//------------------------------// // Chapter 21 // Story: Endless Sky // by Algorhythm //------------------------------// -21- “The only reason you should be walking through my door, Vengeance, is to tell me you are ready. If not, walk right back through that door and get your flank back onto the streets. This must be flawless,” Cunning spoke. He was slowly levitating a unicorn back down to the office floor. Vengeance stared forward blankly. Her dull brown coat was rather plain, even with the streaks of dirt plainly obvious. It appeared as though she hadn’t brushed her fiery-red mane in weeks, making it look more like a wildfire than hair. A long green cloak that had seen better days was wrapped around her. There were rips and tears along the sides and hood from trekking through brush. Cunning looked back up from his work, satisfied with its current position. He gave her a hard stare. “I’m assuming the answer is yes?” “Correct,” she said flatly. “What about the Northern Government?” “Those that oppose First Strike’s administration are prepared to remove her. The keyword is ‘cleanup’, as you requested.” Vengeance bowed respectfully. “Good, good.” He walked over to to the unicorn mare, nuzzling her neck. She shuddered at his touch. Loosening his control over her helped to keep her sharp. They had an... understanding, once. It was a time when he was so deep in despair that he tried to move on from his heartbreak. All he found was another willing victim for his grand scheme. “Where is Victory now?” He whispered. She shied away from him, blushing hotly. “In gryffon territory. Darkest Hour has already infiltrated their defenses and, ah- is in their ranks. The Emperor hasn’t noticed-” He nipped at her neck, causing her to lose her train of thought. "Celestia will return at the end of the week. You and your forces will wait for my signal to attack. Eliminate as many of the guard as possible on your way to the castle." He walked away from her. She stifled a whine, trying to gather her thoughts again. "What about Luna?" "She is too broken to join the fight, unless it involves Dusk. Ignore her. Remember who is 'leading' the attack." They looked over at the cold corpse sprawled out on the floor. Cunning's magic crawled back over the corpse, returning to the task at hoof. Vengeance shifted in her spot. Watching Cunning at work was refreshing - a change of pace from all of the violence in the field. But it was more than that. Watching him work his magic was like watching an inventor slowly build a new machine. Every detail was planned, checked, and then checked again. He glanced sideways at Vengeance, smiling ever so slightly. Love was a powerful form of control. But it required a much stronger facade - one which just happened to keep them each satisfied. "Hearth." Vengeance felt her heart skip a beat. It had been a long time since he called her by her real name - one she replaced when Discord truly came to power. "My horn needs a rest and I would like to wash the stink of corpses from my hooves." Cunning's magic faded from the corpse. He walked away from his work, stopping in front of Hearth. Their lips met briefly, before he walked slowly towards the bathroom. "Would you like to join me, my love?" --*-- Rarity hurried through her room, scattering clothes around with her magic. Several open bags, suitcases, and boxes lay open on her bed. Clothes were hastily folded and placed in the various cases. "Oh, Opal. I do hope I remembered to pack that dress- No, no, no, that won't do. Oh dear..." Opal rolled her eyes. She sat on the nearby windowsill, basking in the afternoon sunshine. As Rarity continued to fuss over her clothes, she rolled over to take a nap. Rarity fought with one of her bags to close, until she heard a few knocks on the door downstairs. She used her magic to force the cases shut and carried them down the stairs. The knocking came again from the front door. Rarity sighed, letting her cases gently settle on the floor. She crossed the room and lifted the shade from the front door window. One of the Royal Guards waited patiently on the sidewalk in front of the door. She nodded a greeting as Rarity opened the door. "Can I help you, miss?" "Hi, Rarity!" Dusk popped out from behind Cloud Skimmer, giving an excited wave. "Dusk! What a pleasant surprise," she smiled, looking nervously down the street. "Come inside, please!" She ushered the two ponies entered the shop, before shutting the door. Dusk had only visited Rarity's boutique in Ponyville a few times, but this was huge in comparison. All along the walls her newest fashions were on full display. Accessories hung from small hooks beside the clothes, adding a bit of neutral color to the vibrant fashions. There were racks of dresses on the main floor, as well as a small counter with a bit machine. Fitting rooms were on the right, along with a small door marked "Adults Only". Alongside the adult-sized clothing was a small fillies line - gem studded clothes with a simple, but elegant touch. "You make stallion clothing now?" Cloud Skimmer asked. Rarity nodded, "Starting next week, yes." A few of her new designs were still on the counter from her late night design session, before she got the letter. "And you are...?" Cloud Skimmer blushed and removed her helmet. "Forgive me. My name is Cloud Skimmer. I'm Dusk's personal guard." "Of course, of course." She dismissed the latter sentence with a hoof. Everypony knew how bad things looked, especially those ponies in Canterlot. She had gotten an earful of chatter about this and that from clients. But she was particularly distraught about Dusk. This couldn't be so easy on the little filly. "What brings you to my boutique?" Dusk balanced a top hat on her head, but it was slowly swallowing her like a train entering a tunnel. "Since Master Bright Light has been sick, I wanted to come see you. It's boring at home." Boring? Rarity kept a straight face, although her head was filled with concern. That filly has an appetite for books like her mother. There shouldn’t be a thing in the world making her- oh. A sharp pang of hurt filled her gut. That whole mess with Twilight