//------------------------------//
// Chapter 7 Flight 
// Story: Hole Hearted 
// by Akashic Brony 
//------------------------------//

	Prince Reagle was hauled before his father by two Griffin soldiers. Reagle felt the fuzzy-textured red carpet of the throne room as he was thrown on the floor. A female black-feathered Griffin stood beside the sitting king.
“King Hawkmor, the Prince,” a guard announced, throwing Prince Reagle onto the red-carpeted throne room floor.
King Hawkmor strained himself to lean forward and eyed Reagle sternly. His crown hung loosely on his head and seemed on the verge of slipping.
“Prince Reagle, you disappoint me beyond measure. You launched a premature attack against the Equestrians and you lost a War Wing. Now the enemy knows of our new weapon, which will blunt our assault when we are ready to strike at Equestria-proper. Only your past successes prevent me from banishing you from this court.”
“Father,” said Reagle, “we can defeat the Equestrians without the aid of whatever wicked wizardry this creature has devised!” He pointed a claw at the shadow beside his father.
The black-feathered advisor spoke slyly. “Evidently, your failure has proven this not to be the case. Magic has beaten your technology.”
“Your magic has corrupted father’s sight!”
“Silence!” cried King Hawkmor. “I want peace between you two. We will soon be of one nest. I am to wed Grimfeathers. She is my chosen. When you chose Zaza, the princess of a so recent enemy, I recall respecting your choice.”
“I am sorry, father,” said Reagle. “I know I have been impetuous.”
King Hawkmor slumped in his throne. “My head aches!”
“Father!” cried Reagle.
“My king, I shall tend to that in moment,” said Grimfeathers.
King Hawkmor was helped away to his private chambers by his guards.






Grimfeathers and Reagle remained in the throne room.
“Black-feathered witch, you’re doing this to father,” said Reagle, drawing a simple, hidden dagger from under his wings. He charged at Grimfeathers with the bodkin.
Grimfeathers did not flinch as the dagger neared her throat. She suspended Reagle in a green aura. Nearby, the black-feathered guards hissed at Reagle, drawing their lances and pointing them squarely at him.
Reagle sighed. “Now I know where your true loyalties lie.” He sneered at the shadowy Griffins.
“Foolish bird,” said Grimfeathers, wrenching the dagger from Reagle’s claws. To the guards, she motioned at him nonchalantly. “Kill him.”
They nodded, moving to comply.
“Stand back,” warned Reagle. “Even at this range magic will not avail you! Attack me at your master’s peril!” He held up a claw, revealing a black sphere. In the other claw, with the flick of two flints wrapped around a pair of his talons, he created a few sparks for everyone to see. The grenade had a fuse shorter than an eyelash.
The shadowy Griffin guards backed away slowly.
Grimfeathers chuckled. “Prince Reagle, you are most talented. Why don’t you join me?” She released Reagle from her magical hold. “I have seen you sneak a lusty look.” Grimfeathers turned around and flicked her tail, touching Reagle’s nose.
Reagle’s blood pumped, causing his wings to sprawl outward. Reagle hit his head with the grenade, shaking himself of the vaguest lusty thoughts. “So even your love for my father is a lie?”
“Why is it that you hate me so?” asked Grimfeathers. “I’m taking your people to greatness. My mages will give your father the power to conquer all that he’s ever dreamed.”
“There is no history of magic amongst Griffin-kind. I do not believe that you have rediscovered some secret in that.” Reagle turned to the shadowy Griffins. “Nor do I believe you or those dark-feathered crows are a lost noble line of Griffins.”
“Ha! You are correct. But I will share with you a secret: I am not a Griffin.” Grimfeathers tossed Reagle backwards with her magic. “Do you want to know what I am?” She smiled at Reagle with murderous intent.
“No.”
“No?”
“I will not question your nature,” Reagle said. “if you perform for me a service with your arcane arts. I will tell father nothing. And, I will accept banishment to the White Wastes for my failure.” Reagle teared up.
“What is this you ask of me?”
Reagle bowed. “My wife, Zaza, is upon her deathbed. She soon will be taken to Valhalla. Bring her back to me.”
“That will take great amounts of magic,” said Grimfeathers in feigned disinterest.
“Witch, I know you can,” Reagle pleaded. “Bring her back to me!”






