Knight of Equestria - On Distant Shores

by SupraMacPringles

Chapter 34: Politics

The streets of Canterlot were now nearly empty, save for the beasts crawling the streets. The King cloaked in red walked the streets as well, hoping some ponies hadn't made it out in his time limit. There had been no signs of life. The city was deathly quiet. Though within it, there in fact was a small group of stragglers. Lead by a white unicorn stallion who wore a suit and monocle, they carefully snuck around the roaming monsters. The group was entirely unicorns, all but three of which were local residents.

They moved silently and communicated through hoof gestures. They headed in the direction of the city limits since the train was no longer running. As they continued to sneak, the smallest among them began to fall behind. A filly with a light gray coat had gotten one of small hooves stuck in some uneven bricks in the road, which lead to her father going back to help her. As he did, one of the winged monsters unleashed by the usurper spotted them.

The silence was broken as their leader shouted "Scatter!" and the young pony's hoof finally came unstuck. The filly and her father were joined by her mother and the three of them took off in some random direction as the hunter closed in. The beasts that roamed the streets were now making all sorts of noises, more than likely spotting the ponies as well. They ran and ran, taking every sharp corner they could to try and throw off their pursuers.

Unfortunately for them, they found themselves at a dead end. One of the large beasts, cat-like in mannerisms, closed in on them slowly. Like a predator closing in on prey. It's bony face bore large fangs, and the parents tried their best to shield their child. As the monster reared up on it's hind legs to attack, a large blade pierced it from behind. The ponies began to unfurl from their defensive positions. The runes on the blade began to glow a deep red and the creature seemed to get sucked into the sword itself.

There before them stood the human who had stolen their kingdom.

"Now, now, can't have any of that. Not yet, anyway." he said, sheathing his sword. "I assume I don't need to tell you things will be worse if you run from me, correct?"

…...

Back in Ponyville, Matthew Nabal sat alone in the library, casually gazing out of the window. Ponyville had become somewhat of a refugee camp, and Twilight was out managing the chaos with Spike assisting her. The library had been suddenly lonely as night began to fall outside, at the very least a comfort that Princess Luna was still okay. He had considered reading, but found himself so lost in thought that he couldn't focus. The ponies outside who had escaped Gabriel's grasp had quickly turned on Matt as another human. It was a prejudice he was unused too, seeing as most people, no matter the species, seemed to be pretty accepting.

The library door burst open, shaking Matt from his pondering. In walked two young fillies Matt had recognized as two thirds of the Cutie Mark Crusaders.

"Aw, she isn't here either, Scootaloo." said Applebloom.

"Well where else could she be? We've been looking all day." Scootaloo replied.

"Missing someone, girls?" Matt asked from his seat at the window.

"Oh, hey Matt. We can't find Sweetie Belle anywhere!" Applebloom said.

"She's not at her house and she's not at Rarity's." Scootaloo added.

"Hmm... well, she hasn't been by here. If I recall correctly, Rarity mentioned that her family was in Canterlot. Maybe they're stuck in all that confusion outside?"

"Oh yeah, she could be! Thanks Matt!" yelled back Scootaloo as her and Applebloom left as quick as they came.

Matt had begun to wish they had stayed a bit longer as the loneliness crept back into the library. He laughed to himself as he recalled a time he wanted nothing more than to be alone. Nearby him on a small table sat his journal, filled with excerpts and ramblings from the man he used to be. He had started writing in it again since Twilight gave it back to him. He picked it up, dabbed a quill in ink and wrote. He wrote about the state of things in Equestria, the loneliness being ostracized was bringing, and the dull pain that persisted on the back of his head. He would write about anything to distract himself.

He had been writing for so long, he hadn't noticed the time pass. The moon was high in the sky as Twilight and Spike finally returned home.

"Welcome back." Matt greeted.

"Tired. Sleep." was all Spike said, something Matt swore he had heard the young dragon say before.

Twilight looked very tired as well as she mustered a "Hello." upon shutting the front door.

"I'm sorry I can't help with the workload, Twilight." Matt said. "I don't think those Canterlot ponies would want my help, anyway."

Twilight smiled weakly at the human. "I know you would help if you could, Matt. I'll be fine." she noticed the quill and book nearby him. "Were you writing something?"

