Shattered Skies

by Arctikfox

Chapter 32 -Budding Horns-

Canterlot Castle rocked as the door to Celestia's bedroom bent, its enchantments struggling to contain the fire inside. The Royal guards under both Celestia and Luna's command gathered outside the door, unsure of what to do.

Luna appeared from out of the shadows cast by a sconce, and the guards gathered around quickly fell into bows. "What is going on?"

"I do not know, Princess." A Thestral said, and lowered himself further into his grovel. "We started hearing Princess Celestia's voice approximately an hour ago and tried to enter, but by that time it was too hot for us to enter. We sent for you, but you were in the realm of dreams."

"That is what woke me. She is having a nightmare." Luna's eyes glowed. "One that not even I was able to turn."

The glowing enchantments shifted on the door as Luna lit her horn. Though unbreachable in its current form, Luna’s expertise in spellcrafting allowed her to grant herself passage while maintaining the protective aspect of the runes. With a loud 'pop,' Luna phased through the door and into the room. Luna was instantly met with searing flames, but she kept the fire at bay with an icy shield that encapsulated the lunar princess. With a shattering voice, Luna roared. "Awaken!"

Forces in the room washed back and forth from fire to ice until Celestia shot upright. The flames were extinguished the moment Celestia opened her eyes, and the temperature in the room dropped staggeringly quickly. Where there was once glittery luxury now laid frost-infuzed ash. Rays of moonlight poured into the room, revealing the damage which made the Solar Royal Quarters unrecognizable.

Celestia sat on her bed, one of the few things protected from the fire, due to its enchantment. The primary ruler of Equestria panted hard, and her hooves shook violently as she tried to process what happened. Images flashed through her mind of a burning city. She squeezed her eyes shut to try and forget them, but the screams that accompanied the imagery proved to be too much for even Celestia to handle as she flattened her ears against her head. With a guttural scream, she curled into a ball and Luna rushed to her side.

"Tia, what is wrong?"

"I don't know. I had a dream, but it was so real." Celestia's voice shook unsteadily.

"Breath slowly, sister. What did you see?"

Celestia slowed her breathing and looked her sister in the eye. "Fire, crumbling towers, all manners of creatures fighting to reach deeper into the city, and..."

"And what, Tia?" Luna asked urgently.

"Alicorns. They were fighting and falling in droves at the hooves of Spirits." Celestia's voice cracked. "What does this mean?"

"It was just a nightmare." Luna held her sister's head to her chest and stroked the whimpering goddess’ mane. Contrary to her words, Luna knew the dream to be anything but a nightmare, for she too had the same memory.

Far outside Celestia's door, at the end of the long hall, stood Discord and Psalm.

"I knew avoiding the Gala was a bad idea." Discord mumbled. "You need to go inform your brother, immediately."

Psalm shook her head. "Maybe you're right. My brothers and sisters are moving faster than I anticipated, and this only complicates things."

"Do you still not know where Lonely Graves is?" Discord asked monotonously.

"No, but it isn't a lack of trying. I felt him at the cemetery a few nights ago, but by the time I arrived he was already gone." Psalm growled. "By the way, a certain someone has left your realm, and is looking to go to Ponyville."

Discord closed his eyes and sighed. "I sense her, but you need to be the one to retrieve her."

"Why can't you?"

"She is already in Ponyville, and I refuse to be anywhere near Skies." Discord gave Psalm a solemn look. "I wish I could be of more help to you."

Psalm floated up and hugged the draconequus' neck before disappearing into a mirage. "Thank you."

"Yes, Apple Bloom?" Skyfall called on his student from the master map in front of the room.

"Ya, what do you think of Shattered Skies’ speech?"

Skyfall shrugged before moving several shipments of wood to one of the groups of students that he shared a trade contract with. "Didn't hear it."

"Didn't you at least read it in the paper?" Apple Bloom whined.

Skyfall chuckled. "Tell me what you thought of it."

"Isn't this a bit too political for class?" Cheerilee asked.

"Sir." Desert barked as she strode into the large cargo bay where Skyfall was holding class. "I've gathered the guards and had them lay out the gear as you've commanded. What’s next?"

"Sharp and efficient as usual, Desert." Skyfall complimented. "Class is coming to an end, divide the platoon into new teams and have them form up accordingly."

Desert saluted and trotted out, leaving Skyfall to turn to Cheerilee slowly. "To answer your question, no. Politics happen regardless of age, and the sooner they learn about them, the more well-informed their decisions will be in the future."

