Chapter XXII: The Field of Pink Roses
Twenty-four hours had passed since Rainbow Dash, Rainbow Sword and the Bolts left Pegasparta and began their search for the Master. They had spent their hours scouring the Southern areas of the Emerald Plains, West of Pegasparta and Equites, and were now approaching the border between Ponytopia and Hoofrica. The Sun had made three full circles around sky since they left and was to the East once again and a still a little higher in the sky. The gibbous Moon remained at the center of the sky and continued to rotate.
"He's nowhere in this part of the Emerald Plains." Bee-Spotter said, "We should go on to search somewhere else."
"Agreed." Rainbow Sword responded, "Let's rest and discuss where next to go."
The ten pegasi all landed on a nearby cloud and sat in a circle.
"He's probably in Hoofrica." Rainbow Dash said, "Last time I saw him, he was flying off to the West. That's where Hoofrica is right?"
"Indeed," Ekrixi replied as he inspected the fuses of his explosives, checking to ensure that they did not get wet from the cloud. "However, Hoofrica is a dangerous place for any pony. If the Hoofricans find him, they would surely kill him on the spot."
Dr. Sweet Sting joined as she dropped her medical equipment on the cloud. "We should move North. We still have half of the Plains to search through. Also, there is a Hoofrican army marching through there and the five legions sent to face them may need our aid."
"I agree. We should search Northward." Fireball said, "But we mustn't allow ourselves to be distracted from our mission."
"North it is then, towards the Field of Pink Roses." Sword concluded. "We shall rest and then continue at dawn- er, rather... well... as soon as I wake. Curse the state of the sky! I can never tell the time now."
The ten pegasi set up camp on the cloud. Dash, Fleet Feather and Triple-Shot took the edge of the cloud and folded the cloud over the camp in order to provide shade as they all slept.
"Kryfto," Sword said, "You keep watch."
~~~~~
Twenty-four hours had passed since Princess Sapphire, Prince Comet, Princess Ruby and Princess Amber left Mount Inferno and began their search for the Master. Over the past day, they looked through all the areas surrounding Mount Inferno. They searched through the Salt Flats of Pedwar Draig, the Glas Mountains, the Gwyrrd Mountains and the floodplains of the three rivers leading to the Drakonian side of Purpura Lake. They landed on the bank of the farthest west of the three rivers, Clai River, to drink.
"No sign of him in the flats. No sign of him in the mountains. No sign of him in the floodplains," Comet, the second oldest sibling, began. He was a slender, long-necked orange dragon with lime green eyes. He had corkscrew horns like his mother, Queen Ember, and only half of a tail, as the other half was lost in battle. "Not even word any sightings from any dragons. We are hunting for a rock toad in a quarry." He took off his iron mask, thrust his snout into the river and began digging through the sediment.
"We mustn't yet give up, brother," Sapphire responded, "We cannot. I swore to mother that I shan't fail her."
Amber, the youngest of the siblings, replied as she removed her helmet, "Indeed you did, but we made no such oath. However, you are our sister. Rest assured we shan't abandon you. But we do need a better course of action than simply searching through the whole of Drakonia. So perhaps, 'twould be best if you stop flying about as you wish and let Sister Ruby lead the way." Amber was the youngest of the four and was named for the color her beautiful eyes. Her scales were brown like the desert sand and her wings had the rare feature of having a pattern: streaks of gold that glimmered when directly under sunlight. She had a pair of straight horns and a tail that ended in a tuft of white hair, like Sapphire's.
Comet finished digging through the sediment and took out a mouthful of clay. He savored the rustic taste and, after swallowing, said, "I agree. We need a plan if we are to find him, sister. The course we are taking now is foolish. Sister Ruby is the eldest among us and the best tracker."
"Why did you not say so earlier?" Sapphire replied, "I would gladly let her lead." She turned to call to Ruby, who was further down the river, sniffing at the ground. "Sister! You shall lead the way for us from here on!"
Ruby raised her head from the ground and looked over her shoulder at her other siblings. She was a tall red dragon whose red eyes looked out from behind her iron mask. She had a relatively short tail that ended in a club. She had no horns, but she did have a magnificent yellow frill. On the right side of her face, she bore a burn scar, given to her by a pegasus with a weapon that spewed fire. She walked back to the others and said, "We shall rest here. Then we shall go to the Southern border and follow it Westward."
