//------------------------------// // The Prisoners {Shimmerverse} // Story: Shimmering Sunsets // by Evowizard25 //------------------------------// “How the hay could this have happened?” Shining Armor paced around. He hadn’t sat down or anything but worry since the kidnapping. “They were foalnapped in our kingdom, right from under our muzzles. How the hay?!!” "Perhaps you should've brought in more troops," Blueblood pointed out. "This are isn't the most secure and the inhabitants-" “Little brother,” Cadance narrowed her eyes. “I trust these ponies with my life. They would never stoop to this level and I appreciate it if you wouldn’t assume such.” Blueblood bowed his head. “Of course, but the points still remains.” “We didn’t want to scare the Crystal Ponies,” Cadance said. “They’ve been through so much already, I hadn’t the heart to scare them even further. The Crystal Heart keeps out daemons and all that sort. So it must be ponies and they must be taint free.” “So we can put to rest those ill thoughts of sacrifice,” Blueblood sighed in relief. He eyed Anrain. “You’ve been awfully silent. More so than usual.” “This would not have happened if that damn chaos sorceror hadn’t gotten herself involved,” Anrain muttered. “The future is warped and I can’t see anything about this venture. I’m blind and I don’t like that.” “So there’s good and bad news,” Shining said. “But that does nothing to help up find Twilie. They can still hurt her.” “They wouldn’t have if I had trained her,” Anrain snorted. "Which I'm sure Twilight would have loved to do if the other Twilight hadn't flung her to another country." Sweetie said. "She really does enjoy learning as much as she can." “Ugh,” Shining groaned, putting a hoof to his head. “Why must Twilie always make it difficult. If she just listened to me for once, this wouldn’t have happened.” “Your sister is a free spirit,” Cadance smiled at her boyfriend. “She does as she pleases.” "And we are getting off topic." Sweetie noted. "We need to focus on finding them. Sunset, do you know any tracking spells?" “I don’t know any personally,” Sunset said. “But I know the concepts well enough and the books in order to use them.” “Which they might be for naught,” Anrain spoke up. “They are under the Empire. My visions were clear once, now they are murky. That is all I know, but I do know that simply ‘tracking’ them will be difficult. Crystals can distort spells in some areas and such. I myself would be the best candidate to track them.” "Do you need eye drops or something?" Sweetie asked. “I need meditation in order the still my thoughts and that of the magic here,” Anrain said. “And how long will that take?” Shining asked. “As long as you can remain quiet,” Anrain said. “I know that is difficult for you ponies, but that is how it must be.” "It's not that hard to be quiet." Sweetie muttered before shutting up, not wanting to prove him right. Anrain closed his eyes and after a few seconds his staff glowed. “Hmm,” he mumbled to himself. “Yes, they are a bunch of clever little ponies. They’ve hidden themselves well, but they’ve left their openings clear enough to spot.” “Then tell us and be done with it,” Shining grumbled in irritation. “My soldiers can rip these heretics to shreds.” “Do not be so foolish as to rush on into battle with this foe,” Anrain said. “They are cunning and quick. They will make this Tartarus for you.” “As long as I have faith in Celestia,” Shining said. “I will persevere. You can count on that.” "...aren't we supposed to be quiet so he can concentrate?" Sweetie asked, unsure if Anrain was done or not. “I can make do with this,” Anrain snorted. “Besides, it is all the calm I am going to get with you ponies around.” He stood up and trotted over to a map of the Empire. He tapped a few places. “Each one of these is a gateway to the tunnels driving underneath the city. They will hold no magical constructs so enter at your own risk, for they will still have other defenses up.” "Is there any way you can tell us what sort of defenses?" Sweetie asked. "I'm worried about the soldiers being hurt trying to rescue my friends. Actually, is there any way for us to sneak in so we can just slip them out undetected so that they can't be used as hostages?" “The crystals of the north are interfering with my visions,” Anrain said. “But I can tell well enough that they are heavily defended. Trying to take them would be….costly.” “Well give the deer some due,” Shining muttered. “He didn’t lie to us this time.” Sweetie gave Shining a good whack on the flank for his comment. "None of that. Anrain is doing his best and helping us out. Sass is not allowed mister. Don't make me call your mother." Shining snorted as he rubbed the sore spot. “My mom’s in Canterlot. There’s no-” “SHINING ARMOR!” A feminine voice roared. Shining’s irises’ shrank. “Oh dear.” Into the tent stormed something that made Field Marshal Shining Armor, victor of many battles and slayer of even a daemon prince of chaos, quake in fear: his mother. “What is the meaning of this?” Twilight Velvet seethed. “I get this letter sent directly from you lovely marefriend detailing several instances of idiocy and childishness and now I come out find that you’ve lost Twilight?!!!” "And he is sassing the powerful deer Farseer that is using his powers to try and help us find a way to rescue her from the very well defended and equipped extremist group that is holding her hostage." Sweetie replied. She shrugged. "I did warn you I would tell your mother on you." “I...You...UGH!” Twilight Velvet seethed. You could literally see her coat turn red from her anger. “Mom, now isn’t the time to-” Shining started before his mother magicked his mouth shut. “Shining Armor,” Velvet glared at him. “I raised you better than this. Do you know what all this stress is doing to me? No, because you keep doing this time after time. I...UGH! So help me, I will ground you at this rate!” “You can’t-” Shining started before Anrain held up a paper. The stallion read it. “....Wait, she’s allowed to detain me?” “These are drastic times,” Anrain smirked. “Perhaps you should think before you act.” He chuckled. “But that isn’t the nature of….some of you.” Shining glared at him in return, before moving to his mother. “Mom, just calm down. Everything’s going to be alright. Remember what the doctor’s said?” Velvet was huffing wildly before she took out a flask and capsule from her pouch. She threw the capsule into her mouth and took a swig. “...Right. No stress. I think...I think I need to sit down.” Sweetie quickly got up and offered her chair. "Here you go Mrs. Velvet, I've got plenty of stamina to stand." “Thank you,” Velvet nodded before sitting. “I don’t mean to be a burden.” She snorted. “I would have taken this far better in my youth. Now….” She looked to her shaking hooves, before she took another capsule and swig. “...I’m sorry, was I interrupting?” “Mom,” Shining started. “This isn’t the place for you.” “You sound just like your father,” Velvet chuckled. “I’m staying put.” “If you would please leave your thoughts of the dead elsewhere, that would be beneficial.” Anrain stated. “I am trying to explain the situation.” “Hey!” Shining glared at him. “That’s my mother you’re talking to.” “And that’s your blood trapped beneath our hooves,” Anrain snapped. “I may despise your chaotic