> Mordane Stronghoof
>  by Mr Stargazer
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Mistakes
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The battalion crept over the western hill as the sun beat heavily down onto their heads. Bred for war, the soldiers did not falter. Scores of battles had hardened them. After all their ancestors had fought for time immemorial. How could they do any less? Their leader readied his weapon. Now was the easy part, but he kept going over plans in his mind. Like an obsessive itch looking for weakness.

"The bright red army's front line is progressing at two body units a second. At that rate, they will intercept the black army by the river." 

The enemy force outnumbered his by nearly a third. Convention would tell him that this battle couldn't be won.

He stared unblinking at the marching throng of his enemy.

"They seem to not be deploying scouts. Must mean to crush us with numbers alone. That will be their downfall... All warfare is based on deception." 

He stopped on top of a rocky hill, hidden behind the greenery of this forsaken land. His troops growled angrily as they halted behind him. They would wait, however. There was no other choice for them. The black army line sat waiting on the edge of the river, just before the bridges spanning it. The deep muddy waters would mean death for the cumbersome troops below.

"Good. Just as planned."

Then it happened. The red army tore out of the bush. The first wave came, running straight for the black's line, charging over the bridges in their hundreds.

"Contact."

At the edge of the river heads were severed, legs crushed and countless troops lost, but he did not attack. No, he waited until the enemy was fully committed, until the trailing edge of their forces arrived at the river.

It is time.

They charged.

Their pincers reached the back of the red ant line. With growing joy John watched as his forces executed a perfect flank and caught the black ants on the bridges of grass. The enemy was being attacked from both sides. General John took no time in cutting the grass blades and sending the enemy army tumbling into the water. It was glorious. Glorious! A battle for the ages. One that would've been sung in song.

However, he miscalculated. A few red ants caught his tiny black ant body. With great pain, they pulled him apart. The attack was a success however. Alexander the Great would be proud. Well, except for the whole dying part.





"Note to self: That is why generals should command from the rear. If that was a human army, then his force would have been lost and without command."

John's mind snapped back to his human body, still sitting in a chair. Standing up he walked over to the side of the patio in his backyard and leaned down. It was an odd thing to look down on the battle in which he had just died. Well, not him. Just the small ant he had entered.

He was no general. Only a simple clock tinker with a few...particular talents. He had meditated for most of his life and in doing so, had mastered astral projection and possession.

"What a useless skill"

Sighing he scratched the back of his head and scanned the area before heading out of the gate in the back of the fence.

He was only really capable of possessing small mindless insects, though. Anything with an actual mind would simply shrug him off. It was fun, however, to step out of his normal life and join the epic battles in his backyard. He knew every pebble, every resource, every hill and valley, he had fought in them all.

There were five colonies in the small space. They each had their own advantages. The red army had numbers, because of its residence just below a tree, which gave it ample food. However, the tree was in the middle of the yard so they were at war most of the time. Then there were the fountain ants. They numbered the least, but had the strongest troops due to both genetics and a good water supply. Two more resided in random locations. They were new and so did not yet deserve a name. Finally, there were the black ants. They were aggressive, ranked third in numbers, third in resources, and were holed up in the corner of the lawn. They were his favorite. He had led wars against them and defended them from aggressors, but they never seemed to break. As such they were the oldest colony in the yard. Too bad he could tell no one of their triumphs. They would lock him up as if he were crazy.

John went up a short hill to sit on his favorite bolder. He liked to take the time to gaze at the horizon as the sun set. It quieted the restlessness in him. Soon though the sky would darken and he would go inside to get a drink of water.

Until his time for bed, he read various books on war, strategy and the functions of nations. It mostly came to use when he would get together with some other guys and play tabletop strategy games. He would also go downstairs into his model train room.

Leaning against the wall he would flip the switch and watch and the various trains moved around. Sometimes he would sit and think of the lives of the pretend people in his pretend town. Sometimes he would even remember the face of his grandfather....He would hear those most important words whispered through time.

A shake of his head would dispel those memories like a hundred times before.

"No use in that."

Sleep came easy to him, but dreams where never at peace. Always visions of conflict. Murder, violence, intrigue and war.

The next morning, he woke up at eight, got dressed, and then went to work. Many would of been unhappy in his job. For him, this was not the case; in fact, he loved his job. There was always someone wanting him to repair an old radio or install a new one into some odd contraption. Making them always brought him joy.

It may not have been the most glamorous source of employment, but it paid the bills and he loved to tinker with all the strange little gadgets while listening to music.

After work, he went to the store and bought dinner, drove home, and cooked it. Usually from this point his measure of a good day was whether or not one activity occurred: if one of his parents called, or not.

His parents were what he could only describe as trash. Drinkers and violent abusers the both of them. His mother was bad enough. It seemed she only knew how to criticize him. Then there was his father.

"You know what, son? You know what your problem is? You have no ambition! You're just a waste of space."

The dull memory echoed back to him, leaving its dull ache. Despite the years he felt himself rile up again.

"'You need to learn to be a real man!' Oh yes, father, a real man. A real man who beats his wife and kid, calls women whores, and drinks the food budget away. A real man, bah! I’ve more manhood in my little toe than that old drunk has ever shown. Maybe your wife would stop whoring around if you actually talked to her once in awhile, instead of throwing beer bottles!"

Why she didn’t leave him, the young man would never know.

She talked about it, even threatened it! But in the end, she won’t leave. He let her feed her habits, and paid the rent. What else could she want or hope for?

John would stop when such flashes came. He would take a moment to breathe and relax. Breathing deep he would focus and let the anger flow away.

Luckily, those two had not called today. So after eating, he walked back out onto his back porch and closed the patio door. Sitting down, he began to concentrate.

It has been eight days, six hours since he last tuned himself. If he did not reach Zen regularly, his senses and mind would dull. He had started in his childhood, learning to filter out the sound of shouting to suppress pain and emotions. Such was the way of his life. Some said this attitude made him seem cold, but he preferred to think it made him self controlled.

The first thing he felt was his heartbeat. Smooth, regular. It acted as a good focal point. Before, he would have to focus for hours to find his center. Now he could almost do it while talking. Focusing, he felt the force within him. All people have it. It's been called many things, ki, chi, life energy, and life force, however, it is all the same thing. Just the physical and mental energy in your body. No magic here, just flesh.

However, a year ago he noticed something. If you were looking close enough and at the right angle, a thin line of something ran through you mind. Months had passed before he could grasp it without losing his Zen. When he had it...

The world opened up. He could go out and feel for another mind. A week later, he entered a caterpillar that was coming out of the cocoon. The feeling of flight was magnificent. But in mere moments, the small spirit of the animal would push him out. No matter what, he could not control a filled vessel. Perhaps an unborn one... but then he would have to stay in there for weeks. In the end, he entered an ant. That was nearly six months ago. Was it magic? Probably, but it seemed too weak for anything useful. Still he nibbled at it. Tweaking and playing with the ants, a bird and other animals nearby his domicile.

He breathed in and out, focusing on the internal energy that every being carried. When he reached his center the line appeared. He was about to reach for it, but there was something strange.

The line seemed to exist in another direction it hadn't before. Like a two dimensional object suddenly having depth. With a thin thread of will he poked the string right along its new edge.

It was like a pool, no, an ocean opened before him. Then even an ocean would not be large enough to describe it. It went on forever. His soul shuddered as it touched the eternal void. His arms grew cold and he started shaking. Sitting back, he marveled at that. He could now feel his soul. His mind was running at full speed.

"What was that? It was not part of me. It’s dangerous, I can tell that much. Yet all that I could learn...after only a moment I can already feel this... soul within me. What other knowledge might I obtain?"

There was only one way to get any answers in this world. So he moved toward the mental rift again and passed through. This time his soul completely detached.

At first he panicked and reached back, reconnecting with his body. There he teetered on the edge of oblivion. 

”Nothing ventured, nothing gained...”

Hesitantly he moved toward the rift again. As a soul, his spiritual senses sharpened. Suddenly, the void was filled with lines. Some were thick, others small. Some looked pale and simple, while he could not fully understand how many twisted in strange ways. Ways that he could not even comprehend, when he remembered this later.

Saying that he ‘looked’ at something here would be a misdirection. Nevertheless he saw the line he had come from. It was so thin in comparison to the others. Most were as thick as ropes. Some as rivers.

He was staring in awe at the strings when he noticed one of the larger ones had a strange bump on it. As he Moved to get a closer look, he did not notice the thin line leading back to his rift or the pain his body was feeling as his heart began to beat faster than it should or could.

Reaching out with his will it seemed that the small bulge had a heartbeat. He touched the string.

Agony. He was dying. It had been too much. Even as he registered what was happening, his human body shuddered and rolled over. Its heart stopped. He tried to go back, but with his body dead nothing was holding his rift in place and open. It shot off into the void. He had no time to curse. Already his mind was fading in the infinite black. He had to make a choice: either chase after the shrinking speck, or try to go into one of the other lines.

In that moment he made his decision. The line nearest he had felt a empty life-form. Whatever body awaited him, it had to be better than death.

"Into the breach then."

The young man reached toward the bulge, and felt the heartbeat as if it was his own. He felt a body. Empty with no spirit. He felt it all in his hands. The afterlife beckoned but he was not ready. So that he may live, he poured himself into the bulge.





Warm... He was warm. Hot really, but it was comfortable. It was pitch black as well.

"Oh God, I'm blind!"

He inhaled sharply and panicked even more as liquid filled his lungs. He kicked and tried to scream for a minute, until he realized he was not dying. His body did feel numb, though. It was like going through the feeling of having anesthetic all over his body. He tried to flex his muscles, but they would barely move. His breathing was ok... lack of air notwithstanding. He seemed to be breathing in a liquid that surrounded him. He could not guess how he was not drowning.The oddest thing however, was the thumping sound that seemed to resonate down to his very core. Reaching out he felt a wall that moved at his push.

A warm sack filled with liquid and a huge beat all around him. He was breathing liquid and could barely move... a sneaking suspicion began to overcome him. His arm moved down his chest and to his dismay he felt a snake-like growth coming from his stomach... an umbilical cord.

"Well, I appear to be in a womb.

Only in the history of a few universes did an embryo curse with such fervor and creativity.

"This can't be happening! This can't be happening! There is no way this is real! I'm not a child! I'm a grown man!"

It took him an hour to stop struggling. He kept trying to leave the body but something was anchoring him to it. After that, he started to rage at himself.

"What kind of idiot would think reaching into an infinite void in their head was a good idea?! My God, I'm so stupid."

This self-hatred went on for a few hours, until sadness set in. Then he began to bargain.

"God? Are you there? Look, I know we’ve  not been on the best of terms... but I'm really in a jam. See, I sort of crossed a line that man was never meant to cross, and now I'm stuck in a fetus... so will you help a guy out?"

He did not get a response, considering their relationship, it must have meant no.






It had been two days that the young being sat there... he would have killed himself, but he couldn’t  grip the umbilical cord.

"Why can't I feel my fingers? Why is my arm so thick, oh?"

The thought occurred to him that he might not be born human, or even on Earth. So he set out to determine what species he was. For the first time since arriving here he really concentrated. He had four limbs that were the same... they ended in hooves.

"Oh no."

He took his hoof and moved it to his face. It was jutting out. Then his hoof bumped something on his forehead. It was smooth and long.

"What the-? I have a horn on my head,huh, and four legs-and a large snout.So I am some kind of unicorn. Well, that is interesting."

Instantly his mind was filled with images of a land filled with dancing flowers and chocolate waterfalls, where everything smiled obliviously at everything that happened.

"Oh. Fuck. No."






It was three days until he finally accepted his situation. It had taken a while, but now thoughts of his possible futures filled his mind. He had examined his body. There was a complex voice box in development and incredibly large eyes. What interested him most, however, were his legs. They had flexibility well beyond anything a horse could ever have, without breaking bones. Each of the legs ended in ball joints. Then there was a mouth with a flexible tongue. Judging from this, it was pretty obvious he was going to be born to a sapient species of unicorns. What confused him most, however, was the horn. It was rounded, but the outside only seemed to be some kind of protective coating. Inside that he could feel a pointed horn. Now this horn obviously provided some kind of benefit to this organism but he couldn't figure out what it was. What could be so beneficial to risk punctures in the womb? It could be for show, but usually only males carried them for that... his hoof shot between his back legs.

"Thank God I have a, thing... that would have been terrible."






Six days. Six days of nothing but his thoughts. It was not going well.

"1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512, 1024, 2048, 4096, 8192, 16384, 32768, 65536, 131072, 263598... no, ummm... err... sigh... 1 ,2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64..."






Two weeks in. He was fighting madness. His time was taken up by doing mathematics and considering his new biology. That, and mind games.

"City built at coordinates projection model farming. Red city under siege by blue nation. Nuclear fusion discovered by yellow."

He would do that for hours, running simulations of nations developing on other worlds... Wars and empires. After a time, even that would get boring. He began to play God, adding water to the oceans or such. It was all just in his head though. So how long could it keep him sane?






Three weeks in, he did not know how much more he could take. The only stimulation came from his now fully developed ears. The sack was pretty tight now, he wondered when... there was a spasm. Suddenly he was being pushed down.

"What the heck? Oh, ok... you have prepared for this."

He turned to face the way he was being pushed, pointed his horn directly at it, and made his body as linear as he could.

"Well this should be interesting... wait, ow. Hey! This actually hurts! OW! I’ve changed my mind, I want to stay!"





"Ok honey, push!" The mare screamed as her husband held her hoof. 

She had been pregnant for thirteen months; two longer than normal. They lived in a tiny town of only three families. Their neighbors were the Gallant and the Sunshine families. Their family name was Stronghoof. A bit old fashioned to share a name but he didn’t mind taking it. His wife really cared about tradition. 

The town was isolated most of the year because of the frozen path. That's how they liked it... most of the time. For the last two months, the earth pony farmer had been waiting for it to clear so he could go for help. His wife was pregnant and near birth. It was too late however, the foal  was coming. He had seen his wife give birth four times, and this would be the fifth... It still amazed him that pony kind had not gone extinct years ago.

"AH! *Gasp* Oh, I am, dearie. This only gets a little easier each time."

He knew that this would probably be their last pregnancy. They were getting old. His son was one of the two pegasi who lived in the town. His three others were earth ponies, and now he was only a few seconds away from seeing what his youngest would be. He smiled and reached down to pull his child out of the womb. There was a horn on its head. His grin grew wider. It was barely possible that he would’ve had a unicorn son. Now his was the only family with one in the town.

"You're doing great, honey. I can see the head. It's a unicorn!" He exclaimed as the child finally came out.

"OH! DON'T YOU THINK I KNOW THAT! I JUST PUSHED IT OUT!" She laughed roughly, sweet pouring off of her. She kissed him.

Her husband laughed in return but stopped suddenly.

He was staring at their son. His hooves cut the umbilical cord almost as an afterthought. Turning him over to confirm what he saw, the father did not breathe, even as his hoof smacked the colt's bottom and made it cry.

On the young colt’s back, was a pair of wings. The stallion turned him back over, and pulled off the protective coating over his horn.

"An alicorn."

"Dear, you're going to want to see this, our son has wings."

"Wings? I thought you said he was a unicorn." She was calming down now and was cleaning herself in the shower.

"No... he has wings, and a horn."

The mother, named Sunny Fields, quickly finished cleaning and came to look at the colt. Her brow furrowing in fear.

His coat was a dark brown while the mane and tail where bone white. At the same time his hooves were pitch black. Then his eyes opened. They were sky blue.

Tentatively she turned over his little hoof, for them to only see the telltale sign of an earth pony.

"He's beautiful... Stone, what are we going to do? If Celestia finds out..." Both of them had a deep fear of the queen over the mountain. Every year her tax collectors came. Oh, they did not take much, but what did they do for the small town? They did not fix the weather or make it so they could get to civilization when needed. No, they just came for the taxes. None of them really knew if she was a tyrant, of course, but the general consensus was that she must rule with an iron hoof over the mountain.

"I don't know, buttercup, but I do know this. We cannot let anyone know about him. It must stay in the family. The queen would not want competition. She would take him away... or worse."

The mare began to cry.

"There there, dear. We are safe. Far away from her. We can raise him with peace and love."

"You’re-you’re right. I just... I'm afraid."

He frowned for a moment before leaning in close to give her a kiss.

"We've been through worse. If we do it together. Herridon is far away. Celestia nor your father will ever find him. Now, come on, he needs to suckle."

The newborn was not happy. He was freezing, his backside had been savagely beaten and now this lady was pushing him up against a teat. He, however, knew that survival was unlikely without the milk, so he both mentally and physically clamped down and began to suckle.

"What about a name?" asked Sunny Fields.

"I can think of a good one... it's too grand for a normal pony, but... it fits him well." Stone placed his hoof on the young child's head. "I name you, Mordane Stronghoof."

Stone tensed. His brow furrowing into a V shape.

"After your family? After what he did-" She looked at him, eyes moistening up. The anger died on his tongue and he slowly nodded "It's a good name, a strong name."

"Yes," She whispered, looking at the little suckling alicorn "a good name."





"Mordane. That's actually a pretty good name."

The newborn colt had decided a week ago to abandon his human name. It would likely seem strange here. The two ponies had cleaned him off and then placed him in some kind of high chair. He was surprised at how easy it was, to sit like that. Then there was the storm of children who came in an hour later. The first was a large, solid black pony with a pair of wings on its back. One of the younger ones called him Flashwing. The three others were like his parents: without either horns or wings.

"Hey little guy, I'm Flashwing." He touched his face and gave a smile.

Then a pale pink pony stepped forward and poked him in the face. "Hey there, I'm Dandy Sweets and this is Merry, and Berry." She indicated the orange and green fillies standing beside her. Soon they noticed his wings tucked behind him and they took on the same awed expressions of Stone and Sunny when they had called him an alicorn.

It was only when the woman stretched out his wings that he noticed their existence.

"Just how rare is a unicorn with wings? All of them do seem nice. Too nice. They do pick on each other, but their smiling...it must be love. Nothing like this could last though. It's only a matter of time."

Over the next few weeks and the coming months, he suffered through multiple indignities, but he never cried. He would just stare at the rest of his new family. He worked hard on his throat muscles humming and purring. It would take some time before he would be able to speak.

During this time he learned a lot about the Stronghoofs. Flashwing, a strong brother, worked the sky and had a 'cutie' mark of three clouds.

He would take him and care for him during his off hours, telling him about the things they would do together. Mordane did think though, that some of it would be fun. Merry was the happiest being he had ever seen. He would catch himself laughing all the time at her antics. Dandy loved to grow things. Berry was an amazing cook. His new 'mother' was kind, and never seemed to yell. Really yell, at least. Oh, she would raise her voice or such to have someone hear her, but it was never in anger. Over time, Mordane even began to admire Stone. He was strong willed and as solid as his namesake. He was the opposite of Mordane's dad.






It was a good day for him. Finally! He would no longer have to drink milk from the mare, and they had finally set some food in front of him... however, his pride was too great to be fed. The breastfeeding may have been necessary, but he would eat the mashed up peas by himself!

Sunny Fields tried everything, but no matter what young Mordane would not eat. In the end, she put the spoon down in the bowl and went to scold one of the other children.

Mordane moved his hoof over to the spoon. Months of watching the others had given him the confidence that he could hold it. However, seeing and knowing are different from doing. He was still trying to pick up the spoon with one hoof when the mother came back. Quickly, he clamped both hooves on the soon handle, dipped it in the peas, and put them in his mouth.

Sunny could not believe what she was seeing. The baby was feeding himself! Though he seemed unable to hold the spoon with one hoof. Smiling, she walked over and took the spoon. Then showed him how it was done.





"So we meet again."

Mordane glared at his older sister, Merry. She had a series of combs and dresses. It seemed that she thought it would be rather fun to force the young colt into them...

Laughter that sounded as his parents walked in, did not help his mood. Nor when his younger sister Berry trotted in with the boots.





In the backyard, his older brother had set up a seesaw. It was fun to play on it, even if the others were not around. He would walk up and down its length, enjoying the changing motion. One day, however, he slipped. His knee fell straight onto the sharp edge of a rock. He cried out in pain and sat on the ground. Flashwing had been flying nearby when he heard the cry. Flying over as fast as he could, he landed beside his little brother. There was a small red cut on the little child. His eyes had a little water in them from the sensitive joint. With reassuring words, Flashwing picked him up and took him to mother. Mordane gripped a little closer to his brother.





Two years had passed. Mordane was getting larger, but had yet to speak, which was abnormal, but Stone was sure he would probably do so soon. The father was walking around a corner when he saw something that made his heart nearly stop. Mordane was walking by the stove and at that moment Merry and Berry were playing. Berry dodged right as Merry, laughing, kicked where she had been and made contact with the wall. This caused a boiling pot of water to begin to tip over. Right onto Mordane. Stone rushed forward, but knew he would be unable to reach him in time to catch the pot, so instead he stood over his young son and allowed the water to splash over his own back. A loud cry of pain echoed through the farm, causing everyone in the family to come running.

An hour later, Stone was sitting in the bed, with his wife rubbing salve onto the burns. Mordane had climbed onto the bed beside his parent, to look at the wounds.

"If he had hesitated, I would be dead. There is no way my small form could've survived that. He just threw himself over me."

For the first time the human-turned-pony looked into the eyes of the mare who birthed him, and saw the love for him there. A part of him that had doubted that love was swept away. Then he looked at the stallion who took on pain, so he would not. Instead of a pony bound by obligation he saw a stallion full of honor and strength.

His father's eyes fluttered open. "Are you alright Mordane?" Tears came to the colt’s eyes.

After a moment, Mordane finally spoke, "I- I love you, dad." Mordane's eyes opened wide at the tiny voice, reflecting the shocked expressions on his mother’s and father’s faces. "I love you both."

The two parents had only been as happy three other times in their lives. They hugged him as his father winced in pain.

"They are nothing like my par- no, they are my parents.

This is a new world, so why not a new life?"





The magnitude of his changes were immense. Sometimes, he felt all those years as a human. His mind would shift, however, and he would be like a child, a child with adult knowledge, but a child nonetheless. This was one of his clear days. They were becoming more common as time passed. He remembered it all, his parents, the job, the endless monotony. This world offered so much more. Here, he would start anew. Mordane looked out over the green valley and to his mother calling him to dinner.

He smiled.





Years passed, and as the colt grew he learned much. The parents kept him out of the other families' eyes, and made him wear a straw hat when they were around. He learned to fly with time and rather enjoyed winging upon the evening air. It was on his sixth birthday, however, that he found out what his horn was for. A tax collector had come to town.

He was escorted by six soldiers, one of which carried a metal box on his back. The collector smiled and took the taxes, small as they were. He got a few bitter looks, but it was mostly civil. What interested Mordane, however, was the use of telekinesis.

"What the buck!?" He had been picking up local expressions. "So that's what the horn is for!"

Mordane had almost overheard hints about magic, but they were always talking about unicorns. They never said it was their horns that enabled them to cast spells. He watched from far off as the stallion ordered his troops back, and they headed out of town. The colt went to see his dad.

"Hey, Dad." His father was working in the fields. Mordane was not old enough yet, but would start working the weather with his brother next year. "What can you tell me of magic?"

The stallion turned and looked at his son, a worried look on his face.

"Come with me."

His dad took him into the house, and pulled down a book from a cupboard. Unlike the textbooks his mom had used to teach him Equestrian letters and math, this one looked brand new.

"I bought this from a fellow when I went over the mountain last year. It's a self-teaching guide to magic." He handed the boy the book. "I can't help you with this son, but you listen close. Magic is dangerous. It can kill as easily as a sword, more so in fact. Do not try anything that is not in that book. Do you hear me?"

Mordane nodded vigorously.

"Yes, Father. I will be careful."

"Good... also, make sure no pony sees ya doing it. I'll tell your mother. Use the rocky basin to practice."

"Yes, Dad."

Running his little heart out Mordane rushed to the basin and opened the book.


Magic:


All you need to know about basic spells, and a brief summary of its nature.


A Self-help Guide


Written by Star Swirl the Bearded


Copied by Silver Pen

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The first thing I must say concerning magic, is that there is neither a greater tool nor more powerful weapon. Magic can rend souls, bend wills, and kill with the utmost ease. In fact, it is too easy. Most unicorns who try to teach themselves beyond the most basic telekinesis, die. They die in fire and blood, frozen and impaled. So, my suggestion to you is to put this book down and go get a teacher. I do not care how talented you are. Nopony should teach themselves magic, unless there is no one around to teach them. This is my final warning. Magic will kill you, without the utmost control. Think carefully before proceeding...

I see... so you are resolute. Then I will do my best to teach you. At least you did not try to cast spells on your own. It is unlikely you would have survived. Please read these chapters carefully. Memorize them until you can recite them by heart, for any mistakes will kill you.
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The Nature of Magic

Magic is the manipulation of rules. This manipulation can be split into three categories: Force, Binding, and Making.
Force: This is the manipulating of a rule, such as to counteract gravity or heat something up.
Binding: Is taking two existing rules and connecting them, such as making a sword able to burst into flame, by having it absorb heat from sunlight.
Making: This is the creation of new rules. Whatever they may be.

The first question one may ask is what a rule is. You are a rule. I am a rule. Gravity is a rule. All things that exist and affect other things are rules. Your body is one such rule while your spirit is another.

There are physical rules and intangible ones, but they all are just as binding.

There is one rule that cannot be broken. You cannot make something from nothing or cause something to cease.

Energy must always be moved, never unmade. If you try to make energy you will fail and receive a headache. However, if you try to unmake something, then you will be utterly destroyed. The parts that make you will be broken apart. If you want to destroy something, just break it apart. Do not try to make it cease to exist.

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The Pony Races
1. Unicorns: The most gifted in magic of the races. They have the ability to reach out, and draw on the magic around them with their minds. This allows them to have conscious control of its effects.
2. Pegasi: This race’s magic naturally helps them manipulate gravity. They are far lighter than they should be; about 1/4 their weight, without magic. This is caused by a binding that forms naturally at birth. This is also how they walk on clouds.
3. Earth Ponies: The manipulation of relative density accounts for all of the earth ponies’ abilities. Not to say that their mass changes, but that it behaves as if it changes.
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Your First Spell
The first spell to learn is levitation. It is by far the easiest to accomplish and can be done in three easy steps.
1. Feel the energy within you.
2. Direct that energy around the object you wish to move.
3. Believe it can be moved and will it to do so.
This is the most basic form of levitation. Be careful to not let your mind wander and then give it a try.

Mordane set down the book and looked at a stone on the ground a few feet away.

He turned inward and focused. It was like his meditation from before, but... now there was a river in the black. Communing with it was easy, but when he turned his will toward the stone nothing happened. He tried everything he could think of to make it work before turning back to the book

Remember, once you focus your will on the object you must overpower the will of the object to stay the same. I cannot help you with this. Simply stare at the stone until you are able to force your will upon it.

"So... it’s a question of will. I have to imagine what I want to happen then force the universe to obey... how the fuck do I do that"?

Mordane looked at the stone. It was a normal rock... slightly porous. Then he thought about what he really wanted to happen, of the forces involved. He sat there for hours until something snapped.

"YOU WILL OBEY"!

A blue glow appeared around his horn and the stone, as it wobbled into the air.





A year passed and Mordane read his book in between pushing clouds over fields. Human schooling proved very useful to him. The more one understood about the physics of what was happening, the easier it becomes to cast a spell. He had taken both physics and calculus in high school, didn’t too badly in either class, as well. He would have even gone on to college if he... had not chosen a different path. In the years since he had grown pretty rusty, but it seemed that even knowing the basics of how different forces interacted helped immensely. As he learned, he discovered more differences in pony understanding. They did not know Einstein's energy equation, nor did they seem to know calculus. Their science was surprisingly empty. Soon he realized magic was to blame. They could not know what was fundamental, and what a spell was. In fact, they thought of everything as magic, even gravity and force.

Soon he could levitate multiple objects, light candles, and make water cold. However, the book did not go beyond such topics. Soon he had learned all it could teach him. Most of the book was about physics, or as it called them "The Fundamental Rules.”

Mordane was hidden in a ravine on the other side of the valley. He did not want to disappoint his father, but... he wanted to learn more. This world was unknown to him. He may need to defend himself and there were no weapons on the farm.

He focused and brought out the well of power.

"Ok, let's review. In order to light a candle or brushfire one must take heat from somewhere and pour it into something that can burn... will something you want to burn. What if I was attacked? How could I fight with this? Pouring heat is too slow, I need something like a stream of fire... If I just use my innate power I will lose all of it in seconds. That is why you draw heat from something else. Well, I know heat is just motion on a smaller scale, so what if I take the energy from some kind of motion and make it into heat? No, no... then it would just burn in one spot, I need it to shoot out... Ok, I’ll make a cone of air just in front of my horn then pour heat into it. No that would cost too much power... I guess I could just use it for small explosions."

He drew a tiny bit of the motion from the surrounding wind, and put it into an even smaller bit of air.

An explosion rocketed through the valley.

Mordane had luckily gotten behind a large stone. He started laughing. It was good that the ravine was isolated. The townsponies would not hear. He went back, to continue his studies.





Mordane hopped from stone to stone along the stream. He was grinning like a fool.

"Wait up Mordane" Flashwing shouted flying after him a few feet above the water.

Mordane looked back with a sinister smile. Dipping a wing into the river he cupped and tossed a bowls worth of water into his brothers face.

Sputtering, Flashwing fell into the water, and was only just starting to wipe his face dry before being tackled by Mordane.

Giggling they wrestled for a bit until they were left panting and grinning in the mud.

"That was fun." Mordane said pushing himself up.

"Never change Mordane." Laughed Flashwing.

"Kay, I'll never change if you never leave." Mordane said sticking out his tongue.

"Hahaha, I won't."





"If you walk out of that door...you don't ever come back." Mordanes fathers face reflected his namesake. "You will betray this family. Betray-"

"You know as well as I that we can't afford the taxes with me being here anymore father. They get higher every year. Joining Celestia's Royal Guard would make it-"

"The sun Tyrant is the one raising those taxes! It’s her land. Why would you want to go off to die in some Luna forsaken war?" He snapped, knocking over his glass.

Mordane sat quietly listening in, his eyes moist at the thought of his brother leaving. The adult in him nodded along though, admitting that it was the best choice. Tyrant or not, the princess would not throw away her soldiers.

"Celestia hasn't been at war for a thousand years. The land is at peace. Dad, those old stories are-"

Stone held up his hoof silencing the young stallion before taking a deep breath.

"A trick little Mordane taught me." Stone said. "Calms the nerves."

"He's a bright colt." Swiftwing said quietly. "I'll...I'll always put my family first dad."

Stone stared at his son for a long time before moving over and grabbing a red scarf off of the coat rack.

"It's going to be cold out. Take my scarf."

"Dad..."

"Take it. Son." He said wrapping it around his neck. Pausing to give a small hug "Be safe."

"What about mother?"

"Don't worry, I'll tell her and everypony else as well. You fly along now."

"Thank you, dad." Flashwing sniffled walking toward the door.

Mordanes heart wrenched in his chest. For a moment the adult tried to stop him from going, but the child wouldn't be denied. So instead he settled on a compromise.

"Flashwing?"

The two ponies snapped to Mordane as he walked out from behind a door. Frozen stiff in surprise. Mordane didn't give them time to recover.

Walking over he hugged his older brother.

"I love you." Mordane said as Flashwing leaned in.

"I love you too." Croaked Flashwing.

"Be the best guard ever Flashwing."

"I will. I will."

Straightening up and stepping back Flashwing snapped to attention saluting his little brother and father before turning and flying away toward the center of Equestria.





More time passed, he was eight now. Hard work had paid off. He could use basic spells with ease. Experimentation had brought out three new spells as well. Shockwave was a spell that would create a wave of sound. Useful for mid-range attacks. Stone Spike was a spell that would make stone spikes shoot out of the ground a few feet in front of him. It was rather simple, just take either motion or heat and compress the earth, then lead a cone of lesser force toward the target. Good for short range. Long range was difficult, however. Then he hit on the idea of bullets. Using magic, he would make stone spheres that could be hurled at his enemy. He carried a sack of them around.

Mordane took care of the weather with one of the neighbors’ kids. His brother had left half a year ago to see the world. He would be returning in a year or so though to visit. Mordane missed him every day.

"What am I going to do with my life?"

Celestia was a problem he always was thinking of. His parents had always been hiding the truth about race. The queen did not want competition. Why would she? What did he want to do? Then his eye saw the worn down book on his nightstand.

"I will learn magic, as much as I can."

Thus a goal was set that would drive him throughout his life.





Stone Stronghoof was looking at his son flying off to bring rain to the southern fields. Over the past ten years, Mordane had grown to a fine colt, but not a normal one. He was never rebellious. He was hard working. He never talked back. When the other children were rowdy, he would calm them down. When the older children were throwing rocks he was reading books...

This farm is too small for him. An alicorn is meant for greater things than farming the earth, but where could he go?

Mordane was looking over to the mountain and an idea came into Stone's head.

There is no future for him in this valley... who could he marry? He’s been experimenting with magic. If he keeps it up there will eventually be an accident... he may seem like a child, but if those burn marks are any indication he can take care of himself.

"It breaks my heart, but he must be allowed to leave."





Mordane was walking toward the home when he overheard his mother yelling. This shocked him. Mother never yelled. He crept up close and listened just outside the door.

"NO! No, Stone. He’s just a little colt, only ten years old. We can't send him away!"

"Send me away!?" Mordane thought. His father answered in a calm voice.

"Sunny... he’s stifled here. We both knew this day would come. It’s time for him to go, dear."

"How can you say that?! You know what will happen if she finds him. Where can he go?"

"You think I do not know that! He’s not a child, Sunny! Who was it that taught Berry how to count? Berry is three years older than him! When have you ever had problems with him? How about how he works, without somepony asking and without complaint? He’s our son, but he is more than that. He’s an alicorn... I've already sent a message to the Ponyville mayor. It came back today. There will be a place for him, and he will be able to learn from the library there."

"That is right under Celestia's snout!"

Mordane had heard enough. It was time to enter.

"Mom... Dad." His mother walked over and hugged him. "Mother... there is something I must say. I love you both. You’ve been good parents, but... Dad is right. I feel stifled. There is a whole world out there, and though I love it here... I know every rock and tree. Every river bend and cave. This is not the life for me. I know my body is young, but my mind is that of someone four times my age... please let me go. I will be able to hide myself from her, and if not... it is time to face my destiny, one way or another."

There were many tears shed that night, but as with all young ones there is a time to move away from their family.

Mordane was fully packed. He had thirty stone pellets, one week’s food in a satchel on his back, and a hundred bits to see him on his way.

His mother had knitted a cloak to hide his wings with a hood to cover the horn. It had been a memorable farewell, but it was now time to head out. The last he saw of his family, was five specks on the horizon. He took this moment to reflect. It had been a good childhood, full of games and fun, of love and attention. He would see them again one day, but not before he had touched on magic. The university was barred to him, but the library in Ponyville was supposedly very extensive. His father had said that if he went there, he could go to the school. Even if they had nothing to teach him the library would.

The road was long and overgrown. Each night, he would cast a spell to tell him if somepony came near. Each night nothing occurred. The frozen pass was in high thaw when he passed through so there was no difficulty there, either. It was not until a week later when he came upon the first town that something interesting happened.





Looking out over the town, Mordane walked with a smile on his face. He was big for his age, standing a full head over the fillies that were running around him. His blue eyes peered out from under the hood. The guard he spoke to, assumed that he was an adult. After all, how many ten-year-olds travel alone and know a word like ‘salutations’? When asked where the inn was, the guard had pointed to a ragged-looking place just down the street. However, Mordane was wandering slowly toward the building when he heard something.

"Hey there! Got goods for sale, come over." A shady looking earth pony standing on the back of a caravan called him over. He kept his hood drawn forward. In the years of practicing magic he had considered many ideas. Despite his home, he had no delusions. Ponies may be better natured than humans but vices are still vices. The store owner only enforced this view. He never even tried to get a good look at his short customer.

"Hello, my good stallion. My name is Smut Peddler and welcome to the Buckin' Bridle. You lookin' for anything in particular? We got ridin' crops, Scent of Heat, contraceptive charms- oh this here's a personal favorite of mine, the Clandestine Bracelet. It disguises you as a different kind of pony. Great for when you need to go 'undercover'" *wink wink* "without the missus findin' out."

Mordane still did a double take.

”Whose parents would name their kid that!?”

"Is... is this a sex shop? Those are allowed out in the open like this?"

"Marital aids, my boy. I deal with marital aids." He seemed a little peevish.

"How is something that lets you cheat on your wife considered a marital aid?"

"Hehe. Trust me; if it weren't for this baby, then my marriage would have ended a long time ago."

"What would make you go into a business like this?"

"Well…" Smut shifted uncomfortably. "With my name, ponies just kept coming up and trying to order things..."

Mordane was blown away with the implications.

”Wait, Clandestine Bracelet? Hmm not interested in sex but..."

"I’ll take the bracelet. One for hiding wings, please." Mordane put forty bits on the counter and the shopkeeper smiled. He had bits, and that meant no questions.

"Very good, this will do nicely. Here you go. It will also place a fake cutie mark on you to hide yours." He headed out of the shop with the cuff on his hoof. Looking at his previously blank flank he saw the picture of a bow and arrow.

Hmmm... should work fine, and I will be a lot more comfortable knowing that nopony will be able to see my wings.

The now unicorn colt went over to the inn, but just before he made it in he overheard something behind him.

A guard walked up to Smut Peddler. The stallion came out and stood in front of his caravan.

"Hey! What is it you're selling over here?"

"Nothing, nothing officer, unless.... would you be interested in a bridle? I’m sure your marefriend would enjoy it... or your stallionfriend?"

The guard sputtered and turned red before drawing his sword.

"YOU'RE UNDER ARREST! Unless I see a permit RIGHT NOW!"

"Yes, yes just, um…" The peddler backed away quickly but unfortunately his back hoof knocked out the block holding his caravan in place.

"MY MARITAL AIDS!!!"

Shaking his head Mordane watched the stallion chase his cart as he was chased by the guards down the hill. Trotting down the street he eventually saw the sign for theinn.

Oddly enough the inn also turned out to be a bar. Something that seemed odd to Mordane but it made sense for the kind of clients he was seeing. Seedy would be the word. It was an old place, with isolated alcoves and dim candlelight.

Mordane trotted up to the barkeep a stern look on both of their faces.

"What'll ya have?"

They stared directly into each other’s eyes. Both trying to overpower the other’s will, until the colt spoke.

"...Just a soda."
> An Unexpected Adventure
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Tastes like Fanta."

Mordane sat in his alcove taking long, but shallow drinks of his soda. It was nice to taste such things again after so long. No one could afford the cost of maintaining its fizz long enough to bring it to his hometown. The drink brought back memories of summer days running across fields as a human boy. Of long sips taken after spending hours isolating one emotion or another. Of the first time he sat, only smiling, as his mother and father screamed in another room. He loved the feeling of the drink as it ran down the back of his throat.

It reminded him of his past as a human and more importantly it reminded him of his grandfather.

"Really, I must learn the spell to carbonate drinks first. I can't believe it's been so long-" He chuckled ",and also my first time. Dang that's confusing sometimes."

The alcove he sat in was along the wall and much to large for one colt. It practically dwarfed him, towering over his head. Suddenly, he didn't feel so confident. This was a big world and he was small. Maybe he should just return to his small village until he was older.

"What are you thinking? This is exciting!"

Mordane shook his head and smiled. Reminding himself that this was for the best.

It would have been much better, however, if there was not a loud group sitting behind him. Their boisterous jostling and growling drew him out of his reflection.

"Listen, I can't foal-sit on this trip. The ruins are located deep in the forest. On the edge of Equestria! In the wild lands! It’s no place for a young one. Look, my grandfather left me this journal and inside is the location to an old fort. That's why I called you here, Cloud Runner. Why would you bring her along?"

"Look, Brawny Boulder. Don't patronize me. You've led dozens of guards to battle who were as young as her. Solar Black can handle herself."

"Yes! But they were trained! She isn't even like Star Charmer over here. She is at least a competent magic user. She will be able to dispel any magic traps. Then there is Sugar Song. You know, the knife expert?"

"Where did you even find her?" He paused Mordane could almost feel the glare that this Sugar must be giving him.

"Err Hello, why do you have a knife cutie mark?"

Utter silence.

"She never talks Runner, best to leave her be. As I was saying, then we have you in order to trip dangerous traps."

"I still don't like that idea. However, you forget I need backup and so does your unicorn."

"Hey! I'm not his unicorn. I intend to pay for my next semester at the university with this little adventure."

"They’ve been going on like this for a while now" his nose scrunched "Hmmm, abandoned ruins? I could always use the bits and... wait this does seem familiar. Oh yeah, DND. Heh. The money aside, the mayor won't miss me and I have come to learn about magic. Doubt I'll get a chance to go on something like this again. Who could ignore the possibility of a real adventure anyways?"

Mordane stood up and downed the rest of his drink before sliding out of his alcove and moving in front of the voices table.

"Excuse me. I hear you’re looking for another unicorn." Mordane searched through their eyes till identifying the one who held the air of a leader. He was a large pony, one could see a few scars on his skin edging out of his old armor. To Mordane he looked like a retired soldier if his demeanor was anything to judge by.

"Who are you?"

"I am Mordane, and your sixth party member if you'll have me." The leader looked him up and down before raising an eyebrow.

"You're a scrawny thing. Did you just get off the teat? What can you bring besides magic?"

Mordane paused for a second before responding.

"I’m insightful. A puzzle solver."

"Oh, really? Then riddle me this: what grows short as it ages, but when it's young it stands tall?" Runner butted in. Mordane nearly rolled his eyes at the simple riddle.

"A candle, but I can prove my insight better than that. I will deduce all of your names. I heard them, but I could not see who you were talking to. Will that suffice as proof?"

The guard smiled as Mordane had more time to analyze him. The pony had a white coat with a grayish mane. Bags hung under his eyes which gave off the dull look of those who drink too much. Yet a closer look showed something deeper...

"How do we know that you didn't see us or just by our voices?"

"I saw him get out of the cubicle next to us." The pegasus stallion spoke up.

"Fine, what is mine?"

"Well that is easy. You're the only guard here so you must be Brawny Boulder. And this male pegasus must be Cloud Runner." A solid gray stallion with a lightning bolt for a Cutie Mark looked at him with steady eyes. "Plus I can tell by your voices."

"Since you called the other one a she, then there must be Star Charmer." He pointed toward the mare with deep blue eyes, a light purple coat, and two colored purple mane.

"She’s the only unicorn, of course. Oh yes, you must be Sugar Song. That‘s a nice cloak and the knife is a giveaway. Finally, that leaves you."

He pointed toward the young pegasus mare that had a pale gray coat and black hair.

"You must be Solar Black. As I said before, I am Mordane. Mordane Stronghoof. Pleased to make your acquaintance."

Mordane sat down with the group as Cloud Runner laughed.

"Well, Boulder! Hahaha! We do need another unicorn."

"Hey! I am a stallion of my word. He got it right so he's in. Now you, Mordane, sit down. We got some things to go over."

The colt sat down. His hood hung low, casting shadows over his face. The others found him strange; his small frame yet old voice was contradicting but it never even occurred to them that he may be a child. They ordered another round of drinks and then got down to business.

"The ruins are about a five days’ walk from here at most. Whatever we find I will take thirty percent of while the rest of ya get fourteen. No, I don't want to hear complaining. You will each need to bring your own food, sleeping gear, and weapons.

"Weapons?" The younger pegasus spoke up fearfully.

"Yes, weapons. The wilderness is a dangerous place."

Mordane ordered another soda and smiled. This was going to be fun.





Gathering his things was easy. He just went to buy some more food and returned to his room. The following morning, he woke up and cleaned himself before going to the edge of the town to meet with the rest of his party. The sun was high in the sky as he moved through the town. The air crisp and clear. Looking ahead, he saw Boulder and Star were waiting for him.

"Okay, pay up Boulder. I knew he would arrive next." Boulder grumbled quite a bit, but eventually gave the unicorn mare a few bits as Mordane looked at them quizzically.

"This old guard here thought he could predict who would arrive next. Went with Sugar. I got her figured though, she’ll come when she wants."

"I thought she was the serious type," grumbled Boulder.

"Yes she is. They are the ones who arrive exactly on time. It's the ambitious ones who come first." Star smiled at him.

"Of course, they’re the only ones seeking to gain," chuckled Mordane.

"Do you seek to gain, young unicorn?" she asked, the polite smile breaking into a more comradely grin.

"Yes, though some things have more value than others. Such as knowledge."

The mare laughed. "So! A prospective student of the Academy, huh? Tell me, how many spells do you know?"

"Ten,” said Mordane without thinking. Star Charmer deadpanned.

"Ten!? That's twice what most students have before entering the academy. What are they?"

"Wait, wait. How about I ask one, then you ask one, and so forth."

"That's fine."

"Good. So how many spells do you know?"

The mare raised her head proudly. "I know sixteen spells. Not too bad for a second year, if I do say so myself. So, who did you have as a teacher?"

"Nopony." He shifted awkwardly.

"None?" Her face turned sad. "Did they die?"

"Err, no. I never had one."

"And you know ten spells? How are you alive!?" She said in shock.

"What!?"

"Magic is dangerous! You should have years of teaching before even casting the simplest spell! You need to understand EVERYTHING about what you're doing. How did you do it?" Flames were burning in her eyes. She seemed ready to strangle him for surviving the odds.

"I just used this book." He indicated the book he had read throughout his childhood and floated it over to her. Thinking back he realized that it must of been his human schooling, not any special skill, that allowed him to cast those spells correctly. Mankind’s understanding of the world went deeper than ponies. Mostly they stuck to basic newton physics.

"‘Magic, All You Need-’" She groaned "Why does this exist?! UGH! And written by Star Swirl as well! Yeah, right!" Contempt was evident in her voice.

"Why not?" She looked at him and began to lecture.

"There is no way Star Swirl would have written such a book. Who knows how many young unicorns have hurt themselves with it? Not to mention the part of how to cast a spell is in the front while the fundamental rules are taught later! This book doesn’t even talk about conservation of energy in enough detail…"

Star Charmer continued to talk as the others arrived one at a time. She started to quiz him on physical laws and mathematics. It was of course no problem for him. He understand those laws better than most ponies did. It was weird to have to remember the way ponies thought about things and say that instead of what was really going on. More than once she corrected him when he had actually said the true answer. The questions continued as they began to travel. Several hours later, she finally seemed to be finished.

Mordane was embarrassed to learn that he had miscounted some of the spells he had learned as a few were just copies of each other. In reality he knew six spells. His embarrassment made Charmer laugh.

"Well, all things considered you actually do know more than most. And what you actually know you understand very well. I've seen your levitation, what other spells do you know?"

"I have one called shockwave."

"Shock… wave… Okay, what does it do?"

"I use a force spell to compress the air into a bowl shape and make a low pressure area on the opening side. Upon release, a ripple in the air is made which can be quite... loud."

"How loud?" she asked, chuckling. He was starting to like that sound.

"One sec." Mordane walked over to the side of the trail. "Everypony cover your ears!" He yelled before casting the spell.

A blast of air and a huge boom rocked in front of him. Dozens of birds took flight as his slow to comply companions clopped their hooves onto ears ringing in pain. The sound was mostly directed away from them, fortunately.

"At mid-range it dazes and at up close it can kill." Mordane winced.

"Poor squirrel."

"Do you think you could give more of a warning next time?" Boulder growled uncovering his ears.

Star Charmer was gripping her chest laughing. "Oh… ha-ha! Don't let him get to you Mordane, he's just grumpy because he was kicked out of the guard."

"That was unjust and you know it!"

"Pffft. You were drunk half the time! I heard you stumbled around town singing war songs," she commented.

"Well you try being shuffled to a little town and labeled as useless, even as those pencil pushers pass over you for command." The stallion's eyes grew dark. Mumbling, he pulled out a flask and took a swig before turning back to the trail.

"I say buck the army, BUCK Princess Celestia, and buck her sister too." Many of the party shifted uncomfortably at this statement but he didn't seem to notice.

"She never really understood what the military was for anyway. Just look, even you call me a guard! I'm a soldier, not some keeper of the peace. Why does she have fighters, killers even, giving tickets to ponies walking on the grass? How are the enemies of Equestria supposed to fear us when we do that?"

"Why would they need to fear you?" Solar Black whispered.

"Fear means hesitation. Hesitation means defeat."

Mordane was starting to like this guy. He chuckled.

“Separating the military and peacekeeping forces creates the illusion of greater power. If somepony only sees very strong guard they wonder what you have in reserve. That would make them hesitate.”

Solar laughed.

"Ha-ha. You got that right, Mordane. Guess you aren't just a book worm eh?"

"Well, not exactly. I appreciate the art of war."

Star Charmer did a double take at that. "The art of war? War is horrible!"

"Yes, but when done properly there is a certain beauty to it. A good commander follows orders. A great commander wins battles. The best commanders win battles without ever killing anypony."

Boulder, who had been nodding along with Mordane, frowned at his last sentence. His eyes grew distant and… thoughtful.

"We should set up camp in about an hour," said Runner. "Looks like a storm."

The party gathered their things and followed Boulder down the road. Clouds sat on the horizon and a low rumble could be heard.





"Three days... Three days of mucking through the wilderness. Covered in cuts, bruises and drenched in water. How could I ever think that this was a good idea? Ugh, maybe I should ask how long unt-no, I can't afford to show any weakness. If I ever seem childish they may start to ask questions."

He had avoided talking of his past. It was understandable. Many of the others did as well. Storm Runner had been kicked out of his home village for some reason. The knife mare named, Sugar, he thought, never even talked. She would just sit there, sharpening her knife.

Star Charmer was pretty much an open book. She had been studying for about eight years to get to where she was and would not rest until he could pass every barrier she did. It seemed that she thought it was her responsibility to make sure he did not create some kind of terrible plague or monstrosity.

"Listen Mordane, misapplied spells have caused so many disasters. Timber wolves, Parasprites, and the Everfree blight, just to name a few of the problems. There is only one thing worse and that is changing the fundamental rules."

"Don't I do that with levitation?"

"No, that is counteracting the effect of the rule by creating a force, not changing it. Only one mage has done so. The effect is so powerful and fundamental that nopony would dare to try and break it. He tried and failed." Mordane turned to her, concern crossing his face.

"I thought that the fundamental rules were absolute. Who was strong enough to warp them and what did he do?"

She smiled. "Only a few ever become strong enough to do so. They are in a class of their own. The unicorn’s name was none other than Star Swirl the Bearded. His effect is the… well, you know how whenever somepony sings with great emotion music will just come out of nowhere? That is the effect he was trying to create within one room, but like a sickness it spread throughout all of reality. His last act was trying to break it..." Star Charmer looked off into the distance, a look of loss over her face.

"Hey Boulder!" she shouted.

"What?!"

"Let's stop for now. Solar needs a break."

The mare in question was walking along with a wobble.

"The more we wait the longer it will take," growled the old guard.

"Come on, Boulder. Not everypony has hooves of iron like you." Runner was flying a few feet in the air. He would occasionally fly off to look ahead.

"Fine, fine. At least I won't have to hear you complain anymore."

As the rest of the group moved off for some practical training, Star Charmer continued to be a strict teacher. She tried to make him move a large stone that was three times his size at first, but when it proved too difficult she began to scale it down.

Eventually they found he could lift about eighteen kilograms. A decent sized stone for one untrained, she said.

"Magic is the manifestation of will. The stronger your will, the more you can lift."





That night Mordane was sitting next to the fire. The others were laughing as Solar Black talked about a very popular book series called Daring Do. Mordane chuckled as well before standing up and moving away from the fire. He found the ideas in the book to be ridiculous.

Walking skeletons indeed. He rather liked the other party members. Sugar was a little intimidating but Star Charmer was… nice to be around. The knife mare was leaning against a tree on the edge of the clearing.

"Sugar, I need one of your knives."

The mare looked straight into his eyes but then pulled out a short blade and handed it to him.

"Careful." Her eyes never even changed. Mordane tried to look unsurprised that she talked.

In the sky stars shone brightly. Looking at the moon, he remembered back to when he was younger. There had been a face there. Nightmare Moon they called her. Some said she had escaped and that she was no longer evil. That seemed odd to him. Walking a bit deeper into the woods, he found a stump to sit on.

"What are you doing back here?" Star Charmer walked out from between the trees, breaking him from his musings.

"I am going to enchant this knife."

"You lack the strength for that."

"Then why don't you help me?" she seemed to consider for a moment.

"What do you want to enchant it to do?

"End result or method?" he asked.

"Result."

"I was going to enchant the blade to be hot when the owner wishes."

"...How do you intend to do this?" She knew it could be done. It would just be interesting to hear his method.

"I will create a new rule to draw power from the wind and light and bound it in the knife. Then another to create a power well, and then I will bound that well to the knife and the first spell. Finally, I’ll make one last rule to heat the blade but not the handle. Then use force and binding to bind the entire spell together and to the knife permanently."

"For what purpose?"

"To make it more deadly."

Star Charmer frowned at that. Walking close, she looked him in the eye.

"Why would you want to do that?"

"The ability to kill is power. Power is control. With control I can prevent death." Mordane mumbled.

"You are a magic user. You could already kill with magic if you want." Star Charmer said with a scrunched nose.

"True," Mordane chuckled "but then again this knife isn’t for me."

"Who is it for?"

"Sugar." He said rolling his eyes at her pestering "I want her to owe me a favor."

Star Charmer didn't continue to pester him. She only nodded her head. "I'll help you."

The two mages moved to opposite sides of the knife. Nodding to one another they began.

Sitting there, he focused drawing in energy from all around him. It was so different from his meditations back on Earth. Here, he knew that with practice his power would grow and he would become stronger. He may only have a century but his life will be grand. Star began to draw power as well. She could pull on so much more than him right now. They were prepared. Mordane began to cast the spell. The first, second, and then third. It all went off without a hitch. Then came the binding. There was a problem. Neither alone had the will necessary to seal the spell.

Mordane realized his simple mistake far too late.

In a moment, she reached out and touched his mind. Mordane almost panicked but was surprised when her mental probe snapped back. Star’s eyes were wide. The power they were summoning was tied into knots. Even a simple spell like this contained massive amounts of energy. He realized the danger they were in. So tentatively pushing along the link he sent her a thought.

"I would have never agreed to this if I knew we needed to link minds. If we don’t finish this then we’re both dead, so I must let you in. Do not tell anypony of what you see... I want a binding. Give me your word. Don't try to probe deeper either. I won't let you there."

Star had come to think of the young mage as an apprentice and enjoyed teaching him. Now he was sending her a death threat. Faced with causing a disaster, she made her choice and used some of the power to bind herself in a spell of silence.

"I agree to tell none of what I find in your mind. I agree to keep your secrets and may I die if this is untrue."

That was why it was such a shock to touch his mind. It was chaos. Hate and anger sat beside love and caring. Between it all was a broken image. There he stood in the middle. His mental image was similar to the one she knew except it had wings and seemed to switch between the alicorn body and some kind of ape.

"Focus, Charmer. We have a spell to finish binding."

They poured their combined will into it. In time, the two opened their clenched eyes and looked at each other. Mordane walked over to the knife. To anypony watching, nothing had really occurred. Two unicorns horns had glowed and the wind had grown still. He picked up the knife and felt as the enchantment activated. The blade turned cherry red. Smiling, the stallion wiped his brow.

"I don't believe it."

Mordane froze as he looked over his shoulder. There, for all to see, were his wings. Even as he stared, the spell hiding them came into effect again. The brown feathers faded and he was left looking at a stunned Star Charmer.

"What... how?" She seemed unable to even form a complete thought. Thinking quickly, he acted.

"I have always been one and yes... it is a secret."

Star Charmer felt the spell of silence bind her. She remembered her promise and after a moment of apprehension she decided it was ok.

"I see. When I was in your mind I saw a strange astral projection of you."

"...Describe it."

"It was bipedal. Had hands with five claws apiece. Brown mane and... blue eyes."

Mordane looked at her, uncertain of what to do. He could lie about it, but he knew that friendships could not be truly built on lies. A part of him wanted to tell her anyways. Wanted her to know him.

"It’s called a human. I used to be one."

"A...  human? Never heard of that species."

"No surprise..."

So they sat there and Mordane told her his story, of the darkness and the lights and of his death and then rebirth. She took it all in relative stride. Though, there were some questions.

"You remember the womb?"

"Yes, it was quite strange. Over the years, I at first thought the memory was fading, but the more I thought about it the more it came back to me."

"What of your parents? Don't you miss them?"

"Of course I do. They’re just a week's journey away, though."

A confused look crossed her face until she realized he was talking about his pony parents.

"I mean your human parents."

"No, you mean the humans who raised me originally. They are not my true parents."

"...But they-"

"Don't even try. Those two humans were terrible."

"...Were all humans like that?"

"What? Oh, no, most humans are good, kind even. Though maybe a little oblivious. A few would even outdo you ponies in kindness."

"Do you miss your world?"

"Yes. The sights and sounds. Ideas from billions funneled through a screen, working on radios. There was a lot there I don't miss, however." His eyes had a foggy look and pain was there. Star Charmer was curious.

"Can you show me?"

Mordane looked at her for a while, and then nodded his head.

"Be warned, though. My world was so very different from this one. So much cruelty and madness. So much joy and hope. We were everything that you ponies can understand... and more. You may be beings of harmony but we were more in line with chaos."

Star Charmer entered his mind once more. She saw the cities of metal and the machines of war. The need to understand and the ignorance of those that chose it. She saw their technology and their capacity for cruelty. She saw those who would give anything for those they do not even know. She saw the arts that made pony music seem so simple. He showed her all he knew of Earth and humans. When she pulled back, it was not the look of disgust that he expected. It was one of awe.

"I could never have imagined such a place. Words cannot describe it! So much movement and power. Nations so large. Greater Equestria only has twenty cities. Just twenty! From what you showed me, I think your nation had hundreds. Your species had no magic yet made it to the moon! Then they sent thinking metal beyond the edge of your solar system! I saw war and death. Constant war! Yet you not only survive, you thrive! You are not only war you are builders and destroyers. Both of chaos and order. You never stop moving!"

The pony broke down into tears. Mordane got a glimpse of what another species may think of mankind and therefore had to reconsider his own perspective. Maybe we are to be admired. He walked over and let the mare cry into his shoulder.

"I don't understand. Your people have magic. Mankind spills its own blood while you found peace long ago. Look at you ponies. Cities and towns are one with the land. War, murder, stealing… all of that is foreign to you. The weather is yours to bend. Millennia of peace at your back. Some would call us monsters in comparison to you. Feeble monsters."

She looked in his eyes, wonder still present.

"Your people are like fire and steel, burning brightly in the dark. Never stopping and growing stronger with every moment. You take it out of hoof that you will take to the stars and no matter how difficult, spread across the universe... No matter the problem you just keep trying and in time you find a way. You are both beautiful and terrifying. Each and every one."

She pushed him away and stood before him.

"Ponies build cities with the land because we know no other way. We don't really want another way. Change happens slowly and we don’t seek knowledge for its own sake. We may have magic, but what have we done with it? We’re fragile. Your kind will endure no matter what. I've seen it in your mind, ours would be broken if we had half of your problems..."

Both hugged each other for a time before heading back into camp.

Later he gave the knife to Sugar and told her what it did and how to use it. She nodded her head and said: "Debt."





Over the next few days Mordane found himself spending more and more time with Star. Oh, he continued to speak with the others, but it always seemed he would be either learning from her, talking to her, thinking of her, eating, or sleeping. He was in one of his thinking moments when Boulder called for a stop. Below them was a small town with only sixteen buildings. The place looked abandoned.

"We’ll stay the night in that town. I can see an inn. Tomorrow, we’ll make the last of our journey and arrive at the ruins the day after."

Walking into town, the party noticed many strange things. First, there was nopony in the streets. It was quiet as well. The inn turned out to be just as run down. However, it was far from empty. About twenty ponies sat in there in silence. The group found the only empty table and sat down. They did not speak until Boulder returned with their drinks.

"I have not ever seen a bar so quiet," whispered Storm. "What's going on?"

Boulder seemed worried as well. "He won't say. A room was twice the normal rate as well. When I complained, he raised it to three times and would not come down." He took a swig of hard cider. "I think I know what it is, though."

"What?" Solar Black had been even more quiet than usual. Her voice came out a whisper.

"...Thugs. Somepony is hitting up this town for protection money. The locals must be too afraid to send out a message... the poor fools."

"What are we going to do, Boulder? We don't have the pony power to face them directly." Storm was worried. There were only two fighters in their party.

"We may not have a choice...notice the stares of some of those stallions... I see four who seem above the rest. They also are near places where it would be easy to hide a weapon. When we leave, they will attack."

"Then we have the advantage."

All of the other ponies looked at Mordane like he was mad.

"Listen, we know they’ll attack as soon as we try to leave the town. So we set an ambush. We all stand up and head out of the bar. Pay the bartender in excess. Then we rush out the door and make a sharp right turn. Sugar and I will dart into an alleyway. Star, do you think you could make an illusion of us?"

"…Yes"

"Good. Do that, then you four head down Main Street. Sugar and I will head down the back alleys. When you’re attacked we’ll flank them."

"Why would we show them our rear?" cut in Solar.

"Flank is a military term. It means from the side." Boulder looked at Mordane, a quizzical look in his eyes.

"So not just concepts, hmm? Tactics as well?" He chuckled. "Ok, let's do it!"





The party was walking down the road when six ponies stepped out. Three were wielding swords. Sugar had been amazing. It was all Mordane could do to keep up with her. They were looking down from a roof as the goons moved together to block the ponies’ way.
"Let us pass," said Boulder. His voice was hard as he drew his sword.

The goons laughed and a unicorn stepped forward.

"Well colts, it looks like we have a guard today. Ha-ha. Put all of your valuables down on the ground and step away."

"...And if we refuse?" The goons laughed again.

"We'll kill you."

No doubt now. Prioritize targets. Mordane set his bag of stones on the ground in front of him as he began working on angles and trajectories. Most of all, however, he had to decide who to attack first.

Six ponies. Two unicorns. One pegasus and three earth ponies. Unicorns have priority. There was a tap on his shoulder. Sugar pointed to one of the unicorns and an earth pony then tapped her chest. Mordane nodded his head.

Sugar has two. Ok, I’ll target the other unicorn and then the pegasus.

Four stones floated out of the bag, and then he turned to Sugar and nodded.





The lead goon was having a right laugh. Here was these six in front of him. Half were females and two were children. One of the unicorns even seemed sick. Her head was lowered and she was trembling.

I can't wait to ri- that was as far as he got before a pony to his left screamed. Turning his head he saw the shadow cloaked pony stab his fellow unicorn in the eyes.

Boulder and Runner had charged at the moment the lead goon's eyes looked away. Runner darted to just in front of the ponies then flapped his wings to stop, causing a blast of air and making many of the goons retreat.

The lead goon prepared to cut down Boulder but at the last moment before the clash his sword hoof was hit and there was a spray of blood. He didn’t even know what had happened before Boulder ran him though. The pegasus looked at his comrades being beaten then decided it would be best to retreat.





Mordane felt sick to his stomach, but the plan had worked. There were three still bodies on the ground, but the others were running away. The pegasus was flying away fast. He seemed to be heading in a particular direction. It was then that it hit home for him.

”I’ve killed somepony..."





He spent the next few hours alone. The others were looking for him but he needed some time to think. He stared at the spot where the pony died. He had no choice. Boulder had been the one to deliver the blow but it was his stone that allowed it. The other dead pony was his responsibility as well since it was his plan. He had even found the body. Grizzly looking fellow. He must have never been nice to look at. Even without a hole in his chest. After a time... he was able to come to terms with it. It needed to be done. Though he may carry a death with him from now on, this village would be safer now.

He made his way to the inn and bar which was now in celebration. Before arriving he heard a shout.

"Mordane! We have been looking everywhere for you! Come inside, come inside." Star Charmer was pushing him toward the door. He entered without protest.

It seemed the whole town was in there, shouting and hollering. Their faces were filled with joy. He smiled a bit at them, glad to see some good come of it.

"Ah, there he is! The pony of the hour! Give him three cheers lads. The one who thought up the plan to save you all!" The townsfolk all turned and cheered for him. A barmaid brought out a jug of beer and set it in the middle of the table saying it was on the house.

Star Charmer filled all the ponies' glasses and even set one in front of him.

”Uh oh..."

"Umm, no thank you," he said, hoping they would not push it. The townsfolk were already back to partying. His small body would be unable to handle it.

"Come on, have a drink! You've earned it!" shouted Boulder, much to the rest of the group's encouragement.

"Err, no thank you."

"No, you have to! It's tradition after battle. All ponies who fought must have a drink!" He seemed quite serious about that fact.

"I really can't."

"Why ever not?" Solar seemed a bit drunk as she asked the question.

"...It’ll make me sick."

"Poppycock! You're what, sixteen? It’ll be fine."

“I’m not sixteen."

"Ha! You owe me twenty bits boulder!" shouted Runner. "So how old are you?"

"…" It was against his personal morals to outright lie and it seemed doubly wrong with those he had fought with.

"I'm ten."

"Say what Mordane? I must have misheard you." Boulder leaned closer in.

"I’m ten years old."

All of the group was staring at him with their mouths open. Even Star had not known how young his body was. It had been skillfully avoided. She herself was eighteen.

"My sweet Celestia… You took one of them today, didn't you?" Runner seemed horrified that one so young would be fighting. "Bad enough to have to do it, but to be so young."

"Don't let it get to you, please. I am quite capable of handling myself and of making my own decisions. Besides, it was Boulder who delivered the killing blow."

"I knew you were young when I brought ya in, but not that young." Boulder did not seem as hurt as Runner. He had seen enough to know that Mordane was mentally an adult even if his body only barely knew it. "Well, it doesn't matter by this point. Do you still want to continue with us?"

"Yes." There was no hesitation. Mordane would not back down.

"Then I want no more out of any of ya ‘bout this, okay? Let's get the little baby his soda!"

The party was long and the music grand. It was late when they went to bed and late when they woke.
> The fortress
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

For days they traveled over roads till they turned to dirt, then from dirt they disappeared altogether. They traveled over fjords and forests.

They traveled more than anyone could ever want to. Mordane began to grow weary of the trail. Mentally mulling over just how little people conveyed the amount of walking required for an adventure. Nor how many latrines one would be digging.

Setting up camp went smoothly, just as it had the previous day. When it was nearly time to go to sleep Mordane spoke to Boulder before walking away from the site, ostensibly for a few minutes alone. A few minutes later, Star Charmer met up with him.

"You were brilliant fighting those thugs." She said quietly as she slid right up beside him. The moon was high in the sky, its shining brilliance obscured only by the wild clouds that were prevalent in this area so far from civilization.

"It was a simple thing, I'm sure one of the others could have come up with it." Mordane blushed, hugging his legs.

Star giggled, snuggling up close.

"Really? No, they are too set in their ways. Which reminds me…"

The pain came out of nowhere, sending little stars into his eyes. It took him a few moments to realize Star Charmer had hit him in the back of the head. He blue eyes practically skewering him.

"What’s wrong with you? Why didn't you tell me your age?"

Mordane smiled at her with a big toothy grin.

"Well, truthfully I'm about forty. So in years of experience, I am your elder."

She blinked before suddenly snorting and covering her mouth as they both broke into a laughter. It took a minute but eventually they calmed down and gazed up at the silent moon.

"After this adventure where will you be going?" Star Charmer whispered.

"A town called Ponyville. I'm going to go to the school and enroll there. They have nothing to teach me, but I will be able to use the library...I'm told it's of high quality."

"You will still need a teacher." She was staring at the ground and her voice was on the quiet side.

"Are you offering?" Mordane could not believe what he was hearing.

"I... Yes. I am."

"What of your study?" Mordane frowned

"... Some things are more important." she whispered pulling him in close.

Mordane and Star looked into each other’s eyes. He saw something he would have never imagined one of these ponies would honestly feel for him.

"Love."

His face grew hot as something stirred inside his own heart. Something he had not felt for nearly two decades. Something he had thought that wasn't for him anymore.

His face scrunched in pain, old memories surfacing. A women. An end.

But did he really want that to stop him? New world, new life?

"What’s wrong?" Star Charmer asked.

"I-I am uncertain about this."

“Oh Mordane…" she said, touching him. "...I want to be with you, I really do, but your body's to young. Nopony would understand. Let’s wait a few years for the physical stuff."

Mordane knew he could wait, but still his heart ached. He bit his bottom lip, shifting his eyes up at her, then back down again. Finally he settled on a course of action, as a part of him demanded something to prove it was real.

"You’re right, but… Just a kiss?" He said hopefully.

She blushed touching her lips a few moments before they turned up into a soft smile.

"...Okay, one."

Mordane pulled away, shaking.

"Oh God..." He shivered, sniffling.

"Mordane!?" She gasped leaning over him. "What’s wrong?"

"I'm sorry its just...I lost someone. Someone I loved."

Star Charmers ears wilted. Her eyes looking hurt before hardening. Pulling him into an embrace she whispered.

"Tell me about her."

"She was...beautiful. Perfect." He leaned back and gave her a firm kiss on the cheek. "Much like you."

Star Charmer blushed. The pink only showing in the light purple coat because of its intensity.

"Hey now. I said one."

The two of them giggled.

And so they kissed again, both knowing it could go no further. He may be older than her but his body was still young. Most would not understand that he was no child. Even so, she held him tenderly. Her hooves wrapped around his barrel, pulling him against her.

Both their faces a bright, fiery red.





Weeks of travel, each night Mordane and Star Charmer snuck away.

These moments together were precious to Mordane. A time that he associated with his happiest memories from his past life. A reminder of youth and innocence lost.

Star grew more beautiful to him as each day passed.  He started to like everything about her. Her swirl and star of a mark and especially her deep blue eyes.

The fears of his parents seeming so far away. 

Mordane would keep these memories held tight for the rest of his life. Feelings of fresh love and spring flowers. The future bright.

A looming hoof, casting it in shadow.





The party was standing on a hill formed at the base of a mountain. The fortress was much more intact than Mordane would have thought. Even so, its outer edges had started to crumble. The cracks could be seen everywhere as chunks of stone laid strewn on the ground.

It was a  simple design. Mostly square with a moat surrounding it. Large enough to be called a fortress. It was not setup how Mordane traditionally thought of forts though. This one was embedded in the mountain and must have been quite impressive in its prime.

A broken symbol was carved on the side in relief depicting Luna standing with her wings around the moon and the world.

"Listen up, everypony. We will be going into the abandoned fort." Boulder was marching in front of them, a serious look in his eyes. "There may be traps and such. Runner, you take point. Solar, you are with him. Unicorns in the back, earth ponies in the middle. Standard formation ponies."

Making their way down the valley, they found themselves in front of two large wooden doors. Sugar and Boulder pushed them open with ease and the party was faced with the dark corridor within.

"Just like old times, eh Boulder?" chuckled Runner.

"Aye, I still think you should have stayed in reconnaissance."

"Bah! I wouldn't want to be flying alone forever, now would I?" He glanced at Solar who blushed.

"Ha! Yes, I suppose some stallions want that." He chuckled, looking around. The group made their way forward into a chamber. Two of the three corridors before them were collapsed. The room itself was surprisingly barren save for some skeletons lying on the ground.

They walked in cautiously, looking around. A chill seemed to hang over the place as they looked around. Mordane tried to draw magic but the power was ripped from him. Runes flared to life. Around him, he could feel old spells flare to life. The magic seemed to be directed at the... bones.

"You have got to be kidding me." moaned Mordane.

The bones rolled across the ground as suits of dark armor floated over. Soon there were ten skeleton soldiers in front of them, their mouths agape in a silent scream.

"BLOODY CELESTIA! WHAT ARE THOSE THINGS?!" shouted Runner.

"Stay together. This is dark magic. STAR, MORDANE! Can you break the spell? They will probably keep reforming." Boulder commanded.

"Yes-yes, just give us a minute."Star looked at Mordane and they both began to channel power. It was harder than normal. He could feel a pull reaching for the energy as runes flashed to life around the structure. weakened but still functioning even after all this time.

The runes seemed set to prevent magic. It would take some time to rip away enough energy to cast even a small spark.

"One minute till we’re ready Boulder!" she shouted.

"Might as well be forever!" Boulder spat, swinging at the first creature.

The tight space prevented maneuvers. Boulder broke the skeletons apart with his sword and kicks but they simply reformed. It was a futile struggle, but they could not retreat. If they gave any room then the skeletons would overrun them. Sugar fought like a mad thing. No movement was wasted. Even Boulder seemed surprised. Runner seemed to be tiring quickly.

In the end, the two mages finally collected enough energy to cast the spell. It was rather simple just to cut the binding to the bones.

With a shudder, the skeletons fell apart and left the party panting. Soon, Star Charmer spoke up.

"What sort of monsters would do that to anypony? It takes a mind to fight like that. That armor had a soul bound to it. Those soldiers were alive when that was done to them..."

"They were likely volunteers." The others turned to Boulder, confused looks on their faces. "That was armor from the Lunar War."

"Lunar War…you mean when Nightmare Moon tried to bring eternal night?" Solar asked.

"Yes, we must be careful. Lunar soldiers were trained with dark magics. Necromancy, destruction, soul...nothing was forbidden."

The group moved with caution into the next corridor. As they continued to walk, Runner had the lead. He was flying about four feet off the ground when he yelled.

"Stop! Look there!" He pointed to a spot on the floor like any other. "That’s a pressure plate. See the faint outline? Ok, stay back. I need to make sure there is no mo-"

*SHUNK!*

The rest of them just stared.

There had been a trip wire suspended in the air. When he hit it, nine evenly spaced spikes in a grid came out of the wall and skewered him. He died instantly.

"RUNNER!" Solar screamed as Boulder grabbed her from behind. Star Charmer turned and threw up. Mordane stared at Cloud Runner's eyes.

Something from his past echoed in him. Reaching out to grip his heart and freeze him in place.

Intellectually, he had known that somepony could die, that it wouldn't affect him as badly. Yet here he was again, blood pooling at his feet,

No, at his hooves.

"I barely knew him... Now I'll never know why he had to leave his hometown."

He felt sick. Slowly, Mordane walked over to make sure the area was safe.





Boulder sat, comforting the wailing pegasus. Star Charmer and Mordane spent this time slowly using magic to clear the way down the hallway. It was slow going. They both talked about him and said good things, but both knew it was a great loss. They found rooms, booby traps, and even more skeletons. On the walls hung banners of the moon. It was hard going. Grueling, even. In the end, however, they found themselves before a large, magically sealed door.

Star Charmer looked at him and nodded. Together, they pulled on what power they could and broke the seal. Boulder pushed open the doors to what appeared to be a natural cavern. There was rusted armor and weapons all over the wall.

"Look around for valuables." Boulder had a defeated look on his face. He had brought his friend out here. Then he died. Now there was no treasure. His debtors would come.

"I think, I think I found something." Star charmer whispered.

"Let me see." Boulder said coming right up to her.

Solar had found a chest and was pulling it into the center of the room. With a nod from Boulder Star’s horn glowed, the lock popped off, and the chest opened.

The inside was filled with gold and gems. The worried look on Boulder’s face went away but he did not smile.

"Runner would have been glad that we found something." He said solemnly.

Solar began to cry again.

*Clap-Clap-Clap*

The party turned. There, at the door, were four ponies. They were fanning out with swords drawn. Two were the same ponies from the town. Now, however, they were fully armored. The lead pony stepped forward. He was wearing a cloak. His eyes glowed red from beneath his hood.

"Well, well. Congratulations. I never actually thought that there would be treasure in here. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Blackheart. Nice to meet you. My soldiers have told me much."

"Back off." Boulder stood up, readying his sword. "We outnumber you."

The stallion smiled. "Oh yes, that's right. You killed my two fellow unicorns. I imagine they would want revenge for that... Forward." Out of the dark hallway two more bodies stepped forward. It was the very same unicorns that had been killed in the fight the night before last, their eyes now glazed white and with drool running freely from their mouths. "They may be unable to use magic but that doesn’t mean they’re useless. Soldiers… kill them."

The thugs charged. Boulder, Solar, and Sugar met them.

Mordane, however, could not watch them. He was locked in battle with the unicorn. He and Star were battering him with everything they had, but the strength of the pony before them was too much.

"Oh, how romantic. Two foals going to fight me. A bit personal for my taste, though." There was a glow from the Necromancer. Then he frowned looking closer at Star Charmer "Are you not a little old for him?"

A glowing sphere appeared around Blackheart and a beam of energy leaped out at Star. The mare had a barrier ready, but he was too strong. The shield cracked, Star looked afraid, and then it shattered. During this entire time, Mordane was casting his spells. Balls of stone broke into dust on Blackheart’s shield. Stone spikes were stunted before even leaving the ground. Explosive spells found their energy absorbed. He watched as the beam broke through and hit Star in the horn.

She cried out as her horn shattered and she collapsed to the ground like a ragdoll.

"Star Charmer! No!" Mordane felt a rage build in his heart. Old wounds ripping open.

"NOT AGAIN! NOT LIKE MARIA!"

His will snapped into focus and he screamed. He grabbed all the power he could and hurtled it at the figure before him.

Solar Black was already unconscious. Boulder’s eyes were staring distantly at his foes. Sugar was collapsed, bleeding, in the corner. The two undead unicorns collapsed as Mordane pulled the energy from their bodies. Boulder charged the two remaining goons.

Mordane willed a jet of flame into being and poured his rage into it.

The shield around Blackheart rippled madly as the fire streamed into it, but still held strong as his aggressor fell to his knees, unable to sustain the attack any longer.

The black-coated mage laughed. "It seems you were able to pull energy from my flesh avatars. It's too bad really; you could have had quite the potential. Unfortunately for you, however, you have one major flaw.”

Mordane was shaking from exhaustion as Blackheart walked over to the unicorn mare.

"What are you doing?"

"I am teaching you something. Do you know why you could not defeat me? Despite that rather impressive spell at the end there?"

"..."

"Your will is lacking. Every one of those stones that you threw at me... Aimed at non vital areas. Interesting spell, by the way, I may even take it for myself. However, back to the matter at hoof. What you lack is killing intent."

With that, he stood over Star Charmer. She looked at the young alicorn and said only one thing before passing.

"Mordane, I lo-" An electric bolt struck her, burning a small hole just above the heart. Mordane's eyes burst into tears. Something in him-.

-Broke.

"Star Charmer... Maria. Not again."

Mordane shook, staring at where Star Charmer lay.

"You lack conviction. We would have been unable to even follow if you had killed all of my men in the village, but no. You let four dangerous ponies run away. Now you are paying the price for your morality."

Boulder stood, his foes defeated all around him, but gravity pulled heavily and he sunk to the floor, unconscious.

Blackheart chuckled and the chest floated over to him. As he walked out, he cast a spell to collapse the entrance and chuckled.

Mordane's cry of anguish reverberated through the room as his mind began to fade into a deep sleep.





The young pony sat in the chill, away from the fire. Boulder had woken him the day before and neither had slept since. Boulder was busy tending to Sugar and Solar. Mordane, however, was staring at a pile of rocks.

Star Charmer, the only female he had ever loved, lay under there. Boulder took a moment and walked over to him.

"Mordane, I know she was your mentor, bu-"

"Silence." Boulder stopped cold, a chill running up his spine.

"You do not know what she was to me..." Boulder stood a little taller now, understanding why this hit the colt so hard.

"We all have those we like, son. You are young. In time-"

"No," Mordane cut in. "This was no foalhood fancy. I loved her and she loved me."

"I do-"

"We kissed."

Boulder stood there, wetness coming into his eyes. He placed his hoof on the colt's shoulder.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know."

"You weren't supposed to. We were going to wait. Until I came of age..." Mordane began to cry. Boulder left him to his grief.

Hours passed, but with time Mordane pulled himself back together. He was not a child. Pain was... just another emotion. To be controlled like any other. He stood and wrapped a lock of her hair in cloth and slipped it behind the Clandestine Bracelet. Walking over to the others, he stood over Solar.

"She doesn't have much time," Boulder whispered.

Mordane nodded as he sat down. Soon afterwards, Solar stirred and opened her eyes.

"Wha…what?"

"Shh, it’s ok. The fight is over."

"I-I am so tired." she said shakely

"It's ok, shh." He gave her a drink of water which was just spit back up.

"....How bad is it." she asked. Boulder winced but there is no lying to somepony on a deathbed.

"Your injuries were severe. I do not think you will make it... Not that any of us will."

She didn't seem surprised by the news. After a few moments, her voice came out again, this time shallower than before. "Why not?"

"The necromancer collapsed the entrance. We’re sealed in."

Her breathing was speeding up and she seemed unable to keep her head up. "No, there is a way... I read it in Daring Do books. You always need a second opening to draw air into the back of the cave."

Mordane frowned. It was true, the air should be stale and damp.

"A secondary passage. To allow the air in? Yes..." Mordane moved away from the mare and toward the only pony made section of the cave wall.

"I wondered why this was here. Look, there is a hole right there near the top. Let's see, hmmm."

Mordane turned and bucked the wall.

He had only expected the stone to echo but instead a whole section of the wall slid in. The wall was very thin and the mortar had degraded centuries before. Mordane got to work and soon there was an opening big enough to go through.

Inside was a corridor. Looking right, he saw a series of rotting ropes.

"Must have been some kind of switch to get in here."

On his left, there was a table with a cupboard on top and two chests beside it.

"What have you found?" Boulder walked through the opening with Sugar on his back.

"An exit, I think. What about the one you checked?"

"Dead, Internal bleeding I think."

"Yeah, there are two chests here, both smaller than the one in the main room."

"Have you opened them?"

"No." Mordane cast a spell and moved the chests one at a time onto the table.

Opening him, he did not even care that they were full of strange bits.

"Must be Lunar currency... I'll give you Star’s share... She would have likely wanted that." Boulder began splitting it. Putting Mordane's in one and the rest in the other. "I'll give the shares of our lost members to their families."

Mordane did not answer. Instead, he opened the small cupboard. On the inside were runes and no dust. Three books sat along with a few more trinkets.

"I'll take the books, could be interesting." Boulder only nodded.

The remainder of their group followed the tunnel. In time, it came to an end with only a small beam of light shining from above a boulder.

"I won't be able to move that," Mordane whispered.

"You can, Mordane." Boulder said just as quietly, staring at the young pony. "She would want you to survive."

Mordane focused. He had thought for hours about what Blackheart had said. It eventually came to him that he had been right.

"If I had been stronger, she would still live. I wouldn't be feeling this pain again. If I had taken the lead, maybe the others would have as well... I let the girl I love die. I have two choices: either I wither away or use it to become stronger. I will live, not for me, but for her. I will live on and I will carry this pain with me."

Boulder’s eyes widened as the light encompassed the whole boulder. It would have been easier to just roll it. He turned to say so to Mordane, but stopped at his look. His eyes of stone.

"This stone will not defeat me. Always moving forward, I will grow stronger. For her not for myself. No more weakness. I will master all magic even if it takes my entire life. I cannot be trapped here. No! THIS STONE WILL MOVE!!!"

With a shudder, the boulder moved free of the cave entrance. The three of them moved out and found themselves on a road running along a mountain. Looking around, they could see trees in the distance.

"What!? Umm… Er, welcome to the Bucking Bridle! You lookin' for anything in particular? We got ridin' crops, Scent of Heat, contraceptive charms- Say, have we met somewhere before?"

Placing the stone out of the way, Mordane was surprised to see Smut Peddler hooked up to his caravan in front of him. He only hesitated a moment, however.

"No we haven't." Just a little lie... "These two could use transport, though."

"Well, I don't normally do transport, but that pony seems really hurt! I'll take them. No fee. Umm, where will you be going to?"

Mordane looked around.

"Ponyville."

"Well, go that way down this road and ask somepony in the village. They will point you the right way. I have to go the opposite. Besides, there’s a clinic in the town this way."

Mordane nodded his head. No sense in Boulder and Sugar going to Ponyville. Boulder set the mare in the caravan and walked over to him.

"Mordane, I have never met a pony quite like you. Young in body and old in mind. Just take some advice from an old stallion... Don't let hate and anger stop you from enjoying life. That is how we honor the dead. Not by seeking vengeance... or becoming a drunk. Go to Ponyville. Spend a long time there and grow up. Play with the other children. Don't glare at me like that! You may be wiser than your years, but some childish fun is just what you need. Will you do that?"

Mordane was going to tell the old drunk to buck off, but a part of him knew he was right.

"Ok, Boulder. I will. I’ll go to Ponyville and try to find some peace. I won't seek vengeance... though if it finds me I would not hesitate to take it."

"That... will be enough." He said swallowing.

The two comrades grasped each other’s hooves for a moment before turning to go their separate ways. Mordane did not know if he would see them again, but if he did they would be called ‘friend.’
> Finding his way to Ponyville
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

On a moonlit twilight, in the city of Las Pegasus, Mordane walked into a bar of moderate repute and sat down, keeping his hood low. When he had arrived in the small ground district of the city, there had been no intention in him to drink. After haggling with the exchange office he had exchanged the old coin and promptly found a bank with a lock box where he could deposit the large sum overnight, along with his three books.

Six hundred bits for expenses may be a little extravagant, but the jingle of bits as they weighed at his side helped, at least in a little way, to fight the onset of sadness. Hotels for earth bound ponies were far more common than you would think in a city that was mostly found in the clouds, so with time he found one. Its plain white walls, however, allowed memories to come back of a certain mare.

"Three days since she died...no, don't think about her. Just dissipate the pain. Let it flow to the far corners of your mind. Take away its power and dampen your memories."

He bolted upright. Isolation was not what he needed. No, he needed something to distract, maybe a show or restaurant but...some part of him knew where he was really going. Having found himself in front of the bar, drinking just seemed like a good idea.

Sadness can make ponies do stupid things. He knew that this was not dealing with his loss and would hurt in the long run, but another part feared looking back. Not when she was there.

His parents had always talked about Celestia with fear in their voices. Why they feared her so, he could never figure out, and he had never bothered to try. Most likely it was just caution, but how could he be certain? If leaders in humanity's past were any example she would likely try to control him. Most likely killing him rather than risk competition. His nature seemed to demand that he would always have to be on the run from somepony he had never even met. It was always a possibility she would use his parents, but that was a bridge he would have to cross when it came. He would always have to be alone.

Then she showed up. He had met a mare who was both smart and kind. Even after learning of his past and the truth of his age, she had not said no. Instead her response was to ask him to wait.

Ever since coming to this...place he had felt cheated. Life had been comfortable back on Earth. He was...content. After her however, he now was glad that he had made such a stupid mistake.

"One hard cider please," he said to the crusty bar keeper who looked him up and down.

"How old are you son?" The bartender was genuinely concerned about giving the colt alcohol until he saw those sad eyes, with tears just barely being held back. He paused. During his many years behind the tap he had seen many kinds of drinkers. Some did it for fun, others to socialize. A few however, they did it to forget.

"Old enough." The hoof placed twenty gold bits on the bar. "Keep the rest as a tip. I won't drink that much away." Mordane mentally congratulated himself for remembering to raise his hood. Many would guess him to be about sixteen with it up and a few carefully chosen words.

The bar pony nodded his head and took the coin. The young colt sat there, drinking and thinking of her some more. What use was strength without something to protect.





"Hey buddy don't you think you have had enough?" Mordane looked down at the five empty mugs before him. The bar pony hated to throw ponies out, but the young colt seemed able to drink like a pony three times his size.

"You know what ah think?" There was a slight glaze in his eyes. "I thank y-you don't understate... understand me."

The bar pony threw him out on his flank.

Wandering around, he found another bar and repeated the events from before. There were minor variations, but in the end it came out the same. He would go in pretending to hold his liquor as best he could.

"Alicorns must be better able to procss, processs...use up beer."

With each bar the human-made-pony became drunker and drunker. Soon he found himself in an alleyway as the darkness above him just touched the sky. It had not even turned dark when the drinking had begun. Looking up into the air he began to follow the path of papers. He sat there for an hour. In his meditations he had looked at the air before, but now that his perception was altered it seemed so much more. The wind was alive.

The shape of the wind moved like a curtain in front of him. His drunken mind reached out and followed the flows. Soon he noticed a pattern. The wind looked like her.

Then it WAS Star Charmer. She floated over to him and began to speak from beyond the grave.

At least that is what Mordane thought at the time.

"Mordane, Mordane my love! I have come back to... Are you drunk?" The voice of hers switched from other worldly to normal as soon as her eyes focused on him. Mordane smiled.

"Hey pretty lady I remember you... pretty lady. You look stupid."

The mare facehoofed while floating above him, not believing the state he was in.

"Celestia buck it Mordane, you're a mess! Just look at yourself. Is this how you are going to remember me?"

"Heheha Celestia... I never told you what I thought of her... I never told you a lot of things... never had the chance."

Some part of him knew it was not real. That part was currently battling sea pirates on an ocean of toffee.

"Look Mordane... We weren't together long, but at least we knew each other right?"

Mordane had been barely looking at the image treating it as a passing fancy, but at those words his eyes flared in anger then focused on her.

"NO! No... you get to just... just... you don't have ta worry anymore or... hurt anymore. You're dead!" He threw a bottle at her and didn't seem to care when it passed through. "You don't have ta go on. So don't give me a buck about putting the past behind me little girl! I was twenty years your senior. Do you think I don't know pain!? Do you think you are the first woman I lost!?"

The mare looked at him with sorrow in her eyes. She came down and hugged him as he cried into her nonexistent shoulder. Time, time flows ever onward. No matter how much we may wish to stay in a moment we must move forward. He found himself alone and stood again.

Warping the magic that was disguising his wings, Mordane expanded the illusion until it altered his appearance completely. Going into another bar he began reaching out. Others came around. At first it was because of his money, but in time the alcohol flooded his senses and inhibitions fell away. He spent money freely and manipulated others to do so as well. A combination of the false image over him and his natural charisma made others flock around.

He tried to forget. The rest of the night passed by like scenes from a damaged film, only discernible in bits and pieces that came with barely any rhyme or reason.





Mordane laughing at the questions of his strange body...

Some of these ponies really know how to party...

Him handing his bits over to a stallion...

Four stallion carrying kegs of alcohol past as he dances with a mare...

The vibration of wubs pulsing through his bones...

A pony was passing out sugar cubes...

Him standing over a crowd of ponies. One asks him his name. He strikes a pose and says "I am the Party King."

Dancing with three mares at once...

Guards come in... they join the party...

He is making out with a pink mare who has three balloons for a cutie mark...

Darkness...





"Oh kill me now!"

If the princess had appeared in front of him at that very moment and declared his death he would have probably thanked her for the release from his misery. Opening his eyes proved nigh impossible at first. He focused his will and forced himself to find a center.

Opening his eyes he was confronted with a disaster area.

"What the bloody bucking hell..."

It was as if Discord himself had come down and smited the large room with all the chaos and fury he could muster and then it was absorbed by the party. At least a hundred individuals sat in various positions and different levels of consciousness.

He looked around and saw that he was sitting on a large purple couch with three mares, one of each race, all around him and a party hat on his head.

The DJ, a blue haired mare with sunglasses, was passed out on the turning table. A minotaur sat in the corner giggling to himself about something.

"Haha Iron Will...You wana lern to speakk ehehe then take a drink!"

Looking down, he froze, at first thinking with his hung over mind that he had been revealed. However it took only a moment to notice irregularities. His body was huge and... neon green even the horn and wings. The mane on top of his head seemed to be fire red. On his flank sat a keg sporting a fireman's helmet. It was only a moment more to realize that it must be caused by the Clandestine Bracelet.

I must have changed its parameters while still drunk. What possessed me to choose an adult alicorn male? One of the mares shifted. Oh yeah...

Looking around the place seemed to be some kind of public meeting house or convention center. A few ponies would smile and give him hoofbumps which he absentmindedly returned as they walked toward the main auditorium. It took some time, but eventually he was able to find a place alone within the building.

Inside the empty closet he focused and changed the amulet's parameters back to normal. As an afterthought he removed the cutie mark. After all if he met somepony from Ponyville on the way there it would be hard to explain.

He was making his way back to the main room as many of the ponies were beginning to stir. During his trek to the door, avoiding still sleeping guests and such, he overheard them as they began speaking to each other.

"I don't think that was sugar in those sugar cubes," groaned an earth pony as he pried himself out from behind a couch.

"Hey where did the Party King go!?" exclaimed a pegasus stallion who had half his coat shaved off.

"Who?" questioned a mare near him with bloodshot eyes.

"You know--the pony who threw this party. This guy..." The stallion pointed his snout into the air then regally placed his hoof flat on the end of it.

"Oh ya! That pony knew how to party!"

Mordane's face grew red as snippets of the night before came back to him. Many were rousing others and trying to find him. They seemed intent to party with him again and in some ways that almost seemed appealing.

The shock from when he first woke up did not compare to when he finally made it out the front door. It seemed that the party extended far beyond one building. Around him hastily stitched green banners with a beer bottle in the center hung from lamps and out of windows. Graffiti declaring the Party King's glory were painted on nearly every wall. When he listened carefully, music could be heard faintly in the distance, accompanied by hollers and whoops.

He moved through the streets as quickly as possible. The party zone stretched on for a full block before ending at a barricade set up by the local guards. They seemed intent to inspect him at first but allowed him to pass unsearched after he pretended to be a kid trapped from the night before.

After cleaning himself up at the hotel he went to the lockbox to get his money and then went looking for the local warehouse. Once there he was directed to a red stallion with an apple cutie mark unloading crates labelled Sweet Apple Acres.

"Why is he still wearing a sombrero?"

He answered simply to the questions put to him by the colt and when asked if he could ride in the empty cart back.

"Eeyup."





Mordane woke up in the back of a rickety wooden wagon. His hood was drawn up over his face. The colt suppressed the pain of his loss again and felt guilty when it was easier. He decided to take stock, lest the stallion had taken something while he slept.

"Let's see, two bags with five thousand bits and three books I got out of the lock box at the bank.”

“Two are brown while the other is black and sealed shut. My cuff still has Star's hair behind it. My cloak and travelling pack are still intact. My sack of rocks is still here. Wonder why I didn't think to pack any food? Oh well, need to be careful don't want to have to explain where I got this money. Hmmm, well I guess I could read this first book and see if it has a way to open the black one."

Opening to the first page he was surprised to see it was a journal.

Log#1 Day 45 Year 1 AM (AGE OF THE MOON)
We... I am Luna, avatar of the moon, the bringer of night and the bearer of three of the Elements of Harmony.

Equestria is at war. I declared the independence of the southern cities this morning... all of the cities up to and including Las Pegasus and Baltimare have declared allegiance to me against my sister.

We last met one week ago before I left for the 'magic conference'. I tried one last time to make her see reason. Star Swirl must be released! I argued, I pleaded and yes, I even begged her to release him. But she would hear none of it. According to her the magic was too damaging. Its effects too deep to repair. When she said I was blinded by love and declared, DECLARED, that I would no longer have any duties.

That I would 'take time to think' as it were.

I finally understood. Our relation has been strained for some time before this most recent transgression. We barely talked. Celestia has been suppressing Equestria's progress for years. I would suggest a mining colony in the badlands and she would say it was too hot and far, that those ponies would be isolated there. While the journey may be difficult the rewards are uncountable. She hampered research of new spells and isolated knowledge. I argued for weeks against the criminalisation of commoners teaching war magic outside of the state, but still it was labelled 'too dangerous'.

On that night, however, when she refused to release my love and then condemned me in front of the masses it finally confirmed what I had feared.

Celestia, princess of the sun, guardian of the day, has gone mad. She seeks ever more power. I now think she wishes to see me gone, put out of the way so that she may rule alone. However I will resist. Though my forces may be fewer in number I do have one advantage. Star Swirl's journal. It is magically sealed with a mind lock; however I know the way to open it...The key is a first kiss.

Mordane closed the brown book and sat there in shock.

A journal from Luna before her banishment. How impossibly rare can this thing be!? Why was it hidden in a fort behind a wall?! Not only that, she seems oddly... sane. Discussing politics and this war magic, I would not believe she was mad. Star said that Luna went insane and started calling herself Nightmare Moon. There was no mention of war--and what is this mind lock? A lock of the mind? A thought of a first kiss is the key. So I use the thought of a first kiss to open the journal somehow. How can a thought are used as a key?

Mulling over the issue he was unable to make any progress, so he continued to read.

Log#2 Day 247 Year 1
War... fifty ponies dying in a single battle. Three of Celestia's captains knew war magic. Equestria has not seen so much blood in a thousand years. So many ponies have been willing to lay down their lives so that we may all live free. How can I not be willing to risk as much to bring back my love? Tomorrow I begin my study of the fundamental magic. With it I should be able to smite my enemies and free Star Swirl. I only need the three jewels on my sister's neck.

Log#3 Day 300 Year 1
The last day of the year. I have been studying Star Swirl's notes for some time now. Winter has stopped most of the fighting and given me ample time. I can feel it wearing on me. This magic--manipulating the fundamental rules--was something no normal pony could do. Yes, even I feel its pull, but I can resist. I will not be corrupted. I will save him.

Mordane reread the passages a few times. It seemed a bit off to him.

Didn't Star Swirl live well over two thousand years ago? Is this just something that's been made up? If so then why would it be left in that place.

He, however, did not get time to finish that thought as the stallion pulled to a stop.

"Hey, you up? We’re here, just follow the road and you'll be in Ponyville in a bit."

Mordane thanked him and held out a few coins while smiling to what would surely be somepony he would meet again within the town. He simply shook his head.

"'T’aint no trouble to bring you along. Now you get on youngen."

Mordane nodded and placed the money back in the sack before trotting off to the town proper.

It was a bright day in Ponyville. Mordane was comforted by the simple nature of the structures. Yet there were some strange things. There was a building that looked like it was made of candy. Another one struck him as Japanese in design. Then there was that massive tree with a patio coming out of it. Strangest of all was the fact that most of the ponies were naked.

Now in Equestria he was well aware that there was no social distaste against nudity, but in most places they still wore clothes. The poor did it for warmth while the rich did it to raise themselves above others. Many ponies fell into these categories. The only ones who went around without clothes were the middle class, Rich enough to be able to heat their homes but poor enough to not be able to afford fancy clothes

Ponyville must be a middle class town.

A question to a nearby pony directed him towards the mayor's office.

It was a strange looking building, but he did not let that distract him. The inside, however, was an absolute mess. There were ponies running everywhere it took forever to find the mayor's office and even longer to get in to meet with anypony. 

Eventually a kindly old mare made her way over to him.

"Oh I'm so sorry, Mordane was it? I'm so sorry, we’re trying to reorganize the entire system in order to account for the new princess."

”A new princess? Why would that require reorganization? Did some noble have a kid or something. An hour waiting and she passes me off on a subordinate.” Mordane mentally grumbled but smiled warmly to the mare as she checked her clipboard. 

"Yes, that's right, Mordane. Your father wrote, saying you would be coming, let's see, I need to give you this.” She said passing him a piece of paper” This here is a letter for the headmaster, give it to her when you get then. Just follow this map dearie."

She pressed another pieces of paper into Mordanes hooves and shooed him out the door and into the waiting room.

This series of events had not instilled much faith in the government into the colt. In fact, the idea of sharing a cot with a bunch of children did not sound promising in the slightest.

Well, with such and ineffective governing body, it is likely that there are a few estates owned by the government. Probably pretty cheap as well.

Mordane wandered the halls until coming onto a room labelled 'Ponyville Land and Property Department'. Going inside he was not surprised to find a mare sitting behind a desk reading a magazine. He pulled up his hood and tried to put forth an air of maturity again. If she did not pay attention it just might work.

"Hello, I am Mordane Stronghoof. Would you please show me a list of the local property held by this government office?"

The mare barely glanced up before turning around and pulling out some folders on local properties. Many were in the ten thousand bit range but one stuck out. The shack seemed to be situated on the edge of the forest and was only five hundred bits, despite being rated as in good condition.

"What about this one? I assume it includes the property around it?"

"Ya," she said not even looking up. "It's that cheap because of the Everfree forest right next to it. How much does it say it costs on there?"

"Five hundred bits."

"Well that one's been around for years. Tell you what; if you want it I'll give it to ya for two hundred bits."

She can do that? What government would allow that?

"What’s the property tax?"

"None, that only applies within the town limits."

Mordane filled out the proper forms, even putting in the correct birth date. Her eyes moved over the paper and then told him to sign the back bottom corner. Then his picture was taken, with the hood still up. She handed him the deed, and with that, their business was done.

I wonder if she could tell someone if I was a colt or stallion without checking that document.

The weight of the deed felt good in his pocket as he walked out of the building. He made his way through town trying to pass unseen when a pink mare appeared him front of him, seemingly from nowhere. Her hair was the straightest he ever saw and a small stream of tears rolled down her face.

" WHAAAA sniff. Hello, welcome to Ponyville." she blew her nose. "I'm Pinkie Pie and I... I... I'M SOOOO SAAAAAD."

The mare collapsed, crying on his shoulder. It was like standing under an open faucet.

”What’s her issue?” He placed an awkward concerned look and began comforting her.

"There, there, Pinkie Pie. What's wrong?”

"Snrkt--I was at the town over yesterday and I met this colt. I... I, I LOVE HIM. WHAAAAA!"

Her crying was getting out of hoof, the tears were literal streams coming out of her face. He was already completely soaked.

"Look, Pinkie, calm down. It will be ok--I'm sure he'll like you back."

"No... No you don't understand. He's gone!"

"Gone?"

"Yes. THE PARTY KING IS GONE!"

The mare continued to cry on his shoulder as he stood there is shock. Quickly an orange mare showed up to comfort her and move her away from the frightened colt.

"Oh darn it Pinkie Pie. I ain't never seen you so sad before."

"He--HE--he's gone! WHAAAAA--OH a pie" Her hair went from flat to poofy instantly as she saw an apple pie on the stand the second mare had come from.

Mordane wisely decided to withdraw before the bipolar mare noticed him again.
> Starting again
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Well crap, at least now I know why it was so cheap."

The shack was six meters square with a bathroom tacked onto the side. An old rusted wood burning furnace was the only furnishing. It seemed to be made from unvarnished wood and it was notably warping in places. There was a window on both sides of the front door and one on two of the other walls as well. The wall opposite the front door had another door leading to the bathroom. The whole place sat only two dozen meters from the forest edge.

"This place could use some furnishing. I have a cot already which will do well enough. What I really need is a desk, candles, ice box, pens, paper, and a chair...and some food...and new glass for the broken window. How did I miss that?"

Mordane was about to head back into town, but before going he pried up a floorboard. There he dug out some of the gravel underneath to make a hidey hole. He hoped that his money and the three books would be safe there.

Taking special care the colt carefully floated a folded napkin into the space. Making sure the hair inside did not fall out.

The money and books would bring questions that he did not wish to answer. He needed isolation and room to study. It would be a balance. He would have to go to the school, appear vaguely normal, and not make any major waves in the community.

"Shouldn't be too hard to stay under the radar. As long as no pony finds out I'm living alone. That does mean I'll need to go to school though. Well, at least I'll get some knowledge of history out of this. The library will be my reward for all this trouble and if Celestia gets wind of me I can make a run for it...Come to think of it, how the heck would I get away from her? If she hears of me she will come to find me. Then I will have no choice. Either I join her and live with her hoof on my throat, or I flee. I guess this means I'll need to practice speed. Wind manipulation? Darn, I'm going to have to find somewhere to practice my flying. Anything else? Hmm, healing as well and maybe this war magic could be useful."

Mordane knew that the spells he had now were parlor tricks really. Star Charmer had known more than him by far.

She was stronger too.

The colt bit back tears.

”S-Supplies, I need supplies and knowledge. Who knows where I’ll find more information about this ‘War Magic’ “

After all, Celestia would not want a regular pony to have real strength.

Walking through the town, Mordane was lost in his thoughts. He came to in front of a fountain. Looking around, he saw a Quill and Sofa shop.

“Quills and Sofas? Well I at least hope they have paper as well.”

"Hello! Welcome to the Sofa and Quill, how can I help you my young colt?"

Mordane almost answered normally before remembering the false image he needed to put forward.

"Hello sir. How much for the paper and quills?"

The stallion behind the counter smiled at the young smiling unicorn colt in front of him.

"Well now, a quill hmmm? Not a pencil?"

"Well, I recently learned how to make things float with magic. It is really neat!"

The stallion laughed. Young unicorns were always so excited after first discovering magic.

"Yes, how much paper and quills would you like?"

"What is the cost?"

"A hundred sheets for ten bits and one bit for a quill and one bit for an ink well."

"Ok, I'll take--"

"Oh wait, how will I carry it? "

"Actually, I'll be right back."

Mordane ran out the door. He looked around for a few minute before finding the wagon shop. 
The problem was that most of them were too big to pull. He suspected that the one he was forced to buy was meant more as a toy than a method of transporting goods.

It did not do his pride any good to be seen pulling a little red cart with 'Trotty' painted on the side.

"Hello again Sir. I would like four quills, five ink wells, and two hundred sheets of paper."

The store owner smiled again at seeing the young one and proceeded to load up his cart. Mordane paid him and made the trek back to his shack, unloaded the items, and returned to the town again. It took a few trips, but in time he was able to get most of what he needed. It was on the last trip with a few sacks of food and a magical cooling box that the colt noticed the wooden tree had a library symbol on the front door. He pulled up to it, pushed on the door, and went inside leaving the cart out front.

Books...hundreds of books. In his old life Mordane had been only mildly interested in learning. He would read occasionally and usually remembered some of it. But now...now he wanted to read many as he could. Knowledge is power, after all, and power means safety for you and those you care for.

"So many books, what topic to start with? Well I suppose I first must find a librarian."

This task proved easier than he thought.

"Hello! Welcome to the Ponyville library! I've never seen you here before. My name is Twilight Sparkle. Who are you little colt?"

Mordane resisted the urge to backhoof the librarian mare and instead forced on a smile while turning around. The dilation of his pupils a second later reduced his eyes to near whites.

"AN ALICORN! A PURPLE ALICORN! WHAT IS AN ALICORN DOING HERE? I'VE GOT TO RUN! WAIT! CALM DOWN! Calm down! Calm down. Ok play it cool."

"Yes, I was looking to get a book to read." He said with only a small tremor in his voice.

Twilight looked down at the young colt, feeling a twitch of pain at the obvious fear. It hurt her every time when ponies would be afraid simply because of these new wings. However, his strength impressed her. Not many had a reaction of fear so strong and even fewer contained it so well.

"What would you like to read about? Don't be scared by the whole wing thing--I'm friendly once you get to know me."

"Good question. I suppose I better learn about my...our kind." Mordane thought, gaining better control of his emotions every moment.

