Redemption~PT. 1

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As her alarm clock rang out, Celestia awoke. Her coat was disheveled, and her mane wasn't much better. She didn't know how it became like that, seeing as how it was spectral and not technically physical, but she digressed. Her alarm went off; that meant she needed to raise the sun. So, albeit reluctantly, she got out of bed and made her way to the balcony.

Her sister had already lowered the moon most of the way, leaving her to raise the sun. Her horn lit up with magic, and the great Light Giver rose from the eastern horizon. It would be able to continue on its own, and she only needed to make sure it set at the end of the day. That left her with several hours on her own. To do whatever she pleased.

She sighed, before turning and heading back to her bed. As she did so, she looked around her room. Normally, maids came while she was away and cleaned it every other day, leaving the room more or less spotless for the majority of the time. However, she had told them to stop. She had told them that she would clean her room herself. Well, that was true; she just didn't do it as often as they did. As it stood, her room was positively filthy. Dust coated every surface, her desk was piled high with papers and letters, and an entire corner of the room was filled with empty wine bottles. Despite the mess, she decided she wouldn't clean it up today. Let it get a little worse, then clean it up. Like she had done with threats to Equestria, time and time again.

She levitated up the sheets, sliding back into them. As she did so, however, she stopped as she felt an odd feeling on her flank. Flipping up the covers to look at it, she saw a weird stain on her fur, covering most of her cutie mark. She sighed again. She needed to shower soon anyway.

She made her way to the bathroom, her hoof-falls kicking up dust as she did so. As she arrived at the bathroom attached to her room, she trudged inside and used her magic to turn on the shower. She waited for the water to heat up, watching steam start to curl up from the shower. She had known about running water before, of course; it was a luxury and one that she had thoroughly enjoyed. However, it had always been rather cold; heated water via boilers was a Griffonian invention.

After another few seconds, she decided it was hot enough and entered the shower stall. As she did so, she levitated over a bottle of shampoo, lathering up her coat and using a washcloth to rub around the suds and the water from the nozzle to wash it off. The water was quite hot; uncomfortably so, in fact. However, she just kept letting it fall on her. Any way she could make up for what she did to Rainbow Dash, and for failing her ponys was worth taking in her eyes.

After a few minutes, she stepped out of the shower. She levitated over a towel to dry herself off, before looking in the mirror. Her recent shower had certainly cleaned her up. Her coat was a flawless white, her mane sparkled as it waved in an astral breeze, and she looked the epitome of regalness in her mirror. For the most part. Her face betrayed that image; her face was limp with seeming tiredness, her eyes had massive bags beneath them, and her eyes themselves were rather dull, seemingly devoid of her previous liveliness.

A loud knock came from her door, and she teleported to answer it. She was greeted by a Pryhan soldier, wearing a dark purple cloak and a purple helmet crest. He was apart of the Pryhan liaison force, assigned by their Caesar to help train the next generation of guards and to help guard Canterlot Castle in the meantime.

He saluted, slamming his right paw to his shoulder and bowing his head. "Ave, Princeps", he said. "Your sister requests your presence in Council Room."

"Very well", she said, trying her best to sound regal. "I shall be there shortly."

"Shall I escort you?", he asked.

She replied, "N-no thank you. I know my way, and I'm quite positive that no harm will come to me. You may leave."

"Vale, Princeps", he replied, once again saluting before turning to trot off.

She once again sighed, before shutting the door and turning to fetch her regalia. She didn't like it. Don't get her wrong, she didn't not like the Pryhans. She didn't like their insistence on calling her Princess. She had told the staff that she wanted to be called Celestia, even before she bucked up. Now, though...

She levitated over her regalia, stepping into her horseshoes and sliding on her collar. She stopped when she came to the tiara. It was by far the least used out of all of them; she hadn't put it on in about six months. As she wasn't technically a princess anymore, or at least she didn't consider herself one, so it was pointless. Still, every time she had to put on her regalia, she always stopped and looked at her tiara, debating on whether or not to put it on. She never did, though. She just put it back in the box she kept them in, before lighting up her horn and teleporting out of her room.

She arrived outside a pair of large doors, with another pair of Pryhan soldiers outside. They snapped to attention, the first sound that greeted her ears as she materialized being slamming on metal, followed by them exclaiming, "Ave, Princeps!" She nodded in acknowledgment, before stepping past them into the recently finished Council chambers.

She arrived on the lower part of the dais that made up her former throne. Above her, her sister Luna sat on her former throne. She was wearing the same regalia as she had before the Changeling Crisis, but also bore bags under her eyes. In front of her, covering the former long hall of her throne room, were a bunch of seats around the throne in a horseshoe shape. The seats were full of ponies; about three hundred and forty-five mares and stallions who made up Lunas new 'Senate'.

They were representatives from various towns and cities around Equestria, who Luna had called up to assist in governance of Equestria. They functioned similarly to the senate of the New Griffonian Republic; make laws, oversee most of the day to day governance of Equestria, and help her deal with big issues.

She came in in the midst of one of the Senators, former head of the EEA Chancellor Neighsayer, Senator of Canterlot, giving a speech. "...And how do we know that we don't know that those bugs aren't preparing another attack on us!? So what if they have a new leader; he was a servant of Queen Chrysalis same as all of them! Instead of being punished for their attack on us, they are being rewarded! Given a new plot of land to our west, where they can breed and prepare another attack on us! They don't have our best interests at heart, even if they seek to shake our hooves and become our allies!"

"And what do you propose to do?", Orange Peel, Senator of Manehatten, interjected.

Neighsayer sighed, shaking his head and scowling. "Well, send our new soldiers. Secure this threat to our sovereignty, and prevent them from ever harming us again."

Luna spoke up, saying, "Senator Neighsayer. I know you are not unaware, but a military solution is impossible. The Canterlot Concordance-"

"Which was not approved. Either by this body or by the noble houses of Equestria", he interrupted.

"As sovereign, and as such head diplomat, I am well within my right to sign and enact such acts as the Canterlot Concordance", Luna said. "And, as I was saying, the Concordance clearly states that any aggressive action against another recognized state or the territory of that state will be seen as an act of war against all states in the Concordance. Do you want to go war with Pryha, Senator? Griffonia? Even Yakyakistan?"

"Then, perhaps, another method to ensure their confirmation of alliance." He smiled thinly, before saying, "An arranged marriage!"

Various senators looked amongst themselves. Celestia knew that while many of them wouldn't normally want to do anything like invade another country, they were scared. They had been attacked for seemingly no reason, and many of them had seen dozens of dead bodies as their towns were liberated.

Luna said, "Arranged marriage?"

"Yes!", he said. "A union between the secondary diarch of Equestria, and some, er, relation of their leader. Bonding our nation between the bonds of our secondary leaders, and ensuring that they will not attack us. A fine solution, don't you agree, Princess?"

Celestia recalled something that Rainbow Dash had told her: 'Help and stand by your sister. She's done everything for your country, and you have to support her. Pryhan's have to do their duty to the public to hold office at any level of the state. So, do what you have to do for your country.

She said, "Very well."

Everyone turned to look at her, looks of shock from almost all of them. After a second, she continued, "If that is what we need to maintain peace, then that is-"

"ENOUGH!", Luna yelled. "There will be no arranged marriage, nor any invasion. I can consider sending troops to the border with the Changelings, but I will not be considering this nonsense!" She sighed, rubbing her temples, before falling back in the throne. "Take a forty-five-minute recess. I need to talk to my sister, and perhaps we can let cooler heads prevail."

The Senators got up from their seats, leaving to talk amongst themselves. Meanwhile, Luna lit up her horn, teleporting herself and Celestia away from the Council Room.

++++~++++

The two of them rematerialized in Celestia's room, Luna looking around before saying, "Sister, shall I have some of the castle staff come to clean your room? It's filthy."

"It's fine", Celestia said. "Now, what do you need?"

"It's about what you just did in the Senate Chamber. Volunteering for something like that! What were you thinking!?", she said.

Celestia sighed, trotting over and sitting on her bed. After a few seconds of silence, Luna asked, "This is about what happened between you and Rainbow Dash, isn't it?"

"Yes", Celestia replied, looking at her gold-clad hooves. "She said I needed to help my country. If what Neighsayer proposed would help prevent conflict, then I should-"

Luna interrupted, "Sister. This is actually why I called you to me. During a recess, I wanted to talk to you about this. What you're doing; it's not healthy. Rainbow has a different set of beliefs from us-"

"And whose fault is that?", Celestia asked, still not meeting her eyes. "I messed up."

"Still, that doesn't mean you need to waste yourself away", Luna replied. She walked up to her, lifting up Celestia's head to look her sister in the eye. "You can still be productive. Help me in some duties, work with the Senate to-"

"To what?", Celestia asked. "To exile another innocent mare in anger? To cause another disaster? To put us so far behind other nations in most ways that, even after a year of them saving us, we have to rely on their soldiers to protect our castle? That we are bickering amongst ourselves? For Mother's sake, we're considering WAR! Is that what you want me to do!?"

A look of shock crossed Luna's face, before being replaced by a look on sadness. "I understand, sister. I felt the same sense of, of helplessness, before I became Nightmare Moon."

"Another example of my failures as a leader", Celestia groused.

"That's beside the point-"

Celestia said, "It's exactly the point! I'm a failure!"

Ignoring what she had just said, Luna replied, "Instead of doing what I did, and becoming something you would hate, do something productive."

"Like what?", Celestia asked.

Luna said, "I don't know. That is up to you. However, keep this in mind. Pryhans hate inaction and laziness more than they respect civic virtue." She turned away, trotting to the door and partially opening it. "Just, think about something you'd like to do. It'll help you, and others, depending on what you do. Now, I must go."

As her sister left and shut the door behind her, Celestia kicked off her horseshoes and levitated off her collar. She didn't even bother to put them back in the box. She merely fell back onto her bed, curling up under her sheets. She let her mind wander, and fell back into sleep.

Redemption~PT. 2

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Dulcia marched along her patrol route in the Equestrian palace, subconsciously scanning the hall as she did so. Behind her, in a two-by-two block, were the rest of her contubernium, who did the same. As usual, nothing revealed itself; not an infiltrator, not one of the Equestrians being suspicious, not even one of the castle staff.

The patrol passed a pale white stallion with a black mane in a cloak. Dulcia adjusted the Thunderlance on her shoulder, saluting and saying, "Ave, Senator. Lovely morning, no?"

The stallion only acknowledged them with a faint look over the bridge of his nose, before trotting off. Behind her, she heard one of her pedes say, "Arrogant Prick. I fail to see why they still have these fucking aristocrats."

"They're not all bad, Clemencia," another one of them said. "I was on sentry duty, in the gardens, when some of them were having tea. A pair of them, Fancy Pants and Fleur de Lis, I think, struck up a conversation when the other one went to the bathroom. "

"That may be fine for you. But I fail to see how my point is wrong", Clemencia replied.

"Keep it down, you two", Dulcia interjected. "We have a job to do. You two can talk philosophy when we finish our route."

As they rounded another corner, they were greeted by a trio of Equestrian Royal Guards, two of them holding a unicorn stallion between them. They were the new style if Equestrian armor; a thick gambeson under a chainmail jacket. Over that was a suit of gold-plated armor with a large gorget protecting the chest and neck. A helmet covered the upper part of their heads, the only openings being a slit for the eyes, several slits for the nose, a hole for the horns on two of them, and a pair of holes for the ears. A large lance with a pair of upward sloping guards held in the magical aura and the wings of the guards holding the stallion, while the other one had a sheathed sword.

The one not carrying the unicorn turned and saw them. He yelled over, "Hey! You speak Equish?"

Dulcia replied, "I do. What do you need?"

"Yeah. You got a sec?", he said. "I need some help getting this open." He gestured with a wing to a section of wall still covered with some Changeling chitin.

"What is it?", Dulcia asked.

"The entrance to the dungeon."

Dulcia looked at the Royal guard in mild astonishment. "You have a dungeon?"

"Yes, yes", he said sarcastically. "We rarely used it, but we have it."

Dulcia nodded at the stallion the other two Royals were holding. "I assume you want my help because of him? Who's he?"

"A con artist. Flam, I think. Was caught selling stolen food from the barracks."

"Hmmm. First crime in a year and you caught him", Dulcia said, slapping the Sargent on the shoulder. "Well done." Turning to her contubernium, she ordered, "Clemensia! Scott! You two seem to like talking, so get up here. Form a firing line."

The two of them broke off of the group and came up next to her. Dulcia said, "Make ready." They pulled back on a pair of levers on their weapons until they heard a faint *click*. "Present." They lowered their Thunderlances, using a hook on their armor to keep them in place. "Fire." They pulled back the triggers along the bottom of the Lances, and two loud cracks sounded. A flash of light, a large puff of smoke, and large sections of the chitin cracked away or fell to the ground.

"When do we get those?", the Guard asked.

"After your superiors adopt them, and your unit gets a shipment", Dulcius replied. "You two, reload your barrels. Desmond, Quercus, with me. Sargent, my men will assist you in escorting the prisoner."

"I appreciate it, uh..."

"Decurion Dulcia, Caput Legio, second maniple", she said, holding out his paw to shake.

"Sargent Astral Venture", he replied, shaking it. "Lead the way."

Dulcia walked over to the door, pulling out her pugio in order to chip away at the last of the chitin along the hinges of the door. After a second, she sheathed the dagger and opened the door. Inside, she was greeted with pitch-black darkness, with a series of grey stone stairs leading into it.

"Anyone got a torch or a light rune?", he asked.

Astral said, "I got one better." He lit up his horn, a bright orange light glowing off of it. "I'll lead then."

Astral entered, lighting the way, with Dulcia behind him, the other guards carrying Flam behind him, and his other two Pedes bringing up the rear. They entered into a large room, covered in chitin. As light filled the room, a large space was revealed, extending about twenty meters in front of them.

"Looks like the bugs did some renovations", the other unicorn guard remarked.

"Where are cells?", Dulcia asked.

Astral replied, "They were here. Like Cobalt said, Changelings must've done some renovating."

"Ma'am", Quercus said, looking around nervously. "I don't like this. There's something, not right about this air."

"Calm yourself. You're not scared of the dark, are you?", Desmond said, smirking.

Astral asked, "What're they talking about?"

"Nothing important", Dulcia said. "So, what do we do with your prisoner?"

"Let me go?", he spoke up, smiling sheepishly.

Dulcia snorted through her beak. "Maybe you shouldn't have broken the laws then." As she turned back towards Astral, she saw a faint shape move in the darkness, along with rattling. "What was that?"

Astral looked over, shining his horns light in that direction. A vaguely pony-like shape was outlined by the light, and a second later, a pair of bright red circles appeared from the partial darkness.

Her two Pedes cocked their Thunderlances and the two Royal Guards dropped Flam, readying their own lances. Astral said, "I am Sargant Astral Venture, of her Majestys Princess Luna's Equestrian Royal Guard. Identify yourself."

No sound came from the shape. Just more staring with those piercing eyes. Dulcia was growing nervous. She remembered stories her mother told her; about the Shadow Daemons that stalked the forests and the coves near her coastal town, who would snatch up misbehaving children to eat. She wasn't silly enough to believe them... but it was the only thing of comparison she had.

"I will not tell you again. Identify yourself", Astral said. "You have to the count of three. One. Two. Thr-"

He was interrupted by a loud shriek, and rapid thudding as the shape came closer rapidly. Both of Dulcia's Pedes fired their shots, but they either missed or seemed to go right through him. He attacked one of the Royal Guards, biting his hoof and shaking it like a dog. He howled in pain, but the shape was driven away by a flare of light from Astrals horn and a slash of his sword. A loud hiss sounded from the creature, and it backed away. The two Pryhans recocked their weapons and fired a shot from their weapons second barrels, but again, it seemed to have no effect.

The group of guards wasted no time. They backed away, the Royals dragging Flam up the stairs, before the rest of them bolted out of the dark dungeon.

++++~++++

Celestia awoke to a large amount of running outside her room. She threw off the covers, eyes wide in alarm. She ran to the window and threw aside the blinds, gazing over the city.

When she saw nothing, she sighed in relief. The situation reminded her of the day the Changelings invaded Canterlot. She was awoken from sleep by running in the halls of the palace and had run to the window to see the swarm descend on her city. Though, the fact there were no changelings begged the question: What was going on?

She made her way to the door, opening it up to see about twenty Pryhan soldiers running along the corridor. Behind them were a trio of other Pryhans, wearing their gambesons with white armbands bearing red crosses. She stopped one of them in the back, asking him, "What's going on?"

He ground to a halt, saluting and saying, "Ave, Princeps. I'm sorry, I don't speak equish."

Celestia cursed under her breath slightly, before lighting up her horn and casting a spell. "There. You should be able to speak to me, and I you. Now, what is going on?."

As he spoke, he initially spoke in his language, while equish was seemingly superimposed over it. "Princess. Something is going on by your dungeon. One of your troopers is injured, and there is... something down in there." He then broke back into a loping stride, catching up and rejoining the rest of the Pryhans.

Celestia stood by the entrance to her room, watching the group disappear around the corner. Something in the dungeon? She hadn't known of anything in the dungeon, or even it being opened since the Changeling Crisis. And from what she knew, the Changelings just used pods to hold their prisoners, so why would there be anything down there?

She continued to look at the corner where they had disappeared, transfixed. After a bit, she decided she should go check it out. Better than doing nothing, like she often did before. So, lighting up her horn, she teleported to the entrance to the dungeon.

She arrived shortly after the Pryhans did. The group of twenty she had seen was still standing in formation, while four others stood by, their Thunderlances aimed at the wide-open door to the dungeon. A trio of Royal Guards were there as well, one of which was being tended to by the Pryhan medics. Another two Pryhans were talking, one of which had a crested helmet. She walked over to these two Pryhans and asked, "What is going on?"

"Ave, Princeps", the Centurion replied. "According to Decurion Dulcia here, she had her troops were attacked by, something, in the dungeon when helping secure a Prisoner. Now, what exactly did you see?"

"I, I can only describe it as a, a Shadow Daemon", Dulcia said, which earned a laugh from the centurion.

"Ha! Those are a myth. A story to scare children into behaving", he said.

Celestia replied, "You'd be surprised how many myths are based on reality. Now, what did it look like?"

"Well, we didn't see much of it. A vaguely equine shape, with glowing red eyes and thick fur. When my Pedes shot it, they seemed to go right through it. And, I mean, look what it did to the Royals hoof!", she exclaimed.

Celestia did look over at the wounded Royal Guard, whose hoof was being wrapped in bandages. However, she was just able to make out the wound as it was being bound. It looked like he had been attacked by a timberwolf; the fur and skin had been mangled around a pair of deep bite marks. He'd be lucky if he could ever walk properly on that leg again.

"That still doesn't mean a Daemon, of all things", the Centurion replied. "It could be a prisoner the bugs kept down there, and whoever it is is simply incredibly hungry and desperate to escape."

"All due respect, sir", Dulcia said. "But the Changelings didn't do that. Besides, if it was a living thing, then it would've starved, or died of thirst, or killed itself in its madness. But, whatever it was is very much alive."

As they bickered, Celestia looked into the entrance of the dungeon. She had never liked it, but by the time it was no longer needed, it had long been built, so she kept it around. There was so little crime before the Changelings, that it was rarely used. In fact, the last time it was was when it temporarily held Rainbow Dash before her trial. Now, something was in there. And it had just attacked one of her ponies. She may no longer be a princess, but she still had a duty to protect her ponies. She sighed, and said, "I shall investigate."

The two of them looked over at her, stunned looks on their faces. The Centurion said, "All due respect, Princeps. But, I have one of my men going to fetch light runes. Once he returns, I'll have my Pedes swarm the room. Shouldn't we wait for him to return? Strength of numbers, if nothing else."

"I understand your fears, but I shall do this. I am the Alicorn of the sun; I can create enough light to fill the room. And I will not stand by and let this, thing, get away with harming my subjects."

"At least take two of my Pedes with you", he said.

"Very well", Celestia said. "Who?"

"Dignissim, Calix!", he ordered. Two of the Pryhans came up to her, stopping and saluting. "These are two of my best Pedes. You two. Help the Princess secure, whatever it is inside there. Understand?"

"Yes, sir!", they replied.

"Very well. Follow me."

She lit up her horn and made her way along the stairwell. The two of them followed behind her, cocking their Thunderlances. As they reached the bottom of the stairs, they fanned out on either side of her, aiming into the darkness. She lit up her horn, and soon the whole room was engulfed in light.

Chitin covered the room; the walls, the floor, even the ceiling. All of the walls had been beaten down, and small piles of rubble cover the floor. In the center of the room was the only thing that wasn't made of chitin or stone; a cast-iron ring, connected to a chain. And connected to that chain, was the pony-like shape.

He had once been a well built and large stallion. He had a dark grey coat and black mane, along with a pair of red eyes. However, he was no longer as well built as he once was. He was thin as a rake, his ribs showing through his coat. His coat was covered in dust, chitin flakes, grease, while his hair was a matted mess. As she looked closer, she saw several specks of fresh blood on his leg, along with another large hole oozing blood on his shoulder. On his head, a small, flat stub where a unicorn's horn would be. He was wheezing, his forelegs held over his head as if to block out the light. Despite the thinness, the wound, and deterioration, she recognized him immediately.

Former King Sombra, Tyrant of the North.

She walked over to Sombra, who only whimpered and pressed his legs tighter against his head. She looked down on him, hearing something he muttered: "Please. Please." He looked like a pathetic, whipped dog, not a slaving tyrant.

One of them, the Caragor Calix, said, "By Damocles marble balls."

While more vulgar than she would've put it, Celestia couldn't have agreed more. Sombra was a terrible stallion, but now she couldn't help but feel pity for him. She said, "Tell your officer that I will be taking him to the hospital wing." She grabbed him as carefully as she could. He thrashed and swung his hooves, one of them striking her firmly in the leg. She winced, but ignored it and simply used her magic to carry him. After she had him securely, she teleported away.

++++~++++

An hour or so later, Celestia still hadn't left the castle hospital wing. She sat by a seat, looking at Sombra as his chest rose and fell in ragged breaths.

She had teleported in, and immediately Sombra had been put into the IC section. Now, a tube ran into his mouth, pumping in nutrients, while a sleeping spell kept him under in an artificial coma. He still looked horrible, occasionally tossing and turning in his sleep and letting out small whimpers.

She still had no idea how he had ended up in that room. If Luna was correct, She, Spike and Cadence had defeated him using the Crystal Heart when the Crystal Empire had first returned. How he was alive, and even how he had made it to Canterlot was a mystery. However, in her own way, she couldn't help but feel responsible for what happened to him. If she hadn't screwed up, then the Changelings wouldn't have taken over Canterlot to imprison him. He either would've been found, where he could've been treated with respect or attacked Canterlot or where the Changelings found him and been defeated. Now, thanks to her failures, he had suffered immensely.

She was drawn from her thoughts by the door opening and two people entering. One was her sister, the other was the Pryhan Liason Officer, Tribune Diodiece. Her sister looked at Sombra in horror, before saying, "Is this really him, sister?"

"Really who?", Diodiece asked.

"Yes. It's him. King Sombra", Celestia said.

"The Crystal Tyrant?", Diodiece asked. "I thought he was dead?"

"Apparently not. How did he get here? He was defeated in the Frozen North", Luna said.

Celestia said, "I do not know. But, I feel we must try to help him."

"Help him, sister?", Luna said. "What do you mean?"

"With your permission, sister, I wish to try and reform him."

Diodiece looked confused, and asked, "Princeps. What is 'reform' in this context?"

"A theory my sister sought to enact. By exposing our former enemies to our way of life and beliefs, she sought to turn our enemies into our allies." Luna turned to Celestia, and said, "Sister, I know you feel this likely ties back to you, but I don't think this is a good idea. Sombra is a tyrant and not the type of enemy that would likely accept reformation."

"I had plans to reform Discord", Celestia said. "And given the circumstances we find him in, I believe this is a prime opportunity to do so."

Luna said, "There is no guarantee it would've worked! Besides, he-"

"Lulu", Celestia said. "I know you're suspicious. But, please. Let me try."

"Why give him the time of day?", Diodiece said, disgust evident in his voice. "The degenerate doesn't deserve it, if half of what I've read of him is true."

"Everyone deserves a second chance", Celestia said.

Diodiece said, "A naive philosophy. But, if you seek to try, I will not stop you. I am willing to accept your nations, eccentricities. I merely request that several of my top Pedes be kept in proximity to him at all times until you deem him... 'Reformed'."

"Agreed, Tribune", Luna said. "I will allow it, only if you agree to Diodiece's terms."

"Very well", she said, turning her gaze back to the emaciated stallion. She looked into the closed eyes, wondering what was behind the lids and the eyes of him. She sighed and turned to watch as her sister and the Pryhan left the room. She slid herself back against the chair, watching Sombra's chest rise and fall, rise and fall.

Redemption~PT. 3

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After a few days, Sombra was in good enough condition to be moved, wherein he was transferred to one of the castle's private suites. That said, he was still rather thin, and still breathed with a ragged breath in his sleep. Still, it was better than nothing.

Celestia once again found herself sitting on the edge of his bed, looking at him as he slept. The doctor who tended to him still kept him in a magic-induced coma. She was told it was for concerns of his safety, but Celestia had her quiet suspicions that it was by request of Diodiece.

The Pryhan officer had maintained his position on Sombra; namely that he should be in a cell, and not a suite. She could see where he was coming from. Sombra, back when he first rose to power, was a potent and fierce opponent. He couldn't have banished the Crystal Empire to limbo for a thousand years without possessing powerful magic. And he was certainly ruthless and cunning. However, Celestia still maintained her opinion that Sombra could be reformed, and it was up to her to do it.

However, that begged the question: why did she want to reform him so bad? She had a desire before the Changeling invasion to have at the very least Discord reformed. But why did she feel so strongly about Sombra, when he never even crossed her mind? Maybe it was because he was the only one she could even try at. Chrysalis was dead. Tirek was back in Tartarus. Discord couldn't be released without the Elements of Harmony, and in their current state, they were useless in that role.

She was drawn from her thoughts as the door opened. Turning her head, she saw a doctor and the two Pryhan soldiers assigned to guard Sombra enter the room. The doctor came up next to Sombra, lighting up his horn and examining him. "Well, the good news is that he's back to healthy levels for a pony of his size. He should be able to start ingesting solid food again, but he should still get lots of rest for the next few weeks. Do you want me to get him out of the coma?"

"Yes. I wish to start", she said.

As the doctor's magic glowed slightly brighter, the two soldiers made their way over to the walls adjacent to the bed, holding their thunderlances at the ready. After a second, the doctor backed away and his magic faded. After another few minutes, Sombra's blood-red eyes opened wide.

The blood-shot eyes looked around, taking in the room he was in. The fancy furniture around him, the soft bed, the doctor, Celestia, the Soldiers. After a bit of him looking around, he let out a raspy laugh. "W-well, Chrysilyis. F-finally rea-ady to k-kill me?"

Celestia looked appalled. "Kill you?"

"You've k-kept me i-in thi-this pit for wh-who knows h-how long", he said, letting out another hoarse chuckle that turned into a hacking cough. "So, i-is that it? F-fina-ally ready to p-put me down?"

Celestia caught onto what he thought, and replied, "Sombra, I am not Chrysalis. She has been dead for over a year. I am, in fact, Celestia."

"Liar", he snarled. He attempted to raise himself from the bed, only for his weakened limbs to give out from under him and fall back to his bed, wincing.

"Easy", the doctor said. "You're no longer in critical condition, but you're still too weak to move."

Ignoring the doctor, he pointed an accusatory hoof at Celestia. "P-prove it. Tha-that you aren't j-just that in-insect toying wi-with me."

"On May 17th, 297 AD, my sister and I faced you in single combat at the top of the Crystal Citadel. You were defeated, and the Elements of Harmony turned your physical form to shadow. But, before that finished, you cast a curse on the Crystal Empire, banishing it to Limbo for 1200 years."

Sombra's eyes widened. "It, it is y-you."

"Yes, it is I." She turned to one of the Pryhans, who were both still watching Sombra like he would attack them. She noticed that Sombra was eyeing them as well, and said, "I apologize for the soldiers, but their superior officer was quite insistent."

"I d-don't bl-blame him." He rolled his head back over and looked at her, rasping. "Why a-am I he-here then?"

Celestia thought of a way to say it delicately, but eventually decided she'd just say it. "I hope to reform you. To open up your eyes to the error of your ways."

He rolled his head once again, looking at the ceiling and chuckling. Once again, his chuckling turned into hard, racking coughs. Celestia looked over at the nearest Pryhan and said, "Would you mind fetching some food and water for Sombra?"

"I have my orders", the Caragor said. "I can't leave his presence until I'm relieved. Besides, you want to help him? Do it yourself."

Celestia wrinkled her snout, but understood where he was coming from. She stood up to go get it herself, but the doctor said, "Princess. I'll got get him something to eat and some water."

She said, "Thank you."

"Part of my oath is helping patients recover. Even, less-than-savory patients", he said. He trotted out the door, leaving Celestia alone with Sombra and the Pryhan soldiers.

Celestia said, "So... how are you here?"

"What?", he asked.

"How did you end up in our old dungeon? I assume you weren't in there before the Changeling Crisis", she said.

He snorted; a dry, sick noise that reminded her of a dog's whine. "I c-came fr-from the nor-north. I w-wanted t-to cla-claim my ven-vengeance. I f-found the city aban-andoned, and was att-acked by tho-those bugs. After be-being moc-ocked by th-that Queen, I was left down th-there to rot."

Celestia just looked at him, and only felt sad. She said, "Do you still seek it?"

"What?"

"Do you seek vengeance against me and my sister?", she asked.

He seemed to mule it over in his head, mumbling to himself. After a bit, he rasped, "No."

"What changed?", she asked, curiosity entering her voice.

He replied, "E-every time I-I try to sei-ize power, I am b-beaten do-down. First, you a-and your si-sister banished m-me to the cold. T-then, I was bla-asted by the H-heart, thanks to th-that Hatchling a-and the descendant of A-amore. F-finally... w-well, I al-lready t-told you, di-didn't I?"

Celestia said, "I see." She looked at him, and her eyes darted to the floor.

He seemed to notice and pushed against the bed. After he sat up in bed slightly, he said, "Why?"

She asked, "What do you mean, Sombra?"

"Wh-why are you h-helping me?"

She opened her mouth to respond, but stopped herself and looked at her hooves. Why was she helping him? He had shown no previous signs of being willing to reform. Granted, she had never had much contact with him, only having met him before this twice, but what she had was not good. The first time was during negotiations, where he was rude, arrogant, and incredibly stubborn in his beliefs. The second time, she had fought him with her sister, where he was a relentless and ruthless foe. She had never even considered it before, but now she was here. Willing to do help him, but she didn't really know why.

She was interrupted by the doctor returning, carrying a salad and a cup of water on a tray on his back. He put the tray on the nightstand next to the bed, handing Sombra the cup. "Here. I put a spell on the water. It should help with the throat a bit more."

He grabbed the cup with both hooves, tilting the cup back and gulping down the water. He drank it down as if he hadn't drunk anything in years, which was likely at least partially true. As soon as the glass was empty, he tossed it aside, grabbing the salad and shoving his muzzle into it. He ate like he didn't have a care in the world; a little weary, but too hungry to care.

After a bit, he had eaten almost the entire thing, save a few bits of greens or other vegetables in the bottom of the bowl or stuck to the side of his face. He fell back, sighing. She noticed his eyes were heavy, and she asked, "Are you alright?"

"Tired", he said.

The doctor said, "That's understandable. While he was technically sleeping due to the spell, his body was still functioning at full efficiency to help heal his wounds and fix his body."

"Get some rest, Sombra", Celestia said. "I shall return tomorrow. We can talk more then."

"*YAWN*. V-very wel-ell then. Farewell."

++++~++++

Sombra awoke to the door opening. Rolling his head to the side slightly, he saw it was nighttime outside. He turned his head back to see a trio of creatures enter the room. Next to his bed, he heard the two soldiers say, "Ave, Tribune."

Ave, Pedes", the one in the middle said. "You two are dismissed. Go get some sleep."

The two soldiers that had been watching him when he first awoke bowed their heads and left the room, shutting the door behind them. As the other two took their posts, the one who had spoken came up to the side of his bed. He was a demigryph, with an owl-like head and a black-furred feline body, wearing a blue gambeson adorned with several medals and a field cap with a Pryhan signet on it. He sat in the chair next to Sombra's bed, saying, "So. You are the Tyrant of the North?"

"Hard to be a Tyrant when I have no nation", Sombra replied.

The Demigryphs eye-brow raised. He asked, "You speak Pryhan?"

"I attended University in your Empire. It is kind of a pre-requisite." Sombra then studied him further, before adding, "And if I am not mistaken, you must be an officer in the Caput Legio, no?"

"Correct. Tribune Diodiece, Liason officer to the Equestrian EUP."

Sombra said, "Then, you are the one who put these soldiers to watch me, eh?"

Diodiece nodded. "Correct. Standard practice when watching noted criminals."

"Why are you here?", Sombra asked.

"Straight to the point, eh? Admirable", he said. After Sombra didn't reply, Diodiece continued. "This night, I attended dinner with Princeps Luna and Princeps Celestia. Celestia remarked how you were no longer aspiring to villainous hights, and no longer sought vengeance. Correct?"

"Correct", Sombra answered.

"I see." Diodiece seemed to content himself with his thoughts for a bit, before asking, "Would you like something to drink?"

"Depends", Sombra Anwsered. "What is it?"

Diodiece pulled out a flask, unscrewing the cap and pouring some into the cup on Sombra's nightstand. "Posca. Wine, watered down with water and vinegar. It helps soothe a sore throat. In my experience, at least."

Sombra grabbed the cup in his hooves, bringing it to his lips and downing it all in one swig. Sure enough, despite the harsh smell, it seemed to wipe away whatever harsh grim was leaving his throat sore and dry. "Thank you."

"Want some more?" Sombra nodded, and as he filled back up the cup, Diodiece said, "I have to ask."

"Ask what?", Sombra asked before downing the refilled cup.

"Do you regret it?", Diodiece asked. "Regret what you did, all those centuries ago?"

Sombra once again seemed to consider it. Eventually, he said, "Yes."

"May I ask, why?"

"Like I told Celestia earlier, it's lead to nothing but pain for me", he said. "Have I not suffered enough for me to say that seizing power by means of force and slavery is not worth it?"

"A reasonable asscesment", Diodiece said. "I only ask this because of the differences between Equestrian and Pryhan ideals of reformation."

"And what are these ideals?"

Diodiece said, "For Equestrians, it seems that regretting one's actions and seeking atonement is enough in their eyes. For Pryhans, you need to have given effort. As a laborer, for example. Prove you are willing to accept your wrong-doings and become a better being by physical sacrifice. While not the typical method, I suppose that what you went through in that 'dungeon'. That would be enough."

Sombra didn't reply; he just stared at Diodiece. After a bit, Diodiece said, "Do Not be mistaken in assuming I am letting my guard down, or easing up on you. I am still keeping my eye on you, and my Pedes will still keep an eye on you at all times. While you have undergone a similar punishment to those in the Pryhan justice system, it is too soon to say if you've actually been reformed. Good night."

Diodiece left the room, while the sentries adjusted themselves to get comfortable. Sombra ignored them, falling back to sleep.

Redemption~PT. 4

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The next day, Celestia awoke feeling better than she had in a long time. She no longer felt groggy like she had drunk half a wine cellar, and in fact, felt recharged instead of like she had been awake all night. She trotted over to her balcony to raise the sun, a slight smile gracing her muzzle.

As she raised the celestial body, she thought about this feeling. It somewhat reminded her of the feeling she got when she went to her school, and gave a lecture or watched a test. More than likely, it was just the feeling of having something to do. Well, then it was to break up the monotony of ruling, but now it was just doing something.

As she grabbed the box her regalia were in and slid them on, she noticed something on her desk. Having cleaned up the day before, she hadn't had anything on it, so it stood out quite clearly. Trotting over to it, she noticed it was a book and a piece of paper. The book was the best biography of Sombra, or at least the only one she could find. The second, the piece of paper, had several notes jotted down on it:

-He regrets his actions; no need to bring those up

-Wants to find out some more information about modern-day (More than likely)

-20 questions?

"Heh. I'm turning into Twilight", she muttered, before setting the list down. She decided she would walk to Sombra's room. It was close by, and she needed a little bit of time to organize her thoughts. So, opening the door, she entered the hall and made her way along it, towards Sombra's room.

As she did so, she attempted to do why she had chosen to walk; organize her thoughts. She had a plan for that day, which entailed learning more about him and getting him familiar with the modern Equestria as best she could. The 20 questions idea she had jotted down seemed like a good solution, and, failing that, she could always just ask questions and answer them. Maybe a little reading...?

She was interrupted from her reverie by a voice exclaiming, "Good morning, Princess!" Looking over, she saw Senator Neighsayer coming up to her. He wore a smile on his face, which was rather unusual. Even when he attended her school when he was younger, he rarely smiled.

"Good morning, Neighsayer", she replied. "You seem in a good mood this morning. What's the occasion?"

"What? Can't I be happy?", he said, before laughing a bit and resuming his usual stern look. "Sorry. My doctor and my wife said I need to smile more. Something about putting myself in too much stress and something to do with heart risks. So, I've been doing my best."

"No need to be sorry. I suppose something like that could be helpful", she said, a small smile of her own cracking her lips.

He muttered, "True, true." The two trotted side-by-side for another few steps before Neighsayer spoke up again. "Princess. I need to ask you something."

"What is it?"

"I have heard, some rather interesting rumors", he said. "A few of the aristocrats speak a bit of Pryhan, and they've been spreading it about after hearing it from some off-duty Pryhan soldiers. Something about King Sombra, of all ponies, in one of the palace suites. Is this true?" The way he asked, he almost expected it to be a joke.

Celestia thought about it for a second. She didn't know how he would react if she said that the rumors were correct. But, he would find out at some point, whether by word of mouth or by simply seeing him. So, she told him, "These rumors are correct. Sombra is in fact in the palace. It is actually where I am going now."

The news made Neighsayer stop dead in his tracks. "He is!?", he exclaimed in shock. "Why is an enemy of Equestria given such treatment!?"

"He has shown regret for his actions", Celestia explained. "I am trying to reform him. To prevent him from returning to his old ways and harming us."

Neighsayer backed up, pressing one of his hooves to his chest. "Princess, this is going too far! First, you and your sister allow those foreigners to take over guarding us and cow-towing to those... creatures! Now, you allow a former tyrant and enemy of Equestria into our castle? And you've left him unattended!"

"Not unattended", she corrected. "Tribune Diodiece has assigned some of his top troops to watch him at all ti-"

Neighsayer interrupted her, saying, "Oh, yes. Leave the hoof-lickers to watch them."

"I've had quite enough of this behavior", Celestia said, her tone going ice cold. "You are a representative of Equestria. If you say these things in front of someone you shouldn't, there could be some very serious ramifications."

Neighsayer sighed. He asked, "Princess, what has happened?"

"What has happened, is that things have changed. And if you don't change with them, you will be left behind", she warned, before lighting up her horn and teleporting to Sombra's room. She didn't want to deal with him right now.

Her sudden appearance startled the Pryhan guards, who were watching Sombra with fascination. Or, rather, watching him eat. He had a large platter in his lap, one that was designed to eat in bed. It was piled high with food, both from the Equestrian kitchen and Pryhan commissary. Eggs, waffles, fruit, toast with both butter and jam, bacon, cheese, and a big cup full of milk. Small chunks of food was stuck in his fur around his muzzle or splattered on the platter and sheets.

He looked up when he heard the Pryhans salute and exclaim, "Ave, Princeps."

He swallowed a big chunk of eggs in his mouth, before moving his head away from the plate and sitting up. After wiping away the food from his mouth, he said, "Well. Good morning, Princess."

"Good morning, Sombra", she said, a smile returning to her face. "I see you've taken advantage of the kitchens."

He said, somewhat slowly, "In the twelve-hundred years since I was first imprisoned in ice, my sustenance has consisted of berries, dried grass, and vermin. Of course I will take full advantage of what I am being offered!"

Celestia giggled into her hoof, before looking over and seeing one of the Pryhans shudder. "Is something wrong?", she asked, still trying to suppress her giggles.

The questioned Bighorn replied, "Not... normal."

"Evidently, he is unused to the palate and appetite of Royalty", Sombra said jovially. "He should've been there for the feast before our negotiations, all those centuries ago. You ate half the cake before you stopped!"

Even she had to snicker at the memory, despite the context that event had taken place in. "Indeed. That was... an interesting time."

"Indeed", he said, smiling a fang-filled grin. After a second, his grin changed to a scowl, and then a sneer. He scrunched his eyes shut, growling.

"Is something wrong?", Celestia asked.

His eyes shot open, and he sighed in annoyance. He used his hooves to set the tray on the side of the bed, before replying to her, "I forgot that that whorse took off my horn."

Celestia nodded. "It's something that you tend to take for granted, isn't it?"

"What would you know of it?", he asked, a scowl still gripping his face. "You still have all of your limbs."

"True", she said. "And I in no way claim that you and I are alike in this way. But, I was put in a pod during the Changeling occupation. I was only let out in the mornings to raise the sun and the evening to lower it. Chrysalis obviously didn't want to mess with the cycle. The slime has a muscle-relaxing effect, and I was lethargic. I could barely think of anything else."