sister with a passion, but she is not like that. So please, sit down and shut up or I will take away your ability to speak for the next five years.” "Now now, let's all calm down. Yelling and threats isn't going to get anything done." Sweetie said, smiling. "Now Mrs. Velvet, are you up to speed on the whole "other world" incident that is ongoing?" Velvet nodded. “Oh yes, quite so. It’s not so different than the concept I used in my third book. I do tend to adapt well to new conceptual knowledge. Helps in my field.” "You also learn to do it quick when you are a Bearer." Sweetie said. "Well then, the Twilight that is missing is the one from my world, not yours. Hopefully that will take some of the edge off, knowing your own Twilight is just fine." “On the contrary,” Velvet stated. “I am just as haggard with the thought of any version of my daughter dying as with my own. I wouldn’t want my duplicate to go through another loss.” "Another?" Sweetie asked, confused. “My husband,” Velvet frowned. “.....He did die in your world, correct?” "I...uh...no, he didn't." Sweetie admitted, uncomfortable. "I am sorry for your loss, I didn't mean to bring up any painful memories." Velvet was silent for a moment. Her face was blank. “He’s……..alive? He...this...That’s not fair. That’s not fair.” She shook her head. “It’s….just…..” Tears started to well up in her eyes. “Mother,” Shining rubbed her back. “I really think you should go.” Velvet shook her head. “No….Stay, I…….That’s not fair. I held him in my hooves as he...as he…..” She started to shake more as she hyperventilated. Sweetie immediately produced a brown paper bag and a pair of cold compresses, one applied to the forehead and the other to the back of the neck. "Hey, listen, breath slowly in and out of the bag. Slowly..." After a few tense moments, Velvet started to calm down. She pulled the bag from her mouth. “I...That was a sorry display on my part. I thought I had worked past those little episodes.” She patted her son’s cheek. “Sorry for embarrassing you.” “I’m just glad you’re okay,” Shining said. “I honestly thought you’d taken that a lot worse, so you’re improving.” Turning to Cadance, Sweetie asked "Could you get somepony to show me to the kitchens? After all this stress and yelling I think some nice soothing tea and warm cookies would be a good idea." “Of course,” Cadance clapped her hooves and Polish came trotting inside. “Polish, would you mind escorting her to the kitchen and please take a few guards with you this time.” Polish bowed. “Yes, Empress.” “Princess,” Cadance grit her teeth in suppressed frustration. “Sorry,” Polish said before turning to Sweetie. “Follow me.” "Gladly." sweetie said, trotting along happy as can be. "Oh, I also need to remember to make those amethyst cannoli for Spike. I keep forgetting to make those." “Prince Spike?” Polish blushed as they moved along. “You know him personally or was it more of an order from his sister?” "Personal offer." Sweetie replied. "I keep forgetting he is a prince here. And older." “And sexy,” one of the female Crystal Pony guards remarked, causing the other female guards to sigh and the two males to roll their eyes and grumble in jealousy. "....I wouldn't know." Sweetie admitted with a shrug. "I don't swing that way, so I'm not the best judge." “Right,” Polish said. “Let us not lust over the prince. That is beneath us.” “Says the mare draped over his shoulder for an hour,” another piped up, causing Polish to blush. “Now see here,” Polish sputtered. “I was...simply keeping an eye on the Prince. Nothing more.” "Of course dear." Sweetie said with a smile. "You know, I will need somepony to deliver the cannoli to Prince Spike..." “I’ll do it,” the mares said in a collective voice before glaring at each other. “You got to guard him last time.” “Well you got to go swimming with him!” “I didn’t get to do either.” “I outrank all of you,” Polish stated. “As royal advisor to the crown, of course.” "...is he really that good looking?" Sweetie asked, amazed at their sudden fervor. They nodded. “He’s got such a lovely voice.” “Do you even see the muscles under those scales?” “He’s got a way with words.” “He’s a gentledragon,” Polish stated once more. “I dare say, there isn’t a bachelorette that hasn’t wished for a try with the Prince.” "I haven't." Sweetie replied, before giggling. “Are you married by any chance?” Polish asked. “Or with a significant other?” "Marefriend." Sweetie said. "We haven't tied the knot though, so I am a bachelorette." Polish shrugged. “Could be that, though I have heard reports of those of your orientation taking a pass at him. He seems to have that effect on the feminine gender.” "They are probably bisexual." Sweetie noted. "It's a lot rarer, but it is a lot more believable." “Perhaps,” Polish shrugged once more before they came into a kitchen. “You call these ingredients!” A feminine voice yelled out. Blueblood sighed before glancing at them. “It is good to see you again, Sweetie. Though I’d prefer it to be under...different circumstances.” “What the bloody hell is this? Sparkly mush?....It tastes like sugared mud!” “Mary’s on the warpath,” Blueblood muttered. “Apparently she wanted to try out some of the local food and...well, this happened.” "Right, time to get to work." Sweetie said. "Those cookies aren't going to bake themselves." ______________________________________________________________________ Twilight stirred awake, groaning. "Ugh, what happened? I feel like somepony hit me upside the head." “Well, um, that’s because you kind of were,” a timid voice said as she dabbed a antiseptic clothe against the bruise. "What? Pansy? What happened?" trying to stand up, it was then that Twilight realized that her legs were in chains. "What's going on?" "We got captured." Rainbow explained, her wings pinned to her side by a large metal ring holding them firmly against her sides in addition to her leg chains. “Well...yes you are,” Pansy stated. “That was kind of the plan, but hitting you over head was not my idea. I swear.” "Yesh? So was hitting me through a wall part of the plan?" Rainbow snarked. “Kind of,” another voice called over. It was none other than Suri Polomare decked out in regular, but stylized flack armor. She was leaning against the wall on her hindlegs, cleaning a crossbow. “Always did want to see if the ‘great’ Dash was too fast to hit. Guess I was right.” "You cheated." Rainbow said. "An ambush while I was dodging the others, while my feathers were damaged and I was stuck in a narrow corridor. Hardly me at my best." “I would have hit you, one way or another.” Suri nodded as she was satisfied with the cleaning job. It was a much sleeker and runic style crossbow than the standard military one. “I’m sure you both did your best during the fight,” Pansy muttered. "...are you sure you're evil? You seem kind of too nice." Rainbow pointed out. “We’re not evil,” Pansy hid behind her mane as she mumbled it. “I’m just doing my duty, if that’s okay with you. I mean, I’m not forcing you to accept it or anything.” "...you know,may wings are kind of itchy in this thing. Think you could listen it for me?" Rainbow asked nicely. “.....I’m not stupid,” Pansy stated. “I might be a coward, but...I’m sorry for being mean about it though. Just stating my opinion.” "Eh it was worth a shot." Rainbow said, shrugging. Twilight