//------------------------------// // 12: Stoking the Embers // Story: Under the Sun's Wings // by Foxy Kimchi //------------------------------// Honeycomb sat at a table in the cafeteria, chewing her food. The changeling looked down at her hoof, staring at her half-eaten bread roll. A content sigh escaped her lips. Even though it was only bread, it was nice to start eating more solid foods. Over the past few days, her teeth ceased bothering her, and she had been learning how to fly. She continued munching on her meal slowly as she looked at the saddle bag sitting next to her. Honeycomb was confused when she was given it a few days ago. Solaris told her that she had to practice writing her name in cursive and read from some official looking book. It was a good thing it was only her name, since she never learned how to write cursive. That, and the reading contained all sorts of complicated protocols and was quite dry for her taste. She had no idea why she was being told to do such things, but she wasn’t going to question Solaris. Things were going smoothly, and she wasn’t that stupid to ruin it. Her situation was not the most ideal, being stuck in hostile territory, but her current situation was tolerable. The changeling closed her eyes, thinking about her food. She never imagined she would have a luxury like butter with fresh bread. A muffled sigh of content left her lips as she took another large bite. “Yo!” Honeycomb’s ears perked as she looked up, slowly chewing. There were two mares in front of her, both grey unicorns. One had bright-red eyes and a jet-black mane, while the other had green eyes and a silvery-white mane. “Hey there!” the white-maned mare greeted. Honeycomb blinked while both mares continued to smile. She looked to her sides, expecting to see some other pony respond to the pair. Slowly, she swallowed her food. “Me?” she asked quietly, pointing to herself. “Well, yeah,” the mare with red eyes replied, “who do you think we were talking to?” Honeycomb put down her food, her ears flattening. “I’m s-sorry, do I… do I know you two?” Both mares giggled. “We’re sorry,” the green eye mare replied. “I am Gleaming Marble, but you can call me Marble if that makes it easier. This is my sister, Scarlet Velvet.” “Scarlet works just as well,” Scarlet Velvet added. Honeycomb’s eyes shifted between the sisters, her hooves shaking slightly under the table. “Have we met? I am sorry if we did, but I have been rather… busy. I apologize if I have forgotten—” “Whoa,” Scarlet interrupted. “Easy there, no need to apologize. We never officially met.” “Oh,” Honeycomb replied, trying to make herself seem smaller. “But you probably know us,” Scarlet continued as she pointed to herself and then her sister. Honeycomb shook her head. “No, sorry.” “What?” Marble replied, her eyes widening. “Really?” Again, the changeling shook her head. “You know Feather Duster right? Every employee goes through her at some point.” Honeycomb nodded, trying to hide behind her mane. “We’re her daughters,” Scarlet interjected. “Oh…” “I thought ponies knew us,” Marble replied with a shrug. “Guess not, but that doesn't matter!” “It doesn’t?” “Nope!” Scarlet replied as she sat down from across the disguised changeling, her sister following her lead. “Because we know you, Honeycomb!” Honeycomb’s eyes widened, her heart now pounding in her chest. “W-what, how do you know my name?” “Yep!” Marble said as she brought her head closer, smiling. “Everypony knows who you are!” Honeycomb gulped. “T-they do?” “Of course,” Scarlet answered. “Do you think ponies wouldn’t notice? The moment you showed up, everypony noticed. You are making quite the splash here at the palace.” “Yep, you’re the talk of the town!” Marble exclaimed. Honeycomb looked at the two mares smiling at her, trying to sink lower in her seat. “Why? What did I do?” “Seriously?” Marble asked as she looked her sister. “You’re kidding, right?” Scarlet replied. Honeycomb shook her head. “You are the assistant to Lord Solaris himself!” “Is… is that a big deal?” “Of course it is!” Marble interjected. “Why? It is just a job, right?” “Just a job?” Scarlet said. “You are the assistant to one of the two rulers of this nation! As far as I can remember, Lord Solaris never had a personal assistant. He is a private pony. Only a few beings are in his inner circle.” “Yeah,” Marble continued, “the only chance we get to see him is from afar, either at court or just catching a glimpse as he walks around the palace.” “Oh,” Honeycomb replied, “I didn’t know that.” That, and I am not