What makes a king? Is it power of the crown? Is the riches of his land? Or perhaps the love of his subjects? In reality all can be summon in a single sentence. A good king, is the one that treat his realm like his kids, with kindness and love.
A side story that happens at the same time that Moonlight with a Fiery Passion. I recommend that you read that one too for certain key parts of this story. And if not for the story at least as recommendation its a nice story. Here is the link
Be the ruler of the skies is not something that one could consider easy or simple, in fact like any other job, it demands full compromised, and a strong will to face anything and everything the world can and will throw at you. Yet despite its negatives, its rewards are way more than worthy, in the shape of a drop death gorgeous wife, an awesome son and two adorable daughter who's cuteness could easily bring diabetes to the strongest of stallions.
So when a prophesy threatens to break this family apart there is little than a king isn't willing to do or sacrifice if it means the safety of his family and his kingdom.
This is my first story in collaboration with another creator, without human…ish, do not worry everything will be explain, as the story progress.
As the stars dance throw out the night sky, the cries of two small fillies are heard from the walls of Canterlot castle. Princess Celestia the ever diligent monarc don’t waste time and, while wearing nothing but a golden robe and four pairs of pink fluffy slippers made her way into the room in which the origins of the cries come from.
Yet before she could open the door, she notices how the noise has stopped and instead was replaced by some quiet sniff until the entire hallway return to complete silence. Confused Celestia used her magic to slowly open the door and peak inside, only to have her heart melt at the sigh in front of her.
In the middle of a messy room with 2 baby cribs, toys and stuff animals and infant books spread around the floor was a tall slender blue dragon wearing a similar robe than Celestia only blue instead of golden, with 4 horns on his head, a bushy and long hair that makes him looks like he is wearing a cloud, 6 long and powerful bat like wings on his back, and a long thin silver mustache, humming a lullaby while rocking back to sleep small fillies, both of which had unique attributes. The one on is left looked a lot like the dragon in question, slender and thin making her look like a serpent despite having both legs and arms, but instead of him she didn’t have facial hair and only one long unicorn horn, as well as just two wings who instead of the powerful blue bat like ones that he has, were small, pink and featherly like a pegasus, her hair moved in an non existence wind as well as having a whiter color than his making it look like it was a clear and dense fog, when she open her eyes briefly one could clearly see the same magenta eyes Celestia had.
Meanwhile the filly on his right was the spitting image of Celestia making her resemble like a small version of the princess herself, with the exception that this alicorn, possessed the claws of dragon in her front hoofs, her eyes were reptilians, like his and when she yawn four strong small fangs could be seen.
After some adorable yawns and the occasional moment of the fillies to get comfortable, both of them were out like a light and taking that as her cue, the princess venture inside the room and approach the drake, who at the moment was approaching one of the cribs and was looking at both fillies with some worry.
“Here” Celestia finally announce herself and used her magic to levitated the alicorn out of the drake grasp as she headed to the other crib “Let me take care of Dawn honey, you just worry for getting Hera to bed” She tells with a kind smile.
The dragon in question got startle at her sudden arrival but then smile and nod and listen to what she said “Thanks sweetie” Moving to the other crip the dragon try to put Hera in there but out of instinct she wrap herself on his arm like a snake and hugged it like it was her teddy bear. Seeing this Celestia let out a small giggle while covering her mouth with one of her hoof “Need some help honey?”
“Je she inherit your clinginess Celly that is for sure” The dragon tells as he slowly and carefully start to replace his arm with a stuffed snake toy for Hera to hold, witch she does after manage to pry her off his arm.
Once release the dragon sigh and smile at the sleeping figure in front of him, before moving her mane a little and give her a kiss on her forehead. “Sleep well my little princess” Hera in response just smile and adjust herself as he put a blanket on top of her.
Turning back he and Celestia switch places and did the same with the other fillies before heading to the door but not before taking one last glance at the kids with a big smile. Celestia even leaning on the dragon chest and draping a wing on his back, he doing something similar with his arm. “They sure are adorable when the sleep aren’t they?” Celestia says before playing with her hoofs and then looking at the dragon “You know, maybe we could let them spend the night with us this time, I mean we could try the new rooms experiment tomorrow and…” The dragon silence her by placing a finger on her lips and slowly closing the door behind him as he guides Celestia outside “Sweetie, the longer you postpone this the harder will be to let them go”
Celestia whine but ultimately nod and look down. “You are right, this is for the best”
The dragon smile and boop her nose with his “That is my girl”
“Girl?” Celestia look at him with a smile and a raise eyebrow “Is that the way to address your ruler?”
The drake only chuckle and give her a quick peck on the lips before bringing their forehead together, being careful with her horn “It is when say queen is my wife” he suddenly smirk and look at her “Although if you wish some role playing…”
“Oh stop it Ace” Celestia tells with a chuckle of her own and stepping away from him. “Our kids are right next door” She tells pointing at the door, before giving him a sly smile “Wait until we are in our bedroom” She tells before turning around and make her way to their room making sure to give her hips some extra sway.
Ace on his part can’t help but to continue chuckle and shake his head as he follows her “Three years and the flame still burning strong I see”
“And it will continue to burn and shine as strong as my sun until the ends of times” Celestia tells with a air of pride
“God you have been spending too much time with Vinyl”
“Says the pot to the cattle” Celestia turn back “I know how many times you have stare at my flanks when you thought I wasn’t looking, don’t try to deny it”
“Don’t worry, I don’t intent to” Ace tells before his smile turn into a sad one “I miss you on the meeting” He tells honestly and Celestia smile kindly as she nuzzle his side “I miss you too”
She soon stop and look at him “So how was it?”
Ace sigh and look down in tiredness “Same old, politician screaming at one another, lots of background noise and then an eternity of boring hours discussing who get to put their names of a piece of land between two nation”
He then smile and look at her “Although things got more interesting at the party afterwards, queen Novo and king Thorak say hi by the way”
“Je so sweet of them” Celestia tells with a kind smile.
Ace smile then turn sour as he look down “But just like we fear, Zecora prediction was correct, prince Rutherford, queen Novo, Lord Ember, King Thorax and Lord Gestal. They all receive the same prediction from their respective sources, not a single one was different in the slightest. ‘A calamity looms over the world, the elements and legends although bravely fight, ultimate would find their demise and from the rubber, darkness will rise, only six champions who’s start was in a royal crib, can face the dark. Rise champions of your lands, used the divine beast and reignite the light’ Ace recital in a sorrow voice. “I wish this is just the mother of all the coincidence, but 5 kings and queen receiving the same omen of a calamity? All from different sources and at different times? It's impossible for anyone could do such thing. Not even Discord”
“I know but crazier things had happened before” Celestia tall placing her hoof on Ace shoulder “And even if they are correct this prediction has a silver line on it”
“And what is it?”
“Time” She tells with a smile “According to Zecora there is still a long time before this calamity strikes, which means that we could, listen to it and be prepare. Twilight and her friends have face unimaginable dangers before, if we find the right clue and follow the right steps we could stop this danger before it even start”
Ace listen carefully at his wife words before nodding “You are right Celly there is still time we could…we could still do something about this” Ace tells recovering his confidence. “Perhaps we could even try to find this divine beast ahead of time and gave them to the elements, if there is anyone that can pilot those kind of things, is them. We can still avoid be force to put Hera or Dawn into harm's way”
“That sounds like a wonderful idea” She then looks to the side with some hope on her eyes and slightly rocking her body back and forward “And maybe to maximise time, one of us should look after the beasts with the other rulers while the other stay behind and do some thoroughly search of this ‘beast’ and how to operate them?”
Ace look at her with a raise eyebrow “Celly do you…want to research the ancient beast?”
“Oh honey you press so hard! But I’m in!” She tells with a little more excitement than intended. “I can assure you that I will not rest until I have read every single book on the royal library top to bottom”
Ace can’t help but to chuckle and shake his head with a roll of his eyes “Equestria sure will appreciate your sacrifice honey”
“And since this project will force us to cut day court in half, and you will have to go out into adventures more often we might used some of those days to spend time together as a normal family” She then gets a sly smile and get closer to whisper into his ear “And then some alone time between us too”
She tells ending with blowing on his ear making him flinch and then look back at her with some mild surprise “God I love you, I love you so much!” Ace tell before showering in kisses and lift her up like a bride all the while Celestia giggle like a school filly.
“Oh I love you too honey” She tell nuzzling her check with his as they reach their bed chambers and she stop her affection to look at him with bedroom eyes “And know that the kids have their rooms I want to show you exactly how much”
The moment they enter Celestia don’t waste time and close the door before locking it.
The next morning
As she hums a small happy tune and with a skip on her march the princess return to her chambers after completing her dutie of raising the sun, only to find her husband lightly snoring on his side of the bed with a horrible case of bed hair, witch she no share with. Giggling at the image, the princess slowly approach him until she is next to him and using her nose she start to stir him awake “Rise and shine honey, my sun is up and so should we”
Her response is a groan and turning away from her, “Come on Celly you literally tells when the sun rise, can’t we just delay the morning 10 more minutes?”
“Oh Acey if only was that easy, believe me I have try but there are astrologist professors and science majors that whine twice as hard as Hera and Dawn, and if I try to pull this off again, I will not hear the end of it”
“Ah I will banish them if they try, now please Celly, come back to bed, lets cuddle for a bit” He tells lifting his wings and inviting her to return to bed. For a moment Celestia consider his invitation but ultimately decided against it before a devious plan to wake her husband form on her head. Making as little noise as possible she lean her head forward, and without warning give him a long and wet lick on his back, just in the middle where all 6 wings connect.
The effect was instantly and with an eep, Ace find himself jumping out of bed and shiver at the touch before backing away “Ok, ok, I’m up, I’m up”
He tell while glaring at her wife who was too busy laughing to notices it. “You know, there are better ways to wake me up”
“Oh I know, but there is a place and time for pleasure and we need to schedule to fulfill Acey” Celestia tells batting her eyelash and then start to walk away moving her tail back and forward in front of him.
“Oh no, you don’t, you tease” With a playfully smile Ace jump at the princess and grab her before spin both of them while Celestia laugh again “Je gotcha now princess” Ace tells her with a loving smile as they boop noses. “Oh dear me, what fate will befall the monarch of Equestria now?” Celestia tell in a over the tune voice.
“Oh I will tell you, I will kiss you all over your…WISTERIA?!” Ace tells as he turn her around and it's about to kiss her when suddenly his and Celestia secretary appear on his field of vision, with a neutral expression and holding her trusty clipboard, surprising him and dropping Celestia in the process.
