Chapter 17 - Presenting the Evidence
Arc and his friends walk down the corridor toward the Dining Room. Each of the Mane Six are wearing their respective Element as well as their gala dresses. Twilight turns to Arc.
“I’m certainly glad that whole mess is behind us and the princesses are on the mend.”
Rainbow Dash grins. “Yeah! It was really a scary situation for a while there.”
Rarity forces a small smile. “Perhaps now we can enjoy the closing dinner.”
Fluttershy keeps her head down nervously. “I sure hope so.”
Pinkie shouts. “Come on, everypony! It’s a PARTY!”
She pulls a Party Cannon seemingly out of nowhere. Applejack puts a hoof on it.
“Now hold on just a minute! This place needs to stay clean!”
Arc chuckles. “Maybe later they’ll be time for that, Pinkie.”
“Okay!”
They continue on their way. As they enter the Dining Room they find the delegates sitting at a single long table. They stand and applaud. As the din quiets Arc speaks.
“Thank you all for coming. As Equestria’s temporary ruler I want to thank you all for bearing with us through this difficult time.”
Another round of applause ensues.
“As of now, the princesses are resting aboard my ship. My Chief Medical Officer assures me that they’ll make a full recovery in a matter of days. I want to take this opportunity to thank Hydra Prime Ikis for willingly donating the humor needed to prepare the cure.”
Ikis stands as the assembled delegates applaud.
“I am very happy that the Hydra Nation and Equestria are on the road to putting the past behind us and moving forward together.”
He looks around the room.
“While it may take some time, I do hope that all nations can become friends. We may physically be very different. However, like it or not, we all share the same world. Fighting and war… bloodshed and death… these are all part of this land’s past. As are the tales of many nations I’m told. Should we continue to fight? Shall we continue to wage war against one another? Did that work in the past? What can we do now to shape our world’s future? These are all questions we must ask ourselves as leaders.”
Arc pauses before continuing.
“Several of you have young ones you are raising. I myself am no exception to this. So I’d like to close with this simple question. Would you rather leave the next generation a world full of bickering and war? Or would you prefer they inherit a peaceful world free of the horrors of such things. The choice is yours. Thank you.”
Those assembled applaud as the food is brought out of the Kitchen by the servants. Arc motions for Twilight and her friends to proceed to the table. He sits at the head as the others take the six seats in front of him, three on each side. Twilight sits on Arc’s right hand.
“Rarity?”
“Yes?”
Arc gestures to the seat on his left. “Would you please sit here?”
“Oh, no! There’s certainly others more deserving than I am!”
Applejack chuckles. “Aw, go ahead. This whole thing came together thanks to you.”
Fluttershy smiles at her. “Yes. You worked so hard on this.”
Pinkie pushes Rarity toward the chair. “Yeah!”
Rainbow Dash winks at her friend. “Come on! You’ve earned this!”
Rarity blushes slightly. “Well, all right then.”
She carefully sits down and looks to Arc.
“Th-thank you.”
Arc smiles at her. “It’s I who should be thanking you. I never could have pulled this off alone. You and Twilight really came together to make this possible.”
He looks to the servants and nods. They step forward and set plates in front of each guest Twilight looks around the table as everyone begins to eat.
“I still can’t believe this is happening!”
Ember turns to Twilight. “Me either! But I’m happy to be a part of it nonetheless.”
Sereb nods. “As are the Forsaken.”
Kane growls as he turns to Gestal, Ghaleon, and Ashe. “Yes. But why are the traitors still here?!”
The delegates murmur amongst themselves for a time.
Felix nods soberly. “I agree with the Forsaken representative. One of their highest officials took advantage of my nation for many years! And now one of their own openly attacks the princesses of Equestria!”
Kane frowns. “Indeed! Why should this act be allowed to stand?!”
Iris nods. “I must agree with my son. Their treachery is apparent to all. How are we to know they will not come for the rest of us if given the chance?”
Tugem looks to the griffons. “The ogre nation will also be very wary of the Griffon Kingdom in the future due to this act of betrayal.”
The Marquis turns to Tugem. “That may be. However the traitor was apprehended by my friend, Arc.”
Ikis nods. “Indeed. The hydra will not judge their entire nation based on the misguided actions of one individual.”
Ember clenches her fists under the table. “While I too found the actions of Lord Goldstone totally out of line, I… the Dragon Lands will not make enemies of the Griffon Kingdom over this.”
Rutherford frowns. “Yaks not like betrayal! Yaks no make friends with griffons!”
