111 - ...About that Pip-Boy...
Extended Holiday
Ch 111: ...About that Pip-Boy...
Act 16
The great assembly hall for the House of Nobles was filled with yawns as members of varying classes filed slowly in. The torchlight reflected off the metal arches, and refracted through the crystals and jewels embedded into their ornate design. The curtains had been drawn over the stained glass windows above, and the twin thrones awaited their owners as the nobles continued to mumble, and otherwise mutter or murmur their disgruntlement over being summoned so early in the morning that Celestia had yet to even raise the sun. The padded cushions before each tiered table were gradually filled, and, finally, a very tired looking Platinum made a dignified approach to the stand.
“Lords and Ladies of the House of Nobles, as chairpony of this collective body, I now call this meeting to order. By order of the Princesses, all nobles are to be present, and the doors are to be sealed, until we are otherwise dismissed. All nobles who have dared to disregard this summons will face severe consequences, including increased taxes, a distinct cutoff of staff, seizure of lands, and any other punishments our diarchs should deem fit. Let the audience commence.” Platinum brought down her hoof with a solitary bang on the silver dish.
One of the nobles at the top, not knowing that the sound spells were all active at every seat, spoke up. “Why so early? This is the domain of the moon, not the sun, and we are the nobles of the Sun.” The high pitched whine rang through the courts, carried by the low murmur of the other voices.
“As it was a royal summons,” Fancy pants interjected, “I don’t think your objection matters, Lady Facet.” Then he turned back to the lower tiers, and nodded respectfully to the speaker.
There was, however, one noble couple who were feeling particularly nervous with Fancy Pants sitting on one side, and High Dutchess Platinum on the other. Twilight Velvet and Night Light both shook at the daggers the older families glared at them, but it was where their names had been placed, so they had to comply. Their vocal amplification spell stones were inactive as the two spoke amongst themselves, doing their best to ignore the particularly venomous glare from Blueblood across the way.
Baron Blueblood had certainly had better mornings. His normally-carefully-coiffed mane was frizzled, and popping out. A set of bags bunched under his eyes. His voice carried in the lower region, but not the higher. “I will have words with the committee. They’ve placed the mid-tier nobles too low again. I guess some poor Pony will be on the streets looking for work outside of Canterlot.” He got a few laughs from some of the gathering, but most of them were too tired to let themselves join. Twilight Velvet and Night Light both looked nervously at one another. They didn’t want somepony to lose their position over a little mixup like this. Surely something could be done.
“I wouldn’t worry too long about that, Blueblood,” Hammer Strike commented as he rolled his eyes.
Suddenly, a blinding light filled the room as a hot wind blasted the faces of everypony present. The curtains were torn aside, and the radiance of the light sent the images out onto the overcast clouds above like a signal as the figure within slowly descended. Gradually, that light coalesced into a rainbow corona as the princess of the Sun stomped her hooves to call order. Flickers of red like solar flares blew off, before rejoining the main mass of compressed magic. She spread her wings, and the radiance blinded nearly everypony there as a beam of magic shot out her horn, through the ceiling, and into the sky above. Moments later, a heavy detonation exploded above the castle, shaking the room.
“Do I have everypony’s attention?” Celestia asked. Her tone was cool, calm, practically emotionless. A collective shudder ran through the court. “Good. Let me start out with a simple question. Doubtless, you’re all wondering why I’ve invoked my royal authority, after letting it sit by for well over a millennium of peace. So, why do you think I’ve called you all here, hmm?”
An almost perfect silence fell over the gathering. Some few whispers passed here or there, but none dared answer.
“Count Facet, why don’t you speak?” Platinum asked, after the silence had carried on for a good three minutes.
“Uh. . ..” Facet gulped. “I don’t know.” He started to sweat. If he were anything less than his current station, he likely would have been running for his life. This was not the Celestia they had come to know over their lives.
A sudden deluge of frigid water dropped from above, soaking his good vest, and sopping his glittering green mane. “Truly, you are an inspiration to us all, Facet. You must be such an asset to your family name. Perhaps that will help to clear your mind better.” Celestia turned her gaze to the rest of the House. And what of the rest of you, children? Can anypony else deduce a reason?”
The rest of the Ponies were utterly silent.
“Normally, I am not nearly so forward, as I’m certain you are well aware,” Celestia continued. “However, even my tolerance has its limits, and just a little over a week ago, I received word of an act so deplorable, so unscrupulous, so irresponsible and selfish that even Discord himself would be appalled.” Celestia slammed her hoof into the ground, sending several cracks through the expensive tiling, and causing the room to fill with the ringing of her metal horseshoes. “BRING IN THE WITNESS!” she boomed, and half the body of the House were blown from their seats.
The chamber erupted in chaos and pandemonium, and even threats, as Weight and Measure entered the chamber. He remained silent and composed, his body poised. He had known this verbal onslaught would come. Even with Platinum slamming a hoof on her own gavel, the place wouldn’t calm down. That soon changed as every noble in the room suddenly found their lips locked shut in a magical grip.
“I will have order,” Celestia said with narrowed eyes. “I have waited far too long, left too many of you to your own devices, and now I learn of the consequences of that choice. The rest of the houses shall learn as well. No more skeletons in the closet. No more cloak and dagger. No more shadow games.” She leveled her glare at Blueblood as she let loose a whisper as cold as the sun is hot. “No. More.” She turned to the Pony, and drew herself up to her full height as smoke rose up from her mane. “State your name and your occupation for the record.”
“My name is Count Weight and Measures, Your Highness. Myself and my family have always been record keepers for the noble families of Canterlot in the area regarding lineage.”
“And what have you to tell us of the events on the night of this past Monday?”
“First off, I would like to state, for the record, that I am not proud of what I’ve done, nor what my family has done. For the past few years, I have been receiving constant requests for ways to make foals vanish from family lines for being ‘unseemly.’ As you may be aware, Your Highness, this is the term a noble generally uses to refer to a child they have produced outside of their established marriage. In this case, it has been near wholly in the aftermath of inappropriate interactions with Thestral servants or other staff. In response to this request, or pressure, if you prefer, I have bribed, blackmailed, and threatened mares and stallions alike to disappear with the foal in question, or else become reclusive enough to remain outside the public eye, and, therefore, not be associated with the parent nobility. However, on the Friday before the Monday in question, I was approached by a select group of nobles with an ultimatum to be discharged no later than the following Monday.”
“And what was the nature of this ultimatum?” she asked.
Weight and Measure bowed his head as he held to his bowler hat. “I was to arrange for the remnants of this group, in their entirety, to be transported, unseen, to New Unity, with a contingent of half-Thestral foals. Once there, I was to arrange for the Lunar Court to take these illegitimate foals into their care. In doing this, I would receive a large retainer of bits. If I refused, I would be jailed for the crimes committed by my predecessors, and myself, where no one would ever find me or hear the truth.”
“And who, pray tell, were these nobles?” Celestia asked.
“I have submitted a full list to the Solar Guard, Your Majesty. It would take far too long for me to list them all.”
“A ballpark estimate will do nicely, Mister Measure,” Celestia said in a clipped tone. Her mane glowed brighter as she looked about the assembly with calculating eyes.
“Thirty five, maybe forty nobles, Your Majesty.”
