> The Ballad of Graceful Blossom > by Woomod > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Chapter 1 - War's End > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was over, the war was over. Luna was dead, all that was left was for her bats to accept their surrender terms. Celestia’s inner circle was convened in her war tent. Blossom could hear each of their heartbeats, Gladius the clockwork knight of course betrayed nothing only the ticking of gears, Celestia’s ward little Eros was still on edge after everything, and Celestia’s heartbeat betrayed her anxiety. But she could see nothing, for she was blind. “Blossom, do you think My….Luna’s forces will accept our terms of surrender.” Celestia spoke up in her calming yet unsure voice. Blossom turned her head up from her meditations, reading the anxiety in her lady's voice. “They are very generous My Lady, I am sure they will.” Blossom replied. “If not….The soldiers are getting anxious.” Celestia sighed. “Is that what bothers you my lady? Our allies debts to us are more than sufficient to cover the soldier’s back pay.” Blossom responded in a calm tone, this was while true certainly not going to cover the day to day running of the army and Blossom knew it, She had not burdened her lady with just how dire their financial straights were even the church’s considerable pockets had been emptied into the war effort. “And If they don’t pay blossom? And If they don’t pay?” Celestia stated with a tone of slight desperation. “Then it is obvious to me that they are not our allies, isn’t it?” Gladius stated in his slow contemplative and melancholy tone. “And we still have an army.” Eros fluttered onto the impromptu desk in front of Celestia, and spoke in their soft energetic voice tempered by etiquette. “Don’t worry mother, whatever comes up you can deal with it.” Blossom could hear the slowing of Celestia’s heartbeat in response to the child’s faith, she heard the tell tale sound of the little one being moved onto the ground. “And even if you can’t, we are by your side till the end. Shall we toast, to our victory?” “Doesn’t the church frown on drinking?” Gladius stated at me, even with his voice I could tell he was teasing. “Why don’t we just ask the local deity her opinion on drinking?” I stated plainly turning my head to Celestia. “Blossom, I am absolutely certain that it doesn’t matter what I tell you, you will drink us all under the table. But yes a toast.” I could hear the pop of a wine bottle, and the pouring of drinks around the table. “To tomorrow, to the fact there will be a tomorrow.” “I can drink to that.” Gladius replied, as we began to down our drinks, i could hear the hoofbeats coming towards us. I drank slowly, taking time to savor the taste of the alcohol down my throat, War supplies being what they are I had not had the chance to enjoy fine in a long while. Though I was certain I would soon enjoy plenty, the length it had been made me feel it only fit to savor it. I could hear Celestia and Gladius put down their glasses before me. The hoofbeats entered the tent. “General Celestia, We have received a response to our demands. They have agreed to all terms except the cessation of worship of Luna.” “Thank you captain.” Celestia replied, the tone of her voice clearly relieved. “Accept the new altered terms and take the war booty and reparations immediately, when you return we will be preparing to return to canterlot.” I heard the captain leave. Little Eros hooves went on the table. “Mother, why did you just instantly agree to change the terms?” “Because little one, by including one part of my offer they both cannot accept and I don’t care about they can show some token resistance and keep their pride in tact.” Celestia explained to her young ward. “I see.” Eros replied, the child’s grasp on politics was good for his age, but still needed polishing. Often the finer points and subtler machinations would need some explanation. I heard a ting of spoon hitting glass. “My friends, we have a long day ahead of us, though we have won we begin the long march home. Once our backers pay us we can go our separate ways.” Celestia said nothing for a moment. “Ok, Gladius can be on his way.” I awoke, Celestia was not here, nor was Gladius but that was hardly unsurprising most likely on guard duty. There was no need to thought, My body moved instinctively. I wandered through the camp, I could still hear soldiers drunkenly celebrating our victory and smell the alcohol. I focused my senses tuning out the background, seeking Celestia’s scent. I was nearby. “My Lady?” I asked tentatively. “What are you doing?” “Blossom!” I could hear her head turn my way her