Prologue
The Storm Begins
The elderly mare sat in a chair and watched as her grand fillies played on the ground in front of her. As she sat smiling at the innocence of the next generation, she started sensing something approaching the door, so out of instinct, the veteran mare looked at door and waited as the younger filly looked at her and asked, “Nana? Is there something wr…”
Before the filly could finish her sentence, a loud knock was heard echoing from the front door as the old mare stood up and approached the door. As soon as the door opened, the mare stood silent as a royal guard saluted her and spoke, “Sorry to disturb you commander, but I’m here to escort you to the castle. Could you please come with me?”
Just as she did in the old days, the mare studied the soldier’s appearance closely. Usually there are three uniforms to expect from the royal guard. The Celestial Gold armor, worn by Princess Celestia’s guards, the midnight blue armor worn by Princess Luna’s and most expected considering the time of day it was, or the Storm grey, which made the majority of the royal guards as Princess Umbra’s Trained Forces and the very uniform that this particular guard was wearing, and quite flawlessly as expected from Umbra’s soldiers. Seeing this slightly worried the veteran as she replied, “I’m old and retired… if there is anything that the princess would need from me, then I’m sure her current commander can handle it.”
The guard replied as he lowered his salute, “With all due respect commander, this isn’t you personally… this order goes out to everypony in the city.”
Surprised, the mare replied, “Everypony in Canterlot? Why?”
The Soldier replied, “Our orders are clear, we are to gather everypony in Canterlot and escort them to the castle courtyard at once.”
The mare tried to figure out what was going on as she replied, “The courtyard… but why?...”
As she waited for an answer, one of her granddaughter approached her, “Um? Nana? Why is a royal guard here?”
Knowing that she had no choice, the mare replied, “He’s here to show us to the castle. It looks like the princess wants to talk to everypony. You and your sister get ready so we can go.”
Once the three were ready, they all left the home as they began trotting through Canterlot towards the castle.
With each step, the small family made their way closer to the castle as the ex-commander looked around to see that they really weren’t the only family being escorted to the castle. Everywhere they looked were families, large and small being showed through the city by more of Princess Umbra’s guards with no Celestial or Lunar guards in sight. Worried for what was happening one of the small fillies spoke, what’s going on nana? Why is everypony out past their bedtime?”
Trying to calm her granddaughter down, the elderly mare looked at her and replied, “It’s alright squirt, the princess just wants to talk with us. There isn’t anything to worry about.”
Knowing that what she said was probably a lie, the mare continued on her path as she continued trying to figure out what was going on. After a short period of trotting, the three arrive in the already crowded castle courtyard as they mixed amongst the crowd and waited for the expected announcement from the tower balcony as was protocol for this particular scenario.
Meanwhile up on the castle balcony, there was no princess. In fact all that was up there was an empty balcony with a large amount of noise coming from the other side of the glass doors separating the room from the balcony. Then that noise got louder as the glass double doors shattered outward as Princess Celestia and Princess Luna flew through the glass and slide across the balcony’s surface before hitting the rail on the far end of the platform. After their sudden stop, Princess Luna stood up and rushed to her sister’s side as she spoke, “Sister, are you injured?”
Princess Celestia struggled to stand, and a large number of royal guards rushed out of the balcony room, surrounded the two princesses and pointed their spears at the two sisters. As soon as she saw it, Princess Celestia looked at the guard’s and spoke, “Soldiers! Stand down! We are not your enemies! Please come to your senses!”
“They have come to their senses… just as I have.”
All of a sudden, the two princesses turned their attention to the shattered balcony doors as a dark purple alicorn with a dark mane with a yellow and blue stripe, exited the building as she continued, “They came to their senses this afternoon… at about one o’clock. … just as we received the news.”
Looking at the approaching mare, Princess Luna spoke, “Umbra! Listen to me…this isn’t who you are? You mustn’t let your emotions get control of you.”
Princess Umbra sighed, “Mother… what you say is of no concern to me… not anymore. How long has it been since Princess Twilight passed?... three? Four months? And since then the Griffin Kingdoms have been asking about the Elements of Harmony which we all know, faded away with the passing of each user. Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and even Fluttershy. With their passing so too did the elements fade away, but the griffin king didn’t care. He claimed that we were hiding them from him. Claiming that we had intentions of keeping their power for ourselves. And what did you do, knowing that we were being threatened?”
Princess Celestia tried to defend herself as she replied, “Umbra… you know very well that I made the decision that sustained peace between our two nati…”
“WHAT DID YOU DO!?!”
Seeing the obvious rage on Princess Umbra’s blue and green separate colored eyes, princess Celestia replied, “I gave the order, to ignore the threats… and show no hostilities.”
Princess Umbra turned and started trotting to the side railing of the balcony as she continued, “And… how did they respond?... surely you got the word by now?...”
the two alicorn sisters looked at each other as princess Luna replied, “We heard some news of this morning’s incident…but I’m afraid we don’t have the full story.”