Sombra grumbled, but sat back up in bed and slammed his head into the wall behind him. "Well, Princess. What are you going to do today?"

"I was thinking we do an ice-breaker of sorts", she said, returning to the seat she sat in yesterday. "Are you familiar with the concept of 20 questions?"

"Ice-breakers? What are we? Foals in school?", he groused.

"I fail to see how else we could further understand one another", she said.

He asked, "And why would I want to understand you?"

Celestia balked in mild alarm. She didn't mean it that way. "I-I mean that, get you used to the modern-day. I, I didn't mean it like that."

He smirked, and said, "Very well. I shall agree to this. Now, what is this '20-questions'?"

"Simple", she said, getting over her slip up earlier. "I ask you a question, and you answer it. Then, you ask me a question, and I answer it. We do it until each of us has asked ten questions each; I.E. twenty total."

Sombra seemed to pause for a second. He leaned back further into the wall he sat on. So much so, she was worried that he might chip the plaster a bit. He gave a thoughtful look towards the ceiling, before sighing and gazing at her. "Very well. What is it you want to know?", he said.

Celestia considered it for a moment. She had, of course, come up with the idea, but she had no real concept of what she would ask. A thought came to her mind, and she asked, "How did you survive in that dungeon?"

He grunted, and replied, "Rats."

"Rats?", she asked.

"Rats", he agreed. "They didn't send food down, and only a small amount of water. So, I hunted for what I could. There was a small hole in the wall, and on the other side was the castle pantry. A swarm of rats had raided the place, and some would come into my pit. I would attack them, and eat. It wasn't much, but something was better than nothing."

Celestia looked at him with a horrified expression. She had known that ponies were omnivorous, and ate meat. She had known that the Earth Ponies in the Pryhan detachment ate the typical meal, which included meat, and she had eaten sausage and schnitzel at a Diplomatic meeting in Germaney about four-hundred years ago. But, eating wild rats... That was low she was not expecting. She said, "I am sorry."

"Don't be. What's done is done", he said. "Now, my turn. How is the Empire?"

She thought that he was wondering about Pryha, but his meaning came through to her. The Crystal Empire. "They are doing well. Princess Cadence has done a wonderful job; they are prospering. The crystal ponies are happy, healthy, and accepting."

Sombra sighs, before nodding to himself. "I see."

"Now, back to me. Why did you seek to enslave the Empire?", Celestia asked.

He remained leaning back on the wall, brooding to himself. After a bit, he asked, "I take it you've never been homeless, Princess?"

"What?", she asked, surprised that he brought up a seemingly off-topic situation.

"I'll take that as a yes", he replied, snickering. "I was born to a unicorn family. Refugees, from your war with Pryha. They had managed to flee, nearly freezing to death in the tundra. I was born in the Empire, in a back alley. My father couldn't find a steady job, so that is where we lived. We starved, but by fortune, I was able to be enrolled in school. They saved up enough from odd jobs to send me, even if it meant skipping a few meals."

He lifted up one of his pillows with his hoof, setting it behind his back to get more comfortable. He then continued, "I was an outcast. The foreigner street rat. No one few wanted to be around me and almost none wanted to be associated with me. Even the teachers held a certain degree of contempt for me. Quite the opposite of what my experience would've been if I had grown up now. In fact, I had one friend. A filly named Radiant Hope."

He smiled wistfully. "She was also a unicorn, but her family had been there for several generations, so they were accepted. We did everything together; study, play, pretend to be Princes and Princess. While I wasn't all that accepted, I still did well academically. I qualified to attend a proper university at 18. My parents were so proud, and so was Radiant. Of course, it was in Pryha. It pained me, but I left."

"I spent five years in Pryha. Despite the distance, I still exchanged letters with Radiant. I learned about the Pryhan side of things; their philosophy, their way of life, their reasons for fighting you and your sister. After those years, I returned. One of her letters said that she had volunteered as an independent nurse, helping the wounded on both sides of the war. When I returned, I planned to go to help her. We had both talked of, of somehow getting you to talk with the Caesar, and ending the war. Then, I learned where she was. Broken-Bit Pass."

Celestia couldn't help but cringe at the mention at that name. It was one of the most bloody battles of the second war with Pryha. Both sides had met in the pass, and it was already turning into a disastrous affair. Then, however, the unicorn commander took a drastic action. He had ordered his mages to shoot the sides of the Pass. Thousands of boulders crushed the Pryhan army, along with their civilian accompaniment and the Equestrian troops who were in contact with them. It was a Phyric victory for Equestria, and made the war only intensify.

"I am sorry", she said.

"What has happened has happened", he replied, once again sighing in his contemplation. "After that, I was heartbroken. To add insult to injury, my parents had passed away. I was alone. Everything and everyone I ever loved was gone. In my rage, I turned to the ancient tomes of the Empires archives."

"I found various spells; including various spellbooks and tomes about Dark Magic. In my rage, I wanted to prevent something like that from happening again. Princess Amore was leaning towards helping you, and I didn't want to risk my home. Of course, that wasn't the only reason."

"I wanted revenge. I was ignored and cast out from the natives when I was younger, even though I was superior in many ways. I wanted to make them feel how I had felt; worthless, less than the street beneath which you lived on", he said, his scowl deepening. "One day, I was asked to come before Princess Amore. She wanted to know if the Pryhans would ever yield in the war. I said that I would support no war, and she went into this long monologue. About ending the war, and how they simply couldn't stand by and do nothing. I was angry; she was going to throw away everything. So, I took action."

"You know the rest. I killed Amore with dark magic, enslaved the citizens of the Empire, and stayed out of it. Course, I didn't Amore was supplying you, and things escalated from there." He then said, "My turn once again. Why are you helping me?"

"W-what?", Celestia asked. She barely had time to digest what Sombra had just told her. How much he had suffered. She supposed Luna must've felt, if not the same, then at least similar to how he did. So unloved and alone, that they were willing to hurt others in their spite.

"Why are you helping me? Even before I told you about me, you thought me a tyrant, a slaver, and a murderer. Nothing like you planned to reform. Discord, despite screwing you over, was only a trickster and a petulant child with too much power. So, why seek to reform me?"

Celestia opened her mouth to reply, but once again, no sound came out. Instead, she could only think of a reason. She still had yet to put her hoof on why she wanted so badly to do so. Finally, what seemed to be the best reason she could think of came through. "I want to make it up."

"'Make it up'?", he questioned, cocking his head. "What do you mean?"

"It may be obvious, but I have messed up", she said, casting her gaze to the floor. "I've done things that, I regret deeply. I ignored my sister and her concerns so much, she attempted to kill me and I had to exile her to the moon. I've left other nations to rot, even if I had a hand in hastening their decay. I did not step in to halt the civil war that tore the original Griffonian Republic apart. I let Prance and Germaney fight. After my sister was exiled, I even... I-"

She began to sob, recalling the memories that she had long sought to ignore. "After I exiled Luna, Pryha declared war. Even now, I don't know why. Maybe Luna had enlisted their help in her coup, and the news reached them late. But, when that happened... I snapped. I used my magic... and I made a volcano erupt. It swallowed one of their major cities and formed a river of lava that exists to this day."

"All of this, I did to protect my ponies. From Nightmare Moon, from the wars outside of Equestria, from war with Pryha. I did all of that, damned so many to death and poverty, to protect my ponies and my nation. But, even that, I failed. I had one of the Element Bearers exiled. I let our defenses become so decayed, that we were all subsumed by the Changelings."

"I guess", she said, looking back up at Sombra with a few tears streaming down her cheeks. "That reforming you is something that I can do to try and help. To actually do something that will help somepony, and not lead into stagnancy and damnation."

Sombra snorted, before replying, "Well then."

Celestia sighed. "Perhaps we should continue this another time?"

"Agreed", Sombra replied. "As much as I enjoyed relishing in the suffering of others, I take no joy in this."

Celestia smiled. She didn't know why, but she did.

Redemption~PT. 5

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Several weeks had passed since Sombra had first been found in the palace dungeon. In that time, he had recovered quite well. He was no longer quill-thin and had almost fully recovered his motor functions. In that time, he and Celestia had been spending more and more time with one another. Mostly, it involved 'reforming' him. This, more often than not, evolved into talking about various subjects or reading, but neither of them seemed to mind.

This day, the two of them, along with the two Pryhan soldiers watching Sombra, were out in the Canterlot gardens, on a terrace overlooking one of the yards that had been converted into additional drill space. While he had regained more-or-less full control of his limbs, his legs had atrophied a large amount, leaving walking difficult. So, as demeaning as he considered it, she was helping him re-learn to walk.

"You can do it!", she encouraged, watching him walk on shaky legs like a new-born foal.

Seeming to catch onto her idea, he said, "Stop acting like I am a foal! I was the king of the Crystal Empire! A scion of fear!"

"And that was a long time ago", Celestia reminded him. "Now, things have changed. And one of those things is that you need help. Now, swallow your pride and come here!"

He grumbled under his breath, but stumbled forward nonetheless. His legs wobbled, threatening to buckle under him. He moved forward slowly, straining with effort. The three sets of eyes on him put added pressure onto him. After a solid two minutes, he finally reached Celestia, before falling to the grass in front of her.

"You did it!", Celestia said, a warm, motherly smile on her face.

"I took several minutes to walk a distance that would take a five-year-old foal ten seconds", he groused. "Remind me how this is something worth celebrating?"

"According to the doctor, you couldn't walk at all a few weeks ago", another voice interjected.

Exiting a door in front of them, Princess Luna and Tribune Diodiece came up to them. The Pryhan soldiers said, "Ave, Tribune!"

After returning the salute, Diodiece said, "So, he is making progress, no?"

"I am doing well", Sombra said.

"Right. My apologies, Sombra", Luna said. "How are you doing?"

"I am fine. Still not walking as well as I would like, but better than nothing", he said.

"Good", Luna said. "Hopefully, you can fully regain your mobility, or at least most of it, before the end of the week."

Celestia asked, "Why the end of the week?"

"That is when the Gala is."

Celestia's eyes widened as she remembered. Hoping to restore faith in the Canterlot elites about the state of Equestria, Luna was hosting the first Grand Galloping Gala in several years. Celestia picked up on a detail about Luna's statement, and she asked, "Are you inviting Sombra to the Gala?"

"I would've figured you'd try to invite him yourself," Luna said, smirking a bit.

"Another thing", Diodiece said. "Due to the need for extra manpower for the upcoming event, as well as you portraying good progress, I will be redrawing my troops, effective tomorrow."

Sombra nodded, saying, "I appreciate the show of trust."

"Just don't make me regret it", Diodiece said.

"That is enough", Luna said. "Now, I must be going. I was on my way to an inspection, and I saw you and the perfect opportunity. Goodbye, sister. Sombra." The two of them left the gardens, leaving Sombra, Celestia, and the pair of Pryhan soldiers alone.

"Let's try this again", Celestia said. "If you want to be ready for the Gala, we should continue."

++++~++++

Several days later, and the Gala was in full swing. Inside the palace ballroom, several tables had been set up and piled high with food. An orchestra played sweet music, which filtered out from the room into the gardens. Ponies of all sorts milled about, chatting and eating food.

Celestia herself had just entered the room, Sombra by her side. She was wearing a pale pink and gold-laced dress along with her regalia, while Sombra wore a black suit and a white shirt and a tie. Sombra said, "Well, this is new."

"You've never been to an event like this?", Celestia asked.

Sombra replied, "No. I was only in power for about two years, and I spent a large part of that time securing my rule. This is something I am not used to."

"Well, stick with me, and you'll be fine", Celestia said, pressing one of her wings against his side.

He smirked at her, his eyes seeming to gleam. "Lead the way, Princess."

The two of them made their way towards one of the tables laden with food. Celestia took note of a few of the aristocrats looking distastefully at Sombra, whom she noted acted like he couldn't see them even though she knew he could. Following his example, the two of them arrived at the table without incident.

Sombra examined the spread with the hungry eyes of a predator. He grabbed an onion skewer, eating the whole thing in one bite before reaching for another one. As he dug in, Celestia heard a voice behind her say, "Princess!"

Turning around, she saw her former-student come up to her. She couldn't help but internally cringe at the sight of her student's hind legs, which were bound in a wheel-chair. She said, "Greetings, Twilight. How are you?"

"Fine", Twilight said. "Wheelchairs been a bit of a pain to get used to, but things could be worse. Gives me an excuse to make a few renovations to Golden Oaks." She looked past Celestia, watching as Sombra devoured another one of the set-out Hors d'eouvres. "He's got quite the appetite, doesn't he?"

"If you'd been starved for several years, you'd develop one too", Sombra said, the remains of several platters of crackers and skewers sticking to his lips and around his mouth.

"Oh," Twilight said. "Hello, Sombra."

"Hello, Miss Sparkle," he said, bowing his head. "I'd, I'd like to apologize as to what happened in the Crystal Empire."

"W-well. It's, uh, it's water under the bridge", Twilight said, before chuckling nervously. "Eh, Princess? Can I talk to you for a bit?"

"What about, Twilight?", Celestia asked.

"Just an idea I had in mind. Something I think could be of great benefit for the Ponyville area", Twilight replied.

"Of course, Twilight", Celestia said, before looking at Sombra. "Sombra, you may do as you wish. Just, don't try to harm anypony."

"Fear not, Princess. I feel I have a good deal of self-control. Go do, whatever it is you're doing."

The teacher and student left the table, a destination not in mind. After a few seconds of silence, Twilight asked, "So, what is Sombra like?"

Celestia took a moment to consider the question. She replied, "Well, he's interesting."

"Interesting?," Twilight asked. "What do you mean?"

"Well, he's much different from my first, and admittedly, only other encounter with him. He's not as arrogant, yet at the same time he's still not like the typical high-born of today."

"For the better? Because you know that would be a breath of fresh air", Twilight said, snorting.

"Yes. He has a certain... fire, to the way he conducts himself. A properly placed sense of pride. More akin to the Pryhan or Griffonian version than the one of, say, Blueblood. Like he knows he's deserving of being prideful; that he earned the right to be so." Celestia sighed, before adding, "You'd really have to spend time with him to fully understand what I'm talking about."

"Well, you're certainly affectionate of him", Twilight said, smirking.

"I have spent more time with him than anypony else, save perhaps the guards Diodiece assigned to watch him", Celestia said. "Now, enough of Sombra. What was it you wanted to ask me about?"

Twilight beamed. "Well, it has to do with the education system in the area around Ponyville..."

++++~++++

As Celestia and her protege walked off, Sombra resumed his mini feast. He had to admit, food had greatly improved over the past twelve hundred years, among other things.

As he ate, he heard a voice behind him say, "Greetings, Sombra." Turning his head, he saw Princess Luna come up behind him, levitating a cheese-covered cracker into her mouth. "How are you enjoying yourself?"

"I have only really interacted with the food", he admitted. "But, it seems like a perfectly acceptable social gathering. The kind I one day hoped to attend, before I... did what I did. Still, I am not exactly inclined to interact with anypony here."

"I can see that. I didn't attend the first gala when I returned for almost that exact same reason. But, perhaps there is another reason that you only spent time with Celestia?", Luna said, smirking.

Sombra, as savvy as he was when it came to politics, was confused. "What are you insinuating?", he asked.

"Oh, come on," she said. "You know what I am talking about."

Sombra cocked an eyebrow at her comment, thinking over what she said. He gave it some thought, thinking over what he thought about Celestia and what her sister could be talking about. Sure, he had felt close to Celestia as his only real connection to the modern-day. She was kind to him, even though she had no reason. He thought of her like Hope, his former... fiance. That must've been what she was talking about. "I... She is not that to me!"

"Than what is she to you?", Luna asked.

Sombra growled, before snorting and looking away. He said, "Why do you care how I feel?"

"Because she is my sister. Even after all that has happened and all the mistakes that we have made, we still both love each other", Luna said, using a hoof to make him look at her. "I have a feeling that she reciprocates your feelings. She's done nothing but talk of you whenever she gets the chance."

Sombra looked away from Luna, and his gaze fell on Celestia. She was still talking with her former student, watching her laugh. She had a wonderful laugh. He sighed, and his gaze fell to the floor. "If, that is the case, then how do I talk to her?"

Luna chuckled. "It's not like it's delivering a speech or the like. Just, talk to her about it."

Sombra said, "I'll do that. Now, I'm going to go get a drink."

He left the table, heading over towards a large punch bowl on another table. As he did, he noticed several of the Equestrians look at him. They wore looks of fear or of hatred; exactly as he expected. When he arrived at the punch bowl, he found Diodiece also getting a drink.

"Salve, Sombra", he said as he finished pouring a glass.

Sombra replied, "Salve. How good is the Punch?"

As Sombra fumbled with his hooves pouring a cup for himself, Diodiece said, "Alright. Unusually sweet, but better than nothing. So, is this what Equestrian parties are like?"

"I wouldn't know. I've lived most of my life in the Crystal Empire or your empire, but I suppose so." Sombra took a sip, before looking at Diodiece's paw. He spotted what he thought it was; A wedding ring. "Diodiece", he said. "You're married, yes?"

"Yes."

"Do you love your wife?", Sombra asked.

"Husband, actually", Diodiece replied, chuckling. "But, yes. I love him greatly."

Sombra asked, "How did you know? T-that you loved him?"

Diodiece looked at him curiously, but elaborated. "Well, it just, clicked. My family wasn't all that wealthy, and, well... it just clicked, like I said. We met, we were friends for a while, and eventually, he asked me on a date. From there, it pressed on, smoothly and healthily. Before I knew, we were saying our vows. Like I said, it just felt right."

Sombra mumbled to himself, partially angry at what the Pryhan said. Diodiece noticed, and asked, "Why? Do you have..." His eyes widened, before looking over to where Sombra's gaze had subconsciously drifted: To Celestia. "Ah. I see."

Sombra faced the floor, sucking breath in through his mouth. He said, "Like you said. I feel it... clicks."

"Then give it a try", he said, patting the former tyrant on the back.

"You are the second to tell me that", Sombra growled. "That doesn't tell me how. I don't want to ruin this chance."

Diodiece blew air out of his beak, before using his hindleg to kick Sombra in one of his rear knees. As Sombra hissed at the sudden agony, Diodiece said, "From what I've read in History class, you were ambitious and a brilliant tactician. And you are second-guessing yourself because you want to ask out a mare?"

"A mare who moves the sun and beat me to a sniveling, bleeding mess before", Sombra deadpanned.

Diodiece said, "Even if that's the case, I suggest that you give it a shot. If you don't, then you may never work up the courage." Before Sombra could reply, the music stopped and the orchestra began shuffling around their sheet music. "See? I suggest you go try. This is literally the perfect opportunity."

Sombra growled, but nodded. He set down his cup and began to trot over towards Celestia, swallowing nervously. He arrived just in time to hear the tail end of their conversation. Celestia was saying, "...I'm sure I can talk to Luna about this."

"Why can't you just do it yourself?", Twilight said. "You abdicated but you can still have political power. Right?"

"I suppose", Celestia said, before noticing Sombra come up to the two mares. "Oh, Sombra. Can I help you?"

Sombra once again swallowed, before bowing slightly and asking her, "Celestia. May I have this dance?"

Celestia's eyes widened and she looked over at Twilight. She nodded encouragingly, and Celestia sighed. Looking Sombra in the eye, she said, "Very well. I accept." The two of them grabbed the others forehoof, walking together into the center of the room with the other couples. Almost as soon as they reached the center of the room, the music started again.

(Boreas by Todd Parrish)

The two of them began to move together, holding onto each other's forelegs. At first, they nearly stumbled over one another, through a mix of rustiness and difference in how each of them was taught. However, after a few attempts and almost falling over twice, they finally managed to get into it. They still moved rather stiffly, but they were still able to keep up with the other couples on the dance floor. Celestia snuck a look over Sombra's shoulder, spying her sister and Diodiece encouraging her with a wave and a toasted glass respectively.

"I didn't know you knew how to waltz", Celestia commentated.

Sombra said, "Me and Hope tried our hoofs at it once or twice. We were both miserable at it, but I felt I got the basics of it down."

Celestia giggled, and the two remained silent, only moving with the beat of the music after that. After another several minutes of the music, it came to an end. The dancers, including Sombra and Celestia, stopped dancing to applaud the orchestra. The two former monarchs then left the dance floor before the next song could begin, heading for the gardens.

As if on instinct, they knew what the other was thinking, and arrived together on a terrace overlooking the city. Below them stretched the whole of Canterlot. Since the invasion, it had been completely rebuilt and was now lit by lights coming from the various houses, making the city look like a giant honeycomb. Beyond that, an inky void took the place of the lights in the valley below Mount Canterhorn.

"Magnificent", Sombra said.

Celestia remarked, "Indeed. I always loved looking at a city at night. Like each house is it's own miniature sun, lighting up the world around it." An awkward pause ensued, with Sombra silently working up the courage to say what was on his mind. Celestia, however, noticed Sombra's odd behavior. "Is something wrong?"

Sombra balked in mild panic. "W-what do you mean?"

"You seem... skittish", she said. "Like you're having a silent breakdown. Trust me, I've tutored Twilight Sparkle enough to know what that looks like."

Sombra let out a joyless chuckle, his gaze falling to the ground. He said, "Celestia, ever since you found me, you've been nothing but kind to me. You helped me recover, taught me of the modern world; everything I could ever need to survive on my own. And, well, I wish to try and repay you."

"Sombra, that is not necessary", Celestia said.

"I feel you misunderstand me", Sombra said, looking up to meet her gaze. "Celestia, may I court you?"

Celestia once again giggled, and Sombra nearly had a panic attack. Had he done something wrong? Before he could respond, Celestia said, "Another lesson on the modern-day. Ponies don't say 'Court' anymore. They say 'Date'".

Sombra smiled, internally relieved. "Very well then. May I date you?"

Celestia sighed, before saying, "You may." Before he could reply in kind, she lowered her head to his level and kissed him. Not knowing what to properly do, Sombra simply returned it.

In Our Town~PT. 1

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A knock sounded on the office of the commander at Fort Grover. The commander of the fort looked up from his book, before setting it down and saying, "Come in."

A Griffon in a steel breast-plate with a plumed helmet under his wing entered. He stopped in front of the commander's desk and stiffened in salute. He said, "Captain Giovanni, 3rd Warhawks detachment."

"At ease, Captain", the commander said. As he did so, the commander reached into a desk drawer, pulling out an envelope. "How've you been lately, Captain?"

"Fine, sir. The soldiers have been a bit bored, but that's to be expected with garrison duty. Might I ask you why you called me here?", he asked.

"I take it you're familiar with the International Rail System?", the commander asked, opening up the envelope.

"That system the Senators back in Griffonstone approved? Where they're setting up connections between the railroad networks of each nation to allow international travel?", Giovanni asked.

"The exact same", the commander replied. "Now, we've been working on our end of the agreement. However, as a surveyor was working out a good area to act as a connection, they found this."

He set a picture in front of Giovanni, who picked it up and examined it. It was a bit hard to make out due to the slightly grainy quality of the photo, but he made out a town. It was a few two-story cottages on either side of a single street, with another cottage at the far end. "What's so weird about this? It's small, but it's just a town."

"A town on our side of the border. Only ponies there, if the surveyor is correct", the commander said.

Giovanni said, "Again, and?"

"Well, the town appears on no records. No census data, nothing on that maps, nothing like that."

"Well", Giovanni said. "Maybe it was just on the other side of the border before the land grant. We might've simply not noticed as we established the border."

The commander shook his head. "I already checked in with the nearest government entity on the Equestrian side. Same thing. Not a thing about this town."

That stood out to the Captain. "Then, where did they come from?"

"Don't know. That's what I need you to find out", the commander said. He took the photo back and handed Giovanni a map. "I marked the town on this map. I want you to take some of your Warhawks and check it out. Find out what's going on, and report back. I want to know what this is. Understood?"

"Yes, sir!", Giovanni said, saluting. He turned to leave, stopping when he heard the commander speak up behind him.

"Oh, and one more thing." As Giovanni turned to look at him, he said, "I don't know what's going on, but proceed with caution. I don't know what it is, but I don't like it."

"Understood, sir."

++++~++++

Half an hour later, Giovanni trotted up to his unit. About eighty griffins in plate armor, plumed helmets, and holstered weapons stood at attention. Around them, the other soldiers at the fort milled about, performing various tasks.

As Giovanni landed in front of them, his Second-in-command and the units only pony, Lieutenant Jet Lag, saluted. "Sir."

"Lieutenant", Giovanni said, returning the salute. "Everyone here?"

"Yes, sir. All of the squads you requested are here. Now, what's the job?", Jet Lag asked.

"I'll explain in a minute." Giovanni walked up in front of the line and yelled, "Attention!" As they came to attention, he continued, "Now, listen up. The higher-ups found out some town on our side of the border with nothing on record on it. So, we're being sent to check it out. Understood?"

"Sir, yes sir!", they echoed.

"Good! Now, let's go!" Giovanni took off, Jet Lag and the rest of his troops behind him. After arriving above the fort, he unfolded the map he was given and a compass. He examined the map, and after determining the direction, he motioned for his troops to follow him.

After about two hours of flight, they arrived on a series of cliffs overlooking the spot on the map. He landed on the close side of the slope, his troopers landing behind him. He motioned for them to remain, while he and Jet Lag climbed up onto the top of the cliff pulling out a field telescope.

Below him laid the town he had seen in the photo back at Fort Grover. A single street town of near-identical, two-story houses capped by a single extra house at the end. About forty-to-forty five in total. Ponies of all shapes and colors milled about. Now that he got a good look at it, it almost looked like an equal sign.

"Huh", Jet Lag said. "Command wasn't kidding. This is a whole fucking town."

Giovanni nodded, still looking down his telescope. "Yeah. If I'm right, about two-hundred forty. Six to a house, forty houses in total, give or take?"

"Smartass."

Giovanni looked away from the down and deadpanned. "I'll let that slid. Now, command wants this to be peaceful. Doesn't look like there're any guards or armed creatures. Me, you, and two Warhawks. We'll just talk to their mayor, sort this out. Push come to shove and things get violent, bring a flare. We'll set it off, and we shouldn't have a problem dealing with it."

"I'll get two", Jet Lag said, sliding back a bit and standing up. He ran down to grab them, as Giovanni looked back into the town.

He began to notice something about the ponies in town. They were all rather... dull. Not in the way they were acting; they all seemed really upbeat. No, they were physically dull. Even Jet Lag, whose coat was rather dark, had a brighter colored coat than these ponies. It was a bit unnerving; in his time interacting with ponies when he went to university in Germaney, they were all rather bright. Not that dull colors weren't present, but not in this number.

He was pulled away from his thoughts when he felt a tap on his rear leg. Jet Lag had gotten two Warhawks. who were standing next to him, at attention and in salute. The one on the left said, "Corporal Gordon, sir!"

The other said, "Private Garrett, sir!"

"At ease. Let's go", he said, folding up his telescope. He slid it into its container and spread his wings, soaring over the cliff with Jet Lag and his troopers behind him.

He landed just outside of the town, Jet Lag and the others touching down behind him. All of the eyes of the ponies fell on them immediately, and they all flashed smiles. Not the typical warm grin or happy smile from a pony. These were big, overly cheery grins, so much so that he could see their gums. It unnerved him to no end.

One of the ponies came up to him; a pale greenish-blue unicorn with a slicked-back mane. He wore a burlap cloak and the same wide grin as all of the others. As he got closer, he then noticed another aspect of the townsponies. Where normally they had a cutie mark, these ones all had a grey equal sign. All of them. He had never heard or seen a pony with the same cutie mark.

He was brought back to reality by the pony saying, "Hello there, stranger. Welcome to our town."

"Er, pleasure", Giovanni said.

A pegasus mare came up behind the unicorn. She was a dusty navy blue color with a white mane done back. On her back was a small pegasus, who was quite a bit more vibrant than what he assumed to be her parents. She had a pale, almost milky blue mane and an aqua-colored coat.

The mare said, "Hello. What's your name?"

Overcoming his trepidation, Giovanni swallowed and said, "I am Captain Giovanni of the 3rd Warhawks detachment, assigned to the 19th Battalion of the Griffonian Republican Army, stationed at Fort Grover. This is Lieutenant Jet Lag, my second-in-command, along with two of my troopers."

Not even flinching at the stated ranks and titles, the unicorn said, "Well, it's nice to meet you. My name is Party Favor. This is my wife Night Glider and Daughter Midnight Celebration. Welcome to our little village."

"Can I ask why you're here?", Night Glider asked.

Giovanni said, "I need to talk to your mayor about some things. May you point me to the Town Hall? Or, the equivalent of?"

Party Favor said, "Oh, you want to see Starlight! She's our founder. We'll take you to her."

"Sweetie", Night Glider said to her daughter. "Why don't you go play with Stud Muffin?"

"Ok, mommy!", the filly said, sliding off her mom's back and running off.

As the two of them lead the group of Griffonians through the town, Jet Lag asked, "What's with the cutie marks? Why are they all the same?"

"We gave up our cutie marks", Night Glider answered. "So we can all be equal."

Gordon chuckled, before saying, "A bit redundant, isn't it?"

"What do you mean?", Party Favor asked.

"Well, I went to secondary school in Equestria. Manehatten, specifically. A few ponies were jerks, but from what I gathered, you would already be equal under the law", Gordon explained.

"Not just under the law", Party Favor explained. "We gave up our cutie marks to become equal. We don't have to worry about competing or being selfish, because we have no reason to do so."

Giovanni looked to his soldiers, a look of confusion and mild horror on his face. He saw the same looks on their faces, followed by nervous glances to the crowds. Several of the ponies, smiling widely, were following them. While he was still hoping to resolve this peacefully and without any incident, he wrapped the back end of this wingtip against one of his pistols.

Party Favor knocked on the door, which opened to reveal an equally cheery-looking pure white stallion. "Party Favor! Nice to see you again. Can I ask why you're here?"

"We have some new visitors", Party Favor replied. "They want to talk to Starlight."

"Er, yes", Giovanni said. "I am Captain Giovanni, 3rd Griffonian Warhawks detachment. I'm assuming you have some relation to Starlight Glimmer?"

"My name is Double Diamond, Starlight's husband", Double said. "Come in, come in."

As Double Diamond and the others went inside, Giovanni turned to his troopers. "Gordon, Garrett, wait out here. If anything goes wrong, tell me. If you are attacked, head back to the rest of the unit and tell them we are likely under attack, and they know the drill."

"You think it might turn violent?", Jet Lag asked.

"I don't know", Giovanni said. "But, I don't want to take chances. Jet Lag, with me."

Giovanni and Jet Lag entered the house, noting that it was quite nice. It was lit by light filtering in through open windows, reflecting off of a large framed equal sign. A simple wooden table and legs and a simple red rug filled the mane room, with another door leading off into seeming darkness and another into a hallway. A young unicorn filly, pale lavender with a white and green mane sat at the table, reading a book.

"Now, where is this Starlight Glimmer?", Giovanni asked.

"Hello there!", a cheery voice called from the darkness. Another unicorn, this one a mare with a lavender coat darker than the filly with a green and purple mane. She was different than the others; she was the more vibrant color he was used to seeing in ponies and she wasn't seemingly stuck in a permanent massive grin. "That would be me! And, you are?"

Once again, he said, "Captain Giovanni, 3rd Griffonian Warhawks detachment to the 19th battalion of the Griffonian Republican Army. This here is Lieutenant Jet Lag, my second-in-command. I need to talk to you about some things."

"Sure", she said. "Party Favor, Night Glider, you two can leave. Snowbank, sweetie, go play with your friends. Double, would you be a dear and go get us something to drink?"

All of them reacted to what she said. The two ponies who escorted them in turned and left. The filly said, "Thank you mom!", and ran out in between Party Favor and Night Glider. Double Diamond nodded and went down the hallway.

Meanwhile, Starlight sat down at the table. "Have a seat."

"Thank you", Giovanni said. He sat down and pulled out his glasses case. As he set them on, he said, "Now, like I said, I need to ask you a few questions."

"Technically, you said you needed to talk to me about a few things", Starlight said, giggling. "But, I get it. What do you want to know?"

"Well", Giovanni said, pulling out a pen and a small piece of paper. "First things first. About when was this village founded?"

"Oh, maybe... fifteen, eighteen years ago?", Starlight mused. "Time just seems to fly."

Giovanni jotted down her answer before he continued. "Now. Were you aware that this town is not on any Equestrian or Griffonian census data or maps? If you weren't, why do yous suspect why? If you were, then why?"

"No, I figured that it wouldn't be on record", Starlight said. "Our little community is a bit out of the way, and we don't get many visitors around here."

"Ok. I, probably should've written down this one first", Giovanni said, cracking a grin. "What is the name of this town?"

"It was never really given an official name. We all just refer to it as Our Town." Starlight turned as Double Diamond returned, four cups balanced on his back. "Thank you, Double. Care for some water, Captain?"

"Thank you", he said, taking the cup from Starlight's magic aura. After they all had their cups, he said, "Now, continuing. What do you know of recent political and international developments?"

"Well, like I said, we're pretty isolated. So, not all that much." She then furrowed her brow in confusion, and asked, "Why?"

"So, you know nothing?", Giovanni asked. "The Canterlot Concordance? The Equestrian Liberation? Nothing?"

"No, I'm afraid not."

Giovanni set down the piece of paper and adjusted his glasses. "Well, you see, Miss Glimmer... Your village is no longer situated in Equestria. As a part of a land grant given to the New Griffonian Republic in the Canterlot Concordance, this village is now on the Griffonian side of the border. And, as I'm certain none of you are Griffonian citizens, you are all, technically, here illegally."

Starlight seemed to consider this. After a few seconds, she said, "So, what are you going to do?"

"Well, my orders are to only investigate your village. I need to get updated orders from my commander if I am to do anything. However, I can recommend two courses of action. Either move your village, say... 15 kilometers to the west, or registering for Griffonian citizenship."

Starlight said, "I'm certain we can make this work. Tell your 'commander' that we're sorry about this misunderstanding. We've worked hard to make this village, and if it means doing some paperwork, then that's ok."

"I see", Giovanni said, writing down some things on the paper. "Now, a personal question. Why are all of your ponies so... oh, what's the word...?"

"Happy?", Double Diamond offered.

"I was going to say off. But, I suppose that works as well", Giovanni said.

Starlight said, "Well, like I'm sure Party Favor and Night Glider told you, we all gave up our cutie marks in order to become truly equal."

"And I don't entirely understand as to why", Jet Lag said. "It's not like some ponies are eating dirt while others are eating caviar."

"Well, equal in that we do not let our special talents distract us with pointless competition and bickering. We revel in our sameness, and it helps us become better ponies", Double Diamond said.

"Well spoke, dearie!", Starlight said. "So, is that all of your questions, Captain?"

"Er, yes", Giovanni said. "I will be leaving now. I should have updated information as to how the situation will be handled by noon tomorrow. My troopers will be camping on the cliff overlooking the town for the time being. Have a nice day."

"And you too!", Starlight said as Giovanni and Jet Lag left the room.

Outside, Gordon and Garrett snapped to attention. Giovanni signaled for them to take off, following him back to the rest of the company. As they did so, he told Jet Lag, "Get the fastest flyer in the unit. Tell them to run this message to Fort Grover."

"Yes sir", Jet Lag said. After another few seconds, he said, "Permission to speak freely?"

"Granted."

"I don't like this place. That whole spiel about not having cutie marks and being 'Equal'? That's not natural." Jet Lag sighed. "It just seems off."

"I agree, but unless they are doing something illegal, we can't do anything", Giovanni said. "Just get me a flyer." As they landed and Jet Lag went off to get the unit's best flyer, Giovanni thought over what she said. He blew air through his beak; something wasn't right. He just didn't know what.

In Our Town~PT. 2

View Online

A week later

Giovanni and Jet Lag walked through the streets of the town, looking for a place to eat. Their pay had just arrived, and they had wanted to get something nicer to eat than rations. Finally, they spotted a few tables outside a place with a muffin shaped sign above it. As they watched, an incredibly pale tan-colored stallion left the building, a pale purplish unicorn mare waving goodbye to him. As they got closer, the mare said, "Oh, you must be the soldiers that Starlight talked to."

"Yes. Good morning, Miss...?", Giovanni replied.

"Sugar Belle", she said. "I run the bakery." Her eyes then flicked to Jet Lag's flank, or rather, what was on it: A cutie mark of several lightning bolts forming the Pryhan Numeral 'three'.

"Is something wrong?", Jet Lag asked, noticing her glaring at his flank.

"Oh, oh no. It's just... well, we don't see many ponies with cutie marks around here", she said. "Now, can I bring you anything? We have muffins?"

The two of them waited for a second, before looking at one another. Giovanni asked, "Is that it?"

"Yeah. Just muffins", Sugar Belle said.

"Then, one each please", Jet Lag said.

Sugar Belle trotted off and the two of them sat down at one of the tables. Jet Lag said, "Is it just me, or is this town incredibly creepy?" As he said that, he looked around the single street, watching as the townsponies fixed them with wide grins.

"Like I said, I agree with you. But, unless something illegal is going on here, then we can't do anything", Giovanni answered. "In the meantime, we just hold our position and wait for the materials to arrive to make a proper outpost. So, let's discuss something that would be in more... polite conversation."

"Ok", Jet Lag said, putting his hoof to his chin. "What'd you think of the last game?"

"Which game? The Skyball one in Eagles Peak?", Giovanni asked.

"Exactly."

Giovanni snorted. "I still feel like the Maelstroms cheated. No way they could get all those goals; especially through all of those defenses the Rocs set up."

Jet Lag said, "You're just salty because the Rocs are your home town team."

Giovanni muttered something under his breath as Sugar Belle came out with their muffins. "And how about what happened when your towns team lost 100 to nothing?", he asked, grabbing and taking a big bite of his muffin.

A second later, he spat it out, before doing it several more times. "What the Hell!? Did you use white pepper instead of Sugar!?"

"I'm sorry you don't like it", Sugar Belle said. "Consider them on the house."

Giovanni sighed, sitting back down. "I'm very sorry. It just, tastes terrible. Like, worst than grade C rations."

"It's ok. I know I'm not that good of a baker. Well, not as good as anyone else", Sugar Belle said. "But, can I ask you something?"

"Sure", Giovanni said.

Jet Lag, "I don't see why not."

"Well, I noticed you two were seemingly fighting, and, well...", She said, her face seemingly full of concern.

"We weren't fighting", Jet Lag said. "We were just having a conversation on a topic we disagree with."

"But, you aren't bitter about it?", she asked.

Giovanni said, "Why would we? It is a difference of opinion. Nothing more."

Sugar Belle nodded and said, "Sorry. It's just, so different. While, not exactly the same, Starlight taught us a little jingle of sorts. 'Different talents lead to different opinions which lead to bitterness and misery'. But, neither of you are bitter, so, it's odd, to say the least."

Giovanni was taken aback. He sputtered a bit, before saying, "We are not bitter about different opinions because it is natural! It is UNnatural for every single creature to think the exact same thing. And such an ideology that does that is tyrannical!"

Sugar Belle said, "Well, we all agreed to this. We're happy to be equal."

Giovanni fixed her with a look of concern, just like she had done to him and Jet Lag earlier. "Miss Belle. I want you to listen to me."

"Ok", she said.

"I want you to do something for me. If there is anything illegal going on; if you have been forced to do anything, attacked at any point, or anything you think is wrong. Tell me. If anything like that is happening or has happened, I can help you. Ok?", he said.

She laughed nervously, looking around nervously. She said, "O-ok. Well, again. The muffins are on the house. I hope you have a nice day, and enjoy our little village." She then went inside, eyes darting back and forth rapidly.

"Well, that was weird", Jet Lag said. "Captain, I never knew you were so philosophical."

"Heh", he grunted. "My family lived in the old Republican Library. Hell, my sister, Gabriella, is the current Librarian in the restored Republican Library. I read a bunch while I was bored. Most of it was really old and faded, but most of what was left was old philosophy texts."

"Neat. So, what do you think about what's going on here?", Jet Lag asked.

"It's stupidity", he grumbled. "Applying their collective skills to the lowest common denominator. Unnatural too, like I said. It's like a Grover-damned cult."

The two of them were interrupted by a throat being cleared behind them. "Excuse me, sirs."

They turned to see a griffon in a white shirt and black pants, a small pin in the shape of a pair of grey lines on the collar. Jet Lag asked, "Can we help you?"

"Yes. My name is Gertrude, a representative of the Northern Griffonian Rail Company", she said. "I was wondering about a bit of, a. Well..."

"Well, spit it out", Jet Lag said.

Giovanni said, "Calm yourself, Jet Lag. Now, Miss Gertrude. What do you need?"

"I know it's not all that necessary, but I need a few escorts and additional overseers on this stretch of track." She laid down a flyer on the table, and they craned their next to read it:

HELP WANTED

The Northern Griffonian Rail Company is in need of additional workers for this section of the track in the International Rail System. The stretch of train tracks is between fourteen miles from this town to fourteen miles beyond this town: an estimated timeline of one and a half months. Anyone who volunteers will be provided with transport to the worksite every day and two hot meals a day. 50 Griffonian bits a day for a full day of work. Excelling in work will result in potential signing on to the company. Please specify if you possess any special skills (EX: Mathematics or engineering experience, metalworking, etc.)

