An Extended Holiday

by Commander_Pensword

141 - The Opening Salvo

Extended Holiday
Ch 141: The Opening Salvo
Act 22

---

The station was reasonably crowded as the royal guard stood at attention on either side of the platform with their swords raised in salute. A familiar purple Alicorn nodded appreciatively to the various mares and stallions as she strode forward, followed by each of her friends and her number one assistant. A great squeal of joy filled the air, followed by racing hooves as Rarity broke ranks and raced headlong into the torso of a tall Earth Pony with a torn ear and a deep blue coat with golden embroidery.

“You act as though we’ve been apart for years,” Hammer Strike chuckled.

“From your perspective, we have been,” she countered cheekily, before kissing him on the cheek. “And I, for one, intend to make up for lost time.”

Hammer Strike smiled. “I suppose I can’t argue with that logic.”

Pensword was watching from a little further back. “Grif, can you do some work for free? It appears we have an unexpected addition to our party.” He looked meaningfully towards a familiar young filly with a curly purple mane, who had just stepped out from behind the rest of the Mane Six. “ Do you think you could get one of your Gryphons to watch her? I’d rather not risk having the heir apparent to a noble house suddenly disappearing on us.” He scanned the rest of the train avidly, then let out a sigh of relief. “At least she didn’t bring the others this time. I doubt we could handle the entire Ponyville chapter of the CMC.”

“You realize bringing her was all levels of stupid, correct?” Grif asked the elements. “Particularly during the time where an enemy house will do just about anything to get you to swing your votes.”

“We had to have her come to Canterlot to fill out the regency papers, Grif,” Twilight explained. “Not to mention to document the change of hooves for power and authority. She’s the steward of House Belle in the spirit of the law, but not in the letter yet. Believe me, if there was another way, I would have left her behind.”

Grif glared at her briefly, as if trying to find some flaw in her reasoning. Finally, he spoke. “As soon as everything's finalized, she’s on the next train out of Canterlot, no exceptions,” he stated firmly.

“Um, that was sort of the plan, Grif,” Sweetie said somewhat bashfully. “I’m gonna be heading to Baltimare with Button and his family, until things are all ironed out here. He said there was supposed to be something really cool for us to do out there.”

“Let me guess. Convention?” Grif asked. His scowl had softened significantly, and despite himself, he couldn’t help but give her a half grin.

“Yup. A game convention. Button got an extra ticket! We’re hoping to get a copy of the next Pipe Wrench game.”

Grif gave a low whistle that could have easily been interpreted a response to Sweetie, at least until a small ball of fur and feathers blew down to land gracefully on the platform. The relatively younger Gryphon saluted as he puffed his chest out, though Grif could see how the other hand was busy trying to stow a small handheld device. “You called, boss?”

“Aren't you a little young to be on active detail outside the compound?” Grif asked critically.

“First patrol,” he answered simply, before blushing as a few more wing beats heralded the arrival of much larger bodies. Four shadows fell on the platform, and their owners soon padded down gracefully next to the rookie. “I was the closest, and you did say to show up, when that whistle went off,” he said, more to justify his actions to the warriors than to his clan leader.

“Chick,” a gruff older Gryphon with a hooked beak and a gristled spotted gray ruff of fur spoke up, “you’re only on patrol. You know full and well you’re not certified to answer that call yet.”

“Okay,” Grif said simply.

“What?” the Gryphons cried, the old snow leopard incredulously, the young one excitedly.

“You heard me. This cub’s going to be the bodyguard for Lady Belle here,” Grif said to the younger Gryphon. He held out his talons. “But first things first. Give it to me.”

The younger Gryphon winced as he handed over the handheld. “I’ll get it back eventually, won’t I?” he asked hopefully.

“You’re fortunate, kid,” Grif said in a gruff voice. “If it had been my old bird, he’d have crushed it to teach you a lesson.” He chuckled darkly as he stowed the device in his pack. “We’ll talk about privileges, when your jobs done. Assuming you do well, we’ll talk. Don’t, ….” He let the threat hang there for a time, before resuming. “You’re officially going on active duty as Lady Belle’s guard, until this bill is finished. I assume you have your weapons ready?”

“Always.” the cub replied as he pulled out a series of hidden throwing knives from various places on his body and a single short sword from his belt. Lastly, he pulled out his bow from his pack for Grif to examine.

Grif peered at them carefully. Then he sniffed. “Adequate,” he allowed. “Now listen close. There are a lot of desperate people out during this time. If anyone attacks for any reason, don’t give them the chance to escape, beg, or otherwise talk with you in any way shape or form. You kill them, you hear me? You kill them and you walk away while they bleed. And anyone who dares to threaten Lady Belle loses their right to life. Do you understand that?”

“Of course.” The Gryphon nodded.

“You know the protocols. You eat when she eats, and you sleep when the job’s done or when you die. You scan every visitor she gets, even if she seems to know them, and you stay close to her as much as decency allows you to. If you fail, don’t come back to the compound. Understand me, fledgling?”

“The only way I’ll fail is if they kill me first,” the fledgeling said confidently.

“Then get going,” Grif commanded. He waited until the cub and Sweetie had traveled a goodly distance from the platform, then turned to an older female from the warrior’s party. “Shadow them,” he commanded. “Keep unseen and your bow ready. Don’t interfere, unless you have to, understand? I expect a full report, after he finishes the job.”

“As you Command, Grif.” She slowly walked away, before turning back. “Would you like for him to teach her some basic self defense?”

“Maybe when they’re in Baltimare. For now, he can’t afford the distraction.”

The Gryphoness nodded. “As you command.” With that, she spread her wings and was gone in a matter of moments, another speck high above.

Grif nodded dismissively to the remainder of the party and they immediately took flight. He sighed as he turned back towards Hammer Strike and Rarity. “Best I can do,” he shrugged.

Rainbow Dash looked at Grif and Pensword. “Can I talk to you two later? I’ve kinda got a few questions.”

“Questions about moving forward with a certain Phrench-speaking bird of prey? I didn’t think you were the settling down type, Rainbow,” Grif teased.

PInkie Pie gasped, only for Rainbow Dash to put a hoof over her mouth. “Please, not so loud. I don’t know if this is what I want yet, okay? So no parties yet, no invitations, and no blabbing.”

Pinkie Pie nodded her head excitedly, until it was merely a blur. “Okie dokie lokie!” She saluted her friend seriously, then sidled up next to her as she nudged the Pegasus. “But you'll let me plan any anniversary parties you have, right? Right?”

Rainbow groaned. “Sure, Pinkie. Whatever you say. Just not right now,” Rainbow insisted softly.

“So, Hammer Strike, where’s the Twilight Court staying?” Pensword asked curiously.

“Oh,” Fluttershy answered perking up a little. “We’re all staying at Twilight’s tower. Well, except for Rarity. She wants to spend time with Hammer Strike.”

“Celestia and Luna are going to be so glad to see us,” Twilight said excitedly. Then she approached Grif. “By the way, did you get enough from those materials I ordered for you?” she asked meaningfully.

“I’m working on something I think you’re going to like. Fortunately, Celestia left a few loopholes in the charter that we can exploit,” Grif chuckled.

Pensword gave Grif a questioning look, but left it be. He could always ask him later.

“Good. I want to take care of that business as soon as possible,” Twilight said. “We start deliberations tomorrow, right?”

“That is correct, Twilight,” Pensword nodded. “I wouldn’t be surprised if you and the other princesses have a private dinner to discuss things tonight.”

“Oh, before I forget.” Twilight ignited her horn and a series of star-shaped emblems like her cutie mark levitated out of her pack. “These are for you. Make sure to wear them when we meet together. I made them especially for the proceedings here in Canterlot.”

Pensword took the emblem with a wing. “What are they for?” He asked as he handled one with his wing. “Because this could be taken by the Solar Court as an agreement or an alliance between the Twilight Court and the Lunar Court, or at least high level members of them.” He looked to Grif. “I don’t know what they’d think about you giving the only Gryphon clan in Equestria one as well.”

“I’m sure she thought of that,” Hammer Strike commented as he placed his inside his coat pocket.

