//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: For the Empire. Part 3 // Story: Ponies of the Five Rings // by Simon_oSullivan //------------------------------// Most of the reinforcements had arrived at the Diamond Bulwark. Applejack greeted each soldier with a smile. She was stubborn and arrogant sometimes, but she knew her brother was right. She understood Big Mac’s worries, and tried to keep an open mind. Besides, she was curious about what the other clans would bring to the fight. “Well, the Rainbow Clan scouts are already in position,” Applejack said looking at her brother, surprised at the swiftness of their maneuvers and positioning. “They even had time to set some traps. They sure are handier than Ah thought.” “It’s all thanks to our clan’s resources mostly,” a unfamiliar voice proclaimed from behind her. “But their duty to the Empire is quite admirable, Apple Leader.” The pony who spoke stepped forward. “And who might ya be, soldiers?” she asked. “We are the Gemmed Gallants, Lady Applejack. We are the elite warriors from the Jewel Clan, sent to aid in the upcoming battle. I’m Captain Zircon.” He stood in front of twenty ponies wearing ornate armor and swords. Zircon raised his sword into the air and bowed to Applejack. His squad followed suit, presenting their respects as well. When they unsheathed their weapons, Applejack noticed that the blades were made of crystal. “It’s been a long time, Gallants,” Big Macintosh said as he walked towards them. At his arrival, they saluted him. “Apple Hero, we didn’t know you would be here. It’ll be a huge honor fighting beside you,” Zircon confessed. “Eeeyup. When Ah heard about the huge army, Ah thought Ah should lend a hoof.” “Ya know these soldiers, brother?” Applejack asked, not realizing her brother was that well known. “Ah know their leader. Zircon here used to be one of my escorts before joining the Gallants.” “Now that ya mention it, he kinda looks familiar.” “Eeeyup. They're battle mages and their weapons are really effective against ghosts, shades and other similar monsters.” “Your words fill us with pride, Apple Hero. Where shall we go?” “Spread across the wall,” Big Macintosh ordered. “Zircon, stay with me.” “Just like old times?” “Eeeyup.” Big Macintosh with a smile. “It’ll be an honor, old friend.” “Alrighty, fellas!” Applejack said. “This wall ain’t gonna defend itself. Let’s see where the others are.” As the Gemmed Gallants moved to their positions, a large group of ponies approached Applejack hopping and giggling. “Party Clan Bladedancers ready for orders, Apple Champion!” the leader of the jolly-looking unicorns sang. She was leading a squad of forty ponies. They were donned in light armor, but what got Applejack’s attention was that they had two swords. “Good ah….“ Applejack wanted to ask but wasn’t sure if she wanted to know the answer. “Just a question if ya don’t mind.” “Sure, shoot,” The bladedancers’ leader said, showing a huge smile. “Y’all… ya know… have two weapons.” “Katana and wakizashi, yes,” she said, moving her flank to show the weapons when she named them. “The one with the long name is the katana’s smaller sister.“ “Yeah, I guess.” She wasn’t really sure about going on with the conversation. Were Pinkie’s teachings a ‘How to clone Pinkie Pie’s personality’ guide? “So uh… how do you…” “Oh, that! Ha ha, we’ll show you. Alright, bladedancers, defensive stance, now!” All of the unicorns hopped away from their formation. Their horns started shining, and their swords began to shake. In the blink of an eye, weapons flew from their sheaths and levitated around the unicorns. The blades gave the impression that they were dancing around the unicorns. The weapons formed a shield that could slash any enemies who dared attack their wielders. The bladedancers closed their eyes and their swords stopped in front of them, returning to their sheaths. “That’s… that’s just… wow.” Applejack was really marveled. She heard nothing about these elite soldiers, but she was glad to know that they were on her side. Before she could say anything else, she saw something in the sky. Whatever it was, it was coming towards them fast. “What in the name of Celestia are those coming? Are those enemies?” she demanded, grabbing her hammer. “Nnnope,” Big Mac said without any trace of fear or worry. “They come from inside Equestria. But what are they? I can’t see them clearly.” When they got close enough, all of the ponies at the wall saw them. Phoenixes flew in circles above the pony army. After a few seconds, they heard the sound of hooves behind them. “Sorry if they scared you, Apple Leader,” the leader of the newcomers