Ponyblade Chronicles

by ZeroChill


Bonus #4 - Generosity and Determination

Rarity and Melia walked down an opulent hallway with bright lights flashing from the ceiling above. The two were escorted by a group of four High Entia adults adorned in armored robes and metal helmets with the top portion jetting out in a beak-like fashion, hiding away their faces.

“So, Melia…” Rarity began. “While I am grateful that you took me in, I am but a foreigner in your world and you are the Crown Princess of your kind. Isn’t it a bit unusual that you brought me into your own home?”

Melia looked down onto the ground, her eyes deep with thought. She looked towards Rarity and smiled.

“At first, I was somewhat frightened when I heard that an unusual creature was spotted just off one of the islands on Eryth Sea. I elected to make this encounter. However, when I looked upon your style, I had a nagging suspicion that you were more than just an unusual creature. You didn’t look hostile, either.” She explained.

“I try my best to be as welcoming and friendly as possible. After all, I do not wish to be associated with barbaric beings just because of how I act.” Rarity commented, uttering a good-natured chuckle.

“Whatever fate did to bring us together, Rarity, I’m glad that it happened. From how we interacted, we have many traits in common, and I’m happy that you haven’t commented on my wings.” Smiling, Melia responded.


Taking her wording into account, Rarity looked at Melia’s wings and then glanced over to the wings of the guards; while the guards’ wings were half the size of their body, Melia’s wings were stubs compared to them.

“But why wouldn’t you want me to comment on those beautiful wings you have? They fit your form perfectly and don’t look as out of place as any of your guards’ wings do. No offense to you four.”

“None taken, Miss Rarity.” The guard to the back right of the group responded in an understanding tone.

“You really think my wings look good, Rarity?” Shying her head away slowly, Melia asked.

“Positive. I’m not sure why you make them seem like they are worse than my mane being a green color, but it is a part of who you are and you should display them proudly. I know that if my friends saw you, they would also give you glowing comments on your wings.” Rarity responded proudly.

“I’m… at a loss for words. No one has ever said anything nice about my wings before…” Her voice trailing off towards silence, Melia uttered out.

Rarity raised an eyebrow in suspicion and looked towards one of the guards.

“I think I must be missing something. Do any of you gentlecolts wish to enlighten me?” She asked.

“We’ll answer that question after you understand a bit more on how Alcamoth works.” The guard nearest to Rarity answered.


Rarity, Melia and the four guards walked into a large chamber. Towards their right, a large path stretched down a brightly-lit hallway with water cascading from fountains beyond the railings of the path. A strip from a red carpet stretched down it.

In front of their eyes, an ethereal platform rose above the ground. Robed in very decorative robes when compared to the guards around him, a wizened man stood proudly upon the platform. His beard was snow white and his ears were pointed in elven fashion. Large wings protruded from the back of his head, giving him a heavenly air. In his right hand rested an ancient staff born of silver, with wings arching and crossing each other at the top end.

The man looked towards his left, smiling softly towards what came in his sight. The guards bent down upon their knees and bowed. Looking around her, Rarity followed their example and bowed as well.

“It seems that our guest has awakened, Melia.” He said.

“She had me worried for a moment, Father. But, she seems to be in good condition.” Melia answered, curtseying towards the man.

“Rise, young creature who graces my court.” Raising his left arm, the man spoke. Rarity stood up on her hooves and looked up towards him. “I welcome you to the Imperial City of Alcamoth. My name is Sorean Antiqua, Emperor of the High Entia. What is your name?” Sorean asked.

“My name is Rarity, your highness. It is a great privilege to be within the presence of royalty.” Very humbly, Rarity answered.

“It seems that my daughter has taken quite the liking to you, Miss Rarity. While you are very strange, I do not see a problem with your presence in my hallways. Seeing your etiquettes and mannerisms, I can see that this isn’t your first time being within the presence of royalty.” Smiling, Sorean stated.

“I do not mean to come off as brash, Emperor Sorean, but I am quite versed within the norms of the High Culture. I meet with royalty very often, and one of my friends is a princess as well. I am always on the most formal of behavior.” Rarity answered, a hopeful smile shining on her face.

Sorean looked around the room, glancing towards all of the guards. He nodded his head twice. All of the guards nodded once and walked out of the chambers, leaving himself, Rarity and Melia alone.

“I can see that you are definitely not a creature born from the Bionis or anywhere else in this world, Rarity. The closest we have as a comparison are Elks, and they have not a shred of sapience that you have. I would like to know more about you.” Sorean inquired.