Pensword shrugged. “I still had to ask.”

“Technically, if she gives one to Hammer Strike, then I should have one, anyway,” Grif shrugged, stowing his as well.

Pensword put his into his saddlebag. “I guess that makes sense.”

“Let’s just say they’ll help us to keep our conversations a little more private,” Twilight smirked.

“Sounds interesting,” Pensword replied.

“So they’re like the anti-eavesdropping crystals we’ve been using for a while back in Unity?” Grif asked.

“And nopony will be the wiser,” Twilight confirmed.

“Yeah, no more bubbles!” Rainbow Dash cheered as she slapped her wing on Twilight’s back.

“Anyway we should get you all settled first. Then we can work out our strategy,” Grif said. “After you, ladies.”

“Will you four be staying at your house or at the castle?” Twilight asked.

“I’ll be staying at a house,” Pensword smiled coyly.

“A house?” Vital asked.

“Yes, a house. I didn’t say whose house, but it is a house, at least in Canterlot’s ideals.”

“So, a giant mansion for rent?”

“Psst. Vital, you’re being really gullible right now,” Grif whispered in the Unicorn’s ear.

“If you’re saying what I think you’re saying, then why the heck is he being so vague, when we’re literally protected by Twilight’s magic right now?” Vital pointed out.

“To make gullible Unicorns ask questions,” Grif responded.

“The Nobility will be worse,” Pensword said.

“Come on. The sooner we get Sweetie’s paperwork done, the less likely it becomes I’ll have to traumatize her and several small foals, when I have to flay a potential kidnapper’s hide with his own bucking spine,” Grif said.

“... Grif, do you really want to give them the potential idea of trying to get a cutie mark in swearing?” Vital deadpanned.

“What? I censored it,” Grif shrugged. “If I had said it like it went through my head, I’m pretty sure Fluttershy would be a permanent red color.”

“Speaking of which, why do I smell fruit?” Pensword asked.

Fluttershy blushed, hiding behind her wings. “I had to bring some with me,” she said meekly. “To help, in case the nobles trigger my instincts. I think the phrase is … tick me off? Angel is here to help, too."

“Wow. She actually went there,” Grif said, giving a golf clap.

“She is a Thestral, Grif,” Vital pointed out.

“And? Lunar Fang and Night Shade aside, Thestrals swear about as badly as the silent monks of the Trotland mountains.” Grif poked Pensword teasingly.

“Uh, … ticked off isn’t a swear word,” Pensword said.

“It is in Ponyville. Watch this.” Grif looked over to the friendship nobles. “Peeved.”

There were several loud gasps, and Rarity nearly fainted. Rainbow Dash, however, just smiled. “That’s cute.”

“You do realize we’ve used much worse language before, and nobody’s so much as batted an eyelash at us, right? I say peeved, literally every time I get upset, and nobody’s called me out on it. Not once!” Vital said. Another round of gasps filled the air and Rarity gave an overdramatic moan.

“We are in New Unity, a place filled with military units and mercs. We wouldn’t even break stride at that word.” Pensword looked at Rainbow Dash. “I’m sure you and I have heard worse in our academies.”

“Yes, but I’ve also said it in Ponyville with you guys. How has nobody told me about this before? You do realize I should know about all these things, if I’m going to function as a proper representative of Equestria, don’t you?”

Pensword paused. “Maybe it’s because you were with us, so they expected language? But I cannot answer that.”

Vital Spark groaned as he struck the bridge of his nose with a hoof. “Now I’m going to have to apologize to literally every Pony in Ponyville. Thanks a bunch, guys. You know how hard it is to maintain the title Vital the Virtuous, when you’ve been spouting swears left and right?”

Pensword paused. “Well, even those of virtue have problems that they work on.”

“To be fair, Igneous the Innocent was known for swearing,” Grif shrugged.

“... Just how many of these alliterative titles are there?” Vital cried exasperatedly.

“Loads, actually. Ooh, I know just the book to help you. Gaia the Grammerly’s Glossary of Glorious Grandstanders!” Twilight’s eyes lit up as she summoned the tome from nowhere and offered it to Vital Spark.

“I love Pony Names,” Pensword chuckled, even as he bit at his wing to try to keep himself from laughing too loudly.

“... I swear, if there’s some deity out there that made alliterative names a rule for this world, we’re going to have some words.” Vital’s horn sparked as a thick vein throbbed on the side of his head. Then he took a deep breath and sighed, before taking the volume and shoving it into his saddle bags. “Thank you, Twilight. Now, then, how about we all get going and get my mind off this dangerous train of thought, before I let my anger channel through my magic and possibly freeze half this station?”

“As if I’d let you get away with that.” Hammer Strike rolled his eyes.

“Train. Vital, you did a pun!” Pensword finally gave up, and fell into a helpless bout of giggles, despite his best efforts.

“... And it’s official. The universe hates me. Murphy, why don’t you just show yourself already? You sure seem to hang around me enough for us to be acquainted. And secondly,” Vital took a deep breath, then cried out in a dramatic voice plaintive enough to rival even Rarity’s. “Why me?”

“Because it’s too easy,” Hammer Strike replied simply.

Vital groaned. “Just … kill me now. Put me out of my misery.”

“Well, since–.”

“Can’t,” Grif cut in quickly as he stepped between Hammer Strike and Vital Spark. “Your fiancé is an explosion-wielding half-Alicorn, half-Nightmare monster who we’d probably wreck half of Unity putting down.” He pushed Hammer Strike’s hoof back, forcing him to re-sheath a dagger.

“... I hate you all,” Vital said as he turned sharply and walked towards the station’s entrance, muttering a stream of imprications, heedless of the various Ponies looking on him in a mixture of shock and disgust.

“What’s his deal?” Hammer Strike questioned the group.

---

The Records of Nobility was a rather specific department housed in one of the upper floors and back corners of the Canterlot Archives. A droopy-eyed Unicorn leaned back in his chair, his back hooves laid up on his desk as he read through a novel for lack of anything better to take up his time. Nopony really visited his branch of the archives, and he was only needed when something of grave significance occured in the noble families, such as a new birth or the changing and execution of a will, that sort of thing. Then again, that was what he had wanted in the first place. No major callings meant no chances to upset the nobility, and in his line of work, that meant absolute job security. He shuddered as he recalled the rumors of what had happened to the last records keeper. So it was that the stallion was taken utterly by surprise as the chime over his office door tinkled, signaling the arrival of new Ponies. He looked absently over the top of his book to see who it could have been.

The thick enchanted and warded glass provided a relatively safe barrier against any intruders that might have meant harm to him or the documents he acted as custodian for, but despite those protections, his heart still began to pound as his book fell to the floor with a heavy smack. “May I help you?” he asked, his voice shaking with trepidation. Then he gulped. “This isn’t about the royal wedding certificate, I hope, Lord Strike. W-we made sure to have it sent by the swiftest means possible.” He looked nervously between the great Earth Pony stallion and his wife. The fact that they were in his office now did not bode well. Had they missed something, after all? All these sudden changes to the structure of government had sent quite a jolt through the bureaucracy. His eyes widened even further when he finally noticed the purple feathers, mane, and horn of the Alicorn that stood behind the couple. Princess Twilight, herself, had come. Oh, merciful Faust, why couldn’t he have been on lunch break?

Lastly, his eyes fell on the young filly standing between Hammer Strike and his wife. His brow furrowed in confusion. Last he checked, the couple hadn’t been married nearly long enough to have a child, let alone for said child to grow to that level of maturity.

“No, no, you don’t have to worry about that just yet,” Hammer Strike chuckled. “We’re actually here for Sweetie Belle; paperwork and all that about the noble house.”

“House Belle?” he asked as he ran through the horde of files in his head. And then he found it, and his eyes widened with understanding. “I see. House Belle is in limbo, since Dutchess Rarity married you.” The pounding in his chest slowly began to subside. He looked pointedly at the young mare and the stack of papers hovering in Twilight’s magic. “I see Princess Twilight has the paperwork all ready.” He pulled them through the slot in the window below and scanned over them hastily. “Your reputation precedes you.” Then he quirked an eyebrow as he lowered the paperwork to look back at the group. “Princess, you forgot to include which of the mercenary guilds is protecting House Belle.”

