“So…” Varian said slowly, leaning forward in his throne. His gaze was focused on Kyle, and his brow furrowed. “... these… Changelings… allied themselves with the Sha?”
“Yes sir,” Kyle replied. “Once Chrysalis killed the previous Emperor, she took over the empire. The Sha and Changelings are, even now, bearing down upon the Crystal Empire, a large city in the northern reaches of Equestria. Their target is an object called the Crystal Heart - a powerful artifact that I have reason to believe is of Titanic origin. This object, when powered with love, generates an energy barrier that protects the city from the harsh weather in the Frozen North, and repels all those born of evil - namely, the Sha.”
Varian leaned back in his throne, closing his eyes rubbing the bridge of his nose. “Sergeant, if I had not seen this pony fly and speak with my own eyes and ears, I would not believe a word you just said,” he muttered through clenched teeth. “So, how does this chain of events lead you here? What purpose have you in coming here and bringing one of the natives with you?”
“I have told you before, sir,” Kyle began, “That the defenders of Equestria are ill-equipped to handle a major battle. To be honest, your highness.... They are not ready. At all. They have no standing army, and their only soldiers are royal guards that, by all accounts, have been useless during every crisis in recent years. They need the help of the Alliance Army. Otherwise, the entire world is doomed.”
Varian sighed and opened his eyes. “I sympathize. I really do. But we do not have the troops to spare,” he said. “You’ve been out of the loop, Sergeant. We’re already fighting a war on another planet, in another time no less. We haven’t the resources to get involved in another war that we’ve no part in.”
“I’m not asking for a long-term incursion into Equestria!” Kyle exclaimed, feeling his anger rising. “Inside the shield, the Changelings will be alone, unsupported by the Sha. They are numerous, but I can tell you from experience that even a division or two would likely be enough to turn the tide in our favor. If we can push them back, it will give Equestria room to breathe, and time to hunt down and eliminate the remaining Sha and dispose of Chrysalis.”
“And what can we expect in return?” Varian demanded. “What price can be paid for the blood of the men that will doubtless die in an alien world, fighting a war they know nothing about?”
Kyle snapped. “You’re worried about compensation when an entire city is being hunted down and slaughtered?!” he yelled, his fists clenched into balls. “I know that, were I asked to go and fight and die to save an innocent life, even on a world I’d never heard about, I’d do so without hesitation! Any man with honor would!”
Varian’s gaze hardened, and several of the guards in the room stiffened. Kyle blinked and realized that he may have just pushed his luck too far. Scootlaoo’s tail flicked back and forth nervously, and a cold sweat broke out on the back of Kyle’s neck.
Suddenly, Varian’s eyes softened. A smirk formed on his lips, and a low chuckle left his mouth. “You’ve got passion, Sergeant,” He announced, pushing himself to his feet. He strode forward, his armored boots thudding loudly against the floor. “I can respect that.” Varian stopped in front of Kyle, the smirk still upon his face.
“But you are no negotiator.”
“No sir,” Kyle replied, forcing his voice to remain level. “Just a man who wishes to do the right thing.”
Varian’s face returned to a more guarded expression. He turned and walked over to the throne once more. He leaned in close to Anduin, speaking in hushed whispers. Though clearly attempting to hide their conversation, the acoustics of the room brought their words to Kyle’s ears.
“Anduin. You have heard the story. You know our situation. I am divided, my son, and I trust your opinion more than any other. Were you in my place, what would you do?”
Anduin’s eyes flicked over to Kyle and Scootaloo for an instant before returning to his father. “I would send help,” he replied firmly. “The Light teaches us to show compassion. We can spare a few troops from the city’s defense for a few days, and adventurers can always be recruited to aid in this kind of endeavor. This world needs our help. Sergeant Slater speaks the truth - it is the right thing to do. The thing the Light tells me we should do.”
Varian remained silent for a moment, his gaze locked on Anduin. Finally, he pushed himself back to his feet, his expression still neutral as he turned back towards Kyle. “You mentioned that you took a portal to return to Azeroth,” he said. “Is it still there?”
“Kind of…” Kyle said slowly. “It’s a temporary portal, lasting between two and five minutes. Twilight Sparkle - the Pony who created the portal - has agreed to open the portal every half hour until we re-establish contact.”
“And where is this portal?” Varian asked.
“It opens outside of the city, in the hills behind the Mage Quarter,” Kyle explained, motioning vaguely in the general direction of the portal.
