Upheaval: Reckoning
Chapter 10: Fangs and Scales
To a citizen of Ophidus, Ervain Reis could not be further from an ideal home. As the northernmost of the empire's settlements, it was more an outpost, and an invasion stage, than a proper home. The streets were a chaotic mass of soldiers slithering about, vendors selling their wares, and slavers herding their ponies to the nearest bidding stall. It was only to be expected given that it was so close to the pandemonium that was Equestria.
Hassyth surveyed it all from his manor’s balcony with an impatient sneer. Despite the time he had already spent here, he was never going to get used to the rabble, or the smell of so many unwashed ponies milling about in the open. Ervain Reis would always be a prison to a noble coatl.
Of course, whenever Hassyth’s thoughts strayed towards that subject, he only needed to glance back to the sad state of his manor to remember that he was barely a coatl noble. He was down to this one manor at the borders of the empire, a dozen servants, a couple dozen pony slaves, and two concubines. It was a far cry from his time in the capital, where he was among the very elite of the emperor’s tribe. That was not so long ago, but even a mere decade of misery in this city made the best of times seem a mere dream.
A sudden draft, and the whistle of something flying past mere inches from his face, shattered Hassyth's reverie. With an angry hiss, he unfurled his wings, and unleashed his magic, covering himself with a crackling barrier of protective force. He looked behind him, and found a quivering arrow stuck to the wooden floor. ‘Sniper,’ he thought. He cast another spell, and the arrow glowed. A thin trail of light extended from its fletched end, tracing its path through the air. Hassyth followed the trail only to find it go on and on to the late noon sky. He squinted at the distance, and noticed something. It looked like a pegasus, but it was so far away that it was barely more than a dot. A second later, and it was gone.
‘So Equestria has decided to send assassins after me?’ Hassyth thought. That didn't make sense. He had lost his place of importance a long time ago. Equestria had little to gain with his death. He looked back to the arrow, and noticed the twist of paper tied to the shaft. A pair of cards were attached next to it. Telekinetically, he separated the paper from the shaft, and took a look.
Hassyth of the Coatl tribe,
Greetings. I apologize for the rather rude method of message delivery. I would meet you myself, but I am pressed with important matters. I hope you understand.
I have done a bit of research lately, and came upon your name. You have a past as colorful as your wings, and I understand that you have gone down in the world these past years. Attached to this message are a couple of photographs that you are certain to find very interesting. If you wish to pursue this matter, signal my agent in your area through a flare spell. Longstride will coordinate with your plans.
Sincerely,
Black Rose
Hassyth crumpled the note, and tossed it aside. He knew nothing of the name, only that it was Equestrian. The offer was a bit intriguing, though. He took the photographs and looked. “Scarlet Rabbit!” he hissed. The red coat and the darker red mane were unmistakable, as were the facial features, and the wings. It was his prize racer, still alive and healthy. He trembled with excitement. Scarlet Rabbit's loss was the highlight of that disastrous pony raid on his holdings. He had lost a great deal of resources, and the greatest source of his income. To think that the Equestrian Legion now benefited from his most valuable racer! They had likely messed with its conditioning. Already, he imagined reacquiring it, and resetting the proper training. It would corner the races once more, and his fortune would return.
“The brave hunter Nasihihyth ignored the warnings of his fellows, and chased after the strange scarlet rabbit. Through brushes, woods, and rivers, he pursued the creature. For days he could not stop in his chase until he finally ran it down. With a loud hiss of joy, he raised the animal. It was then that Nasihihyth looked around, and discovered that the creature had led him far away from any known trails. He was tired, hungry, without supplies, and lost. The hunter cursed at his folly, and was never seen again.”
Hassyth laughed inwardly as he remembered the old bedtime story of his grandmother. He was no foolish hunter, the rivals of his unbeatable racer were. He was a determined noble who was merely reacquiring his possessions. He put the first photograph aside, and looked at the other one. Acquiring Scarlet Rabbit was more than enough for him to consider working with this “Longstride”. What else could be there?