“Good morning your highness” She tell with a small bow as Celestia stand up and rub the back of her head, Ace helping her out with a worry expression, for a brief moment until she tells him that it's ok and she is fine before addressing the mare in front of them with some embarrassment “Wisteria, good morning, h…how much of that did you saw?”
“Like every other morning, nothing your highness I have just walk in, I didn’t saw you about to engage in some intimate interactions”
“Good” Ace immediately answer and clear his throat, before regaining his professionalism “What is our schedule of the day?” He ask while he and Celestia start their morning routine all the while Wisteria check her clipboard, not seeing what is happening around her.
“Well for princess Celestia there tea with the ambassador of Detrot, at 9 am, there are some papers that need her signature as soon as that meeting is over, at 11 am the orphans of the nuns of saint Oath are coming to reenact the battle of the 100 degrees with the fire golems, and afterwards its day court as usual, from 1 to 7 pm. As for prince Ace, first you need to inspect the wonderbolts troops, then there is the subject of the new dragon recruits that answer your initiative of adding a new race to the solar and lunar guard, Queen Ember still need clarify on the subject so negotiation with her will start at 10 am, prin…I mean captain Kaiser wish to speak with you about some important matter and same as the princess day court at 1 pm” She finish and then look up only to get surprise when he notices both monarch had time to clean up and dress to start the day in front of her.
Celestia was wearing her usual royal regalia with the addition of an gauntlet of silver and blue color on her left frontal hoof, while Ace was wearing a white long robe, two long and silver Shoulder paths, a golden and silver sleeve armor with the symbol of the sun on his front palm and a music note on his back palm, and a pair of black Hakama pants that makes him look like a shogun
“Thank you Wisteria, we will make sure to deal with those request after breakfast” Celestia tells with a gentle smile.
“Ok seriously, how can you keep doing that every morning? I just look away for like 5 minutes” Wisteria ask in disbelieved making Ace laughs “Oh Wisteria, you will be surprised of what can you do when you are as fast as me, like how I made you and Celly exchange cloths right now”
“Ah we didn’t do that, your highness ”
“Did you?!” Ace ask as he show a photo of Wisteria and Celestia exactly where they are standing that exact moment and like he claims both had just exchange clothes, and even haircuts.
“But when did you…? But how…? But where…?” Wisteria look all over her body in fear confirming that she still was wearing her normal clothes and her mane was in order. Once confirm that they were she look back at Ace with a slight glare “Prince please restrain from doing that ever again” She tells with some irritation.
“Hey I was just making a point”
“…ever!” She remark with more anger as she turn to leave. “Just a harmless joke Wisteria, don’t take it too personal” Ace calls as Celestia approach him and nuzzle his cheek “Don’t feel too bad honey, Wisteria is just a bit stiff, when it comes to jokes she will come around eventually, if you ask me, I thought it was funny” She tells before heading to the front door. “Now come on, Lu must be waiting for us to exchange court and I want to see how my little angels are doing”
“Celly I’m telling you, your are spoiling them a little”
“I don’t care, they are just so adorable! If Luna would let me, I would be hugging Starburst more often too” She tells in a happy tone as she exit the place.
And I though Pinkie was a overaffectionally
I though with a chuckle as I made my exit as well and approach the dining hall where my family was waiting.
Once there they were greeted by the image of their daughters playing with her aunt, uncle and cousin, both wearing a light pink and clear blue kimonos as well as matching silver tiaras on their heads. As well as 3 little foxes with two tails and red, silver and blue fur each that were barking and jumping in happiness with them. Two of say foxed had a small crystal tiara on their head helping identify both as females as the third one was only wearing a small red royal cape, showing that he was male.
All activity soon stopped when they all saw the prince and princess enter the room and immediately the fillies and foxes rush to them. “Daddy! Mommy!” They say on unisom as they fly toward the open arms of their parents how they took with gusto while the pets circle around them.
“Good morning my little angels, how was it your first night on your own room? did you slept well?” Ace ask with a smile looking at Dawn while Celestia was holding Hera. “Aja” Both fillies answer at the same time
“You didn’t had any nightmares or feel uncomfortable?” Celestia ask in worry making her daughter to roll her eyes “Mom please I’m a big filly now, I don’t have nightmares” She tells before starting to giggle when Celestia start to tickle her stomach with her nose “Oh I know you my sweet brave little cotton candy you precious thing”
“M…M…Mom! Please…stop!…I give!” Hera tell in between giggles as Celestia continue her assault for a little while longer before stopping and letting her go.
“Honestly Celly, sometimes I think you worry a tad too much” Ace tell as he put Dawn down and pet the foxes, “And hello to you all, Zuko have you being protecting your sisters?” He ask the fox with the cape and black spot on his face who in turn he nod with pride and a soldier pose. “Je good boy”
He then turn to the fox with the silver fur and some extra fur on top of her head, comb so it looks like Rarities, that cover one of her eyes “And you Amber, I see you are as adorable as ever you little show stealer” He joke as she lift her front paw while posing like they were going to take a picture before winking at him.
Finally he turn to the last fox with blue and fluffy fur who was giving him the biggest puppy eyes and was trembling a little “Aww Ibony, of course I would never forget about you my sweet, shy little one” He slowly pick her up and she pur in happiness and lick his chest while he scratch behind her ear “You adorable buddle of cute you, I don’t know if you really are that shy or you are one hell of an actress but I simply can’t resist you when you used those eyes” He tells as she give him a smirk and continue purring when suddenly something came to Ace mind and he look around “Hey wait a minute” He look left and right before looking at the cubs “Where is your mom?”
All cubs just smirk at him as Ibony jump down and they slowly back away, suddenly Ace felt something breath on his shoulder and before he could react he was tackle into the ground and was greeted by a red fox twice his side with 6 tails and a red crown on top of her head who look at him in the eyes growling before her expression softness and then attack him in licks making him laugh as he try to stand up.
“Ok…ok Pyra you got me, you got me” he tells finally standing up and petting her head before looking at Kaiser “What was her time dude?”
Kaiser on his part check a watch on his wrist before answering “Hmmm looks like she just broke her record, twice the time in the room before you notices her”
“Je that's my girl” Ace mention as the cubs run to him to join the assault “Pile on daddy!” The fillies tell as they go toward him too.
While at the caos happen Celestia goes to her sister with a slightly worry expression “Lu can I talk with you in private?”
“Sure Tia” Luna excuse her before both sisters leave the room.
Once Ace manage to get away from the cute attack from his family he took a quick glance on the room and notices that there was one pony still missing. “Je looks like we not all here yet”
Kaiser just sigh and look down “Blue balls said that he will take his breakfast on his room” He tells with a slight tune of anger.
“Well we can’t have that can’t we?” Ace tells confusing Kaiser who look at him with a raise eyebrow. The prince in response just look at his daughter and niece with a smile “Girls will you mind bringing your cousin here so he can join us?”
“Can we used our magic if he says no?” Hera ask with a hopefully smile
“Ah? Why me too?” Starburst ask in confusion
“Je of course sweetie” The Ibony and Amber bark and jump in front of Ace in excitement and he understand their intentions and nod “Sure little ones, you can help too”
They all yay at the same time and the fillies took the cubs before flying away. Yelling “Royal cousin hunting squad! On the case!”
Ace then turn to Pyra, Starburst and Zuko who has place himself on top of his mother head “Please look after them ok? And you have my permission to act if you see turning hostile toward them”
“You still haven’t answer why should I go too?” Starburst ask in frustration
“Come on Starburst he is your brother, do you really want to miss an opportunity to mess with him a little bit?”
“Yes” She quickly reply “He doesn’t talk with me, I sure as hell don’t want to talk with him”
“Then could you at least go to look after your cousins? Please, I’m afraid Blueblood could say things unappropriated”
“Fine, fine I will do it, but don’t expect him to be very friendly when he arrives” She finally tells as she hold onto Pyra who lift her tails and disappear in a poof of smoke.
“Dude what are you doing?” Kaiser finally voice his concern.
“Sorry, I just need them, away from the room for a while” Ace tells before addressing him with a serious expression “There is something we need to discuss”
As the rays of sunlight pass through the windows of the great dinning hall, Ace continue to tell Kaiser the prophecy he and Celestia heard as well as the events that happen later on.
“…So, after hearing such big omen, we didn’t waste time in confirmed it with the other rulers, it's not like we don’t trust Zecora, she is a friend of the crown, I trust her with my life, hell she was the one that baptized my kids! But something so dark, so grim, peeking on the horizon? You could understand that Celly and I were, spooked. We needed to make sure her words were iron tight, that is why we seek the opinion of the others”
Kaiser nod in understanding “So, what did you do?”
“That was the easy part, you know how politics works, unless a war is in place and even when one is near, rulers do tend to ‘have meetings’ a lot of times, actually. Just tell that lands or materials are on the table and they will flock in days. One get together was fast approaching so I just, extend the invitation” Ace tells before sighing and looking down at his plate “Yet it didn’t help our fears”
“Let me guess, they all have the same kind of prophecy?”
Ace only nod “Belived or not, rulers can be a bit supersticion sometimes, having fortune tellers at least for small warnings is actually very common, but this time, thing were different than any of those visions” He tells with a serious expression “Kaiser they all were the same, five kingdoms had the exact same prophecy, at different times, with different medium and with different social circles, not even the spirit of chaos can do that, is real Kaiser, and it's coming” Ace tells with a serious expression.
“So…either Hera or Dawn…?”
“Ah?” Ace look up with a raise eyebrow before shaking his head and lifting his finger “Oh no, no, you can’t escape this dude, your daughter can be easily be the champion they seek as well”
“What?”
“Even if you don’t wear a crown, Luna is still the ruler of the night, witch turn Starburst the princess of such, we don’t exactly know the date of the calamity but she is definitely on the list of applicants” He tells and then pinch the bridge of his nose “But it doesn’t make things easier, sure Lord Ember, King Aspen and Prince Rutherford DO have kids older than Starburst, plus Thorax and the others still don’t, so anything can go now, the only requirement is that their mom or dad is a ruler, and that is why I wanted to talk to you about this in private”
“You wanted to tell me that Starburst probably will have to fight some demon o villain at some point?” Kaiser tell nodding and sighing at the idea “Not going to lie, part of me is happy for her, she just like Luna and I ready for some adventure and helping others, saving Equestria most likely will be a dream come true”
“Kaiser this is serious” Ace tell him with some anger “Whatever this calamity could be, if happen, it will wipe out the elements and the legends, it could kill thousands of life before the kids defeat it, this is not some game, the life of my and other rulers kingdoms are at risk”
“I know and like you, I’m concern, of course I will be, she is my kid but you know eventually she will want to join in our adventures, or have ones of her own, you can’t keep them safe forever” Kaiser answer.