Princess Umbra looked over the balcony at Canterlot’s citizens as she replied with anger in her voice, “Really… well… then let me fill you in on the full report. At eight a.m. the griffin king and his forces surrounded the crystal empire before launching an attack at ten a.m. By noon, the crystal empire had fallen… and its prince… my fiancé… was executed in front of his subjects. He was Shinning Armor’s grandson… and because of your actions… he’s dead… for all the world to see.”
Not knowing about the prince’s death, Princess Luna spoke, “Umbra… I know what it’s like to lose somepony you love… but the key is to not let it cloud your judgment. Because of this we will gladly allow you to lead your forces in a coun…”
Princess Umbra turned and glared at her mother as she interrupted, “Silence!... you are no longer in a position to allow me to do anything… from this point on, I am in control. My soldiers will be commanded by myself and myself alone. Meaning that this kingdom, isn’t in need of you two anymore.”
Feeling nervous about the answer Princess Celestia asked, “What do you intend to do?”
Princess Umbra sighed, “Don’t worry Aunt Tia, I can’t kill my own family if that’s what you’re assuming… However it would be a poor tactic to leave the only threat to my power, unchecked. So… since I won’t kill you, you will continue to live… but it will be in Tartarus.”
With that said, a magic portal appeared just opposite the railing that the two alicorn sisters were against as Princess Umbra smiled, “Now… make this easy… and step into the portal.”
Both princess sisters stood strait as Princess Luna spoke, “Umbra… I have taught you everything you need to know about being a princess… so you should understand that as a princess I must protect my subjects, even… if it’s from you!”
With that said, Princess Luna stomped the ground as a wave of magic pushed outward causing the surrounding guards to lose their footing and fall to the floor, leaving nothing to block princess Celestia as she shot a beam of magic across the balcony towards Princess Umbra as the skilled princess shot a beam of her own back leaving both beams to collide and cancel each other out. With the beams still visible Princess Umbra smiled sinisterly, “Very good… but you forget… my abilities are that of a royal alicorn, and… a legendary hero.”
With that, Princess Umbra made a cloud appear above her head as she made a bolt of lightning shoot over the canceling beams of magic as Princess Celestia was hit in her chest causing her to cease her magical attack. With no countering magic in its way, Princess Umbra’s magical beam flew across the balcony hitting princess Celestia and causing her to fly over the balcony and into the portal. As soon as she saw it, Princess Luna called, “Sister! Umbra! Stop this now, this isn’t you! You think your father would want this?”
Princess Umbra didn’t acknowledge the question, instead she only sighed, “Good bye mother we won’t be seeing each other again.”
With that, Princess Umbra fired a second magical beam at princess Luna as the desperate princess used her own magic to create a shield to block the incoming attack. However her magic wasn’t strong enough to stop the attack as the beam hit the force field and shattered it before pushing Luna over the balcony and into the portal as it quickly closed and vanished leaving no trace of the two alicorn sisters who entered. After the portal was gone, Princess Umbra mumbled to herself, “Mother must have pulled her punch… I didn’t expect her magic to be so… weak.”
With the two princesses gone, the royal guards in the area lowered gathered as the commander of the group looked to Princess Umbra and spoke, “Your majesty… the two royal sisters are gone… Equestria… is now under your control.” He bowed “Princess Umbra.”
With that, the rest of the guards bowed in respect as Princess Umbra smiled, “Yes… and now… I must address my subjects.”
Princess Umbra turned to the edge of the balcony and looked down into the courtyard as the now nervous subjects held their silence. Seeing their worry, Princess Umbra spoke, “Citizens of Canterlot! As you just witnessed, Princess Luna, my mother and her sister Princess Celestia are no longer your rulers! Although they are now gone, know that I did this with the noblest of intentions! First, I will add that what was said earlier is in fact true. The Crystal Empire is no more! It was destroyed earlier today and now lies in ruins. But fear not! As your princess I will lead my armies across the border into war! And as the daughter of the great Commander Bolt, I will waste no time in hitting the capital city of Gryphus as hard as I can and ensure the griffin kings execution by my own hoof with as little casualties as possible. Rest assured, I desire no taste for war, and will not hide in my castle sending ponies to fight in my stead. I will stand on the front line… and I will kill my foe without mistake, or hesitation. Then to ensure peace for the future, I will start a campaign to visit the nations and form an alliance under one rule. Guaranteed peace… or guaranteed war. With this… I will spread my flag across the world ensuring that you, my kingdom and subjects will be forever be safe from the threat of war and harm. I vow that my father’s hope for survival will be apparent… and the future generations will know it as law. And to prove that thing will indeed be different, I cast aside my name, just as I cast aside the princesses of old! From this day forth, I will remain your princess, but I will go by the name Thundaga! For this new identity will be known throughout the world as Equestria’s sword and shield, just as the storm renews a forest, I will renew the world! WHAT SAY YOU!?!”