The four dragons settled down on the river bank and folded their wings over their faces as they slept under the half orange, half purple sky.
~~~~~
Sixteen hours had passed since Sergeant Urujuwani and the ninth gazelle scout regiment left Rhinopolis and began their search for the Master. They had been galloping East towards the meeting point of the borders of all three kingdoms and were now at the Uzima River, halfway to Hoofrica's Eastern border. Urujuwani leaped from rock to rock to cross the river, the longest river in the three kingdoms and once the border of the Uruhu Forest, before the dragons invaded and destroyed much of the forest over a millennium ago. The ninth regiment, a group of twenty elite gazelle scouts and the fastest runners in Hoofrica, followed the sergeant, leaping on the rocks all the way across the river. Urujuwani did a head count as the last few gazelles finished crossing.
"...eighteen... nineteen... twenty. Alright, that's everybody." The sergeant raised her hoof and signaled for the regiment to be at ease. She was a tall violet-eyed yellow gazelle, with much of her height owed to her long strong legs. She and all her soldiers wore light leather armor and mask. She called for her two most trusted soldiers, Copper Shine and Kimbunga, to discuss their course of action.
"We'll rest here for a few hours. I don't know how long though. With the Sun like this, it's impossible to tell the time." Urujuwani said.
"Do you think it's wise to split up?" Copper Shine, a young orange long-horned gazelle, asked, "I don't think it would be safe."
"It's the most efficient plan we have right now," Urujuwani responded, "If we are to find this Tympanus, or whatever his name is, we need to cover as much ground as possible, and to do that we'll need to separate. And besides, since we are assigned to search in the other kingdoms, then maybe being in smaller groups will make us less noticeable."
Kimbunga, an old tall brown gazelle, untied his mask as he spoke, "Are you sure it's acceptable to enter the Field of Pink Roses on military terms? It's forbidden to walk on sacred ground like that."
The sergeant sighed and also began removing her mask. "Kimbunga, that's an old decree from centuries ago, from before the beginning of the war. Do you think anyone cares about sacred ground nowadays? Don't worry about it. We'll go to the Field and from there split. Both of you tell the rest of the regiment. Also, tell them to set up camp."
Copper Shine and Kimbunga nodded and left to carry out their orders.
~~~~~
Rainbow Dash and the Bolts flew North and were drawing near to the meeting point of the borders of all three kingdoms, the Field of Pink Roses. They had been flying without stop since they awoke from their rest on the cloud. The Sun was now to the South and again slightly higher. Also to the South were a pair of dust clouds, caused by the Hoofrican army and the Ponytopian army as they approached each other. A terrible battle was at hand.
Finally, a patch of pink that stood out from the green of the Emerald Plains came into view. The Field of Pink Roses was unlike any place in all the three kingdoms. The field was expansive, with a mile-wide breadth. The roses grew independent of any bushes and sprouted straight from the ground. They bore no thorns and gave off the sweetest aroma of any flower. And unlike all other flowers, they bloomed only during nights of a full Moon. It was said in legends from all three kingdoms that the Field was the one spot on Earth where a god set foot on mortal ground. The legends said that Ingram the Melodious came down shortly after Creation, gathered all the creatures of the Earth and taught them how to sing. When He left and returned to the realm of the Gods, he left behind him the Field of Pink Roses.
As the ten pegasi began to descend, Rainbow Dash's attention was caught by long and dispersed dust cloud by the Field of Pink Roses. She called out to the others, "Look! What's that down there?"
"A sight we've seen much too often to mistake. Those are gazelle." Ifaistos said.
"Do you think they might know where Tympanus is?" Dash asked.
Ekrixi replied, "I know not, but they're a small regiment and stand no chance against us. Let's stop them before they cross into pony territory!"
