//------------------------------// // Arengea's Game // Story: Myths and Birthrights: Anthologiae // by Tundara //------------------------------// Arengea’s Game By Tundara Everything was going terribad, an inky shadow of darkness covering the land like a moldy blanket. The Princess was missing. The Elements lost among the ruins of Murdoom’Gul. And the forces of the Necromancer had the fair Queendom surrounded. If a heroine didn’t rise up soon, then all would be lost. If— “I’m sorry, but, ‘Murdoom’Gul’? ‘Inky shadow of darkness’? That’s all… kind of cliche, isn’t it?” Rarity tilted her head, a slight frown playing in her knitted brow. “Huh?” Arengea looked up from her notes, a stack of paper covered in neat, minute writing, with notations, spread sheets, and quick-guides in the margins. A little, scrawny foal, Arengea wore her two toned mane of amethyst and silver cut short and scruffy, parted by her little white horn. A bandage covered one of her wings from an accident the previous day, which had lead to her present ‘punishment’ of having to stay inside while her sisters got to roam and play in the gardens. At least it meant she could try out her latest game with some of her family. Across the table from her sat Rarity, Celestia, Luna, and Pinkie Pie. Each had a sheet of paper in front of them, a plate of cupcakes sitting in the middle. “I rather liked it,” Celestia countered, glancing down on the mare at her side. “Well, you would. I’ve seen the books you read.” Rarity gave a little sniff of feigned disgust, not mentioning she’d been the one to introduce Celestia to the Romance genre. “Moooom! You promised to give the game a chance!” Arengea pouted, lifting herself up to peer over the edge of her Game Master’s Screen, resplendent with a painting of stylised wizards, warriors, and rogues battling a fire-breathing dragon on its face. “I’m sorry, dear, it’s just—” Rarity was interrupted by Celestia clearing her throat, and giving Rarity a pointed look. “Yes, sorry. I will try.” Putting on a conciliatory expression, Rarity asked for Arengea to continue. “Why don’t you introduce your characters, since the intro is deader than one of Polyhymnia’s recitals,” grumbled the filly as she lowered her head back down behind her screen. “No need to be snippy, dear. Your sister tries her hardest, just like you.” Rarity waited for her daughter to give a half-hearted ‘I’m sorry’ before continuing. “Now, I am... Blackmoon Battleaxe the Drunk?” Rarity gave the sheet of paper in front of her a quizzical look. “Oh, that’s my character,” Pinkie chirped from her place on the other side of Rarity. “This must be yours, Rares.” Glancing at the sheet she took from Pinkie, Rarity gave a relieved sigh. “Yes, this is better. I am the fair knight, Lady Silvershield of Canterwall.” “Oh, my turn!” Luna eagerly clapped her hooves. “I am Indominus Flynn, a thin faced unicorn from the prefecture of Twinkleshire. Some dare call me a rogue or a scoundrel, and this is truth, but only in part. As part of a failed rebellion against the cruel lady of my homelands, I’ve been forced into self-imposed exile, and have taken to adventuring while I also search for a way to return and liberate my home.” “See,” Arengea’s little horn bobbed up and down on the far side of the screen, “Aunty Luna is playing along.” Celestia gave her daughter an admonishing cough and was about to introduce her character when, bouncing off the walls in a tremendous roar, came, “I am Thunderfury the Bold, once apprentice to the good lord Hurricane, I have set out to find my own path with only my trusty war-hammer, armour, and desire for glory!” Zeus stood in the doorway, a bag of cheetos, case of Valley Dew, and a small bag of custom, engraved dice floating at his side.   Rarity gave Zeus a scathing glare, one that had made mountains tremble and gods wilt. Zeus merely gave an oblivious smile as he trotted into the room. “Uncle Zeus, your back!” Arengea clapped her hooves. “Great, now the game can really begin! Roll for initiative!”