A half dragon pony hybrid from the pre-discordian era finds new life a thousand years after the banishment of the Crystal Empire.
Lord Tempestus once lead armies under the banner of King Lunarum. Five crusades, five victories. Only, his final crusade ended in disaster with the banishment of the Crystal Empire. A thousand years later the Captain General is pulled out of the dungeon and brought back into the light. Without wars to fight, and with Equestria no longer in need of his military prowess he finds himself at a loss of what to do. Life finds him, and he decides to share his story with those who will listen.
My vision swam as everything came into focus, my surroundings slowly coming into view. I lay chained to the wall of a small cell with it's only defining feature being the dark and somewhat damp crystals that continued universally out of the wrought iron cage door. The slow clip-clopping of multiple hooves could be heard echoing off the crystalline walls of the filthy halls that made up the dungeon. Newly returned to the world, everypony had been too occupied in trying to defeat King Sombra to check and see if he had any prisoners.
That he did.
“I've got two more over here sir!" A young voice stated as cell doors could be heard being torn off their mounts and tossed aside to the opposing wall from the force of strong magic.
"Easy now, we will get you to the medical wing and have you fixed up soon. Have some water and oats while you wait for the next unit of medical ponies." A slightly older and husky voice said to the ponies they had just liberated.
It was my understanding that the dungeon had been enchanted to prevent the prisoners from dying unless they were deliberately killed. So far as I was aware, those who survived the battle and were taken prisoner with minor wounds were still alive. I, however…
"Prince Armor!" The young voice shouted to a white and blue unicorn stallion that wore purple and gold armor.
"What is it, Lieutenant Sentry?" He questioned the blue and pale tan pegasus who was now standing in front of my cell; the one where I had been chained alone.
The rest of what transpired sounded as if I was underwater, muted voices, the cell door being ripped off its mounts. I spared a glance to my body, still encased in my shattered armor that once gleamed silver in the moonlight. My large leathery wings tattered to the point flight would be impossible.
"Sir, we need a medical team down here. He’s covered in blood!" This, Sentry shouted.
Ignoring the panicked shouting, I took a moment to peer at my side more closely. The armor had been torn asunder by his scythe and I could see the wound that had felled me; the same one I had cauterized with my own dragon fire. My blood and perhaps a fair share of my former enemy’s cover my body from snout to hoof. I looked back at the two soldiers and where they had entered the cell, my movements steady albeit slow. I had hardly laid eyes on them before the pale tan one flew off while the white one… the Prince had remained to keep me company.
"Don't worry, we will get you help." The Prince reassured me, placing a hoof on my intact shoulder guard.
"My… d-daughters…?" I coughed, blood speckling onto his armor, though if he cared he didn't show it.
"I don't know who they are, but this dungeon is packed with ponies. If they are here we will find them." He replied just as several ponies galloping could be heard up the hall.
My vision began to fail me as I gazed upon this stallion, this Prince. We had failed our Lord, we had failed the Empire, and this one pony would be our saviour.
Everything went black.
----
Beep…
Where am I?
Beep…
What is that sound?
Beep…
My hearing was the first thing to return, followed closely by my sense of smell. Antiseptics filled the air meaning they must have taken me to a cleric of sorts, likely an Earth Pony.
Beep…
I tried to open my eyes. Only to be assaulted by harsh light, forcing me to close them near instantly. I heard somepony gallop away from where they had been next to me. I reopened my eyes slowly, allowing them to adjust to Solaria's sun. Well, it wasn’t my passed Queen’s sun nor King Lunarum's moon reflecting off the snow we had bloodied. No, a single unholy bright light assaulted my charcoal features.
My surroundings were plain white with light grey accents and hints of light purple. This included but was not limited to; the walls, the floors, the ceiling, the tables, and even the bed that I had been laid in. Lunarum's majestic beard, even the sheets were a bright and untarnished white!
"Where…" I moaned, my throat so dry that my normally deep voice sounded more like a sack of rocks being scraped against a metal plate.
The galloping in the distance returned, with several sets of hooves beating the crystal floor. It halted just outside of the open door and I was once again greeted by the white and blue unicorn stallion from before.
"Out of everypony we recovered, you were in the worst shape." He stated as he approached my bedside.
"How… how many are left?" I asked, swallowing hard and already knowing that a vast portion of the two hundred thousand I led into battle had perished.
"Roughly around a thousand. I didn't realize that Sombra had taken so many prisoners." Armor, I recalled his name being, said.
"Not many… we were... two hundred thousand strong…" I answered slowly, my breathing still a bit ragged and my voice far too dry, "How long?"
At first everypony in the room stared at me with wide eyes before Armor spoke again, "It has been a thousand years."
I wanted to reply, I really did…but at that moment all I could do was lay there and drown in the realization that nearly everyone I spent my life alongside was gone.
One thousand years, at least one hundred ninety-nine thousand casualties on our side alone… Faust forgive me, for I failed.
"Umm ahem, sir? Are you alright?" Armor asked me.
"Nay, this has been a revelation. I have failed in my task" My crystalline red eyes stared past him, lost as to what to do next.
"No, you survived." He replied, placing a hoof on my shoulder, "You have nothing to worry about. You have my word."
I was silent for a moment before my eyes slowly shifted to meet his, "Pray tell, I heard you are a prince?"
"Yes. I am Shining Armor, Prince of the Crystal Empire, former Captain of the Royal Guard, and husband to one Princess Mi Amore Cadenza." The way he spoke made it sound as if his introduction had been rehearsed, "Now, I don't believe that I know who you are."
"Well that is no simple answer, Prince, but I suppose my name shall suffice." I laid my head back and took a deep breath, "I beith the Captain General of the First Lunar Crusade, Lord Tempestus."
“Well then, Lord Tempestus, I believe that once you are out of this bed we will need to discuss many things." He smiled, "That said, I believe that there is a young bat pony mare who is giving the doctors a hard time by asking for you. I will be certain to let her know that you are doing well."
I am more well off than the rest of my troops. Though I do ponder if it were best that I had instead succumbed to Master Death and renounced my hold on life.
Wait… bat pony?
I was about to ask what he meant when my eyes felt heavy and the dreamscape came calling.