Den awoke. The hospital lights were bright and oppressive. The events of the battle instantly flood his mind: the burning airship, the screams, and then Echo laying beside him. He turned to the left of his bed, where Blueberry was sleeping in a chair.
“Blueberry!”
“Den, you’re alive!”
“Where’s Echo?” Den asked, urgently.
Blueberry frowned.
“The Changeling!” Den shouted. He jumped out his bed, nearly falling from the pain that shot through his body.
“Easy, there,” said Blue, softly and with concern. “I’ll take you to her.”
Blue let Den lean against her as she helped him walk through the hospital.






They arrived at a door with two Royal Guards standing by. The Guards crossed their lances to bar Den’s entry.
“Let me through,” huffed Den.
“No can do, sir,” said one of the guards. “We have orders to keep the Changeling contained.”
“I am a Vice Captain of Celestia’s Royal Guard, and I order you to let me through.”
“This comes from a higher authority,” responded the Guard.
Shining Armor appeared from inside the door and walked up to Den. “Den, we have a lot to talk about.”
“Let me see her first,” growled Den.
“She’s a Changeling. We haven’t been able to locate the real Echo.”
“I know she’s a Changeling! She is Echo!”
Shining Armor blinked. “You knew?”
“Yes, she’s been a Changeling all along. She saved us all during the battle. The shaft of light was hers!” said Den.
Shining Armor lifted a hoof, and, with a muted voice, said: “Be quiet. We’ll speak more of this, but not here.”






Blueberry helped Den take a seat in the empty hospital cafeteria. Shining Armor sat next to them.
“Dented Armor,” Shining Armor addressed formally, “are you aware of Changeling mind control?”
“Yes—the report I wrote for you included a section on it.”
“Then you must know your close contact with it—”
“Echo,” Den corrected.
Shining Armor grudgingly accepted. “Yes, Echo.” He resumed: “Your contact with Echo makes your opinions and thoughts suspect. Anything you say in Echo’s defense will be considered invalid.”
“I collaborate with Den’s testimony,” said Blue, “I mean, ‘corrobolate,’ I think. Er, what I mean is, I saw it—I mean Echo—cast the spell that saved us all. Echo is mah friend too.”
Den nodded at Blue. Blue smiled meekly back.
Shining Armor sighed. “You are Den’s subordinate officer. That also makes your word negligible.”
“What now, then?” said Den. “She’ll die if I don’t see her. If our academy days have any meaning, you’ll let me see her.”
“I knew you would pull that,” said Shining Armor. He relented. “Okay, just give us a short moment. I’ll allow you to see her, but you will be watched.”






Den entered the dark room. Echo was strapped to a hospital bed. A single light hung from the ceiling.
“Den?” Her voice was faint.
Den limped over to her bed. “I’m here.”
“I’m glad. I feel so light-headed.”
“Did they hurt you?” Den inspected her for any marks.
“No, I’m fine. I was more worried about you.”
“Why’d you do that?”
“You mean save your life, and everyone else’s?”
“You’re silly. I mean, why didn’t you cast a shield or something?”
Echo looked at Den thoughtfully then laughed. “That didn’t occur to me. My training is in destruction magic. I could only think of destroying the thing that was about to destroy you.”
“You burned through a lot of energy,” said Den. “Can you sustain yourself for a while? We might be separated for a bit. Please take as much energy as you need from me.”
“No, you need it more. This is enough,” said Echo gesturing with her eyes at Den’s bandaged limbs. “Already I feel stronger in your presence. The rest will take time.”
“I’ll see you freed,” Den asserted.
“Hey, while I’m tied up here, wanna have fun?” Echo smiled playfully.
Den blushed. “We’re being watched.”






When Den left the room he noticed Cadance standing next to Shining Armor.
“Den, please don’t struggle,” said Cadance kindly. She touched her horn against Den’s forehead. Memories flashed before him: meeting Echo upon the windy cliff, their café date, the dream space, and the battle.
“So, is it a spell?” asked Shining Armor.
“His love for the Changeling is genuine,” remarked Cadance. “There are no magically-made memories or signs of an influence spell.”
Den couldn’t helping sighing at the revelation. However, he quickly snapped back to hide it. “I told you. Now can you let her go.”
“We can’t release her without Celestia’s word,” explained Cadance.
“Den, you still have to recover in the hospital,” Shining Armor added. “Promise me you won’t do anything foolish, bro. The guard on... Echo... has been tripled.”
“Doesn’t it count for anything that she saved the lives of a third of the Guard?” Den asked, grumbling.
Cadance put a hoof on Den’s shoulder. “We’ll share our opinion with Celestia. Don’t worry, love shall prevail.”






