Sereda Aeducan A dwarf who fought to protect Thedas and her home Orzammar. Now sixty five, does she have the strength to do the same for Equestria or is this her last chapter.
Tirek has returned, but he wasn't alone. Armed with a seeming endless amount of soldiers he prepares to march on Equestria and enslave the ponies. Now the ponies of Equestria must rally their courage and make a stand or become toys for the demented centaur.
While the ponies struggle to meet this foe, Discord has elected to help in his own way and summoned an old Gray Warden named Sereda Aeducan to give the ponies some much needed advise in the art of warfare. Will the always stone-bound dwarf be able to lead these ponies to victory like she did forty years ago? Or will she be brought low by the monstrous task ahead.
~ Alternate universe where Tirek attacked latter in the series and some slight changes in what happened to the hero of Ferelden.
Warning: Main character will be over powered or as I like to put it, a logical progression that would have happened if the hero of Ferelden didn't have a level cap and continued to evolve past 40 years.
Spoiler: There will be talk and detailed explanations of the events during Dragon Age Origins and Awakening.
Disclaimer: Dragon age was developed by Bioware and MLP by Hasbro please support the official release.
Twilight galloped through the palace, determined to reach her destination before… “Before Faust knows what.” Twilight didn’t know what was going on. She received a letter from former mentor stating that she was needed to meet her and the other royals as soon as possible and they would be waiting for her in the counsel room.
Twilight’s destination insight she practically rammed the door flinging it open startling all present. “Sorry… I’m… late…” Twilight said gasping for air. Celestia, Luna, Cadence and her Brother were sitting around a large circular table with a map of equestrian laid out in front of them. Celestia was the first to acknowledge Equestria’s newest princess and rose to greet her.
“Thank you for coming on such short notice Princess Twilight, but this situation is indeed dire.” Celestia motioned for Twilight to join them at the table where she could now see a familiar book sitting in the center. If the use of Twilight’s title was any indication, then the various flags on the map were dead giveaway to the severity of the situation. Using her magic Celestia opened up the book in the center, and began telling the tale.
“This story goes back to when our mother Queen Faust still ruled. A warmonger named Tirek brought his armies from across the sea and invaded our land to seize Equestria’s magic for himself. He would have succeeded if not for his brother Scorpan who learned to love the ponies and could not bring himself to follow Tirek’s mad quest for power. Scorpan turned on his brother and warned Queen Faust of his plans. Knowing her ponies were in danger she used the elements of harmony to lock Tirek and his armies in the depths of Tartarus.” Celestia closed the book and addressed Twilight directly “With the elements no longer available we are debating on how to handle the situation.”
“Equestria has always been a peaceful nation” Twilight looked to her brother and acting captain of the guard. “the Crystal and Canterlot guards are the only active military we have at the moment. Our united front only comes too roughly fifteen thousand able soldiers and that includes the ones on leave or still in training!” His grimaced and looked down casts. “The last scouting party reported almost pushing thirty thousand troops with hundreds leaving the gate by the day. We simply don’t have the numbers or the experience to face that kind of force.”
Luna raised her hoof about to speak but Celestia cut her off. “No Luna we can’t draft civilians anymore because the draft laws were removed shortly after your banishment.” Luna was about to say something but Celestia stopped her. “No Luna that was not my doing it was the nobles who felt and I quote “since we have not had any conflicts in the last three thousand years why bother keeping them around.” Celestia grumbled under her breath about the thick headed nature of the nobles before continuing. “Because of the dire nature we are faced with, I think we should bring Discord in on this since he is at the moment our strongest ally.”
With a snapping sound discord appeared leaning on Celestia. “Speak the devils name and he shall answer.” He grinned and proceeded to hover over the table inspecting all the little figurines and decided all the white flags should be little Celestias and all the red flags should be bananas.
Celestia just rolled her eyes and continued the discussion. “Discord I assume you have been listening in.”
Discord looked up from his impromptu battle between mini Celestia and the banana overlord. “But of course little Celly, I’m always listening.” He smiled like the Cheshire.
“Then you will use your powers to help us?”
Discord rubbed his chin with a talon before answering. “But of course but, while I could go and try to confront Tirek myself and maybe catch him off guard, you know that would never work.”
Celestia frowned but nodded “So do you have anything else to offer us?”
Discord stroked his beard with an out of place seriousness. “Tirek is a sly fellow and is either one prepared for me and has taken measures to prevent me using my magic or steal it all together.” Eyes wide Discord suddenly clapped his talon and paw together, rubbing them menacingly “I have the perfect solution and all it’s going to take is the right princess and a little friendship magic.” Discord grinned evilly and snapped his talon and a hole opened up in front of the royals.
~
Tapster’s Tavern, there is no better place in Orzammar to get you’re drink and stay for a night. If you can tell the difference between night and day, with Orzammar being underground and all. While normally the tavern would be bustling with activity, commoner and noble alike. Tonight was different, tonight is one of three in the whole year that a Paragon enters the hall and drinks her sorrows away for a night. Tonight she enters the hall wearing her volcanic dwarven royal armor and the re-forged ancient shield of the first Paragon Aeducan and a long sword clearly not of dwarven make.
She took her seat at the bar with many of the patrons moving to either leave or give the old paragon her space. She once had vibrant scarlet red hair and deep green eyes, they are now faded. Her hair now with steaks of grey and her eyes now dull . The wrinkle’s and scars adorning her face showing her troubled life as well as her experience and wisdom.
The bar tender nervously and cautiously made his way over. “M-m-m- My Lady Aeducan! W-w-welcome to T-Tapster’s Tavern. H-how can I serve you.” The paragon regarded the bar keep with a star that would make the strongest dwarven men and women feel like they were facing down an archdemon.