said, worried about the the mess that they had inadvertently caused. “We are the Wilderness Clan falconers that our leader promised you.” “Hold yer horses,” Applejack demanded, trying to make up her mind. “Yer using phoenixes to fight?” ”The Phoenix is the Wilderness Clan’s sacred animal,” Big Mac commented with a smile. “Well, as soon as Rainbow Dash returns, we’ll be ready.” Applejack nodded in agreement. “She should be here anytime now.” “Outta my way, slowpokes!” a familiar voice was heard through the wall. “Speak of tha Nightmare,” Applejack joked. Indeed, Dash was approaching at top speed. “Well, I guess that’s all there’s to…” She paused as it dawned on her that Dash wasn't alone. She appeared to be carrying two passengers; a dragon and a blue unicorn. “Wait. What in tarnation…“ “And here we are!” Dash announced, dumping Spike and Trixie on the ground. “I bumped into a couple of hitchhickers on my way here.” “Spike ready for orders!” the young dragon said, saluting and drawing his spear. “The Great and Powerful Trixie, high ranking Lore Clan summoner!” she proclaimed. She summoned small magical winds to make her cape wave. “So it looks like Twilight decided ta send some help after all.” Applejack smirked. She wasn’t sure about what made her friend change her mind, but she was relieved to know her friend had sent some help. “Spike, you’ll come with me,” Big Macintosh ordered. “Yes, Big Macintosh, sir!” he said, excited about fighting alongside such a legendary hero. The large pony nodded. “Trixie, you’ll help the Rainbow Clan archers. Come on, Spike. We have to move fast.” The young dragon followed the Apple Hero as he strode off. Applejack pointed Trixie towards the section of the wall where she’d been assigned. She was going to protest, but a plan cropped up in her mind. She might just have a chance after all. If Rainbow scouts were as capable as she heard, she wouldn’t have to move a hoof, and she would keep her reputation. Trixie felt safe and confident again. Just a little spell here and there and she’d go back to Twilight Sparkle as a heroine. As soon as she arrived to the spot Applejack assigned her, she saw scouts taking their positions. “This is going to be easy, guys,” one of the scouts commented as she saw Trixie approaching. “We have a Lore Clan summoner with us. She must be one of the high ranking ones.” Trixie chuckled. “Why of course. The Great and Powerful Trixie will guide you all to victory. For Trixie can make even the largest monsters cry out like new-born fillies after some flank-spanking.” “Yay!” the scouts yelled as they raised their bows. Their cries of excitement were cut short by the sound of battle horns, and they returned to their positions. Two of them stayed with Trixie to protect her. She was about to scold them for underestimating her when she saw the biggest army that Equestria had ever seen marching towards them. Thousands of Diamond Dogs advanced towards the wall, some of them on foot, some mounted on large Timber Wolves. In spite of being still far away, there were so many of them that the sound of their marching steps and howls was deafening. The army looked like a spreading gray plague, destroying the vegetation under their feet. They marched, smashing the ground with rusty clubs, axes and spears. Over the Dogs, dozens of war banners made out of crudely sewn hides painted with blood and mud danced in the wind. Flying over the grunts, a full-grown black dragon hovered menacingly in front of huge, wooden siege towers and catapults pulled by powerful Timber Wolves. The flying beast let out a thunderous roar, which echoed throughout the Diamond Bulwark, causing a chill to run down Trixie’s spine. She stepped back with trembling hooves and chattering teeth. -o- ”Wow! That’s way more than I expected,” Spike said, stepping back. “Eeeyup,” Big Mac added. He was focused on measuring the upcoming army’s strength. “Are you sure this wall will stand?” the young dragon asked, worried. “Worry not,” Zircon said, trying to cheer him up. “This wall is one hundred feet tall and thirty feet thick, and it protects the whole of Equestria. It also has siege weapons and traps prepared. It has stood uncountable battles, and this one won’t make it fall.” “Eeeyup,” Big Mac confirmed. “If you say so,“ Spike felt nervous, but knew he had to stand and fight. -o- “Alright, archers!” Rainbow Dash shouted. “Ready?” Archers grabbed their bows and put arrows on the strings, resting their hind hooves in the middle of the arcs. “Aim!” she ordered. They started pushing the arcs with their hooves and tensing the strings, pulling it with the arrows in their mouths. Pegasi bowponies