Standing before me was a modest suit of armor, not too flashy, but by no means dull. Fashioned for a Griffon who had written me a letter about his son. A son he knew would be going to war soon against the Minotaur. Attached was a modest amount of currency, even if this armor would technically be worth twice that amount.
Truth be told, I had become nostalgic while working with the pieces. Razor sharp clawed gauntlets, smooth and articulated wing covers, and the combination of flanging with the rivets. Truly a masterpiece on its own, the metal craft was not the only reason so. Embedded within the armor plating I hid talismans with healing, endurance boosting, and even cleansing properties.
It would be my first suit of armor made for a Griffon since my return, regardless of the pay, it had to be perfect.
A sudden knocking at my oak door drew my attention away from the newly finished armor. I slowly approached the entrance to my humble abode, a two bed, one and a half bath house that I had attached a forge to the side of, and focussed on the door itself. Opening the antique style door, I was greeted by three young mares about perhaps fourteen if I were to guess.
"Hey! You’re the new blacksmith in town right?" The orange filly asked, an earth pony by the looks of it.
"You might be stressing the ‘in town’ portion of the statement, but I suppose I am." I replied, casting my gaze towards those she had in tow.
Literal tow, this little filly had two others, a white unicorn and a yellow earth pony in a wagon that had been tied to her with a rope, propelled via scooter.
"Anyways, we are hereby inviting you to Sugarcube Corner." She stated, waving at me to come outside.
I spared a glance at the armor, the order had not called for a weapon, but I had made certain that it would have a knife strapped to its side.
"Who would I be to say no to three younglings like yourselves? I will be along as soon as my package is sent out." I pointed to the suit of armor and all three of their mouths dropped open.
"Well that thar sure is a sight!" The yellow and red earth pony filly exclaimed.
"That isn't pony armor." The white and mulberry unicorn filly observed.
"No way, I think that’s Griffon Armor!" The orange earth pony filly with a purple mane shouted.
What surprised me the most was when the orange earth pony began levitating off the ground. Upon closer inspection I realized my folly, she was in fact a pegasus, though her wings were much too small for her age.
"I was contracted to construct it. It has been... nostalgic." I smiled as I untied the apron I had been wearing and hung it on a rack.
The three fillies smiled happily and began to leave when a grey, wall-eyed, pegasus floated down from above.
"Pick up from one Dragon Forge to be delivered to War Wing?" She asked, landing with a sky wagon behind her.
"Yes, I was just completing the final inspection of the item, give me but a moment to pack it into the crate." I replied as I strode back to the armor on its stand and began placing each individual piece in the crate.
It did not take long, and the mail mare was patient. She took it without complaint and I gave her a small tip. Well, relatively small. At first she tried to say no, but I stated that it was not just my thanks, but to keep it quiet about what it was and its origins. With a nod, she took off at a brisk pace and slowly faded into the distance.
"Do this often?" The orange one asked.
"My first suit of armor in ages actually." I remarked as I closed and locked my door, "Now, shall we be off? I believe something was said about sugar and a corner?"
They all laughed as the pegasus propelled her scooter and raced away, the wagon hopping up and down with each bump. I couldn't resist smiling as I spread my wings, the appendages easily hid my sides when at rest, but when spread could envelope entire ponies beneath their span. With a beat I was in the air, with yet another I was pacing the racing pegasus. I opted to lazily follow at a sort of glide with occasional light beats of my dragon-like wings.
Two of the three fillies gawked at me, the pegasus merely smiled and flapped harder, gaining even more speed as she zoomed off into town. I gained slight altitude to avoid knocking anypony out in the streets and pumped my wings to keep up with the orange arrow ahead of me. It was not long before she stopped with an impressive drift. I flared my wings and came to a halt next to them, allowing my hooves to gently touch the ground before folding the leathery airfoils back to my sides.
"That was a pleasant chase, but I am afraid we never did introductions." I commented as the unicorn filly untied the knot around the pegasus.
"Mah name’s Apple Bloom."
"I'm Sweetie Belle."
"Scootaloo, nice flying back there!"
The fillies looked up at me, and I down at them as we turned the corner.
Pink!
"HimynameisPinkiePieandIthrewthispartyjustforyouawelcometoaPonyvillepartyletsbefriends!" What I suppose could be considered a pink demon had ambushed me and the fillies and was leading us to our deaths!
Wait, is that… cake?
Or maybe she was a pink pony with a strange cutie mark leading me to a party. One thing I have always been able to say about myself, I am not a party pony. However, one does not turn down cake, especially chocolate cake!
"So, ah, Lady Pinkie Pie was it?" I began, looking to my right where she had been, only to find Scootaloo looking past me.
"YES?!" Pinkie shouted as she shoved a plate into my hooves from my left and bounced away.
Wait, is she… no… is she made of rubber. Ahhh chocolate… WAIT!!!
I was suddenly tasting chocolate, my eyes were bulging out of my head as the pink one began her assault with the delicious treats. I tried to speak in between the goodies but every time I went to ask a question another sweet would enter my mouth.
Then it stopped.
"Umm… Pinkie? You should let him enjoy the party, otherwise you might scare him off." I heard a gentle voice practically whisper to the pink demon.
This mare was a pegasus with a butter yellow coat and light pink mane. She most certainly had a sweet aura about her, calming even, and had managed to calm the pink earth pony down enough that I was able to finally speak.
"Well then, that was perhaps the sweetest welcome I have ever had, coupled with the sweetest ambush I have ever received." I laughed, brushing off a bit of frosting that had found its way into my small beard.
I should have shaved.
"Hello. Welcome to Ponyville. My name is Twilight Sparkle." A voice behind me stated as I turned around.
And immediately bowed before an alicorn princess.
"Oh, please, ah, don't do that." She said, her lavender cheeks turning a dark red.
With a raised eyebrow I rose back to my full height, dwarfing most of the full grown ponies in the crowd that had gathered. This was indeed a proper ambush, if Steel Hoof saw me now he would no doubt have been disappointed. Everyone in the town must have been here to welcome me and enjoy the party. The three fillies having done their job of leading me here had vanished into the proverbial sea of ponies that now surrounded me.