“That many.” She raised her brows dramatically, even as golden energy rippled around them like licking flames. “And imagine how many foals must have been born from those actions. Double at the very least, I should think. That many foals. That many children without a home, without love, without family.” Celestia’s hoof smashed down onto the floor, causing several cracks to spread out from the epicenter of her blow. “A parent who cannot honor such a stewardship knows nothing of sacrifice, nothing of harmony, nothing of caring for my little Ponies!” The colors on her mane blurred together, becoming a bright white light. Flashes of magic leapt off it, then back in again as her eyes began to glow, and tears streaked down her cheeks. “You know nothing of the pain you cause.”
“Aiding this abominable act shall be my gravest regret, until the day I die, Your Majesty.”
“I wasn’t talking to you, Weight and Measure.” She began to circle the floor as her eyes passed over each of the nobles as flames licked up like fetlocks from her hooves, and singes stained the ground. “I am referring to all of you.” Her voice boomed over the collective. “It’s clear that I have been too lenient over the last thousand years. That ends today.” Her tail burst into flame as her golden regalia glowed red.
While many Ponies nodded numbly, Twilight Velvet couldn’t help but be reminded of Twilight’s temper tantrums as a foal. But this was on another scale entirely.
“My sister and I have counseled together on the matter, and, while I have the jurisdiction over the Solar Court, the foals in question are to become her responsibility. As such, she has a stake in this as well. The both of us agree. The older houses have grown far too complacent. You play political games with one another more than you care about governing your own people. It is clear that a change is necessary. Several changes, in fact. Actions have consequences, and the price this time will be very steep.
“As some of you were so perceptive to notice, several lesser nobles have been lowered a few tiers in the seating arrangements. These are individuals who have cared for their charges, demonstrated high moral fiber, and a sincere desire to help our nation grow and develop as a whole. For these traits, we have seen fit to grant them new titles with greater responsibility. As for how we could possibly do this, well, that should be rather obvious to you schemers, I should think.” Celestia fixed the crowd with a malevolent smirk.
“You . . . you wouldn’t,” Peacock Feather gasped. Baron Blueblood looked visibly pale, which was quite miraculous, considering his coat was already white.
“I would. It is within the crown’s authority, when its vassals displease it, to revoke or reduce the gifts it has bestowed. I invoke that right here and now. Those lords and ladies found on that list will experience a significant reduction to their lands, with few, if any exceptions. Those territories will then be redistributed as I see fit to the houses I’ve promoted, starting with House Velvet. You can be rest assured that I intend to take a much closer look at the rest of your dealings, lords and ladies. There will be neither stone nor bit left unturned.” She flipped her mane backwards, and it flared upwards towards the ceiling, before returning to its normal size again. “Oh, and one more thing. Those nobles responsible for this mess will be paying a hefty sum to the Lunar Courts. You will support your children, whether you choose to acknowledge them or not.”
This caused some shouts from a few of the braver nobles.
“You can’t just bully us like this!” Upper Crust put forward.
“SILENCE!”
The Royal Canterlot Voice nearly burst the eardrums of the House of Nobles as Celestia glared. “I have every right to place these restrictions on you, Upper Crust, and it is a just punishment. Be grateful this didn’t happen during the war. Back then, whole houses were eradicated. As it stands, I’m putting you and your friends on probation. You may be able to earn those lands back, if you prove worthy of them. Until then, they will go to those who are.” Celestia slammed her hoof on the floor again, filling the air with the ring of a sledgehammer. “You will each be receiving notice of the changes in due course, delivered to your homes. Until this judicial action is properly carried out, I am hereby suspending all future meetings within the House of Nobles. You are dismissed.” With a casual toss of her head, and a brief flare from her horn, the doors were unsealed, and opened.
As nobles filed out, Upper Crust and Jet Set attempted to look to the Count and Countess Clear Spring, whom they had been subtly befriending in hopes of arranging a match for one of their foals. The mare and stallion walked past as though they didn’t even recognize them.
As the last of the nobles filed out, escorted by the guards, Celestia sighed, and let the flames slowly die as she reverted to her usual form. “Oh, my little Ponies, where did I go wrong?” In that moment, she appeared to age over a thousand years in a second. Her wings draped against the ground, and her head bowed towards the ground as her tears struck the floor.
A hoof was placed on her back as Hammer Strike moved close. “I’m certain this wasn’t entirely in your hooves from the start. Individuals such as they would act this way, no matter what happened. All that would change is how they did it, and I find this to be a better option than what some would do.”
“I was so tempted to, Hammer Strike. I could have done terrible things to them. Imprison them in a living nightmare, freeze them in dark crystal, destroy them and all trace of their houses from existence. It would have been so easy with how angry I felt, how angry I still feel.”
“Yet you held your temper, and took a calmer course of action. This is a punishment that will not be over in an instant, nor in a year. This will be with them for potentially generations to come. Thus you can gain your control once more, and ensure something like this will not happen again.”
“I wonder,” she said tiredly.
“I’m sure of it.”
Celestia sighed. “I need a drink.”
“I’ve got some Dwarven ale,” Hammer Strike offered.
“Some what?”
“Oh, yeah. I found Dwarves under New Unity that I somehow helped bring back from the brink of extinction.”
Celestia stared, dumbstruck for a time. Then she blinked, and snapped out of her sudden stupor. “I wondered why the giant tassel worms were going extinct.”
Lighting Dust ducked into the tent near the site Hammer Strike and the city planners had set aside for the Hall of Paragons. She was, admittedly, curious on how this site would develop, and what differences it would have from the one in Cloudsdale. Obviously, there wouldn’t be nearly so many clouds, but as for the other changes, she would have to ask around. “Excuse me. Is anypony in here?”
“We can’t use cloud this close to the ground,” a voice shouted from inside the tent. “It’ll disperse into fog. We need marble.”
“Marble would be ludicrous for this project. We’d have to import it for the quantity needed, and we’re too far out of the way.” As Lighting Dust entered, she noticed a group of Pegasi and Earth Ponies clustered around a table she assumed held the blueprints for the hall’s design. With the Everfree’s unique magical makeup, Pensword had insisted on a joint effort between Pegasi and Earth Ponies to ensure the building would be properly sound.
Lighting Dust still looked irritated at the thought of the Earth Ponies working on something so central to her tribe’s culture, but the Commander’s words still rang in her ears from when he’d overheard her complaints last time. With that still sharply in mind, she decided to hang back, and listen to the discussion.
“Well marble is the closest thing we have to clouds. What do you suggest we use, wood and dirt?” one of the Pegasi growled.
“Sir, we could cut, shape, and move maybe half a dozen pillars of this size in the time frame you’ve presented with our resources. But seventeen? That would take over a year to get them all here,” Shape Sculptor, a large stoney-grey Earth Pony with a dust-colored mane spoke up. “Not to mention the stone for the foundations to hold them all.”
“Then we can just extend the timeframe to a year,” a mare said authoritatively. The badge on her work jacket was shaped like a laurel surrounding a pair of lightning bolts, clearly indicating her calling from the Paragon Council. “As for our transport issues, I’ve been promised the use of the Gantrithor to help carry the larger items where we need them in a more timely manner. We simply have to give them enough advanced notice.”
“Do we really need to provide the empty pedestals for the forgotten paragons, though?” another Earth Pony asked. “I mean, if they’re forgotten, then how do you even know if you have the right number of pedestals in the first place?”
The Pegasus groaned, and shook her head. “The ten pedestals represent the ten virtues most valued in our culture, and in Paragons in general. They also symbolize the forgotten warriors, each to their specific attribute. If we can’t make enough room for them on the ground, we can carve them into the walls and alcoves as needed. They just need to be there.”