flapped their wings to get a decent firing range. Battle horns blew a second time. The enemy army charged fiercely towards the wall. Siege engines fired huge boulders. At Dash’s command, bow strings snapped taunt, darkening the sky with their arrows. Summoners conjured stormy clouds and called down thunder and lightning. A stray lightning bolt struck the dragon’s head. With a stunned swagger, the beast listed to one side, crushing a large group of soldiers beneath its massive body. The Diamond Dogs weren’t able to stand the heavy rain of arrows showered upon them. Even those who managed to get close to the wall were forced to retreat when the phoenixes bathed them with fire. Surprisingly, it appeared that the battle was already almost over. As the battle continued, Big Mac noticed something odd. It was a much larger army than usual, but it was turning out to be an easy fight. “Is there something wrong, Big Macintosh?” Spike asked, “We are winning. You should be happy.” “Eeeyup.” Big Mac had an absent-minded look. “But something ain’t right. Looks like those guys over there are missing somethin’.” “A leader,” Zircon answered. “Didn’t Rainbow Dash say that Discord was leading the army?” “Mahbe he was going to.” “You have a theory, old buddy?” the Gallant asked with a curious gaze. “Eeeyup. Rainbow ain’t a liar, that I know. Ah think Discord was coming, but he spotted her scouts.” “Now that you mention it,” Spike added to the conversation. “Twilight told me that Dash reported losing some scouts when she was detected. If Discord found out that some survived and came back to Equestria...” “He would know we would’ve been ready for the fight with huge reinforcements as we are now. He wouldn’t put himself at risk,” Zircon finished Spike’s theory. “Good thinking, Spike. You really are worthy of being a clan leader’s bodyguard.” The dragon blushed. “Why thank you sir, but I’m afraid that doesn’t help us now-” Their conversation stopped abruptly when they heard a huge blast at another section of the Wall. -o- The stunned dragon recovered from the thunder and had charged towards Trixie’s section. He breathed deadly fire, causing most of the scouts to back up further down the wall, afraid for their lives. They fired their arrows, but they simply bounced off the dragon’s thick scales. ”Come on, Trixie, it’s your chance! Destroy it! Cast something!” the scouts’ leader screamed, ducking underneath the dragon’s claw. Nocking another arrow on his bow, he charged onwards. “You’re going down, scaled aberration!” Trixie was paralyzed. She pushed herself to do something, anything at all. Her horn blinked weakly. She focused, barely managing to summon a whirlwind. However, her magic backfired, causing arrows to fly towards the archers instead. Another thunderous roar caused some of the scouts to fall to the ground. Trixie couldn’t take it anymore. She had to get out of there. Summoning a mist to cover her and her escape route, Trixie galloped from the front lines as fast as her hooves allowed her. Spike, Zircon and Big Mac arrived on time to see what was happening. The young bodyguard couldn’t contain himself. “Trixie, you traitor! Coward!” Spike shouted after her, shaking his spear. “Wait ‘til I get my claws on you, honorless dog!” Spike’s yells were interrupted by the dragon’s roar, causing him to stumble and fall on his knees. “Ooohkay, now is not the time, got it!” He looked at the huge beast standing in front of him. “I’m not fleeing, big boy! Come and get me. I ain’t letting you destroy Rarity’s work! I’ll show you the real bravery of the Lore Clan! Be gone!” Spike got up and took a defensive stance, ready to pierce the dragon if it tried to attack him. If the monster tried to bite him, he’d be ready to pierce its eyes. However, the beast had another thing in mind. “Uh oh,” the bodyguard muttered before the huge dragon’s claw landed on him. The smash made the whole wall shake. “Spike!” Big Mac cried out, grabbing his mace and galloping towards the beast. When the Apple Hero was about to smash the dragon’s claw to free the young bodyguard, the beast roared again. But it was a different kind of roar. Big Mac noted the different pitch. It was injured. It lifted its claw and both Zircon and Big Mac understood what happened: Spike’s spear had pierced through the dragon’s palm. They ran towards the bodyguard. He was bleeding in a mangled heap on the floor, but still breathing. His armor was totally shattered. They both spotted a deep yet small hole on the floor. Spike had leaned his weapon there before the monster attacked him. His face showed satisfaction at wounding the dragon. “U… up yours, you