//------------------------------// // War // Story: Fighting Never Ends // by Tx Avenger 218 //------------------------------// “November 22nd, 1998. 0900 hours. Well, things have turned to hell in a hand basket almost immediately. The girls stowing away in the bomb bay for my plane was definitely not an impression I wanted to make on the king. He was cool with it afterwards and was nice enough to let them stay for a bit till the princesses are able to send a few chariots to get them. I didn’t want them to see me eat meat like that, but they weren’t even supposed to be here so there’s fault on their part as well. Twilights Birthday is coming up in about a week or so and I have no idea what to give her.”   “God damnit.” I groan and pause the recorder. In just a few days before her birthday, I yelled at her the loudest I’ve ever yelled directly at somepony. Things died down since then but I still feel like crap.   “Hmm, as long as nothing pops out unexpected like, I may be able to find a gift. In either case, Christmas is also coming up in around a month so I’ll need another present for Twilight and the others. God, Celestia, Faust, whatever, already this trip has nearly screwed up my entire relationship with my friends. Hopefully in time things will get better. So far I don’t have any leads as to the identity of the ones that threatened Equestria here in the Griffon Empire, but I’m still searching. For now I’ll-“   “Champion.” A griffon barges through the doors of my room. I look down from staring at the ceiling at him. “Your presence is requested in the main meeting hall. It’s important.”   “Well, looks like something new every day. Let’s hope its good news. Journal entry end.” I turn off the tape recorder and place it down on the desk. I grab Redeemer and my S&M 500 before heading to the door, accompanied by the messenger griffon.   <<<>>>   Oh how one would hope.   King Tiberius Onyxclaw stares at the guest in front of him, pondering the intentions that both his and his own species have from his visit.   Baron Von’ Butch, general, commander, but currently ambassador, of the entire Liger army sits across from the king. Ligers similarly like the griffons are half lion and half tiger. Because of the combination of these two fierce creature, Ligers are by far large, tough and extremely resistant to pain when it comes to combat. Ligers don’t use weapons as much, only those with rank and high place in their society are they given weapons to demonstrate their authority. Regular and civilian ligers tend to use brute strength and their claws to rip, tear, crush, and maim their enemies to death, which makes it tough to take down even one of them with just brawn alone. The ambassador carries many scars along his body, most notably the scar running along his jaw line and another horizontal on his neck. His large steel claymore remains tied to his back on top of his plate armor running along his chest and shoulder areas but leaving his legs free and open.   The king and ambassador stare at each other in silence, trying to ascertain each other’s movements and intentions. Both sit as they wait.   “Um, excuse me?” Tiberius glances at the purple unicorn to his right. “I’m sorry to say but, why are we here? This looks like something between the two of you and not ponies.” Twilight asks as she gestures between herself and her friends at the table.   “You are here because I requested you to be here.” The gruff voice of the Liger general answers.   “But why?”   He looks down for a second, “A great travesty has sprung up in the Liger Empire. The King, Verus Ofright, was murdered.” The ponies gasp at the news. Even though they have never been to The Liger Empire, it is well known of his strength, capabilities and his rule on the throne. Baron looks up, “I was sent by his son, the heir to the throne, here to find the culprit.”   “What makes you think the culprit is here?” Alan sternly asks. The general turns to the prince.   “Coincidence, knowledge and eyes.”   “That still doesn’t-“   “Announcing the arrival of Swift Wind, Champion of Equestria, Wielder of Redeemer and Galaxy, Guardian of Ponyville, and Defeater of Discord.”   The griffon guard at a pair of double doors yells, the doors wide open as the announcee walks in. Immediately he spots the King, the king’s son, his friends, and the first liger he’s ever seen, all sitting at a table. “You called for me?”   “Yes, we have. Please sit.” Tiberius motions to the empty chair on his right. After taking a seat, “Swift Wind, this is ambassador Baron Von’ Butch of the Liger Empire.” Tiberius looks to Baron, “Ambassador, this is-“   “I know who he is. Even if it wasn’t for the announcement of his entrance, his exploits have been spread far enough for me to notice.” The king stares at Baron, still curious as to what this means. Maybe he’s here to try and obtain aid in finding the suspect to his kings death, just like the Champion is trying to find aid in the threat against his county.    “What is it you need?”   “Explain why my king is dead?” Tiberius’s claws clench tightly at the tone and nature of the ambassador’s statement.   “I’m sorry, but I would have no knowledge on how he died unless you were to allow me to examine the body and give my opinion. I am fairly knowledgeable when it comes to wounds.” Swift calmly replies. Being the ambassador to the Ligers, like himself to the ponies, he must remain true to his duty as the Champion and ambassador, less he be the one to make things complicated instead of his friends.   “I’m sure you do. Unfortunately, culture dictates that in the event of death, only the family members of the victim may examine the body. So even if I were to allow you, others wouldn’t agree, especially his son.”   “Hm, pity.”   “What are you saying ambassador?” Twilight asked.   