The Avalon, 48 Hours Later…
Had Anthea mentioned she hated flying? Well if not here it is: she really hated flying. For one thing, the airship was constantly on the move, so, even though her hooves were on something solid, Annie still felt the slightest movements of the ship. Not to mention all the sounds the ship made, the metal only intensified the echoes of the engine room, the talking voices of the ponies inside, a normal pony wouldn’t hear or feel even half of this, but for Anthea, with her heightened senses, it was a flood of sensations hitting her all at once.
Luckily, Twilight had a sound dampening spell placed upon certain rooms that was designed to affect only Annie when she visited them, it would block out the excess noise so that it wouldn’t overwhelm her, and allow her to hear a conversation being held in the room she was in. When she roamed about the ship either Hot Head, Luck Star, Amber Lily, Twilight, or one of the crew of the Avalon would help her out. It was during those times that Annie had to cast a similar sound dampening spell to move about the ship.
Though it proved effective in keeping her sense of hearing from being shot, her sense of touch and motion was still sensitive, and unfortunately, there was nothing she could do about that, except maybe lay down on a bed, but Annie found that boring after a while.
It was currently night outside, and most of the crew was asleep. Anthea bunked with Amber, the two deciding that the nights until getting to Minotaurus and back would be their time to hangout. Anthea was lying on the bed, her front legs tucked underneath her as the two mares shared stories about each other and their past exploits, as well as reminiscing about their time in the orphanage together.
“I swear Amber, you really are a flirt!”
Amber Lily was currently taking off her silver plated RG armor and popping her joints from the stiffness of carrying around such heavy armor, earth pony strength or not the armor was still murder on her back.
“Whatever are you talking about?” asked Amber in mock innocence.
“Oh please, you were totally checking out Turquoise back in Canterlot! I know he’s hot and all, but he’s my coltfriend,” said Annie with a fake pouty face.
Amber giggled and plopped herself onto the bed where Annie was, causing the pink mare to lift off a good two feet off the bed before she landed down, on her back and looking a little annoyed at her friend. Amber laid beside her, looking at the state Annie was in when she plopped on the bed.
“No harm in looking Annie. Believe me though, I would never do that to you,” said Amber with sincerity.
Anthea smiled at hearing that, “Thanks Amber.”
“Wait – What?!”
Before Anthea could inquire further, Amber Lily quickly pinned the younger mare under her and looked down at her with a devilish smile. “I’ve been waiting for payback for a long time!”
Amber sat up, practically straddling Anthea. She then raised her forelegs and quickly dove down. With her forehooves, Amber began tickling the unicorn mare underneath her, lightly fluttering the tips of her hooves against Annie’s barrel, chest, neck, and even under her forelegs. And yet, during this, Annie didn’t laugh, giggle, or even snort. The only thing she did do was smile coyly at her assailant, waiting for the right moment when Amber realized that this was having no effect whatsoever.
“…Still not ticklish…are you?”
“Uh-uh.” A devilish grin soon appeared on Annie’s face as she looked at the mare on top of her. “But I’m willing to bet you still are.”
“Annie wait –!”
Anthea’s horn glowed as she wrapped Amber in her magical aura, lifting the earth pony mare off of her. She then set Amber down on the bed and conjured three feathers made of her magical energy. Amber gulped as she felt Annie’s telekinetic magic lift her forelegs over her head and held them there. The three feathers then began to mercilessly attack her, tickling her sides, her stomach, and the nape of her neck. The mare squirmed, writhed, and laughed under Anthea’s ministrations.
“Annie – AH HA AHAHA HA – no fair using m-m-magic!”
“Oh, and you pinning me down was fair game, earth pony strength and all?”
“Com – AHA HAHA – pletely different, at least you had a chance to retaliate!”
Amber eyes started to water as Annie continued her magical tickle attack on her friend. Annie was just humming a tune as she listened to her friend laugh away, waiting for her to say the magic words.
“I GIVE, I GIVE!” Amber shouted.
Satisfied that her victory was assured, Annie released her hold on Amber and dismissed the floating light feathers. Amber laid splayed on the bed, panting as she took in big gulps of air.
“Damn Annie, any longer and I seriously would’ve wet myself!”
“Ew, and I wouldn’t have done that…or maybe I would,” said Annie with an impish smile. Amber rolled her eyes, but smiled all the same.
Annie crawled up to Amber and rested her head on the mare’s shoulder, humming contently. Amber wrapped her foreleg around Annie’s neck, bringing her into a hug.
“I missed you and guys, and sorry for asking for…y’know, this.”
“It’s alright Annie, I don’t mind. Besides, as cute as you are, I always wanted to snuggle up with you.”
Annie giggled a bit, although it didn’t help to alleviate the slight embarrassment of asking her longtime friend, now a grown mare, to sleep in the same bed with her. Turquoise and her mother were one thing, but Amber was her friend and she didn’t want to make things awkward for her. She would’ve been fine with a small light within the room, but she didn’t want it to annoy Amber during the night, so this was the only other choice. Annie had said that she was fine as long she knew Amber was in the room since her cot was right across from her, but apparently Amber didn’t mind.
“Thanks Amber,” said Annie as she snuggled closer into her friend’s embrace.
“I still can’t believe you’re officially High Princess Twilight’s apprentice Annie! I’m really happy for you, and so are the guys!”
“To be honest I was a little surprised by the offer, I mean, I never – in my wildest dreams – would’ve thought I could be an apprentice to one of the High Princesses!”
“Well, if anypony deserves it, Annie, it’s you. Who knows, maybe I’ll soon be calling you High Princess Anthea soon.”
Anthea blushed at what Amber had just said. Becoming an apprentice was one thing, but a High Princess?! “Nonononono! That’s not going happen Amber! I am not Princess material!”