“As a direct blood relative to the matriarch of the Strike household, the same protection offered to them is offered to her. I believe the specific passage is found under clause 463, subsection 21, paragraph A.”

The clerk pulled out a massive tome and began flipping through it, until he reached the section Twilight had cited. He frowned and pulled out a smaller book, labeled amendment IX. “Okay, the paperwork didn’t catch up to the amendments. One moment, please.” His magic took hold of a drawer and pulled out a single page. “I’ll need you to fill out this form and put it into the stack.”

“And this is…?”

“Use of an authorized guild whose home charter is not in Canterlot. Form A. As a Princess, you can sign in the authority box. If Hammer Strike is the main user, I can fill him in as witness B. The only problem is we need a representative from the outside guild. Would you happen to have one nearby?”

“Can it be anyone from the guild?” a new voice spoke up, startling the clerk as he took notice of the Gryphon in the corner for the first time.

The clerk quickly regained his composure. “And you are…?” he asked calmly

“I’m Sweetie Belle’s guard.”

“Okay, that can work. We can have this little hiccup ironed out in less than a minute.”

He chuckled as he finished the last touches on the document. “Usually, this process takes much longer, but I scanned the forms. Everything else appears to be in order. All we need now is my signature and stamp, and we’ll be done here. Well, that and the signatures of the two matriarchal figures of the house.” He proffered the pen and one of the slips of paper from the stack. “If you would, Lady Rarity, Dutchess Sweetie Belle.”

“Of course,” Rarity agreed cheerfully. With an artful flourish not unlike when handling her rapier, the deed was done. She levitated the pen to Sweetie, and the young filly offered a far messier scrawl, but one that was at least legible.

“Well, there we have it.” The clerk nodded in satisfaction as he returned the page to its pile. “These will be filed in the system in the next few days, and you should each receive your copies within the week. Can I help you with anything else, while you’re here?”

“That’s pretty much everything. Thanks for asking, though.” Twilight smiled kindly at the stallion and nodded. “We’ll be leaving now. Thanks again for your help.”

“Any time, Princess.” The stallion saluted them all, then turned smartly towards the door to the back room. “Farewell.”

---

Celestia sighed contentedly as she drank her tenth cup of tea and proceeded to enjoy what had to have been her thirtieth piece of cake. The table at her personal quarters had been bedecked with three separate placemats. A series of carts laden with sweets had been left by the servants for each of the princesses to enjoy as they held their council, and a single large scroll sat at the edges of their plates, towards the center of the table, awaiting the touch of each Alicorn.

“I hope you all enjoyed that meal as much as I did,” Celestia said with a playful smile.

“I don’t think a half-starved hydra would enjoy a meal as much as you did,” Luna teased as she took another pull from her stein.

“And it wouldn’t carry it half so well,” Celestia countered just as easily. Then she giggled. “And how about you, Twilight? I hope everything was satisfactory.”

“More than, Princess Celestia,” Twilight assured her. “But am I right in guessing you brought us here for more than just a meal and catching up?”

Celestia nodded grimly. “That is correct. I’ll leave it to Luna to explain, seeing as this is her bill we’ll be discussing.”

“Doesn’t seem much to discuss. I’m sure you read the bill, Twilight?” Luna asked.

“Yes, but it always helps to go over things a few extra times, just to be on the safe side. I want to make sure I understand the full intent, and this way, we can see if there are any possible loopholes that need closing, since we all see and read things differently,” Twilight said.

“Equestria needs an army, Twilight Sparkle. It’s that simple. I, of course, don’t mean to downplay any of your actions or those of your friends, but it’s amazing the threat of Celestia alone has kept us safe as long as it has. The Changeling invasion was a clear warning something needs to change.” Luna looked to her sister. “We weren’t taught to be this sloppy.”

“Unfortunately, I simply couldn’t manage all of those things alone. Without you here, I had to let some things fall by the wayside. I’m not proud of it, but that is what I chose.”

“Still, we have had no less than three separate Changeling incursions on our soil in the last two years. We can’t rely on even Hammer Strike’s prowess to keep us safe forever. Besides, should the throne ever be filled again, I’m sure the one filling it would appreciate a capable force,” Luna said coolly as she took another sip of cider.

“Um, aren’t we already filling the thrones for Equestria?” Twilight asked, confused.

Luna looked to Celestia. “She’s your student.”

Celestia shook her head. “It’s not the right time.”

“Time for what?” Twilight asked. “Princess, what’s going on?”

“Luna and I are merely discussing the finer points of certain events that occurred a long time ago. Unfortunately, it’s not quite time for us to share that particular portion of our formative years with you yet. Rest assured, you will know in due time. The time just hasn’t arrived yet.”

“Celestia, I respect you, but are you sure you can afford not to tell me what’s going on? You make it sound like you two don’t have the right to rule Equestria, when you’ve been doing it for thousands of years.”

“Tell me, Twilight, are the Gryphons ruled by a prince or a princess?” Luna asked.

“Neither.”

“And the Unicorns of old. Was Princess Platinum the ruler of her people?”

“She was the heir, and she did rule with charity and dignity for many years.”

“But when she did, it was as Queen Platinum, and she gave that title up when Equestria was formed. Kingdoms are ruled by kings and queens, empires by empresses and emperors. Has it never occured to you that Equestria is not a principality, yet it is ruled only by princesses?”

“No.” Twilight shook her head. “Things have just always been this way before.”

Luna sighed and looked to Celestia. “No, Twilight Sparkle, they have not.”

Twilight’s eyes became unfocused for a moment as they lost their luster, and the sound of breaking glass sounded as several windows in the halls suddenly detonated, before a trickle of blood dropped slowly down the mare’s nose. Then her eyes returned to focus again, and she sniffled briefly, before taking a deep breath. Then she shouted at the top of her lungs. “What?”

Celestia winced. “Ponies think that it was always this way, because we allowed time to erase any records of the truth, Twilight. It was the last request of the previous king of Equestria, before the land was bequeathed to us.”

“But … b-but … but if you altered history, then that means … that means….” the purple princess began to hyperventilate, then finally threw her hooves up into the air and cried, “Everything I know is a lie!”

Luna reached out lovingly … and slapped Twilight across the face. “Stop being such a drama princess, Twilight Sparkle.”

Twilight gaped, wide-eyed at the lunar Alicorn. Celestia sighed and laid a supportive hoof on Twilight’s shoulder. “Not everything you know is a lie, Twilight. We were merely obeying the last request of the king to allow him to fade from history. Believe it or not, there is a precedent for his mantle to be taken up again, and it’s actually quite clearly documented.”

“Wait, the three labors are actually real Equestrian law?”

“Not so much three labors,” Luna said, igniting her horn and calling up the silhouettes of three weapons: a hammer, a scythe, and a sword. “The three great arms, representing the sun, the moon, and what lies between. For one to rule over Equestria, they must be able to wield these three great weapons, the locations of which were never told to us.”

“This isn’t going to turn out to be another one of those prophetic destiny types of things, is it?” Twilight asked.

“Doubtful,” Luna said. “I don’t think the two of us working together could do more than budge the sword.”

“I meant for someone who actually could. Though the fact that you two couldn’t leaves little possibilities….”

“Best not to focus on such things right now, Twilight. We’re here to prepare for any opposition that might be mounted against us and the bill’s passage.”

“Do I have the friendship court’s support?” Luna asked Twilight.

“I don’t approve of violence, Princess Luna,” Twilight said seriously as she gazed back at the moon princess. “I prefer more peaceful methods first. But after everything we’ve seen in Ponyville and New Unity, I would be insane not to.”

“Then it seems our greatest opponent will be from your end, Celestia,” Luna noted.

“Blueblood and his coalition will stop at nothing to put a wrench in anything that could potentially upset his financial power. I’m afraid there won’t be much that we can do to stop him from utilizing whatever tactics he can scrounge up to succeed.” She levitated a scroll from one of her many jewelry boxes and opened it for the other two to view. “Intelligence indicates that he has already contracted a band of mercenaries from various races and backgrounds to train his forces, which implies the sole purpose of this opposition is to merely drain funds and see how he might try to drive a wedge into the unity that we are seeking to establish.”

