Twilight took a deep breath.
Good she thought to herself as she noted that her increased pulse and breathing and therefore anxiety was beginning to fade. She knew she could do this, she had studied Griffon culture extensively in the bowels of Canterlot library before coming, or rather, she had studied as much as she could while on the flight over from records recovered from so deep in the archives that they outdated the unification of the Griffon Empire entirely.
She would have preferred more primary sources, maybe some more recent texts, or possibly an interview or two from actual citizens of the griffon empire, but she would work with what she had.
Here we go. She mentally committed as she forced her way forward with increasing pace and determination.
She now appreciated the fact that there had been no staff present in the halls. At first it had disquieted her, not finding a welcoming committee, or whatever kind of reception one would give to those coming to secure their nation's surrender, but the ever-present fear of ambush had passed just as it had during the march through the streets, and the empty hall had allowed her to drop her facade enough to collect herself a little before the real test began.
She was ready.
She ignored the massive portraits that lined the walls, each showing either a massive griffon decked in finery or upon the corpses of some other being.
She was ready-
She spied to the massive oak doors that stood testament to the griffon ideal of power.
She was ready-
She looked to each of the massive timbers that reinforced the boat-hull of a doorway.
She was ready-
She made sure that her calculations were right.
She was ready.
And she released her charge.
"BOOM!"
The doors burst inwards, the immense barriers that had no doubt resisted all manner of siege and coup being all but annihilated as she continued through unimpeded.
They almost certainly weren't locked or secured, and she was momentarily saddened by the thought that she wouldn't be able to study what had likely been significant parts of griffon history, but she did what she must in order to do what needed done.
Shock and awe in everything she did. Power, plain and simple. That was what griffons respected, and respect was what she needed if this all was doing was going to go off without incident.
Confirming that her blast has knocked the doors clear from their hinges and had properly buckled without shattering into shrapnel, she was pleased to note that they had also been flung appropriately to the edges of the room. It was hard to negotiate with those who were too busy picking splinters from their eyes or being crushed by a modest house's worth of debris.
Her stride did not falter, even as she kicked stray timbers out of her path.
Big entrance: check.
Get the first word in: What better way then while they are still trying to find their doors?
"I am Twilight Sparkle!" She shouted forward, refusing to look up to anyone, "and you know why I have come!" She didn't explain herself to anyone either.
She finally drew to a halt, much closer to the throne than any petitioner would be allowed to be, yet still far enough that she wasn't talking to the steps.
"Yes, we know why you have come," a solemn voice said from off to the side of the throne.
Twilight shot her harshest glare at whatever being would dare address her in the stead of the Emperor, only to find the griffon in question wearing the iconic crown that all the paintings in the previous hall had depicted.
Twilight showed no outward signs of her surprise, keeping her glare as steady as possible.
"Then you know what I desire!" She shouted again. Volume also equated to power apparently, a point she was doing her best to follow despite the king before her apparently not doing the same.
"Yes, arrangements are in order..." the Emperor said solemnly.
"Good. We will begin at once!"
As she had hoped, the next moments more or less followed the vague description of protocol she had found.
The Emperor produced the sword of state, another artefact she would be all but giddy to encounter in any other situation, and the Emperor held it up to her as he bowed before her.
Things were going much better than expected.
She took the sword from the Emperor's talons with her magic, bringing it to herself. Peeking the blade from its sheath, she noted the masterful engraving that would be receiving a pencil etching and a lot of study later.
Everything was going as well as she had only dared hope in her most forgiving contingencies. Now all that was needed was for the Emperor to stand back up and bring them to where they could more easily discuss the terms of his surrender.
As soon as he stood back up...
...
...
...
Twilight began to feel uneasy as the pair stood unmoving, one standing proud, and the other bowing tensely.
Was she supposed to do something? Had she missed something! What was she supposed to-
"Allow me my pride, and swiftly claim your prize." He said, still prostrate, taut with tension.
What was she supposed to do!
She allowed another eternal moment to pass.
"Do not make me wait! There is no pride in delaying your conquest! Do it already!"
Were they going to do the negotiations here? Was she supposed to make her demands while he bowed before her? This was so far out of the records!
She decided to go for it.
"You will cease hostilities immediately and make ready to..." the words died in her throat as the griffon broke posture and looked up at her with flat confusion in his eyes.
"...make ready to..." Twilight tried to continue on, but the Emperor's look only grew in intensity.
"...what?" She finally asked, unable to figure out what was causing him to act so.
Apparently he was just as shocked because he made no moves either, just staring at her with that unsettling expression.
For another awkward eternity the two simply stood staring at each other, Twilight's previous stoic fortitude waning.
Finally she couldn't take it anymore.
"What! What's going on!"
He said nothing, but his eyes flitted briefly to the sword of state gripped in her magic.
No... he couldn't be...
Then it hit her.
He wasn't bowing to her...
...he was presenting his neck!
Twilight reeled in a mix of shock and revulsion.
"I'm not going to-! I-! Did you think I was going to kill you!"
The old griffon's expression defied the odds and became even more unsettling.