Arc looks around the room. “It would appear we are quite split on this matter. I do admit there is merit to both sides of the argument.”
Gestal sighs. “So it would seem.”
Fiona looks to Arc. “I’d like to hear the princesses’ point of view on this. After all, they were the injured party in this matter.”
Sereb nods. “That would certainly be for the best. Perhaps they could soothe the fiery tempers around this table.”
Arc shakes his head. “Sadly that won’t be possible, as they need their rest.”
Kane eyes the griffons suspiciously. “And whom do we have to thank for that?!”
“Brother, please. Let Lord Arc continue.”
“Thank you. While I am not the princesses, I do have complete authority to speak for them, and Equestria, in this matter. Let it be known here and now that they do not hold the actions of Lord Goldstone against the nation of the griffons.”
Ashe looks surprised. “That is very kind of them. After all, something like this cannot be easily overlooked.”
Ghaleon frowns. “Agreed. What would they like as restitution?”
Gestal nods as he turns to Arc. “Yes. If it is within our power, it will be done.”
“They only want one thing. The success of this peace summit. And that can’t happen with discord amongst everyone.”
Ember forces a smile. “Agreed. We must be able to put this act behind us.”
Felix sighs. “Such things are not easily accomplished, Dragon Lord.”
Fiona nods as she looks to Arc. “Yes. However in consideration for our hosts, we should make an attempt to carry out their wishes. It is the least we can do considering our own recent past with Equestria.”
Arc smiles. “Thank you. In the spirit of forgiveness, I’d like to propose a toast.”
He takes his cup and stands.
“To our allies across the sea and those whom share this world. To this summit and those whom made it possible. And to the loftiest goal of all… peace.”
Arc raises his glass as the rest of the room stands.
“To peace!”
“TO PEACE!”
Everyone takes a drink and sits. A guard quickly approaches Arc and salutes.
“Begging your pardon, sire, but Miss Rose requests an immediate audience with you.”
“I see.”
Arc looks over the assembled guests apologetically.
“Forgive me, but it appears something has come up.”
Gestal nods. “Such is the life of a ruler, Lord Arc.”
Ember smiles warmly at him. “We understand.”
“I will try to return as soon as possible.”
Arc turns and follows the guard out of the room. The delegates turn to one another. Rutherford laughs.
“He going to miss out on great meal!”
Ikis chuckles. “It would appear it cannot be helped.”
The Marquis turns to his friend. “Such is the role of one whom presides over a country as large as Equestria.”
Iris nods. “Yes. The Forsaken understand this all very well.”
Ember looks confused. “Could you please explain, Matriarch? Your nation certainly isn’t nearly as large as Lord Arc’s.”
“That may be. But we were allied with this land long before anyone here was born.”
Kane nods soberly. “Well, allied with the three pony races anyway.”
“It is a similar concept, brother.”
Gestal turns to those assembled. “The Griffon Kingdom is proud to have a treaty with this land. The leadership within its borders is most certainly second to none.”
Ghaleon frowns. “Yes. However, they also have any number of trump cards to play.”
He turns to Twilight and her friends.
“Tell me. Do all of you serve your princesses… cheerfully?”
Twilight raises an eyebrow, confused. “I don’t quite understand what you mean.”
Ashe clears her throat. “Arbiter Ghaleon is asking if you’re happy with your roles.”
Rainbow Dash grins. “Of course we are! Right everypony!”
Pinkie laughs. “I sure am!”
Applejack smiles. “Me too!”
Rarity bats a bit of hair from her eyes as the delegates look to her. “As am I!”
Fluttershy shrinks back. It’s… quite an honor.”
Twilight nods. “And we do what we must willingly.”
Rutherford grins. “Well put! But yak still think you six very small for warriors!”
Felix chuckles. “One should not think less of them for their size.”
Iris gestures to the Abyssinians. “Yes. After all, King Felix demonstrated that size is most certainly not everything when facing an opponent.”
Ember nods. “Agreed. After all, they took down that Ursa Minor together.”
Kane looks to Twilight and her friends, curiously. “Yes. Tell me, how did you do that?”
Twilight looks up at her crown. “By combining our Elements.”
Applejack puts a hoof on her Element. “For this to work, all six of us have to be in agreement.”
Iris looks at Applejack. “I see. And you six are the only ones who are capable of doing this?”
Rarity nods. “That we are.”
Ashe leans forward. “Interesting. Why is that?”
Rainbow Dash grins. “Because each of us represent our Element!”
Twilight nods. “Right.”