Skyfall rose up and looked down at his map. To the lay pony, it looked like a game, but in truth it was designed to teach the the class economic; how to manage time, resources, and other variables they had no control of, all while forcing them to live with mistakes, and form strategies around them. Every now and again, he would look up to see a few foals sweating and pacing before their own maps.

"Time to turn in your homework." Skyfall called, and the foals stood and gathered before him. They were prepared to answer Skyfall’s ‘homework’ prompt, but it was obvious that most were conflicted. "Last week, I said my civilization had decided to tax all imports at twenty five percent, and put regular tax on stamps, sugar, all roads, and tea." Skyfall smiled down at the seven teams of three foals. "I asked you why I chose to do this, and what your civilizations’ responses to this would be."

Sweetie Belle raised her hoof first, clearly unhappy with the sudden increase in taxation.

"Yes, Ms. Belle?" Skyfall grabbed a quill and paper.

"You're building too much and need funds to continue." Sweetie Belle responded. "We have decided to break all treaties with you because of the sudden taxation, and we will send an ambassador to you to try and fix things."

Skyfall nodded and wrote 'War' next to their team name.

Diamond Tiara rose her hoof. "We say the same. Taxation is unfair without any way to argue against it, and we have sent a representative as well."

Skyfall nodded once more as he wrote another 'War' next to another name.

Rumble, Sunny Daze, Archer, and Truffle raised their hooves.

"Truffle."

He sighed. "We have no choice but to pay the tax."

"Same." Sunny Daze said.

"Ditto." Archer pouted.

"We've sent gold since we don't have much, but these new taxes will ruin us, so we sent an ambassador along with it." Rumble smiled nervously at Skyfall as he scribbled more words onto his page.

Cheerilee whispered her response, but Skyfall chuckled. "Did you just say you wanted to join our kingdoms through marriage?"

"It's the only way I can think to getting out of the tax. It’s too much for my kingdom to afford." Cheerilee reasoned.

"Fair enough." Skyfall wrote 'consignment/draft' next to Cheerilee’s name, and the other four groups. He paused with one group left, the uneven amount of students in Cheerilee's class left just Button Mash and Pipsqueak to try and manage a city all on their own. "And what about you, Button Mash? Pipsqueak?"

They looked at each other and swallowed hard. "War."

Sky's eyes widened. "Really?"

They nodded.

Cheerilee gasped, and scolded the two. "War is never the answer, you two. You were told to treat this practice as if it were the real thing! How could you arrive at such an answer?"

Skyfall sat back quietly to watch the nervous foals’ resolves as they were tested by their primary teacher.

"We had no other choice." Button defended.

"Why didn’t you do what the others did, and send an ambassador?" Cheerilee asked.

"What, just to have him turned away like the previous five? Every time we hit a hard spot and send someone to try and ask for help, they're turned away at the gate." Button Mash undid the latches and opened his map to show Cheerilee. "Every week or so, Mr. Skyfall has moved into our territory to push us into a smaller, more barren piece of land."

Skyfall's ear flicked at the use of some'one.' He smiled and put his hoof on Cheerilee's shoulder. "They’ve made their decision, and they’re plenty clear about what they've chosen." He faced the two foals. "As leaders of your nation, do you know what you've chosen for your people?"

"I do." Both colts responded.

"Fair enough. Then all that's left is to act on your plan next week." Skyfall smiled. "The homework for next week, everyone, is to tell me what you all thought about the events at the Gala. What would you have done if you were there? Class is dismissed."

All of the foals trotted out in a large group, giggling as they passed the statue-like guards in the parade grounds. Button Mash and Pipsqueak, however, stood tall in front of Skyfall and Cheerilee.

"Cheerilee, I think it's best you head on home. These two seem to be teeming with questions about their choice." Skyfall patted Cheerilee on the shoulder, reassuring her. "I'll see that these two get home safe."

"Perhaps you're right." Cheerilee smiled sheepishly, not as well-rounded in world affairs as Skyfall. "I will see you at Scootaloo's parent-teacher conference. Remember, it's on Tuesday."

"See you then." Skyfall waved as Cheerilee left. When the door shut behind her, Skyfall turned to the two waiting foals. "So, what do you really want to ask me?"

"We want you to help us." Pipsqueak asked.

"With?" Skyfall asked. "Keep in mind that in the simulation, I am not myself. I cannot take personal affiliation into account while making decisions."

Button shook his head. "We meant in real life. We need guidance and you were the best we could think of."

"What is it you need help with?" Skyfall asked. "Surely there is nothing so pressing that you need my help."

Button Mash sighed and looked at Pipsqueak. "Me and Pip have always been friends. Not because we get along, but because we understand each other."

Skyfall sat down and sighed. "So both of you have experienced a similar loss?"

They nodded.