He sighs, “I’m saying, that the obvious culprit of the crime is the sitting to your left, pony.”   Swift clenches his fist under the table as Twilight looks to her left to see said human. “How is that possible?”   “One week, three days ago, King Verus was assassinated in his own chambers. The king was loved by his kind so it doesn’t reason another would kill him, a pony may be able to get in using their precious magic but they would never be able to match up to the strength the king has, even with the element of surprise, and griffon’s aren’t stealthy enough to sneak into the heart of the Liger Empire to be given the chance to murder him. Leaving only one other option…” All eyes once glance over to the human sitting at the table. Swift has a blank look on his face as he tries to make sense of the accusations against him.   “How was he killed?” After a few moments of silence, Swift asks.   “According to his son’s description, a thin long single stab wound directly to the heart, and another at the base of his neck, severing his spine.” He looks away, “Hopefully he didn’t feel much pain.” Baron recounts the small autopsy report. “It wasn’t me.”   “Don’t try to deny it.”   “I’m not denying. I’m telling you the truth.”   “No other creature in the world has weapons like yours. And if you think that someone else would use mine or some other noble’s sword-like weapon, you’re wrong. We are tasked with keeping our weapons on us at all times and locked away when not in use.” He talks with a bit more force. He smiles, “Now why don’t you be a good little… whatever you are, be nice like your little pony friends and-“   *SLAM*   Interrupting the ambassadors statement of surrender, Swift slams his fist down on the table, shaking it slightly. Silence shortly follows before Swift says, “I don’t kill unless there’s a need to behind it. Besides, like I said, I didn’t do it.” He calmly finishes up.   “And I said-“   “Do you have any special ways to kill your own kind?” No one answers. “No. Well there are plenty of ways for my people. Japan has a history of ways to end lives. Samurai soldiers when defeated in combat would later commit Seppuku, the act of killing themselves to bring honor to their family’s name. Another samurai would be standing next to them to decapitate them so they wouldn’t have to suffer more than needed.” Swift smiles at the stares his audience gives.   “In China, the Chinese invented another form of death known as the Death of a Thousand Cuts. The Thousand Cuts of Death is accomplished by performing one thousand individual cuts across the entirety of the body. No cut crosses an artery, no cut alone would cause death no matter how much time passes. Rather, each cut, all the same time would bring unimaginable pain over the course of time as you watch the blood draining from your very own body.”   His friends stare wide eyed.   “Slow, agonizing, methodical, it is one of the most brutal and agonizing deaths ever conceived in my kind’s history. If the king did something to want me to kill him… his entrails would have been strewn all over the room if I wanted.” Slowly, he leans forward. “Frankly Baron, I don’t like you. I can respect you for the scars you have adorning your figure, an indication of your time with fighting and war… but I don’t like you.”   Swift leans back in his seat. General Butch grits his teeth in anger and annoyance as he stands. “How dare you? You think yourself something important?! All I’ve seen since I met you is someone who uses words to threaten me and my country. Unless I see with my own eyes, I see no reason one way or another to give you any form of respect that you may think you deserve!” He turns back to the door. “When I return to the Empire, The Kings heir will hear of this and it will mean war!”   “Who said you get to go back?”   The ambassador freezes in place at the sight of the human at the door far in front of him. He turns back to see him gone at the table. Still in disbelief, he turns back again but jerks back at the eyes right in front of him.   “You know, there are ways to make you see reason… at least to our favor. Hehehe.” Swift chuckles evilly. He stands his ground but the fear in his eyes says differently. “I could take you hostage, leave you trapped in a hole in the ground and feed you nothing but rotten and poisoned food, slowly but surely breaking your will till the point you’ll follow every word we say.” he say in a malicious voice. Swift takes a step forward, the ambassador takes one back. Swift smiles and grabs his sword.   “Enough!”   Both stop at the sound of the kings voice.   “You may leave ambassador.” Tiberius calmly says. Baron switches looks between Swift and the king before hastily moving away from the psychotic human towards the door. He stops shortly in the arch of the doorway and turns back to everyone in the room.   “I hope you know… this means war. For the griffons, then the ponies.” The door closes bluntly just as Swift turns around.   “Son of a bitch.”   “Wha- Di-Did he j-just s-s-say?” Twilight hysterically begins to say. Her and Swift’s friends begin to clamor a bit on the situation and what just a happened.   “Swift Wind, and your friends,” Twilight and the others stop their clamoring and turn to the king. “I believe it is best that you take your leave immediately.”   “Sir, I’m sorry I-“   “Now!” Tiberius yells.   <<<>>>   “Sir, please I can help!”   “You’ve done more than enough.” Tiberius sternly says as he and a small squad of soldiers accompanies me and my friends to the outside. A few soldiers also carry along my stuff with them.   “Your majesty there is absolutely no way under any circumstances am I to bring my friends back to Equestria in the same place they came in!” I voice my decision on the matter. Even though they know the danger, no way are they going in.   