Ghaleon frowns. “Weaponizing mares. It lacks honor.”
Rainbow Dash frowns. “And what’s THAT supposed to mean!”
Gestal looks to his associate. ”Please, Arbiter Ghaleon.”
He looks to the Mane 6 apologetically.
“Please forgive my companion. He was merely making an observation on a difference in our cultures.”
Twilight nods. “All is forgiven.”
Rainbow Dash turns away indignantly. “Whatever…”
Ashe muses to herself. “The Elements of Harmony. I wonder what really makes them work.”
Meanwhile, Arc makes his way to his office. As expected Rose is watching the camera feeds dutifully.
“You needed to see me?”
Rose nods as she continues her vigil. “Yes. It’s about the one whom poisoned the princesses.”
“Goldstone? He’s in Canterlot Castle’s dungeon now. I doubt he’ll be able to cause any more trouble there.”
“I actually wanted to talk to you about that.”
A short time later Arc stomps out of his office and storms down the corridor. He mutters under his breath as he makes his way back to his quarters.
“I can’t freaking believe this!”
As the guards part to allow Arc access he hurries into his quarters and over to the sigil. Meanwhile outside Goldstone’s cell a hooded figure approaches.
“Well now… it would appear everything did not go according to your plan.”
Goldstone frowns. “It did not, Dark One.”
The Dark One holds up a shrouded hoof. “In any case, let me get you out of that cage.”
“No.”
“You wish to stand trial?”
“Of course not! But if I escape now I’ll be seen as nothing but a criminal. Hopefully I’ll be able to prove my innocence. If not, I suppose then you should come get me.”
The Dark One nods. “Very well. I’ve already taken steps of my own.”
Goldstone appears confused. “What? But you disagreed with my plan from the start.”
“Agreed. However that does not mean others did not sow their own seeds into it.”
Goldstone narrows his eyes. “To what end?”
The Dark One chuckles as he walks away. “Let’s just say this charade is far from over. You’ll see. Or, if things go well, you won’t.”
Raising a shadowy hoof the Dark One opens a portal and steps through it. Goldstone sighs.
“The others are involved. Wonderful. This does not bode well for HIS plan either.”
Meanwhile, Arc appears on the sigil in his room in Canterlot Castle. Running through the doors he races down the corridor. Eventually he arrives at the dungeon. The guard on duty is speaking to Trixie. She is levitating a tray of food. They straighten up and salute as he approaches.
“I need to see Goldstone right away!”
“Right this way, sir.”
The guard leads them to the cell. At the sight of Arc the prisoner walks over to the bars and glares at him. Trixie slides the tray of food through a small door in the bars. Goldstone ignores her and keeps his gaze focused on Arc.
“I suppose you’re here to heap more crimes on me.”
“No.”
Goldstone nervously takes a step back. “I… what other reason would you have to…?”
“Lord Goldstone. You’re a detestable, arrogant, pompous fool who doesn’t give a damn about anyone else’s life, well-being, or safety. Honestly, I’m rather enjoying seeing you in that cell.”
Arc narrows his eyes.
“But you didn’t do it… did you?”
“Of course not! Do you take me for a fool?!”
“Trixie believes he must have had something to gain from the princesses’ illness, sir.”
“Perhaps. But infinitely more to lose.”
Arc turns to the guard.
“Release the prisoner to me.”
“Yes sir.”
The guard puts the key in the lock and opens the door. Goldstone cautiously steps out.
“Wha-what do you plan to do with me?!”
“Sadly… return you to Light’s Hope and the rest of the griffon delegation.”
Goldstone frowns. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll denounce your actions to my government?!”
“No.”
Trixie raises an eyebrow. “Sir?”
Arc points a finger at Goldstone. “You’re going to help me by smoothing this matter over neatly.”
Goldstone smirks. “And if I refuse you’ll do what? Kill me? I don’t think that will go over well after you promised me a fair trial.”
Arc raises his gauntlet and opens a portal. “Whether or not you help me is up to you. You’ll live either way. Or at the very least, I won’t be the one responsible for your death.”
Goldstone narrows his eyes. “Are you threatening me?!”
“I am not. Come with me and I’ll explain my proposal.”
Sighing Goldstone enters the portal with Trixie. Arc follows them. As they arrive in his quarters he turns to Trixie.
“Head to the Dining Room with a detachment of guards and await us there.”
“Yes sir.”
She hurries out of the room as Arc turns to Goldstone.
“You’re coming with me.”
“I’ll do no such…!”