With a heavy sigh Ace just sit back. “But at least I want to know that they choose that, rather than be forced to be a hero, by a prophecy”
“Complete agree, but that is why you and Celestia are thinking of a plan of action right? Why don’t you tell me more about it?” Kaiser tells with a smile “It will be awesome if the old gang reunite for another adventure right?”
“Well…” Ace look to the side trying to hide a growing smile on his face
“Oh come on dude, don’t try to deny it, you love adventures just as much as you. I admire you want to save face and try to be as professional and cool to this mess but come on, stop lying and admit it. You have been itching for an adventure like this for a while don’t you?”
“I well, ok yeah you got me, I though it will eventually fade away, and I would just be happy simple ruling but god this is so exciting!” He tells with happiness “And yeah there is a plan at the moment Celestia and I need to rearrange our schedule today and then it's back in action” He then blush a little “God that mare know me so much, she knew I wanted this so she subtly grant me permission to do this”
“Ha bet you didn’t saw that coming eh dude?”
“Yeah, but that is part of why I love her so much” He say looking at the distance with dreamy eyes before looking at Kaiser again “Anyway, that is why I need your help dude, while that is happening we will need to gather intel about this divine beast, Celestia already offer herself to tackle the royal library but some field trip can be of help”
“Say no more dude, just let me gather a small group of guards and we will investigated whatever you need”
“Thanks, although for where you are going perhaps you could use some cologne on you too” Ace tells with some embarrassment.
“Cologne? Why would I need…no” Kaiser answer understanding the implication and his face turn serious instantly.
“Please, she is the best on the field of archeology, if someone knows any clues about the beast is her”
“But she also really weird!” Kaiser answer back “Each time I see her, she always ask if I’m still ‘dating’ Luna”
“That is just playful flirting”
“Ace, she once try to french kiss me, claiming that, that is how Diamond dogs greet one another” He tells with a neutral expression.
“…Ok she is a bit weird” Ace tells “Buts it's probably just because of the uniform”
“Oh please don’t give me that”
“I’m serious, her race is like the dragons, they admire the power. The difference is that instead of physical, they admire the chain of commands trust me, the prince has being giving Celly googly eyes from time to time just because of the crown, luckily his dad always put him in his place.
“I know it's just a myth and a expression but for their race it's actually true” He then start to think about “Tell you what, why don’t you take Lieutenant Reverb with you too? Female dogs don’t try to flirt when mares of bigger rank are present, they find it intimidating” Ace offers and Kaiser think about it.
“Fine! But if this turn into a death end I walk away”
“That is the whole point of gathering info dude, but thanks” Ace tells with a smile.
In that moment the doors to the dining hall open and from it Luna and Celestia walk in before stopping when noticing their children missing.
“Dear, where is Starburst?” Luna ask
“And Hera, and Dawn?” Celestia ask as well.
“I send them fetch Blueblood” Ace answer “I needed them to leave for a bit so I could put Kaiser up to speed with things”
“Oh” Celestia tells, with her smile dropping at acquiring a serious expression “So you know what is happening, I presume”
“Ancient evil on the horizon? Preparation need to be put? Need to find those ancient beast things hiding someplace in Equestria? Yeah I got just about the bulk of things, have to say, sounds big”
“Oh it’s huge” Celestia tells finding her place on the table next to Ace, Luna doing the same next to Kaiser with a worry expression “Honey, don’t you understand? If we don’t do something Starburst…”
“I know Luna, Ace and I already talk about it” He tells before looking at her with a smile and hold her hoof “I promise I will do everything that I can, to make sure she is ready”
Luna still look unsure but ultimately nod “Ok, but only IF she need to get ready”
“Do not worry sister, this isn’t the first catastrophe we were force to solve, and I’m pretty sure it will not be the last, when the times comes we will be ready” Celestia tells with determination, helping Luna, to let go some of her worries.
“Until then, I suggest we keep this little project on a low key, in the end of the day this is just a possible future, who’s outcome may change at any moment. The risk of rumors spreading about this, into the masses or even our own kids would only result in unnecessary panic”
“Agree” Luna tells with a nod.
“Do not worry about the other rulers, the same decision was accepted unanimously” Ace tells making Kaiser laugh
“Rulers agreeing on something without arguing, who would it though? Maybe there is a first time for everything” He tells with a chuckle.
Right in that moment the double doors opens one more time and from it the royal princesses, and pets march in caring a floating Blueblood whose head was popping out of a potato sack, and was currently floating in Starburst magic grasp. “Daddy! Daddy! Look, we got in” Hera tells with excitement as the present Blueblood to them, the poor stallion wiggling and shaking in a attempt to get free
“Let me go!, Let me go! You little…!” His sentence is cut short when Pyra just approach him with a big and menacing growl accompany with a show of her pearly white fangs inches away from him daring him to complete the sentence.
“…brats?” He finally answer after swallowing saliva and starting to sweat bullets. Pyra stand back but continue to give him the stink eye as Starburst put him down. They don’t seem to notices or care as their only answer is giggling and before hug him.
“We love you too cousin” They tell him at the same time, before releasing him and go with their parents.
Starburst and the foxes going to the other side of the table where their plates was soon served. Pyra even putting napkins on her cubs necks using her tails before they all start to eat with glamour and decor.
“Good morning dear nephew” Celestia tell with a train smile one that Ace was quick to replicated, as the snobbish prince grumble and dust himself as he stand up.
“Good morning to you too aunt Celestia” He tells with a small smile before looking at Luna “Morning mom”
“Morning” Luna answers playing with her food refusing to make eye contact, until Ace elbow her, she looks at him confused as he point at Blueblood with his head.
“What?” She only ask still in the dark.
Ace only sigh and look at Blueblood “So Blueblood, I imagine you are wondering why did I send for you right?”
“The thought crossed my mind yeah” He tell giving him a small glare. “I thought I told…” He look at Kaiser with venom on his eyes “Mr. Kaiser that I would be enjoying my breakfast on my room today”
Ace stand up and lift his hand to silence everybody before the situation could escalated even further.
“Don’t worry he told us about it, yet I ask for you because well, Celly and I have being thinking and we thought that we could use some quality time as a family, in the near future”
Both royal sisters look at him in surprise but for different reasons, Celestia look at him with a smile and intrigue while Luna just look at him in horror. Blueblood on his part just raise an eyebrow at him
“You call me just to tell me that?”
He just nod, “Things have being more or less stable in our life so I thought that perhaps we could took the opportunity for some family bonding, just for a bit, forget about our duties and take one small breathing from all…”
“…Mr. Ace” Blueblood interrupt him lifting his nose. “I’m not familiar with how things work from where you came from, but here in Canterlot we take our jobs and duties very seriously, just because your work might had slow down a notch its not excuse for you to get lazy, so I suggest you to think very carefully before deciding on this crazy ideas”
He tells before turning around and start to walk away “A kingdom would not stop just because you need a break Mister, I suggest you think about before you leave it vulnerable” He then looks from over his shoulder at Celestia.
“You shouldn’t listen to him so much auntie, clearly he is still not fit for the crown”
Before he can leave Ace call to him “This will beneficial to your image too you know?”
That make him stop in his track and perk his ears. “…I’m listening”
“The royal family enjoying a picnic together showing that they can be approach by the masses, I can see the headlines if some reporter takes a pictures of us in one of our get together, I don’t know much on how the politics of this country work but even I know that being seeing in a positive spot light can be of great influence among the nobles that we have strong connection don’t you agree?”
“Please cousin join us” Dawn ask him with some puppy eyes.
“…I will think about it” Blueblood finally answer before leaving and closing the door behind him.
Once he was gone Luna don’t waste time and turn to Ace still in horror and anger. “Dear Ace can you explain what were you thinking!?”
“Luna I know, Blueblood can be a bit…challenging”
“He is not bad auntie, he is just a bit grumpy” Dawn tells her
“That is putting it lightly” She counter
“True as that might be, he is still your son, sure he is a jerk but giving him reasons to be one would only make things worse”
“He had plenty of opportunities” Kaiser tells
“And yet, its important that he knows that the door of change is still open”
Luna just look to the side with a grumble “That will certainly be an uphill battle for him”
Celestia look at her sister and just sigh before looking at her food “Even Discord got a second chance sister”
That make Luna stop as she turn to her “That was a low blow Tia”
“I mean it Lu, I agree with you that loving him might be challenge but like my husband said, I too believed that there is still good in Blueblood to be saved like it was in Discord, or did he have to turn a city into a rubber duck for you to see it?”
She look down in though and some shame “What do you want from me?”
“Talk with him, he still likes when you do that, try to crack his shell, you saw a way right there, take advantage of the opportunities he would try to do, to stroke his ego, the chances could be there” Ace suggest.
“I suppose I could give it a try” Luna eventually say although a bit begrudgingly as she take her cup of coffee.
“You two could be too nice sometimes” Kaiser tell shaking his head as he drink some juice.
“Kind yet fair, dude besides don’t forget, he also came from a royal crib?”
It takes a moment for both of them to understand the implication of that, but when it does, it makes both to spit their drinks at the same time making the fillies giggle and Starburst to raise an eyebrow in confusion.
“Aunt Luna, and Uncle Kaiser that was funny, do it again” Dawn tells them as they just look in horror in the distance.
“Oh by my stars please no” That is all Luna can tell in response.
Later that day
After finally manage to calm Luna, and put her to bed, and manage to start their work Ace and Kaiser find a space for both of them to go to the barracks, and inspect the new dragon recruits as well as having another friendly sparring session.
Once they reach the training arena they were greeted by a bulky earth stallion with military cut of mane and tail, a breastplate armor of the royal guard paint green and a pair of sunglasses, currently yelling at tree new recruits who were running through the obstacle course, all 3 being dragons of different types, one being a humanoid light grayish teenager dragon with bat wings and a spike tail, another be a green Wyvern who had sharp claws on the base of his wings, and finally the only female of the group being a small light red Faerian, that has the size of a regular pony struggling to keep out with the group and flapping her wings as fast as she can.
“COME ON MAGGOTS! USED YOUR WINGS, I HAVE SEEING FLIES HALF DEATH FASTER THAN THAT, MOVE, MOVE, MOVE!”
The stallion yell before blowing a whistle with force as the poor recruit try to keep up with his demands.
“I see you are hard at work shaping the new volunteers for the crown Sergeant Shout” Ace tells with a calm expression as he and Kaiser make their way toward him.