“How many are with him?” Luna asked.

“Are you referring to the mercenaries or the houses he’s drawn to his side?”

“More to the nobles of your court,” Luna clarified.

“The bill will be dancing on a knife’s edge. Even with the addition of your Lunar Court numbers, since your court is relatively new, there are many more houses in the Solar Court to account for. Grif’s demonstration did much to sway many fence sitters our way, but our numbers are currently divided by an even forty-eight percent on both sides, with approximately four percent of the families remaining undecided.”

“Then what can be done to convince that remaining four percent?” Luna asked.

“I honestly don’t know, Luna. Some may wish for protection, others for favors or money. For the first time in a long time, these houses, at least to an extent, hold a great deal of power. You know what that tends to do to their heads.”

“Well, at least I know my coffers far outweigh Blueblood’s,” Luna chuckled. “Let the games begin, I suppose.”

“Let’s hope we can win.”

“There’s no hoping, Princess,” Twilight assured her. “We will win.”

---

One of the things Grif had looked for when buying the house had been a personal study. That was to say, a large room with plenty of book space, comfy chairs, and a fireplace. And it was in this room that Grif and Pensword found themselves waiting for Rainbow Dash to arrive. A pot of tea sat on a small table with several empty tea cups at the ready. However, rather than the normal tea time fare of tiny sandwiches or cookies, a fresh steaming pizza sat on a platter, waiting to be eaten.

“We did tell her to find us here, right?” Grif asked, flipping casually through a withered copy of The Hobbit.

“Yeah, but she did have a last minute Wonderbolt meeting first, and she needed to fly from the other side of the mountain, within speed limits. You know how the nobles are if somepony rattles their windows,” Pensword answered as he looked at the pizza. He was currently reading through a recently repaired copy of To Hell and Back. “Still, she should arrive–.”

It was at that moment that Rainbow finally managed to streak through the door, slamming it behind her. “I know I’m late, no excuses,” she said hastily as she snapped to attention.

“So, what happened out there?” Pensword asked.

“Meeting went long, and Spitfire was trying to get me to back the Wonderbolts as their own separate branch in the military, like those Blue Angels you told me about. She’s hoping to gather the best of the best to give special flight training.”

“I think Spitfire’s reasons may be a bit more selfish than she’d like you to believe.” Grif chuckled as he closed the book, got up, and carefully placed it amongst his collection.

“She’s just worried she'll lose her control over the Wonderbolts. She’s a minor noble, after all. So’s Soarin, for that matter. As a new noble, I didn’t realize that it wasn’t all merit based.”

“From what I understand,” Grif said as he returned to his seat, “Luna didn’t look favorably upon the commanding officer in charge of training signing autographs while civilians were placed in danger.” He picked up the pot and poured a cup of tea, before turning and offering to pour for Pensword.

“She wasn’t the one training. She’s the officer. Our drill sergeant was Storm Anvil.” Rainbow Dash pulled out a somewhat beaten up pamphlet. “But speaking of disfavor, a new manual was pushed through by some nobles that thought we were too strict.” She put the booklet on the table. “Spitfire won’t be very happy I took this from the library, but I figured you guys ought to have to right to compare the old policies with the new ones.”

“Well, Luna’s made it clear that retraining and re-evaluation is in the works for all would-be-officers. Meritocracy over inherited rank is the way things are going, whether the other nobles like it or not.” Grif filled Pensword’s cup and poured one for the rainbow-maned Pony. “But that's not what we’re here for. You wanted a safe space to talk, Rainbow, and this is the safest space I have. So, let us talk.”

Rainbow Dash took the cup and sipped slowly, pondering her words carefully, before she spoke. “I know I’ve had the customary dinner with the father, but I’m sort of lost on how things are supposed to go farther in a Gryphon relationship.” A blush rose in her cheeks. “I like Kahn, and I think he likes me, too. But if we’re really going to try getting more serious, then we need to know how to show that to each other. So, uh, yeah.” She rubbed the back of her mane nervously. “I kinda wanted to ask you. How do I, you know, show him?”

“That's an interesting question to ask me,” Grif admitted with a chuckle. “I guess I’m both a great person to ask and a poor person to ask. In my time, Gryphonesses were treated a lot less respectfully. Marriages were made like business transactions for higher-end families. I was considered radical, because I treated them equally. That being said, the Northern Isles was far more liberal than other Gryphon settlements. Back then, it would be demanded that he would court you. However, things have changed, and the role in a relationship is, in a lot of ways, determined by one thing. Who takes the lead? Who takes charge on the dates and who’s calling the shots when your cloud mysteriously drifts close to Unity and Kahn goes missing for a few hours?” Grif wiggled his eyebrows.

Rainbow Dash looked aghast at Grif, then horrified at Pensword, even as the pair smirked mischievously back at her. Her blush deepened as her wings suddenly flapped out on either side, making her even more red in the face.

“I’ll pull one over on you two, someday. Just you wait,” Rainbow grumbled sulkily, even as she struggled to force her wings back down against her sides.

“The day you do that, it might be because we didn’t feel like trailing you two,” Pensword countered.

“Settle down, you two,” Grif chided. “And Pensword, don’t act so suspicious. You know what Kahn’s like. You can’t honestly tell me you’re surprised.”

“I know what he’s up to. I’m just teasing my son’s marefriend. A father can do that, can’t he?” He paused suddenly, and his eyes widened. “Hey. I said a contraction without thinking about it first!” A goofy grin plastered itself on his face. “Finally!” Then the joy vanished as he returned to the more serious expression he was known for. “Well, Rainbow Dash, answer the question. Who takes control?”

Rainbow Dash shuffled her hooves. “It depends. Some days I take the lead, and other times he does. None of us really knows who’s ahead or behind.”

“Wait just a minute. You’re telling me that Kahn is as bull headed and stubborn as you are at your worst, and yet…?” He led on with a questioning tone.

Rainbow let out a frustrated goran. “Yes, I’ve fallen for him. I think we established that, Pensword. I don’t need to go into the details. I just need advice!”

“Make it a partnership, then,” Pensword suggested. “One where both pull at the harness equally.”

Grif stroked at his beak in thought. “Well, Kahn is from the lower kingdoms. Romance is more nuanced there. And neither of you posses an actual rank, at least militarily speaking, so there is no precedent for that. Still, Kahn is a Gryphon. At some point, it will come down to a contest, even if you never realize it, something that you're both equally good or equally horrible at, so that takes out racing and flirting.” Grif took a moment to chortle at his joke. “Has Kahn ever deferred to you when on dates? Lowered his beak? Who usually pays? And before you ask, Rainbow, yes, this is all relevant. I need to know if Kahn has ever signalled his willingness to let you take charge of things. Our species is very weird this way. No matter how equal partners are, someone always bears the burdens of the family on their shoulders for the other.”

Rainbow Dash paused. “Well, I hate to admit it, but he’s been edging me out, lately. I tried sneaking around him a few times by prepaying with the reservations, but then he went the whole nine yards, even hiring a pair of actors to pretend to take the bill for us. It was one heck of a prank, let me tell you.” She chuckled. “It takes a lot to pull one over on me. I guess I just don’t like to lose.”

“Love is no contest, Rainbow Dash,” Pensword said. “It’s more like squad tactics. He’ll have his duties and you’ll have yours. Work together, and the two of you will succeed in carrying out your mission. Don’t, and the relationship, your ‘mission,’ if you will, will ultimately fail. And every day is a battle to stay in love.”

“Here’s a secret for you, Rainbow Dash,” Grif chuckled. “I have been married three times, and am engaged to one more. Out of all of those courtings, I’ve only ‘won’ once. Shrial takes much upon her shoulders. So does Avalon. Gilda’s the only one that I can say I shoulder her burdens more then she shoulders mine. The fact that you are identifying so many subconscious reactions to Gryphon courting when you’re a Pony shows that you really do wish to be by his side. The question is, can you live with that or does he really need to be at yours? Because the way things are going, I see three options for you.”

“What are they?”