“I still don’t think we can make the whole thing out of marble. It’s too cold, and too easily degraded in these conditions. Get something acidic enough, and the structure would quickly lose its luster. Marble in the interior would work well, but we definitely need a different material for the exterior structure,” Saw Horse, a sandy Earth Pony with a bright yellow mane said.
“What would you suggest, then?” A Pegasus stallion asked with a snort. “If you have a problem, give a solution.”
“Look, I know this is important to you, and it ruffles your feathers to think this has to be built on the ground, but all we’re trying to do is present you with the facts. We don’t want a fight,” Shape Sculptor said. “We could try using granite. It comes in a variety of shades and colors, and it weathers much better in most conditions.”
“Then granite it is,” the mare said with a tone of finality to her voice as she looked pointedly at the Pegasus. “And Storm Mane, try to keep a lid on those thunderbolts of yours. These Ponies are trying to help us, not insult us.”
The Pegasus’ face darkened like a thundercloud as he puffed his cheeks, and snorted, but nothing more came of it as the mare in charge returned to the task at hand. “Just how long is it going to take to get ahold of this granite?”
Lightning Dust smiled as she slowly backed out from the tent. Best to leave them be for now. Besides, it sounded like they had things pretty well in hoof.
“Athena, put the stiletto down,” Grif said carefully as he looked across to the young Gryphon with a knife in her hand. “Those are daddy’s toys. You're not ready for those yet.”
Athena growled, then pouted, then threw the knife up into the air, where it severed a rope that released its grip to send a counterweight onto a plank that had been carefully balanced with a bucket of water that was promptly sent flying into the air, before turning over exactly above the Gryphon’s body to get him perfectly soaked. Then Athena giggled, and clapped her talons together.
“You’re a few weeks old. How, in the North Wind’s name, did you even get a bucket up there?” He wiped some of the soaked water off his head, and went to retrieve his stiletto from its place in the ceiling.
Athena just laughed in response.
“Grif? Is everything alright in there?” Shrial’s voice carried from the Kitchen.
“Shrial, our daughter, who isn’t even a month old yet, is setting elaborate traps,” Grif said.
“Oh, is that all? I thought I saw Moon River flying by earlier.”
“My god daughter and my real daughter are plotting against me. I’m not sure if I’m feeling fear or pride right now.”
“Why don’t you focus on the pride for now, and come try some of this venison I’m cooking? I decided to take a page from that recipe book you brought through, and try a take on that Philly Cheesesteak. If it weren’t for the different spelling, I may have been tempted to burn the book.”
“Yeah? Well I can’t get another one, if you do.” Grif chuckled as he picked Athena up, and placed her on his back. “Now where's that sister of yours?”
A sharp nip on one of his hind legs soon answered that question.
Grif turned to look at Gentle Wing. “Come on. You’re Pappa’s good girl, right? You don’t have any mean traps in store for Pappa,” he said nervously.
Gentle Wing just laughed as she tried to climb her way up onto Grif’s back. Finally, Grif took pity on her, and grabbed her by the scruff of her neck, before placing her next to her sister.
“I’m almost scared to think about when they're old enough to fly.” Grif chuckled as he walked up to Shrial, and gave her a peck on the cheek.
“What more could you expect, when you’re dealing with our kids?” she asked playfully as she handed a lean slice of the meat for him to try.
He took a bite, and purred with enjoyment. “It’s perfect.”
“I haven’t even added the cheese yet, honey.” She giggled as she dropped the freshly shredded mozzarella into the pan, and stirred with the onions and vegetables. “Could you grab the buns over there?”
He nodded as he walked over to them. “So what's with your cooking kick lately?” he asked.
“With teats like this, it’s not like I can do much else at the moment,” Shrial said as she pointed down to her midriff.
Grif blushed at this comment, though the Gryphon part of him was never sure why. “Fair enough, I suppose.”
“Once the girls are past nursing, I might do this every once in awhile, just so you don’t have to,” she said. “But don’t expect it all the time, lover boy. Avalon and I can’t afford to let you get too lax, after all,” she said with a smirk.
“Never planned it. Still, I’ll expect you to get in shape as soon as they're done. Can’t have my best fighter off longer than necessary.”
“I wonder, are you talking for the battle field, or the bedroom?”
“I remember a time when you were the one who blushed,” Grif said, even as his black features turned somewhat purple. “I noticed you requested to be on the roster to take the fledges out for the first hunt. You sure you’ll be able to handle that?” Taking Gryphons on their first hunt was an emotionally trying period, because the adults could only interfere if something else attacked the would-be hunters. If their own prey turned on them, it was do or die in the literal sense.
“I’ll have to get used to it some time,” she pointed out. “Might as well get it over with now.”
“As long as you're sure.” Grif nodded. “So, any word from your cousin?”
“Not since we got word from Daedalus. “I’m guessing he’s probably part of the team that’s worming out the last traitors from the coup.”
“It’s not weird with him having your father's name, is it?”
Shrial shrugged as she served the steaks on the toasted bread. “It just is, Grif. That’s how our culture worked back then.”
“So where is Avalon? Still studying?” Grif looked around. “You’d figure she’d be hungry.”
“She’s too busy planning her trip to that tower of yours. Apparently, a certain someone who lives at the monastery told her she needed to study more?”
“She’s planning that trip already? I figured we’d be considering that for after the baby arrives.”
“Well, she is going to have a lot of time to study, when she gets far enough along. Maybe she just wants to be prepared?”
Grif nodded. “There is a question I’ve been meaning to ask.”
“You mean other than the ones you’ve been asking already? My, you are talkative today,” she said with a chuckle.
“Normally it’s the first born in the clan that are the heirs. Does it upset you that I’ve decided to wait before naming mine?”
“Grif, after everything we’ve been through, why do you think I’d care about a tradition like that, when we’ve literally been defying tradition at nearly every turn since the war?” she pointed out.
“I just wanted to make sure you didn’t feel like I was denying our girls something they deserved.”
“You earned your place as leader, didn’t you? Why should it be any different for the next generation?”
“I shouldn’t have ever doubted you,” he said with a smile.
“Well, I might be just a little jealous,” she said with a smirk, and a swish of her tail. “But it’ll take more than that to get me really upset. Let’s not forget what happened at the Crystal Empire.” She winked mischievously at him as she set the food down on the table for the two of them. “Now let’s eat, you silly raven.”
Hammer Strike found himself quietly shaping rods of metal into a cage, basing the design from fragments of memory. Next would come the crystals, then the glass, perhaps some more materials, but that was later down the line.
Nightmare Night wasn’t too far away, and it gave him plenty of time to think on what he could do for it. He didn’t have to make a costume, but knowing how most events play out, it was bound to happen anyways. His plan involved Sweetie Belle, and only the two of them would know exactly what was to come.
“Hammer Strike, will this work for my dress?” Sweetie Belle asked as she produced a raggedy mess of crafted red cloth with frayed lace that sagged onto the floor, giving it an artfully worn and torn appearance. A few extra stains of oil and fake blood had been added for effect. Three tiny bows clung to the dress’ bodice, waiting to be tied into the filly’s mane.
“Yes, I believe that will work perfectly.” Hammer Strike nodded.
“When I showed parts of it to Button Mash, his face went sortof pale, so I guess this costume must be really scary, after all. I can’t wait to use it on Diamond Tiara.” She chuckled mischievously.
“The enchantments will, perhaps, be the best part, as I’m almost certain no one will expect this.”
“Well I sure haven’t seen anything like it before.”
