//------------------------------// // Carry On [23] // Story: Stories in Stone, Lost Empire // by TDR //------------------------------// Stories in Stone Lost Empire By TDR Carry On [ White Tail Woods, Sunday 800 hours] The steady drip of water falling from above was the only real sound on the dark underground lake. The steady drips plunked out a odd rhythm that echoed though the underground at random points. There was a faint sloshing as a figure climbs onto a large trunk and pushes it off the bank into the water letting it drift with the faint current. “There's no earthly way of knowing Which direction we are going There's no knowing where we're rowing Or which way the river's flowing......” The figure leans over the side of the chest looking into the dark water. “Is it raining, is it snowing Is a hurricane a-blowing “ The voice picks up volume as well as a underlying tone of menace. “Not a speck of light is showing So the danger must be growing Are the fires of Tartarus a-glowing Is the grisly reaper mowing “ The voice builds nearly to a scream as the speed and inflection of the words increases. “Yes, the danger must be growing For the rowers keep on rowing And they're certainly not showing Any signs that they are slowing …..“ “Sweetiebelle!! Quit yelling in that freaky voice an start looking for supplies!” Scootaloo yells out from the shore. “But I'm BOOOORED and my magic's giving me a head ache trying to keep a light going. Why don't you come and look?” Sweetiebelle shouts back. “I would but I'm trying to preen this crap out of my wing, it tastes like soap and cat piss, so I'd gladly trade!” Scootaloo fusses. “How do yah know what cat piss tastes like?” questions Pip weakly from where he was laying on one of the only dry bedrolls they had found. “Opal.” both of them call out at the same time with enough certainty that Pip was afraid to ask any more. “Sorry ah asked.” Pip mutters. ================================================== [New Canterlot, Sunday, 900 hours. ] Angry eyes stared at the creature sitting in the rubble, he wanted nothing more than to rip this creatures head off and then defecate down it's neck. She would have been mortified for him thinking such thoughts, but she usually was when he got angry. Still like any good General he could tell that attacking the creature would just lead to pointless death, thus all he could do is seethe. He hated to think that he would have to wait for the others to make the first move, but at the very least he had respect for the one who commanded them. Ten years ago he had lost far too many of his friends and family in the war, despite the victory that they achieved. The greatest insult was that only a scant few even acknowledged their sacrifice. They built a towering arch to their own and buried his friends along with the enemy. He shouldn't have expected much more than that, but he had, and it left him even angrier than before. But then he came, one who's very presence set his nerves on fire, screaming at him to run, bolt for some where safe and pray that the he was looking for something else to feast on. He spoke with the Caretaker and the Caretaker in turn then asked his army. Names were given, family lines, friends, anything that was important was given, not even he could resist long if the Caretaker asked for something. Some time later it was with great surprise that they found something added to the edge of the forest, behind the caretaker's home, in a place where his kind would primarily be the ones to see it, so it was clearly for them. It was a large marble statue covered in engravings depicting every sort of creature one could think of. It rose from the forest floor like a massive pillar, the top was in a bowl shape to allow the birds to bathe in the rain water it collected, a garden of various plants and herbs, for meals was placed around it and engraved around the base were names. Names of all the fallen that had been given to the caretaker, the names of family, the friends that had died. There were only two ponies he respected enough to even bother remembering their names, and grant them titles. The Caretaker, Fluttershy. The General, Jer'rahd. Only those two had proven themselves worthy of Angel's respect. Now it was war again. He was old, but he was far from finished, the ponies were gone, whisked away some where. He was not worried, he knew the Caretaker was safe and the General could take care of himself. Age had caught up to him where conflict did not, in truth it was only stubbornness that he was still around at this point, he doubted that drive would keep him going many more years, but he knew when his time came the Caretaker would be devastated. He only hoped her young would be able to comfort her when his time came. They were dumb, but like any cubs they were the Caretaker's joy. None of that was here or there now though. He had a job to do. He glanced to either side of him to some of his most loyal minions. His second in command was slow, but tough, his advice came at a far more sedate pace than Angel liked, but it was always sound. Despite his lack of speed he had racked up an impressive kill count in the last war and his shell was covered with the scars. Tank His air commander was a creature that usually preyed upon his kind, though an agreement had been reached between the two after a vicious battle when they first met. There were none more intelligent in his group. The avian was devastating with his claws, and he saw everything. Owlowiscious The third was his brute force, a figure even Harry the bear was loathe to anger lest he face her sharp teeth. She was as old as he was and in command of his ground forces as no one would argue with a creature that could take down others five times her size and change the course of a stampede with her voice. Winona The last.... well even Angel wasn't sure what the deal with the last member of his inner circle. It seemed like the dopiest thing ever, a strange little creature that didn't even seem to acknowledge that anything was going on around it. It didn't respond to questions and the gumming got old after a while, but Angel had seen what had happened with he finally got serious and it was a sight to behold. He never left any foes behind to tell the tales of him. Gummy There were others of course. His intelligence commander had passed a few years ago