Amber smirked at hearing Anthea’s words. “Oh please, I’m sure High Princess Twilight thought the exact same thing when she became High Princess Celestia’s student. I’m not saying she has some ‘grand master plan’ to make you an alicorn, but if you showed that you had the qualities, I’d think you could be one. And besides,” Amber nuzzled Annie’s cheek, “you’d make one damn adorable alicorn!”
“Amber!” Annie didn’t push away from the nuzzle, but she did giggle a bit. “Well…if that were true, I don’t think Starburst would take it too well…”
Amber stopped her nuzzle upon hearing that name, her happy expression turning to one of solemnness. “Annie…you can’t blame yourself for not being able to stop Princess Starburst. The three of us, trained Royal Guards, weren’t expecting that one of our own would help her, nor did we think she would be able to get at that ring from a secured vault! And given how powerful it made her, added to her training as a RG, you’re lucky she didn’t do more than just distract you.”
Annie shook her head vehemently, “No, Star would never do anything to hurt her friends! But…that Guard, her name was Sunny Skies, right?”
“Yeah…the only daughter of Spitfire and Fleet Foot, both highly decorated former Wonderbolts. Did you know her?”
“Uh-uh, but Prism Bolt did, at least a little through his parents. He had this really angry face the day after he came back from Canterlot, and he looked like he had gotten in a fight with somepony, but he didn’t say much about it. It wasn’t long after Sunny Skies’ funeral that he joined the Academy, by now he’s already shipped out somewhere…”
Amber rubbed Annie’s mane comfortingly, “You’re worried about him, aren’t you?”
“Him and Star both…She may have that ring, but she’ll run herself into the ground and with what she’s doing that’s not good! And Prism…he’s quick, strong, agile, a flier on par with Hot Head, and when he’s really angry a good fighter. But still, I just…”
Amber suddenly felt her chest get a little damp, along with the sounds of a few whimpers coming from Anthea. The amber-yellow mare held her friend closer, silently telling her it was alright to cry.
“I worry about them…my friends are out there doing dangerous things when they should be home with us, having fun, being with their friends and family, not…not having to fight and kill, and suffer through those horrors!”
“Annie…”
Amber could only hold her friend, despite some of the bad habits Annie had picked up from the motley trio back during the foalhood, the unicorn mare was a lover first, and a fighter second. She’d rather see enemies become friends then see them hurt each other. Her kind and loving nature allowed for almost anypony to approach her and speak openly with her, and Anthea was all too happy to lend an ear to their problems.
If anypony deserves happiness, it’s you. Anthea, you don’t know it, but you’re better friend and mare than I am…all three of us see it. And we’d do anything to protect that part of you, just as we’d give our lives for the Princes and Princesses, we’d gladly do the same for you.
Minotaurus…
Twilight, Anthea, Hot Head, Amber Lily, and Luck Star all stood in the cargo bay of the Avalon. The ship had entered the airspace of Minotaurus and was now about to land at the designated site just outside the city. Twilight could’ve easily teleported the five of them down below, but thought a more formal landing was better. For some reason though, Twilight was feeling nervous. It was understandable, after all she was about to go into negotiations with the King of Minotaurus, and discuss a possible alliance with the minotaurs in order to help thwart the Griffon Empire from getting any closer to Equestria Proper. It wasn’t like she had done things like this before, so why did she feel a sense of dread…?
{Attention: The Avalon is landing, all crew members prepare for landing.}
Twilight placed her wing over Anthea, keeping her close and bracing her, knowing that there was a little jostling shake when the airship landed. And just as she predicted, the ship landed on the ground with the softness and subtlety of a heavy cannon. Anthea lost her balance slightly, but thanks to Twilight, she was able to become stable. It was then that Anthea gave her mentor, and teacher, a curious look.
“Princess, are you okay?” asked Annie.
“I’m alright Anthea, why do you ask?”
“Well…it’s just, you’re shaking a little.”
Twilight didn’t notice it, but when she looked down at her right forehoof, she saw a little tremble in it. Why am I trembling? Twilight shook her head. Just nerves, everything’s going to be fine.
{We have now arrived at Minotaurus’ main gateway. No sign of hostility. Now opening cargo bay door and extending ramp.}
Just as the Captain of the Avalon had said, the cargo bay doors slowly lifted up; at almost the same time a long ramp began to form, jutting out further and further as the door opened up. The light of day entered the cargo bay and made the ponies within squint from the drastic change. When the group heard the “thunk” of the ramp hitting the ground, Hot Head, Amber, and Lucky were the first ones out.
Lucky went to the right, Amber the right, and Hot Head down the center. The three Royal Guards scanned the area with eyes, and were slightly surprised by the landscape. There were white columns, and a paved stone road which lead to the city itself. The grass was green and sky was semi-clear. Off in the distance were vast mountain ranges, and at the base of that range was a harsh looking, rocky terrain. So far, there was nothing threatening in sight.
“Lucky, sense anything?” asked Hot Head.
Lucky’s horn was glowing with a lavender aura, his eyes closed as he concentrated on the spell. The spell sent out waves of magical energy that went out for a good fifty yard radius, and about twenty feet up. So far, all he could see was just the landscape, nothing unusual other than the magical energy of the Princess and Anthea.
“The area’s clear Hot Head,” said Lucky.
“Roger that. Amber, what ‘cha got?”
The earth pony mare’s detection was different from the others. She developed a method of sensing movement from the vibrations in the ground; she honed it more during a trip among the Buffalo tribes of Appleloosa.
“We got movement, a regiment, twenty or so, heading this way. Probably the minotaur escort,” said Amber.
“Hold tight until we can confirm it’s them.” Hot Head ordered.
Anthea felt Twilight’s wing give a stronger squeeze around her. The blind mare glanced over to her teacher, though her vision of her was blurry, Anthea could definitely feel Twilight’s tension. It was almost as if she were expecting something bad to happen. But Anthea’s worry would have to be put off till later, her sensitive ears perking up at the approaching sound of hooves against stone.