“That’s the best part. No one can guess it, if almost nobody knows it,” Hammer Strike said as he finished shaping the rod. “And thus, nobody can spoil the surprise, but you, and me.”
“It’s not gonna be super mean scary, though, right? I mean, I wanna scare people, but I don’t want to ruin their night.”
“After the initial scare, you’ll just give off a feeling of unease at most, unless they are particularly skittish.”
“Well, the eyes are kinda creepy. But they sorta remind me of Zecora when she’s got her hood up. I wonder what she’ll think when she sees ‘em.”
Hammer Strike hummed for a moment, before shrugging. “Not quite sure.”
“You know, with that helmet, it’s gonna be a little hard to talk,” Sweetie pointed out. “Did you do that on purpose?”
“Yep, but, if necessary, I can open a section of the helmet, and my voice will come through clear.”
“Oh. Okay, then.” Sweetie smiled. “Big sis would want to be able to talk with you, after all. And maybe kiss you, too,” she said in that teasing tone only little kids seem capable of pulling off.
“Indeed,” Hammer Strike said as he grabbed another ingot of metal.
Sweetie Belle pouted. “Aww, I wanted to see you blush.”
“Sorry. Doesn’t work like that for me.”
“Well, I guess I owe Applebloom a bit, then,” she sighed. “Scratch gambling off the list for cutie marks.”
Pensword stood by the side of the bed, running a hoof along Lunar Fang’s belly as they waited for the doctor to start the scan. “I thought it would be bigger, . . . or smaller, or… something,” he muttered as memories of the “slime machine,” as Matthew called it, were getting smaller for use on his heart. The monstrosity he was looking at reminded him of the portable clinics he went to with three large suitcases full of equipment. Yet the configuration of crystals and screen gave him the impression his mind would be blown when the test actually took place. How marvelous it was to see technology and medicine advance so far. Now Ponies could see inside the body itself, watch a life forming. Compared to the methods of his youth, it was truly miraculous. He couldn’t hold back the grin that slowly grew on his muzzle. “We are getting this for the military and civilian hospitals in New Unity. I want state-of-the-art for our hospitals, and for Ponyville as well.”
“Part of your big urban renewal plan with Grif?” Lunar Fang asked with a chuckle.
“Yes, that is part of it,” Pensword answered. Then he frowned. “You nervous?” he asked.
“This isn’t my first rodeo.” She chuckled.
“Yeah, but we didn’t have this technology when we started. It feels . . . funny, the jump we experienced,” he admitted.
“It’s amazing what the Crystal Ponies are capable of, isn’t it?”
“I know. And imagine what will happen with them helping technology now,” Pensword said reverently.
At that point, the door to the examination room opened, and a Unicorn mare in a white outfit with a small nurse’s cap smiled as she walked into the room. Her red mane had been tied in such a manner as to create two circular rings beneath her ears, while four curls hung delicately above her brow. “Hello, I’m Union Joy, and I’ll be your maternity mare for the duration of your pregnancy.” She sat down on a large stool, and pulled out a clipboard and pen. “Now, I read your file, but I like to get to know my patients personally. So, please, tell me a little about yourself.”
Pensword was not about to get involved in something like this. Matthew had memories of his mother answering all those kinds of questions, and that annoyed him for some reason, so he listened, and let Lunar Fang take care of things.
“My name is Lunar Fang. I’m a Lieutenant Colonel in the Lunar Guard, I have a daughter named Moon River, and, really, I’m not quite sure what else would be important right now.”
“Strange eating habits, any pains, mood swings?” Joy asked as she put a tool on Lunar Fang’s belly to start the scan. “As for that rank, I’m going to have to suggest you resign, or at the very least take medical leave. A mare who’s about to have a child shouldn’t be leading such a rough lifestyle.”
“Nothing out of the ordinary,” Lunar Fang said in response to the first question. “No unusual cravings, aches, or sudden urges to throttle my husband, and cry about it, if that’s what you mean.” She chuckled at the thought. “Unfortunately, my commission is handed down from Princess Luna herself. She’s given me my maternity leave, but, beyond that, you’ll have to take it up with her.”
“I’ll make sure to write a formal letter, then.” She sighed. “Though I can already guess what she’s going to say.”
Pensword couldn’t help but chuckle. He had a pretty good idea, too. the chuckle didn’t last long, though, as the nurse rounded on him.
“As for you, Mister husband,” she said as she pranced up, and poked him firmly in the chest. “I want you to start pampering her. This is very unusual having a child so soon after her first one. It could cause complications, and I will not risk the loss of a single patient. Do I make myself clear?”
Pensword nodded, and spoke reassuringly. “I assure you Thestrals are a little more hearty then the Unicorn mares, and we can–.”
“I know, Commander. I was reading up on one Night Moon’s theses on Thestral birthing and health. I’ll admit it’s a bit of an older reference, considering it was written over two hundred years ago, but, so far, the facts seem to be holding up. I still find it incredulous that Thestral mares could fight without risking any harm to the foals right up to the month of birth.” She sighed, and shook her head. “However, as I stated earlier, we are in uncharted territory. In all my years as a doctor, and all the research I’ve performed, I’ve yet to find a single mare that had a foal less than two years apart.”
Thirty minutes and a lengthy interview later, Nurse Joy put the tool away, and then took up a soapy towel, and began to clean Lunar Fang’s fur of the gel they’d used to help with the scan. “Now,” she said as she braced herself, and looked at the couple. “Go ahead, and lay into me.”
“Excuse me?” Pensword asked as he cocked his head in confusion.
“I read that aggression is good for a foal’s development for Thestrals. Didn’t you wonder why Doctor Strange recommended me? I’m one of the best in my field, and, like him, I take the unusual cases. Maternity and midwifery are kinda my thing. I’ve even been reading up on the mythical coupling of Gryphons and Ponies.” Her eyes shone like stars as she looked into the distance, and smiled. “I love children of all species, and I want to help them develop in the environment of their culture. As long as it doesn’t endanger the baby’s development, I have no problems with it. So, go ahead. Be angry at me. Give me your resentment. I don’t mind.”
Pensword gaped at Lunar Fang, then looked incredulously at the nurse. “Why does Ponyville always get all the crazies?” he finally cried. Then he sputtered, and shook his head as he struggled to find the words. Finally, he settled on his wife. “Lunar Fang, dear, please handle this.”
Lunar Fang chuckled at her husband’s behavior, and kissed him gently on the cheek, before fixing her attention to the nurse. “It’s not quite that cut and dry, Nurse Joy. I mean, it’s not quite untrue, mind you, but this is hardly a situation where it would apply.”
“Ah.” Nurse Joy blushed. “I hope you don’t mind my saying I’m relieved at that.”
Lunar Fang laughed, and shook her head even as Joy continued to twiddle her hooves.
“You wouldn’t happen to have some more modern materials I can use, would you?” Joy asked as her expression brightened. “It’s about time we had a new edition for Thestrals. If you do, could you maybe send me a copy? Like I said before, I want to make sure we get everything just right. And as things stand, considering the unique circumstances behind the pregnancy, I’d prefer if you avoided too much strain on your body. No galloping around fighting monsters, at least until the baby’s born. Then you can go slay all the manticores you want.”
Pensword gave Joy a skeptical look. Her Beige fur took a red tint. “What? Did you think I grew up in Canterlot? I came from the Unicorn station below Cloudsdale.”
Pensword paused. “You come from one of the cloud-bound pitstops?”
