“This is so awesome! Watch thi- woooahhh!”
Kyle ducked as Scootaloo soared over his head, barely missing colliding with his head. Instead, she swooped down low before crashing into the rug, skidding to a halt as he ran up to her.
“Careful there Scoots,” Kyle laughed, helping the filly to her feet. “You’re still not used to flying. Don’t try anything fancy yet. Take it slow, you’ll get the hang of it.”
“Fine,” Scootaloo grumbled good-naturedly. She folded her wings up and started walking after Kyle as they proceeded down the hall.
Kyle glanced out of the windows on the east side of the hall. The sun was now fully set on its daily course, though still low in the sky. It was a partly cloudy day, and the sun caught the clouds at just the right angle to fill them with a vibrant, blood-red hue.
A small breeze blew on Kyle’s neck, causing him to turn his head. Sure enough, Scootaloo was in the air again, though to her credit, she was simply hovering and maintaining her stability fairly well.
“Just can’t stay on the ground now, can you?” Kyle smiled.
“Nope,” she replied. She flipped onto her back and sped up a bit to fly past Kyle. “It’s just so much fun!”
Kyle reached out and grabbed her rear hoof, pulling her out of the way just in time to stop her from colliding with a passing guard patrol. “Alright, that’s enough,” he said firmly. “Leave the flying until we’re outside.”
“Aww,” Scootaloo pouted, falling to her hooves again. “But why?”
“Because you’ve already hit the ground once, knocked over a suit of armor, and nearly crashed into three pairs of guards,” Kyle raised an eyebrow. “And we haven’t even had breakfast. It’s not safe to be flying indoors. You don’t see Rainbow Dash flying inside, do you?”
“Yes you do,” Scootaloo replied.
Kyle blinked. Oh yeah. Dash flew all the time inside. “Well she’s had years and years of experience,” Kyle replied, not missing a beat. “You’ve had your flight for less than 24 hours. At least wait until after breakfast, alright?”
“Alright, alright. I’ll walk,” Scootaloo sighed, folding her wings up once more.
The rest of the journey passed in silence. The pair descended down a flight of stairs and made a few more turns before stopping outside of a pair of double doors, flanked by two Crystal Pony guards. They stepped aside as Kyle and Scootaloo approached, allowing the pair to enter.
On the other side of the doors was the dining hall. It appeared that, as usual, Kyle was the last one to arrive. All eyes were fixed on the pair as they walked down the long table. Or, more specifically, on Scootaloo.
The two took their seats and began to fill their plates with food. Scootaloo looked up as she realized all eyes were locked on her. “What?” she asked.
“Um… Rainbow Dash said you have something you’d like to show us,” Fluttershy said quietly. “I mean, if that’s okay with you,”
“You didn’t tell them?” Kyle asked, looking over at Dash.
“I figured it’s something that should be shown,” Dash grinned. “C'mon squirt, show off a little.”
Scootaloo grinned. She looked over at Kyle as he glanced in her direction, her expression pleading. “Go on,” he sighed. “Just be careful.” She beamed and spread her wings, pushing herself into the air.
There was a collective gasp as everyone present stared at the previously-flightless filly. Her smile grew even larger, and she did a backflip in the air, nearly falling out of the air in the process.
“Wha… but…” Twilight stammered, trying to put her thoughts to coherent words. “How did… why are… how are you flying?”
“Well I’m a Pegasus,” Scootaloo laughed.
“One that couldn't fly the other day,” Applejack said, raising an eyebrow. “How’d ya suddenly start flyin’?”
Scootaloo pointed her hoof towards. Kyle. Suddenly, every eye was fixed on him instead. He glanced around the table, taking his time in finishing his bite of fruit. “Do you remember that envelope I showed you on the train?” he asked, looking at Luna and Celestia,”
“Is that what did this?” Luna asked. Her expression was far more controlled than Twilight or Applejack, but her voice betrayed her surprise.
“Yes,” Kyle replied. “It was a Glyph - a powerful scroll that modifies or adds onto magic already present within the user. The Glyph of Zen Flight grants someone with a powerful, innate connection to Chi the ability to fly - enhancing any already-present flight magic, such as the magic found in Pegasi.”