Outside, the trio watched as a contingent of minotaurs headed their way. Each one was garbed in bronze armor, and crimson red capes. On their left forearms were round shields almost bigger than they were, at their sides was a short sword, well, short by minotaur standards, but to ponies it was at least the length of two grown ponies. In their right hands they carried long spears, a black shaft, with a bronze colored arrowhead tip and a round ball at the butt of the spear. The other minotaurs had war plumes on their helms, similar to that of the Royal Guards, but the lead minotaur’s was turned sideways, indicating him as the leader.
The garrison continued to head towards them at a steady pace, fast enough to get them there, but not too fast as to seem as a threat. The minotaur troops made their way to the cargo ramp, stopping a good ten meters from Hot Head, Lucky, and Amber. The lead minotaur stopped moving, but the others continued to walk in place. The lead raised his spear and spoke in a loud voice.
“COMPANY, HALT!”
The other minotaurs, about twenty aside from the lead, stopped their stepping and gave a mighty “HA-OOH!” hitting their shields with their spears, and then standing at attention. Each one was fierce, muscular, and well disciplined, which was really not what the trio expected from the minotaurs. The leader stepped forward, his coat a dark cobalt blue, with gray fur around his legs and his short cut mane of similar color.
“I am Prince Steel Nerves, leader of the 101st Battalion, and your escort to the palace. Where is High Princess Twilight Sparkle?” The minotaur asked in gruff voice.
Twilight took a deep breath and performed the calming technique Cadance had showed her growing up. Anthea thought it wise to do the same, and found that it really did help. Once their resolve was cemented, the two mares stepped further out of the Avalon. Steel Nerves took notice of Twilight’s approach, her golden regalia shining in the sunlight, her horseshoes and collar each embedded with a magenta crystal, cut to match her cutie mark.
The two mares continued to walk down the ramp and a little past Hot Head, prompting Lucky and Amber to move a little closer. Twilight gave a small bow to the Prince, as too did Anthea.
“Greetings Prince Steel Nerves –”
“Steel, just Steel,” he interjected.
“Oh, um, Steel then.” Twilight shuddered for some reason. “I am grateful that you have come to escort us to your home, and that you are willing to hear Equestria out in this dire matter.”
Steel snorted, he then turned his attention to Anthea, eyeing her critically. “And who is this?”
“Her name is Anthea; she is my apprentice and assistant in these diplomatic matters.”
“Hmmm, her speaking and listening skills must be of high use, seeing as how this mare is blind.”
Anthea winced when Steel called her out on her blindness, although she could see his blurry image, she had hoped it would not be too obvious. Hot Head leered at Steel, finding the minotaur’s words rude and insensitive. He would’ve struck the Prince, had he not been given a sharp glare from Amber Lily.
“And who are these three?”
“Hot Head, that’s Amber Lily, and Lucky Star, we’re part of High Princess Twilight’s personal protection detail.” Hot Head answered.
Steel gave another snort as he stared at Hot Head directly. “Undisciplined, and prone to outbursts, often charging ahead without thinking first.” He then turned his head to address Twilight. “My soldiers are amble protection your Highness, you needn’t worry about entrusting your safety to…them.”
Hot Head bit his lip, trying his hardest not to cuss the minotaur out, or worse, deck him and cause an international incident.
“Thank you Steel, but I would appreciate it if they come along. They have orders not to leave my side, by order of High Princess Celestia, the senior ruler of Equestria.”
Steel looked over the motley trio, giving one last snort, this time there was a hint of disapproval in it. “As you wish. If you are ready, we can leave now.”
Twilight nodded a yes and Steel turned to face his thirty minotaur warriors. “COMPANY, MOVE OUT!”
Anthea senses were bombarded with different sensations. The air smelt differently here than in Equestria, even though they were surrounded by twenty minotaurs, their scent wasn’t overwhelming to her nose. The feel of the paved stone pathway under her hooves was smooth, not at all grainy or coarse as she imagined. As they entered the city, Anthea was treated to even more sensations. The sounds of merchants hawking their wares, children laughing and running around, the sound of female minotaurs chatting and whispering as they watched their visitors be escorted through the city.
The smell of fruits, vegetables, and other assorted spices wafted through the air. Even though Steel was scary, it still didn’t put that much of a damper on the excitement of being someplace new. Soon the group had made their way to the center of the city, a large, stone white structure, the true center of the government. Steel showed his pony guests inside, the regimen of minotaur soldiers broke off till there was only five remaining, seeing as there was no need for a force of twenty walking through the halls of the palace.
During this time, Anthea still took in all she was hearing, smelling, and sensing. The vibes from the palace were similar to Canterlot Castle, but were still different. The tension, the cacophony of sounds emanating from several rooms at once, each filled with politicians or nobles bickering or actually discussing legitimate matters of state. Of course Anthea did her best to tune them out; she didn’t want to be thought of as an eavesdropper, especially in a place like this. Suddenly Anthea stopped in the middle of the hallway, making the group stop along with her.
“Annie, what’s wrong?” asked Twilight.
“I…I thought I heard something that was…off.”
“Off, off how?” asked Lucky.
“Can’t really be sure,” Anthea’s eyes wandered the hall, her hearing wasn’t the only thing picking up on something, her other senses felt it too. There was subtle shift in the air, oppressive, dangerous even, “I just feel something not right for some reason…”
“Most likely the blind one has taken in too much and it is confusing her senses.” Steel spoke, yet, his eyes did wander around the hall before giving a thoughtful hum. “Let us keep moving. My father is not one who likes to be kept waiting.”