With that call, a deepening silence came from the subjects below as everypony in the kingdom felt stunned with what they just heard. But then one of the royal guards in the herd began chanting, “Long love Thundaga! Long live Thundaga! Long Live Thundaga!”
Slowly one by one, the royal guards who were scattered amongst the subjects below began chanting along with the first guard until a few subjects nervously began chanting along with the guards until finally the castle courtyard began echoing as it sounded like the entire city was chanting the same thing, “Long Live Thundaga! Long Live Thundaga!”
Pleased with what she was seeing, Thundaga smiled at the chanting subjects below as she mumbled to herself, “And so… begins a new era. Father… if only you could see me now. You’d be so proud of what I will accomplish.”
Back on the ground, the elderly mare stood in the chanting herd as she held her silence. Confused, her granddaughter tugged her wing, “Nana?... what is happening? What happened to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna… are they okay?”
The elderly mare didn’t know what to say, all she could say was, “I… I’m sorry… I just don’t know… I really hope so though.”
Finally the older granddaughter spoke, “Granny Scootaloo… this is bad… isn’t it?”
The elderly veteran nodded her head, “Yes… it certainly is…”
The Filly replied, “What does this mean for us?...”
Scootaloo sighed, “I don’t know… but I do know this… this storm, won’t end anytime soon. If only Commander Bolt was here.”
The Third Commander
Chapter 1
Thundaga’s Orphan
Five hundred years later
“Once upon a time, many centuries ago, there lived a great and noble pegasus who with his courage and power, gained the respect of many followers until finally he, was given the title of Commander. This pegasus sought peace and unity for all his followers, for he held a great power known as the Lightning Orb. And the name of this great and powerful pony was none other than, Commander Hurricane. With his power and strife for unity, he managed to negotiate peace between the three nations to form a unified kingdom known to this day as the Kingdom of Equestria.”
“What a load of crap!”
Annoyed, the light brown earthpony lowered the book he was reading to the foals around him as he looked to a sea blue pegasus who was standing in the doorway with a light grey mane.
When he saw the stallion the brown pony spoke, “Come on Cirrus just because you lost your imagination doesn’t mean you should take theirs.”
Cirrus sighed, “I didn’t lose my imagination, I just know what’s true and what isn’t. Sure there probably was a Commander Hurricane, but I doubt he knew how to use the Lightning Orb. Everypony knows that things such as that are only there to encourage young colts and fillies to trust the power that Thundaga has. Why else would they ever grow up and enlist for the royal guards?”
Hearing the explanation, a black colt in the herd of foals replied, “I agree with Halo. He and I are too old to listen to stories meant for a bunch of little foals. Ain’t you got any grown up stories Mr. Toll?”
With an annoyed sigh, a lime green filly in the herd looked at the colt and replied, “Just cuz you don’t believe it doesn’t mean it isn’t true. I think it’s a good thing to have something to hope for.”
After the comment was made, the young colt replied, “You’re just saying that cuz you think that all ponytales like that are true. But then what do you expect from a little flightless pegasus like you?”
With that said, the two foals stared daggers at each other as Cirrus spoke, “Jet… what did I say about making fun of other ponies because they are different?”
Jet lowered his head as he recited what he was told before, “Making fun of other ponies is uncool. So I shouldn’t do it. And you should know since we two are the coolest ponies here.”
Cirrus replied, “So what do you say?...”
Jet looked at the filly and replied, “I’m sorry Allium.”
With that taking place in front of him, Mr. Toll replied, “I’m glad that was settled by itself. Now Cirrus? Why are you in here? I thought you were finishing your errands?”
Cirrus sighed as he replied “Well… I can’t go shopping without the money needed for groceries now can I?”
Mr. Toll chuckled, “Oh that’s right, funny, I must be losing it in my old age.” He pointed to a nearby table, “The grocery money is over there on the table.”
Seeing the bag of bits, Cirrus trotted to the table and replied, “Well you’re not that old just yet. No old timer can run an orphanage like this. Especially when these little troublemakers are hard enough for me to handle.”
Smiling jokingly at his words, the fillies and colts replied one by one, “Hey!...” “That’s not nice!...” We aren’t troublemakers!...”
As the foals replied with nothing more than complaints, Cirrus opened the bag and began counting the bits as he realized something before looking back at Mr. Toll, “Um… Mr. Toll? There is more in here then I need for tonight’s dinner?”
Smiling in a sarcastic way, Mr. Toll replied, “Oh… is there… well then I guess you will have to blow the rest for the foals… I’m thinking… at Sugar Cube Corner?”
After hearing the suggestion the foals all became riled up as they all knew what it meant. Also knowing the comments meaning Cirrus smiled, “Oh… okay, so what will it be then… Red velvet cake tonight, or chocolate?”
Mr. Toll smiled, “Well why not make it both, after all it’s been a while since the foals have had any sweets. Perhaps we will make this a special night for them.”