"Alicorns"

"First thing to know: the correct plural form is 'Alicorn' not 'Alicorns'." A book floated over from the shelf labelled 'Your princess and you'.

"Here you go! I just need your name for the checkout book." Twilight felt good to help such a young and curious colt.

"Oh for the love of all things holy don't notice my nature!"

After a few moments of flipping through the book Mordane nervously spoke up.

"Umm, could I have something a little more advance? I really want to learn about them...your kind in depth--not just surface knowledge."

Twilight's eyebrow rose with and questioning look on her face. "Oh really? We do have one with more detail, but it may be above your reading level. Let me give you a little quiz to see if you're up for it. Do you know what 'prestigious' means?"

"Honored. As in 'I received a prestigious reward'."

"Ok...how about 'condensation'?"

"That is when water appears on the edge of a glass." by cooling water vapour in the air and it turning into a liquid form.

"Ok, how about 'prejudication'?"

"Ummm pre means before and T I O N usually means an act and jud is like judge. So to judge someone before you know them?" "Specifically in a courtroom setting."

"Actually it means in the sense of judging somepony before seeing the evidence in court, but that was close enough. Here." She floated a second book over. Mordane reached out with his mind and grabbed it with magic and floated them into his satchel. The mare seemed surprised.

"You know levitation magic? That's very good, not many learn it so early. Who taught you?"

OH no, I'm not going through this again. No way!

"I learned it from a pony in my home town" Think Mordane think!" He couldn't teach me anymore though. So that's why I moved here!"

"Well that was nice of him, but...there really is no program to teach magic here in Ponyville. Occasionally there's a seminar to teach levitation but not much beyond that." The colt looked sad about that. Twilight glanced over at him and remembered when she had been a filly and how she had been as curious as this colt. She knew, however, not every pony could afford to send their children to magic school...  

"Would you like me to tutor you?"

Mordane's heart leaped into his throat.

"Ok ok ok ok she wants to teach me. That's OK. Pros: she probably would be a good teacher. Cons: She is likely under the hoof of Celestia. This is how Star Charmer...no no this is different. I have more control now. The bracelet will not fail and I need somepony to teach me. Celestia may find me at any time. I may need to risk now but the reward will be better in the end. Plus she may get suspicious if I say no."

"S-sure!".

Mordane quickly left for his shack, assuring himself of safety from being found and fighting the fear instilled unwitting by his parents. Unfortunately he was half way there when he remembered his cart.





Mordane collapsed onto his worn mat. His hooves felt as if they were going to break in half. The shack was clean as could be. The windows were repaired. The stove: inspected and determined safe. He had fixed up the shack all he could and was very tired. He was about to go to sleep, but decided to read a bit from the journal instead.

Log#3 Day 365 Year 1 AM
The last day of the year. I have been studying Star Swirl's notes for some time now. Winter has stopped most of the fighting and given me ample time...I can feel the magic wearing on me. Manipulating the fundamental rules was something no normal pony could do. Yes, even I feel its pull, but I can resist. I will not be corrupted. I will save him.
Log#4 Day 52 Year 2 AM
The war is going well. Recruiting is going well. However, I feel a growing unease. The magic of Star Swirl is starting to affect me--or is it just this war? There is a shadow in my dreams...a nightmare. Baltimare burns. I can't bring myself to even care anymore.
Log#5Day 101 Year 2 AM
The war is at a standstill and neither side can gain an advantage. Celestia now reigns from Canterlot--a fortress on the mountain. I was able to use some of the new magic during the last battle. The effects were...more extreme than I intended. It seems that the old castle will now have a blight. Much of pony magic does not work correctly there anymore. Inevitably it will become a wild place. In the confusion my sister was able to claim the three elements of mine. It will do her no good. Half of them are bound to me and I will hold it even if it means their destruction. No other but us two may wield them and if she tries then the Elements will be destroyed.

”What kind of magic could do something like that? The only place I know that is like that is the Everfree.”

Mordane yawned and put the journal away then went to sleep.





Princess Celestia of Equestria was standing on the balcony looking over to the city of Las Pegasus on the horizon. She looked back to the letter from her fellow princess and student. It seemed she was thinking on taking a student and teaching him some basic magic.

Celestia lovingly smiled, her coat shimmering ever so slightly in the evening light. The princess loved all her subjects, but Twilight came second in her heart. Right after Luna.

As the scroll reminding Twilight that she no longer had to ask permission popped out of existence into a trail of flame, she turned to address matters of state. The report had come in a day ago of riots in the streets. The princess was in shock. What could she have done to anger them so? She and Luna were now waiting for the guard to give his follow up report.

"The riots have been contained and have fizzled down. Martial law was enacted within the city limits. There were no serious injuries reported."

"It is good to hear that our subjects have been calmed down without violence. Do you know what caused the disturbance?" Luna asked, the worry on her face showing clearly.

"Yes we do." The guard shifted uncomfortably. "There was an individual who the party goers called the 'Party King'. He was the one throwing the party. Despite our best efforts he has proved impossible to find. The strange thing though is that he was reported to be a green coated, red maned alicorn."

Both sisters grew somber. They turned to each other. Stern faces reflecting the seriousness of this situation. This matter must be settled immediately.

"Ok. Luna, I thought we talked about this. Turning yourself male and going out to pick up chicks is not how a princess should act."

The guard was trembling trying not to laugh at the undignified expression on Luna's face and the mocking grin on Celestia's.

"Me!? This was obviously your doing! Who was the one that snuck out of our parents house all the time?"

"Well that would be your various coltfriends. They tended to try to sneak out before Mom woke up. Oh the indignity of this!" Celestia said sarcastically as she touched the side of her hoof just below her horn. "Why ever would you do such a thing. *Gasp* Was it to sow chaos throughout our nation?"

The guard was on the ground laughing full out as Luna grinned.

"Oh yes, Celestia, you have seen through my deception! THE PARTY SHALL LAST FOREVER!"

The two sisters tackled each other to the floor and rolled around mock punching. It took accidentally rolling right over the grinning guard to get them to stop.

"I'm sorry about that Sergeant, but there's no need to be so worried. The whole ordeal is over and nopony was hurt. As for this 'Party King' character, I can assure you that to my knowledge, there are no male alicorn. Clearly this was just some pony under an illusion spell. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if the Element of Laughter was involved in this somehow. You can submit your report and then return to your normal duties."





Mordane stepped out of the shack and headed toward the school. It was a short trot through green fields and dirt roads before he arrived.

”Why the heck are all the roads in this country made of dirt? They can build a freaking city on a mountain, but won't make cobbled roads?

He was walking toward the door when a ball impacted his face.

It displeased him.

"Oh hey! Sorry about that." a purple haired filly pegasus yelled, running up to him. "Are you new?"

Possibilities passed through the colt's mind on how to handle this situation. Many involved complex plots of vengeance, none of them productive. He sighed.

"Ya! It's no problem. I'm not hurt."

"Whew, that's good to hear. You're new to town right?"

"Yah."

The bell atop the school house began to ring.

Heading inside, he stepped up to the teacher's desk. She seemed to be grading work.

"Hello, I'm Mordane Stronghoof."

The teacher mare looked up smiling. She had a face that made him feel confident that she would teach him what he needed to know.

"I'm Miss Cheerilee. Mayor Mare told me you would be attending my classes from now on. Here, take this test and after completing it place it on my desk. Do you know how to read and write?"

"Yes."

"That's great. Take your time."

Mordane took the packet using his hooves. The test was incredibly simple at first with just addition and subtraction. The history section he left blank leaving a note saying he had zero knowledge there. The math went up to basic algebra, which was easy. The writing section was easy as well. Science it was a little tricky as mostly it was mixed with magic and he had so many errors to remember. Of course he also made sure to make a decent amount of errors on the harder material.

An hour into the class he placed it on her desk and went to sit back down.

The teacher had given a reading assignment to the rest of the class as she finished looking through his test. She seemed confused by the strange spread of knowledge but just chalked it up to him being mostly self taught.

As he sat there looking at her face he felt a paper wad impact the back of his head. He turned and saw a filly with a diamond tiara on her head seemingly interested in the boards that made up the ceiling.

"Well I think I just found the bully. Wonder what her name is? And what's with the tiara? Hmm I'll probably have to do something about her. I think I'll just call her Diamond Tiara--that should annoy her.".

The purple haired filly from earlier took the opportunity to throw her own ball of paper at the tiara girl. She seemed shocked that anypony would dare to throw something at her.

"What is going on here?" Cheerilee stood over the tiara filly. She had noticed the angry looks and heard the shifting chairs.

"Miss Cheerilee, Scootaloo threw a paper at me!"

"Is this true Scootaloo?" The pegasus was about to respond when Mordane spoke up.

"Ma'am I was looking in that direction and did not see any paper moving through the air."

"Ya, that's right!" Spoke a white coated filly with a multicolored mane. "Scootaloo didn't throw the paper!" Nopony else saw what really happened so the teacher would have to believe them.

The teacher looked at Mordane and the other filly before warning that she would assign a writing assignment as punishment to the next one to throw anything. Scootaloo and two others gave him a small smile which he returned.

"Well, it seems I've made some friends."

The tiara filly glared at him angrily.

The rest of the class was rather boring even though the teacher gave him a history book to read. She seemed to be making a separate curriculum.

The class let out around two. Most of the students left immediately, but six, including the five from earlier, stayed behind.

"Why were you throwing stuff at the new student Diamond Tiara?"

"Holy crap that really is her name."

"Because that colt made us have to read more than normal. He deserved it. Why should we have to do more work just because there is a new kid?"

"Hey now, Miss Cheerilee was just finding out how much he knew."

"What does it matter what a blank flank from the wilds knows? He's just a pathetic farmer like you Apple Bloom."

"You take that back! There ain't nothing wrong with being a farmer."

"He doesn't have a cutie mark." Scootaloo's eyes lit up. "We can ask him to join us!"

"Oh yay, just what you need--more blank flanks. You three will never get your cutie marks. Come on, Silver Spoon."

The two fillies with cutie marks left as he walked up to the three other blanks in the class.

"Hey, Mordane right? I'm Apple Bloom."

"I'm Sweetie Belle!"

"I'm Scootaloo."

"And we are..." He was not comfortable with how close they were getting.

"THE CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS!" Mordane slapped his hooves over his ears to block out the massive noise. "AND WE WANT YOU TO BE OUR NEWEST MEMBER!"

" My God! They are loud.” He thought “Cutie Mark Crusaders. A group trying to get their cutie marks? Well that sounds pointless. Isn't a mark supposed to be your destiny? Won't you inevitably find it?"

"Ah sorry...wow are you loud. I'm Mordane, it's nice to meet you and yes I will join the Crusaders. Sounds like fun."

"Still, going with them is better than being alone. I mean what's the worst that could happen."





"How could this have happened?"

The four of them were standing in front of a yelling mare named Applejack. Behind them stood the ruined, burning remains of the barn.

"What I really don't get is how we got covered in tree sap."

"What I don't understand is why you thought that building that...thing was such a good idea. How would you even be able to have a mark in something like that?" Applejack did not wait for an answer; instead, she turned and mumbled as she moved to tell the incoming pegasus to bring more clouds.

"Well Crusaders, it looks like it was another failed attempt today." Said applebloom. All of them hung their heads low. After a few moments Mordane spoke up.

"I got to go. Stuff at home to do."

"Like find a way to send Applejack money for a new barn without suspicion."

The walk home was a solitary one. When thoughts of Star charmer came again he shook his head and decided to do something to occupy his mind.

Pulling out the tools he had bought the day before, the colt set to work on the ground. Money was a terrible thing to waste, and a farmer who cannot grow his own food is a disgrace. It took a few hours, but with his magic to break up the ground and to pull away the loose stones he was able to make a small garden. Going inside he took a shower and lit a candle to read.

The two books concerning alicorn were surprisingly brief on the subject. Though it did bring up some more questions. According to the book there was only one true example of alicorn in existence, that being Celestia. She was the only one who was naturally born as a being that carried the nature of all three races within her. Not that she was the only alicorn. In fact, there were three others, Luna, her sister who is only six years younger than Celestia, Cadence, who was raised only a hundred years ago, and Twilight, who was raised...one month ago. The book said that Celestia seemed to have the ability to make ponies like herself, though she refrained for moral reasons. The author considered this was wise since alicorn are immortal.

"Immortal...I am immortal? Surely this document is mistaken. I mean...But here it has material to prove their vast age and apparently they are not getting any older. Seems only one has been born in history...and three made. If alicorn cannot die from old age...my God how long will I live on? Even as others die? Maturity of an alicorn is said to be thirty here. That's when the natural level of magic is reached for their bodies to become fully grown? Alicorn strength appears to be about equal to four times a unicorn at full power. Then how does she move the sun?"

Most of the book appeared to reiterate things about the races, and very little was actually said about the alicorn. One thing did draw his attention however. According to the book there had yet to be another alicorn ever recorded. Celestia was nearing four thousand and even she had not heard of one. According to the book it was probably impossible.

"So I will live on even as those around me turn to dust. "

It is a fearful thing to realize you will be alone. That the only constant will be a few beings that will have no care for you. Mordane began to tremble. He would have to live on without her. The worst part was wondering if it was not a blessing that she had died before he had to make such a choice.

Mordane quickly put down the book. It had nothing else to teach him. What it had may be too much. He took out Luna's journal. Now aware that this was not a being from long ago or any such trickery. She was a true immortal.

Log#6 Day 150 Year 2 AM
I've put aside the journal of Star Swirl. It sickens me. What use do I have for his work? He should have been content with his place as a unicorn. However he bound himself to chaos, I do not know. Though it is the only way I can see that he was able to gain the strength to bend the fundamental rules.
Log# 7 Day200 Year 2 AM
Bah. I have begun to teach my fool of a sub commander war magic. It is simple enough. Use your cutie mark as the focus for your magic and bind yourself to a particular element. Fire, earth, water and air are the normal choices. The fool has a standard cloud mark and decided to stretch it out to being bound to lightning. I'm the only pony who wields it in the army and he will need it in order to continue the fight. It is an extension of my connection to the glorious moon. This connection gives me access to shadow, lightning, and dreams. Celestia, however, has the sun. It gives her power over light, fire, and life. Life...without that she could not have raised me. One must understand however that the power one aligns themselves with does not grant strength only speed and simplicity in casting. Basic spells won't even require a new binding.

Mordane was shaking. The understanding of his immortality and the incredible strength of a being that has had millennia to practice magic was sitting on him. The colt walked shaking over to his mat and laid down, fear consuming him as he fell to sleep. That night was spent shivering and staring into the darkness.





School the next day was as mind numbing as one would think. The teacher never questioned his strange array of knowledge. She just seemed intent on getting him up to speed on history. The Diamond filly was as annoying as the day before. He was already thinking of ways to deal with it if he needed to take care of it directly. After school he and the other crusaders went swimming. It was pretty fun. After that though he had to leave. Apple Bloom watched as their new friend walked over the hill.

"Hey Scootaloo, where do you think he's going off to?"

"Well I guess he has somepony he stays with--he isn't at the orphanage or anything."

"I wonder where he's staying?" said Sweetie bell, furrowing her brow as she came up out of the water.

Scootaloo looked after him with a smile on her face.

"Let's follow him!"

The three fillies smiled at each other and stashed their swimming gear in a nearby tree to acquire later.

Sneaking around behind trees and bushes, they followed the colt.

"Why is he heading away from Ponyville?"

"Do you think he knows we're here?"

Soon the colt turned off the road and headed over a hill. They went over after him only to see him walk into a shack.





Mordane placed his bag in the corner and began to make dinner. A hay burger and fries sounded delicious. He was about to throw the soy patty in when there was a knock at the door. He froze immediately as fear flooded his heart. For a moment he wondered if Celestia had found him. This however was banished with the second knock. Mordane prepared mentally and opened the door.

He facehoofed.

"What are you three doing here?" The rest of the crusaders were standing in front of his door.

"We got curious were you were going, so we followed you."

"Well, come in," Mordane sighed.

The CMC came in and looked around at his shack.

"Is this where you live?"

"Yah who owns this place?"

"Do you have permission to be here?"

"Well, girls...I own this place. It was really cheap."

"WOW!"

Mordane gained a severe headache in the next few minutes before he could calm them down.

" Listen, girls. I got to go to meet Twilight...Could you promise to keep this a secret? I don't want anypony to come bothering me sept you guys."

The three fillies looked at each other smiled and shouted in unison

"YAH! CUTIE MARK SECRET KEEPERS GO!"

Mordane made a mental note to pick up another window.





Twilight was a monster. In terms of raw power he could not even compare with her strength.

In terms of spells she had mastered nearing sixty standard ones and knew enough to make some up on the spot.

She demanded his full attention and seemed intent on shoving as much knowledge into every moment as possible. Attempts to hide his strength were laughable under her gaze. It was ten minutes before she found him out.

"Why would you hide your strength from me? Were you afraid that I would push you too hard? Do you not trust me? If you don't trust me then why do you want me to teach you?" Her gaze was like steel.

"I-I was just scared. This place is so different from where I'm from. I just held back subconsciously." He lied through his teeth. He had already reinforced the illusion hiding his wings. Nothing would be worse to him than being revealed to Twilight.

The anger in the mare's eyes faded away and was replaced with a bit of sadness.

"Ok then. Don't be afraid...It may be strange here but I will keep you safe." she said as Mordane smiled in return. His mind only thinking on what he would do if she ever realized it was Celestia he feared.

"I would like you to now lift the rock up to your chin. No drawing power from the wind or from the sunlight. I'm also limiting you to two bindings--and not from anypony as well."

"Dang. That just leaves me heat from the earth unless, "

"Do objects moved by the wind count?"

"Yes."

"Dang again. Ok, I'll use heat from the earth and...uh, come on! Heat from the earth and...light from the stars! Now how to locate the light from the stars...dang. OK I'll just use--oh! There is a river about a thousand meters over there. I could draw from it...no no, it's too far. I'll lose too much strength. Nothing living, no light, no wind. Motion? What about an underwater stream?"

Mordane reached out with is will deep into the earth. There he found a small stream about a hundred meters down. Making a binding, he moved some of the energy of the flowing water into the upward direction of the rock.

Twilight fought him every step of the way without breaking her encouraging smile. She had to allow him two bindings. One to move the rock another to defend himself from her spells made to stop his rock and distract him. She would take the heat from the air and leave him cold. Then she would shift the ground. Just small things but it was enough to make him lose his concentration.

Needless to say, it was pointless to resist that onslaught, but in trying it would make him have to be quick on his hooves. Her obsession knew no bounds. They were sitting in a field just out of town. She had set him to levitating stones and moving them around. Much of the training seemed mental. After a time she stopped the orders and gave him books on shields of air, light, and force.

"A balance of all three is required in order to protect properly. Read these and give me a report in one week." Mordane deadpanned.

"WHAT IS SHE TRYING TO DO TO ME! THIS IS OUR FIRST TIME!"

Twilight smiled at the stuttering colt. She had always been glad that Celestia pushed her in the end. Now here she was teaching a student of her own who was making great progress. In time it would slow, but for now she would pile it on.

All their weekly meetings were like this. She would stuff as much as she could into ever meeting. In time Mordane started thinking of her as the purple bitch princess. Even if he was thankful for it later on.





A few weeks had passed since Mordane's first lesson. He and Twilight had met once again afterward and said his progress was 'satisfactory'.
Mordane was tending his garden when across town a certain stallion was making his way out of the train station.

Stone Stronghoof, his father, had come in order to check on his son and bring him another two cloaks. Sunny Fields, his wife, had been worried the entire month and a half since the colt had left. He had left a week ago and hitched a ride on a train over at Las pegasus.

"Now where is that orphanage? "

Stone found it pretty quickly. The orphanage caretaker, however, had not even heard of Mordane. It was against his nature to panic, but he felt honest fear at his son's absence. Logic took over. He would need to go check with the mayor.

The office was easy to find and luckily the mayor was not busy and could see him immediately.

"Hello Mr. Stone. It is good to meet you finally. How are things out in...your home town?"

Stone felt relief that she seemed to have seen Mordane.

"It is well Mayor. However, I don't have time to chat. I'm looking for my son, and he hasn't turned up at the orphanage."

The mare blinked as she looked at him, brow furrowing slightly.

"Mr. Stone, your son is at the orphanage just as we agreed. My secretary told me so herself."

His hoof stomped on her desk nearly breaking it with his strength. His eye twitching.

"Ms. Mayor...It is taking a good deal of strength in order for me to not raise my voice. I have just come from the orphanage. He was not there. Now please, help me find my son."





Twilight was flying toward Rarity's house as fast as she could. She already had Rainbow flying around looking and Pinkie asking around. She was following a clue. During their last session Mordane had been wearing a crusader patch. He said it was a gift from the other crusaders. It was a bit of a long shot, but Sweetie Belle might know where to find him. Twilight was already blaming herself for not trying to learn more about the colt beyond what was needed to teach him. 

He had just been such a good student and never seemed to complain.

"Oh he must be staying somewhere! I just assumed he was safe. If we can find him I'm going to make sure to get to know him better. Just because I'm his mentor doesn't mean we can't be friends."

Busting through the door into the boutique Twilight was glad to see the filly sitting next to Rarity.

"Twilight! What are you doing barging in like that!?"

"I'm sorry Rarity, I have to ask Sweetie bell a question! Mordane is missing!"

"Who?"

"My student!"

"Oh! That nice colt that was over here? How terrible!"

The filly was shifting uncomfortably already anticipating Twilight's next question.

"Do you know where Mordane is staying?"

"Umm Twilight...I can't say. I promised."

Twilight felt relief flood her.

"It's ok Sweetie Belle. Mordane's father arrived earlier today and just wants to talk to him and see that he's alright. Can you please tell me? I'm sure he will understand."

Sweetie bell looked up from the floor and swallowed.

"Ok, I'll tell you."





Mordane was sitting on his front porch using his magic to tend the garden when he heard a familiar voice call out to him.

"Hey son, did I not tell you to always use your own hooves to work the soil?"

Turning around, he saw Twilight, Mayor Mare, Sweetie Belle and his father all coming over the hill.

He was grinning ear to ear by the time they got close. He walked up and hugged his father without a word. Twilight had never seen him so happy. Mayor Mare, however, was sweating bullets.

"I'm so sorry Mr. Stone. If I had known that Mordane was trespassing in this governme-"

Mordane did not even let her get that far.

"Trespassing? I'm not trespassing. I own this land! I bought it at your very office!"

If the mayor had been sweating bullets before she was a veritable fountain by now. This was the kind of thing that would end a political career.

" I-I-"

"It's quite alright Miss Mare. She did give you the pass to the orphanage son?"

"Yes Father." Mordane nodded " She was very helpful. I just chose to ignore it."

His father stared at him for a minute before nodding back.

"Very well then. Thank you ma'am, you kept your side of the agreement. There is no more complaint from me."

The mayor sighed in relief. If he made no issue of it then she could probably glaze it over.

"If you want, Mr. Stone, I will go ahead and send word he is to be allowed in at any time in the orphanage."

"Thank you ma'am. I'll see to his living arrangements now."

Sweetie Belle had a bit of tear in her eye ash she hugged Moredane who forgave her for telling them where he was and promised to meet her in a few days.

Twilight was equally as happy to find out he was okay and told him that she couldn’t wait to see him next session. 

In the end he was left alone with his father.

The two of them waived goodbye as the other ponies left before looking at each other again. Mordane nodded his head toward the shack. His father nodded before the two of them headed inside.

Mordane poured a glass of water for his father before talking.

"So Dad, how are my siblings?"

That struck his father as odd. In fact, a few things did not add up. Like where he got the money to buy this place, and his voice seemed...strained.

"They're doing fine. Missing you already though."

He paused. Eyes flicking to his sons back.

"So...your wings?"

"An illusion." Mordane loved these simple and direct conversations, but now he wanted to avoid a topic. He had to put effort into smiling.

"The alicorn mare?"

"Personal student to Celestia and a princess. She was made not born." The silence was encompassing.

"Alright, I trust your judgment. You do realize how dangerous training with her is right?"

"Yes, more so the more I do. She is incredibly strong and absolutely loyal to her master. Honestly, when she talks about her, it's like she is brainwashed."

Stone nodded his head. That much was to be expected.

"Two more things. How did you pay for this place and why are you so sad?"

Mordane sighed. His father was always could see right through him.

"It was...a rough trip here Dad."

"Tell me about it." Nothing but concern showed threw his father's eyes. Mordane never could lie to him...well, not outright at least.

"Well at first it was normal. Until I got to the first town. There I met up with a group who were heading into the wilderness in order to explore some ruins..."

Mordane spent the better part of two hours explaining the entire trip to him. He left out the things about his humanity and the drunken party before Ponyville, but by the end he was in tears.

"It's just so hard Dad. I am trying to go on but it's just, it's just...Dad I'm going to outlive you. All of you. So much is just so wrong. Why did I have to be born this way? Why couldn't I have just been a unicorn!?"

Stone had always had a strong personality, but even his heart was breaking after hearing all Mordane had been through and all that he would face. He felt strange about this mare, but she was gone now and it would only hurt him if he tried to say anything bad about her.

"Mordane, my son. You were always going to outlive us. That is the nature of things. Immortality does not mean an eternity of isolation, but of purpose. You will live on and through you all that you meet will live on as well. Star Charmer sounds like a wonderful mare. She saw your age despite your years and was willing to wait. Remember her Mordane. Remember her and live on so she will as well."

A loving father will know what to say to calm his child. Mordane was comforted for a time by him and in the end they set about to have a good time before Stone had to leave.

They fixed up his house. Went and bought needed things. Told jokes and had a generally good time in each other's company. He could not stay long, however.

He confirmed with the mayor that his son would be ok alone before leaving. It was the following day when it was all said and done. He hugged the colt.

"Now here son.” he said suddenly firm. “I will visit in a year. I expect letters. And if I don’t get them then I’ll tan your hide." He sheepishly grinned “You know, to save you from your mother when she gets her hooves on you.” 

Both of them laughed and hoof bumped before Stone turned to leave.

Mordane watched until his father passed over the hill and beyond his sight, then turned to go to bed.





School was mind numbing, but it passed quickly at least. The other CMC were calling him for a day of fun.

"You go on, I'll catch up!" Mordane finished the extra work he had and put it on the teachers desk. She had left a few minutes ago saying that he should close the door after him when he left.

He walked out the front door and was confronted with Diamond Tiara and Silver spoon sneering. The filly had not forgiven him for the incident on the first day and had continued to make both his and the other crusaders school days a little worse. She would prank them and call them names. In all honesty, he thought that she hated him the most.

Well maybe she shouldn't have thrown the paper wad at me.

"Well if it isn't Mr. Blankflank. What's wrong? The extra work making your brain hurt?"

Mordane mentally sighed. Moving to go his own way.

"Not at all. Now if you'll excuse me."

The filly stepped in front of him an evil grin coming on her face.

"Not so fast, stupid. I heard your father came to visit." She said with a nasty grin.

"Yes, so?" 

"Well I think I know why you don't have a cutie mark yet. I mean with a dad like that nothing is surprising." She continued looking meanifully at her friend.

"Be careful what you say next." His heart was already starting to speed up even as a more rational side tried to push what she said away. Something about it just got under his skin. Like she somehow knew just what buttons to press. 

"Yeah, what kind of father lets their colt go on a trip alone. Then he threatens the mayor when you're not there. No wonder you left him."

"Are you implying that my father is abusive?" Mordane said through clenched teeth.

"Hey, you said it, not me blank flank. It's obvious that he doesn't love you. I me-"

Mordane stomped his hoof and his horn flared clamping both the filly's mouth shut. Her eyes went wide as he began to warn her.

"Listen closely little one...I do not care that I have no mark on my rear. It's unimportant and only a weak little brat like you would make fun of somepony for not having one. However, my father is the best parent I have ever seen. If you say one more word against him I'll bust in your teeth."

Mordane's horn stopped glowing releasing both of them. At first Tiara had a fearful look in her eye, but it was shortly replaced by anger.

"Do you know who my daddy is? He could have you taken from your parents and put in a foster home!" Diamond said angrily.

Mordane let loose a laugh that chilled them to their souls.

"Do you think that will stop me from getting to you? I would only hurt you worse." 

"Y-you can't say this to me, I'm going to tell!" She sputtered.



"Oh yes, go ahead tell them." Mordane's voice and demeanor changed to that of a scared little colt. "B-but Miss Cheerilee, I didn't do that." He forced tears into his eyes. "Why does she hate me so! It must be because of when I told on her my first day. Why can't she just be my friend?"

The two were shocked at the performance.

"YOU'RE JUST A LIAR!"

The scared colt was gone. An evil grin returned.

"Oh yes, yes I am. Though I ask once again. How will that prevent me from hurting you? Look, I don't care about you. Turn around a walk away and we will never speak again. If you don't, however, I will return the favor."

Mordane pushed between the two young ones. His face growing sad as he got further away. The truth was he could never harm those two. No matter what they said. Fear, however, would keep them away. Only one more thing was needed to push them over the edge. He knew they were still looking so he floated a large stone nearly a meter across out of the ground and up into the air. He looked back at the two fillies and dropped in with a solid thud then left.





Mordane opened the journal. His father had calmed him. Twilight, Celestia...It did not matter. What he needed was to gain more strength. He needed power to be safe.

Log# 8 Day3 Year 3 AM
Tomorrow I go to face my sister. My destiny will rise. THE NIGHT WILL LAST FOREVER!
Log#9 Day 5 Year 3 AM
I am Commander Firmhoof. Leader of the Nightmare forces...what is left of them, at least. Some of us are still loyal to the Night queen even if she is now sealed within the moon. It was I who was taught lightning war magic by Nightmare Moon. Yes, Nightmare Moon. Here at the end of her journal I am writing to give another perspective on what has occurred. It is obvious to any who would read that as time passed Luna went mad.
At first, the Rebellion was against Celestia for her crimes against pony kind. However, after reading from that book of Star Swirl's and learning his last discovery she slowly began to obsess over her own power. Perhaps just like the discoverer himself.
In the last battle we found ourselves in a position to save Star Swirl. His form sealed away when she simply ordered us onward. I asked if she intended to save her beloved, but she just looked at me, confused.
"Why would I wish to save Discord?"
She had never called him that. It was then that I knew she was lost to us. It was then that I knew the war was over.
I will fight on, but our forces are broken. In time, we will lose.
Log# 10 Day 246 Year 20 Am
It has been so long since I have written here. I sit now in the last fortress. The enemy is closing in. We will charge out to them. The Lunar flag will wave one last time. In all my years I never could bring myself to read that journal. Despite the knowledge it contains, learning, even the safe things, from that journal that destroyed my queen is just wrong. I will leave three books here.
This journal.
My strategy journal
And Star Swirl's Journal.
Luna was vague before, and with Celestia's suppression of knowledge many may not know how to open a mind lock.
Simply pretend the book is a pony and mind link with it while holding the image of your first kiss in your head. The book should open. It is only now that I think maybe Nightmare Moon stopped reading, not because she found it pointless but because she could no longer remember the kiss.
May Luna rest in peace and her majesty rise again after her return.

Mordane placed down the book.

"Twenty years of fighting for a mad mare. And Discord...Star Swirl became discord. Does that mean that messing with the fundamental rules is chaos magic? Well, I'll think on that later. For now, it is time to open the Journal of Star Swirl."

Mordane placed the dark journal on the desk and focused. The image of that one kiss with Star Charmer coming to his mind. The journal flared in a blue glow and the magic flowed through him. With a click the book popped open and a woman's voice spoke.

"Hello Mordane. I am the spirit of this book. Created and bound by Star Swirl. He commanded me to answer all questions for those who could open me."

The colt's surprised expression turned to a smile. It was more than he could have hoped for.

"I am Mordane Stronghoof. Do you have a name?"

"No, I don't. Luna and Star Swirl never gave me one. Would you give me a name?" The voice sounded almost hopeful.

Mordane thought for a moment before smiling.

"Hmmm...I think I'll call you Kindle."





Fear. Mordane ran through the dark. Rage boiling under his skin. All around him images of his childhood appeared twisted and flawed. Did he love or hate his dad? Was his mother virtuous or a slut? Was he an only child, or one among many? Did he have hands or hooves? Was he a young or old.

Was he human or pony?

The darkness shattered as he screamed his defiance against these questions. Images fluttered by of Star Charmer. Her smile, a kiss beneath the moon, the dungeon, her death.

"Mordane...avenge me."





The human-turned-pony snapped awake. Blinking slightly he was met with the image of Kindle kicking his hoof sitting near the book's edge.

"Wake up sleepy head! It's been exactly eight hours!"

"If I ever get my hooves on a time spell I'm going back and kicking Star Swirl in the nuts...somehow."

Mordane had been at it for hours during the sleepless night. The journal was aptly named considering it was filled with research notes. Page after page after page of nearly incomprehensible research notes. The problem was that they were organized in such a manner as to assist somepony already knowledgeable in the subject. It was a book meant solely for a pony like its creator: Star Swirl. 

Not mentioning the annoying interface.

He once again sat and tried to wring more information from it.

"Oh come on! You can't tell me that you know nothing of tridimensional gateways? They form the nexus for teleportation!"

"I can't teleport," said Mordane banging his forehead against the table edge repeatedly ." Even if I could, that is theoretical. I need applied."

"Well, I don't have any applied teleportation."

"...and no basic healing either."

"Yes! No basics! I'm filled with only the greatest knowledge, the highest learning!"

"You're useless, that's what you are."

The tiny pony in the shape of a blue alicorn gasped at his words. Her lower lip trembling as tears welled up in her eyes.

"Oh cut that out...stop it."

The journal burst into tears.

"Please stop it, sigh, please Kindle?"

"Ok!" The magical construct smiled and perked up at the mention of her name, to which she had grown immediately attached.

Mordane rubbed his forehead.

"I don't suppose you have anything on war magic?"

Kindle looked surprised for a moment, then smiled.

"One document, yes."

"Really!? Show it to me."

Her image faded into nothing as Mordane looked at the opened page. It was very short, with only a small diagram and paragraph describing a single spell.

"This is it?"

"This is everything concerning war magic. It is rather simple. Even you should be able to use it." she said while rolling her eyes.

Mordane hmphed and read the two short paragraphs.

    War magic is not like other kinds of spells. It is both simple and complex. Simple in its application. Complex in its effects. Any student of magic may tell you of the difficulty of using destruction spells correctly. In fact, even in combat a magic user must nearly stand still in order to focus enough to cast their spell.
This magic will circumvent that problem by making the binding before going into combat. You must choose one concept and then bind yourself permanently to it using the below formula. You will become an aspect. A manifestation of an idea. Popular bonds include the basic forces of nature, such as fire or water, but almost any idea can be used. You can be bond to a hair comb or crystals maybe even both, but heed this. The more illogical or complex the idea, the more difficult the binding is. For instance, if you want air and fire, imagine a burning tornado. The central idea must be basic so that you can easily conceptualize it. Hold it deep, know it and feel it. Then become it.
note: should be avoided by those without cutie marks as it is best to choose something related to said mark.

"Well that was...surprisingly informative."

"What? You don't expect a lady to reveal all her secrets on the first date, right?"

”Got dang this interface.”

Mordane rubbed his head. The construct was obviously not truly sentient, so whatever possessed Star Swirl to make it act this way he could never guess .

He memorized the simple binding spell and turned to get to work. As the night had worn on the research proved to be more and more fruitless.

Mordane had even taken up another project in the night to make a hidden room under his house. Some of the experiments he may decide to partake in might not be in line with all of ponykind's morals, but one also did not survive danger without knowledge. Though to do it alone would take a few months.

He would collect dirt into a bucket then take it upstairs and walk around the house finally throwing it evenly into the woods. Then he would do it again.

Probably should go and fly at some point. Last time was...a month ago? Well anyway I need to get back into the habit again.

Mordane continued to move dirt one bucket at a time. Soon his thoughts turned to Luna's journal.

"First she rebelled against Celestia, then she was captured again...I always thought it was an old mare's tale before, but then why would that book be hidden. Not to mention the moon changing that one night a few years ago, makes me wonder. Then there’s Discord, I heard of him from that traveler. He attacked...what was it? Some town near Canterlot, I'll ask Twilight. I wonder if there is a book confirming that Star Swirl became him...The information on Discord makes him sound like a monster. How could they have been the same pony?"

Mordane sat down on a stone after dumping his fifteenth bucket. It was a simple place behind his shack. Calm...Quiet...and on the edge of oblivion. Even on Earth he had learned to leave his mind behind, but here in this world it was different. In order to cast even the simplest magic the unicorn had to reach beyond and feel around them. He was doing something like that now.

The oblivion of the forest fascinated him. Beyond the threshold...it was like blackness. His mind would just not enter there. That is not to say that there was nothing. No, he could feel a twisting even if he could not see it. Whatever it was that Luna did to this place...this blight, just drew him in.

He had yet to show his mentor this method of reaching out. It seemed not too important. Instead of reaching in a line to his target, he would spread out in all directions. Willing his perception to expand. During this he would sit with his back hooves crossed and touch his front ones together. Then he would feel. His sight showed the grass move and the small critters scurrying about. He felt the energy flow around him. Once he had even tried to possess an ant again, but unsurprisingly it failed. There was just too much magic in the air to both reach out and control another.

Mordane sat there for hours, feeling the world around him before going to bed.





"Twilight is insane."

Mordane sat drinking tea as his mentor trotted around the library reshelving. Why she pulled all of them off in order to do so, he could not know.

"If you're worried about ponies misplacing the books why don't you just put them up yourself?"

"Because! Somepony may come inside and do some reading then put it back up when I am not here!"

"Then just close the library when you're out."

"But how will ponies acquire knowledge then?"

His teacher smiled at him filled with confidence of the unbreakable fortitude of her logic. After all, she was Celestia's student.

Former student, Mordane reminded himself.

"So Princes-"

"Just call me Twilight from now on Mordane. The title gets old."

"...ok, Twilight, what are we going to learn today?"

The mare winced slightly at his statement. Mordane's suspicion began to grow.

"Well, I was thinking that we should just talk about you...since you're my student and all."

Mordane groaned inside.

Great, more lies to remember.

"Sure...ask away."

"Thank you! Now uh hmm." She cleared her throat as a fearfully thick scroll and quill came over and floated before her. "Now...Tell me about your parents."

When did this turn into a psychological examination!?

"I was born to a family of farmers with four siblings in a small town on the side of a mountain. It was a...quiet place to live. I did my chores and worked the fields. Though with time I gained an interest in magic. As I aged my parents found a way to get me access to this library. What about you?"

Questions may throw her off track.

"Oh!" Twilight smiled, glad that she was already breaking through the little one's tough exterior. He always seemed...almost too calm. "I was born in Canterlot and lived with my two parents and brother until Celestia took me in as her student. After that I spent most of my time in the castle."

"The castle? She took you away from your parents? How old were you?" Mordane tried to contain his shock. Such an act was incredibly dark, even for the image he had of the ruler.

"I knew my parents were not far off about Celestia."

"Well...Yeah. My parents were glad to let me go. I mean I was only seven, but-"
Only a child.

"- to go the castle. After all, it was the princess who asked. It was for the best, and I learned so much!".

"And missed more. Could they have said no?"

"It was the best day of my life!"

"Stockholm syndrome? Certainly believes Celestia can do no wrong...In fact, could she have manipulated her from the beginning? What if Twilight is brainwashed in some form or fashion? I joked about that but to actually see evidence of it..."

The mare continued to babble on about how the Princess was so great and strong. Mordane wondered at the motivations of the Princess even as their training commenced.





Mordane sat grumbling in front of the Sugarcube Corner. He had quickly realized that sources of income were limited, not many ponies would hire a child.

"Hey Mordane! What's up?" asked Pinkie, entering his vision from above.

"How does she do that?" "I'm fine. Can I have a sund-" Suddenly Pinkie Pie jumped into the air.

"OH NO WE ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO TALK YET!" She ran screaming away before he could even get another word in.

"What about my...oh." Sitting in from of him was a large sundae next to a newspaper.

"Ok that mare is going on my list of things I need to understand. Right under healing spells...Why do I feel a sudden dread?"

He floated the paper and spoon over to begin before pausing. The first article nearly screamed at him.

PARTY RIOTS STILL GOING ON
Party King still unfound
As this writer began to report on the increased party activity in Las Pegasus he could never have imagined the following events. That the activity would increase until it overflowed into the streets. That the guard would be forced to section off parts of the town. In two days the party had grown to legendary proportions. It looked like it would die out as the police force began to close down on supplies running into the area, however, this proved presumptuous as the party zone had an alcohol storage facility near its center that was broken into on the third day. It was nearly a full week before the zone was disbanded. The local governor has instigated new laws concerning the starting and duration of parties. Now citizens of Las Pegasus will have to file a permit to have planned social gatherings in numbers above six.
Who is to blame for this turn of events? Some point to the one called the Party king. It was he who started to encourage others to join. He who gave the mantra of party till you drop. He who led others to go and bring other parties in to join with his. Who was this stallion hidden beneath enchantments? We may never know but that will not stop us from searching. Be it for justice or to raise him in glory, everypony wishes to find the one called the Party King. I, however, feel that he will not be found, whether he is as great as ponies believe, or he falls short. Either way, he will hide himself from prying eyes. Celestia bless you Party King. Celestia bless you.

"...note to self: Do not party in Las Pegasus again...additionally, do not ever get drunk again."





Mordane was strolling down the street with a slight strut in his step and a self satisfied smile on his face. Many years ago as a human he had been able to reach out with his mind after concentrating for a while. After coming to Equestria however his awareness simply refused to separate from his new flesh. It was like the magic of this world resisted, like it was too strong to move through. So he had practiced and practiced until just a few months ago he had begun to feel the world around him as he once did. He continued to grow stronger and stronger mentally till he could reach out even better than when he was human. However, a week ago he hit on an idea. What if he used this sight to sense around him all of the time? He knew this would prove difficult since it would mean reaching his mind out without breaking from his physical form, but certainly such a balance could be achieved. Six days ago he found that balance.

After several dry runs he felt ready to put his new skills to the test, which was why he was currently wearing sound canceling enchanted earmuffs and blacked out sunglasses, leaving him completely blind and deaf. The ear muffs were bought at a local bed store, while he was able to find the shades at a joke shop. He strode confidently down the street, swerving to avoid ponies and other obstacles, his magical senses granting him near perfect awareness within a twenty foot radius. Well it was twenty-point-oh-eight-two feet to be exact, but who was counting? In theory he was capable of expanding that radius considerably wider, but doing so caused the image to become blurred, kind of like an improperly focused camera lens. He had found that if he limited it to a more manageable area he was granted much greater clarity, not to mention it was also a lot easier to comprehend. As it was he still felt flooded with all the information he was picking up.

Not only could he feel the crowd around him but he could also see a colt in the building next to him preparing to flick a small spoonful of peas at his sister, a bird flying around behind him with what seemed to be some kind of large beetle in its mouth, and even a field mouse that had burrowed underneath a hedge, presumably to hide from the cat that was eyeing it hungrily from the alleyway.

Given the up-until-this-point resounding success of his endeavor, it came as a rather rude surprise when Mordane felt his face collide with a deceptively solid section of nothing.

Stumbling back the colt felt shock run through him at the impact with another's flesh. He could feel every moving body, ever surface, every grain of dirt. How could he have hit somepony? Ripping off his sunglasses and ear muffs. Mordane found himself staring at an earth pony stallion that apparently had been trying to sneak through the town. Dressed in full body faux leather like some kind of spy. A silver candlestick with a price tag still on it was hanging out of the saddle bag on his hip. His mane was brown, and his coat dark gray. It was strange how many ponies seemed to go out of their way in order to avoid going near him. Did he really think nopony could see him? Plus Mordane felt he looked familiar.

"Is that who I think it is?"

"Smut Peddler? Is that you?"

The stallion froze before turning to stare at the young pony.

"...no...I'm Shop Lifter...You have met my brother?"

Shop Lifter? What is with this family? " ...yeah. I owe him a favor."

"Really now. That is interesting. It's rare that anypony meets more than one of us...Tell me have you seen another pony that looks like me in this town?"

"...no."

"Ah of course not," he shook his head vigorously up and down. "Well anyway I have some bad news."

Mordane did not like where this was going.

"What kind of bad news?"

"Well, the annoying kind." Lifter looked pained. "It seems that at some point you may have attrac- no...no bad choice of words. Earned the attention of my second brother."

”A third one?!”

"Hey Lifter, you know it's rude to inform my target."

Mordane nearly jumped ten feet in the air as a nearby trash can sprouted legs and a head and began to talk to him.

"The name's Child Stalker. How do you do?" The stallion grinned at him with a slight manic look in his eye. The trash lid strapped to the top of his head.

"Child Stalker, anoth- wait...I can't feel him either. Also if Shop Lifter stole that candlestick and Smut Peddler was a peddler...oh sweet lord."

Mordane continued to stare at the strange stallion for a few moments before Lifter spoke again.

"Look Brother, now you have gone and startled him. Listen colt, he won't follow you anymore since you know abo-"

"Oh no, not this one Lifter," said Stalker. "There's something special about him, I can tell." He turned and stared with eyes that seemed to pierce the colt's very soul. "I'll be watching you." He said in a whisper as he began to back into a dark corner. "Watching you...watching you..." Mordane lost sight of him in a moment, before yelling out.

"You stay away from me, you hear!" Mordane turned and looked at the other brother "...that is by far the most disturbing thing to ever happen to me...Surely he isn't going to stalk me, right?"

"Unfortunately yes." Lifter began rubbing his forehead. "Don't worry, he ain't no foal fiddler or nothin'. He just seems to think it's his destiny to follow random children around."

"...ah, that makes me feel so much better " Mordane said sarcastically before a nervous thought came onto him again." what if he does...you know, try something like that?"

Lifter laughed.

"Well then, I guess you are-" He slipped on the blackout glasses, "-bucked."

"YEAAAHH- wait what!?"

But by then Lifter was gone and with that Mordane decided he would forego any more practice for the day and head back to his small shack. Then begin to wrapping it in spells...lots of spells.

However, hanging on the door to his house was a sign.

Watching you

"...Buck."

"...and Lifter took my glasses."

Later Mordane laid down ready to go to sleep after such an eventful day when he heard a cooed whisper;

"Watching you...forever."

Never has a colt run so quickly into the night screaming.





The following day after going to school Mordane sat bored until recess where he hung out with the other CMC. He was not a happy colt that day.

There goes the idea to use the sensing ability all the time. God, it feels like I've had an ursa major tap dancing on my head. While wearing heels, which were on fire, and made of bees.

The magic had proven to put too much of a strain on his body, to which the headache and runny nose stood as a good testament. After all, he had only used it for four hours yesterday.

"Maybe it could be used in combat..."

Mordane had chided himself all night for his stupidity. After all, it was the same type of thing that caused his human body to die. After asking Kindle he found out ponykind had this magic as well but seldom practiced it. Apparently the act of 'forcibly dismembering one's soul from their own body' was considered to be the height of foolishness, as Kindle had quite vehemently felt to point out.

"Too bad I don't intend to stop. Just maybe tone it down."

The rest of the cmc were sitting under a tree whispering to each other and when he came up two of them giggled.

"What's so funny?"

Sweetie Belle blushed as the two others laughed.

"No-nothing Mordy," said Apple Bloom through her chuckling. Mordane furrowed his eyebrows. He hated to be called that.

"Ah fine. So what do y'all have planned for this evening?"

"Hehe not much, more crusading. You coming?"

"Sure." Mordane smiled. He wondered what crazy complex idea they had come up with in order to get a cutie mark. Whatever it was would certainly be interesting.






"Well I certainly did not expect this."

All four were sitting in the club house knitting a quilt. This was turning out surprisingly fine...though it lacked any pattern to speak of. Sweetie Belle was making a diamond shaped pattern. Apple Bloom seemed interested in straight lines. Scootaloo seemed interested in putting as many colors as she could in there. Mordane just stuck with a simple circle square pattern.

"Ugh, sweet Celestia this is so boring!" "The pegasus groaned."

"But what if this is our special talent?" "Apple Bloom retorted."

"YAH! Some of us want a dress making mark Scootaloo," "yelled Sweetie Belle."

"...oh God I'm so bored I'm narrating ponies around me."

"So what marks do you girls want?"

The three paused a moment before Apple bloom answered.

"Ah would just be happy for any apple mark. Just like my brother and sister!"

"Really?" moaned Scootaloo. "That is just so boring. I want a flying mark. Just like Rainbow Dash!"

"You want to BE Rainbow Dash," laughed Sweetie.

"Hey Mordane, what kind of mark do you want?" asked Apple Bloom.

"...well I don't really care." he replied shrugging.

"What!" yelled the three shocked fillies.

"What's the point of worrying about something that everypony gets eventually?"

His question was met with looks of confusion.

"Well why do you crusade with us then?"

"Because I like hanging out with you."

The young ones laughed at that statement. However, Mordane did not notice the blush that came to Sweetie Belle's face.
> A Visitor
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Days passed in a blur. The colt found his life falling into a routine as his strength slowly grew. He thought of his new life and the old one. Winter was coming. Even the weather manipulating powers of the pegasi could not prevent the freeze. It was just too cold. Mordane noticed quite quickly that he was lacking in anything to protect his hooves from the chill.

Luckily he remembered that Sweetie Bell’s sister was some kind of clothes maker. The filly had mentioned it about a week before.

Mordane was once again walking through the main part of town...and he was on high alert.

"Every other time I go through this junction something happens. Be it good or bad. "

The attentive colt was surprised even more then by the random assault of pink.

"HI THERE IT'S PINKIE PIE YOU KNOW THE PONY YOU MET THE FIRST DAY YOU WERE HERE AND I WAS LIKE WHAAAA AND YOU WERE LIKE 'What's with her?' AND I WAS GOING TO TELL YOU SOMETHING BUT I DIDN'T SO NOW I'M HERE TO INVITE YOU TO A PARTY!!!! I WOULD HAVE DONE IT EARLIER, BUT APPLEJACK WAS LIKE! 'You should leave him alone for ah bit Pinkie'. AND I WAS LIKE.' OK!' THEN I DID BUT NOW HERE WE ARE AND I'M JUST SO GLAD! SO ARE YOU READY TO PARTY!!!!!!!!"

"...no." Mordane walked around the stunned Pinkie Pie and moved as fast as he could without running, but soon he noticed she was following him.

"WAIT, I JUST WANT TO BE YOUR FRIEND!"

"Get away from me you crazy mare!"

Mordane took a sharp turn into an alleyway before bolting for it. Running through the streets and alleyways the mare continued to give chase.

"COME ON I JUST WANT TO THROW YOU A PARTY!"

"I DON'T WANT ONE!" He said dodging some falling boxes.

"HOW ABOUT NEXT SATURDAY AT THE LIBRARY?"

"NO MEANS NO!" Mordane was already sweating.

"PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!"

"WHAT DO YOU WANT WITH ME?"

The colt slid to a halt as the mare impossibly appeared in front of him.

"I just want to be your friend. Cupcake?"

Mordane, breathing sporadically, assessed the situation. This mare seemed quite persistent, perhaps it would be better to give her what she wants. Reaching out he took the proffered cupcake and ate it in one bite.

"Ok...I'm sorry I called you crazy. I would be glad to be your friend. Party next Saturday at noon?"

If possible the smile on her face got even bigger.

"OF COURSE! I'll see you there. Oh, and I forgive you Silly Billy. Sometimes it's hard when coming to a new town, but friends make everything better. So I'm friends with everypony."

"Fine, I'll see you there." Mordane looked into the smiling mare's eyes and felt a twitch of guilt. She was being so nice and just trying to make up for her mistake...He in turn had responded by running away and insulting her.

"If I may ask Pinkie, can I call you Pinkie? Are you feeling any better about that party guy...?"

Her hair deflated slightly and she pulled out a small box. Setting it on a nearby trash can lid she opened it to reveal a tiny shrine to the Party King complete with streamers, a hoof drawn picture, two tiny bottles of wine, and a model of an alicorn.

"What in the..."

"...Is that alicorn made of bottle caps?"

"They were his."

Pinkie burst into tears and sat down in front of the shrine.

"WHAAAA! Where did you go Party King? I wanted to be your queen! Whaa!"

Mordanes immediate, instinctual reaction was to run home, seal the door and never leave again, however, a more adult part of himself asserted its view.

”It is my responsibility...dang it. I can’t let a girl hurt by my own hoof.”

Mordane had next to no experience with comforting individuals, but he had to try.

"It's ok Pinkie Pie. I'm sure he would like to know you."

She hugged him as he patted her on the shoulder. An hour later when he left she was smiling a little.





Rarity took a minute to come to the door after he knocked.

"Can I help you?”

"Yes please, I would like to purchase a warm pair of boots and a scarf please." The two of them made their way up to a series of mirrors.

As Rarity began measuring him for the clothes his mind began to wander. Mordane smiled, he was not worried. Last night he had examined the full capacity of the bracelet. He had grown more interested when he noticed how he never had any wing pops or any need to move them at all. He had worn it for nearly a month and a half when he first took it off. Immediately his wings had clenched stretched straight out, he had spent over two hours in pain before they settled down. 

It seemed the amulet was not meant for long term use. Further tests proved that it also produced a low grade pulse field to prevent somepony accidentally feeling the wings. If Mordane poured will and energy into it however, the image could take on a solid form, such as when he made himself taller during the Party King incident. The problem was that this seemed to put a lot of strain on both him and the bracelet. In fact, he had started to focus more on illusions in order to continue his disguise when it inevitably broke down.

So much of this world almost seemed backwards. For instance, the train had been in existence for more than a thousand years, yet it did not use steam at all. It was just a strong binding connecting the heat made by burning coal directly to the wheels forward rotation. Not that they lacked true mechanics, it's just that magic allows for a lot of shortcuts. Relying on magic hampered growth in mechanical technology and any developments made in the area seemed to have been done by earth ponies, none of whom tended to make much effort to record their advances. Part of him wondered if introducing human techs would be moral or if he should just let them advance on their own in their own way. Even if that way severely limited them their industrial capacity.

That is why all clothes ponies wore were hoof made.

Rarity was looking at him strangely as her tape moved about him with ease.

"Excuse me, you wouldn't happen to be Mordane would you? I'm so sorry that I didn't ask earlier."

"Ummm yes, it's fine."

A curious look came over the older mare.

"Oh...I see. Well hmmm. Yes aaaand done!"

"Already?"

"Well, I do this for a living darling. I'll just make the most handsome boots and scarf for Sweetie Belle's-"

Pinkie Pie suddenly popped out of a nearby vase-

"FOREVER"

Rarity let out a shriek which would probably have violated acoustic weapon restrictions, if they had existed in Equestria, and Mordane only barely managed to contain himself from matching her.

"AH! PINKIE!?"

The party mare, who was beginning to give Mordane a fear of pink, slowly backed away and out of the door.

"That is happening too often to me recently. I mean come on, what else could go wrong today? Sigh, at least I only have to train with Twilight this evening."

Paying Rarity, he told her to just give them to Sweetie Belle before leaving for his house to get some food. Arriving quickly he ate quickly before leaving for Twilight's. The young colt trotted at a brisk pace calculating he would have just enough time to reach it if nothin-
It was at this time that he was trampled by a large bunny army.

Little white feet pummeled him into the ground for a few seconds before there was a break, allowing him to jump out of the flow.

"Oh, please stop." Mordane turns around and sees a yellow pegasus flying up to the now stopped bunnies. Why they decided to stop after stampeding Mordane instead of before he would not hazard to guess. "Now now, little bunnies, you shouldn't run around like this. I know you found it fun after the last time, but really, somepony could get hurt...oh."

She quickly flew over to a rabbit among the hundreds that was dramatically gripping one of his limbs.

"Angel Bunny! You hurt your foot!?"

The bunny nodded his head vigorously then winced. The pegasus was pouring her concern over the little creature as the colt looked on rolling his eyes.

"If you'll excuse me for a moment," he said out loud.

Mordane walked over and recalled what info he had been able to glean from books over the last month. Kindle proved nearly useless when it came to anything other than high end material or secrets. Using a spell he assessed the bunny's injuries the best he could. Without proper training he would never be able to heal as well as doctors but he hoped first aid would be possible within a year, but for now he was limited to determining if there was an injury.

"His ankle isn't broken, it is, as far as I can tell, only swollen."

The pegasus sat quietly mumbling her thanks.

"I'm Mordane, you are?"

"I'm Fluttershy." He strained to hear her and barely succeeded.

"Fluttershy? Do you know what caused these bunnies to stampede like that?"

"...Oh, um well I was too busy helping some of the animals in the forest."

"You take care of animals?" That surprised him, she seemed too...timid.

"Oh yes, they’re just so cute and furry. Do you like animals little colt?"

"Uh...yeah. So you're some kind of animal warden? Are you paid for that?"

"...well yes. Ponyville gives me a salary every week." Confusion was evident in her eyes.

Mordane was about to say that was nice when his brain presented an idea. He needed a job and a way to practice healing. She was too busy...

"You were too busy? Do you take care of all these animals alone?"

"Yes...nopony seems to want to help me."

"Really? Hmm, could I work with you? I could help carry some feed or examine if the animals are injured."

"Oh no, I couldn't." She seemed so very shy to Mordane, but obviously glad that someone might want to help her.

"Come on, I could use the job."

"Really?" The pegasus smiled, "oh thank you. Thank you! You’re hired!" She pulled him into a big hug.

"Ugh hrrmph you’re suffocating me."

The ease with which he had gained his new job and the way she seemed so excited gave the colt cause to worry. However, he was glad to at least have it.





Mordane could not believe how badly his day was going.

“At least I got a job out of it.”

Walking into the library the student saw his teacher doing what she always did.

Reading.

"Hey Mordane, you're late today," Twilight said floating the book she had been reading over to a nearby shelf.

"Yeah. It's been a rough day. I'm ready to get started though."

"Great, let me just-"

"Twilight! Twilight!" The young dragon spike was running down the steps waving a scroll." I was taking a nap and when I woke up this scroll was sitting next to me! I think it's from Celestia!"

Floating the scroll over to them, Twilight unrolled it and read.

"Spike! When did you get this?" Her eyes had dilated to near pin pricks before he even had a chance to respond.
"I don't know, sometime within the last four hours."

"Celestia is visiting today! She could be here any minute!"

"Umm Twilight..."

Spike pointed out the window as Mordane was faced with a sight that he hoped never to see. He would rather lay on broken glass. He would rather run for ten days and nights. He would rather try to domesticate a manticore. He would rather be locked in a room alone with Pinkie for ten minutes.

Princess Celestia and another alicorn were landing outside the window in a pegasus drawn carriage.

"..."

"BUCK MY HORN WITH A BASKET OF CROUTONS!"





"My dear Twilight."

As the two hugged, it took every ounce of Mordane's decades of mental control to resist the urge to strike out in fear. Celestia's grin sent chills down his spine. The love in Twilight's eyes filled him with sickness. He could see her scan the room as the other alicorn stood outside. All around her there was an aura of domination. There was no question of obedience. All would bow to her.

"This must be your new student, Mordane, yes? I've heard so much about you." The tone of her voice tickled his ear. He could almost feel the compulsion to obey. His heart was beating incredibly hard.

"I hope only good things, Celestia."

Celestia paused at his response before laughing. Twilight joined her while putting on an awkward smile. Mordane forced himself to put on a grin of his own. He could sense the power to level towns within her mane. In his heart there had always been doubt that she could literally move the sun across the sky.

There was none now.

"It took me years to convince Twilight to start calling me by my name. She even did it as a filly."

"I'm sorry, Celestia. He is just a little informal is all." Twilight sounded so nervous to Mordane, he couldn't blame her.

"I apologize, princess."

"It's fine. I rather enjoy the informality."

Mordane sat quietly, hoping against hope that she would not care to speak more to him. He stood as still as he could before backing out of the room.

She was a monster.





(A few minutes before.)

Celestia sat with her sister on the large royal chariot. Both of them simply sat and enjoyed the wind as it blew through their hair.

"Why are we visiting again?"

Celestia sighed. Sometimes her sister could be so forgetful.

"We need to talk to Twilight about ratifications to the constitution. We need to make certain she can take power should the worst happen."

"And why couldn't we just have her come up to Canterlot?"

"Because I'm also interested in this new student Twilight has taken on, but her letters say that he is rather shy. Wouldn't want to scare him with a summons now would we?"

Luna laughed as the chariot set to the ground.

"I'll come in a moment sister. I think that a condor has become caught in my mane."

Celestia rolled her eyes at her sister's statement. Frankly, she found Luna's old style comedy slightly...tasteless.

Happiness mixed with suspense and just a slight taint of sadness rushed through her as she approached the door. No matter who the young colt was, he would eventually pass, just so many of her students had, but Celestia did not despair. Twilight in time would learn to cope with the loss. It was the way of immortals and the sun avatar had come to accept it. She would not let sadness consume her heart.

"My dear Twilight." Twilight smiled at her former mentor as unspoken memories passed between the two and were confirmed with a hug. It had been one of the best days of the sun avatar's life when her student passed the final test, just as Cadence had before her. Originally she was going to raise all to the form of alicorn, but it was the words of Luna that had stopped her. Immortality is a responsibility to the flow of time. One that should only be given to those who prove they can take it.

"This must be your new student, Mordane, yes? I've heard so much about you." The young colt stood stock still around her. It brought up memories of Twilight as a small filly. She had acted nearly the same. Who knows, he may become the first male alicorn.

"I hope only good things Celestia."

The princess was shocked. Mirth bubbled up from deep inside her. It was so rare for her to be pleasantly surprised.

"It took me years to convince Twilight to start calling me by my name. She even did it as a little filly."

"I'm sorry Celestia. He is just a little informal is all." A little more joy at her former student's awkward defense of Mordane's likely accidental faux pas reply, it was so...normal for her.

"My apologies."

"It's fine. I rather enjoy the informality."

The colt nodded his head then backed up, obviously intending to leave. Despite his blunt fear of her he seemed in complete control. She turned her senses on the colt for a moment, trying to understand him. It was not magic or mind reading, just an understanding of individuals that she had acquired over the centuries.

That is why it came as even more of a surprise when she could tell next to nothing about him. He was obviously fearful, though that was normal around her despite her best efforts. As to his motivations and desires...there was a want of knowledge, but...why? There was obviously more that she was not seeing.

The conversation with Twilight was pleasant, but the Princess's mind kept returning to the youth. Yes, she would have to watch this one's progress. He seemed like a fine student.

"Twilight...tell me about Mordane." She chuckled as the purple alicorn started babbling with excitement.





Mordane stepped out of the library, his heart felt like it could burst. Breathing deeply he willed it to slow.

"I am but a mind, a collection of neurons darting within the flesh of a brain. The body is mine to command, It will obey."

His heart slowed. Looking around his eye was drawn to the second alicorn.

"I swear that I've seen her before."

Mordane did not have to think long.

"Kindle! She looks like Kindle except her rump's smaller...Star Swirl you old perverted croon. Odd though, I thought she was sealed in the moon? Also, didn't she go mad? What is she doing here?"

The student could not get such questions answered anywhere else. In his newly calm state he weighed his options then made a decision.

"Hello, I am Mordane. Who are you?"

The shock on the guards faces was nearly as priceless as the chuckle of Luna.

"I am Luna, Princess of the night. We have heard much about you."

"Really? Not much to hear I would think."

"True. Twilight has not known you long. Why do you choose to speak to me?"

"Now how to get on the good side of the princess of the night..."

"Oh just a few questions and some compliments on your beautiful night. Thank you for that, truly."

The princess seemed almost taken aback.

"What? does she not receive compliments all the time?"

"It is not often I receive compliments for my night."

"Well I guess that answers that question."

"That is unfortunate. It is truly beautiful. If I may be so bold however, I do have some questions concerning your decent. Not that I wish to bring you discomfort!"

"Luna winced at his statement, It was obviously a painful topic."

"No, no. It is quite alright. What would you like to know?"

"Thank you lady Luna...How did you escape the moon?"

"Oh, well you see, as princess of the night I ...have a connection to the moon and stars."

"As war magic, correct? But how would that help you escape?"

Luna smiled.

"Somepony has been reading books they shouldn't, hmm? You surely have not been so foolish as to make a binding without a cutie mark?"

Mordane felt a little sweat.

"Darn it stupid brain I wasn't supposed to know that."

Yes the moon avatar was perceptive. She had already deduced he knew about the binding...wait, no. She used the question to deduce he did. His face told the story.

"Of course not, and I have taken precautions to see that the book is hidden."

"That is good then. If you decide to do so later, after your mark appears, you should consult Twilight. You wouldn't guess it but she's actually well versed in cutie mark magic. I'm not certain what she's bound with specifically but I believe that it manifests as both fire and darkness magic."

"...I will consider it, but my question?"

"Oh yes. The spell keeping me from returning was at its weakest when the moon was in that particular part of the sky aligning with some of the brighter stars. It took me that long to have it do so. Though it also made Nightmare moon be at her weakest. My luck, for if it was not so then it would have been far more likely that I would have defeated Twilight and the other element wielders."

"Very lucky indeed."

Mordane digested that information. The only 'Elements' he knew of were the ones under the glass in the library. It said they were Elements of Harmony. He had read of them but not put the two together.

"Twilight is one of the bearers? Who else hmmm, her friends? WHY THE BUCK IS SOMETHING SO IMPORTANT NOT BETTER PROTECTED THAN JUST BY SOME THIN GLASS!"

"So the Elements, purified you of the madness that gripped you during the war. What exactly did they do?"

"...during the war. How do you know about the war before my madness?" She seemed confused at first then her eyes tightened. "Tell me now."

"..."

"What a jump in logic."

Faced with little option Mordane had to relent.

"I read it in a journal you wrote."

Her wings tensed before asking

"Where is this journal?"

"...Hidden at my house."

"Take me. Guards! Stay here this is something I must do alone."

Mordane and the Princess proceeded quickly to his house. She waited on the porch as he retrieved it.

"I had forgotten about this..." The Princess took the book held before her, she flipped through its pages before a dark look crossed over her face. "Some things are best left forgotten." With that line her horn glowed and the journal burst into flames.

"I'm sorry you feel that way Princess."

"It is for the best. Keep what you read secret. "

"Yes my Princess...May I ask one more question?"

"...proceed."

"Do you still love Discord?"

"...Yes, now and forever." She stared into the black of the night before turning to him once again. "Still thy tongue on this, unless thou wishes us to remove it from behind thy lips."

With that she left and Mordane made another decision.

Avoid contact with princesses at all costs.





Mordane ran through the dark. Rage building he raised his sword in hand/hoof and struck. The foe struck as well. The pony/human sword met in a flash of sparks. The human screams in rage and the pony falters. He falls, Mordane's blood flowing onto the floor.

The human who would be and was Mordane stared down at his broken pony form. It was not lust for blood that filled him. No, it was a sense of need. It was necessary. So it was done.

The pony Mordane stared up at his human self with confusion. Why? Why?

"Because you are not strong enough."

"Strong enough for what?"

"Do you really not see? She will come and we must be ready."

The human struck snuffing out the life of the one beneath him.

An echo-

"Avenge me Mordane. Avenge me."

"STAR CHARMER!" The dead pony cried.

"Not her."

Mordane woke up rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He was use to dealing with the nightmares now. The morning sun peeked through the window to strike his face. After dressing he went to school early to take a test to gauge his progress over the last three months. Walking, he feel the warm sun on his face the-

"I'm watching you."

"AH! The freak is wrong with you!"

"I'm bored."

Child Stalker laughed at the startled child as he backed into the dark bush from whence he came.

"..."

"Screw that guy...Wait I take that back."

So it was understandable that Mordane would be unhappy when he arrived and overheard Diamond Tiara and her tag along Silver Spoon.

"Why are we here Tiara!"

"Because unlike the rest of those blank flank losers, we don't have anything we can use against Mordane. We've already waited, like, forever, to catch him doing something bad but he's such a goody four hooves that we'd probably still be waiting when we're all old and gross and stuff."

"Yeah, he never does any pranks or well ...anything."

"Exactly Silver, that is why we have to do this. It will get him back for sure."

"Yeah what an idiot."

"Diamond Tiara you stupid little-"

Mordane moved cautiously. Around the building then focused. Reaching out he felt the two lives in the room. The pages in the books.

The needles sticking out of the teachers chair.

"Come on Silver Spoon, let’s go outside and wait. Don't forget to put those two others in his desk."

The two walked out of the school not knowing that he had listened in and was even now moving around into the school house behind them.

He walked calmly over to his chair and used his mind sight to confirm that the two needles were there. Considering for a moment he made a decision and floated the needles over, placing them in Diamond's desk before searching through it. He quickly found a sample of her hoof writing and set to work.

He used his mind's eye again to trace over each letter he needed. Soon a note apparently from Diamond was in front of him.

It was a simple note, but one the filly would not want to bear her name.

Mordane folded the note and put it away. Within a few minutes the teacher arrived.

"Good morning, Miss Cheerilee."

"Good morning, Mordane. Good to see you got here early."

He stood walking to arrive at her desk first.

If I simply point them out she may think it strange.

"Thanks! I do have a question..."

Gritting his teeth he sat down on the needles then yelped in pain.

Cheerilee comforted him and pulled the stuck needles out of his rump.

"I wonder who could have done this?" she wondered aloud before whispering. " hmmm Diamond."

"What?" he said in shock.

" Oh, her family stamp is on it."

"...right."

"Well, that could’ve gone easier."

Dismissing Mordane she looked inside Diamonds desk before taking out some paper to write a note to the fillies father...

The colt walked out losing the pained look. Over by a nearby tree the two fillies were laughing.

Mordane walked up to them with a blank look on his face.

"What's the matter blank flank, got in trouble?"

"No, actually." He watched the confusion come on their faces before continuing.

"I know that you put the needles there, Diamond."

The confused look turned vicious.

"Oh no Mordane, I had NOTHING to do with it."

"Really? Well unfortunately Miss Cheerilee found two needles in your desk and even now is writing a letter to your father."

The sneer was replaced with fear quickly followed by rage.

"WHO DO-"

Mordane's horn glowed and both mouths were slammed shut.

"No you listen. Take a look at this."

The forged note from before floated up and both girls eyes widened.

"This is my last warning Diamond. You can't beat me. Not with all the money in the world. I can always make another like this and get it to your father. Do you understand?"

The filly looked...broken. He could tell she had given up. The paper burst into flame and Mordane walked away, leaving a filly to shed a tear.





"...Was that too much?"

After class, Mordane glanced back at Diamond as she received her letter to take home. She hung her head only looking at him with accusing eyes as she passed.

The colt was not used to feeling guilt. Perhaps he was too harsh.

"She is a pony after all.

Where did that come from?"

Mordane trotted toward the library. Yesterday he had to leave rather quickly and so had accidently left his satchel.

Walking in he was surprised to see that no one was there. Looking around he could not see his satchel and decided Twilight must have put it upstairs. He walked up quickly and stepped through the door without hesitating or knocking.

Oh how he regretted that decision.

"Oh Fluttershy, your wings are so soft."

"Wh-why Rarity Oh oh oh-"

"Oh umm it's ok, it's just...Spike."

"Hehe. Yes, well he is a BIG dragon after all."

"Oh WOW, you're right."

Mordane broke his silence.

"Spike?"

The young dragon in the middle of the room froze, then slowly turned and stared at the colt. Within his left hand was grasped a small crude doll vaguely in the shape of Fluttershy. Just behind him Mordane could see many dolls of various ponies within the town.

…

The silence stretched on.

"How did you do the voices?" Mordane asked quietly.

"Bon Bon taught me."

The colt spotted his bag against the wall and floated it over. He stared at Spike for a few more seconds before saying.

"You need to get laid."

The dragon hung his head as the alicorn turned and walked out already trying to forget what he saw.





Mordane returned home from his flying with a satisfying pain in his wings. He had flown for some time in a disguise while asking himself questions.

What was different about him? Why was he having these nightmares? What was his place in Ponyville?

Mordane sat in front of Kindle, his eyes glazed over. His mind drifted back, thinking on some of the dreams.

"What's wrong Mordane, no questions tonight? Just want to look at my beautiful face?" The small Luna lookalike looked up at him a seductive look in her eyes.

"...Kindle, can you tell me...Do you have any information on ugh ...What would happen if an adult soul was placed in a unborn child?"

"..."

"..."

"...Well I do have some information on that. All untested and theoretical or course, after all, this is a form of necromancy. Since it's impossible for two souls to inhabit the same body, the foreign soul would have to be implanted before the fetus had one of its own."

"...yes, go on."

"There is a note by Star Swirl commenting on the possibility. Says it would nearly impossible for a living soul. It would almost have to be pre set up so that there is an unborn child near when a pony dies...Says to refer to morphing spells...in the case of a individual taking on the form of another animal they would start to experience the instincts of the new species. If a long time is spent in that form the two sides may come into conflict...Does that help?"

"...Yeah."

"These nightmares are getting...troublesome. More so lately."

Mordane closed Kindle, put it away, and laid down on his bed.

"I need to fix this conflict, if it exists, and to do that...well either I can talk to somepony, and get thrown into an asylum, or I can do...that.
There is a method of understanding one's self better. It is dangerous. Risky. One could lose themselves and a different person wake up.
I must go into myself...Well then I guess there is no use to waiting...Breath in."





Mordane opened his eyes as the world wavered.

"Focus. Focus. I need to focus. Accept the feedback perception."

The world began to clear and settle as the pony walked through a broken world. Skyscrapers touched the sky, but also seemed to be part of mountains. Around him broken cars and ruined roads. This was not a human world only though. No, here and there were indications of ponydom. A cottage, quills shop. It was there, almost melding with the human world around it.

"Terrible looking, isn't it."

Mordane jerked around. Before him was the human from his dreams...No, not just a human. Him. His face before the change.

"Oh, so you remember. That's a good sign. I was thinking you may have buried me too deeply."

"You're just me."

"Not anymore."

"..."

If the consciousness had become separate...that was bad.

"It's your fault, you know."

"?"

"Yes, you pushed me out. Started with talking like a pony, then it was acting like one...Now you want to think like them."

"Well when in Ro-"

"It's not like that!"

The pony shied away from the human before growing angry.

"And how is it then?"

"You're forgetting...You are making the pony the main part of your mind. You're losing your humanity."

Mordane shrugged.

"So? I'm not really human anymore."

The human laughed.

"Do you really think it is just the organs that make a human? Is it not the will? The drive to go ever onward?"

"Ponies have that to."

"Not in the same way...I guess we will have to take this up at the core."

"The core?"

"Forgotten that?"

The human raised an eyebrow then stepped...away. He was gone.

"Where do I go?"

No answer came, but the pony would not let him make a mockery.

He willed to follow him.





"The pony found himself in a...council room. All around him sat both pony and human duplicates of himself, save for one.

"Order in the court," said the floating white ball...

"This court is now in section. Will the plaintive step forward?"

One of the humans stood up and walked forward.

"I stand for the-"

"WOOO WHOOOO PARTYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"Someone sedate Party King!" There was a shot going off piercing the giant green alicorn, putting him to sleep.

"Now where was I? Ah yes, I stand here representing the human origin mental forces. Here we accuse this one of pushing out our influence in the decisions of the whole, to the detriment of us all."

There was a murmur through the crowd at the proclamation. The pony could not let it stand.

"That is outrageous, all I have worked for is for the betterment of the whole."

"There is no doubt of your motives, just your methods. You have allowed your nature to affect our judgment."

"My nature! What is wrong with being a pony?"

The humans' laughter filled the stadium.

"Nothing, nothing at all. In fact, as a human we rather enjoy the pony culture. However, this is different. You are not a pony. None of us are. You are human and if you forget that...well, then there will always be conflict."

"I'm just the pony instincts."

"Wrong. You are Fear. Our fear."

"Then why do I look like a pony?"

"Because, fear is stronger in ponies."

"...So the stronger emotions became dominant?"

The human let out an exasperated sigh.

"No, you simply took that aspect. You are still human fear."

"What's the difference?"

"Humans can strike out in fear, ponies do not."

"...So you’re saying I'm a human in a pony body, not a pony with human memories? How can you know that?"

"Because of our nature. Have you forgotten?"

"Forgotten what?"

"The beat of drums and the will of fire. The strength and will to do what is needed to survive."

"...We can't sacrifice our morality"

"We don't have to. We just need the strength."

The pony looked around uncomfortably.

"Shouldn't we start the trial?"

"There is not trial, Fear. The core is ...well, whatever you want it to be."

Fear sat remembering those things humans never even have to consider. Soon only human faces looked out at the two aspects.

"Shall we get on with it then?"

"Of course."

"What I can't understand is what drove us to this."

The one who had been a human before the pony changed looked at himself and after a moment's thought said.

"...the nightmares"

and then he was alone..."





Mordane woke up the next day feeling better. He had spent the night correcting mental blocks. Consolidating events and reminding himself what was important...However, when he had entered full rem sleep he had another nightmare. He had tried to understand it even as he experienced it, but this one made no sense. It was just confusing images.

He smiled. Today was going to be interesting at least. In the morning hanging with the cmc, then a party in the evening.
I'm sure that the cmc will come at least. Doubt there will many others there though.

The weather schedule said that today was a snow day so Mordane was unsurprised by it being on the ground...
He was, however, mentally slapping himself.

"Pony feathers! Sweetie Belle forgot to bring me my scarf and boots."

There was nothing to do but start walking toward the boutique.





A freezing half an hour later Mordane arrived at the store. Seeing that it was opened he did not hesitate to walk in.

"OH SPIKE!"

The colt was assaulted by the scene of a purple dragon dipping a white unicorn and giving her a deep, loving kiss.

"..."" I really need to stop walking in without knocking."

The two seemed really about to get into it when Spike noticed him. Stopping the kiss he took on a pink tint that was quickly mirrored by his companion.

"...are those my boots and scarf on the shelf right there?"

The only response the mare emitted was a squeak that would have been more fitting coming from Fluttershy.

"Yeah, I'm just going to go ahead and assume they're mine."

The colt floated the boots and scarf over and slipped them on before walking back out into the snow.

Guess he took my advice to heart. Got to give the little guy props for working so fast. Mordane paused briefly to chuckle.

"Well played, Spike...well played."





He had a fun time playing in the snow with the three other children. They laughed and threw their snow. Sweetie Belle had nearly cried when she saw that he had to go get his clothes, and all of them nearly broke a rib at the news of Spike and Rarity being together.

The three had already been invited to the party, much to Mordane's surprise. Though it did not nearly catch him as much off guard as the number of guests that had showed. Nor the idea of Pinkie to make it a birthday party for all the ones that they had not been to.

It was a...good day, and a good end to the week.

One that was to become normal to Mordane.

Time passed.

He focused and learned in magic.

He grew closer to those around him.

He learned to crate basic illusions.

He finished his underground hidden room and began to secretly learn the more hidden destruction magic.

Weeks, then months flowed by blending one to another. With time he began to feel...at home.

The nightmares passed from his worry. After all, how could dreams hurt you?

It may have gone on like that, if not on this particular day after his arriving at Ponyville...
> A dream
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fear. Darkness. This was one of the worst nightmares yet.

A slim finger traced across his soul.

He felt...violated.

From the darkness, a sickly light slowly seeped in, as if oozing from a wound. 

"Mordane...Mordane avenge me."

This time was different than the rest. This time the dream did not dissolve. Instead solidifying and sharpening.

"How? How can I avenge you?"

The light took her physical form and smiled.

"Power...avenge me" Her hoof reached out to touch his forehead.

The shadow though reared up, and for a moment Mordane felt very small.

He reached for energy but couldn’t find any. This was the realm of dreams. He reached for his internal mana and there was so little. He needed more power. He needed to save her.

He couldn’t let this happen again.

He fumbled with the spell, for some reason he couldn’t keep it straight in his head. He tried to create a binding, tried to do anything, but his horn only fizzled.

The dark shadow swallowed the horrified Star Charmer, letting out a deep dark chuckle. Mordane felt as the shadow twisted around a single focus, for a moment he thought he saw a horn, then.

“Are you just going to keep playing around Stronghoof?”





Mordane gasped awake, his heart nearly beating out of his chest. It had been a full year since Star Charmer's death, and he’d spent almost as long as Twilight's student.

Over that time the feelings of frustration had coiled around him. Sinking deep and low, becoming dulled even.

"It's not like it was the first time." He mentally noted. Audibly sighing.

Now though, the rage was back. The feelings of loss. The rolling indignity of being thrown around like a sack of flesh.

His feelings about Star Charmer were...confusing, but Mordane wasn’t ready to let this go. Suddenly, after the dream, he just needed to DO something.

The sudden change in feeling made him weary. The thoughts felt unnatural. Like a tile on a floor not in place.

”It would be crazy to think Star Charmer is contact me. Then again, I am a human who used to possess ants for fun, who then accidentally got himself killed, who then stole into an unborn child, who then was born a magical talking horse, who then went on a trip and saw...a new flame die. Receiving messages from the dead no longer seems so implausible. Still, I should pay attention. Try not make any stupid mistakes. 

Mordane sat up in his bed, stretching and looking around his small cottage. His horn lighting up, he focused, slowly drawing power from around him before casting his spell. 

The coal in his stove burst alight, casting its warm glow around the room.

He quickly checked that the curtains were covering his windows and then took a moment to slip off his sleeping shirt.

Stepping to the middle of the cottage he floated over a tub then reached out and stretched his stiff wings before floating over a stiff brush and bar of soap. Floating around water from a bucket he mixed in the soap together. Dumping it over himself he picked up a cloth and got to work.

Twenty minutes later he stepped out and floated over another cloth to use for a towel before cleaning himself. 

Dry and warm Mordane sat breathing heavily. The dream from the night before ripping its way through his mind.

He gripped his head.

”What am I supposed to do!? She is dead. I can’t find the necromancer. She would-” Mordane shuddered before sitting up slightly ”She would want me to move on.”

“Avenge me...”

Mordane snapped his head to the side of the voice. 

His eyes narrowing to pinpricks. 

His breath quickened. 

His heart began to beat like a drum.

He gripped his hooves together. 

He gritted his teeth.

His eyes slowly moved over to his nightstand.

There was star Swirls Journal. Containing a copy of the war magic spell. Kindle would give it easily enough.

”I could use the spell, but the consequences...”

There weren’t many options open to him. Even if he told someone, would they believe him? No. He would have to go face Blackheart alone. The colt slightly shuddered at the memory of his magic. He remembered the strength of the shield. Mordane was stronger now, and could maybe match that, but he needed something to push it over the edge.

 I suppose I could take the risk. I sat aside that idea for until my mark came in. The unknown is just too much. It could magically cripple me in the future. 

Both Kindle and Luna had warned him against trying to use it before he gained a cutie mark, but it was exactly the kind of advantage he needed.

He reached under the table and pulled out a clean book. Opening it he saw in his own horn writing the notes of Luna.

He had made a copy shortly after coming to ponyville. The original proving too old and fragile to read on the regular.

At nights he would open it again and read some of the entries. The rage in it speaking to him as if from a kindred spirit a millennia ago.

He knew that she had been broken back then. The weight of challenging her sister was on every page and he knew them by heart. Each line preserved by his painstaking copy.

He opened to the correct page without flipping, knowing exactly which one it was.

It was exactly as he remembered: Complicated. 

”I’m going to need to get some supplies.”

He inhaled and smoothed his beating heart. Breathing in and out he focused and drew him mind. Pushing away all the fear and uncertainty. 

In the end he needed the power.

Decision made, he prepared what he could for the ritual in his satchel and donned his cloak and the amulet.

Prepared for the day he threw open the door and trotted out.

The feeling of being watched made his fur as bristles. 

It didn't take long to make it to Ponyville proper. The town still sported mostly thatched roofed buildings thrown together as an afterthought, at least, by Mordanes assessment. Still, the population was increasing as ponies came for the decreased regulation under Twilight’s leadership. She hadn’t yet gained the ability to tax but she told Mordane she was ‘working on it’.

Crossing over the small hill Mordane eyes came to rest on the only thing it really could.

The huge, fucking, gaudy, nightmare inducing, eyesore that was Twilight’s new crystal castle.

Not two months ago Mordane had watched as the thing had grown out of the very earth. 

His mind flashed back to the day...





Mordane is alone in his cabin, outside he hears a large crashing.

Already use to the peculiarities of living in Ponyville, he reaches for his hazmat suit and pokes his head out.

There he sees a giant centaur apparently sucking out souls.

He decides that perhaps staying wouldn’t be in his best interest.

Pulling his bug out bag out from its hidy whole Mordane breaks into a dead run into the forest.

Even as he is running though he can feel the creatures strange magic pulling on his own. 

It doesn’t take long to figure out what is happening. He clamps down on his magic exercising strong will. Trying to think of something that could protect him. Some strong magical field.

His mind goes to the elements and the tree of harmony Twilight mentioned. But he was unsure of where it was.

“Where do you think you’re going!”

The giant creature was on him in an instant. Crashing through the forest

“No pony escapes from me!”

Mordane couldn’t resist the pull when its source was this close. Slowly, like draining down a small faucet he felt as his power was pulled away.

His wings became cold. His horn frigid and eyes foggy.

Too weak to even stand he slumped to the ground.

“What's this? An alicorn?” The creatures face twisted in disgust, his finger runs along his gum. “Weak. Barely five times stronger than a regular unicorn...pathetic.”

He throws Mordane to the ground turning to stomp away.

“Not even worth imprisoning. I have a nation's magic to absorb.”

Mordane watched helplessly as the monster ran away, his eyes felt heavy but his heart and mind would not let go.

As he had only made it a hundred yards from his door Mordane slowly dragged himself back to his cabin, trying to think of what to do.

That was until a flash of light came rushing in through his open door, returning what had been taken.





“- and then Tirik asked about the fifth alicorn.” Twilight continued looking confused. 

“You know who it was!” Pinkie said eyes gleaming “It was the party king!”

Twilight shook her head as they sat around the newly minted Crystal Castle. Mordane on his pull up chair sipped his tea and maintained a black expression.

In front of him was an article discussing the fifth alicorn hypothesis. A paper called the Times, criticized Celestia for not taking the matter seriously enough.

Mordane was just sitting there, trying to not think about the implications. 

Tirek after all, had not spent long looking at him and apparently didn’t care to help the princess.

Mordane took a sip of tea.





Mordane shivered and gave his head a quick shake. 

The event had deeply disturbed him and perhaps the dream was right, perhaps he needed more power.

More certain of his decision Mordane entered the shop.

“Hello, little one, how can I help you.”

“I need cleaning alcohol, one hundred proof. Then forty two grams of iron. Ten grams of calcium-”

“What’s the alcohol for...” the mare frowned looking down at Mordane who, without his wings, looked rather scrawny.

“It’s for sterilization.” Mordane said blankly “I need to remove all the biological contaminants from the minerals I’m asking for.”

The mare scratched her nose before sighing.

“Sometimes I don’t know what you’re doing out there Mordane.”

“Just continuing my studies” He said shaking his head.

“Mordane?”

The colt turned, looked around to see Spike with his basket walking into the shop.

“Oh hey Spike.” Mordane replied still looking at the clerk. He didn’t think much of meeting the small drake but was mildly surprised when he approached.

“What brings you here?”

“Oh, just some stuff for an experiment I’m running.”

Spike stopped and groaned, grasping the bridge of his nose. 

“Oh Celestia, I can’t handle two of them.” he whispered harshly.

“What was that?” Mordane asked, turning to frown at him.

“Nothing uh, gah.” He shook his head “don’t you do anything for fun Mordane?”

“Fun?”

“Yeah, fun.”

“...no.”

Spike blinked.

“Well, alright then...would you like to?”

Mordane weighed his options before answering.

“Depends on what you are doing.”

“...want to play ogres and oubliettes?”

Mordane blinked.

“Its uhh...a role playing, dice driven game?”

"What could they possibly have games about?"

“Yes?”

“Great! We’re playing on Saturday, in the castle at sundown. It’s just me and Big Mac for now. I might also invite Discord, but I don’t know if he’d be interested.”

Mordane smiled and nodded

“I’ll bring some snacks.”

“Nah bro, I got dis.” Spike grinned looking up at the clerk.

He began to rattle off a list of snacks and baking ingredients that made Mordane’s mouth water just hearing it. The sheer grin on the young dragons face made him jump a few rungs in Mordanes book.

“And here are your...items, derie.”

“Thank you,” Mordane said floating out a decently large bag of bits before turning “Leave the rest on my tab.”

“Sure sure.”

He gave Spike a hoof bump and grinned.

“See you Saturday.”

Mordane had a few more stops to make but he could use being friends with Twilight's assistant. As for now, Mordane had other things to do.





On his stove a cast iron kettle was set to boiling ink. Mordane floated over a clump of iron flakes and dumped it into the black substance. He had mixed in a variety of herbs earlier and a clump of his hair.

He frowned and floated in some more coal into the burning stove, the rune he had carved on top going from red to white as it pulled most of the heat into the pot. 

Floating over the paper he checked again before nodding.

It would be a while before the liquid was ready. 

Perhaps I’ll write to Mom and Dad….perhaps to Flashwing as well. I’ve not talked to him for awhile. Did Mom send him my address?

Mordane scrunched his nose, deciding to write to his brother for now and to his parents later.

Floating over a paper he prepared ink and quill.

Hello brother, how are you doing. The army treating you well? I have been great, the purple princess is a strict teacher but I’ve learned a bunch.

So much my head hurts.

He paused and chewed on his quill for a moment.

Don’t forget brother. Nothing comes without sacrifice. I’m so proud to think that my brother is a royal guard, still, I hope that you continue to keep my secret as your serve the matriarchy. I was hoping you would send me a letter. I wouldn’t want to lose you brother. 

Love Mordane

P.S. Address is return address

Mordane looked towards the boiling pot and trotted over. He didn’t sniff it, knowing the results would likely mean a trip to the hospital.

Technically the spellwork of war magic was a high class spell as it included a verbal, material and spellwork. All three needed to be used to make it work.

However this was deceptive. War magic was relatively simple.

The verbal component was a simple few lines. The stanzas could be read off of the page itself without disrupting the spell. Making it no harder than sounding out a few pronunciations. The magic infused into words spoken could give them power. It was in fact the first way that unicorns had cast magic.

The materials could be found in a common goods store. They barely classified as magical. Simply throw them in a pot at roughly the right proportions and their properties would distill to the perfect proportions. Useless on their own but once infused with the casters blood and raw mana would, in the right pattern, act as an amplifier for the final component.

Spellwork was done entirely in the mind. Formulas, exact visualizations and, most importantly, the correct feelings would come together to act out a spell. This could be exceptionally complex but the spellwork for war magic was relatively simple, unrefined even. The spell threads were just left hanging, but the writing insisted it must be replicated exactly to work. This made little sense but this wasn’t the first time seemingly random structures were just included in spells. His singed eyebrows had informed him that removing them tended to have surprising consequences. 

”There is a lot of useless components in this. Some genius might be able to simplify it even further. Maybe even get rid of the material component.” He shook his head “That would take a smarter pony than me.”

The highest risk component of war magic was the choice of focus. The binding that one would choose. It could very well limit your abilities.

Mordane picked up the book and read through the spellwork again. Biting his lower lip he considered once again if this is what he wanted to do.

He set his jaw, the decision had been made. It was time.

He grabbed his supplies, floating the pot out behind him. Leaving his cottage he trotted the short ways into the woods to his meditation spot.

“Okay, so it's like...this.”

Floating up a wire brush Mordane dipped it into the mixture, making sure not to breath in any fumes he trotted over to his stump and began to draw.

The symbology was as simple as it got. Two circles with arrows pointing straight out. What it meant, Mordane wasn’t sure.

The inner circle usually meant harmony and was a crux of most spell matrices. Instead of defining symbols though there was only the second circular extension. 



Finished, Mordane stepped into the circle and began to meditate.

The unactivated symbols dried around him, Mordane began to think about what exactly he wanted to use to formulate the spell.

It could be literally anything, but the book said he should choose something akin to his already existing mark. 

But he didn’t have a mark. 

”It doesn’t matter destiny, talent. Whatever this foolishness it is irrelevant to the future. I will make my own path.”

He thought, then focused.

Breathing deep he pushed away his current feelings. 

The anxiety of Celestia on the mountain.

The stress of Twilight’s study plan.

The fear of what he was about to do.

The uncertainty of doing it.

All of it flowed down the river, all of it fell away to nothing, leaving only the blank, black void.

”What is it that moves you?

Images bubbled up out of his boiling subconscious.

The clashing of steel. The rush of water. A hand falling like a gavel...

”A tool, speed. The power to change the moment...what will give me that”

A twister, a roaring fire, a giant crashing wave, an avalanche.

”Focus”

Burning sword in lake. Running magma. Burning tree blowing in the wind. 

Sky, earth, water, fire.

The core.

Mordanes eyes look down at the ground, his mind envisioning the burning core of the planet.

”Control. Order. The flow of energy.”

The image solidified in his mind. The flow of energy in the planet. He knew what he had to choose.

The core burns and boils under unimaginable pressure. Layer upon layer stretching all the way to the surface. Metals, stone and dirt compose it. This is earth.

Ebbing, ever changing flow of gas. It stretches for miles barely clinging. Held by the earth. This is air.

Corrosive, ever settling and stirring. It resides in both earth and air. It contorts their flow. This is water.

Together they are something more. The earth, air, water these things are the world, the flow of energy, the flow of fire.

He opened his eyes and began to weave the spell. The runes flared to life almost immediately, even before he began to speak.

The spell rolled off his tongue with no effort. He didn’t stutter or mispronounce, and at that moment he felt he couldn’t do so even if he wished.

“From one to another, another by will”
“A mark of one's destiny forged again, weaved in harmony anew.”

The spell began to take shape, each syllable causing the power to focus and gain weight.

Until he referenced his nonexistent mark.

Suddenly, the magic came crashing down, pooling into his horn. The power flooding his mana network.

In that moment Mordane felt something shift, and the veil was lifted. He once again felt the roiling undercurrent of the world. He felt the burning core and distantly he felt-

The word twisted on his tongue. Suddenly the magic rushed back to meet him.

“From without destiny, destiny is willed”
“A mark forged by hand, weaved in harmony fulfilled” 

Inside Mordane was panicking. The magic was out of control but he could feel the bindings spinning around him. The vision in his mind expanded.

He was in the air, deep underground, in a river.

He couldn’t understand even as the spell lines began to wrap around him and dig, dig deep into his soul.

His flank began to itch and burn as he eyes detected a bright light emanating from there.

Mordane screamed in terror.

For a brief moment he was cold, his eyes glinted from the harsh sunlight and he could see hazy figures standing on a mountains edge, above them the sun rising.

Then blackness.

Hours later Mordane woke. Tired, he only took time to wipe away the rune marks before gathering his supplies and heading back to bed.





Mordane woke, his head aching slightly.

The rest had soothed him slightly but yesterday's spellwork still set heavy on him. Sitting up he rubbed his eyes before opening to look around his cabin.

He thought through yesterday's events and shook his head. Today he felt different. Focusing on the feeling Mordane reached for the change but couldn’t identify.

Sighing he thought about starting the stove and prepared to cast a spell.

The energy rushed in from everywhere, the ground, the light, he felt as a dozen sources connected to him automatically. They flowed right through him, down through his new magical matrix and then back out to the coals.

It did not flow through his horn but instead as if through his very soul.

The shock of this made him lose focus for a moment, the energy started to spirl off wildly. Some becoming light and others a popping sound. In a slight panic he mentally grabbed at it and shoved it into the coals.

The pile inside of the stove burst into light with a dull thud, the small cabin filling up with burning heat as Mordane was forced to look away.

Looking back a moment later, with his mouth hanging open, Mordane could see that the coals were not merely on fire but instead they were white hot.

He slowly stood looking up at his horn that had barely charged.

“Fascinating.” 

Looking at his curtains he focused on his horn and carefully formed the simple spell matrix to close one of the two curtains. His horn charged as normal and it closed just as easily so he turned to the other one.

Thinking about a gust of wind didn’t do anything but then he focused and reached-

The small gust caused the curtain to flail wildly as a bunch of his things were thrown around the room. Mordane was forced to cut off the spell lest they be torn from the window.

He sat on his bed frowning as he floated his things back into place and closed the last curtain.Floating out the bucket he sat it firmly in front of him. Standing he focused for a moment. The water in the bucket began to stir and bubble from the soap.

He drew out the soaping water and suspended it in the air for a moment before floating it to wash all around himself.

He willed the water to be warmer and the war magic complied. It was easy to manipulate and control any aspect of the spell he wanted but he could also just let the magic happen automatically.

Dropping the water back into the bucket Mordane started getting ideas for an under house bunker before remembering he had to get to practice, however he was wet.

At first he went for the towel but then grinned as in stead he reached for the wind.

After the impromptu blowdry blew open his windows Mordane still stood grinning in his fuzzy mane and tail.

“Well that seems to work. I don’t know what happened to the spell but this” He paused to make sure he lacked a mark before continuing “This worked out well. Still, I need to use my spellwork for most things. If it isn’t water, earth, wind, or fire I can’t manipulate it.”

He placed everything back where it belonged and closed up the cabin again after dumping the dirty water.

Floating over a brush he got to work.





Mordane trots back through Ponyville, his charm covering his wings and cloak pulled up. The townsfolk don’t pay the small, strange colt much mind as he weaves in between them. Some might have noticed he was a little large if they had been paying attention but none were.

It was almost a surprise when Spike called out to him.

“Mordane! I was just coming to get you.”

“Oh?” He said “Am I running late?”

“Nah, early. I was just coming to get you. Twilight is having an episode. The table is doing something weird and she needs you to do thuma readings with her.”

Mordane tensed up.

“Oh...well then, we better hurry.”

Mordane and Spike moved quickly back to the new castle. They could hear Twilight talking as they walked up the steps. 

“How can this be?”

Mordane rounded the corner, hesitating for a moment once he saw Celestia. He took a moment to assess the room before walking forward. Celestia sat in front of Twilight’s throne. Twilight was pacing the table while Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie, and Rainbow stood to the side, looking either concerned or embarrassed.

Charging his horn he floated over one of Twilights notebooks and began to go down the checklist. Checking the table’s complex spell matrix.

“Ah, Mordane.” Celestia said with a smile. “Twilight seems to be...having some difficulties.”

“I see.” Mordane replied curtly, keeping his eyes on the notebook.

“The mare the table is calling for used to be a student of mine.” Celestia continued, her voice slowly driving up Mordanes anxiety “ She disappeared about two years ago.”

“Hmm, perhaps she will be at the locati-”

Mordane stopped.

His eyes had looked up and saw Twilight’s mark and floating around it was another mark he recognized.

One that he had dreamed of the night before.

“Star Charmer.”

Instantly Twilight was in front of him staring him in the eye. Her mane a little messy from the magical energy spilling out of her thuma storage.

“You know her!?” Twilight grabbed Mordane’s shoulders and started shaking him. “Tellmetellmetellmetellme-”

“Twilight!” Celestia stated firmly “Stop, you’re scaring him.”

Mordane was definitely scared, he was even shaking slightly, not due to Twilights exuberance, but instead due to what he had just said.

Already he was drawing lines of possible conversation in his head.

For a moment he considered lying but noted the presence of both Applejack and the princess precluded that.

So instead he opted for the truth.

“I-I’m sorry Mordane.” Twilight said combing down her hair. “It's just..”

“I understand.” Mordane replied with a weak smile. “I really do. It's just, I never thought I’d see Star Charmer’s mark again.”

Celestia tilted her head a small frown showing on the edge of her eyes.

“Why is that?” she asked.

“She...a short time before I came to Ponyville...I saw her die.”

Mordane lowered his head.

Everypony gasped.

Celestia small frown though slipped right down into a scowl. Her brow furrowed.

“I’m sorry.” Mordane cut in “ I just...I just can’t talk about it.”

Twilight’s wide eyes looked at Mordane then Celestia, unsure of what do.

Celestia put her wing over Mordane who tensed.

Inwardly she sighed while outwardly she gave a smile

“It’s okay my little pony. You’re safe, with friends.”

”You are no friend of Mine.” he mentally shuddered. Still, he forced himself to not push her off for a bit. Just letting her feel his shaking.

“Its okay Mordane.” Twilight followed reaching up to scratch behind his ear. He pushed her off and stepped out from under her wing drawing back up his defenses.

“It’s okay. Thank you princesses.” he said swallowing.

“Are you sure?” Twilight asked her concern still obviously present.

“I’m sure. I buried her myself.” He forced a sniffle and shook his head looking down.

“Then...then what are we going to do?” Twilight croaked plopping down onto the floor. “How can I help with the friendship problem if she is gone...”

“I-” Mordane began. However he was cutoff as the tabled began to flash with Twilights mark as well as-.

“Mordane! You’re glowing!” Fluttershy said.

“The table! It must want you to come with me!”

Twilight began to chatter excitedly as the others tried to calm her.

Celestia though looked at Mordane with a soft concern. 

Mordane though, resolved himself. 

“There is no way this is going to end well.”





A day later Mordane sat on the train platform. A bag of bits on his side along with already packed satchels set for spending a long time out in the wilderness. 

He did not bring more than he could comfortably carry while maximising his staying power.

It meant a lot of dried vegetables and oat powder. Plus a few dried fruit bars. All wrapped in wax covered cloth. 

He went over his package as if he wanted to make sure that everything was there.

This though was for show. He knew exactly what was in the bag, after all he had packed it himself carefully. It was simply habit. A practice to be prepared in case one had to leave suddenly. Especially important considering his current situation as Twilight's Student.

Even back in his old world he had always maintained a bug out bag.

This was what he considered minimal necessity.

“Hey Mordane.”

Mordane looked up from his bag to see Sweetie Belle standing by, holding a little satchel.

“Hey Sweetie Belle. Whats up?”

“Nothing.” She said with a blush “I made you something for the road.”

“Oh?” he said with a smile. Reaching out and accepting the package. “Thank you.”

“Be safe.” she said before turning and running off.

Looking down he opened the package to find several burned cookies. Chuckling, he stored them in his saddle bag before flinging them onto his back as Twilight came trotting up.

He frowned, the mare wasn’t wearing anything. No bag or satchel. Reasoning with himself he assumed she intended to use magic for their protection.

“You ready to go Mordane?” Twilight asked with a big smile.

“I guess.” He said, “Do you have the tickets?”

“Yes. “she produced the tickets from her mane.

Filing onto the train Mordane moved to his seat and sat quietly, looking down at his hooves and out the window.

Twilight sat down across from him. Her ears drooping slightly at Mordane’s evasive attitude.

As the tracks rolled on, the tension only grew. It came to be a tangible thing in that small compartment. The silence compounding and building on itself.

The train picked up passengers and dropped off others. Still Mordane sat quietly as Twilight sat uncomfortably looking at him.

Until she found something to say.

“Mordane...can you tell me more about how you met Star Charmer.”

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

She frowned looking down at the floor for a moment before continuing a bit quieter.

“It’s okay Mordane. I won’t be mad, you can tell me-”

“I don’t want to talk about it. What's done is done. She's dead and buried.” He turned and grumbled unders his breath. “I just hope she stays that way.”

Twilight looked a bit hurt, but it was understandable. She couldn’t imagine what it was like to see somepony die while so young.

She fretted the whole time, trying to think about what to say.





A few hours later they came near the forest. At Twilight's command the train slid to a stop to let them off. 

They watched as the train continued on its way until it was out of sight.

“Okay, let’s go over some rules.” Twilight said, turning to Mordane.

“Rules?” He replied raising an eyebrow.

“Yes, Bawdys Rules for Roughhousing Rowdy through Rambunctious Rough Rubeland...” She beamed, floating the book up to him. “Tis a comprehensive guide on how to be comfortable even on the most undeveloped terrain!”

Mordane snorted, quickly covering his nose at the ridiculous title. Twilight ignored him and flipping open the book and began to read the rules.

“Chapter one. Preparing a survival bag...oh.” her ears drooped and head sagged.

Mordane floated over his satchel giving her a smile. 

She perked up and took the bag smiling herself. She floated a checklist out of her mane and plucked a feather before beginning to go through his bag.

“Ink, check, Water filter, check-”

Mordane tuned out the mare, staring off into the distance, going over again if there had been some way to get out of the purple ones bothersome table’’s plan.

“Mordane”

Mordane turned and looked toward the sounds source, deeper in this forest. His mind kicking into high gear trying to understand what had just hit it.

”Mordane, help me”

Mordane knew that voice. He had heard it in his dreams.

“Star Charmer.”

“What?” Twilight said “Where you able to make that out?”

Mordane looked at her confused. His body still oriented toward the woods.

“I couldn’t understand the words.” Twilight said.

“It sounded like Star Charmer.” Mordane whispered harshly. “I heard it come from the woods.”

“...We are going to need to be careful.” Twilights voice started to harden. “I don’t like this.”

Mordane floated back over one of his packs, leaving his backup with Twilight. Once she got it on and adjusted the straps they headed into the forest.

It was an old growth, having not seen pony hooves in a dozen generations. Life there tended to be chaotic with only one season. As such the forest had grown without end, eventually choking itself on its dead remnants. This caused water to collect and stagnate in pools.

So as they stepped deeper in the canopy became thicker and the forest floor gave way to bog.

Twilight walked along head first in the book most of the time. She read on quicksand, magical quicksand, Ents, foraging, camping, illnesses.

Mordane slowly grew stiff and began to frown. Sighing harshly he looked up at the sky, noticing the sky darkening.

“We are going to need to find a place to rest...maybe make it soon.”

“What? The book says to find a place an hour before sunset.” She lit up her horn casting a complex spell he couldn’t even begin to follow. “That's forty minutes away.”

“...Twilight. I think that would be true in a normal forest.” pointing up at the leaves he shook his head “with that leaf cover it’s going to be dark a lot earlier than that.”

“Do you think so?” Twilight said, looking up.

“Yeah,” Mordane nodded, starting to walk again. “There was a forest like this one near my hometown.”

“Oh?” Twilight asked, more concerned with learning more about her student.

“My brother use to camp out there with me, and later, after he joined the royal guard, I would go alone.”

“Your brother is part of the Royal guard too?” Twilight asked trotting up to beside him as the narrow strip of land they were on began to widen. “My BBBFF was as well.”

“BBBFF” Mordane asked as his eyes focused on a particular spot of wide flat ground. “What's that?”

“Big Brother Best Friend Forever?” Twilight explained, looking at him.

“Ah, well I could definitely apply that label to my brother...Yours is part of the royal guard?”

“Formerly. He was captain of the guard but then he married Princess Mi Amore Cadenza.”

“Huh,” Coming to the area Mordane walked around in a circle, kicking away a stone and stomping down an area for the tent. “Let's set up here.”

“Good idea.” Twilight said. Floating off Mordanes bag.