Ignoring the strange feeling for the time being, Anthea and the others pressed onward. They eventually ended up stopping at a large pair of gilded bronze doors. Steel stopped a few feet from the doors and signaled the others to wait. After a few seconds the doors opened and out came a flood of minotaurs, each one garbed in a specially colored toga with gold clasp on the shoulder strap.
Once they had exited, Steel motioned for them to enter the room. Twilight, Anthea, and the Royal Guard trio entered the room and stared at what they beheld. It was rotunda room, similar, Twilight thought, to the war room back in Canterlot Castle, albeit this room was brighter than the one they used. A large table was at the center of the room, with map of Minotaurus and the surrounding lands. Sitting at that table, in a modest chair no less, was the King of Minotaurus, Thunder Fist. Aptly named for his remarkable strength and the fact that when his fist made contact with any object, it sounded like rolling thunder and felt like it too.
His coat was stormy gray color, with intense piercing blue eyes, much akin to his son Steel Nerves. The King wore a golden laurel wreath around his head, with purple toga wrapped around him. King Thunder Fist rose up from his chair and strode over to the ponies. Each step he took made the floor tremble a little, it wasn’t so noticeable to others, but to Anthea and Amber, they could tell how strong this minotaur was just by his steps. The king stopped before the group and gave a small bow before them.
“High Princess Twilight Sparkle, glad you could make it.”
Twilight and the others bowed back in return. “No, thank you for allowing Equestria the chance to present its case to you.”
“Hmm, come, sit down.”
The King returned to his seat, while Twilight sat on one of the cushions that were put across from Thunder Fist. The minotaurs who had accompanied them stood sentry outside, closing the doors and making sure no one interrupted their meeting. Steel took his place at his father’s right hand side, taking off his helmet and placing it on the table, and leaning his spear against of the gallery seats. Anthea did the same, sitting at her teacher’s right side, showing as much of the proper etiquette that Twilight was able to teach her on the way to Minotaurus. Hot Head, Lucky Star, and Amber Lily stood some feet behind Twilight, close enough to reach her, but far enough to give her some breathing room.
“The letter you sent via magic spoke to us of something of great importance, and of mutual gain.”
“Yes, and once again, I’d like to thank you for hearing us out King Thunder Fist.”
“Just Fist or King Fist, if you please. And let us make one thing clear, your Highness, I am here to hear you out.”
Twilight looked upon the king with confusion. “Um…sorry, but what do you mean King Fist?”
“We do not normally get involved with foreign affairs, war being one of them. We were content to just let the war between your country and the Griffon Empire play out, survival of the strongest. But…” King Fist leaned in, resting his elbows on the table and bringing up his hands into a contemplation gesture. “When it was said that you were to lead the fight to free your territory of Maretonia, I was intrigued. Regrettably, our airwaves were hijacked as was yours, so we heard everything that happened that day.”
Twilight visibly winced, the memories of her capture and torture in Maretonia were not pleasant ones, and talking about them, even now, was making long since healed wounds sting with phantom pain.
Anthea could see that this was making Twilight uncomfortable and tried to steer it away from the current topic, “Um…King Fist maybe we could –”
“Hush child, I have not finished speaking,” said King Fist in a scolding tone.
Hot Head, Amber, and Lucky were already tense from hearing what the King was saying, more so when he spoke that way towards Annie. But they bit their tongues, keeping any and all objections to themselves for now.
“Fighting to free your people, suffering painful torture, and yet, here you are. You’re resolve to act and sacrifice yourself for your people shows you have great bravery. That is the reason why I say I wish to hear you out. For only ones who have suffered in war can truly understand one another.”
It took Twilight a minute to understand that King Fist wasn’t insulting her or trying to make her feel uncomfortable, he was, in his own way, paying her a compliment, and saying that she had earned a bit of his respect at the same time. Emboldened by this knowledge, Twilight straightened her posture and tried to appear as regal as possible.
“Thank you King Fist.” The king nodded and waved his hand to indicate that she may proceed. “Well, as you know, I have come here on behalf of my fellow royals to propose that Minotaurus and Equestria form an alliance in the face of the threat that the Griffon Empire poses – not just to Equestrians – but to your people as well.”
“Ah, but the Griffon Empire is at war with Equestria, and its territories, pray tell, why should Minotaurus worry about being attacked?” asked Steel.
Twilight nodded to the Prince. “A valid point, and to that, I do not believe they are just after Equestria. They seem to be on a mission to kill or subjugate all equines. There are reports from Zebrica that the griffons occasionally perform hit and run aerial bombings on some their villages, places that have no strategic or military value. Just homes of innocent civilians. With that said, I would like to show you the other reason. Tell me, is this map current?”
“It is,” said King Fist.
“Very well.” Twilight lit up her horn and formed a sphere which transformed into a single griffon near the border of the Empire. She then formed a second, taking on the larger form of a Saddle Arabian. “Currently, Saddle Arabia is fending off the Griffon Empire’s army here, but we discovered something that could prove to be detrimental to Equestria Proper and Minotaurus. What do you know of this path?”
Twilight’s horn created a line through a mountain range that snaked its way through the Griffon Empire, along the edge of Saddle Arabia, and straight through Minotaurus. The King and Prince eyed the path that Twilight lit up on the map.
“That is the Long Road, a winding path that leads to the Gates of Volkan,” said Steel.
“Yes, now, if you were to follow this path, through said gates,” Twilight’s magic created 3D construct of the rest of the map that cut off, “the mountain range acts as a land bridge, connecting Minotaurus and Equestria Proper. In other words, the griffons could conceivably march through your country, unnoticed, and invade our homeland through the back door.”
“Have you not thought to create defenses along the entry?” asked King Fist.
“We have, but depending on the size of the force, what we have there might not be enough, it would be a slaughter if they appeared in masse,” said Twilight.
“So then, your Highness, you’re proposing an alliance to stop the griffons from using our country as a shortcut to get to yours?” asked Steel.