"Ahem, setting titles aside, I am Tempestus." I returned her greeting, omitting that I was in fact the Lord of the Everfree Keep, which to my understanding fell to ruin in my absence.
"So if you don't mind me asking, where are you from?" Twilight picked up a couple cups containing what I could only assume was a fruit based drink and levitated them over.
"Originally not far from here actually, though I have been travelling most of my life." I took the cup from her in my own telekinetic field using a cleverly hidden talisman that I had built into my saddle bags.
Her right eye twitched, "How are you doing that?"
"Family secret." I smiled, "Have you ever dabbled in talismans?"
"Magic stored in gemstones right?" Twilight guessed while tapping her hoof to her chin.
"Indeed, that is half of it." I took a sip and gave a look of approval towards the pink mare who seemed to be everywhere and yet nowhere all at once, "The other half being rune inscriptions to channel the magic to a specified spell."
She tapped her hoof to her chin for a few moments, "I don't think anypony has ever thought of doing that before."
"It is an uncommon skill, if you don't do it right then bad things can and will happen." I found myself drawn towards a splash of prismatic brilliance behind the alicorn.
"Ah, well, I suppose I should go and let you get back to your party, I do hope we can speak more about magic later though!" Twilight all but hurried away, but the color had already vanished in her wake.
After that, each pony at one point or another had come up to me just as she had and introduced themselves. The party lasted almost a full day before the Cakes, the couple who owned the shop, stated that they would be closing early to prepare for the storm that the weather patrol was setting up. Apparently it was to be a heavy one and everypony in town was worried about their properties. I met back up with the three fillies who I had discovered were known as the Cutie Mark Crusaders, an apt title.
"So with the storm coming should you three not be heading home?" I looked the three children over and received unanimous nods.
With that we parted ways for the day, or at least I had thought we had. Upon my return to my forge on the outskirts of town I realized that I had left my saddle bags at the party and, subsequently, the keys to the oak door that led into my home. The building itself was of an old style construction, stone with a thatch roof, though I am uncertain as to whether a house meant for a fire breathing pony should have thatch anywhere within a mile of it. Looking to the sky I could see that the storm clouds had thickened and that the pegasi had begun to take refuge.
"Hmm, I could always break the door down I suppose." I muttered to myself before looking away from the sky.
On the ground and hurtling in my direction was an orange and purple blur. Scootaloo had strapped my bags to her body and was rapidly riding up to my position.
"Hey, Mr. Tempestus! You left your bag behind!" She shouted as she skidded to a halt next to me.
I smiled down at her as she slipped the saddle bag off and gave it to me. Taking the bag into my hoof I quickly fished out the key before looking back to the impending maelstrom.
"There is enough time to get back to town before that weather hits, do you need an escort?" I asked, figuring that a filly her age should not be left alone in weather like this while also trying to find a way to say thank you.
She paused a moment before looking to town, "Nah, home isn't too far, I'll be fine."
Her calm demeanour was quite mature so I gave a firm nod and bowed my head to her, "Thank you for your aid, now I must insist you run along."
"Anytime!" She chirped with a grin before she set off towards town.
I watched her get to the main road leading to town before heading inside and setting the bag down. I closed the door and went to shut the shutters when I spotted the young pegasus skirting around town and dipping off into the apple orchard closest to the Everfree Forest. Frowning to myself I left the window in deep thought.
As far as I know only the Apple Family lives that way, and their home is not near the forest.
Without realizing it I was standing in my personal chambers in front of my old armor, still battle worn as I had not seen fit to repair it. A standing testament to my failure. A haunting howl permeated the air followed by a shrill scream, it did not take long for me to discern the direction and take off out of my house, the scabbard holding my sword wrapped around my frame.
My wings spread wide, a flash of lightning and I took to the sky. Thunder rumbled intensely overhead as I beat my wings viciously towards the farm, and ultimately the forest. I saw them, surrounding the filly and her broken scooter. A small clubhouse sat nearby, it had most likely been her destination.
I landed with a mighty crash atop one of the twelve timberwolves and drew my seven hoof longsword, the talisman in the scabbard doing its job well. A quick flourish severed the head of my temporary steed before I leapt from it to the ground and spread my wings, insinuating myself between my prey and my charge.
"Well then, who shall be next?" I roared in a voice that I had learned to perfect over years of practice to sound as demonic as possible.
I must keep myself between the wolves and Scootaloo.
With that thought in mind I readied my blade for the next attack, two wolves pounced. I twisted the blade and slashed upward, splitting the head on the right while sidestepping the pounce on the left. Bringing the sword back down I cut diagonally from right to left and split the other head. In the moment, another had charged from my right, so I did the appropriate thing and thrust my fifteen pound sword into its chest. A pop and dispelling of magic later all three timberwolves dissolved and departed leaving me now surrounded by eight more: seven normal sized ones, and a larger alpha.
Letting loose a primal growl I flourished the blade again, the steel shimmering as lightning flashed and the rain began. This time four tried their luck, far left dug into my side and tore my wing while I impaled near right with a thrust to the chest. I slashed into far left while wrestling near left with my hooves and in the heat of battle I had neglected far right allowing the wolf to get behind me. Upon my realization that it was foregoing finishing me off in lieu of going after my charge I let off a guttural roar that would have made any dragon proud and sent a blast of flame over my shoulder before using my hooves to physically break the timberwolf that I had been entangled with. The scarlet fireball made its mark and the timberwolf detonated in a spectacular shower of embers and charcoal.
It was at this moment I had caught a look at my charge. Her eyes were filled with fear and she had shrunk herself down into a ball. The scooter she had been riding lay shattered against a tree, and I was fairly certain that she was crying. Turning my full attention back to the wolves who were now encircling me, uncertain how to proceed, I raised my head and locked eyes with the alpha.
"Leave, now." I stated, snorting flames out of my nose and baring my razor sharp dragon’s teeth.
The alpha caught the hint and with agility retreated back into the forest with its pack. I stood in the harsh rain for a full minute staring at where the four had left before sheathing my sword and walking to Scootaloo. She had, at this point, closed her eyes and was presumably awaiting her end, only it was not to come. I lowered myself down and ran my hoof along her back, shifting into a calm demeanor I had not used in many years.