really his assistant. Captive is a better word, she thought. “So,” Scarlet whispered as she leaned over the table, her sister copying her. “What’s he like?” “Yeah,” Marble added, “what sort of stuff do you have to do for him?” “Oh… um… I don’t know if I should really talk about that kind of stuff,” Honeycomb mumbled. “Aww, really? Well, I guess that’s understandable, him being a ruler and all,” Scarlet replied as she sat back. “So, what about you?” “Me?” “Yea, you. It is quite rare to see a pony our age working here that is not in the guard. Most staff members tend to be older and more experienced. It is pretty hard to actually get a job here as a staff member. It is pretty selective. We were able to get in because our mother is the Head of Staff, but we are just interns.” “Yep,” Marble said. “So it is really cool to find another pony our age to hang out with. Come, bring your food and sit with us. We and our friends would like to get to know you better. It is not easy being the new pony.” “Friends?” Honeycomb muttered, trying to shrink more. “Over there,” Scarlet directed as she pointed at a table in the corner with a few guards. The guards, in return, waved in response. Honeycomb gasped when she saw the guards, her hooves trembling below the table. “Come on, it’s no fun to eat by yourself,” Scarlet remarked with a smile. Honeycomb looked at Scarlet and then her sister. She gulped as she looked down at her finished food. What do I do? Both sisters continued to smile. “S-sorry,” Honeycomb muttered. “Lord Solaris needs me shortly.” Scarlet and Marble frowned, their ears flattening. “At this hour?” Scarlet asked. Honeycomb nodded. “Well, then it would be best not to keep him waiting.” Marble sighed. “Y-yes,” Honeycomb replied as she got up, placing her tray on her back. “But hey,” Scarlet said as she looked at Honeycomb. “Next time, you sit with us, okay?” Honeycomb weakly nodded, taking a step back as she tried to get out of there. “Promise?” The changeling again nodded. “Alright then, see ya around, Honeycomb.” Honeycomb quickly turned around, rushing to her room. Honeycomb looked at the shaking parchment in her hooves. She tried to steady herself, but she could not stop herself. Honeycomb looked up from her parchment, gazing out over the throne room. There were a constant shuffling of ponies around her, multiple voices adding to the commotion. She gulped, seeing the eyes of many ponies staring up at her. “Is the guard ready?” “Of course.” “Is the list of registered suppliants ready?” “Yes, ma’am.” “Do we have enough forms?” “Yes, ma’am.” Honeycomb sighed as she tugged on the collar of her shirt, and looked down at her outfit. Feather Duster had given it to her and insisted she wear it. According to her, it was the standard business attire, a white-collared button shirt and a black vest. She had no idea why ponies would wear such things. For her, it kept bothering her, the constricting clothing rubbing against her fur. Her ears flicked as she heard a door near her open. “Lord Solaris!” a pony called out. Instantly, the guards in the room saluted while everypony else bowed. Honeycomb opened an eye, looking up from the ground as she watched Solaris walk to his throne. When he finally sat down, everypony assumed their normal positions. “Welcome back, my Lord,” greeted an older looking guard near the base of the throne. Solaris gave a slight nod and a smile as he adjusted himself on his throne. “L-Lord Solaris,” Honeycomb whispered as she took a step closer to the alicorn. “I don’t think I am ready for this.” Solaris raised an eyebrow. “Honeycomb, you will be fine. We went over this already.” “But how do you know?” “You have been practicing for a while. You will be fine.” Honeycomb gulped as she looked down. “But what if I mess up?” “What do you think will happen?” Solaris asked, his expression stoic. “I dunno. I don’t want to upset you.” “I told you, Honeycomb, you don’t have to worry about that.” “But what if somepony else gets mad?” “Then they will have to answer to me.” “But—” “Honeycomb, if you spend all your time worrying about what will go wrong, nothing will ever get done.” Honeycomb weakly nodded as she sat back up. She had no idea why Solaris wanted her to be the speaker in his court. When he first told her, she wanted to question his decision, but the thought was quickly quelled. “Lord Solaris,” a guard said, saluting at the bottom of the steps to Solaris’ throne, “we’re ready.” “Alright,” Solaris replied. “Let them in.” Honeycomb gulped as she watched the large oaken doors