//------------------------------// // Chapter 26 - Bad First Impressions // Story: My Little Warcraft - New Friends // by Shin Guyviroth //------------------------------// With the roaring of its steam engine and the powerful chugs coming from the pistons and the driving wheels, the train sped down the single path of tracks towards Canterlot with speeds that Gai'vahros could not believe were possible for a vehicle of such size and mass. The cabins were large both tall and wide. The walls were mainly just arches carved to fit in round-topped windows that were much larger than any pony, framed by the light colour of medium oak while the rest of the dome-shaped walls were plastered with a light cream shade. The ceiling and flooring were of a strong turquoise hue, with the corridor of the floor lined with a strip of green carpet decorated with large swirls. "Are you absolutely sure that we're not in the royal suite?" asked Gai'vahros in concern, lightly bouncing up and down on his seat, feeling the comfort of the soft cushions underneath him. "For the last time, Gai'vahros," exclaimed Twilight as though she could spare little more patience for the elf, "all of the carriages on all of the trains have these kind of seats." "You allergic to comfort or somethin', Gai?" asked Applejack sarcastically. "No, of course not," he responded in dismissal. "It's just that none of the carriages back home have anything like this save for the human royalties of Gilneas and Stormwind. Even the Regent Lord and the royal house of Sunstrider never had this kind of luxury when taking transport. It feels… out of place for me." "Even so, for all of the things you have done for us, this is the least we can do for you." Twilight gave a soft giggle as she got herself comfortable on her seat. "Just sit back and enjoy it while you can." Gai'vahros relented, submitting to her reason. "I guess you're right." The elf placed an arm on the window sill, glaring and admiring the view before him. The countryside past by slowly as he gazed into the distance, watching the sloping green and gold fields pass on by slowly to the gentle dawning of the sun. The colours of the sky emblazoned a light orange tint over the lands, striking upon the great clouds that drifted on by. "I remember the times when I used to sit upon the banks of the Elrendar River with my sister and stare at the sundown. They say that Silvermoon is the last place on Azeroth where one can watch the sunset." "You miss your own home, don't you?" spoke Rarity. "Only it's older years, back when I could actually call it "home". Now it's just decorated ruins of what it once was. My home is everywhere, as it is for any adventurer." "But what about your people?" "My loyalties still remain with them, do not construe that much. But my people and my home are two different things -- homes can be rebuilt at any time, and a person can move from one home to another, but your friends and your kin and your family never change. An elf lost is an elf lost." Rarity looked away for a moment, pondering. "I guess so…" "Hypothetically speaking, my Lady Rarity, what would you rather lose: your boutique, or your sister?" The Unicorn gasped, physically hurt by his words. "Gai'vahros! How could you ask such a thing? We all know I'd pick little Sweetie Belle over anything!" "But that's what I'm trying to say. Anyone would pick their people before anything. Even if I do not think of Silvermoon as my home, my people are still my family. Nothing will change that." A tense silence fell before the train aside from the pistons and engine at work. The elf's words began to cause the group to reflect upon his words, Twilight especially. She was more aware of this more than most, as Canterlot used to be her home until she settled in Ponyville. But it was her friends who made the place her home. Without them, Ponyville would have just been another town like any other. "You think the rest of the elves are okay, Gai?" asked Rainbow Dash, almost worried for them as much as she would be her own friends. "Us elves have always been strong, my Lady Rainbow Dash, throughout all of our history. Through the War of the Ancients to the Troll Wars to the Scourge Invasion to the Burning Crusade, we have shown our unfaltering will and our indomitable strength countless times. I don't foresee much trouble for my people for some time to come." "Are all y'all elves as great as you, Gai? Sounds like y'all could handle yaselves in a bull ring with only a chair and a stick." "I would like to think so," replied Gai'vahros with a chuckle and a smile. "The blood elves have made so many advancements in warfare in the last decade or so. blood magi, blood knights, spell breakers, the elven rangers, mana bombs, arcane constructs -- all of these created by high or blood elven hands. Sometimes I wonder what the next big thing we'll bring to our world could be." Twilight let out a heavy sigh, her eyes closed as she shook her head. "A shame that all of these wonderful 'inventions' are all for the art of war," she spoke with mild disdain. "Yeah… you're right." It wasn't hard for Gai'vahros to understand how Twilight felt about all of this talk of fighting and killing when compared to the mentality of a human or an orc, for he himself did not find much love in the prospect of killing others because that's what they were told to do by their own superiors. It definitely wasn't what a paladin or a blood knight should be