"I can sympathize with that, but why come to me?" Skyfall asked.

"We want more than what we have." Button said soberly.

"Greed is a powerful thing, Button." Skyfall lowered his head. "I sense anger in you, but I believe it stems from a lack of understanding. The question now is, what is it you don't understand?"

Button scowled up at Skyfall and tried to remain steadfast under the gaze of his golden eyes.

Skyfall didn't move. "You have both lost a father, no?"

The colts looked at one another before facing Skyfall once more and nodding slowly.

"My father died in the royal guard."

"And my pa passed away in Trottingham from a shipping accident."

Skyfall bowed his head slightly. "Death is never easy to cope with, but this brings a question to my mind. You two are some of the few foals in Equestria that know such a loss. Why is it that you two have chosen war instead of attempting to make peace again?"

"To change the state of the game. With you as the most powerful nation, peace clearly isn’t possible." Button's said. "Much like in our real lives, we want to be more than we are."

"So it isn't greed that guides you. It's purpose." Skyfall cooed.

"We want to be heroes." Button Mash and Pipsqueak said in unison, making Skyfall smile.

"Then why come to me?" Skyfall asked.

"You threw yourself at Shattered Skies twice!" Button pointed out. "That’s not to mention all the other things you've done for Ponyville. You were hated and treated like a stray dog when you arrived, but you showed the town what you’re really like, and now most of them accept you. We want to be your apprentices!"

Skyfall closed his eyes. "You aren't ready yet."

Button scowled harder. "We are!"

"No, you're far too angry, and it’s clear you want to avenge your fallen in some way." Skyfall's voice dug deep. "I will not train someone whose life aspiration is to get vengeance."

"Is that because they say, 'in revenge you must dig two graves, one for your enemy and one for yourself?'" Pipsqueak asked disappointedly.

"No. Revenge brings closure, and at times, justice, but one must be emotionally stable for this to happen. Even at such a young age, you must have a clear mind to obtain what it is you really desire." Skyfall said.

Button sat on his haunches and slumped.

"You two need time to think about this. Becoming an apprentice isn't a simple decision like what you're going to eat for dinner. This will change your life." Skyfall stood to his full height. "There is a saying, 'when the pupil is ready, the master will appear.' I can teach you how to live full lives, and achieve your goals. You must be sure in your decision, though, because if you lie to me, I will know, and the path will be lost to you. Forever."

Skyfall turned to leave the two foals to contemplate his words. He stopped at the door and let his voice fill the room. "Ask yourselves: What will you do when you achieve your retribution?"

With a final look at his class roster, Skyfall scribbled one last word before heading out to teach his guard unit how to properly sail Celestia's newest gift: the same brigantine he 'chased' himself in.

Class Roster

Teacher Marry into royalty and liquidate city
Cheerilee

Team 1 War
Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Silver Spoon

Team 2 War
Diamond Tiara, Scootaloo, Cotton Cloudy

Team 3 Draft
Sunny Daze, Featherweight, Liza Doolots

Team 4 Draft
Archer, Snips, Aura

Team 5 Consignments
Truffle, Snails, Aura

Team 6 Draft
Rumble, Peachy Pie, Twist

Team 7 Watch
Button Mash, Pipsqueak

"Goodbye, Sir!"

Some guards called farewells as they trotted away from Skyfall, having bugged him for two hours about tips and tricks on everything from diplomacy to making coffee. After the seemingly endless monotony, Skyfall desperately needed some quiet time in his office with a warm cup of tea. He trotted inside happily, but his smile slowly died when he noticed Desert sitting against his door with a lollipop in her mouth.

"Hey, Cap." She greeted after a pause.

"Desert." Skyfall responded curtly. "Any reason you're lounged against my door?"

"Keeping guard."

"For?" Sky asked.

"Princess Twilight." Desert pretended to look at something down the hall.

"How and why is she in my office alone?" Skyfall asked, slightly annoyed. "This door was locked."

"Magic." Desert sighed sarcastically.

"Good night, Desert." Skyfall said as he opened his door.

"Good night, Captain. Remember, Captain Fury will be here in a few days." Desert stretched her lower back and sauntered away. "He wants us to show him what our guards can do."

Skyfall ignored Desert and barged into his office to find Twilight reading some of his foreign books.

"Twilight."

Twilight yelped and fell out Sky’s chair. She smiled sheepishly. "Hi, Skyfall. Didn't see you there."

"Imagine that, you didn't see me in my own office. Might be because I left, and locked the door on my way out." Skyfall raised an eyebrow as he spoke. "Anything I can help you with?"

"K-Kinda." Twilight teleported upright onto his office couch a few meters away.