She smiled at her fellow dwarf but spoke with authority and fire that one would not expect from someone her age. “Ah you’re new. Tell me bar keep where is Sir Dulge?”
“H-he is bed ridden my lady he hired me to watch the tavern in his stead.” She regarded the dwarf with a solemn expression.
"Ancestors watch over him. Now then how about you pour me a drink.”
“Of course my lady. What would you like?”
“I’ll have a pint of Lichen Ale if that’s alright with you.” The bartender was shocked but shook his head continued to fill the order.
“You are aware Lady Aeducan that, that is the cheapest ale we have serve here I we plenty of finer brews you could have and even some from the surface, Antiva I think it was, we could serve you.” The bartender finished the ale and slid it in front of the paragon, foam running down the side.
“Thank you for the advice but today isn’t about the taste or the finer things. Surely Dulge mentioned how I come to this tavern only three nights in the year.” She finished by taking a swig of the drink.
“Honestly I thought the old man was huffing lyrium when said that. I guess I owe him a drink now.” He chuckled “So if you don’t mind me asking why do you come here?”
She stared absently at her drink “I come here because on the same night every year to remind me.”
The bartender around nervously, it was as if the entire atmosphere suddenly got colder and a sense of foreboding but his curiosity won out against his fear. Swallowing nervously he asked, "Remind you of what?"
With ghostly smile she said, "The night I lost everything."
After finishing six pints and telling the new bar tender, who’s name she still doesn’t know, good night she left tavern entering fiery light of Orzammar’s lava falls and returned to her estate. She was greeted by her servants “Welcome back Lady Aeducan.” Making her way to her room she stopped by her trophy case. Her dull eyes focused on a stone tablet that housed the names of herself and those who followed her all those years ago. She delicately touched it just under the name Alistair Theirin.
Suddenly a hole appeared beneath her. She didn’t even make a sound as she and the tablet fell into nothing.
~
At the sound of the thump every royal in the room turned to the source and saw a being like they have never seen. It was short with a greyish red mane, clad in elaborate armor the likes of which they have never seen, carrying a shield and a sword that seemed too long for its body. When it finally stood to its full height it was carrying a piece of stone and was looking at the royals just as confused. And it spoke with an aged voice. “I’m going to have that bartender flogged for drugging my drink.”
Hello everyone I am going to give you a warning this chapter was redone and rethought maybe 4 different times so if you see anything out of place or just doesn't make sense. Let me know in the comments so I can straighten it out.
The royals stared at the short creature for almost a minute before Celestia started to speak. “Discord wha- who is this.” Celetia took a step forward and examined the short creature.
“And it talks, wonderful.” The creature rubbed the bridge of her short muzzle. Celestia took a step back when it moved. “Well speak then I will give you my name if you give me yours.”
Celestia, not getting any help from discord as he was too busy snickering behind her, sighed and extended her wings. “I am Princess Celestia Co-ruler of Equestria, and regent of the sun. Who may I ask are you.”
The creature raised its head looking directly into her eyes. Celestia could see pride, sorrow and hardship that came with a long life reflected in it's dull green eyes. “And I am Sereda Aeducan, Paragon and Princess of house Aeducan. As for the what, don’t think I didn’t catch that, I am a Dwarf of Orzammar. Now what of yourself. You resemble a horse but have wings and a horn.” She then pointed to discord. “And you look like an archdemon had sex with a nug.”
Discord huffed and crossed his arms “Rude.” A murmur of snickers and giggles rounded the room.
“You don’t look like any demons or spirits I’ve seen and this doesn’t feel like the fade.” Celestia smiled at the inquisitive woman she almost reminded her of twilight with her observations. “We are not demons or spirits… well discord technically is, but myself, Princesses Luna, Twilight and Cadence are all alicorns a species of ponies who have both horns and wings.” She gestered to each of the ponies in the room. “Twilight’s brother is prince Shining Armor and he’s a unicorn. There are also pegasi who have wings and earth ponies who have neither. Does that answer your question?” Celestia always loved to teach.
“Thoroughly, though I don’t think I was brought here just to say hi.” The alicorn nodded.
“Indeed, Discord why did you bring Princess Aeducan here?” She asked looking back at the draconequus.
“Right you see our biggest issue is that we haven’t dealt with war since the time of King Sombra. So I got to thinking,” he hovered over behind the Paragon. “Since we don’t know what to do, then why not ask an expert?”
Sereda just raised an eye brow “Shoulda figured it’d be something like that.” She moved over the map to get a good look at it. Celestia and Discord followed after her. Shining armor then made his concerns known.
“Now hold on, I can get behind that we need help but can we really trust this pony?” Shining pointed a hoof at the paragon. “We know nothing about her and why would an outsider just help us just because we asked?” Celestia was about to defend her decision but the dwarf spoke first.
“You’d make a good dwarf, pony. You got a good head on your shoulders and healthy attitude to new comers. And there a few reasons why I’d jump to help you. First and foremost, I don’t have to deal the deshyrs or nobles for a while. Second I generally enjoy helping people… and busting skulls… and stabbing things, people… objects. Huh?… moving on.” Every pony in the room just stared at her as Discord chuckled. “Third I’m still half convinced I’m hallucinating and figure sod it may as well and see where this little episode takes me. As for if you can trust me or not well that’s in the ancestors’ hands isn’t it?” Suddenly Celestia wasn’t so sure about her decision. “Now what are we looking at here.”