"We must focus on our mission!" Rainbow Sword ordered, "If we are to have anything to do with them, it would be to interrog-"
The other Bolts would not listen, as they were far too stirred by battle fervor. They shouted their battle cries and dove down towards the gazelle. Sword gave a frustrated sigh and followed. Ekrixi, laughing as he descended, was the first to send a blow and threw down a sack that exploded on impact with the ground. The agile gazelle easily dodged the bomb and went into a formation, with horns pointed forward, creating a wall of sharp spikes and behind that wall, another line of gazelle stood on their hind legs and drew their bows. The Bolts landed on the Field and Fireball readied her Dragon's Throat to unleash a barrage of fire on the gazelle while Triple-Shot drew three arrows into his bow and aimed for their opponents. The gazelle meanwhile began to charge at the Bolts, ready to impale them on their horns. Fortunately, Rainbow Sword quickly stopped them all from clashing, striking the ground between the pegasi and the gazelle with lightning from his sword and shouting, "ENOUGH!"
The gazelle stopped charging, but maintained a defensive formation. Behind them was a trail of trampled roses. Sword landed on a the patch of singed ground he made with his lightning and scolded his team, "Have you no discipline?! We are to remain focused on our mission and find Tympanus! We have no business with these gazelle, much as I would love to cut off their heads!" He then turned to the gazelle, pointed his sword at them, and spoke in Zwahiri, "And you! I spare you because I have a more important task at hand. If you have any wisdom, you shall turn around and return to the rotten wilderness from which you came!"
Urujuwani, the gazelle sergeant, retorted as stepped forward from her regiment, "How dare a primitive pony like you call our great kingdom a wilderness! You need a lesson in respect you little horse-bird!"
"Stop! Stop!" Dash shouted as she landed between Urujuwani and Sword, "Stop fighting! Commander, don't you think they might know something about Tympanus? They could help us!"
"I refuse to stoop so low as to seek help from a Hoofrican!" Sword replied.
"Wait," Urujuwani said, "Did you say 'Tympanus'? You know something about Tympanus?"
"Well, we're looking for him," Dash answered, "I was hoping you might know where we could find him. He kidnapped our king and we need to stop him!"
"So it's true then. Concordius has fallen and now the sky is in chaos." Urujuwani said, "We're also looking for this Tympanus. He tricked our emperor and abused our alchemy. He must be punished for his crimes!"
Dash took a step closer to the gazelle sergeant and said, "Looks like Tympanus got both sides against him. What do you guys say about working with us to stop him?"
"Rainbow Dash!" Sword scolded, "How dare you think of consorting with the enemy! They cannot be trusted! We are leaving now and continuing the search! Na ptisi!"
Sword and the Bolts took off from the ground and were about to fly off when Dash gave one final plea. "Commander, just listen! Whatever Tympanus is up to, it's much worse than anything the other kingdoms can do. We need all the help we can get! And I've seen enough action to know it's always best to work together to stop a disaster."
One of the gazelle, Copper Shine, stepped out from the line and joined Dash, saying, "She's right. Our leaders might be against each other, but, really, I don't mind working with you all if it means the sky will be back to normal. If it goes on like this, crops everywhere will fail and everyone will suffer!"
Sword would have none of it, though. His enmity to the Hoofricans was too great, but just as he and the Bolts began to fly away, they saw above them four dragons gliding down in circles. The dragons landed on the Field, crushing the roses beneath their claws. Princess Sapphire walked up to the gazelle and pegasi and spoke, "Stay where you are, you hoofers! And you will tell me where that filthy pony Tympanus is now!"
"Don't you know that it's impolite to use racial slurs, little snake?" Fireball responded as she landed herself in front of Sapphire, fearlessly facing the princess, who was easily over ten times her size.
"Fireball," Sword said, "we have no time to waste quarrelling with this petty-"
"Hold on!" Princess Ruby interrupted as she walked forward and faced Fireball. "I know you. You gave me this!" She turned her head and displayed her scar.
"Ha! Of course," Fireball replied, "the dragon princess whom I so easily humbled at the Battle of Serpente Delta."
"Humbled?!" Prince Comet retorted, "Laughable! 'Tis the likes of you that needs a lesson on humility!"
"A scar on your face will be suitable." Ruby added.
"I'd like to see you try." Fireball said.
She immediately began preparing her Dragon's Throat as Ruby reared her head and gathered red fire in her throat. Fireball aimed at Ruby's mouth and Ruby aimed for the right side of Fireball's face. Both let their fires loose and the two bursts of red fire clashed, both pushing against each other with brilliant beauty and fearsome terror.