in her sleep, despite the arguments they had he rather missed Opalescence . Then there were the new pair. He wasn't sure what to think of them just yet, though they had proven themselves. The first was a fire brand, a raging avian of fury the likes of which Angel had not seen since Elizibeak died years ago. His current air commander needed to watch himself of the new comer would take over. Despite her rage she was far older than any of his other companions, including tank, though she rarely acted it. Philomena. The last was a new comer though his skills were already showing and placing him in a position where he could take over for the lost Opal. He was the one who brought information of the current war to Angel's attention. He was the one who assured him the Caretaker was safe. He showed signs of learning things from the General, and constantly spared with the pony, to keep his skills sharp. Tiberius. The group of them ducked back down behind the rubble, a frontal assault would mean death, a rear assault would be death, any assault would be death. They needed another plan. The group conferred and a plan of action was under taken. The others went out to tell the waiting army the plan leaving Angel, Tank, and Philomena behind. The phoenix took off not long after seeking to carry information to his mistress whom Tiberius said was far north in the cold city. The ponies were gone, but their homes, and things they cherished were not. The first war had cost many of them such things, and there was little Angel and the others could do for the places already destroyed. But the ones that were not, they could watch over and tend, ensuring that when they came back, they would have a place to come back to. It was not much, but it was the safest way for his army to help. ================================================== [Crystal Empire 1000 hours.] The night had come and gone, and Luna had not left the small room she was in. Barely a day since she had her sisters powers forced into her, the lowering and raising of the sun had come to her naturally. There were still surges of course, but she had better control of them. Locust had been true to her word and brought her piles of dusty tomes and scrolls that Luna wondered if they might be older than herself. Being sealed away for so long the Empires libraries had tomes and hidden wealth's of knowledge that most had thought lost to Equss forever. It was no Library of Vollerei of course, but it explained why Twilight spent so much time here. If nothing else she had to be impressed with Sombra's collection. Locust seemed to know what was in most of the books she gave to Luna. She pointed out a few things here and there that she claimed the Sparkle's had noted to her before. The Changeling had her own duties and could not stay long before she left Luna to study on her own. Her friends and the rest of the Palace staff let her be. After her displays yesterday, she was sure they wished to give her time to compose herself. So long as the sun and moon continued their cycle normally they were content. She didn't like that her mindset could so easily be noted by fluctuations of the moon and sun in the sky, but it was simply one more thing that she needed to deal with. She had made herself known yesterday when she tracked down Brush and Berry before seeing what Orange had wanted. Berry was unconscious and Brush was staying with her in the Hospital. Applejack had promised to keep an eye on them both, and Luna was sad to say she had forgotten them both again after the revelation of Velkorn's state. She had felt ashamed she had let her grief for her friends show stronger than her worry for her foals, but she knew Berry would recover and Brush was a strong little colt. The only other thing of note was that Mrs Sparkle had come to apologize. It had taken her a moment or so to respond, but Luna did the same for her. The matron Sparkle had suggested Luna try her dream ability to see if she could contact Celestia or Twilight. It was a sound idea, but one that bore no fruit. It did not take Luna long to realize that those in a coma had the same odd non presence that Applebloom did in her dreams. It was enough of a reminder for her to be ready to find Pip in his dreams that night and speak with him. She planned to tell him to take the girls and hide some where away from a city. She knew he could survive some time on his own. Applebloom was skilled in herbology and growing things, and Scootaloo had gone though some of the same training Pip had at the hooves of Spitfire. She would be fine on her own as well. And Sweetiebelle.... well, every group needed some sort of mascot. The idea of dream walking to her son was pushed aside when Locust came with all the books. The information within hinted at a number of things, all of them surprising to her, though one book in particular had her pouring over it more than any other. It was the one Locust had suggested the most that Luna should look through. She had no reason to doubt the information within, as it coincided with a few things she had already known, and some things she had heard both Twilight and Tia discuss. When the Changeling mare came to check on her, Luna shoved the open book before the mare indicating she read the pages. “Can this be done?” Luna questions waiting for Locust to finish the passage. “Umm yes .. I think so your highness, but...” Locust stammers. “Do it.” “It it will take some time.” “Can you have it ready tonight?” “Yes, I think so.” “Good. Do it.” “Of course Princess.” Locust comments heading back out the door. Luna briefly thought she saw a smile on the mares face, but she was likely mistaken. The cost would be high, but it would see Tirek's end she was sure of it. Luna closed her eyes, resting her head on the table. She couldn't touch Pip's dreams at this hour, but perhaps she could find his daydreams if he was having them, to make sure he was alright at the very least. Her sisters power could be useful after all. ========================================== [Crystal Empire, Empire Hospital, 1100 hours] Brush looks up at the knock on the door. He hadn't been expecting any one though it might just have been Orange or Applejack checking up on the two of them. Mother had come by the day before, though he could easily tell she had a great deal on her mind and had not bothered her with what