her arrival in Equestria, hadn’t heard much worse than the rare “damn” from any pony. Satisfied, Shining Armor continued his story. “Barely out of basic and I was posted at Tower Eight, little more than a shed watching the eastern border of Equestria and known diamond dog territory. They’re subterranean, but we’ve had some success in mapping out their tunnel networks, provided we know where to look in the first place. Tower Eight stands in the middle of nowhere, zero hope of reinforcements on one side and hostile brutes on the other.” “Sounds like the sort of place they’d send troublemakers,” River observed. Shining nodded in acknowledgment. “It had that reputation, yes. I was sent there because it just needed someone to man it and there weren’t any article fifteens pending in our unit. Myself and one other, a unicorn supply aid named Pierce, were assigned a three-month rotation there. Even though there hadn’t been a reported diamond dog attack in over thirty years, we were only there for a week before we were taken at night.” “They abducted you?” Shining Armor nodded wistfully at the memory. “Force fed us some kind of anesthetic root and carted us off to their tunnels. They’re known slavers but don’t often go looking for conflict; they want to get workers who don’t look like they can fight back or have friends looking for them. I was later told they probably didn’t know we were with the guard, but that isn’t important. What is important is that Pierce refused to work, so he was whipped. When he got lippy, he was starved. Eventually, he used his telekinesis to tear out a support beam holding up a newly cut tunnel, killing an overseer. Pierce was beaten to death by at least ten dogs, dismembered, and left to rot in the cell… with me… for another week. When I was rescued, I was told it was because some clerk had noticed we hadn’t reported in, but we’re supposed to send off a report every three days. We were gone for over two weeks.” River nodded in grim understanding. “No pony even noticed you weren’t staying in contact.” “That’s right,” he sighed. “My lieutenant was canned and I was given his job, not that I thought I earned it.” “I think you earned it, honey,” Cadence chimed in, settling in on Shining Armor’s right and nuzzling his withers. “Thanks, love.” River noticed he was pausing to collect himself, so she didn’t interrupt. “I think I earned my other promotions but not that one. All I did was survive, and I did that by doing what the dogs told me to do and keeping my mouth shut. Pierce was… stubborn. Prideful.” “Stupid,” River observed. Shining Armor didn’t get upset by this. Instead, he nodded in agreement. “I barely knew him, so yeah. Stupid. Still, it’s not something you forget, y’know? Seeing a mutilated carcass day in and day out for that long, knowing you once served alongside him.” River was beginning to understand Shining Armor a bit better now. He seemed cool under pressure, strong-willed and determined, but so did she. The difference was that Shining Armor hid his history better; he didn’t let it slip no matter how emotional he became. River was rather envious of that. “I’m surprised. I’ve spoken to Twilight Sparkle at great length and though she’s mentioned you countless times — with near-reverence, mind you — she’s never said anything about this.” “She… doesn’t know,” Shining Armor replied, his voice hinting at regret. “Cadence does,” he said, punctuating his words with a kiss from his wife. “The princesses and a few friends from my old unit do, but not my sister, or my parents. They’d hit the roof, even years after the fact. River… I told you this in confidence—” “I won’t say a word,” she assured. Shining Armor sighed and gave her a congenial nuzzle. River blushed and again averted her gaze, instead focusing on the approaching castle. The three ponies stopped at the base of the stairs that led up to the great doors of Canterlot Castle. “River, I want you to at least consider taking me up on my offer. When we’re done here, talk it over with your friends and see what they think, but I’m sure they’ll act in your best interest, which is getting the help you need.” River forced herself to, for the first time, actually consider Shining Armor’s proposal. When he had first mentioned it, so many months go, she responded reflexively, believing she’d never hear of it again. Ten minutes ago, she reacted violently because there was no imminent danger taking precedence, and thus she was backed into a corner. Now she understood that this was neither false concern nor a battle-virgin speaking ahead of himself. River couldn’t think of many other conversations more uncomfortable than telling Pinkie Pie she was considering seeking counseling for her war trauma, but she also knew that Shining Armor wouldn’t shut up about it until she did. “… Fine.” “Great!” he beamed, considering that minute reply as all the affirmation he needed. “Now, let’s see what the princess wants with you.” “I’m sure we’ll be in and out,” Cadence chirped, and all three approached the entrance of the castle, stepping through its threshold, paved by two stationed guards. River followed behind her escorts, and was thankful that she had them to guide her, because they had rounded more corners, passed by more doors, and gave sidelong glances to more identical guardsponies than she’d ever be able to remember. The castle was massive and labyrinthine, but Shining Armor and Cadence navigated it without once second guessing themselves. Finally they approached the throne room. Usually closed and likewise flanked by a pair of guards, tonight it was wide open and deathly silent. The damage from earlier, Cadence noted, had been entirely repaired, however the throne where Celestia normally sat had been removed. In its place was an opulent purple cushion, wreathed with golden tassels. Upon it sat princess Luna, looking contemplative as she studied a stack