cleared her throat. "Um, so, who are you ponies?" “Aren’t you an inquisitive little herb,” Fortune chuckled as she and a couple other soldiers trotted in. “To answer your question, we are the Enclave, founded by the great Commander Pansy herself to ensure the independence of the superior pegasus race.” "...no really, who are you?" Twilight asked. Suri held a hoof to her mouth as she stifled a laugh. Fortune growled at her, but shut up the moment Suri moved her weapon. Gulping in fear, she shook it away. “You doubt me?” "Um, well it's just...you have an earth that you used to capture Rainbow Dash. That doesn't exactly fit." Twilight pointed out. Fortune was in her face, snarling. “That wasn’t my idea. If it was up to me, she would be dinner! So keep your mouth shut, herb. We are the master race. We are the ones who are fit to rule, not you pinheads or those muds!” Twilight looked over to Suri. "...are you going to put up with that sort of stuff?" Suri shrugged. “The pay’s good and I’ve been called worse. Not my place to question.” "Seriously?" Twilight said. "How much could you possibly be paid to put up with that sort of behavior?" "Enough," Suri said nonchalantly. "My master was a griffin, so I'm used to it." "Soooo...is there any reason you decided to kidnap us?" Twilight asked, turning back to the pagasi. “Why that’s delightfully simple,” Fortune said. “Leverage in case something goes awry, or simple enough, we’ll kill you so we won’t have to fear the Elements being used in your world on us. A few other reasons I was not disclosed to as well.” "Really? You do know that killing a Bearer is a terrible idea right?" Rainbow pointed out. "There's a reason our bad guys try and capture us instead of kill us you know." “Well how would you know?” Fortune smirked. “A Bearer has never died before. Unless you count destroying Nightmare Moon’s physical body as death.” She shrugged. “The pegasus race will endure whatever hardship that comes our way.” Twilight rolled her eyes. "Luna never had her body destroyed when she was possessed. Anyway, if you kill a Bearer, it'll just sever our connection, and somepony else can wield the Element then. Which is why the bad guys prefer capture instead of just having us grab a replacement." Fortune chuckled. “And why do you think we’re holding you here. You damned pinheads always think you’re so clever. Well, you’re going to be spending the rest of your life in shackles. That much I can promise you both.” "You're not the first bad guys to say that." Rainbow pointed out. "Trust me, it never works out in the end." “Tell me about it,” Suri snorted. Fortune growled. “They were not the Enclave. We are the master race. We shall prevail and the lesser races will roll over and accept their masters as they did once before.” "Do you have doughnuts?" Rainbow asked. "The last guy that captured us had doughnuts. Really nice guy all things considered." "As long as you ignore his plan to destroy a deer tribe." Twilight rebutted grumpily. Rainbow shrugged. "Well yeah, he was evil, but he had class. These guys are kind of cheap." “I made some muffins if you want some,” Pansy said. “PANSY!” Fortune shouted, causing the timid mare to duck and cower. “NO MUFFINS FOR THE PRISONERS! We’ve been over that.” Twilight frowned. "There's no reason to yell at her. She was just being polite." “She should toughen up,” Fortune growled. She stood over Pansy. “You’re the descendant of the first Pansy. The Pansy who best the god of the changeling and drove back the horde. Who had the world bow to her hooves. This is what I am given? A little ingrate who cowers at her own shadow? Buck up and start acting like a pegasus.” She pulled Pansy to her hooves. “This is why you were bleeding bullied in Cloudsdale, Pansy.” “I know,” Pansy softly said. Fortune sighed. “I’m sorry for yelling, but this is make or break. We are going to succeed and I need you ready and prepared to do what you need to do. For the Enclave.” "...so is it just the two of them?" Twilight asked Suri. "Because I would be very disappointed in ourselves if these two managed to capture us." Fortune punched Twilight hard. “Shut it, herb. How dare you mock the great Enclave. Our numbers are great! We could slaughter your pathetic army without a care.” Twilight went down like a sack of wet towels, groaning. “I think you overdid it,” Pansy immediately went to Twilight’s side and looked her over. “Oh dear. Fortune, you know unicorns aren’t that sturdy.” “She’s a herb,” Fortune snorted. “She isn’t worthy of our concern. Just make sure she doesn’t die.” “It’s going to be alright,” Pansy said. “I have some of my grammy’s medicines. You’ll be right as rain in no time.” “I said make sure she doesn’t die not treat her like a celebrity,” Fortune rolled her eyes. "Well she kind of is, what with being Celestia's student and the Bearer of Loyalty." Rainbow pointed out. "Also, seriously, do you guys even have a plan here? Cause all I'm hearing is "pegasi are better just cause we are", which really is kind of lame." “The plan is simple really,” Fortune smirked. “The Enclave needs resources and land to thrive. So why not take it in a land that knows not of us while keeping a doorway to our world open. Our forces are already on the march. Soon, we will make our move. Our scouts have reported some fine areas where we can build an army worth of The Great Commander Pansy and retake our cloud cities from the wretched hooves of those insipid land scum. With our freedom assured, we shall begin anew in a nation for pegasi and pegasi alone….Perhaps we shall even liberate our cities in your world. Oh yes, it would be glorious, wouldn’t it? The streets of Cloudsdale paved with the blood of our enemies.” She took a deep breath. “With the help of Dominion, we have made this possible. Our future is secure.” "You're trusting Dominion? Really?" Rainbow asked, incredulous. "The evil warlock who wants to take over the world and claims he is a god?" “He is not a god,” Fortune snorted. “I should know. My world is filled with them, but he is fulfilling his purpose well enough. We will abide with dealing with this……..warlock until our mission is finished.” "Warlocks. Plural." Rainbow pointed out. "You know, his small army of top tier warlocks? Most of them able to level a town on their own. And a small army of them? You guys, with a dozen of you, couldnt handle me. What makes you think you'll be on top in the deal?" “The Enclave has fought worse odds through the centuries,” Fortune snorted. “When Discord was freed, we slew the foul traitors of chaos to the last. I myself skewered a Blood Magi, but hopefully, this Dominion will keep proving useful. For their sake.” Rainbow rolled her eyes. "Really? Cause you are kind of failing to impress." “And you fail to impress me,” Fortune scoffed. “You’re in chains. We’ve won.” "Yeah, all it took was a dozen of you and a kick flank earth mercenary." Rianbow pointed out. "I'm a town weather manager. You're supposedly military. Also, I'm thirteen. What do you guys think you'll be able to do against knights?" “They were ordered to go easy on you,” Pansy said. “I mean, you’re father here wouldn’t be happy if you got hurt.” She gulped in fear. “Sorry for talking out of line.” "Yeah, ask Miss Fortune there about "going easy" and how she failed at that." Rainbow said