“Yes,” Joy replied. “It’s one reason why I was chosen to help as well. I have more experience with flying Ponies than most.” She smiled as she rose to her hooves, and returned all the materials to their proper locations, while dumping the towel and clothes into the laundry bin. “The good news is you’re perfectly healthy, and so’s the baby. I still advise you either fly or walk. No trotting or racing too hard, but it’s up to you to make that decision for yourself. I’ll make sure to send the bill to the Lunar Military for payment.”
“And could we maybe get some pictures to take with us?” Pensword asked.
Joy looked at him like he’d just grown two heads. “It’s a scanner, not a camera,” she said. Then she brought a hoof to her chin. “Then again, that might not be a bad addition to the apparatus. Good for records,” she murmured.
Pensword shook his head, and chuckled. “I advise you look into it. I think it would be a big hit.”
“You know, I might just do that.”
Vital Spark smiled as he twirled around in the black cape and tuxedo with blood-red lapels. His mane had been carefully combed backwards, and styled with a special pomade to ensure it remained in place for the fitting, and help adjust for the overall theme he was seeking to go with.
“You know, darling, if you’re going for a vampire, you really should get the ear tufts included,” Rarity pointed out as she trotted in with a gold chain, a pocket watch, and a makeup kit. “On the plus side, you’re already white, so it shouldn’t take that much effort to give you that tone to match the undead.”
“That reminds me, Rarity, have there ever been any real undead here in Equestria?”
“That’s difficult to say. If there ever were, my guess is they were taken care of a long time ago, or else given some place to live in peace. I suppose it would depend on how Princess Luna and Princess Celestia felt.”
“What about necromancers?”
“Fresh out, I’m afraid. Oh, there are enough reference books and the like written for the more positive applications. Physicians use them quite regularly, you know. The darker tomes were either destroyed or locked away where they can’t do any harm.”
“Well, I suppose that makes sense.”
“If you don’t mind my asking, Vital Spark, why did you decide to go with makeup? I mean, you’re a Unicorn. You could easily use a glamour to give you the appearance you want.”
Vital Spark chuckled. “First of all, that would be cheating. Secondly, I like doing things the old fashioned way. Thirdly, I don’t know if my magic can hold the glamour that long. And fourth, I think it’s just plain old fun.”
“Well, if you think it’s fun, I am looking for new models to test some of my designs–.”
“I’m going to stop you right there, Rarity. Dressing up every once in awhile can be fun, like for Nightmare Night, but I’m not exactly the type who wants to do that on a regular basis.”
Rarity sighed. “It was worth a shot.”
Vital Spark laughed. “Don’t worry, Rarity. I’m sure you can get any stallion you want to pose for you, if you turn on the charm. I believe I recall hearing of an incident where you literally caused an Earth Pony to fly, just by flirting with him.”
Rarity blushed. “That was a misunderstanding. I was simply helping a friend.”
“Oh yes, I know. You also helped that Pony. He’s started an Earth Pony aeronautics division now to study the effects of propeller-based flight. I wouldn’t be surprised if they had a working model in the next couple of years.”
“O-oh my.”
“Yup. Congratulations, Rarity. Even when you’re doing something somewhat underhanded, you still manage to help bring a benefit for your fellow Ponies.”
“Vital.”
“Relax. Hammer Strike knows why you did it. I didn’t even have to tell him, so it’s not like you have to threaten me, or anything like that.”
“You’re lucky you’re his friend right now. You know that, right?” Rarity asked with a flat expression.
“Mamma always taught me to count my blessings,” he said honestly. “But speaking of Hammer Strike, I’m kind of stuck on what to get him for a wedding gift. Got any ideas?”
“I don’t know. He has pretty much everything already. The only thing he doesn’t have is sleep, and he thinks that’s useless anyways.”
Vital sighed. “Well, there goes that idea.”
“Oh, don’t worry, darling. I’m sure you’ll be able to come up with something. And worst case scenario, you could always give him the one thing he doesn’t have.”
“What’s that?”
Rarity smirked. “Why, nothing, of course.”
Vital Spark smiled. “Okay, I’ll give you that one, Rarity. It seems your sword’s not the only thing that’s sharpened over time.”
“Naturally. Now then, let’s walk you through the basics, shall we? If you want to look like a vampire, we’ll need to start off with a base.”
Vital Spark sighed as he resigned himself to the treatment he knew would doubtless take the next hour at the very least. After all, this was Rarity.
Inigo and Cristo smirked at each other as they gathered in a disused room in the lower levels of the castle. They had strewn about clothing and items of lesser jewelry they’d managed to scrounge up in their journeys through the castle. They were currently watching their new younger sister, who was busy watching from her perch on top of a barrel. The filly’s form blended into the shadows of the torchlight. Her bluish-grey body and glossy black mane were perfect for dank places like this. The silver streaks in her mane had become more prominent, but did little to hinder her skills at hiding. Her red eyes seemed to glow in the torch light.
Cristo laughed as he pulled out a tiny roughspun dress, and a set of muted brown leggings with a big hat. “A Pirate Captain!” he crowed. “Captain Moon River of the Blood Moon, terror of the sea and skies!”
Moon River laughed, and clapped her hooves together joyfully as she kicked aside the rather large pile of rejected costume ideas to topple all over the cold stone floor.
Inigo grinned. “Good, and I can be her first mate, the dread pirate Nightstorm.” He jumped in surprise, then laughed as Moon River leapt from her post to his back, and started nibbling his ear. “How do you move so fast, sister?” he cried with mock horror.
Day Moon laughed as he walked in. A rather poor example of the old Lunar Guard armor clanked as he marched. The design was closer to the decorative model that had been used before Hammer Strikes modernization. When the others looked quizzically at him, he explained. “Old Wrought Iron made it for me. He needed something to do with all the extra tin he had lying around.” He looked at the dress, the leggings, and a sash and fake sword that one of his siblings was busy retrieving. “So she went for the pirate outfit, did she?” He smiled gently at her. “I thought she might. Do you like the attention your brothers are giving you, little sister, hmm?” he asked.
Moon River flapped her wings, and launched from Inigo’s back to land on Day Moon’s armored one, then knocked her hoof on his helmet. She made a sound that he took to be a yes. Then he looked at his brothers. “So, Cristo, what will you go as?”
Cristo smiled. “A Count,” he proclaimed. “Mother said I could be anything tonight, and I’m going to be a count.”
All three siblings’ expressions darkened as they frowned. “Do you think we did the right thing not telling dad we saw part of it?” Day Moon asked.
Cristo nodded. “You saw how the nobles circled him after Mom died. If he knew what really happened, he could’ve been killed. Besides, we were only a couple of years old. Most of the adults would probably say it was a nightmare. We’d need proof, and there’s no way to get it.”
“I think Faust was kind to us,” Inigo said as he looked unseeingly at the wall. “We have heroes, swordsponies, and Gryphons who can teach us skills far beyond the norm. We can be prepared for anything those murderers throw at us.”
“Yes,” Cristo agreed. “But . . . for now, you . . . do you think we could just be foals for Nightmare Night? It’s hard enough carrying this around all the time. Can’t we make Nightmare Night the one night we can actually act like foals, have fun, and stop worrying about revenge?”
The triplets looked back and forth between one another, and finally nodded in agreement. “I think we can try, at least,” Day Moon said.
“We can work on getting revenge after we get our candy,” Inigo said with a smirk.
“And bobbing for apples?” Day Moon asked.
Cristo chuckled. “Only if you can beat me first!”