of reports scattered before her. River and her entourage bowed and remained that way until Luna snapped out of her reverie and noticed she had guests. “Oh, my dear friends, please. No need for that… not tonight.” She sighed and beckoned them to approach. “Princess, we have brought River, as requested. Where is princess Celestia?” “Retired for the evening. I fear she isn’t as accustomed to late nights as she once was, before my return. If we have need of her, she has insisted we retrieve her without hesitation.” Luna levitated a teacup to her lips and took a delicate sip. “She made many preparations before finally being convinced she could rest with a clear conscience.” Luna offered tea to any pony that might like some, but all three politely declined. Luna scooped up a number of documents in her magical aura and stepped off her seat, approached the group, and sat amongst them, cultivating a comfortable, informal atmosphere. Before getting down to business, Luna nuzzled River underneath her muzzle, smiling down at the mocha-colored pegasus with affection. “Dear Riven. It has been too long. How have you been? Er… barring the rather unfortunate events that led to your current situation, of course.” “I’m well, princess, thank you. I’m… adapting.” “If you need anything to help make your transition more comfortable, do not hesitate to write me or my sister. Our doors are always open.” “Thank you, princess. I would appreciate if you called me River now.” Luna cocked her head in curiosity. “You’ve changed your name? Pray tell why?” River shrugged. She herself didn’t truly understand her motivations in this regard, only that it felt right. “River is a pony name.” “But it is not your name.” “Princess, please…” Luna huffed but let the subject drop. “Very well. I’d like to show you a picture. It was one of several sent in a package we received shortly after Shining Armor and his lovely wife were dispatched to retrieve you.” Luna fished the requisite photograph from a manila envelope and passed it over to River, who caught it in her mouth and laid it before her. The picture was grainy and colorless. In it she identified several specks swarming around what appeared to be a gigantic shadow. She stared at it for over a minute, rifling through her memories for some semblance of comprehension for what this was supposed to be. At first she was going to say she didn’t understand, but after a more intense scrutiny, something about its appearance was familiar… It had claws, scythe-like and spindly. It possessed a long tail, horns, and a gaping maw… River’s eyes widened to the point where they threatened to escape the confines of her head. Her mouth drooped open and a quiet gasp escaped her throat. That was all Luna needed to rise to her hooves and stomp once, which summoned a guard from outside of the throne room. “Yes, your majesty?” “Retrieve my sister. River has made positive identification.” “She has?” Shining Armor stood up and looked over River’s shoulder at the image. “It looks like an inkblot test to me.” “This isn’t possible,” River whispered, then repeated it much louder. “This isn’t possible! He wasn’t there! He couldn’t have followed me like Nocturne did!” “Who?” Cadence asked, looking between the frantic River and the stoic Luna. “Yes, River, who? What can you tell me about him?” Luna fished out another picture of the monster and dropped it on top of the other. Same poor quality but from a different angle. Princess Celestia arrived shortly thereafter. Resplendent as usual, the only betrayal of her condition was a polite yawn that she quickly suppressed. Luna nodded at her once, informing the elder sister that their suspicions were correct. “River?” Celestia said sweetly, approaching the small group and settling down beside the aghast pegasus. “What is this creature? Can you tell us anything about it?” It didn’t appear that she could. Tears stung River’s eyes as she fretted over what new horror she had inflicted upon these poor innocents. No pony had blamed her for Nocturne, but she most certainly had. Now it appeared that she’d wrought misery upon them once more and it broke her heart. It was Ionia all over again… As if reading her mind, Celestia said: “River, we do not blame you for this.” River blinked a few errant tears away and looked up at the smoothing, motherly gaze of princess Celestia. Luna and Cadence had shuffled closer when she wasn’t looking and were delicately touching her body with theirs, invoking that evolutionary pang of comfort that all ponies shared. Shining Armor looked on with concern, fearful of what dark road she was about to walk. “Please, tell us what you know. This creature is ravaging our allies as we speak. Time is not on our side.” River sniffled and wiped her eyes dry. Before she began speaking, she resolved to lend her aid in more than just information. She already predicted they would try to convince her otherwise, but it had been many years since she last obeyed the orders of a superior. “His name is Cho’Gath,” she croaked. “He and his ilk hail from a realm called the Void, a hellish place between the stars. The League had imprisoned him as they did Nocturne, forcing him to fight.” Luna annotated this information as it was delivered, scribbling it onto the back of an official document with fervor. “Can you provide any tactical data?” Luna inquired, looking up with her quill poised to strike the paper like a rattlesnake. After a moment’s thought, River relayed what she could recall. “When he eats something, he grows larger and stronger. He can also summon spikes, either from the earth or launched from his body. They also grow in proportion to his size.” “Is he intelligent?” Celestia inquired. “Yes, he is no beast. But I only fought him a han — hoofful of times, and never directly spoke to him. I’m sorry but that’s all I know.” Having annotated what little she gleaned from River, Luna set