"You have to. Your rule is not legitimate without my head."
Twilight's mind went into shut-down at his words, operating under emergency power that granted her an odd clarity.
"What do you mean?" She asked
"Your rule cannot be secured while I yet live. I present myself to you so that my family and line may be spared by swearing themselves to you."
A deep silence allowed the words to sink in.
"No! I'm not here to- I'm here to secure your surrender!"
"And here I am before you, surrendering myself. The proper arrangements were made before your arrival. My line will serve you faithfully under the greatest of bindings. You need not fear revolt. The populace is aware of the standing of the Empire, and the families of the soldiers have been gathered. I have made certain that there is nothing that shall turn against you, for I have seen your power. For the good of the Empire, we are subject to you."
This is what happens when a Proud Warrior People get their asses handed to them. They try to find some way - any way they can find - to get the Proud back in that title.
OH SNAP!
Cultural misunderstanding at its worst. This can not end well.
Her refusal could cause major problems.
Ohhhhhh shiet
Good good twilight, net the miniature, let them see the wrath of twilight sparkle!
>You're rule cannot be secured while I yet live.
Slight typo. Now, great story and I want to see where it goes.
WELP
DIDN'T SEE THAT COMING
It's a trap Twilight! He's manipulating you! Catch him off guard and simply beat him with the flat of the blade!
Well, that took a turn for the worse rather quickly.
5052257 thx,fxd
Teleport him and fake an illusion that you killed him, deal with it later go with the flow now.
And that's why it's a sword of state?
Ohh good for a minuet there I thought he was going to present his other end. I'm fairly sure Mounting your foe is the universal sign of I Own your Ass.
Did you mean bowels?
"And you will serve most faithfully. Your life is mine and I will not see my possessions destroyed." Which would confuse the all to no end. Usefully so.
....studied Griffon culture extensively in the bowls of Canterlot library....
bowls...... sudden urge for cereal is sudden and random.
He has honor to offer his neck, to refuse is to insult him.
Okay then. Get to chopping, Twilight.
5052235
Honor in death. Very fitting for griffons but I don't think twilight has the stomach to kill the old king.
Wow, wasn't expecting that
also
Think you mean bowels here
Yeah, I don't really care if Twilight managed to destroy those doors. Because I'm sure she cant even lift the emperor's cart.
The one he uses to carry his MASSIVE balls around the castle. Because dammit, he might be daft enough to attack Equestria, but at least he accepted his failure, and is standing up and ready to pay for it. And that's more than what can be said from pretty much every villain in fiction. Or real life politicians, for that matter.
I don't THINK he will turn out to be a villain (or be killed by Twilight) anyway, but I do think this gives us a some incredible insight into how their entire culture thinks and feel, how incredibly outmatched and defeated they feel, to the point their entire species is about ready to completely give up, have their leaders sworn (read as: pretty much enslaved), and get their emperor executed.
And when Twilight says she wont kill the emperor, that she only wants his surrender... he just does not understand. For a gryphon there is no difference between surrendering to someone and being killed by them, and during the "parade" across a capital chock-full of gryphons, they did not even dare talk, or look at their conquerors eyes. They consider themselves dead, good only as the property of their conquerors. This is how it looks when an entire civilization loses his will to live.
That is how defeated the gryphons feel. And in my opinion, Sin, you couldn't have (No one could have) portrayed it better.
5052371
5052268
your both essentialy right. this particular right has actualy existed in cultures in the past. it was both and honor and a trap.
it was an honor because the ruler was given a warriors death and the conquer the honor of a kill.
it was a trap because this meant that the one to blame for the peoples pain was gone, there rage would more likely be amed at there new ruler.
A most intriguing problem. A race so proud, that it doesnt matter how many you kill, no mater how grusomely, they will only take you seriously if you chop off the head. A race that will abase themselves, no matter the humility, because surrendered by following their rulers example, rather than just being ground up and composted like any other weed.
Throw the paradox back. If the Emperor will only surrender in death, and the populance will only follow due to the sacrifice of te ruler, then state that the ruler will be the last to die. Give him th choice. His people will lose thier pride, by his living. Or they will lose their pride, by ceasing to exist. Also. their names, images, and creations would be struck from the history books.
Wonder if Twilight can abuse the Knighthood principle here. Cut his neck with the blade, and declare him dead. He now has a life bond to serve her? After all, If she can blast those doors, which she hadnt been able to study personally before doing her calculations, surely she can walk out with a head, and a blood orange?
As you may possibly tell, I am in no way diplomatic. My prefered method is to avoid all the mess and time taken due to advertising, and just rewire a populations mind directly by remote. Cheap, simple, no invasion needed. And yet, for some reason people complain.
5052278
It was a slight miss-translating. Its not the sword OF state. Is the sword FOR the state.
5052422 ...they're very intelligent bowls, if that counts for anything.
Nah, she has an out, pass the buck to Celestia and ship him in chains to her amd let her play executioner. And she even has a good excuse in why, as Twilight is beholden to Celestia so its her right to take the Griffon Empire for her own, Twilight is just a general in service to another.