“I’d never encourage you to run, of course,” Grif started. “It’s obvious Kahn loves you greatly. He only flirts with the maids till they blush now, not until they faint. For him, that's quite a lot of restraint.” Grif took a gulp of tea. “Your three options are these. One, you could continue down this path and see what happens. Eventually, one of you will know when it is over and you can work from there. Two, you could simply let him take your burden and move ahead knowing it was on your own terms. Finally, you can draw him out, challenge him to a contest neither of you are better than the other at and let fate decide then and there, though I’d point out the latter two are faster, if you want to plan a wedding soon,” he added with a mischievous wink.

Pensword laughed uproariously as Rainbow’s wings burst out of her grip yet again. “Let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves, Grif. After all, she needs to prove her prowess to the father first. Kahn is a Gryphon son to a Thestral clan leader, after all.”

“Seriously? I defeated a whole swarm of Changelings, helped faced down Nightmare Moon, beat back Discord, and I earned my spot on the Wonderbolts without any outside meddling from the nobles, whatsoever.”

“Take a walk through New Unity, Rainbow. Most of the veterans there can claim to have taken down as many Changelings as you have, probably more,” Grif noted as he cut himself a slice of pizza. “And you failed against Discord. If it weren’t for Twilight, you would’ve been nothing more than a flaky gray Pegasus with no thoughts or cares for anypony else, whatsoever. The wonderbolts, I’ll give you, however.”

“Nightmare Moon?”

“Mostly Twilight. Sure, you helped save her from falling to her death and offered your moral support, but most of the power came from Twilight, and she was the one who sparked the magical reaction that unlocked the elements’ power in the first place.”

Rainbow sputtered her frustration and folded her hooves sulkily. “Fine, but I still want to know what you meant by a fast wedding.”

Grif shrugged. “Weddings take time to plan. Vital and Trixie have their own wedding coming up, so you’d be planning around that, and spring is only a month or so off. Unless, of course, you’re okay with a quick civil service. I mean, as Kahn’s a Gryphon, I could do it without any real fuss.”

Rainbow Dash narrowed her eyes. “After the bill, she insisted firmly.”

Grif smirked triumphantly. “So you do want it.”

Rainbow chose to ignore that statement. “I would need my parents here, and Scootaloo, and all my friends. If I’ve got those, I can get married shaved under the moon, for all I care.”

Pensword chuckled. “You’d do what?”

“You heard me, Pensword. Shaved, buck naked, under the moon.”

Pensword shook his head as he smirked. “That just won’t do, Rainbow Dash. You’d need a weapon.” He turned to face his friend. “Grif, is there any chance you could see about getting Rainbow Dash a weapon that suits her unique attributes? We can talk price later.”

Grif shrugged. “I can look into it.”

“Good.” He turned back to the mare again. ”And as for you, Miss Dash, you need to show us that you’d be able to support a family. After the this bill is passed, you’re going to take a special training course. I’ll pull whatever strings I have left, and you’ll spend a week learning all there is about being a Pegasus in a Thestral household. On the last night, you’ll hunt to prove you’re capable and that you’ve learned your lessons well. Naturally, the lands surrounding Fluttershy’s cottage are strictly forbidden. You’ll have a guide appointed, or I’ll take the role myself, to observe your work. Assuming you succeed, then you’ll have proven worthy to take my son’s hand in marriage. Fail, and you’ll have to wait a month.”

“Spring is in a month.”

Pensword smiled. “Why, yes. Yes, it is. Since you’ve made your decision, I’ll arrange to get you some leave time for the test. Just remember; if you fail, you have to hold off with Kahn for another month. In short, I recommend you don’t fail.”

“Anyway, we can work on that later,” Grif said. “You should get back to your friends.”

“Fine,” Rainbow growled, “but before I leave, I’ve got something to say about the bill, too.” She drew herself up and cleared her throat. “I want this bill to have one result, that we never have to face an invasion like Chrysalis’ again, without putting up a fight. You and I both know that it was just the girls, me, and the humans at Cadence’s wedding. It should have been more.” She crossed her forehooves as she floated in the air. “Can you promise me that Equestria will be able to stand up against others, without having to call on me and my friends to wield the Elements of Harmony? We’re always happy to help, and let’s face it, the adventures are totally awesome.” She frowned. “But lately, people have been asking us for help, even with the littlest things. It’s not right. I don’t want to be stuck between a muddy rut and a giant cannon, if you catch my drift.”

“You want time to spend with Kahn,” Grif clarified.

“... Yes.”

“It must be love, Pensword. That’s the only thing that could possibly get Rainbow Dash to turn down a chance to show off.”

“Hey!” Rainbow protested.

Pensword was too focused to really take part in the teasing. “A giant cannon would be fun to build and operate,” he muttered. “The turks did that, if memory serves. Or was that the Ottomans?”

“Later, Pensword,” Grif said in Draconic, before switching back to Equestrian. “To answer your question, Rainbow, yes. That’s the plan. Here’s hoping it works out that way.”

“Then you’ve got my vote,” she said as she zipped over to the pizza box and nabbed a slice. She hovered in front of the door, flicking it open with a free hoof, even as she chewed on the rich combination of savory cheese and sweet vine-ripened tomato sauce. “Later.” She waved a hoof, and then she was gone, leaving a rainbow-colored streak in her wake.

“Well, that went well,” Grif said as he grabbed another slice.

“Agreed. I have to say, Rainbow Dash is strong willed, but if you earn her loyalty, it’s clear she’ll fight to the death for you. Admittedly, that’s why I only want her to go through the first part of the training. She already has all the qualities she needs to fulfill the rest of the requirements. Tell her someone’s in trouble and she’ll be their shield in an instant.” He frowned and his brow furrowed. “Speaking of shields, what ever happened to that wooden shield from all those Hearth’s Warmings ago? Or would that only be two ago?” He chuckled as he made his way to the pizza, finally letting his stomach have its say.

“We should definitely find that,” Grif agreed as he returned the chuckle. “Anyway, tomorrow's going to be hell, so let's just enjoy the night.”

“Let’s,” Pensword agreed as he raised his teacup. “Cheers.”

---

Pensword looked calmly at Hammer Strike and Vital Spark. “So, while we wait for Grif to get back from his errand….” He couldn’t help but smile as he bobbed his head in time to the music passing through his head. He wasn’t sure where it came from, but it certainly was catchy, and it spoke to the more human part of him. “What do you have planned for tomorrow, since you don’t get to be in the room, Vital?”

“I don’t know, really. I was thinking of maybe doing some sightseeing. Do you happen to know any places I might be able to visit?”

“Well, there are no less than six museums open to the public,” Pensword began, “but there are some street performances and plays going on, too. Maybe you wouldn’t mind heading down the lower Canterlot to see some of the sites there. It all depends on what you want to do, really.” He chuckled. “You know the danger of asking me. I’d send you on a historical tour of the mountain from the first mines to the construction of the castle to the history of some of the noble houses.”

“Hmm … maybe I should see about taking the Pensword tour,” Vital mused.

“A what?”

“Oh, you didn’t know? After you came back and got married to Moonshade, somepony got the idea to trace your movements as you adjusted to regular life here in Canterlot, right down to the very registry office you took your vows in.” Vital Smirked. “Isn’t it interesting how these sorts of things pop up when you have a local celebrity?”

Pensword’s eyes narrowed. “I’ll have to look into this,” he muttered. “You do what you want, then, Vital Spark, but if you take that tour, I want a full report on it, when you return.”

“Are you asking me to spy for you, Pensword?”

“Yes. Yes, I am.”

“Eloquent way to put it during a turbulent political time,” Grif’s voice cut in as he entered the room. “Let the Solar Court believe the Lunar ones are planting spies.”

“And the Solar isn’t doing the same thing? Besides, I know who has the real network here,” Pensword replied with a smile. “You know how Gryphons can’t get PTSD? Well, Pegasi get very giddy, before the dawn of battle, it seems.”

Grif rolled his eyes as he tossed Vital a pouch of bits.

Vital raised a questioning brow. “What’s this, an early wedding gift?”