“Then it’s agreed,” Day Moon said seriously as he looked to his brothers. “Tonight, we focus on having fun. Tomorrow, it’s back to work. We need to learn to use our gifts as fast as possible, if we’re going to stand a chance of avenging Mother’s murder.”
The other two brothers nodded their heads. “Agreed,” they said together. To their shock, Moon River appeared in the middle of the room her features looking as solemn as a child could.
“Me, too,” she said. Her red eyes seemed to glow as she narrowed her gaze. Her wild mane seemed almost to writhe behind her as she pointed to each of them, then back to herself. “Me, too,” she said again.
“Okay,” Day Moon whispered fearfully, “you can help, too, little sister, but first, we all have some growing up to do.” He cocked a head as he looked ponderingly at the little filly. “You think we can have her give our foes nightmares first?”
“I don’t know, and I really don’t want to think about that right now,” Inigo replied. “We have a lot to do, if we want to get our costumes ready by Nightmare Night’s . . . Day. Can you maybe talk Sweetie Belle’s big sister into helping make these better?” he asked as he picked up the hand-me-downs from the pile.
“You’ve got it, Brother,” Day Moon replied with a gentle smile.
Pensword sat at his desk reading a book he’d brought over from Earth, a softback that had been reinforced by Twilight’s magic, the same way she had the second set of scriptures his parents had bought for him while they were visiting Earth. That particular volume now sat on his desk, and, thankfully, Twilight had offered her services to repair the set he’d given Conor as well. He smiled fondly as he stared at the volume, before returning his attention to the rather large volume in his hooves.
He smiled as he looked over the pages, reading about his ancestors and their stories as compiled by his uncle and father for him to bring back. Where they could, pictures had been added to give a better idea of what the men and women looked like back in the day. He chuckled again as he recalled the writing on the binding. To think that this was just the immediate family going back to World War II’s start. If it hadn’t been for Grif’s makeshift bag of holding, he wouldn’t have been able to bring back all the other volumes sitting on the new shelves he’d had installed in the office. He paused as he looked at his human picture. A second photo of his Pony self had been taken, and added next to the first. He’d finally reached the present. He knew the moment he flipped the page, it would go from English to Equish, and the genealogy icons and lines would change. For one thing he had two family sheets to denote his two wives, and their offspring. Moon River had been recorded, along with her titles and future betrothal to Cosy, but he was sure he could still make it work by adding the date it was broken off, if needed in the future. Still, he almost couldn’t wait for Lunar Fang to give birth again, so he could add that name as well. Generations from now, his descendants would look back, and see this wonderful history. It felt good to indulge that side of him again. He smiled as he dipped his pen in the inkwell, and began working on Inigo, Cristo, and Day Moon’s entries.
Inigo’s entry was the most frustrating of all. Something about that name just kept niggling at him. It was driving the poor commander nuts. Grif had suggested he read The Princess Bride to help settle the strange sensation, but, thus far, his efforts had gone unrewarded. He casually wondered if Inigo might enjoy an all-black outfit for a future Nightmare Night, though. He might not make a bad masked crusader.
He frowned as his eyes wandered to the sheet on his desk. There was Lunar Fang–no, Moonshade’s family tree, or at least what would soon become it. He would get her parents’ names, and work from there. He smiled as he felt a small rush of emotions. Perhaps this was where the pen in his cutie mark came into play, recording an accurate history for future posterity, or something along those lines. Then again, it was a passion when he was on Earth, so the point may well have been moot. He gave his ears another swivel, listening to try to pick up any disturbances indicating the arrival of a plaintiff or some other official who would want a word with him. Blessed silence answered back. He smiled, and revelled in the knowledge that no major interruptions would occur. He leaned back, and closed his eyes as he let his mind travel down memory lane, recalling his time as a human.
“Well, I can’t fault you for studying,” a voice spoke to him, an all too familiar voice, one he hadn’t heard in over a thousand years worth of time. “Funny how it took this long to get you to do it, though. I always had to tie you to your seat to keep you at your studies before. You were always sneaking off to practice something or another with your mother.”
Pensword flipped backwards as he and his chair went crashing to the floor. His hind hooves flailed about in shock. “Grandma?” he shouted. “You–” he started, before stopping. “Uh … you can thank Matthew for that. He’s the one that loves to study and record history.” He sighed, wincing as he stood up to pick up his chair, and return to his seat, before turning to see the familiar face of his grandmother.
“I’m glad to see you can see me again.” She smiled. “I was beginning to worry.”
“I know. It was scaring me, too. I feared I might have irrevocably damaged my sight by being stubborn.” He sighed. “I guess that’s been a flaw of mine for a long time.”
“At least you managed to recognise the problem before things went too far,” the old mare said as she smiled comfortingly.
“Yeah, but I missed getting to talk to you, and to my family.” He swiped the tears stinging at his eyes, desperate to maintain the vision of the specter that stood before him. I can see why the sight is a two-edged gift.”
“It’s not just the sight,” she reminded him. “You wielded the sword, but left the sheath unattended.”
“You're talking about that thaumic field stuff, right?” he asked. “And no, I am not going to call it by the technical term. I am miffed at it, to be honest. And since it is more … not alive, like magic, I am going to call it that for the moment.”
“Didn’t your mother teach you any tool is a weapon waiting to be sharpened?”
Pensword sighed. “She did. I just … was being stubborn. I was scared of messing things up. As a human … as Matthew, I felt like I messed up a lot, like I was more prone to having things go poorly. I suppose I still am prone to that fear, but I think I am learning to manage it better, now that I’ve finally started to practice. I am also keeping an eye on Moon River, in case she develops this field as well. I’m sure you’ve noticed, but she is developing rather quickly for a foal.”
“Yes, and we’re all very proud of how she’s coming along,” his grandmother said with a grin.
“I bet,” Pensword replied with a chuckle. He paused, “I hope you are happy, and none of my relatives are upset about the adoption of Moonshade’s nephews.”
“You did the right thing. Everypony did.”
Pensword let out a sigh of relief. “I’m glad to hear that. I just … I just hope I can be a good father. I know they already have one, and he’s clearly a good one, but–.” His face fell as he recalled the woeful tale. “My dear little Lunar Fang. I am sad to see that all she has left of her family from before our adventures in time travel are three foals. How are they doing? Her family, that is.”
“Her sister asks that you tell her thank you for taking care of the children, and, if you get the chance, to tell her husband he did the right thing. She doesn’t blame him. As for her family, you can expect a visit from her father at some point.” The old ghost chuckled at the thought.
“Of course.” Pensword replied as he joined her. “I look forward to his visit.” He paused for a moment. “And how is Uncle Cloud doing? I know from personal experience how strange it is going from two legs to four and back again. I hide it well, but it is still unnerving. Is he happy?”
“He’s happy to be in the arms of his forgotten family again, and he’s happy to see that both sides found a connection through you.”
“Please tell him I’m sorry I couldn’t bring Aunt Selma, but I will try to do so next visit. I will be sure to bring something to allow her to come back,” he promised, even as he grimaced.
“You did all you could,” his grandmother said as she waved a hoof. “That's all you can do sometimes. He’s not going to hold it against you, so you’d better not hold it against yourself either. Just do it in your own time.”
“I understand.” Pensword nodded, and sniffled. “Still, it is good to see you again, Grandmother, to know that … that I am back to normal, so to speak. I suppose now I just need to keep working at the same level of progress. After all, these classes have become a routine for me. I can’t very well stop now, can I?”
