73 - Vacation: All I Never Wanted
Extended Holiday
Ch 73: Vacation: All I Never Wanted
Act 9
Pensword alighted on one of the recently rebuilt balconies of the New Unity complex. He nuzzled his wife’s cheek and laughed at Fizzpot’s expression. “So, this is my daughter’s first victory?” His eyes twinkled merrily. “We had better plan her victory party.”
“She’s growing up so fast,” Lunar Fang said in a somewhat shaky tone. “I don’t want to lose her early.”
“Lose her early?” Pensword paused in his steps. “What do you mean lose her early?” He turned with a steel in his eyes. “What happened while I was gone? I know one noble tried to betroth her, but there seems to be something more.”
“She’s not even a year old and she took down a Changeling practically by herself.” Lunar fang looked into his face. “She broke its horn. That should have been something she’d be able to do maybe in her fifth year.”
Pensword nodded as Fizzpot took Moon River out of the room, allowing husband and wife to speak openly. “I know, but,” he looked at his body. “I am not really a true, or rather, a real Pony. This is hard for me to accept now, but this is a magically constructed body that feels completely real. I was not born like Moon River, or like you were. I am still human, with a strange magic field surrounding me. What we are seeing is most likely the combination of different magics and time stuff from the TARDIS interacting, like how I was made in the first place. You just have to throw out the book and wing it completely.” He sighed and shook his head. “The only thing really is to have another foal in another year or so. If it develops as fast as she is, then we know it is a combination of our biology.” He frowned as he met her gaze. “Meaning we need to discuss if we should continue having foals.” Pensword frowned. “But that is too far into the future. For now, we should make sure she is happy, finishes teething, and make sure we can keep up with her training. Also, I worry about Cosy. He lost guards, and I am wondering if you would mind if I invited him to join us for dinner tonight. Also… he is planning something. I do not know what, but I can tell he is definitely planning something.”
“Moon River seems to enjoy his company,” Lunar Fang said, smiling. “Let’s encourage good relations.”
“I can agree with that,” Pensword replied. “I want to encourage her to treat all ponies as equals.”
“I would say all creatures,” Lunar Fang said with a playful boop on his nose. “You have some work to do with the Gryphon Slayers. Their mindset is getting dangerously narrow.”
“Well, parts of them. Moon Biter is growing, so is Fox Feather, and some of her clan mates; however, I do agree, and that is why I am going to do what they were fearing. I am merging the two units and making them work together. I expect them to have brawls, fights, and drinking contests, but in the end, they will be a stronger unit.”
“It would be best if you put a Gryphon and a Pony under the same rank to encourage the idea that neither side is under the other,” Lunar Fang advised.
“You mean Fox Feather and Kahn?” He asked with a chuckle. Both of them will be Majors.” He sighed. “I need a larger military force. At the moment, all of them are training, all of them are teaching one another, and frankly, all of them are officers. There are no new recruits left to train anymore.”
“Yes, but you need to have a clear chain of command. They need to know who they should turn to if they can’t turn to you.”
“I shall be working on that tonight. This is going to be intense, but at the moment it will be Gryphon Slayers report any problems to either the one they have a problem with, or to Kahn. If the Damned have any problems with the others, they bring it to those they have a problem with, or to Fox Feather. If it is a problem within their own group, they will bring it to the leader of their respective species. That is how it will start.”
“Good.” Lunar Fang nodded in approval. “As for no new recruits, well, that problem may be resolved sooner than we thought.”
“What do you mean?” Pensword asked suspiciously.
“Princess Luna has called for an exalted council of the House of Lords, Parliament, and the Princesses of Equestria to discuss the movement of re-militarizing Equestria, with you nominated as Commander General of the entire Equestrian military,” Lunar Fang said, smiling.
Pensword blinked a few times in disbelief. “That…” He slowly began to chuckle as a smile pulled at his lips. “The bill is finally moving forward. I am going to enjoy sitting on those meetings watching us become more than a paper tiger.” He shook his head. “No, the phrase is paper gryphon, Matthew.”
“The council won’t be happening till just after the Gala, but still, it’s really going to happen!” she said excitedly.
“Then the Gala will be where recruiting and the creation of factions will happen. We shall build our case and we shall graze the fields to find a herd of like minded nobles in the Solar Court. I think they will find it hard to get a Thestral that would be against a military rise in Equestria.” He chuckled. “For once, the old and new are looking forward to this coming battlefield.” He turned his right ear. “I hear ... why is Omni still in pony form?” Pensword asked with concern looking at his wife.
“He wants to grow more accustomed to it. I think he wants to show Clover the Clever he has more potential than she thinks,” Lunar Fang replied.
Vital Spark looked terribly disheveled as he clopped up the hallway, a scroll hovering in his magic while an incredibly scuffed violin case clung desperately to his back by a practically broken strap. Some bedraggled flowers and straw clung to his messed up mane and a heavy layer of dirt covered most of his body, turning his normally white coat a dusty brown.
Pensword looked horrified. “What? You tell me what happened. I am going to throw them into the brig until I can get a trial set up,” he said, his voice hard as steel. “You are under a military jurisdiction. That means that anyone attacking you will be tried by military policy.”
“Can you arrest all of Ponyville?” Vital asked.
“Yes, I can,” Pensword responded with a mix of humor and seriousness. Which made Vital unsure which way Pensword was going. “You can tell me about this in your human form. Just because I am stuck on four hooves does not mean you have to be.”
“With all due respect, Pensword, staying in this form is why I’m still alive. If I’d been human, I’d never have been able to outrun all those Ponies.” He sighed. “Princess Celestia couldn’t have chosen a worse time to send me the invitation,” he groaned. “Just look at this mess. It’s going to take me a good five minutes at least to get everything repaired again.”
“First, it would take longer for a human to repair it. You can repair it in that amount of time to brand new. Second, you are in New Unity, and in my section of the castle. You will not be mauled by anything other than my daugher. Third, do you really want me to give you an order to return to being human? Just because you outran them does not mean you should stay on all fours. I have forgotten what it is like to stand like a human, to even think in things on a two axis field. I do not want you to become fully immersed as a Unicorn. Keep your fingers,” he finished as he moved to the doors and opened them with a wing. “With that said, on the other hoof, care to join us for a light meal?”
“I would, Pensword, but I really need to get cleaned up. Think we can do it some other time? And don’t worry, I always switch to human when I work out with Rook and the others. I’m keeping myself balanced.” He smiled as he laid a hoof on Pensword’s shoulder. “You don’t need to worry about me so much.”
“I am your friend. How can I not worry about you?” he asked, looking Vital in the eye. “You are family to me. A brother. You, Shawn, Taze, the Gryphon Slayers, and Lunar Fang. All of you are my family, and I worry about my family.”
Vital smiled gently. “Thanks, Pensword. I know the feeling, and the feeling is mutual. How about this? Stop by my room later tonight and we can have a discussion about theology. I want to hear about Thestral traditions and how the ponies worship Faust. It’ll be just like old times.”
Pensword nodded his head. “But only if you are to do it as a human.” He smiled as he looked to Lunar Fang. “Care to join and listen? Learn about Omni’s, and my religion from before?” Pensword frowned. “Am I even still part of that, or am I now under Faust’s wing?”
“I’ll see to our daughter and send the message along to Prince Bellacosa with our invitation,” Lunar Fang said, nuzzling her mate before leaving the hall.
