King Strong Hooves Sees Princess Sparkle as a way to gain power for his kingdom, but will his son Gallant Heart help or hinder?
Shortly after Twilight Sparkles coronation King Strong Hooves of Uniconia hears about her Ascension and contemplates why Equestria is so blessed with fortune while his kingdom struggles to survive and grows smaller each generation. When his son proposes sending a diplomatic party to Equestria to congratulate the newly crowned Princess and idea forms in his mind; is it possible that his kingdom could have an Alicorn Princess and the benifits that arise from it?
King Strong Hooves crumpled the letter in the aura of his magic. Equestria had another Alicorn princess, and to add insult to injury, one who wielded an Element of Harmony. His mind churned as he pondered on the unfairness of it all; Equestria prospered with bountiful ley lines providing more then adequate magical power, benefited from treaties so old that most of the ponies did not even recall them; The Pegasus nation had but been forgotten, neatly enfolded into the realm and was now thought only as cloudsdale. Their agreement to administer the weather in exchange for a permanent place above Equestria's sky... Surely that had been a manipulation by Princess Celestia to gain control over them, and the fools had fallen for it, subsumed into the populace until their very identity had been lost.
Uniconia, his kingdom, while still independent, had suffered from being apart from Equestria as a separate nation; While there was no definitive record of it, enough of his ancestors had written their own accords that only confirmed his own suspicions, that somehow the magical lines that gave strength to Unicorn magic were being diverted to Equestria. Equestria bloomed and flourished with its Pegasi, Earth and Unicorn Ponies working together, while his kingdom grew smaller each generation as more and more of his subject migrated to Equestria, lured by the idea of living easier more prosperous lives.
Strong Hooves minds flickered back to the new Alicorn Princess, almost three years ago he had received another missive informing him of the return of Princess Luna, the a year ago he had received an invitation to the wedding of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. Equestria seemed to have an abundance of Alicorns lately. Maybe-
“Father!” Prince Gallant Heart called breaking the kings line of though as he burst through the door “I Just heard the news about the new Princess in Equestria. I know you said we had to much to attend to in our own kingdom to attend the last royal affair they held, but surely it would be in our best interest to send a diplomatic party to celebrate the Princess' coronation?”
King Strong Hooves did his best to hide his irritation with his only offspring; This son whose heart was, while loyal to the kingdom, to tenderhearted to be interested in conquest. His disappointment in his sons lack of military bearing or interest was tempered by his ability to inspire loyalty in those around him and his ability to grasp the roles of leadership. While his son would never lead armies in battle to vanquish their foes, He would never have to worry that the kingdom would fail through leadership. An idea percolated in the back of the Kings skull, and as he contemplated it, he observed his son; Gallant heart was a dark blue unicorn with hair that while well kept always seemed to want to stick up, his lighter blue hair had a brilliant blue streak down the middle, and his cutie mark revealed that true to his name, Gallant heart was while brave and heroic, he was also soft hearted where mares were concerned; thus King Strong Hoove's plan now coming more fully into focus would have to be kept from his son.
“You are right my son, we have been abysmally ignorant of our diplomatic duties to our neighbor Equestria. I suggest you Arrange a team and suitable congratulatory gifts to take with you. I will send a Missive to Equestria informing Their Royal Princesses about your impending arrival. I will also send my personal guard to go with you, to ensure your safety on your journey”
Gallant Hearts demeanor visibly brightened at this prospect, he had wanted to visit Equestria since he had been a small colt, and finally his father was not only allowing it, but suggesting it. “I am honored father, that you would send me as your Ambassador.”
“I am certain you will represent our kingdom and the Unicorn heritage that goes with it. Remember my son, once all Unicorns lived here, before the founding of Equestria, while they may have forgotten it, every Unicorn that now resides there can trace their beginnings here.”
“I wont let you down Father.” Gallant Heart bowed to his father and then left to arrange diplomatic visit.
Kind Strong Hooves watched his son leave, then summoned an aid to him “Call Dark Strider to me, I will have need of his services, he will be going with my son.” And he shall have another mission as well, he thought, one that will require his delicate touch.
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It took nearly a week to get everything settled to Gallant Hearts satisfaction. He had been relieved when Dark Strider had informed him he would be in charge of the parties safety including arranging fro the proper number of guards and their arms; while he was aware of the proper number necessary for ceremonial reasons, he had never journeyed beyond Unicornia's borders, and as they would have to travel through the Ever free forest, he was glad to have the assurance of Dark Strider and his warriors. As the set off on a particularly fine morning, his heart swelled to hear the trumpets sounding from the walls; knowing his father approved of him was something he had wanted for a long time, and had begun to think his father was acutely disappointed in his lack of martial arts. As it was his spirits were high as they set off on their trip.
It was a good thing his spirits started off high; it was no fun journey getting from Unicornia to the Everfree forest, while they had officially still been in Uniconia for two days before entering the forest, they had left the last settlement far behind them. It had been a couple of wet, cold days and nights, and now they were entering the dark and dangerous forest. As he consulted his map, he was glad to see that they would only be one day in the forest before coming out near a small town marked as Ponyville. From their they could take a train to Canterlot. The upside was that he had never been able to use his magic so easily before, while it was wild and untamed in the forest, the magic there was quite strong.
“Are you ready my Prince?” asked Dark Strider
Prince Gallant Heart placed a friendly hoof on his shoulder “It shouldn't take us long to get through the forest my friend, and then we shall be in Equestria.”
“That may be so my Prince, but please do remain cautious, as you know this forest contains many dangerous creatures which have been known to ravage towns nearby, which is why though it has ample magic nearby, no Towns lay near it on the Uniconia border.”
“I'll be careful, and pass the word on for others to do likewise.” Gallant Heart brightened “perhaps we might gain an insight while in Equestria on why they are not bothered by the monsters, and bring it back with us!”
Dark Strider smiled at the prince and returned to his post. If only you knew what your father had planned my prince, you would realize that is what he, in part, hopes as well.
Twilight had not gotten used to it at all yet; it had barely been two weeks since her coronation and every time someone called her Princess she had the urge to look for Princess Celestia, Luna or Cadence. although now that Cadence and Shining Armor have gone back to the Crystal Kingdom I suppose I should really stop expecting to see her at least. She really wanted everything to just go back to normal, and not the new I-am-a-princess-and-can-fly normal but Twilight Sparkle normal, with her friends and books and “Spike!” The young dragon jumped as he opened the door to the room Twilight was in causing her to giggle.
“What is it Twilight? Is something wrong?”
“No, I was just thinking about you and then here you were.”
“I was just coming to let you know your friends are all ready to go down to the train station, the emissary from Unicornia is suppose to arrive on the next train ya know.” Spike absently popped a few rough low quality gem stones that had been sitting in a bowl on one of the low tables into his mouth “ yew woulnd't” gulp “want to be late would you?”
Twilight magically wiped the dust off his lips with a napkin and nudged him with her snout “No your right, I don't want to be late, and I guess its part of my duties now as a Princess to greet foreign Ambassadors.”
“especially ones coming to meet you!”
Twilight really wished he hadn't brought that up, as if she needed to be more nervous! At least her friends were going with her on this one, she really wasn't ready to do any of these sort of things by herself. When she got down to the station she was glad to see her friends dressed in what could only be new dresses Rarity had made, though Apple Jack's was more of an out fit then a dress, it seemed she was wearing trousers made of a fine green material with a cut-out for her cutie mark, with a vest, and was that a new hat? It looked almost identical to her old one only the band was rimmed in gold filigree. Rarity was dressed in a filmy airy blue concoction with delicate purple sparkles that shimmered as she moved, Fluttershy has in a delicate pink that seemed to float down her back and sides, Pinky Pie was in a collared dress festooned with ribbons and lace, and Rainbow dash was dazzling in a bright sky blue number, only when she moved Twilight realized that the outfit shimmered with a rainbow of hues, which almost distracted her from being pleasantly surprised to see Princess Celestia. “Princess!” She greeted happily “I didn't know you were coming to greet the Ambassador from Unicornia as well.”
“Princess Twilight, While I don't greet every Ambassador at the train station, I felt that I should greet this one, as you may know our relationship with them has been tenuous at best, for several years now they have not sent any representatives to Equestria, and now not only are then sending an Ambassador, but I am reliably informed that the Ambassador is Prince Gallant Heart. I hope that meeting him with you will let Unicornia know that we see them as an important neighbor, and perhaps we can become better allies.”