The two of them set about preparing the camp site.

Mordane had only brought one tent, so he would be sleeping with his amulet and cloak on tonight. Twilight seemed curious but didn’t ask any questions, so he gave no explanation.

Instead, he laid down to sleep, drawing on years of practice a decade past.

His breathing slowed and his kidneys hurt. The pain consistent, he pushed away letting it flow down the rivers of his mind.

He willed himself to sleep without sleeping. To dream without dreaming. A deep zen that allowed him to be partially aware and accelerate the sleep cycle.

The drawback was the crash that would follow when he returned to a normal sleep. He would likely compromise his immune system if the practice was maintained over a week.

Worse, it did not serve to rest his mind.

Still, eventually Twilight settled down and fell asleep.

His breathing and focus increased for ten minutes before his eyes slid open. Four hours of rest done in one.

Quietly, carefully, Mordane slid up and out of the tent. He grabbed his still tightly wrapped bag before grabbing a stick. 

Placing it into the fire, he called on his war magic and willed the stick to catch light. Drawing in the heat from the rest of the flame. 

Seeing it take light he stepped away from the fire and moved quietly into the woods.

The woods were even creepier in the dark. Mordane couldn't see, so he prepared a spell that Twilight had taught him. 

He drew from the heat in the air and weaved a spell turning it into a beam of light to cut beyond the small circle around his torch.

”I got a bunch of things in my utility belt” he thought to himself trying to not think to much about what was out there ”NaNaNaNaNaNa Batman, Batman!”

He blinked before chuckling.

“Well, alien Batman.”

Focusing again he cast the spell.

The spells beam though cut out just beyond him. Running into an unnatural black shroud.

Mordane’s heart quickened. He focused and increased the spells power. His hooves’ pace quickening as he now ran through the woods. 

“Mordane?”

He stopped, eyes wide.

There, standing on the edge of his light, stood Star Charmer.

Smiling softly.

“You found me.”

”This isn’t possible. It's just not possible.”

He shivered, blinking rapidly, trying to process what he was seeing. Trying to rationally consider the situation.

But he couldn’t.

“You’re...alive.”

He hesitatingly stepped forward, the light coming to wash over her body.

“Mordane, look out!” Twilight’s panicked voice rang out.

A beam of light, splitting across Mordane vision, struck Star Charmer who stumbled back.

Mordane blinked a few times as the darkness rushed away from him. 

The pony that appeared as Star Charmer had changed. Now, he stood as a stallion, but not a living one. 

It all hit him at once, the rotting putrid smell, the bits hanging off of the ponies face. 

It was a zombie.

“F-Buck!” Mordane shouted jumping back. 

The growls and moans echoed around. Their vibrations reaching into his soul, calling memories of horror and loss. 
He grit his teeth and snorted ,preparing, as Twilight moved to his side.

“I don’t know, but I think this is black magic! Necromancy!” They looked around as the zomponies surrounded them. Twilight's eyes focused. “We can’t escape.”

“Then we fight.” Mordane whispered harshly, charging his horn.

“Yes!” Twilight's horn charged, and a gout of flame appeared around them both forming a flaming barrier.

Mordane charged his own and floated up several large stones before flinging one at the nearest pony. 

“I have this side.” He grunted 

Twilight's hair began to wave as she cut with beams of plasma, impacting and throwing the zomponies away.

Mordane continued to focus on one at a time, blasting the six or so near him with rocks.

“Mordane do you think you can keep them off us for thirty seconds. I know a spell that would-“ she dodged a swipe from a zompony stepping through the fire ring, blasting it. “-take care of these things!”

“Do it!” Mordane shouted as he continued to throw stones. 

Twilight focused while Mordane felt a stirring that reminded him of the feeling of war magic. 

Making a split decision, Mordane called on his own.

Mordane grit his teeth and willed the water to freeze.

Long thin spikes stabbed out from around them, all random shapes and sizes.

Twilight’s power collection reached a peak as Mordane forced the water to flashmelt. Her horn glowed bright as the noon day sun, forcing Mordane to stare away from her.

The light lept out and struck the zomponies.

The light burned bits off of them. Pieces burned through and flaked away to dust. As he watched the body of what had seemed to be Star Charmer burned away to dust before the light faded away.

Twilight stood panting along with Mordane. Her eyes scanning into the distance as the dark slowly crept in as the unnatural light pulled out. 

“Mordane.” Twilight said, her voice hard “Why did you leave?”

Mordane, tired and irritated, tried to think but couldn’t. The stress on his mind with the meditation and seeing Star Charmer was to much.

“It's my responsibility.”he mumbled half heartedly.

“Responsibility, what responsibility? Mordane, you’re just a little colt. You can’t just go off into a dark forest alone. Especially a swamp. You’ll hurt yourself. We need to pull together and work through this. The map sent us.” She leaned in “The stakes are very high now. This is necromancy. Dark forbidden magic. What does Star Charmer have to do with all this? Who was she to you?”

Mordane grimaced. His head scrunching back into his neck as he took a half step back.

Then he stomped his hoof back down, stepping forward, eyes glaring.

“I’ve been in forests worse than this princess, slept in them too. I know how to find food, water, keep direction and even make fire. What do you know that you can’t read out of a little book.” He snarled “What does it matter what a stupid table grown out of some old tree in the Everfree says?”

Twilights mouth hung open for a moment before tightening into a line.

“Don’t talk about the elements that way mister. Without them Equestria would be- well I don’t know what it would be, but it would be a terrible place! A place without friendship!”

Mordane snorted and shook his head, causing Twilight to take her own half step back.

“I’ll say whatever I want.” Mordane stated firmly with one firm nod.

“Not as my student.” Twilight whispered.

Mordanes ears stood up. His eyes widened for a moment before going back down to being furrowed.

”Maybe I shouldn’t be then” he thought.

He looked down, clenching his jaw.

“Come on, let's go back to camp. It's still several hours till sunlight.” Twilight started to move off, looking back to make sure Mordane follows.

As they arrived at the camp, Twilight deliberately walked around casting a spell again. This time he noticed the part that let her sense when he had left. 

He ground his teeth a little harder at the indignity of it all.

“Go to sleep Mordane. We have a big day tomorrow.”

Mordane didn’t respond, instead choosing to roll over and face away from her. Sighing, Twilight got into the bedroll she had left there before going to sleep, with Mordane following shortly later.





Mordane awoke slowly, his mind stabbing him with shots of pain to occasionally remind him how stupid accelerating sleep cycles was.

Gripping his head, he groggily stood up and walked out of the tent.

Blinking a few times Mordane looked around at their damp camp site to find he was alone. The light peeking through the trees.

The tent and some supplies were still sitting were they were. However, now there was a shimmering barrier surrounding the camp.

Mordane blinked again before frowning. His eyes catching a piece of paper sitting on top of the supplies.

Trotting over he gave it a read.

To: Mordane Stronghoof
From: Twilight Sparkle

After considering what to do last night I have made the decision to go on without you. This forest is too dangerous. While the table sent us both I can’t in good conscious take you deeper into this forest without first clearing the way. That is why I have cast the high level barrier. When I do find out what you’re needed for I’ll come back and get you. Sit tight and don’t worry. 

P.S. I’m sorry for what I said last night, you are a good student.
P.P.S We’ll talk about what happened with Star Charmer when I get back.

Mordane clenched his jaw.

”Star Charmer”

He spat on the ground and shook his head.

His eyes focused on the barrer, across it tendrils of black slicked up its surface. As the shimmering barrier rose it faded to the point that he wasn’t sure if it reached all the way up.

”Whatever happened to this barrier must be coming from the necromancer.” His brow tightened ”Those dreams...He must have done something to capture her soul. DAMN HIM!”

Mordane resolved to free her soul, that is, if he could find a way to preserve her...perhaps in the necromancer’s notes.

Walking to the barrier’s edge he breathed in deeply through his nose, focusing on the weave of will and force tied together in its makeup.

”I could fly over, but that's not necessary.”

He struck out with his mind catching a half dozen different threads caught in the ethereal wind and then unweaved them.

The spell disintegrated and Mordane felt a chill rush in.

With a quick breath and exhale of satisfaction he moved out. 

Listening for the voice from his dreams.





Twilight walked along, her coat already ruffled.

She looked down at her book, useless now as it was waterlogged after she had walked into a hidden deep puddle.

Sighing, she let the book fall to the ground. The words had become unreadable, and the book wasn’t even uncommon. Even so, it irked her.

A few steps later though she stopped suddenly and turned back, her eyes widening slightly.

”Mordane? He broke out. How is that possible? Unless…”

She frowned.

While trying to decide what to do she heard a loud roar, far too close to be comfortable.

Taking to the air, Twilight moved to avoid the Hydra, knowing it would mean losing her relative location and therefore Mordane.

The day went on without the ability to find rest or direction. The forest suddenly became vicious. As if a switch had been thrown.

She flew and ran and cast spells into the night. Until finally finding a small space in some trees to hunker down.

“Celestia preserve him.” She whispered “Whatever is in this forest must be after him.”





Mordane was doing pretty well as he moved through the forest. Memories of spending time with his brother in the forest around his foalhood home helped him.

Though as he walked, he was being cautious. 

It weirded him out that the forest seemed so dreary but at the same time so...uneventful.

In the distance he heard something moving. Quickly he found a large limb he could scramble up and into the tree, using a bit of magic to help.

Settling into the tree he hunkered down and waited.

The chill on his skin began to grow as he felt terror rising.

He was just about to run, but then he saw it. 

A hydra, giant and imposing, lumbered past him, crushing trees aside and lowly growling. It came to a stop below him and reached down, scratching its neck.

Mordane cursed inwardly before shrinking into the foliage.

He settled down and rested, tense as the sun crept across the sky.

Soon though, the creature moved on, tired, Mordane went to rest.





Twilight cast a barrier around herself before settling on a stone as a bed. 

She has been fighting all day and the weight of it had taken its toll.

The call of dreams reached out to her and so she laid down to sleep. 

 Running through the forest, dark constructs rearing up in the clawed, woody shadows. 

She swept them away, sweating and panting as she had most of the day.

“Twilight.”

She turned and froze, heart tearing itself out.

Mordane laid on his side, the cloak in taters around him.

Rushing up to Mordane’s broken and bleeding side, Twilight tried to think of a healing spell but just couldn’t remember one.

“You...left me to die.” he whispered in a gurgle. The blood dripping onto his wing.

wing

Twilight blinked, shaking her head.

She knew Mordane didn’t have wings, she had felt his bare back, seen it with her own eyes. 

“This makes no sense.” She whispered before looking around.

“Murder…” whispered Mordane in her hooves.

The confusion on Twilight's face gave way to anger then amusement.

“Really, such a high class spell and you get something so simple wrong? Get out of my head reprobate. Your dark magic holds no sway here.” She demanded as her eyes began to glow.





Mordane had been asleep for a few hours. He dreamed as he usually did, of a dark, inky black, instead of being mixed with stories in different times and different lives. All of war and the tasks of nations.

It tired him, so he chose the blackness. Better than the headaches.

This night though, the blackness shifted.

“You killed me.”

Mordane swallowed, he knew that voice.

“Maria,”

He turned and looked at the shadow, eyes tearing up.

“You killed her...just. like. me.”

Mordane shivered and shook his head. Turning, he willed himself back into the blackness. However, the thing was somehow still in front of him.

“You killed me and then you killed her, soon you’ll kill Twilight too.”

It stepped closer. Mordane began to backpedal but it seemed to have no effect, she slowly approached.

Around him roars rang out. The sound of gunfire and the clash of swords.

“So many like you. So much death, do you think your’ll make peace in this life? You should have known better.”

She threw her shadowy arms wide.

“How many times have you done this? How many lives have you spent in war and violence. You’re just going to do it again and again. This time is no different.”

He shook and shivered.

Then stopped. Remembering.

“Wait. I did die and I felt that-” 

Mordane snapped awake.

He blinked, feeling his heart beating incredibly fast as he looked around the small tree hollow he was in. The sun tinted the sky with red, announcing the beginning of  morning.

For a moment his eyes locked onto a black shadow as it disintegrated on a branch, writhing in pain.

Mordane stared at it, slowly realizing what had been done.

” A spell to cause nightmares. It must seek out those sleeping.”

Snarling, he stood up and, after checking, slid down the tree. With a snort he stomped on the ground, reaching for his war magic and caused stone spikes to splinter the tree.

Nodding in satisfaction Mordane turned heading off again at a trot.

The occasional whisper of Star Charmer guiding his way.





That night, Mordane slept again in safety, this time when the nightmare came he shrugged it off almost instantly. Even as he woke for confirmation,  the magical construct disintegrated from the backlash.

He wasn’t sure why the necromancer was sending these shadows, but it wouldn’t stop him.

Mordane inhaled deeply and let himself calm down.

The monsters where getting stronger and more frequent as well. Several were too big for him to comfortably handle.

For a moment he wished he was still with Twilight.

Suddenly, he started to hear a crashing noise rapidly approaching, crackling as it stomped the underbrush.

Mordane scrambled for a nearby hiding place, shrinking down into a bush.

A manticore ran out snarling, coming to a stop on the spot he had been standing and circling it, sniffing strongly. Then it turned toward the bush he was in.

A beam of light appeared and struck the beast, causing it to roar and then turn and run in the opposite direction, out of Mordane’s small window of sight.

He waited quietly as Twilight trotted out into the clearing.

“Oh, I thought I sensed him around here. I hope he's okay, that book hasn’t helped at all.” She paused and sat, bags under her eyes. “I should have never left him.” 

Mordane felt a need to go out and comfort the mare, but he resisted it. He wanted to face the necromancer alone.

Then suddenly he felt a much stronger pull and a sense that he was meant to go to her. Meant to go and fight the villain together.

He even took a half step forward but stopped, blinking rapidly as he tried to understand why he was feeling this way.

The pull surged again, but this time he stepped back, letting himself sit still.

In a moment he had a flash of insight.

“The table”

He was struck by a vision.

He would go to Twilight and apologize. She would be glad to see him. They would go together, her fighting off the monsters, him guiding the way and helping. Mordane would explain what he knew.

Soon they would find the necromancer, in the fight his alicorn nature would be revealed as he fought Blackheart. Doing so to save Twilight’s life at a critical moment.

He would return with her to Equestria, be hailed as a hero. Given high honors and Twilight would call him a good student.

His parents would be proud of his sacrifice and learn to love their new status among the Canterlot elite.

And Celestia would guide him to further meet his destiny.

But Mordane didn’t move from that spot.

He didn’t stand up and walk over to her.

Instead, he firmly pushed away the impulse with hot iron rods of pure will. Beating down the thought and path with rage.

The insight faded as his mind focused on one image.

Him bowing before Celestia in supplication.

”Never.”

Twilight, after a time, sighed and trotted off; Mordane waited until he couldn’t hear her anymore. His mind unsure of why she couldn’t sense him.

He knew that he was close.

He would go to the Necromancer's lair and find Star Charmer’s soul. Then he would kill the necromancer and rip what he wanted out of him.






Mordane followed the whispers through the forest, he was close now.

Focused on the task at hoof, he ignored briars and wet hooves. Pushing onward he eventually broke through a particularly dense layer of forest and into a clearing.

An old fort, it was mostly intact, though a look down at his hooves made him realize the wall had long ago been eaten by the forest. Squinting at the sky he could see a small shimmer, which he assumed was some kind of illusion hiding this place from the sky.

The fort itself was a simple box. What drew his attention, however, was the large, smooth tower attached.

A dark miasma seemed to leak from it and roll out into the forest.

Swallowing, Mordane took a step into the clearing.

Nothing happened.

Scurrying across the field Mordane went up to the door.

It was quite obvious that the door was not the original.

It was made of a block of stone without any features save a pony skull attached to the face.

Mordane nearly jumped out of his skin when it spoke in a rasping voice.

“What is the final answer?”

Coming closer Mordane frowned and thought for a few moments before raising an eyebrow.

“Death?”

“...You may enter.”

The door slid open to the side revealing the dark black beyond. Stepping inside Mordane summoned his courage and a spell for light.

The pony who had been hidden in shadow froze, her knife gleaming brightly. She wore a layered black cloak that would have made seeing her in the absolute dark impossible.  She was coiled like a spring ready to strike.

Mordane blinked, recognizing the mare.

“Sugar Song?”

The mare said nothing. Just looking him over before sighing and sheathing her blade.

“Debt paid.” she said, walking past him and off into the forest.

Mordane watched her walk away, thinking if there was something to say. However, the needs of the moment and what was to come came first. Shaking, he turned to the end of the room and the stairwell there.

Mordane walked up the stairwell senses fully attuned. He was ready for any shenanigans that may occur.

Before he knew it though, the fight had already begun.

Real magic fights are not like the duels unicorn sometimes partook in. No, this was a struggle for energy.

Both sides were already trying to bind the energy of the wind and sun to themselves and depriving the other of it.

On his way he passed cages, bottles, and bodies lining the wall up the steps. 

They all spoke of horror and precision. The flesh neatly cut. He was certain that if Twilight had seen this the mare would have fainted from shock.

Still, he pressed forward.

”An impressive collection” he thought ironically. Brow furrowing.”At least he thinks so.”

One item did draw his eye though, causing him to stop just before the top.

Mordane approached the rattling sheet covered cage.

"Hey, is anyone in there?" he asked as he slowly pulled back the cover.

"SKRAWW!" A shape lunged at him and he jerked back, dropping the cover.

"Oh, I wouldn't go playing around with that if I were you. Cockatrices aren't something you want to let roam about in the open."

"Blackheart." Mordane didn't so much say the name as expel it, as if doing so left a bad aftertaste in his mouth.

Firmly he turned toward the top and flipped off his hood. Eyes burning as he stepped out of the stairwell.

"Welcome, Mordane. It has been some time."

The top of the tower was...rather simple. A cot sat against the wall. A few tables as well, filled with more examples of the Necromancer's dark art.

"...I cannot believe that you actually came."

That gave Mordane pause.

"What do you mean?"

Blackheart laughed and turned around smiling.

"Have you enjoyed your dreams, alicorn?"

Mordane stood there under the unicorn's cruel laugh, the shock quickly replaced with rage. He knew why he was here. It did not matter who had called him. The goal was the same.

He unclasped the amulet and let his wing open. It would be best to have no restraints.

"Why have you tricked me here, Blackheart?"

The Necromancer held most of the energy around them. His skill was significant. Definitely a level three unicorn.

"For your body, of course. Immortality. A difficult thing to acquire, and I've been at it for about a year. Working with those...non unicorns. I needed bodies and they cared only for money. Now, though, I don't have to do that anymore. Think of all the lives you will save. " His grin sent shivers up Mordane's spine.

"How could you take my immortality?"

Mordane ignored the sensation and calculated. Wondering if he knew about the table. Once again he decided it did not matter and pushed the thoughts away.

The unicorn rolled his eyes. Both at the alicorn's statement and his pathetic attempt to acquire the local static electricity.

"I can't, you stupid colt...First I rip out your soul. Then I fill the space with mine."

"That's impossible."

The necromancer sneered gesturing with his hoof.

"You know very well that it's not impossible. Your soul is already halfway out as it is. Don't believe me? Just ask Star Charmer. She is sitting over on that table."

Mordane looked over, and there set a beating heart. Powerful necromantic magic pulsed in time and Mordane could feel the most familiar soul attached to it.

Revulsion and despair filled Mordane as he realized what the monster must have done, but he had to stall. Blackheart still held the majority. He had to scrape even just a few Joules more energy.

All around them the air had grown still, the noise had deadened. The room grew freezing cold.

"...How did you send me the dreams?"

"Oh, that? It was easy. I used Star Charmer's soul. You made a magical connection with her that night you kissed under the moon. Quite charming really. Her memories are what told me about your alicorn nature...tell you what? Would you like to have me put your soul with hers? I'll even leave you alone in there if you come willingly."

Mordane would have been shocked if he had not been struggling so hard. No distractions could be allowed anymore.

"...Now let's stop this game of tug a war and let the real fight begin. Just for fun."

There was a shift and suddenly Mordane and Blackheart both held half the local energy.

”He wants to toy with me. That will be his last mistake”

Thus it began. No time for questions. He struck.

A shockwave resounded as both magic users solidified their shields and attacked.

Mordane struck with stone from the walls as he batted his wings and hovered into the air.

Blackheart sneered and countered the stone's motion before creating a lightning bolt from his horn.

At the same time bone dust flew in a billowing ball from a nearby bag and began to form skeletons. It fell apart as the alicorn severed the spell.

Both sides stood and floated five meters apart. Their powers fully on show. Mordane struggled, but could not help but be amazed. The unicorn had no war magic, yet even though he was casting fewer spells they would easily break his attacks.

However there was no mockery this time. As a beam of plasma was barely blocked by Blackheart's shield he had to acknowledge the colt's strength.

But it was not enough.

Slowly and surely Mordane's attacks grew weaker. More of the energy was under his enemy's control.

He struck out with a blast of wind containing bits of sharpened stone that simply dissolved mid air as they hit the Necromancers barrier. 

Slowly, Mordane was starting to realize attempts to affect the Necromancer directly were futile.

Blackheart took a step forward and formed a cone of hardened air which glanced against Mordane's head.

Mordane fell to his knees.

Soon the spells stopped as a vacant eyed pony sat staring at the Necromancer.

He had been defeated.

"That was very good Mordane. I think I’ll remember your name. Even use it perhaps...With your strength I'll...Well, I'll never have to do any of this again. Take that at least."

Despair filled him as Blackhearts hoof touched his forehead.





Blackheart approached his defeated opponent. At first he had thought him a child, but this growth...he was good. So good that he didn’t feel like celebrating.

With his strength I can do so much...I'll have all eternity. I can't believe he found the spell to pull out his own soul...He would have made a good necromancer.

He stepped forward. The alicorn had no training, so of course he would not know how to protect his spirit.

He touched his forehead.

The mind was simple to enter with his will drained from the fight. Blackheart reached deep.

A vastness. A void of dark and shadows. This was not the mind of a pony. Blackheart had touched the creature's soul and found something he could not understand.

It hungered unendingly.

Its will knew no end.

All simply existed to be used.

And yet...

It was kind.

It cared for the weak.

IT STILL HAD STRENGTH.

I AM HUMAN, AND I WILL SURVIVE!

Blackheart struggled helplessly against the predator’s mind beneath the pony flesh. He saw Mordane's past and would have not believed had he been told. The mind of a herbivore was different from this.

The necromancer was broken within a moment.

But a moment is all the old necromancer would need.





Mordane staggered back. A deep resounding shake coming up from his bowels.

He looked at Blackheart.

In that moment he knew what had happened.

Blackheart stood before him with his eyes rolled back into his head. Mordane had trapped him in a nightmare. One that would last forever.

It had been as much a surprise to Mordane when his mental attack crushed through the necromancer's defenses.

Reaching back into Blackheart's mind Mordane had taken his memory. The killings and knowledge thus gained were part of his memory now. He had seen the thirst for knowledge that led to Blackh- Silver Comet's fall. How he had been kicked out of the university for performing forbidden magic. How he had used the bandits and had travelled to that ruin not for vengeance or wealth, but for bodies and souls.

In that last moment, Blackheart had struck out at him with a curse to dislodge his soul.

Mordane spat at him. Black bile coming out of his mouth.

He gripped his stomach. Trying to make a decision. To see some way out.

His mouth thinned to a line.

“There is nothing to do.” he said wiping his mouth clean.

Knowing he didn’t have long left Mordane let out a choked sob.

His eyes went over to Star Charmers ball.

Slowly, he floated over the cage. Eyes twitching from the pain.

"I know you can hear me, Blackheart. Listen well. You asked me to show mercy. To kill you. That I will not do."

The cockatrice cage from before was wrapped in light and floated in front of Blackheart. Mordane forced the Necromancer to look through the small food slot opening.

As necromancer turned to stone,  some form of spell backlash went off causing the bird to turn as well.

Mordane blinked then shook his head, letting the cage fall to the floor.

Turning, he trod weakly over to the stand where Star Charmers soul was being kept. His hoof bumping into the bundled up parts of his cloak and amulet.

Shaking, he reached down and pulled both on. Turning on and smoothing out his cloak to hide the stain now on his stomach.

The heart on the counter that contained Star Charmer's soul...he would have to face her again.

The spell was simple, reaching out he brought over a small flame and let her heart catch.

It burst into flames like a tinderbox; quickly consumed allowing her spirit to escape. Mordane looked out at her spirit. Wrapped in chains. A flick of his will applied, with the correct twists breaking and releasing the bindings. 

The spirit began to swirl and convulse, Mordane thought for certain that it would dissipate. Instead, it took shape; forming into something familiar. 

"Mordane?" Star Charmer asked weakly.

"Hey Star…” He whispered voice horse as his thought felt like a vise.

"Is that really you?" She said, covering her mouth.

"Blackheart, well...he won't bother anypony again.” He smiled down at her small figure, feeling relief and satisfaction. Wanting to talk to her more. Share a dinner. “I’m...Sorry Star, I”

He choaked

“Your soul, its so small. I should have known he had taken you. How could he lock you up and let you fade like this. No. No longer.” His eyes flashed green.

He reached for the knowledge he had gained, ready to sever what connections she still held to the mortal plane 

"Wait, Mordane,” Mordane paused mid spell, eyes looking into hers with sorrow,“ about what I said before I died-"

"No, Star...I know. I-” he stopped and thought for a moment. “I could have loved you, that is the truth. I could have, I wish I could have.”

He felt a warm glow prick his cold skin, the dark spell sapping his strength.

"Yes, I cared for you as well." She shook her head “It was a terrible loss.”

“It was.” he said.

She began to fade as he untied her soul.

"Goodbye, Cutie.” She said with a soft giggle. Before suddenly remembering something. “Mordane?"

"Yes?" he said sitting up suddenly.

"Don't forget to love again." Her eyes began to glass over “I hope I’m reborn in those gleaming cites of your birth...I’d...like...to...see.....earth.”

And she was gone.

He sat there looking at the broken glass and thinking.

His face slowly contorting.

Tears streamed from his eyes as his face twisted into a snarl.

Looking around he spat more blood.

”This place shouldn’t exist in this world.”

He felt the power in him roar. The war magic rising to his rage, pain, regret and anger.

And so he lashed out.





Twilight felt the wave of magic as the necromantic barrier cracked.

Simultaneously she felt as Mordanes magic signature rush out, chasing its tail.

Twilight immediately took to the air. Her eyes already tearing up as she flew toward the spell.

Even so some part of her analysed the signal and noted the kind of spell it was.

Twilight bit her bottom lip. She knew about war magic and the dangers of it. Mordane shouldn’t have had access. Even she hadn’t until...She had gotten her wings. 

”It’s far to early. Oh, what is this going to do to him?"

Coming to a hover above the rubble she cast a spell and began lifting rocks and tossing them aside. She let her magical sense guide her until she found Mordane.

The stones around him had been twisted and supported by his war magic. His body a channel for the massive energy it was not ready to wield.

Twilight flitted down to his side, picking him up.

“Mordane. Speak to me!”

“Twilight?” Mordane whispered, cracking open his eyes before a soft chuckle escaped his lips. “So you found me.”

“I-I followed your magical signature. It kept coming and going, I didn’t know-” she hiccuped. “I couldn’t find you.”

He didn’t say anything for a moment. Just shaking his head. Eyes welling up with tears.

“I’m dying...the dark wizard, that killed Star Charmer.” Mordane swallowed, “He was here and I- I”

“Shh, save your strength. You can tell me later.” Twilight said smiling. “My perfect little student.”

“I’m sorry, I’m dying.” He coughed again. Blood seeping out of his mouth “He got a bad one on me at the end...Twilight.”

Mordane sniffed.

“I bucked up. I should have told you. I should have-”

“Wait a moment.” Twilight sniffed. Her horn glowing. “I can feel the spell. Its strong but...I- I can fix it.”

She laid a surprised Mordane down and stood up, eyes scanning over his body.

“But...dark magic.”

Twilight gave a small smile.

“As Celestia told me, ‘I’ve not shown you everything, little one’ ” Her brow furrowed and her wings stood up before a black mist began to roil out of her eyes.

Mordane felt as the dark spell loosened its grip on him and was pulled out. Warmth surging back to his cold hooves as his heart began to beat freely.

“Now for the opposite.” Twilight said. Opening her glowing eyes she began floating.

Mordane felt a pure and clean powerful magical force building then rushing down and washing over him. The light purged the taint of dark magic from his body. The pressure was so great his soul was reanchord to his body.

“There.” She said coming returning to normal. “That should have worked...Mordane?”

The colt sat there stunned. The raw power that had gone through her in that moment had been huge. Yet she seemed completely calm.

For the first time he felt truly humbled by his teacher.

Sliding up Mordane came to sit and looked down at the ground.

“I’m sorry Twilight.” he said. Mind racing. “I should have told you what he did.” He hung his head lower “I should have gone with you.”

Twilight bit her lip.

“I should have listened more...and not left you. I’m sorry, I failed as your teacher. If you don’t want to learn under me anymore-”

“No!” Mordane said sudden ears popping to attention. “No. What you just did there...that was amazing.”

Twilight blushed.

“It was nothing.”

Mordane shook his head.

“It wasn’t nothing! That was powerful magic. I didn’t know you were going to teach me stuff like that.”

Twilight shook her head smiling, but then remembered something.

“You used war magic!”

Mordane blinked and swallowed.

“Yes...Are you mad?”

“Yes!” she harrumphed“No. I’m just worried. That magic is dangerous Mordane. It messes with a pony’s destiny, with their cutie mark! That magic nearly ruined my friends lives.” 

She frowned, leaning in.

“You can’t use that anymore. I don’t want you to be obsessed with fighting Mordane. You can be a much grander wizard than that!”

Mordane sat there silently. Thinking. He understood what she was saying but he had needed the speed and power.

“Promise me you won’t use it Mordane. Not without my permission.”

Mordane bit his lower lip before tightening his jaw with a decision.

He bowed his head slightly.

“Yes, master.”

Twilight straightened, her anger fading quickly into a teary smile.

She grabbed Mordane and pulled him into a big hug.

“So what did you bind yourself to anyway?” She asked with a small chuckle.

“Just,” he thought quickly grabbing at the first idea that came, “A thunderstorm. A great force just sweeping evil away.”  

Twilight nodded.

“That is a wide thing to bind yourself to Mordane.”

“Is that a good thing?” he asked shakingly

“The wider the binding the more drastic the changes to the casters ponyality. A pony could just be bound with the idea ‘I will burn with a thousand suns’ they will be able to light themselves on fire and survive the heat. Or they could think ‘I will control the fire of that thousand suns’ and be able to do just that: manipulate fire at will. The first is very similar to how earth pony magic works on their bodies while the second is closer in kin to the pegusi in how they manipulate the wind around themselves.”

Mordane nodded, cataloguing the information.

“But, I haven’t changed.” Mordane said “My personality feels about the same.”

“That's because you don’t yet have a mark.” She said. “The spell is meant to change your destiny. To give you talents you do not naturally have. If your binding had been very specific...it's likely you would have immediately gained a mark in it, but since it is something wide...well, when, if, you get a mark. Then it will have something to do with a storm...what that is depends on you and your destiny.”

“Then, is that why you don’t want me to use it?” He asked meekly, quickly continuing under her sudden glare “Not that I will!”

She sighed.

“Yes, because, you are still finding your destiny and I don’t want that to be tied to war.” She hugged him. “Come on. Let's leave this place.” Twilight said pulling Mordane onto her back.

Mordane blushed slightly, just a little large to be sitting there.

“I’m not a little foal Twilight.”

“No, but this the fastest way to get to the train station.”

She flew up high before looking back down.

“Mordane...what kind of magic did you say went on in there?”

Mordane winced as a half dozen memories of what exactly had happened in there asserted themselves.

“..terrible things,” he whispered, “the dark arts...necromancy.”

Twilights face grew stern.

Slowly Mordane felt her weave a spell. It took nearly an hour with her flying around the rubble casting magical imprints before going high and making the final incantation.

A roiling, blinding light took over the ground, forcing both of them to look away. Once gone, they looked back to see only gravel.

“Now we can go.” Twilight said turning to fly away with the stunned colt on her back.





“...and after digging your way out of the old fortress...where you found my sisters book, you came to Ponyville.”

“Yes princess.” Mordane replied quietly. “I passed through Las Pegasus and met Applejack’s brother, Big Macintosh, outside the town, before getting a ride to Ponyville.”

“And then nearly a year later, AFTER I had destroyed the journal in front of you, you decided to use the highly forbidden magic within for revenge.” She snorted. “That was petty.”

“I see that now.” Mordane replied.

“You do understand what you have done, colt?” Luna said, looking down at him scathingly.

“I have...made the gaining of my cutie mark difficult.”

“Perhaps impossible.” She remarked.

“Luna. There is no need for that.” Celestia said. “I’m sure Twilight has explained enough. Destiny and cutie marks are not to be trifled with. Not without consequences.”

She smiled.

“Still, in time I’m sure you will still find your place.”

“Yes, Princess Celestia.” He said, bowing.

“Okay.” She said clapping her hooves together “That is that then. Please head back to Ponyville and give Twilight my regards.”

“Yes, princess.” Mordane bowed slightly before leaving.

“Oh and Mordane?” She said, causing him to pause and turn partially around.” No more secrets, okay?”

“Yes, princess.” Mordane said, smiling just to his lips.

Celestia watched as Mordane trotted out of her throne room, merry eyes turning to disappointment as soon as he left.

“That old version of the spell. Why ever did you have something like that in a journal sister?” Celestia shook her head. “A spell the change fate. To mold one's own basic nature and change their place in the greater tapestry. Before Twilight it couldn’t be done without fundamentally changing ones destiny. Even Star Swirl couldn’t fix it. Only making it even more dangerous. Bringing out one's destiny by changing the past.”

“I was not in my right mind Celestia, but another innocent has been harmed by my betrayal.” She sighed lowering her ears.

“It's not your fault. Without it, I do indeed agree, he wouldn’t have been able to win against that necromancer...Another lost cause. Terrible. Why did he have to choose to be bound to something so mundane as a thunderstorm” She sighed, still looking at the doors. “He might have made the first male alicorn.”

Luna snorted

“I doubt it, sister. His imagination seems to be lacking. Twilight made friendship her focus, even if by accident.”

Celestia shook her head.

“Well, either way, we will have to find a place for him. Such a strong unicorn’s talents shouldn’t be put to waste.”

On the throne of Equestria, Celestia turned her mind to the matters of state.

Perhaps, if she had been a more hooves-on mare, she would have reached out and sensed exactly how Mordane’s fate had been changed by that spell. Perhaps she would have noticed there was far too much power there for a mere unicorn.

But, that was not Celestia's way, and so fate’s wheel turned.
> Time passing
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Time goes on.

Time...time flows ever onward, but through our perception it ebbs and flows. In truth, time never changes. It is a line, unbroken and static. Set since the first word.

A line that may loop, twist, and bend on itself, but a line nevertheless.

Mordane grew in strength and closer to those around him, but in time the inevitability of his situation would come rushing toward him.

Fate has its ways.





Mordane closed the door, his mind racing, heart pounding. All along his train trip he had been struggling to hold it together. 

He had almost killed Luna. The spellforms had slid into his mind with no effort.

He had been standing there, feeling their eyes on him and feeling completely normal when Luna spoke up. A spike of anger and he reached for the magic, already made and already known. He could have tried...and only that it would have been a fruitless try had stayed his horn.

He finally let that thought sink in. The idea of ripping out a ponies soul. For a moment he felt jovial about it.

”That's ridiculous, I mean, I would need…”

A retching of his soul gripped him as his mind played out all the ways he could successfully entrap a soul. The most obvious involved ripping out the heart and merging it with obsidian.

Sick memories flooded back. Clawing and screaming at him.

”Dead. So many dead.”

He could not stop the tide. It was like a broken dam. He struggled alone to close it and make it his own.





Mordane walked into the post office near central Ponyville with a stern look on his face. Because of their slow service Twilight had called in the army.

Three days. Three days to deliver an envelope across town. A message that should have gotten to her within a day at worst. Mordane had decided to go on a journey to visit his family. It heartwarming after all. So he had sent a letter over to Twilight via the local mail service.

When he hadn’t shown up for their weekly practice Twilight had come rushing over to his house only to find it empty.  

She then went to Fluttershys, then Applejacks. Then she had rushed to find the CMC only to realize he was nowhere to be found. Busting into his house she had found that his cloak was missing.

Her reaction had lacked anything but restraint. The guard were still grumbling how sore their wings and hooves were.

"Can I help you?" asked a smiling, white-maned, black bodied stallion behind the counter.

"Yes, I would like to complain. My letter took entirely too long to arrive at its destination. There was a major incident because of it. You know all the soldiers?"

”I should punish him for his insolence.” Mordane winsed rubbing his tempel ”No, I won’t. Get back in your cage.”

The mail stallion shook his head a sad look in his eyes.

"Yes, it would at that. Was it being delivered in town?"

"Why yes, how did you know?" Mordane replied, his nose scrunching in confusion.

"I know all the mail that goes through here. Well you see we have to deliver the mail to Canterlot then send to wherever it needs to go."

"...That seems incredibly inefficient. Why hasn't it been updated?"

The stallion gave a knowing smile. Eyes growing distant and clouded.

"I too once asked that question. Now I have worked in this mailing depot for forty years, and have yet to find an answer. Many believe there is none."

"Well...it seems simple just make tran-"

"YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND, COLT!  THE MAIL SERVICE IS LIKE A LIVING THING! IT MOVES, IT BREATHES, ITS UNSTOPPABLE!! US MORTALS CANNOT UNDERSTAND ITS  COMPLEXITY!!!"

"But-"

"NO BUTS! RUN CHILD! RUN, BEFORE YOU ARE CONSUMED BY THE MONSTER THAT IS THE EQUESTRIAN MAILING SERVICE!"

Mordane slowly backed out of the post office and vowed to never return. A look of utter confusion was plastered on his face.





"SNOWBALL FIGHT!" Yelled Scootaloo before being pounded with uncounted balls of crystallized water.

"Get down you fool!" Mordane pulled her behind the snow fort with a spell before the cold overcame her.

Enemy forces outnumber us two to one and are attacking from cover behind the eastern snow drift...okay, that means this is the only option.

"Scootaloo, Applebloom, are you ready for a mission?"

The two CMC ceased fire and saluted before shouting-

"Sir, yes, sir!"

Mordane took note of the decrease in enemy fire in response to the shout.

"Sweetie and I will provide covering fire. You will need to make a line for the southern bunker."

"But sir!" Scootaloo started, her wings popping in shock, "That fort was heavily damaged!"

"It is only temporary. Besides, you will not return fire until you are forgotten, then you are to attack them from the flank."

"We’re going to attack their behinds?"

"No no, from the side, the side."

"OH."

"Okay, on my order! Go, SUPPRESSIVE FIRE!"

The snowball reserves were depleted rapidly.

It was a good day.





Months passed quickly.

"Concentrate Mordane. Concentrate, you can do it." Twilight stood near him as he focused. Her horn was glowing with power. The library around them providing an ominous backdrop to the day’s struggle.

"I can't. It's too hard!"

"Don't say that, don't ever- wait look there"

"Ugh, now I'll have to start all over again!"

"It's okay, you almost did it that time."

"How is a sane pony supposed to take such detailed notes without making any mistakes?"

"Then you must think I'm insane!"

"OF COURSE I DO!"






Mordane sat with the CMC in the clubhouse listening to a mundane conversation.

"Yeah, I wish I had Rainbow’s wings," sighed Scootaloo

"Well, with a simple surgery that could be arranged. I could catch her at...

Okay, no. Just no. I am not going to go learn a sleeping spell and then snuck into her cloud home after confirming nopony would show up and cut off Rainb-

...Time to go meditate for a few hours."





"Now Angel Bunny, that’s not nice," scolded Fluttershy after entering into the cottage.

It was good she came when she did. Mordane was a few seconds from using his magic to kill every animal in the place.

After all, no one likes to be tied up and hung over a fire.





A year had passed.

Scootaloo was showing off again. They had set up a half-pipe for her to do jumps and she practically lived on it now.

However, this day was different. She had some new trick to show off.

Mordane and the other CMC sat watching her routine. It was awesome, cool, and incredibly fast.

She did backflips, grinds, and well, more flips. Her show was interrupted when one side of the ramp fell down.

She shot off incredibly fast down the dirt path. He eyes were screwed shut and nothing else was on her mind but to go faster. A crazy idea came into her head.

”What if this is my destiny?”

The other crusaders gasped as a small pop sounded off, followed by a flash of light.

The three of them rushed up to her and found a cutie mark of a scooter wheel with wings laying on her flank.





Mordane was walking down the main square when he noticed there was some kind of commotion going on over by one of the stalls. The vendor, a mare with thick glasses and an almost offensively bright green mane, was shouting at a shifty-looking stallion. Seeing all the items in the bag it was easy to conclude that this was Shop Lifter.

"Yes you did! I saw you put them in your saddlebag." The stallion was clearly sweating and, true to the shopkeeper’s word, his bags were bulging with various objects. He shifted from hoof to hoof while glancing around nervously.

"Ma'am, I'm quite sure that I don't know what you-"

"I can see them! You've got so many that they don't even fit properly."

As if to accentuate her claim, a number of items fell from the stallion's bag, eliciting a gasp from the many onlookers.

"Oi, that's my hairclip!"

"And my baby's rattle."

"Hey, I remember this guy! We had to call the guards on him over at my shop because he kept stealing all of the quills. He would have gotten away with one of the couches too, if the guards hadn't shown up when they did. They said that his name is Shop Lifter, and that he was wanted in three cities."

Shop Lifter had a tight lipped grin while straightening his tie collar.

"I assure you fine folks, you've got the wrong stallion." He walked up to the green-maned vendor and put a foreleg around her neck, gesturing off into the distance with his free hoof. "You see I'm a traveler and these are just souvenirs that I legitimately purchased on my many journeys."

The vendor looked back to the stallion and promptly did a double-take. Her brow furrowed in confusion and she raised a hoof to her face and felt around her eyes.

"Are those...those are my glasses!" Sure enough, there they were sitting on the stallion's face. "And why is there another pair beneath them?"

"Those would be mine," spoke up Mordane.

"Um, I know that this looks bad, but these really are my glas-" Lifter continued to stutter and make excuses.

Mordane however was distracted by two mares, one teal green the other with mixed hair colors, both slipping into a nearby house. He happened to be standing at the right angle to see them open a box, take out guard armor and begin to slip it on.

"GET HIM!"

The stallion yelped and darted off down the street, leaving a trail of assorted knickknacks and angry townsfolk in his wake.

The two mares moved faster and in a few seconds two identical white male unicorn guards ran out the door.

"Huh, there are illusions on their armor."

"Halt in the name of Celestia!"

They ran after Shop Lifter and Mordane followed. Surprised that even their voices changed.

The stallion ran down the street, dropping items left and right, before he came upon a wagon being pulled by his twin brother.

"SMUT! I NEED YOUR CART!"

"WHAT? BUT, BUT, MY MARITAL AIDS!"

The pony jumped into the wagon’s back.

"RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN!"

"AAAAHHHHHHHHHHH"

The two ponies fled the town screaming and left behind a young colt laughing with all four hooves kicking into the air.






Another month passed.

Mordane sat alone in his hidey hole cradling a crying Kindle and surrounded by his shredded notes.

He contemplated life, death and the calling of power.

A flying zombie fish sat up in a corner munching on some paper. Its hollow eyes glowing as it floated up contently to munch on its prize.

"I warned you -AHHHH- about trying to use necromancy for good -WAAAHHH-  but you wouldn't listen -WHAAA!"

”Never again…” Mordane thought “never again.”





Mordane banged his head against the desk in school. The struggle wearing down his soul. 

Scootaloo’s eyes watering as she was looking at the paper between them.

"But I don't understand, I thought that was the division symbol there."





The colt stumbled in wet from the rain. The wince in his step pronounced. It was a simple spell to dry him off. Walking into his cubby hole he unclamped the Clandestine amulet..

He right wing is crumpled against his body. Weaker ponies would have been rendered unconscious after crashing in such a storm. He floated over Kindle and opened her.

"Kindle...show me alicorn wing anatomy."

The image’s eyes widened.

"You’re hurt! You should see a doctor!"

"I can't...just show me the data. At least the Necromancer’s knowledge will help some."

Gasps of pain were heard by no-one as he cut off feeling to the wing. Using the picture provided by Kindle and his mind's eye he slid all the bones into place and makes a spell to hold them there.

A hospital was too risky and a month later Mordane was flying again.





Mordane watched as Pinkie Pie cut the ribbon on the new 'Party King Anonymous: He's gone but we party on: Ponyville branch'. She hoped it would be the first of many.

Within an hour of opening, twenty members joined.






”SCREW THESE QUILLS!”

The colt had gone through three in a week and the ink was so much trouble.

"If only there was some way to combin-...wait."

The next week he was sitting in the library with his sleek new pen as Twilight came walking by.

" Hey Mordane, I just want- WHAT THE BUCK IS THAT!"

The mare was staring wide eyed at the cylindrical object floating over her students paper.

"Uhhh...it's a pen...I invented it."

"THIS WILL CHANGE EVERYTHING IN ACADEMIA!"

"..."

As Twilight babbled on the colt took a moment to actually consider the implications.

”The main source from quills is pegasus feathers, and if that goes out they will have to find another use for them. It will like result in the loss of thousands of collection and manufacturing jobs which will take some time to rebound after the transition. Businesses will close. Ponies may go hungry...should be fine though. I mean it can't be too bad.”

She broke out of her trance with a yell, "With this we can write TWICE AS MUCH!"

”OH GOD WHAT HAVE I DONE!”

Two weeks later Mordane was walking down the street. The quills and sofa salesman was crying into the sky.

"Why!"

He sat down at a table and began to read an article about how Twilight’s student Mordane had discovered such a great thing.

”Sigh, It’s too bad they don't have patents in Equestria.”





”Ok, this is it. It has taken an ungodly amount of effort to set  this up, but finally the trap is ready.”

To the average pony it may look fairly simple, just a box propped up on a stick with a brown coated unicorn colt standing underneath it. In truth it is covered in so many layers of spells and enchantments that it will probably leave a minor stain on the area for years to come. It is all necessary though. Today is the day that Mordane will finally rid himself of the scourge that has been plaguing him for years now.

The colt suppressed an evil laugh.

The pony under the box was actually a highly detailed mannequin replica of himself that he had commissioned from one of Equestria's top sculptors and the ‘box’ was rated to contain young rampaging dragons. Together they had cost him a small fortune, but it was one that he had spent gladly. The stick he had just found on the side of the road earlier that day, but as far as sticks went it was pretty nice too.

He had lost count of exactly how many enchantments he had placed in the area, their effects ranging from an array of detection, counter-detection, and counter-counter-detection charms, through to teleportation dampening fields and a couple of meteor reflection spells. It was the only way to be sure.

Many of the spells had been so draining to cast that he had been limited to installing one a day, but there was no denying that it had been worth it. In truth the hardest part had been pulling all of this off without alerting his quarry.

”And speak of the devil.”

It was only thanks to the litany of detection charms that he was able to pick up as much as he had. Trying to spot his target directly was a lost cause so he had instead set these ones up to detect minute changes in the atmosphere and environment. At the moment, what he was actually 'seeing' were the tiny clouds of dust that formed whenever somepony's hoof made contact with the ground, and even they were requiring ludicrous amounts of concentration to spot. He did not look forward to the headache that this was going to cause, but that was something for Future Mordane to worry about.

Mordane grinned from his heavily camouflaged hiding place underneath an inconspicuous pile of hay. He waited until the dust tufts crossed the threshold and quickly yanked the stick out, causing the trap to slam down and activate its confinement procedure. In a process too complex for Mordane to fully comprehend the box ran through a series of folds, many of which should have been impossible in a three dimensional universe, until it reached its finished state, and at the same time, his web of spells activated, completing what was probably the most secure prison short of Tartarus. At this point even the likes of Discord would have trouble escaping.

”Finally my years of torment have ended!”

To say that he was pleased would have been like saying that Twilight was kind of fond of books. Nothing could bring him down at this moment.

"Well, that was a pretty good effort. Nowhere near close enough, but still a good effort."

Mordane's mouth dropped open as he slowly turned to the voice that had come from beside him. There was Child Stalker, wearing his trademark leer.

"I look forward to what you're going to try next, after all I am always..." -He leaned forward so that their faces were almost touching-
"Watching you!"

His scream of frustration startled ponies even in the middle of Ponyville.





Pinkie sat the Pie down in front of the smiling young stallion. He took a bite.

"Wow that's some good pie, Pinkie Pie."

"Thanks!"

She smiled as he continued to eat.

“So Pinkie how is the ummm Party King thing going?”

The mare blinked at him in confusion.

“What do you mean?”

The colt shifted nervously

“Well I was just wondering what you were going to do with it?”

She stood stirring a bowl of batter carefully considering her answer.

“...Well I hope to make it grow until we can open subsidiaries in all the major-”

Suddenly a cartload of ponies sped through the kitchen destroying everything.

“WHOOOOOO! PARTY KING!”

Mordane did not bat an eyelash. This had become the norm.

“Well, I’m just concerned that it may get a bit out of hoof...”





Time continued to move on.

"Now be careful Mordane," guided Fluttershy

The colt was shaking in his boots as Harry the bear was rampaging in front of him. Apparently something had woke him up early in the middle of winter.

"Approach softly and speak softly with soft words..."

Fluttershy had determined that this would be the best time to teach him how to calm animals.

"Ok soft...got it."

Mordane moved close to the bear, cooing. It continued to growl as it turned to face him. The colt moved closer locking eyes and speaking softly to the bear. Its growls quieted, in time he went back to his cave.





Applebloom came running up to the clubhouse shouting. The other three CMC joined her at the sight of a saw cutting into an apple on her flank.

Apparently the two days before, the barn had fallen down just as zap apple season started. Without a place to pack them, the harvest would likely be a failure.

Applebloom had volunteered to build the barn herself while the other two siblings picked.

When she stood before the completed barn a day later, it had dawned on her the importance of construction on the farm and for the family.
Her cutie mark had appeared at that moment.





Mordane stood stunned before his Kindle. Shocked at the implications of what he had found.

”A time spell, I can't believe. Why with this I could travel to see the dawn of time! Or go back and put money in a bank account with interest! I could go and get ancient lost knowledge. I could…”

It was at that moment the young stallion remembered his random promise a long time ago.

"..."

Star Swirl was standing in his laboratory when a flash of light shined behind him.  Before he could react however, a swift kick in the stallion’s jewels sent him writhing to the floor.

Mordane quickly looked around the library and began floating beakers and other such items he would like to have but could not risk buying over to him.

"Who...why?" The stallion cried weakly on the floor.

"I can't tell you, it would cause a paradox."

"What's a paradox?"

"You know when you go back in time and do something that changes the future and makes it where you were unable to go back and do it."

"Time travel? That's impossible."

Mordane did a double-take at that as more items went into his bag.

"Really? You're the one who invented it...wait. Well you’re going to have to invent it now."

"Why?"

"So I can kick you in the balls."

"Why would I want that!?"

"I told you, paradox. If you do not make the time spell, I won't be able to come back and kick you in the balls, to tell you to make it."

"But...THAT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE!"

"I KNOW, PARADOX!"

With that Mordane disappeared leaving an unfortunate Star Swirl to work for the next two years towards a goal that will inevitably cause his past self to be kicked in the nuts.





Mordane limped, dragging Pinkie away from the burning building.

"WHAAA NOOO WHYYYYY!"

The party at Party King Anonymous had gotten out of hoof after a time. Somepony had 'accidentally' started a fire.

By pure luck and definitely for no other reason, Mordane had been on hoof to see that everypony got out safely.

As he stared at the flames thinking on what the organization could have become, he only thought.

"It had to be done."





Mordane stood on the porch waving goodbye to his parents as they were leaving from their yearly visit.

A chill ran up his spine.  Blackheart’s memories of his parents had been...dark. It reminded him of his human ones, except worse.
He had spent much of their visit pushing down images of spikes.





"Do you want to go see a movie Mordane?" shouted Sweetie Belle

"...Whaaaa."

Mordane sat with the other crusaders as they waited for his response.

They have movies here?

"Movie?"

"It's like a story, with moving pictures!"

"...Right. Sure I would love to go with you girls."

A dull look came over Sweetie’s eyes before she responded

"Great! Meet you there in an hour!"

Then the three ran out.

"...Where do I go."

Luckily some ponies in town knew the way. Apparently, movies were shown monthly in the library using a projector of some kind.
Mordane was looking at the piece of technology and was unsurprised to see that it ran almost completely on magic. Even considering that, though it was unlikely to make a quality picture. In fact it would likely only be black and white.

”...lack of understanding of chemistry or willingness to apply it?”

"...Hi Mordane."

"Oh, hi Sweetie Belle...Where are the others?" The colt was still looking at the contraption he simply had only heard one set of hooves.

"...Oh, err, they decided not to come." She sounded nervous. Mordane turned around to speak to her.

"Really I wonde-...Sweetie Belle why are you in a dress?"

"...Well."

"..."

"..."

The filly was in a stunning purple satin dress and seemed to be wearing makeup that looked way overdone on one so young.

"Why the heck would she be here in such a dress unless..."

"...Am I underdressed?"

"What?"

"Well, I was just wondering, I mean I'm naked. You look nice in a dress by the way."

"Really?" She blushed and stammered, "Thanks"

"So, where are the others?"

"Ummm..." She shifted uncomfortably. "Something came up?"

"...Right. Who did the makeup?"

"...Scootaloo. Is it bad?"

"Yeah, give me a moment."

A few tissues from a box in a nearby desk floated over and rammed against the filly’s face. She would've struggled, but the colt held her firm.

"Aaaand there. Now you look even better. Whelp might as well not let the movie be ruined. Let's make a date of it."

"WHAT!?" The young mare shrieked.

"Just kidding, lets go."

Many of the other guests began to make their way to the seats. Mordane and Sweetie sat in the back. The film, by even the weakest of human standards before the former human left, was terrible. There was no acting. Just still pictures moved around a screen with one voice doing all the lines.

First of all, it was black and gray. You could see vertical black bars pass over the screen periodically as well. Which was acceptable, given the level of technology, but the story. 

It was the worst ever. 

The story was a telling of an old legend. One about Star Swirl and his search for his hat.

The gist of this story is that the hat was on his head, the whole time. A twist that Mordane had found kind of funny as a near baby colt.

This twist was undermined by the fact that the paper cutout of Star Swirl clearly was wearing his hat the whole time.

He searched a house, a cave, another house, under a rock, under a chicken. THIS WENT ON FOR AN HOUR.

Sweetie did not seem too interested in the movie, but she did seem cold to Mordane. After all she kept scooting closer.

After the move finished the two young ponies walked out of the library into daylight.

"So, where should we go?"

"Ummm..."

Suddenly they heard music in the background

Pinkie came around the corner with the entire town following her.

”Da freak?”

Mordane had yet to see one of these impromptu music sessions.  It was surprising when he found himself marching along singing with the crowd. The tendrils of magic giving him clear directions.

What did surprise him however was when Sweetie Belle began to take the song lead. Her voice was strong and provided a great counter melody. Her eyes were looking out over the crowd from a box she had jumped on when a musical note appeared on her flank.

After the song ended Pinkie was the first to shout out.

"Hey look, Sweetie Belle got her cutie mark!"

Many ponies cheered and Mordane smiled as she came down to smile at her.

"Congratulations, little one," said a random stallion before turning to Mordane. "You should give your marefriend a kiss."

Many of the nearby ponies laughed.

"Oh no, we're not special someponies. Were friends."

SHUNK

The smiling Sweetie Belle looked like she had been stabbed in the heart.

"On second thought...she is more like a sister."

SHUNK SHUNK

"Yeah, I don't think of her like that at all."

SHUNK SHUNK SHUNK SHUNK SHUNK SHUNK





Luna walks up to her sister, who was eating cake on the patio.

"Sister, I would like to bring something to your attention."

"Really? What is that?"

"I cannot seem to locate Mordane's dreams."

"Oh? Not many teenage colts would care to have you in their dream...on second thought..."

Celestia smirked and Luna rolled her eyes.

"No, I mean every night. I've never even seen one."

Celestia paused for a moment before shrugging.

"What a pony dreams is their business. Not ours."





Years pass.

Mordane, Big Mac and Spike were all sitting on top of a hill with a hard cider in their hooves and claws.

The young alicorn, now sixteen years of age, was only a foot and a half shorter than the big red stallion.

Below him the cracks of trees resounded as the elements of Honesty and Loyalty fought below.
Something about 'All dem apples yah took'.

"Eeyup..."  intoned Big Mac.

"Eeyup..." responded Mordane.

"Eeyup..." finished Spike.

The glasses of cider tipped and where downed.

Mordane turned to Spike and Big Mac.

"What would y’all say if I told you I was an interdimensional being who found his way into the body of a pony?"

The other two blinked.

"What if I told you I once rode on the back of a manticore?" responded spike.

"...I'd ask how you’re still alive."

"What if I told yah I was Celestia’s consort," chuckled Big Mac.

"..."

"Well then, I'd say you were crazy."

"Eeyup. That's what they all say," smirked the red stallion.

All three males drank...





"We gather together today to mourn the loss of..."

"Mr. Squirrel," Fluttershy whispered between sobs..

"...right. Mr Squirrel. A loving father and mate, who did gather nuts every year for his family in the winter-"

Twilight stood giving a eulogy for a square join by the elements of harmony, her student, both
princesses and the spirit of chaos.

It was a strange funeral.

It seems Discord had found out that Fluttershy was sad somehow and decided to come to Ponyville. Celestia and Luna decided to come as well in order to avoid...complications.

" -and so we commit this Po- one to the ground. So that-"

Honestly it seemed a bit overdone to Mordane. However, Fluttershy was the boss.





Rarity was glaring at Mordane as he walked past her boutique.

Honestly he had no idea why.





Twilights birthday was coming up...again. Mordane had forgotten it the year before, and she had
given...subtle hints about her displeasure of such a lapse in etiquette. This year however was different.

"Oh...wow Mordane, its beautiful!"

"The gem used to belong to my grandmother. I want you to take it. You're like a second mother to me, Twilight."

The mare was in tears and sighs filled the room at the party as she gave him a hug followed by a kiss on the cheek.

He squirmed out of her arms and looked at the floor, unable to meet her gaze.





"We gather together today to mourn the loss of Granny smith. One of the oldest ponies in Equestria. It was myself who gave this land of Ponyville to her father and his descendants nearly three hundred years ago. I still remember first meeting her as a little filly.-"

Mordane stood silently, a taut look on his face as the apple family shed their tears near him. He had come to see Applebloom’s grandmother laid to rest. Many of the town were there and more than you might think were generally sad.

What everypony did not see was Mordane gritting his teeth.

”A pony that has lived for nearly three hundred years.. nearly two pony life times.

no...that's not right. We should respect the dead.

True respect would be to put her to good use.”

The eulogy was quite long, but Mordane stayed for the entire thing, Granny Smith deserved it.





Time flows ever onward. It is not the great events that give us strength however. It is the mundanity of things. The cycle of life.

Mordane lived in Ponyville for six years. Sometimes he barely escaped being found; Other times he was bored.

He even helped his mentor during crisis. Most of all however, he grew closer to his friends and teacher.

These days would mark some of the best times in Mordane’s early life.
> The pause before-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The banging sounded down to the hidden room and sleeping form of Mordane. 

It broke through his dreams and brought him out of his slumber. His eyes opened slowly  in an attempt to wake up. 

However, his eyes would hear none of it and they began to close again. Life is rarely so considerate to one’s desires. 

A moment before he fell back asleep the neurons in his brain fired and told him both where he was and where the knocking was coming from.

The small candle sitting on the top of a candlestick next to his head cast light unevenly throughout the room. The underground abode was simple and functional, being two meters square with both dirt walls and floor. 

Tables lined the sides with equipment and notes were strewn about. Failed experiments left in boxes rested under said table. In one corner, a small pit filled with ashes from his burnt papers. 

He had done much here.

Some experiments he performed would even be considered immoral by the ponies in whose world he lived. There was the zombie fish still flying around over his head. Then a dalliance in tattooing arcane symbols on creatures.  All horrible taboos by pony standards.

The one magic he had denied himself was the most readily available. War magic. It was something so readily available. Even now he could feel the complex weave intertwined with his spirit. 

Even so he refrained from it. Remembering his promise to his master.

That wouldn’t stop him from practicing everything else, but still, it was a soothing cream on the chaffing of his lies.

Here he had worked to remember things from his former life. Years of displacement had taken their toll, and only vague ideas remained. There were a few exceptions, of course. He had fully remembered how to construct a radio, and was getting close on a steam engine. Here he had sat for hours racking his memory trying to recall facts about human technology. 

It was his refuge, his hidden room underneath the rickety shack he had lived in the last six years. 

A hidey hole where he could be himself, free from the eyes of others and the act he had to put on every day.He had been careful. Through careful methodology and planning he had not yet be caught, despite a few close calls. 

That was until he had fallen asleep last night and woke this morning to somepony banging on his front door.

”PONY FEATHERS!”

Mordane put out the candle, turned and rushed up the stairs behind him. He ran up, out of the opening that was normally hidden by his bed and how the boards fit perfectly with those around them. He concentrated carefully and quietly moved the bed over and closed the hidden cellar before turning to look at the front door.

”Thank God the curtains were closed.”

He took a look around and made sure that there was nothing strange out before yawning loudly.

"Coming, Coming. Can't a stallion get some sleep around here!"

His room had not change much in the last six years save for a new bed.

Mordane took a step toward the door before remember what week it was.

”Buck! Sigh, well at least I won't have to clean glitter out of my fur this year...it is nice of her though.”

The stallion stood to the side and opened the door.

A stream of balloons, streamers and even a cake aimed at where his head would have normally been blasted into his small room. Without even batting an eyelash, he hugged toward the only mass of unmoving pink.

"You remembered my birthday, Pinkie Pie!" he yelled with false happiness. Reflecting her joy back on her had proved useful in the past.

Not that he did not like her, she just exhausted him.

”Remember you will have to cut all ties, but that doesn't mean you can't be nice.”

His heart hurt at that thought. Ponyville was home now. Twilight close. Still, he crushed down the warm feelings, disassociating with the moment.

The mare squeed before returning his strangling hug.

Pinkie gasped, "Mordane, you actually dodged the cake this year! Do you know what that means!"

A sight dread filled him. It was true. This was the first year he had dodged the cake.

"...No."

"You get a song!"

The Pink demon reached under his bed and pulled out her one pony marching band outfit. His brain refusing to even try and process that impossibility.

"Happy, happy birthday to you today. It been sixteen years since you were born so let's all say hurray! There will be lots of cake and oh so much fun so just sit back and relax. Let Pinkie make this run!"

"..."

Why such a short song would need music accompaniment, he would never know. He gave up on understanding the mare after the...well, after the time he nearly went insane trying to understand her.

”I was thinking I was close to a working theory, but well...Maybe it was the weight on the moon divided by a raccoon at noon and a platoon of mushrooms in line with the sun...yeah something like that.”

"Soooo...are you asking to throw my birthday party?"

"Yes!"

"Just as I have let you throw it every year? Always with one condition?"

"Yes!"

"and that condition was?"

"clean up this mess you made and leave my stuff alone just like last year." she recited perfectly.

"Exactly."

Mordane floated over his cloak and saddlebags, while simultaneously checking to make sure his secret room was locked.

"See you around Pinkie!"

"See ya! OH! Wait, what time should we have the party!"

"Same time and place as last year, Pinkie!"

”Two days from now at two o'clock at the Castle! Yepperoni!” She grinned before turning and jumping away.

Mordane watched her go, thinking about the things he could tell her, but hadn’t. The lies surrounding their friendship and the weight it place upon it. Looking up at the sun he groaned. 

Him waking up like that was a bad omen. It was nearly noon, he would have to hurry. Fluttershy would have expected him an hour ago.





Fluttershy’s cottage was the same as it always been, save probably a few more birdhouses.

His job mostly lasted about two hours a day, for five days a week. It paid enough for him to eat and not have to dip into the old adventure money.

He needed to clear the area around her house of loose sticks, piling the ones birds can use into a small pile. Then he had to ask the chickens which of their eggs he could have. After that he fed the meat eaters. Finally he would clean all of the dung up from around her house and put it into the fertilizer bin.

As he shoveled feces into a pile, he contemplated why he could not just float it over to the bin. Simply put, it was tradition. Each pony group had traditions, and if you are a magic user its expected of you to refrain from using it if that job does not traditionally use magic.

It grated his nerves. Despite having done physical work as a colt at his parents farm. He’d rather just get it done. 

Fluttershy finished wrapping up a small bird’s beak. It had broken it on a particularly hard nut. Looking around her house, she saw that most everything was done. She fly out to help Mordane with his last chore.

"Oh no, Ma’am, it’s fine. You don't need to help me."

"Are you sure?"

Mordane smiled. Every other day she would come out here and offer the same thing and every time he would refuse.

"Yes I'm sure, Miss Fluttershy. I'm almost done."

"Ok."

Fluttershy flew off to check on the beavers again.

She had been glad to receive help from Mordane six years ago. It was a lot of work and she had expected that he would reduce her workload for a few months, until he was scared off. 

Many ponies feared being so close to the everfree. However Mordane did not seem to mind. After all, he had bought the shack near her’s, that had been unoccupied since Old Pony Withers passed away. 

Most ponies did not have a talent appropriate for this job, and after he didn't leave she had thought, for a while, that the stallion might get one as his cutie mark. He learned quickly and even though he had trouble understanding some of the animals, he was able to calm the predators moderately well.

It was obviously not his talent however. Yet he had not quit. Fluttershy admired that in him. Two years ago she had asked him why he was still working here. Should he not move on to other jobs so he might find his talent? His response had shocked her at first. 

He cared nothing about getting his mark. In fact, he seemed to feel it was unimportant.  

To him, this was a job to pay bills nothing more. That went against what most ponies did. Many ponies, after finishing school, would either set out to find their talents or already know them and pursue a career. They would jump job to job, trying to find something to catch their interest.

Mordane however simply continued to work for her and study under Twilight.

Several ponies were beginning to get worried. Today, Mordane would officially be an adult, and yet he had not found his talent.

”Perhaps she should talk to Twilight about it.” Mordane thought bitterly.





Twilight was sitting in the castle throne room with seven books spread out on a table in front of her. Spike, now as large as a pony, sat with her. Normally he would have tried to stop her from going on like this, but truth be told, he was just as worried as her. Mordane, his best friend, had yet to receive a cutie mark. Twilight had gone into a near panic two days ago when she realized he was about to reach adulthood.

"Nothing...there is nothing. According to this, most ponies eventually get their mark before adulthood. Yet Mordane will become an adult the day after tomorrow. Oh, why did Luna have to leave that journal around?"

Spike's eyes furrowed. He was worried as well. Not only for Mordane, but for Twilight as well.

Over the years, she had grown attached to her student, and as he spent more time with Spike, she had stopped thinking of herself as his teacher, and more like a second mother.

After all she had been his sole adult authority figure for six years.  This last year after Mordane gave her that beautiful necklace, he had started being considered more like a son to Twilight. She wore it nearly every day.

In time, he had come close to her heart.

She was almost certain he would be get a magic cutie mark. He was growing quickly and did learn well. However, as time wore on she became uncertain.

"Hey Spike. “ Mordane said walking in “ Master?"

"AH!"

The books snapped shut at Mordane's surprise appearance. He simply glanced at the book covers before continuing.

"I finished the study of teleportation."

Twilight composed herself.

"Ok then, list off the steps in order and then things to watch out for."

"...Well first there is locating the target with your mind's eye-"

"I told you that is called magic sight."

"Yeah...magic sight. You then make a binding between the point you want to go, and yourself. Then you simultaneously unbind yourself from where you are, and make another binding to counteract the special stress in the world around you. This is so there is little notice and you don't rip a hole in sp- err the fabric of reality."

"That's right. Now, teleport to the other side of the room."

Mordane gulped. Magic power came easily to his grasp. In layman's terms, he was simply lowering his mass to zero, then accelerating himself and a bubble of air to an near impossible speed then stopping it with a spell at where he wanted to go. It should've been well within his strength to cast, yet in the middle of the spell it would...dissipate.

"No no, you have to finalize the binding."

Mordane nodded his head and waved goodbye to Spike as the dragon walked out of the castles front door. In truth, he had accomplished this spell two weeks before. That had been a terrible day.

______________________( Two weeks earlier)________________________

Mordane appeared in a flash of light on the other side of the clearing, behind his shack. His smile of satisfaction quickly falling away with the sound of metal breaking.

Looking down he saw the amulet that had protected him for years had finally broken.

The stress of teleporting had proven too much for it. Mordane regretted its loss. He had grown attached to the small band of metal.

It was not unforeseen, however. He teleported the short distance into his shack and went into the hidden room.

Sitting on a side table, was similar band of metal to the first. Mordane might not be able to enchant the bracelet like the broken one, but he could enchant it to hold energy.

The spells to hide his wings was one of the first illusions he had learned. It needed constant power however.  The new amulet was enchanted to hold the power needed, so no pony would be able to feel the draw of power needed for the spell. The Clandestine seemed to draw power whenever he was alone, but with this one, he would have to charge it manually.

Carefully he bound the amulet and the spell around his wings and soon the effect was replicated...though this one would be weaker. He would have to wear a coat all the time now until he learned shields. For now, if anypony touched his back they would feel the wings.

___________________( present time)____________________

Mordane continued to nod his head and make a mental note to concentrate on finding a way to teleport, without disrupting his disguise.

He disliked lying to his master, who always seemed to have an eye out for him. Very kind and even though strict, he really did not want to disappoint her. Even though his heart hurt a bit every time he saw her recently, he was glad that they had met.

The lessons continued for a time before he was finally allowed to leave.





Mordane met with the CMC weekly, now. Not that they were doing that club anymore. They had tried to help him for years to get his mark, and yet...nothing.

The stallion might put up an uncaring face about his lack of a mark but it was starting to worry him. One of the first things ponies did was look at your mark.  It was how you were identified. One could say it was more important than even one’s name.

In truth, he thought he may never get a mark. His human nature might prevent it or it could be a side effect of taking on the aspect of the world in war magic.

Whatever it was he decided to not think too much about it.

After all, he didn't want to be depressed.

"Hi Mordane. How are you doing?" called out Applebloom.

The three were sitting around a table in front of Sugarcube Corner. The sun was shining today. Mordane loved it all.

Sweetie Bell had started to write music and sing soon after she got her cutie mark. Many of her records were starting to sell outside of Ponyville, and word was that she would be making it big soon.

Applebloom worked on the farm still, but she would also work in construction.

Scootaloo had signed up for the guard as a messenger pony.

"Not much Applebloom. How are you three?"

"Fine I'm on leave." replied Scootaloo.

"The farm is doing well!"

"My producer says I'm doing better..."

Mordane smiled.

"That's great I'm still studying under Twilight."

"Have you got your mark yet?" asked Scootaloo as Applebloom rolled her eyes and Sweetie bell glared at her.

"No. You know you ask me that every time we meet."

She laughed as Mordane chuckled.

"Well, you know we just worry about ya."

"Yah yah, its no big deal."

All three noted the deflection. In the years they had known him, he had never lowered his barriers.

"So, any of you hear about how Appaloosa is doing?"

The conversation went on for an hour, after that before Mordane politely dismissed himself.

When he was a ways off, Scootaloo turned to Sweetie Bell and said.

"So, you still like him huh?"

"SHHH not so loud." replied the mare, waving her hoof at the pegasus.

"Ah come on Sweetie Bell almost everypony knows by now. What do you see in him, anyway?"

"Oh be quiet, Scootaloo," interjected Applebloom. "She can like who she wants."

"Ya, but that pony is a thick as bricks."

All three sighed.

"...Well he isn't all bad." Sweetie Bell restarted the conversation.

"Not bad? Do you not remember when you got your cutie mark. How oblivious can he get?"

"What he needs, is something so blunt that it can't be ignored, so that this can finally be settled."

The three continued to talk. They did not notice the Pinkie Pie rubbing her chin.





Mordane went back home, having the rest of the day to himself.  The sky stretched out before him.

The pony breathed. He did not normally have so much time alone. First he placed spells to warn if anyone approached then he sat on the flat stone in the middle of the clearing.

Birds chirped.

Mordane breathed.

He could feel his heartbeat.

His mind turned inward. He had work to do.

Mordane seizes control of his perception, using the rhythm of his breath and heartbeat in sync, lets go of the world.  The grass and glade faded and he perceived it as a dream. Bringing his will to bear, he created mental receptacles for the different perspectives. Each being would represent a different part of himself. Once they were created, he moved on to the filter to represent his memories and desires. The black void shifted, as he entered a half-dreaming state.

Battle scarred landscapes met his eyes, as he willed his consciousness to solidify. Around him there was nothing but burning ruins. Pony, Human it did not matter. Corpses hung in the streets. Each was a personification of a some aspect of the warring perspectives.
A soldier named Brother’s Love ran up and saluted.

"Commander Righteousness, our ally commander Pragmatism has sent a communique. He believes that this final assault will break Blackheart’s back."

"He isn't Blackheart, soldier...just his memories."

"...Yes sir."

The fighting had gone on for years. Why had the perspective of human absorbed the memories, then simply stepped back into his corner, was confusing to pony.

He had simply let Evil do as he wanted with a quib of, ' wake me up when I'm needed'.

Well, that time had come a year ago, as the memories worked to overwhelm Righteous sensibilities.

Pragmatism had set out and together they had taken the enemy on and began to purge them city to city.

"Rally at Blackheart’s Childhood. We will attack together with Pragmatism."

The commanders met in but a moment, and at the same time it was a day.

"Greetings, pony perspective."

"Greetings, Pragmatism. Shall we crush his last resistance?"

"...No."

"No?"

"You forget pony, he is part of us."

Pragmatism confused Righteousness so much. They were almost incompatible.

"...You waited until all of these scars formed to help, and now you want me to let him live?"

"Sometimes you ponies are too righteous. Balance is needed for everything."

"If we do not stamp out evil, it will consume us. Besides I'm human, we all are." Righteousness retorted.

"Perhaps. That does not change the facts. We will leave him alive."

"Why?"

"His perspective provides knowledge on how to survive on the run."

"Is that why you took the knowledge in?"

"...Yes. That, and it will make us stronger."

"Why do you only care about strength? What is your goal?"

"To survive, and to guarantee that we need power."

"..."

"...Compassion!"  Pragmatism shouted. Another came running up.

"Yes sir."

"Send up a white flag we will meet to discuss his terms."

A blink and the three commanders were sitting in a tent around a stone table. Then it shimmered and they were in a council room overlooking the landscape.

"I thought this more appropriate." Spoke the Blackheart perspective.

"Be quiet Evil! We are here to accept your surrender Good shall reign!"

Pragmatism rolled his eyes.

"I called this meeting, to make sure not all your aspects are destroyed, Blackheart perspective."

"Thank you Human perspective. You know I don't like that name."

"Oh?"

"I am the sum of our evil, as it were. Blackheart's memories just seemed like a good core device, and gave me purchase." Pragmatism nodded his head as Righteousness scowled.

"Well, I am going to make sure the knowledge and insight under your label is transferred before Righteousness get working on you."

"Must we get rid of all those memories?"

"Detaching ourselves and remembering them like a movie is best. Do you concede?"

The aspect evil calmly considered then nodded.

He was gone.

The perspective of Blackheart has been broken.

Righteousness glared at Pragmatism.

"I accepted to end this infighting, but I say it should have all been purged!"

"You will have to make due with what you got. The useful aspects will become citizens. You will kill the rest. This civil war is over."

"Over? The fight against evil is never over."

"Sure sure, now let's wake up. It's time to practice."

"Hey hey, wait a moment."

"Yes?" Pragmatism groaned. "What else do you need?"

"Well...I'm just wondering. What now?"

"I'm sorry?"

"What do we, Mordane do?

"..."

"..."

"I have no goal save survival, for now."

"Well we are doing that. What about...well what about the future?"

"...I vote we just take it as it comes."

"That is what we did as a human. Where did that get us?"

"A peaceful and comfortable life."

"But, do we not want more this time?"

"True. Very well I say we pursue power, until we no longer fear the Sun Tyrant, then decide."

"...Agreed."

"Now can we wake up?"

"Sure."

Mordane's eye opened and he stretched. Three hours on that rock really did a number on his spine.

Glade that is finally over with.

Those random evil thoughts had been annoying. Dealing with them had been three years coming.

“Well, I have about four more hours. I guess I could practice my focus.

The stallion stood up tall on his rock in the meadow and flipped a mental switch. His perspective shifted and spread.

He felt the grass sway and the wind turn. He felt the earth beneath him.

”I need power.”

Reaching out he drew in heat and the airs motion. Two simultaneous bindings.

”That should provide the energy needed.”

He paused.

Then willed the earth to move. The  magic flowed through his carefully constructed matrix and up through his pulsing horn.

For a moment, he felt as the world around him began to slip away. The spell he cast years before thrum with the power in his horn. The world echoed within him. The ground, air and water around him grew into sharp focus. 

But he stopped, turned away from the war magic and back to his conventional spell work, letting the extra awareness fade.

Dirt floated up in small bits. So small to be called dust. He willed it to collect. Requiring next to no power thirty small balls of dirt formed and beg and to dance around his head.  Many rolled together at his whim, forming some bigger and others smaller. Soon he had model of the solar system...

Not the humans’ solar system, but the ponies’.

It had a standard star, relatively stationary with a planet a little closer than Earth, which had a moon. Now the rest of the system was inconsequential next to this planet’s oddity.

The planet was tidally locked with the sun, and the moon was locked on to the dark side of the planet.

It was a weird balancing system that had been brought on some time ago by a rogue planet  entering orbit of the star.

Likely all life would've been extinguished if the local population did not have the ability to use their magic to force the planets rotation.

That was why the seasons were so bonkers in Equestria. Mordane sometimes like to just look at the system after all he had programmed a construct to simulate it.





Spike knocked walked into the boutique a smile on his face. Rarity turned and at walked up to give him a nuzzle and hug.

"How are doing Spikey-wikey."

"I'm doing great Snuggly-wuggly."

They kissed but Rarity felt something was off with Spike.

"Is something wrong?"

The dragon sighed.

"Are we alone?"

"...Yes."

"Well it's Twilight, she's worried about Mordane."

"Oh, him" A sour look came on the mare’s face. She started on her work again, as both of them walked over to her garments." Let me guess that stone-sculled colt still does not have a cutie mark?"

Spike rolled his eyes. Rarity had been bitter with Mordane for a while, since he seemed to never notice her sister.

"He’s not a bad guy Rarity."

She snorted.

"Says his best friend."

"Well yeah...err I think I'm his best friend."

Rarity paused her work.

"You think?"

Spike looked around nervously.

"I'm pretty sure I am but well...the pony is hard to read."

Rarity blinked.

"How so?"

"It's like the guy always has a wall up. Seriously, even Big Mac can't tell me what he's thinking."

"Really?  That can't be healthy."

"That's true."

"Do you know what makes him like that?"

Spike looked through his memory trying to think of Mordane’s past and came up with...

”Nothing”.

"He once said where he lived...that's about it."

"Really? Ten years and nothing? Did he not have any friends he missed?"

"...I don't know."

"So in six years, Mordane hasn't said anything about his past...that poor dear."

"What?"

"Well think about it." Rarity said.

"He is all walled up, prefers to live alone, works very hard at magic, even though its not his talent and even doesn't seek a marefriend. He must have some kind of trauma."

Pity filled Spike’s, heart it made so much sense.

"Poor Mordane...What do we do about it?"

"I don't know...perhaps we should talk to Twilight. There must be some way to get him to open up to us."





The following day was beautiful. The sun was shining, and Mordane was up on time. He was making muffins for breakfast then head downstairs when there was a knock at the door of his shack.

Wonder who that could be.

Opening proved that it was Ditzy Doo the mail pony.

"Letter for Mordane!"

" Thank you." Mordane paid her misaligned eyes no heed, and proceeded to open the short letter.

"...Miss Doo. This says my parents are coming in a month."

Ditzy face scrunched up.

"Oh, that sounds nice! But...why are you telling me?"

"...Because the sent date was a month ago."

"..."

"..." The mare sniffed the air and quickly started drooling

Mordane sighed, "Would you like a muffin?"

"Would I!?"

Mordane gave her one of his two muffins closed his door and headed into town to the train station.  The next train was just arriving as he walked up.

”I swear this universe has a sense of timing...or it's more of Discord’s magic. Really those random musical numbers aren't too bad though.”

"Mordane!" the voice came from a light brown mare, as she waved her hoof at him from the train window. This succeeded well in bringing a giant smile to his face.

"Hey Mom! You and Dad get over here!" She laughed.

A minute later Mordane's horn glowed and he floated his parents one bag off his father’s back.

"Mom, do you really have to bring this much? Why another six of these, and I might have had trouble carrying them."

"Haha oh yes son, that Twilight must not be teaching you anything then."

He hugged his mother and father glad to see them again.

"So I read in your letter. Coming to see your boy for his turning sixteen hmm?"

Stone his father just  smiled as Sunny replied sarcastically.

"Oh no you know us, just coming to see the sights."

Mordane chuckled and walk with his parents to the local hotel.

"So, how is the rest of the family."

"Well" spoke up Stone"  Both Mary and Berry are engaged to the sunshine brothers, can you believe it?"

"Really haha. I remember those two. Always picking on them."

"That stopped right quick around five years ago." chuckled Sunny

"Haha what of Dandy?"

"Opened up a bakery. First in the town!"

"Really doesn't she have trouble with buyers?"

"Oh you forgot. Six new families moved in! We have a proper town now!"

"Really? Fancy that. What of Flashwing?"

"Hes doing well, Out in the badlands rounding up a few small bandits. He doesn't get or send many messages recently."

The three arrived at the hotel. Mordane insisted on paying the staying costs.





Mordane and his parents go to talk to Twilight.

Just like every year.  

Walking in they forced on smiles to mask the fear they felt for the princess. Mordane had to explain that yes it was necessary to not seem strange.

"Hello, Princess Sparkle."

Twilight smiled and closed her books. She tried to hide a bit of shame coming up into her heart. After all, his parents might blame her for Mordane’s lack of a mark.

"Please, call me Twilight."

"Haha yes. I believe you told me the same thing last year. I just wanted to thank you again for teaching my son."

"Oh, it's my pleasure. He really is a good student."

The conversation was boring and highly small talk. Very quickly Mordane urged his family that it was time to leave. All three sighed in relief, once the door closed behind them.





Pinkie Pie had a problem. Now this mare may not look like it but she can be very perceptive. She had noticed soon after his arrival that Mordane was more closed up than other ponies.

”If I only had not been so upset about Party King that first year after he arrived…”

The mare had set out on a long term plan shortly afterwards to crack his hard shell. She was certain he would open up in under a year! This had proven to be a dismal failure. She had known things were bad, when he said he would be her friend as if he was doing her a favor.

What could be so bad, that he doesn't want to talk about it to anypony?

Pinkie sighed.

Sweetie Bell has been trying for years to get together with him...if only there was a way to break through that tough shell.

At that moment a light bulb appeared above her head and turn on.

"AH HA!"

The mare zoomed out the door of Sugarcube Corner flipping the store, Mr. and Mrs. Cake had left her, sign to close. Making a mental note to hire somepony to help, now that she worked there alone ever since the Cakes opened a new store.

She ran through alleyways and between ponies. In a flash, she came to a stop in front of Twilight's Castle and calmly bounced in jumping up the steps.

"Hey Twilight!"

"Oh hi Pinkie."

Twilight was standing with Rarity and Spike, in the middle of the room. They all seem downtrodden.

"This isn't a good time."

"Oh...I was just coming to talk about Mordane. I think I have an idea to help him open up!"

The three others mouths opened and they exchanged looks.

________________________(five minutes earlier)_____________________________

Rarity walked into the Castles Library with Spike and found Twilight where the dragon had left her.Furiously reading through books.

"There has just got to be something."

"Twilight?"

The mare turned around and hesitantly smiled.

" Hi Rarity, I'm kind of busy."

"Yes, I know dear, that is why I wanted to talk to you about Mordane."

The alicorn gave spike a questioning look.

"Twilight, Rarity thinks that Mordane might be traumatized."

A pain look came over her face at spikes statement.

"Yes, I have considered the same thing. But I've seen him with his parents. He loves them absolutely."

"Perhaps," cut in Rarity "Something happened on the trip to Ponyville then?"

Twilight froze her ears drooping. She hadn’t told them the story that she had learned on Mordanes request. 

“I...I know that he did, but I just can’t talk about it.” Twilight said quietly.

“What!?” Rarity gasped “Is that why he has been ignoring little Sweeties advances?”

“Rarity! Mordane just isn’t into that sort of thing.” Twilight said blushing and floating up her emergency dictionary “He likes books, like me!”

“I think that you like books a bit to much darling. I mean even in your bed-”

"Girls.” Spike said firmly, cutting off the conversation “ I think you are getting away from the problem."

The two mares turned to look at him.

"We need to find a way through that mental shell he puts up. I can't tell what he's gonna do half the time, and I'm his best friend! The only question is how?"

The three were thinking when Pinkie Pie jumped in.

____________________________(present time)_________________________________

"I think that we should get Mordane and Sweetie Bell together!"

The threes open mouths opened even further.

"How would that help!?" shouted Twilight. Spike’s expression grew thoughtful as Rarity continued to stare.

"Simple, silly. I tried to be his friend, and that didn't break through so we go for something stronger! We just need them to fall in love!"

The silence could've been cut with a knife.

"Darling, Sweetie Bell's been pining after that boy for years now, but the oblivious colt hasn't shown any interest at all. Why do you think that he's going to suddenly fall in love with her now?"

Pinkie rolled her eyes.

"Well duh. We make them fall in love!"

"That..."  whispered Rarity. "...is BRILLIANT!!"

"IT IS!?" shouted Spike and Twilight.

"Think about it. We can make Sweetie happy, and help that poor stallion get over his hurt heart. Oh!" She swooned over landing in a chair "It's so romantic."

"You know this just might work." mused Spike, scratching his chin."Love certainly helped me."

"Aww..." laughed Rarity jumping up and giving him a nuzzle.

"Well...it might work. How do we do it though?"

"Ooo! ooo! I know! I'll go get Sweetie Bell to ask him out."

"What if he says no?" cut in Rarity. "Sweetie would be devastated."

"I could mention she's having a rough time." added Spike, "He would likely go out with her at least once for that."

"AND AND We can make it the most romantic date EVERRRR!!!!" Pinkie pie yelled while throwing roses and swinging on a trapeze she had somehow set up before.

So the plan was set into stone.

“Sweetie Belle and Mordane will be special someponies!”





Mordane watched and the pink mare rushed out of Sugarcube Corner. It was lucky they had gotten here before she had closed. There were not many good restaurants in town.

"So, how has your training with that princess coming along?" asked his father.

"Not bad..."

It was there way of confirming that his secret was safe still.

"...Learning teleportation."

"Really? Isn't that advanced stuff?" asked Sunny. His mother smoothing over his hood.

"Yeah, but I've made a lot of progress. "

They talked for a while before parting. Apparently his parents were going out on a night through the town.

Walking back through town he saw Spike waving at him and moving to walk beside him.

"Hey Mordane. How you doing?"

The stallion smiled.

"Fine fine. What’s up with you?"

Spike blew a puff of smoke before answering.

"Not great. Rarity is all upset about Sweetie Bell."

"Really, why?"

"Seems she’s been having some trouble. Feeling really down in the dumps."

”Odd, I did not notice anything.”

The dragon and him went searching for gems. The apparent bad mood of Sweetie Bell being hammered home by the purple scaled one.





Sweetie Bell sighed.

”Why is it that I can't catch his eye.”

The mare was embarrassed by her feelings toward Mordane. In pony society, the mare asks out the stallion. After all they are fewer in number than mares.

”...Not even my music impresses him. Oh he'll give compliments but...I can tell he just doesn't care.”

Sweetie Bell had started liking Mordane shortly after he arrived. He was big, strong and smart. The only problem was how oblivious he seemed to romance.

I was almost going to ask him the day I got my cutie mark too.

She had realized soon after that he would have to make it quite clear that it was a date.

"Hey, Sweetie Bell!"

"Pinkie Pie?"





Twilight was the brains of the operation, that was currently underway. Pinkie would convince Sweetie Bell to ask out Mordane as Spike would make it so he would say yes.

Everything beyond that had taken a full two hours to conceptualize and move to implement.

There were ponies to buy off. Deals to make, and bits to spend. What had started simply moved on to be more elaborate as the Elements began to move.

That is why Rarity was speaking to Rainbow Dash, who was less than thrilled at this project.

Rainbow Dash was rolling her eyes at the strange request.

"Do you know how much trouble I could get in for that, Rarity?"

"Please Dash? It would only take a slight change of the schedule.

The mare sighed.

"Fine. But you owe me!"

"Yes yes, now go along."

Rainbow rolled her eyes. She sometimes groaned at how she had to still work in the weather patrol, despite being part of the wonderbolts. Turned out no one else was component enough to take over for her. She did what Twilight wanted, and pointed herself toward her tree.

However, as she flew just under the clouds she noticed something strange in the distance...

She turned and headed toward the small light.





Mordane was walking through town around three pm, scratching his chin. 

He was thinking about how Spike was about as subtle as a tornado.

”Why is he talking about her so much?”

The stallion sat down at the fountain, thinking on the problem, when Sweetie Bell walked up to him. She seemed nervous and keeping in mind what Spike had said he called out to her.

She smiled and walked up to him.

"Hi Mordane."

"Hey Sweetie Bell. How are you doing?"

Pinkie Pie had talked with Sweetie for a long time building up her confidence and convincing her to take this leap. It was after all what she really wanted.

"I'm doing fine but I wanted to ask you something...Mordane...will you go out with me? On a date? Like, a real date?"

Silence.

To say that this came as a shock to the stallion, would be the understatement of the decade. Every muscle and brain pathway simultaneously blinked off, and his brain went into overdrive.

”WHAT!?!?!?!?!?!?”

”Why the buck does she want to go on a date with me! I thought I was solidly in the friend zone!”

This was terrible for him. After all, he did have the mind of a forty year old and the body of an immortal. There was no way he would have considered putting himself through such a thing. There was enough fantasy novels depicting that tragedy. Not that there was any options he would consider there.

”OK OK OK calm down. This is no worse than that time you were stuck in a womb. You just need to be careful. Let her down easy. Don't screw this up. She is supposedly in a delicate mental state.”

Sweetie shifted uncomfortably, as Mordane continued to stare wide-eyed.

”Ok, I just need to let her down nice and easy, no need to go hurting her feeling anymore than I have to. Just come up with a gentle, but clear way of saying 'no', that doesn't make her hate you, but also makes it explicitly clear that this is never going to happen.  Alright, here goes. Now. Just. Say. The. Words.”

"Sure I'll go out with you Sweetie Bell" he said with a smile.

”...”

”...NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO
WHY WOULD YOU SAY THAT!!!!!!!!!”

”THAT JUST MADE IT WORSE!”

Sweetie broke into a full smile, squeed and gave him a hug.

He allowed his body to move on auto-pilot and hug her back.

"See you tonight at six?" she asked.

"...Sure."

"Ok I’ll pick you up at your house." Then she ran off to her two squeeing friends around a corner. 

He could hear them from where he sat.

Mordane walked smiling all the way back to his house checking to make sure that no one was around he began to curse.

A lot.

And quite loudly as well.





Preparations moved at pace, there were arguments concerning how formal Mordane would be, and what Sweetie should wear. Spike felt uneasy about the increasing preparations, but reminded himself it was for the best.

At six sharp, everyone involved was ready. This would certainly be an interesting night.

In more ways than they knew.





Rainbow dash landed about a mile out deciding to approach on hoof.  What many seemed to forget is that the Wonderbolts were also a military organization. So her training was taking over. 

The light had split into several distinct points . They appeared to be fires

This made her uneasy.

She moved forward carefully.





Sweetie Bell knocked on Mordnane’s shack at six o'clock sharp. Her white coat and pinkish hair were perfectly matched by the blue dress Rarity had made for this very occasion. The dress was a balance struck on fashion and understatement. Good, no matter what Mordane wore.

The mare waited in anticipation and fear as she wondered what her date would choose.

She however did not wait alone.

No less than three ponies stood out of sight. One Fluttershy was high in the air, dressed in dark gray clothing in an attempt to go unseen. She was there to give an overview of the date. If she saw trouble coming, it would be up to her to remove it without alerting the two subjects. It had been easy to convince her to help after Twilight expressed concerns about Mordane's static exterior.

Speaking of the mare she was hiding a bush. Sure it was kind of far off but this was important. After all this operation will go off without a hitch. She suppressed the urge to rub her hooves together and mumble "Yes...yesss...it shall all come to fruition. My master plan."

The final pony that would be tagging along throat the project was Pinkie Pie. She was the messenger pony. Currently, she was also wearing a closed zipper. After all, Rarity had extracted a Pinkie Promise on her silence. Who would honestly be surprised that she started a grasshopper while sneaking around.

Of course, there was a fourth pony, but he was basically always there and so does not count.

Mordane was not aware of the other ponies exact position of watching or how many they numbered. He had four hours to think on the issue at hoof and had come up with a plan of action.

Here is what he knew: Spike was trying to soften him up to Sweetie Bell.  After thinking back, he realized that the mare had probably liked him for years. So considering Spike and Sweetie had chosen now to ask him it was likely that there were others working behind the scene...probably Rarity and Pinkie Pie. Knowing them, it was likely to be an...interesting evening.

The problem was he could not just go and act disinterested. That would appear strange. No he would have to make her lose interest. That would take careful manipulation and more than one date.

Worst come to worst, he could always fake his death in a year or two.

When the door opened Sweetie Bell and the other mares caught their breaths. Mordane was wearing the finest cloak they had ever seen on him. Rarity was already wondering where he could've gotten it. His boots had obviously been polished to a shine. His mane and coat were groomed precisely. The biggest shock of all however was the large smile and happy eyes looking out.

He would act the complete gentleman.

”Gentleman...why does my language revert when I'm being serious?”

A small bag of coins was hidden away out of view. If she saw it and was offended, it would be his lucky day. In pony society the female paid...which struck him as odd back when his father talk him a decade ago but understandable. After all males are rarer.

"So, where are we going?" he asked keeping on his smile.

Sweetie Bell shook her head to clear it.

"Umm...I was thinking we could go see a movie?"

Mordane groaned. The new movie theater might have opened up with color, but that would not change the fact that the movies were boring.

"Sounds great!"

They started walking to the theater.

In complete silence.

Twilight turned to Pinkie "There being too quiet, go set up the stand."

Pinkie pie saluted and dashed silently through the brush and over to the entrance of Ponyville where she had a cart of caramel apples waiting.

The silence continued until they arrived at the edge of Ponyville, Mordane just kept telling himself to avoid offering conversation or an romantic things.

"Hey! Hey! Mordane!"

Pinkie Pie was standing behind the stand before running up and giving them both caramel apples.

"Free sample!"

"...Uh Pinkie? Why are you out here, and why did you give us your only two apples."

The mare seemed to not notice and decided instead to grab her table and ran away.

”The buck...why?...Ok, just keep up the poker face. Be a completely forgettable personality.”

Sweetie bell blushed at his stoic exterior. Mordane was so strong.

Sweetie bell laughed at the pink mare than began to pull Mordane to the theater. Once there Mordane read the movie title.

“Baltimare and the killer ape...well at least it isn't a romance”

_______________________(an hour later)______________________

Mordane sat next to Sweetie Bell in a theater full of ponies. All around there was the sounds of couples making out. On the screen was the absolute worst romance he had ever seen.

"Oh Baltimare, my heart, it beats warmly for you." expressed the pony named Killer Ape. A character which had yet to kill anything.

"Oh Killer Ape, I want to be with you forever!" Then they kissed.

”The buck is this? Why is his name Killer Ape? Why is the mare named after a city?”

As these questions ran through his mind, the stallion worked even harder to keep his poker face on. This failed as the mare beside him hugged her hooves around his left for hoof and rested her head on his shoulder.

”Oh no…”

Mordane went rock still unable to make a move as either denying or confirming affection would be disastrous.

Sweetie Bell’s heart soared when he did not push her away.

"I like you Mordane."

He turned and looked into her eyes. She smiled and he returned it but remained silent.

He felt ashamed.

”What am I doing...this will break her. She really cares. This is terrible. How can I try to play with her emotions like this. I will have to let her down. Solidly. I will be there for her, and maybe...maybe one day I can tell her why we can't be.”

He doubted it though...this place had grown on him, but his nature would inevitably force him to flee. The tyrant leered down from the mountain burned into the back of his head.





Twilight watched hidden with her cohorts, as the two left the building. The sunlight was barely on the horizon. Sweetie Bell happened to be walking slightly behind the stallion.

"Oh dear. They seem to be walking separately." said Rarity

"Is the date over?" questioned Pinkie

"Not If I can help it. Give her the basket Pinkie"

The pink blur moved swiftly and placed the basket on Sweetie's back with a note.

Get him to Mane Hill.

-Pinkie

She tossed the piece of paper into a nearby bush.

"Hey Mordane, let's go on a picnic."

The stallion turned and decided it would be best to not question where the basket came from.

On the trek up the hill, they told a few jokes and laughed. They sat under a tree and began to eat. Looking down on Ponyville, Mordane was actually starting to enjoy himself.

Twilight however was not happy.

"Operation alone time has failed. Rarity...call them in."

Being part of 'high' society, Rarity tended to keep in contact with many of the musical mares in the town...

Mordane was commenting on some strange movement in the clouds when his ear twitched. 

Seemingly out of nowhere two mares, he recognized as Lyra and Octavia, had started to play music which obviously was intended to put on a romantic scene. Lyra spoke up when he continued to stare at them.

"What? We always come out here on this hill top and play music on Tuesdays."

"Its Wednesday." Octavia whispered to Lyra.

"Oh uhhh...We always come out here and play on Wednesday."

Twilight face hoofed still hidden in the bushes.

Derpy came flying over the hill.

"Delivery!"

The mare handed Mordane a package which he found to contain two glasses and some wine.

”...Yeah, there really is no doubt anymore.”

"Derpy where-?"

But the mare had flown off already.

Twilight and Rarity were scratching their heads. Then they looked at Fluttershy.

"Uh...I thought it would be more romantic."

Two more facehoofs.

”Well, sixteen is adult age in this world.”

Sweetie bell picked up the wine and poured it into the glasses.

"Well...no use in wasting it." she said with a smile.

”Ow...my heart actually hurt a bit with that look.” He paused ears standing up a bit as a new emotion flooded his system.

He looked up at Sweetie Belle and suddenly he couldn't see her as a child. She was a mare. The thought intruded suddenly and almost violently into his psyche. 

“Could...could I be falling for her?” he felt the shift push him toward her. Their future playing out in his mind unwillingly.

”No no, just instincts Come on start suppressing it...well it can't get much worse.”

It was at that moment that the clouds parted revealing a full moon as its beam of light came down onto the hilltop.

”...What. The. BUCK.”

However Sweetie Bell spoke up with a voice that made his heart leap straight into his throat.

"...Mordane?"

He turned and knew in that moment he was trapped.  

Her eyes had become deep pools, from with there was no escape.  Even as his rational part of his mind began to tell him how terrible of a mistake it would be.

How he would have to leave.

A new voice barely whispered.

”Why don’t you stay here? This is your place.”

He felt his life begin to shift. The war magic in his chest flickering as something tried to work on his mind and will.

“Perhaps I could find a way to placate Celestia with some human inventions...”

His head began to move forward slowly. The hope that had been in his friends eyes began to flare into full life.

He moved to kiss her. Mind already forgetting the sensations of the push.

For years afterward he would think back on that moment. On the mistakes that he would make. On the path that could've been...yet died without a chance. Perhaps if she had come but a minute later. However, he knows it would've been a mistake. They could never be.





Twilight watched as the train wreck that had been her plans somehow landed back on the tracks. Her heart swelling as they started into each others eyes.

For years she had watched Mordane hide in his sorrow. Always wearing that cloak that he had when Star Charmer had died. Now though it seemed that like a love story that spell of darkness would be broken by new love.

They were staring into each other eyes.

They were moving to kiss.

Then an explosion of rainbow crashed in front of the couple.

"WHERE IS TWILIGHT!!!!!"

"OH COME ON!!!" Yelled both Rarity and Sweetie Bell as Rainbow Dash effectively broke the mood.

The wonderbolt mare however did not care.

"Rarity!? Is Twilight in there?"

A panic had obviously gripped the rainbow mare. She was shaking slightly as tension seemed to pour off of her in wave.

The purple mare came out of the bushes followed by Fluttershy. An annoyed look on her face.

Mordane looked at his teacher and raised an eyebrow.

Twilight smiled sheepishly back.

The stallion just chuckled.

"Really, Twilight?"

"Hey -"

"TWILIGHT!"

"What Rainbow?" she groaned " What could be so important?"

Rainbow

"I was flying out of town, and I saw what looks like a Diamond Dog raiding party."

Silence.

The good feeling that had been infusing Mordane, was pushed out by that sentence. A hard knot formed just below his heart. It felt of steel.

Twilight however started laughing after a few seconds.

"Oh Rainbow. Have you been into the apple's hard cider again?"

"LISTEN Twilight." The pegasus grabbed the Alicorn's shoulders.

"I'm not mistaken. There is at least eighty to two hundred Diamond dogs in full armor headed toward Ponyville and Twilight." Rainbow glanced at Rarity "They’re dragging cages."
> -the Storm
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It took a good full minute to make Twilight understand just what Rainbow was saying. 

Quickly, she ran back to her castle after sending a message to Celestia. Rainbow flew ahead to tell everypony so the local guards, the mayor and the other elements were waiting outside of the castle with a large crowd was millowing around unsure what to do.

Spike burped and up came a small piece of ripped paper.

"What the-?"The dragon began, but was interrupted as Twilight floated the scrap over and began to read the message.

Mordane rushed over, his heart beating into his ears and mind hyperactive. He intentionally blocked the others from viewing it.

”Shouldn't she take that inside? I mean, if it's bad news-”

Twilight gasped as Mordane quickly read through the note..

Twilight, Luna and I are on other side of Equestria.
Discord unreachable
Diamond Dogs attacking over here and other places.
Get to you in one day.
If can't hold town move elements to Canterlot.

"She's abandoned us!"shouted a stallion who forced himself so that he could look over Mordanes shoulder. Instantly the crowd began to grow hysterical. Fear starting to sink in.

"Mayor Mare, is there no plan for this?" asked Mordane.

"N-no. We were just supposed to contact the Princesses or run away."

"That won't work here. The dogs are too close. They'll be here in six hours. We won't be able to move fast enough with the kids," said Rainbow.

The crowd began to get out of control. Mordane could almost feel as the fabric of the town began to break down. 

“They will become violent soon!”

"Twilight," whispered Mordane harshly into her ear, "you need to take command."

"I know, but what do I say? We are abandoned." She seemed wilted under her former teacher’s orders. The shock of it rocking her down to her core.

Mordane would have none of it.

"Listen, Twilight, the crowd’s fear is going to turn on them. They will panic and start to rip each other apart. Do you want that on your head? Take command. Get them to bring in everypony who lives just out of town." He thought for a moment." Then go into the library. We can work out a solution in there."

Twilight looked at him then nodded.

"Um, excuse me."

The crowd was growing more restless. Now there was shouting. Already the order was breaking down. Twilight frowned, here she was trying to help them...

"SILENCE!"

Dead silence fell over the townsfolk. Even Mordane’s eyes grew wide.

"What the heck? Where did she learn to yell like that?"

"Now, everypony be quiet, have you forgotten where we are?"

The crowd murmured, but Twilight continued uninhibited.

"This is Ponyville! Ponies everywhere talk about how crazy we are! Floods, timber wolves, earthquakes, stampedes, fires, monster attacks, the sitting place of the Elements of harmony, ponies with impossible powers, Discord’s chosen chaos capital, A LIBRARY IN A TREE! "

She paused.

"These are just some to the things we have faced weekly here. YET WE DID NOT LEAVE!"

She had their attention now. Mordane did not know she had it in her.

"The town destroyed. Disasters so common that every citizen is required to have hazmat suits, and yet we stay! Why?"

She lifted her hoof to her chest.

"This is the best town in Equestria, and I'll die before giving it up!"

The crowd roared. Mordane just chuckled. Perhaps there was some ruler in her.

When she raised her hoof again they were silent.

"Now, Mayor Mare, find some ponies to go and bring in the citizens who live outside Ponyville. As for the rest of you, go and collect your valuables. Make sure you can still run though."

"You there,"she said, turning to a pegasus mare. "You're Blossomforth, right? Acting head of the weather team?"

"Um, yes ma'am. We were supposed to be setting out soon to head off a storm that's building."

"There's no time for that I'm afraid. I need you to gather as many pegasi as you can and start carrying the foals out to Canterlot. I know there aren't enough of you to get everypony out, but we still need to try."

"Yes ma'am," the pegasus replied before taking off into the air.

Twilight turned and went into the library with the other elements, Mordane, and Spike. She talked to the guards and confirmed that they were basically militia.

As the door closed Twilight cast a spell to prevent anypony from overhearing. Too deliberate. The mood in the room was depressingly bleak. Even Pinkie was looking defeated.





"What are we going to do y'all? I can't abandon the farm," moaned Applejack.

"What about my animals...Can I just go tell them I'll be gone?"

"Stop! Just stop, everypony. She needs time to think...don't you, Twilight?"

The mare in question seemed almost panicked. She was moving from bookcase to bookcase. Her ears were at attention as she did not hear her friends.

"Spike! Is there anything on strategy in the library?"

"No," said both Pinkie and Mordane. 

The pink mare raised her eyebrows from behind her deflated mane. He chose to raise only one in response to hers. Even so he filed it away as a pinkie thing before speaking up again.

"This library seems devoid of any books on military strategy...It was difficult to acquire the few I have."

"You have military books?"asked Twilight, rushing up to him. "Why?"

Mordane moved back a step, his ears drooping as he looked down at the ground..

At the same time Rainbow and Rarity moved over to Pinkie Pie as Rarity comforted Fluttershy, and Spike made every pony something to drink.

"Pinkie, I haven't seen you like this since...well, a long time ago. It's ok, we will do fine," said Rainbow Dash putting her hoof under the pink mare's chin.

"That's right, sugarcube. It's going to be fine."

"No...no it's not going to be fine," she said looking down at the floor. "My Pinkie sense says something really sad is going to happen...lots of sad somethings. My ear is aching and my front right hoof is numb..."