Pensword returned the nuzzle before he looked to Vital Spark. “Well, lead the way. I guess we can have this discussion, at least the start, while we get ready for dinner. You are invited to attend, of course, and Prince Bellacosa will be there as well. I think you might like my nephew.” Vital looked questioningly at him and he chuckled. “He adopted me as his uncle while we were in Gryphonia.” He looked at the Unicorn’s disheveled state. “Anything I can do to help?”
“Not that I can think of. I just need a good bath. I think I’ll take it in this form, though. Otherwise, when I shift back, my clothes will be a mess. Rarity would murder me if she saw them, and she tends to have a sixth sense about her clothing. In that regard, she and Hammer Strike are perfect for each other. Her with her designs, and him with his weapons.”
Pensword was about to speak when he paused. “Wait, come again, perfect for…? Are you saying that…? Okay, what did I miss?”
Vital Spark chuckled. “That, my friend, is a long story, and one best told over the dinner table. I’ll meet you back at your apartment, alright?”
“Very well,” Pensword answered. “See you at dinner. Don’t be late.”
“Would I do that?” Vital Spark asked mischievously before he broke away from his friend and chuckled down the hallway.
“I am a Commander. I always have to give that warning.” He called out to Vital Spark.
“Consider me warned!” Vital called back as he bent around a corner and disappeared.
The Doctor and Hammer Strike stood by the center console awaiting Hammer Strike’s stop. “So, what plans do you got, Doc? You know, for after dropping me off.”
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe take Derpy and the girls to New New Unity, show them the sights. It’s quite the tourist attraction, you know.”
“You see, you say something like that and I expect New Unity to have a problem we can’t solve. Odd part, I can’t even tell if you’re kidding, or if it’s that far in the future that it had to become New New Unity.”
“The latter,” The Doctor said, shrugging. “Grew so much, there had to be daughter cities attached to the main one.”
Hammer Strike gave a small grin. “At least we get that right,” he muttered quietly.
“Oh yeah. You’re really popular in the thirty first century. Everypony loves you for what you did, or will do, I suppose.”
“At least I leave a legacy behind to remember me by. What about the others? Their history stick around as long as mine does?”
“Well, you’ve already seen some spoilers; I suppose a few more couldn’t hurt. Go on then, check out the monitors. She won’t bite, you know,” The Doctor said, grinning.
Hammer Strike’s eyes trailed over the monitors on random specifics. Thankfully hiding some information that he didn’t want to see, while others… “Wait… really?” Hammer Strike said, his eyes focusing on a specific line. “That soon?”
“That soon, whadaya mean ‘that soon?’” The Doctor scoffed as he turned to face the screen. “Hold on a second … that’s not right. That can’t be right,” he said as he pulled out his sonic. “What’s the matter with you, Girl? You know as well as I do he lives past there.” He started running the sonic over the screen and the console.
“She hardly lies, Doctor,” Hammer Strike commented. “But, part of me wishes she was...”
“Nope, nope, I’m telling you, this simply isn’t--” The Doctor was quite suddenly thrown off his hooves and flung against the control panel as sparks flew from the main column in its center. “What?” He stumbled to a monitor as the ship flung itself again. “What?” Then came the third time as the lights flickered and another shower of sparks flew around the pair. Hammer Strike simply stood there, weathering the turbulence calmly. “What?” The Doctor cried yet a third time, his eyes wide as he ran the screwdriver over the console again to get a reading.
“Doctor, this is around my third, perhaps fourth time in the TARDIS. I have no idea what’s going on,” Hammer said calmly.
“Not now!” The Doctor shouted as he dashed around the console. “Make yourself useful and pull that lever,” he ordered, pointing to a strangely wobbly green lever sticking up from the console with a unique wave-like design. “Keep it down. And for Faust’s sake, whatever you do, don’t break it off.”
“No promises,” Hammer Strike commented, following the Doctor’s instructions as he gingerly held the lever down.
“The TARDIS’s shields are malfunctioning. According to the readings, we’ve--” The Doctor let loose a loud exclamation as they were thrown yet again. “entered a time storm. We’re going to have to perform an emergency landing. Hang on!” the Earth Pony yelled as he pointed his glowing blue sonic at the console. It maintained its signal for three long seconds before the console practically exploded with sparks. “And whatever you do, keep that lever stable!”
“Eeyup,” Hammer Strike replied calmly amongst the chaos.
There were several more heavy shakes before all motion stopped dead as the TARDIS seemed to come to a stop. The Doctor breathed a sigh of relief and laughed. “Well, that could have been bad.”
“Doctor, I’m pretty sure you just jinxed it,” Hammer Strike commented as he moved towards the door.
“Nonsense. I’m sure we landed the TARDIS just where we meant … to.” Hammer Strike had opened the doors, revealing hot blinding sun and miles of sand. “... And we’re in Saddle Arabia.” He face hoofed. “Great.”
“I blame you for calling her a liar.” Hammer Strike shrugged. “Welp, this’ll add on to the debt.”
“What?” The Doctor responded in shock.
“Well, we were brought here, and part of me suspects that we were brought here for more than just to spite you, so come on,” Hammer said, gesturing the door. “Let’s see if we have work to do.”
The Doctor sighed. “Well, best be off,” he said. “You may want to find a cloak or something.”
“...Yeah, perhaps,” Hammer Strike muttered. “I’d stand out with my coat, wouldn’t I?”
“Yes, well, we don’t need you leaving an even larger mark on history than necessary, do we?” The Doctor said. “Honestly, listen to me, I’m being cautious. I’m never cautious with Derpy or anyone else!”
“I don’t know what to think on that, Doctor. Now… I’d like to request some directions for where I can find a cloak.”
Pensword sat without his armor on the new roof and walls. It had been little more than rubble and scaffolding when he had left. He could hear the sound of activity below as they worked to finish the interior. He didn’t know what was being added in, but he was facing what was bound to turn into the new military camp one the bill passed. The field of memorial flags had been moved and stakes were mapped out for building the official future memorial. He idly wondered just what they were going to do with the chasm as he stared down into its misty depths. Would they build over it? Incorporate it into the actual city? He continued to wonder before deciding that he would let the civilian builders decide. The bridge was getting busier, and some youngins had spruced the railings up with a few banners and streamers. He sighed as his left ear twitched. “Yes?” he spoke out loud.
A familiar thestral mare stepped into view, though quite a bit younger than Pensword remembered her. She smiled fondly at him as her silvery white mane and tail seemed to reflect the sunlight, even as her transparent form moved closer. “Hello, young one.”
“Gramma!” Pensword shouted. His ears and body perked up the same as when he’d been a foal. “You-” he wilted. “I am sorry I vanished without telling you where I was going.” He looked at her hooves. “I-I am sorry if I brought shame to your name. I am sorry.” He rubbed the beginnings of tears from his eyes with a hoof.
“You never brought me shame, young one,” Shimmering Star said. “Never think that of yourself. No matter the truth, you will always be my grandson.”
“Yes, Gramma,” he muttered, still downcast. “But I did not come to see you after the war. I-I never saw you again alive, never gave you the chance to pass on important items as tradition speaks.”
“You returned to where you belong. You found the mare you love and you’ve blessed me with a great granddaughter. You’ve brought our people back into the light and re-united us! You even brought our kind to nobility. Where is your failure?”
“I never got to say goodbye,” Pensword snapped. “I did all that, and yet I never got to say goodbye to you, to Mom, Dad, Moonburn, or Whirlwind. How is that fair?”
“That was taken from us all without choice, young one. Am I to blame because I was unable to say goodbye to my daughter and grandchildren?”