bully,” he mocked. Pointing at the enraged dragon, he turned to the two ponies standing next to him. “Finish it for me,” he begged before falling unconscious. Both ponies nodded at each other before charging towards the beast with a battle cry that was heard all across the wall. “For the Empire! For the Empresses!” Zircon and Big Mac charged with all the strength their bodies would allow them. The Apple Hero brought his powerful spike mace, crashing down on top of the beast, shattering scales and crushing bones, while Zircon’s sword cut through the dragon’s scaleless neck, slicing its throat open. “For the Empire! For the Empresses!” every single pony defending the wall repeated, feeling renewed strengths inside of them. They charged against the Dogs who climbed up the wall via siege towers with indomitable confidence, running over and trampling the enemy forces. The few remaining Dogs ran away when they saw the dragon die. The battle was won, and everypony neighed victoriously. Big Mac walked slowly towards the fallen bodyguard. He was still breathing, and there were several summoners attempting to heal his wounds. Rainbow Dash and Applejack galloped to see him. “Ah feel sorry fer tha fella.” Applejack said, looking down with sorrowful eyes. “He ain’t dead, sis.” Big Mac corrected with a face full of pride. “He’s tha hero of the day.” “Come on,” Zircon said, showing a weak smile. “We have to report our success here.” “I’ll get there in a jiffy!” Rainbow Dash announced while taking off. “Ahm goin’ too.” The Apple Champion stepped forward. “Me too,” Big Mac added as a summoner magically lifted Spike and put him carefully on the Apple Hero’s back. Applejack felt a weight on her shoulders when she heard her brother’s words. A couple of Apple chariots exited from the inner part of the wall. Six runners got hooked on them. “I’ll go first to make sure they’re all there when you arrive. By the way, good job, AJ!” The pegasus nodded as she took off towards the castle. “Y’all weren’t bad yourself, RD!” The Apple Clan Leader saluted Rainbow Dash while she disappeared in the sky. -o- Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie were going for a walk together through the imperial gardens, chatting about the victory celebration. The Party Clan Leader, full of optimism from Rainbow Dash’s previous visit and report about Big Macintosh joining the fight, was hopping around the other two ponies. “Hush,” Rarity sighed. “Pinkie, sweetie, I know you’re excited but can you please stop bouncing all around? You’re making me nervous.” “Uhm, actually,” Fluttershy added to the unicorn’s complaint. “You are scaring the birds too.” “But it’s gonna be awesome!” Pinkie cried while still jumping around. “I have everything ready! Cakes, punch, balloons, games, competitions, it’s gonna be the best party ever!” “I’m sure it will, Pinkie,” Fluttershy encouraged. On the other hoof, Rarity shook her head. The pink pony always said the same thing about every party she threw. In the middle of the trivial chatting, a swift wind passed next to them, making the three ponies take cover. The gust had scared all the birds and had blown away some of Rarity’s manepins. “Phew. Finally found ya!” Dash noticed the disaster her flying had caused and Rarity’s frustrated stare. “Hehe, hey, sorry for that.” “Will you please explain yourself?” The unicorn tried to keep calm while picking up the fallen pins. “Such a barbaric behavior is not something a clan leader should have.” “Yeah, yeah, whatever,” she said, ignoring the unicorn's rambling. “Hey! Did you girls hear the latest news? We won!” “Yay!” Pinkie Pie celebrated by continuing to bounce and jump. “Party! Party!” “Well, I congratulate you for your victory. But please, be more careful next time.” Rarity fixed her mane with her left hoof and her magic. “I knew I could trust you, Rainbow Dash.“ Fluttershy applauded. “Oh,and another thing! We gotta go to the Imperial Castle for a meeting,” Dash reported. “Again?” Rarity lifted an eyebrow. “Well, you see,” the Rainbow Leader explained. “Apparently Big Mac has something to talk about. And you know what that means.” “The Apple Hero?” Rarity asked with her eyes wide open. This is unexpected news. I might have to reconsider my actions for now, she thought. “Well, let’s get going. I hope it’s not anything too serious.” -o- There must be something to fight the Taint, Twilight thought, looking for a glimpse of hope among the manuscripts. Luckily for her, Big Macintosh wrote about some of the ways they had learnt that could counteract the Everfree Forest’s Taint. Jade hooves, necklaces with a small hoof-shaped jade stone, kept