"Hush now little one, the wolves have retreated, the danger has passed." Of course, as I said this it had been punctuated by a thunderclap, "Er, well… relatively passed."
She looked up to me, her magenta eyes piercing my own red crystalline and began sobbing anew. I frowned at the situation before lifting her off the ground and embracing the orange filly.
"If we stay out here we shall catch our deaths, cometh, let us get out of this rain while Faust still watches over us." I stated as I set her down and spread my undamaged right wing out to cover her from the storm.
"H-how did y-you know where I-I was?" She sobbed as we walked out of the orchard.
"Call it instinct, youngling." My reply was the truth, in all honestly I had worked off of instinct alone with nothing else to really go on, truly Faust had guided my hoof.
We marched through the storm and then through the oak doorway I had, in my haste, left open. The elements had done a number on my hardwood, but it would be fine. I motioned for her to sit on the couch whilst I moved to procure a blanket for her. Upon my return I found her curled up once more in a tight ball and practically absorbed into my seldom used red sofa. I gingerly placed the blanket upon her and lit the fireplace with a jet of flame from my muzzle.
"I will return shortly so we may talk, but hot cocoa is in order. I, for one, am chilled to the bone, you can't be faring much better." I stated as I left to enter my cluttered kitchen.
I really should keep this place more clean, but then again I hadn't expected company.
The cocoa took a good five minutes to make properly, I didn't really know how she liked hers so I added a little milk and marshmallows to it before bringing the two mugs out to the sofa. I didn't bother saying anything at first. She saw me bring them out and shoot her a warming smile. I sat down apart from her to give the space I knew would be needed for her to recover. She did say thank you as she picked up the mug, but it was nearly inaudible.
After a good ten minutes of silence I had had enough, "How are you feeling?"
"Better now, um." She looked up to me, "Thank you again, I… I don't know if I would still be alive if you hadn't jumped in… how is your wing?"
She made quick contact with my eyes as she spoke, but couldn’t hold a steady gaze, "I won't be flying soon, but my wing will heal."
She nodded before taking another sip, "I'm sorry."
"For what?" I still hadn't stopped looking her in the eyes, "You have nothing to be sorry for."
"You got hurt protecting me, a useless, flightless, chicken." She was crying again, though not quite bawling as it was more of a resigned fate type cry.
"You are hardly useless Scootaloo, don't ever think yourself less than you are." I found myself frowning in thought and decided to place it to voice, "Lady Scootaloo, where doth thou calleth home?"
My old Equish confused her for a moment before she shut her eyes and looked down, "An alleyway in Ponyville."
Abandoned then? No. Perhaps a runaway? Pegasi culture is to cull the weak, it would make sense.
"And that little play house was to be thine shelter for the night?"
She nodded unable, or unwilling, to speak.
"Thou may have the guest room, we… ahem, I shall not have you on the streets any longer." Her head practically shot up as her eyes searched mine for any deceit.
"Do you really mean it?" She asked, almost whimsically.
I gave her a small smile and nodded my head once before getting up, "Cometh."
She hesitated for a moment before finding her voice, "Why?"
At the tone in her voice, my hooves suddenly felt heavier than they had in a long time, "Everypony deserves a chance, from what I see, you have yet to receive yours, now please, it is late and if I am not mistaken, a school night."
With that she hopped off the sofa and gave a glance towards the blanket. I, still wearing the scabbard, picked it up in a telekinetic field and brought it with us to the room. The guest bedroom itself was slightly cluttered, old paintings of friends from years long past adorned the walls. The Griffon Grimwing, the Minotaur Half Horn, and the Zebra Hecate being the three in this room. An old suit of pegasus armor lay on the floor half assembled. The bed was that of a queen size and was accompanied by matching maple furniture in the form of a dresser and nightstand. Behind the bed sat a painting I did so adore, one that showed my old keep at sundown.
"I trust this will do for the evening?" I turned my head to look at the filly who was staring slack jawed at her new surroundings.
"You're sure?" She asked, causing me to facehoof.
"Ask as many times as you would like youngling, my bearings shall not falter." I recited, and she hopped up to the bed and I tucked her in with the preexisting sheet and the blanket from the sofa, "If you need me I shall be in the next room over."
She had no words as I departed and gently closed the door. I spent the next two hours mending my wing with a healing cream and listening for any distress. Once satisfied she had fallen asleep, I made my way to my own chambers and spared a look at the twin paintings of my two daughters. Sylvann Dominatus and Nova von Storm, the former being an off white unicorn with a dark red mane she kept braided, and the latter a dark muted blue thestral with a glowing orange mane.
"Goodnight sweethearts, wherever ye may be, sweet dreams." I muttered before climbing into my own bed and quickly finding sleep.
I slowly opened my eyes to the faint light from outside my window. The rain was still pitter pattering, truly a dreary day. I shuffled out from the warmth of my bed and into the chill air of my home. Chancing a glance into my mirror, I decided to do something I normally wouldn't: shave.
This infernal beard shall be my death, it makes me look like I am in my fifties.
And so, with the aid of a small band I placed on my hoof, my razor lifted off of the nightstand and I began the process of carefully not cutting my face off. Once the beard had been removed I turned my attention to my mane with the comb and swept it to the left. Soon I had a brush to my tail to straighten it out and I was almost ready for the day.
"Coffee." I mumbled as I trotted out of my room and into the living space, lighting the fireplace to warm the house up.
I came to a halt in the kitchen only to turn around as I recalled the night prior. I glanced at the clock, roughly two hours if I was not mistaken before classes would start at the Ponyville school. I went into the kitchen to let her sleep a little extra while I set up breakfast, and my coffee.
I finished making the eggs and hashbrowns and downed my coffee, before approaching the guest room.
I knocked thrice, "Scootaloo, we have an hour before you must leave for school."
I waited for a minute before opening the door. I found her passed out on her back sprawled out and entangled with the blanket I had given her. She lay there softly snoring and it physically pained me to wake her, but it had to be done.
"Come now sleepy head, breakfast is ready." I cooed in a voice strictly reserved for children.