"Oh, yes. I just had the sudden urge to write down my thoughts."

Twilight walked over to him and sat down next to him. "May I?" she asked.

Matt held the book up and Twilight floated it over to herself before magically dropping it. Matt picked it up and held it open for her. "I know you've read most of this already, but I've tried to add to it every so often-" he stopped as he felt her weight suddenly fall onto him. She was suddenly asleep next to him, leaning against him for support.

Matt smiled at the sleeping mare next to him as he reached down and brushed some of her striped mane out of her face. He pondered a way to get up without disturbing her before being content to lean back in the seat and let her rest. He had slept in worse places, after all.

The next day, Matt awoke in the same chair he slept in, but Twilight was gone. After getting up and looking around, he found that Spike had gone, too. He surmised they were back outside, helping with the Canterlot refugees.

As he looked out the window he noticed that the commotion had all but ceased and that some sort of vehicle was rolling towards Ponyville. He couldn't get a good view, but he definitely saw a hooded pony riding atop it. The frustration of being unable to do anything had reached a peak, so after a moment of hesitation, he decided to go outside.

…...

Meanwhile, Rarity had come to Twilight Sparkle as she helped settle the now mostly calmed wave of Canterlot ponies. "Twilight!" she shouted. "Have you seen my parents or Sweetie Belle? I haven't seen them since that horrible Gabriel arrived." she asked, desperately.

"I haven't seen them, Rarity. But they must be here somewhere; I'm still looking for my own parents as well, there are just so many ponies to get to."

"But Twilight, why wouldn't they just come find us right away? What if they got stranded in Canterlot?" Rarity said hysterically.

"Rarity, they can't-" Twilight stopped as she noticed the approaching vehicle.

It was slightly bigger than a carriage and had a pony wearing a violet cloak with gold trim riding on it, assuredly Amethyst, while it was pulled by large skeleton horse-like creatures. Every pony in the area backed away from it's path. It came into town and stopped with it's side facing the crowd, as well as Twilight and Rarity. Amethyst flipped off her hood to address them.

"Ponies of Ponyville!" she shouted in a cold, stern voice. "... and former residents of Canterlot." she added. "As you know, the city of Canterlot was to be evacuated by order of the King. While most of you actually followed instructions, there are those among you who defied the King's order. These ponies must be punished!" she said.

She teleported from the top of the caravan as it unfolded, revealing seven ponies chained to the caravan's floor. Horror overtook Twilight and Rarity as they were revealed.

"Mom...? D-dad...?" Twilight uttered.

"Sweetie Belle! Mother, father!" Rarity yelled, quickly trotting over to the caravan, only to be intercepted as Amethyst reappeared directly in front of her. Rarity looked up and noticed the other two ponies as well, being well-known celebrity Fancy Pants and the white unicorn super-model who was always with him.

"These seven unicorns were found within city limits after the designated time limit was exhausted. As such, by order of the King, they will be made examples of." Amethyst said.

Twilight Sparkle had approached the makeshift stage as well, Amethyst moving to intercept her as well.

"And what are you going to do to them?!" Twilight demanded, mere inches from Amethyst's neutral expression.

"That isn't for me to decide." Amethyst said, taking a few steps backwards as a sword pierced through the ground between her and Twilight. Every pony took several steps back as the sword, from underground, ripped a gash in the earth. After the hole was opened, the sword went back into it only to be replaced by a clawed hand that pulled itself onto solid ground.

"Greetings, my little peons!" Gabriel said, after crawling from the hole and taking a bow. The spot he had cut through had sealed itself. He inhaled deeply as if taking in the world and wore a large smile. "Now today is a fine day for a public execution!" he said, climbing aboard the caravan and next to his prisoners.

"Y-you can't do that!" Twilight shouted, desperate for all of this to stop.

"Oh, I can. The real question is where to start." he replied.

The prisoners wriggled in their binds and tried their best to ignore what Gabriel was saying.

Rainbow Dash, who had been patrolling nearby, dived as fast as she could in an attempt to save them. She was shocked to be clutched by a human hand as Gabriel grabbed her mid flight, by one of her hind legs, no less. "Hey! Put me down!" she insisted.