aside her quill and rose, with every pony else following suit. “It is more than we had an hour ago. I will have this delivered to the battlefields of the Thousand Aeries immediately.” With steely resolve, River blocked Luna’s attempt at gathering up her notes and instead stored them into the saddlebags that she still wore. “I will deliver them personally, and then aid the griffons in their fight.” Both Shining Armor and Cadence looked aghast; Luna, indignant. Celestia had only one word to say on the matter: “No.” Among the piles of papers that Luna had provided was a map of the location of the griffon empire relative to Equestria. River was an extremely quick study when it came to maps, having had to learn the Valoran countryside in order to wander it for as long as she did. “I was not asking, princess. This is my responsibility.” Now it was Celestia’s turn to look offended. “River, you should choose your words more carefully. I am not above imprisoning a friend if they brazenly defy me.” “You would have to, princess, to stop me from going, as I’ll just sneak away from Shining Armor’s and Cadence’s company when they’re not looking.” Save Celestia, the three ponies in attendance were positively stunned by River’s audacity. “You cannot possibly make a flight like that on your own!” Celestia shouted, her patience waning as she attempted to explain what were a few very simple truths in her mind. “My faithful student has kept me well informed of your progress, River. Although you’re far stronger now than when you awoke, you’ve only just learned how to fly.” Celestia stomped the map with a golden-shod hoof. “It would take a formation of disciplined pegusi nearly a week to make that journey. You wouldn’t last a day!” River’s confidence and cool defiance of authority suddenly faltered. In her impetuousness, she hadn’t considered her own physical frailties, and it irked her to no end. “No wonder you’ve been in power for so long…” Luna barked out a laugh at that, and even Celestia’s stern countenance cracked a smile. “I consider all avenues, River, because my ponies often do not. I admire your courage and I do plan on providing the griffons a contingent of soldiers, but I cannot in good conscience allow you to accompany them.” River did not reply, only lowered her head in silent defeat. Celestia spoke a few consoling words, retrieved the documents River had pilfered, and she and Luna left to attend to military matters. The guards by the throne room’s door were made to escort the group out. Cadence and Shining Armor offered to walk River back to the train station. “Don’t be glum, River,” Shining said as they walked away from the ticket booth, one trip back to Ponyville in hoof. “Celestia only wants what’s best for you, and no matter how strong of a warrior you were as a human…” he sighed, unable to find a gentle way to continue, so he just did. “… You’re not as a pony.” River winced. It hurt her pride as a soldier to be told that she wasn’t good enough for a mission. True, her body was nescient. Yes, she was not a member of Equestria’s military. But it was also a fact that she remembered all of her training and surely Noxus tailored soldiers to be far tougher and more skilled than a peaceful nation of herbivores… right? She bid her friends good night and stood on a lonely platform, illuminated by a weak lamppost a few feet overhead. She sighed and looked down at her ticket, then back at the castle, which now that she knew where it was within the city, it was quite hard to miss; ancient and strong. So was the will of Noxus, a mindset that she embodied. River’s eyes narrowed and she kicked the ticket away. At full cantor, she returned to the castle, attempting to remain unseen though being so early in the morning, hardly any pony was walking the cobblestone streets. Upon her return to the courtyard, she observed the contingent of soldiers Celestia had mentioned, standing in formation while their commander spoke a well-rehearsed safety briefing. River listened for several minutes, hidden behind one section of the perfectly manicured hedge that surrounded the castle. For the most part, what the commander was relaying was the same thing that River herself had told the royal sisters, save for how they would actually get to the Thousand Aeries: A ship currently docked at the nearby harbor. For the troops, an armored carrier. For their supplies, a larger, unprotected vessel that would follow in the first ship’s wake. Up until now, River hadn’t been entirely sure how she would infiltrate a group of ponies that were virtually identical, by virtue of their enchanted armor. Now she realized that she wouldn’t have to. She just needed to stow away on the supply ship. Leaving her hiding place, River used the twilight to fly down to the harbor and reconnoiter the area. The stores were being loaded by a small group of burly earth ponies, who were chatting amongst themselves. Her keen eyesight identified the carrier approaching a few knots from shore, and she estimated it would be quite some time before it docked. River approached the loading bay of the ship as surreptitiously as she could, using bundles of mooring rope, crates, and wooden posts as cover, and each time she moved without being caught, let out a sigh of relief. This dance which she was certain made her look like a fool took several minutes, but paid off when every laborer turned away at the same exact moment. River used this opportunity to take to the skies and dive into the open hatch, hiding behind a buckled down pallet in the rear of the bay. Thus, she waited and remained as quiet as possible, but coiled like a spring should any pony stumble upon her. Several hours passed before the metal hatch closed, blanketing the space in total darkness. River was alone with her thoughts. She heard only the distant crashing of the waves against the ship’s hull as they sped off to battle.