1- Battle, Meeting, Procure, and Promise
CAPTAIN LAPIS
New Manehattan, New Equestria, Planet Earth
Lapis exited, leading the Proteans. The forces that were behind her were quite large, consisting of many different units. To her side was Saul in his singulon armor. She felt a bit better knowing that she was with friends. She then led the army closer, to a point where Birthright and her forces were a good few yards away. Topaz was in his Awakened State, his griffon wings spread wide. Lapis seemed startled when she looked into his eyes. They were empty, lifeless. He was under mind control. Birthright held a hoof in front of Topaz, preventing him from pouncing on Lapis. Birthright smirked. She then spoke in an amused tone. “So it’s true. One of our own has gone so far as to betray us, and side with chaotic beings that do not deserve this world or any other!” She shook her head. “Though, what can you expect from a filthy Kirin?” She leered at Lapis. “Queen Celestia will be pleased when your entrails are splattered on the battlefield!”
Full of resignation, Lapis shook her head. “I won’t back down. I was left for dead on Funestis, and the Proteans found it in their hearts to give me a chance to see things for how they are- that Celestia has totally gone off the deep end! Forcing people into bodies that aren’t their own, let alone making them mindless puppets! I finally understand why Sapphiron was so horrified that day! I finally understand why he stood against Celestia! And Now, I proudly stand against her as well!”
A particularly smug and menacing look spread across Birthright’s face. “Speaking of that other half-brother of yours, we finally found him, after years of looking. He was hiding in the Everfree- aiding and abetting a traitor to the crown! No doubt he’s slipped into that tiny town known as Ponyville. We have him right where we want him.”
Livid at Birthright’s cockyness, Lapis stomped a hoof. “Enough! I will strike you down on the field of battle- So get ready!”
Birthright’s and Lapis’ forces got ready to square off. It was the moment of truth. Birthright yelled out. “Charge!” The battle then began.
As the two forces clashed, Lapis and Birthright went head-to-head. Lapis’ rapier struck the metal of Birthright’s axe as their forces clashed fiercely. Spells fired from the unicorns of Birthright’s forces as the Singulons fired back.Topaz battled with the many units that tried to get in close, pushing them back with immense force. However, despite the ferocity of Birthright and her forces, the Protean forces were too much to handle. Lapis even managed to knock away Birthright, only for Topaz to intercept the next strike of Lapis’ rapier with his greatsword. His blank stare bore into Lapis as he spoke gruffly. “You stand against the Queen, and she has ordered for your death. You will fall for the glory of Equestria!” He swung his sword, knocking Lapis back. He pointed the tip of his greatsword at her. “However, I demand a challenge! Awaken your true power, and face me on even footing!”
Lapis took a breath as her claw reached for her locket. If this was how she needed to do this, then so be it. Her finger pressed the three gems on the front in order of her name, and her form contorted as she grew in size. Her rapier adjusted to have the same ratio to her improved stature and altered frame. Her eyes snapped open as she took Topaz’s challenge…. Her rapier charged with magic as she struck, but Topaz parried easily.
Birthright stood up, and tried to intervene, but Topaz rebuked her as he pushed Lapis away again. “Stand down. Her majesty tasked her to me. I appreciate that you want to help, but I can handle my rouge half-sister, thank you.”
Irate and seething, Birthright had half a mind to dispose of this dreadful hybrid. However, she swallowed her pride, and decided to take on Saul the singulon personally. Maybe she’d have luck in capturing him...
Lapis noticed that Saul had taken the challenge and was intent on keeping Birthright at a distance. She was slightly worried about what might transpire, but she turned attention back to Topaz, and tried to puzzle out how to break him out of the brainwashing. This was going to be tough, to be sure...
TRIXIE
Ponyville, Equestria, Planet Equus
As Sapphiron went off with Rarity, Trixie went off with Twilight and the others. Trixie was curious as to how things had changed since the last time they spoke. “So Twilight, how have things been since we last met?”
Twilight spoke as they walked towards the Crystal Tree Castle. “Well, I’m certain you remember Tirek, who we defeated, giving me the castle you see. We also went around Equestria solving Friendship Problems with a magic map, and that’s how we met up with Starlight. However, things were a little rocky at first until we had to deal with Time Travel. However, just after she became my student, the meeting with the humans happened, and you know most of the rest. I’m married now, as are all of my friends. I even have a few children!” they stopped in front of the Castle. “So how about you, Trixie?”
Trixie chuckled. “Well, I was busy repairing my reputation before the humans came into the picture. Then, I took a stand against the potion, and that caused me to go on the run. I haven’t had time to find anypony special to settle down with, even after all these years.”
Applejack spoke up after a long silence. “Say, is there anypony you do fancy?”