The next one was of another pegasus: a light blue mare. He could tell from its sleek build, and well-developed wings that this one would be a good flyer as well. It was still young, and easily trainable if he could get her to a proper racing stable. Its mane quickly grabbed his attention. This one had the most fascinating mane he had seen among pegasi. “Coatl coloration!” he exclaimed. He looked to his own rainbow-colored wings, then back to the photograph. This was a valuable find indeed. Never mind its potential as a racer, if he could present a fine pegasus specimen with the colors of the Coatl tribe before Emperor Sesyth, he would surely be rewarded with a fortune that not even Scarlet Rabbit could acquire after a lifetime of winning races. He imagined bringing it to the palace on that day, and having it bow obediently before the emperor. Better yet, if he could train it to dance to “Pride of the Ophidites”, his fortune was assured.
“Hashymissa!” Hassyth called out. His majordomo slithered into his chambers. Hashymissa was Scarlet Rabbit’s trainer, and was responsible for all his pony slaves. Typical of vipren, she was adept in slavery, inflitration, and, above all else, cruelty.
“You called, master?” Hashymissa hissed.
“I have an important mission for you, something that may take you to Equestria itself.”
“That is a truly perilous mission indeed, master.”
Hassyth nodded. Equestria was a dangerous place filled with vigilant pony legionnaires eager to kill any ophidite who dared to trespass. “I have heard the scouts,” he said. “Equestria is dealing with matters by its other borders. If there was ever a time to infiltrate, it would be now.” He looked down his balcony again. Ervain Reis was marshaling its own troops for a raid on Equestria itself. If it wasn't for the growing crisis of the Crocodilian Rebellions closer to the capital, Ophidus would be launching an all-out assault on its northern neighbor. “Bring eight of our best slaves with you. You are to capture these ponies alive.” He tossed the photographs at Hashymissa, who grabbed it with her hands.
With that, Hasyth looked up to the steadily darkening sky, and fired a flare spell.
Hells yes, love this story.
Something tells me that they're going to get more than they would ever ask for if they catch Rainbow... I feel sorry for them already.
And Spike becomes a meat eater.
Eww, I hope Dash doesn't have an unpleasant bout with slavery in her future. Seems like this must be the start of the plot line that will address her and Scarlet's issues.
I foresee Scarlet and RD being enslaved and taken to Snakeland. The story will likely detail their life there. I can't help but wonder how long this series will be. It seems like it's gonna be a huge epic-length yarn. You just got so much going on that a long series seems the only way to play out all the plot threads to their full potential and wrap them up nicely. Though Scarlet and RD being trapped in Snakeland together seems a very interesting thing to go by. Especially if RD becomes some kind of "favoured slave of the Emperor".
I also kinda want to see more of Twilight and Vanguard interacting, since that seemed like a big part of the first story.
I'm not sure I like where this is going....No sir I don't like it
This seems like it has the potential to turn into a real sidetrack, and I can't say I'm really all that interested in learning about the snake people unless it somehow ties into the larger plot.
Honestly, I can't see how kidnapping either Dash or Scarlet would work without being just plain stupid. Dash is going back to the Heartland, where outsiders will stand out easily, and Scarlet is stationed in one of the most secure fortresses in the Borderlands, currently playing headquarters to Terrato himself.
Nothing about this development seems good.
This is slowly beginning to look like a one big set up for something enormous. I mean, we already have so many things hinted at. Applejack and Twilight in a rather complicated love triangle with Vanguard, Scarlet and Rainbow and their race and now the fact that Black Rose set them up to Scarlet's previous owner. Spike begins his training and with a proper dragon diet he will most probably grow faster and maybe get wings. We also have Pinkie and the True Earth Ponies and upcoming plot points for Fluttershy and Rarity(right?). Oh, and the trip back home, we can't forget about that. Each and every one of those stories would probably stand on its own. Mixed together with war on what may in the future be a war on three fronts, internal unrest, quest to regain harmony and Black Rose's rebellion, that might as well turn into multidimensional struggle for power... and I'm probably missing few plot points already.