She paused, the dread was heavy upon her.

"Uh, Pinkie?"asked Applejack, "What does that mean?"

Tears welled up in her eyes.

"It means one of my closest friends is going to be hurt...real deep down. Like in here." She poked Applejack in the chest where her heart was. "A hurt that no kind of partying can help with...then there is all the little ones...Applejack, Rainbow...ponies are going to die."

Stricken looks played across the two mares’ faces. Across the room another discussion was wrapping up with a bang.

A minute earlier and across the room Twilight stepped in closer to Mordane. Her ears drooping.

"You have military books?" Twilight asked placing a hoof on his shoulder "Why?"

Mordane shifted uncomfortably.

"...It is, interesting to me."

"It interests you?" she asked, a disturbed look crossing her face. "In what way?"

"...Well, I find the ar- err, -methodology of combat to be interesting. I have studied it on my own for some time."

”Studied is probably too light of a word.” he thought

He had dug up Equestrias books on war. What little there was. 

Only three books were given out to modern guards, and Mordane found them to be complete rubbish. 

He had then taken to looking for ancient tomes under aliases so as to avoid any attention. 

What he found overall was that the lack went back centuries, nothing had been really written on how to win a war in over eight hundred years, contemporary writers prefering to write on how to avoid it.

"Sigh I remember when I could just turn on a computer and pull up anything on military strategy that hit my fancy."

Though he was not deceived by this lack of material. Equestria was far from a demilitarized country. It had succeeded in installing such a long term permanent military control that the people had forgotten what it was like without it. All of the personal were military, be they called police, guard or rangers. In the end they answered to the crown, he was sure of it.

He had heard whispers of books given only to the commanders, or captains, to use the official term. Yet the day he accepts that a captain controls over two thousand troops is the day he goes to Canterlot and prances through the streets without his disguise while singing, 'I am an alicorn, I am an alicorn.'

Twilight looked at him patronizingly.

"Mordane...I told you years ago. I want more for you than a talent in war. What purpose would you have in studying it?” She said in exasperation.

"...Uhhh, this one?"He mumbled..

"...Right," she said, rubbing the back of her neck and backing off. “So...how much do you know about it?"

Mordane relaxed a little his ears rising halfway up.

"Enough, I understand the nature of it, and the necessary give and take of combat." He waived his hoof vaguely in the air “The flow of it I mean.”

"Flow?" she asked cocking her head to the side.

"Yes. Battle is all about flow. But I don't know what to do, without information,"He rubbed his chin “What we need to do is...take care of the basics.”

He looked pained.

“We should send out scouts, immediately. We need to know exactly were the diamond dogs are.”

“I already did that.” Twilight says

“Also, I must ask if you allow me to use war magic.” Mordane nodded curtly. 

“No.” twilight said simply

The room was silent as Mordane grit his teeth.

"Well, I already said that we should send out scou-"

"Princess Twilight!"

Mayor Mare came running through the door, panting.

"I sent some ponies out like you said, but about a few hundred meters out they started to fall in holes. There are pitfall traps surrounding the village!"

"Has the railroad been checked?" spoke up Mordane, already putting the last mental line through this being a series of isolated raids.

"Uhh, yes! It seems to be working fine!" she said quickly before turning away from him dismissively.

"No no, I mean is the track compromised?"

Surprise flashed across her face before mentally reminding herself Mordane was not a child anymore.

"...No, we have not."

"Then it can't be risked. Twilight? We should move the remaining children to town hall, it is the best place to defend from."

"What? It's closest to the side they are attacking from!" The mayor shouted.

"Yes! And it’s right next to the river. We break the bridges and build a defensive line all around town hall.” He shook his head “The river will help prevent dogs from digging under our flanks and funnel them from one direction.”

The room grew silent. Everypony’s eyes focused on him.

Princess Twilight stood silently looking at her student. The last few years flashing through her mind. She knew Mordane and what it meant when he was so certain about something. She had no idea how to command troops. But he seemed certain, and simply he was the only one with any connection to a military understanding.

She looked Mordane in the eyes, searching for any uncertainty.

"Mordane, do you know how to defend this town? Are you certain about this?"

The stallion looked straight into his master's eyes. For years he had been taught by her, and in that time she had earned his respect. So he told her the truth.

"If you do as I say, then most of these ponies will survive. If not...then we will all be slaves."

They held each other's gaze.

Twilight just felt...she just knew he was telling the truth.

"Mayor Mare, please listen to Mordane and follow what he says."

"But princess I-” Twilight glared at the mayor eyes narrowing “Y-Yes, Princess."

“And Mordane.” Twilight said as she headed toward the door.

“Yes master?” He replied.

“The first thing a leader must do is protect those under them. With everything they have.”


“Indeed.”

“Forget what I said earlier, you may use war magic.” Her eyes began to glow as she headed out. “I certainly will.”





Mordane gave most of his orders directly to the mayor. Twilight went to work as well. She handled most of the logistics while Mordane focused on defense.

At first the townsfolk assumed it was Twilight giving the orders. Soon, however, it sunk in that it was her sixteen year old student without a mark who set about to work.

By then though the tasks he had set kept them too busy to dwell on that.

Mordane had only allotted five minutes alone with his parents. The amount of time they had didn’t allow any more, no matter how unfair it was.

"Mom, I need you and Dad to go into the town hall...I won't be able to command properly with you fighting."

"I just don't understand why you must fight for her!" Many of the surrounding ponies looked confused at the statement, but kept on with their tasks anyway. 

Mordane whispered fiercely to his parents. "Look, I know you want me to run, but I won't abandon you to be slaves. Now, please stay in the town hall."

His parents reluctantly complied after a bit more wrangling. Mordane kissed his mother and hugged his father goodbye.

Folks were compelled to abandon their homes. All the children and elderly were crowded into town hall.

Over two thousand ponies lived in the small town. Of them, perhaps a thousand had the spirit to fight. Most simply cowered and did what those braver than them ordered.

Honestly, it surprised Mordane that there had been so many ponies willing to fight. Most came across as cowards to him. Thinking on it though, this was Ponyville. Just like Twilight had said, the ponies here were crazy. Mordane took that to mean crazy brave.

His mind was working overtime.

"Ok, there are just over fifty Pegasi in the town. Maybe they can air lift some of the children out? No, no there may be scouts with bows. At least the river was expanded years ago. As it was, it would not have acted as a good barrier. The enemy likely number a thousand strong, and have probably trained as well. The ponies will fight well with their families behind them and no place to retreat to."

As Mordane sat staring at a map of Ponyville Mayor mare had given him, he simultaneously tried to figure out how many weapons they would need to improvise and exactly how many he had.

He had thought that the fighter would be using pitchforks until the mayor revealed an armory was under the town hall filled with bows and spears. 

Enough for about four hundred soldiers. Just under half the amount he needed. The mayor said they were put there if ever Equestria went to war and large numbers of ponies were drafted.

Applejack was getting the water supplies in order, leaving her friend to think of the plans. She did ask one question before leaving both the tree and the planning to them though.

"Twilight, Mordane, ah don't get it."

"You don't get what?" replied Mordane, without looking up from the map. Twilight was busy making a list of things needed to be taken from the hospital.

"Well, like you said. Why can't Twilight just fly over the enemy and destroy them. Better yet, why don't y'all just raise one of those shields like what Shining Armor did during the changeling invasion?"

Twilight laughed.

"Well, do you remember what happened to that barrier? Yes, my brother was drained by the changeling queen, but those things are meant for big stuff like weather attacks or siege spells. It is simply too difficult to hold it against many small, but strong, attacks."

Mordane cut in.

"Not only will Twilight be focusing on preventing the Diamond Dogs from tunneling under the town and pulling ponies down into underground tunnels, there is also the issue of difficulty and, well, it basically would be suicide for anypony except for Celestia, and maybe Luna. Look, war magic makes fighting much easier for magic users, but it still requires focus. Sure, I could go out and throw my will at the enemy, attacking without direction, but I would kill as many of our fellow ponies as them."

"Kill?" She seemed put off, scared even.

"...Yes, Applejack," interjected Twilight, walking up and giving her a hug. "Sometimes we don't have any other choice."

Fluttershy was busy helping the doctors set up a trauma center. She worked as hard as they did.

Rarity told Twilight and Mordane that she and Spike would be working together for combat.





"Rarity, why do we need to go to your boutique? What could you have there to fight with?"

Rarity laughed at him as they turned the corner, and made the last few yards to her place of business.

"Let me show you, darling."

They walked to a well locked room in the boutique where the fruits of their labors were stored.

"Most ponies assume my mark means that I am good at fashion. This, however, my dear, is not all it's good for."

Spikes eyes widened as Rarity's horn glowed.





Within the village a mere fifty ponies were considered guards. They were poorly trained and acted as a reserve police force when needed. It irked him that not a single one had any strategy training. Most had already heard that the princess was putting faith in him; however Mordane knew that their faith in her was lacking and if the defense was to hold he would need to inspire confidence in his command ability.

That is why he was speaking to them now, alone.

His heart beat hard in his chest.

"Listen, we only have about two more hours before the enemy arrives. There is something I must say to you..."He stared unblinking into their eyes before continuing. "You are soldiers."

The ponies in armor gathered before him shifted uncomfortably. The word 'soldier' carried a negative connotation in pony society. It is why the army was called the guard.

"Yes, soldiers. Well, at least that is what you need to be. In truth, you are shopkeepers," He started walking in front of them. "Secretaries, and farmers. How many of you have drawn blood? One, maybe two? This, however, does not matter, your nation calls you, and it is my responsibility to lead you sorry excuse for fighters to victory."

Many of the soldiers were shocked at the tone of his voice. They found themselves standing taller; they easily fell into their training, especially when being chewed out by a superior.

Mordane was looking throughout the crowd, judging them. He looked for the ones who would resist his orders, those who seemed hesitant, and the ones who seemed willing to obey.

It was during this, that he could determine where to place them.

"This is obviously a defensive action. Therefore, as I'm sure you know, we will be barricading the town square and reinforcing it with this town's militia. The strongest among you will act as a reserve force while the most...charismatic will be spread among the barricades in order to give strength to those who have less than yourselves."

The guards grew confused. A complement, even if it was a half of one?

"Yes, strength. Do you doubt it? Speak up!"

There were murmurs. Mordane had kept his voice calm through the speech, but now it was on the rise.

"Must both project and instill strength. Without that there is no victory." He thought, steeling himself for what was to come.

"Victory goes to those who believe in it the most! Look to those on your right - now your left. I do not have to tell you they are your brethren. You know that already! Behind those illusions are your friends. Perhaps some of them have helped you in the past. You know these people. You know their strength. Tell me this, do any of them alone have what it takes to save this town?"

Downcast eyes and shamed looks played across the soldiers faces.

"No, of course not, but together? You have the strength. Yet that strength, without direction would be wasted. If your spirit fails, you look to the next. We are all but ponies, however, together we can become so much more."

He straightened even more, standing tall and proud.

"Together we are soldiers, you and I. With my command, we will save this town!"

The guards cheered. Mordane's eyes glared. In many there was no more doubt that they would obey him.

"Now listen as I tell you my plans..."

Thunder crackled in the east.





Mordane dismissed the soldiers. In truth, there was next to no strategy involved in such a battle. Receive the attack. Repel it. Send reserves to enforce trouble spots.

Twilight was already starting up her spell, but unluckily, it would tie her down. Mordane was embarrassed. Earth was one of the things his war magic could work with, but he didn’t have the strength to cast a spell over such a large area. 

He could certainly harden up a patch of ground if he knew something was coming up there, kind of like a game of preemptive whack-a-mole. Unfortunately, he probably wouldn't get the chance to concentrate on the things happening below his hooves enough to actually use this tactic.

Looking out from the second story window, he stared at the barricades and ponies who were lining the town circle. His eye caught Rainbow zooming in.

She hovered in the air yelling through Mordane's window to catch Twilight's attention.

"Twilight! I'm back. This is bad. Really bad!"

The alicorn mare looked over, after telling a colt everything would be fine and yelled out so Rainbow could hear her.

"Calm down, Rainbow. Tell us how many there are."

Mordane butted in, "I'm guessing about four hundred."

Rainbow blinked.

"How did you know?"

"That is double what you guessed at night. It is commonly double that. Though there is no need to worry."

"No need!?" exclaimed the pegasus.

"Of course. The defenses as they are now could hold against six to seven hundred. As it is, we will likely repel the attackers' first wave with minimal casualties."

Twilight looked at him strangely. He did not notice and continued talking however.

"We need only to hold what we have."

"Rainbow, can you go the fifth barricade?" Asked Twilight.

"Yes ma'am!" she saluted and flew off.

Mordane smiled and nodded to his master before walking through the courtyard. The dust clung unnaturally to the ground as Twilight's magic took effect. All around him, ponies moved to and fro. In some way all the ponies were surprised at how quickly the defenses had been raised. It spoke volumes how some of the regular towns folk parted to let him pass. Their conversation growing quiet.

"...word is trickling down. Perhaps even the militia will obey me without Twilight's authority after the first wave."

Nothing in him doubted there would be a second wave. Maybe even a third, but the parameters were set. Something always went wrong, but Mordane was certain he could deal with it. In fact, that was bothering him.

"Why am I so...calm?"

As he looked for a secluded spot he listened to his heart. It beat calm and strong. In fact he could hear the beating in his ears like a drum. Thinking back, it had always been like this. Even before.

Before Equestria. When he was still human.





"John! John Triston! Come back in here this instant! I have to go to work!"

The hag, who called herself his mother, yelled out across the field of his childhood home. Holding a cigarette in one hand as she tried to get the young boy to come into the house. Her 'work', as she called it, he later found out to be a complete farce. It was her way to tell him she was going to be out for a long time. In truth, she was whoring around.

"But, mom! Can't I just go to Grandpa's?" he yelled back during the upper cast of his tire swing. “It’s way funner to go to his place than to stay in my room."

His mother rolled her eyes.

"Fine, just be back before sundown."

John smiled, jumped out of his swing, and ran across the field.

The town was currently just under two thousand people. Soon a new interstate would go through. Then the isolated community would explode.

He loved his grandfather, who happened to be a crazy old man. He talked about war stories and even let the boy smoke once. Said 'so he would never be stupid enough to pick it up again.'

His plan worked surprisingly well.

He was not his biological grandfather, just some random guy who lived across the field. 

Which goes to show just how uncaring his parents were. Luckily, he had turned out a wise old man and not a pedophile.

"Hey, John, get your scrawny ass over here!"

Not that he did not have a mouth.

"What's up, Gramps? Got any stories today?"

The crazy man was fiddling with what looked like part of a dishwasher as he scowled.

"Of course, why do you think I yelled at ya’ to get over here? Need ears to tell a story." John smiled.

"But, Grandpa, you already got two ears. What do you need mine for?"

"What, these old things?" he replied flicking an ear lobe. “They're just made of grit and pus by now, need a pair of young ones."

"Well, I suppose I could lend you one."

The old man laughed and stood up setting aside his project.

"You want ta’ work on the trains, first?"

The boys grin grew wide as the San Andreas fault.

"Yah!"

The old man smiled and they walked into the house and down into the basement. There they tinkered with trains and radio controls. He learned more on how to repair the tiny boilers and repair the transmitters. It was good fun.

About an hour later, however, the old man wiped the sweat from his head and gave a good hard long look at John.

"Good, now you listen here boy...how old are ya’?"

That struck him as odd. The old man had never cared when telling him stories before...what was different about this one?

"I'm thirteen, sir."

"Thirteen hmmm..." He scratched his chin and spat into his Dr Pepper bottle." Then I guess you're old enough."

The old mad sat down his tools, much to the increase of the boy's tension. Grandpa was acting strange.

"'Long time ago, in a land far away, there was once a ...well, I won't lie to you, a very angry and proud young man. War had come to his young life, and for the pride of a nation he fought against their foes. He thought himself an artist and a student of history. Perhaps it would have ended there, if not for bad luck.”

He reached into a small fridge and pulled out two sodas. Handing one to John, he continued.

"He was partially gassed in a conflict, but did not die. I sometimes wonder what he must have thought as he laid in pain...as he felt the touch of gas. Before he had lacked much drive at all. Afterward though, it was like he changed. Perhaps he felt fear, and endeavored to never feel it again. To never be exposed like that again. The man changed that day.”

The man's eyes grew distant.

“His voice began to speak out as he joined a minor party within politics. Soon, with his impassioned speeches the party grew, and with time he was named its head. He played the political games, and fed the fears of those around him. But fears cannot support a nation. So he painted for them a glorious picture. One of victory."

His eyes took on a watery sheen.

“Who can know that man's heart? No one. Yet we do know what he did with that power. He marched and with the whole of his nation behind him he plunged the world into war. The Second Great War, World War Two...men like Hitler do not come along, often. They are mad. They are intoxicating. I sometimes wonder what that man was like as a small boy in a broken home; eyes bright with desire."

The old man was looking at him strangely. John shifted his eyes away.

"I wonder if he heard the call of drums. If he had lived in a time of peace, and had been taught kindness and the beauty of simple things, if he might have taken a different path...I like to think so. I like to think we all have good in us, but if that is true then we all must have that evil. The kind to burn the world. The kind that lays mass graves. The kind that forges empires on the backs of slaves."

They stared in silence. The old man at him, he at a stone. He spoke again.

"Great men are born, John. Then they are made into what they will become by the world around them. Yet they were always great. Don't forget that...Will you do something for this old man, my son?"

A tear came into John's eyes as he looked back into those wrinkly eyes

"Promise me...promise me, you won't hate. I saw the world burn once. I don't want it to, ever again."

The boy who would be Mordane looked deep, and for the first time, he did not feel alone.

"I promise, Grandpa."





Mordane found himself on the edge of the defenses staring down the road to the direction the dogs would come. He stepped back and went on to confirm the barricades integrity for the fifth time.

Memories pulled him back.





The fist collided with Mordane's face. The one who dared to try and harm him fell back, blood pouring from his nose. John felt he had won that exchange, though the fight was close.

The kids all around him stopped cheering them on, as surprise overcame them. It was not often the smaller kid won. John, however, inwardly smiled. His small size was just an illusion brought on by color lines. If any of them had really looked, they would see he was normal size.
But winning a fight that way would not be as effective.

I must seem impossibly strong. My money situation is bound to make me a target.

The boy in front of him shifted, to put down his hand and stand back up. John felt a flash of anger.

"How dare he stand up to me?” he thought.

John shifted his weight preparing to kick the throat. Perhaps losing the ability to speak woul-

"Promise me...Promise me you won't hate."

The voice of his grandfather came back to him. Was it only a year ago that the promise was made? Had he already forgotten?

John lowered his foot and stepped forward, grabbing the boy by the back of the neck. He pulled him at the time he was off balance. Sprawled on the floor the boy glared at John, but looked in surprise as a open hand was stretched out to him.

"You're a good fighter. Why don't we be friends?"

If the other children were stunned before, they looked like their jaws were unhinged now.

The boy gave him a strange look then smiled, reaching up to grab the hand. As John pulled him up a good feeling started to fill his chest.

That was until he felt the boy's hand on the back of his head.

He woke up a week later, the boy was in juvenile detention. He never had to fight again and even became mildly popular. With the students that is; the teachers hated him.

His parents decided to sue the school for medical bills. Which they would spend on beer. They did not get much, but it was enough for all the teachers to have to receive pay cuts.

Funny how Miss Larson seemed to have misplaced his test...twice.

He did like telling Grandpa. Both of them had a chuckle.





Mordane moved through the pony militia, smiling at the civilians and nodding at the guard.

Rainbow came in one more time, declaring the enemy to be just around the bend. Mordane moved to the porch and prepared his spell.

If they were coming with bows, he would only have a moment to cast an impulse field to block the arrows. He doubted they would though.

"Only a moment..."





The water hit against John's face. In front of him the preacher looked at his watch and glared as his robe got wet.

The beads of water flowed in streams down the tin casket.

John stood alone in the wet.

Only a moment...and he's gone.

Not that it was raining, it was just the grave site had not bothered to repair some sprinklers. There weren't even any staff.

John himself threw the last shovel of dirt onto the grave. The old man had put in his will that he wanted those who came to bury him.

The old fart must have thought it funny, thinking no one would come.

"May I begin now?"

The boy in his shorts and tee shirt simply nodded his head yes. The preacher began.

"Carson Louis was a good man-"

“His name is Carson Louis?” John thought

John stood by his grave alone with the preacher until he finished. He was surprised when a man in a suit walked up afterwards.

"Hello. Did you know this man?"he asked with an air of boredom.

"Yeah, why?"

"It concerns his last will and testament. There was a stipulation leaving his worldly possessions to anyone who came. Including..." he looked at a clipboard “One house, two cars, a motorcycle, thirteen vintage rifles and miscellaneous physical and financial assets.”

"...That crazy old bastard."

The lawyer did not notice the crack in the boy's voice.

"Yes, well some of my clients are eccentric."

"Yeah, of course. There is a problem. I'm sixteen. My parents will take it all from me for themselves. Any way you can hold off transferring ownership?"

The lawyer furrowed his eyebrows.

"...Not legally. But for five thousand, sure."

"How much does he hav- ...did he had in the bank?"

"About five thousand actually.” He smirked, “I guess we are in an understanding?"

"Yes, see you in two years.”

He was a long cry from the little, angry, rosy cheek boy. He did not hate, but neither would he be blind to other's faults.

”Let the world burn...or go to glory.” he said looking at the guys burying the second grave he had attended this day. “History can pass me by.”

He smiled as a weight lifted from his shoulders.

He did not even notice the hole that opened in his heart.





Mordane was still preparing even as the dogs came into sight. He felt a small disappointment since they were approaching down a single street. He had perhaps over-prepared.

A strength flooded his limbs in confidence. They probably were thinking they could flank them, but would find the other routes closed off. This would serve to string out their forces.

The dog leading the column lifted his paw and a sounding brought them to a halt. Thunder sounded in the distance.

"Ponies!" he yelled in a grating voice that shrieked at random times, “We come for you. Give up. There is no fighting.”

“WE ARE PRINCESS TWILIGHT OF EQUESTRIA! THIS TOWN IS UNDER THE PROTECTION OF CELESTIA, AVATAR OF THE SUN, AND LUNA, AVATAR OF THE MOON! I STAND HERE WITH THE CITIZENS OF PONYVILLE! LEAVE NOW AND WE OF EQUESTRIA MAY STILL CALL YOU FRIEND!”

Mordane spent the time staring intently at the equipment of the dogs. What he saw surprised him.

”Their gear is the same sets and well mixed together, though they do not seem to have any bows. The armor is simple, but well made. Much better than what Rarity described those other dogs gear as...they must be from a stronger force. Or at least more organized..”

His heart beat hard in anticipation for the conflict to come. A particular tune coming to his memory.

The dog growled.

"We don't want friends with ponies!" he yelled, "We want slaves. ATTACK!”

The dogs charged. Mordane ordered the reserve to the one barricade they were attacking.

The ponies leveled their spears. Some were trembling. Others let out cries.

“For Celestia!”

The earth ponies steeled themselves against the wood of the wagons and signs.

A pause.

Then the dogs met the barrier.

Mordane stood back, picking up bricks from a pile with magic, and throwing them into the dog ranks at high speed.

The ponies on the barrier stabbed and pushed against the wave of flesh.

Then the dogs' forward surge ground to a halt.

“Fire arrows! For Ponyville!" yelled Mordane, pointing his hoof as the reserve hit the other side of the barrier.

A pony nodded to Mordane and lifted his bow, the others around him mirrored his angle and direction before releasing; arrows arched over and pierced the dogs packed behind the front.

It was then that Rarity and Spike made contact.

They came from the air and crashed into the middle of the dog ranks. At first, Mordane thought they had gone mad. Then he got a better look.

Rarity and Spike where clad in armor made of gems. They seemed stuck to their forms. Spike breathed fire, felling dogs left and right. At the same time, his mare danced about with two diamond swords wrapped in magic cleaving through armor and flesh alike.

Mordane took note of this, and at the same time he saw the uncertainty entering the dog ranks. Their will was wavering.

"Second reserve, follow me!"

Some people are born different from others. To these humans, the way of fighting comes naturally. When thrust into battle, if they survive, they learn to fight with a skill beyond their training. They become soldiers.

Mordane may no longer have the body of a human, but in his soul that still was the case. Throughout the battle to come, he would gain ferocity to stun his fellow ponies and earn the respect of the guards.

The thirty guards fell in with him and they ran to the next alley over.

"Open the barricade!"

The ponies cheered as the group ran through the open barricade.

They ran down the street and took a left at the first chance.

The Diamond Dogs never saw them coming.

Mordane reached for his war magic, the matrix bursting to life. He felt as it reached out to draw in energy. 

He focused intently on what he wanted to happen. 

Just as his eyes picked up a slight glow he let loose and channeled his strength into the wind and earth.

An wall of earth, stone, and air blasted through the alleyway ripping into the dogs. Twenty died immediately. Many more were knocked unconscious. The ones that could flee, a small group, were cut off between the barricade and his group.

"Surrender!" Mordane yelled at the lead dog who was battered and bruised.

The dog snarled.

"Pony foolish. More dogs will come."

They formed in a V shape to pierce through them. Their spears dented and ragged.

Mordane gave an order that no pony in Equestrian memory ever had. Those that were with him would later admit it did not shock them, even if they would later regret it.

"We have no place to keep them...kill them all."





The battle had lasted all of five minutes. Mordane had sent out skirmishing forces. It did not surprise him that the other four hundred troops had been waiting outside the village. These were professionals.

If there had been some question of who was running this battle before, but there was none now. Mordane had led them to victory. Twilight found that fewer ponies were coming to her to confirm what Mordane had ordered. She found it quite surprising.

What worried her more, however, was how easily he had taken to command, and the ferocity in which he had counterattacked. Mordane was predicting the enemy would wait no more than three hours before coming in force. The second battle would be longer.

Twilight found him standing over the fallen. Dog and pony alike. All had been gathered and placed under cloth in rows.

Mordane was thinking how different this made the ponies from human. What did it mean that they would even bother to respect the dead of their enemy?

He heard Twilight walking up.

"Twenty ponies dead, fifty dogs in kind." He spoke, a slightly depressed tone coming into his voice.

"...It's ok, Mordane. You had no other choice." Twilight walked up and wrapped her wing around his back. It was a sign of closeness in pony society. Mordane took note of it. Feeling a pang of guilt in his heart, "It is terrible when so many die."

Mordane looked up, staring into the distance, his eyes hardened.

"I only regret that there are not more bodies here."

Twilight stepped back in shock.

"How can you say that!?"

Mordane turned his head.

"I regret that we did not kill them all. If we had, the other dogs may have retreated. Now more will die."

Tears flowed out of his eyes.

"I tell you this now: the scars left by the dead will lay on this town for time untold. Because of your Princesses' failure I am forced to meet the enemy head on. If I had but another two hundred soldiers with proper gear I could have forced the dog's surrender without having to bring civilians into this. Now the dogs will rush against us in a tide, and break like water on the shore. They will die. Ponies will die. All of it is at your Princesses' hooves."

Mordane turned and stalked off, leaving Twilight trembling. Trying to understand where such words had found purchase on her students lips.





Mordane received word that the dog army was mobilizing. He found a box and then stood on top of it.

"Hear me, my fellow citizens!"

The ponies rushing about quieted down as the pony they had all been talking about stood for them all to hear.

"Now is the time..."

Mordane had studied war as a human, and once again as a pony. In many ways there were parallels. He knew that the ponies did not have the skill or the numbers to hold the town, so he pulled on Sun Tzu and Napoleon.

"Put them on dying ground, and they will live. If they are to die there, what can they not achieve? With their families at their back they will not break. They will fight to the last. Now I must make them know it."

"The dogs are coming in force, and will strike at this town."

Murmurs sprung up at this. Didn't they all know that?

"The river is impassable, as the dogs could simply swing around and catch you on the other side."

The murmurs turned to fear. Why would he say this?

"Within town hall, children and the elderly rest huddled. The enemy would make slaves of them and you."

Silence filled them again.

"There is no retreat. No surrender. We face a strong force, but we can defeat them! Hold the line."

He looked from eye to eye.

"There is no retreat. Hold the line."

Many of the ponies began bobbing their heads in agreement, stories of Diamond Dog slave-based society filling them with dread. Through their eyes, he could see that death would now be preferable to them.

"Get to your positions, and remember - There is no retreat."

Five minutes later the first divisions of dog troops appeared down the street to the resounding of ponies. Mordane paid close attention, and as he saw them lift their paws he cast a barrier. Arrows arched through the sky and ricocheted off the wavering field. It took all his will to not let it fall.

"Return fire!"

The battle passed in a blur. For a few minutes Mordane maintained a barrier against arrows and paid dearly in strength. Troops were moved around from barricade to barricade reinforcing positions.

The dogs grew weaker and weaker. Mordane watched as ponies he had lived with, talked to and called neighbors fell, pierced by blade and spear. 

It was not until the fourth hour that it all seemed for naught.





Mordane stood cut and bloodied. Panting, he issued orders for the reinforcements to reposition again when he heard a crack.

The dogs had broken through the fourth barrier where he had stationed Lyra. .

They were now pouring in. He had but a moment to make his decision.

If he did not reinforce another barrier it would break as well, but without reinforcements the breach would stay open.

Mordane turned and rushed toward it, making judgments along the way. Five ponies, including Lyra,  still struggled at the breach and would hold for thirty-odd seconds. With that he could fire multiple spike spells, but using it would mean that the ponies around the dogs would die as well.

He charged the spell and fired. Spikes of rock and compressed earth erupted from the ground, impaling both dogs and ponies indiscriminately. Mordane wasn’t sure all who had been hurt, and he didn’t have time to consider. The breach was sealed. Turning he galloped toward the other failing barrier.

It was then that he saw her, his heart leaping into his chest.

There was Sweetie Belle. She was fighting beside Applebloom. They were torn and battered, but that is not what drove his attention.

Sweetie was fighting two dogs at once, and losing. She fought desperately and savagely, but to no avail. Mordane saw a third dog approaching from behind. In a moment she made a mistake and jabbed too far. One of the dogs pierced her leg as she collapsed with a cry.

 "NO!" 

Mordane demanded more from his muscles, but his legs had nothing more to give. The dog lifted his blade to strike her down.

Suddenly he teleported to the air over them. At the same time he caused three broken spears teleported beside him as he fell, and with magic thrust it into the three dog’s throats.

For the next few moments he fought like a madpony. Thrusting and parrying he fought like never before.

He fought like a soldier.

"ENOUGH!" The sound wave caused Mordane to lose his footing. Scrambling around his eyes turned upward.

A hole had opened up in the cloud cover allowing a blindingly bright light to shine through.

"RETREAT DOGS, OR FACE THE WRATH OF THE SUN!"

Upon seeing the princess, all will to fight left the dogs. Simultaneously, most of them broke and ran. Mordane began to look around joy filling him as well as fear as Celestia flew off in pursuit of the dogs.

Standing over Sweetie Belle with spears still floating around him he panted and watched as the last of the dogs began to retreat.

"Victory..."

Mordane looked around at the cheering ponies, joy plastered across their faces.

Most of the ponies and dogs had survived. The battle was a resounding victory for the town, but the stallion felt a much more personal success.

Mordane felt a smile come on his face as he turned to look at Sweetie Belle. Some part of his mind told him he was forgetting something.

The mare he had almost kissed the night before was pointing at something. His eyes turned slowly to what she pointed at.

With horror, he looked at his back and saw his wings out for and to see. It surprised him so much that they flared to full attention.

...

Slowly, Mordane turned to Sweetie, his eyes catching the sight of ponies staring. The mare looked him in the eyes, hers wide with awe.

"Alicorn?"

The revealed stallion stumbled back with a flap of his wings, his mind grinding to a halt as a few things clicked over.

He had asked his parents what he should do if suddenly revealed. They had given only one piece of advice. Go south, fly far, fly fast.

”Run”

Mordane blasted into the sky and made a line directly for his shack. His eyes looked toward the town hall as he processed what this would mean. There he saw his parents standing, both holding spears as they guarded the townhall despite his orders.

His mother griped her chest, eyes open in terror at the sight of him.

His father simply pointed toward the south with his spear.

Mordane veered off and headed straight for his shack. Eyes tearing up as he flew, even as the matrix thrummed in his chest.





Celestia landed in the town square where the Ponyvillians had set up their impromptu defensive line. When she received word that the attack would begin before she would be able to arrive, she had dreaded the scene that would greet her, but she was overjoyed to see how well they had done in her absence.

"Greetings, my little ponies. I had feared that I had not arrived in time, but it looks like you were not as helpless as the invaders had anticipated," she greeted them as she approached the shell-shocked crowd. "Tell me, how is it that you held off the brutes?"

Her grin lowered when at first none of the ponies reacted to her.

"Mordane..." one of them finally said. “It was Mordane."

"Twilight's student? So he was the one who organized this?" her eyes widened slightly. The skill to organize a defense was not something she had attributed to the young stallion.

The shaken and awed crowd did not respond until one guard spoke up.

"Yes, but...that's not all."





Twilight had seen Mordane revealed and stood in shock for nearly thirty seconds afterward before giving chase.

Mordane arrived at his shack in forty seconds. Normal speed for a pegasus. He was in and out in twenty seconds.

He didn’t wait, charging his horn he ripped off his front door and charged in. Then grabbed his bed and tossed it off its mattress to get at his bug out bag. Turned out his pillowcase and stuffed it with all the food from cabinet and ice box.

Wood cracked as he slammed open the door to the hidden cellar. Under a bench down there he grabbed his bugout bag and slipped Kindle into it.

"Are we going on an adventure?"

"NOT NOW, KINDLE!"

Sixteen seconds after entering he stood at his open door ready to fly off. There was only one thing to do. His horn glowed. Five pots filled with oil and placed throughout his shack caught fire.

In moments the place was ablaze.

Mordane was about to take off when his master tackled him to the ground after having caught up with him.

"Mordane? What are you doing, and how do you have wings!?"

A shockwave from the blazing shack threw Twilight into the air; Mordane tried to run in any direction, but was stopped by Twilight. They began to circle each other as she landed.

"Let me pass."

The mare would hear none of it. Her questions continued unabated.

"Mordane, you need to calm down, we have to find out why you have wings."

"Stay out of my way Master...I don't want to hurt you."

Twilight stepped back. Shock playing out across her face. She placed her hoof on her chest ears splayed back.

"Hurt me? What are you talking about? Look, let's just sit down and talk about this..."she trailed off as his eyes narrowed and she felt his power start to gather. The stallion’s horn glowed. Twilight prepared herself.

"Mordane, something is wrong with you. If this is because of some kind of magic, then you need to let me help you. You don't have to worry about accidentally hurting me, you know that I'm strong enough to stand up to your magic. Mordane, please..." The stallion was gripped with sadness. Yet she was right, she was at least four times his raw strength and a thousand times his skill.

That is why he had prepared for this years ago.

For a moment he hesitated. He felt a great welling of wanting to stop, to submit to his master. The matrix thrummed in his chest.

He knew knew what his fate would be if he stayed here.

"I'm sorry,Twilight." he whispered. 

A purple pulse flashed out of Mordane's horn. Twilight raised her shield and was surprised as the pulse passed through both it and her, seemingly causing no injury.

"What did you-" She was cut off as her strength began to fade away. Confusion filled her until her eyes caught a red glow.

Looking down, the amulet Mordane had given her for her birthday sparkled with red and purple. She collapsed to her knees as the amulet took its toll. The last words she heard from her student before slipping into unconsciousness would stick with her for the next thousand years.

"I didn't want to do this Twilight. But I won't be a slave to Celestia. I'm so sorry...I thought of you as my second mother."

Twilight did not hear what happened next.

"Mordane...what did you do?" His head turned and there stood Celestia.

No time to think. No time to answer. Mordane rocketed off from where he stood. Celestia had followed shortly after maintaining order. What she had seen of following her student however was Mordane standing over her broken form.

The stallion flew as fast as he could, but Celestia was faster.

It was only a matter of time until she caught him.

So he would have to take risks.

Mordane dove into the forest, dodging left and right. The princess gave chase.

"Stop, Mordane! I cannot let you get away with this."

Mordane felt fear and the impulse to obey, but he set his will against it. Celestia would be denied.

They shot off soon finding themselves in Ghastly Gorge. Already he was tiring, but that would not be enough for him to give up.

Still she chased him through narrow pass and dangerous paths through the air. He grew more and more desperate.

As he flew high on an updraft his eyes grew surprised as a massive thunderstorm loomed before him.

"That's right...with the dog attacks they must not have had time to manage the weather."

Yet it might just be his ticket out. He gave himself to the wind currents and was thrown about randomly. Celestia just couldn't stay close.

It was at that time that Mordane made a fatal mistake. He pulled in power while forgetting the nature of his environment.





Celestia gasped in horror as fifteen lighting strikes converged on the young alicorn. An enormous blast of air threw her back. She smelled burning pony flesh and a cloud of smoke and ash was dissipated on the wind.

She had seen many wondrous things  in her time, yet never before had she ran across another of her kind who was born naturally. It had been pure luck, that she had been able to learn to change Luna before her death.

Now a possible new alicorn lay dead before her. Gone before his life had really began, because she failed to act strongly enough. Shaking, she hung her head.





"We were simply caught off guard."

Celestia stared level-eyed at the commanding officer of the southern border defense of Equestria, and she was not happy.

"Commander Trueshot. Your duty was to prevent this kind of thing, why were your forces not mobilized?"

"...The dogs attacked too quickly. By the time I knew what was going on, Baltimare was under siege. I could not get any orders out. We were lucky you received word."

The border defense of Equestria had failed miserably. As much as seventy percent of the guard was never engaged in combat. It was a disgrace.

"Well, commander, what would you suggest we do to rectify this situation?"

The blustering fool stuttered excuses, trying desperately to hold on to his job. The public was in an uproar. Celestia even had to deploy troops to restore order. Over seven thousand ponies had been taken prisoner in the cross-country raid. The monarch intended to get them back, but she could not do that with disorder at home.

Already she was laying the framework, and it seemed Trueshot would be serving as a political sinkhole. Essentially, he would be thrown under the cart for his complacency.

"Was that not the same excuse that you gave me after the changelings invaded?"

More bluster. Celestia felt empathy for the general. He had only done what those before him had.

However, politics had their demands.

"Trueshot, I want you to read this."

She passed over a paper to both the Commander and Shining.

"...Where did this come from?"

"The old records," Shining spoke up. "A two hundred year old assessment of Equestrias total military capability. If this catastrophe has taught us anything, it's that Equestria is woefully unprepared for any kind of wide scale attack."

"Divisions of command structure too scattered?...More ranks required? What is this nonsense!? The ranks have been the same for the last thousand years!"

Celestia winced. The current system had been a stopgap measure as trained officers ran low during the Lunar Wars. It had stuck over the centuries and become standard. Her sister had made it very clear to her just how much of a failure this was to her the night before.

The commander of the border defense was paid for and appointed by the parliament. Despite being properly funded she had now found them lacking in supplies and transport during this time of war. What had happened to the money Celestia didn’t know.

She looked over at Shining Armor, thanking her lucky stars she had raised her personal Royal bodyguards into a military force under her employ.

The three army commanders sat on her war council along with the captain of the Royal guard as she tapped her chin thinking and reading the old document. 

The problem was that border guards were significantly out of date and politically aligned. Nobles and mayor alike sent their unwanted sons to fret away days earning pretend honors. They hadn’t functioned as a military in generations. That was even before the main army had been disbanded. 

The power had been split between the three major border bases across Equestria with each acting as its own self contained army. Except even that had broken down and the bases under them had little to no communication except for reassignment orders.

"I don't know, Commander. This has merit. Corporal, Captain, Lieutenant, then Commander. With five guard to a Corporal, five Corporals to a Captain, and five Captains to a Lieutenant, then however many Commanders we need and...Commander-in-chief? One pony in control of the entire military? Well, I can at least agree with the Captain and up to Commanders, but not this chief business." Said one of the old Army commanders.

"I, however-" cut in Celestia, "-am ordering that it be implemented from the captain’s promotion. Shining Armor, I name you Commander-in-Chief and charge you with implementing this system. Please utilize all Equestrian army assets as you see fit."

"Yes ma'am."

"W-What!?” Shouted the three commanders taking a step back.  “You can’t- The council”

Celestia slammed her hoof onto the table, eyes flaring up. 

“BE SILENT!”

The three of them grew still and listened, eyes widening at her sudden outburst.

“Listen here, it has been the duty of the Equestrian Army to watch Equestrias borders for hundreds of years, but now I find your duty lax and unfulfilled. As such, I find that this nation's security can no longer be held in your hooves.” She said softly.

“W-what are you saying?”

Celestia sighed

“I am saying that I utilize my position as princess to revoke the Equestrian Army's charter. The council funds will be redirected to pay for damages done by the Diamond Dog Army. Lets see them complain about that. As the Army assets are Equestrian government property, not congress states property, I will be taking those as well and staffing them with my personal guard. You can leave the defense of Equestria solely up to me.”

The three commanders looked at each other, then her, unsure of what to say. 

“You three are discharged.” She continued. “Please leave, your assistance is no longer required.”

Turning red, Trueshot sputtered.

“This is outrageous, you haven’t had that power in- in.”

“I’ve always had the power to remove the head of the Equestrian army without parliament approval. I approve their selection don’t I, what makes you think I couldn’t revoke it? As for your assets, they are technically crown property, even if the senate pays for them.”

“I...see.” he said. Looking at each other again the three old ponies all seemed to wilt. Slowly they took off their hats and sat them on the table before heading toward the door.

“The parliament won’t like that.” Shinning spoke up. Looking at the doorway with disdain.

“No, they will not. Luckily I don’t need them.” She said with irritation creeping into her voice. ”What do you think sister?”

Her sister came forward to join them at the table. She shook her head in dismay..

"It has been some time since our war, sister. Why hast thou not updated the military before?"

Celestia turned to her sister sitting next to her.

"It was never my major concern. I simply expanded the guard to fit the need. Military was never my strong suit."

"True. It has always fallen to me...Yet I did not take it back with my return. Only the Night Guard answers to my commands."

"That will need to be rectified," she sighed. “It is too bad we cannot go back to the way things were before."

"Really?"

"Yes. I don't think modern Equestrians would accept fortifications and barracks in every town with ease."

Luna chuckled sadly.

"Yes, though this event may have changed their mind."

"Well, I for one think that stone walls would look tacky around towns."

Celestia and Luna looked up at Discord. The Draconequus was floating upside down, while sitting on a throne.

Made of cotton candy.

And peanut butter.

"Discord. I'm sure you care greatly about the aesthetics of our cities. But If I remember, did you not turn half of that Diamond Dog army to chocolate. Then eat one in from of the stunned Las Pegasus crowd. The factory owners had to file bankruptcy."

Discord threw his paw and feigned backward...which resulted in him spinning.

"Oh woe is me. What can a part-dragon do to amuse himself if he cannot turn a mountain to fudge?"

"A fudge mountain would smell after a while...plus put even more businesses under."

The part-pony creature laughed and snapped his fingers...then was gone.

"I do not see what you do in him, Luna...there is nothing of Star Swirl."

"I told you he would be reformed and he was...mostly. What else could you ask of me? I still love him."

The two stood in silence, thinking back to so long ago. How Star Swirl had come running into the throne room telling Luna of how he found immortality. How at first his magic had been wondrous...then how he slowly changed. All too soon, Discord was born.

"Luna, I have a report that Mordane's parents have been found. They were cornered in Appleloosa. Can you tell the guard to bring them in?"

Luna simply nodded, not envying Celestia's task of telling the parents of their child's demise.

The two ponies were brought in. Both were in good health, though a bit ragged as they had been on the run for days.





Celestia walked out of the throne room, leaving a wailing mother behind her. There was no comfort to give. After all, what could you say to the mother of a pony you drove to their death?

She had, however, gained two important pieces of information from the exchange. One, that Mordane had always been an alicorn, and two, that the two ponies feared her. That fear had been reflected in their son's eyes. It did not take much to conclude what had driven the stallion to such extremes. He had thought she would take away his free will.

"What a terrible, terrible waste of life."

The monarch turned her mind to his survivors. She had received notes on many. Anything with the Elements involved, was her concern.
Only four other ponies had been directly and profoundly affected by the loss.

Spike, Sweetie Belle, Pinkie Pie...and Twilight.

Sweetie would recover with time...her wounds were there, but not enough to break her. Spike was the same, yet Celestia felt he would carry some guilt for the rest of his life.

Pinkie Pie was another matter. She was depressed over the colt's death, as well as both the townsfolk and the dogs...it would simply take time for her to recover.

Celestia dreaded what would come next. Twilight had been moved to the palace hospital. Shortly after waking, she had gone into reclusion. The news of his death had hit her hard. She just could not make sense of it.

The monarch made her way to the library. Even Spike had been told to leave her be. On the top floor, the place was in perfect order. Every surface had been scrubbed clean. Even now Twilight was flipping through pages, cleaning books one page at a time.

"Twilight?"

"I just don't understand. Could he have been under a spell? But the amulet was given to me years ago..."

Celestia wrapped her wings around the purple alicorn. Tears streaming out of her eyes.

"Fluttershy has found more help. Plenty of volunteers to take up charge, for the hero. Rainbow is helping patrol the border, trying to find the dogs' trail. Rarity has thrown herself into her art. Spike thinks she is repressing what happened. Applejack is having flashbacks. I'm locked in this tower..."

"Twilight...it's ok to be thinking about your student. I'm not sure if you've heard, but we managed to track down Mordane's parents. They were reluctant to speak to me, even before I broke the news of their son's fate, but when I mentioned that he was in an alicorn form, they didn't seem surprised. In fact, if I understood them properly, then they believed that he'd been that way his entire life. I'll need to talk to them on the matter further, after they've had some time to grieve, but in the meantime, I plan to have them placed in protective care under false identities and feed the media false data to give them a measure of peace.."

An hour later, the Princess of the Sun found herself looking at her sun as it passed over the horizon. She floated over an envelope. A single bloody brown feather came out. It had been picked up by Sweetie Belle.

She walked over to a cabinet, and floated out one of five boxes. All of them contained small piles of feathers.
Now with one more.





A week earlier, far south of ponyville and the Everfree. Upon the edges of the great desert. A smoking crater blasted into existence in the wilderness. Soon, the silhouette of a broken and bloody hoof reached out of the hole.

Mordane was not even fully conscious. His body had lost a lot of blood. Blinking and Teleportation are two very different things. Though they are called the same.

One is making a pony’s relative mass near zero, then quickly applying force twice. The other involves connecting two space-times along the same time point, and should be cast by as few as ten unicorns.

Not even Celestia would use it. Or even could without being drained. It was suicide without weeks of planning.

Mordane, however, had done it while in a storm and panicked. Now he was paying the price. Burns scoured his left side. At least five ribs were broken. Two legs were injured. One fractured the other broken. To top it all off, his wings felt broken as well. Hundreds of small cuts covered his body and nearly every extremity was swelling in some spot.

"How am I alive?"

He worked to hold himself together as his mind located a nearby cave. It took time, but soon he crawled into it and after making himself a splint and casting a kill bacteria spell he went to sleep. He woke some time later. His two hurt legs as if aflame. In agony, he forced his bones into align and cast a spell to hold them there. Looking out he counted his good fortune that a wild apple tree was in sight.

Using magic, he soon had a small pile in front of him.

For a long time he laid there, drawing in food with magic. By day five, he could move around as his pain was lessening. He mostly slept, and at all other times searched the forest mentally for his next meal.

On day twelve since the lightning strike, he walked out of the cave an able-bodied pony. 

Unfortunately he did not have the energy to hide his form. So instead he used the cloak, and tried not to be seen.

A nearby town proves easy to enter without too much attention. He replaces his used food and buys a newspaper.

Attack on Equestria

Of all the towns that were attacked, few stood against the onslaught as well as the small town of Ponyville. The ability of the town to hold is attributed to a stallion called Mordane-

The paper went on to talk about how he was revealed as an alicorn, but that is when it started to deviate from the truth.

- The alicorn named Mordane died in a skirmish with Diamond Dog forces, after rushing off from the town. Further investigation shows that his parents, who had been present in Ponyville, died in the first wave.-

Mordane reread that line again and again trembling in rage. The paper bursts into flame.

Alone, with no one to hear, the alicorn roared to the sky. Years of pent up frustrations pouring out of him in a fit of rage.

He sat down and panted. Trying to think.

"Celestia took them...killed them? I don't know. She did something. I saw them. They were safe."

Mordanes heart froze in his chest.

"Could that have been a message from her. Letting me know she had them? Trying to get me to come to her?"

He stomped his hooves into the dirt with a dull thud. Thousands of questions ran through his head. Then he remembered the last image of his father. Face frozen in fear. His hoof pointing to the south.

Trembling, he stood. Knowing what he meant. No matter what, his family was under the eye of Celestia now. There was no way to be free of her. Not without power. Not without something to make her leave them alone.

He took to the air and flew south, out of Equestria. Headed for land beyond the tyrants reach. He didn't know why he was going but he knew one thing.

"One day, I will kill Celestia."





Celestia stands before a statue commemorating the fallen dead. Beside her were Mordane's parents and the Elements of Harmony. On the statue's plaque fifty names are listed.

Sugar Heart : Sugar Sprinkles : Honey Heart : Spring Darling : Honey Withers : 
Peach Darling : Mud Petal : Winter Sprinkles : Honey Song : Sugar Withers : Peach Hooves : Mercy Flow : Brawny Boulder : Lightning Flicker : Rota Scope : Soda Fizz : Border Line :
Tulip Fields : Colgate Crystal : Royal Lace : Southern Runner : Chocolate Curl : Mandarin Candy : Carrot Lionheart : Winter Withers : Thunder Wave : Star Whistle : Hollow Mane : Curl Green :
Lyra Heartstrings : Rock Bottom : Royal Star : Stiff Retort : Skitter Rainbow : Starry Strike : 
Mercy Rune : Stable Pot : Dew Drops : Peach Treat : Heavy Space : Steel Bound : 
Mercy Shower : Wood Cutter : Sound Wave : Ruined Heart : Stiff Lip : Reality Flare : 
Marching Beat : River Song : Rain Storm : Firm Cut : Mordane Stronghoof

Celestia bows her head, and sheds a tear.
> Run (Act two)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mordane flew.

Over the forest he raced, barely resting. Who knew if the sun tyrant’s scouts were looking for him.

Celestia...

That name filled him with rage and fear. Such turmoil like never before. It was the fear that drove him over the mountain and the hate that made him know he would return.

That bitch took them. She has them under her burning light!

The sun monarch he had been cautious of his whole life. With that article he had solid evidence of a tyrant and of her desire to control. To control those like him.

The thought never entered his head that they might still be alive. After all, why lie about the time of someone's death if you were going to imprison them? She could've just said they were responsible for the attack.

His parents dead after the first wave? He had seen them alive and well after the enemy was in full retreat.

So he flew.

He flew until his breathing deepened.

The sight of the crusaders waiting for me in front of the club house...

He flew until his wings grew stiff and the pain was nigh unbearable.

The first lesson with Twilight...

He flew on. Teardrops falling down to the world below even as his eyes were filled with nothing but rage.

Star Charmer...

His stomach churned and his wings burned. He would have to fly south, but what to do once he got there? How far must he go to escape her?

I have a pony lifetime to save them , but that might not be enough... plus she moves the sun. Should I doom the world for my revenge?

The pony felt untold turmoil. He would silence it, but... who was he kidding. There are some emotions not even his mental control could stop.

My home in the valley...

Memories flooded back.

His brother, sisters and maybe the entire town.

Who knew how far her knife would thrust?

Part of him wanted to turn for his village nestled between two mountains.Yet the rational part... the human part would not allow it.

They are likely already dead... even if not. Where would you take them?

He could not get there before Celestia's troops, and even if he did then he could not outrun them. Celestia was just too fast. Not only that but he had lost friends, a mentor. A whole life ripped away. He was just so tired, both mentally and now physically. Looking around he saw a river. He landed and sat down next to it taking a long drink.

After he drank his fill he jumped into the deep part and came out with a shake before sitting on a hot rock.

He closed his eyes and let the heat seep into his aching muscles, yet he could not find rest. At first he thought it was still his parents’ death, but no, it’s something deeper...

A beat, he could hear them deep inside they spoke to him. Something he had forgotten long ago. It was not literally speaking. his mind was just going down paths it had not dared since-

His mind continued back...back to the time before Equestria.

Back to his grandfather's grave, and his promise.

...I let that part of me go long ago. There is no use taking it back up.

Yet, a part said some things should never be placed aside.

They're dead because of me...What have I done about it? Run. She takes and I run.

I've been running all my life. Even before this world. I ran from my nature. Perhaps it’s time to start moving again. Perhaps just wanting her dead won't be enough. I need something more to push me.

In his heart something stirs... just like in the battle.

The beat murmurs to drive him on.

Rested now, he flew over to a fruit tree and picked what he could before lifting off again.

The sack on his right hip was full of food. Next to it was three canteens. On the other side was his knife and satchel.

He barely had any money, Kindle was burned by the lightning, out of commission, and his food was low.

Yes, there was not much to go on. All he had in the satchel was a tent, flint, two bowls, ink, paper, an extra cloak and a coil of rope.

Sighing he ate some food and flew on.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Mordane stared at it. How could something be so vast so... flat.

Before him lay the Badlands. A desert region just south of Equestria, and beyond this vast desert lie the lands of the south.

Not much was known about lands beyond the Badlands by Equestria. A few stories from traders in the port cities told of a region in turmoil. 

It was also where most who were, banished or ran from the law went. From what he heard there was dozens of cities.

But first he would have to cross the desert. Then he would have to climb the mountains seeing as how the ports would be closed to him.

Years earlier, he had read that the trip over the desert was seven days by wing, without stop. The desert would stretch right up to the mountain.

He checked his canteens made a mental calculation and took off.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Sand. Sand and more sand.

An unbroken desert of flat sand.

Six days of flying... no end in sight.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Mordane drank the last of his water.

There was still nothing in sight. He would have to resort to desperate measures. He sat down on the flat hard, salty ground.

Setting down his canteen, he left it open and focused.

He reached out.

Water... smooth... flowing... life giving water.

No matter where one is there is always water. It may just be so little that you cannot drink it. Mordane could not feel any pockets of water in the ground, yet a tiny bit resided in the air. So, taking the sun’s heat he pulled.

and pulled.

Why do things take so long out here?

He sat for an hour before opening his eyes, having pulled trace amounts of water from far away.
Looking into the canteen he saw that it was half full.

Better than nothing.

He looked out to the direction he had been flying, the sun guiding him. In the distance he saw something.

...Maybe.
______________________________________________________________________________________________

Two days later. Definitely something on the horizon. The collecting of water produced three fourths of a canteen.

Mordane was convinced he must have chosen the widest point of the unbroken desert.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Five days of travel later and the mountains barely looked any bigger.

Just how far away are they?

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Twenty one days...how the buck does seven days turn into twenty one.

Mordane sat at the base of the mountains, their peaks stretching into the sky above. He had read that the mountain was so high, that even the pegasi could not fly over it. It takes unicorn magic and time through one of the frozen paths on foot to make it.

Mordane refilled his water and checked his food.

...only a week's food left and that's with barely eating anything.

After day ten he had gone on starvation rations. Already the bulge from the easy life was shrinking. In a month his ribs might even show.

I don't have time to delay.

He set off and flew as high us as he could. Even after that, he had to make his way up a snaking path.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

After days of unrelenting desert sun the cold was unbearable, and only getting worse.

Mordane was stumbling, bleary eyed and panting, through the frozen pass. Already he had cast spells to keep warm, on top of the ones to increase air pressure around him.

All around him a blizzard pounded, cutting into his flesh. His hooves sunk deep into the snow as the heat from his body melted it before the cold refreeze the water into ice. Even as an Alicorn, immortal or not, he was dying. He suspected that death would have already come if he did not have magic.

Every step grew more arduous and painful. As he was about to give up hope his eyes fell upon a cave. It stood out as a black dot along a wall of gray.

Mordane quickly stepped into the cave and shivered before casting a light spell.

Bones met his eyes. Over a dozen bodies laid around. Some in pieces, while others were huddled for warmth with their belongings strewn about. They looked as if most had simply laid down to sleep and never stood back up.

Others looked like they had been ripped apart.

He gagged and scanned the cave. It was small and empty of life. Only a darkly stained rock caught his attention. 
Checking their belongings. Soon he found one who had a bag of bits. 

There was not a scrap of food though.

Mordane was so cold... then he had an idea. The bones were dry... with a spell he could collect them together and set them alight. It might be considered desecration, but then again it could also be seen as giving them a final rest.

The decision came easily and soon a nose wrinkling smell of burning bones was filling the cave. Mordane shuddered and it was not from the cold, yet the warmth was welcome, at least until he heard a growl.

At the front of the cave entrance was a... thing. It stood on four legs that met at an ape-like torso. Its fur and eyes were pure white, save for the dot of a pupil staring at him. In its teeth was a mare. Her body was covered in ice, and it was clear from how thick it was that the monster had found her frozen to death.

Mordane hoped for a moment that the creature would prefer the frozen flesh over the living pony trapped before it.

"ROAR!" No such luck.

The stallion charged his horn to form an ice spear, but before he could cast the creature hurled the mare’s corpse at him.

The pony body was never meant to react quickly. He was thrown against the wall, where he felt a sickening pop as his wing slid out of its socket.

Dazed and in pain. He only had enough time to push the corpse off of his body before the creature grabbed him by the rear hoof and started to drag him across the cave.

It was then that Mordane knew what the dark stain was.

Desperately he looked around for something. ANYTHING that could be used as a weapon. His eyes settled on a rusty spear head.

He barely even considered what he was doing before the burning bones were thrust into the beast face.

It screamed as its hair caught fire. Mordane stood painting and floated the spear head over and began to pull on power. The wind and heat from the creature’s flesh itself, was his only source.

A second later the beast turned and roared.

Yet it never had a chance to charge. It was silenced as a rusty super accelerated spear head shot out.

Mordane stumbled back, pain erupting from his chest.

He could almost hear the lecture that Twilight had given him many years ago; 

"For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Half of a unicorn’s power must go to counter the force on the body. This applies to any spell where a lot of force is being used to move something, otherwise that force is reflected equally back."

The alicorn wheezed and checked his condition. Luckily it seemed he had only been bruised.

Cautiously, Mordane moved closer. The beast continued to twitch on the floor until Mordane pulled up another sword and cut off its head.

There he stood.

In a frozen cave among the dead. Shivering from cold and fear.

There was at least one thing he could do for the cold.

Skinning animals was illegal in Equestria, and so was any product made from their flesh. Mordane was not in Equestria. The beast’s skin came off easily enough. A heating by the fire and a spell to both pull out the water and work the skin made it into leather. While waiting, he checked the poor mare and was lucky to find some raisins.

His time during that night was the coldest of his life.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

A few days later, he was traveling on the edge of starvation when in the distance he saw a gap in the mountain. 

A smile came on his face. Thoughts of his parents had kept him going through the cold and monsters.The gap opened to a sloping valley. Several paths converged into a singular one.Even as he walked out to the road, a few travelers on it did a double take at his monster skin. One even called out.He was a trader and paid Mordane in food and a book about edible plants in this region. Mordane found a quiet place by a small stream to set up camp before going to sleep, glad to be over the worst of the mountain.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Mordane woke up as the sun came through the crack of the tent. He feels warm and comfortable. He snuggles up to the pony next to him.

His eyes snap open and looks down in growing horror. His hooves are wrapped around another stallion. Both of them were inside his sleeping bag. The other pony turned to look at him.

Mordane mind nearly snapped as his eyes found a familiar sight.

It was Child Stalker, staring back up at him. The bane of his last six years broke into a large grin.

"Hello, beautiful."

RIIP!

Mordane sleeping bag was ripped open, as he tore out of it as fast as he could. In his struggle to get away the tent even collapsed as his scream echoed through the valley.

Child Stalker chuckled to himself for a moment before continuing. "Hey now, not so rough. You promised you'd be gentle."

"Gent- whuh?" Mordane shook his head vigorously just in case this was some horrible dream. "What are you doing in my bed?!"

"Well it just looked so comfy, and I didn't think you'd mind. I mean, you've never complained before."

Mordane ceased his struggles momentarily, his eyes wide and his mouth flapping soundlessly as he tried to process this information before yelling out

"I need an adult! ...Wait! I AM AN ADULT!" Mordane shouted. "Why are you still stalking me!? How did you find me!?"

"I didn't. I was just traveling to the south through the western pass. Though I did say you were interesting... aren't you suppose to be dead?"

Mordane was having none of it. 

"Bull. We’re beyond Equestria. Tell me now, or I’ll break your spine in half."

Stalker chuckled and reached into his main. He pulled something out and gave it to Mordane.

"...This is one of my feathers. How did you use this to-"

Child Stalker placed his hoof over the stallion’s mouth.

"A better question is, how I caught up with you. The answer to that is you are a moron. What were you thinking going over the mountain? You could've at least taken a boat around the long way."

"Well then how did you get over here?" Mordane asked accusingly. "We're nowhere near the coast, so you couldn't have come that way."

"Oh, that is easy," he said, stepping back. "I bribed the diamond dogs to let me through their caves. It only cost twenty bits.  I’ll pack up our gear."

As Mordane sat, contemplating how he had risked his life for no reason, he looked down at the feather. Something about it nagged him. Something...

This is one of my primaries... but it’s small. That means he got it years ago... which means he knew I was an alicorn.

He stared at the stallion, thinking back.

When I first met him he was able to resist mind sight... he is brother with Smut Peddler... come to think of it, this family has been there for a long time. Ever since...

He remembered Child Stalker all those years before.

"Who are you?"

The stallion turned... and smiled.

"A friend. Now get your things. We got to get out before winter falls."

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Mordane and Stalker continued down the valley and soon found themselves going down the other side of the mountain range.

They looked over the rolling hills and hills in the distance with a sigh of relief. The road would be easy to follow now. As they walked the two talked.

"So, Mordane, does your wing still hurt?"

"Not really... you have anywhere to go in mind?"

"Well I was going to go to Vrus to meet Smut Peddler, but I think I'll go with you. So... where we heading?"

"...I actually have nowhere in mind. You aware of what happened in Ponyville?"

"Aye, I was there. Mighty impressive how you were revealed."

"True,  Celestia chased me after that. I escaped after teleporting out of a thunderstorm."

"That could not have turned out well."

"Nope. Anyway I'm just going south... learn what I can."

"Are you going to kill her?"

Mordane paused and looked at his traveling companion, raising an eyebrow.

"Why would I do that?"

"Because she probably killed your parents... I saw your father flee. Then that article... did not know the sun monarch had it in her."

"...Yeah." Mordane looked at the ground and continued walking. “I'm not sure she really killed them... it still feels... shocking. I think though that she is holding them. She knows I know they were alive. It makes no sense to kill a bargaining chip."

The two traveled on in silence, before arriving at a town situated in a bowl in the land.

"I say we stop by the bar and sleep on the road."

"Agreed."

The two found their way to a table with drinks and made small talk until Mordane lifted his hoof up.He was listening in on a conversation across the bar between two younger stallions and an old grizzled pony.

"Yah, them Carics are the best warriors in the entire region! Why, no one dares even attack them!"

"Then how do you know they are so strong?"

The gritty pony leaned close and smiled.

"If you go near their valley at noon... you can hear them fighting. You see the reason they haven't conquered the whole of this region is because they’re split."

"Split?"

"Aye, split. Over who is going to be the next leader."

Mordane turned to Stalker again, who looked at him with a smile.

"Planning to make a stop, hmmm?"

"Well I would have to find out where that village is."

Stalker laughed and took a drink.

"You'll need to follow the road to Valenstien. Halfway there, you should hear the banging."

Mordane stopped half way through his drinking soda and frowned. 

"Have you been in this area before? Also, are you not coming with me?"

"Yes, I've been around, and no I'm not coming with you... I have to go meet some ponies."

Mordane smiled.

"Well I guess it's been nice knowing you. Maybe we will run into each other again."

"Oh don't worry Mordane, you'll never be rid of me!"

Stalker laughed at Mordane pained expression.

"Just remember to stay on the road."

______________________________________________________________________________________________

"For Terria!"

"For the plains!"

The two armies charged straight at one another. The pony soldiers of both sides crashing into each other.

Finally... I thought they would be here all day.

Mordane had been watching this 'battle' since both armies made contact three hours ago having completely ignored Child Stalker’s advice. It had consisted of one hour of screaming. One hour of staring. Then one hour of the two armies circling each other in mass.

What is with these ponies. That was terrible.

Why either general had bothered to try and flank the other side he would never know. Nor would he care to. In fact it seemed to him that they had must have met on even ground on purpose. 

Seriously. Why is this battle happening? Whoever initiated should of at least brought an advantage in troops or equipment... as things are, both sides will take losses and have to withdraw.

Mordane continued to watch for another hour as two armies of a thousand both lost a third there number to both desertion and death.

The two foolish earth pony armies continued fighting for some time before mutually ordering a retreat. Not wanting to provoke another attack neither army could clean their dead.

Just as I was hoping.

Mordane had lost nearly everything in his mad rush to leave Equestria behind. 

He was trying not to think about it too much. 

The amulet to hide himself had been beyond repair. He could not even hope to make a new one until he had a lot more money.

Therefore he would have to... refrain from taking off his cloak.

It had crossed him mind that Celestia knew about him now. So why should he hide? In the end, caution and not wanting to attract attention, made him decide against walking through towns without it on. 

Flying felt great and there was no way he would walk to his destination....

...This village is supposedly located on top of a mountain in a bowl. Well villages.

He had no intention of meeting Stalker again....though something told him that it was inevitable.

This clan would be interesting to see but dangerous. There is much he could learn about warriors in pony society.

The journey would take about three days....

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Mordane landed at the entrance to the valley on top of the mountain. He was impressed. The valley only had two entrances and both had towns snuggled right up against them.  What had shocked him however was the sight of the red field in the bowls center. 

Have they really been fighting that long? A blood soaked field... I dare not fly in. Better walk.

The gated pass entrance was held by two guards. They glared at him while holding their spears. Both wore a tunic in red with a strange mark on it.

"Halt! This is the proud home of the Tahcon clan. State your intent."

Mordane looked right into the guards eyes and with utter confidence responded.

"I am here to trade and learn with the master warriors of the Tahcon. Whose battle prowess is known far and wide. May I have entry into your home?"

The two guards chests puffed up at his request.

"It is brave of you traveler to so boldly approach our gate. Speak to our leader, that you may not be taken as a spy."

Mordane bowed his head and walked through the opening gate. Along its walls more flags hung with the symbol on it.

Upon exiting the pass he came into the town proper.

What a nice town.

The southern lands nearly universally shared one thing. Every group was composed almost entirely of its own kind. This was an earth pony clan. And in what was a rarity, it was an earth pony warrior clan.

The village contained well over a hundred earth ponies going about their day. To his right, a blacksmith was hammering away its melodious backing giving rhythm to the town. Houses much like Ponyville ones, hung close to the wall. 

Beyond the houses and fields beyond, lay a wall with guard towers along its length. In the center of the town lay a grand hall. 

As he walked ponies yelled out to him.

"Hail traveler, won't you come to my pub for a drink?"

"Ohhh, fancy a dance darling?"

"Arg, HAHA!  I wonder if you unicorn types are any good at fighting!"

The villagers would call out and many seemed to go about almost in a state of party. Mordane smiled at such a happy life. Could they really be fighters?

"WHAT DID YOU SAY ABOUT MY MARE!"

A crash sounded as a stallion came flying out of the second story window. In moments the entire town was fighting. Crashes resounded as ponies kicked through walls. The cling of swords provided a backing to the disaster.

Before he could understand what was happening however the fighting came to a stop.

"HEY! All of you get back indoors!  And NO fighting!"

The bellow and command came from a pony who had stepped out of the main hall. He was huge. Bigger than Mordane by a good two feet. His fur, mane and eyes were black save for the red cracks in his eyes.

"You!" He pointed toward Mordane. "Come with me. Oh and welcome to Tahcon."

As he followed the apparent leader into the hall he saw ponies pull boards and windows from alleyways and start repairing everything. All of them laughing at the 'small' brawl.

...They are all insane.

Mordane entered into the hall with the leader. The entire place was made from well-polished wood and reminded him of a viking hall. All around, ponies sat eating and cheering randomly. Occasionally two stallions or mares would headbutt each other... Mordane took note that the gender ratio was actually about fifty/fifty.
...maybe from a history of fighting the population ratio shifted... interesting.

The stallion motioned for him to sit. Mordane replied. 

"Oh I really could not impose."

"But I insist. It is tradition!"

The leader locked eyes with the alicorn. They stared for a short time before both laughed and Mordane sat down.

"We do not receive guests in our land often traveler. I hope we do not offend you with our revelry."

"Not at all... I was interested to learn more about such proud warriors. Could you tell me of your clan’s past?"

The leader smiled.

"Yes, but first." he drew himself up. "I am chief Running Sword. What is your name?"

"I am Mordane Stronghoof."

"Stronghoof? Good name... Now about our clan’s past." The room ,which had carried on before, grew quiet as it became clear that the chief was about to tell a story.

"Long ago," he began in a quiet voice. "Our tribe ruled over all the land from Tripington river to Inersel valley. 

Our clan had not yet grown to its full potential, however. Our ambition was without end... then the chief grew sick."

His eyes grew downcast.

"In order to choose the successor, a sword battle was to be held by his son and daughter. They fought for hours, yet in the end it was my ancestor who won. Pointing the sword at her fallen foe, she turned to her father for him to declare victory. Yet it was not to be so. The chief had risen at her victory, but so glorious was her fighting skill that his heart gave out. Shuddering, he fell to the ground."

He paused in respect and all bowed their heads.

"Her brother saw his chance. At her shocked face he swung his sword and nicked her shoulder. Then he claimed victory of first blood. Outraged, our ancestor attacked roaring the truth of her victory. In the end both were dragged away. Every day they met on that field were the stone throne stood. If either one could but get the other to admit defeat, then they could unite the clan and claim the chief’s sword."

"Chief’s sword?" cut in Mordane.

"Aye, The Sword of the Mountain. A blade forged with iron from a mountain’s heart. It is a glorious blade. A blade meant to conquer the world. It was placed in the old clan hall, behind the stone throne. For generations our clan has fought itself. Every week, one of us will march out in our armor. The other shall rush to arm themselves. Always we meet in the blood field... oh you should see it lad. A field stained red. Dozens of us will fall. Never to rise again. So long is our struggle. We charge each other trumpeting our battle cry."

"FOR HONOR!" he yelled at the top of his voice.

"FOR GLORY!" yelled the hall in return.

"AND THE RED DAWN!"

The hall shook with the warriors roar.

Mordane was in shock. He had imagined fighters but not this. It was simply... glorious.

"How long has your clan fought itself?"

"For over ten generations. My father and grandfather lie on that red field... I know they watch. Proud. Drinking to my honor."

"Is there no hope for peace?"

"Nay... not till they admit that it is I who should lead this clan."

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Mordane was walking through the woods. In a part of the valley beyond the wall, a waterfall fell into a deep chasm. There he would have time to think.

They are... greater than I thought.

The human-turned-alicorn had always thought of the ponies as terrible fighters. Almost too skittish to really make organized warfare. Now however he was faced with ponies who showed the spirit of warriors, instead of just desperation.

Perhaps the lack in matters of war is social rather than genetic.

Mordane found his way to behind the fall and with a few flaps of his wings he flew up onto a stone ledge.
And meditated.

Places like this one... I have not felt such in years.

The waterfall, the stone, the stars above all of it fit together. Such places draw crowds on earth or are broken by people finding their homes. They are places where the mind and world are reflected in one another.

Mordane felt himself fall back. Back through time, into memories. Throughout his pony life he had felt moments of clarity. Of how he was before. 

It’s almost like I walk around half asleep. Yet tonight... tonight I feel awake. My old spirit, reawoken.

The alicorn pony turned to look at himself.

...Why do I feel so old. Three lives rattling away in my skull. It is only at times like this I see the stretch marks. The times I acted like a pony child or the monster....Why is it so hard to find my center. To find peace with my place in this world.

In his clear view the answer came with ease.

I have no place here... this world has denied me.

With a cold detachment he briefly considered throwing himself over the cliff but it was quickly abandoned.
He had things to do. Obligations to fulfill.

Celestia holds my pony parents... my good parents. They deserve justice. Yet if I am to move on her... I may have to let that part of me back in. Dare I go that far?

In his mind chains rattled to the echo of drums.

"Runner..." whispered a mare's voice.

Mordane snapped out of his self reflection and looked through a gap in the walls. 

Darn I can't see anything.

The alicorn closed his eyes and used mindsight.

He felt two life ponies among the life in the area. Focusing he listened and put the scene playing out beyond the waterfall together in his mind.

"Where are you Runner?" asked a mare sneaking out of the nearby brush.

"Over here." spoke up a stallion confidently. Mordane already did not like the guy’s smug attitude but he put that aside to listen in.

The two trotted over and embraced just at the edge of the pool below the falls.

Quickly the sound of kissing wafted up to his secluded place.

He was about to call out to tell them he was here when the stallion called Runner spoke up.

"Did anypony follow you?"

The mare giggled.

"Golden Apple tried to follow me, but I gave her the slip at the poison joke fields."

"Did you touch any of it?"

She laughed again.

"Yah. But I bought some bubble soup. Why don't we take a dip?" she said in a seductive tone.

They both laughed and got into the water. 

Mordane listened for the next two hours. The context of their conversation had piqued his interest. It was obvious they were a young couple as they never went much beyond kissing. 

From there, multiple conversations Mordane pieced together the situation.

The mare was named Honey Dew and the stallion Running Glade. She was from the village of Tahcon. While he was from the other one, across the valley.

They were both very concerned about either village figuring out about their relationship. If Running's village knew about it, they would likely stage a raid. The other clan would do the same. 

Both were very set on not being caught. Half of their time together was discussing when and how they would meet again.

After an hour they left leaving a perplexed Mordane.

He had come to this village to learn, yet now he was seeing an opportunity. If the couple could reach across then it is likely that the division is traditional, not actual hate. 

I could try to bring them together. Would have to go look at the other clan though. 

His pulse quickened at the idea of healing the rift between the two halves of a whole. It filled him with excitement.

If I can repair an old wound like this one without... that, then maybe I won't have to change to bring her low.

Mordane knew he could not make such changes with only one side of the story. Even if there ancestor really did act so disgracefully, they might not see it that way.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Mordane landed at the entrance to the valley, on top of the mountain. He was surprised how similar the entrance looked. 

The gated entrance was held by two guards. They glared at him while holding their spears. Both wore a tunic in blue with a strange but familiar mark on it.

"Halt! This is the proud home of the Nochat clan. State your purpose."

Mordane looked right into the guards eyes and with utter confidence responded.

"I am here to trade and learn with the master warriors of the Nochat. Whose battle prowess is known far and wide. May I have entry into your home?" It worked on the last two.

The two guards chests puffed up at his request.

"It is brave of you traveler to so boldly approach our gate. Speak to our leader, that you may not be taken as a spy."

Mordane bowed his head and walked through the opening gate. Along its walls more flags hung with the similar symbol on it.

Upon exiting the pass he came into the town proper.

What a nice town... though I have a very strong sense of deja-vu.

Just like the other town, it was comprised of earth ponies. To his left a metal smith was hammering away its melodious backing giving rhythm to the town. Houses much like Ponyville one's hung close to the wall. 

Beyond the houses and fields beyond lay a wall with guard towers along its length. In the center of the town lay a grand hall. 

As he walked ponies yelled out to him.

"Hail traveler, won't you come to my pub for a drink?"

"Ohhh, fancy a dance darling?"

"Arg, HAHA! I wonder if you unicorn types are any good at fighting!"

Serious deja-vu.

The villagers would call out and many seemed to go about almost in a state of party. Mordane walked on with growing confusion.

"WHAT DID YOU SAY ABOUT MY STALLION!"

A crash sounded as a mare came flying out of the second story window. In moments the entire town was fighting. Crashes resounded as ponies kicked through walls. The cling of swords provided a backing to the disaster.

Before he could understand what was happening however the fighting came to a stop.

"HEY! All of you get back indoors!  And NO fighting!"

The bellow and command came from a pony who had stepped out of the main hall. She was beautiful, yet strong. 

"You!" She pointed toward Mordane. "Come with me. Oh and welcome to Nochat."

As he followed the apparent leader into the hall, he saw ponies pull boards and windows from alleyways and start repairing everything. All of them laughing at the 'small' brawl... just like the other town.

...I don't even.

Mordane entered into the hall with the leader. The entire place was made from well polished wood and reminded him of the other one, with only a few minor differences. All around ponies sat eating and cheering randomly. Occasionally, two stallions or mares would headbutt each other. If it was not for the banners he could've mistaken that he had fallen back in time.

The mare motioned for him to sit. Mordane replied. 

"Oh, I really could not impose."

"But I insist. It is tradition!"

The leader locked eyes with the alicorn. They stared for a short time before both laughed and Mordane sat down.

"We do not receive guests in our land often traveler. I hope we do not offend you with our revelry."

"Not at all... I was interested to learn more about such proud warriors. Could you tell me of your clans past?"

The leader smiled.

"Yes, but first." she drew herself up. "I am chief Breaking Wind. What is your name?"

Breaking Wind? Well, this will test my poker face.

"I am Mordane Stronghoof."

"Stronghoof? Good name... Now about our clan’s past." The room, which had carried on before, grew quiet as it became clear that the chief was about to tell a story.

"Long ago," she began in a quiet voice. "Our tribe ruled over all the land from Tripington river to Inersel valley. Our clan had not yet grown to its full potential however. Our ambition was without end... then the chief grew sick."

Mordane was well beyond any surprise.

"In order to choose the successor, a sword battle was to be held by his son and daughter. They fought for hours yet in the end it was my ancestor who won. Pointing the sword at his fallen foe he turned to his father for him to declare victory. Yet it was not to be so. The chief had risen at his victory, but so glorious was his fighting skill, that the old one’s heart gave out. Shuddering he fell to the ground. "

She paused in respect and all bowed their heads. Mordane mentally groaned. 

"His sister saw her chance. At his shocked face she swung her sword and nicked his shoulder. Then she claimed victory of first blood. Outraged, our ancestor attacked roaring the truth of his victory. In the end both were dragged away. Every day, they met on that field were the stone throne stood. If either one could but get the other to admit defeat, then they could unite the clan and claim the chief’s sword."

Mordane said nothing.

"The Sword of the Mountain... a blade forged with iron from a mountain’s heart. It is a glorious blade. A blade meant to conquer the world. It was placed in the old clan hall behind the stone throne. For generations our clan has fought itself. Every week, one of us will march out in our armor. The other shall rush to arm themselves. Always we meet in the blood field... oh you should see it, lad. A field stained red. Dozens of us will fall. Never to rise again. So long is our struggle. We charge each other trumpeting our battle cry."

"FOR HONOR!" she yelled at the top of his voice.

"FOR GLORY!" Yelled the hall in return.

"AND THE BLUE DAWN!"

The hall shook with the warriors roar.

"How long has your clan fought itself?" said Mordane hoping that she might know more.

"For over ten generations. My father and grandfather lie on that red field... I know they watch. Proud. Drinking to my honor."

"Is there no hope for peace?"

"Nay... not till they admit that it is I who should lead this clan."

______________________________________________________________________________________________

I think I might of seen some kind of massively improbable event... two clans both thinking the other is to blame. Both sharing a history and only some non-important things being the opposite. It's enough to drive one mad.

Mordane was divided on his next action. Revealing the couple could end badly or result in the ceasing of violence between the two clan halves. 

The only other option would be to try and talk the two into a peace which considering the said romance was likely more tradition than hatred.

Well I might as well go with the second option. The romance would probably be a better icing on the cake sort of motivation.

But how to draw the two together.....

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Mordane was walking around Tahcon the general paty stance of the town had not lessened since he last had come...

If he was to heal the clan, then understanding them would be a necessity.

So he wandered around that village until coming on a peculiar scene.

"Come on! Do you want the Nochats to have victory!"

Out behind some building on an open dirt stretch a few young stallions and mares were laden down with massive piles of iron sitting on a stone pallet. It was strapped to her back as they struggled to walk in a straight line while simultaneously holding a spear.

"Put your backs into it!" yelled a mare at the students.

"But we have no liquid of strength! " one of the stallions groaned.

''Quit your complaining!"

Mordane walked up to the instructor and lightly tapped her on the shoulder.

"What is this liquid of strength he talks about?"

She laughed.

"It is what we drink to make us more powerful! Without it victory would be impossible!"

Mordane nodded and moved on to his wanderings.

Soon he came upon the blacksmith who was busy making a plow.

"Good fortune upon you blacksmith."

"Good fortune and glorious battle to you traveler. Are you going to fight with us tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow?" he said with alarm.

"Aye, tomorrow we march to the red field. There the two chiefs will meet in front of the old hall and demand the others surrender. If they refuse to bow to us then we shall fight once again."

I will have to try then. It's the only place I'll have a chance.

"Ah, so that's what those things are for."

Mordane pointed to the edge of the blacksmiths land were some ponies were building what looked like siege engine parts.

"Aye... need those for the battle."

"If you are fighting tomorrow, why aren't you making any weapons or armor?"

"There already made. Takes far too long to make the armor to wait until the last minute."

The blacksmith then went on about how ingenious the armor designs were. Mordane could not understand it all really, but it sounded like it would have a built in cooling system of some kind and would make the wearer nigh invulnerable.

Mordane politely nodded his head and moved away as soon as possible.

There was not much more to do but eat and sleep in the hall before tomorrow....When he would have to pull out all the stops.That night a voice from long ago whispered in his ear. A pulse beat through his flesh...Gritting his teeth, the alicorn forces the memories and growing waves of hate away, before going to sleep.

*************************************************************

The following day, Mordane was waiting at the hall. It was easy enough to find as it was the only structure near the battlefield.

Looking down from the hill he could just not believe how red it was... almost as red as wine.

His attention snapped back as the two clan leaders walked up the small hill.

Coming to a standstill at the top of the hill both gave him questioning looks before turning to stare at the other.

" YOU STUPI-!"

"FAT UG-!"

Both parties started hurling insults at each other while Mordane simply stood there blinking rapidly.

Well....at least they haven't yet drawn swords.

Mordane sat there and waited until a lull in there yelling before cutting in.

"Would y’all two be quiet?"

Both of the chiefs pause and blink at Mordane.

"Listen, I know you two have not known each other long, but I think I can help yah."

"Help how?" said both at the same time. Immediately glaring at the other.

Psychologists would have a field day here.

"Look, are you not one clan? Do you really want to continue to fight those who should be your brothers and sisters?"

"Well of course not, but how are we suppose to work with them, unless she admits her ancestor was a liar!"

"My ancestor?!"

"Stop!" cut in Mordane." Is this really productive? What is really important?"

"Honor." they both said without blinking.

"Yes... honor. Is it honorable for brother to fight his sister for so long? Can we at least try to work something out.."

The two shuffled around uncomfortably.

Hope flared in Mordane’s chest. This was going better than he could of foreseen. 

"Will you let me try to find a way?"

The two chiefs looked at each other and nodded with only a tiny flinch.

"Very well... let’s begin."

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Mordane sitting in the grand hall of the united clan. Empty, save for the two chiefs and two messengers. Outside, he could hear both sides preparing for battle. Behind him, held above all the decorations was a throne. Laid across it was a blade that had made his heart skip a beat. For it was the sword that had been held by the last chief to rule from this hall.

Now however Four hours at the table and all they had agreed on was one that there was a battle between these two ancestors over a dozen generations before and two that the other was a complete tool that should bow down and lick the scum off the others feet.

Progress was slow.

"Look we are making no headway. Just tell me this. What is the most important thing about who becomes the clan leader?"

"They must be the descendant of the victor of the sword match."

Darn and without our knowing who really...

Mordane face hoofed.

Well it could work. If they don't have spouses... or their firstborns don’t.

"...Do either of you have children?"

"Yes, a son" said the mare clan leader.

"And I a daughter." finished the other.

No comment.

"Well... its obvious both sides have honor... why not merge the two lines?"

"WHAT!?" They both yelled nearly bursting Mordane’s eardrums..

"We are descended from the same line! It would be shameful!" Shouted the stallion.

"That was well over fifteen generations back... you basically aren’t related at all now."

"This is pointless!" shouted the mare. "Daylight continues. We go to war!"

With that she turned and ran out. Followed quickly by the stallion.

Mordane shook his head.

What a waste...I have failed.

The alicorn sat staring at the wood. Unsure of how he could've done better. Soon The roar of the two armies on the field below came to him.

So standing, he made his way to the front door.

Pausing only a moment to look on the battle below.

.....

.....

....

The fuck?

Mordane just could not comprehend at first what he was seeing. Part of him just refused to believe it.
The knights were lined up on both sides of the fields in radically large armor. Though even that description was not enough to describe it.

Each knight looked like an upside down ice cream cone with the bottom cut off. There helmeted heads sticking up and out. Two large funnels were mounted to their helmets. It took a bit to process, but the tubes leading down into the helmet and the smell of alcohol made it apparent.

The open to funnels were quickly filled with barrels of whiskey as both sides continued to yell at one another.

Oh god... this is...

Both sides 'charged'. The better word would probably be waddle, as the suits apparently only had one joint. So they had to sway from side to side in order to move toward each other.  An hour later the first two made it to each other. As they closed a couple of ponies ran out and straped wooden poles to there sides. 

Once close enough they would rotate their bodies and hit the other with the stick making a loud ringing noise.
Mordane continued to stare dumbstruck at this spectacle.

As the two groups fully conversed soon multiple ponies were hitting on one. Occasionally they would fall over only to wait as more squires dragged over the machines that Mordane had thought were catapults but seemed instead to be pulleys to lift the fallen soldiers.

Mordane simply had to sit and take this in.

...The field is red from wine.

...There fallen have literally fallen over.

...There liquid of strength is alcohol.

This is the most pathetic thing I have ever seen.
______________________________________________________________________________________________

Hours later, Mordane sat on the hill as the two leaders walked up. His blood boiling in shame and anger. As they came to stand in front of him both ponies’ pride seemed to almost fill them.

There looks filled Mordane with disgust.

Of course, they began to insult each other, but Mordane would have none of it.

“Be quiet” they both ignored him and kept on yelling.

“I said, shut up.” Still no response even as mordane began to tremble.

“SILENCE!” A crack rang through the air as a blast of wind and earth flashed out from Mordane.

Both chiefs looked at him with their mouths hanging open.

“I came here to learn what gave you so called ‘warriors’ strength. Having heard of your military past I even hoped to understand what held you back! Never could I of imagined that I would find a pack of fools.”

“Hey you can't say tha-” The stallion guard was knocked to the ground as Mordane kicked him in the face.

“I see now that you have lost your way! Yet I can save you.”

“We don't need any saving!”

“Ask that to your ancestors! That pathetic display out there was a shame on every one of them. If you fought anyone else, then you would die!”

He took a step forward and used the spell shockwave.

The ponies collected stumbled back as the wall of air hit them. Followed quickly by a hail of stone.

“What is your word’s worth if you cannot even fight against me? A single unarmed Unicorn. Now you WILL come into this hall. We will find a solution for reintegration.”

With that Mordane grabbed both chiefs with his telekinesis, and dragged them into the hall.

Both groups retainers followed. Shouting and threatening. Yet none of them would lay a hoof on him.
Cowards.

After sitting them down they began to talk. Reluctantly at first. Mordane attacked every aspect of the way they did battle.

Step by step, he forced them to admit the truth of how ineffective it was.

Soon food was brought and all listened intently.

A part of him that had laid silent stirred. As it edged awake his words became stronger, more sure.

“With time, all ponies may lose their way but that is not what matters! It is what one does when this is called out that determines the value of a culture. Now I ask you.  Please... for your children.”

The two chiefs faces were shame filled. Both  looked at each other and nodded. 

There hooves raised shake and bring about a lasting peace.

Then a bread roll hit the Nochat clan leader’s head.

Instantly, the whole place was in an uproar. Both sides began throwing food at each other while screaming like children.

Buck! What do I do? I guess I'll have to fall onto those two love birds.

“At least do it for the love between your two children.” He shouted at the chiefs.

Utter silence.

The chief Breaking wind spoke first.

“What do you mean?”

“I saw your son and his daughter kissing beneath the waterfall.”

The mare chief turned to her son with a stern faced.

“Is this true?”

“...Yes mother, it is.”

“You bastard!” Yelled several random mares from both sides of the room.

“You bitch!” Echoed many more stallions yelling at the other chief’s daughter.

The entire place descended into an all out food fight again.

Mordane just stared. In utter defeat. There was nothing else to do.  He stepped up from the table and turned around covering his eyes.

I can’t even... Do they have nothing that would bring them together? Are they so petty? What could they care about!?

Moving his hoof the alicorns eyes fell on their ancestor’s sword.

The Sword of the Mountain. 

…

If I survive this... No time

With that Mordane grabbed the sword with his magic and yelled.

“I’m stealing the Sword of the Mountain!”

Nothing. They kept right on throwing food.

“I’m heading for the door!”

Surely they will not let me leave.

About half way to the door he began floating silver plates and utensils over to a bag he made by ripping apart a pillow.

“You know this painting of your ancestor would make good kindling. Do you mind if I take it?”

The audible rip as the picture of their ancestor was torn from the frame caused no alarm.

“I’m nearing the door... with your special sword... and the picture of your ancestor.”

Mordane stood at the front door staring at the two clans still fighting.

You know what. Buck them.

and with that Mordane flew away.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

The alicorn sat on a peak, miles from the valley in the mountain. Utter disgust filling him. His hate and pouring into his mouth and out as a roar.

It echoed across the his.

The disgust was not aimed at them but at himself.

The only time I could even do anything was when... when...

Out from the past, the dark voice called to him. His grandfather’s words no longer seemed so strong.

...If I am to defeat her. Then I will need power. But revenge is not enough. I need something more. Dare I let that deeper nature free? Dare I risk becoming a monster?

The human in me gave up his ambition... I was willing to live a life on the side lines, away from the world’s stage.

I gave up my ambition.

Dare I take it up again?

On the mountain whose name Mordane never learned, he made his choice.

A broken mind came to that mountaintop.

One that was unsure.

Its heart hurt and twisted in confusion.

The alicorn who left, made his choice and steped on his path. 

His path of suffering.

************************************************************

Child Stalker came over the hill and looked down on the mud-ridden port city of Valenstien. 

Not a bad place to live. Well if you have the right mindset.

The road leading up to the city was lined with stalls trading all manner of goods. They would shout at passing ponies, hoping some would even look at their wares. 

What a mess...I could always take the backway.

The stallion stepped off the beaten path, while keeping an eye on the guards. Wouldn’t want to garner attention. 

He then made his way to the wall without being seen. Just over this section was the slums and the pony knew that no guards would be there... unless there had been someone important murdered... but that was unlikely. 
Better safe than sorry.

Focusing his mind reached out beyond the wall. With a nod of his head he willed himself to be less noticeable and grabbed the rope from his bag.

With one try he tossed the quickly made lasso over a rampart and made his way to the top before jumping down to the other side.

His landing caused very little dust to be disturbed and even less noise.

He made his way through the dark alleys.

Soon he began to pass a few ponies. Most would walk past. However one bumped into him.

“Sorry.”

“No problem.”

A few steps latter Child Stalker checked his coin purse and was unsurprised to find it cut.

I think I made a profit.

The thieves purse being slipped into his saddlebag.  It was about double the size.

Soon he saw a small colt sitting on a corner flipping a small coin.

Now what was the code for the region?

“You colt. Where can I wet my whistle?”

“How dirty is it?”

“A bit rusty...”

“Oh, then you want the Rusty Mug.”

Child Stalker passed him a coin after getting his directions.

I think I told him the right one... lets see if I say its wet, I want a brothel. Muddy, a thieves den... yay I think thats right.

The trip through the street  took him through a few of the towns districts.

The old slums quickly gave way to the stark lines of the craftsmen's houses. Followed quickly by the docks.

Out on the sea, he could see ships pulling into harbor even as those up close prepared to leave with the tide.

Taking a left he made his way quickly through the market and finally came upon his destination.

The place was a regular bar to any who did not already know the truth.

“What would you like.”

“To wet my rusty whistle.”

“What's your name.”

Hmm now what name would he set.

“Stronghoof.”

The bar pony nodded and pointed to the back. 

“He said he would know it was you.”

Child Stalker nodded and walked down the hall to the opening door. Once inside, he sat down and looked across the table.

“Its good to see you, brother.”

“Likewise. How is he?”

“Alive. You were right.”

“Good. Tell me, what is your plans?” Smut Peddler leaned back. 

His eyes shining in the darkly lit room.
> New places old faces
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


"If you say a lie loud enough and long enough, the people will believe it." - Adolf Hitler 



The space between the truth and the lie is a fickle thing.


If one tells a lie about themselves long enough.
Ponies won't follow me for my own revenge. 

You begin to tell yourself that lie. 
I'm not just doing it for myself.

You act on the lie.
I have to free those under Celestia's rule.

Then you believe the lie.
I will save them.

Then it no longer is a lie.
I'll fight her, for others.
 


It's the truth.



______________________________________________________________________________________________


In a flat spacing of land among the rolling hills, a little town of less than forty houses was resting beside a river. The leaves of trees were just beginning to brown and loosen, in preparation for their journey to the ground below a few weeks from now. 

Throughout the streets, young played while the old sat grumbling about the children playing, and the middle aged worked in the shops and fields. On one corner of the dirt roads interlaced in the small town. Mordane cautiously walked out of the pawn shop while keeping his hood low. The bitter taste of that clan's memory left little room for appetite in the young stallion. In all truth he just wanted to break something. The frustration from being so close to success, only for the lack of perspective to cut under him, put his teeth on edge. 

I could have used them...no! I must not think that way. It’s dangerous. 

Dark thoughts played out in his mind as impulses long suppressed from the now released part of his personality came to the surface. His perception seemed to expand and contract. One moment he would be so aware of everything around him, from the smell of oil in the wood floors and the distant look of the shop owner, and the next he would fall back. The necromancer had thought himself quite strong willed, cruel and terrifying. His evil intentions however did not compare to these thoughts. 

The worst part was knowing they were his own. 

Yet he would not give into them. No they simply focused on efficiency without morality. The shopkeeper not giving you enough gold? 

Threaten him. Find that mare enticing? Sleep with her, all you have to do is act tough but with a hint of kindness. Obvious daddy issues. 

On and on it would go. There was the other ones that were just as extreme but on the opposite side of the spectrum and would still feel twisted. 

Get some food for that homeless man. Treat him kind and use him after he becomes your friend.

Say hello to everyone you meet with a smile. Treat them with respect and they will respect you even more.

Follow that pick pocket and stop him when he does try to steal something. How do you know he's a pick pocket? By the way he looks at others of course.

All for himself. This side of him did not care if it was with sugar or blood, he would twist whatever he could to his advantage. 
It would be up to his more...humane side to control this. 

The wind blew hard through these streets catching up dust and blowing his cape in the wind. A string on the inside held the cloth close to his body. He had sown it in so as to prevent the cloak from blowing up and revealing his wings. 

As he stepped out of the shop that little cord snapped from the winds pressure. Desperately the stallion grabbed for his cloak billowing upward. His wings were out for anyone to see for a full four seconds before he grabbed onto it and pull down. 
His eyes darted around. Did anyone see? 

"Well I be a Diamond dog! You got both wings and a horn? That's Something! What, was one parent a pegasus and the other a unicorn?" 
Spinning around, an old earth pony was looking at him with a smile on his face. Mordane stared at the smiling stallion his panic quickly subsiding into confusion as he tried to grasp what the pony had said. 

What it's almost like- 

More ponies crowded started to gather around having overheard. 

"What, he has wings too?" asked a construction worker 

"I won't believe it till I touch em-" 

"Never been with a stallion like you before," said a mare with a seductive smile 

"Let us see em!" 

Hesitantly while still forming a plan. Mordane slipped off his cloak. The crowd ooh-ed and ah-ed. 

"What’s your name?" said the original stallion. 

Oh buck... 

Mordane thought nervously. 

What if Celestia hears about me? I coul- 

Suddenly he had an idea. 

oh god why 

Looking up he smiled as apprehension filled his stomach and yelled. 

"Why little old me? I'm called the Party King!" 

As some ponies laughed he could already see how to get the party going. 

I really did tell myself not to drink again...Well it should be fine. I just won’t get drunk Celestia is over the mountains and tails of the 'Party King' will only be taken as rumors from all those years ago. 

With that thought Mordane lead several of the ponies into a nearby bar and took his first drink 

______________________________(fifth teen hours later)________________________________________

Mordane opened his eyes. 

Groan. I said I would not get drunk! 

Pushing up from between the three mares on his coach Mordane stumbled up and looked around the room. Seeing his cloak, bag and sword leaned against the wall he walked over and checked it making sure that nothing was missing. 

Oh buck did I do anything with them...best check

Casting a detection spell noticed that there was a contraception spell activated on himself.

God I though for a moment it was going to be like the last time. Having to check up on here a year from now would be terrible. 
After packing up he walked out of the room and into the main bar area. 

You know what I'm not even going to ask how they got the flag that close to right. 

He thought while looking around the nearly destroyed bar.

Mordane stepped over the fallen bodies even as the few still awake saluted him.  

"Hail party king!"

"uhh thanks." 

Opening the front door of the bar Mordane stepped out onto the street. 

"...huh" 

All around him ponies were passed out in the street reflecting the look inside the bar. 

"Everything is looking better than I thought it would." 

As Mordane flew away from the town, with only a few fires and a lot less alcohol, he pointed himself south and aimed for the city that the townsfolk had told him of last night. Apparently there was a lot of jobs available there for those skilled enough. Mordane felt a small smile on his lips. The idea that no one knew about alicorn was just so strange to him. After last night at both the pawn shop and gambit table he had a tidy sum of just over a thousand bits. 

He was excited to see a city state. At first he had not really caught onto its nature but a few questions at the town told him what he needed to know. It was said to be the center of the northern region. It was there where he could find out how things around here tick. 

Mordane felt uncertain about his future, but happy considering his prospects. The townsfolk had known nothing of alicorn but that would not stop him from wearing his cloak. Best to avoid such attention. He glided down and landed at the entrance. 

He moved quickly toward the City called Tietus. Which was said to be in a state of unrest. Mordane chuckled to himself thinking it likely meant rebellion. 

Mordane did not know what to expect from the great city but his gut told him it was the place to go. 

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Flying over the last of the hills, Mordane looked out over the plains and down on the city. The sight that came to him was impressive. 

The coastal city seemed to be divided into four districts, and had two outer gates. The docks stood out fairly clearly, as did the marketplace, with its many brightly colored marquees. The bulk of the city was taken up by slum-like masses of buildings, with the last section containing larger, roof tiled houses surrounding the castle. Obviously the respective domains of the poor and the rich.One river ran through the three poor districts. It had an odd color to it but Mordane just chalked that up to weather. 

Quickly his mind ran predictions. 

Looking at the various sections and how run down they are one can make a fairly good estimation of the population...about five hundred thousand. No wonder this is the center of power. It's as big as Manehattan. From what I can see it's the port that gives it strength...block that off and the city would empty.

Mordane shook his head and smiled before setting down. As he made his way to the main gate he noticed as the guards considered stopping for a moment before shrugging and letting him walk past. 

Inside, he was assaulted by the sight and smells of the city. Trash, dust, smoke and feces. The reality of a middle age city came up and slapped him in the face. Sewage ran freely along the street edge with trash floating through it. Carriages carry both the wealthy and goods through the dirt roads of the city. 

Mordane gagged. 

Wh-what the hell...this place is...Even basic sanitation? 

The sickness growing in Mordane surged. He ran over to the road edge and threw up his last meal. Looking around in disgust he saw that nopony had even looked twice. 

This is atrocious. I have to hand it to the bitch, she at least lifts Equestria out of this sickening state. 

Mordane knew even with his knowledge, anything he revealed would likely cause him to be seen as a threat by the elite. Something to be fought or controlled. 

As Mordane walked through the town he purposely avoided bumping anypony. He down two raggedy individuals who actually purposely tried to bump him. A slight thrill ran through him both times, even as he watched them go to talk to others who were standing on corners as money exchanged hooves. 

...organization. A thieves’ guild of some kind most likely. 

He resisted the urge to laugh at that thought. What a world. 

As he stepped through an unavoidable puddle of what he assumed was water, the stallion overheard something that gave him pause once more. 

"Why, mares and gentlecolts, we have a fine selection today!" 

Mordanes head tuned as his heart sank at what he saw. 

Down a large alley, ponies stood close together in front of a simple wooden stage. Eight ponies stood on it. Two were guards. A third was the salesman. 

The rest stood in line with neck collars and chains. 

A few were mares, others stallions. They ranged from teen to middle aged. 

Mordane found himself making his way through the crowd toward the stage. A sense of foreboding filled him and words he only thought to hear said in film came to his ears. 

"Yes, before you today we have a fine selection indeed. These slaves were captured as part of campaigns in the south and are legally claimed. Just look at this stallions thick back legs. He could do some fine field work-" 

The former human watched as the first batch was sold. On the second he was wondering why he was not crying out... All he felt was just shock. Slavery is just so unfathomable to those who have lived in a land where all are free. 

It was only on the third line that he was snapped out of his stupor by a voice that sounded familiar. 

"WHY DON’T YOUR SCREW YOURSELVES!" 

"Shut up, you!" 

The guards dragging out the stallion viciously bucked him in chest, causing Mordane to flinch. 

As they held him in the middle of the stage the earth ponies face caught his attention. The stallion seemed familiar. In fact he was sure he had seen him before. It took a few seconds but soon Mordane remembered. 

"Brawny Boulder? Is that you?" 

The old drunk Mordane had meet after first leaving home stopped long enough to stare at the stallion. His eyes searching to something he could recognize. It had been years since the alicorn had even thought of his old temporary companion. 

"Who the buck are you?" 

"No talking to the merchandise!" shouted the sale pony. "Now this one may be feisty but he is strong! Chain him up to an entrance and use him as a guard! Do I hear five hundred bits?" 

Utter silence. No pony would want such a hoof-full. Many in the crowd were muttering about how the pony should of been broken before being brought out. 

He does not remember me. Understandable. Luckily I should be able to buy him. 

Mordane of course knew he would buy him. The question was how much it would cost. 

"Four hundred bits!" 

"I don't know, Boulder, that’s a might expensive," Mordane spoke to his chained up companion in front of him. 

A pained look came over the former guard’s face. 

"Buck you! If you know me then save me and then we can talk!" 

"Three hundred fifty bits?" the sale pony’s look was even more pained. 

"I'll give you two hundred bits," Mordane said with a smile. 

I cannot believe I would run into this guy again. 

"Only two hundred bits?" The sales pony looked around. "Do I hear three fifty...One twenty five? Yes you two hundred twenty five!" A random mare made a bid. 

I have to end this. 

"Three hundred bits!"

Nopony decided to go against Mordane’s offer. Handed a simple key they asked him three times if he had a guard to handle him, before letting him walk the stallion out himself. 

As Mordane and Boulder walked out of the alley way the old stallion was giving his new owner odd looks. 

"Why don't we get a drink, old buddy, and catch up." 

"I don't know how you know me, colt, and if you think you can hold me..." 

"Wouldn't dream of it. Just consider the three hundred bits a loan. I know you're the type to repay debts." 

The old stallion grumbled and followed Mordane into a bar. The alicorn ordered them both a soda, drawing a smile onto the owner’s face. 

"Really, soda? You really are a colt," Boulder grumbled. 

"Not as young as I once was, old timer... Do you really not recognize me?" 

He glared at Mordane before drinking the glass dry. 

"Can't say I do." 

The laughter bubbled up easily though Boulder did noticed it was a little strained. 

"Well what if I told you we met in Equestria?" 

Brawny Boulder took another long look at Mordane before shaking his head. 

"I left there about two years ago and had a lot of drink before being hit in the head and taken as a slave." The shame of being caught so unaware was evident in his voice. Mordane felt pity at how far the earth pony had fallen. He hair was ragged and worn where the collar was hung. The eyes looking out at Mordane looked deader than the ones from all those years before. 

"Heh. Guess I can't blame you then ...Perhaps if I tell you my name?" 

"Out with it. I ain't got all day." 

"I'm Mordane Stronghoof." 

The old stallion spat out his drink as his eyes widened in recognition, and after a few seconds he smiled as he started to recognize the colt from all those year before in the stallion before him. 

"By Celestia’s name, it is you! I can't believe you saved me," he shouted "What are you doing down here?" 

"I could ask you the same. What happened to that mare, Sugar?" 

"No idea. She left me after we came over the mountain, before I was captured. We were just running from some fines." 

"Disorderly conduct?" 

Boulder laughed. 

"Yeah. What about you?" 

This guy hated Celestia right? Perhaps I can find an ally. 

"Oh you know," Mordane said awkwardly. Boulder raised an eyebrow and Mordane sighed. "I'm on the run." 

"The run?" Boulder said with surprise. 

"Aye, from Equestria and her queen...I remember you did not like her as well.” 

The older stallion grunted an affirmation. 

"She has no respect for conflict. It will come to bite her again one day." 

"Aye, it did. Diamond dogs attacked Equestria." 

Boulder’s mouth dropped open, but he quickly recovered. 

"I assume the defenses failed?" 

"The attack was on multiple fronts simultaneously... The ill trained guard had terrible response time." Disgust and a slight sense of loss filled Mordane. It only magnified as the conversation continued. “The dogs were after slaves...I lived in a town called Ponyville at the time." 

"Ponyville?" he cut in, "The home of the Elements of harmony?" 

"You know about them?" 

"Of course I do. I was part of the guard before...Well before I fell out of favor" 

Mordane sat back."Interesting. What did she say about it?" 

"Basically, don't respond to anything and leave it up to her student." 

"...Huh. That's an...odd command." 

"We got a lot like that. So were you able to repel those dogs?" 

"Yes. Though it wasn't easy...I lost a few." 

"Only a few?" he responded shock "Gods, boy, how did you fight them? I would think the town would be taken. No matter if Princess Twilight was there." 

"I burnt the bridges and put all the colts and fillies in the town hall. Then built the defenses around it." 

Boulder raised an eyebrow. 

"You put young ponies’ lives in danger?" 

"They were already in danger. I just forced the parents onto ground they would not give up for anything. Because I let them know what would happen to their little ones," Mordane explained. "After the battle I ran from Ponyville and was chased by Celestia." 

This time the shock expression did not go away so easily. 

"Why did she chase you? If you were just leaving?"       