“Sir, yes sir!” He quickly answer as he turn to look at them and give him a military salute who Kaiser copy, “At ease sergeant we are only here to cheek on the new recruits and ask for the arena for a sparring session”
“Understood sir! I will make sure to clear the area for you sir!” Shout tells them with a small vow as Ace look at the dragons with interest
“Do you think you can bring them here, here too sergeant? I’m kind of curious about what is their story” Ace ask with interest.
“Sir! Yes sir! I will bring him right away sir!” He tells him before addressing the dragons and blow his whistle again “ATTENTION HAULT! UNIT! FRONT AND CENTER NOW!”
He yell and the recruits immediately stop what they are doing to fly toward the captain and king before standing in line and salute.
“Listen up, you rock eating snakes, the prince and captain are here to inspect what excuse of a soldier did the dragon kingdom send us to train, I made promise that I will make fine guards out of you and I intend to do so, so first one that gets out of line, get to do 100 laps around Canterlot, AM I CLEAR!?”
“SIR, YES SIR!”
“Good”
The sergeant then step to the side so Kaiser and Ace can take a closer look to the dragons in question, approaching the humanoid one first and inspecting it closely, he had a messy hair and his claw although sharp and long were dirty and chip.
“What is your name private?” Kaiser ask with a raise eyebrow.
“Daggers sir” He respond without stopping looking in front of him.
“I see, tell me Daggers, why did you join the royal guard?”
“I heard the story of your legend sir, how you start as a weakling that needed protection from your…I mean the king, all the time, then you arrive him and turn into the most powerful magic dragon there is sir. I want that too sir, to be strong and powerful” He ask honestly, as Ace nod and turn to the Wyvern. Unlike Dagger he was the face of order, his hair was cut in a similar way than Shout, his claws were clean and polish as well as his tail and his position was straight and still.
“What about you soldier? Why did you come here?”
“Sir! With all do respect, I thought it was logical”
Ace raise an eyebrow at that “Oh? And why is that?”
“You are the king of the skies sir, ruler to all the living beings that roam the clouds, as a Wyner it will be my honor to serve under your flag, and protect the principle of our kingdom sir!”
“I see, what is your name soldier?”
“Jet Blast sir!”
“Well Jet Blast, I appreciate your loyalty and how you wish to honor your king, but if you truly wish to guard my believes you will need to remember two things, first my kingdom and my wife are one, my ruling is her ruling, her people is our people, if you wish to serve me you will have to remember this, ponies are our family and brothers in arms there no superior race just two beings working together for the benefit of the land and the sky”
“I will never forget that sir”
“Good and the second thing is that you will have to remember my 3 golden principles, do you know them?”
“Yes sir!” He tells with pride as he call say principles. “In our skies, freedom its absolute and holy, none have chains and we act by choose and never by force, we all free to do as we please as long as we don’t risk the freedom of our neightboard; We all entitled to our privacy and own space, as long as it doesn’t interfere with flow of traffic you can build and lived whenever you wish and be protected in case of robe by the first principle; As beacons of freedom is our duty to guard it inside and outside our skies, anyone that take away the liberty of another will always answer to us, either by words or by claws and fangs” He finish reciting and puff his chest in honor.
Ace nod with a smile and cross his arms “Not bad Jet, not bad the royal guard will appreciate your joining if you never forget those laws, remember we teach by example and never by force if we wish for others to respect our laws we need to show them that we do not wish any illness toward them”
“Will do sir! Thank you sir!”
With that out the way Ace and Kaiser look at the final recruit who at the moment was trying to look as small as possible in order to not be notices. By close inspection they saw that even though it wasn’t long enough her purple hair was covering one of her blue eyes, her claws were small, she was standing in four hoof like claws and she had two butterfly antennas on top of her head.
“And finally you” Ace ask in wonder “Correct me if I’m wrong miss but are you actually a fairy dragon?”
“Y-yes sir” she tells in a low tone.
“ANSWER YOUR KING CLEARLY PRIVATE LUMINA!” Shout reprimand her immediately.
“YES SIR!” She answer in panic.
“Interesting, I have heard of your race before but I have never seeing one in person” Ace tells with a small as he kneel to look at her better. “Tell me Lumina, why did you wanted to join the guard?” “The same reason Daggers want sir, I don’t know if you know this but as a fairy dragon I’m not very strong, in fact our race is the weakest of all the races of dragons, we do have magic but it's nothing compare to captain Kaiser, or even regular unicorn fillies, so often times we need to stay in hiding and we are subject of bullying from other dragons. I hate that, and that is why I want to become something else, I believe that by joining the royal guard I could become an actual dragon instead of this weak pathetic…”
Ace slam his tail on the ground like a wip resulting in everyone flinching at the reaction and the ground underneath it, to crack “I will stop you right there Lumina” He tells her with some anger in his tone.
“You are wrong in two things, number one be strong and be something else are two different things, we can awake the potential lock inside of you soldier but we can not transform you into something you are not, and the second thing” His glare soften and he put his claw on Lumina shoulder surprising her. “You are not only an actual dragon already you are a very strong one too”
“W…what?” She ask in disbelieved.
“Lumina, power is not be strong or intelligent, is knowing to use what you have, what you want and how to use the first to achieve the other” He tells with a smile as he stand up again. “In fact you already have an advantage on Dagger and Jet already”
“I have?”
“She has?” Daggers tell with a raise eyebrow.
“Of course she does, and that is your side, you are smaller Lumina, and that is not bad in a fight in fact is beneficial, your opponent will always be force to change his or her angle of attack so he or she can reach you while you will always be in the perfect position for a strike, plus I saw you in the track you are not very fast know but you are the most agile, of the group, you can easily dodge income attack and chip away your opponent, you only need to train more, and I assure there will be little you can’t do”
“Thank you sir!” She tells with a big smile at the encourage words.
“Plus you said you have magic? That is incredible, if you work well maybe they will let you study some books on the royal library, I’m sure you can make powerful spells, with the correct guide of course, i can’t wait to see that”
She nod at him “I promise not to let you down sir!”
“Good, please keep the good work you tree” Ace tell as he stand back
“That will be all sergant Shout, we will not waste more of your time” Kaiser tells him as the 2 dragons leaved. Lumina looking at Ace with pure admiration and awe.
“OK MAGGOTS, BREAK IS OVER, GET YOUR SORRY SCALY FLANKS BACK INTO THE THE TRACK NOW MOVE, MOVE, MOVE!!”
“Yes sir!” They all say and Lumina goes back into the track with more determination.
“THAT IT LUMINA SHOW THIS STALLIONS WHO HAS THE BALLS ON THE GROUP!” Shout praise her as he run alongside the group.
After leaving the group of cadets, Ace and Kaiser go into a nearby bench where they wait for Sargent Shout to clear the area on one of the arena for them to used.
“You know I heard that you recently start training your Starburst” Ace tells to make some small talk.
“Yeah, she really want to surpass me” Kaiser reply with a smile. “You could say that, it our new father daughter bonding activity”
“I heard you almost broke her arm during one of your matches”
“Oh come on dude, don't you start to, Luna already chow me up because of that, it was just an accident”
“I know, you can go overboard when it comes to fighting sometimes, I’m only saying, you should be more careful when training, Starburst is not like me or Blue, she can get injured more easily, and since she is as stubborn as you when it comes to fight, she probably will try to hide it too”
Kaiser sign and nod “Yeah I know, I will try to keep that in mind” He then look at him with a smile “And what about you? When are you going to start training your boy?”
“JA, Thunder? I think Dash has that more than cover, ever since he saw her rainboom he has being all over the place on trying to surpass it”
“All the more reason for you to help him, don’t you think?”
“Well I offer my help but according to him my style is ‘cool but not flashy enough’, I suppose he wish to learn his own moves, witch I’m ok with it, but in the future if he changes his mind I can give him a trick or two”
“You should, I’m telling you, sparring with your kids is an excellent way to get closer to your kids”
“I will keep it mind”
“Sir?” Kaiser and Ace look to their right and see General Reverb approaching them before giving Ace a small bow. “I was inform you wanted to practice in one of the arenas correct? I came to tell you that one in the left wing just became available”
“Thank you Lie-I mean General Reverb” Ace tell as he and Kaiser stand up, and start walking toward the designated area “That will be all”
“Sir” She give Ace a small bow again before returning to her duties. Ace watch her leave before turning to Kaiser “I still can’t believe you introduce them to the military order from our land”
“Hey, they would have thought about it, eventually I just speed things up” Kaiser tell. “Sure it was a bit confusing re arrange titles here and there, but I think they work”
“They do sir” Reverb tell from the distance. Surprising both as they look back and see her with a smile before she leave. “Je sometimes I forget that she has super hearing”
“Je that is the general for you, always full of surprises” Kaiser tell with a smile as they look a simple plain field made of dirt and sand in the corner of the barracks for them to used.
“You know, maybe we should start bringing our kids out here, they might have an idea of what their old mans can really do” Kaiser suggest as he stretch and get into position.
“Ah I don’t know, for how I’m things could be over before they could blink”
“Oh, aren’t we confident today, ‘your highness’?”
“Dude, at full speed you are practically a statue compare to me, I can hit you 5 times over, in the time it takes you to sneeze”
“Je I get it Ace, you are fast” He tells with a smirk and gets in guard as Ace remove his robe from his chest but leave it attach to his belt and flex his wings. “But speed is not everything in a fight”
“We will see” Ace finish stretching himself and get into position “How are we going to start this?”
“Sargent Shout is currently gridding the recruits on the track field I say we wait for him to blow his whistle, and take it as the start”
“Fine by me” Ace tells as he gradually start to charge his body, Kaiser in response increase the temperature of his until it start to ignite. None of them moving and paying attention, to the other action as they await their signal.
Soon the signal was given and both dragon launch at one another using their respective elements to boost their speed, unfortunately for Kaiser, Ace turn faster and before he could be reach his opponent already close the distance and send him flying backward in one punch before, rushing to him and repeat the process over and over.
“See? I’m the king of speed dude”
“Sure you are but, but unfortunately that included it's the disadvantages” Kaiser tell with a smile as he teleport away, before reappearing on the ground, Ace give chace but the moment he make contact Kaiser body ignite and then exploit confusing him and send him flying backwards. He recover in mid air and land on his feet, but the moment his feet touch the ground, Kaiser re appear and whip the floor with his tail lifting all the sand and dirt covering Ace body on it.
“What the…” Ace is stop to look at his body confused, before he see Kaiser reappear running toward him, he try to escape but his moment aren’t as fast, making him unable to avoid the attack and force him to stand back.
“Not so fast when you are cover in sand and dirt, eh bro?”