If you wish to help, please take one of the cards below. Thank you!

"You just need a few extra troops to help make sure that all of the work is proceeding smoothly and to protect your workers?", Giovanni said.

"Well, yes", Gertrude said. "I just want to make sure that everything is in order."

"Lieutenant Jet Lag can oversee that", Giovanni said. "Lieutenant, take, say, fifteen Warhawks tomorrow. Help out the company."

"Don't we have to work out the paperwork and all that jazz?", Jet Lag asked.

"We already have an arrangement with the NGRC", Giovanni said. "We're already supplying troops to guard the workers. As the closest unit, it's a part of the governmental contract with them."

"Alright", Jet Lag said. "I'll get a few troopers tomorrow morning."

++++~++++

The next day, Jet Lag and five of his soldiers waited on the outskirts of town. A small crowd of about fifteen ponies from the town was also there, gripping various lunch sacks and the little pieces of paper they had gotten off of the posters. Jet Lag checked his watch; it was about the time the NGRC representatives would arrive.

Sure enough, a small cloud of steam appeared over the horizon, growing closer at a rapid pace. As it got closer, he began to make out the carriage-like structure of a Pryhan-made Land-skiff. The vehicle pulled up in front of the crowd, a griffon from the cabin climbing out and coming to the front.

"Alright!", he yelled. "We can take two in the cabin of the land-skiff, and fit ten in the back. If you're a pegasus and we run out of room, you're stuck flying. Alright, pile in!"

As the ponies came forward, Jet Lag saw Starlight, Double Diamond, and a pair of other townsponies came up towards them. The other three still wore their massive smiles, but Starlight wore a look of contempt. She exclaimed, "What is going on!?"

The griffon who had just spoke said, "I'm here to pick up the volunteers. And, you are?"

"Starlight Glimmer, and I am sorry, but there will be no volunteers", she said.

Jet Lag raised an eyebrow under his helmet and asked her, "And why is that?"

"Oh, don't get me started!", she exclaimed, shoving one of the posters in Jet Lag's face. "Do you have any idea what's on this thing!?"

"Yes, I am. I was there when Captain Giovanni approved signing on extra guards. What part of it are you concerned about?", Jet Lag asked.

"The part about 'Special skills'", she explained matter-of-factly.

The griffon grew annoyed, and asked, "What about that is wrong? Everyone has a certain thing they're good at or at the very least enjoy doing."

She said, "That's the thing. You want to encourage them to give up their equality in order to help you make a few bits."

The griffon fluffed up in irritation, saying, "Look, you crazy lady. I'm just doing my job. They want to volunteer, they can. Now, like I said! Anyone want it, get in the land-skiff!"

However, unlike before, none of them came forward. They all looked in between themselves, talking and working things about between them. Finally, one of them came forward and said, "If we have to give up our equality to do it, then no."

The griffon, the soldiers and Jet Lag all looked stunned. The griffon was the first to snap out of it, scowling and saying, "Well, fine! A waste of our fucking time and money."

He climbed back into the land-skiff, slamming the door shut and saying something to the other before the vehicle drove off in a cloud of white smoke. As it left, Starlight addressed the crowd in a much nicer, almost motherly tone: "Alright everypony! Head home! We can work out something better if anypony still wants to still work with them!" The crowd dispersed, and then Starlight turned to Jet Lag. "Can I talk to you?"

"About what?", he asked.

"About how you are acting as a divisive figure in our little village", she said, smiling.

"Ok", he muttered. "Corporal! You and your team are dismissed." As the flew off, he followed her and Double Diamond back to her house. He noticed a pair of teacups on the table, while Starlight Glimmer walked over to the other side of the table and sat down. She lifted up and took a sip from her tea, before asking, "Do you know what you did wrong?"

"Not entirely", he said.

Double Diamond said, "Your cutie mark is dividing us. It's disrupting and threatening our entire philosophy."

"Thank you, sweetie", Starlight said. "The way you and Captain Giovanni are acting is undermining us. You're threatening to destroy everything that we have striven to accomplish."

"I'm just doing my job", Jet Lag said. "I'm sorry if I upset you somehow, but that is how things work."

She gave him a look of what he recognized as that resembling a nurturing mother. She said, "Why are you like this?"

"Beg pardon?"

"Why are you so uncaring?", she asked. "You seem like an intelligent stallion, so why don't you see the logic in it? It makes everypony happy, and-"

"May I make a point?", he asked.

"Sure", she said.

"I do see the logic in equality. But, in this case, I have to disagree", he said. "We have it under the law, so that everyone has a chance to do what they want to do. This? This is fucking stupid. How do you plan to do anything if you default to the lowest rung? Besides, I'm not hurting any of them, so why do you care?"

"I care because you're trying to undo all we have worked to do", she said.

Jet Lag took a sip of tea. "Not all things you make are worth building. I know from experience."

"Really? Tell me about it", she said, putting down her cup and resting her head on her forelegs.

"I'm an Equestrian by birth. I became a Griffonian citizen and joined the army during the Changeling crisis, but that's beside the point. Anyway, during high school, I spent a long time working on a project. I don't r-really remember wh-what, but it was on... something. I spent an hour o-on it. F-found out I did i-it on a w-wrong premises. I-Oh, Celestia, I'm tired."

Jet Lag's vision faded to black, the last thing he saw being a wide grin from Starlight Glimmer.

In Our Town~PT. 3

View Online

Jet Lag awoke with a groan, rubbing his head as he struggled to get up. His limbs felt unusually weak, and his head felt like he had been hit with a lead mace. His eyes were finally forced open, and he was greeted with a slate grey interior.

He raised his head, looking around. He was in a room that resembled a prison cell with small, slit windows, no furniture, and a low roof. Unlike prison cells, he saw a trio of bookshelves on the walls that didn't have a door. They were full of simple bound books with purple covers. As the ringing in his ears faded, he heard a monotone voice that sounded vaguely like Starlight Glimmer:

"To excel is to fail. Exceptionalism is a lie. Choose equality as your special talent. Difference is frustration. Be your best, by never being your best."

"The Captain was right", Jet Lag muttered. "That Starlight is full of shit." He raised himself up, looking down to take stock of what he had on him. His armor, battle harness, and weapons were gone, leaving him only in his undershirt. He looked past the shirt, eyes widening as he saw that his normally dark navy coat was now a very dark grey. Almost like one of the... the townsponies.

In a panic, he looked back. His usual cutie mark was gone, replaced with an equal sign like all of the others. He had assumed it was make-up or something. Now, it appeared to be by magic. That really put points into that this wasn't consensual or was, at the very least, not natural.

He was driven from his thoughts by the door opening. Starlight Glimmer entered with Double Diamond and her daughter behind her. "Enjoying your stay, Jet Lag?", she asked.

His face contorted in anger. He barked, "You fucking whore!" He rushed at her, fully preparing to punch out her teeth when a bolt of magic caught him in the chest. He slumped back, scowling in mild pain.

"Mommy?", the filly asked. "Why is he being so mean?"

"Don't worry, Snowbank dearie. He just doesn't understand what a utopia this is. He'll come around", she said in that same motherly tone that she had spoken to him in earlier.

"Cub-napping and unlawful imprisonment of a commissioned griffonian officer", Jet Lag said. "You could hang for this."

"Are you threatening my wife?", Double Diamond asked.

Jet Lag snarled, before saying, "Why are you here?"

Starlight stepped aside before another pair of ponies stepped forward. One he recognized as Sugar Belle, while the other he assumed was her foal. He was a dusty-red unicorn colt with a white and purple mane. They entered, eyes lowered.

Jet Lag asked, "What are they doing here?"

"Her husband, Feather Bangs, told me that the two of them were out after curfew. Namely, that they were doing something outside of town. They need to stay here in order to learn that they need to be willing to accept equality in order to stay here", Starlight said.

"Mommy, does Stud Muffin have to stay in here too?", Snowbank asked. "He knows better."

"I know sweetie, but I don't know exactly what happened. I'll let them out in two days. By then, I'm sure they can explain to me exactly what they were doing there. Ok?"

"Ok mommy", she said, somewhat somberly.

"Good", Starlight said. She and Double Diamond turned to leave, leaving Snowbank alone in the doorway.

She said, "I know mommy can seem mean every now and then, Mr. Jet Lag. But, she only does it because she wants you to be happy. I hope you can be happy."

"Come on, Snowbank!", Double Diamond called. "It's past curfew!"

The little filly's ears perked up. She said, "Gotta go. Good night!" She then ran out of the door, with a Persian blue aura surrounding it and closing it behind her.

Jet Lag turned to Sugar Belle, asking her, "What happened since I was out?"

Sugar Belle fixed him with a stern look, before looking at her son. As he cried into her forelegs, she told the Lieutenant, "I did what I should've done years ago."

++++~++++

Three days later, Giovanni examined the paper in front of him; a Search Warrant. After Sugar Belle had come and talked to him several days ago, he had sent a request to the nearest judge. It had only just come back to him.

He stood up and left the small room that had become his office in the makeshift outpost. Construction had begun a few days ago, using several trees from a nearby grove to make the barracks that had his office attached to it and a watchtower. He exited the building, being greeted by a smiling Starlight Glimmer.

"Hello, Captain!", she said. "Just the creature I was hoping to see."

"I'm sure", Giovanni replied. "However, I have some business to attend to."

As he headed towards the perimeter of the camp, she followed alongside him. "Well, that may have something to do with what I need to talk to you about."

"And what is that?", he asked.

"Well, you see, it's about you and your soldiers. They're... well, to be blunt, they're scaring the villagers. Hay, one of them nearly terrified the horn off of my dear Snowbank. So, I was wondering if you could... you know...?"

"Pull out?", he asked.

"Yes! Exactly!", she said.

"Sorry, but no can do", he said, spreading his wings and taking off with four of his soldiers behind him.

Starlight's smile twisted into a sneer as she lit up her horn and teleported away. She appeared just as they landed on the edge of town. She said, "Why not!?"

"Because you're not my superior; you're not even a citizen yet. I can't pull out until I receive orders to do so. Now, like I said, I need to take care of something", he said, marching towards one of the buildings on the edge of town.

Starlight said, "Well, I am sure you can understand my reasoning for wanting you to leave. It's nothing personal, but... your mindset is just so... different from ours. It can threaten to undo our entire philosophy."

Giovanni stopped and looked at her. "Listen. I have one of my soldiers missing and have had it up to here with this. Let me do my job. If nothing comes of this, I'll put in a word with the Command at Fort Grover, ok?"

"Ok." As Giovanni and the soldiers kept walking towards the building, Starlight's brow furrowed. "What is your 'business', exactly?"

Giovanni stopped just outside a building on the edge of town. Unlike all the others, this one had much smaller windows. A pair of smiling townsponies stood on either side of the door, reminding Giovanni quite a bit of sentries... or guards. "Open the door."

Starlight looked aghast. Before she could say anything, one of the townsponies shook their head. "I can't. Starlight said I can't let anypony except her in."

"Well, good thing I'm not a pony", he said. "Step aside, and open this door."

Starlight trotted in front of him, a furious expression on her face. "Just what gives you the right to demand to enter someplace!? Especially like this!?"

"This", Giovanni answered, showing her the Warrant. "This is a Search Warrant. Says I can search this building. Now, again. Stand aside, and open this door."

"I thought you said we weren't Griffonian citizens!", Starlight protested.

"You aren't", Giovanni said. "But since you are on Griffonian land, you are subject to Griffonian law. Now, for the last time, open the door, or else." As if to prove his point, the two griffons in the back spread their wings and hovered off the ground, drawing their pistols.

Starlight said, "You still can't just-"

"Yes, I can", Giovanni interrupted, pushing her aside and pulling out one of his own pistols. He lowered the pyrite to the spinning wheel, pulling the trigger after placing it to the door handle. The serrated wheel spun against the pyrite, a shower of sparks appearing as the black powder ignited and the weapon fired. The lock mechanism was blown apart, and Giovanni holstered the pistol, entering the room in one fluid motion.

The occupants of the room looked to the door in shock, before Jet Lag stood up and saluted. "Sir!", he said, relief evident in his voice.

"Lieutenant", Giovanni said. "What in the Idol is going on? What happened to you?"

"I'm trying to show him the happiness that comes with equality", Starlight interjected, teleporting in between him and those in the room. "And you are threatening to undo all of that."

Giovanni drew his second pistol, aiming it at Starlight. "On your knees. You are under arrest."

"For what?", she asked. "For helping ponies find true harmony? True happiness!?"

"For cub-napping of a Republican officer, unlawful imprisonment of a Republican officer, unlawful imprisonment of a civilian, and attempted obstruction of law-enforcement personnel. Now, like I said. On. Your. Knees", Giovanni said.

Starlight sneered before it turned to a sadistic grin. She lit up her horn again, teleporting away. Giovanni didn't have time to question her move. He said to one of his troopers, "Get them up. We need to move."

As one of them did so, he heard another shot echo from outside. He slipped out the door to see a large crowd of ponies gathered, all of whom were surrounding the building. Starlight was at the front, wearing her stern, motherly smile. She said, "You see, everypony. It is as I told you. They want us to be separate, alone and miserable again."

"What I want is for you", he said, pointing at Starlight. "To surrender."

Double Diamond spoke up, exclaiming, "She's given us nothing but happiness, and you want to take her away!?" Others around him yelled in affirmation.

Seeing he was getting nowhere by going the logical path, Giovanni decided to try a different approach. "And yet you let her lock a young colt and his mother in a cramped, cold room with no food or water. What part of that is 'giving you nothing but happiness?'"

Starlight said, "Sacrifices have to be made in order for us to maintain our happiness."

"Well then, perhaps you would explain to me how cub-napping one of my soldiers is to make him happy?", he asked.

Double Diamond said, "He would've been happy once he accepted true equality."

Jet Lag snorted. "You really are full of yourselves, ain'tcha? Where was my choice in the matter!? Don't I get a fucking say!?"

Starlight said, "That is enough!" She let out a sigh, before looking back up. "Leave."

"You're coming with us", Giovanni said, flapping up into the air and drawing his saber.

Starlight snarled, her horn glowing. Before any of them could move, Snowbank grabbed onto her leg, pressing her head against Starlights flank. "Please, mommy! I don't want to lose you!"

"I'm not going anywhere, sweetie", she said, using her hind leg to push her away. "Go to your father. I don't know what I'll need to do to make the bad griffons leave, but I'll do it."

The filly shook her head, before squinting at Starlights flank. "M-mommy? What's that?", she asked.

Starlights expression turned from one of anger to one of alarm. She turned as fast as she could so her flank was facing away from her daughter, only to be met by gasps as it was faced towards the other townsponies. She turned just enough that Giovanni could see what it was. Her daughter's affectionate rubbing had smeared makeup. A gap ran down her flank, revealing a multi-colored design on her flank. Double Diamond said, "H-honey. I-is that a-"

"Look away!", she yelled. "I'm not the problem! They are! They're dividing us!"

"And here I thought you said that Cutie Marks were evil and giving them up was for the best?", Giovanni said sarcastically. As he did, he noticed a large group of his soldiers heading towards the village, sabers and pistols at the ready.

"Yeah! You did", Party Favor said. Even more in the crowd clamored in agreement.

"I needed it!", Starlight protested. "How else could I collect your cutie marks!?"

"What about the Staff of Sameness!?", Sugar Belle asked. "Doesn't that have all the power we need!"

"That is just a piece of wood I found in a desert. If it weren't for me, you'd all still be miserable! I made this paradise possible! I gave you harmony! I gave you friendship! I gave you all of this!", Starlight ranted.

"Congratulations", Giovanni said, drawing Starlight's attention. "You've just added Fraud to your list of crimes."

"You lied to us! All of it!", Night Glider yelled.

As others yelled their own grievances, Double Diamond stepped forward. "Was all of it a lie?"

"All of what?", Starlight asked.

Double Diamond said, "Did you love me? Did you? Or did you just use me?"

Starlight was silent. She turned her head as the rest of the Warhawks arrived, a look of sadness on her face. She said, "I wasn't lying. Cutie marks do ruin ponies' lives. That wasn't a lie."

"You can't stop creatures from pursuing what they want to do. The most depraved tyrants in history, from Grogar to Sombra haven't attempted to do that", Giovanni said, before turning to the townsponies. "So, what do you all want to do?"

Party Favor was the first to reply after a minute of silence. "I want my cutie mark back."

"Me too", Night Glider said.

"Yeah", Sugar Belle said. "So do I."

"NO!", Starlight yelled, her anger springing back to the forefront. "You can't! You can't just turn your backs on everything we sought to make!"

"We're either all equal, or none of us are", Double Diamond said.

Starlight faced each of them, looking between the mob of her former townsponies and the Griffonian Warhawks. She then lit up her horn, firing off a spell that sent the ponies near her reeling in alarm. She took off running, bringing up a magic shield to prevent being hit by the salvo of bullets that would've killed her. She entered her house, slamming the door behind her.

Double Diamond reared up on his hind legs, yelling to the townsponies, "Come on! Let's go get our Cutie Marks!"

The crowd of ponies cheered, following Double Diamond as they ran along a path leading out of the town. Giovanni said, "Sargeant Gilroy! Take your squad to go provide any and all assistance they may need. Lieutenant Jet Lag. Stay here and get some rest. The rest of you, with me!"

As Gilroy and his soldiers flew off after the ponies, Giovanni flew towards the building on the edge of the town. Giovanni and several others ground to a halt just outside, stopping just to ready their sabers and pistols. Giovanni nodded, and the soldier across from him took a few steps back before running forward and body-checking the door. Several more fanned out inside the main room, looking for the lavender unicorn.

When no sign of her turned up, Giovanni said, "Sweep the house. Let me know if you find anything."

They did so, several running down the hall while others ran into the attached room. Giovanni snarled to himself. She was a unicorn and a powerful one at that. Plus, she had shown herself to be adept at teleportation already. She could be anywhere. He turned to another one of his sergeants, telling him, "Take your griffs. Sweep the surrounding area. If she teleported away, I want her fo-"

He was interrupted by another soldier running in and snapping to salute. "Sir! We found an open escape tunnel that leads into the mountains. Sergeant Gianna has already begun her pursuit with six soldiers."

Giovanni growled. "Good. Belay that, Sergeant. Follow me."

Giovanni led his soldiers into the next room. Sure enough, a large tunnel entrance was opened in the room, which Giovanni and the others followed down it. On the other end, the tunnel opened up onto a wide section of the mountains, with a narrow path that skimmed the mountains.

Along the path, he saw Starlight running away from Sergeant Gianna and her soldiers, who were attempting to shoot her. Giovanni said, "Let's go. You all know the drill."

They all sped off after them, flying as fast as they could. The others soon caught up with the fleeing Starlight, while several of the faster ones began to fly ahead of her. Giovanni saw she brought up magic shields in order to prevent herself from being hit. She ran as fast as she could, while not being able to completely outrun them.

Giovanni looked for a way to slow her down, or at the very least keep her from popping up her magic barriers. He looked up, scanning the path for a way to accomplish such a goal. He spotted it; a long stone bridge, only narrowly held up. He yelled to one of his soldiers, "Collapse the bridge!"

The griffon nodded and ran ahead, firing both of his pistols into the base of the bridge. It crumbled, a long part of the bridge falling into the pass below. Starlight ground to a halt, her mind taken off of her pursuers. That distraction was enough for the soldiers to exploit.

A bullet slammed into her flank and she yelled in pain, falling to the ground. Giovanni landed next to her, pressing his own pistol to her head. "Now will you come with us?", he asked.

Starlight hissed in pain, before snarling out, "You will regret this."

"I don't think I will", Giovanni said. "Sergeant. Take her away. If you see so much as a spark from her horn, cut it off."

Gianna and another one of her soldiers grabbed onto her shoulders, hoisting her forelegs over their shoulders and taking off back towards the tunnel. Giovanni and the rest of his soldiers followed them.

As they made their way out of Starlight's house, Giovanni was confronted by Double Diamond, Sugar Belle, Party Favor, and Night Glider. Unlike before, where they all had uniform manecuts and cutie marks, they now all looked unique. Double Diamond watched as Starlight was dragged away, and asked, "What are you going to do with her?"

"She will be patched up", Giovanni said. "Then, she will be taken to the nearest town for trial. Normally, I would have to do the same to all of those who aided in her crimes." They all looked between one another, while Giovanni looked to the ground. "But, given the circumstances, I think I can let this slide."

"Oh, thank you", Sugar Belle said.

"Right", Giovanni said. "Now, speaking of which; what do you plan to do now?"

Night Glider looked confused, and asked, "What do you mean?"

"Well, from what I understand, you were more-or-less tricked into coming here and supporting Starlight", he said. "If that is the case, you are all free to leave."

"Are you kidding me?", Party Favor said.

"Like it or not, this is our home now", Double Diamond said.

Giovanni nodded. "Very well. I will see what I can do to speed up your citizenship applications."

"Again, thank you", Sugar Belle said.

A Frank Talk

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"Honey", Shadowlock said, walking up to Twilight. "They're here."

She looked back at her coltfriend who had come up next to her. She slid a bookmark into the book she was currently reading, turning her head over her shoulder to look at the dark grey stallion. She said, "Ok. Thanks. Can you, ya know...?"

"Sure", he said, lighting up his horn and bringing over her wheelchair. Both of their magics aided Twilight in sliding her paralyzed rear legs into the braces that held them in place on the metal frame. After the locks were secured, Twilight walked over to the stairs where she stopped and lit up her horn to teleport to the floor below.

She appeared in front of her friends, who were all huddled around the table in the living quarters above the Golden Oaks Library. Rarity, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie all looked exhausted, with massive bags underneath their eyes and sloped posture. Their manes were frazzled messes, their coats were all slightly dirty and disheveled, and they all looked like they were about to just pass out.

Fluttershy, by contrast, didn't look too tired. Instead, the area around her eyes looked slightly puffy, like she had been crying. She looked much thinner than she had a few months ago, with her ribs poking out from beneath her oily yellow coat. Most notably, however, was the long scar across her cheek; The result of Rainbow hitting her with her swagger stick. It normally wouldn't have been visible, but Fluttershy had waited so long before going to the doctor that it had gotten infected and scarred.

"Thanks for coming, girls", Twilight said.

"Hey, Twi", AJ said, her stetson drooping low over her left eye.

"You all look miserable", Twilight noted. "What have you all been doing?"

Rarity said, "Well, due to all the damage the Changelings did, a lot of the noble's clothing was damaged. I've been swamped getting all of the orders completed."

Pinkie said, "The cakes needed me to help finish some things up getting the store repaired."

"Ah've been helpin' replant trees on the farm", AJ said.

"And I've been fixing some things up around the cottage", Fluttershy said. "W-why do you ask?"

"Because I've been asking around", Twilight said. "Big Mac, Coco, the Cakes. Hay, I even got Shadowlock to watch you, Fluttershy. You've all been working yourselves to death!"

"W-whatever do you mean, Darling?", Rarity asked.

"AJ, Big Mac told me you've done nothing but work eat, and sleep ever since Rainbow left. Coco told me the same thing about you, Rarity. Pinkie, the cakes tell me when you aren't doing that, you're writing and sending letters to Rainbow Dash! They say you've wasted half your salary on envelops, stamps, and ink! Fluttershy I've barely seen, much less interacted with." She stopped, taking a deep breath. "Girls. This is the first time we've all been together since I got out of the hospital."

The others developed a sudden interest in either the table or the floor. Silence reigned for a minute, until Twilight said, "I'm not meaning to sound accusatory or anything like that. I just want to know what's going o-"

"What's going on, Twilight", Fluttershy suddenly snapped. "Is that we failed! Rainbow Dash, the Elements, Equestria! Everything!"

AJ said, "Yeah. Flutters is right. We messed up worse than a Cow that strapped the plow on backward. Did ya see wah happened to Rainbow!? Ya heard what she said?"

Pinkie wailed, "We're horrible friends!", before falling back and sobbing. The others didn't look that far behind her.

Twilight lit up her horn, teleporting something onto the table. It was a simple white envelope, with writing in Pryhan and a stamp of an eagle on the front. The others all looked at, either in confusion and or in curiosity. Rarity asked, "What is this?"

"It's from Rainbow", Twilight said, undoing the top of the envelope and pulling out the letter. "I had a feeling this would happen, and I sent a letter of my own to her. It took a while, but this is her reply."

++++~++++

To my former friends,

Twilight tells me that you're all been miserable. Throwing yourselves either into your work or isolation. Normally, I wouldn't care. The only reason I'm even typing this is that I know exactly how you all feel.

After I was exiled, I was a mess. As I assume you can imagine, that's what happens when everything and everyone you loved and wanted was taken away from you. Granted, our situations are nothing alike. But I digress.

I took the first chance I could in order to distract myself. I enrolled in a job, courier work to be specific, and worked myself to exhaustion. To go to sleep properly, I had to drug myself. I would fly as fast as I could, do my job, then go back to a small hut and pass out. My life became nothing but eating, flying, talking to customers or my boss, and sleeping.

This is essentially you, if Twi's right. AJ, Rarity, and Pinkie have been doing nothing but working, eating and sleeping. Flutters locked herself in her cottage, not even doing that first part. Again, the context is not the same, but the scenario is the same.

So, what now? Is this how you plan to spend the rest of your lives? As husks, going through the motions? Honestly, that's a fate I wouldn't wish on anyone. Even you.

So, stop. I pulled myself out because I had things to latch onto and make things worth it. My son, my new friends, my husband and his side of the family. I suggest you do the same thing.

Applejack Apple. If what I've been told is right, you've managed to make Prince Blueblood not be such a prick. Good on you. Plus, you have a bigger family than anyone I know. Hell, maybe in the whole planet. You may be a stubborn, boar-headed shit, but you don't have to feel worthless.

Rarity Belle. You've gotten a well-rated fashion store. Even if it wasn't as good as it was, you're still doing your dream job. I know if at least four of my soldiers who would love to be in your position. And again: you have a nice family.

Pinkamena Diana Pie. I know of your crush. I'm not an egghead, but I'm not an idiot either. It wouldn't have worked out period: I'm straight. Now, that doesn't mean anything. Again, your family loves you, and you can find someone else. You're THE Pinkie Pie. The biggest party pony in Equestria. Act like it.

Fluttershy Breeze. We were friends. I helped you, and you helped me. Now, consider this my last kindness. Like I told Rarity, you are living your dream. Your brother is an ass, but your parents are lovely creatures. You live with your favorite thing in the world.

My point? Move on. Like I said, I formed new attachments in order to not become a miserable, potentially suicidal bitch. I recommend you all do the same. Go on some dates with your coltfriends (Or marefriend, in Pinkies case). Live a little. Just don't do the same shit I did. I know what that leads to; it isn't pretty. Some real depraved shit. If you don't want to get your act together, that's your problem. That's it.

Praetor Rainbow Dash, Pryhan Imperial Army.

P.S. Don't mistake this for me attempting to reconcile or something. I still hate all of you. Consider this advice; nothing more. Don't get your hope's up, especially you Pinkie.

++++~++++

The others looked at her as Twilight finished reading the letter. Their expressions hadn't changed much, save for Fluttershy, who had joined Pinkie in lightly sobbing. Applejack finally said, "So. S-she doesn't want to reconnect."

"Yeah", Pinkie choked out in between sobs.

Twilight sighed, before saying, "Did you not listen to anything in this letter? She may not want to be friends again, but she doesn't hate you enough to just leave you to suffer. Take her advice."

Fluttershy said, "Tw-twilight. We were friends for lon-onger than any of y-you. I was h-her first friend. I-I, I want to re-recon-"

"Well, that bridge has been burned", Twilight said, before sighing. "Before I came to Ponyville, I had a few friends. Since we were fillies, having just barely gotten our cutie marks. We grew apart. That, was likely a lot of my fault. Heh heh. We're on speaking terms, but we're not 'Friends'."

Before any of them could interrupt her, Twilight continued. "Friendship is magic, but magic isn't all-powerful. Spells fail, runes lose power. That's actually a pretty interesting Pryhan legend. They had a hero; Diomedes, I think his name was. He had a runic sword, which could slay anything with a single scratch. But, the caster had died, and runes have to be constantly refilled with magic, so the magic faded, and-"

"Twi", Applejack interjected. "You're rambling again."

"Right, sorry. Anyway, long-story-short, Diomedes was able to use the worthless sword to save a village and defeat some monster. Moral of the story?", Twilight said.

Pinkie asked, "Um... make sure you keep your sword up-to-date on its check-ups?"

"What!?", Twilight said. "No. The moral is: even the best things don't last forever, and instead of working pointlessly to fix it, try and move on. Exactly what Rainbow is suggesting you all do."

The others looked between each other, looks of despair shifting to ones of at least some hope. Twilight said, "At least we still have each other."

Fluttershy suddenly bolted over to her, wrapping her wings around her in a hug. The others did the same, wrapping their hooves around one-another in a big group hug. Twilight felt a tear or two on her shoulder, but none others joined them. Barely above a whisper, Twilight heard Fluttershy whisper in her ear, "Thank you, Twilight. Thank you."

"What are friends for?"

The Friendship Games~PT. 1

View Online

The island of Cepolina. Formerly a Pryhan colony, the island to the south of Neighpon was formerly used as a naval base and trading hub. Following a series of internal issues, the island was abandoned. Now, the island had been converted into the headquarters of the Coalition.

The former fortress had been converted into a meeting place for the various leaders from the nations in the Coalition. The Coalition had been founded shortly as a part of the Canterlot Concordance. The purpose would be to prevent future conflict via diplomatic means, as well as providing aid to various nations that may need them. Another thing that would come up would be the encouragement of international goodwill; the cause of their current conversation.

"You're kidding me, right?", Caesar Diocletian asked.

Princess Luna shook her head, her gaze fixed on a piece of paper on the large table. "No, I'm not. This is an actual proposal that the Isolationists have pushed forward."

Gilda said, "Geez. If one of my griffs pushed something like this forward, they'd be laughed out of the Senate room and not come back until their term ran out."

Luna said, "I agree. Unfortunately, Neighsayer is quite popular in his district, despite what he says. In fact, that is likely why he is so popular."

"He is praised. For pushing forth a proposal to lower trade and tourist virtues to several nations he views as 'Barbaric'", Diocletian said. "And here I thought you were supposed to value Friendship and Harmony."

Spike said, "For the most part, they do. At least, the ones in the countryside. Ponies in the cities and not in the cites have different interpretations of values, I guess."

"Still", Cadence said. "It's disturbing."

"No kidding", Pharynx said. When he got several looks, he threw up his hooves. "What!? I'm in charge, and I've had to calm down my brother several times because he's afraid that we might end up going to war again."

Luna sighed, looking down. "Due to the limitations in place, that won't be happening. However, there have been pushes to get things like this done."

The other leaders present looked amongst themselves, muttering and deciding things. Besides the leaders of the larger nations of Equestria, Griffonia, and Pryha, many smaller or less prominent nations were also present. The Changelings, the Dragons, the Yaks, two of the most prominent Minoan city-states, a representative of the Zebricans. A large portion of them were representatives of the various pony nations: Prance, Germaney, Mexicolt, Saddle Arabia, Bitannia, Neighpon, Maretonia, and the Crystal Empire.

The Germane leader, Kaiser Eiserner Kanzler, asked, "Well, what are we to do of this issue? If such an issue becomes large, it may impact trade; a negative for both sides."

Luna said, "My sister and I have tried to change many of our ponies' minds on the subject. But, we've had surprisingly limited success."

"Really?", the Zebrican representative Zarifa asked. "I thought they loved you greatly."

"Normally, they would", Luna said. "But, after what happened with the Changeling, they are distrustful. Er, no offense, Pharynx."

"Heh. None taken", Pharynx said.

"Anyway, but many of them are scared. Those in the bigger cities saw first-hoof what kind of destruction your armies could do. Even in the smaller towns, they were greeted by massive armies and prison camps for the Changelings. Even after the war ended, they were greeted by books and histories telling of wars, famine, and other such events. They're scared of such a thing happening to them. Some of those higher up merely wish to hold onto power, but many of them are merely scared of being thrust into more conflict."

"They should not be afraid!", Prince Rutherford exclaimed. "Yaks help ponies if something attack you again!"

"I know", Luna said. "But again, they're scared. Even the more open ones like in Ponyville. We've been reduced in size, lost a lot of revenue. That's to say nothing of the scars left and those killed in the war against Chrysalis."

"Perhaps if we show them that there is nothing to be afraid of", Cadence suggested.

Spike sighed. "Cadence, as good of an idea as that sounds, it'll also sound like we're pushing this on them. And I imagine Luna doesn't want this group to get any more powerful than it already is."

"Agreed", Luna said.

Diocletian pulled out a small flask, taking a sip. Meanwhile, the Maretonian duke said, "Well, what should we do?"

Diocletian said, "May I speak?"

Lord Cropwell of Bitannia said, "I don't see why not. What do you have to say, Pryhan?"

Diocletian said, "Well, like Lord Spike and Princess Luna said, we can't just push them into accepting outside nations. However, I also agree with Empress Cadence, in that we should find a way to show the Equestrians, particularly those in the major cities, that the outside nations are not savages or we will not harm them."

Luna adjusted her posture, interested. "What do you have in mind, Caesar?"

"I propose, a Games."

Several laughs came from the various leaders. Pharynx said, "You really think that we all could bond over a few sports?"

"Yes, King Pharynx. That is exactly what I am proposing", he said. "Most of us all have some sort of large-scale sporting event. The Equestria Games, the Griffonian Games, the tournaments on Adunationem, the Crystal Faire. A point of international similarity. We use that as an excuse for Equestria to host such an event, save with sports contingents from each nation."

"How are you certain that the ponies will agree with it", Luna asked.

"Well, foreign spectators will be coming to whatever city you choose to witness their teams hopefully achieve victory. If the restaurant owners and hotel owners wish to deny them business, then they will only be hurting themselves compared to those that will serve them. And if they do serve them, then both they and their other patrons will be learning of other cultures as they speak or listen to the conversations."

Luna said, "And you really think they'd do that?"

"I know of no society where personal virtue fully trumps personal incentive", he said. "They'll do it. And, if my experience with others is anything to go by, nothing bonds creatures together like a little friendly competition."

Luna considered Diocletian's proposal. What he said made sense; The Equestria games had been implemented in early Equestria as a similar unifying force as to what he was suggesting. The opportunity for lessening the fears of the common ponies could likely result from such interactions with other nations and their creatures. And the business brought in by large amounts of tourists could help stimulate the economy, if nothing else.

"I agree that it is a good idea", Luna said.

"Then we shall put it to a vote", Diocletian said. "All in favor of this idea, raise your limb." After a few seconds, all of the hooves, paws, and talons were pointed up. "All oppose?" Not a single one. "Well, that settles it."

Gilda asked, "Why'd you ask if anyone opposed? You saw everyone raise their limbs."

"Just a matter of protocol, Chancellor", he replied.

Pharynx said, "I can respect that."

"Anyway", Diocletian said. "Princess Luna, we will allow you to set things up. Choose the city, set up the location for the games, et cetera, et cetera. Just tell us what you need and the parameters for what we should bring in terms of teams."

Rutherford asked, "How long pony take to set up?"

"Give me, say... six months. I'll work out the kinks by then", Luna said.

Cadence cocked her head. "You already have something in mind, Princess?"

Luna looked over at her adoptive niece, and couldn't repress a chuckle. "Cadence. I've wanted to do something to shake up the status quo in Canterlot for years now. Well, now, I have the perfect opportunity."

++++~++++

Roughly a day later, Princess Luna returned to Canterlot. The city had healed almost completely since the Changeling Crisis. In the early evening light, the city shown like a beacon on the side of Mount Canterhorn. As she landed, she was greeted by her sister and several of her Night Guards.

Luna stepped off her sky-chariot, hugging her sister and saying, "Greetings, Tia. How was my nephew while I was away?"

"Well, you know how Rising Dawn can get." Celestia then asked, "Well? How was the meeting at Cepolina?"

"Fine. That is actually something I'd like to talk to you about. I may need you to deliver a speech, though", Luna said as the two walked into the castle.

"I thought I wasn't going to be involved in any political matters", Celestia said.

Luna said, "The matter I need you to discuss isn't political, but it may be controversial. Most of even the most hard-line hard-liners trust and respect you more than me, as well as many of the common ponies. They might take it better and be more assured if they hear it from you."

Celestia questioned, "What is it?"

Luna stopped just before the palace door. She snorted lightly, before cracking a grin. "A display of Friendship. The Friendship Games, if you will."

The Friendship Games~PT. 2

View Online

5 months later...

Pinkie bounced up and down in her seat slightly, grinning widely. "Oh, what do you think the Princess's want from us? I don't think we're going to be facing a new threat, but you never know. Oooh! Maybe they want us to help prepare for a big party!"

"Pinkie!", Twilight interrupted. "I already told you. They want us to help finish setting up the Friendship Games."

"Aw, cut 'er some slack, Twi. She is just comin' down from a hard pregnancy", Applejack said.

Twilight said, "Yeah. Sorry, Pinkie."

"It's ok!", Pinkie replied. "It's been almost a year; I'm not that fragile."

A brief period of silence reigned as the train chugged along. Finally, after a bit, Rarity said, "So, dear. Are you ok?"

"Oh, I'm fine!", Pinkie said. "It's just, a lot, ya know? I had a lot of really really really intimate dreams about me and Dashie. I still love Cheers, but... it's just surreal."

"I get it", Twilight said. "You had a long-standing crush on somepony for a long time. Even after they let you down-so to speak, at least-you're having a hard time getting over it."

"No", Pinkie replied. "I just... it's hard to explain, but that's not it."

"Well, all that matters is that you and Cheerilee are happy", Applejack said, patting Pinkie on the shoulder.

Their conversation was prevented from going any further by the conductor yelling, "All off for Canterlot!"

The four of them made their way to the door and exited the train after it ground to a halt. The train station was filled with ponies of all descriptions, making their way to various trains or exits. Despite how crowded the station was, ponies gave them a certain birth, allowing them to make their way out of the busy station without getting too bogged down in the sea of ponies.

Beyond the initial mass of ponies in the station, the streets beyond were, by comparison, sparsely inhabited. Due to the cold of the early February morning, most of the citizens would be inside, enjoying a morning coffee or tea or would be at work. However, the streets of the capital did have some ponies milling about. Many of them were ponies whose job required they be outside, but some were simply on a walk or on their way somewhere.

"Well, we shouldn't keep the Princess waiting", Twilight said, leading the group through the recently plowed streets. They passed various stores just beginning to open up for the day, ponies on their way to their own jobs, and several advertisements. Most were for products, but they also saw ads for the Friendship Games.

Ever since the event had been announced by former-Princess Celestia several months ago, the reactions had been mixed across Equestria. Some, including almost all of Ponyville, was interested and a bit excited by the idea, while others were less than enthusiastic. Either way, the games were going to happen on schedule, beginning just at the national school systems spring break so as to allow students in school to attend.

They arrived at the palace, being confronted by one of the guards at the gate. After several years of reforms and reworking, the look of the Royal Guard had changed significantly. Instead of interlocking golden plates running along their entire torso, polished silver-colored plates only covered the upper back, while a gambeson laced with steel plates and gauntlets protected their lower bodies. Their old pegasi-like helmets had been replaced by ones similar to that of the Prench Ponies-at-armies, adorned with a trio of royal blue feathers on the top and held in place by scale chinstrap. A Hanger rested at his side, while a disassembled pike was held at attention.

The heavily armored stallion said as they came close, "Halt! Identify yourself."

Twilight sighed, rubbing her temples. "Avalance, you know who we are. Hay, you were the one who greeted us at the Gala last year!"

The Guard's stoic face cracked just enough for a light chuckle to escape it. "Sorry. Yeah, I know who you all are. But, the Pryhan officer who was in charge of training made it clear we were to question everyone, even if we knew who they were."

"Oh, it's ok, dear", Rarity said. "But, since you clearly know who we are, could you...?"

"Oh, right!", he said, stepping aside. "Princess Luna and Celestia are waiting for you in the Palace Gardens. I take it you know the way?"

Twilight said, "Yes, we know Avalance. Have a good day."

"You too!", he called after them before returning to his post.

The four of them trotted along the path leading up to the main entrance to the palace. Just before they would run into the sentries at the door, they veered down a side path that would lead to the gardens. The path was lined with well-trimmed trees, casting wide and shifting shadows across the cobble path.

Eventually, the path opened up into a wide section of the garden. Trees still filled the area, along with bushes of flowers and potted plants. Near where the Element Bearers had come from, hidden from the sun via the shade of a large tree, was a small table. Seated around it were Princess Luna, Celestia, and Sombra.

The latter two's son was also sitting there, but had leaped out of his seat and ran over to greet the familiar ponies. He was only four, just a little bit older than most of their own kids, but was still quite a bit bigger. His coat was a light grey, a well-combed blue and black mane, and his father's curved horn, albeit not marred by his father's former corruption.

Rising Dawn exclaimed, "Mrs. Twilight!"

Twilight grinned, smiling as he wrapped her left foreleg in a strong hug. "Heh. Good to see you too, Rising."

The others went past the two, heading over towards the seated monarchs. "Howdy, Princess!", Applejack called.

"Greetings, Princess", Sombra said, causing Applejack to tense up.

"Ah don't necessarily like bein' called that", she said. "Just 'cause I'm wit' Blueblood don't mean ah-"

"Sombra, respect her opinion on the matter. If she doesn't want to be called that, then don't", Luna said. "Now, let's get down to business."