happened. He didn't think she needed to know how much he and Berry's life had been in danger. He was worried about her, but he knew everyone else needed her too so he was content to settle back and watch after his sister so his mother could at least be at ease in that regard. Despite how he looked he was having to try very hard not to break down sobbing. He knew the death toll, and he knew which of his family members were on it. While he hadn't really been that close to any of them, not even really his father, it didn't make this easier for him. He remember his birth parents much better than Berry did, and this seemed just like a repeat to him. It was going to be worse when Berry woke up and he had to tell her what had happened. She was more attached to their father and practically worshiped the ground her uncle had walked on, that her teacher Twilight was incapacitated as well, only made him dread the conversation. As for himself, aside from Berry most of his concern was for his Aunt Celestia. She had been the one who encouraged him the most with his painting, not to say no pony else had, mother was fanatical about it and his father actually seemed happy that Brush was not going to be a Guard. Aunt Celestia however had showed him a number of tricks and different styles of painting she had picked up over the centuries. She had actually brought him to a room she had in the tower and showed him the portraits she had painted herself. There were hundreds of them, all insanely life like, and each had it's own story of the pony or other creature in it. Most of them seemed to be done with the brush strokes of a master, the few that were not, still showed remarkable skill. All of them struck Brush as very sad. He didn't have his paints or easel here, but he had gotten a sketch book and some charcoal and had been working with it to pass the time and keep himself occupied. Given all that was going on, he and Berry were left alone, he rather preferred that sometimes, though he wasn't how he felt about it now. The knock on the door had distracted him from his sulk, and he was rather grateful for it. “Come in.” Diamond Tiara leans in slowly her eyes meeting Brush's causing her to freeze in place noting his expression. The green earth pony Guard minding the door smirks a little shaking his head recalling he had the same expression as the filly when he was around Orange. “You going to go in, or just stare at each other?” Hunter smirks. Diamond Tiara yelps stumbling forward and glaring back at the grinning Guard as he closes the door. “Um, hey, Brush …. err are you okay?” Diamond Tiara asks. “ I heard about your Aunt and Uncle and umm father.......” “ Word got around rather quickly I guess. I suppose I'm as well as to be expected. How about you?” Brush sighs watching as the young mare moves closer. “Daddy's fine, though rather annoyed at the current accommodations, he had a store branch up here and he's pretty much taken it over. Silver Spoon and all our class mates are alright as well. I saw Miss Cheerilee and she was checking up on everyone, it was really just your brother and you two that she hadn't seen yet.” “I wouldn't worry about Pip, he's probably better suited to this sort of thing than we are. He's gonna be a mess when he finds all this out though. Probably blame himself for not being around to help.” Brush smirks a little, trailing off and dipping his head as he thinks about it. Diamond Tiara blinks slowly moving closer to brush, her ears flattening to her head as he slumped. She stops just in front of him leaning down to see his face her eyes widening as she sees the tears running down his muzzle. “Brush? EEP!!” Diamond Tiara yelps a little as Brush grabs her hugging her close and burying his face into her shoulder as he cries. She looks down at him her ears drooping lower. She remembered breaking down like this when her own mother left, and Brush had it worse, he couldn't even expect a birthday card from his lost family. No one was there for her at that point in her life and she became a bit of a pain to everyone afterwards. This wasn't what she wanted her first date to be like, but this was the first time she had seen him show any real emotion other than anger when something happened to his sister. She remained still until his sobs slowly die off before she spoke trying to be soothing as possible. “You know you're ruining the conditioning of my coat, I doubt I'm gonna be able to treat it for a while up here. They probably only have gem polish, not any decent hair care products.” Diamond Tiara snarks. “Sorry...” Brush mutters. “It's alright. Take as long as you need.” she smiles to him. =================================== [ Whitetail Woods 1100 hours] Applebloom looks up in awe at the sight before her. She had left the others at the makeshift campsite to go see if she could find some herbs that could be used to prevent infection and possibly speed up the healing of Pip's back. She had removed the arrow head before she left, highly relieved it didn't seem to be covered with any sort of poison, and had set out to find what she needed. Zecora had shown her how to make healing potions as well as countless other mixes to fight everything from infection to 'the runs'. Thankfully she knew she could substitute a number of ingredients with subterranean plants and herbs for some of the treatments. The healing potion would be harder, or so she had thought any way. The under ground lake was wide, but it didn't take the entirety of the underground cavern. It eventually flowed into small river on the far side of the lake that led deeper into the cavern. To be honest Applebloom wasn't sure which was bigger, the crater above, or the cavern bellow. There was life down here as well, she could hear bats flitting around and saw a number of bugs and salamanders, none of them seemed afraid of her and often watched her curiously rather than run away from her. Some how that comforted her because it likely meant there were no big predators down here if all the small animals didn't run. She started coming across smaller pools of water that glowed with their own soft light, towering stalagmites joined with the stalactites from above making this part of the huge cavern look almost like the royal throne room with all it's pillars. The pools had some sort of luminescent fungus along the inside of