She didn't budge, so I took the next approach and tapped her on the shoulder. When that didn't work I attempted to untangle her from the blanket, only to make it worse as she grappled it and rolled over.
I don't ever remember mornings being this difficult with the other two.
"Scootaloo, it is time." I calmly stated as I rocked her back and forth gently.
She practically jumped out of her skin and was staring at me wide eyed. It took her a moment to realize where she was and who was standing in front of her.
"So, last night wasn't a bad dream?" She asked, a nervous look permeating her face.
"No, the timberwolf attack was very real, little one."
"Right." She crossed her right foreleg over her left, "So what now?"
I smiled, "Breakfast is on the table, school is in an hour."
She wore the most confused expression I had ever seen before it dawned on her that I was offering her food.
"You mean it?" She watched me closely.
"But of course, I cannot in good mind send you off without feeding you, even if my cooking is not the best." I laughed, hoping to put her at ease.
"Food is food." She replied and I mentally winced.
"Perhaps, but I was never well known for my cooking skills."
"What, did you find a way to burn water?" Scootaloo hopped off the bed and down to the hardwood below as she had asked the question.
I was silent a moment before frowning, "Yes, actually." I stated as we began to walk out of the room and into the short hall toward the living area.
She opened her mouth to reply before closing it again with her eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
"Before you ask, no, I am not telling you how." I laughed, recalling the kitchen staff in the keep banning me from their work area.
She shrugged as we entered the kitchen and sat down at the dark wood table. Truly I, for once, managed not to burn the food, and it was gone within minutes of sitting down. Once we were both done I quietly picked the plates up with my talisman and placed them in the sink.
"Thank you, again." She was staring at the back of my head as I cleaned the plates with a small smile gracing my features.
"Anytime, my door is always open to you little one, and I mean that."
"I don't want to be a burden."
"You could never be a burden, Scootaloo."
"So you really meant what you said last night?"
"Scootaloo…" I said her name with great affection as I turned off the water and dried my hooves, "No filly as bright and hopeful as thou should be left behind, you may have that room."
Her face lit up but paused a moment with trepidation. I calmly strode up to her as she got out of the chair and placed a hoof on her shoulder.
"Really?" She had tears in her eyes by this point, and I myself couldn't find words to comfort her.
Actions would dictate my feelings as I pulled her into a gentle hug with my wings easily enveloping her form.
We stayed like that for almost a full minute with her crying into my chest, "I, Tempestus, Lord of the Everfree Keep, do so solemnly swear to safeguard and guide you till the day you are ready to leave this nest."
My voice was deep, and I had intentionally spoken softly so that only she would hear it. I could feel her shuddering against me, each sniff and sob sending pain into my heart.
Gently, I released her and she practically melted to the floor trying to hide her face, "Go get cleaned up, ye have time before school."
"Don't tell anypony I cried." She whispered as she calmed her breathing.
"A hardcore filly like yourself, cry? Please, what doth thou taketh me for? A liar?" I grinned down at her before looking at the clock, "Ten minutes before you must depart for the day, otherwise you may be late."
She nodded and dashed off toward the bathroom to wash her face. Once complete she ran up and hugged me again, though this time it was much shorter as she was trying not to break her 'tough' facade. Alas, she was out the door and galloping towards the schoolhouse across town as I began to think.
I must visit Mayor Mare, I imagine I have paperwork to do.
Internally, I sighed before grabbing up my old cloak and draping it upon myself. I then equipped my longsword to my back before exiting my home and locking the door. I did, however, place my spare key under the rug, just in case.
As I walked into town, many of the residents spared me an extra glance, as if they didn't believe their eyes. Curious, I stopped one: an earth pony mare with a grey coat and brunette mane.
"Pray tell, why is everypony seemingly on edge today?" She frowned, as if uncertain if she should speak with me.
"It would seem there were timberwolves in Sweet Apple Acres last night, and somepony reported hearing a dragon's roar. I do say, I believe everypony is awaiting another attack on the town." She paused and looked from side to side, "It seems to be a weekly occurrence around here, you know, Tuesday."
"Peculiar that it is a weekly occurrence, but you need not worry about an attack from either party this day, miss?" I smiled a bit.
"Octavia, mister?"
"Tempestus."
"And why would you say to not expect an attack?" She frowned as she looked at me a bit closer.
"The timberwolves have been taught their place, I saw to it. Personally." I paused before looking around and leaning in to whisper, "If you could spread the word that one of the Lunar Guards engaged and chased off the threats last night, I do believe it would ease the panic."
"That doesn't explain the dragon."
I smiled at her with teeth showing, "Perhaps he is closer than ye think."
"You?"
"Only a half blood, but I can breathe fire too."
"Could you demonstrate?"
"No, wooden town, lots of thatch, how is your insurance?"
"Hmm, duly noted sir."
"Yes, it would be bad if the town were to catch fire."
"Indeed, now, I suppose I should spread the word."
"Indeed, and I should get to town hall, it was a pleasure meeting you, Ms. Octavia."
"As was meeting you, Mr. Tempestus."
She left and approached a white unicorn with a most vibrant blue mane and began chatting away in a much less formal way before they split up to spread the news. As for myself, well I pressed onwards to Town Hall without any further resistance or commotion.
Stepping into Town Hall was most interesting, truth be told I had never entered the building before and was uncertain as to what to expect. Behind the counter sat a homely unicorn mare with a dark blue coat and white mane, she hardly spared me a glance as I made my way over, casually observing the paintings and old town photos that showed the town's evolution. I stopped at the other side of the desk and cleared my throat.
"Pleasant morning to you, to whom would I speak regarding a query of taking in a charge?" I don't know if it was my gravelly voice or my more old fashioned style of speaking but she looked up with a deadpan expression.
If looks could kill this could be a death ray.
"I am sorry, this is the town hall, not the orphanage." She replied with a scowl.
"I am well aware, however, the charge is not in the system and has been homeless for an unspecified amount of time." I fixed her with a practiced politician's stare, "Thus I need a government official."
She physically balked at me, a loss clearly shown upon her face as she worked her mouth trying to find words as she was met with only silence.
A full minute passed before she spoke, "I will check with Mayor Mare to see if she is free, could you wait here mister...?"