Celestia said, "Agreed, sister."

The four of them went up to the table, standing around it as Celestia pulled out a few pieces of paper. As they did, Sombra asked, "Where is Fluttershy?"

"She, Iron Will and Cheerilee are watching Cherry and the other kids", Pinkie said. "She wanted to come, but we couldn't find a sitter. She'll be here for the actual games."

Celestia said, "Oh, good. Now, onto the tasks at hoof. We need to-"

"Hold on!", Twilight interjected, levitating out a piece of paper and a pencil. "Ok. Go."

Luna wrinkled her snout in amusement, before saying, "Why don't you just give her a copy of the list, dear sister? We have separate paperwork of what we need to get done."

Celestia looked at her sister, before looking at the piece of paper in her hooves, then at the paper and pencil in Twilight's aura. She looked back at the list in her hooves, before muttering, "I don't know why I never thought of that." She levitated the list over to Twilight. "Probably would've saved some time and stress on both our parts."

"Yeah, it probably would've", Twilight said, levitating her own paper back into her bag and grabbing the list in her aura. "Ok, let's see... Huh. This isn't as much as I thought."

"We've gotten a great deal done on our own", Luna said. "But due to your special talents and connections to these locations, I think that you would be best to complete them."

"Well, what'da we gotta do?", Applejack asked.

"Ok, there are five items on this list for us", Twilight said. "Making sure a few of the restaurants would serve foreign visitors. Finish refining the music that would be played during the games. Talk to some of the nobles about this. Check on the last of the preparations for events at the Canterlot arena."

"Ah can check on the arena", Applejack said.

Rarity checked over Twilight's shoulder, smiling as she saw the list of restaurants. "Ah, the Tasty Treat is on the list! I'll take care of that!"

"I'd love to check up on all the cool music that will be played!", Pinkie exclaimed.

Twilight smiled, which abruptly fell as she looked back at the list. "Wait. That means... oh buck me. That... that leaves me to talk to the nobles."

"If it makes you feel better", Celestia said. "I will assist you in the matter."

Twilight's smile returned, saying, "Sounds good. Thank you, Princess."

"You can come back to the palace when you are done. We'll discuss what happened over dinner", Luna said. "Good luck to all of you."

++++~++++

"Good morning, Ma'am", one of the guards said as both he and the other guard at the arena entrance stiffened at attention.

Applejack said, "Howdy. Everything alright 'ere?"

"Yes, ma'am", the other guard said. "Just head inside. You'll find the coordinator in the middle with the event teams."

Applejack nodded and thanked them, before walking in between them. The arena was made of stone, a long oval lined with seats. A small pavilion was situated on each end of the arena, with room for several large seats on them, intended to host visiting dignitaries. A third, much larger pavilion was set up on one of the long sides, this one set up for a band. The events area itself was a large field, with a track lining the outside and a large grassy field in the middle. Ponies and several other creatures milled about, carrying bits of material and sports equipment to various parts of the field.

She came up to a unicorn stallion in a buckball cap, looking over a list. "Howdy. Ah'm Applejack. I take it yer the one in charge?"

The unicorn turned, smiling somewhat warmly and holding out a hoof to shake. "Yeah, that's me. Name's Curveball; the Princess put me in charge of overseeing the setting up of these events. What do you need?"

"Ah just need to check up on how things are going. Ya know, if all of the events will be ready for the games", Applejack said.

"Well, all things considered, everything is going smoothly", Curveball said.

"What'da ya mean, 'all things considered'", she asked.

He said, "Well, a few of the ponies who are working for me are having a few complaints about the equipment. Namely, the LARGE number of weapons brought in by the Pryhan, Griffonian, and Yakistani teams."

"Weapons?"

"Yeah", Curveball said. "Mostly javelins, but other things too. Swords, tridents, spears... some sort of weird crescent-blade thing. Point is, it's making a few of the staff uncomfortable."

Applejack shrugged her shoulders. "Not like we can do much 'bout it. Ah mean, it's not like they're competin' or anythin'."

"That's what I told them", he said. "But, other than that issue, there haven't been any other major issues. We have all the equipment for the games, and everything is progressing on schedule. I could give you a tour of everything, if you want."

"Wah not", she said. "Got nothin' better ta do. Lead the way."

++++~++++

Pinkie bounced into the concert hall of the Canterlot Philharmonic Orchestra. The pony in the entrance box allowed her in, pointing her to the main concert hall. As she got close to the main hall, she heard not music, but a lot of shouting.

She entered the auditorium, a bunch of empty seats filling her view. On the stage, two groups, one of ponies and one of griffons, were standing apart from one another on the stage and yelling at one another. Pinkie lowered herself down, zipped up onto the stage, and said after she landed, "Ok, everypony! What's going on!?"

The griffons balked in surprise, giving one of the ponies the opportunity to speak out. "These bucking buzzards are complaining about what we're doing!"

The griffon conductor came up, counting on his talons as he said, "One, the word is fuck. Get it? Fuck. Two, they're the ones not doing it right!"

As arguing broke out again, pinkie sighed. She pulled out her party cannon, pulling the cord as it went off. Once again, the griffons backed away in alarm, at least six of them pulling out knives or other small weapons. However, she had gotten silence, and that was what she needed. "Ok. Somepony, please explain to me what's going on?"

"These birds came barging in", a pony Pinkie recognized as Octavia Melody said. "While we were practicing. Said that they would take handle the music."

"We were commissioned by Chancellor Gilda herself to handle this!", one of the griffons shouted.

Octavia yelled, "Princess Luna did the same for us! Besides, this is our town!"

Pinkie set off her party cannon again as the shouting began again. "Shut it and give me a second", she said. She stopped for a bit, scratching her chin before smiling widely and stamping her back hoof on the stage. "Alright, how about we make a compromise!?"

"What sort of compromise?", Octavia asked.

"Well, I may not know all that much about orchestras or bands or whatever you call yourselves. But, don't you have a thing where two of you sit to a music stand or something?", she asked.

Both Octavia and the griffon who was speaking looked confused, but nodded. The griffon said, "Yeah. Has to be the same instrument, but yeah."

"Well, just do that! One griffon and one pony to a stand. If you don't have enough, then just pair up normally!"

"What about conductors?", Octavia asked. "An orchestra can only have ONE."

"Well, then take turns!", Pinkie said.

The groups looked amongst themselves, before turning in on themselves to have a huddle. Pinkie looked back and forth between the two of them, smile still wide. After a bit, both Octavia and the griffon came back over to her.

"We'll give it a try", Octavia said.

"Great! And, you... I'm sorry, I never got your name", Pinke said.

"Gregory", he said. "And yeah, we'll give it a shot."

Pinkie nodded, putting away her party cannon and beginning to bounce up and down. "Ok then. You all can work out who sits with who, while the conductors can work out a rotation cycle. Then, let's make some music!"

++++~++++

Rarity smiled, trotting down Canterlot's Restaurant Row. Unlike the last time she had come down the well renowned street, the various restuarants didn't all look identical. Various delicious smells floated out from the restaurants and bakeries, practically assaulting Rarites muzzle with a varity of flavors and aromas. She made her way down a side street, arriving outside of a large building covered with exotic decorations.

Inside, the apparant lunch rush was dying down. Many of the seats were now empty, but a few ponies were still polishing up their food. Rarity sat down, pulling out a personal mirror as she waited to be served.

A few minutes later, she was greeted by a loud cry of, "Rarity!" Looking up, Rarity saw Saffron Masala come out from the kitchen, a wide grin on her face.

"Saffron! So good to see you", she said. "I'd like my usual. And, then could I talk to you about something? It's, somewhat important."

"Of course", she said. "Thorax! A Three-spice curry, please!"

A loud, somewhat warbly voice called back, "Y-you got it, Miss Masala!"

Rarity looked past her old friend, looking into the kitchen. She caught sight of a black figure moving around, stirring a pot and adding spices. She asked, "Is... is that a Changeling?"

"Yes", she said. "Me and my father hired him recently. With my father getting older, I figured we'd need somepony-or someling, in this case-to help pick up the slack. Why, is that a problem?"

"Oh, no no no no no! Not at all dear. It's just an odd thing to see in Canterlot, of all places", Rarity said.

"Ok, good. I've had a few ponies make complaints about it", she said, huffing in annoyance. "But, enough of that. What did you need?"

"Well, it pertains to the upcoming Friendship Games", Rarity said. "The Princess got some sort of concern into her head about restaurants and hotels not being willing to serve the many guests that come to Canterlot."

"Well, I don't know about the hotels, but I can say that at least a few of the restaurants won't be serving them", Saffron said.

"Really?", Rarity asked. "Why? Did Zesty say something about it?"

"No, she didn't say anything", Saffron replied. "It's mostly down to personal points of view at this point. Some of them are scared that their restaurants devolve into tavern brawls."

"Well, that is just riduculous. While they may hold different views, many of them are perfectly nice creatures. Pryhans, especially, but all of them have a certian degree of civility", she said.

"I know, but that is what some of them think", Saffron said.

"Maybe we can convince them that nothing bad will happen", she said, stopping before she could continue by a familiar scent. She smiled as the the smell of curry approached her. She turned to see the Changeling coming out, a bowl of her requested dish in his magic. "Thank you... Thorax, right?"

"Yep", he said. "T-that's me. I-is it any good? Miss Masala only let me recently start cooking, so, I don't know if I messed it up."

Rarity levitated a spoon into the soupy dish, pulling it back with a decent amount of substance on it. She took a big bite, smiling at the familiar taste flowed down her throat. "Ah. Ever since my friends and I stumbled in here looking for a decent place to eat all those years ago, I still can't help but marvel at the food of this establishment." She turned to the changeling, smiling and saying, "You did wonderfully, Thorax. This tastes amazing."

"Oh, thank you!", he said.

"Why don't you go clean up back in the kitchen. Get us ready for the dinner rush later", Saffron said.

"R-right away, Miss Masala", he said, turning and buzzing back into the kitchen.

"I better help him", Saffron said. "You go ahead and enjoy your curry. Then, we'll see about changing some minds."

++++~++++

Later that day, all of them met up in the palace dining room. Many of them appeared tired, including Twiligh's head almost dipped into her bowl of soup. Luna asked, "So... how did everything go?"

Rarity yawned, before saying, "I spent a lot of time talking to restaurant owners. It took-*YAWN*-Oh, excuse me. As I was saying, it took a bit of convincing, but most of them aren't going to be denying business."

Applejack nodded, stopping to prevent her hat from falling off. "Yeah. A lotta the things are goin' smoothly. Mosta it should be done by the end of the week."

Pinkie finished slurping down her soup, before saying, "I managed to have the Griffons and the Canterlot Philharmoic Orchestra from brawling with eachother!"

Rising Dawn looked from Pinkie to his mother, before asking, "Mom? How did she do that?"

"My son", Celestia said. "In all of my years of life, I have learned to take a specific piece of philosphy to heart: Don't question Pinkie Pie."

After the wave of laughter died down, Sombra asked, "So, dear. How did your and Twilights stroll with the nobility go?"

Twilight snorted. "Yeah. 'Nobility'. We met a few nice ones who were willing to talk about it, but most of them either don't support the idea or didn't talk to us."

"Well, I suppose it couldn't be helped", Sombra said. "Aristocrats always were a stubborn lot."

"Really?", Twilight asked. "Even back then?"

"Indeed", Sombra replied. "I don't know about Equestria, or Griffonia at the time. But, it was the case in the Crystal Empire."

"Oh, don't worry", Luna said. "Ours were just as pigheaded as yours. Hay, I one time turned one paticularly stubborn ones head into that of an actual pig!" Ignoring all that transpired, laughter filled the room.

The Friendship Games~PT. 3

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A month later, and the games had begun.

Dozens of creatures from various nations around the world filled the streets of Canterlot, while even more filled its skies. Posters advertising both the games, as well as prominent hotels and restaurants, dotted every street corner. However, all of the creatures were going one place, and the rest of the city was slowly being abandoned for the arena.

At the arena, the line to enter stretched a good quarter-mile long, filled with creatures who were eager to witness the events. Near the head of that line, Pinkie Pie bounced up and down, grinning. "Oh, I can't wait! This is gonna be so much fun!"

Next to her, Fluttershy said, "I know. Oh, I hope we made the right decision leaving Meringue at the castle."

"Relax, sugarcube", Applejack said. "The staff know what they're doin'. Now, calm down get ready fer this!"

The group reached the front of the line, being greeted by a unicorn inside a booth. "How many in your group?"

Applejack, who was in the front, looked back and counted. After a bit of doing so, she said, "Eleven. Seven adults, one hooficaped adult, and three foals."

The ticket seller looked over the price table in front of her, before asking, "You want front-row seats? A little extra, but you get a better view."

"Well? Y'all want 'um?", Applejack asked.

"Personally", Twilight said. "I want somewhere closer to the exit. You know, to the ramp and all."

"Ok. No thank you to the front row", Applejack said.

"Ok, let's see...", the ticket seller said. "That'll be seventy-five bits or equivalent in foreign currency."

"Ok. Cough it up, everypony!"

A number of bits were floated up to the front, while Pinkie pulled out some of her own and gave them to Applejack. After the correct number of bits were counted, they were given to the teller who unrolled a strip of tickets and passed them to Applejack. "Those tickets are viable for the full week. Enjoy yourself!"

"You too, ma'am", Blueblood said as he passed the booth. "Come along now, Apple Fritter. We shouldn't tally."

The rest of the group followed them inside, squeezing past the crowds to get into the main part of the arena. Thunderlane broke off from the group, telling them that he'd be going to get some snacks. Shadow Lock, Twilight and their daughter did the same to go to the ramp, telling them they'd meet them at the seats.

After a bit of pushing and shoving, they finally managed to reach their seats near the middle of their side of the arena, about twenty rows down from the platform on which several of the leaders from participating nations, such as Germane Kaiser Eisener Kanzler, Pryhan Caesar Diocletian, Crystal Empress Cadence, Griffonian Chancellor Gilda, Dragon Lord Spike, and Princess Luna, sat. The stadium was packed, creatures of all species and nations in the Coalition inside by the thousands. Even more hovered overhead, keep in check via roughly two dozen Royal Guards with Pryhan-supplied Thunderlances.

"Well, this is certainly an impressive sight, isn't it?", Rarity asked the others.

"Well, it certainly is something ah never thought ah'd see", Applejack said. "Let's hope this'll be entertaining. Honey, ya know what's goin' on taday?"

"Well, it's going to start like the Equestria Games, really." Pointing to a stand in the middle of the arena, Blueblood said, "See that platform. Each nation will put its flag in a circle, symbolizing the unity of the Coalition and the start of the games. After that, it will proceed like normal from there. I believe there will be three events today, and the rest over the course of the week."

Before any of them could respond, several loud horns boomed across the arena, bringing turning the attention of the audience to the large entrance to the arena. A pair of Royal Guards raised their pikes, allowing a unicorn in a crisp purple suit to enter the arena. He lit up his horn, before declaring to the crowd, "Attention, Ladies and Gentlecolts, creatures from all nations of the world! Welcome to the first annual Friendship Games!" After a second to allow the cheering to die down, he continued. "It is my distinct honor to be able to announce the teams of these events. Now, without further ado, let us begin with the Equestrian team!"

Above the entrance, the mixed Griffonstone and Canterlot bands began to play, only barely heard above the chorus of cheers. A crisp, airy tune flowed throughout the arena as a pony bearing the Equestrian flag exited the entrance. Behind him came about four dozen other ponies of various colors and races, waving and smiling to the crowd. The group moved off to the side as the flag-bearer placed the Equestrian Stars-and-Alicorn flag in along the edge of the podium.

"Now, let give a warm welcome to our good allies", the announcer declared. "The team representing the Pryhan Empire!"

The tune shifted, becoming louder, more rigid; even more harsh in tone. A caragor bearing the Pryhan Aquila aloft exited the arena entrance, followed by the Pryhan athletes. Unlike the Equestrian team, which was in a loose bunch, the Pryhan team moved in a tight block and with precision, not unlike a military unit on the parade ground. Again, the block moved off to the side while the flag-beared headed up to the platform and placed the Pryhan Aquila.

Twilight arrived, her husband and daughter just behind her. "Sorry I'm late girls. There was a bit of an accident on the ramp."

"It's fine, darling", Rarity said. "It's only just getting started."

++++~++++

After the remaining teams had entered the arena, the announcer told the audience of the games that would be taking place on that day. The first event was a relay race, similar to the one at the Equestria Games. After that would be an archery competition; regular archery, not Ice Archery. The final event would be a Pryhan-style Gladiatorial tournament.

The race was up first, with several creatures from the competing nations lining up at various points of the track. Four of them were present for each team in total: two running straight, un-obstructed sections of track and two in a section covered with obstacles.

Down at the final line before the finish, the Equestrian contender, Foxfoot, performed some last-minute stretches, before hopping up and running in place for a few seconds. An official came up to the group, saying to them, "Three minutes to start. Get to the line."

They all did so, sliding on headbands or taking a last sip of water. When they got to the line, several other staff went over the contenders that had wings or were unicorns, sliding on magic nullifiers and wing clamps. Foxfoot, being an earth pony, didn't need one, which she thanked Celestia for. They looked rather uncomfortable.

As she got up to the line, she heard a voice whisper next to her. She looked to her left, spotting another earth pony. He was a pale green with a more vivid green for a mane, his cutie mark of a part of iron-studded boots just visible under a dark blue tracksuit emblazoned with a red and gold Pryhan Aquila. He said, "What is your name?"

"F-foxfoot", she answered.

He smiled, "Pulvere Nubes. Nice to meet you."

She studied him with a curious look. She had read about Pryhans, having not met one herself. What articles she had gotten her hooves on were mostly from Equestria, and were somewhat... biased. They claimed that they were rather violent and vulgar, but he very much wasn't. She asked him, "Why do you ask?"

He snickered, before saying, "It's respectful to learn about an opponent before you face them. Besides, the whole shtick of this event is to be friendly with one another, is it not?"

"Yeah. I guess so", Foxfoot said.

Off to their left, a loud crack sounded and a bright flare shot into the air. The two of them slid into their running blocks, pressing their hooves into the metal plates. Nubes reached a hoof over to her, asking, "May the best win, no?"

Foxfoot looked at it, before nodding and shaking it. "May the best win."

The two relaxed comfortably into their blocks, muscles tensing in expectation. Behind them, they could hear the other members of both their teams and the other teams getting closer. The thumping got closer and closer, and both of them opened their mouths, expecting their teammates to give them the running stick...

... only for a yak to run up next to Nubes and pass off the stick, the one at their line taking off at full speed. The two regarded the yak for only a few seconds before their own runners passed off the rods to them.

Both took off after him, pushing ahead and rounding the smooth corner at full gallop. Off to their left, they both saw the buffalo pulling ahead of them, while they remained almost neck and neck. They finished the outer loop, coming to the final stretch of straight-way.

Both stole a look at the other from out of the corner of their eyes. Despite neither saying a word to the other, both knew the message they were each saying to the other: 'Nothing personal'. Both put on a burst of speed, muzzles shifting the third-place lead by inches. Finally, Foxfoot eased ahead just at the last second, slamming over the finish line just before Nubes did.

They both stumbled to a halt, panting and gasping for air. After a second, Nubes said, "G-good job."

"You too", she replied.

A loud crack drew both of their attentions. They watched in mild fascination as the four yaks once again headbutted each other, yelling in jubilation at their victory. The two ponies couldn't help but chuckle at the spectacle of the victors, but supposed they earned it.

++++~++++

Later, the archers of each nation stepped up onto the firing line. Three targets were set up in a column, each a further fifty yards away. The aim was simple: three arrows per target, trying to get the most points.

Tungsten Shaft stepped up as the Germane archer finished his first shots, drawing an arrow from the quiver next to him. The minotaur nocked the arrow on the large bowstring, narrowing his eyes as he looked down at the target. He lifted up the bow and pulled the string back, lining his eye up with the target. As he believed the shot would hit, he let his fingers go, and the arrow flew downrange.

The arrow slammed into the target, quivering as it impacted the target in the red ring. Tungsten reached into the quiver and nocked the next one. He did the same as before, knocking back the arrow and using the shaft as a sight. He let it go, and the shot slammed into the target, again in the red. He sighed, a thin layer of sweat forming on his head. He knew that, while his shots were good, he wouldn't be able to win the short-range round if he hit another red or lower.

Behind him, he heard a voice call out, "You got this!" Turning back, he saw a unicorn mare with a thick prench accent. She had just gone before the Germane shooter, and was now waving to him. Tungsten nodded, taking a deep breath before nocking his last arrow. He licked his finger and then the fletching before he nocked the arrow. He hoisted the bow up, took aim, and let the arrow fly.

The shot soared down, slamming dead-center into the target. He heard the crowd roar, but he barely noticed. He leaned his head back, sighing in relief. He stepped away as the next shooter stepped up, sitting down next to the Prench unicorn. She said, "Good job. Unless the Zebrican does better, you'll be in first."

"Thanks, pony", he said. "You did well yourself."

"Let's hope our luck holds", she said, watching the Zebra beginning to take his shots.

++++~++++

As the gladiatorial fighters dueled below them, several leaders talked.

"So, this is going rather well", Spike said. "From the looks of things, they've been rather polite with one another."

"They aren't fighting or bickering, at the very least", Gilda agreed.

"This has honestly gone better than I thought it might've", Princess Luna said.

"A bit early to state it's full effect", Diocletian said. "But I have to agree. This is, all things considered, rather successful."

Spike scratched his chin, before smiling and snapping his claws. "Perhaps we should make this a regular thing. Every couple of years, a city hosts this. If we run out of cities, then we can just recycle some."

The others seemed to consider his proposal. "Know what? It's not that bad an idea", Gilda said.

"Agreed", Luna said. "Perhaps we do a Pryhan city next time?"

Diocletian nodded. "Well, enough of that for now. 'Those that live exclusively for the future become blinded to the issues of the present that may affect it'. Let us enjoy what our unity has wrought." The others nodded, turning back to the games below them.

The Storm against the Eagle~PT. 1

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The Storm King adjusted his position on his throne, scowling. He tapped his finger on his chin, frustration growing steadily by the second. He barked out, "How long is this going to take!?"

The yeti technician turned from the Mistwater pool, saluting and telling him, "I'm sorry sir. We're trying to connect to Commander Tempest, but we just can't. Perhaps she's having some interference. Maybe she's busy, and just can't pick up."

The Storm Kings scowl deepened. He had sent Tempest out to secure this new territory he had heard about. It was supposedly resource-rich, had decent influence in the region, and rested on a few trade routes. A stepping stone on his way to his conquest of the east, then the north, then the west. He was almost giddy at the prospect. Said giddiness faded almost as fast as it came due to the forces he had sent Tempest with.

"I sent her with TWO HUNDRED airships! That's over ten thousand Storm Troopers! Even if they're putting up some resistance, there's no way they can stand up to her for all that. It's been almost a day!" He finished yelling, before he said to the technician. "Just... figure it out. Ok?"

After a little more fiddling and testing of the link, the familiar sheen of mist rose from out of the pool of Mistwater. "Woohoo! Finally", he said, clambering off the throne and walking up to it. He was greeted with the dark purple and pale red of his right-hand mare. He said, "Tempest! Good to see you. You weren't sending me the typical message, so I decided to call you. Now, what's up?"

Tempest turned to him, closing her eyes and bowing her head. At least, that's what he thought she was doing. Instead, a loud explosion and a loud scream nearby her indicated that wasn't the case, and she was, in fact, ducking from something. She looked back at him after a second, this time actually bowing her head as she said, "My Lord. I'm sorry, but things have turned out to be much more complicated than initially thought."

"What do you mean?", the Storm King asked.

"Well, the local defensive forces are much better than the usual fare. Well-armed, well-trained, tactically adept. Even with the airships and our heavy armor, they're able to outfight us. Not to mention the superior weapons they have. It seems the only place we match them is in numbers, and even then, they're complemented by militias."

The more Tempest spoke, the more he got angrier. "Are you telling me that you can't handle a few hundred soldiers and some raggedy militia! You are Tempest Shadow! Scourge of Mount Aris, my right-hand-mare! You command the best army this world has seen! Act like it! Push them back, and beat them to a-"

He was interrupted as a voice that sounded like Tempest's own second, Grubber, called out, "Incoming!" A loud crash was heard, and the message cut out.

The Storm Kings eye twitched. "What happened!?"

The technician said, "Tempest lost connection. It's nothing on our end."

The Storm King turned, crossing his hands behind his back. He muttered to himself, before sucking in a deep breath. He was the Storm King; the strongest, most awe-inspiring Tyrant to ever grace this planet. He had seen nations burn, and he had been the one to light the match. This was a minor setback. He said, "Try and to re-establish contact. I want to make sure this, 'Pryha', is brought to its knees. If I have to go there myself, then I at least want to know!"

"Yes sir!", the technician yelled, scrambling back to the Mistwater pool. The Storm King, meanwhile, stepped back to his throne, sitting down and resting the Staff of Sacanas across his lap. He lifted it up, grinning and running his finger across the large crystal as he gazed at his reflection. He'd bring them to their knees alright. Then... well, as they say. Let the dominos fall.

++++~++++

Tempest snarled, peeking over the tipped over cart that was acting as cover. Ahead of her, the defending Pryhans had set up a roadblock, using several of their self-driving carriages, heavy crates, and other bits of debris. Just past this point was the last Pryhan stronghold in the city; a small plaza that was acting as a focal point for their remaining defenses.

Grubber asked, "Should I call in an airship?"

One of the Storm Creature lieutenants said, "No. They have some of those boom-tubes. They'll hit it out of the sky before it can get into proper position to support us."

"Get me as many Storm Creatures as possible", Tempest said. "We'll need to perform a large push to secure the position. From there, we can push them out easily."

Another one of the yetis ran off to look for troops. In the meantime, Tempest peeked over the top of the cart, looking at the Pryhan defenders. She spotted the silvery armor and the royal blue uniforms of the regular army, but they were few and far between. Most of the ones on the barricade were wearing civilian clothes and gambesons, mixed in occasionally with a mail shirt and a helmet. Equipment was also of varying quality, from the 'Thunderlances' of the proper soldiers to clubs, small swords, and tools. However, one thing did give her pause: the large repeating crossbow.

Manned by a pair of the soldiers who wore lighter armor, it was a set up on the barricade and covered the street perfectly. She had gotten to see one up close after seeing it at another position that had been overrun. Hooked up to a wheel, a crack on the side cocked back the string and fired it, gravity loading the next bolt and repeating. She had also seen just what it could do; in front of it was a dozen dead storm creatures, riddled with at least three bolts each.

The Yeti returned and reported, "I managed to find some more troops. At least an additional thirty."

"That puts us at almost a hundred", Grubber said.

"Thank you, Grubber", Tempest said. "Alright, form up in a wedge. Shields up, those not at the front over your head. Once we get moving, we have to get there as fast as we can. Get ready."

The yeti officers went off to organize the troops as Tempest stole another look at the Pryhans. They must've heard the commotion, as they were getting ready to repel them. The crossbow was fully reloaded, and those that had ranged weapons took aim.

Tempest abandoned her position to head over to the assembled yetis. The heavily armored creatures stood at attention, lances, shields, and magic-resistant armor all covered in stone dust or dented. She got behind them as they formed the wedge she requested. Once she was certain they were in the best position they could be in, she barked, "Forwards! For the Storm King!"

They moved around the debris and corpses that blocked the entrance to the street and began to advance, breaking into a loping stride as they entered the straight street. As soon as they did, the Crossbow opened fire, followed by more whooshing sounds and loud cracking. Loud cries came from those in the front of the formation, and as they continued to move, Tempest watched as her soldiers practically trampled those that were wounded or killed. Loud piercing noises were heard, likely from the crossbow impacting her creature's armor or shields.

Despite the somewhat speedy advance, more and more of her troopers were being cut down. She needed to shut down that repeater. She said to one of the yetis at the back, "Toss me."

"What?", he asked.

"You heard me", she said. "Toss me."

The yeti nodded, dropping his lance and shield and grabbing her by the barrel and the hindlegs. He threw her as far as he could, sending her sailing over the phalanx. The crossbow shot up, trying to hit her, but she rolled in the air, dodging the bolts.

She landed next to the gunners, using her momentum on the fall to kick the closer one in the face. He fell back as the other came at her with a curved sword. She jumped back from the swing before pushing off her hindlegs, biting the soldier in the paw and dove down, throwing him over her into one of the other defenders. One of the militia thrust at her with a converted war-scythe, but again she dodged it and swung around, round-house kicking them in the face.

By the time the next attacked her, the rest of the Storm Creatures arrived and pushed through the barricade at full force. The vehicles and crates were smashed apart, while the defenders scrambled to defend themselves. Tempest ducked to the side of a shot, weaving side to side as she ran up towards the soldier with the Thunderlance and ducked under a wide slash. She slammed her foreleg into the base of his throat, before slamming the same hoof into his face. The rest of the defenders began to retreat, and Tempest and the others gave chase.

The narrow street opened up onto a decent sized plaza that had been converted into a field HQ. A few tents had been set up, and a pair of anti-air cannons were set up on either side of a destroyed fountain. Rubble from the nearby buildings littered the streets, and several fires burned in destroyed carts or other bits of wooden debris. However, for the most part, the place was abandoned, save for a few stragglers. The guns were being carted off, injured soldiers and civilians loaded up onto Pryhan Land-skiffs, and others were scrambling around to various points throughout the plaza.

"Habemus omnia, et in omnibus fere est in Terra-scaphas (We have everything, and almost everyone is on the Land-skiffs)", one of the Pryhan officers said, talking to another one.

The other one said, "Bonum. Ut ceteri milites de off linea, et sit scriptor adepto- (Good. Get the rest of the troops off of the line, and let's get-)" They turned to the sound of running, eyes widening in alarm as they saw the pursuing Storm Creatures. "Ive ' interrupit ius latus! (They've breached the right flank!)"

The nearest Pryhans turned to them, several of them surging forward to counter the sudden push. A few Storm Creatures were cut down by gunfire or Pryhan Plumbata, but the rest slammed into the counterattack at full force. Tempest forced her way through the melee, knocking aside or dodging Pryhans as she made a b-line for the Commander.

Two nearby Pryhans intercepted her, a curved sword coming at her from two directions. She reared up on her hind legs, using her steel-capped hooves as mini-shields to intercept the blows, forcing the blades into the ground and using the momentum to backflip over the two of them. She whipped her head back, letting out tendrils of electricity that sent the two fo them crumbling to the ground, twitching, and convulsing.

The other officer used her distraction to attempt to skewer her with a Thunderlance, before forcing her back with a series of rapid thrusts. She grabbed the iron tubes, attempting to wrest the weapon from the bighorns hooves. In response, he pulled the trigger, sending a loud blast echoing through the air. Fortunately, the shot missed, but the heat from the shot made her let go of the tubes. He swung the weapon in an arc, attempting to slice her throat. She ducked under the swipe, bouncing off her hind legs and ramming her shoulder into him. He fell back, Tempest landing on top of him and pinning him. He attempted to use his horns to smack her, only for her to grab them and slam a hoof into his face.

As he slumped back to the stone street, Tempest shot her head up and scanned the plaza. A lot of the Pryhans had gotten into the land-skiffs, which were rolling down the street. Several Storm Creatures chased after them, only for a cannon to pop out of the back of one. The pursuing creatures were cut down by a hailstorm of shrapnel. She could see the land-skiffs rumble out of the city, several boxes of caltrops falling out of the back as they drove off down the road.

Grubber waddled up to her, yelling, "You ok, Tempest!?"

"I'm fine, Grubber", she said, standing up and trotting away from the groaning officer. "This was the last pocket of resistance in the city, correct?"

"Yeah", Grubber said. "This was it. The city is ours."

Tempest allowed herself a slight smirk to grace her lips as she watched her soldiers round up the survivors. Maybe this would be her chance; maybe he would restore her horn. She had handed him Pryha, and with it, the gateway to the East. Certainly a much more reputable conquest than Mount Aris, and maybe that would bring her reward into her reach.

She said, "Get me a Mistwater pool. I need to contact the Storm King immediately."

"On it", Grubber said, running off and yelling for some Mistwater.

Tempest's ears twitched, hearing a loud thumping behind her. She swung her leg back, connecting with the Bighorn officers chest. He stumbled forward, the dagger falling from his grip as he collapsed in front of her. "Stubborn, ain't you?"

"Ire... ad... infernum. Te stupri canis! (Go... to... hell. You fucking bitch!)", he said, his horns keeping his head off the ground.

Before she could do anything else, Grubber and a pair of Storm Creatures came back to her, the latter carrying a pool between them. "Hey, Tempest. Boss was trying to call you anyway, so..." He stopped when he saw the wheezing Pryhan, pointing and asking, "Do... do you want me to have him put with the others."

"No", Tempest said. "You know how much the Storm King likes to gloat. Keep him here. Let him."

++++~++++

"Finally!", the Storm King exclaimed, watching as the flames rose up from the Mistwater pool. The flat sheet of fire coalesced into an image of Tempest Shadow, who had a Pryhan officer on his knees in front of her. "Good to see you're in one piece, Commander. And who is that you have in front of you?"

"You heard him", Tempest said, shaking the bighorn.

"P-praefect S-Surkov. S-second-in-command of the ni-nineteenth regiment of the Imperial Pryhan Army."

"Well, I am the Storm King, your new master", he said, grinning and spreading his arms.

In response, Surkov spit on the image. "Go suck a loaded pistol."

"Yeah, no. Not only do I not know what that is, that sounds unappealing." Turning his attention to Tempest, he said. "Alright, you know the drill. We have their capital, so now spread out. Hunt down the rest of the army, shut down any resistance, and secure the rest of the nation and any magical goodies they may have."

They were interrupted by Surkov, who was lightly chuckling. "What's so funny?", Tempest growled.

"You think this is the capital fo the Empire?", Surkov said, before fullying bursting into laughter. "Hahahahahaha! Fools! This is the Provincial Captial! The Eternal City is several hundred kilometers to the northeast!"

The Storm Kings eye twitched. "What?"

"Yes, and now you've stirred the Ghuls nest. The might of the Pryhan army will descend on you! A hundred THOUSAND soldiers, accompanied by war machines and beasts. We've bought enough time; they'll be here in two days at the most. And then, they'll wipe you and your harry Asinos (Asses) off of the face of the planet!" As Surkov finished, Tempest slammed a hoof into his shoulder, causing the officer to slump into unconsciousness and fall out of the Storm Kings view.

"My lord, what do we do?", Tempest asked.

The Storm King grumbled to himself. It had to be like this; it just had to! He took a breath before he lost his cool, telling her, "Secure your position. I'll send you some back-up. From there, we try all of this again. In the meantime, find out where this 'Eternal City' is." She nodded, wiping her hoof across the image as it dissipated. The Storm King then barked to his own soldiers, "And fine me that Intelligence officer that translated that wrong! I want to wring his neck!"

As several of them ran off, he slumped back onto his throne. He rapped his claws on the armrest, deep in thought about his next move. How he would deal with this issue. One thing was certain, though...

...The war had just begun.

The Storm against the Eagle~PT. 2

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Tempest trotted along the edge of a trench outside of the city, her eyes shifting over both her soldiers setting up the defenses and the treeline of the forest across the field. A few of her own soldiers stood watch, while Grubber was behind her eating a piece of cake. The setting sun was practically baking her in her armor, but she ignored it and continued to survey the construction.

Three days had passed since the city, which she learned was called Yeltras, had been taken. She had ordered her soldiers to set up a series of outer defenses to hold off the likely event of a counter-attack, along with sending a few companies in pursuit of those that had fled the city. The latter group had returned, having been forced to retreat due to an ambush along the path to the fort they were holed up at. So, Tempest was now focusing on the defenses, waiting for the Storm King's reinforcements.

She asked, "Grubber. How are things progressing?"

"Alright", he said, taking another bite as he looked over a report. "We've got a few trenches and redoubts set up. Having some trouble setting up the Pryhans old guns, but we've been pulling out some of the scorpions from the airships and setting those up."

"Is the full casualty report in?", she asked.

"Yeah, and boy are they big. There's about four thousand dead and another thousand wounded in total."

Grubber yelped in alarm as Tempest whirled around, sparks flying from her horn as she glared at him with a murderous glint in her eyes. "You mean to tell me that they've either killed or injured HALF of our forces!?"

"Eh he. Yes?", he offered, peeking out from behind the report.

Tempest growled, before looking away and continuing her inspection. Grubber waddled to catch up to her, saying, "Hey, at least it can't get any worse from here, right?"

Before Tempest could reply, one of the sentries called out, "Look!" Whipping her head to the side, she spotted a Pryhan Land-skiff rumbling across the field, a white flag flapping above it.

Grubber gulped, muttering, "Me and my big mouth."

"Yes, and I'll seal it shut with cement if you don't shut it", Tempest said, hopping over the trench and sliding down the earthen work wall down to the ground.

The Land-skiff ground to a halt about thirty feet from the base of the wall, a Pryhan officer climbing out of the cabin with a white flag held on a swagger stick in his paw. He walked up to meet her, stopping a few feet from her. He asked, "Am I to assume I am looking at Commander Tempest Shadow?"

"You would assume correctly", she said, eyeing him up and down.

He nodded, taking off the white cloth and folding the swagger stick under his shoulder. He said, "Very well. My name is Centurion Corvinus. Your reputation precedes you, Commander."

"Enough beating around the bush. What do you want?", she asked.

"Simple." He flicked his head to the treeline, telling her, "The 8th Division of the Imperial army is assembling in those woods. You will be surrounded by midnight tonight. However, my superior is offering you an out."

She asked, "What do you mean?"

"Legatus Cossinius has offered you the chance to surrender. You would lay down your arms and return all stolen property and creatures from Yeltras. It would be unconditional, and yet you and your soldiers will be treated fairly", he said. "You have my word."

Tempest narrowed her eyes. She asked, "And what if we don't?"

He sighed and said, "Then we will have no choice but to make you agree to the terms by force. Specifically, at the end of a Thunderlance."

She scowled. She had to admit, the consideration of accepting his offer crossed her mind. Judging from the casualty report and the weapons that they wielded, she knew that they could put up a fight. And while she didn't know how big a Pryhan Division was, she had a feeling that it at least matched, if not outnumbered her current forces. However, that thought was pushed aside as she considered what she could gain if she won.

She looked him dead in the eyes, horn sparking. "I'm sorry, but I can't do that. I will not surrender."

Corvinus sighed again. "Very well then. I am sorry." He trotted back to the Land-skiff, stopping as he held onto the side of the cabin. He told her, "Good luck. You'll need it." He then slid inside fully, slammed the door shut. The Land-skiff swirled around, driving off back towards the trees. As it did, she spotted a small cart on the back of the vehicle, bouncing up and down at the speed. While she glared at it, she couldn't make out what it was.

She turned, clambering up the wall and climbing back into the trench. As she climbed out the back side, Grubber asked, "What'd he say?"

"He offered us the opportunity to surrender", she replied to him.

"Oh", he said. "Well, I assume you didn't take it."

"Of course not", she said, trotting back towards the city.

She stopped near one of the redoubts, turned back to look at the trees. She knew that Corvinus wasn't lying or bluffing in any real way. If the Storm King's reinforcements didn't arrive, then they would likely be defeated. Still, she knew that wasn't an option.

She told Grubber, "Get as many of the troops as you can ready to fight. Hell, I want some the less seriously injured out onto the defenses tomorrow."

"I'll do what I can", he said. "But I still don't know how many extra guys we can get ready to fight in time. A lot were really seriously-Hey, what's that?"

Tempest looked up, spotting a small cloud hanging low to the ground, near the trees. Before she could say anything or even realize what it actually was, a cannonball slammed into the half-dug trench in front of her, sending a shower of splinters, dirt, and bits of viscera flying. After it hit, she could hear the telltale boom of a cannon. Several more tufts of gunsmoke filtered out from the woods, more positions being hit by the Pryhan artillery.

Tempest wasted no time, grabbing grubber in her mouth and leaping into the redoubt. A small hole had been dug to hold ammunition for the ballista, which the two of them took cover in. Grubber clutched his ears, eyes squinted shut as he attempted to block out the noise.

Tempest stole a peek over the wall of the redoubt. The Pryhan cannons were firing in sets: half of the guns fired while half reloaded. About twenty of them, if the flares of smoke were enough to go off of. She didn't spot any troops, but that didn't mean they weren't there.

She growled, a realization suddenly popping into her head. "That slime."

"What do you mean?", Grubber asked, still shaking.

"That cart on the end of the land-skiff. It was a range finder. If they couldn't get us to back down, then they'd use it to get the range of our positions for their artillery", she explained, ducking down as another cannonball slammed into the earth in front of her.

"Well, what do we do?", he asked.

"Not much we can", she told him, sliding back down before another shot came in. "They outrange us, and we can't risk getting our airships involved if we can't help it. So, get comfy. We're going to be here a while."

++++~++++

Night had fallen on the outskirts of Yeltras. Legatus Cossinius stood on the edge of the forest just outside the city, watching the enemy entrenchments. Explosions flared in them, sending the yetis scrambling for cover. Wood and dirt flew, while off to his side, loud booms sounded in between the barking of orders.