Several days passed. Den was restless in his hospital bed. His wounds had begun healing with the regular magical treatment. Blue remained at his side, entertaining herself with a crossword-puzzle book—a children’s version, of course. It was amusing for Den to watch her sweat to figure out the words.
“What’s a creature that has three heads? Grows more as you cut them. Starts with h.”
“Hydra,” replied Den.
“H-i-d-r-a,” said Blue, writing it down with her pen gripped in her mouth.
Den rolled his eyeballs. Then he remembered Blue’s testimony. A thought that he wanted to get out into the open lingered on his mind. “Blue, thanks for backing up my story concerning Echo.”
“Story? I right reckon it was da truth,” said Blue, playing with the pen in her mouth.
“No, I meant, you could have lied and had her executed.”
Blueberry gasped. “Seriously, Den, you think I’m that petty?”
“No?” said Den meekly.
Blue frowned. “I saw what happened at the battle. Both of you were unconscious, and I dragged both of your bodies away from the falling wreckage of that airship.”
Den lowered his head. “Blue... I’m sorry for second guessing you.”
“The thought had crossed mah mind of leaving Echo. I’m still crushing on ya hard, but part of loving someone is respecting their choice.” Blue sighed.
“That was mature, thoughtful and nice. Thank you for staying with me.”
“Shucks, you helped me pass those written exams at the academy,” said Blue, scratching her head.
“I’m glad to have you as a friend, Blueberry Frost,” said Den, hugging her.
Blue returned the hug. “You too, Dented Armor.”






A black-feathered male Griffin lead Prince Reagle to the hanger of a War Wing.
Reagle sneered at the Griffin. “So the black feathered witch has taken over my father’s entire Honor Guard.”
“That is none of your concern,” said the shadowy Griffin. “You’re to be banished to the White Wastes.”
“Yes, after I am given my due,” said Reagle, snarling.
Another group of black-feathered Griffins wheeled in a crate.
“As our per our mistress’s agreement…” said the shadowy Griffin, prying open a crate with a spear.
The Zebra mare Zaza stepped out of the crate. They both embraced.
“Zaza!” cried Prince Reagle.
“Prince Reagle!” returned Zaza.  
“I thought I had lost you,” said Prince Reagle tearfully. However, as Prince Reagle hugged her, he drew a dagger and pressed it to Zaza’s throat.
“Reagle, what are you doing?! It’s me!” cried Zaza.
Reagle’s eyes watered. “Our honeymoon—we had a fight, what was it about?” asked Reagle angrily, with his dagger shaking in his claws.
The zebra mare laughed eerily. Reagle shoved her aside. Reagle faced the black-feathered Griffins. “Where is she, you demons!? The real Zaza!”
A voice spoke. “I could not resist. How smart of you.”
Reagle turned around again to see Grimfeathers in place of the Zaza-imposter.
“Witch! We had an agreement!” said Reagle.
“Indeed. Her healing has just finished,” said Grimfeathers, snapping her claws.
Another crate was wheeled out. It was opened to reveal a Zebra mare in a cocoon. A black Griffin cut open the cocoon with a lance. The mare spilled out with a gush of green fluid. There was a visible, recently-healed scar upon her flank.
“Prince Reagle?” said the voice faintly.
Reagle picked up Zaza. “Our honeymoon—we had a fight, what was it about?” asked Reagle, looking into her eyes eagerly.
Zaza thought for a moment. “You feather-brain, you were looking at the waitress serving our drinks.”
Reagle laughed. “So says you.” Reagle pressed his beak against her muzzle affectionately. “So says you,” he repeated, crying into her shoulder.
Grimfeathers coughed. “Heartwarming. However, it is time for you to depart.”
The War Wing ship doors opened to the tundra, letting loose a bitter blast of cold air that hit everyone.
Reagle helped Zaza gain her footing. “Come, Zaza, we must go.”
The two walked out into the snow.






Grimfeathers watched the two shapes grow distant, her eyes burning with envy.
“My monarch?” questioned a black Griffin. “Tell us what is on your mind.”
“I felt it: his love for her is strong,” said Grimfeathers with a hint of longing in her voice.
“Shall we pursue?” asked another black Griffin, readying a lance.
“Of course, but wait until they are halfway to the horizon before killing them. They deserve a moment together.”