With a little more coaxing Shining fell on board if just to hear what she might have to offer on the situation. They discussed the situation for hours bouncing ideas back and forth. Twilight wasn’t paying attention and was instead thinking about the wayward dwarf. What kind of culture she must have? What trials lead to the scare running down her cheek? These thoughts and more ran through her mind so much she couldn’t take her eyes off her. That is of course till she spotted what looked like a black stone tablet laying on the pristine marble floor. How no one else noticed it was beyond her as it stuck out like a sore hoof. Looking around the table she noticed no one else was paying attention to her so she slid from table and made her way over to the object. She was shocked at how heavy it was. It was more like she was lifting a lead weight than a small tablet.
She brought the tablet closer to her face so she it better. The first several lines were in a hieroglyphic style of writing she couldn’t even identify. The next was block letters reading //Duncan 9:30, King Cailan Theirin 9:30, Davith Siral 9:30, Ser Jory 9:30 // she read each and one slowely, she could tell it was a memorial but of what she was unsure as there were names that didn’t have any kind of number or indication that she could reason to be a year and why were their different languages on them. She was caught up she didn’t notice the figure standing next to her or that the room had grown silent. Twilight was startled when someone cleared their throat next to her. She released a surprised “Ah!” and fumbled to catch the tome and turned her head to who had surprised her.
“I believe that belongs to me.” Sereda’s neutral stare unnerved her a little as the paragon had been friendly and cooperative since she arrived.
Gently the alicorn handed the tablet over to the dwarf. “Sorry… it was just lying there and I got curious-and-I-couldn’t-really-offer-anything-to-conversation-an-“ The dwarf clamped the rambling mare’s mouth shut with her hand.
“It’s alright, this just has sentimental value and I didn’t expect it to fall through with me.” She stared at the tome with a strange look that Twilight couldn’t place before she moved to the table and set it face down. “Now where were we?”
Shining spoke "We’ve mostly gone over everything our plan right now is to hit choke points and protect the civilians. As much as possible.”
Sereda considered everything they had tactics, armor, weapon and even compared their priorities and could only come to one definitive answer. “You need help.” Shining and the gathered ponies looked at her confused.
“But isn’t that why you’re here? To give us advice on how to proceed.” Cadence intoned.
Sereda shook her head, “That’s not what I meant You need allies. From what I can gather this Tirek has a massive army that’s increasing every day. If you stand alone your defenses will be over run and your civilians slaughtered.” She moved her hand and pointed to Zebrica. “What about them are you on good relations with them?”
Celestia studied the country for a moment before a lightbulb seemed to go off in head. “Of course, we have always been on good terms with Zebrica if anypony would up us it’s them.”
Luna then jumped in. “Don’t forget Minos, the minotaurs would most likely be itching to jump in. They are a bit rowdy but we could use them Tia.”
Cadence add her own country to the mix smiling confidently. “You already of the support of the crystal empire so you don’t even need to ask.”
A light seemed to go off in Twilight’s mind as she remembered some important creatures missing. “We may even be able to ask Ember to help us!”
Celestia seemed hesitant and eyed her student carefully. “If you think it’s possible to get their help in this coming battle Twilight then I urge you to try. However, I am also hesitant to allow dragons to wreak havoc on our land.”
That got Sereda’s attenition “You think you can get DRAGONS to help!” She stared at the purple alicorn in disbelief.
Twilight answered hesitantly do to the outburst. “Um… well maybe. Have you worked with dragons before?”
Sereda held a deadpanned expression as she addressed her. “No but I have watched as they have ravaged landscapes. Even killed a few myself.”
Sounding like her certain shy friend of hers she said “Oh… uh… well maybe that’s a bad idea.”
Sereda shook her head. “No. If you have faith that you can get them to help then by all means we should at least try.”
Shining scratch his head before adding more info. “It may be a long shot but maybe the griffins?”
Sereda was once again shocked and this time excited. “YOU HAVE GRIFFINS!”
It was Shining’s turn to look nervous. “Um… yes, they lost their king some centuries ago and have been fighting over their their crown ever since, but I figure we could buy their services.”
Sereda seemed to deflate at that but not for the reasons they thought. “Ah mercenaries are usually good but we can’t trust them completely now is there anything else one else who might be able to help us.” The group thought about but ultimately shook their heads. “Alright good now we need to address your-“
She was interrupted by the double doors slamming open and a white unicorn with a blond mane came in. “AUNTY TIA!! I demand you do something this horrid article!” Everyone turned to the narcissistic pony. All the ponies in the room wore faces of annoyance, but in Sereda’s case she just raised an eyebrow at the picture it seemed to be unicorn in question with the words Canterlot’s Worst of the Worst written beneath. The unicorn’s eyes settled on the dwarf and he recoiled in disgust. “What IS this creature and why was it been allowed in my presence?!”
Celestia really didn’t want to deal with the buffoon at the moment. So she scowled at the pony “Prince Blueblood! You are interrupting an important war meeting! And will not tolerate interruption!”
Blueblood Recoiled at Celestia’s outburst but then scoffed. “If this meeting is important then why have you allowed this monkey to be present!”
Cadence leaned over to Luna and whispered “The pot said to the kettle.” And they both snickered quietly.
Sereda just stared at the raging prince before she had enough and challenged him. “Are you questioning my ability to perform my duty?” This shocked not just the prince everyone in the room because her voice had taken an almost ghostly tone that promised punishment.
Blueblood the ever pompous he is didn’t register the danger and raised his nose in the air. “I am surprise you can speak let alone perform any duties.”
Sereda raised her eyebrow once again and turned to Celestia. “Celestia in my culture a remark like that is one of the highest insults you can give. It questions not just your ability but suggests you dishonor your ancestors.” Celestia seemed to grow pale at the implication. “If this was Orzammar I would be honor bound to fight in a proving match. But this is not Orzammar and I am a guest in your country what does your law state?”