Behind him, a figure came up to him. Unlike the young Legatus, who was clad in full armor and a plumed helmet, he was wearing only a thicker padded subarmalis and a simple black helmet, all covered by a hooded cloak. A sword, a brace of pistols, and several pouches were strapped to his body via a belt and a pair of bandoleers. His face was concealed by an ash-colored mask, displaying the visage of a snarling daemon.

"You're certain this is the best idea?", Cossinius asked. "I can make better use of a Frumentarii in a more direct role, rather then that you wish to fulfill."

"I am certain", he said, his voice deep and garbled like that of the daemon his mask was modeled after.

Cossinius cocked his head slightly, looking at the Frumentarii. "Might I ask why? An individual such as yourself-"

"Why do you care?", The Frumentarii asked.

"Mere curiosity, I suppose. It is certainly an odd task for, again, one such as yourself, to undertake. Besides, if all goes according to plan, she may not survive tomorrow. So, why?", Cossinius said.

The Frumentarii stood in silence, gazing at the destruction of the Tyrants soldiers. He bowed his head slightly, before saying, "My reasons are none of your concern, and I feel as if my position should be enough for you to respect that, Legatus."

"I do, sir", Cossinius said. "But you can't fault me for asking."

"No, I can't. It's commendable, in fact. Worry not. I'll slip a few surprises into the enemy war machines on my way. Vale, Legatus", The Frumentarii said. A faint glow emanated from his head before his form faded away as if it was never there to begin with. The only trace of the Frumentarii was a few spots of stepped-on grass as he made his way towards the city.

"Always so bloody dramatic." He turned his attention to the bombardment, sighing and calling out, "Officer Torsion Coil!"

A Terran mare came up to him, grinning wildly. She stopped next to him, stiffening in salute and saying, "Ave, sir! What'cha need?"

"Cease fire."

"B-beg pardon, sir?", she asked.

Do I have to repeat myself, Officer?", Cossinius asked.

"No, sir", she said. "Should I order the crews to reload and pack it in for the night in that case?"

"Not fully. Rotate sleep cycles of two-and-a-half hours. Those that are awake are to commence bombardment for thirty minutes, rest for thirty minutes, then resume firing until their shift is over."

Torsion nodded, her grin returning. "Keep the fucks from getting any sleep, yeah? I like it, sir. I'll go tell the crews. Vale, sir."

As she turned to leave, he said, "Oh, and one more thing. Get Desmond to send a runner to the Regimental camps. Tell them I want a full battleline at daybreak tomorrow. That includes the nineteenth."

"Yes sir", She said, again turning and walking off towards her guns. Cossinius turned his gaze back to the fires of the fortifications. He turned, retiring to his tent and telling one of his Praetorians to set up the Sound-cancelling runes. While he wanted the enemy to not get any sleep, he wanted himself and his troops to be well-rested for the battle tomorrow.

++++~++++

Tempest opened her eyes blearily. Thanks to the way the Pryhans were shooting last night, she hadn't gotten all that much sleep. Still, she climbed out of the dugout and looked out from the redoubt. As she did, her eyes widened and she took a step back in alarm.

In front of her, just on the other side of the field, stood a massive force of Pryhan troops. They formed two lines; the first line made up of a solid mass of their well equipped and skilled heavy infantry. The second line was made up of the same troops, but was much smaller, only making up around half the size of the line before it. With the banners flapping in the breeze and the early morning sun glinting off their armor, it was a truly impressive-and terrifying-sight.

It seemed she wasn't the only one to be awoken by the sun and the lack of artillery fire. The troops around her and all across the defenses began to clamber out of their positions, scrambling to the few ballistae that were still intact or to less hard-hit areas.

Grubber also climbed out of the hole, stretching and groaning. "By the Storm King, those guys are so inconsiderate. Didn't even let us sleep."

"That must've been the point, Grubber", Tempest told him.

"What'cha mean?", he asked, standing on a box and looking over the wall of the redoubt. "Oh. That's not good, is it?"

Tempest just nodded, fully coming to realize just what kind of hornets nest the Storm King had stirred. A few thousand extra troops wouldn't do anything against this. This was so very different than anything she had fought before; Abyssinia and the Hippogryphs didn't have anything like this. This was a proper army.

She told Grubber, "Get to the other positions. Tell them to pull four out of every five troops off the line to come help."

"But, won't that leave the majority of the defenses at risk?", he asked.

"Yes, it will", she said. "But we have little choice at the moment. If we don't get as many troops here to defend against this force, we might as well hang ourselves."

Before Tempest or Grubber could say anything else, a voice echoed across the field. Even from her distance, she could make out what was said: "TOTA LINEA ERIT ANTE! ANTE! (THE WHOLE LINE WILL ADVANCE! ADVANCE!)" Several horns sounded, a loud and resounding series of blasts that echoed across the field. Seemingly as one, the line began to move forward. Even from her position, she could hear the tromping of boots and clinking of armor.

"So go. Now!", Tempest yelled. Grubber nodded, turning and hopping out of the redoubt, taking off at full speed. Tempest, meanwhile turned back to the line, gulping at the sight.

Slowly, the tromping of hooves and paws grew closer, the sound alone putting her nerves on end. It was unlike any force she had faced before; more akin to preparing to fight a wall of steel than an army. The sheer scale didn't help matters, easily outnumbering the remaining troops she had on this side of the city. They were stretched thin, she knew, and that they'd easily punch through her positions.

Several of the Storm Creatures attempted to fire on them using the few remaining ballistae. However, somehow, as they were loaded, the weapons exploded into massive balls of fire. Tempest looked at the treeline; no sign of gunsmoke or other types of artillery. How it happened didn't really matter though, as the result was still the same. The Pryhan line advanced almost unmolested.

Just before they reached the base of the outer redoubt, one of the officers shouted, "LINEA! CLAUDUM! (Line! HALT!)" Again as one, the advance ground to a halt after the trumpet signals, the pounding advance replaced by an eerie silence. Another call came out: "ANTE DUOS ORDINES, PRIMUS LINEA! FACERE, PARATI! (FRONT TWO RANKS, FIRST LINE! MAKE, READY!)" After the trumpets faded, Tempest heard loud clicking cut through the silence and Tempest realized what was going on. "PRAESENS! (PRESENT!)"

As the wall of Thunderlances was lowered, Tempest called out to her troops, "Everyone, GET DOWN!" Still, for some of them, it was too late.

"IGNIS! (FIRE!)." The wall of cracks sounded, and dust and dirt were kicked up as a wall of lead slammed into the outer trenches. Those that weren't low enough or tried to block the shots with their shields were cut down, if not killed or injured than knocked back and temporarily incapacitated.

"RES CADOS! (SWAP BARRELS!)" Again, a series of clicks sounded, as the three-barreled weapons rotated to the next. "FACERE PARATI! (MAKE READY!)" More clicking, and this time those still up knew better than to stay standing. "IGNIS! (FIRE!)"

Once again, a wall of gunfire rippled across the front of the trenches, spraying dirt everywhere. This time the order that came out was different: "ANTE DUOS ORDINES! RES CADOS! CRIMEN, LANCEAS! (FRONT TWO RANKS! SWAP BARRELS! CHARGE, LANCES!)"

The two ranks that had previously shot swapped their barrels once again, before the ones in the second rank raised their weapons back to the advancing position, and the two ranks began to advance. The rest stayed where they were, while those in front moved briskly towards the trenches wall. Tempest, knowing she needed to get in there, lept from her position and ran down the hill towards the front trench.

She almost missed the next order that came from the Pryhan officers and the trumpet signal in her haste. "A TERGO, DUO ORDINES, FRONTE LINEA! PLUMBATA, AD PARATI! (REAR TWO RANKS, FRONT LINE! PLUMBATA, AT THE READY!)" Tempest looked up from her sprint to see the rear ranks shouldering their Thunderlances, pulling out war darts from clamps on their forelegs. "MITTITE! (THROW!)"

A hailstorm of death sailed over the heads of the advancing troops, soaring into her and her troop's positions. Many were cut down by the sudden and unexpected attack, falling back dead or hurt. It also served to distract them, as while they were dealing with the aftermath of the volley, the first of the Pryhan first lines had climbed up the wall, using lances, swords, or their weapons guns to cut down the initial defenders.

Tempest swirled out of the way, narrowly avoiding the darts. Seeing the assault underway, she once again put on a burst of speed, leaping into the fray. Her first opponent she kicked in the side while he was distracted, sending him tumbling off of the wall. Another one came at her, thrusting at her from the side. She used her shoulder to knock deflect the blow, rushing inside his guard and delivering a shock to her assailant. He fell into the trench, only for another attacker to greet her.

Off to her side, she heard another order come from the Pryhans: "TOTA LINEA! ANTE! GLORIA IMPERII! (WHOLE LINE! ADVANCE! GLORY TO THE EMPIRE!)" Knocking her opponent aside, she looked to see the rest of the Pryhan soldiers coming towards them. Soon, they'd be overrun.

Tempest called to her troops, "Fall back, now!" While she couldn't be heard as well as she would've liked over the din of battle, enough of her soldiers understood and turned to run.

As they reached the very edge of the city, Grubber and her reinforcements arrived. Many Storm Creatures, but nowhere near enough. Grubber yelled to her, "The other sides are under attack too! Not the heavy guys we saw, but still! They couldn't send as many as you requested for fear of being crushed."

Tempest growled, looking back. The Pryhans charged up the hill, a few shots flying up towards the fleeing troops. She looked back at the reinforcements that Grubber had brought. A good couple hundred, yet they wouldn't be able to beat the advancing Pryhans.

Tempest looked back. "Send runners to the various positions. Forget the supplies and the prisoners. Just get as many as possible and head for the airships. We're falling back."

Grubber nodded and began to run away while barking orders. Tempest and the others turned and ran into the city. As she ran, a cannonball welled up in her throat. She knew this was another failure; Mount Aris and not getting the Orb was one thing, but this was different. She didn't just fail to get a magic object for the Storm King; she had failed utterly and completely.

She arrived at the airships, climbing up the ramp as her troops followed her. More and more of them ran up after, dragging the wounded between them. The ship's ballista fired at the Pryhans that ran into the forum where they were docked, which bought enough time for some of the last of the Storm Creatures to board. Engines started up, the ship's rising above the city and turning to the southwest, taking off at full speed.

Tempest stood on the command deck of her ship, the Falchion. She watched as the city faded into the distance, and Pryha fade below the clouds. She bowed her head, not letting her subordinates see the hot tears begin to roll down her face.

The Storm against the Eagle~PT. 3

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"You failed", the Storm King said. He wore a bored expression, staring at her from across the Mistwater message.

Tempest lowered her head, barely able to look at him. It had been two days since her retreat from Yeltras, her ships sailing back towards the Storm Kings citadel. They had sailed past their own reinforcements, who joined them in their retreat. One of the other captains must've sent their own message, as now Tempest was face to face with him.

"Y-yes, my lord", Tempest said. "The Pryhan forces proved to be too much for our own, given that your reinforcements had yet to arrive by the time they attacked."

"At least tell me that you escaped with either/or a bunch of supplies and slaves or with a large portion of your force", he said, tilting back slightly to look at her at a slightly lower angle.

"No, my lord", Tempest said, trying to remain resolute in the face of his accusing eyes. "I haven't gotten a full report yet, but, at the very least... we escaped with only three-thousand troops. In terms of those that weren't wounded, then it'd be closer to around seven hundred."

"And you didn't get anything else", the Storm King asked.

"No, my lord. In our haste to retreat, we were unable to bring anything else with us", she said, head bowing lower.

The Storm King clasped his hands in front of the Mistwater message, shutting his eyes and sucking in a deep breath. Pointing them at her, he asked, "So, let me get this straight. You lost well over half of the troops I sent with you, including at least three airships, and I don't get ANYTHING out of it. I got that right?"

"Er... Yes, my lord", she said.

The silence seemed to be so everpresent, that it was almost a person in the room with them. Finally, after what seemed to Tempest to be an eternity, the Storm King said, "Ok, so here's how this is going to work. You are going to come back here. And you and I are gonna have a nice, long chat about this. Ok?"

She stammered, "My lord, it was bad intel. I doubt even you could've salvaged the situation given the circumstances. I-"

"A bah bah bah", he interrupted. "Save it for our chat. I'll see you then."

The message faded, and Tempest stood stiff and still as a pillar. She breathed in hard, looking down at the steel floor below her. Around her, the captains of her battlegroup looked in between each other, unsure as to what to do. Finally, one of them said, "Whatever happens, we're with you, Commander."

She looked over at the yeti who spoke; Petrovich, if she was right. "Thanks", she said. "I... I will be retiring to my quarters. I go back to your ships and make the necessary preparations for our return. Whatever you think those may be."

They all nodded, turning and leaving her main cabin on the Falchion. Soon, the only one left was Grubber, who had yet to move since the Storm King's message came in. Tempest said, "Grubber, if it's alright, I'd like some time alone with you all."

He nodded slowly, muttering, "Sure, boss." He turned and left, shutting the door behind him.

Tempest marched over to her room, shutting and bolting the door behind her. The room was sparse; perhaps bare being a better word for it. A simple wooden desk and chair, an armor stand, a hammock, blanket, and pillow hung from two rings on the ceiling, and a punching bag hung from another ring. Still, this was her home.

She walked over to the stand, subconsciously pulling on the straps to loosen her armor. After a process that took less time than the last time she had, she had taken off and hung up all the Void-steel plates. After that, she pulled off her jumpsuit, laying it over a small hook in the wall. While it was like a second skin to her after so many years sleeping or spending days in it, it did feel good to get out of it.

She sat down at her desk, bowing her head to the point that her chipped horn almost touched the smooth desk. It would've, if she still properly had it. Now, she would never get it back. The Storm King didn't say that he wouldn't be doing anything to her about it, but she knew. She didn't have to go too far down that train of thought to come to the conclusion that she would never get what she wanted.

As she almost allowed tears to fall from her eyes, she heard something behind her. A faint whooshing noise, and a loud click. A voice said, "Make any sudden moves or loud noises, and I'll have no choice but to blow your brains out."

Tempest tilted her head slowly, making sure not to give whoever was in her room an excuse to kill her. Looking out of the corner of her eye, she saw a cloaked figure, wearing a cloak and a steel mask. She said, "Go ahead and shoot me. You do that, and you won't be making it off my ship."

"Not exactly", the figure said. "We're still over Pryha. I got a little something that can make sure I get down to the ground before any of your troops can even get up to this level. If I wanted to, I could kill and be out in a heartbeat."

Tempest snorted, turning her face back towards her the desk. She said, "So. Why are you here?"

The figure removed the pistol from the back of her head. Looking back at him, she noticed that the pistol wasn't being held by him exactly. The figure was a unicorn, meaning he could put the pistol back to her head before she could get back up. He said, "Simple. I came to talk to you... Fizzlepop."

Tempest stood up and whipped around, ignoring his earlier threat. Sure enough, as she faced him, the pistol was square with her face, right between her eyes. She snarled, lightning crackling from her horn, and asked, "How do you know that name?"

"Why wouldn't I? It's yours, isn't it?", he asked.

Tempest growled, "That name doesn't mean a thing to me. Now, how do you know it?"

"Right. Mask", the figure said. The pistol still floating in front of her, the figure used a hoof to flip back the hood, revealing a clipped short blue mane, slicked down by a trio of leather straps. Dropping the pistol into a hoof, he switched his magic aura to the straps, which undid a clasp behind the mask. The mask was flipped over, resting on the back of his head, and Tempest sucked in a deep breath.

"Sp-spring Rain?"

Sure enough, her old childhood friend stood in front of her. Despite the scar on his cheek and the slightly rough more hardened expression, he was still almost identical to how she remembered him. Soft, almost mare-like features, a soft smile, rose-colored eyes. His face contrasted almost entirely with his armor and weapons, not to mention the pistol pressed to her face.

Spring Rain said, "Yeah, it's me. Now, can we talk?"

"Yes, we are. Namely, how the Tartarus are you working with the Pryhans?"

Spring Rain sighed, looking away slightly. "After I became old enough, I went looking for you. Ended up joining a crew on a ship. I thought that, if I could travel enough, I could find you. But, one day, my ship crashed off the coast of Southern Griffonia. I spent about a week on a large piece of wreckage before I was picked up by a Pryhan navy patrol. The Caesar at the time, Drusilla, took an interest in me like she did Praetor Rainbow Dash. Like her, I was essentially turned into her living tool. Rainbow was her fist, I was her scalpel."

"Why were you looking for me?", Tempest asked.

"To say I was sorry, and to try and make it up to you", he said.

Tempest snorted, walking forward. Even with the pistol pressing further into her forehead, she walked up to her to the point she was looking right into his eyes. "Why? You abandoned me. Why would you want to risk life and limb to find me if you left me along with Glitter Drops?"

Spring Rain's head lowered, barely able to meet her eyes. "Fizzlepop-"

"My name, is Tempest", Tempest said.

"Fine. Tempest", He said. "My point is, we were foals. I was the oldest one, and I was only eight! And one day, THAT happens. They, you start pushing everyone away and can't use magic properly, making shit explode! We thought that asking you to play with us was making you upset, so we stopped asking. And again, I'm sorry. I know it likely means nothing, but I'm sorry."

Tempest looked at him, studying Spring Rain's face. She had gotten decent at ready faces after all those years alone or on the streets. He looked sincere. However, that merely raised another thought to occur to her. "So then, say I believe you. Why are you here now? I'm pretty sure that whoever you work for wouldn't let you just try this in order to find me."

"You'd be right", he said, removing the pistol yet still keeping it ready. "I'm not. It's just lucky that the Caesar has a proposal for you."

She asked, "A proposal?"

He nodded. "Yep. An offer for you to turn against the Storm King and help end this war before it could escalate further."

Tempest looked at him, raising an eyebrow. "Go on."

"Well, you saw what one regiment could do against a force that outnumbered it three-to-one. Now imagine an entire campaign group: six regiments, with an accompanying Frumentarii contingent and naval transport. Last I heard, they already have a landing point in mind: Mount Aris."

Tempests eyes widened further. "They mean to go for the Hippogryphs. Get them on their side."

"Yeah. From there, spreading across the Storm Kings lands. Kilometer by kilometer, closing in on you like a noose. You know that you won't stand a chance", Spring Rain warned.

"Why are you telling me this?", she asked. "If you do let me go, then what'll stop me from telling the Storm King?"

"Because I know your situation with him. You know he'll try to kill you due to your failure, right?", he said.

Tempest said, "No, he won't. I'm useful to him."

"Tempest, I've seen and dealt with Tyrants of all types. This kind, he's an egomaniac with anger issues. He will kill you, even if you are useful to him", Spring Rain said. "The Caesar is making you an offer to defect."

"Defect? As in betray him?", she asked.

"Yes", he said. "By one of two means. The first, you would simply pull off of your retreat and surrender to the nearest Pryhan military unit. You would provide intel to the Pryhan army, and then be put on trial for your attack on Pryha."

"And the second?", Tempest asked.

"You take an active part in an assault on the Storm Kings citadel."

Tempest, despite Spring Rains' threat about speaking loudly, she couldn't help but laugh. "Really? Now?"

"Yes. While I can't get into specifics, there is a unit that is preparing to attack his Citadel", he said. "You would make some sort of easily identifiable mark on your troops and ships, allowing the Pryhan army to prevent any friendly fire. Then, you help them bring the Storm King down, again preventing the war from dragging on."

"And why should I?", she asked. "He knows how to restore my horn. If there's even a slight chance he won't kill me, I have to try. I just have to."

"You really want your horn back that badly?", Spring Rain asked.

"YES!!", she said, practically roaring. "That is the one thing I've wanted all this time. What I've killed to have back! I don't want to be a fucking freak!"

Spring Rain watched her breath heavily, grabbing his pistol in his aura and reaching into his cloak. He pulled out a small conical shape, polished to the point of reflecting the rooms sparse light, and with a razor-sharp tip. At the bottom end was a simple leather strap connected to a few metal taps and a clasp.

Tempest looked back at it, eyes narrowing. "What is that thing?", she asked.

"A prosthetic", Spring Rain said. "Don't know if this is a sign of innovation or a sign of being in too many wars, but the Pryhans are good at making them. It works; this is a similar model tested on an Equestrian pony who also had a broken horn. It won't restore full functionality, but about eighty-percent it's previous effectiveness."

Tempest eyed it suspiciously. Still, she was presented with a means to get at least some of her horn's effectiveness back. "A-are you gonna give it to me?"

"I can't", he said, putting it back into his cloak. "Part of the deal. You help us in either way, and this is yours."

Tempest turned, looking away from him. She looked around her room, taking all of what Spring Rain had said in. She said, "I-I... this is a lot to take in."

"I understand", he said, sheathing the pistol and heading for the door. "I won't be going anywhere. You won't find me, but I'll be on this ship. You simply ask for me, then I'll find you and we can talk again. Keep in mind, if it is a trap, then I'll have no choice but to kill you. Goodbye, Fizzlepop." Before Tempest could turn to him or say anything, his horn lit up and he vanished. The lock opened, the door opened, and as she assumed Spring Rain left, the door shut."

++++~++++

"So, that's what the Pryhans are offering us", Tempest said, voice resolute.

The various captains under her command looked amongst themselves, talking in hushed tones. She had decided to let them in on Spring Rains plan, and called the officers of her battlegroup to the Falchion to discuss it.

Grubber asked, "So, our options are: A, turn around and go surrender. B, go to the Storm King and help the Pryhans kill him. Or, C, go to the Storm King and be killed for failure."

"That is what the message implied, yes", Tempest said. "And, despite it being a Pryhan, I have a feeling that the author might be accurate in that assessment."

One of her captains asked, "So, which one do we do?"

"I, for one", another one said. "Am not going to just stand by and let him execute Commander Tempest!"

Others mumbled in agreement, and Tempest asked, "You're all standing with me? Really?"

Grubber said, "Tempest. You familiar with Strife?"

The name rung a bell to Tempest, but not an immediate connection. "Remind me. It sounds familiar, but I want to sure."

"He was the Storm Kings old second, back during the Abyssinian campaign. A type of cloud spirit", Grubber said. "Guy was, quite literally, a gasbag. Arrogant, always thought he was smarter than everyone else, and he was a pain to clean up afterward. He's dead now: tried to rip the Storm King off and steal a bunch of treasure barges. Despite being a bit of a bitch-"

A loud crackling interrupted him, and Grubber found Tempest right in front of him. "I suggest you choose what you're going to say next, very, carefully."

"W-what I-I mean is that, you had some... issues. B-but, you're still a cool new boss. R-right guys?", he asked. The others nodded in agreement.

Tempest sighed, letting her magic fade. "Are you just saying that because I implied I'd melt your skin off your skull?"

"No. I mean it. Strife never let me even have anything to eat on missions. You're strict, but at least you aren't as bad as him. Maybe not the best metric, but still", Grubber said. "We're with you."

Tempest trotted back to her desk, sliding into her seat and groaning. "And the rest of the troops? Would they stand by my choice?"

"You noticed how some of the NCO's painted tufts of hair on their tails and manes with rosy stripes?", one of her captains asked. "That's in emulation of you. Maybe just in this battle group, but they'll stand by you."

Yet another asked, "So, does that mean we're going to defect?"

Tempest looked between all of the captains, looked down, then back to them. "I planned on it. We all know the Storm King, most of you likely longer than me. We know he'll kill me. Besides, if the Pryhans do go to war, which they will... we're all dead anyway. We might as well die looking out for our own interest. So, you're all with me?"

The Captains stood, bringing their hands up in salute. Tempest nodded at the show of loyalty, before giving another nod to the cabin entrance. "Well, Spring Rain?", she asked. Her old friend appeared, startling her captains. After she got them to calm down, she looked back at him and shot him a small, hard grin. "What's the plan?"

The Storm against the Eagle~PT. 4

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Tempest stood on the bow of her ship, watching as the Storm Kings citadel came closer. It was a massive stone fortress built into the side of a tall mountain. The walls rose out of the mountain as if it was chiseled from the very rock, the almost jagged ramparts studded with Void-steel spikes. A pair of banners showing the Storm Kings emblem hung from either side of the main gate, a massive metal portcullis that ended the only way to the citadel that didn't require flying. Further up on the mountain, a small carved balcony jutted out from the rock, with another banner hanging from it bearing the Storm Kings face. Around three dozen airships hovered around or were docked at the skyports, and hundreds of Storm creatures milled about on the ramparts, the port, and the keep.

Spring Rain stopped next to her, looking out over the citadel. "Impressive, I'll give it that", he said.

"He didn't make it", Tempest replied. "I don't know where, but this place is older than him by far. When I first came here, they were tearing down old statues of Earth Ponies in the main entrance hall."

"Huh", he said, nodding. "Well, in that case, it's almost sad we have to destroy it." After a bit, he rolled his shoulders and cracked his neck. "Well. Your troops ready?"

"I've had the stripes painted on the bottom of our ships and the dye along with their manes. They are ready when this 'Taskforce Xyston' is", she said.

"Alright", he said, lighting up his horn and fading from sight. "Lead on."

Tempest nodded, even though she couldn't see him. She turned around, heading over towards the main deck. A few of her soldiers headed around the deck, checking the state of the gas-bag, adjusting the connecting ropes, or performing other tasks. "Grubber!", she called up. "I want you to drop me off, then keep the engine on but on low power when we dock. You're gonna want to get away from the dock as fast as possible when things start getting hairy!"

"You got it, Tempest!", he called back, directing the Helmsman down to the dock. As the chains locked it in place, Grubber came down to her. "I don't like the idea of you going in there alone."

"Grubber, I've faced Queen Novo in single combat, besides fighting a bunch of other creatures. Even if I was going alone, I'd be fine. Now, you know your orders. Watch the ship, and get ready to move. Understand?", Tempest asked.

"Yeah", Grubber said. "Good luck, Tempest."

Tempest nodded, climbing off of her ship's gangplank and walking onto the dock. A pair of the Storm King's own soldiers greeted her, one of them saying, "Commander Tempest. The Storm King is expecting you in the throne room."

Tempest said, "Lead on."

Tempest followed behind them, eyes darting around the Skyport. She could almost hear Spring Rain next to her, watching the soldiers and equipment the Storm King had access to. This silent analysis continued as they continued along into the main keep, passing more soldiers, either on patrol or leading slaves to various parts of the palace.

Tempest was lead up a spiral staircase at the back of the keep, opening up onto the Storm King's throne room. Like the outside, several banners bearing the Storm Kings logo or face was hung from the rafters. Gold and jewels encrusted the bases of the pillars, freshly polished. The Storm King himself sat on his throne, reclining as he twirled the Staff of Sacanas in his hand.

"Ah, Commander!", the Storm King said. "Good to see you."

Tempest came up towards his throne, bowing and saying, "You too, my lord. I assume you have a reason to call me here?"

He nodded, straightening up in his throne and shooting her a somewhat nasty grin. "Yeah, yeah. You know? About your failure?"

"My lord", Tempest said. "Given the circumstances, I don't think it would be appropriate-"

He suddenly snapped his fingers, adding, "Oh, yeah! And your treason as well."

That caught Tempest off guard. "T-treason, my lord?"

"Yes, yes", he said. "You can show yourself."

Next to her, one of the guards was suddenly consumed by a flare of green fire. When it faded, she was greeted with a pony-like creature staring back at her, a fang-filled grin on its face. It had black chitin covering it, a fin instead of a mane, and a pair of insect wings on its back.

"Meet Carapace", the Storm King said, climbing off his throne and coming towards them. "He used to work for Queen Chrysalis. You know? That reason we didn't go to Equestria? Anyway, he didn't agree with their new king, so now he works for me. Specifically, he's been your personal shadow ever since Aris."

Tempest's eyes widened at the revelation. She said, "S-so he's-"

"Every. Last. Detail", Carapace said, his grin only growing bigger.

"Namely how you're planning to attack me with the help of some Pryhan soldiers," The Storm King said, raising the Staff of Sacanas. "What kind of name is 'Xyston', anyway? Speaking of anyway-"

"A xyston is a type of spear used by the ancient pegasi, namely around the First Pryhan-Equestrian War", Spring Rain said, still invisible. "A potent weapon, whether used by the lowest hoplite to the Stormbreaker himself." As he finished talking, the entrance to the Throne Room closed, a bar latch closing over it.

The Storm King looked around, while Carapace and the others dropped into a fighting stance. Tempest used the distraction to slam her hoof into the actual Storm Guards foot. As he dropped his spear and shield to grip his foot, she swept him off his feet and ran away from the guards.

The Storm King turned his gaze back to Tempest, shooting an arc of lighting out of the staff. She dodged it effortlessly, still running away from him. She ran up to one of the pillars, clambering up it before leaping off it and bucking one of the pursuing guards in the face.

Meanwhile, Spring Rain made himself known, lowering his spell with two pistols in his aura. The weapons blast resonated through the large chamber, dropping a pair of the troopers. He discarded the pistols, drawing another two and firing those as well, dropping another two. As he discarded them, he drew a Pryhan curved sword, intercepting a spear thrust and sweeping it aside.

Tempest, as opposed to weapons, just used her hooves to beat down her opponents. She ducked out of the way of their attacks, exploiting openings to deliver hard kicks to anywhere that would cause damage.

As she knocked another one out, Carapace flew in from her side, slamming his rear hooves into her side. She fell to the stone floor, her armor absorbing the blow but the wind still being knocked out of her. Carapace was on her in a second, wrapping his forelegs around her neck in an attempt to choke her. Tempest attempted to scramble free, only for Carapace to tighten his grip. "Nighty night, pony", he hissed in her ear.

Tempest snarled, lighting her horn in a flare of electricity. Carapace balked in alarm, slackening his grip just enough for Tempest to break free. Tempest whirled around, sending a massive wall of sparks into the changeling. He roared in agony, stumbling back under the onslaught and eventually, tumbling out the balcony, thrashing and screaming.

Tempest looked back, watching as Spring Rain deflected the blow of and cut down the last Storm Creature in front of him. Now, besides the two of them, the only ones in the room were the Storm King himself and a pair of guards. The Storm King growled, yelling, "Oh, great. You know how much of a pain this will be to clean up. Gods, could this day get any worse?"

One of the Storm guards gulped, before saying, "Uh... sir?"

He pointed behind her and Spring Rain, to which Tempest turned. Through the balcony entrance, she could see several massive shapes emerging from the thick clouds around the citadel. Six of them emerged first, airships a bit bigger than the Storm Kings standard air-cruiser. Unlike the Storm air-cruisers, these resembled traditional sailing ships, albeit ones with heavier armor and more weapons. The small sails around the side of the gas-bag retracted, and Tempest could see the crews running out cannons. Even from her angle, she could see the names etched onto the front of the ships: the Defiant, the Unbreakable, the Justice, the Caesars will, the Tantubus, and the Rainboom.

Her attention was drawn back to the Storm King as he let out a massive bellow. "That's it? This is the great 'Taskforce Xyston'? Some traitors and a few airships!?"

"Not quite", Spring Rain challenged.

Tempest again looked back upon seeing the Storm King's face pale. Out of the clouds, in the middle of the ships, came a seventh shape; a much larger one at that. A much larger ship emerged, easily twice the size of the Storm King's biggest ship, if not almost three times as big. The front of the ship was painted in oranges, yellows, and whites, the carved figurehead resembling a massive bird's head. A small protrusion jutted out from the bottom of the ship, with something being lowered out of it. On the bow of the ship, blended almost seamlessly into the design on the front, was the ship's name: Phoenix.

The Storm King yelled, "Oh come on! Why can't I have one!?"

"Because you didn't develop it", Spring Rain said.

The Storm King said, "You know, I think I'm going to keep you alive, you little piece of shit. Use you as a way to unwind. Maybe I'll use the spell thought I'd use to restore her horn to grow yours, then break it off and shove it up your ass."

Tempest noted his words, glaring at him. "What does that mean?", she bellowed.

"Hm? Oh, yeah. I wasn't really planning on giving you back your little horn", he said, shrugging. "I was really just using you."

Tempest glared, her eyes narrowing. Her horn sparked, a fresh sense of bloody vengeance flaring up. She stepped forward, only to stop and look back as the balcony was covered in darkness.

One of the Storm ships blocked the entrance, the gangplank lowering and about two dozen Storm Creatures ran out of the ships. Tempest unleashed her flare of magic, the magic lighting arcing through the soldiers. Many collapsed fell, twitching and screaming, while a few even fell off the gangplank to the main keep below, but even more came out. Tempest reared back, getting ready to fight them off, when-

KRA-KOOOOOOOM!!!

The loud blast seemed to shook the air, a loud whistling growing louder and louder. The whistling was replaced by a massive crashing noise, and the sun was visible in the room again... for a second. A massive iron cannonball the size of a train-car crashed through the ship, sending splinters and steel shrapnel flew through the room. The ball kept up its momentum, crushing pillars and sending rocks flying everywhere. Tempest bolted out of the way, skirting to the side and sliding into a corner. A falling rock slammed into her head, sending her skirting into the wall and slumping into unconsciousness.

++++~++++

Tempest rose herself up, shaking her head as she returned to consciousness. She looked around the room, her blurry vision taking in the practically destroyed room. A large number of pillars were crushed, while fragments of wood, stone, metal, and gore were scattered about. A massive cannonball was imbedded in the wall where the Storm King's throne once was.

She fully came back to reality as a loud crack reverberated around the room. In the center of the room, Spring Rain and the Storm King traded blows, staff against sword. The crack came from one of Spring Rains pistols, which now lay discarded on the ground. Tempest couldn't help but marvel at Spring Rains' skill, him being able to keep up with the Storm King, who was by no means a slouch in combat. Still, she wasn't one to leave it to chance, raising herself up and breaking into a loping stride towards them.

However, she didn't get involved in time. Spring Rain blocked another swipe of the staff, attempting to hook it out of the Storm King's grip. However, as he did, the crystal pointed at him, and the Storm King unleashed a blast of lighting. Spring Rain stopped dead midswing, before the Storm King swung the staff like a bat and sent him flying over to her.

"NOOO!", Tempest yelled, running over to her old friend. Despite the lack of metal armor to act as a conductor, he was still severely burned and lightly twitching. Tempest dragged him behind a Pillar, shooting out her own lightning burst to distract the Storm King. "Come on, come on, come on."

"T-tempest", Spring Rain said, coughing up a small amount of blood. "I... I'm so-sorry."

"Shut up! You just came back, you're not dying now!", she cried.

Spring Rain pulled out something from his cloak: the prosthetic horn he had shone her before. "I... I'm sorry." He went limp, his head lolling against the pillar.

Tempest felt hot tears once again forming on her face. She had only reunited with him for two days, and he was gone! She looked down at the horn, eyeing it with pure hatred. That hate turned away from it, and towards the one who deserved it; the Storm King. She grabbed the prosthetic, fitting the base over her horn stump and clumsily using her hooves to seal the clasps.

"Awww, is 'wittle twempest' crying?", the Storm King said, an evil cackle following as he stepped around the pillar. "Pathetic. I always knew you were weak. Never have a pony do my work. Oh well. Guess some wrongs will be righted, then."

Ignoring his words and the charging of magic behind her, Tempest finally succeeded in getting the claps to close and lock in place. Like she had done before thousands of times, she focused and channeled her magic. This time, it was different. Before, following her horn being broken, it had come out almost wildly; hard to control, unpredictable, and only able to do one thing. Now, however, it was as she was in the dark, and someone had flipped on a light. The runes inside the prosthetic channeled her magic, narrowing down the previously uncontrollable flares. It felt powerful, it felt good, and most importantly: She was in control.

Remembering the spell from when she was a filly, she lit her horn. The charging of magic stopped, and the Storm King began to grunt and strain with effort. He growled out, "What are you doing!? Your horn is broken!"

Tempest stood, turning around to look at him. His arms were held in a flickering, dark purple aura, rendering the limbs unmoveable. She noticed his eyes widen at the sight of the prosthetic. "Wh-where...?", he asked, only for his mouth to then be clamped shut with magic.

"The Pryhans gave me a kindness it seemed you never planned to. I got it from my friend. Now, I'm going to use it to kill you", she said.

She threw him back, tearing the Staff of Sacanas from his grip as she did so. She grabbed the largest bits of wreckage or debris she could, slamming them around the Storm King to hold him in place. He attempted to struggle, only for it to prove fruitless. She then turned attention to the smaller bits of debris all throughout the room, making them fly into the air around him. Soon, the Storm King is surrounded by a vortex of wooden splinters, stone shards, bits of metal, and anything else she could get her magic aura on. With one flare of her horn, the vortex collapsed, almost burying the Storm King.

When the dust such a feat kicked up faded, she looked on the Storm King as she breathed heavily. He was covered with dozens, if not hundreds of wounds. Bits of the fragments she had used stuck out of his skin and fur at odd angles, while blood leaked out of him in a prodigious amount. His left eye had a rock fragment sticking out of it, his horns were broken, teeth were missing, and he was breathing raggedly. "Die slowly, you fuck", she said, before turning to the destroyed balcony.

Outside, the battle was almost over. The Storm Kings airships, while numerous, were nowhere near as well-armed as the Pryhan ships. Wreaks and corpses littered the citadel, while more of it fell into the canyon below. She could make out the shapes of wing creatures-Pryhan griffons, most likely-soaring across the sky, weaving in between the ships and attacking the cords holding up the gas-bags. Her own ships were fairing ok; not doing as much damage as the Pryhans but still putting up a fight.

She fell to her knees, just taking it all in. Tears once again rolled down her eyes, but this time she didn't hide them. She just let them flow.

The Storm against the Eagle~PT. 5

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Tempest looked out over a large city. Similar to Yeltras, it was a series of stone apartments and large buildings in neatly-ordered grids leading up to governmental buildings in the center. The city was stationed on a large island, which was certainly different from her typical campaigns. Ships, both water and air, were heading too and fro the ports of the island. Of course, the biggest difference to how she usually approached a city in an airship was the fact she wasn't in her own ship.

Following the death of the Storm King, his former empire had fallen into turmoil. Various officers and officials had attempted to buckle down and hold onto their power. Pryhan forces, using a mixture of mercenaries, rebels, and a few of their own troops, had taken down many of those that had refused to surrender. As of now, Pryhan officers were acting as temporary heads of state in the former Storm King's territories.

She didn't really know why she had been called. Most of the time in the six months since the death of the Storm King had been spent re-learning how to properly using her magic. Out of the blue, a group of Pryhan soldiers had asked her to come with them.

Next to her, one of the soldiers said, "Ave, Commander. We'll be there in a few minutes, so I suggest you get ready."

"Ready for what?", she asked. "I haven't been briefed on the full situation."

"Don't properly know, Commander. I just know that there have been a few officials from nations I never seen", he said, shrugging.

Tempest nodded as the soldier headed off to go do... something. She looked back to the city, watching as the main building in the center of the city grew closer. The ship didn't land, hovering over the main courtyard of the building. She headed down the stairs to the lower deck, following a pair of Pryhans as they made their way down the gangplank.

At the base of the gangplank, several soldiers in purple cloaks and helmet crests stood on either side of it. In the middle, right in front of her, stood a demigryph in a gold-plated breastplate, a purple shoulder-cape, and a laurel crown. He said, "Ave, Commander Tempest. Welcome to Cepolina."

"Er, hi", Tempest said. "I'm assuming that you are some high ranking Pryhan. Right?"

"You would be partially correct. Caesar Diocletian the ninth, at your service", he said.

Tempest nodded, trying to appear calm despite her internal panic. She was face to face with the leader that had brought seemingly invincible Storm Kingdom to its knees in a matter of months. "I see. And, can I ask why I am here?"

Diocletian nodded, gesturing for her to follow him as he turned to walk away. As she caught up to him, he said, "You are well aware of the current state of the Storm Kingdom, yes?"

"How your forces have more-or-less taken over?", Tempest asked.

Diocletian nodded, before saying, "I do not intend for this to be a permanent situation. I have not the forces, nor the interest to hold onto your former employer's lands. And yet, I cannot just let it fall into ruin. Not only does Pryha know exactly what that can be like, but it would be in no one's interest for it to remain unclaimed and lawless. A waste economically, but also such a large area of land left unclaimed could be a cause of future conflict."

"Alright, but where do I fit in?", Tempest asked.

"Well", he said, a hint of mild interest in his voice. "That's what we called you here to ask."

Tempest cocked her head at his statement. "Who's we?"

"Myself, Princess Cadence of the Crystal Empire, King Pharynx of the Changeling Hive, and the leaders of the governments-in-exile from former nations in the Storm Kings territory", Diocletian said, pushing open a door into a large interior space.

That caused Tempest to freeze like a rabbit in a spotlight. "Wait, you mean-"

"Greetings, Commander Tempest", A calm, almost melodic voice interjected. "So good to see you again."

Tempest looked past the Caesar and into the room he had entered. It was a vaulted room, most of which was taken up by a massive engraved table piled with food. Light came down from a skylight, shining through a crystal chandelier to cast odd shapes of light across the room. The food in question was of a decent variety; Platters of oysters or fruit, several loaves of bread, bowls of salad, a plate stacked high with sandwiches, and a big bowl of Pryhan beef stew.

That wasn't what drew her attention, though; that was those around the table. A pink alicorn wearing a tiara, collar, and horseshoes. A changeling with a red fin and purple eyes, as opposed to the black fin and blue eyes of Carapace, wearing a green peaked cap with a black visor. A black and white Abyssinian wearing a grey trenchcoat and a large medal in the center of his collar where a tie would be that she recalled was named Pontiff Calico. However, what drew her attention most was the one who had spoken: a large white hippogryph with a fuchsia mane. One she knew all too well.