voice surprised. “I’m looking at the stars, It has been very long since I could just look up and appreciate them.” She said as her voice relaxed. I nodded and sat down next to Celestia “I can understand, Are they beautiful?” “Very.” Celestia paused for a moment before continuing. “Blossom….Did I...Do the right thing?” “The forces Luna wielded would have had consequences if left unchecked. Someone needed to stand up to her and stop her, That happened to be you.” Blossom stated with certainty. “That is why you are the living god.” “But, she’s my sister. What if there was another way?” Celestia asked again. “That is also why you are the living god.” I nodded. “You have a mortal heart, You know what a mortal feels. There may have been another way but dwelling on what Ifs won’t change what was done.” “So where do I go from here? I do not think I can go back to normal life now that i’m a Goddess, and even if I could…..I am afraid I do not think I want to’” Celestia questioned. “You have a great gift for inspiration. Have you considered rulership?” Blossom replied. Celestia considered for several moments mulling over the suggestion. “Rulership? It would seem natural I suppose, But I have had my fill of barking orders.” “The world doesn’t need anyone to run it, It is perfectly capable of running itself. Ponies just sometimes...they forget that, and they just need a light to inspire them, to remind them the right path.” I stretched my wings and got up. “Good Night Celestia.” “Good night blossom, I think I will stay here for awhile longer.” She said as I began to walk away. I continued to direct the troops in packing up, we were just finishing up as I could hear Celestia’s approach. “You let me sleep in Blossom.” She stated sternly. “Well you had a long night, and if any of us needed some rest it was you my lady.” I replied liltingly. “How goes preparations for departure?” Celestia asked in a commanding tone. “Almost finished my lady.” I replied a slight tone of pride sneaking into my relief. “We shall be ready to go within the hour.” “Excellent, I shall check around. Just to make sure.” Celestia replied in a pleased tone. “Of course my lady.” I nodded as I returned to making sure everything was being done as well. I continued to help direct the proceedings, I could hear the sound of little Eros in the tent restlessly flapping around,  I could hear the ticking of gladius as he put his prodigious physical prowess to use, And I could hear Celestia walking among the troops giving out praise and encouragement. The ticking, burdened sound grew closer. A SLAM next to me as gladius dropped what he was carrying. “So it’s really finally over? I guess I’ll go back to being a museum piece until the next war.” “You know that won’t happen Gladius.” I responded with a soft sigh, his war weary fatalism was trying, but I knew it was all he knew, he had seen a dozen wars over the centuries. “We’ll ensure you get the magic you need to keep functioning.” “You really think Celestia will find really keep me functioning? Even if I’m not actively using magic, basic functioning costs a lot.” He asked, he seemed serious. “Of course, You’re our friend, and loyal comrade. How could she not, don’t you have a little faith?” I tried to take the most assured tone I could. “In my commander? No.” He rubbed his jaw, he had a strange habit of doing that. “The most important lesson anyone ever taught me, I should never fight for someone, but for something. I’ve made sure to do that for three centuries.” “Then what are you fighting for Gladius? To defeat Luna?” I inquired, Gladius had always been distant since we reactivated him, I was glad to see him opening up finally. Gladius shook his head, “I want…” But he was cut off. As celestia walked up to us, “Blossom, we are ready. I need to make my announcement.” I bowed slightly. “Of course my lady.” I straightened myself and pulled my wings into a circle. “Men, we have won. Luna is dead, her forces have surrendered, and it is time to go home.” Her voice boomed as I manipulated the sound moving through my wings. “Today we head to canterlot, there our backers and allies will pay us what you are owed. Once that is done we can all go home, you can go back to your families. To those who lost those families, I give my condolences. It has been an honor serving alongside you, all of you.” She finished her speech, and with it the war was over, we could go home. I could hear the stomping of hoofbeats in applause, it filled the air and nothing else could be heard. The army began it’s march, we were going home, finally going home. I sighed leaving the the carriage with the captive Bat ponies. I could hear