the pools though she saw a few glowing fish swimming around as well. Applebloom approached one of the pillars, there was a certain type of Blood moss that only grew where there was something for the moss to spread up and climb. Checking around the base of the pillar she noticed something however, the pillar wasn't made of lime stone like she thought, it was wood. An old root to be exact, thicker around than even the golden oaks library. She moved around it looking past to the massive cavern seeing the countless others just like it, roots she had thought were pillars. They were all spread out, digging down from the ceiling above, the huge things bathed in the faint light from the pools looking more like stretching fingers now. She noted a brighter pillar of light coming down from the earthen ceiling not far away and moved towards it. If there was light then some things might be growing nearby she could use. It was then she found the garden. The light was reflected off something in one of the roots and it covered a larger area that she had first thought. In the beam of that light however was a plethora of plants. Applebloom had never seen the variety of plants here in one place like this before. They were growing wild, spilling over into the darkness surrounding the spot of light. Some of them seemed to have adjusted to the life under ground and had grown away from the sun, others were fighting for it trying to climb higher to meet the light. Applebloom approached the collection of plants in awe, she had never dreamed of finding all this down here. She listed off a number of them she saw in her mind realizing there was enough here to make a couple of healing potions easy. Pip might be back on his hooves in a day or so if she could set this up right, and Sweetiebelle remember how to sew enough to close his wounds back up. She moved forward again tripping suddenly and crashing to the ground with a wince. “Ow....” Applebloom pushed herself up right with a groan, glancing back in a huff at what she tripped over. Her ears flattened and her blood went cold at the sight of it. The object had been pulled out of it's sandy resting place and rolled after her a little when she hit it. Dark holes stared up at her from it's new position. A skull. Applebloom relaxed a little seeing that it was old enough that some lime stone had collected against the side, likely where it had sat in water for a while. Perhaps it was brought here when the river flooded to get reburied in the sand as there didn't seem to be any more of the skeleton any where. It looked like a pony skull, but a gnarled horn jutted from it's forehead and it had fangs on it's upper jaw, it's lower likely where the rest of the skeleton was. Applebloom shook her head a little before turning away from it to gather what she needed to help Pip. Thinking about an unfortunate who didn't survive the tumble down the falls wasn't going to help her any. At least she hoped the creature had died from the fall and not because something else was down here. ========================================================= [ Empire Hospital, 1100 hours. ] Orange was exhausted, she hadn't had more than a couple hours worth of rest since she got here. It paid off however as the most dire cases had been addressed, there were a number of ponies and half dragons who had not been thought to make it though the night. She had proved the neigh sayers wrong and saved several of the hopeless cases. There were a lot of doctors who were in awe of her skills and were hailing her as the best they had ever seen. Orange disagreed. The Best doctor ever was dead, one of the few she couldn't save. Some others of those injured, or ones pulled from their hospital beds in the escape had not made it, but the majority had. She had preformed more emergency surgeries and treatments than all of her time with pop quizzes and tests she had in med school. It also helped that the hospital was brand new, barely seven years old, when the Crystal Empire returned they were ponies out of time, and the first thing Princess Cadence wanted was a hospital to bring every pony up to speed on medical advances. Velkorn had spent a lot of time here, she was debating seeing that the place be renamed after her once all this was over. Princess Cadence would probably be for it. It wasn't all tragedy however there had even been a few births last night. Mares close to their due date forced into it from the shock of teleportation, or who were already in labor when the evacuation happened. Eight newborns in all. Two of them were causing a stir. One was born in mid teleportation and the attending Doctor could have sworn the colt was a earth pony when his head came out, now it was obvious he was a unicorn. The other was causing an even bigger stir and a good bit of worry from both the Hospital staff and any one else who saw her. At the families orders they had been rather tight lipped, though she was sure rumor would get out. Right now the tiny filly was sitting in a crib designed to keep premature foals monitored and healthy. Granted Orange doubted the foal needed them given how healthy she was even born this early. Orange sighs looking down at the filly, an orange earth pony in a stetson and a butter yellow pegasus with pink hair stood across from her watching the newborn as well. “Any idea what they would have named her?” Orange asks hating that she needed to fill out the paper work like this, but she was rather curious as well and was tired of the names ponies had been suggesting for her. “Yup. They had two names ready tah go depending if it was a filly or a colt.” Applejack admits glancing back at the pegasus pressing against her. “Seeing as it's a filly, they were gonna name her after Velkorn's ma. Well tha translation of her name any way.” “Translation?” Orange asks. “Yeah. Velkorn ain't just a name, it also means somthin, it's just not translated to pony.” Applejack explains. “Velkorn translates tah 'renewing blossom'. “ Ahh I see. Well then what was the name they chose?” “Rhynthia, Translates to 'meadow dew' “ Applejack states. “Is she going to be alright? I mean her mother......” Fluttershy stammers. “I know Velkorn didn't live through the operation, in the end we worried that her mother dying on the table would have averse effects, but as far as we can tell there is nothing wrong with her