"G-greetings-s, Qu-queen Novo", Tempest stuttered, panic welling up in her like a bullet out of a firearm.

Novo shot her a look Tempest couldn't quite interpret. Silent analysis or a hidden contempt, perhaps? Tempest tried to look away from the Hippogryph monarch, taking note that there were only two seats left open. Diocletian climbed into one of them, leaving only one for her.

As Tempest sat down, Princess Cadence said, "A pleasure to meet you, Commander Tempest. I assume you know who I am?"

"O-of course, Princess Cadence", she said.

"Go ahead and have some", Pharynx said. "Some of it tastes a bit weird, but it'll help you relax. Trust me; I've been in your little pony hooves before." To emphasize his suggestion, he lifted up a sausage on a fork and bit it in half.

Tempest nodded sheepishly, climbing into her seat and subconsciously levitated a sandwich onto her plate. She looked around nervously, before taking a breath and steeling herself. She was Commander Tempest. Even if the Storm King was dead, she was still the mare who brought him his conquests. She levitated the sandwich to her mouth and took a big bite, savoring the taste of creamy sauce and daffodils.

"Did the Storm King finally see fit to give you your horn back?", Novo asked.

And her mild sense of confidence came crashing down.

"N-no", Tempest said. "I-it's a gift from the Pryhans. A prosthetic."

"So, you did all of what you did for nothing in the end?", She questioned.

Diocletian said, "That is quite enough. You two may converse afterward, but until then, keep it professional. Please?"

Both of them nodded, silent. Pharynx finished whatever it was he was eating, before saying, "Alright, can we get started? I still have to go find something to go yell at or to hit."

"I agree with the Changeling", Pontiff Calico said.

Diocletian said, "Very well. May you do the honors, Princeps?"

Cadence's horn lit up, and a glowing map appeared above the table. Tempest immediately recognized it as a map of the Storm Kings territory, along with its borders with the Southern Jungles, Saddle Arabia, and the Badlands. Several blue lines appeared on it; borders, Tempest realized. Diocletian said, "This is the map of the Storm King's territory. The blue lines represent the borders of nations consumed by the Storm King, or at least taken."

Tempest noticed one of the lines was over the badlands, where she had the Changelings were from. "We-I mean, the Storm King attacked the Changelings?"

"Yeah", Pharynx said. "We're all here because your former boss attacked us. Well, except for the Princess of food, who's here to act as an intermediary."

Noticing Tempest's confused look, Cadence said, "Changelings eat love, and I'm the Princess of love, so it's a little nickname they gave me. My husband finds it insulting, but I think it's kinda cute."

"Anyway", Diocletian said. "Now that the Storm King is dead, his former territories are currently under Pryhan, Changeling, and Saddle Arabian occupation. The former states of Abyssinia and Mount Aris will, of course, be restored, and all four in the area would receive territorial boosts. However, that still leaves an area of about seven-hundred thousand square kilometers in the heart of his power, here." As he finished, several green lines appeared, making the blue lines appear small by comparison. The area of the Stormpeak mountains, where the Storm Kings citadel was, was outlined in red. "Our job here is to decide what to do with it."

"Whatever you all want", Tempest said.

All of them stared at her, Novo, in particular, raising an eyebrow at her comment. Cadence asked, "What do you mean?"

"Why are you all acting like I hold some sort of sway? I'm a commander; I never had any administrative or public duties besides enforcing the Storm Kings laws. Besides, I'm more than willing to just accept my punishment from you all and be done with it", Tempest said, bowing her head.

Novo clicked her beak, her eyes seeming to bore into her. "What makes you think that you will be punished?"

"You do know who you're speaking to, right?", Tempest joked sullenly. "I'm the Storm Kings right-hand mare. His will. And yet, I'm here, having a delicious lunch and talking politics instead of being in a cell or crucified or something. So, just stop beating around the bush, and just lay it on me already."

Silence fell over the table like a gas. Finally, Diocletian said, "Commander, there is simply nothing that we can charge you with."

That caught her off guard. "What?"

"Well, for you to face judicial retribution, there would've needed to have been a crime broken", Diocletian said.

"I know that", Tempest said. "But what do you mean nothing you can charge me with!?"

"Mount Aris was at war with the Storm King at the time of your attack", Queen Novo said. "While I do not like it, the civilian deaths were unavoidable."

Diocletian added, "And beyond that, you were fighting within the parameters of a just war. While that cannot be said for other commanders, you never used cruel or unusual weapons or used prisoners in a way that could be seen as malicious. You obeyed the rules of war. And, as for your position, you are the highest-ranking official left."

Tempest's jaw dropped at the statement. "It's true", Cadence said. "All of the others that would be next in line are either dead, in hiding, or facing charges for slavery or unjust treatment."

"S-so I....?", Tempest stuttered.

Queen Novo said, "Yes. While I do not forgive you, I acknowledge that you were not truly malicious in your campaigns. You will not be facing any major reproductions beyond territorial loss and economic reparations."

Tempest slumped back in her seat, taking in what had been said. She opened her mouth to speak, to thank them, only to be interrupted by Pharynx.

He said, "Well, not completely."

Calico asked, "What does that mean?"

"She didn't lead the push against me, so I never got to fight her", Pharynx explained. "The one I did face was a wussy coward, so that doesn't count. I am honor-bound both as Monarch and High Marshal of the Changeling Hive to do so."

Tempest's despondent look shifted to her almost standard evil grin. "Very well, King."

"P-perhaps we could use a break, anyway", Diocletian said. "Maybe thirty minutes to relax, eat, and... well, go beat the shit out of each other, in your case." As soon as Tempest and Pharynx had left the room, Diocletian noticed Princess Cadence looking after them with a look of amusement. "Is something wrong, Princess?"

"Oh, no", she said slyly, turning her attention back to the two Officer-Leaders. "Nothing except opportunity for us all."

Like a Foal in a Candy Store

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Doctor Whooves adjusted his tie again, asking, "Derpy, dear. Is it straight?"

"You've straightened it like a hundred times", she said. "I don't get why you're so nervous about this."

The Doctor simply gulped, telling her, "I know, I know. It's just... well, it's different."

"How?", Derpy asked.

He shot her a half-lidded glare, before pointing to his left. In front of them, in the direction he pointed, was a massive stone building. Several stories tall, with several small statues lining the window-stills of the upper floors. A Pryhan flag whipped in the light breeze above the building on top of a massive dome. Creatures of all kinds milled about, heading into various doors or smaller buildings dwarfed by the main complex. Directly in front of them was a steel fence topped with spikes, an open gate allowing them access to the courtyard. Above the entrance was a large sign, black wood with freshly polished bronze lettering:

Tambelon Imperial University of
Sciences, Engineering, and Technologies

"Oh", Derpy said simply.

Beneath Derpy, another voice asked, "Do we have to go in?"

The Doctor looked under Derpy to the young foal that was hiding under her mother. She was a dark grey earth pony filly, her toast-brown mane pulled in a pair of pigtails. She seemed to be hiding even further behind her thick-framed glasses, nervously shuffling her hindleg.

"Is something wrong, my little electrode?", The Doctor asked.

She said, "The statues are scary."

Derpy followed her daughter's gaze, locking her eyes as best she could on one of the statues on the upper floors. "Oh, don't worry, Muffin. Those can't hurt you!"

"Indeed. They're nothing but stone and... well, nothing but stone", Doctor Whooves said. "Although, if you don't want to come with me, then that's fine. You can go back to the hotel room; maybe rent one of those Audio-dramas you saw in the record store."

She shook her head lightly. "N-no. Like you said, daddy, it... it sounds interesting." She looked back at the sign above the gate, before asking in a slightly panicked tone, "B-but what if I mess up? What if I knock something important over? What if I light something on fire, and we get kicked out!? What if-?"

"Relax, dear", Derpy said. "Remember what I said about being clumsy?"

"'Keep your eyes open and hooves alined'", she said. "'And you won't have to worry about being blamed.'"

"Right", Doctor Whooves said. "Now, we should be going. Onwards!"

The three of them passed the gate, passing by some of the outer shrubbery and fields. Directly in front of the main entrance was a large statue. It was a demigryph sitting on his haunches, a scroll held above his head in his bronze paw. Behind it, they were greeted by an earth pony in a white and green toga and a pair of security officers in white gambesons and field caps.

The earth pony smiled, walking up to shake the Doctors hoof. "Salve, Doctor", he said. "I am Headmaster Adipiscing. A pleasure to meet you. And, you brought your family, yes?"

"Indeed", the Doctor said. "This is my wife, Ditzy Doo, and my daughter, Kaleidoscope."

Adipiscing brought his hand to his shoulder in salute, saying, "Salve, Miss Doo. And you too, young one. Can I ask, doctor, why you brought them? I was under the impression that this was a private tour, with just yourself."

"Well, it was supposed to be", he said sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. "However, my wife talked to me about it and I agreed to bring my daughter with me. She's looking for her cutie mark, and is interested in this subject, so I thought I'd bring her along. Is, is that ok?"

"It's fine", Adipiscing said. "Although I would like to ask that you don't touch anything unless you have permission."

"Understood!", Derpy said. "Right, muffin?"

"Y-yeah. I get it."

"Splendid", Adipiscing said. "In that case, right this way. We'll start with the main workshop in the technology section."

"Very well", Doctor Whooves said. He tried to sound calm, but Derpy and even Kalidoscope knew he was trying to hide his excitement.

Adipiscing led them into the main lobby, which was made of seemingly freshly polished grey stone. A large staircase led up to the upper three floors, while several doors lead off into other areas of the buildings. A pair of large Pryhan banners hung next to the side of the stairs, and several signs in Pryhan pointed in various directions. Adipiscing turned to the left, leading them down the hall and toward a door with machinery sounds behind it.

"Most of our funding goes to this section. Not that the others don't get a lot of funding, mind you; we get private donations in addition to our student's tuitions and Imperial funding", Adipscing said. "This is the public workshop, where large-scale group projects can be undertaken in relative safety. Now, please be extra careful." He pushed open the door, and Doctor Whooves gasped.

"Is something wrong, daddy?", Kalidoscope asked.

"Derpy, honey?", he said. "I want you to pinch me."

"Why?", his wife asked.

"Because either I am dreaming, I have at some point died and am in heaven, or I have merely stumbled upon the most magnificent place known to ponykind."

In front of them was a massive vaulted room, easily the size of a Friendship Games swimming pool. Inside, dozens of students worked on various contraptions and larger items around the room. The sound of grinding, scraping, and whirring filled the air, while in many places sparks flew all over the place. A few guards stood on a catwalk overlooking the workshop floor, large buckets of water next to them.

One of the students came up to the assembled group. She resembled a dragon, albeit one without wings and much smaller than any Kalidoscope had seen, either personally or in books. She had black scales with a brushed silver underbelly, with a similar color of claws and spines. She wore a leather apron, heavy black gloves, and a strange-looking mask that creeped Kalidoscope out.

"Salve, Headmaster", She said, taking off the gloves and tucking them under her armpit. "Who're these?"

Adipiscing said, "Some visitors from Equestria. Their Princess is interested in setting up her own R-and-D division, and thought it best to send Equestria's best scientific and technological mind her to examine how we do things."

"Makes sense", she said, holding out her talon to Doctor Whooves. "Salve, Domine. Name's Seath. Wanna see what we're working on?"

"Oh, do lead the way", the Doctor said.

Seath did as he requested, weaving past various projects and towards a table near the back. As they did, Kaleidoscope backed up from a series of sparks, almost tripping another student. She yelped, darting forward to hide under her mother's wing. "You ok, muffin?"

"Y-yeah, I'm ok", Kalidoscope said.

"Oi, watch it! This stuff's delicate!", a voice called after them. Kaleidoscope merely gulped at the remark, adjusting her glasses and sticking closer to her mother.

Seath led them to one of the tables, on which a large contraption sat. It resembled a cannon, a massive iron tube connected to a heavy-duty wooden chassis. On the side of the chassis, where on a military gun would be the stored powder and shot, was a second large tube filled with a liquid. A small motor was mounted next to the perpendicular tube, on which a zebra was turning a few bolts.

"Hey! Zeke! You got that thing ready? Headmaster and some foreign guests are here to check it out", Seath said.

"Yeah! I hope. It shouldn't explode this time, at least", the zebra said, climbing off the large cannon.

"What is it?", Kalidoscope asked, awe in her voice.

"Water cannon", Seath said, pride in her voice. At least, that's what it sounded like; it was kinda hard to understand her tone of voice due to the mask. "The motor is powered by a runic battery. The motor projects the water through several tubes and shoots it out. That is, if we can get it properly work."

"How so?", Doctor Whooves asked.

Zeke said, "Well, the trick is a power source to shoot out the water. Olden Equestrian cannons were powered by unicorn magic, and modern cannons use black powder. Can't really reliably use either for projecting water. We're trying to use a similar motor to a land-skiff, but we're having some issues wiring it up properly."

"Well, if you did your job right", Seath said, grabbing several goggles from a small canister. "Then it should work. Now, put these on. Water goes everywhere, and even the bit of spray can hurt. Plus, it'll help even more if the thing explodes or something."

Derpy gulped, "E-explodes!?"

"Why do you think the fire department is right next to this wing of the school?", Adipiscing asked. "In all due seriousness, we take safety very seriously here. Unfortunately, accidents and mishaps are just a hazard of the occupation. Don't worry, we have a cover. Here."

Seath pulled out a large metal shield, sticking two protrusions into slots in the floor and sticking something onto the trigger of the cannon. She joined them behind the shield, hooking up the cord she hooked up to a plunger. She said, "Now, behold the power of Pryhan engineering!", before shoving the plunger down.

A small spurt of water shot out, going barely five feet before it fell to a trickle coming out of the front of the barrel.

The two students immediately stepped around the shield and ran over to the machine, checking it up and down. Adipiscing said, "I am sorry about that. Sometimes, some of the machines just don't work out."

"Trust me, I know that feeling all too well", Doctor Whooves said.

Derpy said, "Well, no harm done! You can just show us another!"

"There, is another one I thought would be worth showing you", Adipiscing said. "However, I think it'd be best if we leave your daughter and your wife here for it."

"Is there any particular reason", Doctor Whooves asked.

"Yes, as a matter of fact. It's an, *ahem*... a military commission. The PIA High Command has a certain degree of confidentiality when it comes to these types of projects. You are qualified, but I don't think I could get away with bringing them along. It's merely a security risk, nothing more."

"I understand", he said, turning to his wife and pulling out a few Pryhan script. "Here. I saw a stand outside. Go get yourself and Kalidoscope a soda. I heard that they're good."

"Ok", she said, taking the rolled-up paper money in her wing. As they went off, she turned one of her eyes to her daughter. "Wait here, muffin. Like your dad said, I'll go get us a drink."

As her mom left, Seath called out, "Hey! Kid! Can you come give us some help here!"

Kalidoscope looked over, seeing the zebra gesture for her to come over. Both were underneath the chassis, seath using her tail to shove tools up to her. As Kalidoscope nervously came up to them, Zeke said, "We need your help with something real quick. We think that part of one of the pistons is loose. Normally, we have a rune-blood that can animate a tool to tighten it..."

"Unfortunately, the twins are out of town", Seath said, sliding out from under the motor. "So, we could use some small limbs to fit in there and tighten it up."

"Y-you sure you want me?", she asked. "I-I'm not all that co-oordinated."

"You know your left from your right?", Seath asked. When Kalidoscope nodded, she patted the filly on the shoulder. "Then that's all you need to do. Just look for the loose bolt, then turn it to the right. Ok?"

"O-ok", Kalidoscope said.

Zeke grabbed a rolling trolly, gesturing for her to lay on it. After grabbing the tool from Seath, she did so, and was rolled under the motor. She was greeted by a wall of machinery. Her eyes darted around the motor, eventually falling on the bolt that Seath was talking about. She tightened it, before noticing something else.

"You get it?", Seath asked.

"Yeah", Kalidoscope said. "But, what's with the tube next to it?"

"It's an exhaust vent", Zeke explained. "Helps to get rid of some of the pressure. Too much, and the thing'll explode."

"Yeah, but I think that might be a problem", Kalidoscope said.

After a brief pause, Seath said, "What do you mean?"

"Well, the extra pressure is shot out and is loosening the bolt. In Land-skiffs, it's directed partially to aid with forward motion, but here it's just affecting the other machinery."

"Let me see", Zeke said, pulling the trolly back and taking Kalidoscopes place on it.

As it went back under the motor, Seath asked, "What makes you think that's the case? You've worked on a Land-skiff before?"

"N-no", she said. "I-I've just read books or watched daddy work. I always thought I'd mess something up if I tried."

"Well, you're onto something", Zeke said, rolling back out. "Little bugger is right. Adjusted the pipes positioning so it'll blow out the bottom. Let's give 'er another go."

A similar process was repeated as before. Zeke and Kalidoscope retreated behind the shield, while Seath set up the firing mechanism. As they waited, Derpy had re-appeared, a pair of bottles held in her wings. "Hey, muffin. Did anything happen?"

"Your daughter may have just fixed our problem with this thing", Seath said, coming back up with the cord.

"Really?", she asked.

Seath said, "Yeah. Well, we fixed it, but she pointed it out. So, kid. You want to do the honors?"

Kalidoscope nodded in excitement, pushing down on the plunger. A jet of water shot out, shooting clean across the room and onto the far wall. After a few seconds of continuous shooting, she let go of the plunger, and the water cannon shut off. Both of the students ran over to the cannon, checking it over.

After a bit, Zeke came back over. "It's in perfect shape. Don't know why we didn't figure it out ourselves, but thanks, kid. You could have yourself a promising future in this."

"I'll say", Derpy said, wrapping her daughter in a big hug. "My little filly, all grown up and with her own cutie mark!"

Kalidoscope turned to her flank, eyes going wide and a smile gracing her lips. She did, in fact, have a cutie mark; a trio of interlocking gears.

Tomb of the Stormbreaker~PT. 1

View Online

"Argh!", Twilight exclaimed, slamming another book shut in frustration.

Behind her, she heard her coltfriend Shadowlock called out, "Another dead end?"

"Yeah!", she said, frustration lacing her voice. "This is the Crystal Archive. Knowledge lost for well over a thousand years. And not one thing on where we can find Rainbow Dash."

Shadowlock stood up from his own desk, coming over and nuzzling his marefriend. "Maybe we should take a break. Relax, read something that isn't an old historical text or one of the few remaining spellbooks, come back to our search focussed and with a clearer head."

Twilight blew air through her teeth, a small smile gracing her muzzle. "Considering what happened when we met, I somehow had a feeling that you didn't like all these history books."

Shadowlock turned his eyes to the ground, muttering, "R-right. But still, it'll do us some good."

"Shadowlock, if we don't find her, we won't last forever", Twilight said. "We'll run out of food, or have some sort of disaster, or the Changelings will find a way to get in. Forgive me for wanting to put in as much time as possible into finding Rainbow."

"I know that", Shadowlock said. "But we've looked through almost all of the archive over the course of the past two years, and found nothing. At a certain point, we'll run out of potential spells that could've been used, or any potential leads from what little information we get from the outside. We can take a break for a few hours."

Twilight looked around her at the veritable mountains of books. They reminded her of the spiraling towers of Canterlot Castle, and a wave of melancholy welled up in her. She said, "Y-you know what? Yeah. I probably should take a break."

"Good", he said. "Maybe we could go read something for fun. Perhaps... Frankstag?"

"Oh, you're horrible", Twilight said, giggling.

"What? You can make jokes about my previous villainous acts, I don't see why I can't", he said, his own small grin forming.

"Yeah, but no thanks. Nothing against Mary Saddle, but it's just not my cup of tea. Perhaps-"

The two of them were interrupted by a loud knock on the door. Both of them looked over to the door, then at each other. "Ummm. Come in?", Twilight said.

The door opened, and a short earth pony entered. He had a dark brownish-tan coat, a two-toned grey mane, and a white speech bubble for a cutie mark. He had a satchel bag slung around his neck. He said, "Eh, hi. Name's Quibble."

"Can, we help you?", Shadowlock asked, cocking an eyebrow.

"Well, no. Actually, I came to help you two", he said, pulling his satchel in front of him and fumbling with the tab. "I saw the ad about information about Rainbow Dash, and-"

"No offense", Twilight said. "But, what do you know about Rainbow Dash's exile? Besides, it was supposed to go to those outside of the Crystal Empire."

"Ok", he said. "Well, I was involved with the last remaining printing company, meaning I saw them. And, after a bit, I figured out something in this." He pulled out a bound paper booklet, akin to a play script.

Twilight took it in her aura, reading the cover, "'Daring Do and Dr. Caballeron: Tomb of the Stormbreaker'. That new book from A.K Yearling and Groom Q. Q. Martingale?"

"Yeah. Again, I worked at one of the printing companies that made the books before the Changeling invasion, so I got the copy for editing", he said.

"What does a fictional story have to do with finding Rainbow Dash?", Shadowlock asked.

"Well...", Quibble said sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's not 'fictional'. Quote un-quote."

Once again, the two of them looked at Quibble, then at one another, then back at Quibble. "Really?", Twilight.

"Yeahhhhh", he said. "I know it's hard to believe, but take my word for it."

"Ok. Wouldn't be the most outrageous thing I've seen or heard, so I can believe it", Twilight said. "But, how do you know?"

"I met her at a convention. At first, I thought it was a cheap action thing or a crappy fan-film. Hay, I even yelled at Caballeron that he had a crappy fake accent. But... well, it turned out to be real. You know in Daring Do and the Amulet of Culiacan? I was Gabber", he said, pride evident in his voice.

"How do we know you're telling the truth?", Shadowlock asked.

"You're the student of the Princess, right?", Quibble asked Twilight. "Shouldn't you have a spell that can confirm what I'm saying. And, if you want, I can quote any passage from the book."

"That's, that's fine. I'll just take your word for it. So...", Twilight said.

"Oh, yeah", Quibble said. "Go ahead. My overseer was captured by the Changelings, so I won't get chewed out." He pawed the ground a bit before sighing. "Still, you mind if I stay here? That's my only copy, and when we beat the Changelings, I don't want to be strung up with a newspaper."

"Ok. Just, stay off to the side and be quiet", Twilight said.

Quibble did as he was asked, slumping down on a couch and pulling out another Daring Do book. Twilight and Shadowlock went over to one of the desks, setting the transcript down. "Well, I wanted to read something else", Shadowlock mused as Twilight opened the book.

++++~++++

Three years earlier...

Daring Do looked over the side of the river barge, watching as the walled town grew closer. Early morning mist clung to the riverbank, while low-hanging clouds cast a seeming shade over the entirety of the land she could see. A few other figures milled about on deck, as well as on the dock, but she was still more or less alone.

At least, until Caballeron came up behind her. "So, remind me what we're doing at this town?"

"You know why", Daring groused. "This is the only lead on the latest artifact we're looking for."

"Yes, this 'Helm of the Stormbreaker'", Caballeron said. "Still, are you certain that we can trust the information from that merchant in Saddle Arabia?"

"Yeah, I know he didn't seem the most trustworthy. But, well, this is potentially a big deal", she said, pulling a small, withered scroll out of her bag. "If this is right, then this should be the general area. And since this is the only town in the area..."

"I get it, I get it", Caballeron said.

Daring Do rolled her eyes. She looked back down at the scroll, eyes squinting at the words on the page. A voice called down, "Oi! Foreigners! We're here!"

"Thank you!", Caballeron called back before turning to his partner. "Shall we be off?"

"Lead the way", Daring said, sticking the scroll back in her saddlebags.

The two made their way off the barge, slipping on the runes they bought at the port they arrived at. While she wasn't clear on how it worked, it didn't matter. Without them, they wouldn't be able to understand the locals, who spoke a different language.

The dock was occupied by dockhands and the crews of several other barges. Past the dock, the town was rather simple; a simple dirt road, one going straight and two going off to the sides like a trident. Around the road were a bunch of several story wooden buildings, with several signs protruding from the lower levels. Many townscreatures walked around, doing their business or going to other locations. They were all the same as they had both seen before: large cat-like creatures, a type of wingless griffon, a pony-like creature with spiral horns, and earth ponies.

"So, any idea what we're looking for?", Caballeron asked.

Daring shrugged. "I don't know. Library, maybe?"

"Well, let's hope we can find one. Let's go", Caballeron said.

The two of them headed through the streets, looking for anything that could be a sign of a library. As they did, Daring Do couldn't help but noticed how the townscreatures looked at them; her specifically. "Is something wrong?", Caballeron asked.

"Not really. They're just... staring at me", Daring said, a slight shudder running through her wings.

"Probably never seen a pegasus before", Caballeron reasoned. "Or, if they have, then they haven't seen one as beautiful as you."

Daring snorted at her partner. "For someone who considers themselves quite slick", she said. "You're a terrible flirt."

"Maybe", he said cryptically. "But, at least I watch where I am going."

"Huh-oof!" Daring stumbled forward, tripping over a rock. As Caballeron chuckled, Daring came back up to eye level with him, a mix of a snarl and a pout on her face. "Not funny."

"You've laughed at my pain and failure in the past. I can laugh at you, such a nimble and fast mare, tripping over a rock", Caballeron countered.

Daring opened her mouth to reply, only to stop and clamp it shut with a scowl. He had a point. However, that scowl turned to a smirk as she stopped and said, "Well, thank you for the compliments. But, you missed several. One being of particular importance."

"Oh?", he said, stopping alongside her. "And what would that be?"

"Observant", she said, pointing her wing at a building behind him. Caballeron turned to the building she indicated, spotting the wood and metal-rimmed sign of a bound book above the door.

"Oh", he said.

"Yeah. Now. Let's see if these things work on books, eh?", Daring said, leading the way to the store.

++++~++++

"Oh, new books", Twilight said slowly, a hint of desire and even envy in her voice. "And one's from a new place, at that."

"Focus, Twi", Shadowlock said.

"Right, right", Twilight said. "Alright, where were we?"

++++~++++

A small bell rang above the door as the two of them entered the store. A few oil lamps cast light over the room, which itself was covered with bookshelves that reached halfway to the ceiling. No one else appeared to be in the store, save for an old earth stallion behind a big desk.

"Alright. Look for an atlas or something", Caballeron said.

Daring said, "A what?"

"An atlas", he said. "A book full of maps. That's probably our best lead."

"Right", he said.

The two split up, scanning the backs of the books on the shelves. After a minute, they both came back over to one another. "I can't read any of them", they said simultaneously.

"Well, there that goes out the window", Caballeron said.

"Well, we're not done yet", Daring said, turning away from him.

"What do you mean?"

"When in doubt", Daring said. "Ask the store owner."

Daring walked up to the desk. The faded red of the stallions coat rolled slightly from his wrinkled coat and slowly rising and falling chest, clearly asleep. Daring tapped a small bell on his desk, causing the stallion to snap up. "Huh!? What!?", he said, before looking at them and relaxing. "Oh. Sorry. I guess I fell asleep again. Uh, welcome to my store. How can I help you?"

"We're looking into going someplace, and were wondering if you have any atlas's or maps of the area", Daring said.

The stallion cocked his head, and asked, "You two foreigners?"

"Yes, we are", Caballeron said.

"Eh. I wouldn't recommend it", the stallion said. "This ain't the place you wanna have a honeymoon."

Daring's expression turned from calm to flustered sputtering. "We-we're not married!"

"We could be", Caballeron said softly.

"You shut it", Daring barked.

The stallion shrugged. "Well, ok. I just hope you know what you're getting into." He stood, slipping his front leg over a crutch and walking over to another shelf behind the counter. As he grabbed a book off the shelf, he asked, "So, what brings ya here?"

"Simple business", Daring said.

That made him stop and look back at her. He asked, worry in his voice, "You two brigands?"

"Brigands?", Caballeron asked.

"Yeah", the stallion said. "Stealin' things from us normal, hard-working creatures who eek out a living. Whinin' and drinkin' and doing stims, killing anyone that gets in their way."

Daring looked appalled. "That's... that's horrible", she said.

"So ya ain't then?", he asked.

"No, my friend", Caballeron said. "We are not. Our business has nothing to do with anything illegal, I can assure you."

The stallion nodded, before freezing and shaking his head. He said, "Well, that jogged my brain. Sorry, but my last map book ain't here."

"Oh", Daring said. "As in it was bought by someone else?"

"In a way", the old stallion mumbled. "A part of the tribute to the local 'Boss'."

"'Boss'?", Daring questioned.

"Remember how I talked about brigands?", he asked. "Well, we got our own group nearby. Demand a tribute from us, and that book was a part of it. The one that came in and took it said the 'Boss' wanted it."

Daring said, "So, where can we find it?"

"The brigands?", he asked. The stallion shook his head as they nodded. "If you two want a death-sentence, then be my guest. You'll find them down the road about ten kilometers, though you might find a scout before that. Good luck."

Daring said, "We can handle it."

Again, the stallion shook his head. "That's what my daughter thought she could do to. She's buried out back. Just be careful. I don't want another death on my conscience."

Tomb of the Stormbreaker~PT. 2

View Online

Twilight wrinkled her snout in annoyance. "Where is information about Rainbow in this?", she asked Quibble.

He stood up and walked over. He asked, "So, where are you?"

"They just left the book-store", Shadowlock said.

"Alright, let's see", Quibble said, picking up the transcript and flipping a bit ahead. "No... no... no... no... Ah, here!" He set the transcript back down, two chapters and about thirty pages ahead of their last point. "They should be a little bit away from the Brigand camp. They'll meet who I think might be Rainbow there... maybe."

"Maybe?", Twilight asked. "As in, you think it might be at that point in the book?"

"No, as in I'm not certain it's her. I know they'll meet the Praetor there, but I don't know if it's her", Quibble said.

"Praetor?", Twilight questioned.

"That's just what if calls her", Quibble said. "It doesn't give an actual name; it just refers to her as 'The Praetor'. Not the big-bad, per se. But not on their side, anyway. You'll see."

"Ok. Thanks", Twilight said, turning back to the transcript.

++++~++++

Daring and Caballeron continued along the road to the brigand encampment, the setting sun seeming to weigh them down. In actuality, the long journey from the town, especially with little rest, was the cause of their slowing speed. Finally, Caballeron said, "Perhaps we could rest up a bit?"

"Why? We can't be that much further", Daring said. Turning her head to the side, she spotted a small wooden fort in the distance, illuminated by the setting sun. "In fact, it's right over there!"

"For several reasons. One, I am an earth pony, and so can't just fly when my legs get tired. Two, that pack of... things tired me out. Third, we've been on the move for almost six hours. I'm tired. Fourth, if we're going to steal from them, maybe we should wait until nightfall."

Daring considered what her partner was saying, before touching back down to the earth. "Good point. Alright, some rest could do us some good."

"Right", Caballeron said, sliding down to rest in a small ditch along the side of the road. When Daring didn't join him, he asked, "Is something wrong?"

"What are you doing?", she asked.

"Finding a spot to rest. I'm not lying down on that hard-packed dirt, and we likely won't be spotted if anypony passes by", he explained.

"Yeah", she said. "But isn't it uncomfortable?"

"My dear. I haven't the most wealthy pony. Since you've begun interrupting my digs, I've had to sleep in pits, on the hot and rocky sand, in trees, and many other places. The side of a ditch, especially on a grassy and soft hill, is a welcome change. So, come. Unless you wish to sleep on the road", he said, smirking at that last statement.

"Fine", Daring muttered, sliding down into the ditch with him.

Caballeron sighed as he laid on his back, hearing a small crack as he rolled his back. "Ahhh." Looking over, he said, "Relax, my dear. You were always too tense."

Daring countered, "We're on a mission. Besides, that place just over the hill is full of brigands who will likely try to kill us. Forgive me for being tense."

"Fair", Caballeron asked. A pause formed between the two, both just laying there. Neither really knew what to say, so both didn't say a thing.

Finally, after a solid five minutes, Daring asked, "So, how'd you get into this? You know, the treasure hunting business?"

Caballeron said, "It's been a family tradition, in a way. My family-fathers side, at least-can trace it's lineage back to the great pirate Captain Dock Benito! A large part of my family were either explorers or archaeologists after that. I was just following the family lineage. You?"

"Me?", Daring said, letting out a chuckle. "It's almost the exact opposite. My parents were a pair of aristocrats."

"You come from nobility?", Caballeron asked.

"Not by blood, mind you. But, yeah. I was so bored up in Canterlot! I ended up playing make-believe with some old stuff lying around, and had a blast. One day, I knocked aside a patch of dirt in the backyard, and found this old box my parents great-granddad had buried as a time capsule-type thing. Got my cutie mark for it, and was more or less set on the path that lead me here", Daring said, sighing with nostalgia.

"You're adopted?", Caballeron asked.

Daring nodded. "Yep. Both of 'um are unicorns, and in fact, look nothing like me. I love them to death, same with my little sister, but it's blatantly obvious."

"Hmmm", Caballeron said. "Can't wait to meet them."

"What do you mean?", she asked.

"Well, they know your little secret, yes? I'm sure they would like to meet your new partner. Even if not, then they'd like to meet her co-author", he said.

"Yeah, they know. We can go meet them when we finish up here", Daring said. She unconsciously draped a wing around his upper back. She tried to keep her eyes open, but the day's events and the long day on the move were bearing down on her. Soon, her eyelids fell fully, and she fell into sleep.

++++~++++

"Er, Daring?", Caballeron said, shaking her awake.

"What?", Daring asked, blinking her eyes rapidly to clear her eyes.

"We may have a problem."

Daring looked in front of her, the dark night sky greeting her. The pale light of the stars and the moon reflected off of a small creek in front of her. Turning her head back to where the brigand compound was, her eyes widened. While it was still a fair difference away, she could clearly make out a whipping fire along the outside of the walls.

"Oh, that's not good", Daring said, extending her wing and taking off. "Let's go! Worst case scenario, we could lose that atlas!"

Caballeron nodded, breaking off into a loping stride as Daring flew above him. The burning wall grew closer rapidly, Daring swooping low to grab Caballeron. She grabbed him, flying him up onto a section of the wall that was far away from the fire.

Inside, several more of the buildings were on fire, although it was by no means as bad as it appeared. It was mostly small, not spreading that fast. Dozens of dead bodies laid around the compound, while others that were alive picked through the bodies, throwing them onto a big bonfire in the middle.

"They don't look like brigands", Caballeron whispered. "They look like soldiers."

Daring squinted, trying to look at them through the flickering light of the fires. Sure enough, the ones that were carrying the bodies did appear to be in a better state. The dead were wearing armor that appeared to be made from scrap or scratch-made, no two looking alike. The ones that were alive were all wearing uniforms, heavy metal armor, and helmets that made them look similar to one another.

"Who are they?", Daring asked.

"I don't know", Caballeron said. "Well, let's hope that the atlas is still intact. Let's start there."

He pointed to a large building in the center of the compound. Unlike most of the others, it didn't have even the smallest bit of fire around it. A few dead bodies slumped over the side of the roof, while a pair of guards stood watch just outside what appeared to be the main entrance.

"Alright. Hold on tight", Daring asked.

Once again, she wrapped her limbs around the side of Caballerons body, taking off to the roof. However, as she got close to it, a pair of soldiers came up onto the roof. Daring ducked under the lip of the roof, grabbing on with both limbs as she strained with effort to hold Caballeron up.

"I don't understand why we have to burn them", she heard one of the soldiers say, the words translated by the rune she still wore. "These Degenerates don't deserve it."

"I agree with you", the other said. "But, I get it at least."

"Get what? Why we're letting their spirts a chance at paradise instead of letting them remain in their corpses?", the first one said, tossing one of the corpses off the roof.

The second said, "Exactly; that's exactly it. If we don't, then we'll be damning our own souls later in life."

The first muttered something Daring couldn't hear, but didn't say anything else. Below her, Caballeron said, "Daring. I can't hold on."

"Quiet", she hissed, pulling herself up just a little bit to hold on better. Her straining muscles were suddenly given relief from their duty as one of the corpses slammed into her face. She was forced to let go, the sudden momentum and weight of the dead body causing her to lose her grip.

Both she, Caballeron, and the body all hit the ground with a loud thud. Daring shook her head to clear up the forming stars, before widening in alarm as she saw the soldier look over the edge. He must've spotted her too, as he drew a sword and yelled, "Intruders!"

Another several soldiers near them dropped the bodies they were carrying and drew swords. Daring said, "Move!"

One of the soldiers appeared in front of her, giving a big downward slash. She dodged to the side, before swinging around and kicking him in the side of the head. She tried to take off, only for another one of the soldiers to tackle her from behind. The added weight of the heavy armor forced her into the mud, while a massive force slammed into the back of her head, just below her pith helmet. She slumped down into the mud, her eyes going dark.

++++~++++

Daring awoke, a groggy weight resting on her back. She noticed that wherever she was, it was much better lit than the compound. Looking around, she was greeted by wooden walls, illuminated by a large lamp hanging on the roof.

A pair of ropes were tied around her legs, while a pair of soldiers stood on either side of her. "Ave, Praetor", one of the soldiers said. "We found her inside the compound. She doesn't look like one of the Degenerates, but you never know."

Daring looked up, making out through her squinting eyes another armored figure. Unlike the others, her armor was white with blue trim, and appeared to not be made of metal. Her face was covered with scars, including a trio of raking scars across her face and a fake eye. A multi-colored braid ran across her right shoulder. At first, she thought that she was wearing greaves, until she noticed the claws at the bottom. They were prosthetics.

"Ave, Pedes", she said, before turning to Daring. The adventurer couldn't help but cringe at the glowing red left eye, that seemed to bore into her. "Daring Do, correct?"

Daring raised an eyebrow, but nodded. "Yeah, that's me."

"You're real?", she said.

"Well, unless you're all having a bunch of psychic hallucinations, then yes, I'm real", Daring said.

"Huh", the Praetor said. "Well, I'm sorry about this. However, you have to admit, this is a scenario that is not in your favor. My soldiers finding you in a brigand compound and all."

"Suppose that's fair", Daring shrugged.

She asked, "Want a drink?"

"No thank you", Daring said.

The Praetor turned to the soldiers, ordering them, "Leave us." The two of them looked at one another, but shrugged and left, shutting the door behind them. The Praetor walked over to the desk in the center of the room, leaning up against it and pulling out a flask. "So. What brings you to Demos? Looking for a new treasure?"

"Why are you so interested in me?", Daring asked. "Usually if I'm recognized, I'm just chased off or shot dirty looks."

"Well... in all honesty...", she said, swirling the flask. She then looked up, the neutral expression on her face replaced by a wide grin. "I am a HUGE fan!"

That caught Daring off-guard. "Y-you are?", She asked.

"Yeah!", she said, setting the flask down and coming up to her. She pulled a knife out of a slit in her one of the forelegs before cutting the ropes, letting Daring's limbs free. Daring rubbed her chafed limbs as the Praetor put the knife away. "I've read all of the books, at least up until Daring Do and the Ring of Destiny. They're all awesome and I love them!"

"That's... great to hear", Daring said, straightening up and adjusting her hat. "Well, yeah, I'm here on a new adventure."

"What is it?", She asked. "I can't directly help you, but I can give you some supplies if you want."

"Actually, I came here for an atlas. The Brigands leader apparently took it as tribute from the nearby village, and I need it", Daring said, intentionally referring to just herself. If this Praetor turned out to be hostile, then it might be best to not tip her off the presence of Caballeron. If he wasn't captured himself, that was.

"Oh, I know what you're talking about", the Praetor said, walking over to the big desk and opening up one of the drawers. She pulled out a red book with faded black writing. "Just out of curiosity, what were you going for?"

"Something called the Tomb of the Stormbreaker", Daring said.

That made the Praetor stop dead in her tracks. "T-the Tomb?"

"Yessss?", Daring said. "Is that a problem?"

"W-well, in fact, it is", The Praetor said. "A rather large one at that. You see, despite all of their technical accomplishments, Pryha is still... superstitious, to say the least. Particularly about things pertaining to death. Bodies have to be burned to release their souls, things like that. And, as such, Graverobbing-which is what you'd be doing... It's a capital offense."

"Meaning?", Daring said.

The Praetor said, "Meaning, that if convicted, the sentence is death by crucifixion. Nailed to a cross and left to die. Like I said, Pryhans like to burn their dead, so it's a spiritual punishment, as well as a painful way to go."

Daring opened her mouth to speak, but no sound came out. She couldn't grasp the concept. Yes, she had seen some cruel inventions and deathtraps in some of the temples she had recovered treatures from in the past, but still. "So..."

"So, I can't let you, if you even want to at this point", The Praetor said. "Hell, I can't let you recover anything from anything else around here. The high command would have my wings."

Daring once again opened her mouth to speak, once again stopping. This time, it wasn't out of shock; she had noticed Caballeron had slipping into the window. Somehow, he had slipped past the guards and climbed into the window. He noticed her stop, and made a gesture she understood: keep her busy.

"Why not", Daring said slowly, silently and subtly tracking her partner as he made his way towards the book.

"Well, various reasons", the Praetor said, rolling a metal claw in the air. "The previously mentioned superstition. Besides the Tomb, a few of the places are considered holy. I don't, but that's beside the point. Not to mention, Pryha loves history. They'd be kinda ticked at you taking it."