smugly. "Anyway, is Twilight going to be fine? Our unicorns aren't exactly physically tough." “She’s overall fine,” Pansy said. “Nothing severe. She’ll be sore for a while though.” "Well that's good." Rainbow said, stretching as best she could. "So...who's in charge here? Cause you don't strike me as "leader" material. No offense Pansey, you're very sweet. All offense Fortune, you're a moron." “You’re right,” a gruff older male came stomping in. His light blue fur was whitening out and he had a large gash in his forehead. “I take it you’re the other Rainbow I’ve been hearing about?” "Yep. And I take it you're the local boss." Rainbow said. "Also, you are aware that you just called Fortune a moron right?" “My reports indicate that she made attempts to kill you by, and I quote, spearing you on ice cycles.” The stallion gave Fortune a chiding gaze who withered under it. “I am inclined to agree with you on that regard.” Rainbow chuckled. "So, who are you supposed to be?" The stallion straightened himself to attention. “Master Sergeant Blizzard, sub-commander of the Enclave.” "Sooo....is Sergent your name or your rank? Cause it sounds like your title is "Master", which I mean that just screams ego." Rainbow pointed out. “No, my rank is Master Sergeant.” Blizzard clarified, snorting. “Civies.” He muttered to himself. “As it is, my soldiers’ actions were done in ways that weren’t within my orders. You may be the enemy, but that is no reason to treat you like scum, especially a fellow pegasus.” He gave Fortune a hard glare. “And especially a pegasus like her.” Fortune chuckled nervously. "Huh, so you're claiming you just can't get good help and this stuff isn't your fault?" Rainbow asked, feigning boredom. “Given the circumstances,” Blizzard said. “I was forced to take in some less than stellar soldiers into my current unit. Given how it took an Earth to do the job, my gripes have been justified in that regard.” "Or she's just that good." Rainbow pointed out. "That's entirely possible too you know." “Given how ill trained some of these soldiers are and Fortune’s attitude, it could be both.” Blizzard stated. “I don’t like to underestimate my foes, so I shall give you the benefit of the doubt.” Rainbow shrugged. "Your call. So, did you just grab us for a laugh, or do you actually have a plan?" “It is not my place to disclose information with the enemy, captured or otherwise.” Blizzardstated. “For any being worth their salt knows that information is worth it’s weight in gold. You could escape. You could inform them of our plan. I will not be the one to lead to that.” "Ah." Rainbow said. "So telling somepony your plans is something only an idiot would do huh?" She smiled a giant smile. “........Fortune?” Blizzard said. “Father, I can-” To which Fortune was cut off as Bloodreaver held a blade to her neck. “You have no idea how often I think of having you executed for your stupidity,” Blizzardcalmly stated, with only a slight hint of agitation. The blade was held firmly in one wing. “The only reason I still my blade is because you’re my daughter and even then you try my patience.” He quickly sheathed it. “Fortune, in the future, keep your head on your shoulders and not flaunting in the enemies face or you’ll find it on the floor. Do you understand, soldier?” Fortune nodded. “Yes, father.” “I doubt you do,” Blizzard groaned and rubbed his forehead. “This is what I get for being soft with you.” "That's soft?" Rainbow asked, incredulously. "If that's your definition of soft, you must sleep on an iron bed with tinfoil sheets and a large gem as a pillow." “You certainly have an imagination,” Blizzardsnorted. “How much did she tell you?” "That you guys are the Enclave, you think pegasi are superior, and as your soldiers can tell you she confessed before I got captured that you guys were the ones to open the portal, meaning that Polish has probably informed everypony bout that little nugget of info to boot." Rainbow summarized, feeling no need to elaborate further as to that she revealed the WHOLE plan. "Oh and we're hostages to keep the Princesses off your flanks or something." Blizzard took a deep breath and let out an agitated one in return. “I see. Fortune?” Fortune gulped. “She’s trapped. She can’t escape.” “Nothing is absolute,” Blizzard said with a slight growl. “I told you time and time again about gloating. You don’t listen to me. Do you know what you’ve done?” Fortune lowered her head in fear. “They don’t know where we are.” “The have a Deer Farseer with them!” Blizzard snarled, turning on her. “You’ve secured the deaths of dozens of our brothers and sisters in arms by your sheer stupidity.” "Wait, what?" Rainbow asked, confused. “Our defense will hold them off for a while, maybe a few hours.” Blizzard growled in irritation. “We don’t have the numbers to keep up more than that against the might of whatever the hay they bring down on us….and now I’m muttering that in front of an enemy. Wonderful.” "Um, isn't this the kind of situation where you're supposed to try and sneak out the back and just call whatever it is you are trying to do a bust?" Rainbow asked. "I mean, if you can't succeed either way, shouldn't you take the option that lets you live?" “My life is the Enclave,” Blizzard stated. “If I must die, so be it. We’ve already gone this far, I will not back down. Not after we’re so close to our objective and I’m doing it again.” He groaned and rubbed a hoof over his face in exasperation. "Look, I get that you guys are technically the bad guys, but I don't want to see you guys get hurt, or even killed, for no good reason. Wouldn't it be better to live to try another plan later than die trying one that won't work, thus denying the Enclave your future talents for no reason beyond stubborn pride?" “It will work,” Blizzard said. “Dominion has assured us and so far they’ve held up their end of the bargain. We will not back down on our end, no matter how much it pains me to work with some Nightmare Moon cultist wannabees.” "Okay. I'm sure you guys know what you're doing, what with my Equestria having the various knight orders, a military, Elements, a good number of allies, and a couple alicorns. I'm sure your group of just a few dozen pegasi could totally take all that on." “Thousands,” Blizzard stated with a smirk. “You really think the Enclave was only ‘a few dozen’? We carry weapons and mounts fabled across the globe. We are ready for anything that can come our way. That I can assure you.” "Uhu. So what's your plan for a double smack down from Luna and Celestia blasting you together?" Rainbow asked, idly polishing her hoof. “The reflections?” Blizzard chuckled. “Why should we fear something that pales in comparison to a god. Your Celestia is nothing more than an imitation. A pony wearing the title of something they do not deserve. As for that night bitch who shall never be named,” he growled. “She will die. As for how, well, as I said before. That would be telling, wouldn’t it?” "You sure about that? Cause I hung around your Celestia for a bit and...I'm not impressed." Rainbow admitted. "Honestly, I haven't seen anything that was beyond what our Princess could do. So yeah, not sure what you could even possibly do. You have to rely on ponies like Fortune for that stuff." Blizzard snorted. “I wouldn’t expect a heathen to understand. Of course, how