slowly open, a large line of ponies making way their way in. Her ears flattened as she saw the line extended past the doors. “Go on, Honeycomb,” Solaris urged quietly, “they should all be in order.” Honeycomb tried to calm herself, her hooves shaking. She looked out at the crowd, her ears flattening when she saw them looking back at her. Honeycomb looked back at Solaris, only to see him nod. The changeling closed her eyes, letting out a large sigh. She coughed into her hoof before looking to the crowd then back at her parchment. “W-welcome to the court of Lord Solaris,” Honeycomb announced, trying to project her voice as loud as she can. “Suppliants will be seen based on the registered order. The court will see all suppliants that are registered, or until court has run out. “Those not seen today will be placed in the front of the registered list and will be first seen tomorrow if they choose to. With that said, Lord Solaris’ Court will now proceed. Will the first suppliant please step forward?” A brown unicorn stepped forward, giving a slight bow. Honeycomb looked down at her parchment. Cappuccino Cup Honeycomb’s ears flattened. What? she thought. She coughed into her hoof again. “Cap… Cappu…” “Cappuccino,” Solaris whispered. Honeycomb looked behind her, seeing Solaris giving her another nod. She took a deep breath. “Cappuccino Cup of Canterlot.” Honeycomb gave a parchment to Solaris then resumed her position by his side. The changeling looked down at her list, the line of ponies much shorter. She sighed, glad she was almost done. It started out roughly for her. She stumbled her words at first, but as the day went by, she got better with each passing petitioner. The more preoccupied she was, the less she thought about her situation, and thus the less nervous she became. Honeycomb let out a groan as she stretched her back. Stifling a yawn, she looked down at the next pony on the list. Prince Blueblood, 54th descendant of Lord Solaris She blinked. Solaris had a foal? Honeycomb thought. There was a low murmur in the room, causing Honeycomb to lift her head. A rather large, white unicorn strutted in through the door, holding his head up proudly . If he was really related to the rulers of Equestria, she could see why. “My Lord,” the unicorn greeted with a slight bow. “Blueblood,” Solaris acknowledged. Honeycomb looked back at the alicorn. She was not sure, but for some reason, his voice seemed to have sounded… colder? “I am here for a request,” Blueblue stated, lifting his head slightly higher. “Blueblood,” Solaris replied, a stoic expression on his face. “If this is about earlier, I already told you my answer.” Honeycomb watched as Blueblood’s nostrils flared ever so slightly. “You have me wrong, my Lord,” Blueblood replied as he placed a hoof on his chest. “I am here for another matter.” Honeycomb barely heard the alicorn’s sigh, even when she was standing only a few feet away from him. “Honeycomb,” Solaris called quietly. Honeycomb turned her head. “Yes, Lord Solaris?” “Fetch me a glass of water,” he commanded as he nodded towards a tray with a water pitcher. “Yes, sir,” Honeycomb complied as she hurried to fulfil the request. Solaris adjusted himself in his throne, straightening his back. He looked back at Blueblood at the base of the throne. “And what would that be?” “Well,” Blueblood said as he puffed out his chest, “I heard a rumor.” Honeycomb brought the tray next to Solaris, grabbing the pitcher in her hooves. “I have more important things to worry about rather than listening to rumors. If you have come to my court for such a thing, you are wasting both yours and my time,” Solaris stated. “And I would agree with that statement,” Blueblood retorted. “It is indeed a waste of time for important ponies to listen to silly rumors.” “So then, why are you here?” Honeycomb slowly poured the water into a glass, making sure not to make another mistake. “I hear we have a changeling,” Blueblood remarked, a smirk on his face. Honeycomb barely managed to suppress a yelp as the pitcher shook in her hooves. She held on to it, but not before spilling a small amount onto the tray and floor. “I’m sorry!” “It’s fine,” Solaris said coldly, his gaze fixed on Blueblood. “B-but—” “Honeycomb, I said you’re fine. That’s enough,” Solaris whispered. Honeycomb nodded as she took a step back. She looked at the crowd, hearing the agitated murmurs among the crowd and the guard. Her hooves started to shake, her wings twitching while she gulped. The changeling tried to calm herself. Don’t make a scene. “That is not