Celestia was frozen no doubt the paragon would kill the dumb prince and before she could respond in a way that could save bloodshed, Twilight decided at the worst time to be a law expert. “Since your technically a royal diplomat, especially since you’re helping with this invasion, any slight against you, or your culture will be answered by what your culture and laws abide.” Twilight smiled brightly as though she just passed an exam.
Sereda smiled “Well that makes things quite interesting.” She addressed Blueblood who seemed more or less confused on what was going on. “Well then Blueblood was it?” The oafish prince looked at the paragon with disdain.
“That’s PRINCE Blueblood to you creature.” He stuck his nose in the air not understanding the position he’d put himself in.
“Very well since you have shown great disrespect to me and my ancestors I challenge you to a Proving. To prove which one of us belongs at this table.”
Blueblood looked toward Celestia, “Aunty Tia, what is this creature on about?”
Celestia looked to her nephew with what little pity she could offer. “The creature you have been referring to is Princess Sereda Aeducan of Orzammar, and qualifies as a diplomat. You have insulted her honor by suggesting she cannot perform her duties here, and that is apparently a grave offense for her people.” It suddenly started sink into the buffoon, but he didn’t let is show or tried not to. They could already see the sweat starting to form. “And as our law dictates she is able to punish you in whatever form her culture and laws allow. And she has chosen to deal with you in the form of a… Proving?” She looked to Sereda and received a nod in return. “Yes a Proving though I don’t know what it entails it is her right to issue it.” She fixed the unicorn with a glare. “And it is our law, that you answer it.”
Blueblood has significant knowledge of the laws and knew that when it came to relations to foreign nations there was zero leeway. The only one to overturn or defy the law was the alicorns themselves. So mustering all whatever regality he could he turned to the paragon. “I appear to have overstepped my bounds.” Shocking some of the ponies in the room with his courtesy that he lacked mere moments ago. “So I accept the punishment of which you choose.” Celestia and Cadence the alicorns who knew Blueblood the longest could see the underlying worry in his voice. And they knew that it was only to satisfy Celestia.
“You do your ancestors proud by facing the proving.” Blueblood didn’t really know how to take that. To be told he did his forefathers proud had a weight to the words that he never really considered. Lineage had always been important yes as it defined you as a noble, but that’s where it ended you were a noble. You couldn’t be anymore or any less than that, you just were. Despite all of their boasting, every noble came from someone who contributed greatly to society or worked so hard their hooves blead to achieve greatness. To suddenly be compared to that ancestor was a feeling he couldn’t place.
“I… uh… thank you my lady.”
Sereda gave a friendly disarming smile before she started a lecture. “Now then I realize you are ignorant to my culture, so I will enlighten you with the basics. A Proving is a duel fought for honor, glory, and to settle disputes between nobles. To the dwarves of Orzammar your ancestors mean everything, we don’t have gods or goddesses, and when we die we return to the stone and join our ancestors.” The conversation had every pony present enraptured by and intrigued by the concept, even discord was leaning forward trying to learn more. “To win a proving means the ancestors favor you and the outcome proves without doubt who wins the dispute. The winner is decided by death, incapacitation or surrender. The proving can be armed or unarmed, this is decided before the battle is placed. Should we fight armed any tactic can be used sword, spear, bow even magic is not forbidden. In unarmed combat we fight with no armaments or magic, not even clothing is allowed. The provings can also take place in teams were each team fights for their cause. Additionally, as a noble you have the option choose a champion from your house to fight in your name.” Blueblood who looked about ready urinate on himself released a sigh of relief. Only get sucked back in by the last tidbit of information. “The champion has full right to reject the nobles offer. “Do you understand these guidelines Prince Blueblood?”
Blueblood gulped and took a shaky breath in. “I understand.” Celestia took this moment to step in.
“While my nephew must follow the law I cannot allow you to kill him.” She gave the paragon a hard look. But all she got was a flippant hand wave.
“Oh don’t worry Celestia I wasn’t going to kill him, in fact the provings so often resulted in death that it was decreed that should the dispute affect Orzammar negatively then death would be forbidden. And since I wish to stay in your good graces then I shall endeavor to not cause permanent harm.” Celestia nodded and stepped back from the exchange and Sereda addressed BlueBlood once more. “Now as I told Celestia, I want no strife with Equestria. Also we should perform this here and now because there is still much to discuss.” Blueblood nodded. And they took position several feet away from each other as the other ponies moved to the side of the room all curious and nervous at what was transpiring. “Now it’s your choice as I challenged you will this be armed or unarmed.”
Blueblood hesitantly answered. “I am more comforatable with my magic and rapier so I choose armed.”
“Excellent!” She turned to other ponies in the room. “Celestia if you would?” Blueblood took this opportunity to summon his rapier and took a battle stance. Sereda did same brandishing her sword and shield.
The tension was thick the combatants prepared. Blueblood was practically cursing himself for causing the whole mess, but Sereda was calm even a small smile. It wasn’t smirk of confidence or a manic grin of insanity. It was smile one would receive as though they were saying “hello” or “nice to meet you”
Sereda decided to have one final word before it started. “May the ancestors smile on you and honor to your house.”
There it was again the thought that he should do his forefathers proud. It was so odd he had no knowledge of how his ancestors became nobles. The more he thought about it the odder he felt. Growing up he always wanted to do his father proud but this wasn’t the same feeling. It was like his forefathers, all of them, watching him judging his actions.
Celestia snapped her right wing open. “Begin!”