“Can you fly, then?” Pinkie asked, her eyes growing even wider. “Oh Kylie, why did you tell us you could fly?! Oh this is so exciting! Somepony who can fly without wings! *Gasp* Does this mean that I could fly! I want to fly! Me next! ME NEXT!”
“Pinkie, calm down!” Kyle winced as the overly-excited mare bounced up and down in her seat. “No, I can’t fly. I have an innate talent to use Chi, yes, but my own ability is not strong enough. And neither is yours, I’m afraid,” he added.
Several Ponies around the table let out a sigh of relief. Pinkie, however, stuck out her lower lip, her eyes growing wide and watery.
“Sorry Pinkie. The puppy-eye trick doesn’t change the fact that you don’t have the power to use this Glyph,” Kyle shrugged, returning to his meal.
Just as he took another bite, the doors to the dining hall slammed open. A Crystal Pony Pegasus soared in, his eyes wide with terror. “Bloo’y hell” Kyle murmured, swallowing quickly. “This doesn’t look good.”
“Your highness… highnesses,” he corrected quickly with a glance at Luna and Celestia. “My apologies for the interruption, but there is -”
“What is it, Stalwart?” Cadence cut him off.
“The Changelings!” Stalwart continued, the panic clear in his eyes. “They’re massing to the south, just on top of the hills!”
“What?!”
Everyone at the table sprang up, several of them knocking their chairs over in the process. “What are they doing? Why?”
“We believe they intend to attack,” Stalwart continued, gulping nervously. “And they’re not alone. Several Windigos have been spotted flying around their area, and they are reinforced by swarms of small, dark creatures. I’ve never seen anything like them. They’re not natural, I can tell you that.”
“Sha,” Kyle hissed. “How many are there?”
“A thousand? Ten thousand? More?” Stalwart shook his head. “Too many. We can’t hold the city against a force that large.”
“We have to evacuate the city,” Cadence announced. “If the Changelings attack, my Ponies must not be in the way.”
“But where to?” Twilight asked. “There’s nothing around for miles but snow and ice, and if the Changelings are to the south, then they stand between us and our only route back to Canterlot and the rest of Equestria.”
“We could open a portal to Canterlot,” Luna suggested. “It would require two of us, but the distance would be manageable.
“I brought my crystals” Twilight suggested. “We could use those instead so that you wouldn’t have to support the portal yourselves. If we can get everypony out to Canterlot -”
“There won’t be time,” Celestia murmured. “If the Changelings are already massing, then they intend to strike immediately. We won’t be able to get everypony out.”
“Then let’s stop them. Here and now.”
Every head turned to Kyle once more. His face was calm, but his expression hard and calculating. “Are you insane?” Shining Armor demanded. “Our hoof-ful of guards against over ten thousand Changelings? And the Windigos? And these Sha things? There’s no way we can win!”
“Not alone,” Kyle agreed. “But we don’t have to fight alone.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Princess Cadence, you and Princess Luna have to open that portal,” Kyle began. “Get everyone out that you can. Even if not everyone can escape the fight, the more that can, the better.”
Twilight blinked. “But what about - ”
“Princess Celestia, we have to stall that attack,” He continued. “Buy as much time as we can. Is there any way you can open communication safely with Chrysalis to try and stall for time?”
“Well yes, but I don’t see where this is -”
“Good. Everyone else, go round up the Crystal Ponies and bring them back here to evacuate to Canterlot. Twilight, you come with me and -”
“Hold on!” Twilight yelled. “Why do Cadence and Princess Luna have to hold the portal open? We can use my crystals.”
“We’re going to need those crystals for another portal,” Kyle explained.
Twilight’s eyes grew wide as the meaning behind Kyle’s words clicked into place. “Azeroth.”
“Bingo. The Alliance Army is battle-hardened, well-equipped, numerous, and has experience fighting the Sha. If we can stave off the Changeling attack for long enough, I think I can get reinforcements through to help fight.”
“And if you can’t?” Shining Armor asked.
“That’s what the portal to Canterlot is for,” Kyle explained. “Get everyone out. Just in case.”
“Are you sure this is wise, Mr. Slater?” Luna asked. “Bringing your army through to Equestria?”