"Lord Tempestus." I used my title as it felt right in this situation.
The mare nodded before retreating into the building with her tail practically tucked between her legs. She reappeared in a few moments with a smile on her face.
With a gesture to the door behind her, "Mayor Mare will see you now, Lord."
With a curt nod I stepped past her and into the office. The room itself had eggshell colored walls with a mahogany trim. Otherwise it was sparsely decorated with paintings of the countryside and a few awards here and there. Sitting at her desk reading a couple papers was my quarry.
"Ma'am." I began only for her to raise a hoof.
"Lord Tempestus, I am a very busy mare. However, I will make the time to speak with you." She set the papers down in a neat pile and looked me in the eyes, "My secretary says that you have taken in a charge?"
"Correct, one filly named Scootaloo, I would assume that it is of no issue, so I came by to file the necessary paperwork." I replied, though this caused her to sigh.
"Well, it would be no issue if she were in the system, and it would most certainly help to have your background as well." She continued as she got up.
"I assume this means a trip to the archives?" I fell in behind her as she gave a nod.
It was not a long walk, the archives themselves were down the hall a couple doors and on the left. The room was massive with a few tables, reminiscent of a library but instead of books, there were filing cabinets reaching up the two story wall and fully covering the walls.
"The best I can think of is to check the birth records for anypony named Scootaloo, that way we can properly determine if she is an orphan or perhaps abandoned, or runaway." The mayor stated as we came to a stop just in front of the cabinets marked with the letter S.
"And I would assume that individual records are sorted by the name of the pony whom they belong to?" I tapped a drawer open.
"Correct."
And so we searched, she grabbed the ladder and went to the top while I checked the bottom files, between the two of us we found absolutely nothing.
"This can't be right…" She muttered as she came off the ladder, I placed the last file back into its slot and closed it up.
"What other options do we have Mayor Mare?" I had been frowning after I had passed her name in the order without a trace of it anywhere.
"Well, do we have a background on you anywhere?" I nodded, "Right, the best I can do is grant temporary custody and file a nationwide inquiry into the filly and her background."
"I will send for my background immediately, though I am afraid it may take a week to get here if it does at all, it seems as though Celestia has decided to hide our history quite well, a history I am well entwined with." My frown deepened.
Mayor Mare smiled, "Well, then if not a background check perhaps I could obtain written assurance of character from one of the princesses if you know them so well?"
I nodded, "I will try for both."
"Until then the filly is to remain in your care as you have shown good character thus far."
"You have my gratitude Mayor." I bowed my head to her before looking up at her raising an eyebrow at me, "Pray tell, why the look?"
"Your customs are a bit out of date, but then so is your title. I do so hope to get that background report." She smiled before we left the archives and she went back to her office.
I stopped by the desk and gave my thanks before heading back out to town. I had an idea resting on my brow and needed a few prefabricated items to make it correctly. Stopping first at the local hardware store, a place I had been meaning to investigate for some time since my arrival to Ponyville. Walking through the door I was greeted by the smell of iron, the sound of a bell chiming, and an old stallion snoring.
Not a busy day I see.
I decided not to wake him just yet as I figured it would be a simple task to locate wheels. I was wrong, I had found interesting things called pop rivets, screws, and tools to use them, but no wheels. I did procure grease and oil before adding paint to my borrowed cart as I wheeled it up to where the old pony slept.
Biting the bottom of my lip I broke the silence, "Pardon me, sir?"
The pony who was supposed to be minding the store shot up and looked around before squinting his eyes and pulling out glasses.
"Ah, oh, a customer. Hehe, sorry about that, must've dozed off for a spell." He rubbed the back of his head before eyeing the modestly loaded cart, "Find everything ya need son?"
I was about to say that I was older than I looked but stopped myself and settled for a smile, "Actually, I am seeking wheels."
"Ah, hahaha, I keep those behind the counter, what size?"
"Small enough for a scooter, but large enough to handle off road."
"Okay, so medium sport wheels, got it son." He dipped down and popped up with two wheels that seemed perfect for what I had in mind.
"You know, I sell scooter kits." He raised a brow as I pulled out about ten bits over what was owed him.
"I am a blacksmith, I have the material, just needed the special parts." I made a point to look him in the eye, "Thank you for thine aid in this matter, you have a pleasant shop, I will visit again."
"Anytime, please do come back if ya need anything!" He waved as I exited the store and made my way home.
I still had about four hours before Scootaloo got out of school. When I did arrive at home I didn't go to the door, but instead walked around the left to a large open patio of sorts. Just like the one I learned in, my forge was attached to the side of my home. Walking past the furnace I absently shot a short burst of flame into the inert and awaiting coals before closing the hatch to bring it up to temperature. I selected a few ingots before placing them in a bucket.
I took a quick glance to the more modern equipment in the room, namely the hydraulic press, before acquiring my hammer. I waited a full half hour before putting the first ingot into the flames, now at a proper temperature. I pulled the heated metal out and placed it on the anvil. I proceeded to beat the tar out of it, making a flat surface and shaping out sections for the wheels over the better part of two hours. I then super heated it once more before dipping it into a vat of oil, causing the entire base for the scooter to catch fire before I squelched it in water and began repeating the process.
Truth be told, tempering things had become a habit, even when wholly unnecessary. After a few rounds I set it to the side and began working on the hoofbars and then the separate brake lever. Once the three parts were made I took them to the grinding wheel and began to fine tune the rough edges before graduating to the polishing wheel. After another hour of this I took a look at the new tools again and proceeded to drill holes into my work. Satisfied with how everything was lining up I took out my rivets and their respective tool and grabbed a piece of rubber I had cut and added ridges along, and attached it to the base plate via rivets. I affixed the axles and wheel, then screwed the brake on. Finally, I inserted the hoofbars to their new home and secured them via three screws that I locked into place with a nut.
I then found myself frowning, Scootaloo would probably spend the day in town with her friends, so I still had time to paint my creation. Going into my storage closet I pulled out red enamel paint and began detailing. Making certain to not just coat the entire thing, but paint thin lines along the base and not get any on the rubber either on the base or hoofbars. I finished my detailing in a small crest that showed off her Cutie mark on the front of the scooter.