"...Well. I did something that threatened her authority. After that she chased me down and ran me into a storm trying to kill me. It was only through teleporting in said storm that I was able to escape." 

Boulder sat in silence for a moment staring at Mordane. 

"Look, colt, I'm not going to take it as rent that Celestia wants you dead! That’s just crazy. Nearly as much as you wanting revenge for it. Nopony is going to die for your revenge." 

That was obvious to Mordane. 

Ponies won't follow me for my own revenge. 

He would just have to give them something more to fight for. 

" ...This is unimportant. We have a problem. I only have six hundred bits. That is enough to start a home but not enough to really gain some wealth." 

"We? And what is this about wealth?" 

"Look, you old stallion, I might have freed you for our former acquaintance, but I remember how you thought. You're a pony of honor. The real kind. I helped you and now I need your help. Money is power and I need power." 

Boulder leaned back and thought for a time before his face lit up. 

"Well I do owe you some money it would seem...There is a way for us to make it back." 

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Mordane turned to look at Boulder with his face devoid of any emotion. Before them was a brothel with a hiring sign being held by a stallion as another stallion danced on a pole. 

"No." 

"But the pay’s good. With your tight fla-" 

"No, and if you complete that sentence I'll sell you to a fat, gay stallion who obviously has various STDs.”   

Boulder burst into laughter. 

“You're a backside, you know that?" 

"Fine then. I do have one more idea. Though you'll wish you went with this one." 

______________________________________________________________________________________________

"What is this dump?"

Mordane and Boulder were standing before a rundown warehouse on the edge of the dockyards. A bunch of stallions were standing in line leading up to a door. 

"It's a recruiting station for the mercenaries." 

"So you want us to join them." 

"Uhh..." Boulder frowned at Mordane "Yeah...The pay is ok, but the real pay is from the salvage. After a round I can pay you back and you can do...whatever it is you’re planning."

Mordane felt an odd sense that this was an important moment in his life. From this point on he would be building a destiny for himself. Such time come and go in life but Mordane was ready.

I need money if I'm to succeed. While becoming a mercenary was not in the plan. 

It does make sense however, there is not much I can be hired for...The experience would come in handy as well. 

His pace quickened. 

Besides...I'm not just doing it for myself...It's for those others under her hoof as well. 

"Well...I really have no other plans." 

The recruiting process was surprisingly simple. When it was your turn, walk out into the middle of the open space and state your specialty before demonstrating it. Mordane calmed himself before entering the line with Boulder. 

With his sword strapped onto his back, Mordane walked calmly into the warehouse once his turn had arrived. 

Three ponies stood in front of him with bored expressions. 

The first was an earth pony in heavy armor. His light blue coat and dark blue mane were offset by orange eyes. On his back rested a greatsword. The sight of him filled Mordane with unease. He fidgeted a bit. 

The second was an unarmored pegasi and carrying a lacer: An air blade dragged behind a flyer, meant to remove heads." 

The third was a cloaked figure. Mordane tensed up as he felt the necromantic energy. Though quickly he recognized it was not the one from his childhood. 

"State your specialty," said the first. 

"...Magic. If you mean what kind, I can perform both elemental, necromancy, minor healing, and illusions." 

The first two raised an eyebrow at that while the third simply said. "Show me." 

He paused for a moment and made up his mind. There was no use in lying about his power. This necromancer was good enough to know.

"I guess I'll do an illusion first." 

The three stared forward as Mordane’s eyes grew red. Quickly he was transformed wrapped in shadow. 

"Fear me." His voice had unearthly quality to it. 

"Is that rea-" Instantly he was cut off as he flinched. A wave of fear rolled off of Mordane. The necromancer fought off the mental attack with little difficulty, but the first two felt a little jittery on their hooves. He smiled at the younger stallion. Using illusion magic to dirctly induce fear was not bad. Inefficient but it showed proficiency. 

"Good enough. Necromancy and minor healing are related. Leave them till last. Show your elemental magic." 

"Are you aware of war magic?" 

Approval radiated from the third one."Yes. Please show me yours." 

"Of course." 

Mordane did not need to restrain himself. Reaching out he took command of the local energy that was unclaimed. The third seemed to be holding onto over half of it, though his grip was nothing impressive. 

Must be self taught. No use in holding back. 

Mordane quickly found his center. This was much easier since he had allowed his regressed trait free.  

His eyes snapped open. The calm flowed and stirred. The dust from all around the room moved and collected into a sphere. He compressed it to half the normal volume.At the same time he drew the moisture into a stream of water orbiting the compressing dirt clod. 

The third one was smiling and nodding but the two pegasi seemed almost bored. 

Well then. I guess it's time to pick it up. 

"I advise you to cover your ears." 

Mordane pulled a shockwave spell and stomped his foot down. The ball of dirt compressed and then with an exhale he formed it into a stone sword. At the same time the water formed razor edges on the blade.

The two pegasi eyes were wide as he stabbed the sword into the ground. 

Silence. 

The necromancer burst out laughing. 

"Hahaha. No need to impress these two, Mordane." 

"What's funny?" said the first pegasi, confused. 

"Oh, he simply was trying to impress you, but to someone who is skilled the first part was far more impressive. His control and strength were precise. Not perfect, but very good. That alone would’ve gotten him into the university." 

University? 

The first pony, named High Rise, nodded his head and chuckled. 

"Well I don't know a thing about magic. Though from your comment I can tell this one is worth the money." He turned to Mordane as the alicorn felt a flush of pride. 

"Do you have any other skills?" he asked catching Mordane off guard. 

"Well...yes. Though what more could you want to know?" 

“It helps our command. We do pay more if you have extra skills.” 

I really do need the money, I suppose being winged would pay more. Eh it's worth the risk. 

"What if a pony claimed to be a winged unicorn?" 

That gave them pause. The first one frowned. 

"I would kick him out for lying." 

Mordane laughed nervously. 

"I'm sure that the other necromancer over there could verify my wing’s authenticity... or I could just hover." 

They exchanged looks and the third one nodded. 

"...Very well." 

With that Mordane pulled off his cloak and stretched out his wings. Causing all of the three judges eyebrows to rise. 
With a few flaps he took to the air and hovered. 

Quickly, a bolt of thunder passed through where he had been as a rolling sensing spell ran across him causing a mildly unpleasant feeling throughout his body. 

The unicorn’s eyes became thoughtful as he set back down. 

"...He's genuine." 

Curiosity in each other their eyes was evident. High Rise leaned forward. 

"I'll pay you sixteen hundred." 

Mordane thought for a moment before responding. 

"Make it fifteen. Then you keep my nature to yourselves and whatever flying group I work with." 

After a pause High Rise gave a simple nod of understanding. As long as he did not get too big, most would dismiss the idea of a pony with both wings and horn as ridiculous. 

"I'll label you as a unicorn in the books and we will downplay your wings." 

"Thank you. Where should I report?" Mordane asked with a stern face. 

"Here. In two days, with equipment," chucked the unicorn while leaning back in his chair "You're going to need some armor. That is, if you intend to survive." 

"Of course. I will be here at noon, sir." With that he saluted and marched out. The eyes of High Rise watching him as an unease settled into his stomach. 

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Mordane sat looking at the entrance for the few minutes before Boulder came out. The human alicorn slight smile reflected the surge of energy and excitement of somepony who knows they are about to go and spend a lot of money. 

The guard pony walked out grumbling under his breath a look on his face as if he had spent three hours sucking on lemons. 

"Four hundred bits. Those bastards." 

"Only four hundred? That's half what a unicorn gets." 

The earth pony winced at that and had a slightly jealous look entered his eyes. "Aye. Unicorn mercenaries are rare." 

Mordane decided to refrain from telling him how much he was given. It would bring up questions. 

He knew for a fact that Bounder had no idea he was an alicorn... Mordane had no idea how he would react to that knowledge. The very thought caused Mordane stomach to turn. 

"We better use your money and buy our supplies." Boulder cut into his thoughts. "Who knows where we can find the things we'll need." 

"Well I have the basics. We will need a sleeping bag for you...and a sword. Both of us need armor. You more than me...You’re expensive, you know?" 

"Shut it, young’un. Lets go find what we need." 

______________________________________________________________________________________________

The armor was easy for them to find. For Boulder, he needed iron leg bracers and a center piece that covered mid drift and his flank. Mordane pointed out this would leave his breastbone unprotected. He grumbled something about stupid children knowing nothing of war. Iron is very rare in this world. Many nations would hold it. Tartris being the main port city of the south however guaranteed a steady supply and the lowest prices in the world. 

This gave them a price that most would've called a steal at fifty bits a kilogram. 

Mordane just took Boulders word that the armor was necessary and dished out six hundred bits. 
For himself he was much more careful. 

He found a battle cloak in one shop that was basically a regular cloak with metal plates put in sewn up pockets. 

Once realizing that Mordane saved money by buying the metal plates and some sewing material. Then he bought some quality gems for fifty bits. 

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Mordane made his way to the room he and Boulder were sharing. Sighing, he entered and rubbed between his eyes. 
Boulder laid on his small bed his side gently rising and falling. 

The room was tiny and beyond plain, filled with only the two old and dirty beds. The room was cool, but Mordane was sure it would have been freezing or burning depending on the weather considering it had such thin walls. The smell of dust and the kitchen below mixed to give the feeling of an abandoned part of a home. 

Opening his pack, Mordane laid out a large piece of paper made of pressed wood. 

Next he pulled out a paint brush and ink bottle. Finally he opened a book of magic symbols. 

With a calm demeanor he began his work. 

Learning enchanting was more of an art than a science. The symbols in truth held no power; they just acted as a means of fitting the entire idea of the spell firmly in your mind. The markings could be anything. It was just easier to use the magical standard markings. 

After about four hours Mordane stood up and looked down at his work. He stared at the waving lines and worked to hold the entire spell in his head. 

Reaching into a bag he pulled out a hoof cuff and some gems before placing it on the paper center where there was no ink. 
Then he drew on the power from the fire downstairs. Pouring in the power, he gave the matrix existence independent of his mind using the magic of making. Once the magical matrix came to be, he then bound it to the cuff. 

Small pieces of the cuff’s surface fell off leaving engravings similar to the ones on the paper. The very nature of the cuff was changed as it shifted from a dull bronze to a cold gray. Small pops were heard as the gems were pulled and set into the metal. 

Excitement built in Mordane as he lifted up the cuff. 

For a long time he had been certain that there were ways to magically store power. Why did Celestia’s troops wear armor with gems? 

Crystals jewels are mostly made from carbon and a naturally occurring magical field. It forms a sort of spreading structure throughout the gem. Normally when one tries to hold power in an item it will eventually lose it yet the Equestrians used several items that seemed to hold power indefinitely.  

It was a closely guarded secret but soon it came to Mordane that the structure of crystal could be used to hold the energy better since its tight molecular bonds could more easily hold power. 

That is what he used to make his copy of the clandestine bracelet...even if the end product was not as good as his original. 
Now however he had far more strength and skill. 

Though he would not be making a Clandestine bracelet. No this one would be a well of power. It would have a limit but with it he would have a store of strength that only he could access. 

All of this flashed through his mind as he lifted up the cuff and put it on his arm. 

"Go to sleep, Mordane...leave your magic till the morning." 

Boulder grumbled having been woken by his annoying comrade. 

"...Ok, Boulder. Good night." 

Mordane pulled on the surrounding energy and stored enough in the bracelet to make a building burst into flame before going to bed. 

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Boulder and Mordane sat on a curb just outside of town. Both had agreed that staying in the city would be extremely boring. While going out the sit next to the forest would be better. 

The sun was hanging. Birds flew across the sky accompanied by the occasional pegasi. The wind blew softly making the trees, grass, flowers and pony hair wave in its flow. 

Boulder did not know what to think of this runt. 

He remembered back to all those years ago when he accepted him into the party. 

Then he watched his girl die, What would that do to a kid? After he was able to lift up that huge boulder. Now all these years later... Hating Celestia. 

The old stallion would never admit it but he felt protective of the kid and at the same time afraid. 

If his story is to be believed, he had escaped Celestia...Impressive. Though I don't know what to think of that look. 
Boulder sat there as the question worked its way up through his thoughts. Growing and festering until it popped out. 

"Why do you think Celestia is evil? She has made mistakes but I don’t think she does it for herself." 

Mordane turned glaring before responding in a terse voice. 

"What, besides her blatant abuse of power and Equestria being stuck in the a technological rut?" 

Boulder’s reply came back quickly with irritation creeping into his tone. 

"Look Mordane, Celestia has not abused her power. She uses it every day to raise the sun and fights monsters who would destroy Equestria." 

"Tell me, Boulder. You know that long ago the unicorn tribe, whose name is forgotten, use to raise the sun. Celestia took over not as an act of kindness but as a display of power. Are you suggesting that the unicorns could not take over again. Oh yeah! That's right, we no longer remember how. Instead she sits in her unicorn noble court and rules from on top of the mountain. Throwing parties and wasting taxpayer money on maintaining a home there instead of somewhere more accessible. Then she leaves the roads of Equestria unpaved and maintains military control with her guard acting as a police force." 

Boulder raised his voice to match Mordane’s increased one. 

"Are you saying she made us forget? That's insane. It would take hundreds of years. Canterlot I admit is not the best location for a capital, but it is in the exact center of Equestria. And why would you pave roads?" 

"You pave roads so citizens can travel with more reliability or you at least build enough railroads instead of one way passenger cars between the major cities and Canterlot alone. Do you need more? Children are raised with her image on the glass walls. The holidays are designed to build her image. She has ruled unopposed for over a thousand years and only recently has her sister returned from a banishment caused her loneliness. Loneliness! Celestia's pride is such that she would rather send her sister away then let her be an equal in the eyes of her people." 

"People?" 

"Nevermind that!" 

"Luna betrayed the Equestrian ponies wh-" 

"Look you're already spouting her propaganda" 

"You are just jealous of the love she receives!" 

Mordane and Boulder were on their hooves glaring at each other, but at that Mordane took a few steps back. 

" Jealous...jealous. JEALOUS! YOU FUCKING BASTARD! DO YOU KNOW WHAT SHE DID TO ME?!" 

"What! What could she of possibly done Mordane!?" 

"SHE KILLED MY PARENTS!" 

Silence. 

Boulder stared at the panting stallion. Unable to believe what he heard. Mordane spoke quietly. 

"On the day of the diamond dog attack my parents were in Ponyville...I saw them alive after the fighting was done. DONE! I threatened her power and she killed them."

Mordane sniffed and blinked a few times before turning and bolting out the door torward the forest leaving Boulder to watch him go.

The old stallion only stood, blinking before opening him mouth to wisper.

"She...couldn't have."

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Mordane galloped away from the stallion, his eyes burning. Rushing between trees and fallen logs he growled before seeing a clearing between the trees teleporting into the sky.

To far away to been seen by Boulder he flew like a rocket until landing in a flat clearing. 

Snarling he lashed out with his mind scouring the area for any sapient that could hear him before pacing around. He snarled and stopped staring into the distance. 

Mordane had thought his anger had grown cold yet all it took was a little hot air from Boulder to set it ablaze. 

With his emotions running high, the old magic of Star Swirl was activated and soon he could hear music. 

With rage filling him he sang the song that came from his heart. 

__________________________________________________________ 

What does that bastard even know! 
.... 
How can he not see what she sows! 
.... 
The fire of nations , misery and woe! 
.... 
How can he not see her flow. 
.... 
How she keeps them in depravity. Making markers. 
Nothing as it seems. 
... 
She taxes the poor to give parties to the rich. 
She sets above to glow and makes her sister a bitch. 
... 
She builds castles to scrape the sky 
Yet does not pave the roads 
so my father has a hospital for his wife! 
... 
For over a thousand years she has reigned. 
Hiding behind her smiles a million ponies pain! 
... 
Well this pony, no this human sees true. 
Watch out I'm coming for you. 
... 
Hell and fire I'll bring. 
.... 
To twist your throne at its seams. 
... 
All the world is a stage 
now I know the part I play 
... 
So rest in peace 
You avatar of the sun 
.... 
for when I come before you 
your last song will be 

DONE 
_________________________________________________________ 

Drained of his rage Mordane leaned on his front hooves that he had been pounding into the now cracked stone. Shacking only one thought ran through his mind.

I have to free those under Celestia’s rule. 

Child stalker watched the panting alicorn beneath him from the trees as the dust began to settle and Mordane's horn stopped glowing.

"Well Buck, Somepony gots problems."

He leaned back in the tree and covered in shadow.

"Poor colt."
> Mercenaries
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mordane and Boulder reported to the warehouse the next day after both apologized and picked up their armor. 

From there, they were directed to a place just outside of town. 

As he came up on the mercenary camp, Mordane felt an itch rising in the back of his brain while he looked at it. 

So disorganized. Wonder they can get anything done. 

The tents of the camp were placed at random. Mordane could see at least three places where food carts were. Armor, tents, and ponies of every shape and size could be seen as well. No overall plan seemed to exist and even as he was looking the stallion could see at least three fights going on.

Walking along the path he came across a board pony sitting at a table who called him over. 

"Name?" 

"Mordane." he responded "This is Boulder." 

"Find the tent labeled forty five. The third guy is in there. Do you have a tent of your own?" 

"Yes." 

"Leave it here." 

They complied, both giving each other looks knowing that this was a means of manipulation. 

Wondering around aimlessly Mordane resisted the urge to growl as the disorganization was repeatedly thrown in his face. The smell of dust, mud, piss and crap permeated the air but Mordane had grown use to that in the city. The ground beneath him had been churned to mud by hundreds of ponies over time. 

After an hour of searching both of them were tired and ready to rest. 

"There it is." 

Mordane walked in first and looked around the small tent before his eyes locked on the only pony inside. His groan was the equal of any prisoner who had just heard the death sentence. 

"Hey, beautiful. Fancy meeting you here," Child Stalker said while laying on his side and facing the entrance. 

"How in Tartarus did you get the same tent as me?" Wait I know that already "You know what just give me whatever feather you took." 
Boulder looked confused but shrugged and rolled out his cot. 

"Now, now, you must know I have backups." 

"Of course you do. Do you at least know if we are getting another pony in our tent?" 

"Naaa. When I bribed the tent assigner so he would put you and anyone you brought with you here." 

"No surprise there. Can you even fight?" 

"Of course." 

Mordane laid down on his side of the tent as Boulder talked to Stalker. 

"So how do you know this waste of flesh?" 

"I could ask the same. We met in Ponyville shortly after his arrival." 

"You going to tell him how you stalked me for upwards of six years Child Stalker?" Mordane butted in. 

"Nah, he probably won’t care about that." 

"Your name is Child Stalker?" asked Boulder with confusion on his face. 

As the two started to exchange stories, Mordane left the tent to report to his superior unicorn mage. It took several questions and near threats to find his tent. 

It was bigger than most and a shiny green. Two guards in gray plate armor stopped him before he entered and asked for his name before checking with the unicorn inside. 

After being allowed inside Mordane looked around to see a surprisingly plain tent with a regular cot, a table, and what appeared to be an alchemy set. 

"Mordane?" asked a voice from his right. 

Looking over, he saw the necromancer from earlier and saluted. 

With a warm smile, he motioned to a mat beside him as a cup floated over filling with alcohol. 

"Come sit with me, Mordane. We have to discuss some things." 

"It would be my pleasure, sir," said Mordane returning the smile and sitting down. 

"Now, young one. What do you know about combat?" 

"Well... I was involved in the planning and fighting of a battle to the north. A bunch of farmers were facing diamond dogs." 

"Sounds like a terrible situation. Tell me, how did you fight. Personally I mean." he said while pouring himself a glass as well. 

"Thank you," Mordane commented as he picked up his own glass. "I used my War magic mostly.Used the other ponies to hold the front line. Ended up spending most of my time counteracting their shamans." 

"Really? How many of them were there?" 

"I do not know. If I may ask, what is your name?" 

"Oh thats right," he said tapping the side of his head. "We three forgot to tell you our names. I am Steady Gaze. The first pegasus with the great sword was High Rise and the other was Cloud Charmer." 

"I am pleased to know you, Steady Gaze." 

"Please just call me Gaze" 

"Mr Gaze. I however must admit that I have no experience working with others in battle with magic." 

"Ah." Concern flashed up onto Gaze's face. "Well its rather simple. We split into two groups. One attacks, the other links minds and defends." 

Mordane tensed up. "Link minds!?" 

"Do you have a problem with it?" Anger flashed through the Unicorns eyes. 

"Well... no. Its just I've been told that linking with my mind is uncomfortable," Mordane said hoping the unicorn would just accept it. 

"Really? Well link with mine right fast." 

"Are you sure?" 

"Yes, I'm sure. With as long as I've been at it there should be no problem." 

"Isn't it dangerous, I mean my last teacher never got around to it."

Actually I got her to avoid it. I swear, that girl’s lists. 

"Not at all. The only danger while linking mind is if one of your minds is so much more powerful that it can swallow the other and does so." 

"...And if that happens?" 

"Oh ummm....Well normally three or four unicorns must work together to break through anothers mind. At that point the unicorn could pretty much take what they wish." 

"What about controlling them?" 

Gaze shook his head. 

"Oh no, that would be too difficult. It would require a constant connection and would drain energy constantly. The mind is self correcting, any attempt at permanent control would be shrugged off." 


"What of memories?" 

"Lock them behind a wall and I won’t see them." 

Mordane thought back the the first necromancer he had defeated and nodded his head. Even after breaking through the best he had been able to do was hold him. 

"Very well... Let’s proceed." 

With a mental twist Mordane pulled back on his memories, locking them away. Mordane felt as the stallion reached out and made contact. At first he almost panicked but soon he could feel Gaze’s mind reaching out like an open hand. 

Mordane reached out in return and contact was made.

Gaze gasped and pulled back his mind before shaking his head. Stumbling from his chair Gaze darted to the other side of his tent and sat gasping. 

The old unicorn did not know what to think of the mind behind those eyes. It was like he had been smacked. What confused him even more was that he felt no ill will from it. That extreme turmoil was just the normal state. 

"By the old gods, boy. Where did you get a mental shield like that?" 

"I'm sorry?" Mordane confusion and worry welling up inside of him. 

"That mental wall you have around your mind. Its like a torrent of emotion." The old stallion came back close and floated over a quill and paper. "How do you function with such turmoil?" 

"...Uhh." 

Mordane did not understand what could this stallion be talking about his mind was a calm sea. 

I mean I don't feel agitated. In fact I'm rather calm. 

"Err, it’s just the way I think. I mean, I don't really feel all of that. It just goes on." 

"Fascinating. Your mind is similar to predators if what you say is true. The normal pony mind would have to have a strong will in order to touch your mind. I wonder what would have caused this?" 

Gaze started pacing around the tent leaving Mordane to sit. 

"Umm, Sir? What does this mean for my working with the other unicorns." 

"Hmm? Oh yes. It means you will not. Quiet a gift you have there. I will assign you to the aggressive team." 

"Thank you, sir." 

"No problem. Now report to your tent, we march tomorrow." 

"Where are we going?" Mordane asked curiously. 

Gave paused as a stern look came over his face. 

"That is not your concern," Gaze's voice said with a tone that could cut air. "Just follow orders and we will get out alive." 

Mordane bit back a retort at the sudden harsh rebuttal and saluted before leaving. 

Just think about the money. It is worth it for that. 
______________________________________________________________________________________________

The bitter taste in Mordane’s mouth from the uncalled-for rebuke still lingered on the tongue as he neared his tent. 

The sound of Boulder and Child Stalker arguing came out from the tent causing his to frown. Walking in he sat down and waited for the time to butt in and end the argument. 

"The reality of war is violence. To strike without the intent to kill is to do nothing," said Stalker with a cold tone and he laid on his back looking at the top of the tent. 

Boulder was standing with his eyes ablaze. He was practically spitting fire. 

"The point of violence is not to kill! Its to protect those who cannot protect themselves!" 

"Any who cannot protect themselves will inevitably fall to those who are strong. All who oppose a nation’s safety should be destroyed." 

"At some point or another every nation becomes a threat! Your interpretation would lead to constant war! Violence is a necessity of familiar. It is with the threat of violence that a nation can have peace." 

Stalker stood up, the calm expression falling from his face to reveal ager every much as hot as Boulders. 

"By your own admission peace is but a delusion! The time before inevitable combat! Violence begets violence and only with destruction of all but one people will it end!" 

"You sico-" 

"Both of you are wrong," Mordane cut in. 

"What would you know about it?" snapped Boulder 

"Enough. Violence is the base of civilization. It is only through force that order is established. To put it simply; Violence is control."

"We were talking about war! Not control." 

"War is violence. Nothing more than violence on a massive scale. The extension of control through force in its most base form. Everything that holds society together is only an extension of that basic form of control and could not have come into existence without it." 

Boulder was frowning at the statement, trying to understand what he was saying. 

"Do you mean that violence is neither evil nor good?" asked Stalker with surprise coming over him. 

"Yes. It is simply put a tool. Something to be used with caution. Too much and you risk destruction. Too little and you leave the world’s fate in the hooves of others." 

A smile broke on his face. 

"I would not of guessed you understood philosophy, Stalker." 

"Oh yes I do. It helps in my line of work." 

"Stalking children?" cut in Boulder. 

A knowing smile met his. 

"Not necessarily. Though I must admit, that particular interpretation I've never heard before, Mordane. Where did you hear it?" The curiosity evident on his face. 

"Nowhere. Now go to sleep. We have a lot of marching tomorrow." 

Actually I came up with it as a human. One of my many useless hobbies back then. 

With that all three laid down and went to sleep one by one. 

Only to be woken by drums at six in the morning. 

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Marching and camping and camping and marching and eating and camping and marching and sleeping. Just how far away is this job anyway? 

The army had been moving for days. In the evening they would set up camp wherever they happened to stop. Normally there would be no water or flat, clear ground. Mordane would use his sword to go cut wood. This was not good for the blade, which pleased the alicorn. His distaste of that clan was still strong. 

Mordane and the other two had taken to filling a barrel with water and carrying it with them in a cart they had found. 

Well, found in the supply train...with bags of salt in it. They simply threw the bags into another cart and pulled it away. No one had complained yet. Sharing it had helped to make them popular among the others. 

Mordane himself had gone to High Rise about the problem. His exact words were, ‘A little thirst will make you lot march faster’ 
Idiot. 

The army had stopped for the day and Mordane had decided to take a crack at repairing Kindle. 

Sitting her on the water barrel in front of him, Mordane assessed the damage. 

The spine was cracked and a large part of the side was burned by the lightning. It had even made its way through the book cover. 

This is way over my head. At the very least I would need another vessel and several ponies help. Plus weeks of preparation. Even then, there is no guarantee that all the knowledge would survive. 

"Hey, Mordane" 

"Hello, Stalker. Where have you been?" 

The pony came walking in and looked at Mordane’s book. 

"Oh not much. Yourself?" 

"I'm considering Kindle’s injuries." He lifted her up and began rotating it around. 

"Kindle is her name? I was wondering, never caught it before you moved into that blasted hidden room." Mordane glared at him. "Sorry." 
He sighed. 

"Its alright, Stalker. I forgive you. For all of it. I'm sure you had your reasons."

"Wow, Mordane," he said raising his eyebrows. "That’s generous of you. What's it been, two months since Ponyville?" 

"Aye... two months." 

"How much could be in that book anyway? You must be running out of things to learn from it." 

"Well, it’s magical...and made by Star Swirl. The information could be... well, everything he learned. Though I must admit I was nearing the edge of useful info. It seems he only put in the stuff that was difficult for him. Most of it is useless to anyone else but him." 

"Then why do you want to repair it?" 

"...Just seems like a waste." 

A smile slowly dawned on Stalker’s lips. He laughed out loud. 

"You miss her, don't yah?" 

"What? Nah, she is just a construct. A creation of magic and logic puzzles....She could not really be alive." 

"That’s not really the question here." 

Mordane hung his head as Stalker laughed. 

"Look, Stalker...I just wanted something I'm use to. New land, destroyed life, I don't even know where the army is going!" 
The angry stallion threw down Kindle with a smack against the barrel in anger as Stalker paused and considered what he said. 
"Well we are headed into Cabistien. West of Tietus." 

"Cabistien? Why is it called that?" 

"No idea. All the cities down here have random names. Anyway, Cabistien is a kingdom with three cities under its control. The leader ruling from the capital with a dozen lords I think?" 

"Is it a queen or king?" 

"Not sure currently. Changes from time to time... How much do you know about the south?" 

Mordane took a seat and made himself a cup of water. At the same time stalker moved over and picked up his saddle bags before sitting across from him. 

"Nothing really. ‘Sept what you just told me." 

"Hmm, give me a moment." 

Stalker sat rubbing his chin with the ankle just before the hoof. Seemingly thinking on what he wanted to tell Mordane. 
A growing apprehension started up in the younger stallion. 

What could be making him think about it so hard? 

"Look, Mordane. I am no good a drawing maps and the captain would not like it if his disappeared. So I'm just going to show you my way. Keep your fancy unicorn magic out of it. Ok?" 

"Sure?" Mordane didn't know what to make of Stalker’s statement. It did not seem to make sense, but the pony/human would obey. 

With a nod of his head Stalker rummaged around his sack. Taking out various bottles and books. Soon a small pile was around him leaving Mordane to conclude that the pony’s bag had to be smaller on the outside than it was inside. Soon however he pulled out a large gem. As Stalker packed his things back into the bag Mordane examined the crystal with his eyes. 

It has a large reddish gem that was mostly clear. Oddly enough, it was shaped like a small bowl even though Mordane could not see any cut marks. To his eye it seemed to have simply grown that way. 

Excitement came rushing back to Mordane as his mind started jumping for solutions to what could make such a thing. It had to be something magical, but It did not use unicorn magic and can be used by an earth pony? 

It was said that only unicorn horns could cast spells, and this was true but there was plenty of evidence to suggest that it was not the only form of castable magic. Pinkie Pie had been enough evidence to that. There was also the crystal heart that Twilight talked of. In her mind, it had to have been unicorns who made it, but Mordane was not so sure. Especially since the Crystal Empire was an earth pony state. 
Stalker reached out with one hoof and tapped on the crystal. At that moment Mordane felt a rush in his mind. 

The crystal began pulse. Growing darker and lighter shades of red repeatedly. After a moment a sphere of light floated up out of the cut and took shape before his eyes. 

Mordane gasped.

Before him was a map but no still image. No, it had moving seas and oceans. Clouds moved over its surface as strange shapes took form on the land mass. 

"This is the land south of the great divide. What the southern nations call the mountain range between Equestria and here. About 400 miles from that mountain range to the peninsula with six kingdoms and five city states." 

Stalker stopped looking at Mordane and rubbed the side of his head. 

"Sorry. Maintaining this mental image is difficult." 

.I can imagine so without a spell. Did you make this thing?" 

Stalker smiled. 

"Aye...I suppose you would want me to teach you. Should be possible with your earth pony side." 

"Well I have noticed I can't sense you. Is that part of this ability as well?" 

"Well that would be telling. Now look at this map. You see how it looks like two letter U's with the left one flipped over and the whole thing rotated to the right? The place where the two meet is usually were these ponies call the divide between north and south." 

"Do they not know of Equestria?" 

"They know of it but not much beyond that. It took many years for my people to move north of the wall." Stalker grew gloomy and thoughtful before shaking his head. 

"In the north is Toe, Derrena and Frozi. Derrena being the largest." 

"Why does the Frozi name have a griffin behind it?" The half bird half lion was cast in shadow behind the name. Glaring in anger. 

"That land use to belong to the griffin empire before the pony revolution five hundred years ago. As to why you can see that on the map...Well the image comes from on my own mind so my… thoughts on the different places will probably leak through." 

"Okay." 

Looking at Derrena he saw a bunch of ponies walking around whispering to one another. Occasionally one would pick up a crown. Soon however he would be stabbed in the back. Toe showed ponies in rags next to ponies covered in diamonds on the coast as ships were moving around in the water. 

"Cabistien rests on the north side of the divide between north and south. While Dimier is on the southern half. Irona is south of that." 

Cabistien seemed to consist mostly of ruined forts and ponies building forts, on both the north and south frontier. Dimier was the same on its north while the south was covered in ponies with spy glasses and ponies standing around eyeing the nations to the south. 

"Then there are the city states. Tartus we left two weeks ago in the regions center. On the opposite side of Cabistien than Ike. Which as you can sees hugs the west coast bellow Toe. Both are port cities." 

Mordane looked at Tartus and could only see what seemed like ponies crawling over one anouther. They would change position and looks so quickly he could not trace any pattern. While Ikes border with Cabistien seemed shabby, almost non existent. Ponies could be seen crossing all the time. 

"Fae, NIe and Heridon line the southern peninsula with Herdon being on the very tip." 

The three city states seemed to consist of children throwing rocks at each other. occasionally they would charge over each others border and grab whatever they could. Fae seemed to be made of pegasi while Nle had earth ponies. Heridon was the only city with both earth ponies and unicorns. Though the unicorns were covered in fine dress while the earth ponies were covered in mud. 

"Now listen. Toe, Derrena, Dimier, and Irona are all ran by kings and queens who rule absolutely. Cabistien and Fazi are republics. Of the city states all are ran by a council save for Tartus and Herdon. Tartus is ran by a collection of wealthy merchants hold up in the castle. The leadership goes to whoever is the richest at the time. Heridon is a kingdom. Though considering how it lacks control of more than one city and cannot even maintain control of the local towns around it that title is a bit inaccurate." 

Mordane stood there trying to take it all in. Before shaking his head and mumbling the nations names. After a time he gained a grasp on it and went on to examine the magic itself. 

"Stalker...Where did you learn this earth pony magic?" 

"Earth pony magic?" Stalkers eyebrows raised. "It usually takes me days to get the unicorns to admit I'm doing this." 
"Well... I can feel you doing it. I have the power of an earth pony remember?" 

Stalker smiled. 

"Ha! That's right. Most believe earth ponies are the least magically inclined of the races. In reality it's just more subtle. Pegasi move clouds, unicorns move the stars and earth ponies, well earth ponies move the earth." 

Mordane frowned at that. 

"I've never seen an earth pony do anything besides move incredibly heavy loads before. I mean the crystal heart was something strange, but I was not certain." 

Laughter rang through the tent as the image floating above the crystal faded. 

"Oh look," Stalker said picking up and putting the crystal away. "You made me lose focus. Listen, Mordane. Unicorns generally feel very self important. They have the showiest kind of magic. The kind that none can doubt. Many of them specialize in finding gems and shaping them for magic purposes. Despite this most quality gems come from earth pony farms. Rock farms, their called. Most unicorns say the earth ponies just find the gems but in reality they grow them." 

"Grow? Earth ponies can grow gems?" He was in shock. Most gems were near worthless save for the few rare kinds. "If gems can be grown then how can there be ones of any value?" 

"That's simple," he smiled. "It ain't easy to grow ‘em. Very few earth pony families have the strength. Even with them, very few have the skill or patience. Now this one here," -he said tapping his bag- "is one I made and it's been tuned with a very specific purpose. " 

It clicked in Mordane’s head. 

"Oh. I get it. You use the crystal as a plate a sort of...directing element. Then you pour power into it with concentration...or if you're a unicorn, raw magic." 

"Unicorn? No this is-" 

"Cadence is the crystal princess...she might not know how it was made but her power is compatible with the crystal heart. So she can power it... Most of these kinds though wouldn't work with-" 

Stalker shoved his hoof into Mordane face frowning. 

"Look. The Crystal heart is one reason I was in Equestria to begin with. I know how it works and you’re right, that is exactly the case. However it was just random alignment. Making one of these that is compatible with unicorn magic is like... keeping sharks and fish alive together in the same tank. Unicorn magic is just too aggressive." 

Mordane nodded in agreement and understanding. He kept silent before speaking up again. 

"I would like you to teach me this magic." 

Stalker smiled and after a moment considering he spoke up again. 

"I'll do it for a lap dance." 
______________________________________________________________________________________________

Stalker began teaching Mordane two days later. That is after waking from his injuries after Mordane used his forehead to break a few rocks. He found the entire thing hilarious. 

Three weeks after leaving Tietus, Mordane was called to commander High Rise’s tent. Though he had been meeting Steady Gaze every few days to learn the magical side to battle he had not spent much time with the other two leaders. 

Walking in to the commander’s tent, Mordane repressed the urge to wrinkle his nose. The tent was excessively large for one pony. The full size bed seemed excessive for a commander who would put up to four ponies into a single tent. The glass cups and wine bottles did not help. He almost did not notice the bit of white powder on the table. 

"Sir, Mordane Stronghoof reporting." 

The pegasus turned to Mordane after pouring himself a drink. The serious look on his face cracked at Mordane’s statement and laughed. He looked a bit ragged with bloodshot eyes. 

"Oh, I cannot believe it. Steady Gaze told me you used sir all the time. Such respect is not needed. After all, we’re only mercenaries." 

That is when you need respect most of all.

"Of course, sir...Though it would make me more comfortable to continue to do so." 

He chuckled. 

"Very well. Have you seen Cloud Charmer yet?" 

"Your second in command? No, I haven't." 

"And why not?" High Rise’s voice took on a dangerous tone. 

Mordane’s mental alarms started to go off. 

"I have had no reason to, sir." 

"NO REASON! What about your scouting mission!" High Rise yelled. 

"Scouting mission? I am not aware of any-" 

Mordane stumbled back in shock as the glass of wine impacted his face. Only his flinching and quick reactions prevented him from getting glass in his eye. Three cuts bleed as Mordane pulled off the glass bits on his face. 

High Rise yelled the entire time. 

"YOU PIECE OF SHIT! STOP CALLING ME SIR AND NOT EVEN GETTING YOUR THINGS TOGETHER WHEN I SENT YOU A MESSAGE! GET OUT!" 

Mordane walked out using his mind sight and finished pulling off the glass shortly after leaving. 

Well... that happened. 

The alicorn did not even know how to feel about the assault. It had just come so out of right field. 

What kind of moron would throw glass at somepony’s face, even if they’re high? I swear if he keeps that up I'm going to end up killing the guy...Come to think of it, he never even told me what it was that he wanted. 

Stalker and Boulder were on latrine duty. Walking into his tent, Mordane found a mirror and did repair work on his face, careful to make sure the skin healed together without scarring. 

Five minutes later a runner appeared carrying a message telling him to report to Cloud Charmer... before noon. 
Mordane looked up in the sky and saw there was not much time. 

He quickly put together that they were about to go on some scouting mission so he quickly wrote a note and left it were the other two could find it. At the same time he collected his gear, preparing to travel light. 

I'll probably be out for only a few days. 

Finding Cloud Charmer was easy enough. The mild mannered stallion simply nodded at his explanation for arriving so close to the time to leave. He told Mordane to meet him and the others of the scout mission at a location he described 

"Don't forget to bring enough supplies for two days of flight." 

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Mordane had walked out of the camp range of sight before taking off. 

The scouting party was to meet in an open valley to the west of the armies position. As Mordane flew he worked to settle the irritation he felt toward High Rise. Even if he was acting like a fool, Mordane knew questioning his orders or showing doubt in his leadership would only result in the army almost certainly dying. 

In battle hesitation would mean death. I just have to believe he knows what he is doing...despite the evidence otherwise. 

The pegasi waiting in the grassy clearing did not even turn to look as he approached on wing. Landing he did not bother to tuck his wings away or hide his horn. 

You know, this will be the first time I'm open about my nature here. I wonder how they will react. 

"What the buck...?" 

One of the pegasi had looked at him as he approached. Seeing Mordane wings and horn he had muttered under his breath. Quickly all the others stopped what they were doing and turned to see what he had been talking about. 

"Cool it, ya'll. You should recognize me." 

The army itself had only just over a thousand ponies but Mordane and his group had started gaining a bit of notoriety. 

"I did not know that unicorns could make themselves wings!" 

"They can't," Cloud Charmer said as he glided in over Mordane's head. Landing softly he stretched a bit before continuing. "This here is an entirely different species. Half unicorn and half pegasi." 

I'll just let him keep thinking that. 

"Mordane, have you ever flown in formation?" 

"No, sir." 

"Storm Cloud will tell you the basic flying patterns. Let's move out!" 

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Over the next few days the ponies flew in a V formation over a large area. 

Basically they would have to zig-zag across the land while looking with their eyes. 

Formation wise there was only a circle, A, box, and V. The party leader was one of the most uncharismatic ponies he had ever met. He would give orders in simple phrases without smile then go off to sleep alone. 

This was the first time he noticed the... relational habits of many of his fellow soldiers. The mares and stallions would pare off almost at random. This was in direct violation of Cloud Charmer’s orders but it was obvious to Mordane that the pegasi had no respect. 

It was on the third day however that the party was attacked, though Mordane would have used that word while rolling his eyes. 

The ponies below fired arrows from tree cover up into the air but the pegasi were far too high to be hit. His fellow soldiers laughed. Mordane waited for his orders. 

"Mordane, Storm. Keep an eye on them. We will go back to the army and report." 

That's exactly what happened. Without anypony of interest around or any events causing even the slightest fear, Mordane was left his to thoughts. 

Mordane found the entire experience incredibly boring. They would take shifts flying to a nearby mountaintop to both sleep and eat before trading up. One week after leaving camp the army caught up with them. 

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Mordane stretched his hooves as he made his way to the army encampment. Five days on the wing completely bored out of his mind. 
Even those soldiers firing arrows at us in the air barely raised my heart beat. 

He sighed. 

I bet High Rise is preparing to seize their homes and families. That would likely force their surrender. 

Walking up to the meeting place Mordane was surprised to see the army preparing to march. He quickly saw that most of the ponies had put on their full armor. 

This is insane! We should be resting. The army has been marching for days. 

As he contemplated this, Steady Gaze walked out from behind a preparing column to meet him giving his orders. 

"The army is splitting into two groups. It seems the other scouting party found another group of these farmers. You will command the unicorns in group A since you're the only aggressor in that group. We are to put them down. You’re with B go talk to Cloud Charmer." 

With no time to rest the pony found Cloud Charmer as soon as he could. Only to be ordered to find the other two mages who would be acting as defense. 

After searching for them he finally found that they had left with the other group already. 

God I'm glad we are only fighting farmers or this would be a disaster. 

Finally Mordane had a chance to meet his comrades... Only to find that they had been sent with group A as well. Sighing Mordane went prepared himself for battle. Yet, he noticed so was everypony else. 

Who is staying to hold our supplies? 

Mordane just assumed no one would and brought his essentials with him.  Finally an hour late, the force of three hundred left the now empty camp to march unstopping through the forest. The human forced himself to stay near the front of the column. His moral at a low though he refused to show it. Every action of this armies leadership made him angrier and angrier. With such weak commanders he feared for the lives of his men and those of his enemy. 

Victory was a must, but any killed life was a waste. 

With such a weak command they will likely drive us straight into combat. With that, we will both take casualties. With our superior equipment we should be able to force their surrender if they actually stand to fight. 

The stallion scanned the woods hoping that Cloud Charmer would prove to be an excellent field commander even if his charisma was lacking. 

About four kilometers from the last known position Mordane spoke up to his commander. 

"Sir, ...we are getting close. Should we not send out scouts or get off the road? They may have moved or there may be an ambush." 

The stallion laughed for the first time since Mordane had met him. 

"Look, colt. I have seen how you go about things over the last few days. You’re too uptight." Smiling, he continued, "Look, there is no danger of them ambushing us they are just-" 

As Mordane registered the arrow that had suddenly grown out of his commander’s eyeball and fired up his shield. Only two thoughts came up in his mind. 

Oh the irony. I will save them. 

"AMBUSH!" 

With a roar he fellow mercenaries charged. With a breath Mordane willed a force shield into be in front of him. The drain on his available energy was immense. He was grabbing as much as he could and yet it was not coming fast enough to keep up with the energy expending from the arrow attacks. 

A true master of shield spells could make one that would only activate when another spell detected incoming missiles. That was beyond him though. 

At about one second they were half the way down the road to where the ambushers were when the critical point was reached. 
That was when Mordane reached for his spare power in the bracelet he had made a few weeks earlier. 

Smiling he laughed as the shield that was near breaking resolidified. Protecting them all the way up to the enemies. 

The earth pony archers fell quickly. Most surrendering before physical contact was made. 

Mordane pinned one to the ground and turned to wait for orders. However none came. Even as the other mercenaries fell on the other archers. 

The stallion looked down at his prisoner expecting to see a shoulder. However what meet his eyes was a colt with tears in his eyes and trembling hooves. Instead of armor he saw only a sack cloth. 

These ponies are only farmers...oh shit. Are we putting down a rebellion? 

Looking around he saw that all the other archers had been captured. The mercenaries had tied them up and were laughing as they kicked them on the ground and poked them with knives. Some were obviously preparing to execute them. 

Where is our leadership? Who was second in command!? 

Then it hit him. Cloud Charmer must have never appointed one. The pony had always seemed... off. Maybe he did not consider that it was a possibility. 

Mordane however knew what he had to do. 

"STAY YOUR SWORD SOLDIERS! TAKE THEM PRISONER!" 

There was many different reactions to his order. 

As he indicated to another mercenary the pony he had been pinning. Most of the ponies who had been standing around watching moved to obey without thought. Some continued until him or others made them stop. One pony however ignored him entirely. 

*Thunk* 

Mordane swiveled his head and saw a rather large earth pony with an axe. On the other side of the group. He had started to give orders as well. Mostly ones involving lining up the prisoners as he chopped their heads off one by one. 

"What do you think you're doing! Stay your axe." 

The stallion looked at him smiled and swung anyway. 

*Thunk* 

Another head rolled as Mordane failed to yank the axe out of the would be executioner’s hooves. 

"I said stay you axe, soldier." 

"Who are you to order me?" 

Suddenly Mordane’s eyes opened and he took in his position. 

The place where the earth pony had been executing others was on a small rise of earth. Without realizing it, Mordane had run up on that and directly challenged another. All around them ponies of the army were getting quiet during their quick exchange. It was the quiet that he had noticed. 

Mordane knew how minds worked. If he backed down now, this one would be in command and looking into his eyes he saw only bloodthirst. 

I need to establish authority...There is only one way to do that so quickly. 

"My name is Stronghoof and I am in command." 

The pony laughed and leaned on his axe. 

"You? A unicorn? You don't have the guts to lead. Step down, little colt." 

Mordane stopped up to the towering pony emanating disgust. A simple spell of fear could have helped him but he was alone and a glowing horn could provoke an attack. 

"No I will not step down. I was content to rest under the hoof of a pony who was paying me, but not a bloodthirsty fool like you." 

The earth ponies smile grew into a full grin as he swung the large axe up onto his back. He walked up the stallion before him. 

"You are within my kill range, unicorn, if your horn glows I'll kill you. Now tell me which of us is stronger. Tell me who leads." 

Damn he is not backing down...I would have preferred to avoid this. 

Mordane fell back on his War magic and pulled at the earth beneath the large earth pony’s hooves. Since War magic does not use the horn, he never had a chance to react before suddenly losing his footing and falling to the ground. 

Mordane did not hesitate. He wrapped magic around his swords handle and quickly moved the blade over to the pony’s throat. 
It was over in a second. The blade was on his throat before the others even gasped. 

Now to gain their respect....through fear. 

"Listen here you lumbering ulf. I have killed more ponies than I care to count." I think three? " In my studies I have ripped out the souls and made slaves of ponies stronger than you." Total lie... or at least it was. I'm so sorry. 

Suddenly Mordane’s horn began to glow black. Even though he had never cast the spell before memories of doing so came back to his mind. 

There was curses and girly screams as ponies once dead shuddered and stood up. He only could raise five for a short time but it would be enough. 

Cloud Charmer and two other mercenary ponies walked toward the small hill as a crowd parted for them. The two headless ponies rose up from where they had been left after the axe pony left them. One casually walking over to pick up his now served head and hold it. 
The pony beneath his sword had stopped grinning as he hit the ground. At the gasps he had frowned and when the headless pony came into view he looked. 

"As you can see, I am far from just a regular unicorn. Do you acknowledge my leadership? If not I could always use your corpse." 

Fear blossomed in the ponies all around him as he looked at the pony below him, now covered in his own piss and shaking. 

"I... I will obey." 

"Good." 
Mordane withdrew his sword. "Then see to it that all the prisoners are collected and kept alive. Remember: Alive. If they are harmed... well I'm sure you know already." 

The pony ran off to do as he commanded. Turning, Mordane addressed the crowd. 

"Does anypony else challenge my authority?!" 

Silence. 

"Then regroup. We march in the hour. Scouts report to me for you orders." 

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Mordane bundled up his disgust over using both the sword and necromancy until later. For now he had an engagement to plan. 

The ponies around him parted wherever he walked and obeyed without question. Soon the fifty captured farmers were in a wooden cell constructing between the trees. 

Mordane left ten soldiers to guard them and mentioned something near them about how he had been ordered to keep them alive unless they tried to run. Then he could eat their souls. 

The scouts reported back good news. The remaining farmers were held up on a single hill only a mile away. 

Mordane smiled as they described the ponies position 

"I have a plan." 

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Ground Berry was a Cabistien earth pony who grew grapes. 

He and his father were serfs under the local pegasi lord who hated earth ponies. 

Needless to say, life was not good for the ponies under his rule. Food was scarce as fully four fifths of what they grew was taken by the lord. He would sell the food to other lords and merchants. Then instead of using the money on his subjects he would pocket or spend it on his castle. 

Bandits were common as the lord only hired enough guards to protect his castle and the main road of trade. Towns were left to fend for themselves. 

That is why the townsfolk had finally had enough. They rose up and refused to pay their taxes. When the few guards showed up they were quickly driven away by the larger force as the colt had proven to be a competent leader. 

After that Berry had set his sight higher than before. Generations ago this region had been independent. Why not take the keep and make himself lord? 

He could make sure the other ponies were treated right and live in comfort as a loved lord. 

Now however, the lord had hired some mercenaries. Young Ground frowned as one of his scouts reported the forward group captured. 

Their numbers were larger than I imagined... How did he take them so easily? Do they have magic? 

"Sir!" shouted and older mare running up to his table with a rough map on it. "Thompson just spotted the mercenaries, they’re here!" She was shaking him her boots as the colt stood up and stepped onto the table, a bow emblazoned on his flank. 

"Calm down, Cherry, we are okay. This high ground will give us an advantage. We have all the food and if they attack, then we will win. Even with three hundred, that is still only half our number." 

The mare blushed at the bravery and calm in the colt before her. He was only fifteen years of age and already a leader. 

The colt did not notice this however. Instead he started telling his older brother orders who would then yell them out for all to hear. At first others had teased him for taking orders from one so young but not anymore. Soon they had weapons and a goal. 

"Prepare the defenses! Archers at the ready!" 

The earth ponies were well dug in. Their hill had a chest high mound of dirt in two levels around it. The first line being melee and second archers. 

Looking between two spikes the colt squinted at the forest edge enemy. There he could see a few dozen ponies moving around just out of bow range. 

What are they planning...? 

Soon however he saw five ponies break away. He saw they each carried a great sword and moved with a shuffle. Each one was wearing a full body cloak with their hoods pulled up. 

The buck? Do they want these ones to die? 

Looking around he tried to think of a way this could help them. There was nothing he could think of however. He was not going to move his troops to meet this side until they had already attacked...so were they surrendering? 

"Ponies!" he yelled. "Mercenaries! Throw down your weapons and surrender! Do not waste your lives in such a way!" 

The five ponies ignored the command. A feeling of unease came to the boy’s stomach. Looking around he saw it reflected in his troop’s eyes. 

They’re trying to unnerve me... 

"Archers! Fire!" 

Over the next few seconds the archers let loose. The arrows sailed through the air and impacted the ponies. To their horror they did not fall even with six or more arrows in them 

"Again!" 

The archers let loose a second time. This time however the arrows made enough damage to the garments that they simply started to fall off. Even as they let loose a third salvo the farmers were met with a horrifying sight. 

Carmel, Biscuit. Oh sweet maker what have they done to you? 

The two ponies he recognized had swords sticking in their eyes that were pushed all the way through and down out the neck and into the body bellow. The arrows plunged into the flesh where stuck in deep. Even as he turned back from throwing up he saw the head of one dislodged and fall off. Its mouth still opening and closing as his eyes shifted around.

Screams rang out as they saw fifty ponies stepped out of the forest with the same dead eyed look of their face. 

"BRING THE PONIES FROM THE BACK TO THE FRONT!" 

The farmers all moved around and stared as the five ponies finally stopped at the lines edge, so full of arrows that their bodies could not move. 

They stared as the fifty odd ponies started to move forward. 

Suddenly Ground Berry heard shouting behind him. Turning he was met with the sight of a large pony, with blue eyes, dark brown coat and off white mane, staring into eyes with a spear pointing at his throat. As he watched the horn on his head started to glow black as his eyes turned green and shadows played out in tendrils. 

"I saw you giving orders...give one now and tell your ponies to surrender." 

The farmers fell with barely a fight. Mordane was able to take them from behind as they were distracted from the front. The farmers had left two ponies to watch however Mordane had encased their heads in a sound proof shield. The fifty ponies from the front had been faking their state of undead. 

Casualties were non existent on both sides as Mordane had ordered his troops to refrain from lethal force and the mercenaries hit far too quickly for the farmers to react. There were plenty of injuries on both sides, however. 

As he gave out the orders, he reflected on the differences of real command to books. 

Really it just comes down to people. Who they are, how they think. Sun Tzu lead me true today. 

Walking over to the children section. Mordane grinned. After talking to the older brother he had a promise to keep. 

God I hope he gets this. I'd hate to have some twerp try and kill me a few years from now. 

"Ground Berry. Where is Ground Berry?" 

The colt stood tall in the middle of the mass of children. Comforting those older and younger than himself. Mordane was impressed. He felt sorry for these people but letting them go would do no good. It would only prolong the inevitable. 

The colt walked forward like a martyr to be killed. Mordane motioned for the boy to follow eventually finding a tent to go in that was empty. 

"So, young one. I don't want you to say anything. Nothing you could say would matter. I will tell you only this. Your brother has arranged with the other villagers to take the claim for being the leader of the rebellion instead of you." 

Shock played across the boys face followed quickly by rage. He opened his mouth to speak. 

"Quiet! Now listen. You want self rule, yes? I'll tell you how to get it. When your older, after years of preparing, after this village appears to be nothing but loyal to the lord and he lowers his guard, attack his keep. Do not wait out by a village for a few months, be prepared and move in one fluid strike. Take out his throne and kill him before he can leave. Then take all that gold your brother says is in that keep and send half to the ruler of this land." 

"That is our bits!" 

"Then use it to buy your ponies happiness! Send a letter telling about how terrible he was at using the land. Tell him how he stole money from the king or whatever is head of this nation. Then tell him you have reclaimed what is his and that the people have asked you to be there lord and that you said only if the ruler or whatever says yes. Then you will have your freedom."

The child stared at the pony who had so resoundingly beat him then told him how to win next time. How according to those loyal to him had prevented the massacre of his fellow villagers and forced their surrender without blood. 

He did not know what to think. 

"What is your name?" 

"I am Mordane Stronghoof." 

"You won an amazing victory today." 

"I broke the heart of farmers and preserved its most important piece. This was nothing." 

With that he pulled the colt back the children and moved to prepare for his commander. This would be just the beginning. He would fight her one day. 

I'll fight her, for others. 
________________________________________________________________________________________

High Rise was not having a good day. 

These farmers had lead him on a goose chase. Somehow fooling the scouts into believing that the main part of the army was farther south. Now it was likely that he would go to find his three hundred ponies killed. Oh he would make those farmers pay. 

At least that's what he told his men. In truth he did not mind the loss. It would mean less ponies to pay at the end of the exposition. They even took a bit to pack up the camp before coming. 

However as his troops approached the enemies position, his scouts reported his mercenary flag flying over some fortifications on a hill. As well as neatly rowed tents and a huge number of ponies sitting in large groups under guard. 

High Rise did not know what they think until a pony scout from group B landed and reported on the events up to the battle. 

High Rise then felt a pit of sadness open in his chest. 

Cloud Charmer had been his friend. This emotion however was quickly replaced with horror and rage when he heard how Mordane had taken command and desecrated his body. 

That bastard! 

The commander barely registered how the pony said there was no casualties. He did not care that the farmers had been put down without a major fight. 

Storming into camp, he did not even pause. He marched up the path and hill strait to the main tent. Once inside he saw Mordane turn and start to salute but the commander did not give him a chance. 

With a flap of his wings the commander picked up speed and punched the upstart in the jaw. The stallion stumbled back onto his rear as High Rise began to yell. 

When he tried to stand the commander kicked him in the stomach and yelled even louder. 

The ponies who had served under Mordane at first had feared him. Then respect him with the victory. The time after had only heightened their opinion of the new leader. 

To have this pony then treated like this left them stunned. 

High Rise pulled out his sword when the hilt glowed and was slammed back into its scabbard. Spinning around he was confronted by Steady Gaze. 

"Calm yourself, High Rise! Look where you stand!" 

It was an old phrase between them and the commander took it seriously. 

Looking around he saw the confused look on the ponies faces. Some even angry. It was then that it clicked that Mordane had won without casualties...Without them getting hurt. They may feel some loyalty for that. 

"Stand up!" 

Mordane did not even attempt to conceal the contempt on his face. The pegasi had expected him to be shaking, yet he stood with only a bleeding nose and piercing eyes. 

Does this punk have an earth pony’s strength as well? 

"Look, Mordane. I don't like you. I don't care for what you did to my friend of ten years... but I know you were able to hold this together... So I'm not going to kill you." 

The sigh from one of the guards made him even angrier. 

"Instead I'm going to punish you.Lightning! Bring the straps, both of them!" 

A metal brace and collar was brought out by Lightning and another pony. Mordane saw them and could tell that they were meant to bind his magic and wings. His options were limited having naturally released all the energy in the area to Steady Gaze when he came in as a curtsy. 

The commander glared at the stallion before him and gave a curt order. 

"If there is anyone who want to share in his punishment step forward." 

"I do," said Child Stalker having come in with the brace. " I assume it will be some sort of physical challenge?" 

Furrowing his brow, the commander replied. "Yes. For disrespecting an officer, I fine you four hundred bits and bind your abilities for a week." 

"Sir," said Mordane, glaring knives at him. "That is my only crime?" 

"Yes, yes," he said without thinking 

Mordane smiled. 

"Then you have acknowledged that my orders were just that. Orders...from a superior officer." 

High Rise was about to shout him down before catching himself. 

I've punished him for what happened to Cloud Charmer. That was done under his orders...If they weren't his orders then the ones who did it would be responsible. The guild would hold me in contempt. I can't acknowledge a command rank for him though! Unless... 

"...Fine, yes. Though in addition to the fine and straps I have another punishment. Mordane Stronghoof. We have another mission in the nation of Drena after this. You are to go there and scout from the top of Merrygold mountain." 

High Rise knew that such a mission would be death for the stallion. He lacked the skills. His friend seemed to not have them as well. 

"On your return with your straps to our army I will of course acknowledge you as my second...all according to the guild laws." 

With that he turned and laughed sure the pony would give up before being killed and forfeit his money. Either was he won. 

"I accept." 

The laughter behind the commanders eyes was evident. Yet Mordane was not thinking about that. He had only the future. In his mind. One day he would save Equestria. He was a good pony. A strong pony. 

It's the truth.
> So whats happening in Equestria?
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mr. and Mrs. Stronghoof  where standing in the Canterlot castles guest rooms. Rough sacks, worn and torn from long use, sat atop ornately carved desks and cupboards. The room itself was designed to be lively and vibrant.

Sunny Fields, was crying as her husband sat stroking her hair.

"I'm sorry… Mordane was a brilliant student and a brave hero. Without his efforts it is likely that the town of Ponyville would have been overrun. I cannot express my sorrow at his lose…I can only ask for your forgiveness.”

Stone Stronghoof nodded solemnly with tears in his eyes and Celestia lowered her head. He swallowed and answered though with some strain.

“That is all right your highness. We appreciate you coming and telling us yourself. There is no way that you could have known what he was planning when he went toward that storm…” He nodded her head “You did what you could. Being the benevolent ruler you are.”

Celestia hung her head and rubbing her foreleg awkwardly at the complement.

“Well… Yes, thank you. “She perked up when remembering something. “Oh yes. Here you go. She floated over a bag of bits. “These were in Mordane’s bank accounts. He had gathered a small fortune.”

“Thank you, Princess,” Stone said nodding.

“I’d like you to stay here under my protection… there are many ponies that would not treat you kindly if it got out who you were.”

“Yes of course. Thank you for declaring us dead. We know it was the only way.” Stone said. Still nodding.

“...of course. Have a peaceful evening.” Celestia walked out of the room resisting the urge to shake her head.

“...”

“...”

“Is she gone?” asked Sunny Fields quietly to her husband. Looking up with suddenly dry tears.

“...I think so.”

“Oh, dear,” she said quietly,”what are we going to do? Mordane is gone and… and she wants us to stay here!”

The stallion nodded his head. 

“ She is a ruler my dear. Much like the ones from our homeland.”

“Oh, Stone… what should we do?”

The old stallion stood stone faced as his namesake would imply. With a calm demeanor he rubbed his chin and considered their situation with a wisdom born of tilling the earth for untold years before sighing.

"I don't know. She believes Mordane is dead though I am not so sure. He likely would head over the the great southern divide."

"To the south?" Her ears perked up "I am torn my husband. That place is chaos compared to this land."

"That is true. But perhaps he can make his own way." He shook his head " That son of ours was never satisfied. Full of lies and decite. Half truths. Even to us I fear."

The mare nodded.

"I never did find out where he gainned...so much knowledge. He was far older than his years."

"True," he chuckeled before frowning and parting his wife's mane." We kept secrets as well though."

The broken horn was barely visible. just a bump under the fur. Sanded down to make it invisible to those who didn't now of it. The mare in kind grinned and reached into her husbands mane to pull out a pair of lockpicks.

"The apple never falls far from the tree my dear husband."
______________________________________________________________________________________________

In the land of Equestria, the sun reached the apex of its path. Birds flew on the western wind as it rustled the trees and flowers of the garden below Celestia. 

Two months since Mordane’s death. No, I must not show favoritism to any of my subjects. 

Celestia shook her head trying to look at the broader picture. At the thousands that had been captured and killed in the Diamond dog attacks.

The Sun Princess stood, outwardly relaxed, on her favorite balcony in Canterlot castle. Breathing in the brisk morning air she attempted to relax before the evening war meetings. Taking a moment in her day to eat a small meal and sit down. 

However, the calming technique did not work and she found her eyes staring down at the town of Ponyville in the distance with her mouth drawn into a thin line. Alone she found it difficult to find peace since the events that started this war were so unexpected. To the public she must appear calm and only saddened by the loss of life. After all, strength is needed at the top.

Privately though, she had to admit that regret was still rearing its ugly head as every moment she was met with stark thoughts on what could have been. Pushing it away had proved impossible so she faced it. This was not a number on a page nor a pony she had never met. This was somepony that she knew personally, had eaten at her table and was a friend of her near son Spike. Above all though, he had been a fellow alicorn. 

Now all  my plans for him will need to be given to someone else because I made a miscalculation and killed him.

Part of her knew that was not true, that Mordane had killed himself, that there was no foreseeable outcome where she did not chase him or where that storm could have been handled before hoof.

When she had met Mordane for the first time he had been terrified of her but despite this he stood his ground and spoke with a calm voice. It spoke to her of a strong will. That had made her so happy for Twilight. She praised both his magic and how friendly he was with other ponies. He was the second male to ever have the strength to become an alicorn and the first to have the spirit. 

Oh Twilight how could you have found him so easily?

Now though she had gained a new perspective on just how rare he had been. She remembered the thoughts that flashed through her head as she flew back to Ponyville.

An alicorn, born like me? Yes, I have Luna and the others but they are all raised by me...not just coming to be. How tall would he have been? What would have been his nature? What would the presence of a male taller than me be like? A new pony to get to know. A friend for eternity...Now I will never understand.

Celestia swallowed her sorrow, resisting the tightening of her throat muscles and water in her eyes. A princess must be strong. 

Just like the changelings, the Diamond dogs and my sister, I could not see what was at my hooves. Am I cursed to never truly see? Am I so high up that I cannot see the trees of the forest? Only the green overall?

Celestia gasped as a cold bucket of water emptied onto her head, soaking into her mane. She glared upward as roarous laughter rang out over the city from above her.

"Really, Discord? I have a meeting in a few minutes."

"Oh, you're no fun Celestia, "Discord harrumphed, as he sat crossing his arms on a cloud slowly shifting into a throne like chair."One would wonder what you think about all the time; that makes you so dull." He slithered off the cloud to stand beside her grabbing an ear and summing a magnifying glass to look down the ear canal.

"That's enough, Discord...I'm thinking about Mordane."

"Ah," Discord said sadly dispelling the cloud and glass, summoning a pair of glasses and notepad. "Mordane Stronghoof, Race/alicorn, age eighteen, blood type O negative, harmony level negative five. Loved sitting by fires in the moonlight telling ghost stories. His fear of what you would do was only overmatched by his lack of understanding."

"Were you watching him?"

"Of course, the chaos coming off of him was delightfully delicious,” he said, licking his fingers. “At least I if I remember from that time we met. Not to even speak of his potential chaos," he said fondly. "I only really learned about his personality after asking Fluttershy about him."

"So he had a personality that was disharmonic and chaotic. That could have been troublesome. I wonder why he was an alicorn then."

"Well, he was only chaotic not disharmonic." Discord corrected her pointlessly "In fact, one of his major features was order. He just did not trust you."

"Now my student sits alone in a library, with her friends isolated from each other." She turned and smiled knowingly at Discord. "Planning on spreading chaos with the Elements out of commission?"

"O ho ho, Celestia,” he said placing his hand over his chest, “you know me to well, though nothing too destructive." He laughed before coughing and speaking seriously. "I've realized my mistake, Celestia. Chaos only has value if there is," he gagged, "Harmony to conflict it."

"Yes, yes. I can agree with you that chaos is interesting in small amounts, but the problems and evils it creates," she said awkwardly before Discord interrupted

"No, no, you misunderstand ,Celestia,” Discord stressed, as a monocle and, jacket with leather patches wrapped around him and a blackboard appeared, floating in mid-air “Chaos is not disharmony and disorder since if all was that way it would be uniform. In synch. Chaos is part order and disorder; the opposite of harmony, but not evil."

Celestia shook her head and furrowed her brow. "I still do not understand."

Discord sighed. "Oh, Celestia, Celestia, Celestia. There really is no hope for you, is there?" Discord tutted. "Hmm," he muttered contemplatively, "maybe he could have understood."

"Perhaps." Celestia admitted.

They both gazed down at the city below them as a sad silence washed over them.

"So,” Celestia started changing the subject”Have you spoken to Luna yet?"

"No, I have not." Discord responded with a strained voice. 

"You've been free for almost ten years now. You can't just keep avoiding her forever."

"On the contrary, my dear. I'm immortal; I can do anything forever," he said, before snapping his fingers and disappearing.

Celestia blinked then sighed. A small smile played across her lips before she chuckled. With a deep breath she set aside her feelings and went back to work.
______________________________________________________________________________________________

The ceremony was simple and stood as a reminder and homage to that day when dozens of ponies lost their lives. The attack had shaken the small town to its core. Twilight was absent from the proceedings, which was the subject of hushed murmurs and curious gossiping throughout the crowd, that was until it was reminded that she had lost someone close.

Spike stood solemn next to Rarity staring out into nothing without out any sign of and emotion behind his stony exterior; his mare friend of five years. She was just as static and unmoving as her drake friend, looking down at the statue. Her black cowl hid the tell-tale twin tracks of sorrow quite well.

Written among the names were her mother and father.

She trembled in place as Spike hugged her. She slowly pushed herself into his arms, tears streaming down her face. A small whine barely able to be heard by even him.

There they stood among dozens. In sorrow. All there to pay homage to those they loved and lost.
______________________________________________________________________________________________

Spike trailed silently beside Rarity with eyes low and claws behind his back. The two of them were hauling back a large amount of gems back to town, the most valuable of which would help to pay for damages. Their trip might have gone well financially but an uneasy quiet had followed them the entire time.

Sometimes, what is not said weighs on us most of all, burdening and dragging us down into the depths of despair. At first Spike had been willing to deal with the quiet by giving space, allowing his marefriend to grieve. Over the last month, however, that space had changed into distance, then silence. It made every beat of his heart ache to see her suffer by her own hoof. To see the pain she was keeping bottled inside, when others talked of the battle she would comment normally, but once the death came up she would try to change the subject. Spike suspected the trouble with sales was eating at her as well.

But what do I do? Whenever I try to talk to her all I get is the run around. 'I'm fine Spike. It's ok dear, I'll get over it.' Can't she see that she is not fine, that she is not dealing with this?

Through the town they walked, the same old routine, the same old silence filling the space between them. Long ago their relationship had stopped causing a buzz among the town ponies. Though there were still a few glances. 

Now, however, ponies did not even look up. A gray had seemed to descend upon the town.

"Pinkie has not been throwing any parties lately," Spike said aloud softly, trying to not disturb the town’s quiet.

"Really?" Rarity replied disinterestedly.

"Yeah, she has been locked up in Sugar Cube Corner. Perhaps we should go visit her?"

"Leave it alone Spike," she said sadly. "Pinkie will be back to her usual self eventually."

Spike however was not so sure; the Pink mare had been alone since shortly after the cleanup from the attack. Her 'I'm sorry your love ones are dead' party did not go over very well.

It might have been in a bit of bad taste, but her heart was in the right place.

"Fine, Rarity,” Spike whispered his eyes still downcast and face seeming older than he already was. ”Have you seen any of our friends lately?"

"No, not really, I've just been so busy," She dismissed quickly.

His brow crinkled as he looked around the complete mess he remembered back at the shop. Next to no clothes had gone out. She just seemed to work on the same dresses over and over, insisting that something must be wrong with her designs, but Spike suspected it was the feeling of sadness nearly coming off of her in waves.

Her dresses have all been low key as well; He hadn't seen anything but dull colors.

They filed unceremoniously inside the boutique before unloading the gems onto a table and sorting them.

"Spike?" Rarity asked softly after they had done their work in silence. "Could you take these over to the donations?"

"Of course, dear."

Spike raised the bag of gems to his shoulder and headed out the door. Pausing he looked back. His Rarity stood staring at her designing desk. No humming could be heard. No tune to make the work easier.

He trudged out of the library and dropped off the gems, drawing a smile from the mayor sitting next to the drop box. Then he sighed before heading over to Twilight’s. He knew that if he did not hurry over there he would find only a larger pile of dishes. Twilight had been slipping in her tidiness of late. He had still come over to visit and clean for her before the attack, but it was getting worse. All of her focus only seemed to be on one question;How did Mordane die?

The answer may at first glance seem obvious and, indeed it was. Twelve lightning bolts diverging on a unicorn intentionally drawing in all the power he could would be enough to reduce anypony to ash. It had been foolish of him really; Controlling weather with unicorn magic was delicate work and near impossible without a talent in it, and was even above age spells in difficulty. All that raw power balanced on tiny threads, like sewing strings of fire. Mordane likely never even realized what hit him.

“Twilight, what are you even researching?” Spike asked her three days before.

“I’m looking at how Mordane died, Spike. Manaburn,” she recited, “is a phenomenon that takes place when a unicorn trying to manipulate the weather loses control of the vast energy, causing it to rapidly turn mundanatural in nature, typically in the form of heat and light. The lost of spell cohesion results in the energy paling directing into the casters body.

“Before the unification of the three pony races, weather manipulation was an extremely hazardous occupation for unicorns. The level and speed of energy buildup needed for advanced spell casting was notorious for acting like a lightning rod and causing instant vaporization in victims when detonated by lightning strikes. Historical cases of unicorn warriors specializing in lightning magic have also tended to be both rare and feared for this same reason.

“This is one of the first things I taught Mordane. I’ve just got to know; what was he thinking?”

Spike tried to get her up but she just kept up the research, calculating every angle, all the factors that were included in that moment of his death and the patterns of decisions that had lead up to it.

Mordane's last words seemed to be burning behind her eyes.

'I didn't want to do this, Twilight, but I won't be a slave to Celestia. I'm so sorry... I thought of you as my second mother.' He rolled the words around in his head some more, trying to make sense of them.

Spike was not paying attention as he was walking down the road so it came as quite a surprise when Rainbow Dash rammed into him yelling ‘look out’.

He took the blow pretty well, only sliding four feet with his mouth scooping up dirt.

"Oops sorry, Spike."

"It's ok, Rainbow. I'm fine," he said, standing up and walking back to her. "Where are you headed so fast?"

"Oh yeah, I'm going to patrol south of Ponyville. There may still be a few mutts around there." A look of disgust flashed across her face.

"Didn't the military go through there?"

"Yeah! But, uh, the military misses things; after all they are just fresh recruits." Rainbow snorted. "Not like us Wonderbolts. We're the real military." Her voice dropped to a grumble. "At least I would be if they would let me actually fight."

"What? They won't let you fight? Why?" Spike asked, startling her. He had just thought she was on vacation or something.

"Apparently as an Element of Harmony I'm too much of a military asset to fight on the front lines. What a load of poppycock. I should be out there. As Equestria's fastest flyer I could be all over those mountains." She slumped to the ground. "I could actually be doing something."

Spike frowned upon seeing the depressed look on Rainbow’s face.

"Is that why you haven't been seeing Twilight or Rarity lately?"

She looked up with hits of tears in her eyes. "I am the soldier. The Wonderbolt. I should've been the one to save the village, not him... All I did was fly around and be useless. Even Scootaloo got hurt. I'm her big sister!"

"Didn't you hit them with a sonic rainboom. That must have gotten tons of them and even then. Mordane is one pony he didn’t save the town he only helped."

"I know I know! It's just... I remember flying high above them. Thinking I could turn them all back. I'd be the hero, but I was only able to make one pass. It barely fazed them. I nearly died from the hundreds of arrows they fired at me. 

Then I had to fly back and just...report to Twilight. I did nothing then Mordane steps up to save the day." Spike placed his claw around her giving a hug. She fought back the tears after only a few gasps. "But I'm not going to be useless this time. NO Diamond dog is getting close to this town without a face full of Rainbow!" She blasted off, leaving a coughing Spike behind. Looking at the trail she left at her wake he could only shrug before going on. 

Rainbow seems to be just focused on doing something, anything to help. It’s better than what Rarity and Twilight are doing at least… I wonder how the others are.

He continued to go through the town, but this time he noticed little things. A piece of debris. A crushed picture frame. A pony sitting at a cafe staring at the ground not eating the sandwich before her. He found himself picking up those things and acting on them. Throwing the debris into a bin. Paying for the down ponies bill and ordering a dessert for her without saying. It felt nice.

Arriving at Twilight’s adobe, he walked in with grimness on his face.

The entire first room was immaculate save for one corner around Twilights desk. Dishes were set next to, and on, books as they reached to the ceiling. A quiet mumbling could be heard.

"If he moved twenty thaums of energy to the wind and an electrical field it could have acted as a buffer and diverted the path of ash to quadrant sector nine A. Or he could have activated a short range teleport but at his level he couldn't have been able to maintain above a level three cohesion-”

On and on like that she mumbled.

Spike picked up the dishes and took them to the kitchen and cleaned them. As he sat there an idea began to form. Twilight was already doing like Rainbow but it wasn't getting anywhere. Maybe if he asked the other element bearers what they thought then he could find something that worked for Twilight.

He finished the dishes as fast as he could then and left with only a courtesy goodbye to Twilight, who only grunted in return.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Spike approached Sweet Apple Acres at a steady walk. It still was weird to him that he had grown this much larger before learning to control his size. 

He chuckled and walked through the gate spotting Applejack way off bucking apples. She was moving at leisurely pace as it was in the slow season of apple growing. Spike noticed something strange, however.

What's with all these stallions going around Sweet Apple Acres?

They seemed to be everywhere and working as well. In fact, Spike could see Applejack giving a group of them pointers with Big Mac on how to buck apple trees.

They were watching her intently, VERY intently. One of them was even wearing sunglasses and biting his lower lip.

"Howdy, Spike, you coming over for a strong cider? You know that they don't go on sale till next week, right?" Applejack said with a bright smile turning from her smiling students.

"Sure thing, Applejack, though I suspect you will have even more demand this year… Also, what's with the stallions?"

"Them? I’ll tell you in a bit," she sighed before turning to buck one last tree. "Why don't we take a break?" she said to the group near her. 

They headed off in various directions to do as they wished.

Spike nodded his head while looking off into the distance with his hands gripped behind his back. A slight frown rested lightly below his questioning eyes. 

"On second thought,” Applejack said looking at the drake. “Come on, Spike. I suppose one glass won't hurt too much."
Spike perked up at that. The two of them were setting in the cellar a few minutes later sipping from the apple store.

"I tell you, Applejack, the cider is ready."

"Eyup," Applejack said before burping. "It's ready all right, but the ponies ain't."

"What?" Spike asked with confusion "With how everyone has been feeling they would be even more desperate for some of it."

Applejack nodded. "True, true, but it ain't what they need. Not really."

Spike nodded, guessing that she was kind of right.

"Applejack..." he asked, "How do you deal with grief?"

The farm pony grew still before swishing her jug and downing the rest of its contents.

"Is this about your friend Mordane?"

"Some friend," Spike whispered.

"Now you don't mean that."

"But I do...I was supposedly his closest friend but I had no idea that he was an alicorn." Spike downed his drink. "We talked nearly every other day. I've spent my whole life around alicorn. Yet I did not notice the way he seemed to speak to others. How he pushed them back not with words but with a force of will. An air like Celestia but...twisted.'

"Ah don't right know about that, Spike, but I know he thought you a friend." She paused and seemed to think back before smiling "Don't you remember how yeh got together with Rarity?"

"Oh how could I forget, though it was terribly cliché?"

"Cliché true," she laughed, "but Rarity likes the cliché."

"Where did he even get that armor?" Spike chuckled back, "I wouldn't’ve even thought to use a saddle."

"That stallion had strange ideas about fashion."

"Isn't that true. Using a cloak all the time. I remember when Rarity turned to get him to take it off and he ran through the village nearly getting caught as we laughing tried to catch-" Spikes smile faded as comprehension dawned, "but I guess that was part of his cover up too." Spike reached down and poured himself another mug.

"Aye sugarcube… it was, but he laughed in the end and that memory is still with us. We can keep it locked up, like a treasure."

"But it hurts so much..."

"That's because it’s precious. All things precious to us hurt." She stood up, reaching and pulling off her hat to stare at something underneath. "All things."

She shook her head before putting back on her hat.

"Keep him locked up inside Spike, then they never are really gone. That will be your last glass, ok?"

"Yes ma’am," Spike said with a half smirk.

"Good." Applejack smiled.

“Now,” Spike said with a smile, “Tell me about all of those stallions up there.”

“Oh them?” Applejack said with a sigh. “All of our family from all over Equestria sent them to be trained here for some reason.”

“They’re family then?”

“No no. The letter made it very clear they weren't part of the family. Had absolutely no relation…” Applejack started rubbing her chin and cocking her head. “Come to think of it, each of the letters went to great lengths to tell me just how unrelated they were… and how they had absolutely no attachments in their home towns.” Spike felt a little put off by the silence that followed, like an atmosphere of something horrible discovered. “I need to go talk to Big Mac.”

Spike felt the need to laugh as the mare rushed out of the house. His small smile stayed with him though, even as he drank the mug dry and licked his lips wishing for more. Standing up, he left the cup and walked up out of the cellar. 

That was actually pretty good… I wonder how Pinkie Pie is.

From what he had heard the mare had been running all over town trying to cheer ponies up.

On his walk he picked up some more debris bits and straightened a sign post before buying some candy from a sour faced pony to pass out to some of the sadder children he saw.

Passing by the restaurant at the town center next, to the small pond, his mind threw up a small flag that hadn't been activated in years.

Is that the old Cutie Mark Crusaders huddled over a table what could they be talking about. Sitting down he ordered some hay extra crispy french fries before eavesdropping on them.

"I tell ya, Scootaloo, this last month has been hard on my hooves. Not only do we have the mayor ordering the entire town rebuilt to a more ordered structure I have to help build new homes and barrels for cider season. It's a mess." 

The bags under Applebloom's eyes stood as testament to her claim. The pony was still wearing her construction gear as well.

"At least you can do your talent. My wings and neck still haven't healed." Her half body cast holding the neck and wings still was covered in pony names.

"I still can't believe they declared you dead!"

"Me neither, but that's what happens when they find you with your head twisted around." Applebloom winced.

"How can you talk about that so easily?"

"Hey, I wanted to be a Wonderbolt as a kid! You need to be ready for death at any time as a stunt artist...Though I will admit. When that Diamond dog grabbed me around the neck and head I ...I was sad I'd never see you girls again."

"We would have missed you so much," Applebloom shouted before reaching to give her a big hug. "What about you, Sweetie Belle?"

The mare looked up from the table only long enough to mumble something.

"That would have been terrible..."

Her two friends glance at each other before Scootaloo spoke up with her concern evident.

"Sweetie Belle... I'm sorry about your parents but they wouldn't want you to be this way… Mordane wouldn't either."

"I… I know." Sweetie whispered tears welling up.

"Come on," Applebloom said as the two of them moved to her side, "we're here for you..."

Sweetie burst into tears.

As her friends comforted her Spike walked scratching her head made his way out and up the road toward Sugarcube corner.

I really need some cheering up after that… and I think I know just the pony to do that!

Heading out Spike headed for Sugarcube corner he moved quickly looking forward to seeing her smiling face and getting a crystal cup cake.

However once he came around the bend he stopped and blinked several times.

Is Sugarcube corner... drooping?

The entire building had a dark air around it. Ponies were not even making eye contact with it as they walked around depressed.

With great apprehension Spike walked up and opened the front door, his heart giving off a little quiver of fear.

"Pinkie Pie?"

From the entrance Spike could see Pinkie Pie sitting in the near dark surrounded by black balloons and gray sweets with a few banners laid about saying things like 'Things will get better' ' Sorry your husband died' 'Don't feel bad, life goes on'. The mare herself was staring at a single cupcake. Her hair was flat and she seemed totally consumed in her sadness.

"No one wants me around... I guess that a party can't fix everything," she mumbled.

"Pinkie are you ok?" he asked hesitantly.

"Oh, hi, Spike… Yes I'm fine." She did not look fine to him.

"You don’t look fine."

"It's just the ponies. They don't want my parties for now… I'm just waiting until it’s over."

"It's the parties that you miss?" he asked incredulously. "Not the ponies?"

"I miss them!" she said, shocked. "I just don't understand. We should be celebrating them. Not trying to forget..."

Pinkie went back to staring at her cupcake.

Spike shook his head and let her be.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Spike walked sullenly from Sugarcube corner. His eyes were staring at the ground as his heart felt like a lead weight had descended.

Maybe Fluttershy can help me... she cares for those animals all the time. She might know how to help Rarity and Twilight.

Making his way out of the town spike walked briskly toward the forest edge to where Fluttershy lived. He arrived before even noticing. Look up he saw Fluttershy and Discord outside making tea.

"I still don't understand why you insist that I let you make the tea Fluttershy it would be so much easier if you just let me create it from nothing," Discord said as he sat on the chair with two clones of himself massaging both of their shoulders."It would be so much easier than waiting."

"I've told you before, Discord; it's the doing of things that matter, not what you get out of it."

"Yes, yes," he said with an exasperated sigh before summoning a carrot to give the rabbit who till that moment had been kicking his leg. "I've heard that before. I just worry you'll burn yourself on the hot pot again."

"Discord," she said with a small laughter, "that was three years ago."

"Three years. Three minutes. Three seconds it's all the same thing really." He laughed as his clones disappeared. "Oh I wish I could see you as a little filly I bet you were adorable."

Fluttershy blushed as Discord laughed.

"Why don't you just look and see like you did with Twilight that time?" asked Spike as he walked up. "Hey, Fluttershy."

"Hello Spike," greeted Fluttershy with a warm smile.

"What a good idea!" Discord shouted nearly causing Fluttershy to drop her tea "I'll just go back and see!"

"Discord, isn't that dangerous?" Fluttershy quickly asked.

"Oh, I can't change the past or anything like that. It's impossible. Paradox you know.” He said wincing and crossing his legs “I'll just go look from outside the time. It will be like I was never there. Because I wasn't!" He snapped his fingers producing a flash of light but appearing to not have moved. "OH you were cuter than I imagined. Those long legs."

"Hey! I was really bullied about those," Fluttershy said tucking her hooves close to her heart as her eyes began to water.

"I'm sorry, Fluttershy, I didn't mean it," he said nervously.

"That's ok," she said smiling, the fake tears being released. "Got ya."

As Discord rolled on the ground laughing Fluttershy turned to Spike and rolled her eyes.

"So, Spike, why are you visiting today?"

"Uhh, yeah, well, umm," he said rubbing the back of his neck and kicking a stone. "I was wondering if you could help me with something. A question that is..."

"Sure," she said looking concerned, "ask away."

"How do you deal with ponies… passing on."

Discord sat up and looked at Fluttershy as he blinked twice and put her cup down on the table.'

"Well...That's a difficult question, Spike. Everypony really has their own way of dealing with it. I could tell you mine though?"

"I would like that." he said with a small smile and sad eyes.

"Oh, um, where to begin," she said rubbing her hooves together with frustration "Ah. Well, Spike... Many animals that come to my cottage are hurt and even though I try to heal them many don't make it. At first this would upset me for days afterward and only Pinkie could cheer me up but then I realized something. The end is not really the point. All those animals and ponies I help will go on and make little themes that wouldn't have been if I didn't. So in a way I'll always be here in this forest or at least what I do will be. Like I said to Discord, it’s what you do now that matters. That's why it matters so much all we have is the now. What do you think, Discord?"

"Well," he said scratching his head, "I disagree, Fluttershy. In the grand scheme of things all of us will die. Even I who am immortal cannot go on forever. In time all that I am all that we are will cease. Change is ever present and what is will never be again. I say live for the now because nothing we do really matters."

"Discord!" Fluttershy shouted in shock.

"What? It's true! Take it from me, kid, in the end it doesn't matter what you do, so live as you wish. Without regret!"

"Wait?" Spike cut in. "Are you saying that we sort of… live on because of what we do?"

"And those we know," Fluttershy nodded.

"And you, Discord, say that what we do in the end is forgotten so we should just try to be happy… Can both be true?"

"I suppose so," said Discord. "Though I do not see it myself. What does it matter that the effects of what you do cascade through time if no one knows you did it? If that makes you happy though, you should do it."

Fluttershy nodded. "That’s one way of saying it."

Spike thanked them for their advice before leaving.

He walked out from her house along the forest line. He passed near some places but soon he saw something he had not even intentionally meant to find again.

Mordane's shack.

Regret filled him and threatened to burst into tears as he walked up to the burned wreckage. It had nearly been as much of a shock to hear that Mordane had burned it down intentionally as to learn that he was an alicorn. He went into the rubble and sat against a segment of wall.

Mordane… why did you do it? Why did you run? Where we not your friends? Were those times I traded secrets as you smiled meaningless? What about all those times I saved you from the crusaders and there disasters? Who was there when those very same crusaders found their marks and you did not? Who stayed by your side even as you grew slowly bitter at the odd looks, denying you even cared about getting a mark so much so that many believed you? Though I saw the pain. I tried to get close to you, Mordane. Celestia knows I tried.

As Spike sat there, a pony suddenly walked through the space where the door used to be, on his right. She walked to the rooms' center before dropping a single rose and standing there. Spike recognized her as Bon Bon and was about to speak up when she pulled out a piece of paper and began to read.

"Hi, Mordane… You don't really know me and I did not know you. That was until the day those Diamond dogs attacked, many ponies died fighting them. Obeying your orders and plan. Most call you are hero, but I can't." she began to shake tears dripping down off her face onto the ground. "How could I call you a hero when you killed my Lyra? When you impaled her on a spike to kill those dogs that were about to kill her as well. How am I supposed to feel about surviving that by pure chance…? Did you even hesitate? Would you be stuck up in the night thinking about it? I would like to say I think you would be but I remember the look in your eyes just afterward. Even as my sight had begun to grow dark. I remember seeing you look on to your next target. You didn't even stop to watch her die. Pawn to rook four, and Lyra was dead… my Lyra." She cried then. Openly sobbing uncontrolled as Spike sat frozen.

"I-I can't lie and say I'm sad you're dead. I feel you deserved it, even knowing that the town was saved by what you did. I know with my mind that you saved lives, but you did not save the life I really cared about." She lowered her head "Rest in peace Mordane, because I cannot." Bon Bon turned and ran out of the ruble with her eyes screwed shut. The sobs being held in as she ran from that place.

Shaking, Spike stood up. His arms hugging his body tightly.

He ran out of there, following the tree line all the way to the Diamond fields. He ran up to a small ridge and sat down, his gasps nearly turning into sobs.

Bon Bon’s stark confession had opened up the floodgates in Spike to the real problem he faced. The question he really wanted answers to.

I'm a dragon… I will outlive Rarity and the others. All the ponies I know save Twilight will grow old and die while I grow bigger and bigger until I can't even live in pony homes anymore then where will I be? What will I do?

He cried

What will I do when Rarity dies?

He cried and cried. He cried like he never had before. Over time though, he calmed down and thought about what he had learned that day. Going down a checklist just like Twilight had taught him.

Rarity threw herself into her work so that she wouldn't have to face the pain of the loss. Twilight grew obsessed with it, studying it over and over. Applejack took the lost ones into her heart so that they would never really leave her. Pinkie tried to make others feel better, only falling into sadness once she could not. Fluttershy could accept it because they live on through their children and friends. Discord said it didn't matter so do what made me happy… What should I do though? I want Rarity, Twilight and Pinkie to feel better as well as come out of their cocoons what can me-

Then it clicked. The pieces fell into place and he jumped into action.

He went up to a secluded stone and pushed it aside. Beneath it laid a small bag with a magical insignia on it.

It’s time.

Taking the bag with him, he ran to get ready.
______________________________________________________________________________________________

Twilight was still sitting where he left her when Spike kicked open the door. In his hands were streamers, a bag of chips and various other things needed for the party.

"Spike?" Twilight said eyes wide. “What is all that for?”

"The party that’s happening here tonight. All of our friends are coming here."

"But-" Twilight began looking around the library. Books, dishes and random papers laid everywhere as Twilight stood in the center with a messed up mane. "Spike! How could you!? This place is a mess! I'M a mess! Why-"

Spike had cleared off a table with his tail before setting down the party supplies. He then walked over to Twilight and cut her off, placing a finger over her mouth.

"Shhh, Twilight. We don't have time to argue. This place needs to be cleaned. You go take a shower then come help me."

"But-"

"GO!" Spike shouted, already rushing around and cleaning with a big smile on his face. Twilight obeyed and ran up the stairs. As she cleaned herself thoughts ran through her head.

What is he thinking no one wants a party! It’s only been a month...Oh no, what if my friends take this the wrong way! I mean, I haven't seen them much, but...

After finishing she rushed back down the steps to find Spike coming back from the kitchen with clean plates and setting them next to the stuff he had brought in on the table.

"Come on, Twilight, let’s get this done!"

The two of them had no time to talk as they rushed about. Twilight putting up the books and papers while Spike sweeped.

Within the hour the place was clean. Spike was making snacks when Pinkie Pie burst through the front door and ran up to him giving one of her signature back crushing hugs.

"Oh, thank you, thank you! I just got your message from Ms. Cake! I did what you asked and they said YES!"

Spike smiled and hugged her back.

"That's great, Pinkie! Why don't you help finish the decorations?"

"Already on it," he heard from behind him. Looking back he saw Pinkie already putting up more streamers on the other side of the library. Looking at his now empty hands he took only a moment to remind himself to not question it.

The rest of the guests arrived shortly. Fluttershy and Discord came together. The later only pausing to snap a chocolate statue into existence. Then came Rainbow, tired but giving a weak smile none the less. Then there was Applejack who brought a barrel of Apple cider. Finally Rarity came in. She however was not smiling and only looked inquiringly at Spike.

"Try and enjoy yourself," Spike told her, softly taking off her coat. "Trust me."

Rarity looked him in the eyes and gave the weakest of smiles and nods before going in to talk to her friends.

The night would later be a blur to Spike. At first the guests had talked to each other quietly, then with more fervor.

There was laughter.

There were tears.

And, as that special kind of magic that always does to those who let it, their friendship was renewed.

As the night wore on, Rarity slowing came out of her shell. Her tears were shared and Spike comforted her. At the turning of the clock Spike got her away from her friends and up the stairs. To the sound of drunken whistling by Discord but up the stairs none the less.

Once there he took his love out onto the balcony nestled in the tree branches.

"Spike." Rarity said as they leaned on the rail "I have to thank you for setting up this party. I know I've been...reclusive lately."

"It's ok, Rarity. I understand."

"No, it’s simply dreadful. I-" Spike put a finger over her mouth.

"No, Rarity, it’s ok. All I want is for you to be happy."

"Oh, Spike," she said, putting her hoof over where her heart would be. "I simply must think of a way to repay you."

Spike blushed before whispering.

"There is..." He reached behind one of the limbs and pulled out the small bag from before.

"Spike..."

"Rarity," he said, pulling out a ring with a perfect diamond, "will you marry me?"

"I-I don't know what to say." She stepped, back eyes growing large.

Spike felt his hops get crushed at the fearful look on his loves face. Perhaps it had been too early. Maybe she wasn't ready.

He gulped. Trying to hold back tears as he stood up.

"It’s ok, Rarity I-"

"Yes."

"What?" Spike gulped his eyes bugging out.

"YES!"

Magic grabbed both of Spike’s ears and tugged him down as Rarity wrapped her hooves around his head, kissing him.

Firecrackers went off in Spike’s mind as he filled with warmth.

Going downstairs, Rarity told everyone the good news and showed off her beautiful hoof cuff.

There was even more cheering and rejoicing as the news filled up the other ponies with warmth.

"Say, Spike," Rainbow asked with the biggest smile you had ever seen on any pony besides Pinkie, "what made you decide to pop the question?"

Spike smiled before answering to the waiting crowd.

"I talked to all of you today and to be honest… I was rather down. We all were, but as I sat on that hill I realized something. What are important are our futures, not the past. Sure we need to remember those that have passed on, but we must also remember to honor them with our future. And I know that there is only one pony whose future I want to share."

Spike kissed Rarity then who still had tears in her eyes.

Twilight watched her son/brother/assistant kiss her friend and realized something herself. Walking over to the table she pulled out a piece of paper.

Dear Princess Celestia,

Today I learned something from my not so little anymore assistant… Those dear to us may be gone but in truth they live on. The magic of friendship is so strong that even death cannot make it truly fade. I can't live in the past anymore. It's not what we could have done that matters but what we do.

Your faithful student with love
Twilight Sparkle.

P.S No matter what you say, I will ALWAYS be your student, Celestia.

Twilight wrapped it up and cast the spell to send it to Celestia herself rather than asking Spike to send it. After all… he was really into that kiss.
______________________________________________________________________________________________

Celestia awoke as a letter popped into existence beside her on the bed.

Opening it, she paused before smiling.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

In the southern reaches of Equestria, beyond the badlands and near the end of the western coast, Luna stood tall and proud in her new royal battle armor. 

She had commissioned it at the beginning of the war a month before. It was designed to guard all her vital spots; under the wings, her back and belly. There she had only the finest blue colored steel. Over her joints laid black chainmail allowing for easy movement. The apex of the design was a helmet which bared many similarities to her one as Nightmare Moon.

“Tonight, brave soldiers of Equestria, we push home our victory over the dog scorn that so wrongly pushed into our land and enslaved your innocent pony brethren. Go now and know that you have your princess blessing. “

The crowed of reporter ponies dashed about eagerly as the crowed of guards burst into a roar. The army itself numbered nearly fifty thousand. Only about half of Equestrians forces but it were all they could bring to the battlefield so far from Equestrians center. The dogs numbered forty thousand. Luna had insisted that the Diamond dog. The mountain would be put under siege even with their only slight numerical advantage. Most of the time ponies only attacked when outnumbered two to one but Luna believed that to be cowardly.

Walking but to her guard Luna perked up upon hearing their comments about her speech.

“Well done, Princess.”

“It was a rousing speech.”

“Thank you” She said with a smile.” I was wondering if I might have been too loud.”

The shadowbolt laughed merrily “Not at all princess. When talking to the army nothing is too loud.”

“Yes.” came a snooty voice from behind Luna “Such a speech is needed by the ponies if we are to settle the fears of comment folk over this Diamond dog debacle.”

Prince Blueblood was wearing a shirt that many in the Trottinghoof area would have described as fabulous. It was blue with white trimming and an excess of ruffles under his chin. On his hip hung a thin rapier. And plain leather boots donned his hooves. 

“If I may console you for a moment princess?”

Luna smiled. It was always a pleasure to talk to Blueblood. His regal manner put her at ease ad seemed much more normal than the jovial tone that most took nowadays. Even if his rudeness to those of a lower station did irritate her slightly.

“Ah! Commander Blueblood. Tis a pleasure I’m sure. What canst I help thee with?”

“Oh boy.” whispered one of her guard “she's doing that old style talk again.”

Blueblood smiled at Luan's slip. Matching her tone he continued with his explanation.

“Tis a fine day for glory and honor my liege. Twas fate that brought us upon thine enemies at this time my majesty. Yea even the winds seem to fall favorably upon us. Striking our foes harbor so as to prevent their escape by sea. Indeed if we had not been head up for water before crossing that accursed disaster we would have arrived to likely find naught but abandoned caves. Enough of my dilly dally though let us instead speak of this coming battle.”

Floating three maps out of his bag Blueblood set out to explain his strategy. His accent slipping back into a normal speech pattern.

“Our west flank is strong as it has been held up resting here for the last two weeks. I intend to have them strike at the main force here, on the western side of the mountain near their main entrance. Forty percent of them reside closes to our position to the north that we will have to match in number and send a mere eight thousand to wipe out the ten percent reside on the eastern side. You may watch from here your majesty.” The stallion pointed at a nearby hill.

“Nay Blueblood we shall engage the enemy.”

Several of the news ponies nearby began to murmur and take out their pens. Blueblood coughed awkwardly before stepping closer to Luna. His face having a plastered smile as he waved at the news ponies. Whispering intently he tried to make her understand before the worst happened.

“My princess. I’m sorry but...well princess don't actually go into battle anymore. With the number of ponies involved- They just don’t do it.”

“We do not understand” Luna said frowning. “We- I am fully capable of fighting in battle. Do you believe me weak?”

“Well there was how Celestia-” spoke up a nearby newspony. Turning to him Luna addressed him.

“Would you rather the entire wedding party be ash upon the wall?”

The newspony’s gasped and began scribbling onto their pads.

“Princess! You just can’t-”

“Why not?”

“Because.” He reached for something anything that would let him prevent her from attacking the enemy front and dying. Then he was struck on it. “It’s just not refined. It's...brutish.”

Luna paused as her face softened and turned contemplative. 

“I see. I still have trouble understanding many of these new...obligations. If I understand if I fight it makes me seem brutal? Aggressive?”

“Yes.” Blueblood sighed 

“Very well we will kill them with as little pain for them as possible. It may be a bit of an overuse of power but I shall do what is needed in this new age.”

“Wait no!”

But then he had to brace himself.  

Normally when a winged pony takes off their magic does most of the lifting with the wings providing fine control. This magic is focused evenly around the body however; a skilled pegasus can actually manipulate the field itself with their wings. Taking it a step further they could create wind. Even using it in combat.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Luna flapped her wings willing the air around her to move and bend to her will as she loosened the mental restraints on her war magic.

Taking a moment she addressed the commander wide eyes below her.

“We shall take the western front. Send the troops you would have there to the northern side. Guard. You may follow but stand back.”

Not waiting for a response she rocketed off toward the enemy front. Ready to engage. Very quickly she found herself flying high above them and taking a minute to prepare. The Diamond dog rune carver's magic could be felt even this high as a shield covered the dogs. At her best guess about four thousand troops stood beneath its dark blue sheen.

Reaching out she began to struggle for some of the local energy. Raising an eyebrow she was surprised by how strongly the Dogs held on. Dozens of them must be down there holding the energy in tow.

She however was able to resell a four away by the time her guard showed up.

“My lady.” Said the panting bat pony guard “Be reasonable-”

“I am being reasonable. These dogs have taken the lives of my citizens and I will not let that pass without exacting my toll. I will warn you only once. Do not follow me into battle. You will only get in the way.”

It was then that the attack trumpets sounded across the valley. With nary a farewell Luna began her descent.

As she flew down the smell of smoke greeted her and she could make out details. The earth which had appeared a light brown from above now revealed itself to be trampled ground. Churned by the passing of thousands of paws. 

Above her dark clouds began to form and spread over the sky. Even as arrows reached up to meet her. A blast of wind tossed them off course to fall to the ground harmlessly. She landed with barely a whisper not a hundred yards in front of the Diamond Dog line.

“Pony Princess!” shouted a voice from behind the line. “Surrender to us. You die if not.”

Luna frowned and inwardly groaned. 

Diamond dogs could never pull of Equestrian speech very well.

Breathing deep she poured energy into the vibrations of her voice using the Canterlot royal voice.

“WE WILL NOT SURRENDER. INSTEAD WE ASK YOU TO SURRENDER INSTEAD. IF YOU DO NOT THEN I WILL BRING THE FINAL END.”

“Prepare to charge!”

Luna sighed. These dogs were just so young. Truly thinking that they could match Equestrians might. That was foolishness...Just like her little ponies forgetting the truth. That the princesses did not rise to power with kind words. That a nation was not built on cooperation alone. That with their magic alone, Equestria was forged after Discords fall. That they had to wrest control of the sun and moon from its traditional unicorn controllers.

But they would remember.

As the last ray of light began to wink out on her face calm entered her being. She could see now what Blueblood had meant. These children where not to be hated...but pitied. Yes. She would bring the end, but softly. With a lullaby.

Dark shadows poured from her body as she raised her hoof and performed a summoning spell. A great scythe appeared. Its long black and blue length ended in a blade that was wide and silver.

As the troops closed the last bit of distance the heavens opened up.

And she began to sing.

In the rain she danced

bathed in shadow used to crush her foes

Lightning tore from her being

Wind forced down her foes

Her blade cut deep and true

Sewing her enemies in two

as from her lips passed a song that was truth.

The fragility of mortals was learned that day
______________________________________________________________________________________________

Blueblood waked the western battlefield followed silently by newsponies. All around them lay the dead dogs. Their bodies soaked in water, sweat and blood. Many seemed to of died from the lightning strikes and the blade of his princess. Others had broken necks that seemed to of been crushed by some powerful dragon hand squeezing it alone.

The devastation was total. None had survived. 

He remembered the somber demeanor of Luna and her insistence that the dogs had died near painlessly. Then her laughter saying that Celestia was even stronger than her. There had always been legends about their strength...but he had never believed. Always thinking they were exaggerated.

Now though. He knew the truth.

There is no pony more powerful than the princesses.

> A jaunt into enemy territory.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Stalker, I will end up killing you one of these days." Mordane and the earth pony stallion were climbing over a pile of rocks three days after leaving the mercenary camp. The plateau had stood before them as both an obstacle and a short cut.

Mordane’s muscles burned and sweat poured out of his body as it endeavored to carry the camping equipment up the steep embankment. The straps on his wings and horn were constantly rubbing against him, surely leaving red marks beneath his fur. The binding ring at the base of his horn itched and occasionally emitted a spark. His wings burned as they sat strapped to his body. He had tried to find a way to remove them safely, but they had proven to be far too strong of an enchantment for the young stallion to remake after breaking it. That was if breaking it did not backfire somehow. Because of that, he would have to leave them on.

"You knew that this bucking rise was going to be here. That's why you took the first shift for the first two days." Stalker's laughter only caused Mordane to growl some more at him.

“You know Mordane,” Stalker said while jumping lower down the mountain to push him up, ”as much as I love touching your hot flank, I would have expected you to last longer. You have only been carrying it, what, one day? That is hardly commendable after having such a victory.”

With his legs shaking, Mordane lacked the energy to really complain about Stalkers touch. Even though he seriously considered cutting off the pony's hooves.

“That victory, as you call it,” Mordane grunted as he finally pulled himself over the last rock and onto the top of the plateau, “Was something any half competent commander could’ve done with half a leg being gnawed off by a flaming bear.”

Stalker snorted as Mordane turned around and reached down to help him up as well.

“If I’m not mistaken, Stalker,” he continued, “you also seem to be breathing a little deeper than before.”

It was Mordane’s turn to laugh at the glare from his traveling companion. Sitting down, they both looked over the other side to the area beyond. Their panting slowed as they fully took in the scene.

Stretching out before them were rolling hills with trees hugging the side of the mountain chain that they sat upon. They could see birds flying overhead. In the far distance one could just make out the shimmer of a river.

“Why are we climbing up the side of a mountain again?” Mordane asked, after recovering from the climb.

“This plateau was once a pegasi outpost, and much larger than it is now. Earth pony slaves would be forced to grow food here. Eventually the place was abandoned, and the few buildings made of wood turned to dust eventually. With erosion crumbling its edges, This is the only place you can cross the mountains this far west. It’s far faster than going around the long way and you did say ‘I’ll be back as soon as I can,’ to Boulder that you’d be back as soon as you could . Why, I could have sworn you were about to kiss.” Stalker was already standing. Pulling out a spyglass, he began to scan the area before them. “Plus, I can teach you to move without being seen on the way. Much too hard for you on the road.”

“Teach me to sneak? Why?”

“You do not know?” Stalker sighed and put up his spyglass. “Of course you don’t. Recently, Cabistien and Derrena are at each other's throats. The various lords of Derrena have even toned down their infighting. Cabistien is moving its troops west. That's why that rebellion happened. There is going to be a war.”

“War? What for?” Mordane asked as he started looking for a place to climb down from.

“Derrena is looking to annex the city state Ike. It will give them access to both sides of the peninsula.” Stalker pointed to a spot on the opposite side of the plateau a hundred meters away. “Cabistien won’t allow that as Ike is a vassal state to it.”

“Who will win?” Mordane asked curiously.

“Cabistien has more money but Derrena has more soldiers. Either way, neither side currently has the resources to hold the other. It would take all Derrena has to take Ike.”

“So which direction we headed?”

“To the north east. By the way, how did Boulder take the news of where we are going react when you told him where we’re going?”

“Well, if I remember correctly, he told me to kiss my ass goodbye.”

Reaching the plateau edge, they began the long climb down and into the forest before heading north northeast towards their destination.

A few hours later as the sun began to set the two ponies found a small clearing to camp in.