doing. Before the conversation could prolong much more a rather slender pony in a blue uniform and cap made his way through one of the carriage doors, sporting a yellow coat and dark brown eyes, greeting with a cheerful smile. "Next stop to Canterlot in ten minutes," he called out before retreating back through the door. "Looking forward to your first visit, Gai'vahros?" asked Twilight, visibly excited that she could get to show the elf around another place, to have a second shot at feeling academic. He sighed as a first response. "I'm not entirely sure." He shifted on his seat a little, getting room to place one leg over the other as he reclined back on the seat. "I know you said they are nice and all, but I can't help but feel like an oddity. I doubt anyone in Canterlot has even seen an elf before." Twilight only drew silence as a response. "Oh, that's a point," spouted Gai'vahros, "I was told that they were going to do some sort of public advertisement of your new dresses, my Lady Rarity." "W-w-w-WHAT!?" A white veil fell over the unicorn's already white-as-snow face, shocked and astonished by what she had been told. "A-are you sure? How do you know about this?" "Well, while I was in Ponyville, I met with someone who came from Canterlot to buy your new dress -- the one that based off my clothes. Apparently your dress was selling really well and they were going to market it and others in Canterlot. Did you not get her notice?" "I… haven't checked my mail for the last few days. I was busy making dresses and all, and I haven't been home since our camping trip." "Oh. Well, we can always go see it after our business with your Princess." The train ran along high above the ground as it turned onto a tall railway bridge of solid stone, supported by arched columns a hundred feet high -- a feeling that Gai'vahros did not like despite having a multitude of experiences with heights. As he looked out the window, he could see a guard house on a platform manned by a royal guard, paired with a second on the opposite side, with lances crossed over to signify their status as sentries. The two of them recoiled their weapons as the train began to slow, gently approaching the platform a little further down. The locomotive turned steadily along a roundabout-like rail, slowing and eventually stopping at the platform, signified by the sudden sound of released steam from the engine. The door to the front of the cabin receded to the side as the train conductor once again made his presence known, never faltering with that smile of his. "The train to Canterlot has just arrived," he announced with a degree of enthusiasm. "Please enjoy your stay." With a stretch of their limbs, the group stood to their legs and exited onto the station. However, as they began to file from the doorway onto the platform, a small lance of guards no more than six made their way to the docked train. Or rather, towards Twilight. "Hail, Twilight," the pony at the front saluted, signifying his status as captain among his squad, with the others behind him following suit. "We've been tasked with ensuring your safe arrival here. Glad to see you made it safely." "There wasn't any issues, Sir," responded Twilight with courtesy, making sure to show respect to what was essentially her superior in position, "but thank you for the concern. I assume you're the group heading back into Ponyville?" "Correct. The Princess believes that we will be capable of handling whatever hostility you have reported. We will also be investigating the outskirts of the village to see if we can find any signs or clues as to what we're dealing with." "A death knight." Gai'vahros stepped forwards as though speaking to them on equal ground if not as though he was superior to them. "An ebon knight of the blackest of hearts has stepped from my world into yours. If it were up to me, I would advise you to proceed with absolute cautions and with no recklessness--" "But it is not up to you, hedgehog man," the captain snapped back, irate that this creature would speak to him as though he was of higher authority of even the Princess. "That reminds me -- are you not the same person who created so much commotion in Cloudsdale the other day? Something to do with destroying property and evading arrest, if my memory serves me correctly." Twilight raised an eyebrow before turning it into a light scowl, directed fully at Gai'vahros. "Exactly what does he mean by that, Gai'vahros?" she questioned with a tone of disappointment. "Is this the same thing that the other guards were talking about in Ponyville?" "Well… when I went to apologize to Lady Rainbow Dash I had a bit of a run in with the law… and stuff." "You never told me you got in trouble with Cloudsdale guards!" roared Twilight, her face almost in Gai'vahros' if not for the fact he was a few inches taller than her. "Well it matters not," the captain intervened before marching past the group with his group behind him, glaring at Gai'vahros as he passed him by. "If Cloudsdale sees you as nothing as a nuisance then that's their business, but if you pull anything here in Canterlot then you can be sure that we'll haul your flank straight to Princess Celestia! Do I make myself clear?" "Crystal." "Good." The captain stood by the door as the rest of his group followed him inside one by one." We'll see you whence you return to Ponyville. Good luck, Miss Twilight." The door slid shut as the train began to choo, spinning