Ace clean his chin as he smile and look at Kaiser. “Je clever, using an explosive afterimage as bait to keep me still, and then cover me in sand so I couldn’t used my full speed. How did you know that my voltage was the secret of my agility?”
“Ah, it wasn’t so hard to figure it out, you always light up like a christmas tree before running, and each hit left a bit of a shock to it. Anyone would figure out that you were becoming some kind of electric eel, so cut down the voltage and you are back to normal speed”
“Ja well though, dude you really did your homework” Ace tells cleaning some of the dust out of him, but don’t get to cocky, your trick only chop my speed in half, I’m pretty sure that I’m still the fastest of the two, and I still have more tricks of my sleeve” He tells as he flex his wings and bring them forward as they light up as well.
“Join the club” Kaiser tells as he summon two sables made of fire and duplicate himself two more times. Both dragons launch at each other and try overpower the other, Kaiser using his clones try to break into Ace defense but he in response used his wings who became sharp and hard like swords, to block and counter strike. Thanks to his serpent like body, Ace manage to move swiftly around the battlefield and even trip the clones and send them back before finishing them off with a swipe of his wings, making them exploit, unfortunately that discharge the remaining energy on the appendage so they return to be regular soft membranes.
Seeing the opening Kaiser kick his chest block his two last remaining sharp wings. “Getting tired, old friend?”
“Says the man that used two spells at once, tell me Kaiser, for how long can you keep those swords of yours?” Ace ask with a smirk as he see say weapons starting to fade.
“Friendly advice, when testing new spells don’t play the long game, you don’t know how long can you maintaining it. Like this one” He jump back and strike again but this time freezing his left wing who evaporate his fire swords and incase Kaiser in ice. “Cool trick right? I call it freeze wing, unfortunately I can only used it once” The wing return to normal leaving him with one remaining weapon.
“But I still can used this” He strike with his charge wing resulting in a electric wave that shake Kaiser in place and increase its power. “Lesson time, when freezing objects reach a temperature of below 10 degrees they can become conductive”
Ace freeze his hand before charge it and strike his chest, resulting into another wave that send him flying, but Kaiser recover and open a portal before sending a rain of fire balls on it.
At first Ace is confused but then 5 portals appear around him and from them the fireballs emerge landing five hits all at once. Ace emerge from a cloud of smoke before looking at Kaiser landing in front of him. “Nice try dude, but you will need more than that to impress me”
“You really don’t want to hold back do you?”
“Where will the fun be on that?”
“Fair enough” Ace tell with a smile as he freeze and charge his claws while Kaiser ignite and cover his own creating magma gauntlets.
“Wow that is new” Ace tells impress.
“Did you think you were the only one that hasn’t be practicing new tricks?” I have being sparring with Reverb any chance I got” Kaiser tells before jumping at him and start their close combat, but trying to burn and shock the other but each attack ends cancel each other up.
The fight continue until Kaiser makes a bluff and lean back so his tail cover in rock hit Ace, making him dizzy, and used that to connect a powerful uppercut that send him flying
Ace manage to recover and then spin before launching down with force at him transforming his kinetic energy into electric one so when he land, the impact has the force of a bomb that push him back and shake him up.
Kaiser used his shield protecting him for the blunt of the attack but the force still enough to make his body get slightly numb. “Ja nice one dude, my turn” He smirk as he lift his arms, the land shake the moment he does it and moments later millions of small pebbles and rocks rise and surround and spin around him, before he send them back as proyectiles. Ace dodge and try to fire back but Kaiser place a force field around him blocking his attacks
Kaiser levitate himself and his down into the air, and then teleport it to Ace side where he continue his assault preventing the king for counter attacking and keeping him on the run.
“Got you now bro, I thought really hard on this move, there is no blind spot you can get me now”
“The ram logic dude, no matter the defense if you hit it enough times, it will crack” Ace tells as he stop and conjure a wall of ice to protect himself, its does his job but the defense start to crack very fast.
“Still need to hit me dude, and for what I’m seeing that is not happening” Kaiser tells with confidence as he makes a hole on the wall. Ace act fast and launch ice balls at him that freeze parts of hif shield at the contact but its doesn’t dent his assault. The wall finally collapse but Kaiser stop when he don’t see Ace inside of it.
“Eh?”
“Surprise!” Using the fog of say ice as cover Ace position himself underneath Kaiser and snap his fingers to summon an electric storm that hit him at full force. Kaiser escape by teleporting but the rocks are complete destroy and the shield until sustain start to flicker. “I’m not done yet!”
Kaiser summon two giant boulders from the ground and command them like hands, forcing Ace to used another shield to defend himself. Breathing deeply Ace concentrate on the tip of his middle and index finger until a spark charge from its tips.
He jumps of his shield in time for it to be shatter and then aim at Kaiser head with his hand like its a pistol. Closing an eye he lock on him and then shoot a straight beam at his head who gets a bulls eyes.
Instantly Kaiser finds himself on a plain field complete different on the arena without his shield or boulders confusing him when it happens. He try to fly and teleport away but he finds himself back in say field over and over again.
Out of nowhere he feel a punch on his chest followed by a another on his jaw. He try to fight back but he only punch air, and its unable to find his opponent. More attacks happen and he even try to used his roar to make his enemy disoriented and at the same time try to find him but it doesn’t work and he end up on his knee.
Breathing hard he relax his muscle and teleport away before another hit reach it and aim another punch where the grass moved. This time his fist connect but his cheek feel another punch on it.
The field disappear and he discover himself back in the arena hitting Ace on the face while he does the same.
Both jump back at one another and breath hard as they see each other.
“Je nice sparring bro” Ace tells with a smile as he clean some sweat. “Same” Kaiser clean his jaw. “What was that last attack by the way? Its was really sick, did you teleport me or something?”
“Nah it wasn’t something that simple” He lift his fingers and then pointing them at his head. “Like you I have being sparring from time to time with Celly, include the wife in the fun and all that you know? She has given me some suggestions here and there for new moves. What you saw was the last one she and I create. We call it mind shockwave” The fingers start to sparks and he aim them at him. “By mimic the electric impulse of my neurons when focusing on a memory I can force a person to relieve it, down to the most small detail, if my beam hit you, it even affect your nervous and ocular system, you can virtually touch the illusion”
“So what I saw…”
“…was an old memory of mine, of when I was looking for a nice reclusive place for a picnic with Celly”
“So that is why I couldn’t escape, I was inside your memory this whole time”
“Well your mind was, your body was still here, it doesn’t last long like you saw, but the more time I spend thinking it, the longer you remain inside of it”
“Ja that was a nice trick”
“Yeah but I still can’t use it frequently, like the freeze wing that was another ‘used only once’ kind of deal” He says as he stop the charge and put his hand down. “I think we can leave things here, it was a good match”
“If that is what you want, ok sure” Kaiser tells with a shrug.
“Oh and sorry in advance”
“Sorry for what?” Kaiser ask before he start to freak out when everything start to fade into black. “Ah! What is happening?”
“Don’t worry it’s temporal, a small side effect I’m trying to fix, using mind shockwave leave my opponent temporarily blind so his eyes can re adjust to reality, your vision will return in about ten minutes”
“Ten minutes, eh? Why fix that? Dude you hit someone with that attack and after it, you virtually have won the fight” Kaiser tells.
“Maybe, but I don’t know, it wouldn’t feel right, I have no control over it and it could get worse if I’m not careful with that” Ace tells unsure as he dust his robe and put it back on. “Perhaps I should consider it when I see that it can’t give any permanent damage and I can control time, and place for the blindness to take effect”
“Yeah you should” Kaiser tells as Ace take his shoulder and guide him into the bench.
“For now you only relax and wait for the effects pass, enjoy I bet your other senses are being enhance right now”
“Hmmm hey you are right, I can hear a pony with a table on her chest, and some big bird approaching us”
“What?” Ace turn back and see. Wisteria and Ember walking and flying toward them
“Who do you call a big bird?!” Ember says in anger making Kaiser flinch and hold his ears “Too loud”
The lord of the dragon in question has grown a healthy 10 inches since her teenager years, her horns have grown to resemble her fathers and her navy blue scales have darkener into a deep ocean blue.
“Pay no mind to him Ember, I simple blind him during our sparring match, don’t worry it will be fine”
“He made me trip balls” Kaiser mentions.
That surprise Ember who approach Kaiser and wave her claw in front of his face “You made him go blind by fighting? Cool” She tells with a smile.
“Not so when you are the one blind Ember” Kaiser counter but she ignores him and turn to Ace “Think you can teach me?”
“Ahemph” Wisteria clear her throat “Your highness your appointment with Lord Ember is about to begin, shall we be going?”
“Wow it's already 11 of clock, je times do fly when you are sparring”
“Oh you were sparing a moment ago? Lucky I would have love to join you, hey what do you say if make this meeting into a second round, eh Ace? Queen Dragon, vs King of the storm”
“Sky actually, and although I’m not going to lie the idea is temping I’m afraid I’m a bit drain from my fight, tell you what, let's talk about the subjects of my new dragon recruits, have some gems to munch on and then see about a little fight, before you leave”
“Deal!” Ember tells with some excitement as she shake his claw with her own “I have heard stories about you being able to move like lighting, I want to see if they are true”
“Jeje you will see” They start to leave but Ace stop and turn to Wisteria who was following “Ah Wisteria, before you resume your activities there is something I need you to do” He point at Kaiser.
“Can you keep my captain company for a bit”
“What? Why?”
“It's only for a bit, just until his vision return I really don’t want to leave him vulnerable”
“Hey! May I remind you that we end up in a draw?” Kaiser defend himself.
“My point still stand you are still blind dude, you need help, and we both have duties to attempt as soon as possible, so I need you to rest and get better before you depart”
“But why me?” Wisteria ask.
“Because Celestia and I wouldn’t be able to find our own tails without you Wisteria you are our most loyal advisor, I wouldn’t trust this task to anyone else”
“What about taking him to the medical tower?”
“Excellent advice! Please take him there” Ace tells as he and Ember fly away.
“What? Your highness that is not what I…meant” She tells as she look at them leave and then turn to Kaiser.
“Are they gone? I can’t hear them, hello? Is anyone still there?”
She sigh and look down.
“Who sigh? I heard it, who is there”
“It’s me Kaiser” Wisteria tells with a little smile as she take his claw on one of her hoof “Come I will take you to the infirmary”
Soon after leaving Kaiser on the hoof of Wisteria, both Ember and Ace were confronted by a bunch of politician and diplomat of Equestria who like vultures on a corpse, didn’t waste time and took the opportunity, to drop their ideas, petitions, question and proposition on their claws and force both rulers to listen to them.