I took a step back and smiled at my work, from the ground up this scooter maybe weighed fifteen pounds. I just hoped that she would like it, after all it was a significantly different scooter than what she had before. I walked inside with it folded next to me and rested it against her door before sitting down on my couch and just existing.
About an hour after I sat down and lost myself in a multitude of thoughts I heard a knock at the door. Rising and crossing the distance I opened the door to see my new charge looking up at me sheepishly with a small box on her back.
I raised an eyebrow, "Scootaloo, pray tell I had thought you would be spending the day with your friends?"
"Yeah, they were busy so I went to where I stashed my things the other night before the storm… figured I should get them before somepony else did." She lowered her head.
My frown deepened before I lowered myself down to her level, "You needn't worry about that my little filly, and you needn't knock on your own door."
I coaxed her inside with a hoof and closed the door, she had yet to look up. I screwed my face up trying to think of a way to get her to perk up before I had an idea.
"Say, Lady Scootaloo, would thou like to get thy room set up properly?" I smiled as she looked up at me, "After all, it is only right that you get to choose your furnishings."
"Do you mean, I get to personalize my room?" Her irises practically took up her eyeballs, no whites anywhere, just magenta.
"If you so desire, I can place the other things elsewhere, it is your room after all." I smiled, not only was her reaction positive, but this was something I had never quite done before, both of my other daughters had had their chambers in the multitude of keeps, but they had kept what little real belongings they had on them.
This would prove to be enlightening.
"I… I… oh, I don't even know what to call you." She hugged me again, and if it weren't for my considerable bulk I would have been having difficulty breathing.
"Well, you could call me by name, sir, or captain, though I would prefer the foremost as the other two sound far too formal.” I hugged her back gently as she began sobbing.
Oh what am I going to do with you my precious little filly?
"O- okay Tempestus?" She asked as she pulled away.
"Whatever you wish, Scootaloo." I smiled, recalling what I had next to her door, "Oh yes, I almost forgot about thine gift."
"Gift?" Her head tilted to the side as she eyed me suspiciously.
"Next to thine door, little one." I smiled as her gaze drifted to the shining scooter as she forgot about everything else and practically hovered, jumped, and began inspecting it with vigor.
Scootaloo had, surprisingly, opted to keep the old paintings in her room. I suppose it was curiosity, mostly. The bed, however, I insisted we change. If not just the mattress, since it was an older one at that. I had a few ideas in mind that would suit her nicely, but that could wait till tomorrow. For now though I found myself removing the furniture anyways.
"So, why are we taking everything out?" She asked me as we dragged the dresser out of the room, leaving the room barren.
"Tell me, hardwood or carpet?" I asked, tapping my hoof to my chin.
"I like the floor being wood." She looked down for a moment, "Could I have a rug?"
"Under the bed or next to?" I smiled as her eyes lit up.
"Next to!" She squealed.
"The walls don't suit you, forest green doesn’t seem to be your preference. What color would you like?" I pondered aloud, as a look of understanding crossed her face as she finally realized that I wanted her to make this space her own.
"Can we… cyan maybe?" She crossed her forehooves and blushed.
"Of course, little one." I replied with a hearty laugh, "Come, the store will be open for at least two more hours, we can fetch our supplies."
Out the door we went towards the hardware store I had visited earlier in the day. The entire way I kept looking at the filly in front of me, her expression was that of pure bliss as we walked through town. We got a few curious glances as we walked, yet nopony approached us. Thus, without interruptions, it didn't take long for us to arrive at the store itself.
Upon entering this time, the old stallion was, in fact, awake and currently engaged with a customer. And with my earlier expedition I knew exactly where to look for our supplies. I nodded towards a cart and Scootaloo brought it over. In nearly no time we had the paint, rollers, primer, and sealants, a drop cloth, tape, and edger.
"Would you like anything special done to the walls, panelling or trim?" I looked down at the filly at my side with a small smile.
She in turn was wide eyed looking at me, "Um, I’ve never really thought about it… can we just leave it plain?"
I chuckled and nodded my head, "Of course we can."
With nothing left to acquire we trotted up to the counter where the old stallion was finishing up with a customer.
"'Ave ah pleasant day sir!" The old stallion waved him goodbye before turning to us, "Well now, you're back soon, and ya brought Scootaloo with ya." He smiled as we placed the wares down.
"Mr. Nail!" Scootaloo chirped.
"Eeyup, kid, that's mah name. Don't wear it out." He laughed. It was moments like this that reminded me that Ponyville was a relatively small, close knit, and rapidly growing town. "So what is the project this time, sir?"
"Redecorating her room, paint fit for walls isn't something I normally keep around the house." I would say I smiled, but I hadn't stopped smiling from earlier.
"Well ya certainly have enough equipment now," he noted as I gave him the bits to cover the exchange.
"Thank you again, sir." I bowed my head, but stopped as I noticed a poster of an aerial demo team with a familiar yet illusive spectral maned pony in the formation, "Pray tell, what are the Wonderbolts?"
Surprisingly, Scootaloo spoke before Nail could, "The Wonderbolts are only the best fliers in all of Equestria, can we go see them!?"
I swear her tail was wagging like a dog. How could I say no to that, let alone the puppy eyes she was firing upon my curious gaze?
"Then it is settled, when is this show?" I inquired, looking back to the poster.
"One week from now, and they just put up the advertisements so tickets are probably still available." Nail stated as he polished his glasses.
"Very well, where would one go for tickets?" I shot a glance back at Scootaloo who seemed to have gone from giddy to face splitting grin in record time.
"Well, ta save ya the trip ah sell em 'ere. An’ ya could go elsewhere but ah reckon it's the same everywhere." Nail replied as I read the poster for the price.
"Then these sixty bits are yours." I hoofed over the amount and he pushed half of it back.
"She gets in fer free." He pointed to my charge.
I raised an eyebrow but took the bits back before nodding. We then shared a final wave goodbye before leaving the shop.
"So, you get into these shows for free?" I found myself asking as I looked down at the orange filly.
"Yeah, Rainbow Dash is one of the Wonderbolts, she is sorta my honorary big sister!" She chirped back as she pranced about.