“It doesn’t sound like we have much of a choice,” Kyle said grimly. “The Changelings want the Crystal Heart. We know this. Even if we evacuate everyone from the Crystal Empire, and manage to get the Crystal Heart, the Changelings will just move south into the rest of Equestria. We’ll be overrun at some point. We have to stop them here and now, or else they’ll destroy all of Equus. The Alliance Army is our best hope of pushing the Changelings back.”
“This is our best place to make a stand,” Cadence mused. “The Heart will keep the Windigos and the Sha outside in the wasteland. Only the Changelings will be able to get in.”
“But how will you convince everypo- everyone,” Twilight corrected, “in Azeroth that what you’re saying is true? From what I understand, describing our world to somep- someone on Azeroth sounds like it would come from the mind of a small filly.”
“I’ll go with him,” Scootaloo announced.
“No, Scootaloo, it’s too dangerous!” Rarity exclaimed. “Going to an alien world? What if something bad happens to you?
“Like it’s going to be any safer here?” Scootaloo countered. “If I go with him, then he’ll have proof that our world is real, that he’s not making it up or going crazy!”
“She has a point,” Kyle admitted. “Usual rules apply Scootaloo - you do what I say, when I say.”
“No problem!” she turned her head towards the rest of the group. “Well?”
Celestia sighed and nodded her head. “Unless anypony else has a better idea, I think this is our best course of action.”
No one spoke. “Then let us get to work,” she said grimly.
Cadence and Luna moved over to a corner and huddle together, speaking in hushed whispers. Twilight, meanwhile, disappeared in a bright flash of light. Celestia, Kyle, and Scootaloo all stepped aside as everyone else ran and flew out of the dining hall, rushing out into the city to begin the evacuation, their meals left half-finished and forgotten.
“I will be in front of the Crystal heart, speaking to Chrysalis,” Celestia announced. “I believe I can stall the attack for a half-hour beyond when it would otherwise take place, but I fear time is an increasingly precious resource. You must be quick, Mr. Slater.”
“They don’t call me a windwalker for nothing,” Kyle smiled reassuringly as Twilight reappeared, holding a large chest in her magical grip. “So, Twilight, where are we setting this up?
“The entrance hall,” Twilight explained. “It’s the only place big enough to set up the formation.”
Celestia turned and walked away, moving over to speak with Luna and Cadence. Kyle, meanwhile, followed Twilight out of the dining hall, with Scootaloo right behind him.
Moments later, Twilight was levitating the crystals out of the chest and arranging them in the pattern necessary to open the portal, with Kyle’s belt hovering in the air just next to her. Kyle, meanwhile, had pulled Scootaloo off to the side. “Alright, listen carefully,” he began.”Azeroth is a dangerous place. Stormwind is one of the safest locations, but there will be a lot of Humans there, among other races. It is going to be very crowded.”
“Alright.”
“There are no Pegasi on Azeroth. Ponies don’t normally talk. While we’re moving through Stormwind, you need to stay by me at all times. Don’t talk to anyone. Don’t fly. Don’t use your powers. If we get separated, we meet back at the portal. When we get to King Varian, show respect as you would for Princess Celestia.”
“Got it. Anything else?”
“Just follow my lead when we get there, and we’ll get through just fine.”
“It’s ready!” Twilight called out. A bolt of purple energy flew from her horn, through Kyle’s belt, and into the first Sha Crystal, setting off the chain reaction. Soon, the portal formed, and the pathway opened up. “I’ll wait two hours and then open it again every half hour. Please, hurry.”
“Alright. Scootaloo, Let’s go,” Kyle said, stepping forward. He pushed his way through the portal and stepped into Azeroth once more.
A few seconds later, Scootaloo stepped through as well. She looked down at the grass brushing over her hooves, and looked around, taking in her surroundings. “It… doesn’t look dangerous.” she said slowly.
“Don’t forget what I said,” Kyle reminded her. “You’re the alien now.” He pointed to the stone wall that separated them from the Mage District. “Our destination lies behind this wall. I’m going to climb up. Wait for my signal before flying over. We don’t want anyone to see you and panic.”
“Got it.”
Kyle ran forward and scrambled up the tree growing next to the wall. Within seconds, he was on top of the wall. He glanced in both directions. No guards could be seen. He looked down on the other side. A small alley lay before him, well off the beaten path.