“No,” Pensword muttered glumly. “It just ... it still hurts. I do not have the night terrors or nightmares, but I still have flashbacks to that night. Why did Faust give me that night? It let me know what happened in detail, but why? I would have gone after them anyway. They attacked and destroyed our home and were marching to war against us.” He looked at Shimmering Star before speaking quickly, “If you cannot tell me, I understand.” Then he smiled. “I … I missed talking to you, Gramma.”
“Do you know how long The First Gryphon War lasted, Pensword?” she asked
“No, nopony does. Not since Discord destroyed so many records during his reign of terror and chaos.” He paused. “Can you tell me?”
“Fifteen years, young one. The death counts were in the hundreds of thousands. The second war, as you know, lasted only eight years, but at an even higher cost. Now tell me, how many years did the third last?”
“Ten months,” Pensword responded before he began to laugh and, to his shock, his grandmother laughed, too. “Helps that a Pony army can feed on the land without prepping food.”
“Yes, but Gryphons held the greater skill and the greater opportunity. They breed at a quarter of the time Ponies do and their populations are larger. Without you, child, Equestria would have only won after Celestia interfered. By then, the population would have been decimated.”
“Does that mean that if I did not get the warning, I might have joined my family in the afterlife?”
“You would have lived, recieved the news by messenger months later, been devastated, but by then the army would be bulking. You’d have been just another member of House Strike’s militia. The Thestrals would have been totally lost to Equestria and the war would have been devastating,” she told him, “but the vision wasn’t of Faust's design, my child.”
He shuddered at the thought. “Gramma, I still...” he furrowed his brow. “I want you to know I love you, and ... I am glad that I get to see you in the night when I am done with my tasks.” He fell silent as he thought. “Then, the vision, it was of the moon?” He asked in a baffled, yet hopeful tone of voice.
“You have her notice, child. Embrace her love and she will guide you.” The formerly old mare smiled then. “She has sent me with a message for you.”
Pensword bowed his head in humble respect. “I am all ears to receive her message.” He finished the gesture by spreading his wings out.
“The times ahead are tough, and you are not yet ready for what is to come. You will meet with the spirit of High Chief Fog and the original chiefs, some of the greatest warriors of our history. They will teach you the skills you will need.”
Pensword looked gravely to his grandmother. “That sounds scary, but I hope to succeed and pass their training down to others. The knowledge lost in the times of peace needs to be restored and taught once more. The time for the blade to hang on the wall is ended. The time has come for Ponies to bear their swords in hoof again. We are at the time of plows and sheers. We need swords and shields.” His expression turned grim. “I shall teach my wife as well.”
“You will do well, young one,” she encouraged. “I know it in my heart.”
“Thank you, Gramma,” Pensword replied. He moved to hug her, but stopped as he remembered the truth. “Sorry, Gramma.”
“We will embrace again in the glade, my grandson.” A phantom tear trickled down Shimmering Star’s eye before fading away. “But my time is gone. Lead our clan well, and show our people their true future. Know that I always have faith in you, Little Bear.” The last line echoed as she faded away.
Pensword moved a hoof to the bear tooth necklace. “Thank you, Gramma. Thank you,” he whispered. He looked up and saw Fox Feather and Kahn flying towards him. He sighed. “Right, I need to take care of that,” he muttered as he spotted a green Pegasus with a brown mane. “You!” he shouted. The Pegasus paused and turned to look at Pensword in confusion. He moved a hoof to point at himself. “Yes, you. Go tell Lunar Fang that I might be late for dinner. I have to perform some reorganization.” He watched the Pegasus salute before darting off to carry his message.
Rainbow Dash landed in the middle of the courtyard looking around nervously. She may be many things, but at the moment, she was fairly nervous, though doing her best to hide it. She looked around the courtyard before finding a Gryphon walking across to get some more supplies to add to the compound. “Excuse me,” Rainbow Dash said as she flew up to the side of the Gryphon. “Can you tell me where I can find Gilda?”
“We all look alike to you or something?” a familiar voice teased from behind her.
Rainbow Dash turned around with a grin. “Gilda!” She answered before frowning and crossing her hooves as she hovered in the air. “You think I’d mix you up with some other Gryphon? I was asking if you were around. I mean,” she started waving a hoof, “it’d be annoying if we keep missing each other by minutes. Drove Mr. Feather Storm nuts, remember that?” She asked with a laugh before leaning in and whispering conspiratorially. “How goes the pranking?”
“Haven’t had the time, Dash, with the construction work and training.” Gilda’s demeanor seemed more serious and sullen than had been normal since they reunited.
Rainbow Dash looked around the courtyard. “Can we discuss this someplace more in private? I mean ... is everything okay?” She landed on the ground. “Because if somepony or some Gryphon is bothering you, then let me at ‘em.”
“It’s no big deal,” Gilda said, though her body language seemed to imply it was indeed a big deal as the Gryphoness turned away.
Rainbow Dash sped forward to look face to face with Gilda. “Don’t give me that. I may have been a poor friend before, but right now, I want to make up for it. We’re sisters. You said so yourself. So come on, tell your sister what’s up. I can build a cloud hole if you want.”
Gilda heaved a heavy sigh. “... Grif and pensword returned from the trip one Gryphon short,” she explained sadly. “He was the one who took me in when I had nothing.” Her eyes began to water, but she stubbornly blinked the tears back. “Kel’leam died in battle in the empire.”
Rainbow Dash’s body sagged. “Gilda.” Her voice cracked. “I-” she ground her teeth. “So who killed him? If he’s still alive, I’m gonna give him a few choice chops and kicks.”
“He’s dead. Grif saw to that.” Gilda turned to face the sun. Kel’leam, he was hard to pick out of a crowd, but he was patient. More patient than I deserved. He found me half dead without food, water, or money for anything, and he took me in. He introduced me to the group. Without him … I’d have died out there.”
Dash landed, her bravado gone. This time she was serious. “What can I do to help?” Those simple words might have been some of the most humble Rainbow Dash had ever uttered.
“I appreciate it, Dash,” Gilda spoke after a moment, “but you can’t bring back the dead. Grif promised there’d be a memorial for him later, but there isn’t much more they can do. They couldn’t…” Tears welled in her eyes as she tried to say the words. “They couldn’t b—” she broke into choked sobs “They couldn’t even bring back his body. I never said thank you.” This time Gilda didn’t stop them as she finally broke down.
Dash did the only thing she could think to do in the situation. She patted her wing on Gilda’s back, trying to comfort her friend. “If you need a place to...” she paused as she tried to organize her thoughts. “Look, if you need to… well, my door’s always open… you know… for anything.” Rainbow half expected a violent reaction, a roar, maybe some sort of insult. She braced herself just in case.
Gilda’s reaction was probably scarier as the Gryphoness embraced her friend, sobbing on her shoulder. “I never even said thank you,” she repeated.
Grif smiled to himself as he stalked quietly through the bushes of New Unity, his prey perfectly visible, his footsteps measured and silent. He moved carefully, not letting his target hear him as he slinked, stopping every time her head turned so as not to alert her. Finally, when he was close enough, he pounced. With a mighty roar he scooped the filly off the ground, his talons carefully moving across her fur, finding all the tickle spots. Moon River giggled and screamed in joy and excitement before she started trying to nom and bite like a puppy on Grif’s talons.
“Hey, River, did you miss me?” Grif asked, smiling as he let her chew on a talon.
She nodded her head. “Yes,” she lisped before letting go. She moved her hooves out. “Thiiiiiiis much!” She giggled and returned to playfully nipping at Grif’s talons.