at all. Granted no one here has ever treated or been present for a birth like this. A few of the doctors from Gallopagos who were there for the birth of Lord Lion Heart's foal confirmed that she was in good health, but they only have ever dealt with one foal like this....” The three of them look down at the crib and the tiny newborn filly within. She was clearly a zebra, though on her forehead was a tiny red crystal horn, and her stripes matched her fathers coat perfectly. ==================================== [New Canterlot 1200 hours.] Angel Bunny frowned as the world around him darkened. He had sent Owlowiscious to the Empire as well, this situation required it. It would take the owl longer to fly there than it would Philomena, but this news was far to important not to get to the Caretaker and the General, and they should have it in a few hours if the two birds hurried. Massive storm clouds swirled and shifted above the ruins of the palace. The monster in the middle had stared up at the approaching mass and then had started to laugh as several duplicates of himself appeared around him. They all had the same bandaged hand, though their horns were intact unlike the one he was watching, they also were not covered in slowly healing burns and wounds. The figures said something to Tirek and the monster only grinned before all of them vanished with a pop as they teleported. It was only moments later that the first body hit the ground. Soon countless numbers of ponies rained from the sky, smashing into the ground. Many were dead before they hit,others screamed as they fell, all were without a cutie mark. Angel shouted an order and many were caught before they hit the ground by swarms of birds and butterflies, but there were only so many that could be saved. Angel had them focus on the foals, screaming little ones who could barely fly and were tossed down with the dead and comatose from their former home. When the shower of death finished, the sky began to clear as the clouds started to depart. Angel glared up at the retreating clouds in righteous anger. Waterfalls of rainbow and swirling masses of wind and other weather billowed out of the cloudscape far above. Tirek had gained control of Cloudsdale. =================================================== [ Whitetail Woods. 1330 hours ] “So how you feeling?” Scootaloo mutters moving away from the fire pit, shutting off her wings as she ducks into the tent. The pegasus looks over the small earth pony laying on his belly. He had some loose bandages over the wounds to staunch the bleeding, though Applebloom wanted to mix up a poultice before she properly wrapped the wounds to prevent infection. As such he looked like crap right now. “Been better, arrow wound hurts, but ah don't think ah'm gonna die from it or tha cuts.” Pip admits, though he didn't lift his head. “Yeah... well thanks for that by the way. I coulda got out by myself, you didn't need to jump in after me.” “Was sorta instinct. Da freezes and sinks like a rock when he's dropped in deeper water. Ma had us all learn to swim just in case. Berry swims like she's part seapony.” Pip chuckles. “Sides, I'd jumped in tah save any of yah. I might have hesitated a bit fer Sweetiebelle though, jus so her mane got messed up at least. Where is she any way, been too quiet.” “She fell asleep on the trunk while out there trying to scrounge up our supplies. I'm gonna go dump her off it in a minute or two. She got most of the camping stuff at least, though I think most of your luggage is missing.” “Nah I dropped mai bags in oneah her travel chests.” Pip admits. “Applebloom did tha same, those things are way bigger on tha inside.” “Yeah, thinking of checking to see if they come in pegasus flight size and getting some myself.” Scootaloo sighs considering a moment before flattening her ears to her head. ”Look Pip I'm sorry about my reaction a couple of days ago....” “Wot part? Tha shutting us out or tha flying off in Las Pegasus?” “More the last one, as the first one annoyed Sweetiebelle which is always worth it.”Scootaloo admits. “ It's not the first time she's tried to hook me up with some pony and it's always a disaster or they aren't even that interested in me.” “Yeah well, ah am interested, but ah ken get it if yer not. Figure yah got an eye on some flier somewhere.” “Pfft no... Not even close.” Scootaloo chuckles. “Look I don't know what I feel or even why you like me, but I just kinda want to make sure it's not some spur of the moment thing. I've got plans for after graduation and I want to deal with them first really.” “An yah think ah don't? Yah got a year on me school wise, and I'm set fer tha Guard tha moment I graduate.” Pip scoffs. “Same here though I've already won the last two best young fliers competitions and a number of other events. So I'm pretty much headed into Guard training as well with a fast track to the Wonderbolts.” “Spect ponies gonna claim favoritism cause yer ma.” “Yeah I expected that and dad has already suggested I tell them to try and live through what mom's gonna put me through. Evidently there's some ultra training she and your dad put together that only six pegasai have made it though.” “Dash one of um?” “Of course!” “Yeah, ah ken wait if you want. Ain't in no hurry, just figured to try a date while we was out. Still since that kinda fell through might still try'n ask yah to tha end of the year dance...” Pip chuckles. “You dance?” “Nope.” “Then why?” “Heard you did, figured it might be something yah'd like. I don't recall yah ever going to any other ones.” Pip states. “Ah ken get Aunt Bleu tah teach me, we got another three weeks til that.” “Yeah... alright...” “Pardon?” Scootaloo nods, turning a bit red. “ Yeah... I'll go with you to the dance, but you better not embarrass me.” “Wouldna dream of it.” Scootaloo exhales “Thanks for the save by the way. I don't like the idea you got hurt protecting me though.” “S'what a Knight in Shiny armor does.” Pip chuckles His eyes widening as Scootaloo leans down suddenly kissing him on the nose. The tent flap is flung open suddenly by Applebloom just as the pegasus's lips touch Pip. “Guys you'll never guess what ah found.......” Applebloom stares as Scootaloo's wings shoot out and she turns a beet red launching herself out of the tent in a trail of green fire nearly knocking Applebloom over. Pip stares after her, hearing