“All clear!” He called down. He heard the rustle of feathers, and an instant later, Scootaloo soared over the wall. She peered over the side as well before hopping down, landing softly on the cobblestone street.
Kyle made his way down into the alley as well, using the windows on the opposing building to climb down. “Remember. Stay with me, and be careful,” he reminded her as he made his way to the end of the alley. He poked his head out into the street.
A few Humans were walking past - most of them dressed in robes or carrying things - but none seemed to pay him any mind. “Alright. Let’s go,” he murmured, stepping out into the street. The soft clip-clop of hooves on stone let him know that Scootaloo was right behind him.
Kyle glanced back at Scootaloo. She was looking around, her eyes wide. She opened her mouth, but quickly snapped it back shut, remembering Kyle’s instructions. She stared nervously as another Human walked past, this one carrying a crate full of bottles, making a loud clanking noise.
The two made their way through the Mage District, making sure to draw as little attention to themselves as possible. A few people spared them a second glance, being unused to seeing a Man with a Pony in this section of the City. One or two stared at Scootaloo’s wings as they passed, but said nothing.
Soon, the two made their way out to the canals. Scootaloo gulped nervously as they passed a pair of heavily-armored guards, each one bearing a sword and shield
As they moved away, she glanced around to make sure no one was nearby. “There’s so many Humans here…” she murmured.
“Yeah. And that was the least crowded section of the city,” Kyle replied. “The King is in the Keep, on the other side of the city. The fastest route would be to go through the Trade District… but that’d be too risky,” he added.
“It’s a shame you’re too big for me to carry,” Scootaloo said quietly. “It’d be a lot easier.”
“Not really,” Kyle replied, gesturing up at the sky. Scootaloo looked up just in time to see a half dozen Gryphons soaring through the sky, each heavily armored and bearing a Human on their backs. “They’d stop us before we got halfway there. No, I think we’d best follow the canals and avoid the Trade District entirely.”
The two set off again, crossing over the bridge that lead from the Mage Quarter to the Trade District. As planned, they avoided going into the interior, avoiding the bank and auction house and various vendors peddling their goods. Instead, they walked along the canals, staying on the opposite side of the road from the various shops set up along the waterfront.
As they rounded the corner, Kyle looked to their left. “That’s the Keep,” he murmured, pointing. The building was large - not as large as the Canterlot Castle, but still a very respectable size, built out of white stone bricks. The entranceway was guarded by a pair of guards, each bearing the Royal Guard armor.
“How’re we gonna get in?” Scootaloo asked, glancing nervously as a passing Dwarf burped just loudly enough to cover her voice.
“Careful,” Kyle warned. “And the plan to get in… well, we talk to the guards and hope one of them recognizes me.”
“... Have a great day now,” a small, nasally voice piped up nearby, causing Kyle to freeze.
Scootaloo looked up at him, her eyebrow raised. He shook his head and looked back down at her. “Nothing. It's not important. Let's move.”
“Hang on…” The voice said again, sounding much closer this time. On the other side of the street, a Gnome turned around, looking around. “I could have sworn, that sounded just like…
The Gnome spotted the pair, and his eyes went wide as saucers. “Kyle Slater!” he exclaimed excitedly. He sprinted across the road at a much higher speed than his short legs would have ever appeared capable of, cutting off several Humans in his haste.
“Morkie!” Kyle grinned, dropping to one knee. The Gnome leaped at him, embracing Kyle tightly. “It’s been a while,”
“Way too long,” Morkie agreed. “The Twilight Highlands, wasn’t it?”
“Sounds about right. What have you been up to? Looks like the harpies haven't gotten you yet."
Morkie's pupils dilated, and he dropped back down to his feet, shuddering. "No... no not yet.” The Gnome stammered. He shook his head, looking back up at Kyle. At his full height, the tip of the Gnome's head only reached Kyle’s waist. “Forget about me. I wanna know about you!” Morkie glanced around before leaning in close. “Everyone said you were dead!”
“Hate to disappoint, but I’m not dead yet,” Kyle chuckled.