“I got you a present.” Reaching behind his back, he produced a familiar turquoise yellow-striped fruit. He offered it to her. “Here. It’s really tasty.”
She tilted her head, considering the fruit with an inquisitive gaze. As she inhaled the scent, her eyes widened with glee and want. Her hard prey forgotten, she immediately reached out, placed her hooves around the fruit, and began to decimate it, sending juice dribbling down her muzzle as she eagerly ate.
“I heard that someone took down a Changeling all by herself,” Grif said as she ate. “You’re going to be taking down tough opponents in no time.”
She paused in her eating to look at her godfather. She looked at him for a few moments in confusion. Fizzpot walked into the clearing at this moment and she giggled. “Fizzy!” she called out with glee.
Grif pulled a small wrapped bundle from his bag and placed it in front of Moon River. “I figured you might as well get an early start.”
She looked at the wrapped item, placing the fruit aside as she tried to open it. She fell into excited foal babble as she worked at it, slowly tearing away the paper. Eventually, she became more enthralled with the sound of the paper tearing than she was at what could be inside. Finally, all the paper tore away to reveal a small simple wooden crossbow with several miniaturized bolts topped with suction cups.
Moon River paused as she looked at the item, tilting her head before something lit up in her eyes and she squealed in excitement. “Daddy!” She touched the crossbow with her hooves as she repeated the word over and over. “Daddy! Daddy!” She clopped her hooves down hard on the floor. “DADDY!”
“Now, you see,” Grif told her slowly as he took her hoof and gently pulled the string back with it until the mechanism locked into place. “You pull the string back until it sticks in this spot.” He picked up a small bolt and slid it into place for her. “You put the bolt here.” Then he gently guided her hoof to the trigger. “And pull this.”
Moon River giggled as she remembered seeing her mommy using a bigger one. She pulled the trigger as the suction cup dart shot out and hit Fizzpot on the nose. The changeling crossed his eyes, then looked upon Moon River with a blank expression. “This...” He took a steadying breath in and out, only to find another bolt sticking to a spot between the eyes. “I have become a living pincushion for the young duchess.”
“Better than your head being a new kickball,” Grif told him with a dangerous undertone.
Moon River hissed angrily. “My Fizzpot. MINE!”
Grif picked her up gently. “I’m sorry, River, can you forgive me?” he asked her.
She cooed and nuzzled Grif under his chin. “Okay. Be nice,” she scolded.
“Of course, River.” Grif smiled before giving her a light hug. “I need to go now. You be good, alright?”
A bolt suddenly trembled under his upper beak. “Okay,” she answered as she giggled.
Grif pulled the bolt off and handed it to her, gently laying the foal on the ground before taking to the air with a smirk on his beak. “Pensword is so going to kill me.” Then he laughed.
Pensword sat at his desk looking at the two. “So, are you two ready for this meeting? Because right now, logistically speaking, it is going to be easier to merge you into one unit.” He put his hooves together as he leaned on his desk. “It will also help get the Gryphon Slayers integrated into society.” He turned his head to look at each of them. “Any concerns or comments you wish to tell me before we start?”
“With all due respect, Commander, I noticed I and my compatriots, well, we’re not very well accepted amongst your pony soldiers,” Kahn said. “I don’t suppose there is any way we could ... how do you say it? Flatten the ice between our two groups?”
“Break the ice, Kahn. It’s called breaking the ice,” Pensword corrected.
Fox Feather immediately broke in. “The reason you are having trouble is because we all lost loved ones in the Third Gryphon War, which is why I agree with Pensword. We need to integrate. When the Gryphon slayers were around, we had to face warriors who would eat their conquests. I know the Gryphons of today are different. The Bladefeathers have shown that. What you need to do, Kahn, is prove to them that the Gryphons from the main empire have changed from those in the past.”
“Oui, oui,” Kahn nodded. “But we are not from the capital originally. The lower East Kingdom did not support the war,” he said. “Still, I can understand how old wounds may have festered. Tell me, mademoiselle, you have been most reasonable. What are your companions fond of?”
Pensword spoke up. “Kahn, these wounds are not old. To them, to me, to all of us in the Gryphon Slayers, the Third Gryphon War happened barely a year ago.” He moved a hoof to point to Fox Feather and himself. “We are having to deal with the fact that Gryphons are friends now, with jobs like stone masonry or catering. It will take time.”
Fox Feather, however, got that famous smile of hers that looked more Vulpine than Pony. “Well, we all are fond of archery, weapon practice, hikes, wrestling, and generally making fun of the Royal Guards. That last part you might want to hold off on till you are accepted as one of us. Beyond that, you need to ask what we like on an individual basis.”
“Might I offer, then, a… what was the term that visiting Pony dignitary used in his tale? Ah, yes, an Iron Pony competition!” Kahn smiled dramatically.
“I do like the sound of that,” Fox Feather began. “However, it would be unfair if we were to hold it just between ourselves. We should open it to the entire base.” She frowned. “Town?”
“Base is fine with me. This is still a military operation,” Pensword clarified. He smiled wider. “Maybe you would like to join in the Equestrian Games? Try out. I cannot guarantee a spot, but you would be competing for New Unity should you succeed.”
“Ah, yes, the games.” Kahn smiled “I have heard tell around the base that clan leader Grif has been selected for your fencing competitor, non? With such high standards, it would only be fitting for New Unity to separate the chaff from the wheat before selecting its athletes.”
Pensword grinned in a manner that unnerved the two subordinates. “And the fun part is you do not know which is which.” He laughed. “Unlike some of the towns, who do it by popularity contest, we shall bring the best skills we have. Besides, this is great training, no matter if we win or lose.”
“Then, Commander, my lady Fox Feather.” Kahn bowed dramatically to each. “I look forward to meeting your best on the field of honor. For I shall bring mine.”
“I look forward to that as well,” Pensword answered. “Now that we have plans for starting the integration, how shall we proceed? Because at the moment we have two units pledged to my protection: The Gryphon Slayers, and as you call yourselves, The Demon Damned. I believe the worst can be easily overcome, but there is the small matter of the new unit’s name.”
“The Demons Slayers?” Kahn offered half heartedly.
Fox Feather paused as she thought. She almost retorted, then stopped again. “Actually…” She fell silent as she pondered. “We both faced demons and slayed them.” She began to grin.
Pensword nodded his head. “This was faster than I had thought. Very well. Your new unit name will be The Demon Slayers. I shall let you two work on a unit crest and emblems; however, I have one thing I wish to keep: the two Gryphon wings.”
“I think it would be best to have a separate barracks for the first few weeks, Commander, if only to ease the transition,” Kahn suggested. “Also, as you may have noticed with my people, we roost easier in higher places just as ponies are at ease in more open spaces.”
Pensword snorted. “That is a misconception. Pegasi like high places as well. Earth Ponies like the wide open space, and Unicorns usually care to have the top bunks surrounded by books and the like. As for myself, I am partially Pegasus and Thestral. I love more dark places, but I love the open sky as well.”
“Forgive my mispeaking, then, Commander. I shall venture to further educate myself and the others in the truths about ponykind,” Kahn said, lowering his beak.
“If only you are willing to share that with the ponies if you overhear a misconception. Still, I shall see what I can do to arrange a barracks that is a little higher up to allow flight in and out. Mind you, the barracks will be temporary. We are shifting around as we build.”
“Of course.” Kahn nodded before turning to Fox Feather. “I hope for this to be the beginning of a beautiful alliance between our two groups. Let our enemies learn what true fear is.”