the pegasus cussing up a storm in the far distance. “What jus happened?” Applebloom asks. The colt lifts his head glaring at his cousin, a dead pan expression on his face. “For a mare who claims tah wanna help me and Scootaloo git together you are really good at ruining mai chances, cousin.” Pip grumbles. ============================================================ [Crystal Empire 1400 hours ] Shining Armor, Princess Cadence, Starfall Silvertail, Spike Sparkle, Bleu Scale, Brier Rose, Hospice Moskau, Soarin and Spitfire sit around a large table staring down at a map and paper work as a host of ponies rush around them delivering papers and altering the map on the table. “Cloudsdale has fallen and for the last few hours it's been moving to every major city in Equestria. Fluttershy told us That's what Owlowiscious said when he got here. Philomena had much the same message, but it seems like the forest creatures are coming to our aid as they did last time, they just won't fight.” Spike points out. “We can send them back to Angel but they both need rest, though Owlowcious seemed to be able to take the fixed portal train tunnel. We need to shut that down before Tirek uses it.” “Noted. Where's Princess Luna? Shouldn't she be a part of this?” Spitfire asks. “It was nice of her to inform me my daughter and her friends are alright , but she didn't have much to say past one of them was asleep and confirmed.” “She declined to attended and is with her foal.” Cadence explains. “Probably for the best given her current temperament.” Shining adds. “Best if she can just hold it together enough and at least keep the sun and moon on track. So long as that continues none of the nobles will demand she give up control of the sun and moon citing she's unbalanced due to grief. No matter how accurate that is. I expected Blue Blood would have already tried , but he's not talking very well with a shattered jaw.” “Tirek or some one tired of his shit?” Bleu asks. “The latter, Orange in fact. After all she's done however all the witnesses are claiming BlueBlood came into the hospital with the injury, they all noted he was there before her for some reason any way.” Shining smirks. “Maybe we should have her give up what she gained from Princess Celestia any way.”Soarin ponders aloud. “A way to not put all our eggs in one basket?” “Nah colt, better this way. Only got one basket tah guard.” Rose states. “Ah agree, der ist too much at stake to make more targets like dat.” Moskau nods. “Have we heard anything from any other nations?” Bleu asks. “No” Starfall admits. “And that worries me. With the exception of Cindervale everyone else we've been in contact with has gone silent.” “Dhis dhing cannot have covered dhat much ground already.” Moskau frowns. “Even dhe Changelings could only hit a town or two at a time and dhey had thousands.” “That brings us back to that damn pond.” Bleu grumbles. “We don't know how it refilled so quick or how much water it has in it, there could be more of him running around than there are ponies left.” “Has there been anything in the libraries?” Spitfire asks. “We have a number of ponies looking though them, but the Royal Archives are old, add that to Sombra's tendency to hide entire rooms in multidimensional spaces that could be entered through a painting or simply turning left at certain time of day and I'll be one to admit we still haven't found all his hidy holes and workshops in the Empire. Still we've got every pony with even a sliver of archive or research skill looking over everything for anything.” Cadence points out. “I've been doing what I can as well, but there's nothing direct I can grab. Either there are no books on Tirek or I'm asking the wrong questions in trying to find a book that has what we need in it.” Spike sighs. “Still the trainees report from the Redhoof encampment is worrying. If anything pushed Luna over the edge it will be that.” Starfall sighs. “Couple Jer'rahd's death to Rhede and Velkorn's the very next day and we have no idea how she'll react. Our biggest concern should be preventing her from doing something stupid, like trying to go after him herself.” “From what we can deduce anything with a cutie mark he can steal power from, once that mark is stolen the pony falls into a coma. Half Dragons and a few other races without cutie marks are immune, but he simply kills them.” Spitfire snaps. “This pretty much drops our useful forces down to twenty five percent, mostly half dragons and a couple of Griffons and Diamond Dogs. What about the dragons?” “They refuse.” Bleu grumbles. “I thought Spike was their leader?” Starfall asks. “It's a little more complex then that. I have a leadership roll, but so do three other dragon gods that showed up. Two of them want to keep aloof from everything else until they are a nation again and the third wants to eat everything that's not a dragon.” Spike grumbles. “It's a strange voting system, but we've been working to gain favor with all the younger dragons. We might get one or two to help, but the general consensus is 'you don't buck with us, we don't buck with you'” Bleu snarls. “ Makes negotiating trade stupid hard.” “Dragons respect strength and pretty much only strength. Bleu and I have managed to prove we are worth the positions we have, but the three other gods are more combat focused in their abilities. One of them was even a soldier in the last dragon war. Luckily Bleu absolutely terrifies him.” Spike admits. “Vat about tha changelings?” Moaskau asks. “What about them?” Shining asks. “Dhey do not have a cutiemark and dhe ken fight when motivated.” Moskau lists. “Vhy ken ve not use dhem?” “Most of them are still comatose, the few that are not might be willing to help, but would our own Guard trust them enough to accept that help?”” Cadence explains. “Even ten years later hatred runs deep.” “This might be a chance for some redemption.” Soarin suggests. “ Easiest way to start to like some one is to fight beside them. It's something that came up in that Guard training I had to do. There were a number of Griffons and Diamond Dogs who we've been at odds with for years, now a couple of them are pen pals of mine.” “I'll ask, but don't get your hopes up, most of the battle hardened ones were killed or fell into a coma in the last offensive when Sombra was killed.” Shining explains. “All that's left are workers