“The perhaps I had best speak to the ruler of Equestria myself,” Varian mused. He waved his hand, and a guard stepped forward. “Prepare the royal Gryphons, as well as…” Varian looked over the rest of the group before returning his attention back to the guard. “... six more. Three guards will accompany Anduin and myself to the portal. Sergeant Slater, Knight-Captain Slater, and… who are you?” Varian asked, seemingly noticing the Gnome for the first time.
“Corporal Morkie, of the 238th division sir.” Morkie replied, saluting nervously.
Varian raised an eyebrow. “How are you involved in this?” he demanded.
“He was the first one to run into me on the streets,” Kyle explained. “The first one to see Scootaloo talk, the one who brought Matthias to me.”
“I see…” Varian murmured. “As I was saying - the two royal gryphons, and six more for three guards, Sergeant Slater, Knight-Captain Slater, and Corporal Morkie.”
The guard saluted once more and walked away, out of the main doors leading towards the Gryphon roost. Varian, meanwhile, had his eyes locked on Scootaloo. The Pegasus refused to flinch as Varian towered over her. He knelt down and looked her in the eyes.
“So, young one,” he began. “Why have you come here?”
“What?”
“Why have you come here, to Azeroth? What role did your foresee yourself playing in this affair? And more specifically, why you? A small filly sent on a mission to save her people. Why not someone older and stronger?”
Scootaloo glanced over at Kyle, her eyes only just betraying her worry. He nodded reassuringly, and she returned her gaze to the King. “I came here as proof,” She began. “You did not believe Kyle’s words until I spoke and flew - something Ponies in this world apparently cannot do. We thought this might be the case, and Kyle has shown us that, for a Human, the best way to prove something is to see it with your own eyes.”
Varian nodded. “But that still does not answer my second question. Why you?”
“Because everypony else is trying to evacuate the Crystal Empire,” Scootaloo replied. “Plus… Kyle and I… know and trust each other quite well.”
Varian’s eyes returned to Kyle. “I have been training her, sir,” Kyle replied, earning a few odd stares from everyone in the room. “Never before have I seen a creature so naturally attuned to the Chi around them. She has a natural gift, and so I decided to help her harness this ability.”
Varian opened his mouth, but shut it again as the guard from before entered the room. “The Gryphons are ready, sir,” he announced.
“We will speak more on this matter later,” Varian told Kyle as he pushed himself back to his feet. “Come, show me where this portal is.”
“Yes sir,” Kyle replied. He followed the guard out of the room, towards a pair of double doors on the northwest side of the room. Scootaloo fell into stride next to him, looking up at him nervously, while Varian, Anduin, Matthias, and Morkie all followed him out to the castle courtyard.
In the middle of the lush green courtyard sat eight gryphons. Three of them were already mounted by a trio of armored guards. Two were decorated in ornate battle armor - the royal Gryphons, for Anduin and Varian. Kyle quickly hopped up onto one of the three remaining Gryphons, and waited for Morkie and Matthias to do the same.
The group got themselves settled onto their Gryphons, and Varian nudged his own. The Gryphon flapped its powerful wings, pushing itself into the air. Around him, the other Gryphons did the same. Kyle tapped his own Gryphon, and it launched itself skyward, with Scootaloo not far behind.
Kyle’s eyes met Varian's. The King nodded, and Kyle pointed towards the Mage Quarter. “This way!” he called out, angling his Gryphon to the south and flying towards the portal.
Kyle felt himself grow nervous as the Gryphon left the castle grounds and flew over the city. Flying patrols paused as they flew, allowing them to pass before continuing their routes, but Kyle still felt uneasy. He had only ridden a Gryphon before occasionally - riding Rainbow Dash or Celestia in Equestria had not been entirely pleasant for him either.
Scootaloo angled herself so that she was flying right beside Kyle. She noticed his look of unease and laughed. “Not used to flying?” she asked over the rush of the wind around them.
“I’ll be perfectly honest - no!” Kyle called back. “I like my feet firmly on the ground, thanks!”
“I hope you didn’t get in too much trouble there,” Scootaloo said, her expression becoming worried. “I could tell that King Varian didn’t like the idea of you training me,”
“Doesn’t matter,” Kyle replied. “Neither did Twilight, but she got over it. What’s done is done, and I have no regrets for my actions. Besides which, it’s not his place to judge.”
“What do you mean?”
“King Varian doesn’t have any say in who trains whom to be a Monk,” Kyle explained as his Gryphon soared over the wall leading from the canals to the Mage Quarter. “He might disapprove, but he cannot forbid it. That is decided entirely by the Master Monks at the Peak of Serenity in Pandaria.”