“I understand Princess Celestia-”
“Oooo we should TOTALLY throw a welcome to Equestria Party!” interrupted Pinkie Pie “If only I had thought about this before! I wonder what cake he likes? Oh and balloons! Eeeee!”
“You could throw them a party while they're here sugarcube.” suggested Apple Jack calming the bouncing Pinkie “But I think right now we best be a little more formal like, on our best behavior for meeting them.”
“Well I for one can't wait to see what they are wearing.” Rarity said, flicking her hair back. “I do hope they can appreciate these outfits, even if Pinkie Pie's bouncing has disheveled her dress. You however look fabulous my dear, even if I do say so myself.” Twilight was wearing one of rarities dresses as well, She had been so pleased with it as while it worked for formal occasions the color almost perfectly matched Twilight coat, ad only the gold edging around the hems and cutie mark cut-out gave it away, well that and the delicate swoop of the skirt along her flank. It was formal without being over the top like some of Rarities designs, and she knew that the apparent simplicity was part of the dress' impressive design.
“Thank you Rarity.” really you have no idea the intricate dresses the royal seamstress tried to press on me.
It wasn't long before everyone settle back down before the sound of an approaching train could be heard. Twilight felt butterflies stirring in her chest and she put her hoof to her chest and breathed out just like Cadence had taught her. Feeling herself calming, she turned to watch the passengers disembarking.
From the last large Compartment came the Ambassador and his Entourage. Prince Gallant Heart was accompanied by a Dark Black Unicorn station wearing what looked to be practical armor, the armor was tight fitted to the head and hid the color of the stalions forlocks, and covered his flank includin his cutie mark, Only his black horn aand hooves and almost sparkly black tail could be seen. The Prince himself was attired in a heavy blue cloak with the sigil of Unicornia emblazoned upon it; Three Unicorn horns touching at the tips with an aura of magic emanating.
“Greetings Princess Celestia and Princess Twilight Sparkle, May I present His Royal Prince Gallant Heart” Announced the black Unicorn stallion “Heir to the Throne of Unicornia” The Unicorn then bowed and the Prince inclined his head
Princess Celestia discreetly nudged Twilight and the nodded their heads in accord “Welcome Prince Gallant Heart and members of his diplomatic council to Equestria, we are delighted to invite you to stay with us, and hope to improve the friendship of our two nations” Twilight said, hoping she didn't sound too nervous. She was relieved when Princess Celestia took over and invited them up to an informal dinner before they retired to the Ambassadorial suites in the castle.
Gallant was amazed by Equestria; when they had arrived in Ponyville the Mayor had arranged rooms for them at the local inn, and had chatted with them amiably over a small dinner. The air was rich with the power of magic, the ley lines and nodes were organized and clean, easy to access. He hadn't had such unfettered access to magical energy his whole life and it led him to wonder if the citizens of Equestria new how lucky they were. He could feel the energy of peaceful well being wash over him the moment he had stepped from the Everfree forest, and the longer he spent in Equestria the stronger it seemed to get. Even the crops seemed to benefit from the Aura of magic that flowed through the air, the trees were larger, the apples crisper yet juicer then those back home. The carrots were larger but instead of tasty woody were sweet and delicate. No wonder so many of his people migrated to Equestria; what a boon it would be for his people if he could learn the secret that kept the magic flowing so freely here.
Over dinner he learned that Princess Twilight Sparkle had lived, and still kept as her residence although she was currently quartered in Canterlot, in the towns library before her coronation. He asked for, and received, permission to visit the library, and though he did not intrude upon the personal living spaces, he felt he could feel the Princess' essence lingering in the very books.
The books themselves impressed him, while he was by no means illiterate, the library in Unicornia was small and had suffered from years of neglect. The fact that a town as small as Ponyville was contained such an impressive library bespoke volumes about the importance of education and study in Equestria. Another thing he was begging to feel a distinct lack of for his own Country. He had gone back to his room, thinking of the day ahead of them and their imminent arrival to Canterlot. What would Royalty of a nation as sophisticated as this think of his tiny nation? Surely they would see them as backwater, ignorant, small and unimportant. For the first time since leaving home he was nervous, what if he could not measure up to Equestrian standards.
Dark Strider noticed Gallant Heart's disquiet when he returned to the inn. “My Prince, you seem troubled.”
Gallant smiled as he heard the statement in Strider's voice “I just realized how much more Equestria truly has to offer its citizens then Unicornia. I fear my ability to measure up to Equestria's standards.”
Dark strider frowned at Gallant “Straighten your spine my Prince and strengthen your heart. You are the only Son of our great King Strong Hooves. Our nations is small, and our resources are few, but our people are stronger because of their trials. These Ponies have it easy with their abundance and do not know the struggles we face daily. Do not let their easy luxury lull you into the belief that they are more simply because they have more. When the Gryphon Raiders attack our borders we repelled them with the strength of our backs, the might of our hearts, and the wit of our minds, Nopony can deny our strength and cunning. Do not fear you cannot measure up to them, but stand tall and see if they can measure up to you.”
Gallant lifted his head, while it was true that he had not fought in that war, he had helped come up with the strategies that had saved lives and pushed the Gryphons back across the mountains, no small feat for ground forces against greater aerial might. “Thank you Strider, your right.” with a lighter heart, Gallant headed to bed.
this place is dangerous thought Dark Strider I had better watch my men closely, least they be tempted by the ease of living these ponies enjoy
Prince Gallant Enjoyed the train ride to Canterlot. Seeing the capitol sitting jutting out from the cliff side just after you came out of the tunnel from Ponyville was breathtaking and Awe-inspiring. He was determined however, to do his father proud and not be cowed but the over whelming sights. When he stepped off the train onto the platform and saw the welcoming committee awaiting him he felt his heart leap into his throat. Suddenly his Cloak with its sigil seemed too little in comparison to the finery they were outfitted in. Only the fact that the larger white mare was an Alicorn as well as the smaller purple mare allowed him to know exactly who there was the princess, the others were so well outfitted. He was glad for Dark Strider's Formal introduction which gave him some times to put his thoughts together. As it was there was little in the way of actual communication after the formal greetings, as the two groups split off to gather up the entourages before heading up to the castle.
“Hi there!” To Gallants astonishment a very perky pink pony had just bounced up beside him, even managing to startle Strider, though he covered it quickly enough “My name is Pinkie pie! Welcome to Equestria! Although, the Princesses already did that didn't they? Still it never hurts to be welcomed. Did you have a long trip? Was it scary? Ooo Do you like cake or pie?”
“Pinkie Pie?”
“yup that's me! EeeeE” Pinkie grinned then she frowned for a moment “or maybe you don't like cake or pie?” she laughed “that's just silly Pinkie! Who doesn't like Cake or Pie? Or Pie and cake or a PIECAKE!”
Gallant was somewhat taken aback by this, he had never met any quite so hyper before “I like chocolate cake.” he said hesitantly unsure of what the consequences of answering this pony would be.
“Oh good! Me too, but then I like all cake. Especially PIECAKE, maybe it should be cakepie? Hmm. Anyway, The castle is this way.” and she bounced along ahead of them chatting to his guards and retainers. He noticed many of them seemed to act like she was a bomb that might go off unexpectedly.
Dark Strider watched as Pinkie Pie bounced along his men guiding them up to the castle Something about her set his teeth on edge she turned to look at him and he felt a twinge in his horn, he fought down the urge to use his magic to strike at her; the abundance of energy here made a sudden desire too easy to fulfill, at home the power was so week it took much more will and concentration to work magic, he was going to have to be extra cautious. To steady himself he thought back to what King Strong Hooves had tasked him to do.
I am sending you with my son on his diplomatic mission, and while I wish for you to support and guard him during this, Your mission is two fold. Equestria has more then its share of Alicorn power; even with one of them now ruling the Crystal Empire, they still an over abundance. Find out if the new Princess has any romantic ties, do your best to nudge my son and her toward each other. Once they start to fall for each other, and I expect you to ensure this happens, suggest that he bring her to Unicornia, I do not care what pretense you use, visiting his homeland, visiting the land all Unicorns came from, whatever lure works best, but bring her here. Dark Strider didn't know why his king wanted an Alicorn in Uniconia, and he didn't care, his king had commanded him, and he would do his best to obey.
Twilight checked her crown in the mirror one last time, stretched her wings and then folded them neatly on her back. No random twitches she promised herself I will not knock anything over or whack anyone by an accidental wing twitch. She almost believed herself.