“You were never one for stopping at just the base line,” she said with a knowing smile.
Pensword laughed. “Nope. I always enjoyed going one step beyond. It is actually sort of funny. Going through this thaumic field stuff, Matthew feels more solid, more … stable. I sure know he is remembering more about the Titanic, and other things from his world. It seems to help. Then again, we’ve been reading from the books, and he keeps bugging me now about hiding a computer somewhere, so he can squirrel away a computer game when it comes out. I never was that … focused on something, was I, Grandma, when I came to visit you in the tents?”
“You were more dedicated to trying to get weapons you weren’t ready for, and finding out the best way to trap game.” She laughed. “Oh, the antics you pulled. Why, I dare say Moon River might even surpass your record.”
“Like a good little Thestral?” Pensword asked. “I . . . I think I was trying to make up for what I felt was lacking in feeling welcomed in the town. I am still unsure about what fate was thinking when it sent that bear, as I know now that my human grandfather had a similar experience.”
“I think it was fitting. Always pushing forward, always finding another obstacle to break down.” She shrugged. “A bear lets nothing get in its way. Nothing challenges its right to move on, and nothing stops it.”
“Yes, I suppose it was. I see what you mean,” Pensword answered. “Thank you, Grandma. I … I am proud you are my Grandma, and, if needed, I may look into building your lantern again, so as to prove to my offspring in the future that daddy is not crazy about living another life.”
The old mare smiled sadly. “That would be nice,” she agreed. “Unfortunately, my time is up for now. Keep on the path, grandson. You make me so very proud. Always remember. We’re watching you,” she said as she waved a final goodbye, then walk towards the door, fading away as she went.
Pensword Smiled as he watched her disappear. Then he returned his attention to the photo book that had dropped in his hasty reaction. The pages had fallen open to the family photo they’d taken on earth. Due to all the horses around, they had spread out two foal blankets that were just large enough for Lunar Fang and him to lay on. Still, it was a funny sight with all the squeezing around with him, Lunar Fang, Uncle Storm, Grandma. . .. He stopped, then broke into a fit of laughter. It seemed the rest of his family had managed to get in, somehow, after all, and he could see them. He wiped the mirthful tears from his eyes, and smiled as he began to pack things up. After all, he had a message to deliver to his wife, and a family to nuzzle and be with. Daddy was finally coming home.
“I have to hand it to you, Steel Weaver. Few people could actually make a gauntlet for a Gryphon,” Grif commented as he flexed his talons to test out his new segmented metal gauntlets. The metal had been forged to look like his arms were covered by large jagged protrusions that covered his entire forearm. Segmented joints covered the wrist, and a thin fingerless mesh made it appear as though his talons were part of the claw. It gave both arms a feral, devilish look. “I just need to get Clover to enchant them to burn orange.”
“Just be careful, laddie,” Steel Weaver grunted. “I hear she strives for accuracy.”
“You're not going to go into a big spiel about how you don’t trust magic, and, ‘good reliable steel. That’s the way ta go,’ are you?” Grif asked, chuckling.
Steel Weaver shook his head. “Ye told me they were part of him now, didn’t ya? Used dark energies ta make it work. Clover might view that as a challenge.” He shrugged. “But, then again, it’s your funeral.” He chuckled. “What would a smith like me know?”
“Given what you’ve done in a short period of time, I’d say you know quite a bit. So, tell me, do I cut a fearsome form?”
Grif stood on his hind legs. His large scarlet coat flapped in a wind he conjured. Gold threadwork had been hemmed throughout the piece in intricate patterns. His chest was exposed, bearing his black and green feathers, and he wore a belt of three thick bands of leather dyed scarlet that all connected to a large multi-sectioned buckle made of polished steel. The buckle itself was large enough to cover the area beneath his ribcage. It was ribbed in several areas, and centered with the top part of a human skull formed from metal. He’d considered using a Gryphon or Pony skull, but it wouldn’t look right, proportionally speaking, and would ruin the overall aesthetic of the design.
His shoulders were covered in large pauldrons that had been treated to have the same scarlet color as his coat with gold filigree forming several swirls that ended in jagged spike-like points. A second plate hung down under each pauldron to cover his upper arm. He’d forgone the usual brown trousers the character was known for, and added a gold skeletal-like structure that traced his wings, which emerged from well-placed slits on his back. He slitted his eyes, and stared Steel Weaver down. When the costume was put into use, his eyes would be enchanted to glow red, and his crest would be grown out long enough to hang at his shoulders.
“Ye look like a hot bag of air and angst,” Steel Weaver said flatly. “But it’ll do for scaring little foals well enough.”
“Then that's all it needs to do.” Grif chuckled. “It’s a kid’s holiday, after all.”
“Aye, that it is. And what do you plan to do with your wives, I wonder?” Steel Weaver wiggled his eyebrows mischievously.
“I don’t know. They usually enjoy surprising me,” Grif laughed back.
“Well, if it’s a surprise you’re looking for, then Happy Nightmare Night.” Steel Weaver chuckled as he pulled out an intricately engraved broadsword. Blue runes glowed up its sides, giving it an icy aura. The pommel had been carefully crafted to come to a point in case of close-quartered combat. The blood groove Had been carved in a flowing pattern to match the cross guard’s design, and what appeared to be an image of frozen flames carved into the sword itself reached upwards yearningly, before meeting with the first of the runes.
“Holy cow, Steel Weaver. That's amazing! I don’t remember describing the Void Sword to you.”
“This old thing? Ah, that’s nothin’. Just came to me while you were talkin’ about the character. Every knight has his sword, after all, even the fallen ones.”
“Yes, but this is pretty much a spot-on match to the one from the story. Who’d you ask for details?”
He shrugged. “I didn’t.”
“Huh.” Grif furrowed his brow, then nodded. “Well, how much did I owe you for the metal work?” he asked quickly. This might be something Shawn needed to hear about.
“Oh, I’d say a good round five hundred ought to do nicely,” he said nonchalantly.
Grif nodded, and reached into his bag, before pulling out a small chest. He checked something on the top, and nodded to himself, then placed it down near Steel Weaver’s work bench. “There should be exactly five hundred in there.”
“If there’s more, I’ll send it back. If there’s less, well, I guess I’ll live.” Steel Weaver shrugged. “It’s good to see you again, Grif. Send my regards to your lord. We miss him down here.”
“He hasn’t forgotten you guys. Things have just been a bit crazy since the attack. And with the wedding coming up, he’s got a lot on his plate. I’m sure he’ll be back, once things settle down.” Grif gave Steel Weaver a wave, and proceeded to take wing with his items firmly in claw.
Steel Weaver casually made his way over to the raw materials bucket, and pulled out his drawings. Several different designs featured, including a massive buster sword, a curious blade with a carefully-etched eye that would mimic life, and a long silver sword engraved with runes etched to look like crossing streams as they circled around precious stones that had been mounted in the bevelling. “I think I’ll try you next,” he said as he picked the last one. “I’ll call you Snicker-snack.”
Pensword looked up from his nap in confusion. His ears twitched as he heard whispers around him, but he didn’t know where–. He snapped to attention as he realized that he was the only one in the room. He slowly stepped forward, only to feel something wrap around him as he lifted up into the air. “Wha!” he yelled. A moment later, Fox Feather walked out from the shadows, wearing a rather large hat with a puffy white feather stuck into the brim. She pulled the cover off a firefly lantern, and grinned. “Hello, Admiral. I see you fell for our little trap.”