"What is it you need help with, exactly?"

"Spirits." Twilight saw the exasperation on Sky's face, and took a deep breath. "Something happened at the Gala that I haven't felt confident enough in to share with anypony."

Skyfall sat at his desk. "Does it involve ancient Spirits?"

"Y-Yeah."

Skyfall held up an edition of the Equestrian Times that had a picture of Shattered Skies captioned, 'Spirits Exist! An ominous warning on the horizon.' on the front page. "Isn't really a secret, Twilight."

Twilight shook her head. "I mean somepony other than Shattered Skies."

Skyfall watched Twilight nervously shuffling her hooves together, and thought about the possibility of her meeting one of his ‘loving’ siblings.

"Can I trust you to keep this between us? From one lover of learning to another?"

"You came to me in faith, so yes. Whatever you say to me here will be kept a secret from the rest of Equestrian society." Skyfall sat back at his desk and watched as Twilight brought out her Element from a saddlebag she had placed by his couch.

"During the Gala, Princess Celestia cast a spell to fire the Elements, tricking them into thinking Shattered Skies was Discord. However, Shattered Skies was able to counter the Elements, and the blowback was formidable. Instead of hitting Skies, it washed over the entire Gala. For the most part it was harmless, but during the blast of white, something happened to me. At first I was scared, but then everything felt weird, and before I knew it, I woke up in front of somepony I didn't know."

"Oh Maker, you're pregnant!" Skyfall slammed his hoof on the table, only to receive a flying book to the head.

"I'm being serious!"

"Sorry." Skyfall rubbed his head. "It sounded like your story was going in that direction."

"Your mind is in the gutter."

"Well, you aren’t wrong."

"Anyway..." Twilight glared at Skyfall. "No one else seems to know Spirits quite like you do, so I thought you were the best pony to bring this to."

"You saw a Spirit?" Skyfall asked.

"Yes, she called herself Harmony." Twilight looked up when she heard a cup clatter to the desk. She cocked her head at the mortified look on Skyfall's face. "Sky, is everything okay?"

"You just said Harmony, didn't you?"

"Yes. Who is she?"

Skyfall covered up the spilled tea with a rag, and slowly poured himself and Twilight another cup. With a long sip of tea followed by a deep breath, he answered. "Are you familiar with Mewton's laws of physics having to do with actions and reactions?"

"Of course."

"And what of the concept of Yin and Yang?"

"I know it."

"Well, throw that out the window and familiarize yourself with only push and pull. Not in the literal sense, mind you." Skyfall looked up to see Twilight's eyes, eager for information, fixated on him. "You understand?"

Twilight nodded slowly.

"You know how Discord is chaotic, unpredictable, silly, and at times, very crude?"

"Yes, he’s gotten better, but there are still times the old Discord shows up." Twilight's smile dropped when Skyfall gave her a serious look.

"His old self would make your worst nightmare look like a foal's cartoon." Skyfall sipped his tea and continued. "Discord represents 'push.' He changes things."

"I thought he was Chaos?"

Skyfall shook his head. "Lord of Chaos is something he coined himself. He is ‘push’, and one of two of the strongest beings on Equus."

"And the other is Princess Celestia, right?"

"No, Celestia only defeated him with Harmony’s aid."

"The Spirit I saw at the Gala?" Twilight asked.

"Yes, she is the other side of the coin. If Discord represents push, then she represents pull, the unifying force. From what I read, she was everything Discord wasn't, and was loved by all until she and five friends made the ultimate sacrifice to end the Spirit war, giving Celestia and Luna a weapon to use against Discord." Skyfall said.

"So the Spirit that talked to me was Discord's opposite?"

"No, she was his sister. They were both created by the Maker, from the Maker, and because of this, they are part of creation. It is written Shattered Skies and many other Spirits fought him in Harmony's stead after she sacrificed herself." Skyfall sat back and tapped his hoof. "May I ask what she said?"

Twilight sipped her own tea. "She told me to seek out Shattered Skies. She made outrageous claims and told me that the royal advisors are not to be trusted. Then at the end, she told me to seek him out, despite him being a known criminal. I'm still not entirely sure of what I saw, though."

Skyfall nodded solemnly.

"I wanted to talk to the Princess, but she is so committed to capturing him. I grew up hearing bedtime stories of the evil Forest Spirit that would steal your soul if you disobeyed your parents. My own mother checked my closet every night so I could sleep, because I was so scared of him." Twilight rubbed her head. "If I seek him out, and he turns out to be innocent, then Celestia and Luna may try and punish me."

Skyfall shook his head. "Luna wouldn't punish you for seeking him out."

"Why?"