ponies pure, but the protection only lasted for a week before the ward faded. An infusion called ‘Tea of Jade Petals’ seemed to keep the Taint from further corrupting the drinker. She was starting to get really scared. For the first time, she thought that this might be an enemy who couldn’t be defeated. Lost in her thoughts, she didn’t hear the knocks on the door at first. After a second round of knocking, she returned from her thoughts to the real world. “C-come in,” she said, trying to sound busy. ”I hope I’m not disturbing you, Twilight,” Zephyrus said, entering the room with a smile. “Back already?” she asked, lifting an eyebrow. “I thought it was a huge army.” “Oh, it was. But apparently it was lacking leadership, so it was all too chaotic. The defense was easy as usual, or so Apple Clan warriors said.” “No leadership?” Twilight was astounded upon hearing that. “So, Discord wasn’t there?” Zephyrus shook his head. “Oh, by the way, the clan leaders are waiting for you in the meeting hall.” The next sentence was followed by a rogue smile. “Oh, the Apple Hero is here too.” “Big Mac is here?!” she cried, stuttering. “B-b-but why?!” Zephyrus shrugged. “He said he wants to see you all. Apparently something has happened that needs to be shared with all the leaders. I don’t know the details, so you’ll hear the rest of the story from them.” He bowed to Twilight before turning around. “Now I must leave. I am commanding some patrols to search for a deserter.” “A deserter? Who would run away from...” she trailed off, fearing the answer.“What... what are you going to do with the deserter?” “We’ll offer the deserter a chance of redemption via seppuku, the suicide for atonement. If she refuses, she’ll be expelled from the Empire. I must go now.” Zephyrus bowed again and left the room. She sighed as she got up and walked slowly out of the library. She didn’t like what her former student told her. She didn’t want to believe that either of the soldiers she sent had committed such an embarrassing act. Twilight started thinking while walking towards the meeting hall. Spike was a loyal bodyguard. The idea of defending Rarity’s wall should have been enough to keep him there. Trixie, on the other hoof, was a prestigious summoner. She wouldn’t need to run wielding the power of somepony of her rank. She feared that Big Macintosh’s arrival would be about her soldiers’ cowardice, making it impossible for her to look him in the eyes again. When Twilight entered the room, she saw every single clan leader waiting for her. Next to Applejack, the Apple Hero stood next to Spike, who was being treated by Fluttershy with some ointments. Twilight gasped as she ran towards the young dragon. “Spike!” She cried as she saw his armor was completely shattered. “He’s alive, Twilight.” Applejack comforted the unicorn, putting a hoof on her shoulder. “He fought like a hero up there.“ “Eeeyup.” Big Macintosh smiled. Peace and well-being flooded Twilight’s heart when she saw the Apple Hero’s expression. “Yeah, he really kicked that dragon’s flank up there!” Rainbow punched the air with her hooves. “Take this! And that! Pow! It didn’t even see it coming!” Twilight’s mouth was wide open. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Are you saying that Spike has slain a full-grown dragon? Wait, wait, wait… there were dragons in the army?” “Only one, sugarcube,” Applejack confirmed. “And it’s not that Spike killed the dragon on his own, but if it wasn’t for him, mahbe we’d still be up there fightin’.” “Eeeyup. He took Trixie’s place and stood against it.” “So…” Twilight closed her eyes and leaned down her head, shame invading her heart. “It was Trixie who deserted.” “Don’t be so hard on yerself, sugarcube.” The Apple Leader tried to cheer her up. “Spike was the hero of the day. And that’s what we’ll remember. We’re proud of ‘im” “Eeeyup.” Bic Mac tried to comfort her. He thought for a while, and then his eyes shone with an idea. “Hey, Twilight.” “Y-yes, Big Mac?” The summoner wasn’t expecting him to talk about Maho in front of the other leaders. “Y’still have yer special warriors, don’t ya?” She nodded. “Y-yes, the Inquisitors. I haven’t called them for a while, though.