“Short of them actually conquering your country, yes. This way avoids needless confrontation with your armies; also, this could serve as a way for them to attack you from another angle as well. The passage is big enough that medium to small sized airships could move through the path, and, pardon me for saying, given your limited air force, the griffons would have a major aerial advantage.”
King Fist sat back and thought over what Twilight had said. Steel seemed to be doing the same, noting the military disadvantage of being left vulnerable to a two prong attack on Minotaurus.
“Her Highness does have a point father, the Griffon Empire has already broken a treaty law that stated that Cloudsdale was deemed neutral territory, safe from invasion and occupation by foreign powers,” said Steel.
It was true, had the Griffon Empire gotten their claws on Cloudsdale’s Weather Factory, they could’ve essentially used the weather to send Equestria, or any nation, into a long period of drought, flood it with rainwater, create devastating tornados, or bring about a lasting winter. The end result would be a ruined ecosystem and food crops completely destroyed, starvation would run rampant and the nations would tear themselves apart from the inside out. A fine way to defeat your opponent just let them tear themselves apart.
“Be that as it may, you are not completely helpless against the Griffon Empire. Word has reached my ear of this ‘Fear Lantern’, how she has saved three of your cities and in one night decimated the Griffon Empire capital, Griffonia. There is also tale that the identity of the Fear Lantern is in fact your daughter, is there any truth to this rumor?” asked King Fist.
A pang of sorrow, guilt, and pain stabbed at Twilight’s heart, and Anthea’s. They knew that this might become an issue during the delegations, but now that it was out there, there was no denying it or sugarcoating it.
“Yes, King Fist, the Fear Lantern is indeed my daughter, Princess Starburst. But…she has been classified as a rogue agent of Equestria until we can determine that she is not a danger to herself or others…”
“Actions speak louder than words more often than not, High Princess, and it seems to me that the Fear Lantern is doing all she can to protect your people, from what reports trickle in,” said Steel.
The King gave his son a pointed glare, “It is not our place to interfere in matters of family, which I’m willing bet is where a little of the tension in your voice stems from.”
Twilight held her regal posture and gaze, but Anthea knew that her teacher was saddened, in fact, she could feel it deeply.
“For now King Fist, what is your position in this matter? The griffons have shown to be working towards an endgame that could potentially do harm to all the nations, yours included. Will you stand with Equestria and allow us to work together to defend both our homelands?”
The King reclined back in his chair, rubbing his short beard with his left hand as he thought of her proposal. “Hmmm…do we put the barking pup in its place now, or save ourselves the trouble of having to deal with it when it’s grown and more dangerous. A tough decision…I –”
Anthea’s ears swiveled towards the door, her head followed suit as it jerked in that direction. The King, Prince, Twilight, and her friends all looked at her confused.
“Anthea what’s wrong?” asked Twilight.
“That feeling again, it’s back, but I thought I also heard something outside…!”
The others strained their ears to listen for any indication of what Anthea was saying, but all they heard was silence. That’s when the King rose from his chair and assumed a fighting stance, while the Prince donned his helmet, drawing his sword and strapping the shield back onto his arm.
“Whoa, whoa, what’s going on?!” Hot Head shouted.
“It should never be this quiet, even in here.”
Twilight took a moment to carefully listen and found that the King was right, with the amount of light being let into the room, there had to be at least some sound penetrating through, and since Twilight hadn’t sensed any kind of sound dampening spell upon entry…
Just then the bronze doors slammed open and the bloody corpses of the four minotaur guards were thrown splayed out onto the floor. Blood seeped from their mouths and stab wounds; one of them was even missing an arm. The occupants within set their sights on the open door and were shocked to find out who it was, griffons, about twenty of them. Each was of a different coat color, but their armor was all the same, a dark purple with crystals placed at different points along the armor.
“High Princess Twilight, we’ve come to collect your head as your Fear Lantern did our Emperor!”
“Griffon Pretenders!” Lucky shouted in disbelief.
“When did they get here?!” yelled Amber.
“Better question is: is this a set up?!” asked Hot Head.
To answer that question, King Fist jumped over the table and landed with a great boom in front of the Royal Guard trio. Without even looking at them, King Fist charged for the griffon Pretenders, cocking back his right fist and punching the first griffon in his sights. His meaty fist struck the griffon’s chest plate, letting out an audible crunching of bone and creaking of metal caving in, with a final follow through the punch created a light rumbling sound like thunder before sending the griffon sailing across the room and into the wall a few feet away. King Fist glared at the intruders, rage prominent on his visage.
“YOU DARE THREATEN A DIGNITARY – A GUEST – IN MY HOUSE?!” King Fist roared.
It wasn’t long before his son Steel did the same, jumping over the table and landing beside his father. With his shield raised and his sword pointed, Steel charged for one of the griffons, bashing the first with his shield and using his sword to slice off the wing of a second close by him, his crimson cape flapping in the air with each swift slash of his blade.
At that moment two explosions went off overhead, sending debris falling down from the ceiling. Twilight immediately put up barrier to protect both her, Anthea, and the trio. Stone and mortar struck the rosy barrier and broke apart upon impact. Twilight gasped when she looked up to see that the two explosions opened up two holes in the ceiling, and that more Pretenders were entering through the holes.
King Fist and Prince Steel were still in the middle of fighting the twenty that had come through the door. They hated to admit, but these twenty, now nineteen, were skilled and were taking much of their concentration to fight. Leaving Hot Head, Lucky, and Amber to deal with an increasing amount of griffon Pretenders entering through the breach in the ceiling. Soon the other half of the room was filled with just as many griffons, for a total of thirty-nine, leaving the middle of the room as the neutral zone for now.
The Royal Guard trio got into a triangle position, with Amber at the back, watching the fight that Steel and Fist were engaged in, and Lucky and Hot Head facing the new arrivals.