Arc grabs Goldstone by his beak and Blinks the pair to his office. Rose nods to him at their arrival.
“Preparations are complete, Arc.”
“Good.”
Goldstone roughly shakes his beak loose. “The security office? What are we doing HERE?!”
“Having a friendly chat before we return to the Dining Room.”
Goldstone smirks. “Hoping I’ll go along with you on this?”
“Yes.”
“Fool! You arrested me and tossed me in a cell like a common criminal! Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t march right to Lord Gestal and tell him of your incompetence?!”
Rose looks to Goldstone, coldly. “Because he still thinks you’re guilty.”
“Not to worry. I’ll inform everyone of your innocence, Goldstone.”
“You had best do so at once! As it stands, you really have nothing with which to bargain with!”
Arc shakes his head. “Not true. Rose, show him.”
“Right away .”
She turns and pushes a few buttons on a nearby machine. A video feed is pulled up on the main monitor. Endless sand stretches out before them. Goldstone raises an eyebrow.
“What is this? It looks similar to Abyssinia.”
Arc nods. “That’s because it is. Just watch.”
The back of Sereb’s head comes into view.
“Did you put a camera on that beast?!”
Arc shakes his head. “The camera was me.”
“That doesn’t make any sense!”
“All will be made clear soon enough.”
The scene of Arc looking left and right bring Ember, Max, Hugh, Viktor, and Xenos into view. Goldstone raises an eyebrow.
“Interesting. We were not aware you invaded Abyssinia.”
“Hardly. They invited me.”
Sereb descends the Lunar Destiny’s gangplank. The squad surrounds Arc as he slowly rides into the city. They make their way cautiously down the empty streets. Goldstone shakes his head.
“Fool.”
Rose looks over, confused. “Huh?”
“He’s walking right into a trap. The Abyssinians are known for such treachery.”
Arc frowns. “Shut up and keep your eyes on the screen!”
Sereb points to a door. Arc dismounts and knocks before Blinking inside and opening the door.
“Your safehouse, I assume.”
“No. A citizen’s home.”
“Breaking and entering now?”
“Getting answers.”
The visage of Arc slowly entering the room plays out. A small and very thin female cat with white fur and luminous blue eyes slowly emerges from under the bed. Although she is covered by simple clothing, they can see she is very malnourished. Belle shakily walks over to the table and lies a very small kitten on a makeshift bed of blankets. The little one whimpers and shakes as if cold. Even in the dim light from the open door they can see the tiny ribs of the infant as she labors to breathe. Belle stands shakily before Arc. Closing her eyes as the tears course down her cheeks. Goldstone turns to Arc, angrily.
“What is this?! How DARE you treat captives this way!”
Arc shakes his head. “Belle wasn’t my prisoner. She was yours.”
“I swear I don’t know what you’re talking about!”
Arc motions to Rose. She presses a few more buttons as Arc turns back to Goldstone.
“Well then, why don’t we see if was can jog your memory?”
The screen flickers to life as another video appears. Deftly the camera pans over the scene before them from the deck of the Lunar Destiny. The figures of countless starving Abyssinians lined up for food can be seen. Goldstone frowns.
“While horrible, what does this have to do with me?”
“EVERYTHING!”
“I don’t understand.”
“Griffonstone supplies Abyssinia with food, correct?!”
“Normally, yes. Why do you ask?”
Arc points a finger at the screen. “Then why were they starving?!”
“Because they refused to pay! This is the monarch’s fault! Not mine!”
“You HAD to know things were bad there!”
“Of course I did!”
“And that the Storm King had taken EVERYTHING from them!”
Goldstone frowns. “I asked them if they had anything else to pay with other than currency! They were the ones whom said no! Believe me, I was more than open to…!”
Arc grabs Goldstone by the throat and slams him against a wall.
“I know all about your… proposal!”
Goldstone claws helplessly at Arc’s gauntlet with his talons. “It was… more than fair! Their subjects would have been fed that very day! They refused to come up with any form of payment whatsoever! What was I supposed to do?!”
“You had a ship full of food and were surrounded by starving citizens! What do you think?!”
“The Griffon Kingdom isn’t running a charity! We have to feed our own!”
Arc turns to Rose as he roughly tosses Goldstone away.
“Pull up the third video.”
“Yes sir.”
Goldstone mutters indignantly as he composes himself. Before long the screen shows a posh room with numerous large pillows. King Felix and Queen Fiona sit before Arc.