So commit a cold blooded execution or throw an entire nation into a panic/chaos I can't wait to see how Twi tries to get out of this one
5052455 I thought it was a good joke.
5052426 Very insightful, with some pretty heavy implications. Twilight must now realize that she is seen as a merciless conqueror, and that, though she has never taken a life, is still viewed as someone who would kill in cold blood for the mildest offence. The reason for this? The griffins can't comprehend any other type of hostile takeover.
Also, if the author wants to get more complicated... ponies are not perfect. I've been reading "All Quiet on the Western Front" recently, and at some point one character remarks that give someone power and they will run wild with it, the lower they were previously the more they will abuse their newfound power.
If a Equestrian lower-level officer and a group of foot soldiers were to abuse their power over the griffin populace, they only reinforce Twilight's unintentional reputation. Seeing her deal with this, and perhaps getting the Mane Six's views on matters, would really enhance the story. How would the relation between Gilda and Rainbow Dash be effected with RD being BFFs with Twilight the Terrible? Furthermore, a talk between Twilight and a griffin civilian could prove enlightening at some point in the story.
I guess what I'm trying to say is, this has a vast amount of potential, and so far you've done a pretty good job. Looking forward to more... MUCH more.
I think she will claim that is not enough and say I will transmute you into an *insert object*(orange) for the same length this conflict has has lasted this will be viewed as strange, but will be an honorable substitute for beheading him by making him supposedly suffer for his foolish attempt at conquering Equestria though not as honorable as death for him she can excuse this as a hero's death would be a reward not a punishment so he will be given an unusual punishment.
5052562 But when exactly is an execution NOT in cold blood? It would hardly be an execution if the executionee were given a chance to fight back.
5052562 By taking the third option: Keep him as an exotic pet
Rock, Hard Place, meet Twilight Sparkle, she going to be spending some time between you two.
5052679
5052707
I hope both of your comments happen.
5052921 So do I and the effort to free the king will be called the Orange Rebellion.
5052956
Only for them to face an army of Froanges, and Orangeutans, Armed with enough creepy pasta, to make it a real Noodle Incident, as well as backed by a tub of Rainbow Dash's and Sweetie Belle's cooking.
5052973 [youtube=www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3ALwKeSEYs]
5052825
Cold blooded implies it was done out of something like ruthless pragmatism or preplanned logic rather than an emotional and/or heat of the moment act. For example a summary battlefield execution could be made in chaotic emotional circumstances but still stand as an official execution.
5052278
Cause nothing's sharper than republic justice.
I get the distinct impression that at some point in the next chapter or two Twilight's going to declare something to the tune of "yeah fuck that noise, Equestria's rule is legitimate until someone has the stones to prove otherwise." Bloodless, and keeps the tough facade going.
I hope she takes what will become known in diplomacy textbooks for years to come as "The Twilight Solution": "Emperor, I sentence you to suffer the same fate as all those brave ponies who perished in this foolish war of yours!" *sheathes blade* "Luckily for you, not a single pony died in this conflict."
*Alondro whispers into Twi's brain with his evil dark powers* Do it, Twilight! Strike the Emperor down with all of your hatred, and take your father's place at my side!
*Twilight erms to the mysterious head voice* My dad never worked for a weirdo like you...
*a moment of silence* Damn it, I knew I was forgetting something...
5052562 Discord recommends the panic and chaos.
Ah, cultural differences. They make such awkward situations, don't they?
5052452 Mind control backfires badly when used on the insane. Their abnormal brain chemistry causes all manner of unpredictable results.
Might I suggest that the rating go from "everyone" to "teen"? It feels a bit nitpicky to say, but a beheading, whether it happens or not, is at least a PG-13 type of thing. I highly doubt that that change in rating will affect who reads this but I feel the need to ask for the change in rating anyway. On another note, this is an interesting turn of events and I look forward to seeing how Twilight deals with this.
5053320 Good call. I thought it was set to teen already, so thanks for catching that.
An interesting turn of events, and a number of comments giving Twilight possible outs. Looking forward to more.
Keep up the good work. Deus tecum.
Probably should have a comma after "good". Even if it wasn't a thought, that still looks weird without some kind of punctuation.
I feel like this comma should be a semicolon. Or a period. Just not a comma.
Don't think you need a comma there.
She was ready.
She ignored the massive portraits that lined the walls, each showing either a massive griffon decked in finery or upon the corpses of some other being.
She was ready-
She spied to the massive oak doors that stood testament to the griffon ideal of power.
She was ready-
She looked to each of the massive timbers that reinforced the boat-hull of a doorway.
She was ready-
She made sure that her calculations were right.
She was ready.
All but the first and last "She was ready" feel extraneous and a little unnecessary. What were you going with here?
Question mark, not exclamation point. or use both. Either/or.
Well, read, but technicalities.
Or rather, not everything is as well-documented as one particular mare would hope.
Still, I wonder how Twi'll get out of this situation.
I get the feeling there will be a culture clash.
I also get the feeling that the war was less 'We Will Rule the World!' and there was more to it.