Trixie blinked. She seemed to think about it, and then gasped, her eyes widening. In fact there was a very specific somepony she had an interest in. Rainbow Dash had a smug look. “So there is a special someone? Tell us, do we know him?”
Trixie shook her head. “You’ll think me silly. I won’t tell.”
Pinkie was excited. “Ooh! A guessing game! I love those! Is it somepony from Manehatten? Detrot? Canterlot? A faraway land?”
Trixie’s eyes widened. That last one was right on the money. After all, it was well known that the Trigems had a tradition that their young would always be born in the “Homeland,” wherever that was. Trixie however, didn’t let on that Pinkie had gotten it right as she calmed herself. Instead, she had a smug grin. “As if I’ll let you know if any of those were right.”
Fluttershy spoke in a timid voice. “O-oh, I do want to know, but I won’t pressure you to tell us.”
They entered the Castle, and Twilight was about to speak when a orange pegasus came up to her. “Twilight! I see you’ve guided your old friend Trixie to our castle.”
Trixie pointed at the pegasus. “So you’re Twilight’s husband?” She gave him a good look, and muttered for a while. She then realized something. She turned to Twilight. “So you married a guardspony? I must say, I’m a little surprised.” She turned back to the pegasus. “So your name would be…?”
“Flash Sentry. A pleasure to meet one of Twilight’s friends.” He smiled. “How long will you be staying in Ponyville?”
Trixie sighed. “Well, I don’t know- I hope that after the war, I can go travelling again.”
“Well hopefully that won’t take long, considering that you’ve got us on your side.” The group turned their heads off to the side to the speaker. He was a strange pony, and he was standing up against the far right wall. He could easily blend into any crowd- he was that bland. The only thing that stood out was his Cutie Mark- a black circle with a diagonal line through it. It was a symbol that never appeared on anypony, but she gathered it was a fake mark. After all, nopony was talentless, like this mark implied.
Trixie raised an eyebrow. “And you are...?”
The strange pony shifted in shape to reveal that he was a Protean- one of those new aliens she’d heard rumors about. “I am Corporal Zachary Jenkins, of Clericorum. I currently have some fellow Proteans here gathering information, to confirm what we’ve heard from Observant’s inside source.”
Eyes went wide around the room, but Trixie spoke first. “Would that source happen to be one Lapis Opal Amethyst?” at his nod, Trixie sighed in relief. “So Sapphiron was right. That’s good to hear. Let me assure you, what you’ve heard from Lapis is pretty accurate.”
Eyebrow raised for a moment, Zachary shook his head. “Regardless, we will double-check. We may be here to help, but we will remain cautious.” He then sighed. "As much as I wish we could afford to do so, we cannot trust you entirely as of yet- the decision on forming an official alliance has yet to be made." He looked to the sky out the window. "Let us hope that decision is made soon..."
SAPPHIRON
Outskirts of Ponyville, Equestria, Planet Equus
I had followed Rarity to the edge of Ponyville, where I saw a few holes into the earth. I looked back to Rarity with a questioning expression. “So this is the place?”
Rarity shook her head. “Not exactly. Those holes lead to the Diamond Dog mines. If the materials you need are anywhere around here, they’d be down there.” Rarity shivered. “And before you ask me to go down there, you can forget it. I had a bad experience last time and-”
I held up a hoof. “I understand. It won’t take long for me to find what I need. Just stay as close as you can stand, and I’ll be back before you can recite the entire lineage of the Trigems from Crystalon the Great to present day. See ya!” I then jumped down the nearest hole, not really bothered by the long fall. My eyes adjusted very quickly to the darkness down here, so I set to work. I could smell the magic of the things I needed, so I quickly went off in the necessary direction. I could hear the padding of paws near me, but I paid it no mind. I then found a large vein of the first ingredient- White Platinum. I set to work using my family’s mining spell that’d been passed down through the generations. I was careful to not let the dust sully my ruby mane or its turquoise streak down the center. Or my crystalline teal coat, for that matter. I soon heard those dogs get nearer. I felt their presence behind me. As one of them was about to attack, I spoke. “Don’t even try it. I could easily transmogrify you into solid crystal. And trust me, that isn’t a good way to die. So, If you don’t want that, I suggest you let me get what I came here for without incident, and I’ll be out of your flea-ridden hair.”
I could tell that the dog behind me was debating if I was bluffing or not, which I wasn’t, and then the dog backed off. The dog- who was a girl, judging by the voice- spoke. “Fine. We will leave pony to his business. But if you don’t leave after you’re done, we will strike!”