Getting excited, the foals started cheering amongst themselves as Cirrus smiled “You’re the boss.”
As Cirrus turned towards the door, Jet and Allium rushed to his side, “Cane we go too? Can we? Can we? Please?”
Seeing the two excited foals, Cirrus smiled as he looked at Mr. Toll for permission. Knowing what he was asking without saying anything, Mr. Toll smiled as he spoke, “Alright, if you do everything Cirrus says, then you two can go.”
When they heard Mr. Toll’s reply the two cheered as Cirrus turned back to the door and spoke, “Alright settle down. We have to get moving if we want to get back in time for dinner.”
The two foals replied as they followed close behind “Okay Halo.” “Yes sir, Mr. Halo Sir”
Cirrus smiled as he spoke while trotting towards the door, “Allium if you’re going to call me by my nickname just say Halo.”
Allium smile “Okay…”
As the three trotted to the door, Mr. Toll smiled, “Goofy little group… if only they could be together forever… Anyways let’s get back to the story… where was I?” He opened the book, “Oh yes here I am… This pony was also known as the First commander, Known as the Commander of Unity.”
Outside the orphanage that resided in Ponyville, far into the Everfree Forest sat a cave, and inside the center of the cave where and underground oasis sat, was a meditating Zebra who balanced himself skillfully on a staff that stood in the middle of the oasis. With the darkness cascading over him, the zebra, whose coat was light grey with dark grey stripes, and a mane which held the same colors but also a maroon strip streaming up from the center of his head. As the Zebra meditated, visions began skimming through his mind as it caused his right eye to twitch with the distraction. Sensing the irregularity, a large dragon who was sleeping in the far edge of the same cave opened his eyes as he raised his head up and locked them, on the meditating enchanter.
The large purple dragon who was about fifty feet from head to tail, watched closely as the Meditating zebra continued twitching for a few seconds longer before finally opening his eyes and smiling, “Its time…”
With a sinister smile on his face, The zebra leapt off the staff and landed on his hooves in the shallow water as the dragon in the side of the cave stood up and spoke, “Zine?... what is it? What did you see?”
As Zine stepped out of the shallow pool of water he replied, “An ancestor’s wish, from a time long passed. It would seem that, that time, has come at last.”
When he heard that, the dragon gave Zine a funny look as he asked, “Um… Zine… why are you talking like that?”
Zine gave the dragon a curious look, “In the vision I saw, of the ancestor of time. She spoke quite briefly… and all in rhyme. Why?... no good?”
The large dragon shook his head, “I can barely understand you when you speak normally, so it would be better if you stuck with that.”
Zine sighed as he stepped out of the shallow pool and approached a staff that was leaning against the wall of the cave, “Oh, you’re no fun at all.”
The dragon smiled, “Noted… but you said that you had a vision from an ancestor who rhymed when she spoke… you wouldn’t be talking about Zecora would you?”
As Zine grabbed the staff that had a glass vial built into the shaft, he turned to look at the dragon as he asked, “You know her?”
The large dragon smiled, “Yea, Princess Twilight would always turn to her for help with magic that a unicorn had no control over. She and her husband helped us countless times.”
Zine turned to the dragon as he asked with a serious tone, “And you can trust her?...”
The dragon gave Zine a funny look, “Yea, she is… was, the most trustworthy zebra in all of Equestria. Although, she was the only zebra in Equestria.”
Zine stepped towards the dragon again, “But she can be trusted… Right? Her words can be considered trustworthy… right?...”
The dragon was a little confused as he replied, “Yes… they can be trusted…”
Zine nodded his head as he sighed with relief, “Good…”
The dragon was curious, “Is something wrong… you seem a little more serious than usual… which is odd since you’re never serious … about anything really.”
Zine looked into the light gray potion that swished around in the vial on his staff as he replied, “I just… wanted to make sure her task could be trusted… that’s all.”
Although the dragon knew there was more to it than that, he only shrugged it off as he replied, “Okay… so what task did she give you? Must be something big for you to end your meditation so soon.”
Zine smiled as he turned towards the cave’s exit and started trotting, “It’s time to bring back the commander of the storm.”
The dragon paused for a second, “The commander of the storm… wait… you mean the hero of Eden’s Kiss?”
As the two stepped out of the caves entrance, Zine nodded his head as he looked back at the dragon and smiled, “Yes… it’s time to bring back Commander Star Bolt.”
The dragon shook his head in disbelief, “Bring him back… but that’s impo… wait… are you going to try bring him back from the dead?”
Zine shook his head, “No… I’m done trying to bring back the dead. Besides, you heard what the Mare of the Mountain said about that stunt I pulled at Dragon Mountain three weeks ago.”
The dragon sighed, “Yea… she was very angry about that wasn’t she, after all you did defile the grave of a legendary hero.”
Zine shrugged his shoulders, “I said sorry…”
The dragon sighed, “Zine… when will you learn that sometimes, sorry doesn’t cut it.”