"Did this Rainbow Dash know you were living on your own?" My inquiry was answered by a rather exaggerated shake of the head, confirming that Scootaloo had, in fact, kept it from everypony she knew.
The trip home was as uneventful as any walk through Ponyville could be. Painting her room, however, proved to be more complex. That isn't to say the filly isn't talented with a paintbrush, I just wasn't expecting her to paint me as well. By the time we had finished painting, and laughing, it was late in the evening.
"Can you tell me about them?" Scootaloo asked as we sat at the table.
"My paladins?" I looked at her and gauged whether or not she would be ready for such a tale.
"Yeah, in their paintings they seem so intense and kinda like you. I really want to know what they were like." She put her forehooves on the table and stuck her bottom lip out.
"I should warn you, I shan’t spare the details, this is not a tale filled with flowers and rainbows, but one of blood and death." I looked her in the eye before sighing as she refused to back down.
"It was before the Equestrian Kingdom was, times were different then…"
~~~~~
-Somewhere near the unexplored western reaches of the Equestrian Kingdoms-
Numerous sets of armored hooves thundered down the muddy earth path as thunder rumbled across the skies. We had found ourselves on a well paying assignment to run patrols near what the locals called No Mares Land. However, our surroundings were far from it, in fact we had been surrounded by lush vegetation and an abundance of bunny rabbits were the only things I had seen on my march. In fact, the only thing that seemed to stand out was the perpetual thunderstorm in the area.
My superior stopped abruptly in front of me so I stepped around him to see why. In front of us, maybe fourteen paces away, stood a lone pony in a cloak. By the initial looks of it they were young, though I could tell nothing more of them from the coverage of the dark grey and tattered cloak they wore; not that the lighting in the area aided in that regard. The lieutenant held out a hoof to me as he used his golden magic to draw his sword.
“Identify yourself” He ordered the lone pony ahead of us on the path.
The pony turned their head in our direction yet did not reply to his command.
“I said to identi-” Without warning the cloaked pony had leaped the distance and pounced onto my lieutenant, bringing him to the ground in one smooth motion.
I drew my blade in my muzzle and roared through my teeth as I charged, the tip of the arming sword thrusting forward towards the cloaked pony. It plunged deeply into our assailant’s side, just above her shoulder. What caught me off guard was the lack of response from both of them. My lieutenant remained on the ground, his face obscured by the pony on top of him whose head was near his own. I twisted the blade and cut out of the pony atop him as the others in our group rallied and surrounded us in a defensive circle.
“Hatchet, art thou alright?” I asked my officer as I backed off.
The pony on top of him slowly moved off, seemingly unphased by the wound, and smiled at me, her mute blue muzzle covered in blood. The others in my group noticed as well and had rounded to stand facing her, spears, flails, and swords drawn and ready. What gave us pause was the lieutenant rising from where he had fallen, his neck drenched in blood and his once muscular features now stretched and dry.
“Vampire! It’s a vampire!” One of my fellow mercenaries shouted as I watched our former comrade charge us alongside the monster.
He fought with no regard to his own safety, no weapon, and seemingly trying to bite us. A close friend of mine, Fair Winds, rammed his spear into our new opponent's chest only to find it futile. This caused the pegasus to fly up into the air and retreat, hopefully to find help or at the least report back to the village and tell them of the vampire. Lighting flashed as I cut the head off of my lieutenant, ending his assault while my allies had tried to fight the vampire. Several of them had fallen and risen again, soon enough there were only three of us surrounded by ghouls, the vampire herself having disappeared into the night.
I readied my arming sword once more and joined my few comrades in arms in cutting down the undead in a seven versus three brawl. The ghouls fought using their hooves and teeth, granting us the advantage of reach. As with the lieutenant I cut a swath, left to right, with my arming sword to behead my first opponent before jumping back as two more tried to kill me. Ram lived up to his name and used his poleaxe with a nimbleness that Earth Ponies shouldn’t, by any right, be capable of, easily decapitating an opponent before swiping the legs out from below another while standing on his hind legs and balancing on his weapon. Our other ally was a unicorn and had by far the best advantage of all: magic. To this day, the only opponents that will ever truly give me pause are those who have a horn on top of their head. While we had dealt with four opponents with standard weapons, Clover had merely picked the other three up in his cerulean aura and crushed their bodies into pulp, truly quite clever.
“Clover, I would assume that thou haveth a plan?” Ram asked as he positioned his weapon over his back with his right foreleg.
“Mayhaps, though we are significantly underprepared for this undertaking, lads,” he replied, his staff having ceased glowing.
“We can’t do nothing.” I stated, frowning while deep in contemplation.
“We know it is a vampire, so we can start with garlic, silvered weapons, and magic too,” Clover agreed, “Though we should wait till morning.”
“When vampires are most vulnerable,” Ram added, hoisting his axe up further on his shoulder before turning back towards the village.
I nodded my head and followed my two elders. Both Ram and I wore rather simple suits of chainmail, Clover, however, as a mage wore green robes, a standard for unicorn magisters. I always found it funny how the dark green unicorn wore a white trimmed bright green set of robes with a hat to match, the only contrast being his brown mane. Ram in comparison was a beige pony with a white mane, an experienced soldier having served under many banners through his life.
When we got to the village we found that Fair Winds had already gathered the needed supplies and rallied the rest of our mercenary group. Ram and Clover nodded to Grim, a mostly black unicorn with a white pattern on his face that made it look like his head was a skull. Grim's amber eyes seemed to narrow slightly at the confirmation of Fair Winds, "tall tale" from Clover.
His voice was like an iron blade scraping against stone, "Clover is correct, we shall set out an hour before sunrise, try and trap the creature in the light of Solaria."
~~~~~
I paused my story and stood up on my legs.
"Then what happened?" Scootaloo asked, leaning towards me with rapt attention.
"Well, it is late and we have worked hard. You should get some rest and I will continue the tale tomorrow." I smiled down on her as she sat back down on her bed.
"But-"
"Are for sitting on, I shall tell the tale tomorrow, I swear it to you." I patted her mane and covered her up before leaving.
This tale required preparation, the kind that came with relics, and perhaps a visit from the subject matter as well.