“And what do you think they’ll say?”
“I don’t know,” Kyle admitted. “But it’s their judgement I’m more worried about.”
The rest of the flight passed in silence. Kyle angled his Gryphon and soared around the large tower that jutted out of the heart of the Mage Quarter and began to descend. His Gryphon flew over the wall and gracefully dropped to the ground, landing softly on the grass. The other Gryphons landed around him as he dismounted and stroked the Gryphon’s beak in gratitude for the flight.
Varian hopped off of his Gryphon and landed with a hard thud, his armored boots squashing the grass he landed on. “Well, sergeant?” he asked. “Where’s that portal?”
“It should be re-appearing soon, sir,” Kyle replied. “The controller on the other side has to keep re-opening the portal. It connects two worlds - it requires a lot of energy to keep it open.”
As Kyle finished, a loud rushing sound filled his ears, like gusts of wind through the leaves during a strong storm. A bright light appeared a short distance away. The group watched as the bright light grew larger and stronger, until finally it formed into a swirling portal.
“So that’s what it looks like on this side…” Kyle murmured
Varian blinked, staring at the portal. “Well… it looks like you weren’t kidding, Sergeant.” he said quietly. He turned his gaze back to Kyle. “So, what now?”
“Scootaloo and I will go back through,” Kyle said. “I’ll tell Princess Celestia that you wish to speak with her. Just wait here, and we’ll keep the portal going until the Princess comes through.”
“Light be with you,” Anduin murmured.
Kyle nudged Scootaloo, who flicked him with her tail. With one more glance behind him, the two stepped back through the portal.
On the other side, Twilight’s eyes lit up as Kyle stepped out of the portal. “Thank Celestia you’re back!” she exclaimed.
“We’re back,” Kyle nodded as Scootaloo walked past him. “What’s the situation?”
“Not good,” Twilight admitted. “Princess Celestia has managed to stall Chrysalis, but the Changelings just keep coming up over the hill. There’s got to be at least ten thousand. Please, please tell me that you got the Alliance to send aid.”
“King Varian has requested to speak with Princess Celestia,” Kyle replied. “I believe we will be getting some help. How much, I cannot say.”
“He wants to speak with her? Now?” Twilight demanded. “She’s still stalling Chrysalis! If she’s pulled away -”
“I’m here,” Celestia’s voice echoed through the entrance hall as she appeared from the stairwell. Her expression was as soft as ever, but her eyes darted this way and that, betraying her worry. “Negotiations have collapsed. The attack will begin within the hour.”
Celestia then turned her attention to Kyle. “You have returned, Mr. Slater. And not a moment too soon,” she added. “What is the word from Azeroth? Has your King agreed to send help?”
“He has requested to speak with you. Personally,” Kyle admitted. “He and a few others are waiting on the other side of the portal.”
Celestia’s expression hardened for an instant before returning to normal. “I suppose, then, that I will have to meet with him,” she sighed. “I would like for you to accompany me, Mr. Slater. At least until we have been introduced.” She turned her eyes towards Twilight. “Please keep the portal open until we have returned,” she instructed.
“What about me?” Scootaloo asked. “What can I do?”
“You? You can go find Princess Luna and Princess Cadence,” Kyle said. “They have a portal to Canterlot.”
“What?!” Scootaloo exclaimed, her expression hurt. “Why? I can fight! I can take care of myself!”
“I don’t doubt that, but your ability is irrelevant,” Kyle countered. “You are still a filly. I promised your parents that I would make sure you were safe. It’s not safe here.”
“But Kyle, I -”
Kyle knelt down next to Scootaloo, looking her in the eyes. “Do you remember what I told you before we came?” he asked. “I told you to follow my instructions, and you agreed. If I told you to fight, you agreed to fight. If I told you to hide, you agreed to hide. And if I told you to leave me and save yourself, you agreed to run.”
“But I -”
“Remember, Scootaloo,” Kyle murmured with a knowing smile. “As a Monk, even an apprentice, you have certain duties to others. Even if we don’t like it, we have to do what needs to be done.”
Scootaloo’s eyes went wide for an instant before a frown formed on her face. “Alright…” she sighed, kicking her hooves. “I’ll go,”
“There we go,” he patted her on the back, pushing himself back to his feet. He watched as Scootaloo flicked Kyle with her tail, spread her wings and took off down the corridor towards the dining hall.
“You sure she’ll take the portal to Canterlot?” Twilight asked with a small frown.