"Heroics are overrated, my dear." he said, tossing her into the air. She regained her mid-air balance and resumed hovering. "Try that again and you'll be joining them." Rainbow growled in defiance and gritted her teeth, ready to try again no matter the cost. Gabriel noticed this and drew his sword, resting it near the unicorn Fancy Pants' head. Rainbow Dash slowly fluttered to the ground in defeat. "Now that's more like it." Gabriel said, laughing.

The human paced around his captives, sword held down as if to make sure they saw it. "Now then." he said, turning to face the crowd. "Should we have a vote to decide who goes first?"

Rarity had approached the caravan and looked up to him. "Please, sir, can you find it in your heart to release them? They haven't done anything wrong." she said, trying to reason with him.

Gabriel crouched down to be nearly eye level with her. "Trying to appeal to my sympathy? I admire the effort, but my sympathy died when I was banished all those years ago. My word as King is law. Lawbreakers must be dealt with." he said. He stood back up and walked to the prisoners once more. "If the people won't decide, I'll just start with..." he pointed his sword at Rarity and Sweetie Belle's father. "You."

As he raised his sword, ready to crash it down on the stallion, the crowd gasped and most covered their eyes.

"Wait!" someone from the back shouted.

Gabriel smirked when he noticed who it was. He pointed his sword into the crowd. "Step forward." he said. At the back of the crowd stood Matthew Nabal. The crowd parted to allow him to walk forward. "Matthew Nabal. Am I to assume you wish to join these lawbreakers on the chopping block?" Gabriel said.

"I-I do not, your majesty. My wish is for you to reconsider their sentence." Matt said, somewhat shakily.

"I see. Perhaps you did not hear me earlier, but-"

"With all due respect, sire, I do not mean to appeal to your sympathy." Gabriel looked annoyed, but gestured for him to continue. "We hail from the same universe, correct?"

"As far as I know, yes." the King answered.

"You seem to me like a man of culture. Someone who is well-read?"

Gabriel balanced his blade by its tip and placed his hand on the pommel. "You assume correctly."

"The road of human history is long and paved by the bloodshed of innocent people. I implore you, spare these ponies the same fates as so many from our realm."

"Hmm." Gabriel thought about it for some time. "'If an injury has to be done to a man it should be so severe that his vengeance need not be feared'. I believe Machiavelli said that. My execution of these criminals will serve as such an injury." he said.

"But there hasn't been any war in Equestria for hundreds of years, these ponies know nothing of revenge or rebellion."

Gabriel laughed at the notion. "While these ponies are as ignorant as you say, the outside world is far crueler. This place is as rotten and corrupt as the world we came from. Even Celestia and Luna overthrew the previous ruler of this land to take it for themselves."

Matt had read that a being called Discord had ruled Equestria at one point and that the princesses dethroned him due to the unhappiness of the people. "I understand your point. Even so, regardless of whatever it is you plan for Equestria as its leader, I beg you to spare its people the violence of human nature."

Matt's heart was beating incredibly fast as he watched the other man think. "Why is it you care for these beings so much? Why would you, a foreign entity in their land, even bother to come to their defense?" Gabriel asked, somewhat angry in his tone.

Matt stayed silent for a few moments, searching for the perfect words to speak. "Because this is my land, too. Equestria is my home, these ponies are my people. The time I have spent here makes me certain that they deserve to be defended." Matt was joined by Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash and Rarity in the center of the crowd and felt the solidarity among them.

Gabriel chuckled. "You are a fool. You will never truly belong here. However, your naivete is quite amusing, so..."

Gabriel gripped his sword and raised it again, but this time he quickly swung it down. The crowd watched collectively looked away as the sound of of the sword hitting the platform was heard. What followed was the sound of chains rattling. As they looked back, they saw that the sword had cut the chain holding his prisoners, and it began to dissolve across them all. The captive ponies looked to Gabriel who gestured for them to go. The seven unicorns hopped off the platform and Rarity and Twilight's families rushed to their side. Fancy Pants was followed down by Fleur de Lis as they walked into the crowd of upperclass ponies.

"I will release these ponies, since you begged so finely. Rest assured the next time it happens that there will be no second chances." Gabriel said as he sheathed his blade.