“To be frank Vital, a bag of pretzels in this area of Canterlot costs more than your monthly salary. This is so you don’t go bankrupt trying to eat.”

“Any areas that aren’t so expensive?” Vital asked.

“If you want to walk for half an hour, you can get to the low end, but I can’t guarantee the taste,” Grif offered.

“Wow. No wonder Canterlot is only full of nobles and rich people. At this rate, the city will eventually collapse on itself, economically.”

“Actually, not really. Canterlot, at least economically, runs off the coffers of the nobles, so if the rest of the economy falters, Canterlot feels it last, or maybe first, since the taxes from the nobles’ lands suffer, leading to less money in said coffers. That could lead to backroom deals and business negotiations to attempt to supplement income, which would likely end in disaster, because they have no idea what they’re doing, and won’t trust the Ponies who do.”

“... And you lost me, Pensword.” Vital sighed and shook his head. “Anyways, that’s my plan. What about you three?”

“A long day of listening to people talk, whine, and shout,” Grif said, “with light sprinklings of sissy fights for flavor.”

“Are we talking Dexter sissy fight or little girl sissy fight?”

“You know, two underdeveloped Unicorns slapping each other with their hooves? So, pretty much the latter,” Grif chuckled.

“Which Dexter?” Pensword asked.

“The one with the meddling older sister who always blows his experiments up,” Vital Spark clarified.

“Ah,” Pensword muttered

“Don’t have anything planned, myself,” Hammer Strike shrugged.

“You just get to have fun watching the fur fly, so to speak, huh?” Vital asked.

“Pretty much.”

“So, do you have to ref, too, or is that gonna fall to Fancy Pants again?”

“I haven’t been alerted to anything like that, so I’d hope not.”

“Actually, it's Celestia,” Pensword answered. “Seeing as Luna is sponsoring the bill, and I co-signed it, it falls to Princess Celestia as most senior and head of the Solar Courts, or to ‘ref,’ if you prefer. As for me, I plan to stay as long as it takes to pass this bill and give Equestria a better future.”

“Knowing you three, I’m sure you’ll succeed. Let’s face it, most of Equestria knows by now not to cross you lightly, and you’ve already given more than enough convincing reasons to the nobility. It’s all just a matter of getting through the tiresome grandstanding beforehand.”

“And the ego. The world will change, and while I can say that we have tried to keep ego at bay, like Washington, Lafayette, Jefferson, or even Hamilton in his own way, we face others with the egos of Andrew Jackson and Woodrow Wilson. They would take the powers they perceive and take even more.”

“Jefferson was known for abusing his power, too, Pensword,” Grif said. “We can spend all year on this. The point is we’ll need that ego on our side, and as many grandstanders as we can, just to keep up. Don’t put this as good or evil. We’ll be making as many pacts with the devil as they will.”

“Still, we must not allow abuse of the system. Faust knows if the Nobles of the past had the means, my people would have all been like Fluttershy, or worse. Still, if we have to deal with the devil, we need deals that will hurt the devil, should he try to break his word.”

“Pensword, what do you think the very definition of my various occupations is? Until the day Equestria is a utopia, it is not a matter of if the system is abused, but who abuses it better.”

“Do I detect a hint of Mister Bond somewhere in there, Grif?” Vital asked.

“I had twenty six people killed last week, thirty more put in intensive care, and I sold several possibly-war-starting secrets from the Diamond Dog tunnels to the stampede grounds. I could go deeper, Vital, but I would have to kill you. That’s not a joke. I would legitimately be obligated to kill everyone here but Hammer Strike.”

Pensword frowned. “I thought I had the needed levels.”

“Twilight doesn’t have the needed levels for some of it,” Grif shrugged.

“But she’s a new Princess. Of course she wouldn’t have the levels,” Pensword retorted.

“And you’re not the Commander of Equestria’s forces anymore,” Vital noted. “So isn’t it a moot point?”

“In the US, Eisenhower was forever a five star general, and technically never could retire. He put aside that rank, while he served as President, but claimed it again after. At the end of his life, he led no troops, and stood some days, while they pinned his rank badges on, then took them off as tokens to politicians and leaders as emblems he wore. While consulted, he didn’t lead troops at the end of his life. Maybe we can do something like that.” He smiled. “Thank you, Vital, for the idea.”

“Little too late for that, Pensword,” Hammer Strike commented.

“It's never too late. I know I will never lead the full army ever again. I’ve come to peace with that over the last month, but I’ll be hogtied and hung in the rafters of the Lunar Belfry, before I let the Solar Court tell me to go home, write my memories, and let the younger generation lead, while those dirtbags shapes those Ponies’ minds. This is the problem. It’s so far gone that one of the letters I intercepted even has a draft proposal from the Solar Courts to keep my books from being published.” He glared right at Hammer Strike. “They fear you. You have the favor of two Princesses. I Fought for my rank and noble title, and I feel like that fight is happening again right now with this new Solar Court! So, unless you have something to say, this is my only course of action!” Pensword finished with a decisive clop as he smacked both hooves on the table.

“Considering the course of action was already decided, and you’re currently in the works to get your role obtained once again, I would suggest you not try to change the plan this late in the game,” Hammer Strike replied, leaning back in his seat. “I’d also suggest you refrain from snapping at me.”

Pensword pulled up short, gaped for a few seconds, and promptly facehoofed. “I’m a dummkopf.” He slowly sat down as his ears wilted. “I’ve been coming and going so much with helping compose the bill that I thought that I wasn’t going to be in the running anymore. At the very least, I won’t be allowed, until I can file the necessary paperwork and fees to challenge the age rule. I must have gotten my wires crossed.” He sighed. “Old memories would say I should apologize, but we know this bill has been stressful. Maybe we should have a vacation, after this is all over. Perhaps in Zebrica?”

“You do know my wedding is just around the corner, don’t you, Pensword?” Vital asked pointedly. “Kinda hard to have a wedding without all my groomsmen.”

“Funny, you never told me a date. All I know is that it was ‘soon.’ So, do we actually have a date now?” He paused and looked at Grif. “Also, I should warn you. The Fox Tribe’s chief plans to hire on a new trainer, assuming he’s interested.” Pensword smirked. “Apparently, this potential trainer is very resourceful, and he made quite a few waves during the Third Gryphon War. In short, the chief wants you to train some of the first special Forces of Equestria, Grif, assuming you want to teach, that is.”

“Honestly, I can’t promise anything right now,” Grif said. “Apparently, Gryphon training comes at a premium these days.”

“Of course. Just bear in mind that you might be getting a visit from a representative in the near future, during the proceedings.” He chuckled. “I didn’t want you to be blindsided, after all. Though speaking of blindsiding, I met a very interesting Grpyhoness today at one of the candy shops. She sounded very much like a Redwall Sparrow.”

“She is … eccentric,” Grif nodded, “but her ability to divebomb with pinpoint accuracy has been the death of many.”

“So, should I look for any old redstone abbies, if I wanted to visit them with my Gryphon children?” he chuckled.

“Don’t say it so loudly,” Grif cautioned. “She doesn’t like people sharing clan secrets.”

“I was joking about the abbey,” Pensword replied as his mouth dropped open in shock.

“Should be more careful about your jokes,” Grif stated bluntly

“At least she’s not guarding some legendary sheath to an ultimate weapon, right?” Vital asked. “... Right?”

“That part, I don’t know,” Grif admitted.

“Okay, things are getting a little too uncomfortable for me now, and I have a night train to catch. Lunar Fang arrives in thirty minutes, and I need to be there to greet her.” He groaned. “I am not looking forward to the lag tomorrow.” Then he sighed. “At least deliberations start at noon.” He stood up and offered a short bow. “By your leave,” he said teasingly as his face contorted into a lopsided grin. Then he winked and left the room.

“I think that’s the most relaxed I’ve seen him in ages,” Vital noted. “I’m not sure whether to be proud or scared of that smile.”