“Far from it. Doing well for yourself, it seems,” Morkie smirked. He looked Scootaloo up and down, his head just barely taller than hers. “Got yourself a nice horse there. Kinda small, really weird colors, but looks strong. And with wings too,” he added, poking at one of the feathery appendages. “Where’d you find him?”
Scootaloo snorted indignantly, while Kyle simply laughed. “Easy Scoots,” he soothed. “Long story, one you’d never believe. Cmon, I’ll tell you,”
Morkie raised an eyebrow as Kyle and Scootlaoo walked away down the canals. Rather than taking the bridge over to the Old Town, Kyle instead continued walking, following the canals down a much less-travelled section of the street. He stopped at the end of the canals, where the cobblestone path curved around and encircled the canal. No one was around save for the trio.
“Alright, so tell me,” Morkie began. “What happened to you? You’re gone for three months, and then suddenly you’re back with an oddly-colored, winged horse. Where the hell did you get him?”
“Firstly, I’m a Pony, not a Horse,” Scootaloo scowled, causing Morkie to jump backwards. “Secondly, I’m a Pegasus. We all have wings. And thirdly, I’m a she.”
“Sweet Light! It talks! Er, she talks!” the Gnome quickly corrected. “M-my apologies, miss!”
“Chill Morkie, she doesn’t bite,” Kyle laughed, turning to Scootaloo. “I think you spooked him there, squirt,”
“How is… Where… What happened?” Morkie demanded. “Where did you go? Are there more like her? What’s going on?”
“Morkie, please. Chill.” Kyle soothed. “We’re hardly here for a pleasure visit. We have to go see King Varian, as quickly as possible. You’re in the army, and presumed alive I hope.” The Gnome nodded. “Any chance you could get us in? At least help us past the guards?”
“Not me, no,” Morkie shook his head. “I’m don’t have enough rank to pull a stunt like that. But I know someone who does. Someone who’ll be very, very happy to see you. If you wait here, I’ll go get him.”
“Thanks Morkie,” Kyle smiled. “But please, hurry. Time is of the essence. Innocents might be dying as we speak.”
Morkie nodded, sprinting away. “I expect answers, Slater!” he yelled over his shoulder as he barrelled towards the Old Town, turning into the district and vanishing from sight.
“Who was that?” Scootaloo asked. “And what was he?”
“That’s was a Gnome,” Kyle explained. “Really short race. Tiny little legs, but huge brains. They’re the best tinkerers and engineers on Azeroth, and don’t let any Goblin tell you otherwise. As for who he was - his name is Morkie. He’s an old friend of mine from the Army. We’ve been through some tough times, he and I. We were both Rogues in our old squad before I became a Monk and got transferred.”
“So… you trust him?”
“With my life,” Kyle nodded. “And let me tell you, he’s saved my life on multiple occasions. Of course, I’d always pay the favor back,” he added with a wink.
The two fell silent as the seconds passed, stretching into minutes. Kyle glanced over at Scootaloo, who had elected to sit down while waiting. He sat down himself and closed his eyes. He began to open his mind, stretching out to the Chi around him to meditate…
And opened his eye as Scootaloo prodded him with one of her hooves. “Morkie’s back,” she murmured. “And he’s got company.”
Kyle glanced back at the Old Town. Sure enough, the Gnome was headed back down the canals, and he wasn’t alone. A solitary warrior, dressed up in officer armor, strolled down the road beside him, his eyes locked on Kyle.
Kyle instantly felt himself tense up, and he pushed himself to his feet. “Be ready for trouble,” he whispered.
“I thought you said you trusted that guy.”
“I do, but that doesn’t mean that there won’t be trouble.”
The officer stopped in front of Kyle, his face hidden behind his helmet. He towered over Kyle, making him feel incredibly vulnerable. For a long moment, neither spoke. The tension between the two men was thick enough to cut with a knife. Morkie backed away, looking nervous, while Scootaloo gulped.
“You’ve got some nerve, coming back here,” The officer announced. He raised both hands to his helmet. Kyle swallowed nervously as the guard lifted his helmet, revealing his face.
Kyle blinked. His eyes went wide, and his mouth fell open.
“... without coming to see me first,” Matthias grinned, tossing his helmet to the ground.
“Damnit man, don’t do that to me!” Kyle exclaimed, punching Matthias on the shoulder. “I thought I was in serious trouble there for a minute!”