its wheels slowly as it began to set off from the station. Twilight still kept her eyes fixated on the blood elf. "You do realise that we're going to have to talk about this little "commotion" you caused in Cloudsdale, right, Gai'vahros?" "Yup." Without much further word on the subject, Twilight proceeded to the station's exit and into Canterlot with the others close behind her and Gai'vahros at her side. Gai'vahros didn't think that Equestrian architecture could get more dynamic than what he had already seen beforehand, but seeing the sites of Canterlot only served to impress him more than ever before. His head looked and scoured around at the buildings, spires and towers that loomed overhead and into the distance. His eyes were drawn to the marvel of the intricate style of architecture, taken by the similar style of Gilnean masonry yet honed to perfection, bathed in the purest of white and decorated in the beauty of golds and lilacs. He loved how the light shades of the green paving and footpaths complimented the rest of the kingdom elegantly, coupled with the colours of the pale blue sky overhead. Rarity took a deep breath of the fresh air. "Just being in Canterlot never ceases to make me feel so… alive!" she exclaimed with great energy as though the atmosphere here completely rejuvenated her. It wasn't much surprise to Gai'vahros, though -- he expected that someone would such class and sophistication like Rarity would find solace in a place like this. "Well, it is a pretty fancy place, hon," spoke Applejack, "so you would fit perfectly here." Twilight took notice to Gai'vahros' amazement at what he was seeing around him, smiling in comfort of his visible like for the place. She, too, began to take in the view of Canterlot around her despite knowing it so well, as though just seeing him enjoy the scenery made her appreciate it all the more. "So what do you think of Canterlot, Gai'vahros?" The elf put a hand on his hip to create the façade of appearing cool, though it was still apparent that he felt like he was a little kid opening the biggest of his birthday presents. "The place looks amazing, my Lady Twilight," he responded calmly. "It reminds me a lot of Gilneas back home but just with more… finesse. Elegance. It's like if our high elven architecture and Gilnean architecture merged into a single style, it would look like this." "Glad to see you offer it so much praise." Turning her Head, Twilight laid eyes upon the castle that stood before her in the distance, with Gai'vahros following suit as soon as he noticed that she looked beyond him. "That's where we're heading, Gai'vahros. That's where we'll meet with the Princess." The young Unicorn lead the group onwards towards the castle. Gai'vahros took a deep breath and exhaled heavily before brushing his hair to one side. "Right. I guess we should meet with her as soon as." "You nervous, Gai?" asked Rainbow Dash, hovering just behind the blood knight. "It's not every day that I get to meet with royalty. Even when I was a young recruit I never got to so much as catch a glimpse of Kael'thas or his father before him, let alone formally meet either of them. I'm more experienced with meeting with commanders and captains." Rainbow Dash smiled, nudging the elf's shoulder lightly. "Hey, you'll be fine. Just act like you normally do, make sure not to say anythin' stupid, and don't get stuck onto any walls." "That's not funny, Lady Rainbow Dash." "Sure it is," she replied as she heard a small giggle behind her. "Even Fluttershy thought it was funny." A small gasp came from Fluttershy, paired with a small blush. "Well, um… I didn't really find it that funny," she spoke before squeaking, "I'm sorry…" Applejack wasn't paying much attention to the hilarity before her, still lumbered with thoughts about Ponyville. "You think it was a good idea to leave the youngins back at the library, Twilight?" "I think so," she replied with half-hearted confidence. "Only the names of those inscribed on the ward stone can get through the barrier I've put up, so whoever we're after shouldn't be able to get through. But, I don't know much about who we're facing. Can this death knight get around our barrier, Gai'vahros?" "I wouldn't think so. Death knights are known to be incredibly resistant to magic but not known to combat it to great effect. I doubt they would have the power to bring down such a powerful barrier on their own." "That makes me feel a lil' better," appreciated Applejack, smiling a little. "Have you any word on Twilight's arrival, guard?" The royal court stood tall as the ceiling reached heights of several meters, surrounded by cascades of bright colours shining through stained glass windows of great proportions, shining off of the black and white marble tiled floor. A tall, dark indigo Alicorn stood at the top of a single set of stairs that branched off to the sides, lined with royal red carpet. The Alicorn stood with great authority, her mane and tail flowing like a gentle stream of the darkest of shades yet glistening in the brightest of sparkles. Her large and powerful wings were folded back against her sides, their small appearance deceived their grand size. "Yes, Princess," the guard responded with a bow, "they are on their way here now, I have been told." "Good. Be sure to--" The doors to the court slowly opened as two guards on the opposite side pushed the heavy oak gates open to reveal Twilight and the rest of her