Twilight left her apartment and headed to the diplomatic suites. She had memorized which rooms where which guests so that she would not be embarrassed if any of the Ambassadors from the other visiting nations that were still in the capitol emerged and she had to talk with them. Luckily for her, not that many were still there, and she meet nopony before she arrived at her intended destination. Knocking on the door to the suite of Prince Gallant Heart, she waited after hearing 'just a moment' from behind the thick door. It wasn't too long before Gallant opened the door, his mouth opened slightly when he saw who was there, but he recovered quickly
“P-princess Twilight Sparkle I didn't expect to see you.”
“Please call me Twilight Prince Gallant heart” twilight said with a nervous chuckle “I hope I am not intruding?”
“No of course not please, do come in,” Gallant opened the door further and backed up so that she could freely enter; the room was not exactly clean as there was some uncleared plates from breakfast which had been brought up earlier by the castle staff, but it wasn't really unclean either “While I am surprised to see you, it is a pleasant one.”
“I'm glad, I was hoping that I might offer you a tour of Canterlot, and informal one, as there are more formal activities scheduled, a banquet tonight of course, but I thought it might ease you into things if I showed you around first. Canterlot can be a bit intimidating if your not familiar with it.” At least that’s what Apple Jack had said, only her words were more along the lines of 'if somepony don't know what its like in a big city full of folk what aren't like him, he might get a bit skiddish and bolt.' And since Princess Celestia really wanted to open up friendly relations with Uniconia, Twilight did not want Prince Gallant to bolt.
“That's very nice of you Princess Twilight, I would be Honored to have you show me around.”
“Ahem, Pardon your Highness'” Interrupted a smooth voice, and Twilight turned to see a jet black Unicorn stallion with sparkly black hair and coal black eyes step into the sitting room from one of the side bedrooms “but while I am certain Prince Gallant would be safe with your highness, it would be irresponsible of me not to ask that you be accompanied by a guard. I can go with your highness' if Princess Twilight Sparkle does not have other arrangements?”
Twilight blushed a little, she had rather forgotten that she should take a royal guard with her, but surely taking one of Prince Gallants Guards would work just as well. “That would work quite well for me, umm-”Twilight realized the Guards name had not been on the roster she had read that morning and so she did not know his name
“Dark Strider your highness. I will put on my armor and then be at your disposal.” and I will be able to keep an eye on my Prince not only for safety, but to ensure my King's plan succeeds.
“Thank you Dark Strider” ~~
Twilight was glad she was showing Gallant around, he had relaxed quite a bit around her, enough so that both of them had dropped prince/princess and the secondary names, now she was just Twilight, and he was just Gallant. She had taken him around to all of her favorite spots, the knoll where she liked to do her afternoon studying back when she was at school before going to ponyville, Joe's Donut shop, Several Museums, the best library, and now they were in one of her favorite Cafe's enjoying a salad and a drink.
“Canterlot is quite the city”Gallant remarked as her sprinkled almonds on his salad “As you may know, the Citizenry of Unicornia is all Unicorn, so its amazing to see so many earth ponies, Pegasi and Unicorns all mingling around so causally.”
“It is?” Twilight’s brow furrowed “ Are other pony types unwelcome in Unicornia?”
“No, There just aren't any, I am not really sure why. It's very different there, here I can sense the ley lines but they are so think and so abundant, its almost more like a ley fog. Though really that’s too spotty...”
“I guess I never thought about it; I study Ley line magic of course, it was in one of Star Swirl the Bearded books, but I never really had to practice it much, Equestria has a lot of ambient magic, though, I believe there is a large node stone under Canterlot Castle. Night Bloom the weird supposed that the reason Equestria has so much ambient magic has to do with Celestia and Luna, as their elemental magic was shed much like the light from the sun and moon, and since Luna and Celestia make their home here, we have a concentrated supply. Of course, he wasn't called 'the weird' for no reason.”
“you have studied a lot about magic haven't you?”
Twilight blushed again “Yes, well, magic is my special talent, So I have tried to learn about it as much as possible, though lately I have been focused on the Magic of Friendship.”
“Friendship is magic?”
Just then the city clock tower struck three, and startled, Twilight's wings jerked out knocking over a glass on the table next to them, and whacking a passing pony. “Sorry!” As she pulled her wings back in, she managed to not inflict further injury to anyone, but unfortunately overcompensated for people and knocked the glass, plate and remaining food from the nearby table onto the ground. Twilight flushed with embarrassment and I had done so well up till now, stupid wings! “Sorry!” She put some bits down to cover both their meal and the neighboring tables, as well as a generous tip, and left with Gallant before things could get anymore embarrassing. “Sorry about that, I am still getting used to the wings.”
Gallant frowned “I don't understand, weren't you born with them?”
“Oh I thought you knew! No, um actually, I was born a unicorn, I gained my wings recently, becoming an Alicorn and a Princess.”
“That sounds like it would take a lot of adjustment, I cannot image going from, well, me, to me with wings. Is flying anything like levitation?” “No not really, I mean you would think the principles would be the same, since you know you are propelling your own mass into the air, but levitation is more akin to changing your body mass ratio in order to defy gravity, while flying with wings is muscle mechanical movement and so requires more coordination then mind power.”
“Using muscled you already had in a new way, or entirely new muscles?”
Dark Strider suppressed a sigh, he was glad they were headed back to the castle, this conversation about wings and flying was beginning to sound like a long boring topic.
---------------------------------
“So then, Rainbow assures me that its really more like swimming, she's laughing wholeheartedly the whole time you understand, and I am trying to figure out how to get either my head up through the cloud or the rest of me down under it, but because clouds are much more solid to pegasi ponies and Alicorns by extension, it feels like my wings and middle are stuck in cotton candy-”
“Ooo I love Cotton candy!” exclaims Pinky pie popping up just as they cross the inner courtyard “I should totally include that in your welcome to Equestria Party! Eeee! Which is going to be totally awesome!” She places a hoof over Twilight's back and another over Gallants “this is going to be so much fun! I love having new friends! Oh twilight Rainbow said to remind you your suppose to go flying with her this afternoon, and Rarity wants to do another check on the hem for your dress for the dinner.”
Thanks Pinky,” she smiled at Gallant “I guess that means your on your own for now unless,”
“Unless you come with me silly bean! After all, who knows more about having fun around her then me, right? Don't worry about it twi, I got this!”
“Then I will see you three later.”
“Omygosh! That’s right!” Pinkie bounced over to Dark Strider “I almost forgot about you mister tall dark and sneaky! Don't think your not invited to the patter too mister!” she gave Dark Strider a deep glare and then she grinned “Nopony should be without a Pinkie party! Follow me I wanna know all about you.! Lalalala.”
Dark Strider and Gallant shared a look, and followed the effervescent pinkie into the castle.
King Strong Hooves watched the messenger riding off with the urgent missive that would bring back his son, and more importantly provide Dark Strider with a reason to suggest the Princess accompany him on his return. The wyvern he had slain early lay in the courtyard, and now one seemed inclined to go near it, or its tail. He grinned, it will have decayed somewhat by the time Gallant and the Princess were able to arrive, but it would be impressive all the same. He grimaced and he moved his arm, the wound all had seen him sustain while fighting it was going to more irritating then he had originally anticipated, but it was a means to an end.
``` The messenger ran hard barely stopping to rest before stumbling into ponyville. There the townsponies assisted him and he gasped “Must.. get to...Prince Gallant Heart.. King Strong Hooves, Wyvern... Poison..” before he collapsed. The Mayor wasted no time in getting volunteers the carry the messenger to the train station and accompany him to Canterlot.
````
The Messenger from Unicornia recovered sufficiently on the train ride that by the time he arrived at Canterlot Castle he was able to make more sense and expound upon what had happened as he stood before Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Twilight Sparkle and Gallant Heart
“Three days ago a Wyvern attacked a town not far from Licorne, our capital, King Strong Hooves led a detachment of soldiers against it and prevailed, however during the combat His Majesty,” the messenger paused, swallowed and continues “His Majesty received a blow from the Wyvern's barbed tail, and his physicians fear that they will not be able to counteract the poison for long.”
“My Father, is-” Gallant closed his eyes for a moment before strengthening himself “There must be a cure, he cannot simply fall to a Wyvern barb.”