Matthias laughed and wrapped both arms around Kyle, lifting him off of the ground in a tight embrace. “I knew you weren’t dead,” he said, setting Kyle back down on the ground. “Slater’s don’t die that easy.”
"Apparently not,” Kyle laughed. “Two bullets to the chest and you’re back on your feet like it never even happened! And look at you!” Kyle added, looking over the insignia emblazoned upon Matthias’ breastplate. “Knight-Captain! You moved up through the ranks quickly!”
“Damn right,” Matthias grinned. “The higher-ups were impressed with my work in Draenor, so they promoted me. And again. And again. And again.”
“Draenor? You mean Outland?”
“Nope. Draenor. There’s some kinda wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey stuff going on that’s wayyy beyond me, but the Orcs that attacked us that day - they were from Draenor. The past Draenor, before it got destroyed. Garrosh went back and messed with the timelines and has a new army, aimed right at us,”
“Shoulda known Hellscream wouldn’t give up that easy,” Kyle spat. “And just our luck too,” he added with a sideways glance at Scootaloo. “We need the might of the Alliance Army. Fast.”
Matthias’s grin vanished, replaced by a much more serious expression. “What do you mean?” He asked, also glancing at Scootaloo. “Does it have something to do with that Horse? Where’d you get him?”
“Pony, and her,” Morkie corrected quickly.
“Whatever,” Matthias waved his hand dismissively. “What’s going on? You sound like there’s trouble.”
“There is. Big trouble. This is Scootaloo,” Kyle introduced. “She’s from a land called Equestria. A land that even now is fighting for survival.”
“We need to see the King,” Scootaloo added.
“What the fu- It talks?!” Matthias exclaimed “Er… she.” he corrected.
“We don’t have time to explain it more than once,” Kyle said quickly. “You’re an officer in the Alliance Army now, right? You have some rank to pull. We need to get an audience with King Varian. Like… now.”
Matthias sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Look, I can’t promise anything but to get you into the Keep,” he said. “I’ll do my best, but… I’m not that high up in the command chain. The King might just send me out.”
“It doesn’t matter. I’ll break that throne room door down if I have to,” Kyle growled. “We’re talking about the fate of an entire planet here.”
“Damn…” Matthias murmured. “You’ve really gotten in over your head this time, Kyle.” He turned and began running down the canals, with Morkie, Scootaloo, and Kyle right behind him. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”
“I never do,” Kyle replied. “Doesn’t stop me.”
“Never has. Never will.”
Within minutes, Kyle was being escorted up the stairs to the keep. The guards had tried to keep Scootaloo outside of the Keep, but Matthias had thankfully outranked them, and so she had been allowed to pass. This didn’t stop them from sending an escort of two guards with them as they entered the massive building, headed up the ramp to the throne room.
“Just stay calm,” Kyle soothed Scootaloo, rubbing her mane as they walked up the ramp. “It’ll all be alright.” Scootaloo did not speak, but instead flicked him with her tail to acknowledge him.
As the group entered the throne room, Kyle took in his surroundings. No less than a dozen guards lined the walls, all armored and wielding the highest-quality weapons available. At the far end of the circular room, sitting on the throne, was King Varian, clad in his usual armor. A blonde-haired young man stood by his side - Prince Anduin, Kyle realized.
The group stopped in the center of the room, and the guard escort parted, allowing the group of four to be seen more clearly. Varian glanced over the group, his brow furrowed. His eyes lingered on Scootaloo for a moment, and his frown deepened. “State your name and rank, soldier,” he ordered, his voice commanding the attention of everyone present.
Matthias stepped forward and saluted. “Knight-Captain Matthias Slater, your highness,” he announced.
Kyle saluted as well. “Sergeant Kyle Slater, sir!”
“Kyle Slater…” Varian murmured. “That name sounds familiar…” He waved his hand, and one of the guards lining the walls saluted before exiting the room. “I assume there is a very good reason why you have brought a beast into my throne room,” Varian said, his voice dripping with warning as his eyes flicked over to Scootaloo again.