At first they try to object but seeing how there was no escape from them, the dragons didn’t have any other choice but to bite the arrow and listen to each and all of their winnie petitions and complaints, for the duration of almost two hours.
The moment they found an opportunity to escape, the dragons did so finding a way to put diplomats against each other, and sneak away while the vultures were busy yelling at one another.
“Geez, and I thought the dragons on your valley were stubborn” Ace tells while looking back the room from where they came from in slight fear. “Those guys are just relentless”
“I feel like I just escape the most noisy, bizarre and somehow boriest storm ever” Ember tells in frustration before looking back at him.
“Do you and Celestia actually have to deal with this sort of things everyday?”
“Kind of, Celly is the master when it comes to deal with them. I help of course but, when it comes to diplomacy she is always the master, of de escalation and fast and best solution”
“Don’t exactly envy that from her, but I have to say, going throw those door everyday and don’t get mad, it’s something worth of praising”
“Can’t argue you with that”
Suddenly they flinch when someone from the other side of the door calls for them.
“Hey where did prince Ace and queen Ember go?” A diplomat ask.
Immediately after the dragon extend their wings and fly away before any pony can see them and continue escaping until they find an empty hallway inside the castle where they take a rest.
“Ok…I think we lost them” Ace says while looking back.
“I swear I will never question my father law of ‘vote by combat’ ever again” Ember tells while holding her knees with her claws.
After a while Ace start to laugh as he lean against a wall.
“What is so funny?” Ember ask confused.
“Oh nothing it’s just, don’t you think it’s a bit ironic, here we are the face that represent our people, the maximum authority of our kingdom, and we are hiding like a couple of kids from a bunch of what is essentially, glorify homework. Not even us can escape that fate apparently”
Ember smile and chuckle a bit “Yeah I can see how that IS funny” She eventually recover and stand upright.
“What do you say if we find a quiet place to have our match? I don’t think you want to return to that mess” She tells pointing at the direction from where they fly off.
“My thoughts exactly” Ace nod and both of them start to walk on the opposite direction, while passing by a group of students heading to the gardens on their right and entering the labyrinth.
“Have you uncover any more clues about the prophecy?” Ember ask while looking in front of her.
Ace sign and shake his head “No, unfortunately we haven’t find anything new, Celestia says that she will explore the royal library as soon as possible, and the moment Kaiser recover his eyesight, he is heading straight to the diamond dog kingdom of the east, an archeologist we know might have some clues to where should we start, digging” He then turn to her.
“What about your end?”
She only shrug and shake her head “Dragons aren’t exactly known for writing things or make sculptors Ace, we prefer to break things up, but we do have some forms of art here and there, I have order my wisest advisor to start searching for anything that will resemble a divine beast. If they are that strong then we sure have fight it once and if there is something we dragons remember and like to talk about it’s a good fight, I’m sure we will find something”
“Good the sooner we find them the sooner we can plan a way for this evil from do what its please”
“You are also worry about your hatchlings are you?”
“Aren’t you? Pika is the same age than Hera and Dawn”
“Well of course I’m, there is a reason why its says that getting between a baby dragon and his mom is worse than it happening to bears, but well if this is really destine, can we really do something to stop it?”
“It’s worth the try, and if not at least reduce it so when they have to confront it nobody gets…”
“Sir! Get down, there are shooters in the castle!” A guard ran toward them before ice arrows start to shoot behind him. Ember and Ace get down on instinct and take cover as the attack continue.
“How did they got pass the castle walls?!” Ace shout at the guard that get closer to them as well as a group of five other soldiers
“We don’t know sir, they just appear on the left wing, and start opening fire ever since then, we believed that they had a trained unicorn that teleport them here” The guard answer.
They cover their eyes as a column collapse near them, and they all hear mares screaming.
“Oh dear god, and there are innocents on the garden near” Ace tells in alarm before addressing his man “Start evacuation of the staff and civilians immediately, and ready the defenses, if a unicorn is not helping the escape send them here and tell them to charge a shield spell”
“Yes sir!” The guard salute and they break as the royals make their way throw the chaos.
“Oh no” A unicorn guard hears a report and look at Ace with worry “Sir I got reports from the guards on the left tower, the attackers…they are heading toward the nursing room!”
“What?!” Ember and Ace say at the same time.
“Sir, the princesses haven’t be evacuated yet, I think that it’s their objective”
“The hell it is!” Ace tells in pure rage as his eyes turn blue and start to discharge electricity. “Contain the attackers here, I will go there”
“But sir that is…”
“Do it!” He order and the guard flinch before salute “Yes sir”
Ace makes a break for it and rush toward the nursing room follow by Ember. “I’m coming too” She tells in anger “I left Pika with your kids, if those bastards touch her, they are as good as death”
Ace look at her and nod as they run “Don’t let your rage blind you Ember…death will be merciful at this moment”
Meanwhile on the medical wing of the castle.
Wisteria guides Kaiser inside while holding his claw and look around the infirmary “Hello? Anypony home?”
At that moment the attack start and she scream in fear, while Kaiser reach immediately and shield Wisteria from the arrows. She is surprise by the noise and hug him by instinct while covering in fear.
“Its ok” Kaiser tell her in a calm voice as he pet his head. She look up and is a bit shock when he see him smiling at her with a bright light behind his head. “I will protect you”
Wisteria is at lost of words until an arrow almost hit them, making her scream. Kaiser act on that and start to move his free hand until he reach for a nearby bed and lift it before putting in front of them to act as a shield.
“Wisteria, I still can’t see, you need to tell me what is going on”
Meanwhile the mare in question has somehow recover from the surprise and now was blushing slightly at the proximity the two were at the moment.
“Wisteria!”
“Ah…what? Oh yeah, yeah. I…I think the castle is under attack, they are using ice arrows” She peak outside the bed and see 3 unicorns fighting at everything “There are three shooters, all wearing what looks like, delivery uniforms, I can’t really see their faces, but they are using wooden crossbows”
“Are they near?”
“Yes but they don’t seem to have notices us, I can’t really see what are they planning”
“Don’t worry I will take care of that” Kaiser tells with a smirk. “Ok Wisteria I need you”
“W…what?! Right now…right here?! K…Kaiser this is not the moment”
“I know I’m asking a lot”
“That is putting lightly!” She tells her cheeks burning at this point
“Have you ever fight before?”
That catch her off guard “Ah?”
“I need you to be my backup, and eyes, I’m going to used a sound spell on them that will make them lose their balance. When that happen I need you to take their weapons and toss them into the nearest window. You think you can do that?”
“Ah…sure, sure I can do that” She tells with some embarrassment.
“Good in that case I need you to guide my head and aim it directly at them”
Wisteria nod and using her hoofs slowly aim his head until he is perfectly lock into the attackers. “You got them?”
“Yes, do it now”
Kaiser inhale and shine for a brief second before launching a whisper that Wisteria can’t hear but soon sees its effects once he see the attacker fighting to stay on their hooves, one not even able to hold the content of his stomach. Wisteria is surprise but then do as she told and disarm the attackers.
The sound continues until the unicorns pass out.
“Kaiser you did it! You knock them out, but how?”
“I made their brains to shot down, net trick right?”
“Yeah, it was incredible you really are of surprise” Reverb tells as she smile and her blush returning
“Ah Reverb, you don’t need to hug me anymore”
“Hmmm…what?” She ask in a slight daze. On the entrance to the nursing room
Once they reach the place, the royals take cover behind some pillars from a rain of arrows before looking at one another.
“Do you know how to roar?” Ember ask making Ace smirk. “Do my wife raise the sun?”
Nodding, they take a depth breathe before exiting their hiding place and release a mighty roar that breaks windows and arrows alike at the same time that froze the attackers.
Ace manage to take a good look at them, four unicorns all wearing festivities mask possible males do to their shape, and carrying crossbows. Taking advantage of their dizziness both dragons prepare to breath fire and lighting but, recovering a bit one of the attackers throw a glass ball at them, that when shatter release a green dust that incapacitate them.
Falling to their knees, the dragons start to hold their chest and cough violently
“What…was in that thing” Ace manage to say between coughs.
“Those freaking hunters…they have killdragon!” Ember says with a growl. “It cuts our breath and make us lose our balance” She explain before receiving an arrow on her left shoulder.
“Ember!” Ace try to help only to receive an arrow on his chest. “Now!” One of the attacker yell as they throw iron balls at them tying them up, and hitting them with more arrows.
“Now it’s our chance, let's finish them” An attacker tells, once their attack stop
“Don’t, remember we are here for the hybrids” Another one tells. “Just let them bleed to death” Ace lookup and even if he could see him, he could tell that he was smirking. He growl but his body wasn’t reacting and he barely could move at this moment.
The unicorn laugh and turn around to leave but another roar stop them and when they look back they saw a little dragon with butterfly wings looking at the royals in surprise.
“Queen Ember! My king!” She approach Ace and look at his wounds before looking at the attackers in rage “You did this?”
The hunters look at the dragoness before bursting in laughter “What is this, a costume party?” One of them tells “Go home kid, this is no place from cosplayers”
That only makes her even more angry “I’m a dragon!” She tells hitting the marvel floor, making the attackers laugh again.
The eyes of Lumina start to shine, while that happen. Once the laughter stop the hunters look back but are surprise when they see everything upside down and Lumina rush toward them, they try to fired but discover that their weapons have turn into feather dusters.
“What is happening?” One of them ask in panic
“Stay focus, this must be an illusion” Another one tells and pull another set of iron balls that throw at Lumina but do to her body be so small she pass throw without any problems and hit the attacker square on the face before turning around and deliver a strong kick on his chest, do to her claws on the rear legs, the impact leaving a scratch behind.
“Why you little” The hunter try to counter attack and pull out a knife but his hoof suddenly give up and goes limp on the ground. Lumina smirk as she gets in guard in front of them. “My claws have muscular relaxing toxin on them, anyone that I scratch will be unable to used his body for at least an hour.”
Right on cue the stallion collapse as he try to move but his hooves now act like they are spaghetti.
Getting concern, the hunters throw more killdragons grenades at her but she just dash forward without a care “You fools! fairy dragons natural habitat are forest and swamps, no poison can affect us” She tells before jumping out of the cloud and incapacitating two more attacker, leaving the last one behind as he is press against the door.
Lumina looks at him with a predatory smile as he start to get scare.
In a desperate attempt the stallion kick open the door behind him and turn around seeking the fillies but a fireball stop his tracks and make him fall into the ground screaming.
Once Lumina gets close, she notices the fireball having the form of a fox with a red cape who was currently biting the hunters snout.
“Suko?” Lumina ask in surprise, making the fox look back at her with surprise before smiling and nod.