“Isn’t this too exposed?” asked Mordane as he drew his sword with his mouth, using it to shift through the brush in order to find some kindling, only dropping it twice.

“No, it should be fine. We're way too far off to be noticed at this point. Tomorrow though, we’ll be getting close.” Stalker rubbed his hooves against the ground, pushing the twigs and leaves to the side as he cleared a place for the tent.

After coming back with another load of wood on his back, Mordane saw that Stalker had already set up the tent and was mixing water into a bowl with hardened wheat porridge. Mordane went on to set up the fire and get water from a nearby stream.

He returned to find Stalker sitting next to the fire eating from a bowl with a spoon. A small pot of food hung over the fire.

"Come over and take some porridge Mordane."

"Sure." Picking up the bowl, Mordane sat down and began to eat, knowing it would likely be their only warm meal for some time.

Stalker stared at him from across the fire, slowly spooning the goo into his mouth.

"So… How was your childhood Mordane?"

What? Why would he care?

"It was nice. My family was isolated, so I could just wear a hat when company came over. Nopony would show up unannounced. I would help in the fields and play with my brothers and sisters… Celestia probably has now them though."

A somber tone settled over the camp, allowing the depressing nature of the area to crowd to the forefront of Stalkers mind.

"Why didn’t you try to free them?"

"Because I would have failed," Mordane snapped. "I loved my parents, but that will not make me a fool. If I surrendered then my family would be slaves. Held to keep me in line. Them and their seed for time untold. Even if I knew where they would be taken I would have no chance to capture the place alone. Not to mention its likely right under that castle of hers.” Mordane set aside his bowl and stared into the fire. His eyes turning a slight red and a little watery as sadness welled up in him. "I need help, loyal help. It will take time to get it but… Well, I will find them and take my revenge."

"She may be keeping them prisoner yes. Or she could have killed them."

"I considered that. My parents are old. They would not survive any kind of harsh imprisonment. My older brother would break as well… The stronger they are. My sisters would take the longest, but in the end only shells would remain. At most two or so years… Already been over a half. By the time I get back...."

Rage burned in Mordane’s eyes. The fire that he stared into was reflected in them, and for a moment, Stalker felt a chill. The pony’s usual mask had been pulled back and he could see clearly.

Stalker did not know if his companion was insane, but he could almost feel the heat of Mordane's anger.

"What if she keeps them well Mordane?"

"Then I will kill her for the years of my life lost and for imprisoning them. It matters not."

The coldness of his statement confused Stalker. Was this not the same pony who would spend money to free a pony and go out of his way 
to avoid causing pain and death of the innocent? Who could command undead but chose not to? Where was his kindness? It was things like this that made him wonder if Mordane really was insane.

"That voice… Talk like that again."

"What? why?"

"It turns me on."

Mordane’s glare could have curled milk.

"Don't you think that you’ve made enough innuendos, Stalker?"

Stalker took note of the manipulation in the statement, and briefly wondered how he could at one moment be capable of it and another blind to the most obvious thing.

"Oh, please Mordane," Stalker said smiling coyly" It relatives tension between us. After all it is what you expect of me."

"True, but that fact does not take away from how annoying it is." Mordane paused " I see where you picked up such a social defense mechanism… probably sexual childhood abuse."

Stalker snorted.

"Wrong, oh wise one. I was raised in a loving family."

"Yeah, right," he said rolling his eyes. "what loving parents name their colt Child Stalker?"

The stallion in question waved his hoof in a dismissive gesture.

"It was tradition. My parents were named similarly and you've met my brothers. Why, I remember carrying rocks up to the top of the mountain. Then we had to drop them on the top or stare at a tree until I made it grow a foot in one day. Or mine for crystal in aforementioned mountain. Now that one was downright cruel. I mean, there were no gems in that...." Stalker paused mid sentence, shocked at how much he had said.

Regaining his composure, he tried to divert the conversation. In the back of his mind, however, he once again wondered about Mordane and how his maturity and personality seemed in flux all the time.

"Umm...Why did you decide to go to Ponyville anyway?"

Darn. Caught himself.

"Oh, well it had the best library outside of Canterlot. I wanted to learn as much as I could without being under Celestia's rule."
Stalker snorted.

"Bullcrap. You like the danger, the chaos."

"I'm sorry?" Mordane raised his eyebrow "What do you mean?"

"Nopony hides from the thing they fear under its nose. Certainly, they don't apprentice themselves to the pony who is third closest to them. At the least they don't speak to them! I mean come on. How close did you come to being caught?!"

" Well...at least five I can think of."

"You see. You like danger. keeps you sharp." Stalker laughed and took the dishes to the camps edge to clean." Even though I had to save you a few times."

Mordane did not concern himself if what Stalker said is true. Besides, keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Mordane held a jewel in his hands. Calm filling his being. With a tendril from his mind the crystal flared to life.

"You bastard."

His normal calloused shell was not here to protect him. The words cut deep.

"Star Charmer I'm so-"

"I don't want to hear your excuses you stupid ape." Tears were going down his face his eyes "Why did you do it, Mordane? Why did you stop being a pony?"

Mordane looked down . For the first time noticing that he really did have hands and a feet. As part of him flashed shame another rejoiced at his returned humanity. Then both was filled with dread at the thought of eventual death came to him.

All was swept away by Star Charmers wards as her hoof played across his face.

"Did we not mean anything, Mordane? Or should I call you by your human name?"

"I've always been human, Star Charmer. I always will be."

"Can you even remember your name?"

The question cut like a knife.

My...name? What but...How could I forget

"How could you forget me, Mordane?"

Star Charmer was gone, replaced instead with his grandfather from before he came to Equestria. Setting his jaw, Mordane fought to gain control of himself.

"This is a dream."

"Does it matter? You can't deny the question Mordane."

The dread that had been building in the background started to twist the dark fog beyond his immediate thoughts. Dark shapes formed.

I will not be consumed

"Perhaps you already are."

His heart hammered in his chest even as he apparition stepped closer to his now tiny pony form.

"Tell me Mordane: what are you? A pony with a human soul or a human soul with a pony body?"

"I will not give into such madness. That question has no mean-"

"My boy" he said touching his shoulder with dark lines growing deeper on his face." Its all that matters."

"Begone. I will have nothing more to do with you. This is a new world. A new life! It is mine to take!"

"New world old patterns. War...war never changes. Death....It stays the same as well. Don't forget taxes....or did you forget."

"War, death, taxes. These three are one and the same, but the greatest of these is taxes."

"Aye. Never forget that."

"...I was the one to say that to you. Not the other way around. No you said there is no state more desired than peace and none more valuable. That once violence is done for oneself it will only begat more violence. What you just said makes no sense to that.... BECAUSE THIS IS A DREAM!" Mordane screamed in anger "YOU WILL BE GONE!"

and he was gone..

Mordane was alone.

In the dark.

Voices spoke in the abyss.

His mother’s...father’s...brother’s..sister’s...Star Charmer’s...

"Why did you kill us Mordane?"

On the edge of his troubled mind a hoof began to try and push into his dream.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Mordane snapped his eyes open and repressed the urge to scream.

I am the stone next to the ocean. The unchanging nature of the wind. I am the truth of water. Silence is my peace. Quiet my refuge....
He struggled back. Trying to remember everything he could.

I..I was called...JOHN! Yes yes what was my last name? Uh, I was called John Running? No John Triston, Yes John Triston. I was twenty five...Now I am forty three....Then why don't I feel like it.

Sitting in his cot Mordane contemplated when he started noticing the disconnect. It had to have been in the womb....then He grew use to it and for a while it disappeared. Now he was calling back old memories again.

That must be it...I'm using knowledge from then and its causing me to come back...but I never left?

It did not take long for him to crush that little voice of confusion. He was Mordane...and John they are the same person. Just different points in time in a life. He had not thought about some things for a while....that was fine. Old memories do tend to fade with disuse.

"Yes...yes that is what happened. Just some old memories resurfacing. I know there deaths were not my fault."

"Bad dreams?"

Mordane snapped his head to stare at Stalker for a second. The question of sharing a single tent had not even crossed Mordane’s mind. Now it seemed more important for some reason.

"It happens to me sometimes my friend" He said quietly before standing up. "So how are we going to travel today?"

"Well as I said" Stalker replied with a raised eyebrow " We travel in secret. Now help me pack up the camp" Mordane nodded and headed out of the tent He did not hear Stalkers whispered finish to his sentence"..friend."
______________________________________________________________________________________________

High Rise snorted in disgust and with a mighty flap of his wings literally blew his spy out of the tent.

Oh the stallion had his uses to keeping the group together but his report filled him with rage and disgust.

That mutated half-bred, spawn of a necromancer. How the buck did he do it?

Despite the stallion being gone somepony was still going around following his orders. The tents were in line and number. He had been receiving scout reports constantly despite not ordering them.

What am I going to do? Tell them to not do the work?

He certainly wasn't going to pay them more for it. For that matter he would not be paying whoever was doing extra work for Mordane. Just the name set his teeth on edge.

I know that punk is looking to take my place...Probably some of his goons are already planning to kill me when my back is turned.

It seemed wherever he went in the camp the topic was always the same. Mordane this Mordane that.

The informant had been snooping around. According to him the entire camp was already referring to Mordane as "the second".

How long till that is commander I wonder...I won't have my band taken by some snot nose colt from the north!

There was not much he could do about it though. If the stallion did not return in two weeks then...

"Now there is an idea....There is nothing saying I have to wait for him. It may be customary but...Yes. I think I'll do just that. By the time he gets here well be gone and he will have no idea how to find us" With a chuckle at his cleverness High Rise called for another one of those farm mares to be brought to him.
______________________________________________________________________________________________

"So Mordane...how do you know High Rise will wait for us back at where we left him."

"Doubt he would. The guy is only concerned about his bottom line.. Good thing he planed where they would march and marked it on a map. Pretty funny how he left it out for all to see."

"Huh. Well that could have been bad."

"Indeed."

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Hours later Mordane was moving carefully through the forest. Trying to avoid twigs and leaving prints while at the same time moving silently from cover to cover.

His mind just kept playing back what Stalker had said.

"Listen Mordane. We are going into enemy territory. With the war up and coming they will likely have random patrols going around the cities. I would rather avoid having to hurry due to your clumsiness. Now here is the first thing to being sneaky."

Mordane carefully stepped over a log and winced as the sound of a large stick breaking rang out.

Looking back he judged how well he had done.

There was at least five hoof prints he could see, broken twigs everywhere and his favorite quill was laying on the ground which he promptly went back to pick up.

"Wow...you really suck at this." Looking up Mordane was confronted with the puzzling sight of Stalker standing on a tree limb

How did he get up there?

"Well...Ummm"

"I mean a blind, deaf old man with a cane could follow that trail Mordane!"

"Err it is my first time"

Stalker smiled" Well I guess I'll have to be more gentle."

"...walked right into that one."

"Yes, yes you did. Now head straight and do try to be more careful"

Mordane turned and headed on. It confused him how Stalker would disapear as soon as his back was turned. Looking back he knew that just like the other five times he would be met with empty forest.

Eventually Stalker dropped out of the trees to talk again.

"I mean really Mordane. I thought you were good at everything?"

"Common misconception. I just only use my strengths and move before It becomes a problem."

"There! There is the problem. Your too much of a leader to sneak."

Mordane furrowed his eyebrow.

"Well I seem to remember launching a surprise attack not two weeks ago."

"That was an army. you only had to distract them. This is different. We have to get through without gaining their attention." Stalker said patently.

The constant putting down of his sneaking skills had put Mordane in a bad mood.

"Do not patronize me Stalker." he growled.

"I shouldn't have to tell you this stuff Mordane but with your sneaking..."

"I'm not a child, Stalker. I am trying to follow your advice to the best of my ability. Repeating it won't help in that regard."

The veiled annoyance of Stalker turned to downright anger.

"Maybe if you weren't acting like one I wouldn't have to." he whispered, turning away.

"What did you say?" Mordane responded threateningly. " I don't much like the idea of you thinking that of me. If we have a problem just say it."

Stalker opened his mouth to make another innuendo but stopped midway before closed his mouth. A second later his brow furrowed to match Mordane as his voice took on a quality of steel.

"I said that if you did not act like a child I would not have to treat you like one. I mean come on Mordane!" He walked right up and stood in the stallions face. "Advice? I did not just give advice. I gave you instructions on how we both can get out of this. I did not have to come on this you know."

"Bullshit."

"What!?"

Mordane had already lowered his horn at stalker as he glared.

"I am no fool, Stalker. Your family has been watching me for a long time."

"No you idiot!" he shouted " It's just me who has been watching you!"

Whatever Mordane was going to respond with was lost as Stalker suddenly tackled Mordane to the ground. At first Mordane thought that the stallion was trying to kill him but his eyes fell on the arrow shaking as it stuck out of a tree.

"Were under attack!" he shouted.

"I know! Get to cover!" yelled Stalker as he bolted.

Mordane did the same and dived behind a outcropping of rock. Reaching out with his mind he felt the seven ponies on the hill.

There is no way we can take on that many.

He searched for a way out but soon he realized that they were just too close. A grim determination to not die hiding filled him. Once one stallion was close enough he pulled out his sword and jumped him.

With the first blow Mordane and the pegasi pony guard both had their swords knocked out of their mouths. His look of shock at Mordane’s strength flashed across his face. Quickly they turned to hooves.

There was no rhyme or reason to Mordane's attack. He jabbed left and right before bucking at the ponies face. The pony at first barely dodged but within a few second he began to weave with ease around Mordane’s strikes. There is however only so much one untrained can do against a trained soldier.

With a single thrust and a flap of his wings the stallion threw Mordane against a tree. In a daze he watched the stallion pick up his sword and start walking toward him. For a few moments he considered his options before realizing that it was impossible. His soul was anchored to this flesh and even if he had all the proper rituals he was just too weak. With careful resignation he accepted the inevitable. With an odd calm his thoughts and the life that he had lived.

So… this is the end. I probably should of taken the binds off. Then maybe I'd of won. Well hindsight is twenty twenty... It's odd how I don't feel any fear. Well it's the time. I wonder if ponies and humans go to the same heaven… or hell.

The stallion raised his sword for the killing blow

Two hooves suddenly snaked around his neck. With a twist, there was a loud crack and he fell to the ground.

"You know saving you like this was not in the job description." Stalker smirked

"I was not aware there was one."

"True." he laughed.

"What happened to the rest of them?"

"Take a look" He turned a gestured around.

One mare sat tied to a tree as the rest of the attack party lay fallen in bushes and open ground.

"...Remind me to not piss you off again, at least until I have my magic back."

"Will do… and I am sorry. It's just I was afraid something like this would happen."

"How did you take them out" Mordane asked as he stood up.

" Family tradition. Now… what to do with her?" He said gesturing to the mare tied to the tree.

"...Well there is the obvious thing. We are on a spying mission." he looked stalker in the eyes " I don't know about you Stalker but I dislike the idea of torture."

"True. It's not very effective anyway." he replied casually " They just tell you whatever you want to hear."

"So psychological?"

"Do you know anything about it?" Stalker asked curiously.

"Torture? Yes, both physical and mental. Though I've never practice it."

"Well I suppose we can go mental. First let's find a place to take her, then we'll talk."

An hour later they found a small cave in the side of a cliff. Stalker secured her inside before returning.

"She's awake. You ready?"

"Yes. What's the plan?"

"I'll go in and rough her up. Look like I'm ready to really ramp it up. Threaten her with the usual, rape , more punching and such. I'll avoid really hurting her though."

"Ok...then I come in and play good Stallion."

" Well no" Stalker replied sheepishly " you play the worse guy. Then I'll come in and try to look like I'm desperate. That I'm the good Stallion."

"Ah...so what I be as evil as I can and you'll act all scared? Didn't she see me beaten?"

" I'll say something about how your letting me do this because of training or something."

"Ok....got it. I'll have to be the most evil bastard you have ever known."

Stalker nodded before rolling his eyes and heading back into the cave.

Mordane took a seat and started thinking back. He had covered nearly every aspect of war as John...

I will have to be convincing.

Carefully he selected his words and outlook that would have the desired effect. As he worked the back of his mind took note of the sound of impacts and gasps of pain.

Standing he started walking toward the cave. His eyes were glazed over seemingly uncaring about anything. Walking in one could almost taste the blood he must spilt as it was marked clearly in his trot and breathing.

Looking at the mare he did not let a flicker of emotion touch his face at her bloody nose. He instead turned to Stalker and put a disgusted look on his face.

"Stalker!"

The stallion jumped into the air at his shout. He turned playing out the part of a fearful subordinate.

"S-sir I was just interrogating he prisoner. As per your orders."

Mordane glared at him letting the disgust leak into his voice.

"I said to torture her. Not to give her a few broken bones."

"Oh no sir! No sir! Steady hoof has broken none of her bones!"

Mordane shouted and projected pure rage.

"Then you have failed even more! If I was not training with restrictions I would do this myself!"

"But sir...What else is there to do without magic?"

Mordane sneered.

"I suppose I will have to show you how to conduct such things. Very well. I will explain carefully."

Walking up Mordane looked around the cave before beginning to speak.

"Step one: Either lay down some sheeting to keep from making a mess, take the subject to a location where it doesn't matter if you make a mess, or prepare a tip and an apology for the maid. *sigh* I go through so many maids. Anyway, step one - check."

Mordane calmly recounted to the much confused Stalker and prisoner. He taped the stone behind the prisoners head.

"Step two: Impress upon the subject that it is in their best interest to divulge any and all information that is asked of them. There are several ways of doing this, some folks like the old 'surprise knife to the knee' but my personally my favourite is to give them a rundown of the planned itinerary. "

A small smile crossed his lips as the mares eyes grew wider.

"This would be where you tell them about all the horrible things you're going to do. You know, shatter their hooves , flay their tail, boil their legs one by one, all that good stuff. I saw some centipedes back there and I'm interested to see if they'll be able to dig their way out if I sew them into someone's gut, so that'll be fun to look forward to. You'd also be surprised at how many ribs you can take out while keeping the subject conscious. I'll give you a hint; it's all of them." She groaned and shook at his words. Her eyes unable to look away from his.

"Heh, that reminds me of this one time I was working on a griffon, a real tough nut, and her kid was in the next room. I was going at it for most of the day so, needless to say, he ended up pretty bored. I swear his whining was even louder than his mum's. Anyway, what I did , right, was I gave him a pile of his mum's ribs and he spent the rest of the day in there on his own using them to make little teepees and stuff. It was downright adorable. Of course I did end up plucking the little chicken in front of his mum, but it was cute while it lasted."

Stalker gaged.

"Ahem, anyway, I thinks that's check and check. Next comes step three: ask the subject if they're willing to talk. This step's really more of a courtesy, but I like to do it anyway. We're all busy people after all, and the sooner we get things wrapped up the sooner we can all go about our business. If they don't want to play along then that's when we go to step four: the Fun Part."

He paused to let that sink in. Already the mare was staring wide eyed at him.

"Since it seems unwilling to surrender the information." he said with a smile" Start with the tail. Cut it off...then the mane. "

"Ummm." Stalker spoke up swallowing his surprisingly dry mouth. "What do we do if she talks without a fuss?"

"Oh, then we give her some food and knock her out for a day."

"I'LL TALK! I'LL TALK!"

Mordane grinned even bigger.

"Yes, oh yes you will."

______________________________________________________________________________________________
Mordane walked out of the cave with Stalker who had stayed silent throughout the rest of the conversation. The information had been of no real value as the mare had not known anything.

"She will be ok right?"

"Yes Mordane, but where did you learn about things like that? I thought you disliked torture." He seemed put off by what Mordane had said.

"I learned it a long time ago. Disliked it myself. Can't think of many times I would actually have to do it and certainly never to that extreme. In the end though she told us everything with no fuss."

"Aye but what will she say about us."

"No idea....So where are we headed?"

"North still. I gave the impression we were headed east to the ocean for pickup....Look Mordane, I shouldn't of called you a child."

Mordane rolled his eyes.

"Apologizing does not become you Stalker."

"That's certainly true."

They both smiled and continued north.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Celestia damn Mordane and his brilliance!

Boulder walked toward the mess hall. It was much easier now that the tents were in alignment. Though they had yet to moved Mordane had already set ponies in command when they did.

For Bolder arriving at camp was one of the biggest surprises of his life, tents in a row, the locals pacified, and who had done it.

To Boulder Mordane was still a child. Only eighteen. How could he have gained control so quickly? Then maintained it? Not to mention actually commanding well.

The maneuver was not something taught in any military training he saw. Attacking a superior position with lower numbers...It sounded like suicide. Even if they were just farmers.

It just did not fit into Boulders world view.

I have got to see what the others think of him.

Boulder ,on the first day, had set out to gain 'friends' throughout the army. It was an old instinct from before he had been forced to retire at the age of twenty five. That was ten years ago but habits die hard. Plus it was good to hear were they were going.

Not to mention what that Stalker fellow was up to.

Walking into the mess area, something else Mordane had set up, Boulder was not supriced to see his friends waiting for him.

"Welp gentlemen" he said sitting around a fire with them and seeting down two wine sacks he had traded extra guard duty for. " Its good to see ya."

"Good to see you to Boulder." said a pegasi scout.

"hello my friend." returned an earth pony engineer.

"Fine night to you." Spoke up a smug unicorn.

The pony rummaging through the utensil chest just grunted in response.

"So...I know yall haven't met each other. I'm just pulliong yall her because It accrued to me we might be able to figure something about this
Mordane fellow." Boulder said picking up his fake drawl. Most ponies would be more open around someone they perceived as stupider than themselves.

None of them knew he shared a tent with the guy and so they did not question how they would know more than him.

"Well" spoke the Unicorn " I don't know him that well... all I know is that he seems to of straightened out the camp. Quite respectable."

"Eh, an officer's an officer; met one, you've met 'em all. Damn it, where's that damn can opener? I traded my picture of Steamy Buns for these damn beans."

"Respectable my ass!" growled the Pegasi " I mean the dumb one I got back home. I'll tell you about Mordane. He's a brute! A monster from the old tails! One of those damb necromancers."

"Don't say that about him!" fumed the Earth pony " He is an incredible commander! Look at how he was able to win the battle so soundly."

"Bah! They were farmers." the pegasi said picking up the wink flask " Any pony who has seen any REAL fighting could of done the same."

"Ah hell with it." grunted the pony looking for a fork "Hand me that rock would you? This thing wants to play games then I'll make it a game of rock-paper-smashed can."

"Without any casualties?" smiled the Unicorn." I do wonder about the quality of leadership but his command is without question ."

"Exactly! and I don't know about yall but the best quality a commander can have in my book is to keep his ponies alive and feed."

"figures an earth pony would only care about his stomach."

"Ah shut it. You just mad because a unicorn turned out to be a better commander than you could ever be."

Clang-clang-clang-SPLAT

"Aw damn it."

The pegasi sputtered as the Unicorn and earth pony laughed.

"Well any" said the unicorn wiping a tear from his eye" All I know is that some are enamored with him. Some are afraid or hate him. Most however don't care. Like me."

"I see...." Boulder whispered." That's interesting."

"Well you can at least say that" agreed the Unicorn.

Boulder continued to talk for a while before leaving. His frustration noted like a rope inside of him.
Walking away from camp Boulder found a secluded spot.

Sitting down on his flank Boulder prepared to do something he had not done in years.

Commune with the sun.

For uncountable generations his family had worshiped Celestia. She was powerful. Immortal. Wise. All that any stallion or mare could wish to be. So of course they had called he a god. Yet this title had always seemed wrong to those first ones. That was until they realized that the alicorns were not gods but spirits. Of the moon or sun, love or hate, kindness or fear. They could embody anything. Even Discord was not god. A sprit yes but not a god. They were not omnipresent or all knowing. They did not have all the answers or hear prayers.
Boulder knew his beliefs were considered outdated by most ponies. Only a few families like his practiced it anymore with any devotion or fever. There was his problem however. One that lead to his downfall from grace. The sun was cleansing fire, unbending light, fearless and Celestia was the ponification of these qualities. She was glorious to behold....and yet.

He had always felt she burned to brightly. That she demanded too much.

Is Celestia blinded by her own light?

Celestia was wise. The bringer of dawn and order to the world. She was the shining sun.....and he believed that she was wrong. He struggled with this and soon it became obvious to others. When he confessed what was troubling him to his father.....he had been thrown out. Twelve years ago he had thought that. Eleven he began drinking.

He tried to follow the other alicorn finding them to feel even worse.

Years had been spent traveling around from one life to the next. Meeting dangers and trying to evoke that burning spirit of the sun.
Yet it never came.

It had been years since his last attempt to commune. In fact it had been a long time since he had thought about his religion. One that had pushed him away from harmony.

Ah this is the place. Her sun in my face and the life she feeds below. Power and giving all in one. My father might of even insisted we rebuild our family chapel here.

So he drew his sword and stabbed it into the ground before removing his helmet. He stood in silence. Listening to the wind as it rustled through the leaves.

Breathing deeply he tried to draw the suns strength and warmth into him. Pushing away the sickening taste in his mouth. He became a nothing.

Yet he did not feel peace. Only rage.

How could she of done that to me.
_____________________________________________________
"Where are you taking us Stalker."

"Hmm?"

Mordane gave him an incredulous look.

" Stalker we have been at this for days. Where is this Merrygold mountain? "

"Just about a day's travel to the north. First however I'm got somewhere I have to stop."

"...So more walking through this rocky wilderness?"

"Yep."

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Stalker lead Mordane around ever changing wilderness. Later that day however he pointed to a seemingly random white boulder.

"There it is. Ok just one second."

Trotting over he moved a smaller rock next to it revealing a small hole and a envelope.

Opening it stalker read it then quickly ate it whole. He was still chowing as Mordane walked up.

"Wasn't sure I'd find anything but It seems m brother has gotten himself into a jam."

"Smut peddler?"

"No Shop Lifter."

"...ah...I don't remember much about him."

Stalker motioned for him to follow.

"It just means we'll have to make a stop on the way back."

"Thats fine...what about getting caught?"

"Well...we can't go in without looking like soldiers. We'll need a disguise."

"What kind?"

"...Well a lot of merchants travel the road leading into the city...We're going to need to sneak him out by the way."

"Of course we do." Mordane had stopped trying to figure out about Stalker and his ilk. They had some kind of spy/perverts thing going on and in truth it really did not seem to be that important. Then he thought about how the fact that there was a spy/pervert in his life seemed completely normal."Lead on."

The trip to Merrygold was easy. Going up the mountain slightly more difficult. The place was an abandoned gold mining location from the time of the griffin empires occupation centuries ago. It had been mined dry.

The only value in it was that from the top one could get a view of a large area and see if there was any troop movements going on...Ultimately useless work since they knew the Rina military was moving south and west toward Ike.

After confirming that there was no massive army to be seen the two headed west to gain access to the main road.

Their plan was simple.

Stalkers brother Shop Lifter was held up in the small city of Arius. S small city north of Tietus. They would have to hold up beside a major road and attack a wagon carrying goods

It would have to be a lightly guarded one as well...
______________________________________________________________________________________________

Calm heart and Smooth corn were riding toward Rina in there single wagon. The old couple had been farmers for years but to their misfortune no children had come to them.

Now in their old age they were getting to the point that growing crops was too difficult.

The couple had been through worse though and had acted quickly instead of waiting till they could not do anything.

Selling the farm they had made a bold move and bought iron for an incredibly cheap price. It would sell well in the city near Tietus. Most would of balked at such a risk and journey without protection. They did not worry much however. After all who would attack two ponies who were pulling a rickety cart and were dressed in rags. To all the world carrying bags of turnips.

If they could get a good price in the city they might even be able to settle down there and open a small shop.

Yes no pony would guess that they were carrying raw iron ore.

"It's such a nice day Heart. We'll likely make good time." said the old mare to her husband who smiled back at her.

"Yes... I dare say that nothing will get in our way."

*Wham*

Both of the smiling old couples slid to the ground unconscious .

Mordane strapped himself into the front of the cart and waited for Stalker to finish with the old couple. He winced hopping he did not hit them to hard.

"Well I slipped them some sleeping powder. Wouldn't believe what I found back here though."

"Hmm?"

"three bags full of Iron ore."

Mordane deadpanned

"Are you being true with me?"

"Yeah...We can get a good price for it in the city." His eyes were shinning and a dreamy look was in his eyes.

"We are not stealing from an elderly couple Stalker." Mordane glared

"Well he did just assault them. Stealing is really a step down."

Mordane ignored him.

Stalker sighed. "Fine we will not steal a fortune from the old couple. Happy now?"

"I suppose." Mordane nodded toward the city in the distance" I will be the puller and merchant while you are the guard."

"Of course."

The trip to the city only lasted hours as they moved through the same land they had for days. Only now there progress was much better.

Before he knew it Mordane was pulling the cart up to the gate.

"Halt traveler. What are your goods." The guard glared at Mordane.

"I'm moving turnips...that's all."

"Not a real demand for turnips."

"Well...you take what you can get."

The guards eyes narrowed and glared at the merchant before him before shrugging.

"True. Go on in."

Mordane nodded and pulled the cart through.

Once inside Stalker showed him were to take the Iron and turnips to sell as Mordane insisted they could get a better price for them as repayment.

The stallion waiting seemed bored at the sight of the Iron and pretend to be more interested in the turnips. Even giving a good price.

"That iron ore though...We don't have the forges to handle it really. Only the major cities can afford to manage refineries. All of the iron must be collected to go there. I mean I can give you thirty bits a pound."

"Sixty bits or I go to tietus."

"Sixty! That's outrageous!"

"Not with a war coming."

The outrage on the stallions face fell away and he nodded.

"Well can't blame me for trying. Sixty is fine. This stuff is in very high demand right now."

"Of course."

The two of them too the money and left. Gladely offering to unload the items themselves.

"So how are we going to find this guy?" Mordane asked as they headed away

"Should be easy enough. He is just in the local prison. All we have to do is post bail and he is free to go."

"... Then why would we have to sneak him out of town?" Mordane asked frowning.

"Because of all the stuff he is going to steal." Stalker replied with a straight face.

"..."

"..."

"Don't you think he might refrain for a day?"

"No."

"..."

"..."

"Ok then. Lets go get him then."

Stalker looked at him blankly.

"Uhh....what about the old couple?"

"Well we have to free them somewhere."

"Well...I was going to wake up him up and tell him where the bits are. Then disappear but that plan involved realizing them outside the city."

"They probably won't mind too much if you give them all the money. Then say it was to save a lover's life."

Stalker raised an eyebrow.

"Thats cold of you Mordane."

Mordane glared at him."Really? You don't say. I was thinking it would be better to spend five hours explaining something that would probably be over their heads anyway."

"You better." Stalker laughed " Go find the prison then. I'll take care of the couple you bleeding heart."

"Ah shut it. Only a fool is unnecessarily cruel."

Stalker pulled off the cart and took off with it leaving Mordane to figure out where the prison was alone. A task that proved to be easier than one might think.

"Hey do you know where the prison is?" He asked a random passerby.

"Yeah just go two blocks down and take a right. Its at the end of the street. "

"Thanks.".

The guard at the front simply stared at him though when he told him who he wanted. He wore a blue hat and uniform cut to not interfere with is wings movement.

"...Are you sure? I mean. We could keep him here a long time if you want."

Mordane gave him a questioning look.

"I'm going to ignore that. Look were friends. I have to get him out. How much is the fine?"

The stallion sighed.

"Your loss. It will be fifty bits."

"Fifty!?"

"Aye. Fifty. Stealing a ponies dentures while there in his mouth is tantamount to assault."

"Dentures?"

"Dentures."

Mordane stared at the stallion wondering what the heck would drive Lifter to steal something like that.

"... fine I'll pay. Now take me to get him."

There was little paperwork before the pony lead Mordane through to the back. Cells lined the wall filled with prisoners. All of the hooting and hollering at the glaring Mordane. The guard led him to a cell with only one occupant.

"Lifter! Your fine has been paid!"

"Is that so my good friend!"

The pony in the cell sat smiling as the guard nodded at him.

"Yes this pony paid it for you. Now if I could just find my keys."

The guard started patting in pouches and checking his mane.

"Have I met you before?"

"Yes I'm Mordane, we met many years ago in a small town with your other brother...The one you warned by about."

"Stalker? Yeah I remember. He's still stalking you?"

"No not really. More like following me."

"Uhh Is this what you dropped?" asked Lifter pulling a ring of keys out of his mane." I urr picked them up off the ground in front of my cell."

The guards mouth hung his mouth open before clamping it shut and growling.

"...Just give them to me."

"Sure thing officer."

Mordane left the prison only a few minutes later with Lifter following him. He felt sure that with a little work and careful planning he could keep the pony out of trouble. After all how hard could it be to convince one pony to not steal anything for awhile.

"So Shop Lifter, Dentures?" he asked without turning around

"No I don't have any...do you?" Lifters eyes shined with greed.

"Yeah that's right. Now listen Stalker, err Lifter" he said turning to look him in the eyes. " you cannot steal anything until were at lea... Lifter"

"Yes Mordane?"

"Where did you get that police hat?"

"Hmmm" he scratched his chin thoughtfully " I have no idea."

Knocking the hat off his head Mordane pulled him through the street toward the main gate without pause.

Soon Lifter started keeping up with him as his hoof was hurting from the pull. Stalker walked up and motioned them into an alley. Mordane stood watch. Not looking back at the two brothers but listening.

"They are fine now."

"Hey brother! Long time no see. Hows the hip?"

"Still twitchy and if you touch my things it will still make be buck you in the jaw."

"Ahhh no need for such hostility." Lifter gave Stalker a hug and backed off. His goofy grin gave way to the serious one Mordane remembered from all the years before.

"Is the air clear?" he asked straight faced

"Yes all ears are at peace with the way." Stalker replied rolling his eyes.

"Do you still follow the path?"

Stalkers face twisted with rage and shock. He stomped up to Lifter angrily glaring into his eyes. It was at this time that Mordane noticed how much smaller Stalker was than the normal pony as he had to look up at Lifter.

"The path is my life and my binding. Without it I have no color. Without it the world is like a sea of gray. I am of the way."

"This one wonders." Lifter looked over at Mordane who was standing blank faced as they spoke suddenly in a archaic form.

"Why have you shadowed this one beyond the allotted time. How could that be with the path?"

"It is of the path because I say it is leveler"

Lifter bowed his head " Of course pathfinder"

The Two stared at each other until Mordane regained his composure at their surprisingly strait conversation and coughed.

"Can we go now? I would like to leave before Lifter steals more things."

"Too late for that." Stalker said while Mordane turned around.

Shop Lifter was covered head to hoof in Two hats, three cuffs, three jackets and four pouches. How he had not noticed the insane outfit or the bags literally jingling as random items shifted was a mystery.

"..."

"..."

"...problem?" Lifter said smiling.

Mordanes face turned red with rage.

"...just drop it Mordane." Stalker asked while touching his shoulder.

He exhaled letting the anger go.

"Fine Lets go. Now. The sooner I'm out of these bindings the better."

"Yeah you should tell me about that Stalker. I did not know you were into H&M."

After getting Lifter to dump the goods the three of them walked calmly out the front gate and quickly parted ways after a parting ritual between the two brothers.

Stalker and Mordane headed over the mountains the way they came. The time going smoothly.

Ultimately it was a very boring and uneventful trip.
> An army marches on its stomach
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Two weeks after leaving Shoplifter, Stalkers brother, behind Mordane and Child Stalker near the army camp. It was high noon and clear skies all around. In the distance Mordane could hear the animals as they scurried around the woods looking for food to survive. The trees were sparse and throughout you could see stumps from where some had been cut down. A deep soreness had settled into his hooves despite the hard layer set there to protect them.

Figuring out the camps location had not proven difficult as High Rise's terrible management skills predictably forced him to move directly from water source to water source. Just do the same but in opposite order and finding them was inevitable.

Coming into range of the camp, Mordane kept an eye on the sky and saw a scout come gliding over them, riding a hot current, before banking and nodding his head toward Mordane.

Turning from them he headed in what Stalker and Mordane assumed was the direction of the army walking for about an hour through brush, thorns and streams before a stallion in light armor stepped out of the brush. He wore a scowl that quickly turned into a smile once he recognised him.

"Mordane! The scout thought it was you sir. Just making sure." he seemed nervous to Mordane. Something was off.

"At ease. What is the state of our forces?" Mordane replied with a smile.

"Moving just a mile south of here. If you will follow me sir." He said smiling enthusiastically. Looking into his eyes, Mordane tried to judge if this was a trap. His smile seemed genuine enough though Mordane could feel something else as well

Ah, respect. If I remember he wielded that sword of his like a mad pony and followed me around most of the time afterward.

"You should not state openly the direction our forces to one you don’t know is the enemy or not soldier. I could be a different pony than I appear they appear."

The pony paused a moment before smiling again. 

"That makes sense. I'll try to remember that."

"I'm sure that you will." Mordane said returning the smile." Please lead us through the brush."

"Of course sir."

With him leading on, Mordane turned and looked at Stalker who raised a single eyebrow. The unspoken question about their escort came across clear. Mordane nodded his head in the direction after the pony as Stalker raised his hoof and traced a little circle. Mordane nodded his head yes in return.

During their excursion the two had learned each other's little signals for subtle meaning. Well, at least Mordane tried to learn Stalker’s. That pony seemed to know what he meant all the time.

That little hoof movement meant Stalker wanted to sneak around and make sure it was safe.

To Mordane it was a simple question of being safe instead of being foolish. He watched the guard intently ready to react at the slightest indication of a trap. However, within ten minutes, the guard had lead him to a valley the army was moving through and seemed completely oblivious to the fact that there had been another with Mordane.

"You did well, go take a break before getting back on your patrol."

"Yes sir." he nodded vigorously.

Mordane walked out into the open smiling to himself about what was to come before putting on a blank expression.

High Rise was leading the army when he gave a momentary look of shock at the sight of Mordane. This quickly through fury before a neutral expression slammed down.

Hmmm he does not like to show weakness.

"Sir High Rise, I have returned." Mordane said as soon as he was close enough.

The commander stopped and raised his hoof before shouting.

"Set up camp!"

The ponies moved to obey even as Mordane grabbed one and ordered him to bring Steady Gaze, the head magic user. Being so close to having his freedom made his wings itch and horn burn; It took nearly all of his will to not show this to High Rise who was staring at him. They looked into each other's eyes, Judging. 

Mordane could practically see the gears turning in High Rise’s head as his thoughts turned over calculating what he could and should do to him. Mordane himself was making predictions as well, trying to think how he would react to whatever choice he made. Would he have to attack? Rip the binding himself and crush the commander? Could he hope to do it fast enough?

"Mordane?" said steady Gaze walking up from the rear of the line "Well hmmm let me check these bindings." His horn glowed for a moment before the restricting binds popped off "Yes...yes he kept them on. Otherwise they'd would not have done that."

"I see," said Rise flatly "Well...second. It is good that you have returned unharmed. I'll leave the unpacking to you then."

Mordane broke the eye contact smiling at the old necromancer.

“Thank you for releasing them so cleanly.”

The old stallion smiled in return. “ It is of no consequence.”

"That pony has a grudge against you." spoke up Steady Gaze " I'd be careful."

You don't say?

"Thanks for the advice. If you'll excuse me."

"Sure, sure...got to wonder what kind of army this is now though." He asked while scratching his chin.

"Excuse me?" Mordane said while raising an eyebrow.

"You know with you being one half of pegasi and unicorn. We have the same amount of each race in leadership."

Mordane nodded before walking off to locate the ponies he had made responsible earlier for the setting up of camp. Even as he walked away he saw ponies beginning to set up wherever they pleased. He went about ordering them to fix it and whenever he saw one of the ponies he was looking for, only a short reminder was enough to get them working.

What really surprised him was that nopony questioned his orders. It seemed news had spread before him or perhaps it was just the air he carried. Mordane did not know nor care. Heading about he searched out Boulder who he found setting up his tent in the correct spot for it.

"Hey Boulder."

"Mordane! Good to see ya. So are you..."

"Yes, High Rise acknowledged that I'm second."

Boulder smiled and stepped closer while raising his eyebrows.

"Hey I guess that means you’ll earn more money ehh?"

With a chuckle Mordane put his arm over Boulder.

"I suppose...The real thing I worry about though is convincing High Rise to not get us killed."

"Do you think that is a possibility?" Boulder said shifting to a serious tone.

"Yes, though I'm sure we can manage. I'm surprised that the scouts are still going though."

"Oh that." Boulder rolled his eyes before replying sheepishly " It was simple as most of them were under you. I might have also… said a few things."

"Really? good. Well I have to go Boulder. Come by my tent tomorrow evening."

"Sure."

Mordane left Boulder to set up his tent. Looking around he went to work.
______________________________________________________________________________________________

After organizing dinner, food storage, wood supply, water supply and a system of reporting what the scouts observed to Mordane’s personal tent he took a stroll around the camp taking mental note of the lack of ...well anything. Calling up a nearby guard he had them bring in a regular cot and a writing table before dismissing them and laying down to think.

High Rise is probably the worst commander I've ever seen. Err, the only commander I've ever actually seen, but that's not the point. I find it hard to believe he would just leave food and such up to his men ...ponies. I'll have to talk about that tomorrow.

Well at least I won't have to put up with him forever. All I need to do is make sure High Rise isn't going to kill me.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

The following day Mordane woke and prepared himself before heading out. His body odor was starting to become noticeable after a month without a bath.

I'll need to fix that the next time I have a chance.

Heading out he went to High Rises tent. Trying to project a way to find peace with him and setting up a strategy , as well as learning what exactly the mercenaries had been hired to do. One of the two guards, seeing him coming, leaned his head into the tent before pulling it back out and nodding to the other guard. When he got to them they simply let him pass through.

"Mordane! Good to see you up this early." Said High Rise sitting at a table and drinking a glass of water, a fake smile plastered across his face.

Mordane took note of the cleanness of his suit and how he seemed clearer than before.

...Must be worried about what I’ve been doing.

"Good morning to you as well sir. Its fine weather we're having today. Did you sleep well?" Mordane replied with a smile that seemed genuine. 

"Oh dreadful. Yet that is not really the issue." He leaned forward." The real question is why you want to see me."

Now Mordane took extra notes; There were no cracks in the commander's eyes and his gaze was not only clear, it was piercing.

He seems to be clean. Odd. Best to be frank and friendly, act like I respect...or fear him if needed.

"Oh" Mordane began taking a seat across from him. "I'm just seeing what you want me to do and tell you what has already done with the tents and the scouts."

"Really, been busy?" he said in a tone that very well knew he had been and was not entirely happy with it.

"A bit. The tent organization had to be reinforced and I've set individuals responsible to see that it's done. The scouts have not been organized and some have not even been reporting. I made sure to set a pony to that as well. Besides, it's just been reinforcing my new authority and making it clear that I was your second....not your equal."

High Rise raised a single eyebrow as if to say isn't that obvious. His eyes however showed confusion at Mordane’s bluntness until an understanding sparked in his eyes.

"I see you clever pony. I was wondering how you were able to command such respect so easily." He laughed as Mordane joined him.

Damn...He has to know that's not true. Maybe he thinks I don't know I can make others follow? 

"Well of course. I mean I'm a little young for them to follow.... You don't mind,do you?"

"No no not at all. You aren't bad at command Mordane you just, uhh, what is it again?"

"Charisma?" Mordane asked perplexed.

"Err...the stuff. The thing that makes others follow you."

Or the effect of understanding a crowd and using that along with confidence to manipulate them.

"Ah,that makes sense. Anyway, there is a few things I would like to ask you about."

"Ask away." High Rise said leaning back in his chair.

"We are low on food. Taking it from the locals is cheap but the ponies hiring us might not appreciate us causing mass starvation among their farmers if we run out....Most ponies are on their last week's worth. We were able to restock from those peasants we defeated but that was about three weeks ago....as you know most soldiers carry a month's worth with them."

"Your point?"

"We should make all haste to our destination. In order to do this one of us will have two options. Either we hop water to water source and still be within the nation that hired us when food runs out or we head straight there at haste."

"If we do that then ponies will have to go onto half rations." he frowned. “ Pillaging our employers land though….”

"Aye, If we did not send a group ahead to secure food for us from the enemy's farms and from several sources in order to prevent starvation."

"...good plan but why worry about peasants starving?"

Thought you would think that.

"Leaving a path of starving farmers once we attack their land does not sound exactly covert to me sir. I was planning on putting us off as bandits and striking at several places along the border."

"...You?" he said with a frown

"Yes. I thought I would take the riskier command."

High Rise stared at Mordane rubbing his chin seemingly trying to understand his motivation for doing this.

He still thinks I'm up to something...at least he'll think I'm nice.

"Fine we'll do it your way."

"Thank you sir....If I may ask, what is our overall objective?"

"Capture the town of Trans and build a bridge across the river there. Then we hold it until the Cabistien forces show up."

"Sounds simple enough. They want to flank the enemy?"

"Yes, It’s good work I'll need you to take the town and secure its resources for the construction." He glared into Mordanes eyes "That includes the native population. We will need them to build the bridge."

"...Of course sir." Mordane felt a wrenching in his gut. "Should I prepare my force and leave sir?"

"Yes. Take about a hundred it should be enough."

"Of course."

Mordane saluted and quickly pulled out of the tent. His pace quickened after he left the tent. Rushing to behind another he spewed his breakfast on the ground and shivered.

He remembered reading of ancient warfare and he had now seen the battle half firsthand. Yet he knew that was not the real toll of death. Usually civilian casualties would outnumber soldiers three to one. That was not even considering those that died from starvation. To feed an army without causing such destruction would take an immense effort. He sighed thinking how humans could avoid such things now because of trucks that could follow the army. 

Now he was receiving orders to enslave a population. Was he willing to do this? It only made him feel sicker when the answer came back yes, yes he was.

It will happen with our without me. All I can do is make sure it's as light as possible. Just like George Duckwitz. Some things I cannot change but I cannot allow that to prevent what I can.

High Rise will be moving north. He will need food. He will take it. All I can do is make sure it's as clean as possible.

The mind always rationalizes what it must.

Trotting quickly he made his preparations and sent some ponies to go and ask for volunteers. Then one of the ponies over the tents to reorganize so that he could take thirty five tents with him.

Then there was the lack of wagons and some food needed taking with them. He decided to take the twenty empty ones and they would take some more once there.

After sending different ponies off to the various tasks he went to his old tent. Inside Mordane was met with Boulder and Stalker both sitting idly.

"Boulder, Stalker, get up were moving out."

"So late?" asked Boulder jumping up and looking at the sun that was past noon.

"Yes, We’re going on a foraging mission."

"The Cabistien won't like that." Stalker said while picking his teeth with a knife.

"That's why we're moving ahead to Derrena territory for our foraging."

"Foraging!" Boulder shouted "You mean scouring the land?" A sick look came across his face.

"Calm down Boulder I intend to make it as undestructive as possible. Why do you care anyway?"

"The land must always be protected."Boulder snorted " It is the way of harmony."

"Right.. Gather your things and prepare to move out."

Mordane left to prepare his things as well.

Within two hours the foraging party was prepared to moving out. Double checking everything he saw Boulder and Stalker coming up to him.

"Ready?"

"Aye."
With that they moved out.
______________________________________________________________________________________________

With an internal shudder Mordane watched as a pegasus came flying toward their position.

The army set within the crux of the mountain in the forest in the south of Derrena and its mountain range.

He sat outside of a cave they planned to use for storage. Inside was a network of caverns that would provide plenty of space. Even now his army of a hundred was hiding in there quite comfortably.

The trip back into Derrena had gone by without incident save for some difficulty in going undetected.

As the pegasus neared Boulder trotted up and stood beside him.

"So what's the plan?"

"Small groups. Multiple locations. I'll be putting you over another group." Mordane replied without feeling.

"...I'm worried about this Mordane. In the guard we never had to do such things." he said frowning.

"Well down here they don't have trains and war is a constant."

"Does that mean we should give up what makes us civilized?"

"...yes. If we want victory."

The six Pegasi landed softly and the leader walked over to him.

" They’re three villages in the area you talked about sir."

"Good" Mordane stood up at the mouth of the cave. "Listen up! Prepare to move out ponies! Three Groups! Bring only your battle gear!"
The ponies in the large cave collected themselves even as Stalker trotted up to him and nodded.

Once they were ready, he assigned Boulder and Stalker a group then shouted his orders.

"I will only say this once so pay attention! You will obey your group leader. You will not steal anything save food. You will not rape, burn or murder the farmers unless they attack you. Do you understand!"

"What I a load of pig shit!"

Many of the ponies turned stunned toward the individual who had spoken up before anypony could respond.

He was a grizzly large earth pony stallion and the face seemed familiar to Mordane.

Ah that's right he was the one who was executing those prisoners.

"Are you challenging me."

He angry look was replaced with a bit of fear but he answered anyway.

"Err no. I'm just saying taking loot is one of the reasons I joined this shindig."

Many of the ponies around him grumbled In agreement.

Darn it I forgot these weren't soldiers for a minute.

A few moments of consideration, and remembering they were suppose to appear as bandits, he made a decision.

"Fine, You all may loot what you can carry yourselves. Leaders make sure no pony takes to much. Also we will not be taking all the food. Leave enough for them to survive. If you understand say aye!"

"AYE!"

Mordane nodded to the other two leaders and the groups headed out.
______________________________________________________________________________________________

The attack on Tripton, one of the villages, was swift and bloodless.

Only a few of the residents were able to run off into the woods before being caught.

Though it was called a village the reality of it was a collection of homes around a trading post with fields all around.

Many times homes were a mile out from the town which made collection difficult. After six hours they had found most of the residents and taken their food storage of apples and grain. 

Both of which would provide the large amount of calories needed to conduct a war.

"Take the wagons to the town center."

"Yes sir!"

Walking around Mordane checked that the farmers were not being abused. Walking into the town hall. He looked at the dozen odd families crowded into the small area. Several of the Stallions and mares glared at him with accusing eyes.

Making a mental effort he resisted the urge to apologies. Instead glared all the harder in return. His eyes locking with each one in turn devoid of pity or remorse. They seemed to dare the ponies before him to resist. That he would enjoy putting them down.

Many of the farmers shuddered and averted their eyes.

"Beat any who try to leave."

"Yes sir."

God, I hope none try.

Surprising the sickening sensation was becoming easier to suppress.

Mordane left the building and walked around the town again.

Something was bugging him though.

This is taking far longer than it should. The ponies are dragging their feet with the raiding. If we don't hurry. One of the ponies could’ve gotten-

"Enemy! I see the enemy!"

A pony soldier ran out from behind a building and spotted Mordane.

"Sir! The enemy is nearing!"

If the ponies voice had been loud Mordane’s was deafening as he yelled as loud as he could.

"EVERYPONY FRONT AND CENTER. INTO THE MAIN SQUARE! ENEMY HAS BEEN SIGHTED"

Doors burst open and ponies ran from all over the village. With Mordane’s quick orders he made them prepare a defensive line even as he listened to the ponies report on the enemy.

"It was about fifty ponies I saw." He said gasping." I was standing up on a nearby hill watching the road. You know, because I had already gotten all I could and thought we should watch the road. Then I saw them marching."

"That's good." he said absentmindedly as he drew on the local energy in the area. Too late he found himself reaching into an empty amulet for more.

Damn it, I forgot to fill it. From what he said they will be here in a minute.

"Archers. Hold your fire until I say!"

He took one more moment and prepared.

With a deep breath he listened to the world around him.

The earth beneath my hooves. Burning at its core.

The air above it. Swirling continuously.

The moisture that flies collects and runs through it all.

This is mine to comm-

The unexpected blow caused him to shake his head before instinctively pushing back.

Mordane did not know who but there was a magic user in the approaching force.

Already he or she had taken nearly half of the energy in the area. Mentally slapping himself Mordane fought back. Gaining ground inches at a time. Surprise emanated from the other side at his sought resistance. Even as Mordane’s physical eyes saw the first of the enemy come into view.

"Prepare to fire!" he shouted.

The magical war now shifted to the other pony as he took away some of his attention to command his ponies.

Once in range Mordane let out a shout.

"Fire!"

The arrows flew through the air piercing the enemy. A dozen fell to them.

Shock emanated from the pony on the other end at the ponies fallen.

As the local energy was split near fifty both began pulling in the energy preparing to cast their spells.
Mordane began muttering the verbal formula for his shield. It was a trick he had learned from Twilight.

"Charge!" Bellowed a unicorn commander. Paying attention Mordane saw his horn was glowing.

There he is.

"Charge!" Mordane yelled "Archers fire again!"

As arrows pierced their enemies flesh Mordane's troops charged to meet them.

Ponies screamed out in agony as bones were broken and armor was twisted from the impact.

Throughout it all Mordane prepared. Then struck.

His enemy was still preparing his aggressive spell when rock shards began striking his shield.

He panicked and began rushing to cast.

Mordane continued to batter on the unicorns mental and physical defenses as the distance between them became smaller and smaller.

Why is he using verbal spells for something so small?

The pony was untrained or improperly trained. Mordane didn't know, but he was sure it would be his undoing.

As the barriers fell the stones began to rip him to pieces. The look of fear barely had time to form before Mordane summoned a spike and pierced his throat. 

The gurgling as the pony drowned in his own blood did not reach Mordane's ears.

I must end this quickly. What is the fastest way to kill them?

He thought of boiling their blood but knew that affecting them directly would be too difficult with their natural magic field. Next he considered a wave of sound but that would affect his men as well. Then he Considered spikes, ice blades, mental attacks and fire.
Dang it they are just too intermingled by this point.

He looked around seeing his men and the enemy fighting to exhaustion. Already some of his had fallen and soon there would be far more.
Then it hit him.

He took all the energy he could and channeled 

The strength of a magic user was determined by how much energy they could move at a time, the number of bindings they could manage and how much energy those bindings could handle.

Like the water input valve to many faucets. Too small a input with many valves would result in only a trickle coming out each. Too few faucets and the size of the valve would not matter. Then there was those who could pull on a lot of water, had plenty of faucets, but they were too small. They could not handle the water pushing through them. This could change as the caster grew older. Mordane was of the latter category.

Whenever he reached for the power it was easy to hold but his body always felt too small to handle it. Much of the power was splashed back as he pushed.. Except when he was angry of course.. 

That is why this was so difficult as it would require many bindings of high power.

Looking at each enemy in turn he made and individual binding to a button, scabbard or something on their body.
At six he began to feel the strain on his will and spirit.  

Ten his legs began to tremble.

Twenty his sight began to dim.

All he had was his mind's eye once he finally got the last one at thirty four. He could not breath as all of the bindings pierced like hooks into his mind. 

This is far more than I should have pulled on....The strain is killing me.

He felt fire and ice role like waves through his veins as his mind expanded like a balloon from the force it was moving. His horn was an inferno.

Yet he did not allow himself to pop and break his mind even as he pushed more than he thought possible.

Even as he stretched to his max Mordane cast the spell.

At first there was no effect then in a few seconds the enemy began to stumble and fall. The objects he had bound to caught fire as they pulled heat from his enemies flesh. Steam began to emit from their bodies even as they began to freeze.

The effort was tremendous butt he knew that only a drop of ten degrees could prove fatal.

He did not even have to wait that long as the sudden chills caused his enemies to stumble which allowed his men to strike home.
As each opponent fell he cut the binding to them down to the last.

Gasping as his hooves were planted firmly into the ground his growing horn slowly faded.

When the last enemy fell his will and physical strength was nearly spent.

Feeling like a deflated balloon he turned and ordered his soldiers to take what loot they wanted from the fallen foes and to bring their dead back with them as they prepared to move out.

Going back he saw that the guards over the villagers had been able to hold them back.

"...Were pulling out." he said addressing the villagers." There is enough food left for the winter and seeds for crops. We may be bandits but were not savages. Stay inside for the next few hours and we will be gone.."
______________________________________________________________________________________________

The march back to the cave was grueling for Mordane even as his men jarred the whole way. Enjoying their spoils.

Taking what little gold and money they had left a bad taste in his mouth but if that is the only way to maintain control then he would have to let it be.

Arriving at the cave he saw Stalker coming out and nodding at him. Mordane grunted a reply before taking a trail near the caves to a spring some ponies had told him about.

He kept on his cloak. Not knowing if any pony was around.

The water was cool and he had no soap but even so he sighed as his body slid in and rested on the rocks.

Soft currents left him dozing even as his wings stayed open to the sun stretching and clinching as the bones popped.

Peace entered him for a time and he let down his guard.
______________________________________________________________________________________________

Boulders expedition had gone by without a hitch. He had even snagged a bag of gold coins from the mayor's office before leaving.
Stalker had made it back before him and was staring out over the forest. 

Over the time that he had known him Boulder had come to grudgingly accept the skills of Stalker and his growing closeness with Mordane. Even the way he seemed to calm the stallion sometimes or focus his thoughts. If Boulder did not know better he would say the stallion was molding Mordane.

The exact reason why such a character would put so much time into this young stallion was barely understandable to him.

From what he had overheard Stalker had been following Mordane for years. What would drive some pony to that? Then there was his enslavement at the hooves of highway robbers. He was sworn to defend the weak! Yet he had taken from them.

I just don't know anymore... Ever since I left Celestia's service things have just gone wrong. About the only good things that happen are when Mordane is around. What do I do with my life?

He went around the back of the cave entrance and found a small clearing.

This time I will try Luna... Her and I at least have more in common. That will behind there. Not to mention Nightmare Moon.

She at least had honor

He winced as memories long sealed away came back to him... Pushing past all his attempts to block them.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Boulder trotted up the steps in Canterlot castle onto a platform reserved for the princess and her guests. Its garden seemed the picture of serenity as it hung high above the land below.

"Princess Celestia!"

"Captain Boulder. It is so good to see you this beautiful evening."

Celestia sat on her favorite chair in the castle gardens. Hair waiving despite the lack of wind. Beside her a small filly and even younger dragon sat reading among balls and measuring tools. She could not of been older than ten.

"Celesia I don't understand this..."

"Hush now, Twilight. I need to talk with the Captain of the Guard."

His heart still beat so hard whenever he saw her. The glory of the sun filling him.

"Why have you come to visit Captain?" She said in a motherly tone.

"I'm sorry to bother you Princess but it came to my attention that my request to move some troops to the changeling border has not been approved. I intended to construct outposts along it to prevent further incursions. Surely there is no problem with protecting the nation?"

"Of course not."

Boulder smiled and sighed with relief.

"I understand princess, these things do happen. I'll move my troops at the end of the week. It will be good to know that the changeling menace will not go unanswered."

"...I see." she replied before placing down her cup. "There has been a misunderstanding."

She stood up and motioned for Boulder to follow.

"Come. We have much to discuss my little pony."

Boulder felt confusion but his face remained passive. The two of them walked away from the central clearing over to a balcony. 

"I love the view from here. It's so peaceful. Serene. The hills bending slightly into the distance. A river flowing unending to the sea. Through my feet I can feel the mountain behind and beneath me. When I spread my wings I can sense the direction of the wind..."

"Princess-"

"Over a thousand years ago this was a plain. Flat as far as the eye could see. The great divide was called the Diamond hold. Home of the Diamond Dog empire. To the north a vast crystal pony civilization stood. On the west along some of the few mountains was a colony to the griffin kingdom. The western ocean was impassable as the sea ponies would drag any ship to the bottom....This was the state of things when me and my sister came to power."

She had spoken in a kind and controlled tone but Boulder felt as if she had slapped him across the face.

"Discord had no inclination to expand his borders and the power he held could of turned any invading army to ash. After overthrowing him however our enemies began to prepare...." 

Her eyes grew distant.

"My sister and I gathered our magic. We pulled this mountain from the earth and set the hills in place. The land bends like a giant fortress. The mountain is the keep. For the next two years we prepared and reinforced it's base with crystal. This mountain would have to hold the entire pony race and all they would need to live."

Boulder stood with his mouth hanging open. Listening about a time before recorded history.

"They came. In their tens of thousands. For Thirty long years we fought them. Pushing the griffins to the sea. The dogs came in such number and greed that not enough where left to hold their civilization together. We pushed them back and back. Over the great divide. Down through the peninsula. We Broke the crystal ponies backs. At the height of our power all of the lands form the frozen north to the southern tip belonged to my sister and I."

"I'm sorry princess, but your sister?"

"Yes...my sister. Luna but you would know her by another name. Nightmare moon."

He gasped. Shock and awe filling him. That such an old legend had been based on truth.

"But princess...what happened to that kingdom?"

"... My sisters rebellion happened." A single tear fell freely form the monarchs face. Dripping down onto the ground." I was blind to her pain that over the centuries had turned to madness. She claimed I was a tyrant. That I sought to rule all the world. For many years we fought and our armies spilled their blood against one another. In the struggle the southern land were cut off. They formed their own nations. In the end I was able to win but only after banishing my sister to the moon...her madness had begun to show on her physical form. Fangs and reptilian eyes stared at me....I had no choice."

"Princess...Why tell me all this?" Boulder whispered.

" I tell you this because of what happened next. In the ashes of war I rebuilt our nation and in an effort to stave off their invasions I forced dialog with our neighbors. It was with words not swords that I achieved the peace we enjoy today. Now another threat has arisen... and you want me to build up defenses again? Close off dialog? I'm sorry Boulder but I won't."

He stood there stunned. Unable to comprehend what she had said.

"But...my princess. The changelings cannot be reasoned with. To them we are but food. The peace you have made like a juicy apple. They will come in mass as they are starving. They cannot resist the temptation."

"And we will turn them back." She replied resolutely.

"Yet they will come and thousands could die. More if we should loose. They will continue to grow from feeding off the agents they send among us."

"They are far too weak to attack. Building those bases would be expensive. Also the dry desert air would make it very difficult on the average guard. My ponies do not know of the threat and telling them so could cause panic. Destroying the very peace you wish to protect." She paused before nodding her head "We must endure until dialog can be established"

"There will be no dialog with the changelings whether we want it or not...My princess they will invade. We MUST prepare a defense. For our nations honor and glory if nothing else."

The princess paused and looked at him. Raising a single eyebrow.

"I will not send ponies to bake out in the desert to defend against something that can never attack and would likely just sneak past if it wanted to."

"I'm sorry princess I meant-"

"Your desire for glory on the battlefield is well known to me Boulder. However I would of thought that you would not let your judgment be clouded it." she said curtly.

Boulder stood there looking her in the eye before saluting.

"Princess...I have not let my desires for glory cloud my judgment. If this is your final decision that we not act... then I must ask to step down as captain of the royal guard."

Celestia blinked. Confusion evident.

"Step down! Why would you-"

"You and I know that there are ponies clamoring for my demotion...the Canterlot nobles prefer a unicorn." He coughed and rubbed his head "If you will not listen... Then all I can do is command the troops after they attack and report to you when the kingdom has fallen. It would be better to have a captain that could use strong defensive magic in such a case. He may provide the leverage you will need to survive when they catch you off guard."

"That won't be-" Boulder cut her off.

"I advice promoting Shinning armor to my place. He is a good commander and is strong with defensive magic. You will need him when the invasion comes."

Boulder turned and walked away from the stunned monarch. His face hidden it took on the rage that he had felt boiling inside. 

"Boulder... I'm sorry."

He turned around for a moment. A calm expression on his face lying about what he truly felt inside.

"Don't be... You are the avatar of the sun. Spirit of Day. Keeper of the eternal flame." Celestia's mouth opened in shock as she had not heard those honorifics in centuries. "I am just a mortal who was once blessed by your flame."

"Boulder... I had no Idea that you followed that religion. Yet you must know I did not give you your strength and will. I did not give your natural war magic. The flame is simply part of your nature."

"Oh Celestia, you are wrong." He said quietly walking away. "Faith is everything."
______________________________________________________________________________________________

Boulder snapped back to the present and sighed. That had been the point where his life had turned for the worst. Seven years later and the invasion he had predicted occurred. By then he was a drunk guard in a backward town.

He was never able to use his natural war magic since that day.

"Remembering your past Boulder?"

He snapped his head around glaring at Stalker who was standing in a tree.

"Not intentionally. I intend to commune instead."

"Commune? I did not know anyone else followed that old religion."

Boulder raised an eyebrow as his comrade jumped down and sat across from him.

"You don't mind if I join you?"

"Not at all."

At that moment however both of them heard a splash.

They could both see Mordane clearly from their position, standing firmly on a small stone sticking out of a pound. He saw Mordane close is eyes. A moment later Boulders ears tweaked as the wind in the area slowed noticeably. Then his mouth opened as the water began freezing all around the stallions rock.

War magic. He has learned it well. Such knowledge is hidden in Equestria. Few have it naturally occurring and never is it this strong unless a spell is involved. Wonder what his focus is.

Boulder reflected slightly on how his loss in faith caused him to lose one of his best advantages even as he continued to watch.

The ice grew for about eight feet before Mordane started gasping. The only thing Boulder saw was how the amulet jewel had looked pale pink before but was now blood red.

Boulder watched as Mordane left the pound. A frown on his face as he noticed something odd.

"Why does Mordane never take off his cloak?" he asked Stalker suddenly

"The same reason you keep on your armor perhaps. Some ponies just don't want to give away that much information about themselves. Some ponies have secrets." Stalker replied curtly.

"What is Mordane's I wonder?"

"What is yours Boulder....I still have not seen your cutie Mark."

"Nor I yours."

Stalker and Boulder stared at each other before Stalker turned his flank to him and lifted his saddlebag.

A blank flank cause Boulder to raise his eyebrow.

"I can't say that I've ever seen a blank flank on one as old as you. "

"My family does not get Cutie marks but I showed you my flank. Now you must show me yours." he smiled.

Boulder shrugged and reached behind himself to unbuckle a strap. His flank armor slid off revealing his cutie mark.

A circle of fire surrounding a sword stood in stark relief on his pale coat. Its meaning was clear.

"A fire mage? But..."

"War magic. I'm sure you heard of it?"

Stalker nodded.

"I was immune to fire. In a way I felt I was the fire so it just seemed like it shouldn't hurt me. Useful war magic."

"Did you ever get it supported by a spell?"

"No. Then I lost it after leaving her service. Now...there is no way I could afford it."

"So you left." Stalker said. "I was not sure. Why not ask Mordane?"

"I would only accept the blessing of a spirit."

"...It is a spell, not a blessing."

Boulder glared at Stalker.

"You know that in our beliefs there is no difference."

With that they grew silent as Boulder reattached his armor.

"Your strong for such an old drunk."

"Aye...that's what a life in the army will give you. A strong body and scars."

"Ha... I was wondering Boulder. Why have you not asked me which spirit I commune with."

"Because I'm not sure I want to know."

The two of them sat down smiling as they prepared to commune with their respective spirits.

> The town. 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rain spattered down upon Mordane’s head. His breathing calm and serene. This engagement would go smoothly, he was sure of it. As always, a few innocent may die, but that was necessary. He needed the money and if this did not get done he did not get paid. He took a moment to remind himself that he would be making something that would happen anyway less bloody.

Beyond the edge of the unnamed cut back forest was a river called the Rine. A small lumber town was settled along its river banks acting as a hub of food transportation in the region and had a population of about two thousand, more of a tiny city than town really. It was night, but with Luna's full moon overhead he could see the faint silver outlines of the town’s defenders and their perimeter.

He was in a perfect position to take control of the town, yet commands from High Rise held him back until the screaming started.

Mordane pulled up his hood and sat down to wait, taking a moment he let himself smile a bit when no one could see. Part of him truly enjoyed standing on the edge before the storm. His men standing behind him waiting like drawn bow to strike down his foe...It was the nature of that foe which left a sour taste in his mouth.

As he waited for the opportune time with his sword clamped to his side he could almost feel as those around examined him waiting for his order. 

To them it seemed as if a tension permeated his being, as if his will was ready to become reality. This feeling filled them too as they dug into the earth with their hooves, fidgeting, waiting to let loose.

Boulder stood like stone unmoving beside him looking down on the town with a slight look of disgust as if the entire affair was beneath him. Stalker stayed on the other side seeming board save for the occasional smile when he looked back at the soldiers. 

"You do realise that it would be far easier to attack the town at dawn, Mordane. The sun would be at our backs," suggested Boulder offhandedly as he frowned. "It would blind them and give us another advantage."

"Aye. I suggested such to High Rise, but he did not seem to agree." Mordane replied resolutely as he scratched behind his ear. A part of him regretted he would not be charging with the army but he had remembered the lesson from the ants all those years ago in another life.
A commander must lead from the rear.

High Rise had insisted on an assault during the night, saying that the surprise would give them an advantage. This of course was foolish as their food collection efforts would’ve put all towns on alert.

"You are going to have to deal with him if this goes on," Stalker spoke in a grim tone. “We can’t take stupid risks like this, even if he demands it.” A few ponies muttered agreement behind Mordane, his popularity with the mercenaries had been on the rise after he had reportedly defeated a trained battle mage during the scavenging mission. Mordane was not sure if that was true, since he could not tell just by looking, but he would certainly not be the one to take away from the image of his men.

Cries rang up from the small town as a trumpet blew from the other side of the field. High Rise lead the charge himself across the meadow with nine hundred ponies at his back. Mordane groaned at the sight, already figuring that forty would die in the assault.

"Steady Aim!" he yelled for one of his soldiers.

"Yes, sir?" The pony Steady said, running up quickly.

"Schedule the digging of graves for the morning. About a hundred and fifty should cover the defenders and our losses," Mordane said calmly.

"...Yes, sir," he replied with a slight wince before leaving to obey.

"Do you think that horn qualifies as a signal, Boulder?" Mordane asked his friend with a smile.

"Of course." he replied with a raised eyebrow.

“Well then!” He yelled “CHARGE!"

Fifty ponies stayed behind to guard the carts of food as hundred and fifty barreled down the hill at his command to hit the enemy line. As they barreled down the hill they say that only a few of the local guards were there to meet them the rest had moved their forces to intercept High Rise’s force.

The human souled alicorn walked calmly toward the town while ordering the carts to start moving as well. He would have a place for them in a barn or storage room when they finally got moving.

His forces poured down the hill sweeping away the defenders in a complete route. By the time he caught up to his forces they were accepting the surrender of the entrenched enemy. Indeed one of Mordane’s men brought him the town flag, but instead of taking it he ordered him to give it to High Rise as soon as that side of the battle was over.

Sending others to round up the locals, he took a hundred of his men and moved to hit the guard High Rise was attacking.

At that moment High Rise’s troops came running up the street and bursting into houses. The unrestrained glee on his commander’s face disgusted Mordane, but he moved to address him anyway. The commander was in his light metal armor. His lungs pulled at the air with only a slight strain. His back left flank had a deep  spear wound that was bleeding profusely.

"The town is yours, Commander. Should I take care of the trivial matters?" High Rise’s smile faded a bit at the sight of Mordane. 
"Yes, yes, Mordane. Get to it." He snapped.

"Of course, sir. The mayor’s house has been secured, I'll have Smooth Stone show you where it is." Mordane replied calmly indicating another pony.

High Rise limped off to take care of his wound and most likely communicate with their employers, while Mordane organized the mercenaries and issued disciplinary actions.

Two ponies had to be whipped after setting fire to a few buildings despite orders not to. Three others had gotten into a fight over loot and were sentenced to latrine duty. Mordane stood rubbing the space between his eyes trying to understand what was going through their heads to forget his orders. What if the town had burned down? In that respect he thought the punishment was incredibly light.

Mordane turned to Stalker and with a pained smile. Both had found him shortly after the initial push of the battle.

“Stalker I need you to go find the best place to store food. Boulder, get Steady Gaze and check the town water supply for poison. I’m going to make sure the rest of these fools don’t destroy everything.”

The two of them nodded before trotting off to fill their tasks. Mordane continued to walk around giving orders to those clearing the buildings.

“Sir, Most of the buildings are empty.” said on of his ponies running up “We can’t find the locals anywhere.”

“Did they take the valuables?” Mordane asked wondering if they had escaped.

“No and they have food as well I don't-”

“Sir!” shouted a pegasus landing beside him. “ You're needed at the town hall. The locals seem to be hold up there in mass.”

“Lets go then!” Mordane shouted. He had the pony lead him toward the building in question.

A few minutes later he trotted up to a rather large building in the town center. The wood planks covering the windows reminded him of Ponyville. Even if this town hall was five times the size.

The thought of home gave him pause for a moment as the strangeness of the situation settled on him. Merely four months ago he had defended a town against an attack by a superior force. Now he was leading one.

That's life I suppose.

Shaking his head he examined the situation. Before him five ponies in armor were standing in front of the town hall, bucking the door over and over again. With each hit the door creaked but did not budge leading him to think it may be reinforced.

Despite his outward calm he was fighting a losing battle. His gut felt like a pit as he watched pony's homes being robbed of what little wealth they had and a growing disquiet at what he was about to do. The cold logical mind however continued to examine the situation.

He had read of similar events back when he was human. It was still strange to him how they came back so easily. Perhaps the ease of access was because of how his mind was reaching the maturity to handle his old thoughts. Ideas and feelings that had plagued him since the start of his pony puberty were settling around his mind.

Yet that only made it more clear what could go wrong. Forced labor was dangerous, for both the pony doing the labor and the one forcing it. Their position however would not allow for much else. The river beyond only had two crossings, both of which were heavily guarded. Cabistien would need to approach from the other side to take them on, as the defenses were designed to defend against the south, therefore, a bridge would have to be built, and these civilians; these...ponies, would have to build it.

Fear would be needed, and perhaps some stark truth, Mordane would have to make them believe that he was being as kind as he could be. Because he was...

Cracks began to form on the doors hinges as Mordane cast his mind beyond. There were two earth pony stallions shaking as they held pitchforks toward the door. Mares, foals, the old and fearful hung into the corners comforting each other. He could feel the fear emanating from them. Suddenly, another mind met his.

A familiar feeling of Stalker was on the air. Exchanging thoughts was impossible, but he could feel Stalker reached out toward the ponies and began to work on their fear. Nurturing it. Magnifying the paralyzing effect. Mordane pulled back and cast a spell to project the same.
"Stop bucking ponies, I'll take it from here."

His men looked confused for a moment, but obeyed.

Mordane needed to move quickly so he pulled on his war magic; eyes slightly glowing he reached into the earth and formed two solid pillars. With a thrust he rammed them through the doors before quickly turning them into dust. To the ponies inside it was as if a sudden blast of dust had broken down their front door.

He walked through the broken door, and before they could stop coughing he drew on the wind and moved all the dust out of the building. At the same time he rammed the ponies holding pitchforks against the wall. Then rammed the pitchforks into the wall above their heads.
"My name is Mordane, and you are our prisoners."

The two went for their pitchforks again, but Mordane simply pushed them harder.

"Our organization is a mercenary group tasked with securing this town and constructing a bridge," He said calmly. "A task that will require your cooperation. Either willingly or after we have...persuaded you. Be assured, if I must then I will kill, but if you obey then your families will not be harmed."

"What of my wife!" A stallion stood up in the back. Next to him sat a mare who was shaking. He practically spat his words at Mordane. "She was raped by one of your ponies.Why should we bend to you if you're just going to violate all that we have?"

The stallion in question stood tall and stared Mordane in the eyes, both remaining still. They assessed each other, one seeing a moderately well-off business pony. The other seeing a hard powerful mercenary who might just be kind enough to guilt into behaving with slight restraint.

Mordane felt disgust at what the stallion had said. Rape in his opinion was one of the few things that absolutely could never be justified. On top of that he had ordered against it before the battle. He made a mental note to have the pony tracked down later.

However he could not show weakness to these ponies. If he did then he would have to make examples of some of them down the line. That was something he wanted to avoid desperately.

"I respect a pony who can stand and question. I will listen to any who do the same so that this can be done as easily as possible for both our sides. I will look into this myself as rape would have gone against my orders. Talk to me again later."

Mordane walked around the room looking the ponies in the eyes.

“Under our occupation I will expect you to obey any order given to you by one of my soldiers. I expect you to work as we tell you and not to make trouble. Failure to do so will result in punishment. However do not worry, If you do these things I will make sure that your lives will not be further violated and that when we leave you will be no more worse for it then you are now.”

He stopped and walked back to the room entrance before continuing.

"Now.” he said calmly “who among you is the leader?"

"I am," said the unicorn stallion from before. " You talk of work. What do you expect from us?"

Mordane didn’t even pause. "I expect you to build a bridge."

Murmurs ran through the crowd, all the different voices giving shocked claims and others paranoid thoughts. Mordane continued.

"Now, in the morning you will go back to your homes. Be warned, no pony is allowed to leave the town. At ten the next day, half of you will report to the river edge." Mordane turned and started to walk out. "I advise you to comply, as forcing you to do so will only result in a more uncomfortable situation."

The awkwardness of the situation was not lost on Mordane. His armor itched, but even now he could see some of them were planning his death in their eyes.

"I have things to do, so good evening."

Mordane turned around , walked out of the town hall and moved briskly through the village. After making sure that the last of the fighting had stopped and the locals were being escorted to their homes he went back to the now empty town hall. Found a room with a bed and went to sleep with his heart heavy. 

______________________________________________________________________________________________

"It's better than a pile of gold my friend." High Rise smiled at Mordane as he sat in a chair with his forehooves resting on a desk. "A warehouse full of iron. I never thought that I'd see the day."

"How did it get there?" Mordane asked, glad that his commander was in a good mood. He still hated the guy, but at least like this he was bearable.

"Well, according to their old mayor, there are three reasons. One is the old tools, owned by the nearby city pony funding this place, the next is the new tools, while the last is a mixture of weapons and utensils being sent out to nearby towns. It was pure luck that we arrived when we did." High Rise smiled viciously. Eyes gleaming with greed.

Mordane nodded glad that he had been woken up in the morning without incident after the town had been secured. He would have never guessed that all of that iron had been found in a basement under a warehouse.

"So we are going to take it."

"Of course," said High Rise as he lit a cigar. "That stuff is worth five times what we are being paid for this entire expedition. I got a friend over in Tietus with a warehouse, that would be the best place to sell it."

Mordane paused a bit to consider the situation. The goods would take weeks to drag back across the border. Even then it would likely be under attack. Minimally they would need two hundred ponies to pull the carts and protect them.

"High Rise...we can't spare the ponies to drag that across the country." Mordane said with a frown and heavy sigh.

"What are you talking about?" he snapped.

"The bridge is going to be built by the four thousand residents of this town. We have just under one thousand troops. That's four ponies we need to guard each. Why, we’re still pulling them out of basements even now. Cabstien is going to be expecting the workers as well when they arrive and will be angry if we sell them to Tietus."

High Rise’s face grew thoughtful at Mordane’s words. As he stood up and walked to the window.

"...Well it seems we have too many prisoners." The stallion shifted around uncomfortably before quietly making a suggestion. "What if we were to lose some of them?"

Mordane’s stomach flipped as the mind of High Rise turned where he feared. Part of him could acknowledge the dark reasoning behind the statement. There was no way Tietus would accept Drena slaves until after this war was over. He would have to choose his words carefully and hope that some part of this stallion would not want to do this.

"Sir...Killing or enslaving-" High Rise winced "-any of the locals en masse would likely cause the ones we are keeping alive to be harder to control." Mordane walked over to the window to stand beside him keeping his cool.

"And I am unwilling to leave that bridge undone. I want all the money I can get. Just like you." High Rise nodded in response. "We have enough time. Just let me put the iron in the carts and we will wait until our employers, the Cabistien military, shows up to cross the bridge here. Then we'll high tail it out of here before they even think about what we might have stolen."

"Yes...yes, of course, you're right," said High Rise as he walked over to a cabinet and pulled out a bottle to drink. "Don't know what I was thinking. Drink?"

"Yes of course. Just a shot though."

It'll help with my stomach at least. I can't say no anyway. He might take offense.

Downing the single glass Mordane turned to walk out, but stopped before leaving. He sighed releasing the tension that had built up in him during the day.

"I believe one of the stallions disobeyed my order. What should I do with him?" Mordane said offhandedly.

"How against it was he?" High Rise asked quickly without looking at him.

"Directly...I was going to order his whipping." he said flatly.

"Kill him if it's true." High Rise’s tone became cold as he said those words. His eyes left no question before turning back to the window.

"...Yes sir," Mordane responded with resignation.

Walking out Mordane wondered if he should really put effort into finding who had raped that mare. His face remained blank because in truth he did not know what to think.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

"When can you get your ponies out to rope the river?"

"Well, we've never done anything like this before, sir." the pony before Mordane said uncertainly.

"That river is gonna be a doozy to cross, aye, I can say that to you ere’ now."

Mordane stood with the unicorn mayor and another mercenary just off from the river. It was just about three hundred meters across and clear. The water came down off the mountain and into the plain pretty much untainted. At the center it was about thirty meters deep.

"How do you plan to bridge it Mr...Bob.” Mordane said hesitantly. “Bob the Builder?”

“Yes it is!” The pony said with an unnaturally large smile on his face.

“Riiight” Mordane said awkwardly ”Can we build it? The bridge I mean."

"Yes we can!" he said enthusiastically. "I can get em’ to place the supports about five feet apart in three rows. Should do fine."

"How long do you think it will take?" Mordane asked as ponies continued to move, cut and sort logs behind him.

"Uhh, not sure. Whatcha think, Lofty?" asked Bob to a nearby pony.

"Ahh, I don't know..." said a pony passing by timidly.

"Well, I'm sure you can-." Mordane began.

"Come here you!" came a shout from behind him.

Two ponies were approaching dragging a large third one between them. Mordane recognized him. He was the stallion who had been causing trouble for a while. First executing those prisoners. Then yelling out in the crowd. Now, according to two witnesses and another mercenary, he had raped the mayor's wife.

"Here he is, sir. We found him hiding in one of the cellars."

"Thank you," Mordane said before addressing the prisoner. "Do you know why I've ordered you to be brought to me?"

The stallion stopped resisting and swallowed. "...yes."

"Did you do it?" he growled.

The stallion frowned. "Look she was as much my right to take as any gold I found. This is war! The spoils to the vic-"

Mordane back hoofed him as the two stallion held him in place.

"I don't care what you say about rights and such. I gave you an order." he shouted.

"Yeah?" The rapist said spitting at Mordane’s hooves. “Well, then put me in the brig for a week or something. I admitted. I'll do my time."

"...I'm sorry, but I can't do that." Mordane said staring the pony dead in the eye.

"What?" he grunted.

"Take him to the edge of the river and hang him from something where the workers can see. Don't leave until he is dead."Mordane told his holders coldly.

"Y-you can't do this!" the stallion cried desperately as they dragged him away. "No! STOP!"

Mordane ignored his howling till he was dragged far enough away. He then reached over to a nearby stand and made a glass of beer he then offered to the mayor who looked sick.

"Drink."

The visibly shaken unicorn obeyed. Downing the drink in one gulp before giving Mordane a suspicious eye.

"You would do that to one of your own men for rape?" He asked with a shaking voice.

"No," Mordane replied coldly. "I did that because he disobeyed me. Keep that in mind."

______________________________________________________________________________________________

The ice spears flew through the air directly into the space where Mordane’s throat use to be as he stumbled to the right. A blast of wind acted as a distraction for Steady Gaze who stood against him with a smirk on his face. The old stallion dissipated the spell with little effort.
Mordane intentionally avoided using his war magic to confront the pony as it would make the old stallion pull on his war magic of fire and death. The speed of which usually overwhelmed Mordane. Plus it had started to be dangerous for the both of them.

A wall of flame came to Mordane’s attention as he looked back toward the old stallion.

He must of cast it right after the first one crafty bastard. There is no time to dodge or counteract.

However Mordane did not die that day as the flame wall dissipated before touching him drawing a laugh from his competitor.

"My, my, Mordane, you always seem to be focused on the task at hoof, but in this case it would seem that failed you." His eyes were dancing with laughter.

"As you have said many times before, sir Steady Gaze," Mordane replied sullenly.

"You should’ve noticed the flame then poured its heat into my ice converting the mass to water that my spell would not have been able to continue to affect."

"Unless you cast a second spell to affect water alone." Mordane rolled his eyes.

"While casting a fire wall? Hardly."  Steady Gaze replied with a wave of his hoof.

It was nearly a week after they had taken the town and the bridge was half way done. Which would mean it's a little behind. Mordane had just yesterday convinced High Rise it would only hurt to employ whips. Still he was certain something would happen soon.

"You know, Mordane," said the old stallion, "You waste a lot of energy in your spells."

"Yes, sir, you have said so many times." Mordane said exasperated. 

"I have? Well you should’ve fixed it then." he said raising an eyebrow.

Mordane sighed. "How?"

"Why the nerve you, young one. I went to the academy you know. You should be honored to be taught by me." He said raising his chin.

Mordane nodded and resisted the urge to sigh again. Steady Gaze had talked about the academy at Heridan nearly every session.

"Why did you leave then?" Mordane asked again.

Normally the stallion would snort at this point and say the lesson was over, but this time he didn't.

"Well...Mostly it was the racism. I did not agree with the other unicorns over the subject of magic making us superior. So I was exiled." He said bluntly.

"Exiled? Huh… Are they that bad to non unicorns?"

"Oh yes.” Steady Gaze nodded vigorously “The city is split in two with an upper and lower district. I lived with the other unicorns in luxury until my fall from grace...they are abhorrently racist. Even you would be considered a lower life form. Or worse. An abomination."

"...sounds terrible." Mordane whispered.

"Oh it is, but… there is no better magic school in all the world. Save maybe Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns."

"You know of Celestia?" Mordane’s voice dropped down. A bitter taste entering his mouth.

"Yes. I visited Equestria long ago. Peaceful land, but a bit boring. Save for their wondrous technologies." His eyes glazed over and looked into the distance. “ I remember when I got off a train for the last time.”

"Yes... it is." Mordane whispered feeling only a tad homesick.

Mordane left his session with Steady Gaze an hour later tied to the bone. The stallion had valuable combat experience, much to his surprise. To think he once thought he was untrained. That pony was a crafty one alright.

He had taken residence in a library room in the main hall. Most of the few books in there were useless to him but a few were an interesting distraction.

He was reading one such book when Stalker unceremoniously came through his locked door.

"Hey, Mordane. I'm bored. Come drinking with me." He said pleadingly. His lower lip bulging as he pouted.

Mordane floated the book out of his way so he could look Stalker in the eye.

"No. You know what happens when I drink." Mordane said.

Stalker rolled his eyes.

"Come on, Mordane, I'll see to it you don't make a fool of yourself." He asked again. This time pushing the book all the way down.

"No."

"Please?"

"No."

"Please?"

"No."

"Please?"

"No."

"Please?"

"No."

"Please?"

"No."

"Please?"

Mordane sighed before asking exasperatedly.

"Are you a child?"

"Yes.” Stalker said firmly “Now are you coming or not?"

"FINE. I'll come have one drink with you."

Stalker lead Mordane down the street to a large bar that was reserved for the mercenaries as having them drinking with the locals seemed like asking for trouble.

"How long has this thing been running?" asked Mordane.

"Since day two. High Rise approved it himself. Set up a drinking shift as well. Yours, mine, and Boulder’s just so happens to fall on the same evening." Stalker winked.

"I see..." Mordane sighed while facehoofing. "I suppose it's needed, though I wish he had informed me."

"Well don't worry about it," Stalker said while slapping him on the back. "You should relax. Hey, look, there's Boulder."

The stallion walked up to meet them with glazed over eyes. It was obvious by his shining breastplate that the pony had been cleaning it all day.

"Do you ever take that off, Boulder?" Stalker asked with a smirk.

"Of course not," cut in Mordane. "He wouldn't want to be caught unaware."

Boulder huffed. "You two are going to be the death of me one of these days. Especially if I listened to y’all and we are called to battle soon."
"True, though I doubt they would get through our scouts." Mordane said rubbing his chin.

"Where did you get the idea to put them out constantly anyway?" Boulder asked rubbing his forehead.

"...Why wouldn't I want to know what's going on around me?" He replied raising and eyebrow.

"...Guess so."

The three walked into the bar quickly stepping over the large lip at the entrance
______________________________________________________________________________________________

Stalker made note of the bar around him, examining entrance and exit points. Noting where troubled mercenary ponies were settling. With a nudge he lead Mordane to the bar itself where a local pony served drinks. It had been a good move by Boulder to organize how much could be given at any time after he found out about the bar.

Looking over at the younger stallion, Stalker’s mind flashed through why he had gotten Mordane to come drink with them.
That morning he had explained to Boulder something he had found out about Mordane a while back. That the stallion was, in fact, the party king.

Finding out had been quite a shock to him at the time and Boulder was unsurprisingly skeptical to the idea. After all, Mordane was just so...collected. Both of them found it hard to believe that he had it in him. Sure he could make others do things where it mattered, but he just didn't seem to have the raw charisma needed to pull off the party associated with that name. Over years that event had become infamous in Equestria. Ponies would still talk about what it had been like under his short lived "eternal party".

Stalker had been willing to let it lay until word reached him of a small town that had nearly imploded with a similar character… this time however his fur had been brown and the body was not full grown.

The two had agreed that seeing what could possibly make this happen was worth any real risk that it would get out of hoof. They would simply have to turn him from trouble. Should be easy enough.

"What will you have, Commander?" asked the bartender smiling hesitantly.

"I'd like a beer please." Mordane said bluntly.

"I as well." Boulder grinned.

"Me too." Quipped Stalker . 

"So, Boulder," asked Stalker as they got their drinks. "What made you leave Equestria?"

"Disagreements not worth discussing." He glared.

"Shesh, Boulder, you nearly have as large of a stick up your flank as Mordane here."

"Excuse me?" Mordane replied with a raised eyebrow. Cheeks tinted red from the alcohol. "I will tell you that the stick is quite comfortable where it is."

Boulder and Stalker burst out laughing. Quickly Mordane joined them as he continued to drink.

Usual to his semi-methodical nature, Mordane drank at a steady pace. However it was one far faster than his two compatriots.
Why is he always so careless with his life? Stalker thought while playing with his drink.

Sometimes I think he is trying to manipulate everyone then things like this happen where he is so uncareful. Afraid of Celestia or anyone knowing who he is but not me. I honestly thought he would try to kill me as soon as I let him know I knew about him being an alicorn...Yet he did nothing. Not even seeming surprised.

Oh all bringer why did I tell him?

"You know what I think?" said Boulder still quite sober. "I think that we should actually pay this stallion bartender."

"Oh no charge… sir," the stallion in question stammered.

"Nonsense!" cut in Stalker. "We should. He has been such a good host. What do you think Mordane?"

The stallion in question was not talking. Instead staring sullen faced into his glass.

"Mordane?"

"Hmm?" he replied.

"Do you think we should pay the bartender?"

"...no."

"Why?" Stalker asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Sir, if any of my servi-"

"Shut up." Mordane glared at him. "Give me a refill, this glass is empty."

"...Yes, sir."

"Are you ok, Mor-" began Boulder.

"Stupid."

"I'm sorry?"

"It was stupid of you to think we should pay him."

Stalker looked confused at Boulder who eventually answered.

"Well, I don't really see-"

"I mean we are going to leaving eventually and High Rise will just take everything from here then. Any money would only cause him trouble."

The two stood awkwardly as Mordane’s glare softened.

"I apologize… Alcohol doesn't sit well with me sometimes."

"You don't say," Stalker said sarcastically.

"You're not stupid, Boulder… I'm just tired. The drink lowers my impulse control."

"Its fine, Mordane. Happens to everyone."

Stalker watched as Mordane continued to drink. He grew quieter and quieter as time went on. Pulled deep into a sullen mood. By the beginning of drink three Stalker had enough.

"Come on, Mordane, that's enough."

"Hmm?" he replied lifting his head eyes foggy with the stupor from his drink.

"You've had enough."

"Aye, you are just getting gloomier," Boulder replied.

Stalker reached to pull away the younger stallions drink, Intent on not letting him make a fool of himself.

"You know, Stalker...You really should just sleep with the bartender."

His hoof froze in shock mimicking both Boulder and the bartender himself. Mordane did not look up from his glass however even as he continued to speak.

"I mean… Both of ya are that way. I'd let you get rid of some of your tension, Really you shouldn't be worrying about me that much." He seemed completely serious. 

"...Mordane," whispered Boulder. "I don't think that is something you should say. The drink-"

"And you one to talk?" Mordane questioned calmly looking into Boulder’s eyes. "I know about that flask you keep in your mane... Don't know exactly why, but something Celestia did caused you to be unable to live with yourself." He drank deeply again emptying the glass, apparently unconcerned by his own words.

"Bartender, another beer. No ice this time." The stallion hesitated. "Do it… before I tell High Rise about that quality wine you got hidden in the cellar."

He stumbled away. Hoping to return with a pitcher and leave before the commander ordered his bar burned down.

Mordane gulped down the rest of his glass in silence. Then a fourth. Then his fifth before laying his face down on the table. Mumbling about food limitations.

"...what the buck," Boulder whispered.

"Come on, Boulder, lets-"

"PARTY TIME!" His shout nearly broke glass as Mordane snapped back up. His face covered in a gigantic smile. The dull look was gone from his eyes and instead it was as if he had been set alight.

"Say, barkeep!" Mordane yelled in a raspy voice.

"Y-yes?"

"Give these ponies another round. Such strong working soldiers need another drink!" He said banging his hoof on the bar.

A small cheer of agreement met Mordane’s declaration, though most still ignored him.

"Mordane, I-" His comrade began. 

"Stalker!" he said suddenly. Grabbing the side of his face. "You magnificent shadow warrior slash assassin slash thief slash cult leader… whatever you are. I need you to help the bartender pass out drinks. Ok?"

"Uh," he replied. "Sure."

"Boulder!" He flipped around. "You got to know a few good drinking songs."

"Well… yeah, but-"

Mordane grabbed the pitcher of beer and chugged half of it down. The grin on his face only getting wider.

"God this bar is boring. Hey you! Barkeep! Hurry up with those drinks!" Mordane said floating a dozen glasses over to the bar.

"What's gotten into him?" asked one of the ponies across the bar to Boulder.

"Oh, nothing has, really," Mordane said stepping up onto a random table, knocking ponies drinks over as he did. There cries of anger turning to laughter at the look on the stallions face.

"Nothing that has not affected you as well. The dread of this towns ponies and the long march through the wilderness has touched us all. Oh, to the cutting wind as it comes down the mountain and we are forced to sit while idle glory and riches could yet be won." Stunned the bar was silent as they all listened. "Though more so the gold I think."

A few laughed and nodded their heads. This job had been a long march with little to do. Many were getting bored. Stalker passed out pitchers watching as Mordane seemed to take a moment before continuing. 

"What are we, but fickle coils upon which all life that will come must tread. Well, I do not say we set idly by and wait for time that has yet to finish its slow climb. While we wait for glory let them hear our call, our shout. From the roofs of this small town all the way to the heart of Tietus… LETS PARTY!"

The roar of approval met his words. Stalker listened in on a table as he put down a pitcher.

"What the buck did he say?"

"Don't know. Something about glory and riches."

"I can drink to that."

Ponies moved out from their tables and began milling around. Mordane almost bounced between groups his words drawing them out and closer to each other. Many ponies began to drink more than they would normally.

Soon the party was in full swing. Instruments appeared from somewhere being played by smiling ponies.

Enough of this.

Stalker grabbed a beer glass and added a large dose of sleeping agent. Walking over he gave it to Mordane who promptly drank it.
Mordane swayed for a while before slowly getting quieter and sinking to the ground.

No pony noticed as Boulder and Stalker flanked him and walked out of the bar, his eyes already closing.

The two ponies stepped out into the cold air. Behind them to party continued, oblivious to the fact that the one who started it was gone.

"Stalker?" Boulder asked. "What the buck just happened in there?"

The two of them pulled Mordane’s limp body toward his room.

"Madness, I'd say normally, but since it’s Mordane… I think we just saw something important."

"Stalker, Mordane just made us balk and before we recovered he had the entire place ready to party all night long… That does not happen by accident. I'm just wondering why?"

"Because he wanted to party."

"But why?"

"I don't think there was a reason. Alcohol tends to bring out the most base in ponies. Perhaps Mordane at his core just wants to have some fun, but his mind won't let him."

"You know he controlled us like we were little colts."

"Yes. That worries more than anything. If he is that skilled while drunk, what is he doing to us while he’s sober? I just keep thinking back to what I've done for him. Why did I do it?"

"He saved me from slavery. I could have ran."

"But you didn't because you wouldn't. He knew how to get your loyalty and did it. Me? I've followed after him for years. At first I thought I was imposing but now I wonder if he really intended for me to be there… He was just so enticing."

"..."

A few minutes later they arrived at his room. Heaving Mordane onto the bed Boulder turned to Stalker and lifted an eyebrow.

"Now what did you say you were going to get?"

"Water. I need to make a cure. That sleeping pill is more of a poison. Should be fine, if I give him the antidote."

Boulder glared at the smiling Stalker who walked out of the room. His angry glare however turned to confusion as he looked at the sprawled out Mordane.

He had felt something while caring him. Something he just could not believe.

Mordane speaks with authority… It seems impossible. How can I not believe my own senses though?

His hoof trembled as he walked over to Mordane’s prone form. Reaching down he pulled back his ever present coat.

Two wings met his gaze.

A small gasp escaped his lips as he stood there staring at the feathered appendages. Disgust and fear twisting at his heart.

How… For all this time. How long?

He thought back and back. Never could he remember a time the pony did not wear his cloak.

Suddenly his issue with Celestia was clear.

"So, now you know."

Boulder turned to look at Stalker. A blank look on his face.

"You might as well remove the cloak. He sleeps better that way."

"You knew?"

"Of course," he said with a laugh. “I’ve seen him sleep that way before.”

He walked over and propped up Mordane's head. He shoved a long tube down his throat before pouring the medicine.

"Can you really see me not learning of it. I've known for years. Why do you think I follow him."

"Is he your spirit?"

Stalker paused.

"No."

Standing Stalker pulled off Mordane’s cloak and pushed him onto the bed before climbing in beside him.

"What are you doing?"

"Sleeping with him, of course."

"What!? No you're not!"

"And why not? I've done it before," he said seductively.

"There is no way in all that is holy that I am letting you sleep with Mordane while he is passed out."

"Well, you're welcome to join us."

"THE BUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU!"

"Fine, don't."

Stalker curled up next to Mordane on the bed leaving Boulder to stand there gasping and grunting at the indignity of it all.

"Fine. I will sit in that chair over there and at least then I can prevent you from doing any-uhh."

Boulder fell face first onto the bed and immediately began snoring.

"Sure you can." Stalker laughed then reached over Mordane to pat him on the head. "Must’ve had too much to drink during your singing number."

Stalker threw the cover over the three of them. Soon their steady breathing was all to be heard.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

The dull cloud of alcohol faded away to shadows and lightless sleep, but in time the mind of Mordane began to turn up strange and fearful images.

Mordane gazed up at Celestia’s rear in the sky, basking in the glory of the sun. Behind the rather bloated glory of Celestia, Luna’s own glory peeked out from behind. Mordane was surprised to see a solar eclipse, but it was Celestia so he paid it no heed. Pinkie Pies were galloping through the candy cane fields, and it was obvious to all but Mordane there was something seriously wrong with this scene.

In the bright pink sky, various humasus’ could be seen, flying at high speeds completely nude, their wings and… such flapping in the wind. humacorns froliced below, using various magiks to ensure throughout the… breeze their hair stayed pristine and clear. The earth humans tended to the fields, some working at the markets selling various… illicit materials. And nothing else.

“Mordane! My son!” Mordane turned his head at the voice calling out to him.

“Grandpa?”

“I’m here Mordane.” he said, dangling in the air by a rope around his neck.

“What are you doing up there?”

“Oh nothing... Just the trains, Mordane. Oh, and this pit of Celestia’s is about to eat me.”

It was then that he noticed the rather large hole beneath his grandfather filled with white alicorns. Their eyes flamed with the brilliance of the sun in the sky. Snapping their teeth at his grandfather, they tried desperately to eat him.

“Do you mind getting me down from here?” he asked calmly.

“Well, I would, but the ice cream shop is about to close,” Mordane replied sadly indicating the pizza shop behind him.

“Are you sure? It would only take a moment of your time.” He seemed suddenly desperate. “I don't know how much longer I can hold on!”

Mordane looked at the Celestia pit and gumdrop trees of beer before looking back at the taco joint, where he would get his ice cream. His glorious, illicit ice cream.

“But its closing in a minute, and this is the last day they have my ‘favorite flavor!” he pleaded. A group of humansi flew between them.
“Wait! Tell me how long you can hold on?”

“I don’t know, umm, three minutes? After that point I will have passed the singularity, and will have no chance of going back.”

“Oh, good then,” he sighed with relief. ”I’ll just go and get me some ice cream then save you afterwards. “Oh, do you want anything?”

“You know I like sardine pickled ice cream.”

“Sure, sure.”

Mordane hopped down the road for a few minutes before another Mordane suddenly approached Mordane.

“Hi, I’m your conscience.” And then the second Mordane launched a kick in between the legs. “YOU WILL NOT GIVE A TIP!”

Ignoring the fact that he should be feeling unimaginable pain, Mordane had a brilliant idea.

“Hey why don't you go save Grandfather and I’ll order ustacos, pizza and ice cream. Illicitly.”

“YAY, ICE CREAM!”

Suddenly his clone kissed him, but then became Pinkie who then bounced down the street. 

“Stop that,” he said to the army of Stalkers wiggling their eyebrows.

Suddenly Celestia walked down the road, riding on Twilight as she cantered down the street, stopping near Mordane.

“MORDANE, how did you become so devilishly handsome?” said Celestia steamily.

“He works out. I know. I watched him. It’s not creepy,” Twilight whispered while chewing on her mane.

Mordane chuckled before lying to get away. “Ladies, I’m Gay.”

“LIES!” shouted his subconscious.

“Yeah, he slept with me,” confirmed Pinkie Pie.

Celestia transformed into Mordane. “Then explain all your hard-ons!”

“...bacon?”

“Nooo, how will I ever have smexy children now?!” After speaking, Twilight also turned into Mordane.

“No, it’s true. I’m so Gay that it’s capitalised. And look: that lamp, with those curtains? Atrocious. See?”

“It’s the truth, I lost my virginity to Stalker at the candy store.”

“Um… hi?”

“GET OUT OF HERE, FLUTTERSHY. NO ONE WANTS YOUR SHIT!”

“Eep. ”And then she turned super saiyan and knocked out Twidane and Celestdane.

“Subconscious, what does it say about her power level!”

“IT’S OVER NINE SUNSETS!!” And then Super Saiyan Fluttershy turned into Super Saiyan Mordanershy, and exploded.

*******************************************************
Mordane laid on the bed a smile on his face. Warm fur pressing up to him as he hugged some warm body front of him. Taking note of the warmth from behind as well.

He was content.

His eyes snapped open. In a flash he was in the air hovering, eyes contracted into tiny specks as he looked down at the two stallions below him. Drawing one inevitable conclusion as the smell of alcohol permeated the air and the fact that his prized cloak was casually thrown over a nearby chair.

"NNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!" He cried out in anguish.

Boulder and Stalker’s eyes opened slowly. They sat up and stretched trying to awaken.

"Oh, hey there, Mordane. Feeling better this morning?" Boulder said a small smile on his lips.

"Hello, beautiful," Stalker said while lighting a cigar. "You both were great"

Boulder glared at him.

"He don't have any memories likely, Stalker. Don't scare the poor bastard even more."

"WHAT THE BUCK ARE THE TWO OF YOU DOING IN MY BED!" Mordane yelled eyes burning with rage.

"There is no need to yell, Mordane." Stalker frowned. "This is the second time we have woken up together."

"You know I think he might have a good reason in this case. Oh," he said turning to Mordane. "And I just did not want to leave you alone with him. I must’ve fallen asleep while trying to convince him."

Landing, Mordane floated his cloak over with magic holding it with his hoof before looking at Boulder.

"Thanks, Boulder, but it's not something to worry about." He said relieved. “That would've been the worst thing ever.”

"So, Mordane," Boulder coughed covering his mouth. "Wings?"

"Wings?" Mordane deadpanned.

"Yeah, those ones that you are currently flying with." he laughed.

Mordane’s eyes nearly plopped out of his eyes and onto the ground. With a thump he landed unblinking as he replied."Uhh. Oh, you mean these wings. They’re um, a… spell. Yeah, a spell."

"Yeah," Boulder said while pulling a feather from his mane. "Totally fake."

"..."

"So how long have you been an alicorn?" Boulder said raising an eyebrow.

Mordane sighed in exasperation. "All my life."

"A natural born alicorn." Boulder said placing the feather on a nightstand. "I did not even think that it was possible for stallions to be alicorns."

"I know of no legend of it." Spoke up Stalker. "I could find none in any search I did."

Boulder nodded. His eyes still flicking back to the wings.

"You never told anyone?"

"Aye… Does make me wonder though," Mordane said, smiling. "Can I really trust you two?"

"Trust us?" said Stalker before frowning and letting out a small growl. " I think the better question is can we trust you?"

"Aye," agreed Boulder darkly. "You have some explaining to do."

"Trust me?" Mordane asked as his face twisted a bit with worry. "Why not? I've been there for you. I've even helped you Boulder," he started quickly looking back and forth between the two.

"We know you better than most, Mordane… You're a bit of a liar." Stalker said awkwardly.

"I never lie," he said firmly. His eyes getting a little wider. "What would make you say such a thing?"

"Well, a bender of the truth then," Boulder rephrased ignoring Mordane’s question.

"Yes, we noticed some, patterns after last night Mordane," Stalker said calmly.

"You're always putting up a front. Even now. Who are you really Mordane? Behind the mask," Boulder asked, eyes filled with genuine concern. "Nopony should be alone."

His two comrades had stood up from the bed and were moving toward him. Closing the gap.

"I don't know wh-"

"Come now, Mordane," Stalker patronised while standing up and stretching. "As Boulder said, we know you better than that. Can't you be true with us for a while? We’re your comrades."

"Get away from me," Mordane yelled his mouth was dry his mind running a mile a minute. He started stepping back, trying to put space between them and him.

What did I say last night? What did I do?

"I'm just a reg- ...I am a comman- ...I am an alicorn. Things are bound to be strange."

"Please tell us Mordane," Stalker said, ignoring his explanation. "We have been asking the question too long."

Mordane sat down against the wall. His comrades sat in front of him. A calm descended over his face.

"Why does it matter who I am behind the mask? Perhaps all I am is that mask. That barrier between you and others."

"Ponies that have known each other as long as we have lower that mask for each other, Mordane," Boulder whispered.

"Aye… What am I? I don't know how to answer that. I'm a commander, an alicorn, a pony... No label I have ever put on feels right. They just seem too small."

"Then who are you?" Stalker whispered.

"I am what I am. I'm Mordane… we all are something underneath, you know."

He looked at Boulder.