Pensword chuckled softly at the words. “Very true. And may we become a force that truly does protect all the nation without the need of falling back upon Celestia’s sun.”
Conor smiled as he knocked on the door to Pensword’s suite. His simple pair of khaki pants and plain T-shirt hugged closely to his new musculature and he couldn’t help but chuckle. “If mom and dad could see me now.”
“They would think you or they were half crazy,” Pensword responded as he opened the door, looking strange in his dart decorated helmet. “You might want to wear a pot. Something gave Moon River a toy crossbow, and she is going to town with it.” He chuckled good naturedly. “I will need to find whoever gave her one so I can play with her.”
“How is the little tyke? She still up for a little ride?” Conor asked as he stepped through the door. In answer, he saw a movement from a dark corner near the ceiling. A moment later, a suction cup bolt hit him in the ear. A familiar voice cried out in excitement, giggling like mad.
“Good job, Moon River. That was a great shot,” Pensword said, smiling and chuckling. “If my Earth mom could see us now, she would be beside herself that I am letting Moon River have a weapon.” He laughed a little harder as he let Conor into the family room. “We will have dinner in thirty minutes. We can enjoy the actions of my little warrior in the meantime.”
“Come here, ya little rascal,” Conor said, laughing as he rushed Moon River and picked her up, holding the foal high above his head as he started to run around the room with her. To his shock, he felt his feet leave the ground a few times as Moon River beat her wings and squealed at the first sensations of limited flight. He also found that she was guiding him, which ended suddenly with the human lying sprawled out on his stomach over the back end of one of three couches in the living room, while the little filly stood on a new ledge that had been built on the wall. Lunar Fang’s expression was one of disapproval and amusement at Conor’s misfortune.
Pensword couldn’t help but laugh. “Careful. Unlike human foals, my foals can fly.” He chuckled as he looked around the place. “I need to tell you that we are looking into building an actual manor home, making this a retreat suite.” He looked around the room. “We are growing up and into our own lives.” He nodded to Conor in approval. “Good. You are in your human form. How does it feel?”
“The same as ever.” Conor chuckled. “Makes the rest of the rooms a little smaller than I’m used to sometimes, though.”
“You haven’t hit your head on anything, I hope?” Lunar Fang asked.
“I’ve been doing my best to be careful. Celestia designed most of these rooms to be able to fit Minotaurs, too, so I haven’t had to really hunch down all that much. Guess it’s a good thing she got that non-aggression treaty signed before this place was abandoned.”
.
“Which makes awesome flying space as well, and when we expand outwards we can build main public buildings to house humans. Or at least the size of humans and Minotaurs,” Pensword replied with a chirp. “So,” he opened his wings and landed next to his daughter. “Do you want to be an Uncle?”
“I thought I already was,” Conor countered. “You know I already love you like a brother, Vulpix.”
“Yes, but this brings with it some official ceremonies in Thestral circles, which means that heaven forbid that something happens to us, you can have a louder say in how Moon River is raised. That also means you will be taught a few things from the Dream Clan, but I warn you, Grif has the loudest say as godfather, and then the head of the Dream Clan.” He frowned. “I fear that I am going to be cut loose to create my own clan… I wonder what my gramma would think about that.”
“Pensword, let’s face it, if that were to happen, you’d rise to the challenge, and if it doesn’t, then there’s no need to worry about it.”
“I worry about her descendants,” Pensword answered as he flew up to the perch and kissed Moon River on the head. “My little moon streaked filly.” He smiled into her mane. “I worry about her future, how the leader of the clan would handle it after I am gone. I am a father. It is natural for me to worry about the future, and about the legacy that I will leave to my foals and grandfoals.” He looked up, his ears perked, and so did Lunar Fang’s. A moment later the timer dinged.
Moon River cheered as she fired off her toy crossbow, which hit Fizzpot on the side as he exited the kitchen. “Dinner is served, milord, milady, and… family friend?” Pensword nodded approvingly and Fizzpot continued, “Please, follow me to the dining room,” he said in a somewhat disbelieving tone of voice.
Pensword flew down to Conor’s ear level. “Usually it is the butler that announces dinner. He is still in shock that he is a bulter, and not in a dungeon somewhere.” He chuckled as he flew into the dining room, landing at the chair at the head of the table. Lunar Fang and Moon River took the chairs on his right while Conor was led to the chair at Pensword’s left. They were seated and Fizzpot walked to the kitchen door. “Tonight we will start with a nice salad from the gardens of New Unity with a glaze of honey and chunks of apples. Also, we have a group of Gryphons at the window who look like they wish to enter. Shall I let them in?”
Pensword turned and smiled at Grif and his two wives. “Come on in, we were about to start dinner. And yes, I planned for a few interruptions just in case.”
“Thank you, Pensword,” Grif said as he they entered with a reasonably sized tray balanced carefully in his claws. “I hunted a turkey earlier today and got the chefs to cook it up. I hope you don’t mind.”
They heard a knock at the door. “Oh yes,” Fizzpot muttered with a small look of worry. “That would be our royal guest. And yes, sir, I did make sure we had extra food for the growing stallion.”
Pensword looked around the table and said something that surprised Fizzpot. “It’s just like Thanksgiving!” He did a hoof pump as Lunar Fang cracked up, laughing when she saw Matthew’s reaction. It was good to see him coming out again.
Soon the food had been set up, the turkey added to the meal, and everyone was situated at the table. It was rather cute seeing Moon River insisting that Cosy sit next to her mommy as she sat in her carrying sack around Lunar Fang’s barrel. Pensword did not know why she was acting like that, but maybe it was because she could still smell battle on Cosy’s form.
Pensword looked to Grif, Shrial, and Avalon sitting at the other end of the table at the guest of honor position, with Conor situated in the middle, there were still ten empty seats, with room for more if they wanted to cram them in.
“So, Conor, you’re looking quite fit,” Grif noted as they ate. “The training is starting to make some headway, huh?”
“Rook says I’m almost ready to start training wearing armor. I’m actually surprised I’m progressing that quickly. But then again … it could be he’s just still mad about how I got back at him.”
“Nah, he wouldn’t take that kinda risk. Besides, it’s something about the magic of Equestria and human biology. It makes us healthier, not the amazing ‘I never get sick or injured’ healthy, but our growth is faster.”
“I think I recall that,” Pensword replied sounding almost surprised. “Still, it is good to see you all here.” He grinned as he looked at Conor. “So… I heard that Hammer Strike and Rarity are a little closer?”
Lunar Fang sighed, covering her muzzle with a wing. “What my mate is trying to get at is he wants details seeing as he was off fighting a war during the time.”
“It’s about time, if you ask me.” Grif smiled at Shrial. “Those two danced around it longer than we did, or these two.”
“Well, where do you guys want me to start?” Conor asked.
“In the words of a great March Hare,” Grif smiled, “‘start at the beginning!’ And to quote his friend, the hatter, ‘when you reach the end, stop.’”
“Agreed,” Pensword responded as Cosy yelped in shock. “Also… please be warned, we have an armed huntress at the table.” He fought not to smile, though it tugged at the corners of his face.
“Well, I don’t know too much about what all happened. I just know Hammer Strike went out with Rarity to the spa in Ponyville.” This was punctuated by a double spit take as both Grif and Pensword had been taking a drink at the time. Conor couldn’t help but laugh. “When he came back, Hammer was in a much better mood. I’m guessing that might’ve been where things finally took off, though I’m no expert, and you guys know I don’t do the whole gossiping thing.”
“Really? That’s all it took? Details, man!” Grif urged.