“Just three pony Guards, no weapons, no sweat,” said one of the Pretenders.
Hot Head smirked confidently, to which Amber and Lucky mirrored. “Who said we weren’t armed!”
At once, the three friends struck the emblems on their chest armor; the crystal stars on them began to shine, radiating magical light. The chest plate armor began to extend panels that wrapped around their forelegs and hind legs. Another went up their necks and covered their heads with a helmet, allowing their manes to come out as a vertical war plumes. Around the flank area of the armors was their individual cutie marks. The three armors looked similar in design, but with a few differences.
Hot Head’s armor covered his wings and made the lead primaries sharp as sword blades, Lucky’s horn was encased in an amethyst crystal, honed to a sharp point, and free from any flaws or imperfections in the crystal itself. Amber’s forelegs and hind legs had thicker armor, as was the rest of her armor, but Amber seemed to move around as if it weighed nothing.
“Courtesy of our High Princess Twilight, she learned how to create these prototypes from watching your late Wing Commander, Steel Wing,” said Lucky.
“We get the new toys and have permission to go wild and get the kinks worked out,” said Amber.
“And you guys are perfect practice dummies!” Hot Head yelled.
The griffons were noticeably angry at hearing that their fallen Wing Commander’s greatest weapon was reversed engineered for the use of the ponies.
“You will pay for disgracing Chalyvas the Steel Wing!” A griffon screamed as he lunged for Hot Head.
Hot Head jumped into the air and slashed with his right wing, lobbing off the head of the griffon and letting its body fall past him onto the floor. Lucky’s crystal horn flared up as he unleashed multiple magic bolts at the griffons. Thanks to the wide area of room and tall ceilings, the griffons were able to fly around and maneuver within the space. Another griffon charged, this time for Lucky. The unicorn stallion saw the attack coming and powered up his crystal horn, the energy built up till it shot forth, creating a mana blade. The griffon saw this and was too late to stop his charge, his momentum carried him forward, impaling himself on the magically formed blade. With a flick of his head, Lucky tossed the body off his energy blade and assumed a defensive stance.
Amber watched as two of the Pretenders were able to get around Fist and Steel and were now heading towards her and her charges. Amber Lily grinned underneath her face plate as she stood on her hind legs at the last second, clotheslining the two griffons with such force that there was an audible snap of their necks as they hit the floor. Another one had broken off from the other attack group and tried to attack Twilight from the side, but Amber was quick, she galloped forth and jumped into the air with great speed. Using herself as a battering ram, she plowed into the griffon and smashed him into one of the seating stands, leaving a body sized crater as she rose and a very broken griffon body.
Anthea’s senses were in overdrive, the danger of the situation making everything more vivid and powerful. She heard the pounding of fist to metal, the clashing of blades, the squelch of severing limbs, and the death throes of the occasional griffon. Her nose was being assaulted with the pungent odors of blood, metal, and sweat, creating an inescapable cloud from which there was no relief. And then there was the feeling, with each strike, punch, and sever, Anthea could feel it, rattling through the air and ground and into her body, making the blind mare tremble and yelp as if it were her receiving the blows. While she couldn’t see much more than colored blurs, Anthea was able to see the various spraying of red that seemed to fly from one side to the other.
The unicorn mare held her hooves over her ears, trying to shut out the overpowering, horrible sensations her senses were being subjected to, letting out little whimpers as her eyes watered. She had never been in a fight, sometimes she was near one, but nothing this brutal and bloody.
Is this what Starburst sees and goes through every time she fights?! I can barely keep my mind together right now, how can she go and put herself into these situations again and again?! Make it stop, please Faust above make it stop!
Twilight could see Anthea was on the verge of a breakdown at the rate things were going. She had brought up a barrier to keep the two of them safe, though her powers were still unsealed, releasing a strong spell in such a confined space was bound to cause harm to her allies. But right now, focusing on protecting Annie was her top priority. Hot Head, Lucky Star, and Amber Lily seemed to be handling the new group of griffons, even with their experimental armor. Fist and Steel had taken down at least ten griffons between the two of them, using their brute strength and amazing combat prowess, but the Pretenders weren’t just known for their infiltration skills, they were deadly assassins and could fight extremely well in a group.
Suddenly, Twilight heard a sound, something that made her stiffen. Her eyes darted around trying to find the source, she eventually found it or rather it found her. A griffon Pretender had made it around the two lines of defense and was now heading towards Twilight’s barrier. The alicorn mare charged her horn, preparing to annihilate the foolish griffon that dared to attack her directly. But that’s when she saw it, the griffon was holding some kind of hilt, and from the top stretched out a ten foot long magically charged whip.
Twilight’s breathing started to quicken, her heart rate skyrocketed, pupils becoming the size of pinpricks as a cold sweat overcame her body. The sight of that weapon made her back and flanks burn with a familiar pain, bringing back a sense of helplessness.
“No…” Twilight whispered.
“P-Princess…?” Annie spoke in a worried voice.
“No…please no!”
The griffon brought the whip around and lashed out with it, striking the barrier and causing it to crack slightly. The moment the whip struck, Twilight immediately fell to the floor, crouching low and shivering like a scared little filly.
“Not again, don’t hit me again, please not again! NO!!!”
Anthea brought her hooves away from her head, looking down at Twilight as she heard her say those things; she was truly afraid, no, terrified! “Princess, are you alright, what’s wrong?!”
The barrier began to waver as Twilight’s concentration waned; fear was gripping her heart, mind numbing, paralyzing fear.
Anthea watched as the barrier was wailed on by the griffon, each strike only making Twilight shrink more and more away from the sound and sight of the attacking griffon. Fissures appeared all around the protective bubble, Anthea thought to create her own barrier, but she knew hers wouldn’t be any stronger. She quickly looked behind her, seeing that the blurred images of her friends were still in midst of battle, although they appeared to be trying to get to them, but the griffons were making it so that they couldn’t.