Zine smiled in a joking manner, “Well I would buy her dinner, if only it would prevent her from falling hopelessly in love with me.”
The dragon shook his head, “Yea… that kind of love that would make her kill you in your sleep.”
Zine shrugged his shoulders, “Isn’t that the best kind?”
The dragon shook his head and smiled in a hopeless manner, “I guess so… well I’m going to go back to sleep. If I stay awake any longer I won’t get anything done after the sun goes down.”
Turning back to the cave the dragon left as Zine called, “Oh and Spike?... Don’t tell her about my task! She’ll know when it’s time.”
Hearing Zine but not turning to look at him, Spike waved dismissively as he continued into the cave and vanished into its darkness.
Back in Ponyville, Cirrus, Jet, and Allium continue through town as Allium looked at the sky and sighed, “Halo?... what’s it like to fly?”
Cirrus looked at the sky as he replied, “Well… I never thought about it. To be honest, I kinda forgot how I felt the first time. And since I don’t fly too often I never experience it that much.”
Jet asked, “But why? I thought you got your cutie mark from flying.”
Cirrus replied, “I got my cutie mark from high altitude flight, but I only went that high once, and since then I have stayed low, since there is no reason to fly that high.”
Allium looked at the ground in disappointment, “I wish I could fly that high… but my wings are too small. I can’t even fly yet.”
Cirrus smiled, “Don’t worry, someday you will fly, and who knows, maybe you’ll fly better than me.”
Allium gave him a hopeful look, “When I do… will you go flying with me?”
Cirrus smiled, “Sure, I’ll even show you a few tricks.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
Allium looked at the sky, “Good… I want to fly as good as the pony of loyalty someday.”
Knowing the story, Jet laughed, “The pony of loyalty isn’t real… right Halo?”
Cirrus didn’t answer, instead he gave an expression like he was avoiding the conversation as Allium asked, “Do you believe in The Ponies of Harmony Halo?”
Cirrus sighed, “To be honest, I might believe in the princess of magic, but not so much as the rest.”
“Why?”
Answering for him, Jet smiled in an insulting way, “Cuz he’s not a little baby filly like you.”
Allium stared daggers at Jet as Cirrus replied, “There are stories I believe and stories I don’t. I just chose to believe things that are practical.”
Allium looked back a Cirrus, “Like?...”
“Well… I believe in stories like, the flying earthpony, the Three Founders of Equestria, and The Fall of The Crystal Empire. Other things like, the Mare in the Moon, The Eden’s Kiss Catastrophe and, the Ponies of Harmony, I don’t believe. When ponies are afraid of the world around them they make up stories to make them feel better about the truth. That truth being that Thundaga is in control… she rules everything, and everypony. She controls all… and if anypony says otherwise… she destroys them… no matter who they are… or who’s watchi-”
Before he could finish his sentence, Cirrus realized his tone had changed from casual to dark as he looked at the two foals who only responded with blank and confused stares. Clearing his throat in embarrassment, Cirrus spoke, “Yea… well… some stories are ok to believe… but many of them are nothing but ponytales.”
Allium asked, “But… what about stories that aren’t written… like the one about the Mare of the Mountain?”
Cirrus gave her a curious look, “Mare of… what?...”
Jet nodded his head, “I heard about her, they say she is the spirit of a dragon that haunts Dragon Mountain and guards it while waiting for the dragons to come back to Equestria.”
Allium added, “Yea, since the dragons left over two millennia ago.”
Knowing about that part of the story, Cirrus corrected her, “The word you’re looking for is centuries. The dragons left two centuries ago when they had a dispute against Thundaga’s form of leadership. But if this mare is guarding the mountain, then why haven’t the royal guards gotten involved?”
Jet replied, “Cuz they say at night, she turns into a ferocious dragon. And all ponies who go to the mountain are vanquished by her powerful dragon’s breath.”
Cirrus gave him a funny look, “The orphanage is on the edge of town close enough to see Dragon Mountain. If anypony was burned by dragon’s breath, then we would see smoke.”
Allium replied, “That’s because, they say she breathes needles instead of fire.”
Cirrus sighed, “Yea… and I breathe pea soup. Sounds like nothing more than a bed time story to tell little fillies so they will be good. I can see it now, be good or the mare of the mountain will come for you and gobble you up.”
Jet smiled at the comment, “Yea… that wouldn’t happen… um… would it?”
Cirrus gave him a hopeless look as he replied, “No… it wouldn’t. Just another ponytale. I have better things to do the…”
Before he could finish his sentence, Cirrus made it to the end of the block and turned the corner to see a large number of ponies gathered around a stage outside the courthouse. Curious to what was happening, Cirrus saw somepony he knew as he approached them and asked, “Hey Mandarin? What’s going on?”
The orange earth pony turned to him and replied, “Oh, hey Halo, looks like Thundaga captured another Rebel. And like the rest, she is executing him in public. Sad… this is the third one this month.”