“Hey, I only know what I know. I was a bit busy with certain responsibilities and helping Vital Spark find something for building his focus. By the way, he’s really excited about it. You should see about visiting him some time when he’s practicing with it. But as I was saying, a while later we had that massive siege from the Changelings, where we kicked some serious butt and Clover the Clever was brought back from the dead. Well, not exactly the dead, but she was on death’s doorstep. Trixie sacrificed herself to save Clover so she could help end the siege once and for all. Then, afterwards, Shawn brought her back after beating Death up. I was really impressed. You guys really taught her something about humility and self sacrifice last time, didn’t you?”
Grif and Pensword got very quiet, staring down at their respective plates.
“I nearly strangled her after she came back for scaring me the way she did. Anyways, after the siege, we worked on making repairs and that’s when trouble from Canterlot arrived. The … ‘lovely’ Fel Jade came to ‘give some assistance.’ I think Pensword has already been apprised of her main motives. Apparently, Camo went back to Ponyville for some designs and measurements for a new suit and let slip about Fel Jade’s aims. Rarity came and kissed Hammer Strike clear on the lips. It was one heck of a kiss too. I swear, steam was coming out of his ears.” Conor couldn’t help but chuckle. “That’s when they really went public.”
“That's hilarious.” Grif laughed.
“Wow, that,” Pensword muttered in shock. “I better get my dress armor polished and ready. I wonder who would marry the two, Celestia or Luna?” Pensword began to laugh.
“That’s not even the best part. Rarity scared Fel Jade off. She completely disgraced her, and the best part was she was playful about it the whole time. You would’ve been proud to see it, Grif. The fencing match was amazing!”
“She’s a good student.” Grif nodded. “She has a great mind for the sword, but don’t tell her I said that.”
“Your secret is safe with me,” Conor said, smirking. “By the way, I don’t think we’ve formally met yet, Avalon. My name is Conor. I have to say, Vital’s description of you doesn’t do you justice.”
Avalon blushed. “Thank you.”
“She knows, Conor.” Grif laughed. “I told her everything before we were married.”
“And you couldn’t tell me this earlier, why?”
“You didn’t pass the charisma check?” Grif joked.
Conor cocked an eyebrow, then took another bite of turkey with a chunk of mashed potatoes and gravy. ”Much better. No offense to equines, but I really enjoy eating meat. Not to mention the whole apple allergy issue.”
“I enjoy meat.” Pensword responded with a laugh. “Too bad you got a horn on your head, and not leather wings.” He shook his head. “Also, you did not want secrets between husband and wife?”
Lunar Fang raised a wing in confusion before settling the wing. “Apple allergy? But I saw you eat apples as a Unicorn.”
“The allergy doesn’t travel over when I’m in that form. But the last time I ate an apple as a human, my lip swelled to three times its size. I was lucky it wasn’t my throat.”
Lunar Fang made a face. “Ouch, well, happy to hear you don’t have an allergy as a Pony. Though I wonder if a Unicorn can eat fish,” she pondered to herself.
Grif seemed to be counting down something. By the time he reached one there was a knock at the door. “Excuse me a second,” he said, getting to his feet and heading to said door. He returned a moment later with a small cask. “Pensword, do you have some extra glasses?”
Pensword turned his head and looked at the cask, his eyes suddenly wide. “Is that...?” he whispered, his mouth suddenly watering.
“I figured since everybody's here, we could lift a glass. To Kel’leam, you know?” Grif said, his tone shifting between cheerful and sad.
Pensword nodded solemnly as his emotions dampened at the thought. He waited for each person at the table to be given a glass, then signalled Grif to lead them in the toast.
“I stand before you all here in our evening of joy with a heavy heart,” Grif started. “Kel’leam is dead, and the stars will shine a little dimmer for his passing. I didn’t have the opportunity to know him as long or as well as some of my clan, but I fought beside him, and we of the battlefield know that you can get to know someone well when you fight beside them.” He looked around the table, getting nods from Shrial, Lunar Fang, and Pensword. “He was my brother, and he died saving my life. He flies with his ancestors tonight, and I know his family flies beside him proudly. To Kel’leam The Wall!” he said, holding his glass high.
Pensword and Lunar Fang stood on their hind legs, raising their glasses high. “To Kel’leam The Wall!” The shout seemed to shake the walls as the others roared the name with respect and honor.
“To Kel’leam,” Conor said, albeit more solemnly and calm as he, too, raised his glass. “Wherever you are, I pray for your happiness.”
Cosy nodded, his jaw set as he raised his own glass. He had lost so many guards already to a first coup. And now another had sacrificed himself to protect the land and ruler he loved. “He won’t be forgotten.”
“Never,” Shrial said. Nodding to each other, as one they downed the purple liquid from their glasses.
Hammer Strike rolled his shoulders as he adjusted the cloak one more time. “So, Doc, shall we head off?”
“I wonder what we could possibly be doing in Saddle Arabia,” The Doctor said as they left the TARDIS.
“I have no clue, Doc.” Hammer shrugged, closing the doors on the blue box.
“Well, is there a village or something nearby? Can you see anything?” The Doctor asked.
“West-bound from our current location, possibly a mile away.”
The Doctor looked to the indicated direction, and sure enough, buildings could be seen relatively close by. “... Oh.”
“Did you happen to read the exact point in time we are?” Hammer Strike questioned as he started walking in the direction of the village.
“Hey, I’m the one who leads!” The doctor said as he trotted after Hammer Strike. “Some time before the Third Gryphon war hits Equestria. About three hundred years off, I believe.”
“Very interesting choice.” Hammer hummed to himself. The duo continued towards the village in silence as they thought to themselves about what could be going on. After some time they found themselves on the outer district of the town, specifically, a very empty part of town.
“I’ll give it less than a minute before something bad happens.”
“What makes you say that?” The Doctor asked.
“We’re travelling in a different time than ours, brought here by the TARDIS, and three individuals have been tailing us since we entered.”
“Ah. Perhaps they’re the neighborhood greeters?” The Doctor suggested weakly.
“The daggers say otherwise.”
As the duo rounded a corner, they were confronted by a fourth figure who seemed to be cleaning his knife. “Where do you two think you’re going?”
“Around,” Hammer Strike replied flatly as the other three came up behind them.
“Yeah? Well being around can be expensive,” one large black Horse stallion growled.
Hammer Strike stood there with his flat expression. “How about we just fight already so the two of us can get on our way?” He said, rolling his eyes.
“You are going to regret saying that,” the third, a steel grey stallion retorted. “You are not even carrying a blade.”
“Don’t need one.”
A rather short fight later, having only involved four punches, Hammer Strike stood amongst the group dusting off his cloak. “Come on, Doctor, let’s keep going.”
“That was ... fast,” The Doctor noted as they walked away.
“They had flimsy iron daggers, no armor, and thought they were smart enough to get away with this, I’m surprised it was me that took them down. I figure any of the locals could do it easily.”
“Most locals they prey on don’t have the money for weapons,” The Doctor said. “And those horses were quite large.”
“Doctor, you’ve seen worse. I’ve seen worse. I’m pretty sure even you thought less of them.”
“Well, yes, but I’m a timelord, and you, my friend, are as close to a god as a mortal can get. These are everyday horses without super powers or great resource. This is their life, and they make of it what they can,” The Doctor said.
“Doc, question. What do you think we’re here for in the first place?”
“I’m not sure, but if you're here, then it can’t be too strange. I mean, you didn’t visit Saddle Arabia a lot.”