The crack of the whip brought Anthea’s attention back to the griffon overhead. The barrier was nearly in ruins, it would take but a single hit and they would be at the griffon’s mercy or lack thereof. Anthea gritted her teeth; she then charged her horn, making it glow with light-green mana. Annie had never cast an offensive spell in her life, she had learned the mechanics behind it since it was basic unicorn self-defense, but she had never needed to cast a magic bolt spell. Usually her calming magic was enough to diffuse a situation, but the bloodlust she sensed from this griffon told her that that would not have any effect on him.
With one final strike, the griffon shattered the barrier, grinning evilly as he relished the sight of the frightened alicorn mare. But that moment of basking was all Annie needed, taking as careful as aim as she could, Annie released the pent up magical energy in the form of a beam. The beam struck the griffon in the face, sending him falling onto his back, clutching his face in pain from Annie’s attack.
The unicorn mare had never intentionally, or unintentionally, hurt anypony before, and feeling that she had caused someone pain made her sick. Unfortunately, the griffon wasn’t down long, when he rose, there was a burn mark on the left side of his face. Annie could sense his murderess gaze as it fell on her, but it quickly shifted to Twilight, his true target. The griffon twirled the whip about, building momentum for a killing blow.
Anthea watched as a blurry purple disk hovered over the blurred image of the griffon. She was out of options, what spells she knew would not do her any good against this trained assassin. Her friends were desperately trying to get to them, but could not, and the King and Prince were surrounded by twelve griffons, two of which had separated from the other attack group to aid the first. There was only one thing left to do, for her mentor, teacher, and friend; she would do what she could to protect her.
The pink unicorn mare quickly stood in front of Twilight, using herself as a shield to protect the fearful mare behind her. She would not allow Twilight to die, the one who saw the potential in her since the moment they first met, the mare who she loved as a second mother!
The scarred griffon brought down his whip as it sailed towards Anthea. She closed her eyes tight and awaited the end.
That’s when it happened; a bright, violet-pink light shined outside and quickly entered the room. It zipped about like a fast moving lightning bug, weaving in and out of any obstacles in its way till it reached its target. The light burst forth, bathing the entire area in a beautiful violet-pink light, a sphere of light appeared around Anthea, engulfing her completely.
Within the sphere, Anthea opened her eyes, her vision was filled with the color of this light, but it wasn’t magic, that much she could tell, but it was powerful, very powerful. An object floated before her, glowing bright. Anthea tentatively ran her hoof over the object, not wanting to use her horn. Her eyes shot wide open upon recognizing the shape. It was a ring.
[Anthea of Equestria, you have great love in your heart. Your willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice for those whom you love is proof of how far you can go to protect those closest to your heart. You are worthy…]
“Worthy…? Worthy of what?!”
[Worthy to take up the crusade to keep love alive, and to protect it against those who would seek to eradicate its existence.]
“Wait you’re…you’re like Starburst’s ring! A Fear Lantern ring!”
[The violet light is not one of fear; it is the light of Love itself. Fashioned into a weapon that only the chosen can wield, it is a power that is a double edged sword, dangerous and powerful, yet protective and caring. You have that potential, Anthea of Equestria, to protect those whom you love, and I shall be the instrument to give your love form and strength. Now, do you accept this power…?]
Anthea was filled with uncertainty, this ring was saying it wasn’t the same as Starburst’s, but there was no denying that there were some similarities.
“Honestly Annie…You can’t really stop me…”
Starburst’s departing words, they cut her deep, she wasn’t strong enough to help her friend or stop her from leaving, and now, she wasn’t even strong enough to protect her friend’s mother. Anthea had had enough, she wouldn’t lose any more friends because she was weak and helpless, she wasn’t the same filly from back then, she wasn’t just some blind mare who needed looking after! Anthea, with a serious and determined look in her eyes, held out her right hoof.
“I accept!” Anthea proclaimed.
[Welcome to the Star Sapphires.]
Canterlot Royal Castle, Night Time…
Dear Nidra
By the time you read this…well, let’s just say that you’ll no doubt have heard about what I did in the Griffon Empire.
I don’t want to get into too many details, but, suffice to say, I can’t come back to Canterlot, probably for a long time…
I don’t know what will happen to me in the time from which I write this and when you actually get to read it, but there’s something I’d like to tell you. I wanted to let you know that you are, and always have been, my best friend. We’ve shared our gripes about each other’s moms; I’ve saved your flank from getting in trouble more times than I care to admit.
Honestly, when we first met I wanted to throttle I wanted to kick your you were less than friendly and I was very close to doing something that neither of us would’ve liked. But, as years went on, I came to consider you one of my closest friends, maybe, more than the rest of our friends. It just felt easier to talk to you, yeah you’d give me a hard time about being a buzzkill, but you took it in stride, and, I have to admit, that ONE time you got me to sneak out with you was fun…Don’t you dare tell the others!
Anyway…I’m sorry for not being able to tell all this to you face to face, but, with Canterlot being on high alert when I made my exit, and after the Tartarus I went through earlier tonight, I don’t feel much like sneaking through the city or getting into a fight with the Royal Guard or worse…my Mom. That’s why I had asked Annie to bring this to you. And if you’re wondering, yeah I will say goodbye to Del…I have no doubt that’s going to be worse than writing this…
Nidra, I’m sure that there’ll be fallout from what happened in Griffonia, and…it’ll be bad. I can’t come back home, not with the Griffons still continuing to fight. I have to defend our home, even if it means being labeled a rogue or criminal, but I have to do it! But…when the dust settles, and the war is over, I promise I’ll come back to Canterlot. Be it a hero’s welcome or as a criminal, I have one selfish request…can we still be friends?