can you understand. A world without gods? How curious, but I don’t believe that you can tell or you’re just trying to rile me up. There is a difference and that is one thing: I can kill your Celestia.” Rainbow laughed. "Seriously? No gods? You didn't hear about the, oh I don't know, eight million gods?!" She threw her hooves up over her head in exasperation as she sat down. "Really, research fail!" “Fail? Then where are these gods? Are they simply too weak to enter the mortal realm? Well, wherever they are, they will know of the might of the Enclave soon enough.” Blizzard stated. "Well I don't have the whole list memorized, I mean it's eight million you know? So, you got any comics or something I could read, I'm getting bored here." “You’ll get food and water,” Blizzard said. “That is all.” "But that's soooooooooo boring! What would it hurt to give me some comics to pass the time?" Rainbow whined. Blizzard sighed and rubbed his forehead. “I swear, you’re just like that father of yours when he was your age and I’ll do then what I did there. Ignore you.” "You know my old man? Or the local one." Rainbow asked. "I mean I figured you knew him since you're an extra crazy member if his group, but like you were his friend growing up? What was he like here?" “He was ambitious,” Blizzard sighed. “He was always trying to do better, never satisfied. He wanted to know more, see more, do more. He was insufferable to deal with and almost impossible to keep up. Calling him a friend would probably be pushing it, but I knew him well enough. I was pretty much the only thing keeping him alive, since he had a habit of gaining ire wherever he went. Quite a way with words. He got me to follow him after all.” He chuckled. “The adventures he would drag me on were certainly something, the damned fool.” Rainbow fidgeted a bit. "Could you...tell me a bit about one of those adventures?" she asked, a bit meekly. Blizzard blinked a few times in confusion. “You want me to tell you a story?” "I'm bored and...my dad never got to tell me any stories like that." Rainbow admitted. “Father,” Fortune scoffed. “You can’t be serious about this. This is stupid.” “Oh come now,” Blizzard rolled his eyes. “I seem to recall a little filly that loved to pounce on her dad while he was asleep to hear a bedtime story.” Fortune blushed in embarrassment. “I was a filly.” “And you still act like one,” Blizzard snorted and took a seat. “We’re not going anywhere, anyways. Hopefully, we won’t be discovered any time soon. Maybe if you sit down and ‘listen’ you’ll actually learn something.” Fortune grumbled and sat by Pansy, who was applying a magically infused potion to Twilight’s bruises. “Fine.” Laying down a bit and getting comfortable Rainbow said "So, why don't we start with when you met Dad?" “Well that certainly was a story,” Blizzard said. “I was a little colt playing in the park. Same old, same old, until your father smashed into my head.” He chuckled. “Apparently, he had gotten into his head that a wyvern would make for an awesome pet….He just forgot about the parents.” ___________________________________________________________________ Shining glared down at the map. “And you’re sure these are the entrances? All of them?” Anrain sighed. “No. The magic of the Empire is still interfering with my sight. Those are our best options.” Shining sighed. “Then we’ll attack from all directions. Draw them out and keep their eyes on the bulk of our forces. Here,” he pointed to a small section on the outskirts of the city. “Is where a small force will enter. It’s an older tunnel, small and shouldn’t be that well guarded. Thankfully, we found some records of the Crystal Mines so we have an idea about what we’re facing…..I’m not going to lie. We’re looking at a bloodbath however we slice it. They’re going to keep us bottled up. We can keep it to a minimum by deploying the heavier units in front with magic fields in place.” “A well enough plan for a pony,” Anrain commented, making Shining roll his eyes. “Are you sure we can’t just keep them bottled in and starve them?” Blueblood suggested. Shining shook his head. “The tunnels are too expansive to allow that. The Enclave aren’t stupid.” "Did I hear somepony say "starving"?" Sweetie asked as she rolled a cart in. "Because I have snacks! We have a variety of cookies in chocolate chip, peanut butter, oatmeal raisin, double chocolate chunk, and ginger snaps. I also made eclaires, three varieties of tea, a batch of desert biscuits, and two double layer cakes." She paused for a bit. "Also I somehow baked all these in about ten minutes, so I think something kicked my special talent into overdrive." “Well whatever it is, I hope it keeps it up.” Blueblood licked his lips as he picked out a few eclairs with his magic. Shining didn’t look away from the map. He only magicked over cookie to chew on. “...Thanks. Probably need to go give a few to mom.” "Oh, I thought she would still be here. Where did she go? Also, I have those canolli I promised Spike ready to go. Do you know where he and the others are?" “...Back, back I say!” Sunset yelled as she pushed her brother Spike inside, looking behind her. “Sunset, you are a very selfish mare.” Spike snorted, with a grin. “It’s almost like you care for me.” “No, I just find all those mares clinging off your arms an annoyance.” Sunset snorted. With her were the other bearers. “So, how’s it going?” “Stressful,” Shining muttered. “Oooh,” Pizzelle flew over to the tray. “How delightful. I haven’t had army deserts since that lovely outing I had at the border a few years back. Oh those soldiers put so much love into their work...kind of sloppy, but doable.” She narrowed her eyes at the tray. “Aki Hikaru, you have to share.” The image of the cart shimmered out of existence and the little kitsune was a few hooves lengths away, pushing the cart. He frowned and looked down. “I’m sorry, mommy. I’m just hungry.” “Well I’d rather not you fill up on desserts at this time of day,” Pizzelle said. “You can have a few, but I don’t want my little colt getting a tummy ache.” She stroked his head lovingly. "Don't worry, I made plenty for everyone, pony and non." Sweetie assured as she wheeled in another three carts. "Anypony else feel like jogging? I feel like I could use a jog." “That sounds like a good idea to me,” Redheart said. “A little exercise never hurt anyone.” “Well, actually…” Pizzelle started. “Pizzelle,” Redheart gave her a flat look. “You don’t have to tell us a story on every little thing.” “...Alright,” Pizzelle huffed. “But I do believe it would be for the best. I mean, I have been gaining a few pounds lately. Haven’t gotten out as much as I’ve used to, since taking in my little baby boy. One would think I’d have lost a few, given how much of a hooffull he is, but nope. Guess my ‘stress relief’ baking had the opposite effect.” "I've been baking like crazy, like really I did. And now I feel like I drank a dozen cups of coffee." Sweetie said, twitching slightly as she stood there. “........Are you alright?” Coco asked. “You seem...odd.” "Odd what's odd? I don't feel odd, I feel great." Sweetie insisted while she started to vibrate. “Okay, no.” Sunset said before trotting over to Sweetie. “What did you do in that kitchen?” "Bake. And bake. And bake all the things." Sweetie responded. "It's almost like I couldn't