“If we were brought here, I’m pretty sure the problem is more than just normal.”
“I suppose the best plan would be going to the palace and seeing if anything is strange there,” The Doctor said dubiously.
The dinner was nice and Pensword was taking an evening stroll through the gardens. He was close to Area Fifty One, as his human mind called it, but it just didn’t quite seem to fit for him. He paused as his ears picked up on approaching hoofsteps from the left. “Yes?” He asked.
“Greetings, founder.” A Changeling approached him carefully. This drone was larger than the ones Pensword was used too. Muscle rippled under the plates of thin yet sturdy chitin as the Changeling lowered its knife-like horn in respect. As the drone’s head lowered, Pensword realised his wings were covered by a thick beetle-like shell to protect them when not in use.
Pensword returned the nod. “Greetings. May I ask what you need me for? Or is it Queen Me-Me that asks for me?” he finished.
“Queen Me-Me has requested your presence for the royal inspection of the first generation soldier drones. According to her orders, I am to be named by you and to serve as your aid.”
“Wait, named? And… my aid?” Pensword paused and put a hoof to his nose. “Very well, but you will need to take a Thestral guise when we are outside of New Unity. I have a problem coming up with nobles of the Solar Court, and I would like to try and keep things a little more stable.” He shook his head. “I shall wait till we are at the first royal inspection.”
The Changeling’s body was devoured in a surprisingly light blue flame, revealing a sturdily built thestral stallion of dark blue almost black. His mane and tail were only a tint lighter. “Will this do, founder?”
“Yes,” Pensword nodded with a small grin. “That will do.” He chuckled as moved a wing, “Shall you guide me to the presentation? I am afraid that your hive still confuses me down there.”
The soldier nodded as he and pensword headed off. Over the next half hour they navigated first to the hive entrance and then inside the labyrinth of the hive. Finally, they entered the large chamber Me-Me had constructed for training soldiers.
“Hello, Pensword!” Me-Me laughed as she approached him. The Queen now stood as tall as Princess Luna and towered over him. Yet, unlike Chrysalis’s imposing visage, Pensword felt no threat from the Changeling Queen.
“Me-Me,” Pensword responded, nodding his head, the most any ruler that was not High Chieftess Luna would get. “Did I hear right that you are creating soldiers for the hive?”
“To contribute to Unity,” she clarified. “You defend us. We should do our part to add to that effort.”
Pensword nodded grimly. “Faust knows we need the troops,” he muttered. “I look forward to the ceremony and review. Also, I am... conflicted over your assignment of an Aide-de-Camp. I thank you for your consideration; I just hope you understand that I might work him to the ichor.”
“I’ve modified him to be especially sturdy with little need for rest. He can metabolize greater amounts of energy from food and water than most can, and he is the most I ever plan to alter my children in one go.”
“In one go?” Pensword asked, before thinking of something else. “Also, what are your thoughts on Fizzpot? Do you want him to be a part of your hive?”
“I am divided. He is a Changeling and needs the order of the hive mind to keep himself sane, but I do not think taking him into my hive would be beneficial to him or to Moon River.”
“Yes, but is there a way to put him in the hive, but not have him be taking orders from you? Just so he, well, from what I read on notes, Changelings need the hive or link or whatever you call it. They need it like we Thestrals need the assurance of the moon. Is there a middle ground? I do not want to think what Moon River will do if she loses him.” He closed his eyes. “Besides, you can get a lot more intelligence by having him remain our butler.”
“I will… see what I can do. I’m honestly still learning everything,” Me-Me admitted.
“Then we shall make it a priority to raid Chrysalis’ camp, steal one of her teachers, and integrate that teacher into your hive,” Pensword answered with a smirk. “Still, you think you have left your guards waiting long enough?” he asked, moving his hoof around as he spoke.
“Yes,” she said as she concentrated on the hive mind. A moment later two dozen changelings in similar shape to the one that had escorted Pensword entered the room, forming into an even, disciplined line. If Pensword noticed any difference amongst them it was that their chitin armor was heavier and jagged with vicious looking spines along the sides. Each proceeded to give a unified salute to the founder. Pensword returned the salute, his face remaining flat and emotionless. The Changelings waited eagerly for Pensword to professionally judge their military potential.
Pensword stepped forward and began to march down the line. Stopping in front of each Changeling, he looked them in the eye for a few silent seconds before moving on. While Matthew was utterly confused and felt very unqualified, Pensword drew upon the training he had received during the war. Eventually, he reached the end of the line, where he looked over the group as a whole before stepping back to stand beside Me-Me. “Military stance and bearing is good, but at the moment, all they are are pretty soldiers. I do not yet know how they fight, how they train, or even their level of competence; however, from what I can see, they look the part of a military.”
“Well they have only just fully matured,” Me-Me explained. “This is their first day to test their instinctual skills.”
Pensword looked at them. “So, I am going to be present for that?”
“I was hoping you would, but I didn’t want to assume,” she said.
Pensword smiled and laughed softly. “I would love to be present for that.”
“Very well. Come with me and we will give them a moment to prepare,” Me-Me said, leading him out.
High Chieftess Princess Luna sat in one of the many studies of her new castle. Around her books upon books lay stacked in piles, ordered in rows with little pieces of paper marking key places she wanted to return to later. Another part of the study held scrolls upon scrolls of treaties and agreements from the other nations throughout Equis. She looked up at the crystal studded mirror Cadence had given her. It seemed the Crystal Empire had found a cache of old communication mirrors and Cadence wanted to keep in touch. Currently, Luna was speaking with both Shining Armor and Celestia. The mirrors was about half her height and mounted on the wall next to the bookcase, looking out at her workspace.
“Now Shining,” Celestia began, continuing the conversation. She paused as a scroll appeared in front of her. “Ah,” she said after she read it. “Please tell my niece that her little brother has returned officially and will be having a layover in New Unity. It seems he has made a great impression with the Emperor. I believe this could lead to much better relations with the Empire, at least from the Crystal Empire’s perspective. Once he’s finished returning order to Gryphonia, I believe Daedalus will be supportive of our actions. We may finally have a chance for real peace.”
“That is good,” Shining Armor responded, impressed. “Still, do I have your permission as a leader of the Empire to return to Equestria to be trained at New Unity?”
“We do not see why thou wouldst ask us to allow you to return to the land of thy birth. While thou dost rule beside our niece, we do still see thee as one of our few competent guards,” Luna said, giving Celestia a meaningful glance.
“Oh no,” Shining Armor replied. “I won’t stand by and let this argument continue. This is why we’re working on the bill, isn’t it? To make sure you two don’t keep fighting over something already done?” He sighed. “No wonder Cadance opted out of this meeting,” he muttered under his breath. “Sorry, your-” he stopped as he realized he was technically equal in rank. “Look, won’t you at least use this bill to let Twilie get a set of guards? With everything that’s happening—” he broke off as Celestia fixed him with a stern motherly look.
“I am sorry, but Twilight will need to choose on her own and for herself. For the moment, she has wished to remain as she is: a Librarian in Ponyville.” She smiled mischievously. “However, that does not mean she is not looked after. I have some undercover agents already in place to keep her safe.”
Luna nodded, “That is true; however, we have to discuss the allotment of resources. Thou knowest, sister, that I have started my own capital. That means that legally you can confiscate half of my funds for breaking away from the main capital, and-”
“No,” Celestia said, shaking her head. “I will not take any more of what is rightfully yours. I will not—”
This time Luna broke in. “No, if you will not take what the law demands, then I shall give up my half that I can legally keep to fund this.”