and some infiltrators.” “The Elements of Harmony?”Spitfire questions. “No good. Not only do we not have a full team of either of the two groups of Bearers but there's something wrong with the Elements of Loyalty and Compassion.” Starfall states. “Something wrong? Spike asks. “What?” “I couldn't tell you, the Element of Honesty feels fine to me but Fluttershy and Dash say when they put the Elements on all they feel is cold. There's kinda a thing when you wear it, you can feel something from the Element. I can't explain it, but if two of them have lost that feeling even if we could find a new set of Bearers they wouldn't work.” “There were reports about Sunshine being found near the Gates of Tartarus and the gate itself being gone.” Shining points out digging through the stack of papers before him for that specific report. “If that's where Loyalty and Compassion are maybe the gate getting shut blocked off their connection.” “Woo impressive, your really are Sparkle Butts brother. “ Bleu whistles. “What is your obsession with butts lately?” Starfall asks. “Oh please you cannot tell me you do not appreciate that firm flank of that stallion of yours Starfall.” Bleu grins. “Keep your eyes to yourself Bleu.” Starfall grumbles. “Yeah yeah yeah what about Discord?” Rose interrupts.” Couldn't he jus snap his fingers and turn Tirek into a fruit basket or something?” “Discord is far less powerful than he used to be. At best he's on par with me now and he's no longer a god.” Cadence sighs. “I cannot explain more than that due to a promise with him, but he will try to help so long as we do not let Tirek get a hold of Pinkie Pie. In truth I agree with that, Pinkie's unusual nature would be far too much a power boost to Tirek. She should be classed along with Dash and Starfall in terms of security.” “So.... no dragons, no Elements, no Discord, and no Changelings.” Rose sighs leaning back in his chair staring at the ceiling. “Three of our best fighters are dead, two of our most powerful spell casters are out cold, and our best medic died this morning. We are boned.” No one at the table had an argument for the statement. =========================================================== [White Tail woods 1400 hours.] “So there was a garden?” Pip asks. “Yeah a bit of sunlight falling down onto a spot and stuff was growing there. Ah found pretty much everything ah needed fer a couple of potions.” Applebloom chimes layering some foul smelling mix over Pip's wounds.” Lucky for you I found these you might not even scar now.” “Woo...” pip grumbles flinching as his back was slathered with the mix. “Seems kinda convenient to have what you need down here.” Sweetiebelle states. “Yeah ah suppose so, but maybe we jus got lucky. There's a whole forest above us, might be packed with those sorta herbs.” Applebloom comments. “Sounds like yer not sure. Ah'm not as good with plants and mixes as you are, but ah know a couple of the ones you need for healing mixes don't grown any where near each other normally.” Pip comments. “ Sounds more like an actual garden grown wild.” “Underground? Do we have to worry about mole people?” Sweetiebelle yelps, and is mostly ignored by the other two. “If it was a garden, no one's been tending it fer a long while....” Applebloom flattens her ears pausing in wrapping Pip's back. “What is it?” Pip asks noting her pause. “There was a skull there too, looked like a weird pony with a wiggly horn and fangs. Looked old.” “Vampire ponies!!” Sweetiebell gasps. “ I knew it.” The pair continue to ignore the unicorn. “Sounds like it might be a changeling I think, don't most of them have weird gnarled horns?” Pip questions. “ I'd have to have a look at it myself to be sure.” “Ah dunno. Ah didn't stay tah look at it, an ah sure didn't bring it back with me. Scootaloo went that way , maybe she'll see something.” Applebloom explains. “Yeah, but Changelings are bugs right? Shouldn't they have chitinous plates and not bones?” Sweetiebelle states. “Then again if it was a changed pony, one they got into that pod thing of theirs, then they might still have bones.” Pip and Applebloom both look at Sweetiebelle. “How do you keep doing that?” Pip asks. “What?”Sweetiebelle questions. “Be talking absolutely insanity and then say something that sounds like it's a well thought out theory.”Pip stares at the mare. “Dunno?” The unicorn shrugs. The fwoosh of flame and the thud off hooves on the sand outside the tent marked Scootaloo's return. “Hey guys! “she bursts into the tent, doing her best not to look at Pip. “ I found something awesome!” “Proof that my mole people theory is correct?!”Sweetiebelle asks getting an eye roll from Scootaloo. “I told you before that was just a really ugly Diamond Dog, not a mole people or whatever.“ “that's what he wanted us to think......” “He even told you he was a diamond dog, never mind not getting into this again with you.” Scootaloo sighs. “And no, I went for a flight when I left here to make sure my wing was okay and I found something cool down here.” “Quit stalling fer suspense and tell us!” Applebloom snorts. “Spoilsport, any way there's a city down here, a whole massive city. Not as big as New Canterlot, but way bigger than Dodge City or Appleooza.” Scootaloo smirks. “So finish patching up Pip here and lets go check it out.” ======================================================= [ Crystal Empire 2000 hours] Bleu had a headache. It was an odd thing for her to have, though she wasn't immune to such a thing. Usually she got one dealing with the more hidebound dragons, the three idiots, or something Boss was stubborn about. Granted she didn't have to worry about the last any more and that only made her headache worse. She was trying to look on the bright side of things still however. Okay, she was an aunt twice over. Spike no longer tried to run away from her when she flirted with him, granted he mostly rolled his eyes now, but it was a start. She got to see two new gods come into the world, one her new niece, in a really short period.... after seeing one go out of it. So what if there was a massive force of a super powerful creature that cloned himself and was trying to eat the world. So what if one of her friends was a depressing ball of self loathing , anger and depression, and some of her best friends were dead, and the idiot trio had snuck out of Cindervale when