Felix looks to Arc. “As we told you, Lord Goldstone wanted to make a deal for a shipment of preserves.”
Fiona sighs. “A very large shipment, I might add.”
Arc frowns. “But there was the detail of payment.”
“Correct. We still have very little to speak of as far as tangible goods or money goes.”
Fiona nods. “He knew that from his previous visits! So he made us a very ‘generous’ offer.”
“What kind of offer?”
Felix growls. “A bad one!”
“Indeed. He would send us a transport filled with various preserves at no charge.”
Arc appears confused. “An act of goodwill? Why wait until now?! Your citizens were starving earlier!”
Felix nods. “There was a catch.”
“I’m not surprised.”
Fiona looks down. “He… wanted a very special favor.”
“A favor?”
“He would only give us the preserves if… if…”
The queen is silent for a time before looking back at Arc with a pained expression on her face.
“…if I spent the night with him.”
Arc motions for Rose to stop the video as he turns to Goldstone.
“Very unbecoming of a lord.”
“I’ll deny that! You can’t prove anything!”
Arc puts his hands on his hips. “Oh really? You think everyone’s going to take your side over Queen Fiona AND me?”
Goldstone’s pupils shrink as Arc turns to Rose.
“Loop it and replay when ready.”
“Yes sir.”
Goldstone shakes his head. “It doesn’t matter what they think! I’m still a member of the Council of Lords!”
“…if I spent the night with him.”
Arc nods wickedly. “That you are. But how long do you think that would remain true?”
“Wha… what do you mean?”
“…if I spent the night with him.”
“The other members of the council certainly would want to distance themselves from someone who was guilty of such actions, would they not?”
Goldstone turns up his beak at this. “HA! The Griffon Kingdom needs me!”
“…if I spent the night with him.”
Arc raises an eyebrow. “Needs you? So there’s no one who can do that job other than you?”
“Right!”
Arc scoffs. “So what did they do before you came along?”
“Well… no one as qualified as I am, I suppose.”
“…if I spent the night with him.”
“So life in the Griffon Kingdom would continue without you?”
“I suppose so. But our king would never bow to the pressure!”
Arc frowns at him. “From within the council, or internationally?”
“What do you mean?”
“…if I spent the night with him.”
Arc slowly walks toward Goldstone as he talks. “Think about it. You’re the Griffon Kingdom’s ambassador to the rest of the world. Would they want to deal with you if this became public knowledge?”
Goldstone frowns. “Threatening to turn your royal pets on me?”
“They have their own opinions and wills, of course. But if I were to speak out against you, they would certainly take notice and listen to what I had to say.”
“…if I spent the night with him.”
Goldston glares at Rose. “Would you turn that incessant racket off?!”
Arc looks down at him. “What are you scared of, Goldstone? The truth?”
“What IS the truth, but what others perceive?!”
“…if I spent the night with him.”
“The truth is you were willing to let others die because you wanted to get something out of it.”
“What’s wrong with that?! I gave them options, which they didn’t accept! But I don’t expect you to understand the comings and goings of griffon society!”
“Maybe you’re right. But why don’t we let Lord Gestal decide that, shall we?”
Arc moves toward the door as Goldstone fumes. His hand is on the doorknob as Goldstone mutters something.
“What would it take?”
“Hm?”
“To buy your silence, you fool?!”
Arc turns around. “You want to bribe me?”
“What I want… is to make a deal!”
“…if I spent the night with him.”
“And shut that thing off!”
Arc nods to Rose. She stops the video as Arc turns back to Goldstone.
“I’d be willing to keep to keep quiet about this whole matter. But I need something from you in return, Lord Goldstone.”
Goldstone backs away nervously. “Wha… what do you mean?!”
Arc frowns. “I’d like to make a deal.”
Goldstone sighs. “I’m listening.”
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gold and ambrosia :D
10598809
Arc played hardball with Goldstone, the business mogul... and won!
My, how the tables have turned.
10599045
Tables, no more like gears in the cogs of a greater machine. Called it on the Dark One ans his crew!nwn MORE PLEASE!
Who is Goldstone more scared of,Arc or the Dark One, and how much would he want to take the Dark One down before they kill him in return, likly preemptively?
10599348
Indeed. However there is still more to this volume, and nothing is quite as it seems. Remember... it is not over until it is over.
The clues are still above each chapter for a reason.
10599452
If Goldstone is smart he'll fear The Dark One more than Arc. Goldstone knows that Arc is certainly a formidable foe. However one that would most likely not kill him. The Dark One would certainly not extend such mercy.