"But, from what I'd heard, whoever this 'Stormbreaker' is, they're connected to Equestria", Daring said, watching as Caballeron stepped ever closer.

"Yeah, I know that. But, still, he was buried in Pryha, and he will remain here", the Praetor said.

"But there's no government structure, at least above the local scale", Daring said. "That's what the Saddle Arabian who brought us to Demos and the barge captain said."

"Not anymore", the Praetor said. "The empire is taking back control. That's why I'm here." She then noticed that Daring wasn't fully looking at her, and her eyes narrowed. "What are you looking at?"

She turned around, eyes widening a the sight of Caballeron. Her wings flared and she drew a pair of swords, lunging at him. He ducked under the swipe, flinging the chair at her. She chopped the cheap wood apart, but Daring slammed into her before she could renew her assault on Caballeron. She fell into the wall, dropping her swords as Daring said, "You ok?"

Caballeron nodded. "I got cut up a bit, but I'm ok."

The door burst open, the pair of soldiers from before entering with draw swords. Daring said, "Time to go." Caballeron grabbed the atlas in his mouth as Daring grabbed his sides again, taking off at full speed. A few soldiers shouted below them, but the two of them managed to escape the burning compound unscathed.

Tomb of the Stormbreaker~PT. 3

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"So, you think that this 'Praetor' is Rainbow Dash?", Twilight asked.

"Well, from what I'd heard of her, I'd say that it was a 'better-safe-than-sorry' scenario", Quibble said.

Twilight nodded, looking back at the page with the description of the Praetor. She reread it several times, her thoughts running a thousand miles an hour. The description of a pegasus with a sky blue coat and multi-colored mane did sound like Rainbow, but everything else sounded completely different.

Shadowlock asked, "What do you think? Could it be her?"

"Maybe", Twilight said. "Hard to say off of the description of her. We'll have to see, but it is a possibility."

"Well, let's keep going", Shadowlock said, turning back to Quibble. "Is there anything else we could skip over? You know, so we can analyze the Praetor more?"

"Yeah", Quibble said, again taking and flipping through the transcript. "Here. Almost at the end, but she'll show up again soon."

"Thanks", Twilight said, turning back to the book.

++++~++++

"So, this appears to be it?", Caballeron asked, looking past the last of the trees blocking his view of the clearing.

Daring looked up from the map and said, "Yeah, this looks to be it."

In front of them, built into the side of a large hill in a clearing, stood a massive stone building. An archway and a pair of crumbled statues denoted the entrance, which led into darkness. A small stone path ran a little ways out from this entrance, connecting to a branching dirt road that disappeared back into the woods off to their left.

"See anypony?", Daring asked.

"Besides you", Caballeron said. "No."

Daring groused, "Hardy har har. Ok then. Let's go."

"Again, you need to relax more", Caballeron said, following her out of the woods.

A short walk later, the two reached the entrance. Daring, having grabbed a large tree branch from the woods, stopped to wrap some spare cloth around it to make a torch. After lighting it, she led the way into the entrance.

Past the main arch, the light of the torch reflected off of the interior. On either side of them stood two statues, both in a much better state than the ones they had seen outside. The rough cobblestone of the initial entrance was replaced with marble, save that it was smooth and coated in a fine layer of dust. Most notable, however, was the stone and iron door that blocked their entrance further inside. Looking up revealed nothing but a solid wall of stone around and above the door.

"Well, this is great", Daring said, lowering the torch held in her wing. "Look for a button or a lever or something."

"Wait. Raise the torch again", Caballeron said. Daring did so, and Caballeron pointed. "There! Above the door!"

Daring squinted. Sure enough, as he pointed out, two rows of faint silvery writing was printed just above the door.

Off to the side, Caballeron groaned. "Great, it's in Pryhan. Right, best look for a-"

"No, no. Caballeron, you might be a genius!", Daring said, her squint turning into a massive grin.

"Did you suddenly learn to read Pryhan from that map? These runes only translate spoken words, not written", Caballeron said.

"No, I didn't, but it doesn't matter." Noting his confused look, she pointed the torch back up to the in-laid writing. "Yes, the top line is written in Pryhan. But, the line below it isn't a continuation of the top line. It's Ancient Pegasi!"

"Ancient Pegasi?", Caballeron questioned.

"It's not all that common knowledge", Daring said. "But the ancient pegasi and unicorns, before the Unification of the Tribes, had their own languages. The Earth Ponies seemingly always spoke equish; just a different variation of it called Old Equish. Anyway, the unicorns and pegasi adopted equish after the unification, but they went onto inspire modern Prench and Germane-"

"Because those countries are majority unicorn and pegasi respectively", Caballeron said, catching on.

"Exactly!"

Caballeron asked, "Well, what does it say?"

"Let me check", Daring said, flying up to the words. They reflected off of the light from the torch, the glare revealing them to be inlaid metal. "I'm a bit rusty, but I think I can make it out. It says... it says: 'The Stormbreakers wrath, finally laid low. To the Empire, he was a cunning, honorable foe. Bring forth the marble weapon of his vengeance, and to his and his soldier's tomb may you be granted entrance.'"

"That begs the question", Caballeron said. "Who's the Stormbreaker?"

"I don't know", Daring said, lowering back down to the floor. "The sources didn't list an exact name, and there's nothing here that could indicate who it is. The Pryhan said that this Stormbreaker was a 'he', but that doesn't narrow it down."

"Well, maybe there's another way we could narrow it down further", Caballeron mused. Taking the torch from Daring, he raised it up to the statues.

The light reflected off of the statue, revealing it's form. The form was equine, like the ones outside seemed to resemble. They were reared up, a spear held in their hooves as if to impale them. A round shield, covered with intricate carvings, was held in the other, covering partially the stone breastplate. A stone cloak flowed out from the top of the torso, part of it resting it over the figure's massive wings.

"Pegasi?", Daring asked.

"Apparently", Caballeron said. "So, how much would that narrow it down."

"Well, of ponies who are male, likely pegasi, and gotten involved in any way with the Pryhan Empire, that narrows it down to maybe... hmm... a few thousand, to none."

"A few thousand to none!?", Caballeron sputtered. "What does that even mean?"

"Well, a lot of them would be military officers. The ancient pegasi writing, the statues that resemble olden Hopilites... not to mention the fact that these guys seem to respect officers", Daring said. "The thing is, I don't know if any of those officers were ever involved with the Pryhans, and especially not enough to warrant them a tomb."

"Well, we'll figure it out later. We still need to find a way in. Now, what did it say? 'Bring forth the marble weapon of his vengeance'?", Caballeron said.

"Well, that might be rather simple", Daring said. "Give me the torch back."

She gripped the torch in her mouth and flew up to the statue, examining the statue's spear. She flew around it, looking at it from all angles. Finally, she gave up on it, before flapping down to its flank. Under the cloak, hidden from sight on the ground by the shield, was a sheathed sword. She flew close to the weapon, noticing a small crease in between the guard and the scabbard. She grabbed the pommel, yanking back with all her might, and after a bit, it gave.

Daring tumbled back a bit, nearly bumping into the shield. Avoiding it at the last second, she lowered herself back to the floor and looked at what she held in her hooves. While the handle, pommel, and guard were all made of stone, the handle was made of tarnished metal. The edge had serrations along the edge, and upon a second glance, Daring looked at the door.

"What is it?", Caballeron asked.

Daring tossed him the torch, hefting the thing up in both hooves. After a bit of effort, she pushed it forward, sliding it into a slot in the door. Turing it to the left, she heard a trio of loud clicks. She said, "A key."

Caballeron caught on, shoving his weight into the side of the door. Daring backed away from the key and did the same, feeling the door push in. Finally, it gave way, and the two entered into a massive room.

The torch was unnecessary, as the room was lit by a massive skylight that was likely hidden by the tree on the of the hill. What appeared to be chandeliers hung from the roof, pieces of twisted iron shaped vaguely like Demigryphs. All along the walls were alcoves, each sporting a bronze urn. Each of the alcoves had a small carving below it, along with a helmet coated with dust and adorned with a decayed feather crest. In the center of the room stone a large stone table, another Helmet resting on it.

"Look for traps", Daring said immediately.

"Yep", Caballeron agreed.

Daring took off, slowly scanning the floor for any pressure plates. Caballeron, meanwhile, moved slowly across the floor, watching the floor. However, both reached the table unharmed and without setting anything off. As they examined it, they realized that it was a sarcophagus, not a table.

"There's writing here too", Daring said. "'Commander... Hurricane.' Hurricane of Equestria, the Stormbreaker."

Caballeron looked at her in shock, asking, "Wait, you don't mean-?"

"The same one from the Hearths Warming story?", a voice interrupted. Turning back towards the entrance, the two were greeted with a force of Pryhans at the door. Most of them appeared to be lightly armored versions of the soldiers they saw at the brigand camp with neck gaiters pulled up over their faces, aiming crossbows in their direction. Hovering over them, a short sword in each hoof, was the Praetor, now full adorned in a helmet, neck-gaiter, and goggles. "Yes, it's him. And I told you this was serious. You're both under arrest."

Tomb of the Stormbreaker~PT. 4

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Daring looked at the Praetor, eyes still wide from the realization. "What do you mean it's him?"

"Exactly that. The ashes of Commander Hurricane are in that chest", she said. "Now, kindly lay down any weapons you have. I don't want to hurt you, but I have my orders."

Caballeron asked, "But how? How'd an Equestrian founder end up here?"

The Praetor sighed, but said, "He came here during the first Pryhan-Equestrian war. Part of a move to either make Pryha pull out or at the very least divert potential reinforcements from sailing to the mainland. Landed to the north, where Troton is now. Hell, Troton's made out of those ships. Anyway, after several battles, he was finally defeated near here, at the Battle of Cecidit Bridge. Pryhans respected him enough, that he was given the full Pryhan tomb. This is an honor normally reserved for Triumphators; he's the only one to receive the honor that wasn't one."

Daring once again stared in stunned silence. What had happened to Commander Hurricane was one of the biggest mysteries of the pegasi. Most of the others had verifiable locations of their remains, but not him. "Y-you're sure this is him?"

"Well, unless every record since 969 QFE is wrong, then yeah, that's him", the Praetor said. "Now, my other point still stands. Lay down any weapons you have, and come over here. Slowly."

Daring noted her last word: slowly. She knew something they didn't, and it concerned her. Daring took another look back up at the ceiling, namely at the weird chandelier things. She said, "We don't have any weapons."

The Praetor nodded. "Ok then", she said. "Then come over here. Again, slowly."

Daring looked at Caballeron, flicking her ear behind her. He lightly tilted his head, and Daring said, "Ok." They took a few steps forward, before turning on their hooves and running full speed behind the sarcophagus.

Above them, a series of red lights appeared, before several loud slams resounded throughout the room. Daring looked around to see about a dozen strange creatures. They resembled Demigryphs, only made from what appeared to be whirring gears and pullies. They were covered by thick bronze armor and helmet, with a clawed gauntlet on their forelegs. The red lights were coming from a large stone covered in runes in the center of their heads, which reflected through a broken lens.

The Praetor yelled, "You idiots! You may have just killed yourselves and my troops!"

"What do you mean!?", Caballeron called back.

"These are Clockwork Pedes. Runic and machinery powered suits of armor used for bodyguard purposes", she said, sheathing one of her swords and pulling out a crossbow pistol. "They were discontinued because, when those lenses are broken, they can't distinguish friend from foe!"

Daring's eyes went wide in realization, as well as one of them attacking her and Caballeron. She just narrowly managed to dodge to the side, taking flight to avoid a flurry of slashes. Caballeron bolted away from it, shouting, "Daring! This is your fault!"

"Hey, better this than being crucified!", she yelled back.

Off towards the entrance, the Pryhans were fighting the bulk of the Clockwork Pedes. The lighter armored soldiers fired off a salvo of crossbow bolts, only managing to bring down one of them. The Praetor yelled, "Fall back! I'll handle this. Wait outside!"

Her soldiers did as the Praetor said, running outside and disappearing from view. The Praetor, meanwhile, re-drew her second sword, taking off at full speed.

Daring stopped in stunned silence. The Praetor moved at a ridiculous speed, swinging her swords and delivering enough momentum to sever limbs. She swung around in a big circle, crippling the warrior before whipping back to finish them off.

Caballeron, meanwhile, was still avoiding his assailant's attacks and trying to get away from it. Daring came down, slamming her rear hooves into its face, sending the runic rock flying out of it and sending the machine sprawling to the ground.

"Thanks", Caballeron said, panting.

"No problem, partner", Daring said.

The two's attention was turned back to the Praetor as a gust of wind sent the last two sprawling. Now, it was just them and her. The Praetor said, panting and bleeding from a small cut on her upper foreleg, "N-now. Surrender."

Daring stared down the Praetor, weighing her options. The Praetor was no doubt a skilled fighter, able to put down easily a dozen machines that could warrant her sending her soldiers out of the Tomb. She also had weapons, making that advantage all the bigger.

"Wait", Caballeron said. "We technically didn't do anything wrong."

"What are you talking about?", the Praetor asked.

Daring caught on, adding, "Yeah. We entered into this place, but we didn't take anything yet. So, is just entering this place a criminal offense?"

The Praetor shifted on her hooves, squinting beneath her goggles. After a second, she slid the swords back into their scabbards, saying, "I suppose that may be the case. However, given some context from your books, the prosecutors may be able to press conspiracy to commit charges. Not as big as the straight charge, but could still be serious."

"You said you've read up to Daring Do and the Ring of Destiny, right?", Caballeron asked.

"Yeah", the Praetor said.

Caballeron chuckled and said, "Well, in one of the later books, Daring Do and Dr. Caballeron: Truth Talisman of Tonatiuh, we both realized that one another were wrong about one another. I thought she was just stealing artifacts, and she thought I was stealing them to make a profit."

"Yeah", Daring said, rubbing the back of her head. "Not some of my proudest moments."

"Ok, nice story. But, what does that have to do with this?", the Praetor asked.

Caballeron said, "We've been talking, just before we got here. And, well... Normally, we've been retrieving artifacts from long-dead civilizations, or FOR living cultures. And, well... The latter is kind of what we did here. We thought we were trying to get it from a dead civilization, not a living one."

"Didn't Daring say that you wanted it because it was Equestrian in origin?", The Praetor asked.

"Another thing I learned; context matters", Daring said. "We've met a few others here. You know, besides you and your troops. And, well... yeah, you guys like your history and your honor."

"The point?"

"Keep it", Daring said. "All of it. Hay, the story might be just enough to get ponies back home interested and come to visit. At the very least, we could bring some information back and allow it to be printed as well. Caballerons whole shtick before I kinda made him go desperate and made the museum he worked for close down-"

"Wait, you did what!?", the Praetor said.

"Again, not my proudest moments", Daring replied. "Anyway, his shtick was preserving history. We'll let you do it."

The Praetor seemed to consider it, before pulling down her neck gaiter and pulling her goggles onto her helmet. She said, "Alright then. This is gonna be a really interesting report. Before we walk out of her and I explain this to my troops, can I ask one thing first?"

"Sure, what?", Daring asked.

The Praetor reached under her shoulder cape, pulling something out. At first, Daring thought it was a box. However, as she lifted it up, she realized it was a book. One of her books.

"Can I get an autograph?"

++++~++++

Twilight closed the transcript, thoughts swirling around in her head. Shadowlock asked, "So, you think it could be her?"

"I don't know", Twilight said. "I mean, I don't know. On one hoof, she was really fast, and had a somewhat similar description to Rainbow Dash. But on the other, she didn't say anything that could fully confirm it was her. But maybe-"

"Twilight. Twilight. Just calm down", Shadowlock said.

"Right", she said. "Ok. It could be worth looking into. There is a lot that's similar to Rainbow Dash."

"In that case, let's go talk to Cadence and Shining", Shadowlock said.

"Right", Twilight agreed, turning to Quibble Pants. "Can we borrow this for another couple of hours?"

"Sure", Quibble said. "Just bring it back here after you're done."

"Thank you. Come on, let's go", Twilight said, leading Shadowlock out of the Crystal Archive.

Rising from the Ashes~PT. 1

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Filthy Rich closed the door of his office behind him, smiling as he walked through the isles of his store. After a hards day work, he was ready to head home and have a bit of nice downtime. He nodded to the only remaining employee in the store, telling him, "Good night, Broom Bristles. Remember to lock up when you're done."

"Good night, Mr. Rich", the janitor said. "Say hi to your daughter for me!"

"Will do", Filthy said, pushing out the door onto the street. He could easily have the carriage waiting for him to take him home, but he preferred to walk. While his wife would do that, he was perfectly contented with walking. Ponyville was beautiful in the sunset, and it was a view he simply didn't like passing up.

After about thirty minutes, with Luna's moon just starting to peek up over the horizon, he arrived at his mansion. While nothing like those in Canterlot or Manehattan, it was certainly bigger than the average house in Ponyville. Three-stories as opposed to the typical two, the house shown with a recent coat of white paint. A tiled roof and a large brick chimney gave the building an even more distinctive silhouette. Filthy unlocked the gate, heading up the walkway to the door.

Upon entering, he was greeted by an excited voice saying, "Daddy!"

His daughter, Diamond Tiara, ran up to him, wrapping her forelegs around his neck. He chuckled, returning the hug and said, "Good to see you, my little Diamond. How was school? Are you getting along with those CMC fillies?"

"Well, we're not really friends", she said sheepishly. "But, we're nice to each other now."

"That's good to hear", Filthy said. "Where's your mother?"

"She's eating", Diamond said. "She didn't want to wait for you."

Filthy sighed and shook his head. "Well, let's go eat ourselves, eh?"

"Ok, daddy!", Diamond said, following him into the dining room.

At the ornately carved table, Spoiled Rich was eating a large plate full of food. Filthy asked, "Good evening, Spoiled. Hungry, hmm?"

Spoiled swallowed as he entered, sticking up her nose a little and said, "Well, I was simply hungry. Is that so wrong?"

"No, it's not", Filthy said, sitting down and picking up the salad fork next to his bowl. "But, still. Couldn't you have waited?"

"I. Was. Hungry", Spoiled simply said.

Filthy's smile faded and he adopted a faint scowl. He went back to his food, stealing glances at her. He asked, "Are you alright honey? You seem a bit... skittish."

"I'm fine", Spoiled said, standing up and leaving her food on the table. "I shall be retiring."

Spoiled left and Filthy sighed. "Randolph!" As the butler entered, he said, "Would you mind cleaning up Spoiled's food?"

"Of course, Mr. Rich", he said, grabbing the plate and slid it onto his back, carrying it into the kitchen.

Diamond asked, "Why is mom acting like this?"

"I don't know", Filthy said. "She has no real reason to be stressed. She just took that big vacation to Manehattan. Maybe she's just tired."

"Daddy", Diamond said, shifting in her seat a bit. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure, my Diamond. What is it?", Filthy asked.

"Why are you and mom still together?", she asked.

Filthy sat up straight, almost flabbergasted at her question. "What do you mean, sweetie?"

Diamond said, "Well, I mean... it's just... _{Come on, Diamond. Spit it out}... You and mom are so different. She's not as nice as you. She's demanding, she's controlling, and she's just not fair. And, well... you two never seem to get along anymore. You're barely together, you never seem to agree... I sometimes even hear you yelling..."

Filthy lowered his head, and said, "We just have our differences. Sometimes, everypony simply doesn't get along. As for her expectations for you... how about this. I'll take the day off on Friday. We can have our own little trip for the day. How does Canterlot sound?"

"Ok, daddy", Diamond said.

++++~++++

Filthy made his way up to his room following dinner, a yawn escaping his mouth as he entered his room. Spoiled came out of the bathroom, shutting the door behind her and making her way over to the bed. Filthy, despite how comfortable and soft the bed looked, felt like sticking to his routine. As he headed over to the bathroom, Spoiled asked, "What are you doing? It's late, and I can't sleep when you run the shower."

"Calm down, dear. I'll only be a few minutes", he said.

"Fine", Spoiled said. "I'll be in bed. I need my beauty sleep."

Filthy simply nodded, pushing open the door to the bathroom. Moving past the expensive, billboard-branded products on the counter, he started to turn the pump to bring up the water. He undid his tie as he did so, practically able to feel the cold water already.

After a few minutes of lifting the pump handle up and down, he was ready and stepped into the tub and flipped the lever keeping the water in the tank above the tub. Coldwater ran down in a stream across his back, wiping away some of the dirt in his coat and cooling him down from the day's heat. Soon, the water ran out, but filled the mahogany tub just enough for him to lay down and have it reach up to his withers.

He did so, grabbing one of the shampoo bottles on the platform next to him. Opening it up, he gave it a squeeze but some failed to come out. Scowling, he gripped the bottle with his teeth and squeezed it onto his waiting hoof. A very small amount came out, and he sighed. He placed the bottle next to him on the edge of the tub and began to lather the shampoo in.

After he had finished cleaning himself, he toweled off the remaining shampoo and pulled out the plug. He stepped out of the tub, grabbing a towel and wrapping it around himself. As he dried himself off, he looked over at the empty bottle of shampoo. He grabbed it in his teeth, looking over at the wastebin next to the counter. He could easily walk over there, but why do so when wet? If he needed to use the restroom later, why take the risk of slipping in any remaining water? So, craning his neck, he tossed the bottle, watching it bounce off of the wall and falling into the bin.

He smiled. He was never all that good at sports as a colt, but he could throw decently well. It was nice to see, after all of these years, he still had it. His little reverie was interrupted when he heard his wife call out, "I said keep it down!"

His smile was replaced by a scowl, and he went back to drying his coat. His daughter was right; his wife's relationship with him wasn't the best, to say nothing of her relationship with their daughter. She was certainly more than a bit demanding, and it was little secret that she could be very dead-set on the things she wanted. However, she was still his wife. He recalled something his father had said, after he had told him he was planning on proposing to Spoiled: "Remember son; Marriage, agree or disagree, and as much as I dislike it, is a contract. You're both chipping into something you believe to be mutually beneficial. And, if there is one thing a Rich will never do, is to break a contract."

He hung back up the towel, and turned to leave. He only stopped when he saw a small box had fallen off of the top of the waste bin. He made his way over to it, looking at an empty box of tampons. He picked it up to put it back in the bin, only for a small plastic stick to fall out. His eyes widened as he picked it up, knowing what it was instantly and looking at the end of it. Sure enough, he spotted the same words and symbol he had seen several years before, before Spoiled had given birth to Diamond Tiara.

Pregnancy Tes +

His eyes widened as he looked down at the positive pregnancy test, his hoof practically shaking. He looked to the closed door, his eyes clenching shut. When he opened them, they were narrowed, and his scowl deepened.

He opened the door, watching as his wife put away a magazine. "Ah honey, good", she said, oblivious to his anger. "I need to talk to you. I'm planning on going on a trip for a few months, and-"

"Is this why?", he asked, holding up the pregnancy test.

It was his wife's turn for her eyes to go wide. "W-where did you get that!?"

"It was in the wastebasket", Filthy said. "Now, tell me two things. What's his name, and how long have you been seeing him?"

"How do you know it isn't yours?", Spoiled said, panic in her eyes.

"One, it's still in the trash", Filthy said. "Two, you're not showing any signs, so you must've found out recently. Three, you look like I came in on you doing something embarrassing... or shameful. So, again: Who is it, and how long?"

Spoiled stuttered for a moment, before snorting and raising her muzzle. "Fine", she said. "His name's Money Bags, a Manehattan banker. We've been seeing one another for roughly a year. Happy?"

"NO!", Filthy roared, fury in his voice. "I just learned you're pregnant from a stallion you've been cheating on me with for almost a year!" He took a deep breath, before fixing her with a cold glare. "Get out."

"Beg pardon?", she said.

He said, "You heard me. Sleep on the couch in the parlor. In the morning, after Diamond goes out to play with her friends, or simply leaves the third floor, we are going to sit down, and start talking about the terms."

"Terms?", Spoiled demanded. "What terms?"

"The terms of our divorce", he said, almost in a snarl. "You broke your end of our contract, and so it's broken. Our contract being the marriage. Ok?"

Spoiled stood up, huffed, "Fine!", and stormed out the door. Filthy dropped the pregnancy test, before trotting forward and slumping on his bed. In spite of the fact she had betrayed him, or perhaps because of it, he wept.

Rising from the Ashes~PT. 2

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Two months later...

Filthy trotted along the dirt path along the edge of Ponyville, head facing the ground. The sun beat down on his back, and a sheen of sweat formed under his black mane. Normally, he would have the cart when heading to Sweet Apple Acres. However, he didn't have it anymore; a part of the settlement with Spoiled.

The Divorce case had ended about two weeks prior. Spoiled had shown no interest, and in fact, had denied taking Diamond Tiara, which was a relief to him. She also wasn't all that interested in the business, telling him in private that her new lover, Money Bags, didn't want a, quote, "Backwater general store". Instead, she had gone for many of his monetary resources. A large portion of his current bank account, along with many of the more expensive non-heirloom items in the house, had gone to Spoiled. He kept the house, his daughter, and his business, but she had taken most of everything else.

He arrived at the outskirts of Sweet Apple Acres, scanning the immediate field around the household for a member of the Apple family. Finally, after a bit, he spotted Applejack out in a field near the house, leaning against a tree and watching something. He couldn't quite see what it was from his angle, but he shrugged his shoulder and made his way towards her.

As he came up to her, Applejack shouted, "Come on, Blueblood! It's been an hour, and you've only plowed two rows!"

Another voice, one with a faint Bitanian accent, called back, "Well, pardon me, Miss Dirt-licker! But perhaps I've never used a plow in my life! Why can't I use magic, anyway!?"

"Pa said usin' a plow builds character", Applejack said. "And from what your Auntie said, ya could use some!"

A loud grumbling could be heard as Filthy came up next to Applejack. He looked past her, spotting a straining and sweating unicorn stallion. Despite never having seen him, Filthy knew of him from his description and a conversation with Applejack a few months ago. "Is... is that...?"

"Prince Blueblood?", Applejack said, smirking. "Eeyup."

"Why is he...?", Filthy questioned.

"Princess Celestia sent him down to me. Said she'd wanted to have 'im shape up. I figure the best way ta do that is ta put 'um to work", Applejack said.

Filthy just looked at her, before saying, "Remind me never to get on your bad side."

"Oh, don't worry about it", Applejack said, tipping her hat back a bit on her head. "So, what can I do for you, Mr. Rich?"

"Well, it has to do with the Zap Apple season", Filthy said, fidgeting with his tie. "I'm going to be taking half of my usual order."

"Half?", Applejack asked. "Why?"

"Well, I assume you remember I've been in divorce court with my wi- My ex-wife, as it were?", Filthy asked.

Applejack snorted in disgust. "Yah, ah remember. No good hussie."

"Well, due to the large cash settlement she made off with, I've been having to make a few budget cuts. This is the biggest one I could make without slashing overall inventory or store maintenance."

Applejack shook her head and said, "That's too bad ta hear, Mr. Rich. So, is this just a one-time thing?"

"I don't know", Filthy admitted. "She's cut into a lot of my bottom line, unfortunately. I don't know if it was cruelty on her part, but I simply can't afford to keep up our current production level. I can only hope that ponies pity, or kindness, can help me make back up the bottom line."

Applejack scratched her chin, before saying, "Ya know, ah have a... a friend that might be willin' to help ya make some of the interest up."

"You know a decent financier?", Filthy asked.

Applejack snickered, flicking her head to the side and said, "I got a Prince workin' for me. Ah'm sure that means ah get at least some access to the Royal Treasury. In all due seriousness, not like that."

It was Filthy's turn to shoot her a confused look. "Like what then?"

"Ah assume you can still afford a ticket to Dodge Junction?", Applejack asked.

++++~++++

Filthy stepped off the train car, immediately raising his hoof over his eyes as the sun beat down on his face. Somehow, it seemed all the more intense than it would be in Ponyville; must be some strange effect of the desert, he reasoned. In front of him, he saw ponies in cowpony outfits and large hats going about their own business. Large, bare wooden houses lined the street, with various signs sticking out, advertising a Saloon, a Pharmacy, and a Toy store.

He held up a piece of paper, squinting at the words as the seemingly reflected off of the paper. He made his way off the platform, looking down the trio of streets that ran out from the exit. He stopped one of the nearby locals, asking, "Excuse me, ma'am. Do you know where I could find... Madame Cherry Jubilee?"

"Who's askin'?", the mare asked, eyeing him up and down.

Filthy stood straight as a two-by-four. "I'm... I'm sorry?"

The mare just tilted her head back, laughter rolling out like water from a creek. "Ha ha ha ha ha! Ah got ya good! Anyway, Jubilee's down at 'er farm. Just down the road, take a left as ya leave town, then follow that path 'til ya see a big series of brown buildings. Just ask fer 'er there."

"T-thank you, ma'am", Filthy said.

"No problem", the mare said, already walking away. "And welcome ta Dodge Junction!"

Filthy did as he was instructed, soon finding himself at a large plantation. Fields of cherries stretched out almost as far as he could see, save for a series of buildings in front of him. He heard the tell-tale sound of machinery, as well as seeing dozens of ponies working in the fields. As he got close, another mare came up to him, asking, "Can ah help you, sir?"

"Yes", Filthy said. "I'm looking for a Miss Cherry Jubilee."

"Ah! Y'all are that stallion that mailpony said wanted ta see the bossmare, eh?", the mare replied.

"I, I guess so", Filthy said, making a mental note of how fast Derpy could fly if she didn't crash into anything.

The mare said, "'Kay. Ah'll take ya to her. Just follow me."

She lead him around the side of the largest building, arriving at a rather small building with a sign over the top saying 'Management'. The mare said, "The bossmare's in there. She'll be expectin' ya."

"Thank you, miss... eh...?"

"Dust Bowl", the mare said.

"Right", Filthy said, turning back to the building. He walked up the stairs, tapping on the door.

A voice inside called, "It's unlocked, dear!"

Filthy entered the room to find a rather modest office. A trio of chairs stood in a half-circle in front of a large desk. Several portraits of ponies in suits or fancy mane-styles lined the walls on either side of the desk. Light filtered in through several large drapes in the back, with an outline being formed by a tall-backed chair. In the chair was a cream-colored mare with a two-toned dark red mane done up in a large swirl that reminded Filthy of a Hayburger ice cream cone.

"Well, you must be Filthy!", she said.

"Yes, that's me", he said. "And you must be Cherry Jubilee."

"Oh, please. Just call me Jubilee. Even my employees do", she said, winking at him.

Filthy nodded, a faint flush growing on his face. He had to admit, she was a rather attractive mare. "W-well, of course. Now, to business?"

"Of course", Jubilee said as Filthy took a seat. "Now, Applejack explained your whole situation to me."

"So, you know I can't put too much into any commitment", Filthy said.

"Of course, dearie. Course, that means I can't put too much in myself. Nothing personal, but I am a business mare. I do want to make a profit off of this deal too", Jubilee said.

"Naturally", Filthy said. "I'd expect nothing less from somepony as shrewd as you."

Jubilee giggled. "Oh, thank you, dearie. Now, what were you interested in?"

"How much can I get for... er... for seven hundred and fifty bits?", Filthy asked.

Jubilee sat up straight and shot him a blank look, asking, "Only seven hundred fifty bits?"

"Well, yes", Filthy said, lowering his head. "Following my divorce case, I was left with somewhat depleted in terms of funds. Normally, I'd have a much bigger budget. But, between paying for ponies to transport any product I do purchase to Ponyville and renting a transport car, I only have that much left to spend on product."

Cherry Jubilee sat back in her seat, looking up at the ceiling. Filthy rubbed his hooves together nervously, concerned that she might be unwilling to make any sort of deal. He could make it without it, but such a deal could lead to a new product in the Ponyville area, which would help up his potential profit margins.

"How much would you have if you didn't have to rent the transport car?", Cherry asked.

"About an additional two-thousand bits", Filthy said. "Why?"

"How about I take half of the cost for the car?", Cherry asked.

Filthy was flabbergasted. "Wait, really?"

"Sure", Cherry said. "I'm putting some stuff on the line too. 'Spose I could go more into the deal."

"Why?", Filthy asked.

Cherry looked over at one of the pictures, pointing to it. "See that stallion? The one with the large white hat?", she asked.

Filthy followed the way she was pointing and nodded. "Yeah, I see him."

"That's my great-grandfather, Cherry Stem", she said. "He came to Dodge junction with nothing but that hat and a few packets of seeds. He partially relied on the generosity of other ponies, and got this orchard started. He died before we got to this size, but he would've been proud. I've never lived in hardship, but I can see from the story about him that I can afford to be generous. That ok?"

Filthy just nodded, a tear rolling down his face. "Y-yes. Th-thank you."

"Of course", Cherry said. "Now, let's go over product and the deal, shall we?"

Rising from the Ashes~PT. 3

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Six Months Later...

Filthy Rich adjusted his tie, looking back in the mirror at himself. He grabbed the bottle of gel in front of him, dupping a big glob of it onto his hoof and rubbing it into his hair, slicking it back into his usual style. He leaned closer to the mirror, checking both sides of his face in it.

"Are you ready yet!?", his daughter called out from the next room.

Filthy almost jumped in alarm; if there was one thing for certain that she'd inherited from her mother, it was her lungs. He frowned at the comparison to his ex-wife, but shrugged it off and back away from the mirror. He stepped away, calling out as he left the bathroom, "For Celestia's sake, my diamond. We have more than one bathroom."

She was waiting for him by his bed, rolling her eyes as she saw him exit. She said, "Because I know for a fact mom left some perfume in your bathroom, and I've finally gotten around to recovering it. Besides, what kind of daughter would I be if I don't see my dad off on his first date since his divorce."

Filthy couldn't help but give a slight blush, that he hopped was mostly hidden by his coat. "I-it's not a date. We're just going to discuss some continuation of our business deal."

"Ok, daddy", she said. "Whatever you say."

"And why are you getting that perfume, anyway?", Filthy asked. "From what I know about you, you wouldn't let such a valuable item just languish."

"Yeah, I know. But, I'm going out on a date too, and I thought I'd be a good thing to just get", she said.

Again, Filthy said, "Again, it's not a date."

"Right", Diamond said. "So, can I get that perfume now?"

"Oh, yeah", Filthy said. "Go ahead, my diamond." As his daughter slipped past him into the bathroom, he headed out of his room and made his way down the staircase. As he made his way to the front door, a thought came to mind. Was it a date?

As soon as the thought occurred to him, a part of his mind almost instantly tried to push that idea aside. It was just a business transaction. He was just going to meet a business partner. At a restaurant. In the evening. Just the two of them. He stopped dead in his tracks, just outside the front door, at the realization.

Buck.

++++~++++

"Remind me why we're here again?", Pipsqueak asked. "I mean, I got a feeling that this place is a bit outta my paygrade."

"Relax, I'll make a big share of the difference. Now, let's go", Diamond said, walking a bit brisker towards the front door of the Gilded Horseshoe, the highest scale restaurant in Ponyville. "I imagine Silver Spoon is already here."

"Alright, I'm comin'", he said, scrambling to catch up.

At the entrance, a stallion in a dress suit and tie said, "Ah, Miss Tiara. Welcome. Your father arrived not ten minutes ago."

Pipsqueak stole a confused look to his date, asking, "Why are we goin' to the same place as your dad?"

"Shoosh", she said before turning back to the host. "Thank you. And, is Silver Spoon here yet?"

The stallion considered it for a moment, before shaking his head. "No, nopony by that name's come in here yet."

"Alright, thank you. Can we get a booth near my father? Not too close, but still within looking distance?", Diamond asked.

"I'll get you the one that best fits that description", the stallion said. "We're a bit packed tonight, but I'm sure that I could get you something like what you want."

"Thank you", Diamond said.

"Alright then, follow me", the stallion said, grabbing a pair of menus and leading them into the restaurant.

As they followed the host, Pipsqueak whispered in her ear, "Ok. What's goin' on?"

Diamond Tiara sighed. "I may have had an alternate motive for setting up our date here. Like you pointed out, my dad's here as well. He's on a 'business deal', but it's basically a date."

They were interrupted by the host, who stopped and said, "Here you are." He gestured to a booth in the wall, both of the menus he had taken resting on the table. "Your server will be along shortly."

He slipped past them to head back outside as the two of them slid into the booth. Pipsqueak resumed their conversation, asking, "So, about your dad..."

"What about him?", Diamond asked, looking over the items on the drink list.

He said, "Why do we have to be in the same place as him?"

Diamond remembered what they were fully talking about, and set the menu down. "I just want to keep an eye on him."

"Isn't he your dad?", Pipsqueak asked.

"Yeah, I know", she said somberly. "I just don't want him to get into something like what he had with my ex-mom again. I just want to see her, and... I don't know. Make sure she's a nice mare."

"You don't even know if it is a proper date", Pipsqueak said. "It's just them meeting for dinner. Just the two of... them. Ok, I see your point. But still, I don't think it's necessarily the best idea to stalk your dad."

"It's not stalking", she hissed. "It's just-"

"Following and watching your dad without him knowing", Pipsqueak deadpanned. "That sounds a bit like stalking to me."

Diamond opened her mouth to respond, before clamping it shut. "Yeah, I guess it does", she said. "Sorry."

"Hey, it's still a nice place", Pipsqueak said. "And the food looks good. Just, tell me we're not going to be doing something like this again."

"'Like this'? What does that mean?", Diamond asked.

Pipsqueak said, "Stalking your dad."

"Right. Don't worry. If all goes well, then that won't be happening", Diamond said.

"Good", Pipsqueak said, returning his gaze to his menu. "Oh, and your dad's over there."

++++~++++

"So, I'll have to make up the cost?", Filthy asked.

Jubilee shook her head. "Well, not all of it. A decent portion of the product is a bit on the lower cost side of things. In all honesty, the ponies who mostly put in orders order some of our higher quality products, so that saves a bit of bits on shipping."

"So, I just have to pay less than a typical rate?", Filthy asked.

"Just a little less", Jubilee said. "Like, say... maybe a hundred bits off of my usual order."

"I'm in a better position than I was when we first made this deal, but I appreciate the lower cost. So, is that it?", Filthy asked.

"Well, not really", Jubilee said.

"Oh?", Filthy asked. "I thought we'd hammered out all the details."

"Well, I don't see any hammers", Jubilee joked.

Filthy said, "Figure of speech."

"I know. But, still. We haven't even finished our food", Jubilee said.

Filthy looked down at the haysteak in front of him, then at the pasta in front of Jubilee. Both, while showing signs of partial consumption, they were, for the most part, untouched. "So, just finish up then leave?"

"Well, no need to rush", Jubilee said. "Let's just talk personal stuff."

"Personal?", Filthy asked, a faint blush once again greeting his cheeks. "What do you mean?"

"Well, it's good form to become familiar with the ponies who work under you", Jubilee said. "I imagine that the same is true for those you work with. So, why not, eh?"

"I-I s-suppose that's fair", Filthy said. "So, tell me a bit about yourself."

"Well, I already told you about my family all those months ago. I enjoy myself a good cobbler. I like my drinks with no ice. Yes, even in the stinkin' desert. And I am VERY particular about my mane. Now", she said, setting down her fork and resting her head on a pyramid of her hooves. "Tell me about yourself."

Filthy took a deep breath, sighing. "Well, my family was one of the ones that helped found Ponyville. A few generations ago, there was no town here; just fields. A few other families moved here in addition to mine, and we founded the town. Got the land grant from Princess Celestia herself."

"My, that is impressive", Jubilee said, taking another bite. After she swallowed, she gestured for him to continue. "I heard you had a daughter. Tell me about her."

"Well...", Filthy said. "She's from my ex-wife. The less said about her, the better. Anyway, she's..."

He trailed off as he looked past Jubilee, spotting four younger ponies in a booth by the wall. He recognized all of them immediately. One was his daughter's friend, Silver Spoon. Next to her, with a hoof draped over her shoulder, was one of the Cutie Mark Crusaders; Sweetie Belle, if he recalled correctly. The only colt in the group he recognized as Pipsqueak, the Trottingham colt who worked at the Sofa and Quill store. And of course, his daughter.

"She's..." He said absentmindedly, still looking at her. She seemed to notice him looking at her, and rolled her hoof in the air. The signal was obvious; carry on. You got this. "She's not necessarily the kindest pony you'll meet. She had her issues, many due to her mother. She's controlling, stubborn, a bit manipulative, and she has a knack for getting what she wants. But, she's not a brat. She's trying to do her best, she's intelligent, she's a leader... She's my little girl. You'd like her."

"Well, maybe you could introduce me before out next date", Jubilee said.

"Date!?", Filthy exclaimed in alarm.

Jubilee chuckled, "I mean, this isn't fully business, obviously. It doesn't have to be, but if you want it to, we could go out for another one. No business, just pleasure. How does that sound?"

Filthy looked at his daughter over Jubilee's shoulder. She shot him another look, silently urging him to take her up on her offer. Filthy looked back to the mare in front of him. This was almost the opposite of his ex-wife, and he needed something like this in his life to help keep him balanced.

He nodded. "I'd be happy to, Miss Jubilee. In fact, it would be my honor."

Begin Again~PT. 1

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Trixie awoke to the sound of her new neighbors tromping around in the apartment next to her. She sat up in bed, groaning and smacking her mouth. She looked out the window next to her bed, silently noting how the sun was only just starting to rise over the sun.

"Why must they wake up so early?", Trixie muttered. "I want to get some sleep."