“I am from a world that is known as Equestria. It is a world populated with various creatures that share within this field of sapience. I belong to a species gifted with this sapience known as ponies. More specifically, I belong to a race of ponies known as unicorns. Unicorns are known in my world as being able to tap into magical forces using our horns as the conductor.” Rarity explained.

Sorean raised in eyebrow in interest near the end of Rarity’s words.

“Magical forces? Would you, by any chance, be willing to demonstrate your control over them?” He asked.

Rarity nodded silently. Her horn flashed a soft blue color. The air sparked with brilliant lights and wisps of illusion, a mystical mist thickening into a galaxy of stars. Sorean and Melia eyed the demonstration with dropped jaws and sighs of awe.

“Melia.” Sorean asked, turning towards Melia. “Should we show our abilities towards Rarity as well? It might be in her best interest.”

“It would be my honor, father.” Smiling, Melia answered.

Both Sorean and Melia both closed their eyes. Their right hands began glowing with a yellow aura. Yellow energy broke into the contained space above with the glow of a sun, bringing daybreak into the mystical atmosphere. Rarity’s eyes widened, a gasp of astonishment escaping her voice and her coat shining upon the rays striking her.

“Is that… magic?” Amazed, Rarity asked.

The sun and atmosphere effects faded, with all three catalysts of supernatural forces having their auras fade.

“No, Rarity. What we were all doing, you included, was tapping into the ether of the Bionis.” Melia stated.

“…Ether? But, it feels so much like magic.” Rarity answered.

“Maybe it is known as magic where you come from, but we High Entia are able to manipulate ether with relative ease, the same way you can.” Melia stated.

“So… the High Entia are very much like the unicorns of Bionis?” Rarity asked.

“In a way, yes. I’m not sure how well the transition is from unicorn to High Entia, but we both have exceptional control over the force of ether. In that way, we are related.” Sorean stated.

“It does explain why the energy around here feels a bit different than magic… Since we have introductions out of the way, I would like to know more about High Entian culture, Emperor.” Rarity requested with an enthusiastic gusto in her tone.

Sorean laughed heartily.

“You are probably the first being in my two-hundred and twenty years of ruling to have shown a keen interest in our culture, Rarity.” He stated, looking over towards Melia. “Melia, my daughter, I wish for you to show our guest around Alcamoth as well as give a bit of history on it.”

“Are you sure I should do that, father? Do you trust me with going out in public with a foreigner?” Melia asked with a hint of nervousness in her tone.

Sorean closed his eyes and exhaled. A warm fire appeared in his eyes.

“Of course I trust you, Melia. You have budded into a wonderful young woman that is fit to bear the crown of Alcamoth. The crowned princess of Alcamoth must be able to hold herself with dignity when dealing with diplomatic business such as this. Consider this a test for you, Melia; it would test your knowledge of your home and your mental diversity.”

Melia kneeled down on one knee and looked up towards Sorean with a solemn smile on her face.

“It would be my honor, father. For my right to the crown, I shall gladly show our guest around Alcamoth.” She answered.

Rarity smiled, and Sorean looked on approvingly.

“Then, it is time to take your first steps towards proving your lineage, Melia.” Sorean stated.


Melia and Rarity walked down to the halls, accompanied by the four guards that walked them into the chamber of the emperor. The light bounced off of the waters that flowed with the temperament of a gazelle, casting a calming glow. The people walked back and forth through the halls. Rarity glanced up towards Melia with inquiring eyes.

“Your father seems like a nice man, Melia.” She said.

“He is, but he’s far too busy with maintaining Alcamoth. Most of the time he spends with me is to prepare me for being the next empress of Alcamoth. Then… there is my mixed heritage.” Melia stated.

“Oh?” Rarity asked. “Do tell how your heritage plays into all of this.”

“You have noticed that my wings are shorter than most of the other High Entia of the building, correct? It has to do with the fact that I am part Homs.” Melia replied, before stopping in place and placing her hand underneath her chin, grasping it slightly. “It is a custom for the emperor to have two consorts; one from the High Entia, and one from the Homs. I do not know why it is done, but it leads to fate giving me a Homs mother.”

“Can you tell me the differences between a Homs and a High Entia, Melia?” Rarity asked.

One of the guards around Melia glanced towards her with excited anticipation. Melia cracked a soft smile.

“I will let Garan explain that. He specializes more within Homs and High Entia relations.” She said.