Sereda looked like she had been shot out of a cannon, charging at Blueblood. Whether out of fear or reflex the stallion dodged, only to be hit with the flat of Sereda’s blade and was launched into the adjacent wall. The other ponies gasped and Celestia looked on in worry.
Sereda kept her smile. “I knew there was more to you than just being a pompous noble.”
Blueblood remained standing rapier in hoof pointed out to his right and a magic shield surrounding him. He was breathing hard and his knees shook, but still stood. His horn lit and illuminated his blade. He began swinging the blade rapidly and to the shock of all the ponies in the room small balls of fire flew from the tip towards Sereda. The paragon used shield to block the fire.
“Wait a minute how is he casting that many spells so fast!” Shining shouted disbelieving what he was seeing.
Celestia stared on with wide eyes as she answered. “Unbelievable, I didn’t think that technique was still in practice.” Other ponies turned their attention to her. “That skill dates back to princess platinum and when the three tribes were still at war. It was a skill set called the duelist mage. The unicorn places a spell in a medium in Bluebloods case, his rapier. The link from medium to magic allows him cast that same spell for as many times as his internal magic allows in rapid succession.”
Twilight turned back to the fight in disbelief. “No way.”
Blueblood continued to fire spells at the paragon at an alarming rate. The only problem was that they were all weak spells and weren’t doing any damage at all. Sereda was either taking the hits or deflecting them and still she kept that same friendly smile. Frustrated Blueblood began building all the mana he had into one last spell. He didn’t understand why he was going so far this “Proving” but for some reason he just couldn’t surrender even though it was obvious that he was going to lose.
His many finally depleted he released a large ball of pure magic at the dwarf. Seeing it coming she stood her ground and raised her shield. The ball hit the shield but Sereda wasn’t budging an inch. In fact, she was walking forward almost casually pushing the magic monstrosity back towards the unicorn!
Once the ball dissipated Sereda was still walking towards the beaten noble. Blueblood had taken to his knees and stared with blurry vision as she approached. Once right in front of him he weakly tried to raise his sword again but it merely tapped her chest plate before he fell unconscious. He could only faintly hear her words. “You have done your ancestors proud.” And he smiled.
Looking away from the unconscious unicorn and back to the group Sereda announced. “Now let’s talk tactics and armor.”
Luna walked the familiar corridor of dreams passing by several doors before finding the one she was looking for. It was odd to say the least, definitely different from the rest of her ponies. It was a set of double doors decorated in a kind of simple art that she would never have considered. Massive lines going vertically like bars and diamond shapes lay at the bottom of the doors that the lines from on high seemed to flow around. Not like a parted river but strong and sharp redirection. That’s to say nothing of the edgings of the doors where the lines were interwoven like you could follow them and never find the end.
Luna couldn’t take the dwarf’s words at face value she needed to know what kind of life she lived if she was going to trust her. If she was guessing right this Sereda Aeducan is one faced much in her relatively long life. So whatever memory she saw was likely going to be intense. She released a heavy sigh and grabbed the handle with her hooves and pulled… It didn’t budge.
Blinking confusedly, Luna pulled again and was met with same result. Growling to herself Luna spit into her hooves and tried again this time putting all her weight and magic into it. Her brow began to sweat as she continued to put more and more magic into it. Finally the door began to budge slowly and steadily the door was pulled open until she could just wide enough she might be able to squeeze through. Sighing both relief and frustration Luna made her way into the dream.
Luna was confused she was in what looked like a court only a little smaller than hers and Celestia’s. There were two long tables with many kinds of food and drink she could only compare to her time with griffons when their king invited them for a party. However, that was where the similarities ended, there were no windows, only torches and crystals gave her any ability to see at all. Chairs lined the tables and the whole room had the same aesthetic theme as the dream door. A red intricate carpet lead to for what Luna could only guess was throne. The roof if you could call it that looked like a cave ceiling. More puzzling was that behind the throne was a statue of what she could only assume was a dwarf with both arms above its head and holding a strange war hammer that had the hammer on both ends. Bellow it sat the throne itself made of stone. Interestingly the back of it was a large hammer with two more stones carved to outline the hammer. Even the bottom of the chair was elaborately designed. What was odd to say the least was that although everything was elaborate and eccentric in its design they still held an air of simplicity and functionality. It confused her to no end.
“Atrast Vala Princess Luna.” Luna’s eyes widened and spun around to one of the tables where saw Sereda sitting one of the long table with a plate of food in front her. “If that is really you and not some demon. And congratulations on piecing a dwarf’s mind.”
Luna warily approached the dwarf not knowing how she was able to sense her presence. “How did you know it was me.”
Sereda looked at the alicorn with board eyes. “Number one I didn’t and I still don’t. As for how I know this is a dream, just experience. Dwarves normally can’t dream, but thanks to training and my experience being pulled into the fade I have learned to open and close that link.” Luna just stared confused. “Anyway why are you here?”
Luna shook her head before giving the dwarf and studied look. “Never mind I will be leaving.” She turned and began heading towards the door.
“You don’t trust me do you. So you decided find out for yourself if there was anything I was hiding in my mind.” Sereda stated before idly munching on a chicken leg.
Luna halted whirled around eyeing the dwarf much more cautiously. “Our sister may believe you are here to help us but I am not convinced. Why should we trust you when you have proven yourself just as quick to violence as you are friendship?” Luna leveled a glare at the small dwarf who seemed to busy eating to care. “I believe you are merely a wild card sent to us by discord to cause chaos. And I won’t risk my ponies on the off chance that you decide to turn on us.”
Sereda just finished her chicken leg and set the bone back down on the plate and looked at the alicorn princess. “Being cautious is wise in fact let me give you an example.” Luna suddenly found herself in what looked like a massive camp in the middle of a forest. Luna back peddled in surprise only to bump into something.