"Because once upon a time she was Shattered Skies’ star pupil." Skyfall smiled. "If you want my advice, talk to Luna, and get her approval to send mail to Farhaven, then request an audience. If and when it's approved, go with your friends to learn the truth." Skyfall placed his hoof on the table and glared intensely at Twilight. "A word of caution: There are forces working against him, and it would benefit them greatly to see tragedy befall you while around Spirits."

Twilight nodded. "Understood. Thank you, Skyfall. Please forgive my intrusion earlier.” Twilight gathered her saddlebags and rose from her seat. “You really are knowledgeable. Too bad we can't talk academically more often."

Skyfall chuckled. "My couch is always open, especially after I’m done training my guards. Until next time, Twilight." Skyfall waved farewell as Twilight made her departure. When she closed the door behind her, Skyfall sighed loudly. Great, another liability.

Feather of Truth closed his eyes and took a deep breath before maneuvering his spear with ferocity. He whipped it around and stabbed it in an arc around him before burying it deeply in the ground. Feather leapt onto the end of the spear, making it bow slightly. He had regularly practiced his combat skills since he returned from the Gala. From sunrise to sundown, he would work himself until he was completely out of breath, and then go even further.

The light sound of clapping echoed from across the room, snapping Feather from his intense concentration. He peered up to see Cadance waving at him from the doorway.

"Impressive."

Feather jumped down and bowed before Cadance as she made her way over to him. "Lady Anara."

Cadance smiled weakly. "You don't have bow, Feather."

"I do, you are the daughter of my master, and Lady Crystal. Bowing is the least that I should be doing." Feather's bow remained until Cadance reluctantly tapped his shoulder.

"Why do you call my father your master? He doesn't own you, does he?" Cadance asked.

"No, but I have sworn my unyielding fealty to him, and Innocence has done the same. We have belonged to his house for millennia." Feather watched as Cadance's expression turned to confusion.

"Yes, but why? No one ever tells me about my father before he married my mother, who is another topic he avoids like it’s his job." Cadance added a bit of annoyance to the end of her sentence.

Feather chuckled and sat. "Long ago, your father took a prominent role in the world, and eventually found himself between two arguing Spirits. I had sworn fealty to one of those Spirits, but suffice to say, she wasn't exactly kind and caring. That was why your father appeared. Her name was Falm, Lady of the Black Swamp, and she controlled much land in the western half of what is now the Griffon Kingdoms. She was accused of intentionally spreading disease, and your father took it as a personal insult since she was using his forests to achieve this."

Cadance moved to a nearby bench and sat on it before beckoning Feather over. "What did he do then?"

"By then, Innocence and Blue Line had already joined him, but they were ordered to stand down when I attacked your father, who promptly sent me flying several buildings away as a result. I rose again to face off with both Innocence and Blue, while Shattered Skies imprisoned Falm for her crimes." Feather rubbed his shoulder. "Spirits can heal abnormally fast, but something about the way your father struck me never left. Even as he stood over my defeated form and forgave me, I still felt the sting."

"So you, Innocence, and Blue Line have a life debt to my father?"

"In a way, it was common for lesser Spirits like myself to swear fealty to a guardian or a Spirit more powerful than ourselves. Out of all the Spirits that rode under your father's banner, Innocence and Blue were my closest friends." Feather's voice got quiet.

"What happened to Blue?" Cadance asked. "If you don't mind me asking, that is."

Feather nodded. "It's fine. During the war against Discord, and the Spirits that sided with him, there was a time when we were backed into a corner. We had just made a very important sacrifice, and Discord's forces sprang on us by surprise. Your father wanted to go to the front lines to fight, but Blue and I demanded to go in his stead, for his job was far more important than fighting."

Feather closed his eyes and took a deep, long breath. "He accepted with much reluctance and regret. We headed out and fought long and hard until one of Discord's Spirits, Howl, flooded the field in smoke. Before long, illusions and apparitions filled the battlefield, and they summoned ghost-like forms of ourselves to fight. In the end, it wasn't smoke we were fighting."

"It was each other." Cadance added weakly.

"Yes, in the end I won, but in winning, I lost my best friend." Feather smiled and patted Cadance's leg. "I was lost to myself for a long time, until your mother spoke with me about loss and celebrating one's life. I owe them both so much, and there’s no way I’ll ever be able to repay them for all they’ve done for me."

"What was my mother like?" Cadance asked. "I've asked my father and many others, but all I ever hear is how great and beautiful she was. I need someone to tell me what she was truly like."

Feather smiled again. "Your father will speak to you either tonight or tomorrow about it, I have spoken to him on your behalf. He wants to tell you, but he fears the feelings that may return if he tells you prematurely.”

