Winter is over...long past and a new king has taken his place...coming on the warm winds of summer, abreast the wings of a gryphon strike force large enough to conquer the whole north. As history tells us, they also used this as a chance to break down Celestia's will power...they wanted her to make a decision that was wrong, no matter what she chose. The crystal empire...a gleaming jewel of pony ingenuity and craving for the extraordinary, so much that the magic of the empire changed them into a whole new type of pony. The main contact for the Metal Equine city and its only source of mass food stores during the winter, while the Metal ponies offered most of their military life style to protect the massive city.
One can't live without the other, and this plan will break the back of the northern defense, to find a new point of entry into Equestria to put pressure on the nation. I for one applaud Celestia's final decision, while the Metal City is a military advantage, the Crystal Empire was a much larger loss of life.
Yet on the day where no decision was right...she made the choice that would make her an enemy that would haunt her throughout the ages.
"My Lord..." A guard wearing black armor said, head lowered in reverence.
"Our contact in the Crystal Empire has fallen silent."
The guard lifted his head and kept a blank expression.
Sombra took a moment to think out a plan of action, standing up and bringing his gaze to the capitan of the guard at his side.
"Strengthen our defenses, man all heavy wall mounted weapons round the clock. I will not risk treachery or bloodshed..."
Blaze felt another pang of guilt and self hatred...but bowed and briskly trotted out of the hall to carry out the kings orders. In the weeks of his return, not once has she or Diamond gotten the chance to speak with their friend. This...Sombra...was a darker stallion; actions swift to carry a shadow and words turning loyal soliders into blind zealots. The citizens were scared of their ruler, the nobles dare not speak against him...and all Blaze could think of...
What happened to that light hearted colt...
The snow packed tightly around her hoof and the sound of another set of hoofsteps caught her attention. Diamond quickly got along side the armored mare aand looked around for any sign of listeners.
"Whats happening? The guards speak of a storm...but it is summer..." he said in a hushed tone.
Blaze's gut wrenched as the realization sunk in; it was a slow and grim realization that the contact had only two reasons to fall silent. Betrayal, or untimely death. Neither option spelled good tidings for the metal city.
"Diamond, I need you to listen carefully." She said as she came to a halt by the wall.
"The summer sun will allow safe passage...take your family,go to Canterlot and stay there until this storm is over."
Diamond let out a long sigh; he understood, but he didn't want to. Too much was unknown, too much fear and dispare lingered in the air like a pollution, even if his mother was in her later years, he had to try and take shelter away from this place. Diamond nodded after thought and departed without a goodbye...he knew he would return; return to repair and rebuild with what will be left.
_ _
Blaze spent hours fortifying the wall, soliders spread thin in the city to keep the bulk of the force a watchful eye on the area outside. Cold wind for summer blew the loose snow into the air. The city was uncharacteristically quiet, the sense of dread from the soloders seeping through the cracks and into the himes just a few meaters away. A group of children ran into the open and continued their game of tag until an adult quickly brought them back into the assumed safety of the alleyways and indoors. Two guards conversed next to each other, the tension getting to them and nopony minding a little small talk to eaae the silence.
The agonizing silence, matched bitter winds and the very souls lf the damned standing alongside the stallions and mares sweating under their armor. Awaiting whatever fate chose them that day...
"Thirty meaters, skyward and incoming!" Came from the watch tower
The overwatch team had spotted a contact, too far out to break the snowy winds yet for those without a birds eye view. The guards braced against the wall woth crossbow mounts trained at the sky, hoof levers held tightly and ammo jockies standing by to reload their partners. Soon the silhouette of multiple contacts broke though the snow, sun at their backs and flying with purpose.
Count....one...two...three....only three. Gryphons. Every guard relaxed and blew out a long sigh when the word was passed of allies, not enemies.
"Call the captain, she'll want to speak to them."
_ _
Blaze glared in anger, a scowl ingrained on her face as she sat opposite the feathered liers. All three wearing upstate clothing and obviously picked to be less intimidating than some of the greater part of the species. They gave a deep bow and lifted their heads slowly to speak.
"A greetings, to the mighty king of the mountain. Our people wish to extend an offer to the most powerful ruler of this land."
That earned a few curious looks and a furrowed brow from Sombra.
"The ruler of this land is the goddess of the sun...if you wish to speak with her, I suggest you take your leave before you waste any more of my time with your games." Sombra said in a flat..unamused tone.
The center gryphon stepped forward with an oddly confident swagger and licted his beak high in some way to show his importance; it made Blaze smirk at how ridiculous it looked until he lowered it again and puffed up his feathers to seem bigger.
"I apologize...future, ruler of Equestria."
A few hushed whispers started until Sombra stommped a hoof on the hard marble, cracking it and silencing all onlookers in the great hall.
"What has happened to my agent in the Empire?" He said suddenly.
The gryphons nearly faltered, but the center continued as if unaware.
"The Crystal Empire has no relevance to our conversation, my lord. I wish to extend you a hand..a hoof, as allies to rightfully and duefuly impeach Celestia so that a stronger ruler might take her place." The left gryphon stepped forward now, offering out a rolled parchment. "We seek a friend in our time of need, to end the oppression that the sun goddess casts over us..to no longer be seen as a lesser race. I would hope your people would still understand this plight." He finished.
The metal ponies were hardly a lesser race...yet they were the minority. Decisions involing internal politics rarely included the metal ponies. Sombra never saw it as an insult, more a priority issue. The metal city coyld survive only needing its relationship with the Empire to stay strong; the affairs of the princess were no concern to him.
"I do not seek the throne of a new kingdom. I will not approve of a usurping."
The gryphons looked disappointed but they knew better than to ask twice in while still in the good grace of the king. They nodded to each other and put away the treaty, a quickness about their pace as they exited the court. Sombra let out a cool sigh and looked over to his captian.
"Make sure they leave, prepare for a sky assult..just in case."
Armor clanked as guards already filed out of the court room to man their posts again. Once Blaze left the castle, he called over the messenger. A small but fast stallion with a coat on at all times to be ready; rushing to the throne from the sidelines and bowing quickly.
"Go to Canterlot, tell the princess that the metal city requires aid. Soliders, food and possibly shelter should the need arise."
The stallion saluted and pulled up his hood, the echoing of his hooves lingering even as the doors shut. Perhaps....it was mearly his mind..
The words of the gryphons began to sink in, ideas arising and scenarios playing in his head; not many good outcomes. Something was happening..just outside his range of vision, something threatened his rule. Sombra made a mental note to keep watch for assassins in the dark...and to punish those who go against him.