Still, she slid out of bed, opening her blinds further. Outside, the cobblestone streets below her were already starting to have creatures leave the buildings, heading for their jobs or early morning shopping. In the distance, she could see the rolling and pitching sea and a few ships on it. Further away, she spotted the Pillars of Hoofacles, one of the most notable geographical features near the city of Creui.

She stepped away from the window, heading out of the small bedroom into her apartment's living room and kitchen hybrid. She opened up the cabinet, looking for something to eat. She finally settled on a type of roll, a bagel if she remembered correctly, that she had picked up at a bakery a few days before when she first moved in. She grabbed it in her mouth and went over to the clock on the wall. She clamped down hard and the bagel fell to the floor as she realized the time.

"Oh, buck! I starts in fifteen minutes!", Trixie yelled, levitating the bagel back to her mouth and scrambling back to her room to grab her ID.

Sitting on the nightstand next to her bed, the simple leather covered booklet displayed her name and some of her information inside. The booklet came with her new residency status in the Pryhan Empire, and she was recommended by the worker at the immigration office to carry it on her at all times. While in her room, she also grabbed the apron her employer had given her, sliding the booklet into the pocket on the front and lighting her horn.

She ended up outside, stopping for a brief moment to smile at getting it right, before breaking into a gallop. A few of the creatures already on the streets looked her way. Trixie felt a bit of pride at being an object of attention but pushed it down as she ran to her new job: Donald Family Bakery.

She opened the door, stopping before the counter and said, "Is Tri-I mean, am I late?"

The demigryph behind the counter, a younger one with the head of an albatross, said, "No no. You're almost exactly on time. In fact, go ahead and flip the sign, then get back here."

"Right", Trixie said, lighting up her horn to flip the small piece of paper over. She took her spot behind the counter, sighing and looking around the small store. She stopped when she noticed the demigryph looking at her. "Something wrong?"

"No, not really", the Demigryph said. "Just not used to seeing magic used like that."

"Enought chit-chat!", a voice called from the kitchen behind them. "Desmond, get back here; your sister needs a bit of help. Trixie, you need some help out front?"

"N-no, ma'am!", Trixie answered back. "I can handle it."

"Good! Now, Desmond, get back here! We're on the clock, everyone!", her boss yelled again.

++++~++++

A few hours later, and Trixie was mopping up the front of the store. After the morning rush, the rest of the workers in the store had gone into the back to make more bread and other baked items, leaving her and Desmond out front. As her co-worker wiped down the counter, Trixie asked, "So, is this what the morning rush is normally like?"

"Usually a bit more, actually", Desmond said. "After that, we're not likely to get too much traffic. Mostly creatures coming to pick up some of our stuff."

"Cool", Trixie said, returning her focus to the mop. Silence reigned between the two of them, the only noise being the mop on the floor and the rag on the counter.

Trixie sat down on the bench built into the wall along the edges of the floor, using her magic to float the mop across the floor. As she sat, she looked out the window, watching the creatures go about their business. From normal-looking creatures simply heading down the sidewalks and carts or land-skiffs in the streets to Pryhan soldiers on patrol.

Desmond asked, "So, why'd you move here?"

Temporarily blanking on her Pryhan, she asked, "I'm sorry? Oh, wait. I mean, what?"

"I mean, you're obviously not a native. Accent, mannerisms, lack of knowledge of Pryhan. And, you know, you're a unicorn. So, why'd you immigrate?", he asked.

"Well, back home... I made some mistakes", Trixie said, bringing the mop back to her and dipping it back in the bucket.

"Mistakes?", Desmond asked.

"Well... have you heard of Twilight Sparkle?", Trixie asked.

Desmond stopped wiping down the counter, cocking his head in thought. "I think so. One of the former friends of the Triumphator, right?"

Trixie had heard just enough about her to know who he was referring to and nodded. "Yeah. Well, I first met her a few years ago. I was a traveling magician, and ended up in the town where she was. I was... very arrogant, and we ended up getting in a scuffle due to it. Nothing too major, but I ended up leaving the town. After that, I ended up working a bunch of odd jobs due to nopony willing to pay for my performances. They would vandalize my cart, and I wouldn't be able to make any bits otherwise. All the while... I looked for a way to get revenge."

"Revenge?", Desmond asked.

Trixie looked away from him, a lump forming in her throat. She knew how the Pryhans felt about breaking the law, and didn't know how he'd react. Still, almost like she couldn't stop herself, she muttered, "I... I bought a dark magic artifact and used it to take over a town."

Desmond, who was taking a sip of water, spewed over the counter. "You did what!?"

"I... I paid my time! And I was angry and younger. It was stupid, I know!", she said.

Desmond nodded, wiping away the water dribbling from his beak. He said, "Y-yeah, ok. S-so, what happened after that?"

"Well, Twilight defeated me in a magic duel, and I left after the artifact was taken", Trixie said, once again levitating out the mop. "After spending a bit getting back on my hooves, I tried to have an apology tour. Unfortunately, between the Changeling Invasion and ponies still not really trusting me, it didn't work out. After that... well, I didn't have any bits left. I was looking for a means to... to start over, really."

"So you applied to come here", Desmond said.

Trixie just nodded. Finally finished, she levitated the mop into its holder on the bucket, standing up to take it to the back. However, as she did, she slipped, sending the bucket falling to the ground and her stumbling forward.

She was caught by another figure, looking up in embarrassment. She was greeted by an orange furred earth pony with a buzzed brown mane that had a pair of pink streaks running through it and dark green eyes. Backing up, she saw he was wearing a royal blue padded jacket (Trixie believed it was called a Subarmalis?) with pteryges and a few medals pinned to it, along with a leather belt holding a curved sword and a pistol.

He adjusted himself, before saying, "Sorry, ma'am. Are you alright?"

Before Trixie could respond, Desmond noticed the newcomer. Instantly, he snapped to attention, bowing his head and slamming his fist to his left shoulder. "Ave, Praefect", he said. "Good morning."

"Salve, Desmond. Good morning to you too", he said before turning back to Trixie. "Now, are you ok, ma'am?"

Finally seeming to break her stunned state, she nodded. "Yes. Tri-I, I am fine. Eh, Praefect.", she said, bowing her head and giving him a salute.

The Praefect nodded, looking past Trixie at the spilled bucket. He pointed to it, asking, "You, uh, need some help cleaning that up?"

"Really?", Trixie asked, before sighing as she realized she had switched back to equish.

"Yes", the Praefect said. "As... As they say, 'The best officers are the ones who are willing to get down in the mud along with their soldiers'. And my family are nothing if not good soldiers and officers. Besides, I'm not in any rush" He slid off a satchel and placed it on the bench, calling over to Desmond, "Can we have a pair of rags?"

Trixie asked, "You speak equish?"

"A little", he said. "I've picked up a bit from my superior and her son."

Desmond tossed the rags to them, the Praefect catching them and giving one to Trixie. As the two of them went about cleaning up the spill, Desmond asked, "So, Praefect. What brings you down here?"

"Looking for entertainment after the Adunationem Parade", the Praefect said. "Normally, we just buy extra wine rations and hire a few musicians. Unfortunately, due to some damage to one of the watchtowers, we can't buy as much extra wine as we normally would. So, the Praetor has me looking for other sources to entertain the troops."

Trixie perked up slightly at the mention of entertainment and looked up from her towel. She asked, "What sort of entertainment?"

"I was asked to look for musicians mostly, but if I could find anything else just jot it down. I have a sign-up form in the satchel", he said, flicking his head over to said satchel. "She wants some names so they can come up to the Castrum and she can talk to them personally. "

Desmond shook his head and said, "Well, how many do you have now?"

The Praefect stood up, tossing the soaked towel back to Desmond. He said, "Only a few. All musicians. She wanted something else, so I'm looking for that."

Trixie also levitated her towel over to Desmond, thinking of what the Praefect had said. 'Other' forms of entertainment. Like she had said to Desmond earlier, she was looking for a fresh start. The reason she had taken this job was because she needed the money and Pryhan Citizenship was easier to get if one had a stable job. She would've tried to enter the show business again given the chance or time, and now she had that chance.

"Well, sir", Trixie said, flipping her apron in front of her like her cape. "I would like to volunteer."

"Alright", The Praefect said, pulling out a piece of paper and a pen from his satchel. "What is your name, and what are you willing to contribute?"

"I am a magician. And, as for my name? I am... The Great and Powerful Trixieeeee!", she said, flapping her apron back, standing on her hind legs and flaring her arms, a trio of pale blue fireworks flaring from her horn.

The Praefect wrote it down, then put the paper and pen back in his satchel. "Alright then. Thank you. Meet me at the edge of town by the road leading up to the Castrum, tomorrow at noon. I'll take you up to the Castrum to talk about the details. Vale."

As he turned to leave, she asked, "Wait. Oh, crap. Wait. I never got your name."

The Praefect stopped, chuckling to himself. "How rude of me", he said. He turned back, giving her a small bow. "Aeterna Vexillum, Praefect of the 14th Imperial Regiment."

"Well, it has been a pleasure to meet you, Praefect", Trixie said.

Vexillum nodded, "The pleasure is mine. Now, again. Vale." And with that, he left, leaving Trixie giddy with anticipation at the prospect of her chance.

Begin Again~PT. 2

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"Come on boss", Trixie pleaded. "It's not like anyone is going to be there at that time tomorrow!"

Her employer, Donna, shook her head. "I'm sorry, Trix. But, you made the deal. Sign on the dotted line, you gotta read the fine print."

Both of them were talking at the end of Trixies workday. Trixie had come to her with what Vexillum had said, talking about the situation for tomorrow. When Trixie was supposed to head out to meet with him, she would still be on her shift. She had asked if she could leave early, but it seemed as if her proposition wouldn't be accepted.

"I did read the contract", Trixie deadpanned. "But this doesn't have anything to do with the contract. It's not that big a deal!"

"Yeah, I know. But, still...", she said.

Trixie put her hooves up on the counter, looking Donna dead in the eyes. "Please. This could be my shot. I know you don't necessarily want to lose me so soon after you got me, but please. I'll still be working, I just need to get off a little bit earlier. My shift ends an hour and a half after I would be leaving anyway." Noticing her boss seeming to process what Trixie was saying, she added, "You don't have to pay me for that day, if you want."

Donna sighed, looking at her over the top of her glasses. She asked, "You really want to do this, don't you?"

"You know how ponies have cutie marks?", Trixie asked.

Donna nodded, "Yeah. We go over it in biology. Some sort of magic tattoo thing that denotes skills in a certain area. "

"This-What Vexillum is potentially hiring me to do-is mine", Trixie said. "No offense, but I don't want to spend the rest of my life working in a bakery. I belong on the stage! Entertaining the crowds! I know it's corny, but it truly is my calling."

Donna nodded again, before sighing and looking at the counter. She looked back up, saying, "Alright. Tomorrow, I'll let you leave at eleven-thirty. No sooner."

"Oh, thank you thank you thank you thank you!", Trixie said, pulling Donna into a massive hug over the counter.

The Demigryph's feathers fluffed up in indignation, the feeling reminding Trixie of a plush pillow. She barked, "Get off me and get out before I don't let you!"

Trixie did so, falling back and running out the door before Donna could say another word. She weaved in between various pedestrians and soldiers on her way back to her apartment. She had another job later that night, this time as a server at the restaurant beneath her apartment, but that was one of the furthest things away from her immediate attention. What was her top priority was practicing her tricks and getting her cloak and hat cleaned. It had been a while, and both of them were a bit unused. It would be good to get them ready for tomorrow.

++++~++++

The next day, at the time that Trixie and Donna had agreed to, Trixie bolted out of the bakery door and teleported as far as she could. After she could see the waking world again, she found herself on a road leading out of town. Looking up the hill the road lead up, she spotted, the fort, or Castrum as Vexillum had called it, in the distance. A small building on a rock outcropping stood in between the fort and her, with the shapes of a few Pryhan soldiers milling about.

She looked back down and realized she had missed the outskirts by a decent margin. Not wanting to overshoot again, she began to walk back down the hill. She muttered, "Trixie really needs to work on landing shorter."

Once at the bottom, she pulled out her cape and hat from her saddlebags. It needed to be shaken out a bit, but was clean and in good shape. She slid off her apron, taking not to be seen by any of the locals. While not entirely necessary, the Pryhans preferred to be clothed, and had a somewhat negative stereotype of those that didn't wear clothes.

As she had finished putting her apron away and putting her ID in a pocket of her cloak, she heard a pounding of heavy hoof-falls on the ground. Looking back up the hill, she spotted around two dozen wagons coming down the winding road. They were made of wood with metal plating, and were each pulled by a pair of massive boars that were easily half the size of an Ursa Minor.

The wagons pulled to a stop at the clear outside the town, and a bunch of troops pilled out of them, forming into blocks as officers shouted commands. Behind her, some of the soldiers she had seen around town were coming in, forming their own blocks. Trixie realized what they were doing; it was a shift change.

Before she could do anything, she spotted a land-skiff following the pack of wagons. It pulled over to the opposite side of the troops, and several creatures climbed out of the back as it came to a stop. They turned to leave, heading into town, and Vexillum hopped out of the back after them. He looked around, eventually spotting Trixie and waving her over.

As he got close, Trixie smiled and said, "Greetings, Vexillum! Behold, the attire of the Great and Powerful Trixie!"

Vexillum looked up and down her, before saying, "Well, you do stand out."

"That is half the aspect of making it big, Vexillum. Now, shall we be off? Trixie is ready to shine!", Trixie said.

Vexillum cocked his head. "Why are you talking in the third creature?"

"Trixie is merely getting back into her zone", Trixie said. "Now, again. Shall we be off?"

Vexillum nodded and gestured to the land-skiff. He said, "Yeah, let's go."

Trixie trotted past him, head held high, and climbed up onto the small iron stairs at the back of the land-skiff. After a bit of difficulty getting her cloak over the back of it, Vexillum undid the catch and climbed in after her. As Trixie sat down, he walked past her and pounded on the back of the cabin. He headed back and lifted up a wooden plank, preventing them from falling out the back before sitting down across from her.

The land-skiff backed up before turning and heading back up the hill. The two sat in silence, only jostling slightly from the movement of the land-skiff. Finally, Trixie couldn't stand the silence, and asked, "So, how long have you been in the Pryhan army?"

"Five years under the current Praetor, another three under the last one, Praetor Dorus before that", he said. "I've been a soldier all my adult life."

"Really?", Trixie asked.

Yeah", he said, pride in his voice. "My family have been serving in the Caesar's armies since the days of Aquila Vexillum, the first Terran Triumphator and my family's progenitor. It's a tradition for the oldest child to serve in the army. As an only child, the duty fell to me by default." After another minutes pause, he asked, "What about you? How did you discover your calling, eh?"

"I had an... interesting home life", Trixie said. "My mom and dad divorced when I was, like, two. I moved between the two of them, but I loved spending time with my Dad more. He was a stage magician, and I followed in his footsteps."

"Hmmm", Vexillum said, and the two once again returned to silence. After a bit, Vexillum peaked out the canvas on the side of the land-skiff, before turning back inside. "We're almost there. Now, stay close to me. Follow any orders the sentries give you. And for the Gods sake, don't do anything stupid."

"Oh, please", Trixie said, revealing in her old style. "Why would the Great and Observant Trixie do anything stupid?"

"Just a precaution", Vexillum said.

The land-skiff ground to a halt, and a pair of Pryhan Velites, a Bighorn and a Griffon, came up to the back of them. The Bighorn saluted, "Ave, Praefect. Lovely day, no?"

"Ave, Simmons", Vexillum replied. "Give me a second to get my ID."

"Oh no, that shouldn't be necessary, sir. I just need the ID of the civilian", 'Simmons' said. The griffon scoffed. "What is it, Grif?"

"Hmm? Nothing."

Simmons sighed, turning to his comrade. However, before either of them could say anything else, Vexillum said, "Just check our ID's."

Simmons turned back to them and said peppily, "Right away, sir! Ma'am?"

Trixie levitated over her ID, while Vexillum just tossed his. Simmons put Vexillum's on his back and looked through Trixie's booklet. After a bit, he grabbed and checked Vexillum's quickly. Finally, he said, "Everything checks out. Have a nice day, you two."

Grif smacked the side of the land-skiff, which lurched into the Castrum. Looking out behind the vehicle, Trixie saw the various troops moving around the fort. A little way down the hard-packed dirt road, the land-skiff pulled into a large shed. Vexillum undid the latch and climbed off the back. "Let's go", he said, holding out his hoof to help her down.

She accepted, smiling as he helped her down. He led her out of the large building in the center of the Castrum, being waved past the armed guards into the building. The two made their way up to the second story and arrived at a large door with a pair of eagle knockers. Vexillum grabbed one and knocked, answered a second later by a voice calling, "Come in!"

Inside, Trixie saw a pegasus pony in a tunic, leaning back in a high-backed chair. Trixie noted the massive amount of scars and the prosthetics, and the large black knife her talons. And, of course, the Rainbow mane. "Eh, hi, Rainbow Dash."

Rainbow put the knife back on her desk, and Trixie realized that it wasn't a knife. It was a jagged horn made of black chitin. She said, "Have a seat. If Vex is right, we have a lot to talk about."

Trixie did as Rainbow Dash said, taking a seat in one of the chairs opposite the big wooden desk. She said, "So, Vexillum said that you needed some entertainment in a few months?"

"Yep. I don't like it as much as the next soldier, but we have to make due", Rainbow said. "And you want us to hire you do take care of that? After all that stuff you pulled back in Ponyville? And I do know about the incident with the amulet, not just that first time."

Trixie winced at the memory, rubbing her foreleg. "Yes, and Trixie is sorry for that. If it makes you feel better, Trixie did suffer a punishment for her actions."

"I also heard that, which is the only reason you're here." Rainbow leaned forward in her seat, her one good eye pinning her like a crossbow bolt. "Look, Trixie. I don't like you, but I am willing to give you a chance. From what I heard, you magically made Pinkie shut up and fused AJ's hat to her head, so you have some taste. I'll let you perform-"

"Thank you! Trixie won't let you down!", Trixie said, being stopped before she could continue by a talon pressing to her mouth.

"I wasn't done. I'll let you perform, but if I hear so much as a peep out of anyone about you doing anything like what happened back in Equestria-Any lying, any swindling, any misleading, any anything-you'll be out of my fort before you could say 'Great and Powerful'. Do I make myself clear?", She asked.

Trixie nodded, saying, "Trixie understands perfectly."

"Good", Rainbow said, leaning back in her seat. "Vexillum." The stallion behind her snapped to attention, bowing his head. "Your job is to help set up our dear friend's performance. Understood?"

"Understood, Praetor", Vexillum said.

"Good. You both are dismissed." Rainbow turned back to Trixie and said, "Good luck, Trixie. I hope to see a proper, non-arrogant asshole performance form you. See you in a few months."

Begin Again~PT. 3

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A few days later, on the final day of her first week, Trixie met up with Vexillum on the edge of town once again. This time, as opposed to the edge of town, Vexillum had led her to a small cove near the base of the massive cliffs on either side of the entrance to the Strait of Beccus.

Trixie looked around the cove, whistling as she exited the hole in the stone wall around the base of the cliffs. "Where did you find this?", she asked.

"It was known for a while", he said. "It was used to slip troops into the area under the cover of night, before the attack on the city during the Second Unification Wars. I thought it'd be a good place where we could work out what you're planning on doing."

"I've been thinking about what I'll be doing", Trixie said.

Vexillum sat down on a rock, pulling out a pen and clipboard. He nodded and said, "Go ahead."

"Alright. Give Trixie a second to start with the introduction." Trixie began taking deep breaths, before ducking behind a rock.

Vexillum looked at the rock in confusion, asking, "Ummm? Trixie? What are you doing?" He put the clipboard and pen down and stood up to go look for her when a purple-tinged mist formed around the outside rock.

From behind it, he heard Trixie, in a dramatic voice, say, "Behold. Hailing from the City where the lights never go out, introducing-" Trixie leap up onto the rock, flaring her cape out behind her and sending out several sparklers. "-The Great and Powerful Trixie!!"

"City where the lights never go out?", Vexillum asked.

Trixie's massive grin and dramatic pose failed, and she deadpanned, "Las Pegasus."

"Why do you have a city named after one of your species sub-species?", he asked.

Trixie countered, "Why do you have a city whose name literally translates to Maelstrom?"

Vexillum opened his mouth to reply, only to clamp it back shut after a second. He said, "Look, we're getting off-topic."

"Agreed", Trixie said. "So, what did you think of the Great and Powerful Trixie's entrance?"

"It was certainly impressive", Vexillum admitted. "You have any other tricks inside that bigass hat of yours?"

"Oh, my dear friend", Trixie said, patting Vexillum on the cheek. "Trixie is never without a wide selection of tricks to choose from." She stopped to think, a wide grin spreading across her face. "As a matter of fact, there is one thing that your position can help me with."

"My position?", Vexillum questioned.

Indeed", Trixie said, getting closer to him. "Have you ever heard of Hoofdini? A magician greater than the Great and Powerful Trixie?"

Vexillum scratched his chin for a second, before replying with a somewhat cheerful, "No."

Trixie whinnied in alarm, before whipping around and getting right in the officers face. "HOW HAVE YOU NEVER HEARD OF HOOFDINI!!??"

Vexillum hissed and took a step back, rubbing his ears. He said, "One, equish. Two, as a Pryha, I'm afraid I've never heard of many notable Equestrians in recent history."

Trixie sighed, before saying, "I suppose that it can be forgiven. Like Trixie said, Hoofdini is a great magician. A pony that could escape from even the most complicated and impenetrable death traps. He is Trixie's idol, and she has been looking for a chance to emulate him."

"What will said emulation entail?", Vexillum asked. Trixie replied to him, and his eyes went wide. "You want me to get you a what!?"

++++~++++

A few months passed, and Trixie was giddy with excitement. She stood backstage of the makeshift wooden stage that been set up just outside the Castrum. A few hundred Pryhan troops sat on benches or on the ground in front of it, chatting amongst themselves.

Vexillum came up behind her, followed by a trio of Velites. Vexillum was still dressed up in parade dress; full armor with several medals pinned to a leather tab and a large plumed helmet. He said, "So, are you sure you want to do this? I mean, I have Medicii on stand-by, but still..."

"Trixie is certain that she can handle this", Trixie said.

Vexillum sighed and shook his head, but turned his head to the Velites. "Go and get the Mountain Gun."

"Yes, Praefect", one of them said.

As the trio of them headed off the backstage, Vexillum said, "You're certain about this? I'd hate to see you get hurt."

Trixie sighed, and nodded. "I can do it."

"Alright", Vexillum said. "I got the box ready, so just signal for it and I'll have a few troops bring it onto the stage."

"A quick kiss for good luck?", Trixie said, smirking.

Despite the bright coloring of his coat, Trixie could see the blush on his face. He said, "Eer... I-I... N-no. J-just go on. Break a leg."

Trixie smirked, before clearing her throat. She then said, projecting for the Pryhans further away to hear, "Behold. Hailing from the city from the lights never go out-The Great and Powerful Trixie!" Like in the cove, she hopped out from behind the blankets and stood on her hind legs, sending a shower of sparks and fireworks out around her.

A few of the Pryhans closer to her clapped, but due to the large amount, it didn't seem all that many of them did. She scanned the crowd subconsciously, stopping when she noticed one of them near the front. Sitting in a wooden seat, smiling and watching her, was Rainbow Dash. She rolled her talons, gesturing for her to continue.

Trixie, not wanting to falter in her shows momentum, said, "The Great and Powerful Trixie has quite the performance for you all. How about we start this show off... with a bang!"

The trio of Velites rolled out a small cannon, along with a box filled with powder and a few lead balls. On the other side, a few other soldiers pushed out a big wooden box and a few chains. Trixie said, "These fine gents here will lock me in this box and chain it up. The cannon will be fired at me... but, I will escape it before the cannon fires."

She trotted over to the box, and looking back at the crowd, noting the raised eyebrow on Rainbows face. She stepped into the box as the soldiers shut the door. She found herself in darkness, but it had a hole just big enough that allowed her to see out of. She saw the soldiers set up the cannon, which was taking a bit slower than usual. After a bit, they put a long fuse in the touchhole, and lit the fuse.

It snaked up the side of the bronze gun, slowly growing closer to the gun. She lit up her horn, imaging the backstage, and teleported away.

She found herself a few feet in the air and fell on top of someone. The two of them groaned, and Trixie looked down at who it was, her eyes widening. It was Vexillum, who had hit his head on the hardwood. "Oh Celestia", Trixie said. "Vex, are you ok?"

"Yeah, I'm fine", he said, sliding her off of him and standing up.

At that moment, the cannon went off, and the box shattered into hundreds of pieces. The Pryhans looked around in confusion, while Trixie smirked. "Watch this."

She lit up her horn again, casting a spell she had learned a while ago. Projecting her voice from inside the cannon, she called out, "Hello!? It's dark in here! And it smells like charcoal! Oh, wait, hold on; I got my horn free." She once again smirked at Vexillum, before teleporting onto the center of the stage. "TA-DA!"

Unlike her introduction, a large majority of the Pryhan soldiers began clapping and cheering. She smiled widely, once again looking at where Rainbow Dash was sitting. While far from the most enthusiastic, Rainbow was smiling and clapping. Trixie bowed, reaching back into her cloak, getting ready for her next trick.

++++~++++

Around an hour later, Trixie's show had ended. The soldiers filed into the fort as the sun faded below the horizon. A few of them cleaned up the stage, but Trixie was more or less alone.

Before she could begin her walk back to her apartment, Rainbow Dash and Vexillum came up behind her. "Hey, Trixie!"

Trixie spun around, asking, "Yes? What is it?"

Rainbow pulled something out of her cloak, offering it up to the unicorn. Trixie's eyes widened as she realized it was a thick wad of Imperial Script, the Pryhans currency. As she took it in her aura, Rainbow said, "That's a good six-fifty script. We provided most of the supplies for the show, so I'd say that's a fair amount."

Trixie nodded and said, "So, has Trixie proven you wrong?"

"Somewhat", Rainbow said. "You're still arrogant, and you're still full of yourself. But, better than when we last met. Vale, Trixie." With that, she took off, spinning in the air and gliding into the fort, leaving Vexillum and Trixie alone.

"Vale, Trixie", Vexillum said, also turning to head back to the fort.

Trixie stiffened, considering what to do next. After a second, she said, "Wait!" Vexillum turned to face her, mild confusion on his face. "Perhaps you would like to go and get some dinner tomorrow night?"

Vexillum cocked his head, his confusion now becoming fully apparent. He asked, "What for?"

"You know", Trixie said, trotting up to him. "Just spend some time together. No business, nothing but us?"

"Why?"

Trixie backed up at the remark, eyes going wide. "You know? Be friends?"

Vexillum said simply, "We're not friends. All that was just business."

Trixie bit back a sob, tears welling up in the corners of her eyes. She backed away further, before teleporting away. Vexillum stood still as a post, looking at the wad of cash in front of him. He took a deep breath, picking it up and putting it in his cloak. He began to head back to the Castrum, a tear of his own falling down his face.

Begin Again~PT. 4

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On her next day off from her job at the bakery, Trixie sat in her bed, bouncing a ball off of the wall and catching it. Whenever it fell short or landed elsewhere, she used her horn to pick it up and resume bouncing. It was something she had done countless times when she still had her cart, but back then, it was because it was raining, and it was all she could really do in her cramped cart. Now, all it was was a task that was a vain attempt to distract herself from her thoughts.

She had long ago admitted to herself that Vexillum was somepony who she wouldn't mind being at the very least good friends with. He was kind, unintentionally funny, and was generally more accepting of her quirks than some of the other Pryhans. And yet, if what he said was true, he didn't feel the same.

Her lethargic misery turned to mild anger. She had dropped so many hints, and yet he didn't pick up on one! Not to mention he wasn't even willing to give it a shot.

That anger turned back to sullen silence. She supposed it wasn't her place to make friends with everyone, and it was far from her place to tell someone like him what to do. Besides, it didn't matter. She had a job, and she was on the path to citizenship.

She was interrupted from her thoughts by a knock on the door. She tossed the ball into the empty waste bin by the door. As the thing rattled around inside, she stood up and made her way over to the door. She opened it, expecting Pryhan soldiers or maybe her landlord, not at all expecting a massive three-direction hug.

When she finally got the wall of mane out of her face, she took note of who it was that was hugging her. "Mom!? Dads!?"

Sure enough, Jack Pot, her biological father, stepped back and flashed her his well-known stage grin. He said, "How is my little filly doing?"

"F-fine", Trixie stuttered. "But, what are you doing here?"

"What? Is it a crime to check up on you?", Moonbeam asked.

Trixie bit back a tear, smiling and shaking her head. "No, no it's not. Come in Welcome to the Great and Powerful Trixie's new abode!"

She led the three ponies into her apartment's main room, the three of them looking around before settling on the basic furniture in the center of the room. Big Bucks slid a tin-foil covered tray onto the low living room table while her other father asked, "So, how has Pryha been treating you? Bet it can't stand up to Las Pegasus."

"Oh, it's actually quite a nice city", Trixie said, heading into the kitchen. "The people are friendly, most things aren't too expensive, and the only major problem is, well... I'm still not the best at the language."

Big Bucks said, "It certainly isn't the worst place you could've settled. I mean, Yakyakistan exists." When everyone looked at him, he sat down in one of the chairs and spread his hooves. "What? I'm not a specist. It's cold as Tartarus!"

"Ok, yeah", Moonbeam chuckled. "That's fair. Anyway, how have you been personally, Trix?"

Trixie stopped while looking around the chiller-box and sighed. "I've been fine. Finally breaking back into the show business after working at a bakery for a few months. You want water or grape juice?"

"Got any wine?", Big Bucks asked. "I heard these guys make great wine!"

"It's not even two, Bucky", Jack Pot teased.

Big Bucks said, "Hey. When in Pryha, do as the Pryhans do."

"Pryhans don't actually drink that much", Trixie said. "That's just a stereotype. And, no, I don't have any wine."

"Grape juice then", Big Bucks said. "It's close enough."

"Just water", Moonbeam said.

"Me too", Jack Pot said.

Trixie poured the drinks they requested, floating them over to them and pulling over a chair for herself. "So, I mean, is there any specific reason you all came here?", she asked.

"Well, me and your other father were looking for an anniversary vacation", Jack Pot said. "We talked to your mother about potential places, and she suggested we hit two birds with one stone and check up on you."

"Are you planning on crashing with me?", Trixie asked, remembering some of her father's scams and cons from when she was younger. "Because I don't have much room, and I still have a job."

"Oh, no, don't worry", Big Bucks said. "We've got a hotel room, and are planning on looking at some of the local landmarks and stuff."

"Then why are you here?", Trixie asked her mom.

Moonbeam said, "Well, a few reasons. One, I still want to check up on my daughter. Is that wrong?"

"No", Trixie said.

"Two, I heard Pryhan bathhouses are amazing", Moonbeam said.

Trixie smiled, remembering the time she had gone into one... during a meeting with Vexillum. She frowned and said sullenly, "Yeah. They are pretty great."

The three of them stopped smiling and looked over at her, concern written over their faces. Jack Pot asked, "Are you ok, Trixie?"

"I-", Trixie began, only to be interrupted by another knock on the door.

All of them looked over, and Trixie once again stood up to answer it. At the door, she was greeted by Vexillum, wearing a simple tunic and crusher cap, stepping from hoof to hoof nervously. He stiffened when he saw her answer the door and said, "Eh... Salve, Trixie."

Trixie, somewhat taken aback by his appearance, asked, "Vexillum? What are you doing here?"

"May I come in?", he asked. "I... I need to talk to you."

Trixie looked behind her at her parents, who were, in turn, trying to look past her at whoever was at the door. She asked, "Can this wait? I kinda have company over."

"I-I mean it can", he stuttered. "But, I think it's really important. I, I just need to talk to you about something."

Trixie looked back at her parents, asking, "Uh, can I have some alone time? I just need to talk to Vexillum here."

"Uh, yeah", Moonbeam said. "Sure."

"Why, what do you need to talk about?", Big Bucks asked, standing up and looking past Trixie at Vexillum.

Trixie said, "Me and him just need to work out some things. Come on, Vex."

Trixie headed over to her room, Vexillum following behind her. Trixie's parents watched Vexillum with curiosity, and the stallion looked straight ahead, sweat on his face.

As soon as Trixie closed the door to her room behind her, Vexillum removed his hat and put it down on the edge of her bed. Trixie asked, "S-so. W-why are you here?"

"Just a few things about last week", he said. "A few things. First of all, you dropped your payment." He pulled out a wad of script, placing it on her bed next to his hat.

Trixie, not even really remembering the money, said, "Oh, thank you. Is that it?"

"N-no", he said. "That is my second point, actually. Namely, how I acted. It, it was far from professional, and I apologize."

Trixie said, "That's fine. Now, if that's all...?"

"Just one more thing", Vexillum said. "About our relationship."

Trixie looked at him in confusion, asking, "Relationship?"

"Well, as I said, my family is rather traditional", he explained, a fresh layer of sweat on his coat. "And, a part of that tradition is not marrying or fraternizing non-citizens or doing anything like that. And, well... I suppose that the best way to get around that is to make sure you become a citizen, no?"

Trixie stopped at his words. She asked, "S-so you're saying...?"

"I-I'd like to take you up on your offer. If, that is, you'd be willing to now", he said, a smile gracing his face.

Trixie fixed him with her own smile, replying, "The Great and Powerful Trixie accepts your apology, and is more than willing to go out with you."

"A date, then?", he asked.

Trixie said, "If you wish. Now, would you care to meet my parents?"

"You will have to translate for me. But, otherwise, it would be my pleasure", Vexillum said, grabbing and putting back on his hat and opened the door for her.

She walked back into the main room and was greeted by the sight of her parents chatting away. "Ah, Trix", Jack Pot asked. "Now, would you mind telling us what all this was about, and who this is."

"He was just here to deliver my payment for that show I told you all about", Trixie said. "And, as for who he is? This is Aeterna Vexillum... my coltfriend."

Sterotypes

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"And then, that mother-bucker has me do all the drills, WHILE wearing a saddlebag full of rocks", Pinpoint said, throwing up his hooves in exasperation.

The other three ponies around him listened to his story, either looking at him or developing interests in their mugs of cider. Around them, at other tables or the bar, were dozens of other Royal Guards, being served by the establishment's staff. Said establishment was called 'The Golden Horseshoe', the most popular Royal Guard bar in Canterlot.

The only pegasi of the group, Downwind, asked, "Remind me what you did again?"

"Get this. He said that I wasn't 'Holding myself in a manner befitting a soldier in a professional army'", he said, imitating a Pryhan accent. "All I did was not focus on nothing but that flocker for, like, ten seconds!"

Another one of the guards, Cinderblock, said, "Well, I mean, you did have a daydreaming problem before the Invasion."

"That's beside the point!", Pinpoint said. "These guys show up out of nowhere, and just assume that they can boss us around like colts! It's insulting!"

Silver Steel, the final guard of the group, said, "Look. Everyone's getting a bit heated, so why don't we all just calm down. Talk about something else."

Pinpoint said, "I don't know. I'm perfectly fine with complaining about them."

Silver Steel sighed, rubbing the base of his horn in frustration. "Pinpoint. We got our flanks handed to us, and they came and put them back where they belonged. Princess Luna put them in charge of our training because they're better fighters than us, and-"

"And how is that our problem?", Pinpoint asked. "Not our fault that they've all been killing each other for as long as they can remember. Besides, why do they need to take over guarding OUR leaders! Even if those barbarians can beat us up, that doesn't mean they're competent enough to take care of our job!"

"For once, I agree with Silver Steel", Downwind said. "Can we please talk about something else?"

Pinpoint leaned back in his seat, grumbling, but didn't say anything else. Following the resulting silence, Cinderblock asked, "So, how is everypony's families coming along?"

"Fine", Cinderblock said. "My little sister's almost done with her degree."

"It wasn't thrown off due to the invasion?", Silver Steel asked.

"No, not really", Cinderblock replied. "A decent amount of the materials were decayed or broken, but the extra money from the Crown helped cover it. I have just enough days off to head to Baltimare in order to attend her graduation."

"Yeah, things are more-or-less the same up in Cloudsdale", Downwind said.

Pinpoint asked, "What happened up in Cloudsdale, anyway? I didn't see it when I first got free."

"Well, the city was decently well-defended, and the weather factory made a bunch of wind to blow it away", Downwind said. "The city made it as far as the west coast before the bugs finally shut it down. It was only moved back to its original place a few weeks ago."

Pinpoint took a massive swig of cider, looking into the now empty cup. "Aw, empty. That just me, or anypony else?"

"No, I'm empty", Downwind said. Cinderblock and Silver voiced their agreement.

Pinpoint nodded, turning to Silver and asked, "Come on, let's get another round."

"Coming", Silver said, standing up and following the other unicorn, the mugs held in their auras.

The two of them didn't notice the door open, nor the stares greeting the two newcomers. They arrived at the bar at about the same time, placing a few things on the counter at the same time; the Royal Guards laid the mugs, and the newcomers laid several Equestrian bits.

"Another refill", Pinpoint said.

Another voice said at the same time, "Two cups of your best wine, please."

The two groups turned to one another, and Pinpoint's eyes narrowed. The newcomers were a pair of Pryhan soldiers, a caragor and a demigryph. They were wearing simple clothes, white tunics with purple trim and grey crusher caps with golden badges and purple trim as well.

The bartender said, "If you don't mind, I'll take the Regulars first."

"That's fine", the caragor said.

While the bartender filled up the mugs with golden liquid, Pinpoint asked, "What are you doing here?"

The caragor said, "One of my best soldiers here, Decius, has just become a father. I am taking him out to celebrate."

"Well, perhaps you might go find a better place to do that", Pinpoint said.

The caragor turned to look at him in mild irritation. He asked, "This is a soldier tavern, no?"

"A Royal Guard bar", Pinpoint said, despite Silver Steel's silent protests. "And last I checked, you are not Royal Guards."

The caragor chuckled, turning to Decius. "The famed 'Harmony of Equestria' in action, eh?", he said, before chuckling once again. Decius did the same, albeit nervously as opposed to the caragors good-natured one.

Pinpoint asked angrily, "What did you say?"

"Merely pointing out the fact you're being a hypocrite to your nation's ideals", the caragor said. "Now, your drinks are ready, so how about you piss off and let us enjoy our night?"

Pinpoint sputtered, before growling in anger. He moved forward, intending to give the smug Pryhan a piece of his mind, only to be stopped by Silver Steel wrapping his chest in his aura. "Pin", the other stallion hissed. "Ale filled up our mugs. Let's just go."

Pinpoint said back, "I'm not just gonna let this guy get away with-"

"Get away with what?", the Caragor asked, smirking as he turned back to the Royal Guard with a cup of thick red liquid in his paw. "Get away with pointing out you not living up to an ideal you swore an oath to uphold?"

Pinpoint shook off Silver's magic, getting up and knocking the Caragor's wine aside. As the red liquid spilled from the cup, Pinpoint barked, "Listen here you mother-bucker! Just get the buck out! Nopony wanted you here, nopony asked you to be here! I suggest you go take your war-mongering and your crucifying and go back to your huts!"

The caragor just stared at him, watching as the unicorn panted in front of him. He fixed the stallion with a flat look, before switching over to a withering glare. He said, "I suggest that you read up on what you speak of before you babble about nonsense. You know the books are right about you degenerates!"

The bartender asked, "Books? What do you mean?"

"Unlike you, who forgot everything in your arrogance, we remembered everything", the caragor said. "We made many of the luxuries that you enjoy today. We were united and in a golden age for almost a thousand years while you were driving yourselves to extinction in the snow! Pryha has changed greatly in a thousand years since YOUR leader burned almost a hundred and fifty thousand to ash in the Great Scorching. And yet, you're all still the same wasteful, hypocritical, fat degenerates." He laid several more bits on the bar. "We'll take the whole bottle. Come, Decius. Let's just go enjoy ourselves with our comrades."

As the two Pryhan's left with the bottle and another bar-pony came up to clean up the spill, Silver stepped in front of Pinpoint. "What the buck, Pin!?"

"Just shut up. Let's get our drinks and go."

Twists, Turns, Scars, and Steel

by Centurion Pike-Wall

Redemption~PT. 1

Redemption~PT. 2

Redemption~PT. 3

Redemption~PT. 4

Redemption~PT. 5

In Our Town~PT. 1

In Our Town~PT. 2

In Our Town~PT. 3

A Frank Talk

The Friendship Games~PT. 1

The Friendship Games~PT. 2

The Friendship Games~PT. 3

The Storm against the Eagle~PT. 1

The Storm against the Eagle~PT. 2

The Storm against the Eagle~PT. 3

The Storm against the Eagle~PT. 4

The Storm against the Eagle~PT. 5

Like a Foal in a Candy Store

Tomb of the Stormbreaker~PT. 1

Tomb of the Stormbreaker~PT. 2

Tomb of the Stormbreaker~PT. 3

Tomb of the Stormbreaker~PT. 4

Rising from the Ashes~PT. 1

Rising from the Ashes~PT. 2

Rising from the Ashes~PT. 3

Begin Again~PT. 1

Begin Again~PT. 2

Begin Again~PT. 3

Begin Again~PT. 4

Sterotypes