“While a Homs and a High Entia may look very similar, there are drastic physical differences between the two; first off, a Homs person does not have the head wings that we High Entia share. Next, a Homs does not have the capability of controlling ether as we High Entia do. Finally a Homs person’s life span is a quarter of a typical High Entia’s life span. While the average life span of a High Entia person is four-hundred years, a Homs person typically lives an average life span of one-hundred years.” Garan stated.

Rarity’s head shot up, and then she cocked it.

“Isn’t that interesting? Normally, we ponies live just as long as these Homs do. I’m only nineteen years-old, after all.” She stood in her exact position for a few seconds, ruminating on her thoughts. With a flash of brilliance stroking her mind, she grinned. “With long lifespans, control of a magic-like substance and wings, your people remind me of the alicorns of my world!”

“I assume that alicorns are capable of using ether, have long life spans and are capable of flight? Quite the similarities our worlds share, Miss Rarity. However, we are derailing from the topic.” Garan stated. “You want to know more about the High Entia and Homs, correct?”

Rarity shied her head away, but looked back with a serious expression.

“I suppose you are right. Since Melia has a Homs mother, she is half-High Entia?” She stated.

“That is correct. While part High Entias have the same features as full-blooded High Entias, we are detected by our short wings.” Melia responded.

“As far as wings go, you already know my opinion on your wings, Melia.” Rarity said, looking towards Garan. “If your name is Garan, then who are the other guards?”

“My name is Aizel.” Aizel introduced with an even-headed tone.

“My name is Hoggard.” Hoggard stated with a bow.

“My name is Damil.” Damil stated, standing still.

“It is nice to be fully acquainted with you four.” Rarity stated, closing her eyes and keeping a sophisticated air.

Walking through the foyer, a stream of light broke through from the gate leading outside, revealing a city made of white stone and blue metal. Waters spread throughout large fountains crafted from the very best of experts. Various High Entia men, women and children walked through the streets with the solemn grace of a crane. Among their numbers, various Nopon walked hand in hand with them, achieving unity that makes peace everlasting seem like reality. The city was covered in a huge glass dome, letting shimmering light enter within its radius and nourishing the life within.

Opening her eyes, a loud gasp escaped from Rarity’s mouth. Her lips curved into a brilliant smile, seeing the vibrancy before her eyes.

“This is Alcamoth?! I mean, I know the building we are in has to be beautiful since it is the royal palace, but I never knew that a city could ever be so wondrous! And look at those vehicles!” She said, pointing towards a blue machine hovering above the ground and carrying people within.

“The citizens of Alcamoth have pride in demonstrating our mental prowess. Not only are we gifted with ether control, but our minds have allowed us to continue in the pursuits of philosophy, technology and the arts. We would only have the best for our city.” Melia stated, smiling with a huff of pride seeping into her voice.

“I can see that. How about we explore the rest of the city? I cannot wait to see what it has in store for us!” Rarity pleaded.

Melia turned towards her Aizel, Hoggard, Garan and Damil. She looked into the centers of their masks with sovereign order.

“We understand, Princess.” Aizel stated, following up with breaking apart from Rarity and Melia with the other guards.

“Aizel, Hoggard, Garan and Damil cannot accompany us, unfortunately. It would attract too much attention to us.” Melia reasoned.

Rarity nodded, signaling the both of them to take the first steps outside.

“That’s a strange set of stairs ahead. It looks like they are moving.” She said, pointing towards the two large conveyor belts that transition between the two tiers of the city.

“That is the idea. It allows for easy access between the upper and lower levels of the city.” Melia replied.

Rarity smiled, walking onto a belt that descends towards the lower tier with Melia by her side.

Hoggard looked at the duo as they left the castle. Though his face was masked, his body stood in bated breath at the sight.

“Hoggard, are you still watching them?” Walking to his side, Damil asked.

“Please excuse me, Damil. I was just overcome with a bit of emotion. Melia practically grew up in our care, so it is somewhat breathtaking to see her actually find someone she can call a friend. In a way, it is the happiest I have seen her in sixty years.” Hoggard stated, his voice dipping lowly.

“Now that you mention it, Melia does look much happier around Miss Rarity. Perhaps… perhaps it will take away the burdens that she carries. Half-blooded High Entias aren’t exactly adored the rest of the populace, after all. Combine that with her mother dying while she was a toddler and the distrust of her position from the people… I’m glad that she has someone other than us who she can be herself around.” Damil said with his voice breaking slightly.

“…Are you crying, Damil?” Hoggard asked.

“I’m sorry, Hoggard. I know that Lady Melia’s knights should not cry, but I do not know of any other way to express the emotions in my heart.” Damil responded.

“I understand, Damil. I understand…”