Cirrus shook his head, “This week… its only March fifth. I wish these rebels will just get it in their mind that things are the way they are. We can’t change anything, we should all just except that Thundaga is the ruler and nothing will change that.”
Knowing his past, Mandarin gave him a funny look as he replied, “Halo… why are you supporting her? You of all ponies?”
Cirrus sighed, “I don’t support her… I just know that standing against her doesn’t change anything. She is too powerful to be challenged so the sooner the rebellion learns that, the better things will be. Besides, she doesn’t know who all of them are, so maybe if they stop this war before it starts, then maybe Thundaga will be merciful and spare them.”
At that moment, a third voice replied from behind as the sound of the familiar voice alone terrified the group, “If they made it that easy… then perhaps I would show mercy… unfortunately… things aren’t that simple.”
Too afraid to turn and look at the pony who spoke, Cirrus, mandarin and the two foals stood silently as the tall mare wearing a navy blue cloaked trotted past the group and towards the stage. After seeing the mare trot by, Cirrus remained frozen. Though he never saw her face, he still recognized the voice, so much in fact that he could only remain frozen until Jet asked, “Um... Halo?... who was that?...”
Immediately snapping out of it, Cirrus turned as he replied, “Let’s go… foals shouldn’t be witnessing what’s about to happen… See ya later Mandarin.”
The orange earth pony nodded his head as Cirrus began trotting away with hast in his step. As the three left the area where the execution was taking place, Allium and Jet had a hard time keeping up with Cirrus as Allium spoke, “Halo, slow down. Our hooves aren’t that long.”
Cirrus continued his pace as he turned his head to look at Allium who was behind him, “What? Did you sa…”
At that moment, Cirrus stopped as accidently bumped into somepony who was exiting an alley as he turned to the cloaked figure and spoke, “Oh, sorry my mi…”
As Cirrus looked at the zebra standing in front of him, he could only stare as zine lowered the hood on his gray cloak and spoke, “No need to apologize… after all, it will take more than that to hurt me. You on the other hoof… you seem like you’d be easy, then again… I’ve heard otherwise.”
Cirrus knew the stories of the evil enchanter of the Everfree, so he gave the zebra a blank stare as he tried to reply through his nervousness, “Y-you heard what?...”
Zine replied as he shook his head, “Oh, never mind. You ok? You look like you’ve seen a ghost. Then again I did talk to one this morning… but I digress. I have business to attend to so I’ll see you later… count on it.”
Without any room for explanation, Zine continued trotting across the street into the next alley as Allium looked at Cirrus and asked, “Halo?... who was that?”
Cirrus looked back at the road, as he replied, “Just another story… let’s just go, we’ve got to get the groceries before the markets close.”
Trying to forget the series of events that just happened, Cirrus continued into town as the two foals followed closely.
Back on the stage in front of the Ponyville courthouse, The Royal guard commander stood over the prisoner as he spoke, “For your crimes of conspiracy to provoke war, espionage, recruiting soldiers for the rebellion, and above all, high treason. You have been condemned to execution. In a few minutes your life will be ended by blade publicly, so that all of Ponyville will know what you are, and what fate awaits traitors of the crown. If you have any last words… say them now.”
The chained earthpony sat still as he looked at the commander and replied, “You’re pathetic… you and all of your guards. You say you’re here to keep peace and maintain justice. But where is this so called justice that you claim to maintain? Look at you, Thundaga sentenced me to death, but she doesn’t even have the decency end me with her own hoof? She just sits in her castle, while her little dogs follow her beck and call. Why don’t you do what you do best and lay on your master’s lap while she continues to hold us all hostage. If only she were here right now so I could tell her to her face.”
All of a sudden the stallion’s heart skipped a beat as he heard a voice come from behind, “Be careful what you wish for…”
Slowly turning to look at her out the corner of his eye, the stallion sat silent out of fear as Thundaga stepped out from behind the prisoner, lowered the hood of her cloak and looked over the observing crowd. When the crowd saw her, they all began bowing in respect as Thundaga spoke, “Citizens! Hear my words! This traitor stand before you claiming me to be in the wrong, yet he is the only one here conspiring to bring death and destruction to these streets, by causing war to rain down upon you all. And these actions, will not be ignored.”
She turned to the prisoner, “Now… what was it you wanted to say to me? Something about how I command my guards like dogs?... speak freely!”
Too afraid to move, the prisoner sat silently as Thundaga sighed in disappointment, “I see… so your talk was nothing more than just that. Pity… I though you would be different from the others…but it would appear I was wrong.”
With that said, Thundaga reached under her cloak and drew a short sword as she swung it towards the prisoner causing him to sit up straight as the tip of the blade stopped and pressed against his throat. As he looked up the blades edge at Thundaga’s blue and green heterochromic eyes, he could also see the markings painted on the blade that were rumored to be the cutie mark of both her mother and father. But he still ignored this since most of his focus was on the angered expression on the princess’s face. Seeing his fear clearly, Thundaga shook her head, “No…” She swung her sword away and sheathed it, “You do not deserve to die by my father’s blade… that honor is meant for soldiers and warriors.”