Lumina look up and see the fillies and a yellow baby dragoness that look like Ember being protected by Pyra who has curl them around her along side their baby sitters.
Lumina smile and nod before looking at Suko “Good boy”
Scratching his shoulder Lumina incapacitated the last attacker, and tell Suko that he can stop before looking at the babysitters.
“Are you ok?”
“Y…yeah, Pyra and Suko, got in here the moment the attack started” One of them say still shaking and hugging Hera. “What is happening?”
“Its was an attempt ponynapping but don’t worry we are taking care of it” She tells to calm them down before a groan catch her attention.
“King Ace!” She yells in alarm and rush to his side. Suko kills his flames and run toward him as well.
“Daddy?!” Hera and Dawn tell in concern as tears start to stream of their faces. They try to go to him but the mares holding them prevent it “Don’t go princesses, its dangerous”
“But daddy…” Dawn tells but the babysitter interrupt her.
“Shh its ok, its ok, everything will be ok”
Both fillies start to cry as they try to get away, while Lumina approach the royals.
“Your highness, queen Ember are you ok?” She ask while Suko break the ropes on their bodies
The dragons then struggle to sit against a nearby wall as she help them.
“We will leave…although I don’t know for how long can I stay awake” Embers tells
“Same,Lumina…the kids are they…?”
“They are safe, sir. All of them, Pyra and her cubs protect them”
Ember looks at Zuko still smoking and then look at Ace. “Hell of a guardian dog you have here Ace”
“They are kyubies Ember, they feed off magic, what do you think will happen when they got exposed to so much since they were born?” He chuckle before holding his chest in pain near the arrow wound.
“Please take it easy sir, you are wounded and need medical attention”
“Not as much as what those freaks will need when I’m done with them” Ember tells in anger.
Ace meanwhile look at Suko and then gets confused. “Where are your sisters?”
Right on cue the hallway where he and Ember came from get cover in gemstones and they hear a low bark in the distance.
“Ah…so that is where Amber went…remind me to give her a treat once this is over”
“Oh think they earn more than one” Ember tells him impress at the display.
Both chuckle as their consciousness weakens and eventually pass out.
“Your highness?, Your Highness!? Please stay awake” Lumina yells as more guards arrive at the scene.
Later that night at the royal chambers.
A mare with pink mane and red fur wearing a doctor's trench coat, put on a stethoscope on the king chest and check his vitals as Celestia stay behind with a worry expression. “How is he doctor Mellow?”
After a bit she pull back and take out her instrument before sign “Fortunately his life is no longer in danger your highness, the arrows miss any major organs and if he follow my orders the king will make a complete recovery, unfortunately it will be awhile for the poison to leave his body so until them, he will have to remain in bed for at least four days, I would advise a whole week under observation just to make sure he will no suffer any relapse”
Celestia sign in happiness at that news “Thank the stars”
Doctor Mellow nod and smile “We were very lucky that he and Queen Ember didn’t receive any mayor damages, I can only hope she doesn’t retaliated for this attack while being our guest” Mellow tells.
“Do not worry Dr. Mellow, I already talk with her, and she complete understand that none of this was our fault and she actually seek the attackers on the first place. Still I gave her my apologies and offer her something as compensation and thanks for helping my husband”
“And what did you gave her?”
“I’m afraid that is a private matter doctor” Celestia tells with a calm smile before looking at Ace “Can he take any visits?”
“As long as they don’t make to much noise and do not alter him I see no problem” Mellow tells with a smile as she pack her equipment and head toward the front door.
“Thank you doctor”
“Your highness” She gives them a short bow, and open the door, where Hera, Dawn Luna, and Kaiser are waiting. As well as Pyra and her cubs
“Please, try to be as quiet as possible, the prince needs his rest” Mellow instruct as she let them in, and then leaves.
The group enter and approach the bed. “How is he” Luna ask as she gets next to her sister.
“The doctor says that he will be fine, but unfortunately the poison in his system will take time until its leaves his body” Celestia answers with some sorrow as she see her kids and the foxes climbing on the bed and approaching Ace, while being careful not not stepping on him “He will have to stay in bed for a week, under observation to ensure that he don’t get any relapse”
“Well that sucks” Kaiser voices his opinion. “And just when we were preparing to into a new adventure”
That catch the kids attention “Uncle Kaiser, did you and daddy were planning on going somewhere?” Dawn ask confused.
“Well” Kaiser ear is soon pull by Luna who smile at them and answer “Your dad had a special secret mission for your uncle, dears” She chuckle before pulling Kaiser closer to her “Secret, remember dear?!” She tells with some anger in her voice.
“Ye…yeah what she said” Kaiser tell while in pain before Luna release him. “But unfortunately I suppose I will have to cancel it and…”
“Ace told me about your meeting with Artifact from the Diamond Dog, kingdom Kaiser” Celestia tells him without looking at him.
“You are leaving first thing in the morning”
“Wh…what?! But this, Celestia you can’t possibly be telling me to just sit this one out and let whoever made this, got away”
“And you won't” She tells looking back at him with a neutral expression “But we can’t just stop things because if this, I need you to talk with Artifact, and gather the intel we need, and then after I will put you as the head of the investigation in this case” She tells before looking in front of her again.
“Just please Kaiser, let me grief and console my injure husband. I need to do it if I wish to make any rational decisions” She tells holding his claw with both hoofs.
Kaiser look at her and after signing he ultimate nod “As you wish princess, I will finish my mission as soon as possible”
All of a sudden a groan alert everyone and they look back at Ace who start to wake up. “Ah…where am I?”
“Dad” Soon Ace notices of a pair of hoofs hugging his neck followed by a pair of arms doing the same and looking down he see his children hugging him with tears on her eyes.
“Girls” He try to move but Celestia stop him the moment she sees him flinch “Don’t much to much honey, your body is still too weak” She informs with a smile, and then proceed to nuzzle him, witch calm him down. “I’m just glad all of you are ok” He tells closing his eyes, and then looking at Kaiser. “Dude, when the attack happen…”
“Don’t worry, Wisteria took actions immediately and put both of us out of harm's way. Good call leaving her to me” He says with a chuckle.
“Good” He then get serious and look up “Celly…how big was the count”
That surprise her as she stand back to look at him “Ace, I don’t think this is the moment…”
“…please, I need to know, how many?”
She sigh and just look down “7 confirm death, 30 on critical conditions, and at least 58 wounded. All of them being maids, butlers and 3 unfortunate colts that were on a school trip” She tells in melancholy. And the room gets quiet for a moment before the cubs whine get Ace attention.
“Its ok, everyone” Ace smile and try to pet them, Ibony even going so far as to going into his claw and putting her head under it. “We will bring this ponies to justice”
He then looks at Luna “Luna I know this is kinda hard to ask but…”
“I will arrange the funeral and memorial for all our fallen subjects, Ace although we can’t erase the pain of all those families, at the very least we will ensure to pay our respects of the fallen”
“Thank you”
Celestia sniff and try to smile again before approaching him “For now just procure to sleep honey, doctor's orders”
Ace nod and lay down in bed again with his kids and pets. “What about Ember?”
“Already taken care of too…which also means that I’m afraid I will have to leave you for just a moment, don’t worry I put general Reverb on your care will I’m gone” She tells before stepping away and heading to the door.
“Where are you going?” Ace ask confused by her actions.
Celestia needs a minute before answering but eventually does, while levitating a small golden bell. “Fortunately the attackers where stop and put under custody, they confess all the information we could gather, now there is only one last thing that need to be done” She tells in a cold tone.
That surprise Ace as he see Ibony leave his side and walk toward Celestia
“Celly you are not seriously consider…we swear that we…”
“…ATTEMPTED REGICIDE!” She yells stopping her hoof on the ground and looking at him with a glare and tear on her eyes. “Invasion of private property, attempted murder, murder, damage of government property, aggression against an ambassador and attempted foalnapping!” She finish with a quiver lip and a shaking voice while trying to contain her anger.
“I know Ace…I know you wish for a better solution, but this…this is unforgiven. This is definitely on the list, and believe me when I’m telling. I’m following the rules of our kingdom. If I were doing this for petty revenge I can assure that things would had be worse”
Ace just look down in defeat and close his eyes “…just please don’t let them suffer to much, they are monsters but there is no reason for us to become that too”
That put a smile on Celestia “Even like that, you wish to grant some form of compassion, by the stars that is one of the many reasons I’m just in love with you” Her expression turn to anger as she exit the room with Ibony “And that is why, I can’t forgive them”
She tells before closing the door.
“Dad, what is mommy going to do?” Dawn ask with concern and Ace look at them “Something I don’t wish to share with you my angel, not yet at least”
Luna looks at them and getting worry get the kids attention “Fillies, why don’t you help me get your dad some nice cookies to lift his spirit?” She offer with a smile. “I have one excellent recipe that will guarantee his fast recovery”
That catch their attention “Really?” Dawn ask as Luna nod
“Indeed, but you better keep the secret its an old family recipe”
“We promise aunt Luna”
“Ok if that is the case, let us depart the sooner we make those cookies the sooner your dad can recover” Luna guides them to the entrance and Ace utter a ‘thank you’ as he watch them leave.
Once gone Kaiser look back at Ace “Ok now that they are gone, you can tell me, what it's going to happen to those criminals?”
Ace look at Pira and her cubs who just close their eyes and huddle closer to him “The fox judgement” He finally tells, catching Kaiser of guard. “Wow that is…well it's kind of fitting but still, harsh”
A knock on the door get their attention and but are left speechless when they see Blueblood on the entrance “Can I come in?”
“Ah…sure Blueblood” Ace is the first in recovering and look at him enter.
“How are you feeling uncle?”
“Being better, but I will survive” Ace tells with a smile “Did you came to see if I’m ok?”
“But of course, we might had our difference in the past, but the harming of the royal family it’s something I can never tolerated” He tells with a theatrical act “I just hope to see you get well soon, uncle”
“Thank you Blueblood that means a lot to me”
“Anytime, and do not worry while you are in bed you can count on me. I will take good care of Hera and Dawn, they will not escape my sight” He tells giving them a slight bow
As Celestia make her way to the dungeons she encounter Ember, who was currently leaning against a wall next to the entrance of it. She had some bandages on her chest and her left arm was inside a cast while suspended in order for it to heal properly.
“Thank you for waiting” Celestia tells with a neutral tone getting her attention.
“Don’t sweat it, your mate needed you there” Ember say leaving the wall and looking at the entrance. “So, how bad is he?”
“Fortunately his injuries weren’t worse than yours, yet he will be incapacitated it for the time being” Celestia answer as she goes ahead and goes throw the door, who was connected to a spiral stone stairs going down, illuminated only by torches on the wall.