Normally I would start guessing how will things go now, but I have a strange feeling that we're not even half way from setting things up. The question is, how will the situation unfold. For example with RD and SR: will the be kidnapped and taken by Hassyth and be rescued/escape after some time allowing us to witness some torture, abuse and conditioning and also allowing for some more character development and maybe more bonding between the two, or will that plot point serve only as a distraction. I suspect that we could expect similar plot points for other ponies as well, or at least a means to get them some more screen time and development. For Example a serious escalation of the AJ/Twi situation paired with some kind of crisis and the possibility of them being forced to work together (Vanguard's squad is still technically missing an unicorn mage and earth pony enforcer). Pinkie being pulled away by the sect of earth ponies and being indoctrinated/trained by them could also be a thing. And we're left with Rarity and Fluttershy without any support from their friends, left on their own. As much as I can see Rarity as the possibly strongest mentally of the entire six (few mental breakdowns excluded) Fluttershy's reaction to it all could be very dramatic.
Ok, I said I won't be guessing <_<
in any case, you make it harder and harder to wait for every next chapter.
And nice way to put references from Dragon Quest episode :D
Hmmm. Hopefully this will lead to more Scarlet Rabbit and Rainbow Dash baddassery.
If this fic had clop or romance in any way I would give it a thumbs up on all ten of my accounts.
Something tells me Rainbow Dash will get captured, experience a ton of hardship and somehow manage to escape.
The real clincher to that possibility, is that the ophidites learn of her sonic rainboom, either during her stay there or used in her escape once they see that they'll consider her something along the lines of a national treasure and want her back. Like Luna to Fenrir, when the Ophidite Emperor sees that Dash has more value than just her mane, he's going to war.
Though I can see Black Rose attempting to waylay the Mane 6, I doubt she would out and out sell them to hostile nations. It's likely bait for some ploy of hers to cripple their race. Either draw him out, or attempt to sneak them in, and force a conflict she can come out ahead in.
Though obviously driven, and possibly crazy, she hasn't quite pushed the callous disregard for pony life quite yet. Those she has killed were for good reasons (to her anyways). Plus she seems the type to want to pit her guard against the Mane 6 for whatever reason. A display of dominance for her beau I'd guess.
Yes, I'm caught up and can post relevant stuff!
. . . fuck, I'm caught up.
Anyway, I think Black Rose is going to try and set stuff up so that she can either rescue RD from the Ophidites, or possibly make her choose between rescuing Scarlet or helping out someone else.
Nothing hurts Loyalty like a conflict of interests. . .
kirins are real!
4.bp.blogspot.com/-KqFy8TJe2eA/Tr_OczspysI/AAAAAAAAFMw/hprqMvElpjI/s1600/happy-crying-face-tumblr-meme.png
there is hope for spike and rarity yet!
545675
Didn't think about that one
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Celestia and Luna won't allow it. They'll pressure Terrato rescue them and he will. They're too important/ RD, especially.
"...having her bow obediently before the mighty leader of the empire."
That just cracks me up! RD bowing to some snake monster! Now that would be a very interesting day!
If Rainbow does get tortured, that will be a sad day for me. Same was when Twilight was whipped.
Hassyth really thinks Rainbow Dash is going to voluntarily DANCE to a song call Pride of the Ophidites?!
Rainbow Dash in snakeland: ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?
Well clearly this is where the race between her and Scarlet will occur. This Hassyth guy probably won't take long to realize that Dash has the potential to beat Scarlet, and pit them against each other (making tons of coin in the resulting betting. Hear ye, hear ye - an old favourite has been returned to us! But can this Master of the Skies hold out against a pegasus that has been blessed with the colours of the Coatl tribe itself? Find out in the most influential race of the season! The winner will be lavished with riches beyond their wildest imaginings - and the loser...well I hope everyone likes fast food).
Get it? Cuz they're fast? Eh? Eh?
Kay, I'm done.
Onward to the next chapter!
I just noticed something. Do the Ophidites give Equestrian names to their slaves, even those who are born in Ophidus, or was Scarlet Rabbit somewhat unique as his name was based of the story?
The idea of some elderly snake monster tucking in little babu snake monsters and reading them bed times stories, even if they are somewhat morbid, is hilarious.
But then I guess as the saying goes, even monsters love their family