“There is a book in our library here about Wyverns, Perhaps there is a remedy there?” Twilight offered
“Actually Twilight, there is a ready cure for Wyvern poison, but it must be fresh, and you have the means readily available at your disposal.” Princess Celestia told her
“I do? What is it?”
“You use your magic to draw the poison to the surface of the wound, apply dragon fire ash, mixed in simple healing potion and that will cleanse the wound and remove the venom. How long ago was King Strong Hooves wounded?”
“It took me three days your Highness, though I ran as fast as I could.”
“Then there is no time to waste, Twilight if you and spike would take Prince Gallant in the Royal carriage, you should be able to arrive in time to administer the antidote to King Strong Hooves, but we have little time to spare.”
“You can count on me Princess, Spike?”
“Of course Twilight, I would never let someone die if I can help!”
“My thanks Princess Celestia, Princess Twilight.”
“Now hurry, and Twilight, be careful.”
Twilight Gallant, spike and Dark Strider gathered the items they would need, the flight to Unicornia should take most of the day, so Twilight packed for four days, a day to get there, a day to administer the antidote, one to get back, and an extra day just in case.
When she went down to the courtyard she saw her friends waiting for her, to wish her luck on her journey.
“Don't worry sugarcube, I'm sure you'll do just fine.” “Just make sure you keep your wings folded Twilight, you don't have the stamina to fly along side okay? I could though, you know if you wanted me too” “Thanks Rainbow, but I don't think that will be necessary.” “Of course Darling, you'll be fine.” Rarity gave her a hug as the carriage pulled up “bye Twilight.” “And don't worry, when you and the Prince get back, we will have a super duper so glad your dad get better and your back in Equestria party!”
```` it was late in the evening when the carriage landed in Licorne, and the Guard ponies carrying it were exhausted, Twilight thanked them before following Prince Gallant and Dark Strider up the steps. She in turn was followed by the Guard pony that had been assigned to her. She was feeling very nervous about the whole thing, enough so that she wasn't even blushing when she realized it was Flash Sentry. They hadn't really talked much since the whole gone to another dimension thingy, and for some reason whenever Twilight had a chance she instantly remembered about twenty other things she was suppose to be doing. concentrate Twilight she admonished herself, Now is not the time to be thinking about the cute pony in armor She wasn't sure when a good time would be, but there had to be one, someday.
King Strong Hooves was in his chamber, and his Physician had a dour look on his face.
“Father!” Called Gallant as they entered the room
“Gallant, good your back, I was worried you wouldn't...” The effort seemed too much for the King and he layed his head back down on the pillow.
“He is weakening fast your Highness.” the Physician Pony told Gallant “We have used every strengthening potion and spell we have at our disposal, but I fear we are only buying time.”
“Its OK Doctor Silver Needle, I have brought with me a cure.” Gallant turned to Twilight “Princess?”
“We are going to need a piece of parchment and a healing potion.” As the doctor removed the requested items from his bag, twilight handed the parchment to spike. “Are you ready spike?” “Ready as I will ever be Twi.”
Twilight concentrated, she had expected the magic to be harder somehow, from Gallants description of their limited magic resources, she had though she would have to find a ley line or something, and while she could feel a line of power above her, she felt enough magic gathering around her that tapping into it seemed unnecessary. She released the spell from the tip of her horn and controlled the energy as it flowed over King Strong Hooves wounded withers. “Now Spike.” Spike poured the potion over the wound as he had been instructed, then ignited the parchment with his breath. The ash mingled with the potion and twilight used her magic to mix it together even as she pulled at the poison inside Kind Strong Hooves. It was odd though, the sense of the poison was not as strong as She had expected it to be from the look of Strong hooves, almost as if it wasn't really wyvern poison.
Twilight’s misgivings aside, King Strong Hooves seemed to gain strength from his, his slate colored coat glistened and turned a more silvery color, and the wound began to knit.
“Thank you Princess Twilight” Prince gallant said as the strength visibly returned to Strong Hooves' form.
“Yes,” the Kings voice, with more timber in it now said as he raised his head “thank you young Princess, please, accept my delayed welcome to our kingdom, Ah Dark Strider, please make sure the proper consideration are in place for our guest.”
“Of course your majesty.”
“Your Majesty, your Highness' he really should rest some more, and I need to examine him to make sure he is fully recovered.”
“Of course.”
Dark Strider lead the way as Twilight and Gallant left the room, Flash Sentry had remained outside the door, and as they headed down to the reception and dining area he fell in line behind. He wasn't sure why, but Princess Celestria had warned him that she felt something was off, though she had not been able to put her hoof on it. He was to remain vigilant, the way a trained Royal guard can.
When they entered the dining hall Dark Strider asked the attendant if the Carriage Guards had been attended too. “Yessir, we took care of them just as you had instructed.”
“And accommodations for the Princess and her, assistant?
“I am afraid my Prince, Princess, Spike, that we were not expected to return so soon, Nor with Her highness along, and especially not with a dragon. However the kitchen have assured me that they have made a dinner that should satisfy their needs, and Chambers are being readied as we speak.”
“Dinner sounds lovely Thank you” Twilight smiled at the attendant and followed Dark Strider to a waiting table.
The Salad tasted a little funky, but Twilight was hungry enough not to complain, the spinach leaves had been smaller, tougher and lest crisp then she was used to, and she supposed the differences in their agricultural methods must account for the slightly bitter taste. Spike sure seemed to enjoy his crystal studded wheatloaf, he had just finished a bite when suddenly he yawned so hard it looked like his jaw would fall off.
“sorry.” he mumbled his eyelids drooping, “Suddenly I am just soo...” and his head plopped onto the table.
“He is a baby dragon, Twilight explained. She stood up, but sat down almost immediately, having been overcome by a disorienting wave of dizziness. “That’s odd, I was...”She looked down the table and say Dark Strider, with a very satisfied look on his face approaching. “What was in the Salad?” she asked Alarmed
“Just a little something to keep you from using your magic, Princess.”
Gallant stood up affronted “What is going on here?” Dark Strider signaled a couple guards “Please escort the Princess to her Chambers, Make sure she is Properly aquitted.”
“Yessir”
Gallant pulled Dark Strider around as Flash Sentry moved to protect Twilight. “I asked you what is Going on Dark Strider.”
“Orders from your Father my Prince, please do not make me enact the ones he has in place in casue you object.”
Gallants horn emitted a slight glow as Flash stood protectively in from of Twilight, his wings outspread.
Dark Strider Sighed and released his own spell, instead of light emanating from his horn, Darkness sounded them. Gallant couldn't even see the light from his own horn. He could hear nothing. He felt a hoof in his belly knocking the wind out of him, before a second blow took his forelegs out at the knees, the another blow at his hind hocks, and he was down on the floor.
Flash acquitted himself somewhat better, having been taught how to blind fight at the academy, he was still outnumbered, and twilight was in no condition to help him, even if she had been able to see what was going on. When the magic receded she saw flash knocked out, with three other ponies also laying unconscious around them, with a guard pony standing over Gallant.
“Take our guest to her new quarters. Put this one with the other Guards, and lock the dragon up down below.”
“You better not hurt him!” Twilight said as she struggled to remain focused
“Princess,” Dark Strider said as the guards obeyed his orders and reomved Spike and Flash “I would be more worried about yourself, and why King Strong Hooves would risk so much in capturing you.”
Gallant paced his room, indignant. His back and knees were still sore from Dark Striders beating; Dark Strider hit him! He shook his head, as hard as it was to believe someone he had known since they were both colts could do that to him, and Twilight... He hadn't known her long, but he liked to think they had already become friends, and now he felt as though he had betrayed her; true he hadn't known of his Fathers orders and Dark Striders intentions, but if he had not been so willing to believe. He heard the sound of hoof steps outside his door and then the sound of the key in the lock turning.
“Your Highness” it was Dark Strider, his so called friend
“Hello Strider, or I should I call you Turn Coat?”
“I am Sorry Gallant-”
“Don't call me that. Only My Friends Call me Gallant, you will address me by my proper title you cur.”
Dark Strider's ears fell “Yes your highness, His Majesty has granted you an audience.”
“About time.” Gallant Stalked past Strider and into the hallway.