---

The conclave was dark as the great double doors yawned open, deep beneath Canterlot’s walls. Luna, Celestia, and Twilight strode forward confidently with their horns glowing in unison. The orb of light that surrounded them was a gentle mingling of yellow, blue, and purple that swirled around them in eddies as they made their way down the many tiers to where the newly constructed thrones awaited their royal posteriors. With each step they took, a series of torches burst into flame along either side of them. Those lights spread in synch down each of the rows, until the princesses passed the final threshold to the platform below. The flames surged down in streaks of multicolored light to crash into the line, before they spun and whirled ravenously about the ring.

The princesses remained nonplussed as they each took their seats, then raised their heads in unison. The fires jerked, as if to resist their unspoken command, but this was the combined power of three Alicorns, and though fire may have been one of the more dangerous elements to control, Celestia held a particularly powerful sway. The three Ponies concentrated the light into their horns, until it formed three massive orbs of energy, before launching them up into the high vaulted ceiling. The flames leaped after the lights like a fish after a lure, until all smashed into the ceiling. Radiant light flooded the room, and a bell-like tone rang loud and clear as a veritable nebula of crystals ignited into life.

A brilliant sun shone radiantly with the light of white quartz and yellow topaz and diamond, while a blue moon formed of sapphire, cerulean, and various other gems was outlined in the shadow of black obsidian with just a hairline of faintly pulsing moonstone to encase the shadow and finish the appearance. Lastly, a great purple star formed from amethyst, tanzanite, charoite, sugilite, and many more gemstones pulsed its gentle light, keeping the two symbols in balance, one with the other. Together, these lights spread in a vast array that staggered the mind and dazzled the imagination in a true portrayal of the eternal heavens and a symbol of the celestial plane in which the gods dwelled. Truly, this room spoke more than anything else of the harmony these princesses sought to achieve this day.

Three beings entered the room in a perfectly precise step: a Unicorn dressed in gold robes, a Thestral in dark blue, and Spike. Spike and the Unicorn carried polished trumpets, while the Thestral carried a drum. Each took a place to the left of the doorway and the guards opened the door. When a Pony entered the room, the appropriate herald would play their instrument and announce the entrant and their place in their respective court. Spike and the Thestral shared a snicker as they finished their tasks relatively quickly, but the Unicorn herald was forced to continue tirelessly announcing each noble of the Solar Court. Once properly introduced, the nobles were shown to their places for the deliberation. All in all, the process took well over two hours.

Finally, the Thestral smiled as he began to his drum, while spike hallooed on his trumpet with a triumphant smirk. With their number complete, the Thestral cleared his throat and proclaimed in a voice loud enough for all to hear. “Now presenting the High Duke of the Lunar Court, Pensword of the house of Pen!”

The doors parted and Pensword entered, dressed in his ursa robes that parted occasionally to reveal a cloth uniform bedecked with medals and sashes that constituted the many awards he had earned for his valiant service. He continued to stride confidently and quietly to the ground floor, where he took his place in one of three empty seats, next to Lunar Fang. Behind Pensword, all the rest of the Lunar Court sat patiently. An empty seat lay before the Solar Court, and lastly, a chair lay further down before the three thrones of Equestria. Lunar Fang smiled and leaned over from her chair to kiss her husband.

Once more the fanfare sounded, this time with all three heralds playing in unison. The rhythm alone made most of the solar court stir, startled as the three princesses rose from their thrones. Spike strode forward confidently and cleared his throat, before addressing the room.

“Presenting the lord of the Everfree; Hero of the First, Second, and Third Gryphon wars; the Lord Protector; and a Savior of Equestria several times over and his lovely wife, the Element of Generosity. Give it up for Lord and Lady Strike of House Strike!”

Hammer Strike and Rarity walked in at a stately pace. A Pony could hear a pin drop in the silence that accompanied their advance. The two maintained a casual air as they approached the thrones. Upon reaching their destination, Celestia and Luna ignited their horns in unison and a familiar chair appeared on the ground beneath the princesses’ platform. Several gasps played through the room as Hammer Strike moved forward to claim that chair. Rarity separated to her own spot near Twilight’s throne, even as Hammer Strike took his seat amongst the replica dragon scales and the plush cushioned seat of the Lord Protector’s throne.

With this grand entrance out of the way, most of the Solar Court turned to the princesses, thinking the ceremony to be over. Thus, they were reasonably shocked and/or appalled when Grif strode, nonplussed, into the room. Since he had no herald, he’d set a small music box on his back that played Disney’s It’s a Small World. The sudden entrance caused no small stir as cries of indignation and outrage poured from the solar nobles. Many looked to the princesses, expecting swift punishment with eager sneers. Those soon melted to utter bafflement as they saw how occupied Celestia and Luna had become trying to hold back their giggles.

“Since I currently lack someone to do it for me, I suppose I’ll introduce myself.” Grif thickened his Phrench accent as he spoke, sounding almost like Kahn. “I present myself, Grif Bladefeather, son of Graf, and clan leader of the Bladefeather Clan of Equestria. Please, do not speak, mon petit cheries. I know the honor is all yours.” Grif gave an overdramatic bow and blew a kiss to several overly confused noblewomen, before he strutted, much like a peacock, to his own place beside one of the pillars. Once properly seated, he shut the music box and stored it in his pack.

Celestia and Luna took a moment to work the mirth out of their systems, before they signaled the guards to seal the chamber. A subtle nod from Luna, which was caught by the Solar Court, caused a small murmur in their ranks, but it settled as Celestia rose from her throne and moved to a lectern off to the side.

“This first meeting of the combined Courts of Twilight, Lunar, and Solar is hereby brought to order.” She banged a gavel. “First order is to rectify an empty chair. As the Lunar Court has a High Duke, so shall the Solar Court have their own High Duke.” She smiled. “As such, in gratitude for their house’s long service, and how they have always put the Pony first, no matter their station, it is hereby decreed that from this point forward, this stallion be elevated to the noble station of High Duke. Congratulations, High Duke Fancy Pants. You and all your bloodline shall hold this title for so long as you remain worthy of it. Please, step down and assume your place.”

A series of low murmurs and a few hoof stomps were all the congratulations voiced as Fancy Pants slowly walked down to his new seat. Celestia smiled as she stepped aside and took her throne, while Luna stepped forward and cleared her throat.

“Ladies and Gentlecolts, I welcome you to this meeting. Rest assured, food will be provided, and we shall continue forward, until we either pass the bill for which this session has been called to order or it hits nine tonight. We will then continue our deliberations at an hour after sunrise tomorrow. This process will continue, until either this bill passes or it is unanimously defeated.” Her horn glowed and a scroll suddenly popped into existence on the desks in front of each of the nobles’ seats, including Grif’s. “This is the bill as written for your considerations. We encourage you to review its contents, before we proceed. We shall then open the floor for arguments for and against the bill. We look forward to your words and insights.”

A young Noble stood up abruptly. “House Glitter wishes to speak.”

Luna looked back to Celestia, who nodded her head. Then the princess of the night turned to face the noble once again. “House Glitter has permission to speak. What would you lay before the body?” she asked.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” The noble bowed his head respectfully. “House Glitter wishes to move to veto the bill as it stands. To put it bluntly, we don’t feel a military is necessary. We have three powerful Alicorns acting as our current rulers. One of them embodies the very core of magic itself, who has yet to even begin to probe the full extent of her power. Another holds the power to control the course of the sun; and the third controls the waxing, waning, and shifting of the moon, including its effects on the ocean and the tides. On top of this, we have the Lord Protector, who has killed Dragons in the name of protecting our nation. We even have a Gryphon loyalist whose honor and prowess in the field of battle are the stuff of legends. Frankly, I don’t see why we nobles would need to risk the lives of those who depend on us by enlisting them in such service, when we already have so much that stands in our favor.”

Grif looked to Hammer Strike, when the noble was done. He held his talons up to Luna, who was already fuming. “Clan Bladefeather wishes to speak.”

Hammer Strike gave a nod of approval to Luna, who also nodded in turn as she regained mastery over herself. “As the first certified clan leader under the accords struck with the Gryphon Empire, Grif Grafson also has the right to speak, for his title is the equivalent of noble rank, and is to be respected. Will anyone dare to challenge this right?” She gazed out over the gathering as several gasps whispered in a mighty wave. Despite this, nopony spoke out. Luna noded. “Then let it be so. Grif Grafson, you may proceed.”