“She’ll do what I told her to do,” Kyle replied.
“If you’re sure…” Twilight said uncertainly
“Now, Mr. Slater,” Celestia said, returning Kyle’s attention to her. “Let us go and meet your King.”
Kyle nodded and made his way back towards the portal. He stepped into the swirling vortex of energy and emerged back out into Azeroth.
A few seconds later, Princess Celestia emerged as well. Kyle felt the air around them grow thick with tension as the entourage of Humans saw her for the first time. Though Kyle had grown rather accustomed to her presence, there was no doubt that she simply radiated power - a feature that proved to be very intimidating to all those present.
All except for two. Varian appeared to be unaffected by the solar princess’s presence, while Anduin appeared more intrigued and curious than afraid. Perhaps his natural affinity to the Light granted him greater courage, or perhaps he sensed that she intended no harm, but he stood firm while the three guards moved their hands to their weapons.
Varian quickly raised a hand, signalling to his guards to stop. For a long moment, he and Celestia locked gazes, their heights nearly identical. Finally, Varian lowered his hand, instead crossing it over his breastplate in a gesture of courtesy. “Greetings, Princess Celestia,” he said, his voice strong and steadfast. “I am Varian Wrynn, King of Stormwind, High King of the Grand Alliance,”
Celestia inclined her head in a similar respectful gesture. “Greetings, King Varian. I am Celestia, Princess of the Sun and Co-Ruler of Equestria. I assume that Mr. Slater has already filled you in on the details of our situation?”
Varian glanced over at Kyle. “I’ve been told enough to understand,” he replied. “Your city is under attack and requires help. How long do you believe your current defenders can last?”
“Our guard is trained for one-on-one combat, not a battlefield,” Celestia replied. “The Changelings will begin their attack within the hour. After that… I cannot say.”
Varian nodded grimly. He looked over his shoulder at the rest of the group. “Knight-Captain Slater!” He called over his shoulder. “Take your Gryphon and round up every able-bodied soldier you can find. Royal decree - All leave, save for injury or health reasons, is cancelled. They are to report to this location, immediately. My guards will be waiting to point them to the portal.”
“Yes sir!” Matthias saluted, a small grin breaking across his face.
“Corporal Morkie!” Varian announced, causing the Gnome to jump. “Go to the inns and taverns across Stormwind. Gather as many adventurers as you can. All who answer the call will be well-rewarded.”
“Yes sir!” Morkie replied, also saluting. The two soldiers mounted their Gryphons again and took to the air, flying back over the wall into the city.
“Thank you, King Varian,” Celestia smiled. “We will not forget this act of kindness.”
“We have much to discuss, Princess,” Varian frowned. “But now is neither the time nor place. My troops will enter the portal when they arrive. Make sure that it remains open.”
“Of course,” Celestia replied. “I must return to my Ponies, but once the crisis has passed, we will certainly speak at greater length.”
“Glory and honor, Princess.”
“Peace and prosperity.”
Celestia turned and returned back through the portal, leaving Kyle alone with Varian, Anduin, and the three guards. He turned towards the portal and took a step forward, but stopped. He looked back over his shoulder at the King, who was staring at him intensely.
“Permission to return to the front line, sir?”
Varian continued to stare at him for a long moment. Kyle could feel the tension as he awaited the word of his King.
Finally, Varian closed his eyes and nodded. “Permission granted.” His lips curved upwards in a smirk. “And don’t you dare come back until that Changeling Queen is dead.”
“Yes sir!” Kyle saluted with a grin, moving towards the portal. Not that he wouldn’t have gone through the portal anyway. Even if he had to defy a direct order from his King, nothing would keep him from this fight. Still, it was nice to not have to deal with the repercussions of such an action later.
As Kyle stepped through into Equestria once more, he saw Twilight beckoning him over to her. He quickly moved away from the portal and ran over to her.
“Kyle, you have to get down there. Now!” Twilight exclaimed, her eyes dilated in fear. “Chrysalis has ordered her Changelings forward! They’re moving into the city! Princess Celestia said the Alliance was sending help, but -”
“As much as they can spare,” Kyle interrupted. “They’ll need a little time to gather their forces, but given the speed at which Matthias and Morkie were flying, I’d estimate the first wave to come through in half an hour or so.”
“But the Changelings are attacking now!”
Kyle smirked. “Then we’ll just have to buy them a little time,” he replied, turning away from Twilight. He sprinted towards the stairwell and ran down the steps, the grin never leaving his face.
“Let them come,” he murmured to himself. “We’ll be ready.”