Turning around quickly Luna saw a figure that stood taller than as herself, and maybe as tall as Celestia. It seemed to have similar features to Sereda but was much taller and lacked any hair on it’s head at all. It had a cutie mark or tattoo of some sort on its face vaguely resembling a tree. It was also ghostly pale, when compared to the dwarf. It had pointy ears and was clad in a robe with a staff on it’s back. “This is Zathrian I met him a long time ago. His people were suffering from a curse, imposed onto them by werewolf.” Another being appeared next Zathrian. It looked like a gold wolf that had stood up on its hind legs and stretched out like taffy but still maintained and appropriate torso. “Now let me paint the picture for you.” Behind Zathrian others seeming to be the same race as him appeared all lying in cots and writhing in pain. “For whatever reason you wish to aid Zathrian and his people so you ask ‘What can I do to help?’ and Zathrian replies ‘You must seek Wither Fang and bring me his heart to save my people.’ Naturally you seek this beast called Wither Fang to save his people.”
The camp and other beings disappeared into mist, leaving only the original werewolf. The scenery began to take form again this time two more werewolves appeared and the backdrop of a waterfall deep within the forest. Sereda’s voice rang out emanating from everywhere. “You track the beast only to find these werewolves. They approach and you prepare for a fight but then it does something odd it speaks! It calls himself Swift Runner and calls the elves treacherous. He also refers to someone called the ‘Lady of the Forest’ before retreating after giving you a warning. This would confuse anybody as you were told the werewolf’s were nothing but savage beasts and were incapable of speech. It confuses you but you need to find Wither Fang and help those ‘poor’ People so you put it out of your mind.”
The seen changed again and she found herself in some ancient ruins staring a bunch of werewolves and another being that looked more like Sereda but lacked clothing and was taller. She had roots covering her arms and legs. “You’re search for Wither Fang has sent you here in the depths of the werewolves’ layer where you encounter this spirit known as The lady of the Forest. She tells you that a tale centuries old were a young girl was brutally raped and murdered at the hands of humans. And that Zathrian cursed them making them werewolves. However, he allowed the curse to spread to other humans who had not wronged him causing all of them to live in pain. Those who committed the atrocity are long since dead. So tell me Princess Luna what do you do?” Sereda materialized next to her. “Do you go after Zathrian to end the curse or do you kill the lady of the forest and seek Wither Fang again?”
Luna turned to Sereda “What is the point of this hypothetical situation?”
The dwarf smiled at Luna “It’s not hypothetical Princess Luna, forty years ago I had to face this exact situation. And do you know how I responded?” Luna’s eyes widened not sure how to respond. The scene around them changed to back at the camp with werewolves on one side and the other beings on the other. “I took the werewolves and marched to the dalish camp to demand Zathrian undo the curse he inflicted onto these poor souls. And he refused.”
Luna watched as the scene played out naturally. She watched as a memory of Sereda ran a sword through Zathrian as a woman in rags wielding a long charred stick sent spells at other combatants, another in a heavy suit of armor wielding a sword shield charged in and of all things a large dog tore through the people. “My point Princess Luna.” Sereda almost spat as she casaually walked toward the stunned mare. “You are right to fear me, because I am no agent of chaos and nor am I a wild card. I will do as I see fit and act on my own accord. And should I find you and your ponies have misrepresented yourselves or lied to me about your enemy who you want me to so dearly destroy for you, I will not hesitate to repeat this. NOW BEGONE!” Luna was suddenly thrown out of through the dream door and landed on her plot and watched as the doors slammed shut in her face.
Sereda opened her eyes, and stared at the ceiling. The sun was just barely up and trickling in through the window with the barest amount of light. Her room was simple, it had a bed a small dresser in one corner and vanity desk in the other. Celestia had told her it was suite used for ambassadors and diplomats.
She rolled out of bed and stretched her back until she got a satisfying pop. She walked around to the foot of the bed where armor was discarded. Just as she was about to pick up her chest plate a knock sounded at the door. Without looking behind, her she called “Enter.”
Twilight peeked her head in. And was about say something before her eyes fell on the old dwarfs back and stopped stunned at what she saw. It wasn’t just that the dwarf who was well in her sixties had broad shoulders and muscles to match, no. It was the fact that it was also riddled with scars ranging from massive slashes and puncture wounds. There was even an area just above the waist where she could tell was a massive burn.
“Is there something you need Princess Twilight?” She asked clipping the last of her armor in place.
Twilight shook her head over the shock. “Are- are you sure you want to do this? We can send somepony else.”
~Flashback~
“So we’re all set then?” Shining asked looking over the map. “We send a messenger to each of the races to ask for aid.” Looking around he saw everyone present nod. “Ok I’ll have our fastest pegasi on it.”
“That’s not going to work.” Sereda interjected.
Shining sputtered as Sereda still wasn’t satisfied. “And why not!”
“First because any messenger you send runs the risk of not coming back do to ambush, desertion or any number of other reasons. Second sending someone as simple as a guard to relay the message may not be taken seriously, or worse they may take it as an insult.”
While the others talked among themselves trying to figure out a plan of action Cadence spoke up. “Then what do you propose?”
Sereda gestured to the alicorns. “Celestia you told me that alicorns have long been a symbol of equestrian royalty so.” The sun princess nodded. “Then I propose one of you must go, that will show them you are serious.”
Luna spoke out in protest. “Thou expect us to abandon our ponies in their time of need! Tis unthinkable!” The conversation broke down to a shouting match each one trying to reason and argue another. Celestia and Luna stating that they couldn’t leave canterlot or there would be an uproar. Cadence and Shining Armor both insisting a regular guard should be enough.