Scootaloo ducked her head down and shied behind Kyle’s back, hiding herself from Varian’s gaze. Kyle could not blame her - Varian’s presence was intimidating, his stance and demeanour commanding fear and respect. Matthias, however, showed no signs of intimidation. “Yes sir,” he replied. “My brother here will be able to explain in greater detail than I.”
Matthias stepped back, leaving Kyle alone in front of Varian’s gaze. “Go on,” Varian ordered, his eyes never leaving Kyle’s face.
“Yes sir,” Kyle replied, refusing to allow his voice to waver. “My name may sound familiar to you, your highness, because of an incident involving me at the Dark Portal. Three months ago.”
“You were present at the opening of the portal to Draenor?” Varian asked, his eyebrows knitting together again.
“Yes sir,” Kyle replied. “During the battle, my brother was badly injured. In my rage, I ran through the portal after the enemy. Instead of going through to Draenor, however, I wound up… Somewhere else.”
“Where?” Varian leaned forward, his hands resting on the edge of the armrests on his throne.
Kyle took a deep breath. “An entirely different planet.”
The guards stiffened at Kyle’s words. Anduin, who until now had remained motionless, tilted his head to the side. Varian knitted his hands together and placed them under his chin. “What is this new world you speak of?”
“The world is called Equus, your highness,” Kyle continued. “The Kingdom I arrived in is called Equestria. The primary inhabitants of this kingdom… are Ponies. Colorful, talking equines. Some can fly, some can use mana-based magic similar to a mage. Some can do neither. A very few can do both. I have been in this world for three months, and we have only recently been able to re-establish a portal to Azeroth.”
Silence followed Kyle’s announcement. Silence so absolute that Kyle could hear his own heartbeat. Varian’s gaze never left him, but his scowl deepened. Kyle felt a sweat break out on the back of his neck.
“You have described to me the ideal fantasy land of a five year old girl, soldier. I have a war to fight,” Varian announced, a hint of anger creeping into his voice. “I’ve no time nor need for a court jester.”
“I’m not trying to be funny, nor am I lying!” Kyle insisted. He stepped to the side, revealing Scootaloo to Varian. “This is Scootaloo, a Pegasus from Equestria.”
“So you were able to put a pair of fake wings on a horse,” Varian spat. “Do you take me for a fool?”
Kyle heard Scootaloo growl, but paid her no mind. “Sir, you have to listen to me, I -”
“I’ve no time for this,” Varian growled. “Guards, escort our ‘guests’ out. I must return to the war room.” He rose from his chair and walked towards a door on the right side of the room, while several guards moved forward
“Hey!” Scootaloo suddenly snapped. “Get back here!”
Every guard froze in place as Varian’s head snapped back towards the group. “Did… did that horse just talk?” he asked, turning to face Scootaloo.
“I’m a Pony. And yeah, I can talk,” Scootaloo glared at Varian. “And fly!” she added, flapping her wings and soaring into the air.
“Light bless me…” Kyle heard Anduin mutter as Scootaloo did a lap around the throne room before coming to stop in front of Varian.
For the first time that Kyle could ever remember, Varian seemed to be at a loss for words. His mouth moved, but no words came out. Finally, he shook his head. “What… what are you?” he asked.
“My name is Scootaloo,” she replied. “I am a Pegasus. From Equestria. Just as Kyle said,” she added. “And we need your help.”
A guard walked up to Varian, holding a book under his arm. “Sir, as requested,” he announced. He opened the book, flipped through a couple of pages, and pointed at a particular spot. “Kyle Slater. Member of the 501st division. Rank: Sergeant. Classification: Monk, Windwalker. Status: MIA, presumed dead. Last seen on the day the Dark Portal opened to Draenor, running in after the Iron Horde.”
Varian turned his head towards Kyle and raised an eyebrow. He turned back to the guard and closed his eyes. “Very well. Go tell the War Council to take an hour for lunch.” he ordered. The guard saluted and left the room again as Varian walked back to his throne, with Scootaloo right behind him. He took a seat and motioned for Kyle to approach.
Kyle let out a breath he hadn’t realized he had been holding. He stepped forward until he was side-by-side with Scootaloo, a few paces away from the throne. Varian’s eyes flicked back and forth between the two, his fingers drumming on the armrest. Finally, he focused his gaze back on Kyle.
“Perhaps, Sergeant, you had best tell me the whole story.”