gladius ticking when I left. “Any new information?” He asked, Gladius showed a great deal of concern for the bats, I think he felt a kindred of artificiality for them. “No there’s a lot we don’t know about Dark Magic, or the Power of the Gods.” I respond, it was true there had been few ponies to become gods in the past and only one of those remains, while Dark magic use was actively persecuted as it went against the Primordial’s Design. I could hear grinding as we walked quietly, I could feel the impending question about to be asked. “When are you going to tell them?” The armor piercing question hit like a truck. I said nothing. He asked again more insistently. “When are you going to tell them?” “When I have found a cure.” I replied. After two long weeks, we had reached Canterlot, as the army crested that last hill It’s cheering roared filling the air, it nearly deafened the sounds of the city. But still I could barely hear it, the hooves on cobblestone, prayers being rendered up to the primordials, the cries of children, The hustle and bustle of the largest pony city in the world. I could hear the flapping of little Eros wings excitedly flapping as he tried to get a better look. “It’s so pretty!” Gladius said nothing all I could hear was the ticking of his heart, I wondered if he truly believed we would let him become a museum piece again. Celestia let out a sigh at my side. “So it is finally over.” I turned my head towards Celestia and smiled. “Yes, it is finally over.” I tasted the lie upon my tongue as soon as I said it. War after all was easy, It was Peace that was hard. > Chapter 2 - Canterlot's Betrayel > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I made my way to the usual spot, I’d find the others later, but I was back in Canterlot and I had a promise to keep. A little patch of grass, next to the sewers, with a single tree on it. There we would meet. As I arrived I sat beneath the tree and waited. I did need to wait long before my nose was assaulted with Lady Char’s scent, and my heart skipped a beat. But that was another life and a long time ago. “My lady, I am glad you were able to find time for me in your busy schedule.” “Blossom.” Her voice was blunt, harsh and straight forward. “I’ve known you since we were 8, can the politeness. How are you.” I let out a sigh of relief, from my bottled up weariness. “Worse for the wear, I did just fight a war against a God. I could really use a drink.” Lady Char tsked in a serious tone at me and gave me a light slap on the nose. “You’re a monk, it’s forbidden. It impedes the horn chakra.” I laughed and so did she. “Yeah, I don’t think that’s ever really impeded my insight or intuition. So where were we when I went off to war?” I could hear her hmming for a few minutes before speaking up. “I Believe I was calling you an idiot for going to war and chasing after the tail of the first giant light calling itself a God, especially when you can’t see.” I could feel as Lady Char sat down next to me. “Then you badgered me into getting the Church to support the war effort.” “Low blow Char. Besides If someone can become a living god it’s our duty, they’ve made great strides in escaping their Dharma.” I stated in a pointed tone. “Blossom.” Char sighed exasperated. “No pony in recorded history has ever escaped their Dharma. All we can do is help ponies live up to their Dharma’s.” “The Prophet…” I tried to point out the obvious but was cut off. “If The Prophet existed, A big if, Then you possibly have one pony to escape Dharma.” A few moments passed as I could hear Lady Char rub her temples. “How can you escape yourself when the Gods tattoo yourself on your plot Blossom?” “Are you saying you don’t believe Char?” I turned my head to her. “I believe in the Church, I believe in the good it does in helping ponies find peace in their lives, I believe in the fact running it leaves me overworked.” She chuckled at the joke. “You’ve beaten into my head the belief that normal ponies can make a difference.” Lady char stood up I could hear her well muscled form stretching. “So Circus or sparring match?” “Circus, I just got back from War.” I stood up. “Besides maybe I can get a drink at the Circus.” Lady Char laughed. “You know I’ll stop you.” “But then I might get sober.” I whined in response. “Good, maybe we’ll actually see how far you can hear with your mind unimpeded then.” We both laughed and started to walk towards the circus. I adjusted the giant stuffed bear on my back that Char had won for me. Who tells two warrior monks that breaking the bottles doesn’t count as knocking them over? No pony that’s who. Char stopped when we reached the exit. “She has no intention