Thundaga turned back to the herd as she spoke, “Commander?”
The commander nodded his head “Yes your majesty.”
With that the commanding Pegasus approached the prisoner as he drew his sword, grabbed the back of his head and plunged the sword into the traitor’s chest. As the prisoner’s breathing died down to a stop, Thundaga looked over the crowd and spoke, “Today is a sad day. As your princess, I vow to protect you all at the cost of my very life… but to protect you from one of our own brings me pain. I do not like to kill my own subjects, and if my father were here to see this, it would break his heart… but… as I said, I will not tolerate war inside the borders of my own kingdom. So to all you revolutionaries who may be here today, I will happily allow you to live, if you cease this conspiracy against me at once. But if these actions continue, and you find yourself in my dungeon… then no mercy will be shown, and then… it will be your blood spilled on this very stage. So please… stand down, before I am forced to do something that saddens me more.”
With that, Thundaga turned away from the crowd as she began trotting off the stage. As she left the commander and her guards followed closely as they left the dead traitor’s body on the stage for the local guards to clean up. As they trotted towards her carriage that sat on the other side of the courthouse, the commander spoke, “Peaceful as always your majesty… if there is one thing you know how to do, it’s talk to the citizens.”
Thundaga sighed, “You say that as if I was trying to play them all for fools. Every word I said was the truth. And you would do well to remember that commander… now about the museum?”
The commander sighed, “No leads… rumors say it was the rebels who stole the artifacts, but at this time, there is no evidence proving or disproving it.”
Thundaga looked at him out the corner of her eye as she replied, “The reason I made you my commander is because you are a skilled soldier, your performance is impeccable, and the history of your family alone speaks for itself… so… I would expect that Commander Mist under my command could easily solve a simple museum robbery. Especially…since the artifacts were priceless relics from the Nightmare Crusade… Commander Mist’s spear, Captain Stone’s bow and arrow, and… oh yes… my father’s shield!”
Hearing the anger in her tone, Commander Mist felt nervous, “I assure you we are doing everything within our power to find the culprits. While at the same time… I have some good news about the rebellion general.”
Thundaga stopped before stepping onto her carriage, “General Rich… really?”
Commander Mist nodded his head, “Yes, we have reason to believe that he has been living under an alias for the past few years somewhere here in Ponyville. If all goes well, we will have him within the week.”
Thundaga nodded her head, “Then I’ll leave that task in your hooves. Try to take him alive… but if it comes that he puts up a fight, do what must be done. In other words…” Thundaga smiled sarcastically, “Fetch.”
Although he knew she was being ironic, Commander Mist could only ignore the joke as he nodded his head, “Yes your majesty.”
And with that Thundaga stepped onto her carriage as the pegasi pulling it took off and flew back towards Canterlot.
Later that night, after the foals had dinner, desert, and time to play themselves into drowsiness, Cirrus and Mr. Toll put all the orphans to bed in the large bay where they slept as Mr. Toll and Cirrus stood in the doorway watching them all fade away to dreamland. As they watched, Mr. Toll smiled, “Heck of a day right?”
Cirrus nodded his head, “About average…”
Mr. Toll gave him a look, “I heard another rebel was executed today. Did you see it?”
“Yea… I saw the herd, but we left before the execution. I didn’t want Jet or Allium to see it.”
“It wouldn’t be because… Thundaga made an appearance… would it?”
Cirrus didn’t look at him, instead he continued looking into the bay as he asked, “How do you know that?”
Mr. Toll smiled in a sinister way, “I’m your foster dad… I’m supposed to know these things… and Jet mentioned a dark mare that made you leave quickly.”
Not wanting to acknowledge the answer, Cirrus held his silence as Mr. Toll spoke, “Cirrus… I know your opinion of both the rebellion and of Thundaga… but sooner or later you have to choose a side.”
Cirrus sighed as he looked at Mr. Toll, “Why?... so I can fight a losing war? Nothing will come from fighting with or against Thundaga… accept my death. It will be much easier for me to just ignore it and stay neutral. Besides, where we are, we don’t have to worry about any of that since what Thundaga does is outside anything we do here.”
Mr. Toll kept quiet as he looked at the ground in disappointment. Noticing the silence, Cirrus continued, “Wait… isn’t it?”
Mr. Toll glanced at Cirrus, then at the orphans replying, “Come with me… we… we need to talk.”
With that uneasy tone in his voice, Mr. Toll turned around and began trotting down the hall towards his office that sat at the back of the building down the hall from the front door. As soon as they entered the office, Mr. Toll closed the door as he trotted to his desk and sat down. Knowing that he should probably sit down too, Cirrus trotted to the chair in front of the desk and sat down as Mr. Toll sighed, “Cirrus… Son… I don’t know how to tell you this… so I’ll just say it. I’m… I’m shutting down the orphanage.”