“ “Inquisitors?” Applejack thought Lore Clan soldiers were only bodyguards. “What the hay are ya talkin’ about? And why is it possible that I know nothin’ about the other clans’ armies?” “Ya never asked. Remember you didn’t want help, sis.” Applejack looked hurt but bowed her head, knowing he was right. “Well,” the summoner started explaining. “Can we talk about it, Big Mac?” “Eeeyup. It’s about time they know.” Twilight took a deep breath. She knew he was talking about their soldiers, but for a second she hoped he was talking about publicly announcing their love. ”Inquisitors are a squad of special soldiers. Their main goal was to hunt and destroy Maho users. It was a project that Big Mac, Rarity and I started working on some time ago.” “Well, I didn’t do as much there,” Rarity said, faking humbleness. “I only supplied the magical gemstones you needed. It was you who enchanted them so Inquisitors could use them as spell-storing devices.“ “But we haven’t seen Maho magic for a long time.” Twilight sighed. “So they’re just being used as bodyguards for high ranking Lore summoners.” “I was wonderin’,” Big Mac started. “Have ya thought about promotin’ Spike to be an Inquisitor?” “Spike, an Inquisitor?” she wondered aloud, scratching her head. “Hay yeah!” Rainbow Dash cried. “He could kick more flanks than ever! He deserves it!” “Yay!” Pinkie Pie, who was listening carefully, bounced around the hall. “We could celebrate his promotion with a party! Oh, but we also have to celebrate our victory! Oh, oh, oh, I know! We’ll throw a double party!“ “Oh, but I must insist you let me design Spike’s armor, Twilight darling,” Rarity offered. “I’ll keep your clan symbol and colors, but you really have to let me dress your new hero with a fitting armor. And don’t worry about his weapon. I’ll make my master blacksmith forge a crystal-headed spear specially for him.” “Gee, Rarity.” Twilight was astounded with the compliments Spike was getting. “I really appreciate everything you’re doing. Especially considering…” “Ah, don't let Trixie's mistakes affect you.” Rainbow Dash tried to cheer her up. ”We aren't angry at you for that, it's not your fault! Far from it, we're proud of you for having such a kickflank bodyguard!” “Thank you girls. I really appreciate those words from all of you.” Twilight decided to change the subject. “But hey, you returned quite fast. I expected a longer fight.” “Well, Big Mac ‘ere says that Discord wasn’t leading the army. Nopony was. And Ah know who’s responsible for this,” she said in a blaming tone looking at Rainbow Dash. “What?” the pegasus complained. “Oh, come on! You can’t accuse me of anything!” “Yeah, right! Listen, Dash. Those guys spotted you. They couldn’t take y’all down, so Discord thought that we’d stand together against ‘im. Just as we’ve dun!” “Well then, how do you explain him sending just the army anyways? Why sacrificing so many troops?"” “Dash has a point there.” Twilight replied. “There’s something fishy going on.” Applejack was going to continue defending her position, but she thought for a while. She couldn’t find a decent explanation either. “Ya know? I guess I don’t care anymore. We won and that’s what matters. Equestria is safe again.” She was a bit disappointed for losing the chance to beat Discord down, but they really had a point. A huge enemy army had been defeated, and it was time for celebration. -o- In a gargantuan castle built out of raw obsidian deep in the Everfree Forest, Discord sat in an awe-inspiring throne. It was sculpted to resemble a manticore surrounding the Dark Lord with its front legs and its mouth ready to bite his head off. He was watching everything that was happening in the Imperial Palace thanks to a scrying spell. “Well now,” he chuckled, full of pride. “This is going better than I expected. You did a good job, mercenary. Take this, you’ve surely earned it.” He threw a bag full of bits to a creature hiding in the shadows. “Well, it was the job you asked and paid for.” The female voice in the shadows cackled while she grabbed the bag. “It’s heavier than I expected. I think you gave me a little extra, Dark Lord.” “Oh, but you have indeed done a better job than I expected, my dear mercenary. How did you know about Rainbow Clan’s patrol routes anyway?” “Well, a lady has her secrets. I earn my living with them.” “I agree. Now I can set up the second part of my plan.” Discord dispelled the first scrying spell and summoned another one. He laughed when he found what he was looking for. “Oh, Twilight, you are so inconsiderate and untidy. Look at all these manuscripts just lying around for somepony to steal them.” He snapped his fingers and the scrolls appeared on his hands.He read one scroll chosen at random. ”Oh, this is… quite accurate actually. They’ve done quite a good job.” He frowned as he continued reading. “These two… Twilight and Big Mac may be dangerous in the long run.” He shook his head, erasing any lesser doubt it sprouted and retook his confident visage again. “But this changes nothing.” He dispelled the scrying again and focused for a while. The female mercenary