~~~~
Meanwhile, spike had woken up from his drug induced slumber to a small dark chamber. He blew a breath of flame to illuminate the room, hay was squished up against the walls from which chains hung suspended. A small grate near the ceiling gave some ventilation but it was facing west and allowed very little light. The was a heavily enforced door opposite the window, a bucket with water and a bucket for well, he guessed for after the water. “Twilight?” he called, hoping she was in a cell nearby, but he heard no reply. Using the chains on the wall as a rope he levered himself up to peer out the window. It looked out into an enclosed courtyard, and he could see pony feet marching in the dirt. “Twilight?” he called again hoping against hope that she might hear him. He watched the courtyard for a long time, his hope plummeting by the minute. She was alright he was sure of it, but wherever Twilight was, she couldn't hear him.
well Spike, Twilight is always there for you, maybe this time, you have to be there for her. He eyed the stones the bars were set into speculatively... he did eat gemstones after all, how bad could could granite taste really?
~~~~~
Twilight woke to a headache so large she thought maybe for a moment she had missed hearing about pinkie's twitchy tail and a piano had fallen on her head, again. When she opened her eyes to the chamber she was in, memories of the day before flitted through her head, and she took stock of her situation. On of her hooves had a manacle on it, and following the chain attached, she say it lead to an iron ring set deep in the stone beneath the bed. So, running out the door when it opened not an option. She felt an unfamiliar restriction around her middle, and as she investigated she found a leather harness and been lock around her wings, preventing them from opening, so flying out the window, even if she could loosed the chain from the wall, would have to wait till she found a way to remove that, maybe she could unlock it with her magic? She thought of the right spell, formulated it and as she tried to pull the magic up her horn she felt a piercing pain like a nail driven down her horn shoot through her, she released the energy with a gasp, What had just happened, something was wrong, with her magic?
~~~
King Strong Hooves watched his son as he entered the room, he had expected Gallant would be unhappy with his choices, but he hoped his son would understand the motivation behind them, Unicornia just couldn't compete with their neighbors without magic. As things stood, the Gryphons were poised to push them out of their ancestral territory.
“Your Majesty,” Gallant began stiffly which Strong Hooves correctly interpreted as his way of informing his father how unjust he found the situation “Dark Strider and his Guards have assaulted Princess Twilight Sparkle and her companions, who were welcomed as Guests, and whose efforts cured you of a deadly poison. Further more, when I tried to halt this treacherous action, Dark Strider attacked me, your only son and acknowledged before the throne your hair and rightful descendant of the throne, an act, which you well known has always carried with it the stigma of treason against the crown and yourself. They did this claiming that they did so under your orders. I demand satisfaction under the law.”
“You are correct my son, in saying that one who lays hoof against my chosen heir is the same as laying hoof upon myself, however, I had also given orders that should my son, in unknown defiance of orders from the crown, which is in itself treason, resist Dark Strider in the execution of his orders, you were to be, temporarily, removed from the position as crown prince. I am not young my son, but neither am I so old as to be unable to sire another colt.”
Stunned Gallant gazed at his father “You do not even have a wife, as mother passed on five years hence, who would-”
“Just recently an Alicorn Princess took up residence in our fair land, if needs must, I am sure there are ways on which my heir may be gotten there.”
Gallant felt the anger rise from his chest and burst out of his horn before he had time to tamper it “You go to far Father, King or no King, what you are suggesting is an affront to all, I demand you release Princess Twilight this instant and make amends for the assault on her person and her company.”
“You are not in a position to make demands. Our country needs an Alicorn Princess or it will be consumed from within and without. With her to increase our magic-”
“No Father, what you are doing is wrong, how can you not see that?” Gallant lunged forward and the guards in the room quickly grabbed him and restrained him as he surged forward toward King Strong Hooves. “You have to stop now before it is too late.”
King Strong Hooves looked sadly at his son. “Gallant Heart is hereby stripped of his title as Crown Prince, and is henceforth no longer a prince of the realm. Take him from my sight and lock him in his rooms. I will decide what to do with him later.”
Gallant let them take him from the room, as they headed to his chambers his mind moved faster trying to decide what he could do for now, Alone he was of no help to Twilight, he didn't know what had become of her guards or her friend Spike, but from the conversation he had just had with his father, he feared the worst. He heard the lock click in the door, and felt as though a key had been turned in his mind. He needed to get help, and he needed to get back to Equestria.
Flash Sentry watched the guards outside his prison cell; unlike spikes chamber like cell, his had bars across the from and making up one wall, while the other two guard ponies who had carried the carriage from Equestria where in the next two down from his. There were six cells like it in this room, three on each side, and the ones across from them were empty. His two companions had been to tired to fight much when the castle guards and marched them down to the cells, so they had relatively few bruises to show for their efforts, Flash felt like he had been hit with a tree, while rolling down a cliff, with rocks tied to his waist. The pit in his stomach whenever he though about Twilight, he meant Princes Sparkle of course, did nothing to ease his pains. They had to find a way out of this dungeon and up to Twilight before something worse happened, but at this moment, he could put no weight on his right foreleg, he suspected the fetlock was broken or the hoof dislocated, but until he saw someone with medical training it would be hard to know for sure.
Faintly at the edge of his hearing her hear someone calling out to Twilight. that must be Spike, good that means he still lives and can't be too far from here. When We break out of here we will have to make sure to find him as well.
~~~~~
Twilight stood as she heard the lock turn, she wasn't sure what she expected, but a servant pony carrying a tray with food on it had not been it. While the door was opened Twilight saw that two Guards ponies were stationed on either side of the door, making out the door escape even less likely.
“I am Princess Twilight Sparkle, and I demand to be released and to see King Strong Hooves.” The servant pony looked up at Twilight and sighed before setting down the tray she carried on a table beside the door.
“Hey! Did you hear me I-” the pony walked out, completely ignoring Twilight, shutting the door behind her. With a slid click the lock turned and Twilight was left with nothing but the tray of food. “The ponies here certainly lack manners, and now I am talking to myself, great. Think twilight think!”
Her stomach grumbled and she figured it would be better to eat on a a full stomach then an empty one, she looked at the tray, a simple green salad, an apple and some water. Just as she was about to take a bite of the salad, she stopped how dumb can you be Twilight? Just going to let them drug you the same way twice? she looked at the salad but couldn't see what was in it that could possibly cause the interference she felt with her magic, they just looked like regular greens, well, smaller, less green greens but still, that was spinach, arugula, romaine, some kind of fern? Maybe that was it, the fern! She had never eaten one like that, it was probably that fern that caused the problem. Sorting out all the funny ferns and hearing pinkie's voice in her head singing funky funny fern fronds freak out my friend once they were all set off to the side, Twilight ate the rest of the meal, still less crisp and sweet then back home, and the apple was well, at least it was juicy, even if it tasted more like wax then apple, even the water had a sort of stale musty flavor to it.
Feeling better with some food in her belly she decided to try working the chain loose from the wall. She didn't know what had happened to Spike, Flash and the other guards, but she couldn't expect that they could rescue her, for all she knew, she was their only chance. Luckily she was still wearing her metal shoes over her regular hooves, something she could use to chip the stone around the chain.
~~~~~
Spike had made significant progress on the stone surrounding the bars at the top of the window; and he was sad to say that wile he did like gemstones, granite was never going to be one of his favories. Especial granite covered in mos blergh. His stomach was getting uncomfortably full, but he had to keep going, just a few more bites, and he would have enough of the interior stone gone that he could pull the bars free. What he would do about the guards in the courtyard he wasn't sure yet, but maybe they wouldn't notice a small purple dragon if he kept close to the wall? The thought of how proud Rarity would be when he told her how he had saved Twilight was all the motivation he needed.
Finally, the last bite, rather then swallow it spike let it drop to the floor beneath him. He wasn't sure how noisy this would be, but he doubted it was going to be any quieter then the stone hitting the floor. Wrapping his tail around the bars and holding on to the chains below he pulled with all his might and was rewarded with a chunk- thunk, and the weight of the bars pulling him down. He strained with all his might as he lowered the bars down, hoping that the clang the made as they hit the floor was quiet enough that nopony would hear it. He waited a few tortuous moment to see if anyone would come running before squirming out the whole where the bars had been. The sun was edging its way into the west and soon it would be shining on his shadowed section, he better move now while he could, as he did he checked the barred windows he passed. He was on the the north side of the courtyard when he came across Flash and the Guards.
“psst! Flash! Up hear!”
Flash looked up at the window and saw spike. The guard pony in the room with them was currently sitting by the door at the other end, so Flash moved closer to the window, Spike buddy, am I glad to see you ok! Where is Twi- I mean Princess Sparkle?”