I shrugged. “That won’t be necessary. I only need three things, and then I’ll be out of here.” I’d gathered quite a hefty amount of White Platinum, so I summoned my portfolio, and put the Platinum inside. I then went off, carrying my portfolio in my turquoise magic. “Okay, only Covellite and Blue Arcanite left.” Once again, I let my nose lead me. I knew that the dogs were still following me, but I didn’t mind. I soon found a large vein of that lovely indigo gem, and started digging. It was kind of awkward working in silence with people watching, so I started conversation. “So, how long have you lived down in these caves?”
The dog that spoke before huffed. “Why should pony care? You are not dog. Pony only care for other pony!”
I shook my head. “Not true. I know quite a few ponies that tolerate griffons, dragons, all sorts of creatures. Besides, I had a cousin that was half diamond dog.”
The dog seemed to ponder this. She spoke again. “We dogs have lived in this cave system here for quite some time. Many years upon years, many a generation. We do not like to leave the confines of our caves.”
I nodded. “Sounds about right. My cousin always did feel more at home in caves.” I soon gathered enough covellite, and placed it in my portfolio. “Alright. One last thing- Blue Arcanite.”
As we walked to the next vein, the dog spoke up. “Why do you need those things? To ‘sell’ for these ‘bits’ other pony speak of?”
I reached the vein, and started up the spell again. I shook my head. “No. I’m using them for a project, you could say. I’m making something. Or, to be more accurate, a whole lot of something.”
The dog seemed confused. “So you are artist?”
I chuckled. “Not as such really, no. I gave up that dream long ago. No, this is something I’m making that I hope will end this blasted war.” I sighed. “Ancients know that too many have died already.” I then placed the gathered Arcanite into my portfolio. I turned back to face the dogs- all of which were wearing vests. The one in front was a lighter gray than the rest. It was also a girl, while the rest of them were male. She must’ve been the one I’d been speaking to. “Well, It’s been nice to chat, but now that I have what I came here for, I’ll be on my way.” However, the dogs blocked my way. I raised an incredulous eyebrow. “What now? Didn’t we have an agreement?”
The dog I’d been speaking to spoke again. “You shine like crystal. You have magic, like white one. You seem less whiny. You chatty, but pleasant. You can find many gems. Perhaps you stay here, help us dogs find more gems?” She batted her eyelashes. “I can make worth your while.”
I blinked, and raised an eyebrow. I then shook my head. “Sorry- No offense, but I should be going. I don’t do that with those I just met. It’s not right. Now, If you’ll excuse me, I’ll be on my way.” I tried getting past them without using magic, but they blocked my way.
The dog spoke again. “What, is Layla not pretty enough for you?”
I shook my head. “It’s not that- I’m a pony of principles. While I’m certain we could be friends, I won’t go further than that with anyone I don’t know well. Surely you understand? I mean, Diamond Dogs have codes of honor, yes?” At her nod, I continued. “This is like that- I’ve a personal code that I want to keep. Do you think you can let me leave now?”
Layla sighed. “Very well, pony. I understand. We will let you go.” The dogs parted, and she spoke again. “Just come back anytime, and we speak as ‘friends,’ yes?”
I nodded as I passed through them. “I’m glad you understand. Farewell, for now at least.” I then hightailed it out of there, not ever once looking back.
I did hear Layla call out as I left, however. “Do come back soon, teal one!”
I shook my head as I exited. I then went up to Rarity. She spoke. “So how did it go?”
I sighed. “As well as one can expect. I got what I came for, and that is all that matters.”
Rarity raised an eyebrow. “The diamond dogs didn’t give you trouble?”
I chuckled. “They tried to get me to stay and help them, but I eventually convinced them to let me go. Didn’t expect one of them to go so far as to try that.”
Rarity seemed curious. “That? What do you mean?”
I shook my head. “I’d rather not talk about it.”
She tried a few other methods to get me to spill the beans, but I kept deflecting, so she soon stopped trying. We walked back to town in silence.
LUNA
Xenosabe Concourse, Clericorum, Planet Funestis
All the representatives were gathered around the table, as Luna spoke up about the situation. “I may have been on the sidelines for a long time thinking on the ramifications of standing against my sister, but I can no longer ignore what she’s done. I know that may not exactly fill you with confidence, but I assure you that the ponies of the resistance will be of a lot of help. If you help us out, I think we could have quite the powerful alliance. Take a chance on our combined strength, and you won’t be disappointed.”
The nations representatives, as well as their respective leaders, discussed this for a moment. They all agreed that there was quite the risk in forming an official alliance with the Pony Resistance. However, they all came to an agreement, and Tom Seminazi spoke on their behalf. “We will support your effort to break away from Equestria- after the new nation is formed, then we will officially form the alliance, and offer protection and full aid. Together, we will bring an end to this conflict!” Tom shook Luna’s right foreleg, and a cheer went around. The star Officers were still wary, but they were in the minority. This moment marked the start of a new, promising future for all...