"Is any of it bad?" Cadance asked.

"No." Feather placed his hoof on her's. "No, quite the opposite. She was everything to your father, and there is so much he can tell you. He’s just terrified that telling you will make you sad that she is gone."

Cadance gave a half-hearted laugh. "I’m already sad she’s gone, but not knowing anything about her is so much worse to me."

"Which is what I told him." Feather said. "Your mother wasn't as kind as your father, and at times she could be quite confrontational. During meetings with the Spirit council, either she or River would be the first to challenge something and demand action. The first time I met your father, they had been wrestling, and she was laying on top of him with a blush. They denied it, but King Jetsom accused them of sharing feelings for one another. As time went on, they grew even more affectionate, and when you were born, it was no surprise that you had such a command over love."

Cadance's eyes were teary, but Feather continued.

"Lady Crystal would sing you to sleep, and always be there when you woke up. Even though she is gone, know your mother loved you dearly." Feather stood and bowed as Sif sauntered into the yard. "Lady Sif."

"Feather, I take it you're telling Anara about her mother?"

"I am."

"You know Skies planned on sitting her down tonight." Sif mumbled, annoyed at his dismissiveness.

"I know, but I felt telling her a small bit would alleviate her lust for information, at least for a short while." Feather bowed. "Now, I must return to my training."

Cadance smiled up to Sif. "Hi."

"Hey, fluffball." Sif smiled. "Why are you trying to strongarm Feather into giving you information?"

Cadance giggled while itching her scalp vigorously. "Because I'm frustrated with dad not telling me anything."

"Head itch?"

"Yeah, two spots on the back of my head itch really badly. That, and random pains coupled with an inconstant fever has made me all frustrated. I sought out Feather to answer some questions to get my mind off the itching."

Sif chewed her lip and examined the two small bumps on Cadance's scalp. "Tell your father about this."

"You think it’s a big deal?"

"What's a big deal?" Skies asked as he emerged from a nearby tree.

Sif raised an eyebrow and gestured toward Skies as he approached.

Cadance took a deep breath, unsure of where to begin. "Sif wants me to tell you about my scalp itching."

"Dandruff. You know it’s important to bathe, Sweetie."

Sif laughed and gestured for Cadance to continue.

Cadance groaned. "And that I have a fever that's going in and out."

Shattered trotted over, grabbed his daughter's head, and took a long look before running his hoof over her mane. He turned her head and gasped. "Oh no."

"What?" Cadance asked, worried at her father's tone.

"Sif, look at this."

Sif trotted over and whistled. "That’s bad alright."

"What is it?" Cadance asked again.

"I can see your brain!" Skies shouted. He giggled as Cadance pried her head out of his grasp. Cadance huffed and tackled her father to the ground, causing his giggles to erupt into full belly laughter. Skyfall held her up at arm's length as she swung and kicked in playful rage.

After some time of playing, Skies let Cadance down, and wrapped her in a warm hug.

"I thought something was wrong, meanie." Cadance giggled.

"Nothing’s wrong. Your curse seems to be shedding away." Skies nuzzled his daughter. "Judging from the progression, it should be another month before it finally unravels."

Cadance went wide eyed at her father's words and ran her hooves over her scalp. "Y-You mean these bumps are horns?"

Sif jumped on Skies’ back and licked Cadance's scalp, making her yelp.

"Yes." Skies said. "I was researching other, quicker alternatives, but it seems that this is the result of one of two things; either the curse broke itself, or the harmonic blowback at the Gala cracked the curse just enough for your real power to leak through."

"Real power?"

"Yes, that's why you're running a fever. You can't use your full Spirit power while in a disguised state. For example, as Skyfall, I can do small things like speak to animals and make flowers bud. I can use some of my sensory ability when near a forest, however, I can't raise trees, heal as fast I can as I can now, or use most of my other abilities." Shattered Skies watched a griffon land in the courtyard just behind him, and looked back at Cadance, who was covered by a cloak due to Sif's swift action. "The more your power beats at your disguise, the worse the fevers will become. Eventually your disguise will drop, and the ailments shall pass."

"Then I'll be a Spirit?"

Skies nodded his head. "Then I'll be able to teach you all about being one, too."

Cadance kissed her father's cheek and teleported away, leaving Skies to deal with his visitor. He rose slowly and found the griffon in a bowed state.

"Who are you?" Skies asked as Sif and Honos flanked him.

"I am Dunwall. I have come here on behalf of my compatriots, seeking refuge."

"Well, Dunwall." Skies said as he glanced at the budding city below. "Where are your compatriots?"