“I haven't found Twilight Flash, and I checked pretty much all the windows I could get to without getting caught. I don't know where she is.”
flash could see Spikes disappointment and decided to try his best to cheer him up “Hey buddy, your doing better then I am, at least your out there where you can search.” flash looked at spike with sudden inspiration “They didn't put you in hear cause the bars are too wide for you, but if you could get in here like you got out of your cell, I bet you could get the keys to the cell off that pony with a little help, and we could get out of here.”
Spike wasn't really looking forward to the taste of more Granite, and he knew his stomach was never going to forgive him for eating so much of it, but if it would free Flash and the guards, and ultimately Twilight, his stomach was just going to have to buck up.
~~~~~~~~~~~~ Several hours had passed since the servant pony had brought the meal to Twilight and she was making barely any discernible progress on the stone. This was going to take forever, but she couldn't let herself get discouraged, she thought of her friends and found strength in imagining what each of them would say if they were here. Which is why, giggling about her friends as she resolutely chipped at the stone, she did not hear the lock click and the door open.
“Well, aren't you a sight Princess, cowering under the bed already?”
Startled twilight hit her head on the underside of the bed before scooting back out. She stood and looked face to face with King Strong Hooves.
“Well Princess? I was told you demanded to see me.”
“I was hoping that you were unaware of my imprisonment here, but it appears I was mistaken.” Twilight wondered if the fern was out of her system enough to allow her the use of her magic... it had to have been at least twelve hours since she had ingested it, so there was a possibility. “You had best free me now King Strong Hooves, return my guardsponies and Spike to me, unharmed, or face the consequences.”
King Strong Hooves smiled and glanced at the tray that had been brought in earlier. “I see you enjoyed your meal, well, at least most of it. I guess you do not like fern fiddleheads? My cooks tell me they are rather hard to find. No matter.”
Twilight constructed another spell and formed it, then brought it up to the base of her horn and-- on the pain! But... “it wasn't the ferns then?”
“The ferns, no don't be silly, they weren't even in your salad last night. Actually, your salad was fine, eat time.”
Dawning horror Twilight realized what else she had partaken last night as well “its in the water? What is it?”
“Nothing to concern yourself with, it wont hurt you, well, unless you keep trying to DO magic that is. Do know what they give Unicorns who, having tapped into a ley line forget to ground themselves properly and over stretch the magic inside them?”
“you gave me Mordlewort?”
King Strong Hooves smiled, Twilight was really starting to dislike that expression on him. “You really did study ley line magic didn't you? I am impressed, I know you told Gallant you had but I assumed a cursory understanding, since its use was unnecessary in Equestria.”
Gallant had told him? Gallant wasn't part of this surely, he but then how had King Strong Hooves known, its not like he was there for the conversation.
“You never know when you'll be in a situation where you might need knowledge, for instance, coming here to save your life, I should have needed to have that knowledge, at least from what Gallant told me.”
“Yes, the dear boy. He did tell you that our magic had grown weaker, but remember what you yourself said, Alicorns give off ambient magic from their element. Celestia gives off magic from the son, Luna from the moon, Cadence from love, and you my dear-”
“From Magic.”
“Precisely. You will save Unicornia Princess, just by being here you will increase or access to magic, which will help our people prosper. No longer my ponies have to struggle to grasp a ley line just to do even the simplest of spells. No, we will grow strong, strong enough to defend against our neighbors, perhaps even strong enough to challenge Equestria.”
“You wont get away with this. When I don’t return tomorrow Princess Celestia will get worried, she will send ponies after me.”
“I am sure she will, and when she finds the bodies of your Guards and your dragon amid the wreckage of the Royal Carriage, I am sure she will give you quite the Royal funeral. Its a shame all they will ever find of you is one of your dresses, and of course, one of these.” With that he took one of the shoes off her hoof, while all she could do is glare while wrapped in his magic.
“Don't look so angry my dear. We are going to spend a long time together after all.”
Twilight chipped furiously at the stone around the chain, she didn't have time, if Strong Hooves was telling the truth, she had to get out of here and save Spike, Save Flash, she had never had the courage to even ask him to go to lunch with her! He couldn't die before they'd even had lunch I mean not that I would want him to die anyway Stop distracting your self twilight! Get that chain free!
She was keeping an ear cocked for the door, so she heard it when the Servant pony came with her afternoon meal, she was hot and tired and she longed for the water, but made herself be content with the juices from the less then stellar apple; if she was ever going to get out of here she would need her magic back, and while she knew it took days to get Mordlewort fully out of a ponies system, the longer she didn't ingests it the sooner she would get her magic back. After wolfing the apple down Twilight went back to her furious chipping, the day was more then half over, she didn't know when the King had planned to kill Spike Flash and the others, but if he was planning on dumping them in the Everfree forest, it would have to be soon, because Ponies form Equestria would be searching for them in after a few days, they would have been expected back tomorrow, so her friends had one day at most before chances were...don't think about it! Chip!
~~~~~~
Spike groaned, he couldn't eat another bite “Your doing great buddy” Flash encouraged.
“I'm sorry Flash, I just can't eat anymore.”
"That's OK, hey pass me the rocks, I will hide them in the hay.”
“What about the Guard, won't he see?”
“Don't worry, I will be sneaky I promise.”
“Pinkie Promise?”
Flash was not sure what a Pinkie Promise was, but he figured Spike took it seriously and if Spike needed the reassurance of a Pinkie Promise, that's what he would get.
“Pinkie Promise.”
Spike Took another bite out of the wall and passed the chunk to Flash, as careful as could be Flash rolled the chunk down and pushed it under the hay, so far, so good.
They were making good progress with this when Flash noticed the Guard moving “Hold on a second Spike, somethings happening.”
~~~~~~
Gallant Heart grabbed a few things from his room, he would have to be careful, most likely the announcement disinheriting him had all ready spread through the castle, but maybe if he moved fast enough he could reach certain places before the news did. He found one of his throwing knives and moved to the door, there he used the slim blade to jimmy the door open, once that was done, he very carefully opened the door to see if anypony was guarding it; as luck would have it, the corridor outside was empty. Grabbing those things he thought would come in handy, Gallant made his way, stealthy but swiftly, down into the dungeons.
He had thought finding out where Twilight's companions were being held would have been an easier matter, but the first few cells he tried were empty. It was getting close to mid-day and he was worried that a changing of the guards would spoil his plans to free Twilight's guards. He checked one more cell- empty, but it was missing its bars... a bucket with water lay inside. I have to be getting close, they wouldn't have placed a bucket of water here for nopony. The only way out of there was into the interior courtyard; risky... but maybe if was careful, he could see where the pony that had been in here had gone. Crossing the small cell, Gallant looked out the broken window, he scanned the edges of the courtyard carefully and then he spotted it, Spike, laying against the wall, chewing chunks of rock from the edge of the bars. well I will be the son of a Gryphon! he hadn't known the little fellow had it in him. Gallant left the cell and made his way cautiously to the cells where Spike had been working on the window. It was time to see if he could bluff his way into making the guard let him in, or if word had reached this far down that he was no longer a prince.
“Open the door Guardspony.” Gallant commanded.
“Your highness! I didn't expect to see you down here!”
Thank goodness, it seems news has not reached the dungeons yet. “My Father wishes to make sure his, guests, are prepared for their journey.”
The guard looked confused as he unlocked the door to let Gallant in “I thought Dark Strider was going to do that that your Highness?”
Gallant did his best 'you dare question me' look, one he had seen his father pull of, recently in fact. “Dark Strider has many things to attend to to make sure everything goes smoothly, and I wanted the pleasure of taking care of this myself.”
“Of course your Highness.”
I must be a better actor then I thought, or is everypony in this nation just, wrong?
“Lock the door Guardspony.” As the guard turned to follow this command Gallant threw his body hard against the guard, knocking his head forcefully into the stone, rendering the guard unconscious.
Flash looked out of the bars surprised “Prince Gallant Heart?”
“Just Gallant Heart, a Prince no more I am afraid friend, I have been disinherited, though the way things are going around here, maybe it's for the best. I don't have much time, we have to get you out of here before Dark Strider comes, his plans for the four of you are not good.”
“You don't have to tell me twice. Spike, How long till your done with the window?”
“One last chunk Flash, now that we don’t have to worry about the size to hide from the Guards.” Spike tore a chunk of rock off and dropped it into the cell, as Gallant unlocked the doors to the cells, the removed the bars and slide them into the cell then Flash helped Spike ease inside.
“Where is Princess Sparkle?” Flash demanded of Gallant.