Pensword paused, and gave a flat expression. “You’re a pirate now?”
“Aye, and so, too, will you be,” Lunar Fang replied as she stepped out to join Fox Feather. Pensword was really regretting telling them about those pirate stories from Earth now. “Y’see,” she said in a bawdy accent, “Moon River be the cap’n, and I think it would be a fun time if the whole family be her crew, savvy?”
Pensword’s hard mouth softened, then expanded into a wide grin. “Oh, I am so in.” The two stared at him expectantly, and Pensword realized his mistake. “Oh, erm, excuse me.” He cleared his throat. “Heave ho, I be wishing to join the dread pirate Moon River.”
Fox feather’s mouth twitched, and Lunar Fang snorted, before they finally gave up all pretence at indifference, and laughed at his accent as the sound of a snapping rope alerted him too late of the sudden release as he dropped to the floor, pinned beneath the folds of the net. His eyes glinted in the darkness as he rose, even as he glared. Moon River was giggling like mad. “So . . . where are we going to store our booty, a ship?”
“That’s a surprise the boys want to take care of. They’re looking for a good brig we can use.”
“Fair enough. I’m guessing you used the book on pirates that I brought back for reference?” he asked as he took in Lunar Fang’s tight-fitting breeches, and the skull-and-crossbones bandana that had been tied on her head.
“Aye,” Fox Feather replied. “It be a good insight into the fiction of pirates.”
Pensword chuckled. “So what am I going to be dressing as?”
“You’ll see, but I think we can get Luna to craft fake candles.”
“Oh no.” Pensword’s jaw dropped. “You’re not thinking of the captain of the Queen Anne’s Revenge, are you?”
Fox Feather looked confused. “You know about the Captain?”
“Yeah. He’s fairly common knowledge, but my question is how are you going to get that beard? It’s too late for me to start growing one.”
One sentence from the two mares sent a shiver of dread down from the top of his head to the tip of his tail.
“Twilight can help.”
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I read these and I can never think of anything to say because the whole thing just shivers me timbers.
Welp I don't feel sorry for the wrath that is coming for the noble who murdered moon river's siblings mother. Also knew something was up when one of colts was named after that fabled story of backstabbing and revenge xD
...I can't believe i just noticed right now. The first chapter title mentioning a pip-boy was the 101. And now, the second who does that is the 111.
...You Magnificent Bastard, I read your book !
Busy day, and it looks like Celestia is having trouble holding herself back again. The Nobles are thinking with her power display that she is so very angry and letting her anger show in teh power, where she is actually angry, but only letting her far lesser dissapointment show. If she truely fired up the angry, the castle, city, and mountain would have cceased to exist. As a side effect.
The Nobles should be very glad that all they are facing is slaughter by the Grey Clerks, because they wouldnt even wake up in the morning if the Dark Clerks were released.
Why do I get this image, that in trying to save both Dwarves and Tatzle Wurms, Hammerstrike makes references to Dune, and we see Tatzlewurm riding Dwarves in the Badlands and Deserts.
The Nightmare night costumes Might be getting a bit out of hand. Ive never even played Bioshock, and yet I recognise Hammerstrike as a Big Daddy, and Sweetiebelle as Elizabeth?
The kids are growing up remarkably quickly, its like a cross between gods gifts, curses and demon hentai?
If theres a Nurse Joy, theres got to be Electric Boogaloo, and where he goes, theres bound to be trouble, or make that double? Still with her behaviour, reminds me more of that sea going Nurse Joy who didnt like people so much she helped wild Pokemon between the islands? Paddling the kayak like she was towing a water skier?
Glad to see Pensword finally got his family back, though its a typical prank overall with the photo?
Steel Weaver is one heck of a smith. He might not parade trough the streets, but he sings the songs of the magic in the metal, the songs that reach accross time, space and stories. I dont know where the Vorpal Sword comes from apart from Carol, but Im pretty sure Fluttershy would be angry at the person who would want to try it out against Angel Bunny. Assuming they survived The Rabbit first.
Queen Annes Revenge? Edward Tench, Blackbeard?
Its just like a moustache, but, lower.
I suspect a certain nearby airship might be shanghaied into service, as The Fox Fire.
But Brain, where are we going to find General Grant this time of night?
Sigh, totally forgot to mention anything about Rarity and the Flyboy Earth Pony. After all, if he has the balloonists Helicopter, and Pinkies Candy Cane Copter to go on, plus Bulk Biceps flight abilities, then the gap in the flying vehicles is more of the power assisted glider, such as Albatross, given ornithopters are so complex mechanically to build. Maybe get the idea from watching the CMC catapult Scootaloo yet again, with her wings held out or even braced and or canvas extended to try and catch more air.
But look at the water flowing down the drain. It spins, like the helicopter, but it does so down the outside, not from the middle. So put the blades on the outside pointing in, with a hole in the middle to let the water through, then try it for air. Hubless turbine, Rim Driven thruster. Alien, Future or Fantasy design.
I think this should be raised instead of lowered
8102831 celestia is in the room center essentially, the closer you are the more important.
Well then,
Really don't have any criticism for this one...
*COMPLAIN ABOUT THE LACK OF A .50 CAL GUN!*
Really nothing at all to say.
Anyway excited for the Nightmare Night chapter, have a very strange feeling bad things will go down.
It's probably just the large amounts of Easter candy I ate.
Still, good chapter, loved it
Yes Twilight can grow the beard. Bit a pony with a beard seems odd. But jey Rarity's dad has a mustache.
Wait is nightmare night on a monday this time around, if so well its ponyville nuff said.
Ayup. Figured there was likely to be something fishy about Starry Night's demise. Pity Pensword can't bring up in-laws on his ghost radar. And good job on Celestia's dropping the hammer. You -know- they're going to be conniving for a way around things and try to sabotage the nobles who got promoted.
8102901 I see what your saying thx
FINALLY. I FINALLY CAUGHT UP TO THIS FIC. CURSE MY SLOW INTERNET. I Should have been finished at least 2 weeks ago.
Also I have a couple questions.
1) Hammerstrike has his near invincibility, Grif has his powers over wind and Pensword has.... What exactly? When is he going to get his own awesome powers?
2) Is it just me or does Clover sometimes act almost motherly to Vital?
3) With all these different characters you've added I'm kinda surprised you don't have an avatar character or some kind of Kakashi pony or something.
All in all fantastic story so far. Keep up the great work. Props to the editor.
8107965 1. penswords working up to it.
2. our readers sometimes forget that clover is in her 60's so her acting motehrly isn't out of the ballpark.
3. give it time my friend.
please keep the comments coming.
8109367 believe me grif is thinking with more then what your thinking of my friend. celestia and Luna couldn't every well banish him if they wanted because they'd have a riot to deal with and thats not covering how hammerstrike and pensword might react.
anyway he has to consider his position as avatar and what that means which traditionaly is working towards improving gryphon society for the better, equestria could be good for gryphons and a clan seated there would make a notable stride towards it. don't kid yourself he went into this with a dagger up his sleeve but honestly Genevieve has less interest in politics then he does.
I pray to everything holy....no humans will turn into a pony in this fic. May the gods bless my wishes.
Let's read shall we!
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Unfortunately, when we imported the files from google docs, the links we embedded weren't transferred properly, hence the broken links. We'll be fixing that in the future, but there's still revision to be done in the old chapters, and edits for the new chapters yet to be posted, so yeah, it might take a while, before those get fixed. Sorry for the inconvenience.
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So what do you think so far?