coming back, only to leave again - it didn’t rest well with her. "What's with all these bags?" Rarity shoved those thoughts deep into the back of her mind. "Well, it seems that both Fluttershy and Early Blaze have come down with a nasty cold. Big Macintosh sent me a letter asking me to come by and spend some time with them. Not a problem of course. Besides, I need time to finish the Gentlecolt line." Dusk looked worried. "Will they be alright?" She nodded and smiled. "Its nothing a bit of medicine and warm soup won't fix." Rarity glanced up at the clock. She had fifteen minutes to get to the train station. "Unfortunately, I must be going. I have a train to catch." Cloud Skimmer grabbed several of the bags. Before Rarity could protest, she held up a hoof. "It's a short walk." Rarity relented, lifting the remaining bags with her magic. The walk to the train station was relatively uneventful. Most of those they passed were guards, while the others were too focused on their task to notice the young princess. The guards watched Dusk very closely as she entered the station. Some of them shifted closer to the train, taking up a small patrol for the platform. "Thank you very much for assisting with these bags, Miss Skimmer." "Not a problem." "And you, little miss," Rarity dragged Dusk into a long embrace. "Promise me you'll stay out of trouble?" "Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye- Ow!" Rarity ruffled her mane before boarding the train. “Tell them that I hope they feel better!” Dusk called. She walked parallel to the train, before it picked up speed. She watched Rarity nod in affirmative. As the train pulled away from the station, they waved goodbye, until the train disappeared down the track. --*-- The sounds of the sea filled the air, drifting lazily into the beachside cafe along with the scent of sea salt. Ponies sat around several tables, each chatting away. Most of them were concerned with the incoming storms the weather ponies were building over the ocean. Others were concerned with the brewing conflict overseas. "Don't be stupid, North," said one of the unicorn stallions. He shook his glass, swirling the ice in his passion fruit juice. "Things like this have happened before. They'll ignore this place like they did in the last war, even though they stayed loyal to the princesses. It's almost as if they're self-governed here." True North sat across from him, drinking from a coconut shell. His white coat reflected the sunlight, sharply in contrast with his ocean blue mane. His wings stayed tightly tucked into his sides. "You felt another join us, didn't you?" The unicorn flicked his eyes left and right. "This isn't the place to talk about that." "But she's so green!" he groaned. "Barely any training, yet she's pulling double duty." The unicorn shook his head. "We were posted out here as a first line of defense against threats coming over the ocean. It's like a permanent vacation." "Ocean Breeze. I'm serious. We should pay attention to what's going on over there. It looks awful." "We are. You read the paper and freak out and I keep you calm. I still have a job here. You just live off your uncanny fortune, riding around on your boat. Or air-boat if it suits your fancy." North set down his empty coconut, glaring daggers at Breeze. Even during the last conflict he was relaxed, almost uncaring during his downtime. He loved being a lifeguard, even though he was trained for the Watch. Fillies, gentlecolts... Soldiers. Ocean Breeze made a complete change in attitude. His face turned far more serious than before and his glass slowly settled on the table. The time has come to ask of you the service which you have humbly offered. True North looked at Ocean Breeze. The unicorn nodded. North grabbed both of the glasses back to the counter, pulling out some bits to pay their tab. Cloud Skimmer stood out in the garden, her helmet still absent from her head. Dusk bounded across from her, bouncing a ball back over to Cloud. The pegasus shifted over to get underneath it, before sending it sailing back. But she was only barely focusing on the game. Something dark spreads over the land, causing chaos and destruction in its wake. But it is not the culprit my sister seeks, for he has left Equestria to pick up the pieces. It is someone close - someone in this very castle who pretends to be someone they are not. I fear the worst has yet to befall us. The midday sun shone over the orchards of Sweet Apple Acres. It was nearly apple-bucking season and without Applejack on the farm, Big Mac had his hooves full. Hopefully Rarity was able to take time off to help with Fluttershy. He sighed deeply. Even though his cousins offered to pick up as much of the slack he would leave behind, he still had to assist for a few hours. It was excruciating to be away from his family in their time of need. His legs struck home on another trunk, shaking the apples into the barrels he had set up. It was unfortunate something new was ready to take him from his normal duties. Therefore, I am summoning the entire watch to the town of Ponyville. The remainder of the elements of harmony have gone unprotected all this time. There is no doubt in my mind that they will be targeted - it is only a matter of when. Ensure that you are prepared: Equestria still hangs on the brink of war. I cannot guarantee that anypony - even my own sister - can stop it from happening. Luna slowly shuffled through the handful of minds in the watch. They were nervous, to say the least. Most of them were on their own, but a few had families. They had more to lose than the others. She would never willingly wish the pain of losing family on anypony - not even the clueless wife and children or concerned parents. So go to your homes. Kiss your loved ones good night as if each night would be your last. Tell your family how much you care for them, for you may not get the chance again. For soon you may be the shield of Equestria against the harrowing darkness that presses in. Pray. Pray for everypony that the darkness never comes. Pray that we never falter. And above all, pray that we will all see tomorrow come again.