"Like you. A warrior at heart. You searched for glory long ago and it was denied...that's why you drank. But what is your name? Is it Boulder, Warrior? No… I think you are Soldier. Even if you have lost your way a bit."

"You, Stalker. Such deception. You think the few slips are not noticed… Or that it would distract me.  I can feel the weight that you carry but I cannot tell what your purpose is. "

The three sat there as Mordane closed his eyes and leaned back his head. The silence stretched on as Boulder and Stalker reassessed the younger stallion before he spoke up.

"You know, life is short. At least, I thought it was. This life though its eternal. Who am I if I last forever? My kind is meant to burn out. To flash in a brilliant light. To die young, Yet, I am given the means to live on? Is it a joke of God? A cruel irony? I don't know. I was something else before this life. Before I kicked in my mothers womb. I remember it well and at the same time barely at all."

He opened his eyes and looked at them with a half smile and tired eyes.

"What I do know is that I have a purpose. One that I cannot abandon.”

They stood up.

"How can we trust you if we know you're manipulating us?"

"I guess it will require a little faith” Mordane laughed “Not that I can firmly say I deserve it. Yes, I will manipulate you, but it will always be for a purpose. Consider if that purpose is one you wish to share."

Mordane walked over to where he had dropped his cloak and put it on. He smiled at them walked toward the door.

"You're still keeping secrets Mordane," Stalker said with a frown.

Mordane turned to him, frowned, and said, "Of course. That is my nature, you are just going to have to live with the mystery."

Walking out the room door he left them to get back to managing the occupation.

> Two friends and a sudden drop
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Boulder hung by a thin woolen strap that wrapped firmly around his flank. Its itchy texture did not reach through the thick fur to touch the skin underneath so there was no distraction as his forehooves braced against the post in front of him. He barely grunted as the shock rippling through his teeth from hammer blows driving in the wooden wedge. Dropping the hammer into a bag hung from his side he began to tie the rope around a support to further secure it. His movement caused him to swing from side to side, with the wind complicating the motion by buffeted him. 

The bridge, still under construction, stretched outward from the town edge. Workers moved to and fro along its length, moving there loads at a slow and steady pace. Boulder continued to work until a loud boom reverberated over him, drawing his widening eyes to the horizon. Despite his training, and years of service to the sun, Boulder could not help but let out a gasp at the awe inspiring sight.

A large black cloud was blowing northward in the distance. Lightning playing across the surface. A chill ran down his spine as he considered what it could possibly be made for. 

Weather warfare was something studied but rarely seen in Equestria. In pre-Equstrian times it was the preferred method of warfare by the pegasi as they would send tornadoes, hail or thunderstorms to bombard the enemy daily. This gave them an advantage in prolonged warfare but the use ,even limited, resulted in massive devastation to the land.

His focus, however, was drawn away from the wall of black death but the sound of two ponies talking above him on the bridge.

“Hey, have you heard?” asked one stallion.

“Huh, about what?” replied a mare walking with him.

“Three locals broke into the armory and killed a guard.”

“Seriously?” She grunted stopping above Boulder “ How did they get him alone?”

The stallion waved the question off.

“That's not the interesting bit though. Mordane and Stalker are biting each other's heads off over it. I’ve never even-”

Boulders ears twitched at what he just heard. Sighing he started to tie the rope again but a twist in his gut stopped him. After all they were his comrades. With a growl he forced himself up over the railing.

“Where are they?” Boulder grunted once he was on top. “Where is Mordane and Stalker?”

“In the town hall where they always are.” Answered the mare quickly.

Boulder took off galloping, his heart beating hard. His eyes were arched in a frown as he ground his teeth.

Stalker and Mordane never argued; Not in the entire time he had known them had he ever seen the two yell at each other over a disagreement. The two seemed to have some kind of mutual understanding that was beyond Boulder, but if that was not holding up anymore... 

"What could they be arguing about?" , boulder shuddered as the unthinkable entered his thoughts.

Boulder’s right forehoof slipped on a rock, but he quickly recovered and kept running. Dodging some local residents he turned the corner and saw the town hall in sight. He picked up speed again and ran all the way up to and through the open front door, of which several mercenaries were coming out.

Stepping to the side Boulder ground his teeth until he noticed what the mercenaries were leading. Two young stallions and a mare were shaking as they were lead out of the building. One fought hard to hold back the waves of sadness and fear that came of them in droves. The second near colts eyes were watering as he scooted along with his tail between his legs. The mare seemed dead eyed as if she could not accept what she was seeing.

Boulder waited until they had passed before going inside and bolting to the right, making his way to Mordane’s office. Before arriving however he slowed down, to both catch his breath and walk the last dozen feet listening to the conversation.

“Mordane! We can’t just ignore the obvious. This was an attack against our forces. These locals are hard enough to control. If we let something like this slide-” Stalkers voice was higher pitched than normal. Its piercing cry almost seemed manic.

“Don’t tell me about the difficulties should we lose control of them, Stalker. What I suggest is that we not approach this so barbarically.”
Boulder sighed, glad that Mordane was speaking so calmly. Perhaps there was nothing wrong after all.

“We must only execute those who actually performed the murder. These two young stallions and mare . Not their parents or siblings.” Boulder inhaled sharply as his eyes widened. Did he hear right? Did Mordane just say that they would kill the children?

“That's half measures Mordane!” Stalker snapped. “It won’t prevent the others from trying the same; Worse, it will make enemies of their families. They will stir up resistance. And we, cannot, allow, that. None can remain. They must all be killed. Mother, father, brother, sister and foal.”

Boulder rounded the corner and stared into the room with his heart beating frantically in his chest.

Mordane slumped behind his desk with papers laid out before him. Wearing a simple brown cloak he had taken from a local tailor that seemed to complement the blank faced slightly angry stare he gave to the only other pony in the room. It was obvious that he was making a conscious effort to not show an emotion of any kind. Stalker stood off to the side with his hair in a mess as he leaned against the open window seal. In one foohoof hoof he held a tabaco pipe, which he puffed again and again in Rhythm with the nearly frantic tapping of his other forehoof.. He was in a loose white shirt with slight frills around the color. His usual array of knives and satchels were on the outside today but what made Boulder inhale quickly was the knife stuck blade first into the desk.

The two of them were alone in the room which had a distinct smell of piss to Boulder. Looking down he could see a puddle of it on the floor. Putting two and two together he realized Mordane must have told the foals their sentence right here not twenty minutes ago.

Disgust mixed with indignant rage filled his stomach. Who were these two who would so casually throw away three foals lives? He growled face contorted in rage.

“What the buck is wrong with you two?”

Mordane looked over at him a raised a single eyebrow. Stalker stepped to the side rolling his eyes.

“Oh look, here comes the white knight.”

“Be quiet, Stalker,” Mordane growled before turning to give a weak smile to his other comrade. “Boulder, if we have a problem then say it; I’m tired of trading quips.”

“Is it true that three foals killed a guard?” he asked quickly.

Mordane frowned. “I would certainly not call them foals.”

“They didn’t know what they were doing.” Snapped Boulder crossing the distance to the desk.

“Oh yes I’m sure they had no idea what it meant when the red goo started comming out of the ponies skull after they started hitting it with the shovel they brought allong.” Stalker sneered.

Mordane glared at Stalker who raised his hooves and turned back to the window and his pipe.

“Four hours ago a guard saw three go into the armory after knocking out a guard and dragging him inside. He told someone and ran in. By the time the others got there that second guard was dead. His head caved in by a shovel brought by one of the young stallions. They subdued the youngster and caught his comrades before bringing them here. I had to deal with them after shoring up our supply numbers.” Mordane laughed depressingly ”We need more bowstrings.” 

“And what?” Boulder asked. “Did you sentence them?”

“Yes, I did,“ Mordane sighed. “They armed themselves and killed one of my men, so I sentenced them to death.”

”Mordane, please reconsider. They are foals,” Boulder pleaded ignoring the strange word. “Don't be rash. Death is to much for-"

“Death is the only thing I can give them!” Mordane snarled, his eyes flashing with rage. “What else am I to do? They killed a guard and if I do not punish them severely than others will rebel against our oppression.”

“These are children, Mordane. You can’t seriously just want me to walk away and let you do this.”

Mordane paused and reconsidered. Boulder had been trained by the Royal guard and Executions were banned in Equestria. They preferred rewriting minds. 

“Boulder” Mordane said sitting down. “I know that this feels wrong to you and I understand that, but we are here. Why do you have an issue with this?”

Boulder sputtered before answering 

“Because they are children.”

“And therefore innocent?” Mordane replied while shuffling some papers.

“Yes.”

“Tell me Boulder,” Mordane said pouring himself a glass of water. ”what is a soldier.”

“What?” He asked with his head tilting questioningly.

“I said what is a soldier.”

Boulder paused and thought for a moment before answering.

“A trained fighter who will fight for a country and follows a code. ”

Mordane nodded 

“So you would say that a tribal community does not have warriors or soldiers?”

“Well...no.”

“Then we can take a country off our list. Then tell me; Where the men fighting under king sombra soldiers?”

“Yes.”Boulder replied uneasily at the unexpected lecturing. 

“Then we can take a code of ethics off the list. Training is an interesting word. Training in what? Bow, sword, shield, javelin, dancing, pot making, what?”

“In the use of a weapon.”

“So we can say that a soldier is someone who has a weapon and knows how to use it.”

“...”

Mordane dropped his papers and glared into Stalkers eyes.

“There is a stallion dead Boulder.” Mordane whispered rubbing his temples “His brains now stain a stone floor. So don’t try to push arbitrary ideal onto me. If somepony is armed they are a combatant. If they fight for a cause. ANY cause. Then they are a soldier.”

Boulder stood still absorbing what Mordane had said. A part of him knew it was true, yet...

Mordane walked around the desk and up to Boulder his angry look being replaced with a sad but comforting look.

“I understand Boulder I really do “ He patted him on the shoulder and pushed him toward the door. “Take the rest of the day off. You really need it.”

Boulder nodded his head with a stricken look on his face as he walked out the door.
______________________________________________________________________________________________

Mordane watched as Boulder walked out. As a commander he knew that there was no other choice it was the fault of the children. This was bound to happen eventually though he may of avoided the entire situation if he had not left too little of a guard on the weapons storage. 

The thought caused him to grind his teeth in frustration. 

Turning back to Stalker, he frowned.

I can understand Boulder’s reaction, but Stalker's sounds nuts.Is the stress of this situation geting to him?

“Stalker, this is crazy. You can’t expect me to order the death of twenty-odd people on the sword thrust of one colt. It's just not right.”

Stalker sighed and pulled up a chair before perching on it.

“Mordane, this place is a powder keg waiting to go off. If we show any mercy, any restraint at all, it will blow on us. We will die, and, to be honest, I don’t think I can save you this time.”

“Save me? We don’t need saving, Stalker. I agree we can’t show mercy here but what you are suggesting is a wholesale slaughter. I won’t-”

“You made that choice when you became a mercenary,” Stalker yelled, enraged. “Why must you always take half measures?”

“I don’t!” he yelled in return. “I take the best solution available.” 

“Best one available my flank! If you don't do this-”

“Stalker! I have made my decision. This discussion is over.”

Stalker stepped back, his face stricken. Mordane had never just ignored him before. Certainly not to the point of telling him that they were done talking. His hurt turned to rage as he slammed his hooves against Mordane's desk.

“This is just like you! Always jumping into danger! Somepony would think you had a death wish. How many times have I pulled your flank out of the fire? There was that necromancer and you living under Celesitas nose. Not to mention the times you get drunk or a dozen other times your reckless.”

“And what do you stand for, Stalker? NOTHING! You're just an empty glass,” Mordane spat back.

“This empty glass is the only reason you're sitting behind that chair.” Stalker growled.

“With you or not, Stalker, I would've made it this far. It's in my nature.”

“You couldn’t make it out of a bakery without having someone try to kill you.”

“That robber had nothing to do with me!” Mordane shouted. “I don’t have to listen to this trite.”

“Oh yes you do. After all that I’ve done? YOU OWE me Mordane!”

“Owe... You?” Mordane whispered with his eyes downcast. He growled his eyes coming alive with true rage. “I OWE YOU?!”  Mordane roared, his eyes burning a hole into him. “Who is the stallion that trailed a small colt for five years? Who would pull pranks and whisper in my ear just to see him squirm. WHO has ran and hidden every aspect of himself from him for the YEARS?”

Mordane paused. His wings were unfurled and his eyes were glowing as he advanced on Stalker who was staring wide eyed at him.

Mordane released his magic and tucked his wings back inside his cloak before continuing in a much quieter and seething tone as he tried to pull back in his anger.

“Who are you, Stalker?”

“What?” Stalker said in a squeaky voice.

“Who are you? I don't know anything about you…”

“Anything about me...Who are you?” Stalker accused, “An alicorn with military knowledge seemingly from nowhere. I’ve seen you not so much as look at a mare unless drunk and never at stallions. A pony your age should of at least gone through three or four special someponies but you just seemed focused on some unseeable path. You look at some of the wonders of Canterlot and laugh. LAUGH, at flying vehicles and one of the largest cities in the world! Then you have the gall to-”

“Get out.” Mordane spat with his ears swept back.

Stalker froze 

“I’m sorry?”

Mordane was standing but Stalker felt as if he was growing larger. Tightly controlled fury poured from him through every word.

“You want to question me? I won’t give you any answers. I won’t answer to anyone! Not you, and sure as hell not Celestia!” Mordane rose from his relaxed sitting position. His wings slowly unfurling. He Leaned further and further over the desk before stepping up onto the top. As his voice grew louder by the word. “I am the master of my own destiny! FUCK you! FUCK your questions! NO! YOU WILL ANSWER TO ME! EITHER YOU TELL ME WHO THE HELL YOU ARE-” Mordane stopped.

From atop the desk he glared down at the now truly afraid stallion.All around them a maelstrom of wind was flinging around papers and loose supplies.

Slowly, as if the air was let out of a balloon Mordane forced his face to relax. Followed quickly by his wings. He calmly stepped down from the desk to beside Stalker before he continuing in his usual calm tone. The wind finally drawing to a close as he began. “Either tell me who you are or just leave. I don't want someone I can’t trust near me. Just...Get out.”

Stalker continued to stare at him blinking a few times before Mordane sighed heavily and gave a weak smile.

“You have till the end of the day to make up your mind.”

He pushed past Stalker and walked out the door leaving his former comrade still standing with his mouth open.
______________________________________________________________________________________________

Mordane stomped through the halls, eyes burning with rage that he fought bitterly for control.

Taking a hard right through a closed door, mordane slammed it shut and glared around as his eyes cracked red. The room was full of random pieces furniture staked with care against the wall and atop each other filled with cobwebs and the smell of mold. With a growl he stomped over to a chair and raised his hooves into the air. 

Then stopped.

Breathing deeply he let out a long sigh and allowed the rage to fall away as well.

Behind him familiar hoofsteps walking slowly down the hall toward the exit from the office he had been using.

“Its been a long time since that happened...” Mordane said to no one looking down at his hoof as he turned around and sat in the chair. “The last time was before I even came to this world…”

He thought back to his rage at the time. It came back in sharp relief. Then even further back to the first time it happened. In his minds eye he saw the boy. His words had long since been lost, but the anger at them was not. Then more words. The fire of anger that had let up inside of him. What he said was lost to the fog of time as well but their effect was not. 

He looked at the boy. He understood the boy. Then he said the words to unmake the boy.

Mordane remembered how happy he had been at the pain in the boys eye. At how he had laughed when the boy did not come back to school.

How it had felt to hear of the boys funeral and the gun that had been put between his lips.

He remembered to other times when he would fight. How he would be hit and it would cause not a cry of pain but of laughter. How he would push and crush those that opposed him. After all, it wasn’t his, right?

But news of that boy brought about a change in him.

That anger, that… Madness had to be locked away. 

“Why am I here.” He asked to no one. "Chasing after power for a revenge I don't really feel but know I should. Why did I just not submit to her will? Being under another's hoof could not be as bad as this. Maybe then my parents would still be free to do as they wished. Why do I just want to run away?”

He knew the answer to that question. He had felt that tyrants force a thousand times. The twisting of the collar around his neck and the kind words meant to endear him to her. What did it matter if she acted with such grace in person when at the same time projecting an indisputable wave of power.

Raw unyielding power. A power that would make him give up himself. To become a piece in whatever game she played.

So here he was. Down in the south playing games for tiny scraps of coin. Throwing himself under the first banner shown and reaching for the top.

Power is what he needed. Power in either coin or an army. He needed to control others.

He could have no real control with someone so secretive around him.

For years that pony has tailed me. Followed me and watched. Whatever force moves him it is certainly not one deigning to control my choices like that bitch up north… No, they want to move around or with me. To use me for some purpose I cannot divine. I have been lax and calm under such direction. Who knows how much they have twisted. Examined from two sides. The tyrant wanting my head or soul and this bastard wanting my destiny to be determined by his own.

Stalker, what can I do with you?

Standing up, Mordane walked out of the room and toward the bar where he knew Boulder would be.
______________________________________________________________________________________________

Stalker walked out of the building and absently mindedly broke into a run. His hooves found easy purchase on boxes, poles and ropes hanging from the wall as he moved smoothly to the rooftops. To one watching, it would not seem right to say that he was running so much as walking, yet he cleared gaps and moved from building to building at great speed.

As the stallion moved toward the town center he thought back.

Years...It’s been ten years since I first saw him. First rolled my eyes when Smut Peddler had told me excitedly that he had found an alicorn. I nearly hit him upside the head for such a stupid joke. Some horned colt randomly coming up to his shop bearing a pair of wings. I didn’t even believe he was being serious until he talked about giving away the Clandestien bracelet for near dirt prices. A relic of such importance that a permanent locator charm had been placed upon it. Discarded like so much trash and yet finding him was the easy part. Then I watched, expecting him to fall under Celestias sway. Then to move about perpetuating the rite of harmony and gladly falling under Celestia’s sway.

Yet he didn’t.

For years I have watched him…

Stalker came back to himself covered in a ragged cloak and speaking with a wheeze. A quick thought back made him remember snagging it off a clothing line as he dashed through an alleyway.

He was haggling with a merchant still operating under the watchful eye of High Rises troops. Dried fruit was apparently in high demand since the occupation and his efforts were proving pointless in trying to talk him down.

Why am I buying fruit? Wait, I’m not thinking of actually obeying him and just leaving...am I?

The shock of such a ridiculous impulse caused something his sensei would have whipped him for.

He dropped character and stood there, mouth open.

Turning he caught sight of Mordane himself moving through the market. His glare easily caused a path to open in front of him which brought a smile to Stalker’s face.

Even when he is walking along that pony seems to push and pull on those around him. Why go through here? Why have such a look of utter carelessness about yourself.

Stalker took a step to follow Mordane, already planning on surprising him once again… perhaps some cake or-

But then he stopped again… Mordane did not want him there.

What does that matter. I’m a shadow. A flicker on the edge of his vision. I could probably take his cloak without the lout noticing.
He chuckled at that 

“Sir? Sir, are you alright?” asked the storekeeper, brow furrowed with worry. “I do have… some dried fruit left.”

“No, thank you, kind sir.” Stalker said, still looking at Mordane. His voice was clear and level. “I no longer need your food.”

He slipped out of the cloak then and left it lying in front of the confused vendor as he walked in the opposite direction that Mordane went.

The vender sighed “ Not again”

Stalker moved normally now, simply putting one step in front of another as he looked at the sites around him, lost in his own thoughts.

Can I really just leave? After all this time.

“Excuse me… Stalker?”

Stalker looked with a start at the two guards he had not noticed before. Both he recognised as part of High Rise’s more trusted inner circle of troops.

“Yes? May I help you?” He said nervously. 

How did they sneak up on me? Was I really that out of it?

“Sir, we would...ask that you come with us. High Rise wishes to speak with you. He has a business proposition.”

Stalker looked around before sighing.

“Why not. Take me to him.”
______________________________________________________________________________________________

Mordane stepped into the bar and immediately spotted his comrade, Boulder, sitting in a booth alone. Getting a glass of water he walked over and joined him.

“You know its rude to sit down without asking,” growled Boulder.

“Yes, it is, but I did not think you would let me sit if I asked… Look, Boulder, I know I seem cold but I really care that those children are going to die. Thats the way it must be though. Our situation forces my hoof,” Mordane replied sternly but quieter and in a sad tone. “In the end, everything I seem to do is one effect followed by another."

“Bull,” Boulder said, pushing over a shot of brandy. “You brought this on yourself. That armory should have been better guarded and we should not be in this band… I suppose I’ve got myself to blame for that one.”

“No, I wouldn’t say so.” Mordane groaned. “Look, Boulder, I’m sorry.”

“Its alright… I know you're right. It just seems.” His brow furrowed as he looked for the right word. “Wrong.”

“Well, I’m not always right… Boulder, I need some advice.” The old stallion raised an eyebrow and motioned for him to continue.

“It’s about Stalker-”

Mordane explained their argument and the final demand he had leveled at their companion as Boulder listened grunting occasionally in reply. 

“-Well after that… I came here. Now I’ve got to decide what to do if he says no.”

“I say do it.” Boulder said quickly as he motioned for the bartender to change him to water.

“...Perhaps you're right. My gut has kept me alive this long. What’s the point of stopping now. Stalker has helped me over the last year but I never really did like him following me.” Mordane leaned back and stretched. It had been a long day.

“I’m just surprised that it took you this long. Why did you let him stay around anyway?”

Mordane rubbed his chin and looked up at the ceiling.

“Not really sure. I resisted at first, but after I realized he knew I was an alicorn, well… It just seemed pointless to try and push him away with what little strength I had. Celestia breathing down my neck plus my studies with Twilight-”

“You studied with a Princess?” Boulder said with raised eyebrows. “How did that happen?”

“Oh, it was before that ‘being chase by Celestia through a storm’ bit happened. Anyway, I was too busy, and after a time… I just got used to him being around. There was that one time though. I was walking over a bridge reading a book when he came and pushed me to the other side of it. That stupid grin on his face as he pointed down at the hole still sticks with me. Heh, he said ‘I don’t think that’s the kind of hole you want to be plunging into face first’. He always did have a perverted sense of humor.”

Mordane chuckled and waved the bartender away from the shot glass in front of him. It was definitely not time to bring out that guy.

“Well, sound to me like Stalkhounds syndrome.” Boulder said nodding to the barkeeper for a refill.

“What?” 

“Stalkhounds...The Diamond dog-, oh never mind... It is the effect where the captured will sympathise with their captors.”

“Ah... That.”

“Yeah. I mean, he’s been around you for years.” Boulder took a shot. “Ever since you were a colt. That can… have an effect on your judgement.”

“...I suppose that is possible.” 

Mordane stood up, patting Boulder on the shoulder and headed out of the door. Looking at Mordane as with his ears lowered and head low, Boulder stopped mid drink his face scrunching as he frowned.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Stalker finished off the shot of wine pushed to him by High Rise.

The two stallions from before had lead him to just outside of town and into High Rises tent to where the company leader was waiting.

He wore an odd smile and Stalker could’ve sworn that his glass of wine was a lighter color then it should have been. Perhaps watered down?

“I asked you here today, Stalker, to make a proposal.” His eyes were dancing as he stared intently at him. “Is it true you and Mordane have had a… Falling out?”

“Well, that’s one way of putting it,” Stalker began while walking around the room “Why do you care?” Stalker looked at the various tables, flags and trappings with vague boredom, his attention still focused on the conversation.

“That’s simple,” High Rise said while leaning back in his chair. “Mordane is obviously planning something.”

“What do you care?” Stalker looked sideways.

“No matter their, skills a mercenary band leader does not stay one unless he is quick to pick up threats to his position.”

“Get to the chase, High Rise.”

“All right then,” he said standing up. “I want you to go back and get his forgiveness or say whatever you need to in order to get into his good side again. Then tell me when he plans to move against me… Unless you already know that.”

Stalker stopped moving and stared straight ahead. 

“And if I do this?”

“I’ll double your cut.”

“You won’t kill him?”

High Rise chuckled. “He's just a foal. Dangerously skilled at getting others to do as he says, but a foal none the less. I won’t kill him unless he gives me no choice.”

Stalker’s heart beat hard. His desire to rush out of the tent was against every bit of his training. This was logical. If Mordane could not be controlled then by his family rules, Stalker was to limit him and if needed take a large sample… See what it would take to really get rid of him.
Then why did his chest hurt, and why was he waiting so long to ask the next question?

“If he were to be suddenly… Deceased, would you allow me to take his corpse and leave?”

High Rised frowned not expecting such a question. Perhaps their disagreement was worse than he had been lead to believe. He thought about questioning this request but ended up deciding that he was happier not knowing what Stalker's intentions were.

“Yes. Not only that, but I would pay you as I said before,” High Rise said with a smile before sitting behind his desk. “If that is what you want to do, that’s your decision. So, do we have a deal?”

Stalker continued to stare at the slightly dented silver cup sitting on High Rise’s table, years still flashing before his eyes. It seemed simple but in the end he had to go with his gut. He thought hard about the troubles that he had gone through...The jokes they had shared. 

Turning he tipped his head and spoke simply before leaving.

“No thank you, High Rise. Have a nice day.”
______________________________________________________________________________________________

The sorry of the locals over the unfinished bridge provided a chaotic rythem that Mordane found an odd joy from. Boulder said nothing, his eyes focused on the covered form.

It was rather strange sight for Boulder. Before him was a paradox of what he had been taught through his whole life. 

Alicorn were strong beings, and the apex of harmony. They worked for the good of all ponykind from a pedestal which few could ever even dream to climb. They were kind, generous, loyal and powerful. Anypony should bend and bow to their greater wisdom, but yet.

Here was an alicorn who did not have the answers. Who was normal pony sized and made mistakes. 

Perhaps… he needs to grow into who he will be. Just like anypony else.

Boulder’s eyes flicked over to a figure approaching them. 

Stalker walked straight for Mordane. His face stern and eyes determined. The alicorn looked back with nothing that could be called an expression. His eyes flicking to every corner of Stalker’s form.

“Have you decided? Will you tell me everything?” he asked in a strangly monotone voice that Boulder recognized as his defence mechanism. 

“Mordane…” Stalker began in a soft tone with downcast eyes. “I’ve put far too much into you to leave now. But I cannot tell you secrets that are not mine to give.”

Mordane’s face flashed into a glare as he stepped up to the older pony. “I may be a young pony, Stalker-”

“You are anything but that,” Stalker cut in. “I have seen you for years, Mordane. I know that you are no foal.”

Mordane blinked before continuing unabated.

“But I am not that young anymore. I’m stronger now and so can deny you.”

Mordane stomped his hooves and a stone flashed out of the nearby river and the the space between Stalker and Mordane.

Stalker jumped back even as Mordane charged his horn and struck Stalker in the chest with a spell.

He landed undisturbed and looked piercingly at Mordane before quickly checking himself for something wrong.

“You're wondering what I did?” Mordane said with a tired smile “A proximity spell. If you are within a dozen feet or so I will know.”He scratched behind his ear at the odd ringing only he could hear.

Stalker stared at Mordane blinking rapidly as he tried to understand.

“I’ve had it for a year, Stalker.” Mordane said answering Stalkers unspoken question. “I was just trying to think of was way to deliver it without you realizing. Then the Diamond dog attack happened. I guess sometimes you just need to rush ahead. Perhaps I overthink things.”

Stalker was trembling his face contorted in fury. In a moment he closed the distance between him and Mordane. Boulder heard a rush of wind as Stalker backhoofed the younger pony and sent him flying. 

Mordane slid across the dirt and ground to a halt. His look wasn’t angry but stern as he stood up spitting out one of his rear teeth. 

“Kind of hard, don’t you think, Stalker?”

“I think you deserve more. I came with good intent.”

“Perhaps,” agreed Mordane. “But all is fair in love and war, hmm?”

They stared each other down, measuring and guessing at what the other would do.

Boulder stepped back. He knew Mordane would need to be able to fling spells without him getting in the way if this actually went down. As he watch a stream of blood start coming out of Mordane’s nose it really sunk in.

By Celestia, they are going to kill each other. Why did I not stop this when I had the chance?

“Tonight,” Mordane said suddenly breaking the uneasy silence.  ”No, tomorrow after we sleep and you have time to think. We settle this. You know that high hill with the single tree on the other side of town?”

“Yes,” Stalker said, coming out of his fighting stance.

“We meet there tomorrow at noon, come rain or shine. Is that fine with you?”

“Of course.”

They both left still glaring at each other leaving a confused and conflicted Boulder behind. 
______________________________________________________________________________________________

That night Mordane did all he could to not appear weakened as he walked back to the room. Wincing at the pain in his jaw. That spell had way too much of a drain on his body. Plus he could only manage one at a time. At least in reality it gave a fifty foot sensing parameter if the target should enter that range. 

Both him and Stalker tossed and turned all night as something unsettled them both. They had there reasons to fight, logical and unyielding, yet in the wee hours of the morning they rolled the day over and over in their heads.

One bound by family to stay by his side or bring death if he could not. Silence ingrained into him from birth.

The other facing cold bards of reason and knowing that it would be on something he could not...would not yield. Celestia flashing through his mind with the rattle of chains… oh no, he would not risk Stalker any longer!

With time the two of them settled down and slept.
________________________________________________

Mordane walked slowly toward the tall hill wearing his armored cloak. He had, of course, prepared for the coming conflict. His battered sword was sharpened and he had just enough sleep to not have it hamper his ability to fight.

Boulder stepped up beside him as they walked through the groups running back and forth.

“Mordane, are you planning to go through with this?” he said with true concern “You’re a magic user, but Stalker.”

“I know what I’m doing,” Mordane replied with a frown. “Stalker has been an issue I’ve had to ignore for years.”

“Yes, Mordane, years. I might not like the guy, but the fact remains. He is by far your senior and knows pretty much all that you know and more. Magic or no, he will be able to outmaneuver you.”

Mordane raised an eyebrow and gave a weak smile to reassure Boulder.

“I know it won’t be easy, no matter how you slice it. Something about the idea bothers me though.”

“There is no shame in listening to fear when it has a reason,” Boulder assured him. 

“I know, but this is not fear… I think it’s regret,” Mordane continued as he turned to stare blankly forward. “But my logic tells me I must do this. Emotions only weaken a person.”

“Person?”

“Sorry, pony,” Mordane mumbled. 

They left the village behind.

Mordane looked up to the hill where stalker stood waiting. His former comrade was oddly unclothed. Instead his knives and other weapons sat openly strapped to his side. Turning he spoke to Boulder. Telling him to wait at the hills bottom. Birds chirped upon the western wind as Mordane tread carefully up the incline. As he ascended the doubts from the night before were pushed aside. He knew that this was going to occur. His angry expression slowly softened then fell away leaving a blank stare at the one who had followed him for years without his consent.

Mordane kept moving until he stood across from Stalker before speaking.

“I don’t want to have to do this.”

“...I know, Mordane,” he replied with ears drooping. 

“I cannot have you... near me and serving another. You will have to choose between us and I know that you will choose your family.”

Stalker wilted under Mordane’s hard glare and pulled back ears.

“I wouldn’t expect less from you, Mordane,” Stalker said softly pawing at the ground. “Its taken me a long time, but I think I understand you.”

“I doubt that,” Mordare replied, anger leaking back into his voice.

“ I do...” Stalker said, closing his eyes. “It was just something I could not accept easily. For years I’ve thought you a child. An idea I now see as a foolish assumption. After all, you are an alicorn. Your kind are always wrapped up in strange forces.”

“What are you getting at?”

“I’m saying that I’ll be able to name you soon, Mordane. Just like you did to me. Warrior, Strider, Destroyer, Maker.  You know just how important such things are.”

“The most important in the world,” Mordane said, his coat bristling at hearing of such thoughts from Stalker. “Names give you power over others. It tells you who and what they are...I told you once I did not know my name.”

“Yes…” Stalker grimaced. “I don’t know how, Mordane, but you know more than you should. You’re older than your flesh, I can feel it and see it. It’s like you gave up your name. Gave up your desires and will to rise above. Everything is just a means to an end with you. I sometimes swear I can hear the gears clinking as you walk. Sometimes wonder what kind of life you came from that filled you with such emptiness.”

“It was my life,” Mordane said looking down. “The life I chose.” He looked back at Stalker with his ears drooping and his eyes tired. “I am old Stalker. As you say, I am older than my flesh.”

“How old are you?” Stalker whispered.

“Depends, sometimes I’m young and naive. I fall back and let myself rest. Other times I open my inner eyes and come out in force only to go back again. It’s the only way I found to calm myself. To hold in that which I refuse to let go. If you want actual years I'd experienced that would be around fifty.”

“I can understand that,” Stalker said nodding slowly. “I’m forty myself. What I can't understand is how you can care for others but treat them so coldly. Allow them to be hurt with such surety. I’ve seen you kill… what was her name? Ah yes; Lyra. I saw you kill her with your own spell as she fought following your plan.”

“I had no choice. She was about to die anyway. It was either kill her and the dogs or let the dogs kill her and many others… the choice was obvious.”

“Yes, I can see that.”

They stared at each other as Boulder looked on from the hill’s bottom. His ears stuck back and hooves ready to charge.

“He will follow you,” Stalker said, indicating Boulder. “He does not know it yet but he is loyal to you.”

Mordane looked back down at Boulder, his eyes thoughtful.

“Not just yet… But soon, I suppose. Part of me wonders if it is my right to pull on him for my own purpose.”

“What if you took a greater one?”

Mordane scrunched to a frown.

“What would you have of me, Stalker. To ride out and form a nation? To bring law to this lawless land.”

“No, I would have you choose your own purpose.”

They stood silent for a few minutes longer as the wind rustled the grassy hilltop. the silence was broken when Mordane spoke solum.

“Will you tell me your family’s purpose, Stalker?”

“I cannot.”

“Will you leave and never follow me again?”

“I cannot.”

Mordanes eyes hardened. He raised his sword.

“So be it.”

A blast of wind ripped from Mordane horn toward Stalker but before it made contact he suddenly rocketed into the air at a forty five degree angle. In mid jump he drew an threw three knives in quick succession.

Mordane stormed the earth and a mass of dirt rose up to block. Stalker reached out and grabbed a protruding stone and flung himself at Mordane. He came screeching in hoof, ready to plow into Mordane’s throat but his target pumped his wings quickly, leaving Stalker’s hoof to imbed in the earth.

“You cannot defeat me, Stalker. I’m an alicorn. Magic and flight are on my side as well as strength.”

“You know that matters little in a fight when I’m the one who is trained. Perhaps it’s time to teach you humility.”

Mordane was thirty feet in the air as he pulled on his war magic. Reaching out, he commanded the water and the air to obey him. Focusing, he formed the air into a spear and then used the earth below as the tip. The water he flung high into the air and formed thin blades of ice. As soon as he could, Mordane rammed the spear of earth and air at Stalker.

Stalker frowned then snarled before ramming his forehooves into the ground.

A cloud of dust covered the hill top as Mordane blinked while having twenty feet up.

What the-

Stalker came down from above and gave Mordane a left hook to the jaw. His plummeted to the round and crashed hard.

Mordane had no time to react Before Stalker landed on top of him with his hooves plowing into the ground either side of his head.

Stalker hit with a left then right, again and again before a blast of wind blew him into the air.

Mordane scrambled to his feet and growled at Stalker already standing at ease. He held a knife with a bit of blood on it. A stream of crimson liquid flowed down from a cut above Mordane’s left eye. Mordane panted, staring intently at his foe.

“That was not possible., Mordane said. “I have only seen one mare as fast and strong as you.”

Stalker blinked and broke out into a full smile.

“What, already noticed? I was wondering if you could see through me. As for Pinkie, I am not exactly sure how she moves so fast...”

“I’m not sure exactly what aspect it is but you are using war magic.”

“Right again. So what do-”

Stalker was cut off as the shards of ice from before rained down where he stood giving him a dozen thin paper cuts.

“I think I’ll adapt though.”

Mordane flapped his wings and rocked towards Stalker, connecting with his chest. A beam of energy ripped from his horn and cut for Stalker’s neck. The stallion however spun and moved out from him, slashing at his leg and drawing some blood.

Flipping around they both locked hooves pushed trying to knock the other down. Mordane’s wings were flapping full force but even so Stalker’s strength started to overcome him.

Thinking fast, Mordane levitated his sword from where it had fallen, drawing toward his scabbard. Stalker jumped out of the way as the blade flew past Mordae.

On and on they fought. Mordane would gain some ground with his magic but Stalker always kept him off balance and stuck where he could. As the battle wore on the both of them began to tire.

Stalker threw his last knife, barely scratching Mordane before dodging the smatter of stones haphazardly thrown at him. There were few words or thoughts now as they slowly and surly ground each other down.

“God, you're stubborn, Stalker. Why won’t you just leave?” Mordane said while panting as he and Stalker circled each other.

“I can’t do that Mordane…” Stalker replied quietly looking down at the ground. “No matter how much you piss me off.”

Mordane charged but Stalker dodged leaving him to circle again.

“I won’t let up on this, Stalker. I won’t risk my parents. Now tell me, who are you?”

Stalker lazily threw a rock that Mordane easily dodged and responded by flinging a stone and then tackled Stalker to the ground, but Stalker tackled him causing them both to go rolling down the hill and into a briar patch. Both of them kept fighting however but soon they found themselves unable to move.

“Who are you? Why wont you leave!?”

“ I -!”

“WHO?!” Mordane yelled in fury.

“YOUR FRIEND!” Stalker cried out glaring at Mordane through watery eye. “I’m your friend… The only one you got.” Stalker suppressed a sob as his heart ached.

“ Stalker…” But Stalker cut him off while shaking his head.

“For all these years I followed you. At first it was for the family. Honor and obligation, but then it changed.” Stalker said panting. He lowered his nose into the ground as he tried to gain the stregth to express what was eating him up inside. 

“I started to enjoy your exploits.” Stalker choked out. Tears turning to mud on the ground.

“The dodges in speech” He began hitting the ground with his hoof drawing water into Mordanes eyes as well “your interactions with those around you, how you pretended to be normal. Then something changed. “ He sniffed and regained control of himself before continuing. “ I grew angry when you failed… I was happy when things went your way. In time, I started to even… Help you. How many times did I save you in these last few decades? How often where you going to be caught when I would save you from that?”

Stalker shook as Mordane stared wide eyed and teary at him. The briars kept him from moving as they stuck into them both.

“I was taught from a young age that friendship is a weakness. That in time everypony will betray you. That only blood mattered.” He looked up with streams of tears freshly flowing from his eyes. “Have I not shared your blood? Your pain? Have I not always been there for you? Can you not call me friend?”

“I-” But Stalker cut Mordane off again. 

“Thats what I wanted… But I know that you don’t think that way. To you, friends are tools to be used… Like pieces on a board. You care for everyone the same. Valuable, but to be put for a purpose. I can never really be your-”

“Hey” Mordane said placing his hoof under Stalkers chin. His voice nearly cracking as he struggled to contain his emotion and smile. “cheer up, Even in that past life I was… Alone and abnormal, I-” Mordanes face twisted as the word caught on his tongue looking for the right words. “I’ve never had a friend. Even if others called them mine. To be a friend I think you need to be honest, kind, loyal and those are the most difficult things for me.”

Stalker looked up with a hesitant grin while raising an eyebrow.

“But,” Mordane continued with his own smile. “I think I would like to have one… as crazy as he would have to be, to know me and actually stay.”

Stalker and Mordane awkwardly laughed as Boulder came running to cut them out of the briar patch. 

“So you two found common ground? Can’t say I’m not surprised,” he grinned as his knife cut them out.

“Oh cut it out, Boulder,” Mordane said, laughing as the two of them struggled up and out of the patch.

“Mordane,” Stalker said rubbing the back of his head. “I can’t tell you about my family… Or my past because I swore I never would… And for all that, I do my word matters to me more than anything.”

“You have honor?” asked Boulder before being smacked in the back of the head.

Mordae nodded his head and adjusted his thought patterns trying to find a solution. Then he hit upon an idea.

“Does your oath demand that you obey any order?”

“...No.”

“Then I will ask you to give a promise to me.”

Boulder and Stalker looked at each other then back at Mordane with raised eyebrows.

“What kind of promise?” Boulder asked rubbing his chin.

Mordane smiled. “ Promise me that if your family calls you away or to hurt me. That you will warn me so I can run.”

Stalker looked at his former target. A warmth settled into his stomach as he smiled.

“I promise.”
______________________________________________________________________________________________

Laughter rang through the bar as Stalker and Mordane both downed root beer after root beer. It was ultimately pointless, but Mordane smiled anyway. After all, even if it was a waste, he was still having fun with his… Friends.

His mouth’s corners turned up at the idea as the jokingly threw a glass of the drink at Boulder who burst out laughing.

“Seriously, Stalker what's with having no cutie mark? Did you have to sacrifice a virgin?”

“Phfft, oh yes, Mordane, you caught me. You see that’s why I’ve been following you." He punched him lightly." Been waiting to learn the secret but you sill don't have one.”

“You’re both freaks,” cut in Boulder. “Two adult ponies without Cutie Marks. What does THATmean.”

“I'm very late” Mordane said, scratching his chin. “It’s got to do with using War magic. Messed me up or somthing.”

Suddenly Mordane was tackled. It took him a fraction of a second to realize it was Stalker and a full second more to register the sight of Boulder struggling with a pegasus. In his gray wing was gripped a knife.

Stalker slapped him nearly dislodging some teeth as he yelled into Mordane's ear.

“WHAT THE HELL, STALKER?!”

“Shut up, you fool. I asked you three times, ARE YOU HURT!”

“NO!” Mordane yelled back furious.

“DAMN it, Mordane, focus!” he said, grabbing both sides of the alicorn’s head. Even as Boulder successfully knocked the blade from the attacker's wing. “That blade has poison, I can see the sheen. NOW. Did. He. Cut. You?”

Mordane blinked rapidly before turning to check himself all over. At his gasp Stalker’s ears drooped. On his right thigh was a long narrow gash.

Immediately Stalker bends down and began licking the wound.

“What the hell?!” Mordane yelled 

Stalker spat onto the ground 

“This might help get the poison out. Hold still.”

Using his magic, Mordane floated over the blade and looked at its liquidity sheen. His brow furrowed as Boulder finished subduing the foe.
Panting, he sat atop of the other stallion, mumbling curses and his desire for a drink.

Mordane thought quickly before falling on a solution. There was no guarantee Stalker could make a cure it would be best to get it from the source.

“Boulder, drag that bucking bastard over here,” he said with a cold growl.

Boulder nodded and forced the pegasus across the floor to beside Mordane. Stalker stopped licking the wound to look curiously at his friend.

With a growl Mordane grabbed the stallion's foreleg and stabbed it through with the knife.

He screamed bloody murder and began thrashing against Boulder who quickly worked to calm him down as Mordane pulled out the knife.
Stepping up he walked over to the stallion, his right flank already going numb.

“Listen close, you bastard. Where is the antidote? Tell me now or we’ll die together.”

The gray pegasus groaned, his eyes watery.

“I bought it off a seller in Titus. I don’t have an antidote.”

“What was it called.” Stalker cut in.

“Uhh, I’m not sure.” He said through a pained grimmice. ”Dandy something?”

“Dandy extracts? I can make an antidote for that,” spoke up Stalker excitedly. Pulling out his poison bag and getting to work. “Give me two minutes.”

“Oh thank G-” Mordane cut the stallion off with a stomp to the gut, drawing out cries of pain.

“Don't thank God just yet, little pony. I’m not done with you. Who sent you?” Mordane's heart was pumping as his fear came to pass. Would he have to run and abandon all that he had gained? Had Celestia found him? Would he have to run the breadth of the land dodging her assassins till he could fake his own death?

“High Rise… It was High Rise. Now please, I have a wife. Fo-” Mordane cut him off one more time but with a kick to the head. He rolled to lay on the floor, unconscious.

“All is forgiven. Perhaps you will wake soon enough to take a cure. Stalker, Boulder… I think it's time for a change of management.”

His friends smiled. Knowing it was time. Ready to hear his orders.

“Boulder, get on the vine. Do whatever you can but make sure I have at LEAST the same number of troops as him once we meet. Get all the rest busy. I don't want ponies standing around undecided. Make sure that the armory is secure and get your loyal tabs reporting and talking.” He turned and grinned at his new friend.

“Stalker, I want you to find High Rise. Do. Not. Kill. Him. I have to be the one. Instead, I want you to find him and find fuel to justify my take over. Something tangible. Give it to Boulder. He will have it spread in an hour. I’m going to go and secure the townsfolk. Have them finishing that bridge double time. That should keep them busy.” 

His friends nodded and made mental preparations to perform his task. During this he sauntered over to the bar and made them three shots of whisky.

“Take one,” he said solemnly and waited till they complied. “Paths have to start somewhere… In the end, I know where I will end up. Maybe you’ll follow me there, maybe you won't. Maybe some of us will make it. But I know that we will return to Equestria, not as the destitute, but strong. We will find a way though and gain my family again, but we will need wealth. Then who knows what we will do? It starts here, however. I don't know why High Rise has decided to kill me now, but such things are bound to happen along our path.” He looked them both in the eye. “To glory and victory!” They drank and threw the glasses against the ground, shattering them. Running out the front door, they stopped outside, nodded, then headed off in different directions.

_________________________________________________________________

Boulder ran full out, panting desperately for air, the shot of alcohol dulling his senses and pushing him on faster and stronger.

What the buck is High Rise thinking? This is madness. 

A chill ran through him as he remembered his contact’s words from earlier.

That bastard. He thinks that he won't need him after that battle is over. We will be out of here… Come to think of it he has been asking around a lot, wondering what Mordane has been doing. Could he think Mordane? No that would be… Could Mordane have planned a coup?

He thought for a second before shaking his 

No, doesn't matter. Mordane should be in command anyway. That bastard is just greedy and fears Mordane will do what he would.
Assured he was working for the right side, Boulder ran onward to the barracks and bucked in the door. He ignored the gasps of surprise and ran to his command table.

“Well, lookie here, if it isn’t old Boulder. Done bending over for our prestigious Mo-”

Boulder crashed into him and stamped him against the wall unceremoniously. He pushed hard and held him up pinned even as his other poker buddies mouth’s hung open.

“Why in Celestia’s sweet sun did you not tell me, Sunny Disposition?” he growled.

The stallion spat in Boulder’s face.

“Why did you think? I know you were in the same tent with that Mordane fellow. You would be working for him. You can’t trust Unicorns you bastard. YOU CAN'T TRUST EM!”

Boulder threw him against the wall growling, which drove him into unconsciousness.

“You four, listen here and listen well. Mordane is the leader of this here band by right. That High Rise fellow has nearly gotten us killed four times! Who pulled us out of the fire? Mordane!"

“Now I ain't telling you to pick our side, but I am telling you that if you don't, then don’t be there when it's decided. Understand!”

They nodded their heads vigorously. Boulder snorted and ran out, looking for those he knew he could trust.
______________________________________________________________________________________________

Stalker jumped from roof to roof, moving like the shadow of a cloud and being nearly as visible. Despite his years of training in art of stealth he let out an involuntary growl. After so many years of being alone, he had finally admitted how he felt to Mordane and been accepted. 

Then some two bit with a sword and vial nearly kill him. Worst of all, he was forbidden from killing the stallion. Mordane would need to drive in the blade himself.

Oh what I would do to you, High Rise. What vile twisted atrocities would I commit?

The thought brought a smile to his lips that was immediately torn away after he remembered his grandfather's words.

No, He does not weaken me, He makes me stronger, faster. I can do more than ever. You were wrong, grandfather. The magic of friendship really does have strength… More than you would ever know..

Stalker pushed himself even harder and reached for his magic.

He was no longer a shadow flying across the roof tops.

He was simply not there.
______________________________________________________________________________________________

Mordane teleported to a roof moving in the opposite direction from Stalker. Then he teleported again before untangling his wings and taking to the sky. Plans flashed through his mind and were discarded with ease.

He knew one thing, however. No matter what, he would need all the power he could get. Yet already he could feel another working. Using telekinesis, he opened his window before teleporting inside.

Once there, he quickly pulled on his sword and other gear before floating his amulet over and slipping it on. He smiled at how it was half way full before jumping out his window and galloping for the worker camp.
______________________________________________________________________________________________

High Rise sat in a chair with a glass of hard cider, his eyes surprisingly clear and sharp. Even more strange was his wearing of battle armor. He waited patiently, glaring over the field to the construction site. 

The right side of his lip twitched as he went over what had happened earlier that day.

First I get information that says Stalker and Mordane are at each other’s throats, followed shortly by them apparently ready to kill each other, stalker is then seen alone and Mordane took something from him. At the same time, he has his friend Boulder talking to his friends… Then after I talk to this Stalker, suddenly they are friends again!? Oh, it’s obvious what is going on here, preparing for takeover, getting me to reveal my hoof.

A pegasus landed in a flash. He was an old friend and had volunteered to watch this young upstart Mordane die.

“High Rise! Mordane lives. He was indeed cut, but that Stalker pony made an antidote. The three of them separated and ran off. From what I saw they are gathering allies…”

“By the gates of Tartarus… Send word to have most of the normal soldiers busy. Get our friends, I don't want to have trouble with him. If we have to fight, let's make this quick and clean. If we can cause fear in his allies they may abandon them.”

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Mordane nodded to Bob who then ran off. According to him, the work would be done in about an hour at the rate it was now going.
Dashing off, he ran the coming conflict through his mind.

Most of the band would not know about the takeover until after it was done. If he could estimate, their numbers would be about the same. No matter what, though, the battle would come down to him and High Rise.

I can handle him easily, but it’s the take over afterwards I need to worry about. 

After Mordane made it back to the village, Stalker dropped in beside him and began talking.

“Boulder has found a few ponies he thinks will help us. The rest of the army is with the citizens at the bridge and woods. Our numbers are comparable to theirs. It should be about even.”

“Then I can call that High Rise bastard out to fight me one on one. When he cowers, it will do well for me.”

Stalker couldn’t help but grin evilly as Mordane unfurled his plans in front of him.

“Boulder and the group are around this corner. What do you plan to do if he says yes?”

“I suppose I will have to beat him down.”

The both of lips were curled into a laugh as they rounded the corner, arriving just in time.

“Why have you gathered these ponies here?” High Rise asked Boulder. Behind him ten or so ponies stood glaring with their various weapons ranging from knives to a greatsword.

“I think you know why we are here,” Boulder replied calmly.

High Rise snorted in anger, his body shelled in strong armor.

“I would’ve thought that Mordane himself would be here.”

“As I am, High Rise,” shouted Mordane as he galloped up to the group front. “It would seem your… compatriot failed in his task to kill me.” 
Several ponies shifted uncomfortably at his statement but High Rise barely even blinked.

“What of it? You and I both know that this game between us has been a long time coming. Only one of us is going to walk away the leader.”
Mordane nodded his head and acted at ease. Inside, though, he was ready to spring into action if the need arose.

Both sides now stood in a line about twenty feet apart. From his eye even if the fight broke out his side would have the advantage.
“Look, High Rise, this is between you and me. Lets leave the others out of it and settle this like stallions.”

High Rise snorted again but this time with a smile as he stalked forwards towards Mordane.Seeing this Mordane moved to meet him.
“And here I thought I was going to have to drag you out from behind those lackies. I suppose you're braver than I thought.”

"I thought the same."

Mordane was not sure what Made High Rise think he could defeat him but he would not back down now.

“Let’s en-”

Mordane was cut off as a pegasus came screeching in from the north. He landed, panting, between them before trotting up to High Rise.
“SIR! The Cabistien forces, they were routed! The enemy is headed this way! They will be here by tomorrow!”

All of the ponies froze where they were. For a moment High Rise and Mordane locked eyes. A simple understanding passed between them. 

I don’t have time for you now, little brat.

The army comes first, we don’t have time for this.

The party dispersed as High Rise shouted orders. Over the next hour his verbal lashings and loud voice got the ponies up and moving. Two hour later the mercenary band was moving quickly away from the town. 

As Mordane crossed over the first mountain ridge he stopped and turned back. Behind him a line of wagons and ponies stumbled up the mountainside. The sun had fallen over the horizon an hour ago but it might as well of been day. Screams drifted up from the village below as guards withdrew from homes taking what they willed. On the river he could see the black outline of soldiers against the flames of the burning bridge. They threw their torches on the inferno before turning to return to the army.

Something felt odd to Mordane something he could not place. 

He turned and continued his trek over the mountain as in the distance thunder roared. 

The enemy would be occupied putting out the fire. They however would be gone.

> Treacherous Ground
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The trek away from the village was more of a mad dash than a military withdraw. Sheets of rain battered the disordered and strung out forces under High Rise's and Mordane's command. Who were continuously pushing them on with near frantic speed with wagons full of iron in tow. Those carts forced the mercenary bands to stay on the road. Armies are supposed to be able to move quickly and efficiently over terrain, but such a thing proved impossible for them.

For starters, the ponies couldn’t march in formation really. Oh, they might stay in rows for a while but soon they were in clumps and traveling with their friends. Secondly, the narrow roads were made of loosely packed dust. Even in the driest of weather such paths are terrible for armies. The number of wagons and individuals involved soon destroyed the path with divots and sudden turns choking the movement. This was compounded by the rain. Cabistien’s military assault via a storm cell had been countered by the north somehow. Despite this the weather in the region was in chaos. A full blow downpour with high winds was upon them.

Normally an army would stop in these conditions, but the band knew that would mean certain death now. So onward they pushed with whole groups of pegasi flew overhead trying to lessen the storm  by throwing it back at their pursuers. At the same time earth ponies kept felling trees to lay over the worse parts of the road, as well as making temporary stream crossings.

It was tough going, and Mordane could see it weighing heavily on the fighters. What was he to do?  High Rise and him had not spoken directly since leaving the town.

Soon they pressed on, only stopping for short rests and to sleep.

A day and a half after leaving the town, Mordane sat down by a pile of sticks with Stalker. They had just finished putting together a lean-to next to a tree. It would keep the water off of them at least.

Focusing, Mordane poured heat into the damp logs and soon the water began to steam forming whips as the rain fell. After a few minutes of waiting the wood burst into flame.

Looking around, he watched as all around him different magic users set the fires alight for their comrades.
The last traces of the sun were disappearing over the horizon. Part of him feared that this would be the last night for many a mercenary as they succumbed to the cold ,but the rational part said that these ponies were used to roughing it alone with no structure to support them.

"Celestia damn, its cold," said Boulder, coming in to sit beside them. On his back was a pile of relatively dry wood which he threw on the fire. "Found this under some logs and bushes. Isn't it supposed to be summer?"

"Yes," said Stalker, using a spare shirt to dry off before passing it to Mordane. "But the weather down here is not so tightly regulated as in Equestria. It just sort of happens as it will. One year, I remember it snowing in spring, but the next day you could boil an egg by placing it on a stone outside."

Boulder sneezed without warning, causing the other two to laugh.

"I remember this one time," Mordane began. "I was staying in this lighthouse, and it was long ago, but I went out to stand on the beach because in the distance, out at sea, I could see a hurricane."

"Hurricane?" asked Boulder.

“It’s basically a wild storm at sea... Equestrian sailors sometimes run into them. Anyway, I was looking at this storm coming in. Lighting played across its surface as the waves rose higher and higher. In the distance I saw a... rather large vessel.” Mordane’s eyes seemed to flash and a small smile came onto his lips, as he remembered the feel of sea salt against his bare skin. The awesome power of the ocean made real and present before him.

“It was tossing in the waves, barely able to stay upright in the storm. However, as it kept fighting, the wind drove it closer and closer to the shore. Imagine my surprise when I saw that ship turn toward the shore. I thought their rudder had broken or something, but I was wrong. They turned and picked up speed before completing the turn and pointing directly into the way the storm was coming in." Mordane's eyes looked off into the distance to days long past. "I remember thinking that the only way to really take on something larger than yourself is to face it head on."

The fire crackled against the cold as the three stared into the fire.

“And you went out to look at one of these thing?" asked Stalker. ”Are you nuts?"

"Not really... Just foolhardy, I suppose."

“You’ve always been that way Mordane," Boulder gruffed.

"Perhaps… Then I suppose it's in my nature to find myself in trouble and danger. This is why I prefer quiet isolation."
Mordane stretched, popping his back. “You get entangled in things out here in the world. Better to stay still and in control in a place you know. Strangely, Ponyville was like that to me near the end. Hard to think it's been less than a year since I left. What about you two? Is there anywhere you call home?"

"Yes," Boulder replied, reaching into his pack and pulling out some mixing bowls. "I grew up in a fishing village, just south of Manhattan. I've never been much for fishing though. Growing up, playing with sticks and such was my hobby as a colt. For work, I'd dig holes for different ponies. My life in the village was defined by my mother, high priestess of the Divine Light. Under her instructions I was taught history, geography, the basics of magic, and most importantly, how to recite the Path of the Sun and the Book of Roads."

"The book of roads, what are you talking about?" Mordane said through chattering teeth, horn illuminated as he prepared to magically pull the water from his coat.

"He is referring to the sacred text of the guiding light which refers to the three chosen paths," Stalker cut in.

"Five now," Boulder remarked, before lowering his voice and looking at Mordane. “, or six."

"Huh. I'll have to find a reference for that at some point," Mordane said, filing away the info for later. "What about you, Stalker… I mean, whatever you can tell us."

Stalker shifted uncomfortably, as Boulder ground three blocks of gray grainy patties into dust in the bowls before adding boiling water from the pot in the fire.

"Telling anypony about myself feels strange, but here it goes. I grew up on the side of a mountain in a rather… strict clan. We followed the book of roads as well."

“Sounds fun,” Mordane replied sarcastically.

“Oh it was.” He rolled his eyes. “I was forced to carry- Oh thank you, Boulder,” he said as the dinner was passed out. ”I was forced to carry rocks to the top of a mountain every day from the cave where we mined them.”

“Mine? For what?”

“Rocks.”

"You lost me,” Boulder deadpanned.

“We were told that we could stop digging once we found a diamond in the mountain.”

“How long did it take you?” Mordane asked curiously. Stalker laughed.

“I never did. No one did. There was only three ways out of that cave; dead, temporarily under armed guard, or to sneak out.” Stalker finished off his bowl and sat it out in the rain to collect water. “I found the last way.”

“Did young ponies really die?” Boulder asked nervously.

“What? Oh, no. The work just seemed very hard at a young age, and we did not know it, but our guards were there to actually give us strength and make the rock softer. Funny actually, if they were really trying, there would be no way in Tartarus for anypony to escape.”

“What of you?” Boulder asked Mordane as he passed his bowl to be sat beside Stalker’s.

“My youth was spent on a farm… Growing corn, apples, berries. Whatever we would want really.” Mordane reached up to scratch his nose, but stopped once he saw the state his hoof was in after trekking through the rain and mud all day. “I learned magic from a book with no help before leaving to go to Ponyville. On the way though, I... Well, I ran into your brother, Stalker. Then overheard you kicking that slaver in the gut, Boulder.”
Mordane gave them a quick smile before stretching and looking around.

“This weather is terrible.”

“I’ll say.” Boulder grunted, cracking his neck in a few places. “How far back do you think the enemy is?”

“I don’t know,” Mordane said as he winced to the sound. “The pegasi won’t talk to me anymore since what happened with High Rise.”

“About twenty hours,” Stalker spoke up, rubbing his temples. “I— eh, overheard it from High Rise’s tent. Which is closer than yesterday by six hours, almost?”

“Damnit,” Mordane growled lowly. “These carts of iron will be the death of us.”

Stalker and Boulder simply nodded. They had already discussed the problem the day before. Money is no good when you're dead.

“I don’t see another way through, Mordane. High Rise is set on getting that iron to the city.” Boulder said solemnly with a nod.

“I think he would use the broken bodies of other ponies to harden up the path if he thought he could get away with it,” Stalker said with a snort and then a grin.

Mordane drew his sword and analyzed its length. Parts were chipped and broken. Rust flanked the edges.
"Tartarus, Mordane” Boulder hissed “have you been cleaning that thing?"

"No," Mordane said simply as Boulder snatched the blade out of his hooves. “Don’t see the point. A blade seems redundant with my magic."

Boulder pulled out his whetstone and set upon the blade with vigor.

"Don't think like that, Mordane." Boulder said glaring at him. “My master said that your blade is the last friend you touch before the end. Have you even given it a name?"

"Naming a blade only attaches you to it," Stalker said, drawing one of his knives. “Makes it harder to leave behind."

"A blade is supposed to be hard to leave behind," Boulder grunted as he sharpened the sword’s edge as much as he could.

"I'm going to go talk to him," Mordane said suddenly, before standing up.

"Talk to whom… High Rise? He'll have you chopped up and left for the wolves," Stalker said, pointing his knife at Mordane. “You can't just go talk to him."

"Why not? Maybe with this new information I can get him to see what he obviously doesn't want to."

"Mordane," Boulder said, sliding the blade back into its sheath. “High Rise will kill you as soon as you walk in there."

"No... I don't think he will," Mordane said with a smile.

"And why is that?" Stalker asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Because I'm just that charming."

Mordane laughed as he walked out into the rain, leaving his friends behind shaking their heads.

Setting a frown on his face, Mordane headed off to look for High Rise.

As he moved through the crowd ponies looked at him curiously. Some glared, others gave him a smile. To be honest, he did not care too much what they thought of him by this point. They had never really been his men or anyone’s really. Mercenaries served only one master, and that was the bit.

Any semblance of order that he had brought before was not to be seen, as tents and lean-tos laid strewn along the path which was basically a running mud pit. The provision wagons had been abandoned about thirty miles back, set alight as to not provide the enemy with supplies. Mordane thought it would have been better to have someone drag them down another road to draw some of the enemy off, but he was cut out off any decision making process. No, this company was set on outrunning the enemy at any cost.

Mordane found High Rise further down the path. His grand tent had been left behind with the supplies and his furniture. The only thing he had kept was a chest full of papers.

As Mordane approached, several glaring ponies moved to block his way.

“High Rise, I need to speak with you," Mordane spoke loudly, stopping just beyond the line that had formed.

"Go away, Mordane. I don't have time to deal with your mutiny." High Rise burst out of the tent with a sneer on his face. “What would I have to say to a traitorous dog like you anyway?"

"You can say why you’re leading all of these good ponies to their death," Mordane shouted at the surrounding ponies, many of whom were murmuring in agreement. "Everypony knows that you tried to have me killed. That made my challenge fair game."

High Rise glanced around at the ponies that were cold and wet from long marching.

"We are making good progress. Soon we will outrun those-"

"Cut the bullshit, High Rise. I know that the enemy is catching up. They are a six hour march closer than yesterday and gaining."

"No," High Rise said fearfully. “They will be slowed down like we were."

"They don't have to cut their way through, High Rise. They have battle mages - REAL battle mages. Do you really think we could hope to outrun them while dragging along this dead weight?" Mordane shouted, waving his hoof at the six or so carts. “We must abandon the iron!"

Many of the stallions began to mumble in agreement. Already they were looking to a week or so of eating grass before they reached the city. What was the iron worth if they all died trying to get it there?

“I didn’t fight my way out of those moon forsaken pits just to wind up with nothing again.” One pony grumbled.

At that moment a pegasus in strange armor burst through the canopy. Mordane recognized the armor of Cabistien soldiers just before the stallion called out in a booming voice.

"I have a message for High Rise or whoever is in command of these mercenary forces."

"I am here," spoke up High Rise, trotting up to the stallion and retrieving the message.

He quickly broke its seal and flipped it open before reading through it quickly. His sneer turning into a smile.

“It's a letter from Cabistien. They have a plan for a counter attack! Reinforcements are headed our way."

"Reinforcements from where?"

"Yes," High Rise said, ignoring Mordane’s question. “It says-"

Mordane snatched the letter with his magic and examined the letter before reading it aloud. The seal of Cabistien marked the front and the paper seemed worn, muddy and ripped from a long travel.

"It says that they will pay us double if we can hold the enemy at a place called... The Castle of the Moon for four days until reinforcements arrive to catch the enemy off guard," Mordane said, feeling caught off guard himself.

"You see?" High Rise beamed. “Now we will be even better off. All of us could retire with the money from this adventure.” He turned to the surrounding ponies. “And I will see to it that the extra money is split evenly between all of us!"

Most ponies were grinning and hooting at the news. However a few dozen looked as if they had been slapped. Almost as if they had seen a ghost.

"We must make sure that the place is defendable."

"By the time we get there we will have plenty of time to make repairs and collect supplies to wait out the siege."

Mordane simply nodded and gave the letter back to High Rise before turning to leave.

"Mordane."

"Yes?" he replied as he stopped walking.

"I will leave you alone, if you do the same until the end of this venture. Then we can go separate ways. Neither of us has to die," High Rise said solemnly.

"We do this, go to Tietus, and then you pay me. Then we go separate ways."Mordane said firmly.

"Agreed."

"Very well." Mordane started walking again, keeping his head high.

Mordane frowned the entire way back to his friends. They were as surprised as he was at the news of High Rise's offer and the letter. Perhaps things would go well.
______________________________________________________________________________________________

The ponies of the mercenary band pushed all the harder, as they looked for a road that had long ago been left to the decay of time. It was only by luck that several pegasi noticed it, while flying, and found where it connected to the main road.

It was overrun with bushes and grass, but the path was still there and useable. Soon, however, they were pleasantly surprised, as the dirt gave way to crumbled stone and then to cobblestone. Trees hung so low, on some parts of the path, that they had to be cut down.

It seemed odd to Mordane that the road had survived so well, but he shrugged as they pushed on before finally breaking through to a large field.

Mordane, Stalker and Boulder all looked at the strange fortress with mixed reactions, ranging from intrigue to surprise.

From the hill at the edge of the clearing they could see four short towers with the two in the middle being closer, and one tall tower that seemed to be in the center of the space that the fortress occupied.

It looked like the stronghold was there before the mountain even existed. And then the earth just swallowed the structure whole, as it grew like a tree.

But in reality the entire structure must have been cut from the very mountain it rested on, materials added along its outer walls, and from what it looked, inner walls. Strangely curved bases and ramparts caught the observant eye. The entire thing flowed with the mountain as if some great force had carved it with a mighty blast and another had come later to straighten and carve out the details.

The fortress seemed open to the elements, unlike most military structures in Equestria, as the face broke with the mountainside.

"Nothing appears to be too broken," Boulder commented before frowning. “There's something about this that is bugging me.”

"That place could withstand any storm thrown at it or any siege if properly stocked," Mordane whispered in awe. “Why was it abandoned?"

"Eh, something about a curse,” Stalker shrugged “I could get in and out of it. That open top is a major weakness. Wonder why they built it that way," Stalker said with a raised eyebrow and tilted head.
“The curse!” Boulder spat. “How could I have forgotten? The castle of the Lunar princess.”

“What are you talking about?” Mordane asked while still staring at the impressive structure.

“About a year ago I heard somepony talking about this place in the capital of Irona. Said that it was haunted or cursed. Hearing about it though I would have expected mold and a giant cloud of doom.”

“Yes I’ve heard the same rumors, but never from a first hoof source,” said Stalker. ”It’s always: 'but I had a friend this' or 'my grandfather one fall before winter that.' ”

“It’s probably just a reputation then. I would guess they expected it to be well stocked and supplied with soldiers, not a ragtag mercenary group. With proper numbers this valley would be a killing field," Boulder said quickly as his eyes scanned the structure. “See those patterns on the top? Those look like the remains of enchantment symbols eroded with time. Maybe six unicorns could have created a near impregnable shield."

"I don't think that was from erosion…” said Mordane. “It looks more like the seals were overwhelmed. Look at how far the cracks go down the wall. That fortress was punctured by... by..."

He gulped. There was only one pony he knew of in history that could have broken such wards, only one time in history that this land was held by a monarch strong powerful enough to hewn such a place from the very rock.

"This must have been the heart of the Lunar Republic," he whispered.

"The lunar what?" Boulder asked.

“The Lunar Republic. Equestria use to be far larger than it is now. All this land belonged to it as the two sisters reigned from the Everfree. Their power was unmatched and a time of prosperity poured across these lands." Mordane started walking, still staring at a remnant of a time long forgotten, only hinted at old tales and a dusty book... Reaching deep into his satchel he pulled out and looked at the long set aside book of Star Swirl. “Then came the Lunar Rebellion. Luna grew angry and bitter with her sister. With the way she ran things, with how she raised herself above others. So she revolted and all of the region south of the great divide came with her. For decades they fought back and forth. Luna gained ground and pushed the tyrant out of the Everfree Forest,but then Celestia used powerful magic and raised the great divide."

"Impossible!" shouted Boulder, much to Mordane and Stalker’s surprise. “Well umm... I mean, Even Celestia is not that strong."

"True," Mordane continued, flashing a grin. “She did only raise one mountain to seal the passes between the north and south. Even that was probably done with a lot of help. That's not important though, what is important is that it cut Luna off from her kingdom and reinforcements. Within weeks Celestia cornered her in the palace of the two pony sisters. From there she was finally consumed by darkness. She became Nightmare Moon."

A chill ran up the three ponies’ spines. So few associated Luna with that name, but these three had been around enough to know the truth of it.

“I have a bad feeling about this place, Mordane," Stalker spoke up, the fortress obviously wrecking his nerves. “It could very well become our coffin if we are not careful."

"What choice do we have?" Mordane said quietly.

"We could run. Drop everything and run. Anypony with half a brain would follow you out of here."

“I won't do that. It would make everything I've done down here pointless. I can save them, Stalker," Mordane said as his eyes hardened and jaw set. “I will save them.”
______________________________________________________________________________________________

The ponies scurried about like ants cutting down trees for repairs and barrels to store grass. Luckily a well was found deep in the fortress, so water would not be a problem. The old and broken enchantments had proven impossible to repurpose or repair, so Mordane found himself without much to do.

Once inside, the full scope of the fortress had been revealed. It was in the shape of a hexagon with a short tower at each corner. The four towers they had seen formed half of the structure. The two outer towers had a wall between them with a tower in the exact center. Behind that wall was a place Mordane had mentally labeled the inner sanctum.

The inside caught Mordane off guard.

The walls were covered with carvings of bat winged ponies and celestial guards attacking each other forever in stark relief. They were carved in intricate detail with a style and care meant to stand the test of time.
He moved from picture to picture until finding the oldest one.

It showed Luna standing upon a rampart in a city next to the ocean, her hoof pointing to two ponies raising a flag atop a stone tower that seemed familiar. It took a moment before realizing that it was the Corner tower of this very fortress. Below stood a sea of ponies in obvious jubilation. A small inscription read: "On the beginning of this glorious night, the old tyrant’s mask is stripped away. Down with her burdening sun. Down with her Solar imperious. All hail the Lunar Republic!"

Chills ran up his spine as he moved to the next one depicting a battle. Bat pony soldiers clashes with Solar guards as the princess stood above them, Luna's face pouring out hatred and righteous fury as she wielded a wickedly curved scythe and her hoof pointing emphatically at her enemy with lightning flowing all around her. Celestia stood tall and balanced, her chin high and eye glaring from under a battle helm. At her side rested a massive hammer. She seemed to burn with a great inner light and heat that even her own soldiers shied away from.

So she was more open with her nature in the past.

Scene after scene, battle after battle. Soon the war seemed to shift into Luna's favor with Celestia depicted as on the run.

Then the last two walls. The first showed Celestia, destroying the defences of this very fortress. Then Luna casting some kind of spell over the place before giving pursuit.

The last image seemed haphazardly cut, as if it was done by more than one artist. It depicted a furious Celestia reaching into the very earth to call forth a mountain. With a council of military ponies standing over a map with a cleaver.

The inscription read. “The Sun Tyrant has taken our Princess from us by casting the southern lands aside. One day though the tyrant will return. One day she will come to reclaim these lands. Let us split them and govern in true harmony, until that day when we shall rise together as one to cast her down."

"Hello." Mordane gasped and spun around at the sudden voice.

"Oh, Steady Gaze, you startled me." He let out a chuckle

"I did? Well that's your fault I suppose... Now, what do we have here."

Steady Gaze began looking over the reliefs.

"This represents the ancient war between-"

"The sun tyrant and Lunar princess. Yes, I can tell." Steady frowned at Mordane before looking back at the stone work.

"You know what this is?"

"Of course. Who among the southern lands does not know the legend of the sun tyrant? Of her army of gleaming guards or her supposed dominion of the sky." Steady laughed. “It’s just an old mare’s tale, though quite fantastical. I mean, really, one nation holding sway over all of these lands and more? It’s ridiculous."

Steady Gaze's words were difficult for Mordane to wrap his head around.

“You’re saying-" He paused, deciding to approach the question differently. “Have you heard of the name Celestia?"

"...Isn't that the name of a school up north, beyond the great divide or something?" he asked, scratching his head. “What does that have to do with these?"

"Have you ever heard of the Lunar Republic?"

"No. What are you getting at?"

Mordane found it difficult to accept, but he was starting to see something.

"Tell me about this legend, Steady gaze. Tell me about this... Sun Tyrant."

Steady Gaze raised an eyebrow at Mordane’s line of questions but then shrugged and tapped his chin.

"I don't care much for such silly tales, but here it goes. A thousand years ago all the land from the southern tip to the great divide was one nation. When the sun tyrant descended, the Lunar princes fought against her, in the end laying down her life as she was broken by the mountain. I mean, when the sun queen threw a mountain on top of her or so the story goes."

"That's, interesting."

"Indeed. It goes on to say that the current nobles of the land are descended from the bloodline of her council of generals. All of this, of course, is ridiculous "

"Then who raises the sun?"

The stallion looked at Mordane like he was crazy.

"Nopony. The sun moves on its own by the great pulse."

Mordane could no longer resist the urge to allow his mouth to hang open.

"Great pulse?"

The pony nodded wisely.

"I suppose it's understandable that you have not been properly taught. Look, the great pulse is the surge of magic in the umbra every evening and morning that fuels its rotation. It comes from the natural magic of the world. Honestly, I don't know why ponies insist that everything...” He sighed at Mordane's increasingly confused face. “The umbra I assume?" Mordane nodded “The umbra is the top of the world. You know… the sky?"

The alicorn stood there with his mouth opening and closing repeatedly, his face slipping between laughter to confusion as he processed the shift in thought.

“Surely you've heard of Equestria’s princess."

"That she raises the sun? Hardly. The sun has risen for time untold. I do not know how long she has ruled whatever land that survives north of the mountain... Equestria you called it?" The stallion grew thoughtful. “Equestria, Equestria. Now where have I heard that before...? Ah! That's where you’re from isn't it?" He laughed heartily, causing his robes to shake. “That princess must have pulled the wool right over your eyes."

Steady Gaze continued to chatter on about kings and their lies as Mordane pretended to listen.

He knew of this great pulse. Everypony did, kind of, but it was seen for what it was in the north: Celestia’s spell in the morning to raise the sun. He had felt her magic and seen her cast it. Yet, here was a stallion mistaking the actions of an individual for a natural product of nature.

Mordane shook his head to dispel the thoughts.

“So why is this place abandoned?" Mordane said, wincing.

"It's too far out from any villages is my guess. Simply would cost too much to support it. According to the locals though, it is cursed. It’s not though. We once slept here a day before because of the weather, and had no trouble."

"You and High Rise have been here before?"

"Oh, yes. We escorted some archaeologist from Herridon. It was quite boring."

Mordane nodded and turned to leave, but then stopped. Something about that statement seemed to set off a bell in his head. However the concerns of the defences called to him. Shrugging he left.

He trotted out to the first inner courtyard, just inside the first walls. There he found Boulder shouting at a bunch of other stallions while standing next to a pile of trees.

"No, NO! A trebuchet is not that difficult to make. It’s simply a counterweight moving a short distance to make something a lot smaller move a longer distance faster. Then it releases and flies at the enemy."

"Why don't you use the bigger weight? Won't it cause more damage?" asked one soldier scratching her head. “And what do you mean the smaller one will go a farther distance? Isn't the pole in the middle? Why don't we just have the pegasi drop the rocks on them?"

Boulder face hoofed before groaning loudly.

“Look, we are going to be fighting for a long time. The pegasi would all be killed off if we sent them out to do that."

"So? Less of those bug teeth to waste the money splitting on the iron. Am I right, earth ponies?"

Their laughter echoed across the courtyard. Boulder’s face turned from white to red as he trembled from undiluted rage.

"YOU PIECES OF-"

"Boulder!" Mordane shouted, cutting the stallion off. “I’m sure that... this pony was only making a joke." Mordane turned to them and gave a smile. “We need those pegasi to act as arrow collectors, messengers and food transporters. Without them we will have to draw away from the few ponies we have to defend such large outer walls. The unicorns will be busy resisting magical spells. That leaves you earth ponies to do the bulk of the fighting."

“Earth ponies doing the bulk of the hard work. What a shocker," the mare said, rolling her eyes.

Mordane simply blinked before charging his horn and hitting her with a sudden rush of wind.

The ponies stumbled back before recovering and reaching for their swords.

"That could have very well been a blast of fire," Mordane said coldly, staying their hooves. “Or perhaps even spikes to impale you where you stand? Maybe I would have animated your corpses and have them turn on your fellow fighters? Perhaps I'd have simply crushed you and let the ensuing shower of blood cool off your friends. Who knows? It could have been almost anything. None of you are wearing enchanted armor to protect your bodies and minds. I could have ripped out your soul."

The earth ponies turned stock still at the list of ways Mordane could have killed them, a chill settling into their bones. Mordane continued to frown and stare as he waited for the idea to sink in before continuing.

"Now, I'm a half decent magic user. These ponies though? They are skilled, battle hardened unicorns with a deep military training. They will kill you every chance they get, and what is going to stop them? Pegasi with disruptive weather to make it difficult to cast and unicorns to fight them off. We can't even hope to attack. The only advantage we have is that we can prepare. They will bring their own, so when I say you will be doing most of the fighting, Realize that I mean the hoof to hoof because the rest of us will be trying our best to prevent your ass-holes from being pulled out through your throat."

Mordane turned and gave a curt nod to Boulder, who saluted in return, before turning to continue trying to get the ponies to successfully make something he had learned to do in basic.

Mordane watched Boulder for a time before leaving to go to the outer wall.

Standing just outside the corner tower, Stalker stared out over the open field. The sun was beginning to set even as birds flocked and flowers waved, unknowing of what was about to come.

"I said it before and I'll say it again: We should run, Mordane," he said as his eye twitched. "Every instinct I have says run."

"Sometimes you can't run, Stalker,” Mordane said, taking a seat beside him. “I won't abandon them and all the money we have earned. It would be a waste."

"A waste? Maybe. Delaying though would be much worse," Stalker said bitterly, looking at his hooves before sighing. “I’m getting older Mordane. I'm not blessed with your youth."

"What? You can't be older than like thirty max," Mordane said with a snort. “I’ve seen ponies carrying couches your age."

Stalker looked at him incredulously, mock horror on his face.

"I'm forty."

"Forty?" Mordane said surprised. “I’m just learning all kinds of things today. Doesn’t that mean you were-"

"Twenty eight when I started following you." He snorted. “Still, I miss delivering papers."

“Well, I was just in the deeper part of this place. Did you know that the ponies down here think that the war between Nightmare Moon and Celestia was fake?" Mordane questioned as he began to examine the stonework.

"Yeah, that was quite a shocker as a small colt, I admit. Learning that The Sun Tyrant was a real thing gave me nightmares for weeks."

Mordane stopped what he was doing and looked at Stalker with an open mouth and raised eyebrows.

“Oh don't look at me like that, Mordane. I was a child and it was a different time."

“What do you mean?" Mordane asked.

"Well," Stalker replied, looking over to the setting sun. "Do you remember Luna's return?"

"Yes," Mordane snorted.”I was… ten? I think? My father was the first to notice. I remember him gasping and telling us to go inside. Did not know until years later what it had meant."

"Well down here it meant something else... The moon was our protector. The pony whose seal on the moon guarded us from the burning tyrant of the north. Yet one day, in a flash, she was gone. Towns following the old religion panicked. Villages burned."

He paused as if remembering some terrible sight before continuing.

"History is history, I suppose. The various kings claimed the right to rule. Pulling on rank over a thousand years old passed down and only kept in ledgers and spoken of at parties. Disagreements arose. Bloodlines split, and after two years the strain grew too large. War came. Nations fell. My family sought answers. They sent me and many more to the north to bring back proof that the sun tyrant was not real... We found the opposite."

Mordane nodded his head. It did not surprise him.

"War has a way of begetting war, while reason seems to only bring anger. To everypony it seems the same."

Stalker nodded.

“That uh… come from your other life? It’s kind of dark.”

"Yes, yes it is. Remind me to tell you about it sometime," Mordane said with a smile that turned to a frown as he turned to squint at the horizon, before turning and running to the opposite side of the wall. “SCOUTS! ENEMY SCOUTS SIGHTED! PEGASI FRONT AND CENTER!"

His call was echoed through the fortress. Quickly three dozen pegasi came to stand in front of him, followed shortly by High Rise.

"What is it, Mordane?"

"I see an enemy pegasus patrol on the wind."

"And?"

"We must destroy them if we wish to avoid being found for awhile longer."

High Rise looked confused for a moment before the reality of the situation seemed to dawn on him.

"Of course! The others and I will take care of this. You go and... organize the barrels of grass or something."

High Rise signaled to his fellow pegasi who took off and quickly headed for the dots on the horizon. Mordane swallowed his pride and watched them go before saying one last thing to High Rise.

"Good luck."

Another awkward pause and a smile slowly spread across the mercenary captain’s face.

"Luck has nothing to do with anything, Mordane."

With a blast of air he took to the sky, leaving Mordane to consider what happened and why he felt so strange about it.

Hours passed, there was no sign of High Rise or the other pegasi. Mordane soon found himself tired, deciding to head straight for bed.
______________________________________________________________________________________________

The sun shone brightly over Ponyville, its rays piercing his eye. He was not keen to meeting the sun. Not only for its wielder, but for what it seemed to hold against him. After all even if he did not like it the sun still brought warmth and was necessary for life.

That thought brought the taste of ash to his mouth.

Thirsty, so thirsty.

Stepping into a diner he ordered a sunday from the kindly old seller, the sight of him filling him with warmth. It was good to see business and construction in the world; a world where ponies seemed content to meander along without fear or care, even as they had faced death a thousand times.

How contemptible they seemed.

Mordane slurped down the soda/ice cream mix. A town favorite. He tasted ash again.

Paying the pony and leaving a tip, Mordane waved as he left promising to return and bring friends. He might even do it if he had time.

Ponies seemed to be going about their ordinary day, bouncing, running and traveling by a variety of personally accented ways. Oh how he hated that. Why wouldn't they just walk? Pegasi flying he could understand; it was in their nature. But why did some of the earth ponies bounce?

Mordane came up to the tree house, mentally going down a checklist. He was in a dark mood today and so would need to take extra precautions against acting strange around Twilight. A few mental blocks shifted. Actions he would not consider before were allowed to be there. Some others were tightened. It took only a moment but he had to pause. Why had he not done this before? Here he was standing in front of the door like an idiot.

Pushing open the door, he gave a quick smile to Spike who gave him a wide grin in return. The two of them had hit if off a while ago. The scaly creature had even started calling him friend weirdly. Mordane, of course, accepted it; There was no reason to make Twilight upset.

The conversation was banal and simple enough. Mordane allowed most of his thoughts to wander as he discussed going swimming later and how Spike should not work so much. A simple recall of past events told him Twilight was likely still upstairs getting up from bed or other such things to occupy herself. None of his business.

The number of books though brought back that ash taste again. Why did Twilight live here? In a library meant for research. He had deduced shortly after arrival that this structure was meant to be a research library. Open to students and researchers studying the Everfree but that is not what happened anymore. No, taxpayer money went to house a unicorn from a noble family. Celestia’s personal student.

Quickly he chided himself. Twilight had saved Equestria several times at least. She was entitled to compensation from society. Perhaps that's why he felt upset. He had done nothing to deserve special treatment.

Once again he considered just telling her. Perhaps there was a way to convince her to not tell Celestia. Then again, perhaps not. Already in his mind he could see the chains. They wrapped all around her. All around Spike. These chains of his mind stretched all the way to Canterlot and a pony with a benign smile.

Oh, he knew what would happen. Someone that old, that wise, would FEEL the change in Twilight’s approach. Would investigate.

Then she would know.

It would start with a visit and a sad smile wondering why he did not trust her. Then it would be compliments and comments on the wisdom of his caution. With guile and words, soon all his secrets would be bare. Her eyes would pierce his soul and then he would be hers. Go there do this.

A puppet.

Just like Twilight.

Just like FUCKING Twilight.

And he was no puppet. He was no fool.

Twilight came down the stairs and smiled at him as well.

"Hello, master," he said with a grin.

He had no master.
______________________________________________________________________________________________

Mordane shuddered and awoke from his sleep with the dream’s dark edges still clinging to him.

He remembered that day. He remembered getting the ice cream and the warm smiles. Those thoughts though. That feeling of hate. Had that been his own?

It had been a lifetime ago when he did away with his anger and fear. Why then did he feel them so strong in his memory?

Mordane pondered these questions sitting in the dark room ignoring the clatter outside. Soon though, the door slammed open.

Mordane reacted instantly and pretended to be asleep before the door even hit the wall.

"Mordane! Get up!" Stalker shouted as he rushed in.

"Eh?" He said, rubbing the crust from his eyes. "What is it?"

"It’s- It’s, uhh, just come. See for yourself!"

Mordane jumped up and nodded for Stalker to lead the way. They moved quickly through the halls.

Ponies ran about confused and shouting for somepony to tell them what was going on. Had the enemy attacked? The three friends galloped out to the fortress gate, then through the second wall gate before skidding to a halt. Mordane made his way past the twenty or so ponies, milling about and quietly mumbling, to find a dozen or so dead or dying guards.

The earth ponies laid broken against the wall. Blood poured and pooled from great wounds in their sides. He quickly noted which ones were dead and unconscious before trotting over and checking a pony breathing heavily while leaning against the wall.

“Where did they go?” he asked the ponies. They only looked around nervously until one of the bodies gurgled. A spear was stuck into his stomach allowing the internal pressure of his body to begin pushing blood out of him through the gaping wound. Such an injury was a promise of lingering death if not for magic. A quick spell told him however, that the damage was even worse even than that. His liver was punctured and the poisons within had spread throughout his insides. Even if they could stop the bleeding, there was no helping this pony.

Mordane kneeled in the blood and whispered into the pony’s ear.

“Tell me what happened.”

"Kill me," the pony gurgled, barely able to draw breath. "I would rather have a quick death."

Mordane nodded, a frown hanging on his face.

"I will soon. Give me an answer first. Where did the enemy go?”

"No, not the enemy, High Rise."

Mordane blinked and pulled back his head. The pony was trembling, his eyes glazing over. "High Rise did this. Now please end-"

With no hesitation Mordane drew his sword and stabbed the pony through the heart. He gurgled and with a sigh passed from the world.

Mordane stood there, absentmindedly wiping his sword on the pony’s shirt. High Rise had done this?

The idea made sense, but something so horrible he just could not accept. It did not feel real that someone would so easily and simply betray those that he commanded. His head snapped to the wall and closed front gate before he took to the air and landed on its walkway.

At the edge were the carts with several teams latching themselves to them. They were just finishing and he saw them quickly take to the air. Teams of six to pull the heavy iron. From where he stood he saw Steady Gaze casting a spell of protection. The old unicorn spotted him and gave a shrug before saying something over his shoulder.

Then came High Rise, out of the now consolidating mass of pegasi. He signaled to the rest and soon the carts were in the air.

Mordane began to tremble and seethe at the sight. Already his mind knew that there was no way for High Rise to have done this and still have captured those enemy pegasi. That they had, without doubt, already informed their superiors of his position. That there was no escape for the other ground based ponies. High Rise had lead them to this place and turned it into a trap.

Mordane felt a terrible pressure building in the back of his head.
______________________________________________________________________________________________

Boulder watched as Mordane spoke to the dying pony and drew back in shock at his sudden killing of him. Then he ran after Mordane up to the top of the wall arriving just in time to see High Rise and the other pegasi lifting off.

Mordane stood stock still trembling. His eyes wide at the sight. His sword laid forgotten at his feet. Boulder stepped closer to the stallion.

That was when the ground began to tremble.

Slowly - jerkingly - Mordane's face twitched, morphing into one of utter fury. His brow furrowed. Mouth twitching as he bared his teeth. Boulder could no longer tell if Mordane was shaking or if the ground was. Darkness fell over him. Boulder looked up and his mouth opened in awe.

Gray clouds begun to spin into being. Gusts that seemed to expand in power billowed Mordane's coat. Boulder could’ve sworn that a light was shining from the alicorn eyes.

A growl escaped Mordane lips before he drew a deep breath.

"HIIIIIIGGHHHHHH RRRIIISSSSEEEE!!!!" The shout shook Boulder to his bones and forced him to clap his hooves over his ears. Fear overcame him and Boulder trembled.

"HIGH RISE!"

Boulder cracked an eye to see High Rise in the distance facing them on the far edge of the clearing.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!?"

Beyond the range that Mordane could hear, High Rise chuckled as he, and his ponies, prepared to move out.

"Well, Mordane. You wanted my army. So, you can have it. Good luck with the enemy forces. They should be arriving in the hour."

Laughter rang from the wind as High Rise turned and headed to the horizon, his pegasi following.

Mordane snarled. His eyes were glowing, Boulder was certain of it. The ground’s shaking continued and overhead he heard the peal of thunder. He fired bolts of force again and again after the pegasus.

"I WILL KILL YOU FOR THIS, HIGH RISE. IN THE NAME OF WHATEVER GOD THERE IS IN THIS WORLD. I. WILL. KILL. YOU!"

Mordane roared at the sky as rain came down.

Boulder stared wide eyed at this pony, no this… alicorn. His heart stuck in his chest. Death seeming a breath away. His eyes, fixated on the image, could not break away from the gritting teeth and scrunched up face, but as he watched it shifted. Pain twisted into his features.

With a strangled cry Mordane slumped to his knees then to the ground. His heavy lidded eyes closed as the ground ceased to shake.

Boulder sat there shaking and staring at Mordane. A few seconds ticked by… then a minute, then five minutes. Stalker came up over the wall and landed in a blur on three hooves. The fourth had a blade drawn and it flicked back and forth as he assessed the situation.

"Boulder."

"..."

"Boulder!"

"Wha-?" Boulder said, shaking his head.

"What happened, Boulder?" Stalker asked through a strained voice.

"I... I do not know. It was..." He paused, looking at his hooves. "Terrifying. High Rise and the other pegasi took the wagons of iron. They abandoned us here."

Stalker blinked. Then blinked again, before snarling and ramming his knife into the stonework.

"THAT BUCKING BASTARD. WHEN I GET MY HOOVES ON HIM I'LL GELD THE SON OF A DONKEY BITCH!" He dropped the now blunt and bent knife before spitting on it. “What did he do to Mordane?”

“Nothing! He… expended a lot of will. It must be magical overload.”

Stalker nudged Mordane’s shoulder and groaned as the alicorn reacted less than the stonework. Reaching into his satchel he pulled out a small yellow envelope.

"What’s that?"

"Waking agent. Made from the droppings of a baby dragon I found in Ponyville mixed with manticore piss and a flower called Viridian. It could wake a hydra from a twenty year sleep."

Stalker flipped open the envelope before quickly running it under Mordane's nose.

With a start the young alicorn jumped to his hooves and began to repeatedly sneeze.

"Stalker! -achoo- Boulder!- snort- High Rise! - hack- enemy forces are close. We need to - snort, achoo- Rally the forces. Enemy will be here soon."

Stalker tossed Mordane a flask of water which he promptly began to snort up his nose and sneeze out in order to get the smell away as quickly as possible.

"We can't do that, Mordane! Without the pegasi or Steady Gaze for that matter there is no way we can hold this fort. We should take the army and try to punch through."

"No, we would lose half our forces - achoo-," Mordane said through bloodshot eyes and a runny nose.

"They will all be dead if we don't do something!" Boulder shouted, but Mordane waved off his plight.

"We must hold, for three days. Then we will have - achoo- reinforcements. Then we can get out of this business."

Stalker continued to scan the area, his instincts fully alert. Boulder adjusted his armor. Mordane finally got over his sneezing and looked around.

Already a few dozen ponies could be seen running for the tree line, their tails wagging in the breeze. A part of him might’ve even called them cute. In the inner courtyard ponies were milling about, some preparing to leave, others preparing the defence.

Mordane took a moment to prepare himself, taking note of the situation and tone that would be needed, making a few mental notes and getting into the right state of mind.

"Hear me! Ponies hear me!" The mercenaries down below did not seem to pay attention. Instead more and more began to pour out of the inner keep. Soon the entire place would be in a chaotic mess.

Very well then...

"SHUT UP AND SIT DOWN YOU WORTHLESS PIECES OF SHITS FROM YOUR MOTHERS ASS!"

That got their attention. All conversation in the courtyard stopped as ponies looked at him wide eyed. Mordane decided to continue before their shock wore off.

"High Rise has betrayed us." The crowd began to murmur. "SHUT UP! Now there are a few things that we have to make clear. First off, if we try to punch through now, half of you will die."

The crowd, even with its size, was able to create absolute silence.

"If we surrender then all of us will become slaves. That’s if they don't decide to just kill us outright.”
“Then what would you have us do?” shouted a pony from the crowd.

“I would have you fight! Fear is our greatest enemy here. There is hope. We must hold out for three days. Then we can go find that greedy bastard High Rise and teach him the cost of being a traitorous fool!”

A few cheers echoed through the courtyard but it was obvious most felt unsure. Mordane steeled himself and reached in deep. He needed to be convincing.

“Oh… Oh, I see.” An inquisitive feel seemed to ripple through the crowd to his eyes. Setting his jaw he continued as more and more ponies poured into the courtyard. “You stallions and mares are afraid. Good! You should be. That is a standing army headed our way. With swords sharp and tongues thirsty for blood. My blood! Your blood! Yet I know what it is that stays that twisting fear.”

Mordane smiled and spread his hooves.

“Money.”

A few chuckles echoed through the crowed. More than had cheered before. He continued.

“Yes, money is what stills your quaking hearts. Money and a chance. Let me tell you, if we hold this place then gold and iron will be yours galore! Not only will our allies pay us, we will have the rights to the spoils of battle. Armor, weapons and so much more! High Rise will quake and we will make him pay in both blood and the iron he did unrightfully take.”

“That's right!” Murmurs of agreement now. The clopping of a few hooves against the stone floor echoed as most were nodding their heads in agreement. Mordane began to pace along the rampart in front of them. Most of the army was in the courtyard now.

“Yet I know you are no fool. What do my promises mean if there is no hope?” Mordane stopped and stared wide eyed down at the now attentive crowd. “Ah, but have we forgotten our allies. Our friends. They wish more than us to see the enemy fallen. Three days we must hold, maybe four! Then riches will be ours, for every living pony here!”

The crowd cheered and stomped their hooves as Mordane threw his hooves towards the sky.

“Now prepare the defenses! We will hold!”

> Inevitable.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The following five hours after High Rise abandoned the mercenaries, and Mordane went berserk, was perhaps the most productive time since the mercenary band’s arrival.  A confident atmosphere had settled over the fortress and Mordane noted a distinct lack of deserters. The final repairs were made and further plans were being discussed . They would try to hold the outer wall as long as possible, before falling back to the secondary, and then finally to the inner sanctum.

Mordane worked hard as well. The magical enchantments might’ve been severely damaged, but Mordane found that they still retained a bit of the original spell’s power. With a lot of effort and time, he shuffled together a few spell matrices and made a functional shield. Loud cheers filled the fortress when the shield finally went up. 

Mordane had to be choosy with what he protected against though; with their limited number of unicorns, the shield would have to be focused on magical deflection. Physical attacks would pass right through, but those he could deal with. A couple good shots of siege magic, however, would spell doom to his position. This would also unfortunately prevent his unicorns from launching their own magical attacks beyond the shield, and it did nothing to prevent the enemy from simply walking through and THEN blasting him, but at least he would last long enough for them to get that close.

Careful examination of the battlefield caused Mordane to realize that the main focus of the battle would be at the source of the enchantment, which was located in the central tower of the second wall.

The first sight Mordane caught of the enemy army was a few pegasi darting in. Soon after, a division appeared on the road.

They moved their soldiers in just beyond bow range. Marching scouts quickly ran through the woods to confirm that there was no ambush waiting for them.

Mordane took note of their uniform armor and the discipline that was maintained throughout the ranks. He could see captains spread around the enemy force, giving orders and keeping the ponies in line. Soon though he focused on a large golden armored pegasus coming down the road, surrounded by what appeared to be elite soldiers.

That must be their commander.

He could almost feel the stallion glaring at the fortifications. Then he turned to his aid and barked a few orders which were quickly resounded across the field.

"Form skirmishing lines. Raise the siege equipment."

Armored ponies spread out in a parabola just outside of trebuchet range. Mordane noted that there was no firing of bows or any sign of a pony unsure of what to do.

Over the next few hours Mordane watched in fascination as they cut down trees and raised tents. Rows of recruit tents sprung up effortlessly in their wake. Pits for waste disposal were dug and siege equipment started up, the design of which was of particular interest to Mordane. As the last rays of light began to fade to dark, Boulder spoke up.

“Those aren't trebuchets." Boulder grinned. "They look more like catapults."

"Not as effective for assaulting a structure like this," Mordane commented. "Could buy us more time. Has the gate been reinforced?"

"Aye. With stout trees and stone. It won't fall easily."

"Hmm...I believe they are without the range of our trebuchets, wouldn't you agree, Boulder? I mean look at them, those tents seem mighty flammable."

His friend grinned.

"Indeed I would." Turning, Boulder yelled down at the seven trebuchets. "Load hot shots!"

Twisted twigs and cloth smothered in oil were loaded slowly into the trebuchets before being set alight. Raising his hoof, Mordane waited only a moment before letting his hoof drop forward.

Dozens of the flaming spheres flew over their heads and into the startled enemy ranks. Almost immediately the cotton white tents came alight. 

The mercenaries cheered as panic nearly took the enemy ranks, watching as the flames spread. However, their discipline prevented it from getting as bad as Mordane would’ve hoped. Tents were quickly pushed away from the ones already ablaze.

The entire time the trebuchets kept firing stones weighing perhaps a hundred kilograms. Mordane mentally berated himself as he saw the jagged stones simply impact instead of rolling.

Boulder on the other hoof looked on with an odd sense of pride. Perhaps his knowledge would lead to a grand victory this day.

The enemy general watched the flying stones with surprise. The weight and distance they flew was far more than he would’ve thought possible for mercenary siege weapons. Assuming they must have had magical assistance, he considered for a moment before yelling out orders.

“What are they doing?” Boulder asked in surprise.

“I’m not sure.”

The enemy front had fallen back out of the trebuchet range but a secondary force much lighter in armor was getting into formation.

Suddenly, a series of barriers were constructed and the enemy marched out with force. Flocks of pegasi flew up into the sky to prepare a storm before diverting.

“They must have realized we are too deep in for a magical assault… SOLDIERS, PREPARE BOWS!” Mordane’s order resounded through the keep. With the mercenaries lack of discipline a few let loose some arrows only to have them pointlessly impact in front of their foe.
Boulder and Stalker groaned as Mordane snarled.

“Hold fire, you fools! Wait for my order!”

So they waited for two minutes as the foes advanced into bow range.

They never talk about this... these lulls in the battle. I guess saying that soldiers gloriously standing around looking at each other is not so good for songs.

“Fire arrows!”

Seven hundred arrows let loose and arced across the field. As the arrows reached their arch Mordane yelled again.

“Prepare to fire!”

The arrows impacts caused ripples to cascade over the shield, causing cracks that shattered the barriers.

The enemy drew back their bows and prepared to fire.

“Fire!” Mordane shouted. “Take cover!”

The enemy ranks fired. Arrows crossed each other in the air passing unhindered through the barrier. Screams of agony rang out from both sides. Mordane heard three of them from within the fortress. Popping his head up, Mordane saw the enemy line already falling back out of range, leaving dozens of dead behind.

“Damn...” Mordane cursed.

“What? We killed many of them, it was a good exchange,” Stalker said, crouching to his right.

“While allowing them to recover their supplies and reorganize. That was a perfect defence of our surprise attack.” Mordane resisted the urge to grind his teeth in frustration as the glared out from between the stones.

Standing up, Mordane flashed on a huge smile before yelling. “We showed them what we can do, ponies!”

The mercenaries cheered as their confidence was bolstered for the upcoming battle. Mordane resisted the urge to groan as a few ponies fired arrows which impacted uselessly against the ground. They really were little better than rabble.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

A few hours later Mordane, Boulder and Stalker still found themselves sitting in the same place atop the wall. The enemy forces mulled about just beyond trebuchet range. Even if they weren’t, Mordane was down to four of the wooden siege weapons as the fifth crew had been wiped out. They had to rip that one apart to repair the others.

The fallen was being removed from both sides, even as Mordane watched the enemy camp reassemble. Their siege equipment was well on its way, and Mordane watched his soldiers grow nervous as they neared completion. Troops had finally stopped pouring in only a few minutes before.

He could really get a feel for the forces being brought to bear on them.

And it was daunting.

Rough guesses were: One thousand five hundred heavy infantry, four hundred light or fast infantry. Perhaps twenty battle unicorns, six hundred flyers and about four hundred support staff. Their number of seven hundred seemed to be much less significant but not impossible odds considering their defense.

“What do you think they are planning?” Stalker asked Mordane as he stretched and waited.

“From what I can tell, they are planning a frontal assault, but considering the casualties we could inflict I doubt that would--”

“Sir, look!” shouted an earth pony mercenary.

Out on the field the golden armored pegasi, a unicorn, and two earth ponies proceeded out in a diamond formation. Both earth ponies were carrying white flags. “Is that…? ALL PONIES HOLD FIRE!”

His order was quickly echoed through the army causing those close to him to clamp their hooves over their ears. 

Mordane spread his wings and exchanged nods with his friends. Proceeding carefully, Mordane lightly pinched his friend’s clothing and took to the air. They floated down to the waiting delegation each glaring with uncompromising certainty.

They met among the impact zone as Mordane cast a simple shimmering shield. The golden armored enemy stood relaxed with a pleasant smile. A bright yellow mane and black eyes contrasted well with his blue coat. The only thing that seemed to pop out at him though, was his age.

He’s must be near my physical age…

“I am commander Ice Wing the undefeated, of the first division of the Republic of Irona. You may now surrender unconditionally.”

The forwardness of the commander impressed Mordane. His request however was out of the question.

“I think not. We will make our stand here and like the waves you will break against our rocks.”

Ice Wing did not react at first, his cold mask barely twitched. Mordane spent a moment trying to get a read on the Irona commander.

Brutal, loyal, efficient. No viable pressure points. 

“Surely you do not think you can win alone. Perhaps,” he looked at Mordane and raised a questioning eyebrow, “you think that reinforcements are coming?”

“That leap of logic is impressive Ice Wing, but you are wrong. We will hold with our strength alone.”

“Our forces are motivated by your crimes against our republic.” Ice Wing’s face did not so much as twitch during either of their statements.

“Crimes? We were hired by the Cabistien forces-”

“To build a bridge. Yes, I am aware. Did they order you to have your way with the locals? To take their gold? To enslave the local population as your workforce?”

Mordane swallowed.

“Necessary to accomplish our mission.”

Ice Wing frowned.

“Necessary to rape? Murder?”

Mordane sneered.

“The ponies that did such things were punished. Nothing more can be asked of a commander. I attacked those villages for the supplies we would need. We left enough for their survival. Murder, as you call it, is a necessary to the application of war. A war that Cabistien intends to win!”

Ice Wing sighed and shifted his weight before rubbing his forehead. His smile lessening only for a moment before returning to its pleasant state.

“Cabistien signed a peace treaty with Irona not three days ago.” He looked Mordane directly in the eye. “The conditions of the treaty were that we would first be paid in gold. Then they would deliver you unto our waiting hooves.”

Mordane did not blink nor react to the news. Instead he stood there in silence trying to absorb this new information. It was certainly possible.

This was the place they had chosen. The real question is if he is lying. Well he did seem to only now come to the conclusion that we are awaiting reinforcements. It’s obvious. He must be lying.

“I don’t think we will need them. Plus," Mordane stretched his legs and legs, “my ponies are tired of walking. We have plenty of food, place to rest out of the rain. I think we will stay here awhile.”

Ice Wing’s pleasant smile shifted to a frown. His eyes flashed with a hint of malice as his voice took on a cruel slur.

“I’m sorry to hear that. You understand that once this begins - truly begins - restraining the righteous anger of my soldiers would be near impossible. Even in their well-trained state.”

Boulder and Stalker exchanged quick glances with fear in their eyes.

“Your soldiers are a collection of thugs and ingrates.” He continued as his tone of disdain turned to a sneer. “Sickly from improper food. Rowdy from a lack of discipline. They will fall like so much grain before the scythe.”

“Come then, if your soldiers’ lives have such little count. My ponies have been trained by battle. We have plenty of food and water. Most importantly though we are on the defensive in a superior position. I think we are done here.” Mordane turned again and picked up his comrades before taking to the air.

“Don’t be a fool," Ice Wing snarled. "You can’t win this battle. It will be a slaughter!”

Mordane ignored him and flew up to the wall. Shortly afterward Ice Wing moved back to the Irona lines.

“They will attack,“ Mordane said as they landed.

“You can’t ignore what was just said,” Boulder cut in.

“I’m not. It’s obvious that Cabistien has underestimated this commander. He is trying to force our surrender before our reinforcements arrive. It does not make sense for Cabistien to fold so easily.”

Mordane glanced out over the fields to the enemy. The shadow of the mountain darkened the rest of the world as the sun hid behind it; the day neared its end.

“They will attack with first light when the sun is set on our eyes. The shield will need modification to block some of that light.”

“One of the other unicorns can make the changes needed.” Stalker chuckled as he jumped up onto the wall edge and began walking. “You get some sleep.”

Mordane nodded and moved toward a guard barrack on the second wall, leaving Boulder behind to maintain the troops.
______________________________________________________________________________________________

*Sip* “Hmmm, quite delectable.”

Hot, slight grain fell on the edge of his tongue with a taste mixed with a renewed vigor as he became aware of a nose that twitched only slightly at the aroma of coffee being drawn into it. His inner neck vibrated with a hum on his part, which ended in a grin at his good friend next to him.

“I know, right? Twilight always says Joe’s coffee has the strongest kick in Equestria. Pounds the beans with his bare hooves in the back if you can believe it.” No, his best friend, Spike... Why, he had no other friends? Was he too pushy? Not pushy enough? Huh. He should ask Twilight, she always knows the right answer. To everything.

“Oh, I believe it.” Mordane laughed, snorting. Snickering even more as he accidentally spilled some of the drink onto his coat. He didn’t pay it any mind.