stop." Sunset put a hoof on Sweetie’s shoulder. “Okay, something’s wrong. I want you to try and remain still. I’m going to try and scan you with my magic.” "I'm not standing still?" Sweetie asked, confused, as she continued to vibrate and twitch. Sunset took her hoof off and rolled her eyes. “Right.” Her horn lit up and her aura flitted about Sweetie. She frowned. “I see.” Sunset quickly took off Sweetie’s necklace. “You’re being overcharged.” "Oh...I feel a lot less...goodnight." Sweetie muttered before flopping to the ground, snoring loudly. Redheart quickly lifted Sweetie onto her back. “Well, it seems I’ll be putting her to bed now. She’ll need it after being overcharged to that degree.” She trotted off. “Well,” Blueblood said as he munched on a brownie. “That certainly happened.” And then Twilight Velvet appeared at his side. “.....And that just happened too. Today’s just full of happenings, isn’t it?” “True,” Velvet nodded. “But I do believe I have an idea about our problem.” Anrain smiled. “Well then, by all means share it.” ________________________________________________________________ "Wait, okay I can get how so how you got all the chocolate pudding into the deans office without anypony noticing but how did he get the hats on all the flying monkeys?" Rainbow asked. “He talked a local carnival into loaning the hats, saying that it was for a school play.” Blizzard shook his head and chuckled. "And they bought it?" Rainbow asked, breaking out laughing. "Seriously, this version of Dad is like, seriously awesome. How,did you guys not get kicked out after that?" “We did,” Blizzard noted. “The dean saw to it that we were thrown out that very day. The stallion who owned the carnival thought it was all hilarious so he helped us out. Turns out, he’s the little brother of our school’s rival dean. The moment she found out about this she wanted to talk to us personally. When we explained what happened, she laughed her cutie mark off and enrolled us in her own school, free of charge. It’s not hard to see how your father became the dean’s favorite, at her request of course. Not to mention the pictures he gave her were displayed for all to see during the next school competitions. I often asked if he knew about all that and what was going to happen. He just gave me his usual smirk and said ‘Don’t I always’. School was a breeze from then on out.” "Oh there is no way he planned that." Rainbow said with a snort. "He can't be that clever." Blizzard shrugged. “He did often take credit for blind luck. Either way, he got a kick out of the whole thing.” "That sounds more like Dad." Rainbow said nodding. "Seriously, he's not half as smart as he thinks he is. Or as cool. Or athletic. Or wise. Or good looking. Or-" “Yes,” Blizzard chuckled. “I get what you’re trying to say, but he is still rather clever when he wants to be. I should know. I grew up with the insufferable stallion.” "So did I and...other me. We weren't as impressed as you were I guess." Rainbow pointed out. “Well your other and him never did see eye to eye on much,” Blizzard grumbled. “Kind of grew a bit of distance as you got older. Blaze didn’t exactly take it all that well.” Rainbow groaned. "Not the "I know what's best for you in the long run, you are my daughter and you will listen to me" speech. I hate that one. Mom was usually the one that gave it, but still." “Pretty much,” Blizzard stated. “He spent a lot of his time grooming his little Dashie to carry on his title. That didn’t exactly pan out all that well, especially after she joined the Wonderbolts.” Rainbows eyes sparkled a bit as she squeed. "The Wonderbolts are so awesome! I totally am going to be one!" “.......It’s like looking into an old photograph,” Blizzard said. “I remember you jumping on your father’s head to get a better look at the shows. He often had to skip out on meetings and cancel others to do it. Got splitting headaches for it.” Rainbow smiled. "Aww, that was nice of him. Seriously, he sounds like a pretty cool dude. What's he doing leading a bunch of bad guys?" Blizzard grit his teeth. “We’re not the bad guys. We’re doing what’s best for our tribe.” "At the expense of others." Rainbow retorted. "Profiting at the expense of others like that is a disgrace." “Profiting at their expense?” Blizzard scoffed. “What expense is that? The one we pay to those ground dwellers who enforce their laws upon us? Who send our sons and daughters to fight their wars? No, we’ve paid our dues. We’re going to right what our ancestors set wrong. The pegasus race will answer only to ourselves from this day until the end of time.” "Send to fight their wars? Isn't the military volunteer?" Rainbow asked, confused. “They trick our youth and fellow pegasi into destroying themselves for a ‘pretty image’,” Blizzard scoffed. “An image built on the blood of our ponies.” Rainbow blinked a few times. "...huh?" Blizzard sighed. “I have to simplify this, don’t I?” "I am a kid, a school dropout, and was never big on politics." Rainbow explained, unabashed. “Simply put,” Blizzard stated. “We wish to secure the rightful independence of the pegasus race. To rebuild our Empire to the way it was before. To secure our purity.” "...what empire? You mean the one that was starving and getting its flanks froze off by the Windego?" Blizzard growled. “We survived, one way or another and we could have done so without their help. If Commander Hurricane had been a stronger leader, we wouldn’t have had to work with the others. We wouldn’t have had changelings ‘breeding’ with our tribe and creating monsters. We could have slain the windigos were they stood.” Rainbow rolled her eyes. "Yes, attack the creatures the grow in power from aggression, brilliant move. Next, you can cover yourself in honey and start poking Ursas with sticks." “For your knowledge,” Blizzard stated. “There are documented instances where ponies have slain windigos, pegasi included.” "Are you talking about zen archers?" Rainbow asked. "Cause last I checked, that's a unicorn thing." “Commander Hurricane himself was able to slay a dozen of the beasts,” Blizzard stated. “While it is far more difficult for a pegasus to ‘naturally’ do it, there are means….Even if he used enchanted weapons from those damnable pinheads.” Rainbow gagged a bit. "Could we please leave out the blatant tribalism please? I'm trying to have an adult conversation, and you're not being mature here." “How dare you?” Fortune growled. Of course, that was all cut off when there was a bit of a spark. “I fixed, Twilight... if that’s okay with you all.” Pansy muttered. “She’ll be fine. No bruise, but she’ll be a bit sore. I’m just thankful Fortune isn’t a heavy hitter.” “Hey!” Fortune shouted in indignation. "Thank you very much Pansy." Rainbow said. "And yeah, Fortune isn't exactly that dangerous, so I wasn't too worried." “I am too dangerous,” Fortune growled. “Father, let me show-” “No,” Blizzard glared at her. “You are to go meet up with those cultists of Nightmare-” “Dominion,” Fortune pointed out. “Same thing,” Blizzard grunted. “I want you to keep an eye on them and how things are going on over there. Report back to me as soon as possible, understood soldier?” “Understood, sir.” Fortune stood at attention and saluted. Blizzard saluted back and she trotted off. "You know my world didn't have Nightmare cultists