We stop a few feet from the doorway to the city and stand in silence. Slowly some flapping sounds can be heard. “Looks like you don’t need to.” Alan states with a pointed claw.   We all turn our attention in that direction to spot a very large carriage, military from the looks of it what with the sword and spear designs on the side along with metal sheeting along the side and metal wheels, plus the metal chains attached to the five ponies pulling it. She settle down just in front of us.   “Sir,” One of the lead pullers salutes me, “We were sent to pick up some ponies.”   “Glad this is working out perfectly then.”   “Listen,” I softly yell to Tiberius, “I am sorry for what happened but the Ligers also stated war on Equestria as well. I can’t leave here knowing that. Especially not with us on high alert as it is!”   “I did not ask for this either, but the Ligers have been the enemies to my kind for generations as it is. I know what they’ll do.” He takes a slightly calmer tone. “They especially think the ponies are weak. They won’t care to or even think of wasting their troops and resources on the ponies.” He looks at my friends for a second before turning back to me, “They will first try to end this skirmish we’ve been having for a long time before focusing you.” He turns away.   “It was a pleasure meeting you, Swift Wind. Good luck in journey.” He promptly walks away with his guards in tow.   “No… god damnit.” I cures to myself. Already a war is brewing and now-   “Sire!” A lone griffon soldier flies straight towards King Tiberius and bows.   “What is it soldier?”   “A massive army of Ligers has just attacked the city of Dawnspear! Already they have taken hostages, weapons, and strategic points.”   Tiberius is at a loss for words over the capture of one of their most important cities. Alan looks worriedly as his father before looking towards the soldier. “How can this be?”   “We don’t know, sir. Some of the others believe that they must have gotten in position overnight within the swamp.”   “Raaah!” Tiberius growls angrily as he claws a nearby rock. “I knew I shouldn’t have been so cocky.”   “The General of the Liger army has also asked to speak to you as well sire.”   Silence follows from the king as be contemplates his response. He turns back, “You have no quarrel here champion. Take your leave now or you and your friends will be forced out.” He hisses at us. He turns back to his men.   “But I can help.”   He slowly turns back to me with a raised eyebrow, “Help?”   “My kind knows war. We’ve been fighting each other for years and I’ve read up on every single war that has transpired, both mine and here. Even my grandfather was in a war.”   “Have you seen war?”   Damn. I stay silent, not wanting to answer.   “I thought so.” He turns back to the griffon, “I will meet them. Farewell Swift Wind and his friends.” He replies back to us without even turning around. He walks forward with his guards close by as I spot griffons already flooding out of the castle gates. Alan looks back at me for a second before following his father.   “Fuuuuuuuuuck.” I groan.   “It’s alright, Swift.” Twilight comes over to me to try and comfort me. “Focus on back on Equestria. The griffons are tough but… in case they aren’t…” she trails off. I get what she means really. The Ligers would probably take the chance to annihilate their enemy’s they’ve had for so long. The ponies, at least to all the others, think they are weak, leaving them as secondary targets.   “Your right. We better head back now.” She nods and we both head to the carriage. Before I even get close, I grab the rest of my weapons and look at my plane.   Then an idea pops into my head.   I take off towards the front Pegasi pullers as Twilight and the others get in the carriage. “Soldeirs, come here.” I quietly motion them towards me.   “What is it, commander?”   I kneel down, “I’m probably going to do something incredibly stupid. Because of that, I need you all to get these ponies back to Ponyville and rest up at the barracks in town till I say otherwise.” They look at me confused at first but in understanding. “And under no circumstances do you tell the princesses about what happened here. I need time to try and mold this situation into our favor. Can you do that?”   They salute me, “Yes sir.”   “Good, thank you.” I get up and turn back to start heading to my plane.   “Commander!” I stop and turn back. “Good luck.”   I smile, “Thanks.” I continue heading towards my plane. As soon as I stop in front of, I’m starting to have second thought.   This is crazy. I look up and along my plane for a bit, fully contemplating what it is I’m gonna do.   “Then again, this world is crazy.” With the threat already imposed on my kingdom, I can’t allow a war on the doorstep either.   I have to stop it here and now.   ---------------------------------------   Hey, sorry this took so long. In all honesty, I was incredibly lazy these past few weeks and month and didn’t find much free time in the way of getting this done. Plus my current editor had too much on his plate over the holidays to be able to make the improvements to this chapter… so expect some minor errors.   Even though I have free time at my college, I find myself succumbed to the infamous disease of writers block. Hopefully because I haven’t written in so long just states that I’m out of my groove. In time I should be able to get back to uploading chapters again, sorry about it though.   I’ve also decided that I’m going to try and shorten the chapters from here on out. On another note, I could really use some more editors and proofreaders… unless you guys really like to see the crappy missing words every now and then. And finally, belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.