“If I had to hazard a guess I would say she is in the uppermost room of the northern tower, Flash, its the most secure position in the castle, only one way up, easily defensible, you could hold that position with one pony against an army.”
“What about OUTSIDE the tower, we are Pegasus ponies after all Prince, and don't say you are not a Prince, it's not the title but the man that makes you one.”
Gallant thought about it “It would dangerous, only one pony with a bow, even just a lucky shot, and your down. What we really need to do is let Equestria know what has happened to Twilight, the four of us-”
Spike coughed “Ahem!”
“Sorry five of us, are no match for all of the soldiers at my fathers disposal. If we really want to save Twilight, we are going to need help, we are going to need all of us to get through the Everfree Forest and get aid.”
Flash frowned but nodded his head. Gallant was right, strategically he made sense. It pained him to have to leave Twilight here, but he would return, with an army at his back if needed, to get her back.
“Name is Flash Sentry by the way Prince Gallant, Flash to my Friends.”
“If we are friends, you best call me Gallant then, and we getter get going before this is the shortest friendship in the history of ponydom.
The day was growing late, and the progress on the stone around the chain was not going any faster. Already two of her three remaining shoes was bent to near uselessness, she would have to find a way to flatten them if they were going to be of any use, and the third didn't like like it was going to hold up much better *snap* the shoe snapped in half, its delicate mostly ornamental nature not cut out for the hard work she had been demanding of it, never the less its shreds were sharp enough that in snapping it had cut into her chestnut.* “Fewmets!”** Twilight exclaimed dropping the broken shoe. Without really thinking about it, she dunked her hoof into the water bucket she had been provided, but only for a second before she yanked it back out “FEWMETS!” Mordlewort was easy to absorb, and by placing her hoof in the drugged water she had no doubt exposed herself to more of the drug. In her frustration She kicked the bucket over, and threw the broken shoe at it. stupid stupid shoes; stinky crappy water and dumb flippin luck. she stomped her hoof and the fresh pain brought liquid to her eyes. She refused to cry though, she was already using up more fluids then she could replace. Using her teeth she ripped off part of the blanket covering the bed and wrapped it around her injured hoof. She had never appreciated how much work Earth ponies really had to do, except maybe during winter wrap up. Everypony worked hard that day making sure winter finished and spring could arrive without the use of magic. If ponies could end one season and start another without magic, what was a stone wall to stop her.
Humming the songs of the winter wrap up season to keep her spirits up, Twilight got back to work. She knew she had at most an hour before the next meal arrived, and she wanted to get as much done before she was interrupted again.
~~~~~
Sneaking around the dungeons alone was one thing, doing it with a group of ponies and a young dragon was another thing entirely. Lucky for Flash and Gallant the guards tended to travel in pairs, with torches, so they had plenty of warning, and they did out number them 2:1. Even more if you counted Spike who acted as lookout during these small skirmishes.
Gallant led them to a small side door, which would make it so that they would not have to cross the large courtyard. It was however on the opposite side of the castle as the road they wanted to take, so once they got out of the castle they would still have to sneak, only this time along the edge of the nearly dead river that ran around the castle edge; this river had once been the source of the long dry moat.
“Listen, Gallant, I know the chance of being able to get twilight out of the tower are small, and the risk of getting inured or killed is high, but if I fly up at dusk when the light is low but there is still too much for good night vision, I can make sure she is in that tower, and it's possibly I might be able to get her out. I have to try.”
Gallant nodded “We will try it then, the rest of us will be ready to run in case you are spotted, but we will wait-” and he drew a rough diagram of the castle and surrounds in the dirt at their hooves and marked a section “here. If you can get her out, meet us here. If you Can't get her out, let her know we are going for help, and meet us here.” Gallant clapped Flash on the shoulder “Good luck”
Flash nodded, and sneaked his way closer to the northern tower. Gallant watched him for a second, then headed out with as much stealth as three ponies and a dragon could muster.
~~~~~
Twilight's dinner had consisted almost exactly the same as her lunch, they had taken the knocked over empty bucket and replaced it with a fresh one. The big difference between the last meal and this was the lack of an apple. With no other way to quench her thirst then the drugged water, Twilight was not sure how long she could hold out. Then too, it was entirely possible that going without water, or any other way to hydrate, would cause her to pass out, then they could hydrate and drug her anyway. She thought back to her studies trying to decide how long she could go without water before it would harm her, when she heard a noise outside her window. She went over and opened the curtains; to this point she hadn't really inspected them, and was as unsurprised as disappointed to find that they were barred. What did surprise and encourage her however was the sight of a slightly worn orange Pegasus pony flying outside.
“Flash!” she gasped softly, putting her hoof on the glass. He fly closer and did the same.
“Don't worry Princess,” she could barely hear him and figured he was talking low to avoid detection “Spike, the other guards, gallant and I are going for help. We will get you out of this.”
“Be careful Flash, I want to trust Gallant but-”
The door opened and the guard outside put his head in “Who are you talking to?” out of the corner of her eye Twilight saw Flash fly off.
“Princess Celestia.” the Guard stiffened “She is setting the sun you know.”
He gave a a small glare, shut and locked the door.
It gave Twilight courage to know her friends were free and headed back to Equestria. She would keep working to get herself free as well, but at least now she had a little more time. She picked up one of the shoes, liked her dry lips, she thought of how little headway she had made to the stonework; if I want to succeed at this, I am going to need my strength. Flash got free and he has no magic, I will just have to go a little longer without mine. With that she settled into the dinner she had been provided, slowly drank the water to mach sure she didn't founder.
After she finished, she stomped on the shoes to flatten them back out, a slightly painful process, then began to hack at the stone some more.
~~~~
Flash dropped below the window as the door to Twilight's prison opened. At least he had seen that she was being given food, water and a decent place to sleep, the restrains on her wings bothered him, as did whatever reason she had not used her magic to free herself. There had to be a reason, but for all the feathers in his wings he could not come up with one.
As dusk turned into to twilight, he made his way to where he was to meet up with the others. Leaving Twilight behind tore at him, but he knew that their small force was insufficient to free her. Taking turns carrying Gallant and spike on their backs, The three Pegasus ponies made their way back to Equestria.
**warning this chapter is darker and more violent then my previous chapters**
King Strong Hooves was not in a good mood. His breakfast had been interrupted with the news that Gallant Heart had escaped, and had apparently aided the Ponies from Equestria in their escape as well. This meant his plans were drastically altered. With her guards returning to Equestria to inform Princess Celestia of Princess Twilight's predicament, he could expect their forces to be here in days. His hope had been do build up Unicornia's magical reserves, strengthen his ponies, and expand his own kingdom. His trump card was of course, that with Twilight Sparkle as his special guest, Equestria's most powerful defenses was useless. The magic available to them now was already quite a lot more then had been before Twilight had arrived, and his mean had been trained extensively in the use of ley line magic; they could feed all available magic energy into a lode stone; then when Equestria cam to free Twilight, they could harness that built up power to force them back. He summoned his advisers and aides, and outlined the plan to them. As they refined and delineated the plan, he felt his mood lifting.
Around mid morning Strong Hooves decided it was time to pay a visit to Twilight. He had the guard open the door and looked speculatively at his captive. He noted that she seemed to have drunk some of the water, so her thirst must have overcome her desire to regain her magic. He noted her smuged appearance and bandaged hoof.
“Really my dear Princess, you are not looking your best.”
“My friend Rarity would probably agree with you, that captivity is no reason to to take care of your appearance, but I think I prefer what Rainbow dash or apple jack would say to you.”
“And that would be?”
“Buck off.”
“Delightful. I am amazed that a Princess would associate with such, crude, ponies. Oh but then, you weren't always a Princess where you? Nor an Alicorn. Fascinating really; which came first, becoming an Alicorn, or becoming a Princess?”
“None of your Apple blooming business. I may be stuck her for now Strong Hooves, but my friends will come for me, and when they do, you'll find out just how powerful we are together.”
“That is King Strong Hooves, Princess. I have heard stories about you and your friends. I know however that it takes the six of you together to use the Elements of Harmony, and as the five of them will never get to this room, they will not be able to use them to save you. “
“They don't need them to save me Strong Hooves, they just need each other.”
Strong Hooves casually backhoofed Twilight “As I said, its 'King' Strong Hooves. I have held this nation together through invasions and droughts, I have watch my ponies suffer from the lack of magic. Magic we will have no in plenty. Nothing will stop me.” “Prince Gallant, my Friends, My Princess' will, just you watch.”