of paying up.” “What?” I turned my head back to char. Char spoke slowly and calmly. “Hierarch Spellweaver, she has no intent of paying up. She is going to argue the church already gave sufficiently to make for Canterlot’s contribution.” I stood there, I had no idea what to do honestly, We needed that money to pay for the soldier’s back pay and the only option we had besides was...Gladius Option, taking in the weight of that I knew I needed another answer. “I see, thank you for the information Char.” Chat ask quizzically and unsure. “Blossom, what are you going to do?” I stood up straight and said without hesitation. “What’s right.” I vaulted myself into the sky. I could hear the army encamped outside the gates, it wasn’t hard. I avoided them, I needed to figure out what to do, to clear my head. I flew around the city at a leisurely pace and yet my contrails still spilled behind me, music and sound coalesced and my thoughts took solid form. “If you were with me now, I’d find myself anew. If you were with me now, you’d know just what to do. I want to live my life, the way you said we should. With courage as my light, fighting for what’s right. Like you made me believe I could. And I will fly upon these wings, to places I have never been, there is so much yet to be. And I can feel, your heartbeat still. And I Will do these great things, upon these wings. This World I’ll never see, My just dreams that just won’t be, But I fly upon these wings, to places I have never been, there is so much yet to be. And I can feel, your heartbeat still. And I Will do these great things, upon these wings. Someday with your spirit beside me, and your words to guide me, I will be freeeeeeeeee.” I landed with the army, Celestia’s flames and Gladius ticking made it easy to find them. “Did your discussion with lady char not go so well Blossom?” said Celestia’s voice a tinge of worry piercing it. “Are private thoughts not private now?” I asked somewhat defentively. “Not when you start singing over the entire city. No.” Gladius replied it wasn’t mocking, just matter of factly. I groaned inwardly, I had lost control of my music while flying. “Hierarch Spellweaver has no intention of paying what she promised, she is going to claim that since the church has already lent heavy support to the cause she doesn’t need to pay up.” “Well that would explain her choice of venues for negotiations.” Celestia said barely contained rage in her voice. “Blossom to get you up to speed, we have been so thoughtfully invited to an underground bar for the discussions.” “I wouldn’t think Spellweaver would dein…” I started to speak up. “Literally underground.” Celestia corrected. “It’s run by an Earth Dragon named gretel, and frequented by both the worst of the worst, and the best of the best trying to slum it. However we have several hours until the appointed time, It seems Spellweaver is intent on belittling us before telling us no.” “I would like to echo my earlier advice.” Gladius stated. “We have an army which far outstrips the Canterlot guard. Our other allies will either understand or be cowed and intimidated by the show of force.” “Gladius I appreciate the straightforwardness of your plan, I believe we are tired of war.” Celestia stated in a diplomatic tone. Gladius retorted in a calm serious tone. “I’m not, I enjoy your company, I consider you my friends, I would not be remiss for one more battle before being shut down.” “Gladius!” I shouted indignantly. “There has been enough death and suffering, besides I swear to you I won’t let you end up just wasting away in a museum just because the war is over.” I could hear Gladius rubbing his polished steel jaw as I spoke. I heard the flapping of tiny wings, as an excitable little bundle of energy forced it’s way into the strategy tent. “It’s lesson time.” It stated empathically and with a tone of seriousness as it landed softly on the table. “Yes, It Is I suppose.” I heard celestia say, though she tried to keep her tone neutral I could hear the relief in her voice. I don’t know if it was relief from the tension or from getting to spend time with eros. Eros truly could truly get to her, I don’t think she ever thought the child would so endear itself to her, but it did. I sat to the side as they began the lesson, The contents did not matter, figures, formulas and theories that meant nothing to me. But I listened intently anyways, It was a joy to see Celestia so relaxed for once, though not tranquil I didn’t think I could be tranquil around that bundle of energy, I realized I needed to spend more time with the child as I had neglected it recently, but now was not the time. I got up and tried to