"I understand. Thank you, your majesty." Matt replied as the caravan folded back up and Gabriel and Amethyst rode atop it. The beasts pulling it circled around and began the walk back to Canterlot.

Amethyst looked at the crowd before turning back to Gabriel. "I'm surprised you let them go. Did he really amuse you so much?"

Gabriel was still grinning. "His faith in these ponies, I find quite funny. One day, he will learn. But enough about that. It's time our plans advanced a bit. To conquer first we must divide." he said.

Matt watched as the King and his faithful slowly rolled away. His heart was still thumping fast and his legs still unable to move. Rainbow Dash flew in front of him and waved a hoof in front of his face.

"Matt? You in there?" she asked.

Matt's focus returned to him as he responded. "Yeah... yeah, I'm here." he replied.

"Good, because that was awesome!" she said, offering him a hoofbump which he accepted.

"I can't believe I even did that." Matt said, placing a hand on his chest to feel his rapid heartbeats.

"Well I can. I think you somehow made a point to that jerk." Dash said.

"Either that or he really was just amused that I would even plead for them."

Matt felt a tugging on one of his pant legs and turned to see the filly who was in chains mere moments ago.

"Thank you so much, Mr. Matt." Sweetie Belle said.

Matt smiled warmly at the young pony. "Ah, don't mention it, Sweetie Belle. I hope he didn't scare you too much."

Rarity approached behind Sweetie Belle with two of the other captives. "Matt, I can't thank you enough for saving my family." Rarity said.

Rarity's father was a light grey stallion with a brown colored mane and tail, including a mustache. Her mother was pale fuchsia with and indigo colored mane and tail.

"Thank ya so much, young fella. I guess that guy liked your reasonin', eh?" her father said.

"We really, really appreciate it. That Gabriel guy sure is scary." Rarity's mom said.

Matt found it slightly funny that despite Rarity's refined way of talking, her parents had such relaxed speech. "I'm just happy that no matter the reason, I managed to change his mind. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I did nothing."

"If you need anything, and I mean anything, darling, don't hesitate to ask. I owe you so mu-mu-mu-" Rarity said, before beginning to stutter.

Matt turned to see what she was looking at behind him and he saw the white unicorn with the monocle who had also been a prisoner. "Excuse me, good sir." he said.

"Yes?" was all Matt said in response.

The unicorn extended a hoof to him, which Matt grabbed and began to shake. "I just wanted to shake the hoof of the stallion who saved my life, and the lives of the other ponies who managed to get stuck in Canterlot. Though I suppose you aren't a stallion, nor do you have hooves. What do you call those things?"

"Hands." Matt responded.

"Ah! Well, I wanted to shake your hand. Thank you for all that you've done. My name is Fancy Pants, and if we ever get back into Canterlot I hope to host a party in your honor."

"That's a bit much, isn't it?"

"Nonsense!" the stallion cheerfully said, finally letting Matt out of the handshake.

The white mare who was with him grabbed his hand after Fancy Pants let it go. "Fleur de Lis, super-model. Charmed to meet such a brave, uh, person like you."

"... Thanks?" was all Matt responded with.

As Fancy Pants was pulled away by the upper-crust crowd, Fleur de Lis and Rarity followed after him. Rarity's family had walked off as well, assuredly to go home.

Matt was thinking about home as well, hoping to return to the library to calm his still frayed nerves. He turned in the library's direction and was quickly hugged by Twilight Sparkle. She was flying slightly off the ground so she could wrap her forelegs around his chest. As he returned the embrace, he found his arms getting tickled by her wings as she flapped them.

Matt thought he felt tears on his shoulder. He had hoped it was from tears of joy. Matt heard someone clear their throat and cocked his head to the side to see too ponies behind Twilight. "Oh, right!" Twilight said, breaking off the hug and landing. "Mom, Dad, this is Matt. Matt, these are my parents, Twilight Velvet and Night Light." she said as she introduced them.

Matt had quickly realize that they were the other two ponies who arrived on Gabriel's caravan.

"Our daughter has told us a lot about you, my boy." her father said.

"I'll say, you're practically all she talks about in her letters!" her mother added.

For one of the only times he could recall, Matt felt blood begin to migrate to his face. "R-really..."