Grif cleared his throat and stood from his seat. “Let it be known to the representatives of the courts. To any who would make the motion to veto so early in the proceedings, clan Bladefeather will duel them. The arguments have yet to even be made for or against this bill in the first place. You have no right to seek to destroy it, without even being willing to listen to the reasons of justification. Any Pony so foolhardy doesn’t deserve the right to rule. As such, it will be my pleasure to remedy that situation. This duel will take place at dawn, and it will be to the death, in accordance with the ancient ways that you seem so keen to protect, Glitter,” the Gryphon said callously. “The weapon of choice shall be yours, of course.” He gave the young noble a small nod of the head. It was clear this would be the foppish Pony’s only chance to back out.

Glitter’s coat suddenly became very pale as he began to shake. His voice trembled as he uttered his reply. “House Glitter wishes to amend its rather,” he cleared his throat, “hasty call to veto to a question. Why do we need a military? As I mentioned before, we have entities capable of greater destruction than any opposing force might be able to muster. Even you, yourself, are among them, Clansleader, with the blessing of your gods. I really don’t see the necessity for this act.”

“Because what you have named are sources we cannot absolutely rely on to defend the nation. Even with all our power, we would have scarcely enough numbers and resources to defend us both on our borders and within our country. Believe it or not, just because we are powerful does not mean that we are omnipotent, Baron Glitter. Nor does it mean that we can be omnipresent. Equestria has seen no less than three Changeling attacks in the last two years. Our outlying villages suffer from constant monster incursion. What were once whole populated zones have been lost. How long do you think House Glitter’s coffers would last, when they must import their bread, rather than make it, my little Pony? And all because we can only defend so many areas alone. Please, enlighten us. Where is the logic in that?” Luna managed to keep her tone even through the response, and the last piece even managed to come across as smug.

“House Glitter will find a way, even if it means growing grain on the hills of this mountain,” Glitter insisted. “But we still don’t understand the need for this expenditure.”

“House Glitter understands, of course, that they shall have to pay for mercenaries to clear the land to plant the grain on, as well as guard it, since the defenders you put so much faith in could be called away at a moment’s notice to face a threat on another front. Then you’ll also have to pay the workers to farm the grain, harvest it, mill it, and bake the bread, all of which will require facilities capable of doing so, which will require more mercenaries to protect. Mercenaries also will require weapons and a smith to upkeep them,” Luna noted. Some of the Solar Court actually seemed to be nodding as they considered the cost of such ventures.

Glitter frowned and slowly sat down as his face contorted in a look of utmost concentration, even as his head flamed red from the utter humiliation he’d just endured.

“Make no mistake. My sister, Princess Twilight, and myself have discussed things at length. Until the Guard is at a level Lord Hammer Strike finds acceptable, the nobility will no longer have the right to request them to defend personal property. There will no longer be the purchasing of a rank for your children. And from now on, a council from all walks of Equestrian society will decide on recruiting practices. That, dear subjects, is not up for debate.”

The rank and file of the nobles broke out in a cacophony of sound that rebounded off the walls, causing the very crystals in the room to vibrate and tinkle against one another as the throes of objection, argument, and counter-argument raged through the air.

Luna slowly stepped away, leaving the pavillion to whichever of the two princesses who wished to speak next. Celestia giggled impishly as she leaned over to speak into her sister’s ear.

“Luna, I do believe that this is the first time I’ve ever seen the Solar Court speak up and down the rows, and not just across.”

Twilight was busy watching as the Lunar Court silently took notes of the Solar Court and her own, until the flicker of Celestia’s rainbow mane drew her attention back to the lectern, where the Alicorn of the sun prepared to speak. Her voice rang out through the halls richly and clearly, spreading like a blanket to muffle and ultimately stifle the uproar.

“Considering the fact that this announcement has come as such a shock to you all, it sees only fair that we give you the chance to adjust and converse among yourselves about this development. As such, it is ruled that this meeting shall be in recess for the next quarter of an hour. Those of you that leave are expected to return within the allotted time. If you do not, the consequences will be severe.” She slammed her hoof on the lectern, causing the detonation to echo through the room. “Let the recess commence.”

Ponies sprang from their seats, some literally taking flight as they raced to meet with their respective parties.

Baron Blueblood rose slowly, the very epitome of calm as he cleared his throat and raised his voice to carry over the crowd. The copy of the bill hovered unfurled beside him. “We wish to debate one thing at the start of the next discussion. Specifically, the list on how much military each noble is allowed to have, based on his or her rank.”

This time, a veritable hurricane of sound assaulted the princesses’ ears as nobles clamored for their scrolls. Curses, sputters, and outcries of rage or dismay surged as the body of nobles roiled along the surface of the chamber. All the while, Blueblood smirked as he met the cold expressions of his nemeses with the smugness of one secure in his position. “Let the games begin,” he muttered.

Comments

[Booster Spice]

All that political manouvering, training and Grif going all Don Karnage on the Nobles and theyre forgetting one thing.

Hammerstrike, Celestia etc in a large crystaline chamber looks just like the NIF.

Thats a lot of sources of contious fuel injection on conflict that could be removed with an accident.

[damnaion]

humm it look like hammer strike is the king ......

[The Correspondent]

8994793
NIF? i feel like that's some kind of reactor but i'm not sure...

[Booster Spice]

8994903

NIF, Nuclear Ignition Facility. Either tennis court sized optical pumped doped glass lasers that take 8 hours to cool down for realignment between shots, or a couple million petrol engine laser sparkplugs that can fire a hundred times a second for hours without maintenance, distributed around a chamber lined with focusing lenses about ten metres accross, focusing down onto a lithium deuteride target about teh size of a ricegrain. Currently best announced results are achieving approximate parity of total nuclear energy released to laser energy striking the target, the trick is getting the final extractable yield to equal and then exceed the total energy required for charging, pumping and cooling etc.

Also, will The Sword be where it was origionall at The Abby, or will Hammer Strike have to go and have Words With Smaug or equivalent? If Asmodeus is otherwise currently indisposed. In other stories, by Smaugs ex wife.

If Sweetiebelle is the urchin princess, then the Fluffball is The Artful Dodger, who has to be very careful when calling Sweetie by her code name, Oliver?

Also, someone get that kid a small reel of cheese wire, there will be all sorts of things he will find use for. Get Sweetie to make him lunch each day as well, he needs unique weapon systems that Zebra shamans need time to deal with. Maybe Twilight can get him some of Pinkies Special Sprinkles?

Twilight needs to get that Records Keeper an assitance on retainer, so she can keep up with all the last moment pre bill insertions the Nobles keep sending that way?

If Grif is dealing with so many assasination attempts, how is his information collection coming along with tracing back along the cells, guilds etc? Starlights, or even Twilights temporal spell isnt available for Light Of Other Days?

[Grif_Bladefeather]

8994804
not quite thats the throne of the lord protector, it is placed beneath them to symbolize him being directly below them in status, lord protector is treated as a noble rank here. it's why he is 'lord hammerstrike' and not 'lord duke' or whatever. he sits on the special chair in the special place because he is tasked with enforcing order in the conclave, he is uniquely allowed to be visibly armed in the chamber with full authority to use any arms to enforce his task.

[damnaion]

8995425
i was referring too the chat the 3 princess had about the 3 items one had to wiled to be the king from what i can remember it look like he wood be the one that be able to wield all 3 items as is states by the two sisters that all i meant by that but until then you are right in saying that.

[Flameingmane]

I keep thinking about Griffin the Griffin and family, Glida and Seth, with a crew, Griffin's own griffins, Ddogs and Bast(name of the cat people) on the possibility meeting Grif Bladefeather with family and pals
Do you think that you can make chapter or two in a off shoot story?

[Mordred]

8996431
You seem to forget that Hammer Strike already found the sword, but was unable to withdraw it, though this may be amended at a later point as his character develops and he ascends into alicornhood. As we already know he can facilitate an artificial ascension, via the Primal, it is quite likely we'll have to wait for a point where the situation necessitates an increase in power for him that leads to him ascending, and consequentially finding the other two treasures/artifacts.