leave, to cease my intrusion into their moment. “Aunt Blossom?” Eros responded quizzically and I turned to face the direction the child was speaking from. “Why are you leaving.” “I just felt it best not to intrude on your time with Celestia.” I replied plainly. Celestia said nothing, Eros after a moment spoke up again. “Oh...Ok. Um, you’ll have fun won’t you?” I Smiled and nodded my head. “Of course, I’ll be fine.” “OK!” Eros voice beamed. I took that as my moment to get out of there and leave. I walked under a nearby tree and meditated, soon it would be time to deal with Spellweaver. Celestia may need rest and relaxation to prepare herself, but I needed to prepare myself for what could be, it was her place to lead, and mine to act. If it came to what Gladius suggested...I shuddered, Canterlot had been the center of pony culture for centuries could we really Invade It? What would our troops think of invading it? The Griffons would speak nothing, they served their own gods or were Celestia’s most fanatic followers. Earthponies were farms and Pegasi warriors by tradition would be loyal to the cause, or to coin, or to Celestia. But the Unicorns, and The Church soldiers, our magical support and our most skilled troops respectively, they could turn on us from the inside. My thoughts were interrupted by an unnoticed unguided love missile, and tiny wings and hooves embraced me. “Aunt Blossom!” “Little one, what are you doing here, it is time for your lesson.” I said shocked as the wind had been knocked out of me. “Well, We got to politics lessons, and Celestia told me what was going on, then asked me.” Eros began in a most excited tone before switching to a more serious one. “Eros if you were in my place what would you do.” Then without missing a beat Eros switched instantly back to it’s normal rapid speech pattern. “And I said how i’d shore up morale in preparation for the worst so it wouldn’t look like I was doing it prematurely before we knew what was happening, just look like I was being a concerned leader. Then Celestia said that was a good plan and for a test I should do that in small scale, then I remembered how you left and figured you had morale problems and I could help with those. So completely unrelated to my test, How is your morale?” I giggled for a moment, I reached out and touched Eros smiling face affectionately before responding. “Not well, I worry about what may indeed be inevitable, and how we could be forced to do that. The full weight of that weighs heavy on my soul.” Eros ears perked up and the child asked. “Why does this weigh so much heavier on you than the campaign against Luna and her followers?” I sighed wondering how much philosophy the child’s mind had really been filled with in those lessons with Celestia and if it could absorb what I was saying. “Luna and her followers were tainted by the power of darkness, she needed to be stopped to maintain cosmic balance. It was a holy act sanctioned by the church. But this is a secular war for secular reasons, and there are those in the Church who are likely to claim their side is defending the Faith…” I braced myself for what Eros would realize. Eros listened intently and responded. “Would you be expected to defend the Faith if they did so?” “Yes Child.” I nodded slowly and sadly. Eros humphed. “Well it’s like you told Gladius, Don’t fight for someone, fight for something.” I shook my head. “Eros, I didn’t tell Gladius that.” The little one pulled his head back. “You didn’t?” The child quizzed me. “But I could have sworn you had to be the one who told him that. Well It Sounds like something you’d say, so still you should take his advice and fight for something and not just the Church.” I raised an eyebrow. “Or Celestia?” I could hear Eros rubbing their chin for a few moments then the sound of slow nodding. “Well I guess it would follow you don’t just go to war for Celestia either.” I smiled, and patted the child on the head. “Thank you child, you’ve done a good child. Tell Celestia you passed your test.” “OK!” The child chirped happily before running off to it’s Mother. I regathered myself in my meditations, wiping away my worries. I would do what needed to be done, No matter what happened, I would not betray myself. That truth echoed through me, I would be myself. What has to be can not be changed. We went down beneath the walls, it was lower than the slums, it was a place for those cast out. The tunnels stench filled the air. We walked the four of us into the tavern. I could hear from the hoof stomps a pony getting a drink. “She Isn’t here, she means to insult us.” Eros noted. “Possibly, but we are early it is not yet time to