right? She wasn't considered imoressive enough." Rainbow explained. "Dominion has followers who're the type that would normaly form cults around themselves. Are you sure you know what you are doing? Cause this just screams "bad idea" to me." “These Dominion followers have nothing on the forces of Nightmare Moon or Luna which ever you prefer to call….” Blizzard’s gaze turned a bit distant. “I’ve see them in action and I pray that you never do. The cult of Nightmare follows the teachings of a mare who devoured the souls of millions on her worldly three year war. She destroyed entire cities, down to the last babe. This Dominion is not of her stock, even if his existence just makes me want to slice him open. So far, they have kept their word, which is more so than any Nightmare cultist would.” Rainbow shuddered. "Our Nightmare got her flank kicked in less than twenty minutes the first time. Probably less than fifteen. Then again, she wasn't murder crazy...she really didn't have the mental ability to connect eternal night to everypony starving. Side effect of when she was possessed. But seriously, these are guys that officially want to take over the world. If comics have taught me anything, it's that when bad guys with different end goals team up it never ends well." “This is the real world, Rainbow Dash.” Blizzard stated. “Things work differently here.” “Should I go get Twilight some water?” Pansy asked. “Umm, I think it would be good for her now…….but I’m not pushing you to make a decision or anything.” "I think that would be a good idea." Rainbow chimed in. "Also, Blizard, dude. You're teaming up with an evil super villain dark magic cult to stage an extra dimensional invasion. What part of that isn't comic book?" Blizzard wasn’t going to dignify that with a response. “My ride has some water in his saddle.” He whistled. “Grag, come here boy.” Without a pause, a rather large dark gray wyvern came stalking into the room. It was covered in gray armor playing that fit the Enclave motive with the scorpion tail symbol painted on it. The creature growled as it stalked inside, towering over the ponies. It’s long tail was covered in metallic spikes. Of course, the tail alone could easily break bone. Blizzard flapped upwards and took out a little bottle and threw it to Pansy, who narrowly caught it. “Make use of it.” "...that is the third coolest mount I have ever seen." Rainbow said in awe. The wyvern stared at Rainbow and sniffed her. Snorting, it licked Dash. Blizzard chuckled. “He’s always had a soft spot for you. Blaze always worried you’d get yourself hurt, but I snuck your other a few rides here and there.” “Wyverns are pretty impressive,” Pansy muttered mostly to herself. "So wait, it thinks I'm your Rainbow Dash?" Rainbow frowned. "We don't look that alike, do we?" Blizzard tapped his nose. “It’s your smell. You smell similar enough that he just likes you. I don’t think he thinks your the same, but still. Your similar enough for him.” “Sides,” Pansy stroke the wyvern, Grag’s, snout. “Wyverns aren’t that bad once you get to know them. A lot of ponies think they’re too vicious to train.” "I want one." was Rainbows simple response to the situation. “You can’t have one,” Blizzard stated. “Um,” Pansy said. “There are some eggs we have in storage. It wouldn’t hurt to….maybe give her one once this is over.” She hid behind her mane. "No giving Dash giant monster pets." Twilight groaned from where she lay. "Never works out." “Well it would be a baby,” Pansy stated. “It would imprint on Dash, though she’d have to train it not to attack others. That can get...hectic at times.” Twilight groaned. "As a responsible adult from her world, I'm saying no." "Oh come on!" Rainbow shouted. "I can be totally responsible!" Twilight, while still flat on her side, never the less shot Rainbow a very flat glare and twitched her tail a few times. "Alright alright I get it, no need to get personal." Rainbow grumbled. “Are you sure?” Pansy said as she stroked Grag’s snout. The wyvern purred. “They can be the best of pets.” “Though, again, they are incredibly deadly.” Blizzard stated. “One snap of its jaws or swing of their tails can end a pony’s life. That’s often why only the military have them.” "And why a weather manger shouldn't have one when she's not even an adult yet." Twilight agreed. "Seriously, I let you take one and I will never hear the end of it. I'll be lectured constantly...and I mean constantly. Between my mental link with my familiar and Luna's ability to enter dreams, it is possible to literally lecture me non-stop forever if they put the effort into it." Both of the natives tensed up when ‘Luna’ was spoken. “Ah yes,” Blizzard said. “That would be trouble, now wouldn’t it.” "Luna wouldn't do that. She is totally, like, our biggest fan what with saving her from possession and everything....I can totally see your owl doing it though. Guy is so smug." "Owlowicious is not smug." Twilight argued. "He is just very well educated from living in a library which he helps run." “You talk with your owl?” Pansy asked. “I wish I could do that, but I don’t have a familiar...or a cutie mark related to that, or any real spells….I’m sorry for bringing it up. That’s not my business.” Rainbow rolled her eyes. "They're overrated if you ask me. It's like having a pet, but it's smart enough to make demands, tell you its opinion, and criticize what you do." "It's also a lifelong friend, and unlike a pet is smart enough to do complex jobs while being able to reliably take care of itself." Twilight argued back. Pansy got in between them. “This isn’t something to argue about…...I mean, I don’t think it is. That’s my opinion however…..sorry.” "...you're right we shouldn't be fighting." Rainbow agreed. "I'm sorry Twilight." "I'm sorry too." Twilight said, rolling up so she was laying in a more comfortable position. "Now, about that water? My throat is a bit dry." Pansy opened up the bottle and hoofed it to Twilight. “Here you go.” Twilight blinks a few times, face scrunched up. "...magic inhibitor?" “Do you think we’d be stupid enough to not do that and do not answer that question, Rainbow.” Blizzard shot her a look. "It's just kind of overkill. I dont know how to use this worlds magic beyond some very shaky and weak telekinisis that I can barely use to feed myself." Twilight explained. "Do uh...do you have a straw?" She flushed in embarrassment. Pansy put a little bendy straw in it. “There, all better.” She held it up to Twilight. “It’s better to be safe than sorry,” Blizzard stated. Twilight drank quickly. "Thank you Pansy, that was very nice of you." “I try,” Pansy smiled. "Seriously, why are you hanging around with these guys?" Rainbow asked. "You are clearly not the military type. You should be off helping children in a preschool or something." “She is directly descended from the great commander Pansy,” Blizzard said. “It is her duty to aid the Enclave.” "...that's stupid." Twilight responded. "You can't force somepony to do something because they're descended from somepony else. That makes no sense. Everypony is unique in their own special way." “It is her duty to carry out Pansy’s legacy,” Blizzard said with conviction. “Be it in any way, shape, or form.” "So...you guys decided she should be a soldier?" Rainbow pointed out. "Aren't there, like, a hundred different