Night Light was a azure stallion with a darker blue mane and Twilight Velvet was grey with a two toned mane and tail, striped white and purple.

"We got stuck in the city after doing our best to help the others escape. Thanks to Fancy Pants we almost made it out, but got caught at the last second." Night Light explained.

"We bumped into Hondo, Cookie and Sweetie Belle along the way. After the trains stopped running there weren't too many way to leave easily." Twilight Velvet said.

"I'm glad you all made it out okay." Matt said, genuine smile on his face.

"Oh, you should come back to library!" Twilight said to her parents. "I think we all need to relax after that..."

"Yes, please." Matt agreed. "By the way, Twilight, where's Spike? I haven't seen him all day."

"Oh, he was helping out the Cutie Mark Crusaders since they needed a third pony but couldn't find Sweetie Belle."

Matt only responded with an "Oh", not expecting such a simple answer.

…...

Twilight's parents, who Matt had just began to call mister and misses Sparkle, stayed at the library for some time. Spike had come back sometime after Matt and Twilight had returned. The four of them did some catching up as Matt mostly stayed silent, comfortable enough to just relax and write in his journal. They talked for hours before Mrs. Sparkle let out a long yawn.

"I think it's time to turn in for the night, we had a long day." she said to her husband.

"You can say that again, dear." he replied.

They stood and began to leave as Twilight called out to them. "Goodnight!" she said before letting out a yawn herself. "I'm pretty exhausted, too. Spike?"

Spike just shrugged. "Eh, I can't say I'm exhausted but it is already dark out."

They headed off to Twilight's bedroom to prepare for sleep as well.

Matt sipped from his beverage before finishing what he was writing in his journal about the day's events and decided to head to bed as well. As he opened the door to his storage room turned bedroom, he was surprised to see Twilight's parents lying in his bed, Mr. Sparkle reading a news paper and Mrs. Sparkle reading a novel.

"Oh, uh..." Matt said, having thought they had left.

"Did you need something, my boy?" Mr. Sparkle asked.

"Uh, no... no. Sorry to bother you." Matt replied, closing the door gently.

Matt slowly opened Twilight's door see Spike climbing into bed and Twilight preparing a large blanket.

"I must have missed something." Matt said.

Twilight giggled in response. "I told my parents they could stay here while Canterlot was under lock-down. I asked you if they could use your room, remember?"

Matt scratched his head before quickly thinking of a cover-up. "Right, I uh... I forgot. But where am I supposed to sleep?" he asked.

Twilight placed the blanket on the bed before gesturing to it with her hoof. "In here with us. Unless you didn't want to." she said.

Matt observed that Twilight's bed was bigger than the one he had been sleeping in and even with the two of them he imagined it would be quite comfortable. Spike was already curled up in his smaller bed off to the side of Twilight's. Still, he felt a tad awkward. One look at Twilight told him she felt so as well.

"That sounds... nice." he said.

…...

Matt had been right that getting comfortable was quite easy. He and Twilight lay back to back, the combined warmth of each other's body heat a nice contrast to the cold night air. It had been roughly an hour of laying without sleep as Matt found his eyes wandering about the room. He had only been in Twilight's bedroom a few times but wasn't surprised to find more books.

"Matt? Are you still awake?" he heard whispered from behind him.

"I am." he whispered back.

He heard the sounds of Twilight rolling over. "I just... wanted to thank you again for what you did today."

Matt rolled as well to speak to her face-to-face. "You don't have to. I have a feeling he just let them go on a whim."

"You were the only one there to try. I wanted to, but... I was just so scared." she said remorsefully.

"I don't know how to explain it, but... something told me I had to try. My mouth called out without being told to, I guess."

He felt Twilight's hoof reaching for his hand, so he grabbed it lightly. She looked as though recalling her state of terror was making her very distressed. Matt ran his other hand through her mane, feeling the silky smoothness of her hair. He smiled to try and make her smile, which she did.

"T-this is a bit forward, isn't it? So much for taking it slow..." she said with a soft giggle.

"I suppose one could think of it that way..."

Spike suddenly sat up in his bed. "For Pete's sake, you two! Ponies are trying to sleep!" he complained.

Matt and Twilight shared a laugh and apologized to the dragon before drifting off to sleep, hand still clasped around hoof.