judge.” I chided the child slightly before moving to the bar. “So how much for a drink?” I needed a drink so bad, I was hearing too much. A neck craned down to me. “2 bits.” A huge imposing voice intoned, in it the earth rumbled. I could hear the energy flowing through the dragon, her root was huge, but bloated and fat not healthy, she was greedy. “How much for a bracelet.” I intoned. “30 bits. And How do you know about that, might I ask?” The dragon’s rumbling voice inquired. I smiled. “All the ponies that sound comfortable here have braclets, and they don’t pay you for their drinks.” “Ha, you got me.” The dragon intoned in good humor as it nodded. “I don’t think you are a regular, so you think you can drink 15 drinks in one sitting?” “I haven’t had a drink in all day, pretty sure.” I chuckled. “Well lemme get you two then, Any preferences?” The rumbling voice inquired. “Strong.” I replied as a herd of ponies began to come down the corridor, armed and armored over 20, in addition an unarmed pony in robes. It must have been Hierarch Spellweaver,  heart was malnourished and yet encased around it was something like a huge overripe fruit, her throat was powerful and unhealthy much as Gretel's Root. I instinctively squished my muzzle a demagogue, not a true believer, she had never even opened her heart much less her higher Chakras. I downed the two drinks, I didn’t need to hear these this. “More please.” Gretel obliged as I took two drinks and sat down at the negotiating table. “See, no insult she’s right on time.” Spellweaver responded, there was a practiced honey to her words and yet i could hear inside her the honey being made and the venom inside that honey...I needed more booze. “Thank you Graceful Blossom, I have no interest in making this harder than it needs to be.” Celestia spoke calmly and imperiously. “Then you will have no problem handing over the money that Canterlot owes me, and I can send my troops home.” “Except we owe you no money, Canterlot has been run by the church for the past two centuries and the Church has given you more than enough Money. Furthermore even If I wanted to I simply don’t have the funds to pay what you seem to think I owe.” Spellweaver replied her tone maintaining the honey from before but more venom hidden beneath the surface. I could feel Celestia’s anger burning before she had time to react. “Celestia, calm down, we are negotiating. Please Calm.” “I will NOT calm down Blossom!” The room flared with the heat of Celestia’s temper. “My men bled so that this precious city would be safe and it cannot pay its debts?!” “We are aware Lady Celestia, and we owe you a great deal of gratitude for your actions. But not coin.” Spellweaver continued to try and sound reasonable as Celestia’s temper flared further. “Then YOU go and tell my men that they won’t be paid.” Celestia roared, her anger was making the room swelteringly hot, “I will do no such thing, you are the one who failed them.” The venom and intent was clear, Spellweaver would not budge which meant there was only one recourse Celestia would have to resort to. “So, It shall be war then.” Gladius stated bluntly. “Do not speak unless you are spoken to tool.” She showed not even contempt for Gladius when speaking. “Is in my circle, and he speaks my mind on the matter.” Celestia intoned her anger now quieter but burning even more fiercely. “War? With Canterlot? With the Church? Your armies would turn on you, Your precious Graceful Blossom and this weapon belong to the Church. What will your other allies say when they find out you turned on us?” Spellweaver balked dumbfounded, had she not even considered that we would invade canterlot had she been so arrogant as to assume we would back down when not payed? “Yes, War.” The decision ripped through Celestia’s heart, and the stab in hers tore through mine, I needed a bucking drink. “They will think you are traitors who didn’t pay up, maybe they will think I deserve a crown since I am a Goddess and I Did lead an Army to save the world.” “So be it curs.” Outright contempt now erupted from Spellweaver’s mouth. “Graceful Blossom, go retrieve the temple knights. As for this weapon it has forgotten it’s Place clearly.” Spellweaver began to chant a spell. I knew Celestia was readying to attack, I knew she would know what kind of spell this was. I held out my hoof calmly and gave a knowing nod as I heard weapons being drawn. As the binding spell finished there was a popping and then a fizzling sound. “Did you not remember who I am? Or Perhaps did you merely not believe?” Gladius normal stoic tone had become mocking. “I AM GLADIUS, THE UNCHAINED! MY SOUL IS MY OWN!” He roared defiantly.