they thought she wouldn't notice. So what if they had several hour meeting with no punch or pie because they were conserving all food stuff for a possible extended siege so no pony would starve to death.... “Damnit I depressed myself again.” Bleu sighs. “Pardon Miss?” A Crystal Guard that had been walking with her and Spike asked. “Don't mind her, She's trying to look on the bright side of things and failing.” Spike comments. “Now what were you saying?” “Well we received reports from some of our out lying scouts that a dragon was flying around the edges of the Empire. It seemed lost and the description matches one of the ones you warned us about.” “Which one? Oh it better not be Death Claw, if it's that old fart I will more than happily make a new mother excited in a few months that she laid a egg with a godling in it.” Bleu snarls. “ And I'll have a nice new handbag to boot.” “No Ma'am, based on the description and what files you gave us the dragon in question is one named 'Spines' if the description reported is correct.” the Guard comments. “Just Spines? No Grabble or Bulk?” Spike ponders. “You never see those three apart.” “As your information said, but this is a lone dragon sir. He appears lost judging by how he's circling some areas. He also seems to be carrying something fairly large on his back that's wrapped in canvas. None of my scouts were able to get close to him though they did hear the figure yelling at him and the dragon seemed afraid of his passenger. “Think it's Tirek?” Spike asks. “Why the heck would Tirek need to ride a dragon when he's got a cloud city?” Bleu sighs. “ Where are they now?” “Just before I came to get you we received word they were headed for the city, we've cleared a spot in the far field for them to land. Prince Shining has been informed, but he deferred any dragon situations to you and Sir Spike.” “I always love it when ponies call me that.” Spike smirks. “Sir Spike.” “Yeah, yeah, knight in shiny armor, defeat the evil princess and save the lovely dragoness already why don't yah.” Bleu grumbles. “Where would we get an evil Princess this time of night?” Spike asks. “What?” Bleu turns on him. “Really?” “No, I'm just keeping you distracted like you tried to do with Princess Luna. I know how you Bearer's of Laughter get without something to focus on.” “Really and you're my distraction!? “ Bleu leaps on Spike tackling him to the ground with a hug. ” That's so sweet!” Bleu giggles as Spike flails under her. “Dang Bleu did you at least buy the poor guy dinner first?” Rainbow Dash smirks gliding down to land near them. “Help...” mutters Spike. “I would say get a room but I don't think there's any here that would fit you two.” Peach Blossom calls down as he lands next to Rainbow Dash. “ Any way enough of this, the dragon is coming in for a landing and we need to know if we have to stomp him or what. We're already on high alert.” “Bah spoil sports.”Bleu grumbles climbing back to her claws, her tail flicking out to slap Spike on the rump. “Stop that Bleu...” Spike growls as the group continues towards the landing area. The clearing was on the far side of the palace from the refugee tents, that didn't mean much to the Guards and the entire area was well surrounded with a number of magical lights illuminating the field of grass. Luna had already lowered the sun and raised the moon It was a tad early for this time of year, though when asked she claimed it was due to the imbalance of the day before and the night would last a little longer in the morning as well to balance it. Considering no other pony had ever moved the sun and moon they simply took it at face value and let her get back to her sulk. In the middle of the lights and the large ring of Guards, Spines sat huddled, looking absolutely miserable. Next to him stood a rather tall figure wrapped in a tattered and singed tarp made up like a hooded cloak. He stood at least as tall as Princess Luna and had a presence that made both Bleu and Spike uneasy, it was easy to see why Spines was nearly soiling himself being that close. Bleu growled and shifted to her full sized form, an action mimicked by Spike. The pair advanced moving to either side of the circle of Guards, positioned so their breath weapons would cross, but not hit each other if it came down to a fight. The figure didn't seem that worried as he regarded them though, he focused most of his attention on Spike. >” Where is Twilight Sparkle. I am need to speak with her immediately.”< The figures voice boomed, though both Spike and Bleu felt it was far more familiar than it should be. “Who wants to know?” Rainbow Dash calls out, her own weapons drawn. The figure snorts and reaches up, his clawed fore leg gripping the tarp and yanking it off of his form. The stallion before them was covered in blue gray fur. Large patches of cobalt blue scales covered random patches along the figures body seemingly without rhyme or reason. The figures back legs ended in hooves though his fore hooves ended in dragon like claws covered with the same scales that were on the rest of him. His tail was long and thick like a dragons, ending in a tuft of amber hair. He had no cutie mark though patches of scales covered his flanks were one would be. A long unruly mane of the same coloration as the tail tuft fell over the figures neck and shoulders. A strange horn protruded from the center of the amber mop of hair curling up and back a little. It was smooth rather than spiraled like a normal unicorns horn, though the base of the horn was rough as if it had grown back from being broken. The figure had a set of rather prominent fangs that were briefly visible when it spoke. However it was the equine face that caused a collective gasp from several of those gathered. “B..... Boss?” Bleu stammers. “Jer'rahd?” Rainbow Dash questions. “Major?” mutters Peach Blossom. >” Sorry to disappoint you, but my former host is not here.”< The figure states flatly two rows of three glowing red eyes opening on the figures face, one above and bellow where each normal eye placement was on a pony. “Troph.” Spike finally says recognizing the odd eyes and voice of the Spirit of Loyalty. “What are you doing here?” > “Tartarus is sealed and my love is dying. I need Twilight Sparkle to figure a way to open the gates to free her or she will die and the Elements of Harmony will be no more.”<