“That is good to hear, I saw how some of those morons where aiming at him in specifically, maybe they really had something about him ‘defiling you’” Ember tells making air quotes, and follow her.
“It a strong possibility, unfortunately we will never know”
“Why is that?”
“This stallions were well prepare for this attack, when one of my guards try to interrogate one of them, a dormant spell went off and make his head exploit” She tells with sorrow. “There is a engrave on all of their ears and a scan reveal what I was fearing, the nature of them is unbreakable. All of them have choose death over confession”
“Wow, talking about extremist, so what did you do?”
“Luckily, my advisors and generals know how to work around difficult situations. Using their dental registration and medical history, we manage to uncover their identities, and social circles. It's not much but at the very least we will know who they were, and what draw them into this path” She tells her before looking ahead of herself with a small glare “Now there is only the matter of their punishment”
Ember nod and catch up to her “Took my words right out my mouth, princess” She tell before taking notices of Ivory and then look at Celestia with a raise eyebrow. “Is she the one you told me about?”
“She is but…”
Celestia stop and sign before looking in front of her “…Ember, I know I promise you an explanation about the ‘Fox Judgment’ as well as to why we keep it a secret, from the public but I’m must warn you, it will not be a pleasant image and once you see it, you can’t unsee it” She then turn to Ember “Are you absolutely sure that this is what you want?”
“Celestia, with all do respect, those idiots broke my arm and threaten to take my daughter, I really don’t have time for self doubt or pity, what I want is blood, if this really is worse, then I need to see it personally, otherwise I would not be able to calm myself”
Celestia close her eyes and nod “Very well, just know that what is going to happen will never leave this place and remember, you had the choose to back off” Celestia tell as they keep their march toward a jail cell in the far corner of the dungeon where all twelve attacker were contained. Some even having bandages on their faces or hoofs, to cover burn marks and cuts.
The moment they hear the rulers approach all eyes land on them as Celestia approach the door. “Gentlestallions” Celestia give them a short greeting as Ember growls at them. “Before we continue with this any further I just want to tell you that this puts a heavy burden in…”
Celestia suddenly is interrupted by one of the assassin spitting on her face “Save you silver tongue for your owner ‘princess’” He tells her in anger “Nothing you say will make us regret what we did. You betray us and decided to slept with a lizard!”
“Yeah you are just a traitor”
“Take those words of yours and shove it!” They yell at them as they got rile.
“You think you are safe now, Lizard” Another one looks at Ember “We are everywhere, there is nowhere you can hide, and when we get you, we will make a wallet out of your skin!”
Ember is about to attack but Celestia raise one of her wings to stop her and glare at their prisoners
“I was really hoping that you at least would show some nobility in the end” She tells before cleaning her face and then levitated the golden bell she took from her room. “Guess I was wrong”
One of the prisoner laugh and point at her. “You think that, that will scare us? You don’t have the guts princess, you can’t kill and that overside snake, you call husband with all that glorious laws of ‘freedom’ will never do that either”
“Indeed, we won't” She ring the bell and the room suddenly gets colder, as the laughing soon die down because of the abrupt drop in temperature, soon the torches go out and that particularly section of the dungeon is cover in darkness “Yet that doesn’t mean we don’t know ways of punish those that threaten the crown such as yourself. And this one I find particularly…fitting for your crimes” The torches light up again but this time with a dark flame
Soon Ivory show herself from her hiding place in between Celestia legs and walk toward the cell, yet her body start to transform, her fur turn crimson red, her eyes become darker than the night, and the tip of her tails ignite in a unnatural, black flames identical to the ones on the wall. “One month left. Ebony, have a treat” Celestia commands and the fox in question enter the cell walking throw the space in between the iron bars before pouncing at the stallion that spit on the princess.
Her body becomes intangible and she goes into his chest. For a second nothing happen but then the stallions body ignite in the same black flame as he trash and roll around on the floor. Pure pain showing in his face as the fame grows and growls like its alive. At times parts of Ebony emerge and enter the pony body until his silhouette is reduce to a black moving blob that soon stops moving.
Everyone in the room minus Celestia get pale at the display. “Like you said, my husband law protect the freedom as an absolute, including yours” She levitated the prison keys in front of everyone. “Yet taking a life is taking another freedom away. So yours will be remove too, in other circumstance we have left ten or maybe twenty years remaining, but you…” She drop the keys and harden her glare
“…You try to kill my family, and murder innocent without any remorse”
Like oil Ebony leaves the victim body and when the smoke clears, the only thing remaining is a an old stallion shaking like a leaf and looking like he has a hoof on the grave.
“Just a month remaining will suffice”
Ebony repeat the process as the stallion try to fight or flee from the monster yet, its end up futile as she one by one start to claim their bodies. “Do not worry, once Ebony finish her meal she will give you the keys. You will be free to go. I suggest that you used it to reflex on your actions and try to find atoment on your next life”
Once the last victim is claim, Ebony do as Celestia told her and leave the jail keys on the hoof of one of the stallion, the torches return to their usual color and the ambient return to its natural warm. All of them attacker, now barely conscious try to move, yet their new bodies make the act itself a titanic effort.
“Will this suffice to clench your blood lust Ember?” Celestia ask as she picks Ebony on her hoofs, while say fox purr for a moment before curling on her arm and return back to her original form.
Ember on her part can just gulp and look at the stallions dragging themselves toward her with pleading eyes. “Please…just end it” One of them says, and Ember can’t help but to feel remorse, she extend her claw but Celestia stop her with her magic.
“Don’t”
“Celestia they are dying now, it will be merciful at this…”
“All life is sacred, I will take back what they stole, but I will not end it, that is how things work here” She glare at the ponies once last time before marching away “We are leaving”
Ember look at them one last time before following Celestia. “Mind telling me what did I just watch?” She ask with a serious expression as she notices Ivory and see how she now has 2 blue flames on the tip of her tails.
Celestia stop and sigh as she put the fox closer to her “I suppose I might as well tell you everything” She turn around and look at Ember “Ember, the first thing you need to know is that this fox in front of you and the fox you saw earlier are not the same one”
“Come again?” She ask with a raise eyebrow.
“Tell me, are you familiar with the multiple personality disorder?”
“The condition of two minds sharing a body? Yeah I know of it, what about it?”
Celestia look down at Ivory with a bit of sorrow as she purr on her chest. “When Ivory was born, she had that condition. The sweet and shy Ivory that has trouble open up to others, and is a bit mischievous, and then Ebony, a fox that I could only describe as wild” She look up to look at Ember.
“At first we didn’t exactly knew what to do of things, one moment Ivory was in charge and was seeking attention for Ace, the next Ebony appeared and start to bite guards and maids alike hissing and growling like something out of the everfree forest, to make matter worse, her magic develop earlier and if we haven’t stop her…" Celestia has to close her eyes in sadness and regret "…that poor guard. He really didn’t deserve what happen”
“Did she also took his life energy?” Ember ask with intrigue and Celestia just nod. “We manage to get it back of course, it's…”
“Wait, wow, wow, get it back? Didn't you just say she ate that stuff?” Ember ask confused
“It’s the first law of Newton Ember, energy is energy, as long as she don't swallow it, the life can be pass from a pony and into another, but I will get to that on a second” Celestia resume their walk through the dungeon.
“Anyway, when we discover what she has done, we were scared to say the least, I mean, what do you do with something like this? How do you deal with a infant that did such a horrible act? Everypony was demanding for answers and I was complete lost into what to do. Luckily, my sweet Acey came to my rescue. The moment, I suggest him to let Ivory go, into the everfree, he just stare me in the face and told me ‘Celestia, I will not give up on her, Ivory needs us more than ever and, tartarus will freeze before I abandon her’. So, surprising even myself he decided to spend the night along with her and try to find the problem”
Celestia smile when she see Ivory lickying her hoof before re adjusing herself against her chest. “After that night, Ebony was named and she has being part of the family”
“So…what did he do, to make her be on your side?”
“Nopony knows, every time anyone ask he change the subject, the only thing he say to me was ‘I would not made the same mistake that Victor did’ to this day I still don’t know who Victor and what did he had to do on this ordeal but Kaiser seems to understood it so I trust that it was kind of an inside thing between those two”
“Well that sure is cryptic” Ember tells with irritation and Celestia chuckle at her reaction
“Tell me about it, but whatever he did, it work and because of that we were blessed with a new member on our little family, it was kind of difficult at first but eventually Ebony grow on me and I learn to love her just like all of her siblings”
“And you really are ok with what she does? Steal the life energy of others and all that mumbo jumbo?”
“Crime can’t exist without punishment Ember, as a ruler you would understand that more than any pony else, if you wish to be respected you need to be willing to make difficult chooses. The sad true is…there are evil ponies that would just simple wish to see the world burn and don’t care if they end lifes, to them a fitting punishment is Ebony. Of course we don’t used it with all the crimes, and most of the time we reserve it only to those that are just monster” They reach the staircase and while continue their ascend Celestia look back at the dragon.
“And that is why I need you to keep it a secret Ember, if word get out about a royal pet able to take and give life of others, panic and riots would ignite and our people could demand the death of Ebony or worse, to be used it for greedy intents, that is why the criminals have a magic seal preventing them from speaking what happen, and that is why I need you to please remain quiet of what you saw, if anything ask just tell that ‘the fox cast the judgment'’”
“Eh…I’m not into gossips anyway and you keep your end of the bargain so I will keep mine”
“Thank you”
The moment they return to the castle Ivory jumps out of Celestia hoof and lands on Ember shoulder scaring the poor dragon who flinch as the fox nuzzle her cheek and start to purr.
“Hey! Hey what are you doing?”
Celestia can’t help but to chuckle at the display “Consider yourself fortunately Ember, it appear that you have earn Ivory affection, something very rare considering how shy the poor dear usually is”
“Je…hey…cut it out! That tickles” Ember tells trying her best to hold her laughter and make Celestia laugh even harder, even some guards were having trouble of not snicker at the poor dragon lord predicament”
Back at the royal chamber.
As Ace was peacefully sleeping on bed, his eyes open when he hear the door of his room opening and a shadow figure stepping in “Celly? Is that you?” He says standing up.
“Nope, not her” From the shadows a slender batpony mare as tall as the princesses walk in. Her fur and wings was pale white, her mane and tail were blond and her eyes where some hypnotic ocean blue colors, two white fangs were easily visible on her muzzle, and her walk had a bit of a sass to it. “Just good old me" She tells with a smile
In surprise Ace struggle to sit up and look at the intruder in the eyes “Pale Moonlight?”