“I’LL GO!” The shout echoed around the room and they all turned to the now fidgety purple alicorn. With all eyes now locked on her Twilight hesitated and looked around nervous. “I mean I’m the only one who can right? Princess Celestia has to keep things in order here or faust forbid the nobles riot.” Her nervous attempt at humor was lost on the rest but she continued anyway. “And Princess Luna’s in charge of the guard now so she has coordinate the troops from here as well as try and bolster the guard as much as possible.”
Celestia stepped towards the nervous pony. “Twilight do you understand what you are saying?” She gestured to the map. “Zebrica and the Dragon lands are very close to Tirek’s army.”
Twilight looked up at her mentor. “I-I know but it’s like Princess Sereda said only one of us can be trusted with this.” She gave a bittersweet smiled, “I was never much of a princess, not like you or Princess Luna, I constantly worry if I’m doing the right thing or I worry if some I make some misconstrued remark they’ll take it the wrong way. The ponies need a leader who can at least look confident right now. I-I just can’t do that, at least not yet. I will be most useful out there trying to gain support.” She then blinked and gave a genuine smile, “In fact isn’t that what I’m meant to do I am the Princess of Friendship after all. Besides it’s not like I haven’t gone into danger before.”
“Oh, Twilight.” Celestia brought the smaller alicorn into a tight embrace.
“No!” Shining approached the two. “I can’t let you do this. Not when we can send literally anypony else!”
Twilight broke the embrace and smiled at her brother. “No Shining Sereda is right. Most other countries leave us alone because of our affinity in controlling the sun and moon. And let’s face it most ponies don’t have a good attitude towards foreigners I saw it myself in Ponyville with a zebra and griffon. To send someone else will look like an insult. It has to be me Shiny.”
The distraught stallion was about to protest but was interrupted. “She won’t be going alone.” Sereda announced making her way to the trio. “I will act as escort. I am trained in every weapon you can think of I have fought and killed thousands. I know my way around a battlefield and I’m not too bad at negotiation either.” The ponies of the room just stared at her. “What?”
Cadence decided to speak up. “Um I don’t mean to sound rude but aren’t you in your 60s.”
“Yeees, Why?”
“It’s just I mean… Your old.” Cadence looked around for any kind of support, only to see her fellow princesses turning away from her not making eye contact.
“Do I need to show you another provings match?”
Cadence waved her hooves franticly “NO! … uh no, that won’t be necessary.”
Shining looked the dwarf up and down for a second before deciding. With a heavy sigh he replied “Fine, but at least take some guards with you. I’d send a whole unit if I could but we are stretched thin as it is.” He walked forward and hugged his sister tightly. “Be safe LSBFF and don’t do anything reckless.”
“I’ll be fine Shiny.” The lavender alicorn reassured.
Sereda nodded. “Alright I’ll leave the planning to you Twilight wherever you want to go first is fine with me but we leave tomorrow at first light regardless.”
~End Flashback~
Sereda sighed “Like I said princess, I know my skills and I know the situation. I’ve been through this before so I am the best to go through with this.”
Twilight nodded, “Ok, the princesses want to see us off this morning so we better get moving.”
The two of them headed out the room and made their way to the throne room where Celestia, Luna and as well as two guards waited. The one on the right was a bulky earth pony stallion, while the other was a lithe bat-pony mare. Both were wearing their respective armors and weapons. The stallion had shield that rested on his back as well as a short sword on his hip and a spear in his arms. The mare only carried what looked like bladed gauntlets, the more sensible one in Sereda’s opinion. How a pony fight with a spear and not fall over himself with every other thrust, she’d never know.
Seeing the two enter Celestia greeted them “A Twilight, Sereda I’d like to introduce you to the guards chosen to accompany you. This is Sergeant Heavy Shield of the day guard praised for his use of the shield.” Celestia motioned to the stallion who bowed his head respectfully. “And this is….” She paused in her gesturing realizing the pony she was about to introduce was sleepily bobbing her head about to pass out. “apparently a very sleepy mare.” Celestia giggled a bit causing the bat-pony to snap herself awake and look around franticly.
Upon meeting eyes with the dwarf she straightened and snapped a salute. Sereda could swear it sounded like a gong when the mare hit herself with her own gauntlet. Teary eyed she said “Private First Class Sharp Wing reporting.”
Sereda looked the two guards over a bit before deciding. “Alright they’ll do. Is there anything else you need from us Celestia before we depart?”
Celestia stopped giggling and became very serious staring at the paragon. “Yes there is. My sister told me of her encounter with you in the dream realm. So I warn you turn on us and you will face the full might of my power. Do I make myself clear Princess Sereda Aeducan?”
Sereda stared back at the sun princess for moment neither budged. Sereda was the first to offer a reaction. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Twilight resolved to ease the tension. “Ok I think it’s about time to leave don’t want to miss our train after all.”
The dwarf looked at the purple alicorn confused, “Train? I suppose I can train you on the way but I don’t think I can teach you any magic, maybe some stuff Wynne and Morrigan once told me but I’m not really the best teacher for that. Unless you want to learn to fight with a sword I can by all means teach that.”
Twilight blinked “What no I meant we need to get to the train.”
“And I said we can get to training once we get on the road now let’s go.”
“NO! I mean we are taking a train to Ponyville!”
Sereda scratched her head “I don’t think I understand what your talking about.”
Twilight stared at the dwarf. “Wait you don’t know what train is?!”
“The only definition I know for train is practice and/or exercise.”
Twilight sighed “Come on I’ll show you.”