a rumor,” Solaris stated, his expression unchanged. “My sister and I already announced that we found a changeling after the attack, and said changeling had been taken care of.” Honeycomb could hear the murmurs increase among the other ponies. “But you did not let me finish, my Lord,” Blueblood continued as he started to pace around. He looked at the crowd of ponies, a smile on his face as all eyes focused on him. “The rumor is that the changeling is still here in the palace.” A gasp filled the room. “Enough,” Solaris said sternly, silencing the room. He looked back at Blueblood. “Why would you say such a thing, Blueblood?” “If,” Blueblood emphasized as he again looked back at the crowd, “a filthy changeling is here in Canterlot, then it should be put on trial!” The murmurs grew even louder as a few ponies nodded their heads. “That is not needed, Blueblood. I told you, my sister and I have already taken care of it.” “So, are you saying that the changeling is still somewhere in Canterlot?” Solaris’ ears flicked. “Are you questioning me?” he asked, gritting his teeth slightly. “Of course not,” Blueblood replied as he continued to walk. “Like I said, it is just a rumor. But if we did, don’t you think we should have a trial? I mean, if one of those vermin was here, don’t you think the public is owed that at least?” “I told you, Blueblood, it has been taken care of,” Solaris reaffirmed, his voice low. His mane and tail started flicking a little more than normal. Blueblood looked back to the crowd. “But those monsters attacked our fair city. Do the citizens of Canterlot, nay Equestria, deserve to see justice served?” Honeycomb watched as even more ponies crowd nodded their heads in agreement. She took a step back, looking back at Solaris. “Those foul beasts tarnished our lands and attacked our citizens. Ponies would not feel safe if they thought the enemy still wandered the streets!” Blueblood continued. Again, Honeycomb looked out to the crowd, now hearing ponies voicing their agreement with Blueblood. She gulped as she looked back at Solaris, looking for any form of solace, but instead her eyes widened at what she saw. Lord Solaris’ ears were slightly splayed back as he was gritting his teeth. The angry glare he was shooting at the unicorn before him sent a chill through Honeycomb’s body. “Blueblood, that is enough.” Blueblood stomped his hoof. “We urge you, Lord Solaris, retribution must be dealt! Those vermin must suffer!” “Blueblood, cease this foolishness.” Blueblood called out to the crowd. “Don’t you want justice? Have you not suffered enough? Is that not fair?” There were a few stomps of hooves as more ponies agreed. “Blueblood, enough… you are overstepping your boundaries,” Solaris warned, exhaling as his wings twitched. Honeycomb whimpered as she retreated further back towards Solaris. The room felt smaller, her heart pounding in her chest. “Don’t you agree though, Lord Solaris?” Blueblood argued. “Even you have suffered from the invasion. Surely you want revenge on the miscreants who struck you down.” The crowd erupted into an uproar, yelling their support at Blueblood’s words. “Enough!” Solaris roared as he stood up, his wings flared out. The entire room fell silent, every pony’s eyes wide in fear. “Get out,” Solaris growled. Both the guards and the crowd looked at each other in confusion. “Get out!” Solaris roared as he slammed his hoof down, shattering the floor beneath it. The crowd took a step back, their eyes wide in fear. “NOW!” There was a loud roar of hooves hitting the ground as everypony, including the guards, left the throne room. “Stay, Blueblood,” Solaris commanded as his eyes fixed on the stallion. Blueblood looked up with wide eyes as his ears splayed back, falling to his haunches. Honeycomb shrunk back as she looked up at Solaris. “L-lord Solaris?” the changeling whispered. “Leave, Honeycomb,” Solaris commanded, his eyes fixed on Blueblood. “Y-yes, right away,” Honeycomb replied quickly with a bow. Without wasting a second, she turned around and made her way through the back door. The door closed with a thud as Honeycomb leaned her back against it. Her heart pounded in her chest as she tried to calm it, panting loudly. She looked at the empty hallway, her eyes closing as she relaxed slightly. That was too close, she thought as she slid down, sitting. I thought ponies were going to find out about me. Her ears twitched as she heard muffled sounds through the door. Her heart raced when she heard the word ‘changeling’. Are they talking about me? she thought to herself. She gasped, placing her ear on the door. That was Solaris’ descendent. What happens if Solaris listens to him? Would Solaris go back on his word? He told me I wouldn’t have to go on trial if I worked for him, but what if Blueblood manages to convince him? Honeycomb gulped as she bit her lower lip. She looked down at her hooves, rubbing them together. She tried to placate her fears, but then she remembered the crowd supporting Blueblood. Her eyes drifted up towards the door handle. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door slightly and peaked through the crack. Solaris stepped down from his throne. His hooves stomped loudly, cracking the floor’s immaculate, marble tiles. “You little bastard! How dare you show me such disrespect, in my own home!” the ruler spat, his voice cold and hard. Blueblood took a step back, his head darting back and forth, hoping that there was another soul in the room. “L-Lord Solaris, what ever do you mean?” “DO NOT DARE PLAY IGNORANT WITH ME, BLUEBLOOD!” Solaris roared loudly. The smaller stallion wilted even further as he scurried back, his eyes wide with panic and fear as he started to hyperventilate. “You dare to challenge me?” Solars asked with a clenched jaw, his voice almost a growl. “B-but I didn’t do such a thing!” Blueblood cried out in desperation. “Do NOT lie to me!” Solaris roared as he threw his head in front of his great grandson. The smaller pony let out a yelp of terror as he huddled to the ground, not daring to make eye contact with Solaris. Solaris glared down as he started to walk around Blueblood, his eyes glowing a faint red hue. “You come into my court, question my policy in public, and try to turn my subjects against me. How is that not challenging my authority?” Blueblood laid low on his stomach and trembled, his nose almost touching the ground and his tail curled around his side. “I-I w-was just looking out for the good of the public—” Solaris reared onto his hindlegs before slamming both his forehooves into the ground, mere inches from the prince, sending fragments of marble into the air and causing the ground to tremor. “How many times must you lie to me? Are you trying to make me angry?” Solaris put a forehoof on his head, closing his eyes and exhaling loudly. His shook his head a moment later, his mane and tail blazing wildly. “You…” Solaris said, his voice low. “You better thank the heavens that your Aunt is here, because if she wasn’t, I would have struck you right here and now.” Blueblood let out a whimper, bringing his face to the ground and closing his eyes. “Challenging me in such a manner and lying to me. For the ‘good of the public’, ha!” Solaris barked as he threw his head back for emphasis. “Since when have you ever been a public servant?” The smaller pony did not reply, daring not to speak. “I know what this is about,” Solaris said as as he walked around the Blueblood. “You are still upset at the fact that I won’t let you use public funds to fix your house. Oh what a tragedy it must be for you to pay out of your own allowance. No, you just want someone to suffer for your own amusement.” Solaris again stopped in front of Blueblood, his wings flared out. “Look at me, and tell me I am wrong.” Blueblood’s body quivered as he slowly lifted his tear-stained face, his eyes wide with fear. His ears drooped back as he immediately tried to curl back at the sight of Solaris’ crimson-red eyes. “I-I j-just… b-but I…” Solaris did not move, his face hard. “N-no,” Blueblood said, his voice barely a whisper as he lowered his gaze. He was no longer able to look at Solaris. “I just heard that there was an enemy changeling and…” “And what if there is a changeling here, Blueblood? How does that change anything? What would you want to happen?” “I…” “Would you want to put them on a sham of a trial? Do you want to be the prosecutor, so you can have it beg and cry for its life in front of you? Do you want them hanged, so you can watch its hooves flail helplessly in the air? Or will you show mercy and just have it beheaded, so you can be the champion?” “I… I don’t know.” “If you wanted to talk to me like a responsible, respectful pony, you could have done so in private. That is a privilege only a few ponies have. If for some reason you thought something was wrong, you do not make a scene in public and disrespect my name.” The smaller pony gulped. “I am disappointed in you in so many ways, Blueblood.” Blueblood winced and shrunk even more. “Not with your recent behavior, but overall. I tried to stay my hoof and let you