was watching carefully and listening to Discord, paying full attention to everything he said and did. “Aha!” Discord ended the silence, giving the veiled figure a chill. “There you are, my little summoner!” He summoned a new scrying mirror through which he could clearly see Trixie’s banishment. She was being scolded for running away from battle and was ordered to leave Equestria and never return. “Everything is going as planned.” He grabbed the manuscripts while focusing, surprising the mercenary with the words he spoke next. “Now, off you go. Maho knowledge, such a wonderful wisdom and power must definitely be shared.” The scrolls disappeared from his hands. He could see Trixie walking out of the Diamond Bulwark, leading right towards a hollow tree where he had put the Maho manuscripts. She found them, looked at both sides confirming nopony was searching for them, and started reading them with curiosity. She recognized what was written on them, giving her a feeling that something was not right . Discord clapped when she put them on her saddlebag and started wandering with a worrisome march. “This is how things are done. Now to assure that everything goes as planned…” Discord closed his eyes and focused deeply, entering in a meditative like state. -o- Trixie was surprised about finding those scrolls in the outdoors. For a second, a chill ran down her spine, thinking that perhaps Bloodspeakers lived nearby. She wasn’t really sure why they could leave those scrolls in the middle of nowhere though. She had read about some Bloodspeakers becoming mindless monsters or madponies, but even that didn’t make an acceptable excuse for what she found. She thought about sending these scrolls to Twilight. That act could restore some of her prestige. She may be forced to start as a lesser summoner or an apprentice, but it was worth trying. Anything was better than being an outcast pony. Being one meant she was going to be the first suspect for anything wrong happening around her. She would be killed in no time. When she thought the most absurd thing had already happened, an old ivory unicorn with a silvery mane greeted her. “Hail, young unicorn.” The ancient pony called. “Oh… hi.” Trixie lifted a hoof as a sign of greeting. She had a sorrowful tone in her voice. “Sorry, Trixie didn’t see you coming.” “Oh, worry not. Is there anything I can do for you, youngster?” “Well… Trixie shouldn’t talk about this. Trixie has been expelled from her former clan. Now Trixie’s only a ronin, an outcast.” “You don’t say. What happened? It’s not common to expel a summoner. And worry not, I won’t judge you.” “For being a coward.“ Trixie smashed the ground with her hoof. ”Trixie, a coward! Intolerable! Trixie shouldn’t be fighting dragons on her own! The rest of the army should have helped!” “I see. So it was something they did wrong.” “Yes.” She thought for a second. Her mind was looking for self-gratifying answers and replies. “Yes, of course! The Great and Powerful Trixie should’ve been spared.” “And what are you going to do about it, hmm?” He had an inquisitive tone. His eyes focused on her saddlebags. “I can see that you have plenty of scrolls there.” “Oh, it’s no...” Trixie’s voice trailed off. She noticed how the ivory unicorn smiled sardonically at her reaction. “Now, now, it’s nothing to be embarrassed about, youngster. Those scrolls are very powerful and you’re very lucky to have them.” “How do you know…” Trixie stepped back. She was sure he knew about the manuscripts she carried with her. “Oh, they’re just a gift from me to you.” “Are they yours?” Trixie lifted an eyebrow in disbelief. He looked quite normal to her. In the scrolls she read that Bloodspeakers turned into monstrosities. The old unicorn started walking around Trixie while speaking. “I know what injustice is, and I want you to make good and plentiful use of it these scrolls, youngster. They are scared of that knowledge because they can’t understand it. But the Great and Powerful Trixie will surely be able to get what she deserves with them. Now go, study and become a summoner they can respect and fear.” Trixie found it to be an interesting choice. Especially now that she had nopony who trusted her. She had nothing to lose but a lot to gain. She nodded, making her decision. “Yes. Equestria will know fear. They will know what the Great and Powerful Trixie can really do!” She galloped with renewed confidence to the forest to begin her new studies. The old unicorn smiled widely while dissipating like dust in the wind. “I may have lost thousands of soldiers back there. But now I’ll get one that will be more powerful than all that scum combined!“