Dunwall bowed lower. "They are in a ghetto outside of Seaddle. I've been sent in advance to see if the rumors were true."

"You flew clear across Equestria to see if a rumor was true?" Sif asked, her question layered with accusation.

Dunwall winced. "Yes, Lady Sif. We are in dire straits, and our community has been abuzz since the Gala last week. I volunteered to travel here because I’m the only one who knew the way."

Skies nodded at Sif. "Meeting."

Sif turned and sprinted away with Honos, leaving Dunwall and Skies alone.

"You live in Stocktown, don't you?" Skies asked, looking out at Farhaven.

"I do, my Lord." Dunwall cautiously moved to Skies’ side. "It's cramped, and we get a lot of the sewage runoff from the main city, but it’s been a decent home until recently."

Skies raised a brow. "Explain."

Dunwall sat and took a slow breath. "We used to pay Canterlot a ten percent income tax, but recently, they've demanded as much as fifty percent of what we make. As a result, many of us have had to work several jobs, and even that isn't enough. River Bend has even started to tax our entry into the city. They charge five bits for each griffon, every time we leave the nest."

"They call Stocktown ‘the nest?’" Skies asked and saw Dunwall nod. "I will meet with my council, and give you an answer before you leave."

"Thank you, sir." Dunwall bowed as Skies walked into Farhaven castle.

Shattered Skies tried to clear his mind as he walked down the winding stairs, and through the grand throne room. He passed Changelings and Diamond Dogs on their lunch breaks, and waved them off as they tried to bow. Farhaven was still a budding nation, and because of it, not much happened. The Diamond Dogs worked on their tunnels to turn them into architectural art worthy of their Spirit Lord. The Changelings, on the other hand, lead normal lives, and rarely ever disguised themselves as another creature. Both groups worked with A.K. Yearling to record some of their history, a task she took to with dedication.

"Finally." Storm Front groaned as Skies strode into the room.

"Quit your bellyaching." River mumbled into her newspaper.

The room remained silent as Skies took a seat next to his daughter. He took a deep breath and looked around the room. "I guess I should start off with what I promised to tell you all after the Gala."

"Yeah." Storm said curtly.

"Watch it, Storm." River warned. "We get it, you're mad, but your anger has literally never helped anything."

Skies waited for Storm to calm himself before continuing. "The four Spirits that have shown themselves; Lonely Grave, River's End, Rage, And Unfaithful, seem to be my siblings."

"Like, in an affectionate sense, or..?" River asked after a pause.

"In a blood sense." Skies said. "They know things that no one on Equus should know. They know about the time before the beginning."

A quiet set of alarmed looks flew around the room.

River bit her lip. "Is there no way we can verify this? It could be some crazy spell that tricks-"

"They know about the event that lead to my arrival." Skies said, silencing the group once more.

Grogar sat there tapping his hoof impatiently, knowing that Skies intentionally spoke cryptically.

"I don't know any specifics, but I would say they have been here for quite some time, and are set on conspiring against me." Skies said.

"You can't give us any roundabout date of when they appeared?" Storm asked, furrowing his brow and rubbing his head in annoyance. "Not even a ballpark figure?"

"Anywhere between last century and ten thousand years ago." Skies answered honestly. "They've done an amazing job of cloaking their activities, and their presence in history very well. I can surmise that some events in history were of their doing, but thus far, I haven't been able to even get close to real proof."

"So you've been researching this in secret?" Storm seethed.

"Yes. I had to be sure after a fifth sibling warned me."

"A fifth?" Storm mocked. "How many do you have? How many kids do you ha-"

A loud thumping and the sound of rapid movement erupted, and in the blink of an eye, Skies had Storm pinned to the floor. They both glared at each other, one summoning lighting in the area, and the other wrapping vines around the other's neck.

Innocence trotted over placed a hoof on Skies' shoulder. "This isn't a time for fighting, my lord."

Skies backed up and glared down at Storm. "We're friends, but don't you ever say a single word about my family."

Storm spat on the ground at Skies’ hooves, and rose to attack again, but found River glaring at him.

"What?" Storm spat.

"You're in the wrong, Storm. You need to settle your nerves." River scolded.

Skies sat next to a slightly alarmed Cadance and continued. "My fifth and final sibling's name is Psalm Nightingale. Fortunately, she seems untainted by whatever ails the other four."

"So that means I have-" Cadance paused and counted in her head. "-two uncles, and three more aunts?"

"That is correct." Skies said as he patted her head.

River turned to Honos and tapped his shoulder. "What about the black knight you encountered at the Gala?"

Honos nodded. "I'm still looking into that. I shall present my findings when I hit a breakthrough."