Cirrus was shocked, “W-What?”
“The bills have piled up… and the bank is refusing to continue waiting for payments… so… they gave me a notice to vacate this place tomorrow at sundown.”
Cirrus shook his head in disbelief, “But… what about the orphans?... where will they go?”
Mr. Toll smiled, “Most of them have been adopted. The rest, will go to a friend of mine who runs the Manhattan orphanage. It’s not as pristine… but they should make plenty of friends there.”
Cirrus still felt concerned, “What about Jet, Allium, and you?”
Mr. Toll smiled, “A friend of mine who runs the Wonderbolt academy has adopted Jet. Knowing him, he will be happy there. Allium will be going to Madam Melody, a friend of mine who just recently returned to Equestria from Prance. If I know her like I do, then Allium will be raised happily in her manor in Canterlot. And let’s just say Madam Melody is one feisty animal if you know what I mean.”
Cirrus gave him an uneasy look as he replied, “I do now… although I kinda wish I didn’t… and… You? Where will you go?”
Mr. Toll looked at an old picture that sat on his desk as he replied, “Me… I’m old… worn down. To be honest even in good health I wouldn’t last another decade. I put in an application for the local retirement home. It ain’t much… but I’ll have a roof over my head, and food in my stomach. But what really worries me isn’t what I will do.” He sat the photo down and pointed at the colt in the picture, “But what you will do.”
Cirrus looked at the old photo of Mr. Toll and him taken years ago when he first arrived at the orphanage as he replied, “I… I don’t know.” He picked up the picture, “I’ve been here for so long, I don’t even know where to start. It’s been twelve years… and all I’ve done was help you. I mean… it’s the least I could do for adopting me… but…”
Mr. Toll smiled, “Your mother and father were good friends of mine… it would break their hearts knowing that I was willing to pass you off to a random family like that. Besides, you have been a great help around here. Without you we would have closed down years ago.”
Cirrus sighed, “Yea… but… where am I going to go now?”
Seeing the distress in his eyes, Mr. Toll sighed as he stood up, trotted to the office door, locked it, and sat back down at his desk, “Cirrus… I have an idea… but you must promise me that no matter your feelings, you will not tell anypony about it. I mean it… not, one, soul. Understand?”
Cirrus felt curious as he replied, “Um… sure, I won’t say anything.”
“Promise?...”
“Promise.”
Mr. Toll sighed as he spoke, “If ever you need help and have nowhere else to go. Then go down to the old abandoned apple farm on the edge of town.”
“You meant the old apple family farm?”
“Yes, go there and go into the barn that sits on the north end of the property. There you will find three barrels of cider in the very back. Trot to the second one that’s labeled alcoholic and knock on it five times. When you hear a scratching sound that sounds like mice, simply say, I fear no storm. When they open it up, tell them that I sent you. They will give you a place to stay and help you find a job”
Cirrus Thought to himself, “I fear no storm?… wait… that’s the motto of the rebellion. Mr. Toll?... are you a member of the rebellion?”
Mr. Toll didn’t answer, instead he just replied, “Remember… only if you have no other options. I can’t stress this enough, because… lives will be at stake on this. So remember, not, one, word.”
Although he didn’t like it, Cirrus could see the seriousness in Mr. Toll’s eyes as he sighed, “Alright… I don’t like the rebellion, but if a last resort is needed, I’ll go there and tell nopony about it.”
Mr. Toll sighed in relief as he replied, “Good… now… I think it’s time we get some shuteye. An old timer like me needs his rest.”
Cirrus nodded his head, “Sure… I’ll do that although I’m still a little nervous about tomorrow.”
Mr. Toll smiled sarcastically, “Don’t worry, I thought you well. Besides with your talent you could always become a weather pegasus and move, dare I say it… Cirrus Clouds.”
Cirrus smiled, “Oh har har, I’ll be sure to bring rain to your next bingo tournament grandpa.”
Mr. Toll called to him as Cirrus left the room, “That’s Foster Grandpa to you, youngin’!”
Back in the Everfree forest, Zine was returning to his hut as Spike stepped out from behind the hut and spoke, “So… how did it go? Did you see him?”
Zine smiled as he approached and lowered his hood, “I did.”
“And…”
Zine sat down, “He doesn’t look like much… his eyes show he does feel fear… although I’ve yet to see his greatest fear. I wonder if he truly is the pony I need for this plan.”
Spike gave him a skeptic look, “And… will Thundaga know about it?”
Zine’s smile turned sinister as he replied, “Thundaga gave me freedom to conduct my experiments in peace. What they are, aren’t her business. And if she asked, I’ll simply tell her the truth… insinuating she asks a very specific and detailed question that is. Nevertheless, this will be a truly interesting experiment, I can’t wait to see how he fares.”