A Griffin and a Zebra ran alongside one another. The winds of the tundra buffeted them; a storm was rolling in. Reagle kept close to Zaza. If it were not for her black stripes she’d disappear in the wall of white. Their tracks quickly faded behind them.
“So, you accepted banishment for my sake?” questioned Zaza. “I do not think the black-feathered witch intends to let us live.”
“In mere moments she’ll send her agents to dispatch us,” said Reagle, sighing.
Zaza smiled. “You have a plan then?”
Reagle drew a compass. “Hidden to the west is a flotilla of your father’s warships. We must make it there.”
“The Zebra King? My father hates you greatly. How did you talk him into helping you?”
“I appealed to our common ground.”
“What is that?”
Reagle smiled. “Albeit in different ways, we both love you.”
Dark shadows buzzed behind them.






Evening fell. The hospital was dimly lit by low lights. A dozen of the Royal Guards passed a yawn through the ranks. They were snapped from their stupor by a silhouette that loomed over the hospital hallway. His face was hidden by a hat.
“Who goes there?” a Royal Guard called out.
Lights flickered off as the dark figure walked towards the guards.
A dozen guards drew their lances. “Stop where you are!”
The figure stepped forward into the dim light, revealing a grey stallion. “Prepare for a nightmare you can neither define nor defend, for I am Amorpheus!” The stallion took off his fedora. A horn glowed with malign magic.
The hallway disappeared in a black void. The guards screamed as demonic eyes appeared everywhere. The guards stabbed at the walls to no avail. They turned their attention to the gray stallion. A hooded figure with a scythe was now advancing upon them. The rest of the guards screamed in utter panic.






The gray stallion secured his fedora and walked through the corridor, leaving behind him a trail of unconscious Royal Guards. A squad of dark armored Changeling soldiers followed behind him, spearing the Guards.
“Quickly now, before they gather their courage!” Amorpheus commanded of them. “We have a princess to save!”
Amorpheus continued down the corridor, his eyes fixed forward. Behind him, the Changelings dispatched the last of the guards.






Den was awoken by several screams. He found Blueberry sleeping in a chair beside his bed. Den prodded Blue with his hooves.
“Blueberry, wake up,” said Den urgently, his voice hushed.
“But mommy, I want waffles,” murmured Blue drearily. More screams caused her to jump up. “What’s going on?”






Two Changelings rammed at a metallic door with their shoulders. Their impacts had little affect as a protective ward dissipated the energy in waves.
The gray stallion sighed, tipping his fedora back. With the green fire of his magic, he burned through the door’s hinges, causing the door to fall inward.
Echo gasped as the gray stallion entered. “Master Amorpheus?”
“Larvi,” said Amorpheus, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly. “It has been too long.”
Changelings entered the room and began cutting through Echo’s restraints.
Echo turned her head toward the squad of Changelings. “Thorax? Coxa? Husk? My old unit... I thought you were lost in Canterlot.”
A Changeling nodded gleefully. “Yes, it is us, Commander Larvi,” said Thorax, busily snapping the buckles that held her. “I mean, Princess Larvi.”
Echo shot him a sidelong glance. “Princess?”
Amorpheus smiled. “It is time the truth be revealed to you. You are not simply a daughter of her highness, but the daughter. Now that our Queen’s plan is coming ahead, she wishes you to join her. During the battle of Manehatten, your demonstration of power did not go unnoticed. It is time that it is applied properly.”
“You all came... to rescue me,” said Echo.
“Aye, who knew that for all those years, Commander, you were our Princess!” said Thorax chirpily.
“You risk much coming here,” Echo warned.
“This operation is risky, yes, but it is riskier still to do nothing,” said Coxa.
Amorpheus stomped his hoof. “What is with the delay?”
Coxa was still cutting through the restraints. “Forgive me, Master Amorpheus, these last bindings are difficult. It will take a little longer.”
“Stay here,” said Amorpheus, his ears perked. “I sense something approaching.”