Skies nodded. "Maybe I can look into the files at the Ponyville barracks. This 'black knight' seems to have caught you off guard, no?"

Honos nodded. "I could sense his magic and the various techniques he kept circling around him and it wasn't of this era, I wasn’t prepared."

Honos transformed into Feather of Truth, and revealed the slash on his back. "To us, he disappeared, but when we returned that night, I found this jagged slash on my back and I’m sure he did it.”

Skies nodded. "Then I look forward to your report."

"My Lord." Feather bowed.

Skies stretched. "Before we enter the five hour long set of upcoming tasks, there is a developing situation in the west I feel I must bring to all of your attention."

"If it has to do with potential Farhaven citizens, that's all you." River chuckled and sat back in her chair with her hooves stretched out to the table.

Skies sighed. "It's about taking in a group of gryphons from a ghetto in Seaddle. I've made the conscious decision to accept them, but the problem lies in the city itself."

"How so?" Storm asked.

"Their home, Stocktown, is nestled between Seaddle proper and a large mountain." Skies waved his hoof, and summoned the coastal image of the city. "Our reveal at the Gala seems to have been a double edged sword. I knew that security across Equestria was on the rise, and basic training grounds are seeing an all time high in recruits, but that means travel will be restricted more."

"Leaving the griffons unable to make the journey here in mass numbers." Cadance said.

"Exactly." Skies smiled at his daughter. "Dunwall, a griffon from the area arrived, and formally asked if the news of our city was true. He confessed about the conditions in Stocktown, and I believe if they try and leave, the guards will turn it from a ghetto into an internment camp."

The Spirits looked at each other, most being very familiar with the ugly words.

"What's an internment camp?" Cadance asked.

Skies sighed. "Basically a prison. That's all I should say on the matter."

"Agreed." Storm, River, and Hekate said in unison.

"So, are we going to make any plans?" River asked.

Shattered nodded. "Yes, but our course of action needs to be carefully thought out, and not just a smash and grab. We can't expect the griffons to fly all that distance by themselves, especially not if they have young and ill."

"My Lord!" Quiet called as she ran into the council room and bowed.

"Yes, my shmoopy doople?" Skies called and smirked when he saw Quiet's tail twitch. "My little ball of fluffy love?"

Quiet's tail fought to remain still while Sif barely managed to contain her laughter.

"Dad, stop it." Cadance chuckled and smacked her father's arm. "Try to ignore this goofball, Quiet. Please, what is it?"

"Yes, Lady Anara." Quiet bowed again. "There are more representatives here to see Lord Skies."

"More griffons?" Skies asked.

"There are a few griffons, yes, but I speak of dragons, a zebra, two minotaurs, a donkey, and a dragon pony."

"They're here?" Skies asked.

"They have been stopped at Ponyville, and are being kept on the barracks grounds as we speak." Quiet said.

River groaned. "They've already started restricting flow to Farhaven."

"Not a problem. Thank you Quiet." Skies said. "I will visit them tomorrow, and try to straighten this out. For now, we move on to our growing demand for clean water."

"One more thing, Sire." Quiet called.

"What is it?"

"We caught a pony flying around that I think you should know about."

"That's fine, let Wind Rider hold them until this is over." Skies smiled.

"I believe it is a little more urgent. Wind Rider told me to try and find you as soon as possible. It's another undead pony." Quiet said.

"Oh, then have him link up with the other, they'll settle the pony in."

Quiet shook her head. "The pony was spying, and Wind Rider says he knows the pony."

Skies paused, and his smiled dropped. "Knows them how?"

"He says she’s an old hero that died in the Griffon-Pony War hundreds of years ago."

Shattered Skies' stomach dropped, the ponies that Lonely Grave tampered with were typically abducted and unknown. He sat and tapped his chin thoughtfully. If this was indeed a hero, then Lonely Grave wasn't staying idle in the shadows, as Skies had originally believed.

"This meeting will resume first thing tomorrow." Skies commanded as he stood.

"Dad."

"Yes, Anara?"

"I can help with the hearings in your stead." Cadance smiled widely for her father, putting the smile back onto his face.

"Then while I go and inquire about what happened, I leave Farhaven in your hooves." Skies smiled, and trotted toward the overlook where Wind Rider set up his flight room. He turned to Quiet and sighed. "Go tell the griffon, Dunwall, that he may stay, and that we will discuss matters further in the morning. I have a bird to pluck."

"Right away, my Lord!"

Skies paused at the archway to the courtyard, where Wind Rider sat next to a tied-up body. The aura of Lonely Grave’s magic polluted the area, and the grass around the body was brown and dead.