They started heading towards the door when Celestia stopped them again. “One moment Twilight.” Celestia levitated a scroll over to her ex-student. “This is a letter of promise. Any promise written down on this parchment or attached to it Luna and I must honor no matter what it is. This will help you in your negotiations but I beg you use it as a last resort and talk it over completely before writing on it.” Celestia then gestures to Sereda. “I would also as that you find out as much about Sereda and her people as you can. I’m sure she has quite the story to tell. Any good luck my apprentice and be safe.”
Twilight rolled the scroll up and placed it in her saddle bag. “I won’t let you Princess and I’ll return with support you can count on me!” Twilight turned to the rest of her new companions and headed out the castle towards the train station.
“Sooo this… is a train” Sereda emphasized waving her hand towards one of the strangest machines she’s ever seen.
“Yeap that’s it!” Twilight with glee.
“Is it supposed to look like that?”
Twilight looked at the train then back to Sereda “Yeeees. Why? What’d you think it looked like.”
“I don’t really know, it’s just it kinda hurts to look at. Though I don’t know why.” The train was pink with hearts running along it the whole thing was generally brightly colored. “Let’s just get a move on.”
Twilight, Sereda and the two guards found their seats on the second car. Many of the passengers gave them a wide birth as they weren’t used to Sereda’s presence. The swords and armed guards weren’t helping either. Heavy helped the sleepy bat pony into her seat where she promptly curled up and went to sleep. Heavy just raised an eyebrow at the pony before taking his seat next to her, Twilight and Sereda sat across. They were supposed to be on the train for a hour and Twilight decided it was the best time to start her research.
Twilight turned to Sereda and summoned her note book and quill. “So since we have some time before we reach Ponyville, I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind telling me about your world?”
Sereda looked at the oddly energetic pony and raised an eye brow. “Sure, I suppose. What do you wanna know?”
“EVERYTHING!” Twilight pushed muzzle practically in Sereda’s face. The paragon calmly pushed the excited pony back into her seat.
“Well I don’t know everything but I’ll tell you what I can.” Sereda leaned and looked at the ceiling as train started to move. “Hmmm where to begin. Well I suppose I can start with my world in general. The planet’s name is Earth. It’s home to many sentient species much like your world. The majority and those who hold the most political powers worldwide are humans, elves, dwarves and qunari. There are other sentient beings but I can talk about those later. Anyway our races are similar to you ponies in that we all have similar base structure but key differences point us out right away.
“We dwarves are characterized by our short stature, and beards if their male. However, the biggest difference of all is that all dwarves have a large resistance to magic. This resistance has lead us to becoming the best at rune crafting and an inability to dream. There are ways to diminish this resistance which I will go over later. We dwarves are a tenacious and hardy sort. No matter what we are doing we always put our all into it no matter what. From selling wares to crafting armor we put absolutely everything into it, to do less just isn’t in a dwarf. It often leads to us being prideful and stubborn.”
Twilight stared at the dwarf in horror. “You sound like a race of Applejacks and Rainbow dashs.”
Sereda raised an eyebrow. “Who?”
Twilight shook her head. “Their friends never mind please continue.”
“Anyway, next we have the Elves. You can spot an elf by their lean bodies and pointy ears. They are taller than us dwarves but shorter than humans and the qunari. Out of all the races they are the most spiritually gifted leading many of them to become mages.”
“Oh so they can do magic!” Twilight shouted ecstatically.
“Well yea them as well as the humans and qunari. Really the only ones incapable of being mages all together are us dwarves. Anyway elves are highly attuned to nature making them experts in spirit and as Wynne once categorized it as unconventional magics. They are often either skittish or untrusting of others. Not unreasonable given their history.”
Twilight hummed a bit. “Fluttershy might like them if they as in touch with nature as you say.”
“Then there are the humans, best I can say is their taller than us dwarves and the elves. From what I experienced and from what Wynne told me humans are like a blank slate in personality, magic and ability. There is no general rule with humans they will keep you guessing no matter what.”
Twilight shivered, “They remind me of Pinkie.”
“As for the qunari, they are the tallest and physically strongest of the races and their mages have special sort of “force” magic. And as for recognizing them imagine me being seven feet tall with bull horns coming out of my head. You can’t miss them even if you tried. As for personality traits good luck finding them, I didn’t even think they actually had personalities until ran into the inquisition. But I’d hardly categorize anyone in that group as normal.” Twilight had continued to write furiously in her little note book.
“Well that covers our general races now let’s get into the fun stuff. Now I won’t be able to tell you the details of the other races but I can tell you a great deal about us dwarves so I’ll be starting there again. Although I think that will have to wait till next time.”
Sereda motioned toward the window where they could see the small town of Ponyville coming in close. The sound of the cabin door opening drew their attention. A pony wearing a loosely fitted grey suit entered the car and black cap entered and started checking the passengers for tickets. Once the ticket pony came to their seats he looked curiously at the fully armored dwarf before falling back into professional stoicism. The pony checked their tickets and informed them to gather their belongings and that they would be reaching the Ponyville train station in roughly ten minutes.
The train made a loud screeching sound as it pulled in to the station. Twilight had to help wake Sharp as she seemed insistent on sleeping even though she was on a mission. Stepping out on the platform the group was met with ponies either rushing to get on or off. Once they left the train station Twilight waved a hoof over in the direction of Ponyville. “Welcome to Ponyville! Friendliest town in Equestria!” Sereda could see the plain it laid in and the multiple strange houses. The village rested at the edge of a dreary forest that reminded Sereda of the Bracillian forest back in Ferelden. Twilight then took the lead taking them into Ponyville proper.