companions. Quickly they made their way inside although Gai'vahros saw no such hurry as they were already there, opting to stroll along from the rear. He was, after all, just a tagalong. "Oh!" called out Twilight in surprise. "Is Princess Celestia not here?" "She will be along shortly, Twilight, but I -- Who is that behind you?" The Alicorn raised her foreleg, pointing towards the complacent blood elf that stood behind the group. "I won't allow unknown hedgehog monsters in the castle!" "You don't understand. This is--" "I'm getting sick and tired of this," exclaimed Gai'vahros, aggression fixated upon his face as he stormed forwards. "I'm tired of stupid pea-brained horses like you calling me a hedgehog! Get it through your stupid, thick skull that I don't even look remotely like a hedgehog, so shut your damn snout before I shut it for you!" The entire room stood gobsmacked. Not a single pony could begin to take it what just happened. Applejack tried to speak for a moment, but could only lip her words. "…Tell me…" she was able to croak, "please tell me he did not just say that…" The Alicorn gritted her teeth in anger before bursting out with a loud, powerful, commanding voice. "You would DARE speak to me in such manner!? I shall teach you manners!" Her large horn on her forehead began to glow a bright, powerful indigo shine before firing a stream of dark energy towards her adversary. Gai'vahros did not waver, raising his large shield in front of him, blocking the equine's attack and reflecting it upwards, causing it to destroy a small segment of the marble ceiling and rain fragments between them. "Your dark magic will never find its way through my defences!" The knight charged through the hall towards the stairs, his shield held front of him. "You will fall before me, girl!" "No, wait!" cried out Twilight in desperation. "Stop, Gai'vahros!" It was much too late, though. Heavy iron thuds on the carpet drowned out most of Twilight's plea, but it was the fact that the Alicorn dared to insult Gai'vahros and physically provoke him that kept him heading straight. Rearing his arm back, the blood knight flung his shield as hard as he could, spinning through the air. The equine was not one to be easy hit by conventional means, however, as she ducked low to avoid the boomerang-like shield as it quickly returned to Gai'vahros. The mare rose her head sharply, swinging her horn upwards at the now close blood elf as though it were a sword, clashing with the defensive blood knight's barrier of gold. "Hmph," the Alicorn huffed with reluctance to praise her enemy. "You're not too bad, monster." "I'm not even using my skills, girl," reprimanded Gai'vahros. Rearing his right hand back, a bright golden glow enveloped his clenched fist, blasting outwards as soon as he thrust his open palm into the chest of the Alicorn. A bright blast of holy energy erupted and shocked the mare, sending her toppling backwards several feet onto the landing coupled with a fierce cry of shock, surprise and pain. Gai'vahros slowly proceeded up the steps with gentle strides before stopping in front of the Alicorn, his gaze fixated upon her fallen and weakened body. "I've no quarrel with you, pony. We've only come to speak with your "Princess Celestia"." "And here I am." The shining snow white coat of another large Alicorn, much larger than the one that lay beat in front of the elf, shone through the hall as the rays of light glistened off of her body. Her massive, broad wings outstretched to the side as though given to signify her presence or even to display intimidation. Her hair and tail flowed through the air in all the colours of the morning sky as though she was its avatar. Her eyes widened in shock as she gave a gasp. "What in all of Equestria's history is going on here!?" "P-Princess!" stuttered Twilight, rushing up the stairs with her friends following close by. "I'm so, so sorry for what my friend here has done. Please forgive him…!" The fallen Alicorn looked up towards the Princess, still reeling from the sudden strike that the blood elf had delivered to her, slowly she stood to her feet, groggily. "You couldn't have picked a better time…" "Twilight," the Princess called out in audible frustration, "exactly who have you brought here? And why has he attacked Luna?" "I'm so sorry, Princess. This is Gai'vahros Dawnbreaker -- an elf from another world who knows the most about the threat I reported to you. He was the one, in fact, who conducted the letter I sent. And… I think he was provoked into confrontation…" "My Lady Twilight, why do you conduct yourself with such an apologetic stance," intervened Gai'vahros. "It was my own fault that this happened and no one else's -- especially not yours." His gaze shifted to Luna, whose sharp dagger-like eyes pierced back at him. "And who is this pony, anyway?" "Gai'vahros… this is Princess Luna. She's the younger sister of Princess Celestia…" The tension grew thick enough to smother a bear at this point. Time seemed to stop for the blood elf though he could still feel his heart race and his blood pump with each second that passed. His eyes fixated upon Princess Luna for a moment, then to Celestia, then to Twilight. He wanted to say something, to do something that could fix the problem, though his charisma was not nearly as effective and duct tape would be. "Let me guess. I'm in trouble?" "Yup." "Probably going to get banished to the moon or the sun?" "Most likely." "… Buck…"