“Hadn't you heard Princess? I disinherited Gallant Heart. That foolish colt. Which reminds me, I will be in need of a new heir now.”
Twilight's eyes widened in horror as she backed away from Strong Hooves “You wouldn't dare!”
Strong Hooves smiled, a grim feral thing “For my kingdom and the ponies I rule, I would dare almost anything. With that he grasped Twilight's already ripped and stained dress in his magic and tore it from her body. With the her own ambient magic at his disposal her wrapped her body in his magic and restrained her to the bed. “However, I think I am going to enjoy this more then most of the things I have had to do for my kingdom.” with that he shut the door to her room.
The guards turned a deaf ears to the cries they heard coming from the room, it was quite some time before Strong Hooves magic opened the door to reveal a weeping Twilight and a sated Strong Hooves emerged. He found himself thinking hungrily of the lunch that he would soon behaving, something to build up stamina would be good; he planned on entertaining himself this way until he was certain that his Princess had conceived a new heir for him.
~~~~~
Twilight didn't want to stay on the bed, it smell, of of-- him- them- that- she weakly got down off the bed.. she was sore, she'd never, it wasn't, it hadn't.... She started to shake and she settled down on the hard stone floor. It wasn't very comfortable but at least it didn't smell.. Oh but she did. The bucket, the water! She grabbed it with her hooves and poured the bucket over her, then used the remnants of her dress to try and scrub the smell clean.
She couldn't muster up the energy to try chip away at the stone. She wasn't even sure if she wanted her friends to rescue her now, she didn't want them to know....She felt the tears flowing down her muzzle before she realized she was crying again. What did it matter anyway?
The door opened and Twilight nearly jumped out of her flesh, she back as far away as possible as the ponies came in to giver her dinner, they had been ordered to change the bedding as well, and after they left Twilight was relieved, the scent in the room was much less disturbing, she dragged the bedding off the bed and wrapped it around her. She ignored the food, she tried to ignore the strange new soreness she felt. She wanted to forget, to deny it had happened.
Sleep did not help.
~~~~~~
Strong Hooves was delighted in his new entertainment. Twilight continued to fight him, and that just increased his enjoyment. He hadn't thought conquering in bed would be more exciting then conquering on the battlefield, but it made his blood pound just to think about it. He almost wished Twilight had the use of her magic, though he supposed if she did, she would free herself rather then face him again. The strength of her magic he had felt the first day they had met led him to believe that he would not be able to defeat her if it came to a magic battle, only her lack of magic and his superior physical form allowed him this victory over her. He wondered how long he would get to enjoy this before he was sure she carried a foal. He had the water she been given dosed with herbs to increase fertility as well, because while he was enjoying this, there was always the possibility that He would have to return Twilight to Equestria in some sort of treaty agreement. He knew his plans would buy them some time but her was also aware of how strong Militarily and Magically Equestria was. Whatever came about, he would make certain that they held out long enough for her to bear the foal. It matter not if it was a filly or a colt, either could be named heir, what mattered was the inherit magic potential such a child would have.
Apple Jack was glad to be back home, she enjoyed being in Canterlot, but it was kinda like eating apple dumplings, a few's all right, but too many make your tummy heart and get ya a little rounder in the hind quarters. Workin' on the farm, well now that was like eating carrot stick and apple slices, sweet and crunchy, and good fer ya. The orchards were lookin' good, it would prolly only be a couple more days afore the trees were ready for harvest. I reckon I can harvest more apples 'n Big Macintosh this season, he's been eyen' Miss Cheerilee ever since the Apple Bloom an her friends set um up. Big Mac might deny it, but she'd seen how he'd watched Cheerilee in the market last time, they might not be special someponies to each other yet, but her sis hadn't been too far off the mark on that one.
“Hey there Apple Jack” Pinkie pie exclaimed as she popped up out of one of the barrels they had ready for apple storage “Working hard yet?”
“I was just fixin' to do that sugarcube. You wanna lend a hoof?”
Pinkie pie examined her hooves “I'd lend you one Apple Jack, But I am not sure how I would take them off?”
Apple Jack sighed "Never mind Sugarcu-”
Pinkie Pies back shivered visibly, the skin rippling around, making Pinkies coat stand on end. Apple Jack ducked under the nearby cart.
“Wow Apple Jack! Did you see that?”
“What does it mean Pinkie?”
“I don't know, but I don't like it. I think it has something to do with Twilight.”
“Twilight? Hun, you don't think she is in danger do you?”
“Twilight in danger don't be-” Shiver “Yup, danger for sure!”
“We better go find Rarity, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash.”
“I know where Rainbow Dash is!”
“Alright then you go let her know somethin' is up an we will meet at the library. I'll go get Fluttershy and Rarity and meet you there.”
“Okey Dokey Lokey!”
~~~~~
The five friends gathered in the library; Apple Jack scratched her head through her hat, maybe it hadn't been such a good idea to meet here, usually Twilight led their meetin's here and she wasn't sure how to bring up why they had all gathered together
*shiver* Pinkie Pies skin crawled again, breaking the awkward silence.
“What does that mean Pink?”
“I think it means Twilight's in trouble Dashie.”
“Are you sure dear? Maybe it just means that those silks I ordered from Saddle Arabia are going to be horribly late making it impossible for me to fulfill those I orders I have for Manehatten?”
Pinkie put a hoof to her chin and tilted her head “Nope, pretty sure it means Twilight's in danger.”
“What kind of Danger,” Fluttershy asked in her soft voice “is it something like when Angel bunny got his tail caught in those thorn bushes and it took me forever to get it all fluffed back the way he likes it?”
Pinkie felt her torso and stretched a leg “Nope feels more, not good then that, kind of like never want to have a party again bad.”
“Woa nelly, Pinkie! Now just what would happen that would make it so you'd say that?”
“I don't know, Apple Jack,” Pinkie pondered “But something really really bad. I think we need to tell Celestia.”
“How are we gonna do that?” Rainbow demanded “Its not like we have Spike here to send her a letter.”
“No dearie,” Rarity said with a smile “But we do have the fastest pony.”
“You're right, I am awesome. Alright you girls write the letter, I'll get it to Celestia in a snap! Heck she might get it faster with me then she would even if we had Spike.”
Rarity took up a quill, and quickly penned a neat note explaining Pinkie's concern. “You know ladies, it maight be rather difficult for Princess Celestia to understand Pinkie's rather unique sense. I do hope she doesn't think we are pulling a prank.”
“Oh you don't have to worry about that at all! Twilight sent a letter all about how she learned to trust my Pinkie sense. Since Twilight trusts it, and Celestia trusts Twilight, she'll believe us.”
Rarity was still concerned, but swallowed her doubts to give Pinkie the benefit of the doubt.
Rainbow took the scroll, in her mouth gave a salute, left the library and took off.
“Well ya'll, while Rainbow is deleverin' the message, I reckon we oughtta get ready to go help our friend.”
“What do you think we will need?”
Rarity, Apple Jack and Fluttershy looked at Pinkie Pie.
“I Don't know girls! All I know is she needs our help.”
“Umm,” Flustershy said hesitantly “maybe we should take things that would be good in an emergancy? Like, umm, Rope?”
“And a first aid kit.”
“extra vittles!”
“Balloons!”
~~~~~~~~
Princess Celestia did indeed take the letter Rainbow brought to her later that day seriously, but without knowing what was actually wrong, had little option on what she could do about it. Still, she decided, it wouldn't hurt to send a detachment of guards to check the route Twilight had taken, and make sure nothing had happened to her on her journey too Unicornia. If something had happened to here there...
“Rainbow Dash” Princess Celestia intoned.
“Yes Princess?”
“I would ask if you and your friends would be willing to go with the guards I am going to send to look for Twilight; if they had an accident on the way, she will be comforted with the presence of her friends to assist her; if you do not find anything wrong on the way, I authorize your friends to journey to Uniconia as ambassadors, to seek information and aid from King Strong Hooves and Prince Gallant Heart. If nothing is wrong with Twilight, you will still be there to aid here as holders of the Elements of Harmony; perhaps Twilight is in danger because Unicornia is in danger, if so, then you may offer Equestria's aid.”
“My friends and I would be honored Princess, you can count on us.”
“Head back to Ponyville then Rainbow Dash, I will have the guards meet you and your friends there. Expect to leave early in the morning.”