jobs she could do?" “I’m more of a field medic, really.” Pansy muttered. "I'm sure you do an excellent job." Twilight replies. "Now then,  I was unconscious when you introduced yourself Mr.?" “Blizzard,” he said. “Fortune’s father and the commander of the Enclave forces here.” "Right, Mr. Blizzard. Now, as I understand it you are planning some sort of conquest in our world?" Twilight inquired. "I am really curious how you think that will even remotely work." “We don’t have the strength for a full blown conquest of any ‘huge’ scale at the moment,” Blizzard commented. “We’re just going to lie low until we do. Your world isn’t familiar with us, so it’ll be easier to do so……..and now I’m doing the same thing my daughter was.” He face hooved. "So...you don't have a long term plan." Twilight noted. "There might be more diplomatic options available, if you would like to discuss it." “Diplomacy is what got us in this mess,” Blizzard growled. “And we have a long term plan.” “...I’d like to hear them,” Pansy stated. “No you don’t,” Blizzard shot at her. "Well, there is largely unclaimed territory out there in our world." Twilight explained. "The badlands and frozen north are inhospitable, but unclaimed. Hmmm, there are some one hundred uninhabited islands in the C.I.S. archipelago you could possibly stake claim in, but then you'd have to deal with the neighbors. Those are just the peaceful options I can think of off the top of my head. Really, if you just want to live independently in our world there are plenty of peaceful ways to do it." “Yeah,” Blizzard snorted. “We’ll think on that. Maybe we’ll go for it, but either way, we’re taking our cloud cities with us...All of them.” "Uhhhh...what about the pegasi that don't want to move? You know, most of them?" Rainbow asked. “They aren’t true pegasi then,” Blizzard scoffed. “They’ll be removed from our cloud cities so they can go frolic with their herb friends.” "...there are no words." Rainbow sighs, shaking her head. "So...shouldn't fortune be back by now? Hope those Dominion guys didn't do anything." “I told her to watch over them for a bit,” Blizzard stated. “If they want to come over, then they’ll come over themselves.” Twilight and Rainbow shared a concerned look, before Twilight began "You gave access to another world to a legion of the most dangerous spellcasters on the planet? The kind of beings that, given enough time, could get their stuff working over here?" “We have our side of the portal monitored well enough,” Blizzard said. “If they try something, we’ll be ready. We’ve dealt with warlocks before.” Twilight shrugged. "Fair enough. I trust you have shamans on hoof in case they try spirit shenanigans?" “A few,” Blizzard stated. “Shamans aren’t that numerous in our country. More prefer the duties of the sun and chaos priest and priestess as well as druidism. The barbaric dogs and other nations more readily use shamans.” "Pony shamans aren't that common back home either." Twilight admitted. "Still it's a universal so for races with less natural magic it's more appealing." “We have another word for the practice,” Blizzard said. “Barbaric.” He snorted. "It is a legitimate field of magical practice." Twilight argued. "Do you look down on alchemists too?" “Alchemy is a science that can be monitored,” Blizzard stated. “Shamanism is reckless with its usage of spirits and all of that nonsense. There’s a reason that the dogs clans so readily turn to the practice. They’re too stupid to be able to use anything else.” "Hey, I'm good friends with a zebra shaman!" Twilight shouted. "Really now, I know you're tribalist but you don't have to be so blunt about it." “I’m not really tribalist,” Pansy said. “You’re not even in the conversation,” Blizzard pointed out, to which made Pansy shrink into herself. “Sorry, sir.” Blizzard rubbed his forehead. “This is what I get for arguing over shamanism with a herb.” "I'm a little confused how that's an insult actually. Don't you guys eat plants too?" Rainbow pointed out. "Plus, by your reasoning, griffons and diamond dogs are worthy of respect because they eat meat." Blizzard snarled, bearing his teeth. The snarl sounded something you wouldn’t normally put to a pony. It was far too blood thirsty. “Never compare a pegasus to a griffin. They are our sworn enemies. We have fought eatch other to a standstill and by Celestia’s holy sun, I will see to it that they are extinguished.” Pansy was growling too, but stopped herself. “Umm...sorry. Instinct.” Rainbow blinked. "Wow, even Pansy? That's...wow. I had a griffon best friend growing up in Cloudsdale. Invited her to my mark mitzvah and everything." “Griffins and pegasi have been at war for thousands of years,” Blizzard raged. “They’ve tried to slaughter us for meat over and over again and they still haven’t changed. I’d rather befriend a Diamond Dog than a griffin. The day the last griffin takes its last breath is a day that I will celebrate.” "Well that's...fascinating." Twilight hedged. "But still, that's a bit harsh. I mean we didn't celebrate when bicorns went extinct...due to majority feelings that it was in poor taste but still." “You wouldn’t understand,” Blizzard snorted. “We’ve always been at war with them. Never has the pegasus race and the griffin worked together. They eat us, we eat them. That’s how it goes and that’s how it always will be. They only wish death upon us. The griffins can only think about killing. They are monsters.” "...yeah having trouble wrapping my head around that one." Rainbow admitted. "Ours are nicer, are good allies with pegasi, and are on another continent. Totally different circumstances." “A griffin is a griffin,” Blizzard stated. “No matter the world.” "And Pegasi are perfectly identical." Rainbow quipped back. Blizzard snarled, bearing his fangs. “I’ve had enough of this talk.” Twilight sighed. "I'd apologize for her childish behavior, but you did capture us and are holding us against our will, so there is that." “That’s no problem,” Pansy said. “I’d be agitated to if something like that happened to me. I’m sure it’ll work out for the best though, so don’t worry.” "...I'm not sure how, but it is good to be optimistic." Twilight agrees, sipping once more on her water. “That’s what my mother always said,” Pansy nodded. Rainbow sighed. "So...got anything to read?" “I have a Daring Do book,” Pansy said. “It’s an older copy, but I like it.” "Eh, better than nothing." Rainbow concedes. "Twilight and Sunset are more into that stuff though." "And I keep telling you it's a good series, you'd like it if you gave it a chance." Twilight argued. “She is quite the mare,” Blizzard said. “I had the honor of working with her during one of her travels up north. Nasty business that was. Got this scar from that venture.” He tapped the one on his forehead. "Uhhuh." Rainbow didn't sound convinced. "...hey, where did that Siri chick go?" “I think she went with Fortune,” Blizzard said idly. “Honestly, I don’t care where she goes. She’s done her job.” "So...got anything else to say? Cause this is kind of getting awkward now." Rainbow fidgeted a bit, looking around for anything to do. “........Do you like to play trading card games?” Pansy asked. "...I play Magecraft: the Summoning." Twilight offered. "I run an Oder/Wisdom deck." “I”ve got an Order deck,” Pansy said. Blizzard face-hooved.