Shining Armor groaned. “Look, don’t we have funds set aside for future growth projects? Why don’t we just use those?”
“No,” Celestia said. “The parliament of year six hundred made certain that those funds could not be used for present or future military growth to curb some of the ambitions of the lower noble houses from trying to usurp or threaten the higher noble houses and their allies. Those rules cannot be broken.” She paused. “However, there are monetary assets that could be used. I do believe that the Commander’s pension for Pensword and Lunar Fang has been collecting dust.” She shook her head. “No, the rules of the five hundred seventy fifth Parliament merged those accounts into the main one, which technically now belongs to Hammer Strike.” She sighed. “I’ll see what I can do, but we might have to do that to seed the accounts.”
“That is good, as by my calculations,” Luna began, “the amount that needs to be confiscated is valued at about two point five billion bits. Still, that could be a start. But for us to really modernize, construct new bases, deepen and expand naval ports and harbors. It will cost almost five trillion bits when all is said and done, and a projected time frame of ten years.” She sighed. “This is without having pet projects and other cider barrels bucked in by the nobility.” She laughed. “I’m surprised that term actually lasted.”
Celestia nodded before turning her head. “We can talk about this later, sister, but I’m afraid that I’m needed in the throne room. It seems the rumors have reached my court and I have to deal with a mouthpiece for NOOB. Why Baron Blueblood won’t speak himself, I don’t know.” She smiled before her mirror faded to a white sheen. Shining Armor nodded and the other half of the mirror dropped to a color reminiscent of the Crystal Heart. Luna reached a hoof out and ended her part of the call as her mirror turned the color of her coat. She sighed. “I cannot wait till we can make the new desktop models.”
A distinctive sound filled the room as the image of The Doctor’s TARDIS faded in and out before fully landing in an empty spot inside the chamber. The doors opened, revealing Hammer Strike covered in a brown cloak, the cloak and his mane was coated faintly with dust as he looked around the room confused before setting his eyes on Luna. “Ah, hey. Quick question, what is today’s date?”
“April nineteenth, year three of my return,” Luna returned. “Is everything okay?”
Hammer Strike thought to himself for a moment. “Yes, everything is alright. Just needed to make sure the Doctor got the date right. I’ll send a letter when I-”
A scroll flashed into existence in front of Luna, bearing Hammer Strike’s seal.
“-Get back,” he finished. “Well, I need to get going again.” Hammer rolled his eyes as he turned back towards the Tardis. “Alright, Doc, you got the right date, but you need to work on where you land!” he called out, entering the TARDIS once more.
Princess Luna watched the blue box disappear. She smiled as she opened the letter. She frowned at first, then a goofy grin overtook her face as she took out a scroll and began to write a response to Hammer Strike’s letter.
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MLP: Friendship is Magic® - © 2024 Hasbro Inc.®
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That's been me, my brother and now his wife.
Get well soon!
6640128
Thank you for your well wishes, I hope you liked the chapter.
6640547
Thank you for the well wishes.
I hope you liked the chapter, and by all means do not hesitate letting us know how we did with the writing.
Clutches engage, driveshafts turn, the gears of war grind ever so slowly, for there is much to set in motion.
I forgot to ask last time, is the sphere in the Griffon museum in any way related to the Gantthor power Core, but without the Philosopher stone, and is it containing the spirit of the other person in the research group along with circlet?
Im suprised that given all the weirdness of New Unity, that Ponyville would be that much conflicted against the mere appearence of humans, unless there were some real NOOBs within, trying to stir things up, but Bon Bon shouldve noticved by now? I forgot is Assasins Creed Octavia is there either. she really needs a Hammerstrike Cello.
Moon river is aging at a rate between a month, and a year per chapter? Surely for a temporal variation that strong, the Doctor shouldve noticed something, or is the Tardis staying quiet, due to paradoxs?
Gramma says that Pensword and the rest are woefully undreprepared, with The Demon Slayers forming up, and Hammerstrike and preparations, given the Crystal empire means Sombra has been defeated, are they having to await the arrival of Tirek next, or have things been manipulated round for other storylines?
Im wondering why the Tardis doesnt seem to have an internal morphoogical, structural integrity field componant, as in that which allows the changing of rooms and layout, but should also allow the creation and proofing of controls and such structures against mere mechanical damage? Which method are you useing for Time Storms? Narrative causality, or that they are a knot of paradoxical worldlines that is only undone when the correct worldline intersects with it, causing resolution, and that worldline ending up in the paradox resolution position?
Will Hammerstrike wait till the letter, or the meeting, to talk about, demonstrate what he went to get, and he instead came back from Saddle Arabia with a Sphinx? I mean, a mile outside a small town means theres something more likely hidden under the sands, given it wasnt visible either, like a lost buried pyramid? Poor Scorpian King. Didnt know what stomped him.
The new heavy Changeling Guard means Me-Me lays 25 eggs at a time, giveing the two dozen combat and the one aide de camp, so with the resources currently, how often can she create a new batch, and how long before they are at this current stage, so they can start training, or will the first ones go slowly, as they are creating a totally new system from scratch, but the next group will be fully trained upon maturation, as due to ive mind, all teh combat mentality can be infused in them as they are formed, but more importantly, if done carefully enough, the combat trained neuromuscle memory can be grown into them before maturation as well? The moment they step out of the forming ods, they are fully combat trained and capable, due to being copied off physically, standard trained combat changelings?
The cost of gearing up for the next time, given nature is a bigger threat still than anything life does, apart form Celestia etc, but depends on how much economic effort is needed to prevent stagnation? With creating an infrastructure, seems people forget that you pay to create it, and if youre intelligent, you not only add in the cost of ongoing maintenance, but also work out how long before maintenance becomes more expensive that replacement, then calculate back for constructon time, to work out how much you have to add on top for cost of total replacement as well, given pork bellys. If this acounting is thrown out, as its future governing problem, you know you have a serious pproblem.
Been sick? I hope you are recovering, sleeping in and otherwise not wasteting health on pandering to us heathens. Was worried when there wasnt a weekend update.
I wonder if its possible to use one of those communication mirrors to let a parrallel worlds Pinkie Pie slip through.
Any news on the Haycart transfer to book, through communication, to book, to real world method at all?
I gotta ask... was this chapter title a reference to a certain 80's pop song?
Another awesome chapter I loved the Gilda & Dash bonding. And the now armed huntress, moon river the new duchess of war, the foal freedom fighter. Sorry to hear your sick, get well soon. Here's a mustached smiley face to make u feel better. :-€
As of now, you've just passed Fallout:Equestria as one of the longest story in my library. Also, Grif has TWO wives!? Or was it Pensword?
*chuckles* well...at least they are having a time off....of sorts.
6640572 I enjoyed it, also hope you get better. I know it is flu season around his time of year.
6641469 Nonono that smiley is all wrong. Its like this: ]: D
Anyways i am happy to have finally caught up with the stories end, after reading it again from the start. Phew that took quite a while.
Wish i commented more on my way through to see the actual time scale i spend on it. But what i can say is that this is an amazing story and that it will now take place in my favourite tab, as i did not want a (73 - 1) up on my library taunting me to read more.....
Anyways Cheerio!
6641792 Griff has 2 wives Shiral, and Avilon. And a marriage contract waiting till the end of the Equestrian games, with a blue grifoness named Swift Feather, a cousin to Deadilus.
Pensword only has Lunar Fang or Moonshade.
I've noticed this problem multiple times in my reading. Has anyone else noticed links being broken like this?