Den and Blue came upon a grisly sight. A dozen or so Royal Guards lay dead in the hallway. The guards were curled up in fear. The tile floor was awash with red blood and yellow urine.
Blue backed up against Den in surprise. “What did this?” She lowered her head to inspect the bodies.
Den looked at the precise nature of the wounds: deep gashes to the throat and chest. “They were executed.”
“Whoever did this—they’ll pay!” Blue bit angrily.
Den and Blue gathered the lances and war saddles from the fallen guards.
An ominous voice greeted them. In the shadows stood the silhouette of a stallion in a hat. His green eyes glowed. “You best flee. Unless you wish to share their fate.”
Blue charged at him. “Royal Guards never turn tail!”
Amorpheus grinned, throwing the fedora on the ground beside him. “Prepare for fear.”
Den saw Blue crumple over, her charge skidding to a halt. Blue was curled up in a fetal position reminiscent of a foal. Blue shook, holding herself, nearly immobilized.
“What did you do to her!?” Den steadied his lance. He noticed the broken door behind Amorpheus. “You’re after Echo, aren’t you?”
Amorpheus’s eyes lit up. He cackled, revealing his fangs. “You’re Larvi’s lover?” Amorpheus flashed to his true and intimidating Changeling stature.
“Echo told me you were all gone. She said there was no more Changeling threat.”
“Oh, you seem to be mistaken. Let me dispel that before I destroy you. Such despair you’ll feel, knowing all your memories are a lie.”
A flash hit Den harmlessly. “Is that all you’ve got? You’re not going to get to Echo.”
“You defend her of your own accord? What is this?” Amorpheus recoiled, then recovered. “Very interesting. Such an opponent warrants an introduction.” He bowed. “I am Amorpheus, master of shapeless nightmares.”
“I... am Dented Armor.”
“Armor is of no defense!  Now, face my unstoppable offense!” Amorpheus’s horn sparked.






Den watched as the room disappeared into a dark void. Visions of bones, rotting flesh and death flashed before his eyes. The corpses of the dead Royal Guards stood up. The ghouls had sunken eyes, and their flesh had the white, ghostly pallor of death. In front of him was a hooded figure carrying a scythe and gesturing towards him. All instincts commanded Den to run. Nothing earthly could defeat such foes. The pressure on his mind was immense. Fear, both natural and unnatural, swept over him. Then he remembered his experience with Echo. The sensation was familiar: he was in dream space.
“Reaper! I do not fear death!” Den stepped forward, head held high.
The ghastly visions stepped backwards. Den began sprinting towards his foes. He ran through the apparitions with his lance only to hit something solid.
The cloud curtain of the night unfurled and the moon’s grace shone through the hospital windows, sending the shadows scurrying to their corners. The illusion ended. Amorpheus had picked up a lance from a fallen Royal Guard. Den locked weapons with the greater Changeling.
“You saw through it?” Amorpheus snarled, and pushed him back. “You grow more interesting still.”
“Echo!” cried Den.
Echo stood next to Amorpheus, but her face was frozen and expressionless.
The Changeling Thorax stepped forward. “He offends you? Princess, I shall slay the pitiful pony!”
Thorax readied his spear and, with the squad of lesser Changelings, rushed past Amorpheus toward Den.
“Wait,” cried Amorpheus, “this is not an opponent you can—”
Den readied himself for the onslaught.
“Stop!” Echo’s voice resonated through their minds, exerting stronger influence than Amorpheus had projected.
The squad of Changelings instantly ceased movement at the order. Thorax, the lead Changeling, stopped mid-charge. He was skewered by Den’s lance.
Thorax looked upon the weapon that had impaled him. The Changeling returned a look of confusion toward Echo. “My Princess? My Commander? Larvi?” The Changeling slid to the ground.  
As the blue glow from Thorax’s eyes faded, Echo winced with pain that was both psychic and physical. “No,” she stuttered.
“Larvi, what have you done?” questioned Amorpheus.
Echo’s eyes watered, but she stamped her hoof, striking the ground, cracking the floor tiles beneath her. “We leave now!” announced Echo, her voice ringing in both Den’s ears and mind.
“Vengeance must be had,” cried the Changeling Husk. “This pony has slain one of our own. Blood for blood!”
“It saved my life once, and I shall spare its life now,” said Echo.
“Echo!” Den called out.
Den was slammed against a wall by a sheath of green magic.  
Larvi’s eyes glowed intensely. “The name is Larvi. You would do well to remember that, my little pony.” She turned her attention back to the Changeling squad. “We withdraw!” She turned her back on Den.
The other Changelings looked questioningly at each other.
“That was not a request,” chided Amorpheus. “It was a command from your Princess!”
The rest of the Changelings bowed lightly.
Den could only watch as Echo-Larvi led the rest of the Changelings away. He lost consciousness soon after, as the pain of his injuries caught up with him.