I know it may not sound like much, but if all those closest to me turn out to shun and condemn me, even family, I would at least like it if we were still okay. But I can’t make you, and I won’t. Well, Annie looks like she’s about to wake up soon, I have to leave now or face a barrage of questions from her, and right now, the less either of you know the safer you’ll be.
Sincerely
Best Wishes
From
Your Friend,
Starburst Senturia Sparkle
P.S.: I know you and your mom don’t see eye to eye a lot, but… for me, try not to push her away…like I did.
Nidra must’ve read that letter a hundred times or more, she figured. Yet each time felt like the first, she still couldn’t believe that Star would never come back, Nidra had been waiting to surprise the mare upon her return to Canterlot, a night of partying and acting like bad girls for one whole night, and maybe other nights depending on how it went. But that plan would never happen, Starburst exiled herself from her home and was now a renegade mare, using that mysterious ring to fight against the Griffon Empire.
I shouldn’t have given her back that ring, she thought, if I didn’t, then Starburst would still be here…No…more than that, if I hadn’t cast the damn spell on her, none of this would’ve happened at all! It’s all my fault…!
These were the thoughts that would plague Nidra’s mind, knowing that she was given the chance to stop all these events, not once, but twice. Starburst’s letter made her sad, though she was considered a popular mare around Canterlot and had many “friends”, Nidra only counted a select few as her real friends, and only one as her best friend. Nidra felt as if she had not lost just a friend, but a sister, somepony who understood her and, in a way, had similar issues.
One of those issues being of a certain pink unicorn mare, Nidra hated this side of her, and so did Starburst, it was no secret to either of them that they both harbored some resentment towards Anthea. For Starburst it was Anthea’s raw talent and prowess in magic which garnered the attention of her mother, Twilight Sparkle. Nidra could see the slight envious pain that it caused Starburst to see Anthea and her mother together and happy as they were, but when it came to Starburst and her mother it was awkward between them.
In retrospect, Nidra couldn’t fault Star for feeling that way, even though the pegasus mare repeatedly spoke of how she hated feeling that way. It was, in a way, better than why she resented Anthea a little. Turquoise, the hybrid, dragon-pony stallion, when Nidra saw him it was love at first sight. However, knowing that he was taken was a bit hard for her to take. Turquoise Blitz was the only pony Nidra thought she could have a relationship with, being that they were hybrids and intimidating to most of their peers, aside from those who knew them personally.
Why can’t I get over this…Annie’s nice to me, she even calls me a friend…so why can’t I get over T?!
Nidra jumped out of her bed and let out a frustrated sigh, she then made her way to her balcony and opened the windows to stand outside. The night air was chilly, but a welcoming contrast. She gazed up at the sky, wispy gray clouds started to part in the breeze, showing the bright full moon overhead. Nidra often thought it a shame that her mother went through the trouble of creating a beautiful night sky, and yet, nopony would be able to see it through the clouds. Her mother’s moon, gazing at it gave a sense of calm and solace. She felt at home when the sun was down and the night took over. It wasn’t just because she could see better, but for how Equestria seemed to come alive even during this supposed time of rest.
Night clubs, private parties, nocturnal animals, all were awake with her during the night. And in a way, the night also revealed a pony’s other side. Nidra noticed early on that ponies act differently when they feel that the darkness of the night would conceal them, she learned more as she grew into teenage years. Just as the night gave ponies the chance to indulge in the other side of themselves, so too did Nidra, allowing her mind to imagine a world where she and Turquoise were together.
Images of herself and the dragon-pony stallion appeared, looking upon her with those intimidating green eyes. How they would shift to a reptilian slit when Turquoise got serious, and, in her fantasy, he was serious about Nidra. Her eyes too could shift, from normal pupils to slit ones, matching her loves gaze. They would kiss passionately in her fantasies, the two of them finding acceptance and love in each other. The two of them, sadly, would withstand the test of time, being half alicorn and half dragon; their lifespans were considerably longer than normal ponies. Yes it would be sad when their friends all grew old and fell one by one around them. But that was fine, they would have each other, a love that was eternal, and so would their children. Forever lovers, until Equestria fell or the world came to an end.
It feels so right to be with him, just being around Turquoise feels right…Nidra stomped her hoof against the balcony floor. So why does he have to be with her?! If we met first we’d be together, not Anthea! She’s so…irritatingly perfect sometimes! A good daughter, a practical savant of magic, and everypony’s friend! She acts like she wants to be independent and all that crap, but in the end she still clings to the side of somepony like a leech!
Nidra glared into the night sky as if seeing her problems made manifest. “If I had the chance I would make Turquoise see that I was the mare he was meant to be with! To prove to him that I love him more than Anthea ever could, to be together forever, to be mine!”
Nidra paused at uttering that last word, “mine”. It sounded so possessive, so greedy. Technically, winning him over and giving of herself to him would make her his as well, so in a sense, they owned each other.
“Mine…” Nidra spoke the word again; it had a nice ring to it. “To be mine and mine alone…” Nidra was starting to like the word played on her lips and rolled off her tongue so easily.
The alicorn threstral was about to head back into her room, but, as she turned to close the window, she spotted something twinkling in the night, a bright orange star. It was a strange thing to see, the only light around close to that was the sun, and it was currently down at the moment. The light of the orange star blinked several times like a beacon, the blinking became more rapid until it finally stopped and continuously shined. Nidra was about to blow off the strange occurrence, if it wasn’t for the fact that the orange star started to get bigger.
Nidra blinked her eyes several times, thinking it was just her eyes playing tricks. Then she realized that her vision was perfect during the night, so there was no way that that was the reason. It was at this point that Nidra made a startling realization.
“It’s not getting bigger…it’s getting closer!”
Indeed, the orange star sped right for her room, before Nidra could make it to the door the orange star zipped into her room and filled it with orange light. Nidra shut her eyes as the blinding light shone.
[Nidra of Equestria, you want it all!]