correct your ways on your own, hoping that you could see what others see, but I was wrong. You have been nothing but arrogant, thinking that you were somehow better than everypony else. I get so many complaints about you, Blueblood, so many that I am suprised when you don’t get one. You demand others to bow and treat you with respect when you have done nothing to deserve it and only step on those when they do.” Blueblood inhaled sharply, tears flowing freely from his eyes. “So let me remind you,” Solaris warned coldly, “your title of ‘Prince’ is in name only. You wield no power over others. Where you are right now, your lifestyle, only exist because you share some of my blood… however small it may be.” “This is the last straw, Blueblood, one more complaint about you or your behavior, and I will take everything. Your rank, your house, your money, and your property. You will have nothing.” “But those are mine!” Blueblood cried out as he jerked his head up. “NO!” Solaris yelled as he thrusted his face into Blueblood’s own. The ruler’s eyes stared directly into the smaller pony’s eyes. “It is my house! It is my money! Everything you think you own belongs to me! I am the one who had given it you! You only have it because I made a promise to your ancestors that I would make sure their descendants are looked after, but I will revoke that if need be. It is mine! My title and my power is there because I earned it. I had freed this land and unified it. I had protected it over many generations. There is one, and only one other pony that can lay claim to such a thing, only one who has the same authority as I do, and you are not her!” Blueblood was practically a quivering ball of fear, desperately trying, but failing, to sink into the ground and disappear from Solaris’ glare. Solaris lifted his head up, folding his wings to his side. “This will not go unpunished, Blueblood. For your actions, for your disrespect of my name, you are going to donate all of your yearly allowance to help those that are rebuilding from the attack. You are going to host a fundraising event, and do whatever it takes to help those in need. You are going to do this with a humble approach, even if you have to wear a mask and lie to look the part. And if you cannot do that, then you will find a pony who actually does care to host. I better be hearing of the community work that you will be doing soon. Is that clear?” “Y-yes,” Blueblood whimpered quietly, turning his head away. “Yes what?” Solaris growled. “Y-yes, Lord Solaris,” Blueblood replied louder as he bowed, his nose touching the ground. “Now, get out of my sight,” Solaris ordered. Blueblood quickly got up and nodded his head before running out a side door. Solaris stood there, exhaling loudly as he tried to calm himself. He turned around and made his way to the backdoor. Honeycomb quickly jumped up and scrambled away from the door, standing at attention. The changeling did not want to provoke the alicorn any more by letting him know that she eavesdropped on what had just transpired. Although she did not hear everything, she thought she had a good idea on what happened. Honeycomb let out a small gulp as Solaris walked through the doorway, slamming it behind him with his back hoof. He turned and look down at Honeycomb. “Y-yes, Lord Solaris?” Honeycomb asked as she stood rigid. “Your service will not be required today. Go and take the day off,” Solaris replied. Honeycomb’s ears flicked. His voice sounded normal, but there was something harsh hiding underneath it. Not wanting to anger him further, she nodded. “Sir, are you sure?” “Yes, I will see you tomorrow at the normal time,” Solaris answered as he walked away, his hooves hitting the ground harder than normal. Honeycomb stood at attention until Solaris was out of sight. She slumped down and leaned back against the wall, her heart racing in her chest. Taking a moment, she closed her eyes and tried to steady herself. When her breathing steadied, her eyes opened, staring at the end of the hallway where Solaris had left. She replayed the scenario in her head over and over. The changeling was shocked with what she had witnessed, Solaris yelling at his own offspring in such a wrathful manner. She thought she would surely be discovered, to be dragged to a trial or some gruesome end. The ponies in there wanted blood, and would have if Solaris did not intervene in such a way. It was obvious to her that no pony would bring up the subject after such a display. Slowly, a slight smile appeared on her muzzle. Did he just protect me?