Suddenly Fireball and Ruby heard a cry, "STOP IT!" and there was an explosion between them that pushed them apart and dispersed their fires. When the smoke from the explosion and the fires disappeared, they saw a old tall brown gazelle, Kimbunga, standing between them wearing a green amulet around his neck. "Have you no respect?! This field is sacred ground, and you threaten to turn it to ashes with your fighting!"
"Wait, hold on, Kimbunga," Urujuwani interrupted, "you have magic?"
"Enchanting amulet. Let's non-magical creatures use magic. Family relic. Long story. But anyway, this is a field with a history of peace and friendship. It was created by a god who gathered all who inhabit the Earth and, on this field, taught them to sing. And the last time dragons, ponies and Hoofricans met on this field was a thousand years ago and that meeting led to an era of tranquility and harmony for all of us. Why taint that history by spilling blood on it? By spreading fire and causing scars? It's shameful! How far we've fallen from our respectable ancestors in the course of five-hundred years. The Gods must look down upon us and avert their eyes when they see our repulsive actions. This is no time and no place for anger and hatred. Just for one brief moment, can't we just meet as decent civilized creatures with only peaceful intentions?"
Kimbunga finished his speech and all around him were silent. Dash broke the silence by applauding. "Woohoo! Go Mr. Gazelle! Great speech, great speech! But, um... yeah, he's right! We shouldn't fight. And you, sorry, what's your name?"
"Princess Sapphire, daughter of Queen Ember, daughter of Queen Diemwnt, daughter of King-"
"Okay, got it. Princess, you asked us where Tympanus was. So you're looking for Tympanus and so are we. What did he do to get you mad?"
"He stole something precious from us and shamed me!"
"What did he steal?"
"Why should I tell you hoofers? You can't be trusted!"
"Princess Sapphire," Dash pleaded, "He's our enemy just like he's yours. He kidnapped our king!"
"And he is a traitor to our emperor!" Urujuwani joined.
Sapphire gave Dash and Urujuwani's words some thought, and then turned to her siblings and asked, "What say you? Can we trust them?"
"The decision is yours, sister." Princess Amber replied, "We are merely your helpers. The responsibility for our mission is yours. Our move rests on your judgment." Comet and Ruby nodded in agreement.
Sapphire smiled to see her siblings treat her with such dignity and respect. She turned back to Dash and Urujuwani and gave her decision. "Mother always said, 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend.' I suppose I do not bear any personal grudges against you. So perhaps we can work together."
Kimbunga and Copper Shine went to Urujuwani and urged her to agree to work with the dragons and pegasi, while Dash flew up to Sword and implored him to cooperate with the gazelle and dragons. They spent much time trying to persuade their respective leaders, and eventually, with much reluctance, Sword and Urujuwani conceded.
Sword, Sapphire and Urujuwani met at the center of the three groups. Sword opened and closed his wings three times, a pegasus' gesture of peace. Sapphire breathed green fire through her nostrils, a dragon's gesture of peace. And Urujuwani lowered her head and touched the ground with her horns, a gazelle's gesture of peace.
"So," Urujuwani began, "What is it that Tympanus stole from you?"
"The situation is far worse than you realize," Sapphire responded, "because Tympanus stole the key to the Gates of Tartarus."
The other two went pale upon hearing the princess' words. It was indeed far worse than any situation they could even imagine.
"By the Gods, no..."
"Sun and Moon protect us..."
"My mother has her Royal Guard monitoring the Gates," Sapphire continued, "but we can never be certain that Tympanus hasn't some ploy to slip past them. So do not relent in your search for him."
"We should also send news back to our emperor," Urujuwani said, "he may be able to help defend the Gates."
"I doubt that my mother would accept your emperor's help, but 'tis worth a chance." Sapphire replied.
Urujuwani turned and began going towards his gazelle. Sword did the same as he spoke. "I'll need to report this to Starswirl and the Doctor. He'll know how to handle matters like this."
Sapphire gave Urujuwani and Sword some final words before they all parted. "The Gates of Tartarus are within Mount Dechrau. 'Tis the tallest of the Gwyrrd Mountains. The First Mountain. If we cannot find Tympanus anywhere, then the only hope left is to stop him at the Gates."
Sword leaped off of the Field of Pink Roses and faced his team. He nodded. The Bolts formed their line in the air and awaited the commander's order.
"We are to return to Castle Equites. We have vital information for Starswirl the Bearded and the Doctor. Na ptisi!"