Spike was having none of that and cleaned his dirty tux with amazing skill. It made Mordane grin, it felt weird to be helped so smoothly. In normal circumstances he wouldn’t have allowed it, but there was nothing normal of these circumstances.

“So, you ready, man?” Spike asked through a wide and absentminded grin. What was it about grins? Why did he not grin before? Grins were great. He should ask Twilight. Yeah. She knows the right answer.

To everything.

Mordane returned with the smile. Yes this smile was good. He enjoyed it.

“Of course! But... Well, I better make sure it's all in order. Got the check list they gave you?”

“Yep! Right here!” Spike said, reading the paper and pen. “Suit?”

Mordane was wearing a one piece suit. Its silky cloth fitting perfectly to his form. Almost hugging, gripping, no… clinging to it.

“Check.”

“Vows?” Spike asked.

“Right here!” Mordane grinned, picking the letter off of the table; flipping it wildly back and forth. Such reasonable things, after all she was the best mare in Equestria! No other could compare. “I’ve memorized them already.”

“Good, now... Chains?”

Mordane rolled his eyes and turned his lips to smirk. The large, cumbersome and enchanted iron ball was clamped tightly to his back hoof. There was no way he was going to lose that! Honestly he thought he should give it a name... Ponies had pets right?

“Check.”

“Alright,” Spike said, checking off the last item before scratching his chin. “Hmm, I can’t help but feel that we are forgetting something—Oh!” He ran around to Mordane’s stinging back. His worried look becoming a grin again as he saw how barely noticeable the wounds were…
“Are your bandages okay?”

“Freshly applied. Boy, that fight really took them wings right off, huh. I almost got aw—”

A wave of sickness washed over as his color, sending electrical pulses along his spine. No. Of course not. He must be mistaken. Why would he ever leave? He liked it here. No, he loved it here. The current subsided leaving him to look at a chastising Spike.

“Now, Mordane, you know not to think of such things. Now, say it with me.”

“Everything is great. Everything is fine. I’m glad to be here,” they said in unison, both grinning from ear to ear.

“I think that's it!” Spike squeed. “You’re the luckiest stallion in the world, you know that?”

Mordane agreed wholeheartedly. Grinning he walked down the hallway to the throne room, dragging his ball and chain with him. Leaving only a little blood dripping behind.

Stone face guards lined the hallway. As he walked down they all seemed to turn their heads and grin at him. Of course they would grin back. After all everything is great. Everything is fine. At the end of the corridor he came upon two grand doors which swung open, as if of his very presence. All of Ponyville was there, waiting for him. Everypony from his hometown was there as well…

The weather would be cold on their return. He hoped they had a chance to pull in the crops before being brought—coming here. From their glares, though, he suspected not.

And then there was his parents... They looked somehow older, frailer... Bruised in some places and bloodied, but still standing tall. Wearing that cozy grin, which made him grin back.

Everything is great. Everything is fine.

He walked up to the dais. With Princess Luna proceeding. Her glare cutting deep into him.

“Does the newlywed have anything to say before we commence?”

“No, thank you. Everything is great. Everything is fine. I’m glad to be here.”

“Good,” whispered a voice that sent shivers up his spine.

Turning to the left he saw her. He saw his bride grinning. Grinning like all the rest yet unlike them as well. Her eyes boring into him. Her bone white coat reflecting the small nubs coming out of his back where his wings used to be.

He saw Celestia.

And he grinned, screaming as he had been doing since the beginning.

Always screaming. But ever silent.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Mordane awoke with a cry of fear, his screaming echoing off the unbroken walls. Covered in sweat, he took haggard breaths and tried to calm down with the relaxation technique that Twilight had taught him years ago. His wings were stiff and a headache like a power-drill into his skull was making him moan in disdain.

He panted heavily in his sweat soaked bed, before nearly hitting his head on the roof as another scream rang out from down the hallway.

Taking to the air, Mordane flew out onto the inner wall then to the outer one. Much to his surprise there was only the night watch, looking concerned and unsure back at the keep.

“Stay at your posts!” he bellowed before, hearing another scream coming from the inner sanctum.

From what he could tell it was near midnight. The hollering did not sound pained however just… afraid.

He arrived at the inner sanctum, where most ponies were sleeping as the hollers got worse. Throughout the corridors, soldiers laid in their beds shivering and sweating before jumping up. Boulder was already awake trying to calm the more frantic ones. His own eyes showing a tired and slightly agitated awakening.

An exchange of nods told Mordane all he needed to know. He could feel the panic setting in twisting at their very core. If this continued, they would break. Gritting his teeth Mordane swallowed his own fear and panic. It wouldn’t last long, so he had to make it quick.

Moving off to search for Stalker, Mordane walked calmly through the corridors. His fellow mercenaries seemed to calm down somewhat as he walked nonchalantly between them, giving glares and stoic stares which calmed the soldiers. It was necessary.

Soon though, Mordane encountered Stalker.

The door was covered in thin wires and beyond them lay a dark room with only two unblinking eyes staring out into the lit corridor. Mordane had no doubt that if his friend was in there then the razor wires would be only the first deterrent in a line of deadly traps designed for unwanted guests.

“Stalker? Is that you?”

No response. The eyes refused to even blink at his question.

Mordane did not know what was in there, but he would not go in blind. With a moment of focus he reached out to feel the room with his mind. Instead though all he found was a blank void of nothing.

Stalker must be blocking me somehow. Damn him for not teaching me faster.

He would have to go in the old fashion way. First casting a light spell, he illuminated the bare room with his friends scrunched up in the corner on a pallet.

Mordane gulped looking the room literally filled with wires. Mordane had no idea how to disarm traps except by setting it off…

Charging his horn, Mordane materialized a shield around Stalker then sent a blast of wind to set off all the traps.

*Twang*twang*snap*ping*slam*bash*bang*BOOM!*

The wall behind him cracked and fell over showing the end of a log sticking out. Mordane stepped into the room carefully and dispelled his shield. Wires were snapped, strewn throughout the room leaving cuts in the stone where they had struck. Knives embedded in the walls slowly fell out of the grainy indents they had made. In the center of the room lay a giant sledgehammer in the cracked flooring that it had left behind.

Stalker still sat in the corner, his eyes unblinking.

“I'm coming over, Stalker. Just stay there.” Carefully, he moved into the room stepping between the broken wires and shards of stone.
Stepping closer, he allowed himself to relax as it seemed he had gotten all the traps.

*Snap*

Before Mordane knew what was happening he was hanging upside down. Pain throbbing in his side as a rod had impacted his thigh. With a grunt he grabbed the rope around his rear hoof and began to untie it.

*Twang*

Mordane swung left to right in front of Stalker grinding his teeth in the giant cocoon of ropes that had formed around him. So close that he could not even burn them away for fear of being hurt. With as much patience as he could muster, Mordane tried to reach his friend.

“Stalker.”

"...” The earth pony did not respond.

“Stalker, I’m stuck.” A little worry worked its way into his voice

"...”

“Stalker, help me. These ropes are too tight.”

"...” Not so much as a twitch. Mordane had enough.

“The rope is starting to ride up my ass. SNAP OUT OF IT!”

“They're coming to get me,” Stalker whispered. “They will find me here.”

Mordane paused to reevaluate his situation before speaking again. He knew what Stalker needed to hear.

“It’s okay, Stalker. I won’t let them take you.”

“You can’t stop them,” he whispered, turning his eyes to focus on the hanging Mordane.

“I can, Stalker. However many there are, however far their power. You are my friend and I will protect you." Mordane's gave a small smile "What kind of man would I be if I couldn't even do that?”

“You don’t know how it is. What they are--”

“Then teach me. You know I get things done when I know what is going on. Right?” Mordane’s tone changed to a jokingly manner since the blood going to his head was starting to make him dizzy.

But Stalker didn’t move. His eyes stuck on the floor. He was Shivering. Mordane didn’t have the simples clue to whatever thing Stalker was talking about. He knew one thing though,

Mordane was going to say something else, whatever he needed to do, to make his friend feel better.

He racked his mind trying to think of something, anything to help his friend.

Luckily though he didn’t have to. Stalker’s eyes lifted from the floor and looked at the Mordane cocoon with analytic eyes.

His lip twitched into a smile for a fraction of a second, Mordane marked that up as a victory.

“You always did take on too much,” Stalker said, slowly breaking into a crooked grin. “So uh… Hangin around?”

“Oh, I just thought I’d drop in.” Mordane smirked. “Now could you let me down?”

“Sure.” Stalker pulled a knife out of his mane and threw it out of Mordane’s vision.

The tension holding him up suddenly gave way as he found himself on top of Stalker’s mat in a pile of ropes.

“You know I always liked to think I’d have you with ropes in bed,” Stalker said, wiggling his eyebrows.

"...I bucking hate you.”

“I suspect that if that was true. You would not have come to find me,” Stalker said, getting up to shake himself off. “That dream was rather… intense.”

Mordane struggled in place as Stalker began to cut the ropes off of him.

“You’re an idiot for coming in here.”

“Well, we do idiotic things. I suspect you will try something similar before our interactions are over.”

“Of no doubt.”

Mordane got to his hooves and shook himself. His mane was disheveled and in need of a good cleaning. Echoes of screams still rang through the keep but were slowing down considerably.

“What is going on?” Stalker said with a raised eyebrow.

“Ponies are having nightmares. If ours were any indication, they are very bad.”

Stalker’s eyes grew wide as he looked around at the suddenly more menacing walls.

“You don’t think the curse is true do you?” he said with the barest hint of fear.

“Curses don’t exist-.”Mordane stopped and remembered who he had heard that from. Twilight might have thought it was true... but was it? “--well, aren't suppose to exist.”

Stalker raised an eyebrow before snorting and grinning.

“Well, what do we do about this curse?”

Mordane started walking toward the door and down the hallway, motioning for Stalker to follow.

“Not much we can do... I have no idea what the nature of this magic is.”

Stalker scratched his chin as they passed another room where ponies were already returning to sleep.

“Well... this is the fortress of The Lunar Princess. It was said that she attacked enemies by using nightmares.”

“That makes a lot of sense. Luna is the guardian of dreams. If she can take away nightmares, who's to say she cannot make them. She may have left an impression here or something like that. Either way I know nothing about dream magic... or even if there is a thing called dream magic.”

“That's fine, but what do we do about it?” Stalker asked while his gaze darted around the hallway. ”With the nightmares our ponies will be less able to fight. We could all die.”

Mordane snorted and gave a grin

“What do you find funny about that?” Stalker growled and frowned.

"...I don’t know,” Mordane said, puzzled. “I suppose it could be the idea of us being defeated by dreams.” He laughed.

Stalker hesitantly laughed as well his brow furrowed up though as they reached the exit to the inner wall.

“The enemy siege weapons will be done soon,” Mordane said suddenly. “I’ll have to work with the other unicorns and dial back the shield. We will just put it over the top of the wall. An added benefit is that we will be able to fire out of it now.”

“Won’t that mean the wall will take the brunt of the attack? I do not know how long it will last…”

“I would guess about a day and a half. It’s rather thin honestly. The second wall should last about two days. By then our reinforcements should have arrived.” Mordane stared out at the bustling ponies his face unreadable. Stalker however could detect a crack in his defences.

“If you asked me, I would call that presumptuous... Mordane, isn’t the point of fighting surprise?”

“At the core, yes.” Mordane nodded. “Doing the unexpected is the first thing you must think about.”

They crossed the second wall and were now on the crosswall to the third. Stalker did not speak for a bit before pointing in the direction of the Irona forces.

“What do they expect you to do?” he said suddenly.

Mordane stopped walking and rubbed his chin. He moved to the side of the walkway and looked down into the first courtyard.

“I image that I’ll negotiate for my forces surrender. Bargaining for my own freedom or something. That or I will fight.”

“And how is what we are doing different from what they expect?”

"...That doesn’t apply here,” he said solidly. “You can’t just apply a principle to every situation. There has to be exceptions.”

“If there are exceptions then it’s not a principle. What was it you called this place? Dying ground? I get it. I really do. You think that our forces will fight harder here. That they will be like some cornered animal. I just don’t see that happening.” Stalker jerked Mordane’s shoulders to face him as he looked him in the eyes. ”We will die here, Mordane. Tomorrow the Irona pegasi knights will fly through that big hole above the shield and surround us in our own fortress. This place cannot be held. We must do the unexpected. We must attack and punch our way through their lines.”

Mordane started to shake his head and tell him about the casualties but Stalker grabbed his jaw and held him still.

“This fight can’t be won! Stop being a fool and listen to me!”

Mordane pushed Stalker away before standing up straight. Anger flashed through his eyes.

“No situation is unwinnable, Stalker. I will save them and then we will all be rich. I understand that you’re scared, but you need to trust me. The ponies will need encouragement. Thank you for your input.”

Mordane took to the air and floated down to the trebuchets, leaving Stalker to grind his teeth. Before leaving, Stalker spat on the ground. Muttering curses, he ran away.

The rest of the night was uneventful as most ponies opted to not sleep the last few hours to daylight. Boulder had been able to quell any major disturbance before it got out of hoof.

Thus their second day at the castle of nightmare moon ended.

One hour before first light the Irona catapults opened fire.
> The price of victory
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

*Thrwp* Thud*

Ripples cascaded through the blue walls as peltings of stones impacted its surface. Larger pieces of rubble were being aimed directly at the now wide opening just right of the central tower. They impacted with thunderous power; one hitting about every minute. Amazing power, but frequency put to shame by the other catapults launching pelting stones, smacking the still up walls of the shield with no sign of letting up.

Beads of sweat were pouring down a unicorn’s face as he slumped away from the spell matrix and fell into a waiting cot. Another came up to take his place. Relatively little skill went into the process and the enchantment structure was strong enough to be maintained by three unicorns, even if it was at a greatly reduced level because of the damage. Despite this the eight unicorns in the army would be able to hold off the twenty or so unicorns in the Irona forces trying to make their jobs a living torture.
______________________________________________________________________________________________

Arrows, and pallets of stone, rushed over the outer wall from both directions, the Irona forces prattled across the line, standing strong. Ice Wing kept his composure far back behind this very line, glaring at the wall.

His assistant, Iron Quill, was motioning toward the map and fortress before them. Its size had stunned him. Such a magnificent fortress was abandoned so readily? It boggled his well disciplined military mind. Why had this place been left abandoned after all these years?

The answer had become obvious after speaking to his unicorn captain and further examining the structure. The place had a major design flaw against air attacks, or at least, it was flawed now. From what his unicorn captain had told him the place bore residue of a massively powerful enchantment, that drew power from some source deep in the mountain, either magma or a river, and made up the shield that appear to laugh at his displeasure.

The structure’s unconventional positioning was designed to assist that shield which was a five point pentagon structure. Each corner tower would act as an amplifier to the central spell matrix. If it had been at full power then the place could withstand the entire Irona army and never give a sign of cracking; however, time and some great force unknown had damaged the structure. Anti-teleportation, illusions, and such magic it was still protected against, but the physical shield had been compromised.

His conclusion was that the shield the mercenaries were using was a spell piggybacking on that old system. It would give their shield a much higher defence than normal.It wouldn't be anything like if the system were fully functional, but it would provide a greater defence than typical standalone shielding

Ice Wing glanced up and the fortress, again. To his magically enchanted right eye, tendrils of power and hazes hung over the fortress. The rune hidden under his fur itched and burned with the amount of power going around. A small price to pay for the ability to see different kinds of spells being used with a glance. It had given him a great secret advantage as he climbed the ranks. All for the glory of Irona of course.        

The tattooed rune had been a gift from his brother, Iron Wing. The very same that had sent him here, to fight a corralled and supposedly weakened army of mercenaries. How smug he would get once this whole ordeal was finished. But of course, he had to finish it first.

And as such, he was now observing the space that was clear above the shield. It was obvious what he had to do. Any decent commander would see it. Send the pegasi over the enemy forces to take the second wall. Then have a special team target the front gate tower. Have it all end.

So why did he have this, nagging feeling; a need to hesitate?

“Swift Wing.” His own voice went unheard by his cousin, another pegasus, who had yet to cease babbling to him. He had listened of course, somewhat, but he always had more important things to think about. “Thank you for your efficient and expedient report. The quality is what I have come to expect of your service.”

“Thank you, sir. What is your command?”

“Prepare the fourth, through sixth, wing divisions. I want you to take them over the wall and open the front gate. This has to end.” He only paused a moment. Just a fraction of a second longer than he normally would have. Just a twitch above the eye.

Stop being so afraid. Commanders only see fear in death, after death.

There had been plenty of rumors passed on to him by his command, going around about this pony named Mordane. Words of necromancy and slavery. Sure him having wings was something to raise an eyebrow, but overall his soldiers just made light of the claims.

That all stopped after last night’s screams of pain.

Soon there were whispers of dark rituals and evil magic. Huddled in fear as they wondered about what poor soul he had stripped the wings from. Unicorns claimed it had to be from a twin with how well they matched to his body’s fur. The worst one yet, was that he had changed the feather color and stitched it on perfectly was too far to even believe.

Some were wondering if he could even be killed.

Those rumors, the screams, they did not scare Ice Wing. Not after growing up in the Irona nobility. Their lives were traded for votes and names. Honor was the price of election.

His older brother was a rising star in the Irona Senate. Ice Wing’s command was a feather in his cap that would help to push him to the renowned counselor position.

Iron Wing was a... demanding head of the household. Always pushing for the greater glory of the Wing family, for himself of course.

He loved his brother despite the harsh words and cruelty hoofed down in his unending pursuit of power. It was right of him to push... to make him strive.

So why did he hesitate?

Ice Wing watched as the stones continued to drain the enemy shield and the pegasi knights hovered into formation.

“Sir? Your orders?”

“Those eyes,” Ice Wing whispered.

“Sir?” his captain asked.

Ice Wing had lived long enough among the conniving elite to recognize patterns from the seemly case of the world. He was used to seeing what ponies were from the inside, at least more than others, from the first glance into their eyes.

But those eyes.

They reminded him of his brother’s, but... different. Less blind by ambition, more certain, older... colder. No... it had nothing to do with his brother, no, it was the same look that his grandfather used to wear. Like an old man looking down on a child playing at the game that was life while he directed it, the child trying to cheat, playing tricks new to him, but for the old man, they were as plain as winter. Without the child ever knowing he ruled the game from the beginning.

He was not going to be the child.

“Your orders are to take the central tower and destroy the magical matrix. If the opportunity presents itself open the main gate. Move into position and wait for my signal.” He turned to his line pony captain. “Prepare to charge the wall and deploy ramps. When that barrier goes down I want you to push them off that wall.”

“Yes, sir!”

Ice Wing waited in anticipation until his forces were in line. Trying to think what that look of Mordane’s meant other than his own thoughts which could drive a stallion to paranoia. What victory could be drawn from such a position? Soon however, his ponies were in position and his captains gave the order to attack.

Trumpets blared and earth ponies roared as they charged the fortresses walls. Their armor glinting at the morning sun stood at their backs. The echoes of pain filled cries became mixed in as the soldiers exited the protection of the shields.

Ice Wing waited until more pony heads started to poke up in greater numbers before signaling for the pegasi to dive.

As his soldiers descended over the wall without losing a pony or coming under attack Ice Wing grinned. Perhaps, he had been too worried.

Then right before his eyes the attack was swept away. Jagged shards of ice flew straight at the pegasi, ripping into their wings and faces, blocking their vision. Immediately following was a storm of arrows fired at point blank range

Almost two hundred Irona knight were dead in an instant as the sharp pointed arrows and ice shards ripped into them. Loud metallic crashes rang out as his soldiers fell out of the sky and impacted something outside of his view.

That angle... It was from above the ground level. Is there an inner wall?

Quickly Ice Wing realized his mistake. Mordane had known of the fortress’s weakness and counted on it, using the wide opening as a trap that he had fallen for.

In his mind’s eye Ice Wing once again saw those two eyes and remembered that calm, assured voice.

“Sir! We must fall back. Sir!”

“No!” Ice Wing hissed at his lieutenant. “That’s exactly what he expects.”

“Sir, our forces are being slaughte-”

“Move the reserve unicorns onto the chariots. Tell the rest of the pegasi knight to suit up. Move our reserve ground forces to the wall,” Ice Wing snapped.

“But, sir. We are at a disadvantage. The enemy has the high ground! Our soldiers will die in mass!”

“I know.” Ice Wing looked down at his shaking hooves. “I know, but this Mordane… He has my tune. He sees my flow. If I give him wiggle room then he will breath and push against me.”

“Sir, I don't understand,” the captain said through a pained look. “He is just a mercenary.”

“Mordane may be a better general then I but this victory will still be mine. Even if it’s on a foundation of blood. Now obey my orders.” He pushed the captain aside and yelled, “We take no prisoners!”

The Irona cheered and moved to obey.

Ice Wing watched for a moment before moving off to one of the sub captains preparing to leave.

“I have a special mission for you.”

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Mordane let himself grin as his men pushed the bodies of the Irona pegasi into a corner. Their arrow riddled bodies having impacted the wall with a sickening chorus of thuds.

That should buy us a few days before that Ice Wing character tries to rush us.

Mordane had thought of various things of what the enemies could make for themselves to give themselves advantages in battle, and he made plans for each possible counter strategy to each.

However the mind is a tricky thing. Sometimes the most obvious implication of something new just slipped by unnoticed. No matter how great one is he cannot consider everything.

“Chariots!” roared Boulder from atop the second wall. “Irona is preparing flying chariots!”

The words did not register at first with Mordane, as his body ran on autopilot up the stairs to the top of the wall.

Once there, he looked out over the outer wall.

At least twice as many pegasi knights as before were moving into formation. What caught his attention though were the ten chariots carrying unicorns.

“Damn!” was all he got to think before all hell broke loose.

Beams of light and lighting swiped across his archers causing them to duck for cover. At the same time the force of over six hundred pegasi descended.

“Get up! Get up and fire, you fools!” Mordane yelled at his troops. Dozens jumped up at a time and let off arrows, causing the spread to be sparse and easily dodged.

“Draw melee weapons!” Mordane yelled as he flung stones at the coming enemy. Earth ponies along the wall dropped their bows and grabbed for their swords, spears and axes. Only to just get prepared as the enemy hit.

“For Irona!” “Kill these bastards!”

Mordane dodged an incoming mare who came right at him, before blasting her with a magic bolt. Boulder and Stalker made it to him a few moments later. Stalker had a long gash down his left side and a slightly swollen eye, while Boulder’s hooves were covered in blood.

"You two protect me, I'm going to take on those chariots."

They nodded and Mordane turned his attention to the ten chariots now hovering over the central courtyard and wreaking havoc. He looked carefully before noticing something. The unicorns barely moved to deflect magical attacks but the arrows were dodged.

Their one layer of defence must be oriented toward magical attacks. If I use physical matter… Too far up to throw stones, not enough moisture in the air after my last couple of spells, pegasi guarding them, so what does that leave me with?

Mordane felt a warm liquid begin to pool under his hooves. Looking down showed an Irona captain trying desperately to keep his blood from streaming out of his neck before ceasing his struggles forever.

Blood... blood is basically water. How do I use it though? Their shields will protect against any magic directed at them. I could direct the spell at the blood but how to use that to hurt them...

Mordane inhaled deeply and focused for a moment before casting a simple enchantment on the blood at his feet. Turing he opened the floodgates of his war magic. The small pools and rivers of blood began to coalesce. Soon it began to rise around him, forming columns that slowly condensed into black. The blood still came, being pulled straight from cuts and wounds as soon as thier owners latent magic dissipated. The columns trembled in place as Mordane strained against the odd material, trying as hard as he could to hold the idea that blood was just water.

Suddenly the blood burst into flames. With a grunt Mordane threw it at the enemy chariots using air to carry it along.

As the flames leaped out at them, the battle mages of Irona felt their magical presence and all concluded independently that this was a flame based spell directed at them which would be protected by their shields.

The burning blood passed right through their protection and splashed all over them. Screaming, four of the ten burned to death, unable to focus and cast a spell. Four more tried to pull the heat away.

That only succeeded in accelerating the cooling spell Mordane had cast on the blood. The spell drew away the bloods heat and used it to combust the air.

Pulling away the heat only caused the blood to freeze.

The last two used force to push the substance away from them and down on the crowd below. Their carrier reacted quickly and dived for the tower. One of them aimed right for Mordane.

Fire sprung up around the Irona unicorn as he jumped off the chariot at Mordane. Mordane frowned and pulled on the wind around him to blast him off the wall. However the wind simply curved around him and fed into his flames which curled into two columns rising twenty feet into the air before descending on him.

Mordane briefly registered that the enemy was using war magic before creating a frozen bearer of blood between them. The fire poured around him as Mordane continually pulled the heat from the ice.

There's nothing I can do. He’s too strong.

Suddenly the stream stopped. Lowering the sheet Mordane could see the unicorn struggling to stand as a spear protruded from his side.

The blood sheet reformed into a spike and Mordane rammed it through the pony’s head.

Stalker and Boulder were taking care of the pegasi that had been pulling the unicorn before he signaled them over.

“There was another unicorn!” Boulder shouted, “He came down on the other side of the tower!

They and a dozen ponies charged down the wall and into the central tower. But Mordane was already too late. Inside was a room filled with slaughtered unicorns and one Irona mage standing in front of the spell matrix. Looking at the mercenaries coming in he made a decision.

“For Irona!” He turned and poured all the power he could into the spell matrix.

*BOOM*

Mordane covered his eyes and threw up a barrier as the central tower top went up in a blaze of glory. The top of the stone tower flew out in all directions crushing dozens, as the last of the enemy pegasi took to the air.

A massive crack resounded from the base of the central tower as the ground caved in. The tower leaned slowly over as the battle slowed, and remove as some ponies stopped to watch as the tall central tower began to fall over.

Ponies ran away from the last three mercenary trebuchets as the tower fell towards the front of the fortress, intersecting with the wall.

A large section of the outer wall fell outward, crushing hundreds that were attempting to scale into the keep.
“Retreat!” Mordane bellowed. “Retreat to the inner keep!”

Outside the fortress Ice Wing looked on in horror as a large part of his army was crushed under the collapsing wall. He roared as loud as he could.

“Regroup! Fall back!”

As the dust began to settle a large hole was left exposed to the outside. Hundreds of ponies lay scattered around the battlefield.
______________________________________________________________________________________________

As the red sunset fell, the two armies were licking their wounds. The Irona forces unicorn captain followed procedure and ordered an anti-teleportation field be put up since the one cast by the fortress had been destroyed.

The Irona forces found themselves huddling in the outer courtyard of the fortress trying to sleep. Finding instead that sleep did not come easy.

Mutters ran throughout of the use of some strange Magic by the enemy commander. Some wondered if necromancy was his special talent. Maybe even tied into his war magic.

Ice Wing was seen flying from division to division making sure that his captains were still alive and promoting ponies when they were not. He had ordered them forward to take the outer courtyard after realising how far back Mordane’s ponies had fallen… Only the inner sanctum still remained under Mordane’s control.

All in all, he would find that his forces had suffered thirty five percent. While he did receive a few dirty looks, discipline prevented anything more.

On the Mercenary side it was a different story.

Counting the dead was a task that had not even being considered much less executed. Dozens of ponies were taking it as their time to sneak out with no one to warn them of the Irona teams killing anyone who came out before they even knew they were there.

Mordane himself found that commanding cornered men was more of a case of reminding them that they had nowhere to go and killing each other would only make it worse.

Most of his soldiers settled down to take quickly disturbed naps that would be broken as they woke up screaming.

Stalker and Boulder met each other in the hallway outside of the room Mordane had been sleeping in. Stalker moved to go on to Mordane but stopped as Boulder held up a hoof.

“Stalker, have you seen the outer wall?” Boulder whispered as he looked down. “It’s in pieces.”

“Yes, yes I have. Were you able to reach the outer towers?”

“No," Stalker sat down. "They are covered by the rubble.”

“I’ve done what I can. The enemy may be among us already though,” Boulder said sternly.

A sudden scream caused them to jump before calming down.

“This situation is ridiculous. I’ve spoken to many who are ready to keep fighting. Apparently the Irona are not accepting surrender. Most see no hope, save that maybe Mordane can pull this off,” Boulder said.

“I saw a pony be skewered three different ways by arrows. It’s obvious that the Irona soldiers have written us off.” Stalker drew a knife and began to check it as he continued. “This situation, as you put it, is solidly Mordane’s fault. That bastard never listens when shit hits the fan.”

“It’s a major flaw of his character, I’ll admit.“ Boulder nodded before his soldier mask cracked. Sighing, he sat next to Stalker and reached into his satchel to grab a drink. “Want a swig?”

“I’m good,” Stalker said while still looking at his knife. Suddenly he paused and looked up at Boulder as if he was trying to make some kind of decision. “Buck it.”

Reaching back into his bag, Stalker pulled out his medicine satchel and unfurled it. He took out a small red cube and sat it on the ground before crushing it with his hoof.

Leaning down, he snorted the power up before rubbing the excess away.

“The tarturus was that?”

“Something to make me stay awake no matter what that witch put on this place.” Stalker rubbed his nose. “Now I got about twenty minutes before this stuff kicks in. What do we do?”

“We go talk to Mordane and try to get him to surrender.”

“Good bucking luck. Knowing him there is a rut in the floor where he has been pacing. That pony doesn’t give up… Shop Lifter said this pony would kill me.”

“Either we make it or we don’t.” Boulder sighed. “I learned long ago that when you fight you must be ready to die. This path was set when we followed Mordane.”

“Wise words for a drunk. That doesn’t answer our problem though.”

“We go in and confront him with the truth.”

“That simple?”

“That simple.”

Standing up Stalker put away his knife and both of them went the rest of the way and into Mordane’s room.

The alicorn was pacing the room that was near empty. His bed was the only thing really there.

“What do you two want?” he snarled at them.

“We want you to surrender.”

“Surrender? Haven’t you heard they aren’t taking prisoners. Surrender is death.” Mordane stepped to the wall and slammed his hooves against the wall. “Damn it! Curse you, High Rise! This is all your fault!”

“High Rise?” Stalker’s voice was low and fierce with its edge, like if insulted. “High Rise, Celestia, the beer, me? It’s always something else's fault, Mordane. When are you going to stop running and take responsibility?”

“I didn’t cause this!”Mordane shouted while moving toward Stalker and using a hoof to indicate himself. “This wasn’t me!”

“It’s always you! Now we are all going to die because of your pride; your blindness! What of the deaths you’ve caused? What of your own failures to see what was in front of you? What is it that makes you think you’re so above burden from your own mistakes?” Stalker shouted

“I have taken responsibility for this army. What more could you want from me?”

“We want you to act!” Boulder shouted, coming up beside Stalker. “To make the hard decision that means you pay! You can’t have power without sacrifice, Mordane, no matter what you may think.”

“What, so I’m just to lay down? Put my neck out for the knife? I will not do that, I will not bow to you or anyone! I will not be chained!”

Stalker stared at the pony he called friend, his jaw working as if he was trying to chew something. Then his eyes widened.

“Hahahahahaha.” Stalker laughed and laughed. His eyes started to brim with tears.

“What's funny!?” Mordane yelled, stomping up to the laughing earth pony before Boulder stepped between them.

“I think I finally figured it out,” Stalker said, as his laughter died down. “You're afraid."

"What?" Mordane said, almost laughably. His friend was seriously losing his mind to the sleep. "Stalker, I have fought things bigger than me. I killed a mind raping stallion myself. I'm not crying in a corner for mercy from our enemies. How am I scared?"

"I don't mean your reactions, I mean your actions. The decisions you make are for a bigger reason, that much I can tell, but what is that reason, huh? What are you running from?" Stalker unsettled Mordane. The idea that Stalker could see something about himself that he didn’t understand. "You know, I thought you were that necromancer taking over Mordane’s flesh.”

Mordane’s mouth fell open. Stalker thought the necromancer had taken over his mind?

“I know that is not true by now, yet it leaves a dilemma. You can't just take over someone’s mind who’s so much older than you. You should be dead and gone!” He glared right back into Mordane’s eyes seemingly loving the taste of every word coming out of his mouth. “That is until one remembers your talk of another life. You're too smart for your age! You know things I know you shouldn't know! I checked everything about you, there's no way you could've seen the flaws of things without connections, there's no way you could've found a better way to sleep in those tents, you don't even have the simplest synergy of a pony, or even an Alicorn for that matter!”

Stalker paused and took a breath. “So that leaves only one question. What are you?"

He stared at the unanswering Mordane before snorting and turning to his cot. “I thought so. Grow up quickly Mordane. I don’t think we can survive being dragged through the fire with you for much longer.”

But Mordane, was silent. He continued to stand there, barely blinking.

And frowning.

Thinking.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

A cold shiver rippled down Mordane’s spine as he laid still and alone on his mat. He tossed and turned as if he was fighting the dream itself.

“No. Please, God, no.”

Sweat broke out across his body as he trembled with every muscle tense. His wings were clamped against his body as the soft inlay of his hooves flexed as if trying to hold onto something.

“Grandpa,” he whispered, “I’m sorry.”

If anyone had been there to see they would have noted dark whisps in and about the young alicorn. If they had strained to hear they might have picked up many whispers.

Whispers offering power. Whispering about a mare about a danger yet to come. 

Whispers speaking of death.

With a gasp Mordane woke up in the dark, liquid flooded his eyes and burned them without his consent. With a quick drag he curled up into a ball against the wall behind his bed. His body trembled from the old wound that had been dragged back to the surface by Luna’s curse. At the whispers in his mind.


You will never save your parents
You broke Sweeties heart. Just like Star Charmer. Will she ever sing again?
Everything you love dies. Your friends will as well. I can save them.


A sob escaped his lips as tears rolled down his face anew. All he wanted to do was run, but the crushing guilt held him there.

Eventually, Mordane stood and began to inhale deeply as he crushed his fear back down into his personal depths; back down into the deepest pits of his mind where such madness belonged.

But Mordane wasn’t alone in the struggle of his awakening. Stalker arrived with his face in a deep frown, preparing to demand that Mordane would at least speak to the Irona commander. Much to his surprise he found a nude Mordane over a bucket of soapy water, washing his mane and cloak.

"You are washing your cloak?" Stalker said, still frowning.

"If I'm going to go and negotiate I might as well look clean while doing it." Mordane's eyes were downcast and his voice seemed to almost have a growl to it.

Stalker blinked before sighing in relief. "It’s for the best, Mordane. There is no shame in it for you."

"I've not gained victory. In that alone there is shame," he said bluntly.

"Perhaps… do you intend to surrender?"

"Not exactly."

An hour later, now with clean fur, they ran up a white flag and waited for the Irona forces to do the same. Mordane was quite surprised when Ice Wing came all the way to the break in the wall and waited for him. Mordane was tempted to attack, but decided it was not worth the risk. With Boulder and Stalker following him, Mordane made his way to the commander.

"Mordane... You have done well in this battle. Not thrown your ponies’ lives away uselessly." Ice Wing began, subtle eyes searching Mordane for any detail he could use.

"If I remember correctly it was your ponies who slaughtered the ponies abandoning my line yesterday."

"An unfortunate mistake. Now tell me, what is your offer?"

"You let us walk out of Irona. You tell your superiors we all died, and I’ll make sure that seems to be true."

Ice Wing stood silent for a few moments as the sun slowly rose behind him. Minutes passed as he stood there seemingly trying to make a decision.

"How would you propose this to be done?"

Mordane smiled, it looked like he was right.

"I will break my forces into groups of five. They will leave three at a time going in three different directions away from Irona. An hour later I will send three again. One pony from these groups will come back to tell me that they made it out without resistance. By tomorrow we will empty in such groups until we are all gone. You bury the dead and call this a total victory."

Ice Wing hummed, tapping his chin, and then gave a single nod.

"Very well. I need to speak with my captains first of course. May we meet again in three hours?"

"That is acceptable." Mordane said. "I am glad that no more ponies must die today."

"...Agreed."

Ice Wing took to the air and headed back to his line as Mordane and his friends stepped back into the fortress. Grins broke out on each of their faces.

“Well that went better than expected,” Boulder said.

“Indeed.” Stalker agreed.

“Perhaps, but he must be wondering what else I have stored.”

“You don’t have anything else stored.” Stalker deadpanned.

“But he doesn’t know that.” Mordane grinned.

The three of them made their way to the storage area to share a bite to eat. News of the agreement traveled ahead of them, and a few dozen ponies had decided to throw a party in a mess hall.

Ice Wing, however, sat in a tent just outside the outer wall looking at a regional map and a hoof drawn map of the fortress.

Mordane's offer made sense from a military perspective. This operation had cost way more resources than expected. Ponies back home would be glad to hear that the enemy had been so soundly defeated.

But then again, a part of him hesitated. Was this Mordane... trying to bait him into making a mistake?

"Sir," said a guard as he stepped into the tent. "Reinforcements from the capital. They brought Sir Lance Light with them."

"Lance Light. Ugh, what is he doing here?"

"He presented himself as the second chancellor, sir! Says he is here to see what is taking so long with the mission."

Damn! Ice Wing thought. Brother must’ve done worse in the election than I thought.

"Send him in."

Ice Wing stood up off his flank and gave himself a check over just before the chancellor arrived. He went to attention and tried not to show his worry.

The white coated unicorn that entered was holding a handkerchief over his nose.

"Commander," The unicorn said, as if talking to a slime on the ground.

"Chancellor," Ice Wing spoke, as if to a wall.

"I will be frank, commander Wing. The council was not pleased with this state of affairs. Your orders were to surround the captured village then force the mercenaries surrender. They were to be prosecuted as criminals! Not killed in mass."

"Yes sir, I am aware of that. There were complications however as the mercenaries had deployed scouts."

"Of course," the chancellor sneered, cutting him off. "There are always excuses when a pony makes a mess as big as yours. Do you plan to end this battle or are you going to prattle on?"

"The enemy commander has proven to be far more resourceful than was initially anticipated. Our communication with Cabistien was supposed to block their path on the border of their territory, then hold them until we caught up before we forced their surrender."

"Yes, I'm well aware of your modified orders."

"The commander, however, is under the impression that Cabistien forces are going to be coming here to meet up with him. Communications with Cabistien indicate no reason for this. Their forces are barely functioning and have made no move to cross the border as per our treaty with them. Yet it is what he says. I believe it to be a lie he has told his men to motivate them to fight to the last."

"Nothing that we have learned indicates that their commander… High Rise was it? Would be capable of any of this?"

"They have apparently been under the command of a different pony. A colt named Mordane Stronghoof this whole time."

"Ah, that would explain it… and your grievous errors. What would this Mordane gain by this anyway?"

"In short? Our forces have sustained heavy casualties. We will sustain many more if we wish to root him out of there. He has offered to disband his army and send them toward the border in small groups upon hourly intervals. I have decided to accept his proposal."

The counselor nodded his head and seemed to be thinking carefully. Ice Wing was sure that he was trying to find a way to turn this to his advantage.

"No."

Ice Wing didn’t appear confused, because of his training to keep his composure. "Sir?"

"We will not accept his terms of surrender or any surrender at all. The political situation has changed back home. The High Chancellor, your brother, has been elected on a promise of righteous retribution against these mercenary scum."

Ice Wing's heart first leapt with joy at the mention of his brother’s victory. Though it immediately fell again at his brother’s demand. He tasted ash as the chancellor gave his command.

"I order you. No surrender. Destroy his army. Leave none of them to walk free. Take them."

Ice Wing nodded. "At once, my lord."

> The mistake
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The six hundred odd mercenary ponies were held up in the fortress. Many were already throwing what party they could even though there was very little alcohol to go around. A few dozen mares and stallions were dancing on tables as others hooted and hollered.

Mordane sat near the center tipping a glass of beer back and forth, watching the liquid inside slouch about as he contemplated downing the entire glass and then another. Defeat was a bitter taste to swallow. The mercenary band would be disbanded and he would be none the wealthier for this experience.

All he would have to do was to track down High Rise and get revenge.

Last nights’ dream bubbled back up to his consciousness at that thought. Quickly he downed his beer to get rid of the taste of bile.

So what… two revenge schemes now?

Mordane clutched his head. For some reason his problems just seemed to be growing. How long had it been since he came here? He was not sure. Four or five months max. Dates didn't really seem that important anymore, with all that had been going on.

Should he track down High Rise? He’ll just end up here again. Like he always did.

He held in his tears, swallowing them down for what shares of pride he had left.

The table jostled as Stalker walked up and bumped into it.

"What are you thinking about?" Mordane asked.

"You know what I'm thinking about." Stalker put a hoof on his shoulder and smiled.

"Hey, Mordane. It’s ok. We'll make a comeback. Just you wait."

Mordane gave a weak smile to Stalker who dramatically wiggled his eyebrows in response which caused Mordane to almost snort from his genuine but controlled laughter.

“You’re an ass you know that?”

“Hey! I only have one grandparent that was a donkey.”

They burst out laughing as Boulder made his way over balancing three mugs of watered down alcohol with him.

The three sat there, Stalker and Mordane exchanging quips with Boulder laughing along. All around them the atmosphere was approaching party king levels. The two cases of wine where passed around was making the mercenaries tipsy. There was general roughhousing and a few small groups singing songs.

If one was to pay attention and knew what to look for, they would have noticed a three dozen odd ponies were moving through the crowd looking for something.

They wore cloaks and rusted armor like the rest. Yet, it was the little details that set them apart. Their eyes were not merry, the dirt in their manes and the unkempt aspects of their coat was off as if somepony had been trying to appear ragged instead of being so. As they moved about, occasionally they would exchange looks that lingered on for a second too long.

Mordane sat to the right of Boulder as Stalker stood in front and to the left of him, wildly gesturing with his hooves. Boulder was occasionally asking questions and getting answers.

One of the ponies spotted Mordane sitting with a huge grin on his face and pointed him out to another.

“-and I swear, I couldn’t even tell it was in there, it was so loose. Like a cave really.”

Mordane and Boulder where near tears of laughing too hard as the two remaining mercenary unicorns came galloping up. Stopping just short of bumping into the back of Mordane they stopped to gasp for air.

“Sir, the anti-teleportation barrier is down,” one gasped.

“It is? Why would-”

Suddenly two ponies came rushing toward Mordane, drawing knives. With the flash of steel Boulder reacted and broke one of the ponies’ necks with a well-placed buck. The second however had closed the distance.

Mordane’s body barely twitched as he tried to dodge from his sitting position as three thoughts flashed through his head.

Knife, heading toward my throat, my body is stiff, in a bent angle. I won’t dodge it.

I’m going to die.

“NO!”

Mordane was thrown to the side as Boulder tackled him.

His focus was totally on the attacker in front of him. His magic grabbed at Boulders’ sword and loped off his head. 

“Arm yourselves! We are under attack!”

All around him Mordane saw mercenaries reaching for their swords, while others simply fell to the dozens of ponies throwing off rags to reveal Irona armor. A loud thud could be heard as the inner sanctum doors were being closed. Looking around he saw as a door leading deeper into the castle burst open, and Irona soldiers came bursting in. Part of him said that the lowering of the shield must have allowed them to teleport troops into the cavern. Of course they would have needed somepony to act as a focal, but sneaking one pony across was a trivial matter during the chaos of yesterday.

Mordane flicked his eyes left, then right. He tried to take in the whole situation around him. The Irona insurgents where sowing havoc among the drunk and unorganized ponies. 

His eyes focused on a side door.

“To me!” Mordane yelled at the top of his lungs, splashing it with a bit of magic so everyone could hear him. “Mercenaries to me!”

The ponies that could fought their way to him. Forming a rough ball. The Irona formed a line and set to harass his men into a corner. The main door shook at what could not be mistaken as anything other than a battering ram.

“Boulder, Stalker. Push to the side door.” Mordane pointed with his horn before catching a javelin with his magic and hurling it back at the pony who threw it.

“To the door! To the door!” Boulder and Stalker began pushing and yelling. For every few feet they paid in men. Many small groups ended up isolated between some tables harassed by three or two ponies made it up to it and through into a side hallway just as the main door buckled.

By the time they made it through there was perhaps forty of them with twice their number left in the auditorium and more elsewhere. 

“Let’s push through to the eastern tower.” Mordane spoke up. “If we can get there we may have the opportunity to escape through if they have moved their field forward.”

There were no complains. Several of the ponies headed off down the right corridor. After about a minute they came on a small group who lined the hallway with spears.

Mordane didn’t hesitate. Knowing that the enemy would likely know soon where they were anyway. He ordered a charge and focused on casting a sound dampening spell.

Ten ponies died cutting through the enemy line. The twenty-five remaining ran on leaving the injured behind.

 How in hell is this happening? Why is it happening? The enemy commander knows this will cause massive causalities in his own men. It makes no sense.

They turned a corner and exited the mountain fortress interior to the exposed walkway. Mordane nodded to the other magic user and the both of them cast a light anti projectile spell.

Half way across Mordane heard the thrower of bow strings. His barrier held for a few moments before shattering

There was a thud as Mordane was thrown to the ground by Stalker and dozens of tings and crunches as the hail of arrows swept through his men.

“To the tower.” Roared Boulder, grabbing another pony. “There is safety in the tower!”

Mordane twisted and lifted the pony over him with his back before recasting the anti-projectile spell and began running.

A few seconds later they made it into the tower. With a mighty push he slammed the doors and lowered the door bar. He let the pony over him slide to the floor.

“How many made it.” Mordane spun around the room before freezing.

Leaning against a wall Stalker was gripping his side. His face in a twisted grimace. His hoof lay over an open wound, blood dripping to the floor. Boulder came rushing over slightly after.

“Stalker?” Mordane ran to his friend’s side as he slid to the floor. His legs trembling and coat growing pale.

Mordane pulled Stalkers bags off of him and sat it in front of the bleeding stallion.

“Tell me what to do.” He shuffled through the bag “There has to be something here to help-“

“Mordane.” Stalker looked into his friends rising eyes. “There is nothing.”

“What are you saying?”

“Back in the dining hall. The pony that tried to stab you.”

Mordane remembered being pushed away. The knife long and sharp stabbing for him.

“God no…”

Stalker grimaced, lifting his hoof to look at the wound.

“Horse apples, right into the kidney.” His head thumped back onto the stone wall. Boulder took off his helmet. Ears dropping.

All around them ponies where shoring up the windows. Preparing for an assault, but Mordane couldn’t think of that right now. Couldn’t think of anything else.

“Heh, you crazy bastard… I don’t know how you will make it after I’m gone.”

“Don’t talk like that, Stalker. You’ll make it through. You’re strong. “

Stalker just closed his eyes and shook his head.

“Mordane. I have to tell you something.” Suddenly Stalker coughed. A small bit of blood spat out onto Mordane’s cloak.” My family. They will come for you.” 

“Stalker…” Mordanes eyes grew red. Moist. “I don’t want to lose you. Not like this.”

Stalker paused for a moment. As if wrestling with something.

“Boulder promise me you will protect Mordane.” He tugged on Boulders armor 

“I promise.”

Turning back to Mordane he smiled. 

“I’m fading fast. Come close Mrodane.” His eyes began to grow cloudy. “I have to tell you the truth. For your own sake.”

With tears dripping down to the form of his dying friend Mordane leaned in close.

“I’m dying because of you.”

Mordane froze. Every muscle in his body clamped down. 

“I’m sorry. But you are your own worst enemy. Not High Rise. Not Celestia… Ponies die around you all the time. Because of your arrogance. Pride.”

Stalker drew in a shuddering breath. 

“All that you love dies because you are not strong enough. You are not big enough.”

Mordane stood there. Frozen. Unable to think. Unable to process. Watching as one of his friend died. Died telling him what he could not hear.

“I don’t know who you are Mordane. I don’t know where you came from, but there is a fire in you unlike any I have ever seen or heard of. A fire that you never use, preferring to play it safe. What you have not realized is that fire can make, refine, as well as destroy. A fire that refuses to burn only leaves ashes. You must embrace who you are or… only… death … will follow you.”

Stalker shook

“Grow. Stron…”

And Stalker breathed his last. 

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Mordane ran through Stalkers bag. He pulled out a map and two knives. 

He left the gems and his padding on. As a last measure, he reached up and closed his friend’s eyes.

 I’ve seen to many people close to me die like this.

Mordane shivered. He twitched as Boulders hoof came to rest on his shoulder. 

“Stand up Mordane.” He did and trembled. Trying to pull himself together. “This is the second time I’ve seen you lose someone close to you.”

The alicorn chocked back a sob.

“But I need you to be strong.” He grabbed him by the shoulders “I need you to focus.”

Boulder stood up strait. His chest puffed out. 

“I promised Stalker I’d protect you. That I’d get you out of here. That is not why I’m doing this though. I’m doing it because of who you could be. Not who you are.”

Mordane looked Boulder in the eye.

“Mordane Stronghoof. I offer you my sword to serve your will.”

He took a few seconds. Then straightened when he understood.

“Boulder. Are you offering to follow me? I take oaths seriously. I will hold you to it.”

Boulder nodded.

“I accept then.” Mordane frowned. “Keeping that promise looks impossible.”

Mordane went to the window slit and looked out over the courtyard.

What he saw would live with him forever.

It was a furnace.

Sickness was overcome by horror as he saw mercenaries being dragged to the inferno. The ones still living screamed and begged for the knife before being thrown atop the burning pile. Their screams suddenly cut off as they passed through the magical barrier.

It was hell. An artificial hell to all, with living flesh being wiped away.

As he stared at the monstrosity he acknowledged the inevitable truth. There was no escape and very soon he would be atop that inferno as well.

Stalker’s words echoed back as everybody descended and became a mark against his soul.

He grabbed the windowsill and pushed back the thoughts. Back to the dark place where they couldn’t hurt him.

“They have the entire place surrounded.” Spoke up one of the other ponies around.

The roar of the Irona infantry crashing against the tower door was muffled by the hardwood it was made of. Dozens of pegasi flew around the tower occasionally trying to get into the locked windows. The six mercenary ponies sat around waiting for the inevitable to descend upon them. Already several had opted to take a knife to their throat rather than wait for the flame. The others sat waiting, not sure of what to do when there was nothing.

“Hey, Snarl,” spoke one earth pony to another. “What ya regret?”

“Regret?” He said, furrowing his eyebrows. “Well, I regret not kissing that girl back in that village we left ‘ere. Me an’ ‘er had a nice thing goin’. Maybe I could’ve put aside my spear and...” He grew quiet. Tears on the corners of his eyes.

“You don’t have to say it, mate… I understand. I wish I had forgiven my mother. Gave her a hug one last time before going out into the world.”

“I wish I had another drink before I died.” An unicorn with a broken horn across the room opened his satchel with a trembling hoof and tossed a canteen to the stallion. “Much obliged.”

“I wish I had a kid,” spoke up the only mare. “Sure, my mom was a cunt, but I think I could’ve done better.”

“What about you, Mordane?” asked the first stallion to the alicorn clutching his head next to the window. “What do you regret?”

Mordane did not answer at first. Turning, he faced his fellow mercenaries. Cocking his head to the side.

“I…don’t think regretting anything will help now.”

“How did some pony like you end up here anyway?” Said the mare.

“You see these wings?” He pointed to the ruffled appendages on his back. “In my home nation my race would be called alicorn. There's only four others and they are royalty. I ran to get out from under the oldest one. A tyrant that killed my parents.Bitch said they died in s battle when I saw them alive afterward”

The mercenaries’ eyes widened.

“Seriously? Royalty? Why leave then?”

“Because we are practically immortal and inherently more magically powerful than unicorns.”

They fell into silence and passed around the canteen some more until it was empty. The entire time curses and crunching could be heard as the Irona forces continued to try and break in.

“I don’t get it,” spoke up the mare suddenly “If she wanted you then why attack your parents? It makes more sense for her to hold them ransom.”

“Hey yeah, that makes sense. Maybe that article you told us about was a way of telling you.”

Mordane stayed silent and continued to look at the floor. Soon tears began to flow from his eyes.

“Sweet Moon goddess,” whispered the mare, “You knew that didn’t you?”

“Knew? No. Suspected, yes. At least on some level I did. I think that’s why I jumped to the murder conclusion. I didn’t want to consider that she was using them to get to me. I’ve thought of a lot of reasons… Heck I don’t even know if that mare wants me dead.”

“Then why run?” grunted a black maned stallion.

“...All alicorn that I know of reside around this mare. She is powerful in both magic and political power. One does not maintain such power without skill in manipulating others. If I stayed I would have been putty in her hooves like all the rest. Tyrant or not.”

“So you ran, because you were scared of being chained to her?” grunted the same stallion. “Been there. A mare would just cramp my style.”

“What style? You look like a half-eaten carcass and smell like a sewer,” laughed the mare.

“You just can’t handle my sexiness.”

They all burst out laughing as Mordane shook the canteen to confirm it was empty.

“You know, what I don’t get is why you would run from her to join an army.”

“I guess because at least it was my own choice.” Mordane sighed before standing back up and walking to the window. His hooves still shaking from exhaustion. The corpses of the fallen were still being thrown and rolling down the mound that he had caused.

A loud crack resounded through the room accompanied with a thud as the rabble of voices reaching from outside grew gleeful. “We are coming for you, assholes!”

Once again Mordane pushed back his negative feelings.

“They will break in soon.” mumbled the mare.

“We all fucking know that. No point saying it.”

“There has got to be a way out.”

Mordane suddenly had an idea. It was absurd. Inconsiderable. Insane.

“There might be.” Mordane whispered walking to the center of the room. He reached out with his magic and felt the magical node of the spell matrix surrounding the entire fortress.

“I could use this matrix and restructure it to act as a channel. It would collapse but that energy would fall into the spell I was casting itself. Well…That and some light, sound and force. I should be able to create the matrix beforehoof to pour it into.”

“You’re going to break a spell like that?” Spoke up the only other unicorn in the room. “The backlash will kill you.”

“Perhaps… but it is our only choice.” Mordane turned to Boulder.” I don’t know what condition I’m going to be in on the other side. I should be fine but… I’ll need you to take charge. Get these ponies to the forest. Tell them to run.”

Boulder nodded drawing his sword.

Mordane stood over the symbol and addressed the mercenaries in the room.

“This is it. I don’t know how long it will take me to cast but be ready. This is going to be rough.”

The ponies stared on in confusion at first but soon the fire lit in Mordane’s eyes began to reflect in theirs as well.

“Might as well teach them who they are dealing with.”

“Those bitches won’t know what hit them.”

“Onward to a date with death then. I wonder if she is pretty.”

“Fuck it.”

Standing up they all drew weapons as Mordane turned and faced the pile of furniture and the shaking door. He made his peace with God. Then closed his eyes.
______________________________________________________________________________________________

Darkness. Chaos. Shadow.

The whispers where all around him, although now they were screams. Now though he was awake and so he could see them for what they were. 

Constructs. Another of the keeps defenses meant to drive anypony out. Anything out, with horrific nightmares. It had weakened over the centuries though as the spell matrix was damaged with one of the towers missing.

Now it was hemorrhaging energy. The central tower had been broken and with it all of the primary energy conduits. Now it was limping on secondaries somehow.

Mordane sensed and stretched. Something was wrong. Somepony else was in the matrix. Somepony far, far away. Yet still able to push.

‘Not for long’

Mordane gathered his magic and in one swoop shattered the remaining supports to the matrix and the energy regulation submatrix. He then coaxed far more energy out of the core then he should have. 

The other pony seemed to panic, trying to hold the matrix together but it was far too late. As the backlash began and the matrix started to collapse and pour the energy back down to the magma chamber Mordane diverted enough into his spell.
It was like bathing in a waterfall of ice. The magic buffeted him. Burned him. 

He could just barely hold it. 

Then the other pony found him. Struck at him.

It was too late though, Mordane had already activated his spell.

POP!
__________________________________________________________
Pain.

Unimaginable pain like a spike in the head, a hot poker to the balls and beating with fists of needles.
Mordane became aware he was screaming. His throat was already sore as his hooves gripped his head. 

Jagged edges could be felt under his hooves. A sharp static shoot down his spine.  It took him a few seconds to realize what had happened.

 I blew my horn.

The jagged edges where proof enough and even though the pain had already began to descend into a dull ache it still held him for a few more seconds.

Slowly he opened his eyes as the world came back to him.

All around mercenary pony where fighting Irona guards, all of which had blood slashed over them and a dull look on their faces.

Looking around Mordane saw a twelve foot circle of blast mark and gore. The effect of excess energy from the spell in the form of an explosion. Many ponies had obviously been very close to his materialization point.

The enemy soldier where harassing them from one side and the mercenaries had formed a rough line. All around him other mercenaries where running toward the forest edge coming from the wall behind them from ropes.

“To the right!”

A group of Irona soldiers broke around the edge of the mercenary line. Their eyes locked onto him and immediately they charged.

Mordane reached for his magic only to get a jab of pain so instead he pulled out his sword.

He found himself fighting back three sword wielding ponies. Though fighting proved to not be the correct word. Every few second he found himself with a new nick or cut until one bashed his broken horn.

With a cry, Mordane fell to the ground and gripped his head. Only to open his eyes and see the three soldiers over him grinning. One raising his sword for the killing blow.

“No!” 

Then suddenly there was Boulder. 

He came out of nowhere and struck off one of the ponies’ heads before taking a position standing over Mordane.

Blow after blow rained down on him but Boulder blocked every one. As Mordane watched he struck back.

Then began to move faster.

Then faster.

Soon he was a blur. Striking left and right and behind. He jumped and used it to engage the now half a dozen ponies at once.

Mordane could only stand still and watch in awe as Boulder struck. His form was perfect. His endurance seemed boundless.

He even thought he could see sparks on the end of Boulders sword. 

Then he became sure he could.

Boulder burst into flame. 

Mordanes eyes widened at the war magic he saw. He felt the burning heat roar out and strike down more.

The alicorn didn’t know how long he laid there and watched. 

But eventually Boulder stood alone.

He was heaving. Sweat pouring off him. Burning corpses laid riddled all about. Suddenly his breath became haggard.

He teetered and fell to the side.

At first Mordane didn’t understand. He didn’t see. But then the red streaks over Boulders frame became apparent. 

His face was staring right at him and Mordane watched as his eyes clouded over and his breathing spaced.

Mordane sat up. He looked down at himself. He was covered in blood and cuts. His blood and boulders’. The stallion had died from blood loss from a hundred different wounds.

The colt looked on the ground. The bodies and blood.

He looked all around him. Only bodies, blood and fire.

He looked for anyone. Anything to blame the killing to.

But there was nothing.

 I did this. I did all of this… 

Images came rushing back.

“Mordane Stronghoof. I offer you my sword to serve your will.” Boulder

“I’m dying because of you.” Stalker

“How could you do this” The villagers

“Mordane, why?” Twilight

"Mordane, I lo-" Star charmer

“"Promise me... promise me, you won't hate. I saw the world burn once. I don't want it to, ever again." Grandpa

The voices rang in his head. Turning all to chaos.

He saw nothing. Felt nothing. Everything he had ever cared about. His friends, his family was destroyed thanks to him. In this life and the last. 

Nothing had changed.

Then there was blackness.


> Ice Wing's Decision
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ice wing swirled the brandy in his glass. His mane was covered in filth and outside he could hear the lamentation of his soldiers.

The great fortress lay in ruin. Many of its internal hallways where collapsed. The outer walls had lost two towers. Worse though the spell matrix was gone. Collapsed according to his mages. The energy used to fuel a massive teleportation spell.

He drank the small gulp and dropped the glass onto the ground, breaking it. He then locked his eyes on the form in front of him.

The enemy general Mordane laid prone there. His form riddled with cuts and still stained from the pool of blood they found him in.  His cloak and armor lay tossed to the side of the tent.

Laid for all to see where his wings.

Ice wing considered for a brief moment to take another drink but decided against it as he would need to be of a clear mind. 

“Will he live?” He asked. Causing the doctor hovering over Mordane to jump slightly.

“Yes, I believe so. Most of his wounds are superficial and I have wiped him of disease. He seems to heal as fast as a pegusi. As for the horn though…” He walked to the end with Mordanes head. “I believe so. I’ve resigned the exposed tip of his horns core which appeared intact. If a bit singed. He will likely make a full magical recovery if it is not used for a time.”

“How much time.” 

“About a year.” The doctor nodded. “That should be long enough for it to grow back. Though, it may be faster as he is also part pegusi.”

Ice wing shook his head. Remembering the sight of the spell matrix collapsing.

“He should be dead. Why isn’t he?”

“My only theory is that it has something to do with his earth pony endurance.”

“Earth pony?”

The doctor nodded. Then lifted one of Mordanes hooves and pointed it at him.

“You see how wide the hoof is, how it flares out ever so slightly. This is only seen in earth ponies. That along with the calf muscles I say it’s safe to say that he has equal parts of all three races.”

“Remarkable.”

Ice wings eyes flicked over to Lance Light as he entered the tent.

“So the pony that gave you such trouble was something out of lengend.” He lifted up his wings. “An alicorn.”

“So it would seem.”

“The Irona parliament may even forgive your offences after sending them such a pri-“

“I claim ransom rights.”

Lance Light froze confusion shifted across his eyes before truning to rage.

“What!?” He snapped rushing to Ice wings face “ You dare.”

“I dare.” He said. Lance Light sputtered. Then glared.

“Your brother will not save you. The council demanded the enemy commanders death.”

“The council would blame me for this travesty and you cannot override me in this. It is my right.”

“It is your right.” Lance Light spat. “Tartarus take you.”

The sleazy councilor stormed out. Ice wing looked over at the doctor.

“You as well. Go prepare wing and a horn restraint…Covering the horn won’t stop it from healing right?”

“No sir.” He bowed and hurried out as well.

Ice wing stood and plodded over to the alicorn before him. On the way he picked up a sharp shard of glass of the ground and placed it against Mordanes jugular.

He stood there a long time. Thinking. Considering. Mordane after all had indirectly killed so many of his soldiers. Yet the same thing that had prevented him from doing the same after he had been laid there stopped him. The same that had caused him to call the doctor.

“My brother is a cruel bastard. “

He whispered. 

“I have seen him kill for no reason. I have seen him boast…just like him. Just like my grandfather you have something in you that drives you to rise. To take what you can. Using others as they see fit. Using fear to get what they want.”

He pressed a little harder.

“That brother of mine will throw me under cart after this is over. Then he will hang you in the town square. Taking credit for your capture. Already the news is spreading far and wide. Of the necromancer butcher. Of the unicorn with wings. Of Stronghoof the Destroyer. You will be more feared then my brothers ever could be and fear is power.”

Ice wing dropped his shard to the floor.

“But…you are not like them. You are rational. You care about the pawns you use. I don’t know if that makes you weaker than them but it’s enough that I don’t want you to stop here.”

He stood up and began to make his way to the messenger’s tent. 

“The only way I can put you out of their reach is to sell you. The bickering lords of Tietus will pay handsomely for the right to own you. Perhaps…if you are able. You will escape slavery.”

He turned back one last time before walking out.

“It has been an honor being your opponent Mordane Stronghoof.”

The flap closed. Mordanes eyes never flickered and there was none to hear him.
> Extra chapter: Map of the land below the great divide.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


> On slavery in Tietus
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mordane sat with the pitter-patter of rain dripping down his legs. He felt the other pony huddling in the corner shivering and whimpering. Her torn hat pulled low on her head.

A unicorn, he believed, but that didn’t matter.

Nothing really mattered. 

 I failed 

It was like a rabid dog gnawing at him, biting him. Every moment growling and snapping at his ears. Tearing into his mind.

Failure. He had run from it so long. Yet what did he have to show for it? Bruised and blackened. Fields- no, MOUNTAINS- of bodies piled up, the blood pooling over him, staining it all black.  The whispers in his mind.

His parents dead or captured. Twilight betrayed. Starcharmer. Now Stalker. 

The pressure was too much, more than he could carry, more than he could bear. His chest heaved. A small gasp. The tears although, wouldn’t come. They were gone, washed away. So he sat and trembled in the dark and under the rain.

Warmth. The other pony plopped down next to him and pulled in a hug. For once Mordane didn’t think and he pulled the mare close.  Her face ended pressed up to his. The warm tears falling onto his cheek as her hat blocked out the rain.

“W-warmth.” She stammered.

“Warmth” Mordane replied.

He held her till’ the rain stopped, till her tears dried. He held her as he tried to remember the exact moment his heart died.

Mordane didn’t remember going to sleep. Blessedly it was a dreamless sleep. Even as the sun came up and his fur warmed he laid there ignoring the murmurs all around him.

His wing was still draped over the pony next to him. The mare stared.

He moved his wing and lifted it up to the sound of oohs and aahs.

Their cage was set at the foot of a stage and there were tens of dozens of ponies staring at him through the bars, children and parents alike.

Standing, he ignored the creak in his right knee and the ponies to focus on the mare scooting and wobbling looking at him.

“Name?” He asked abruptly.

“Trixie.” She lifted up her head “Trixie Lulamoon.”

“I am Mordane.” He looked around the market. Judging by the crowd it seemed that selling had actually been going on for a while.

The crowd parted and two guards arrived. Wordlessly they opened the cage and motioned for them to get out. Trixie complied without question and so Mordane followed.

They were lead up to a stage were a grinning slave merchant was giving an introduction.

“Never in all my years have I seen a pony such as this. All three races in one! You have heard of this mercenary who scoured villages and burned bridges all for gold! Never again will you have the opportunity to buy... THE WARLORD STRONGHOOF!" The crowd gasped making the slaver smile even more, “I am starting the bidding at one thousand bits!”

“One thousand bits!” 

“One thousand fifty!”

Mordane looked around and noted the slave auction was being held in a market, where two roads met. Villagers probably came here often. Looking to the back of the crowd he saw another raised platform at the back. Guards standing around it as servant fed three walking fashion disasters.

Subtlety didn’t seem to be a word either the mare or the two stallions had ever heard. They were each sitting in different open carriages adorned with velvet and partially see through curtains. Which he made the mental assumption must have spells upon them to be practical in this climate.

One of the stallions whispered to his help standing nearby.

“My master Count Stuliad offers two thousand bits!”

“Two thousand one hundred!”

“I ask for confirmation of the magical potential of the stallion.” The wealthy mare behind the curtain didn’t raise her voice, to Mordane it seemed as if she had simply been standing beside him, whispering into his ear. It almost seemed to be trying to climb up under his skin. 

In his heart he felt a stirring, something pushing through to the surface. Instead of being pushed by it he held it in contempt. What had knowledge ever done to help him save anyone.

“I am sorry my lady. But this merchandise blew his horn during the battle. If you wish you may send a trusted servant up.”

Mordane stood still and waited as a pony with a stiff upper lip strode onto the stage. He was quite old but still projected an air of strength. 

Smoothly he lifted up Mordane’s mane revealing the metal magical suppressor.

He tapped it before taking off the strap.

There were oohs and aahs at his broken horn by the front row. The stern pony quickly touched the back making Mordane wince before turning and nodding his confirmation. Then he quickly left the stage.

“And the wings?”

“Of course.” Mordane felt the slave master move up to him and whisper in his ear before attaching a chain to his neck collar “I will activate the pain rune unless you show them you can fly.” 

Mordane felt his wings claps loosen.  He stretched them and then quickly snapped them back to his side to hover for a few moments. 

The crowd began to mumble. Seemingly unconvinced so Mordane decided to show them a trick Rainbow Dash used to do.

With a sudden thrust of his wings forward then back he lashed out at them with a gust of wind. Blowing back scarves and knocking off hats. They all gasped and took a step back. 

He wasn’t looking at them though. He was looking at the mare behind the curtain. It was blown back by his gust and revealed for a few moments a startled pony. She was covered head to foot in cloths of fine make and golden lined gems.

It was impossible to determine her race. Not with so little time and so much covered. Her eyes though were bright green.

“Fourteen thousand for him and the blue unicorn.”

“My-lady, the other patrons…”

“Twenty thousand then.” The shadow moved as if she was rubbing her own temple. “I bore of this.”

The crowd was nearly in an uproar. One could barely hear over them the other potential buyers. The slave master didn’t wait. 

“Accepted, the Warlord Stronghoof and one Unicorn to Duchess Stormfoot of Brightonhall.”

Mordane was pushed by and corralled to a different cage with the mare called Trixie already waiting. He stepped inside calmly and turned to sit.

The mare Trixie kept her head low and gave him sideway looks at his wings. Her brow was furrowed slightly.

“Speak your piece.” Mordane spat.

“Are you the warlord Stronghoof?” She said through gritted teeth.

He scowled and squared up against her.

“That is what they called me. First time I am hearing it. Seems accurate though.” 

She squared up to him too. Her horn was lowered in an attack position. 

“It was you who destroyed Trixie’s cart! You are the reason she is here!”

“Oh.” Mordane’s ears drooped. “You mean from my scavenging parties yes?”

“Yes!” She snarled. “What do you have to say to Trixie!”

Mordane sat down on his rump and sighed. The coldness was ice in the summer heat. Drained away with little concern for propriety and social nuance.

“I have nothing to say.” He whispered “Many ponies were hurt by my actions. It is done. I cannot change that. I already lost everything.”

“That’s it? No apology?” She made a face as if she was swallowing lemons. “Trixie is a slave now, most likely for the rest of her life.” She sat down, her ears drooping. “How can you not say anything?”

Mordane closed his eyes and considered for a moment. He tried to think of something to say. Tried to think of anything to make him lie. But he couldn’t, not anymore, not even to himself.

“I would do it again.”

Trixie froze, her fur standing on end.

“In war you win or you fall. My army needed food, gold and yes, carts. Otherwise, the army would have fallen. If I could march an army so far without stealing I would but that is not reality, not without a massive nation to support you.” He looked into her eyes and gave a small smile. “Kindness is the luxury of the strong. My defeat should make it clear. I was not strong.”

Perhaps two days passed as he and Trixie were carted along bumpy roads surrounded by guards, and behind their new mare owner.

Two days without food or water.

Mordane was able to rationalize this. It was a simple way to force compliance. To deny the essentials of life for no reason then offer them back for good service when the prisoners were desperate. It made sense. 

Every morning, noon and night a guard would come up to them and wash a spell over them. His skin prickled under the sensation. Without his magical sense he couldn’t even tell the nature of the spells. On the second day though, immediately after the spell they brought a cup of water to Trixie. The mare had taken the sudden starvation badly. Growing more desperate as the hours had ran on.

Mordane sat in the corner and thought about things. 

He seemed to be doing a lot of that during battle. Just thinking and letting what happened happen. From habit he quickly ran over possible escape plans but couldn’t think of any. He would try to think of the future and just kept drawing blanks.

“M-Mordane.” Whispered Trixie, shivering. “I-I need to be near you. I’m freezing.”

“You appear to be entering the first stage of starvation.” He sat behind her and wrapped his hooves and wings over her wet fur. “Your body is cutting back on energy consumption. You can’t shiver, costs too many calories.”

“Don’t-” She swallowed “don’t you think I know that?”

“No idea.” 

She sat silently in wrapped in his warmth. 

“Don’t think of doing anything.” She glared back over her shoulder. “I’m not that kind of mare.”

“I am not interested in you Trixie. I am doing this solely to help you.”

“Why?”

“I’m not sure.” He shrugged “Usually I’d be thinking about how to control you, or get something from you. Now, I just can’t bring myself to care.”

“You are depressed, Trixie thinks.”

“No, that isn’t right. I’m just… Directionless. There is nothing for me to do.” He rested his chin on her shoulder. “I used to care about saving my family from Celestia.”

"The princess knows about you?”

Mordane chuckled. Trixie wasn’t a dull cookie.

“Yeah, reason I ran. Always wanted to control my own destiny. Celestia was concerned about hers.”

A guard walked up seemingly angry. Mordane spoke before he could refute them though.

“Your master’s unicorn is suffering from starvation. She cannot make enough heat to keep herself warm. Please bring her food.”

The stallion stopped and didn’t say anything. His eyes tinted with pity. Turning he walked away.

A few minutes later he returned. Two loaves of bread and a bucket of water in his wings.

“Your master has decided to show mercy and break tradition to feed and water you before arrival. Do not abuse her kindness and consider it weakness.”

Mordane nodded and reached out with a hoof and pushed the bucket in front of Trixie as he held the loaves off the dirty cage floor. 

The mare practically dove into the bucket and took two long droughts before Mordane pulled her head out. Water dripped off her mane onto the floor.

“Easy! You don’t want to get sick. Here, eat a few bites of bread.” He shoved it into her hooves.

“Trixie-” She gasped “Trixie is no child.”

“Then don’t act like it.” Mordane picked up the bucket and sipped himself two mouthfuls of water, careful not to spill any. “There is enough water here for two days. Should be enough if they expected us to go without water the whole time.”

The two sat silently as the wagon continued along.

_____________________________________________________________________________________


When a soul suffers again and again the mind begins to harden, hope dies. Without love there can be no hope to flame these embers again.

They take on a heart of stone. They are reduced to beings whose fears and questions have been stripped from them or they die.

The line had arrived at a city. One Mordane remembered as the one where he saved Boulder. Yet this time he didn’t enter through the main gate but a much smaller and fancier one leading to High Point. The community of the rich.

Nobles and wealthy merchants all held homes in the district. It was cornered off from the rest of the city and much to Mordane’s surprise, far cleaner. It was still revolting but the streets were obviously swept regularly. 

They were taken to one of the mansions near the back entrance to the castle. 

 Closer to the seat of power means more powerful. 

_______________________________________________________________________________


They were lined up against the wall in the back courtyard by a minotaur. He tried to focus but he just couldn’t. He felt empty.

“I do not know where you four come from.” Said a well-dressed pony. “I am the head servant here at the mansion. Whoever you were, forget them. For now on you are a slave.”

He stopped in front of Mordane and glared at him.

“Escape is impossible. Those collars and binds suppress your magic and would allow the master to have you found and brought back. If she must I am to inform you that it would be… unpleasant.”

Mordane stared forward as another pony was brought out. A wide eyed earth pony with a red coat. His fur was dirty and rough. A scab under his right eye. Mordane did nothing as the rest of the line flinched and gaged as the slave was thrown to the ground and trampled by the two guards who had brought him there. The screaming continued for a full minute before suddenly coming to a stop. 

The prim and proper pony stepped over the bloody crumpled form of the now dead pony as one would a bump on the road.

“That former slave tried to escape. Him and three other were killed this way. Tonight their bodies go to the pit.”

Mordane suddenly cocked his head in confusion as a jeweled necklace was pulled from the servant’s suit and placed around the pony’s broken neck.

“The beast is always hungry.”

Everypony shuddered. Flashes of recognition in the other slaves only served to confuse Mordane more.

 What is this about a beast in a keep? Why the necklace? 

He snapped back to attention as the dead pony was pulled by the guards into a cart and over to a stone slab. Three ponies with poles had shown up and began to work the slab off.

A foul stench of blood filled the air. A deep growl that shook him to the bone came out.

“ A meal? It’s been some time. ”

The pony was unceremoniously dumped into the hole. Everyone listened in horror as you could hear the crunching of bones even as the stone slab was pushed back into place.

“Serve our master well and you will live comfortably. The guard will show to you to the slave quarters. You will receive instructions in the morning. Cleanse yourselves before then.”

Trixie was trembling. Along with many others. For Mordane he could detach himself from the situation. Think logically about the horrible. So while they were lead around the magnificent house he was trying to pin down something nagging him.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

The slave quarters were little more than a shack with cots and a large tub. Big enough for three ponies to use at a time. Mordane went to the well and began drawing water immediately to fill it. Most of the others seemed at a loss, doing nothing. He didn’t wish to use others bath water to stay clean. 

There was one pony however that came out to help him about ten minutes into the task, a bucket hanging around her neck like his from the tool shed.

“Tr- I do not like to be dirty.”

Mordane nodded and pulled the well bucket up a second time for Trixie.

“Best to go with the flow. No use in obstinate defiance.” He wrinkled his nose. “Plus I’d rather get an inside job and not have to work the garden.”

“I am surprised to hear you use that word, obstinate. Trixie thought a brute like you from this land wouldn’t know anything besides fighting.”

“Killing.” Mordane grunted as he poured the bucket into the tub “I know killing. I’m not from these parts though.”

“Where is the brute from then?”

“Equestria.” He smiled a bit and looked off to the north. Trixie snorted.

“That is where you got the idea for the wings Celestia?” she smiled. 

“I was born with these wings.” His eyes hardened.

“If that were true then you would have been a student of the princess.” Trixie grinned “Those fake wings can’t fool me.”

Mordane stepped in front of her. Suddenly she could see his eyes like a furnace glaring into her.

“I would never give that bitch even one honest bow. I hid and I ran to escape her shadow.” He turned to the side presenting his bound wing. “Feel them. Look at my legs. Tell me that I am no alicorn.”

Trixie hesitated before sitting down her bucket and moving her hooves to run along his wing joints. She felt the muscles bunch up. She moved down to his leg and could feel the slightly different shape of an earth pony hooves.

She stepped back frowning.

“Trixie can find no scars….no magic runes.” She looked into his eyes. “I didn’t think that it could be true that somehow you where faking.”

“You saw yourself. Though not as well as I might. Hiding didn’t give me much flying experience. I have to use my magic to go any decent speed.”

Trixie went back to her bucket. Her mouth still open and began to fill up the bath again. Afterwards the both of them hopped in and began to use a block of soap to clean themselves.

Suddenly, Trixie stomped, splashing everywhere.

“Why would you leave?”

Mordane glared at her.

“Clean yourself Trixie.”

The two of them continued cleaning themselves.

That night the whispering crowd made it difficult to sleep but he still made himself rest.

_____________________________________________________________

Mordane stretched his neck. Trying not to think too hard. Maybe he would take a bath. His ears twitched.

“You missed everything!” 

“I’m- I’m sorry.”

A guard was standing over Trixie. He had his whip drawn and was waving it over her. 

Mordane didn’t think. He simply moved across the yard in an instant. 

The guard raised his whip.

Mordane stepped between them causing the soldier to redirect his blow.

“What in Tartarus are you-“

Mordane stepped close. His eyes locked onto the guard’s. Eyes empty and devoid of anything. 

The guard froze.

“Excuse me sir.” He gave Trixie a push. Mordane quickly moved her away from the soldier and over into the barracks leaving the guard behind.

Once inside Trixie breathed a sigh of release. Wrapping herself in her arms.

“Sleep well Trixie.” Mordane said offhand before trotting back out to take a bath.

______________________________________________________________

The next Morning they were woken up to a loud banging. Then they were sent off under other slaves. Apiece. The first two and Mordane where sent with some guards. Trixie was taken by a maid.

They were lead out of the city and directed toward a large field where several dozen other ponies were working. 

"You new?" Asked an old stallion after Mordane was pushed beside him and thrown a hoe.

"Aye." Mordane grunted. Immediately getting to work. "Been awhile though."

"Well you never forget it." The stallion stopped and drank from the communal water bucket. "Still. Miss working my own farm."

Mordane nodded and got to work. None of the slaves made any comment on his wings or horn. Though a few noted his work as he shoveled the dirt.

"You got the touch." Spoke up a stallion across from him. "Lucky for you I suppose. Many of us are just cut pegasi."

That gave Mordane pause. Suddenly taking notice of the scars across many of the ponies back and their narrowish frame.

"Do you think they will cut mine?"

"Don't know why they haven’t already...Maybe you are just too valuable."

Mordane grunted and kept working. 

 A few weeks ago and I'd be only thinking about escape. 

Now though his mind turned back north. To the life he had left and his little cabin. Safe with a clean bed and steady income. Yes he had to live under Celestia, but at least it wasn't this.

 Funny. I left to escape being under her control. Now I'm a slave. 

He thought back to commanding that army and to Trixie. How many others had he condemned through his actions. How many where buried in early graves.

All around him ponies where toiling away. The air smelled of sweat and despair. He remembered the smell of Pinkie’s sweets and Applejack’s Cider.

 Heh, could use some of that now... all these ponies coul- 

A whip cracked like hot iron against his back.  He gasped.

"Faster! Or you won't get any water!"

Mordane pushed through the pain and worked faster.

Now he took note of the guard standing behind him. 

It was the guard from the day before.

Undoubtedly he would make sure to work him into submission. He noted the other guards nearby all glancing at him.

 Ah, they want to break me. Funny thing is I'm not sure there is anything left to break. I remember when Twilight tried to push me. Make me cast more. I was always afraid to go full out with her. My growing strength was a problem. Maybe if I had been more focused on study we would have made it to spell binds. 

Another whip across his back. Mordane staggers.

"I said faster!"

Mordane didn't respond. He just kept on digging. A hot stream seeming down his thigh from where he had been struck.

 I'm glad Spike isn't here. Guy couldn't take seeing this. Always was a softy. 

The other slaves where scooting as far from him as possible. Wide eyed as the guards began whipping him repeatedly. Trying to gain some reaction out of him. Mordane though wasn't there. He collapsed and still wasn't there. The pain had become a dull throb. Hitting him ever few seconds.

 I miss Sweetie belle. Applebloom. I miss them all. 

"I SAID GET UP AND GET DIGGING!"

"Sir! You are going to kill him!"

There was a thud as the whipping stopped. Mordane could hear the guards arguing but the words had no meaning.

Mordane accepted it. All of it. The suffering he had caused. The cruelty.

Mordane heard the stallion rear back to hit him again. He sidestepped, eyes still closed, and stopped.

He felt no anger. No fear. No rage. 

Only calm. Calm like the wind and solid as the earth as he sidestepped the whip again and stepped in.

His eyes flashed open to stare through the helmet holes of his guard. Glaring with stone cold eyes. The guard intuitively pulled back mid swing and tumbled backward into a mud hole. 

Mordane stared at him for a moment. Trembling in his armor. He looked at all the other guards. The fear that was already there on full display.

 They are afraid of me. Of the Warlord. 

He tasted the name, just for an instant before turning back to begin his toil.

The name tasted good and for the first time darkness consumed him.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Mordane was awake. He couldn’t remember waking up.

“You’re awake.” Someone choked.

Mordane turned his head to see Trixie over him. Bags under her eyes.

“Trixie?”

“Mordane.” She turned and brought out a cup of steaming liquid “Drink this.”

“Thank you.” He said slowly pushing himself up to a sitting position. He reached back and felt the bandages over his throbbing back. The pain of the whipping rising back out of his mind. He winced.

“You were hurt because you helped me…thank you.” 

Mordane sighed

“Think nothing of it.”

“But why?” She said causing Mordane to raise an eyebrow “Why did you help me?”

“…” Mordane groaned and rubbed his hair vigorously. “You remind me of someone…Someone I met long ago.”

“Oh.” Trixie slid back into her normal haughty air. “Truly she must have been great for me to remind you.”

Mordane looked down at his hooves eyes lidding slightly in memory.

“She was.”

“It’s too bad…you will not be able to get back to her.” Trixie’s eyes folded down. “I wish there was a way to escape. I’ve tried every way to get this collar off.”

Mordane looked up and cocked his head to the side.

“There is a way.” 

“How!?”

“I could make an enchantment to cancel the signal from the master stone. At least long enough for us to get out of its range.” He sighed “But we would need a unicorn who can charge it.”

Trixie suddenly puffed up her chest.

“The amazing Trixie has found a way to use magic despite her restraint!”

“…how?” 

“Well.” Trixie stammered collapsing back into herself slightly. “I uh-“

“Because the horn restraints are calibrated to your strength. Any energy above you lowest gain is counteracted.”

“Yes… Well, Trixie may have… Lied about her strength to the pony she was taking a loan from.”

“Again. How?”

“Trixie…may have used an illusion spell to make him think she was a pyromancer.” Mordane sighed again.

“And so you were given too high of a gain on your restraint. If so at the right output you could maintain a spell.” Mordane leaned back against the wall behind him. “Where would I go though?”

Trixie closed her mouth quickly. Her eyes flicked around before refocusing on him.

“What about the mare you know.”

“She is dead.” He opened his eyes for a moment “You have her hair.”

"Then could you do it for me?”

“Why would I do it for you?”

Trixie frowned and put both her hooves onto the bed.

“I am here because of you.”

Mordane froze.

“Are you not going to take responsibility?”

Mordane blinked.

“Wut?”

______________________________________________________________________________________________


"The Master demands your presence."

Mordane nodded. It had been three days since the whipping. He was resting after the head slave had seen his wounds and cursed the guards. This sudden demand for him to be brought before her would have made him run off a million scenarios before, but now he was just focused on how strange this unnatural calm felt. Calm of spirit and of mind.

He could accept that he just didn’t know what was going to be. So he would deal with it as it came.

They took him into the house and Firm Stroke was waiting for them just inside the door with cologne and a brush.

He quickly started tidying up Mordane and generally filling him with contempt for the pony.

“Despite my warnings your good behavior and manners has convinced the Master that you are ready to enter her presence and serve at her leisure. You will do whatever she says. You will not look her in the eyes. You-“

Mordane tuned him out at that point. Instead, he considered the room around him and the pony that would make it.

At first glance one could tell that the owner controlled vast amounts of wealth. Gold and jewels were placed as if presenting the auditorium. Laid casually as if one would spare change to be taken to buy some trinket or another. Paintings hung upon the entryways.

After being lead through the doors he could feel the vast space above him. Two full floors and an ornate staircase would undoubtedly instill awe in anyone visiting. The art became more ornate the farther in they went as guards patrolled the corridors.

Despite this ornate display of wealth Mordane felt something was off.

 Why would anypony go to such an extent to show off their wealth? Is it pride? Desire to be seen? No… then she wouldn’t keep herself covered. 

He was lead up to a small dining room. Then through a side door.

The change between the outside and inside of this part of the building was stark. While the other was obsolescent this one was all function. Well, function, as far as one could expect. There was far less art, no gold or jewels. Something clicked in Mordane’s head and he automatically filed it away for later into the back of his mind.

His fear was covered in a mass of apathy. Directionless, he had some ideas about what was about to happen but he just couldn’t bring himself to care.

After being pushed through another pair of doors he found himself in an office.

Nautical maps and road maps hung on the walls. Small ticks and symbols gave the impression of an extensive trade network. Sitting behind the desk was the mare who now owned him. Veil hung over her face and desk neat and clear.

“Mordane Stronghoof, commander, killer and pony of many races.” The Mare paused and he could faintly see a smile through her veil “I am Lady Swirl, your owner.”

Her voice was surprisingly harsh to Mordane. Not like a lady at all. It reminded him more of a caravan trader. He did not doubt that the bottom of her hooves was not without rough spots. His eyes flicked to said hoof as she motioned for a nearby servant made to hoof her a glass of wine.

Taking a small sip she swirled the liquid slightly. Though not with the vigor of someone who truly enjoyed it.

“Would you not prefer some hard cider?” Mordane smirked before catching himself.

She froze for a faction of a second, Mordane was certain, then she calmly sat down the glass.

“I can’t say I’m surprised that one from you walk of life would prefer such an indelicate drink. Perhaps you would like a glass?”

“No thank you. I don’t drink, save for when the situation suits it.”

“I insist.”

Mordane had a rather large glass of clear liquid in front of him. The pony behind him gave a slight shove indicating he would not be getting out of this.

He picked up the glass and drank it all. Steeling himself to not show anything resembling disgust. It burned as it rolled past the back of his troughs. Going down like a band of rampaging minotaurs. He exhaled solidly out of his nose despite his now burning lungs crying for more oxygen.

He breathed in before opening his eyes again and looking at the mare before him.

“There. I am sure that would take the edge off this stressful time.”

“Why did you buy me?”

A smack to the back of his head left him feeling as if a bell had been rung under his skull. He kept his eyes on the mare who still sat in front of him.

“Slaves do not question Masters.” She took another sip of her wine. “You were working the fields. I’d like a recount of the whipping you received three days ago.”

“I was working and the driver ordered me to work faster than I physically could, then whipped me when I failed to comply. Then whipped me more due to his fear.”

The guards around him tensed up. As if ready to strike him. Mordane considered which one’s neck he would break before the mare cut in.

“That is correct.”

Mordane cocked his head to the side. 

“It is important that a slave knows that obedience will not be met with violence. That disobedience means pain. Both these must be true for a relationship such as ours to work.” She pointed at Mordane.

“However. This attitude of yours…usually there is some resistance from ponies who are used to being the masters who become the slave. Yet you do not balk. Why?”

Mordane looked up at the ceiling and considered his answer for a few moments.

“I have no reason to do so.”

“Do you not want freedom?”

“Not particularly.” He shrugged. “I tried to make my own way before. It ended in the death of my only two friends in the world. Right now I have no where I wish to be.”

“And if you did?”

Mordane considered for another moment. His mind beginning to get groggy from the high proof alcohol.

“Then I’d probably try to escape.”

“Ah, but what of your bindings. How would you escape without activating your collar?”

“Judging by the runes on them. They have a specific function. Seemingly activated at range.” Mordane replied politely. “I’m not sure exactly what that is though.”

“It’s simple, a drop of my blood on the associated rune in my vault and the collar activates. Killing you via suffocation.”

Mordane resisted the urge to reach up and rub his neck. Before suddenly realizing something. He smiled slightly.

“Oh? You find this funny. Don’t you realize that this means there is no escape?”

“I suppose I could just wait for you to die.”

Once again the mare skipped a beat this time her brow furrowed at the counter. Mordane knew that she was used to being the one directing the conversation.

“Excuse me?”

“Time is an enemy for most ponies.” Mordane replied calmly “For me it is an ally. In time you will age. In time you will die. In time your children will die. But I, I will live on as healthy as I am now.”

The mare blinked rapidly. A strange light entering her eyes.

“No one lives forever.” The mare sneered.

“I do.”

She glared over to the commander.

“Take this fool back to the fields. Work him till he drops.”

Mordane stood allowing himself to be lead out. Through the building and straight out to the field.
______________________________________________________________________________________________

Ten hours later Mordane collapsed with every muscle burning.

He was thrown into a bed and the next day it they took him out again.

And again.

 And again. 

   And again. 

Each day harder than the last.

The days began to blur together. Always there were guards around him. At first sneers and jeers would come from them. By the tenth day though the jeers had stopped.

He sustained on water and gruel. A mixture of oats, hay, apples, oranges, milk and nuts. It both looked and smelled like food out of the wrong pipe but eat it he did.

It was clear that she was trying to break him but Mordane didn’t feel mental stress from this. In fact it seemed logical to him. It wasn’t rage or spite nor any other emotion that allowed him to keep going.

It was the moments of silence that he dreaded. While eating his food, just before sleep. His mind would think back inside he would feel nothing but sorrow. Thought of nothing but his dead friends. Of his failures and trying to understand where he had gone wrong. 

He considered ending it all but knew that only hell would await him. 

The sadness did not sit like a stone, it wasn’t a roaring lion, it wasn’t a force dragging at him.

It was silence.

The sound of silence filled him. A silence he had not felt in decades. Not since he had two hands. 

The silence of one already dead.

On the fifteenth day he collapsed again. Earlier than ever before. 

He woke up two days later and once again he was taken out to the fields.

He moved stones, he plowed the fields. As time went on his strikes became firmer and more vicious. He struck the ground in fury. Demanding it give way.

Mordane lost track of the days. One came after the other. He became lost in thought.

The faces of the dead became his constant companion and he thought if perhaps he deserved this. 
______________________________________________________________________________________________

“We are heading in.”

Mordane stopped and looked back up at his guard. Snow beginning to encroach on his face.

“It’s getting dark we need to go back in.”

For the first time Mordane walked himself back to the slave bunks. 

The next day it happened again.

After that he found himself back in the normal ranks of slaves. The others giving a wide berth as he tore at the ground.

It surprised him when he was sent back with the rest of them after a six hour shift. For the first time in he didn’t know how long Mordane took a bath.  Before entering he doused himself in water. He had even taken the time to boil a few buckets of water to mix in.

“Mordane?” 

The stallion jerked over to see Trixie standing in on the edge of the tub. Her mouth hanging open.

“Correct.” He motioned her over. Trixie awkwardly got into the tub. 

“You, look different.”

Mordane grunted and continued to scrub the dirt out of his hair.

“What do you mean?”

“I can see muscle on you.”

Mordane paused then and looked down at himself. It was definitely true. The fat had been ripped right off of him. He wasn’t what anyone would call buff but he was in better shape than he had ever been.

“How long was I working?” Mordane asked starting up his scrubbing again. “I lost track.”

“Two months.” She said, trying to clean herself again. “Many were saying it would kill you. It would have killed anypony not an earth pony.”

Mordane grunted again. 

“What is it that you want Trixie?”

The Mare leaned in and Mordane paused to listen.

“Are you going to help me escape?”

“I am still uncertain.” Mordane sighed. “But-”

“You owe me.” She whispered. “And I owe you for helping me that time.”

Mordane shook his head.

“That rune would take a few hours to set up. I would need a hard lump of iron and a long time. Without my horn I’d have to talk you through it.”

“Just be ready.” She hissed before moving off.

Mordane sighed as more slaves got into the tub. Deciding he was clean enough he got out and headed off to walk around the premise.

He began to take note of the placement of guards and fences. There was a solid perimeter around the mansion. It was almost a small keep in itself. A short stone wall ran around the length of the perimeter with only three exit points. Guards held those. 

There weren’t that many guards considering the number of slaves though. Mordane sighed remembering the collars. Large breakouts where unlikely in this situation, and individuals would just be stomped down.
He had about four hours to himself. Many spent this time out in the fields. Growing their own food to supplement the gruel or to save and eventually buy their own freedom.

It reminded him of roman version of slavery. Very different from the southern united states or other places.

 What the hell am I doing…? 

He stopped and vigorously scratched his head. He had been planning. Thinking about how to escape. Kill the guards. Maybe charge the room with the owner in it.

 Anything you do will just get them killed.  He sighed. Eyes flicking toward the guards pretending to not follow him along the wall.  They have little chance anyway. Anyone who tries to bring me into it has no grasp of the situation. Without me, with me. Both ways they are doomed. 

He moved to the corner of the wall and laid his back against it. Sighing heavily and letting his head thump back against the stone.

He lightly growled and resuscitated himself. Then he clicked his teeth in frustration. He just couldn’t relax.

He hadn’t really tried to for so long that it felt unnatural. With a grunt he thought back while scratching his ear.

There was once a way he had used to relax and to focus. But it had been so long since it had worked for him. Since before his transformation.

Despite his reservations he leaned once again against the wall and closed his eyes before lifting his hooves and clicking the bottom of them together. A quick prayer and he focused. Breathing deeply he called out into himself.

He reached for the core. He breathed.

A walnut in his throat, his legs were like noodles and his fur ruffled as goosebumps ran up and down his spine.

 Distractions, don’t think, accept your feelings and push on. 

He resisted the urge to grind his teeth at how hard this was. He used to be able to live in this state. In the calm.

So he pushed again.

Images of Stalker and all those he had killed flashed like hot irons against his mind. He gasped and was almost literally thrown out of his meditation.

Sighing he stood up and shockingly walked back to his bed to sleep.

That night he found a bar of iron under his pillow.

The Slave forger watched him like a hawk. He had been transferred to a smelter on the same property as the farm held by his owner. The smith had him shoveling coal next to the blazing furnace.

The heat wasn’t as bad as the soot as the smithy had little insulation. Mordane, however enjoyed the job more than the digging of dirt.

Forging of copper and other metals was interesting to be sure but the stallion treated the making of steel almost as if it was holy. It took hours to pull the iron out of the raw ore. Impurities where a given and so it would take many cycles of reheating to make the iron pure enough.

For all the ore brought in perhaps one twentieth of it would be iron. By far most of the work they did with the precious metal was the melting down of old items made of it. Some had obviously been dug out of the ground from some ancient battle. Their historical significance was lost as he scrubbed them and threw them into a smelter.

This pushed home just how valuable the Iron bar was. How Trixie had gotten ahold of it was beyond him. It was always beyond what he would want to know as he doubted it was through clean ways.

Only two inches by five inches long, it could be considered a form of currency comparable to gold in the south. For this reason he had volunteered for the smithy job despite the terrible conditions. He would need to smelt the iron then pour the raw mixture into a mold he had made for the runes.

Yet his volunteering was the very reason that the Smith was watching him so obsessively. It would mean a whipping if even one thimble of iron went missing.

“I’ve tasted the fire.” Mordane said suddenly breaking the hours of silence. “It is a great angry greedy thing. It takes what it wants.”

He looked at the surprised stallion.

“I’d like to learn how to use fire to create.”

After that the stallion began to teach Mordane how to work the forge.

Perhaps he commented by the end of the day, his mark would be a hammer and tongs. Mordane doubted that. He doubted he would ever get a mark. It was something he had put aside a year ago.

It took time but in a few weeks he was alone with the forge. 

It was a month until he would have enough confidence to pour the mold without being caught or as he discovered from the lessons with enough skill to not crack it.

Miss Swirl called him in again exactly three months since she had bought him. He had been taken to a room before and scrubbed down by three maids before being taken to her. 

“Sit.”

He obeyed the simple command; sitting in the chair surrounded by many guards. The tension in the room was noticeably higher than the last time. He looked at the guard standing to his right as he sat down. It must have been in how tightly he was locking his knees or perhaps the stone wall behind his eyes.

“Good evening Miss Swirl.” He said simply. A smack to the back of the head immediately harder than last time. Hard enough to almost throw him from the chair.

“You will address the Mistress as my Lady.” Snapped the head butler slave.

“My Lady.” Mordane replied calmly moving back to the upright position. 

Mordane noted this time she was not drinking. Nor fiddling with no concern. Not that she wasn’t doing anything. It was that her nonchalant attitude came across as forced. It was obvious in how she eyed him.

“By what I’ve been told.” She continued “That you have performed your tasks exactly, without complaint and with great effort.”

Mordane cocked his head to the side. This certainly wasn’t a direction he would have predicted the conversation would take. Miss Swirl leaned over the desk before continuing.

“Which seems rather strange. Don’t you agree?”

“Not particularly no.”

She laughed, chuckled really. She then leaned back in her chair and turned to her butler.

“Do you think we were cheated?”

“It seems quite a possibility Miss.” The butler sniffed “He certainly doesn’t act like the necromancer killer. Frankly I expected more.”

Mordane stiffened and she laughed again.

“Raising the dead indeed. This colt doesn’t even have a cutie mark.”

“Such a low life. It is hardly surprising my lady.”

“Indeed, he must be of low breeding.” She smiled innocently with a glint in her eye. “What have you to say about this Mordane?”

Mordane was glaring. His lip turned into a slight sneer as his anger bubbled up through the apathy.

“If either of us has ‘low breeding’ I would say it is the earth pony trader masquerading as a noble.”

Instantly the room went cold. Cold as ice as everyone froze. Save for the mare. She narrowed her eyes. The desk creaked as her muscles bunched.

She jerked her head to the guard then knocked lightly on the wood twice.

Mordane actually was knocked from his chair this time. He couldn’t react as the guards jumped him. He wanted to curl up but instead he laid belly down, taking the blows.

“That’s enough.” The stallions pulled back and Mordane stood. Blood dripped to the floor but he stood. There was a terrible pain coming from his ear and he was certain that he would be extra sore the next day.

He looked right where the Masters eyes would be and looked over his shoulders at one of the guards.

“You got something to say.” The guard asked.

Mordane simply looked back forward. Ignoring the pony.

“Pathetic.” She shook her head. “Truly pathetic. Where is the fire I heard of? The dark necromancer who would be king? The pony able to bend an army of mercenary to his will. Who put down a rebellion with a fourth the ponies and without losing a single soldier.”

Mordane blinked then closed his eyes slowly before answering.

“He died at the foot of that mountain.” He opened them again and locked eyes with her. “He died along with his soldiers.”

“Get out.”

Mordane stood up and walked out. The guards ended up behind him. As he passed a maid she lifted a hoof to cover her mouth.

Mordane’s ear twitched, he ignored it.

Instead thinking back to what just happened.

 Bitch. What was she even trying to do? 

He calmed down fast enough and began to deconstruct the series of events. 

 Ah, shaming. She was trying to shame me. 

“Mordane.” 

Mordane started taking note of his surroundings. He was outside. Around back near the kitchen where Trixie worked. He had been standing there for a few minutes.

 Why did I come to Trixie? 

“Your ear!” She gasped “Stay still”

Trixie ran back into the house and quickly returned with a needle and thread. Mordane was already sitting and didn’t even move as she started sewing.

“Thank you Trixie.” He said calmly.

“I’m not doing this for you.” She glared suddenly. “I may need your help getting out of here.”
Mordane sat quietly as she continued before responding.

______________________________________________________________________________________________


Mordane hobbled into his hammock and rubbed his bruise from a rock that had been made close acquaintances with his rib.

He laid down and closed his eyes to sleep.


Mordane was on the shore, on the bench, on the beach.

He found himself flying and swimming. Always moving, running from something. It was behind him, always behind him.

He found himself in a valley. At the fortress.

Stalker and Boulder’s bodies hanging over him in the sky.

“You can’t run from me anymore.”

“I know.” He whispered. Not wanting to turn. “I have ran for far too long.”

He turned to face himself.


“Mordane.”

Mordane cracked open his eyes. There was light filtering down through her hair. Blue light and-

“Star charmer?”

“It’s Trixie.” She hissed. “It’s time to go.”

Mordane paused for a few moments, considered going back to sleep he shook his head before standing up.

“Very well.”
______________________________________________________________________________________________

The Sun hung low in the horizon. Its lemon light darkening to a red as the two shadows moved into the building.

They moved through the maid corridors and up onto the third floor.

“Where are we going” Mordane whispered.

“Quite.” She sniffed “Trixie considered abandoning you but due to her good graces you may come with her.”

“Yes, but I am curious about your plans. Where are your other compatriots?”

“Trixie needs no other compatriots…besides Mordane to make the enchantment.”

“Yes but the plan.”

“Here is the plan.” 

She stepped up near a window.

“Trixie has set fire to the Owners quarters where the enchantment stones are.”

...

“Wut.”

“Trixie will cause a riot then we can escape in the chaos!”

The mare turned and opened the window before stepping out onto the windowsill. Her chest puffed out and eyes shining.

“Slaves! Today is the day you are free! Rise u-!”

Mordane dragged her back from the window. His mind was set ablaze like a bonfire as he instinctually felt a thousand possibilities fold away.

The die was cast.

“What are you doing to Trixie!”

“Idiot!  The range of the enchantment is only ten feet! Are you trying to get ponies killed!?”

“But-” She fiddled for a bit. “We could run…”

“No one is going to riot.” Mordane groaned “A riot is something you get going weeks in advance. Not by yelling into the night as they are tired from a long day’s work!”

A bell began to ring. Soldiers could be heard shouting at slaves to get to their barracks. Mordane could hear some ponies rushing around downstairs. Then there where shouts about a fire.

“We must go!” Mordane grabbed Trixie and got her to start running with him. 

A soldier came around the corner behind them.

“You! Stop!”

They moved around the corner and down some stairs. Before suddenly being cut off.

“Which way did they go?” Mordane could hear a group of guards around the next corner. His eyes flicked down as Trixie’s horn began to glow ever so slightly.

There was a loud pop off in the distance.

“Over there!” He heard them run down some other corridor and so Mordane and Trixie moved around the corner then dodged into a hallway that he hadn’t been under.

It ran a short ways then into a door. They ran through and found themselves in a closet.
“Dammit.” Mordane let go of Trixie’s hoof before turning around. 

Only to face three guard ponies and they see him.

He slammed the door shut and grabbed a dresser before pushing it over to block the door.
“What do we do?” Trixie asked.

Mordane stood there panting. Trying to think.

 How did I get into this mess? Oh yeah.  He glanced up at Trixie.

 No, It wasn’t her fault…I’m the one that gave her the iron rune. I enabled her. 

The banging on the door got louder. The wood creaked. He could see the trembling form of Trixie. He tried to think of a way to get them out but couldn’t. They would be killed. Fed to the monster in the pit.

 It’s just like last time  He straightened, eyes widening.   Just like last time….and I won’t be responsible for my team dying again. 

“Give me the rune.” Trixie began to fumble with her saddlebag “Quickly!”

Trixie finally got it out. Mordane picked her up and she let it drop to the floor.

“What?” Mordane aimed for the small window and with a grunt lifted her to it.

“Go.” He hissed “Save yourself.”

Trixie didn’t wait. She fumbled with the latch before sliding out the window. Mordane listened intently and heard her get up and run away.

 I did it.  Mordane thought as the door splintered behind him.  I saved one. 

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Tap

drip

Tap

Drip

Mordane listened to the dripping sound. His ear wound had opened again after receiving a kick from the guards coming through the door. He had been quickly dragged up to the Lady Swirls office and thrown into the chair. There was no doubt about it. There would be no shared glass of brandy this time.

“I’m quite surprised Mordane.” The mare shook her head “I would have thought better of you.”

“Oh? Well it could have gone better I suppose. Did you enjoy my work on the rune?”

The mare chuckled.

“Who would have thought that a mercenary would know how to enchant iron? So few ever have real access to it. Plus you were not wearing enchanted armor.”

“Makes it harder to collect energy. Armor sucks it up all the time.” He turned his head and spat out a tooth before grinning. “Been wondering when that one would work itself loose.” 

“I do wonder though…” She leaning forward slightly. “Who it was you got to help you.”

“That would be no one.” Mordane leaned back. “I learned back at the castle to only trust yourself.”

“Please,” She snorted. “No pony with both a broken horn and restraint could have hoped to push through enough magic to power this thing. No pony could have acquired the iron legally after only a few months without selling themselves to more than chains.”

Mordane sat quietly. Frowning. Then he glared at her and leaned forward.

“I am Mordane. I need no help.”

The mare searched his eyes before sighing and leaning back.

“It doesn’t matter. No matter your value I can’t let the attempted starting of a riot slide.”

She scooted back her chair and stood up before walking around the table. Mordane could clearly see her face through the cowl as she smiled.

“It has been fun Mordane.” She turned to the guards “Gather the slaves. To the pit with him.”
Mordane was dragged to the bottom of the house and into the dungeon. The cell was dirty and dark. Three guards were placed to guard him through the night.
______________________________________________________________________________________________

The next morning Mordane was lead out early to the field. Quite a many slaves were waiting for him. 

There was a stand hanging over the now fully open hole. Without any prodding he moved onto the trapdoor. Ready to be dropped.

He had a few moments of calm to breath. In the back of the crowd, he saw Trixie. Her eyes were red. Obvious tears pouring from her eyes.

“Mordane Stronghoof.” Spoke up the head slave. “Has been caught trying to escape. Does the condemned have anything to say?”

Mordane considered it for a few moments before deciding to respond.

“I have loved. I have lost. I have killed again and again. I’m certain that I will find myself in the pit of fire if so then it was just. I have done little good, save that I saved a life once. I can only pray that he has mercy on my soul and sees fit to free those chained as I am.”

Mordane lowered his head. The headmistress voice could be heard suddenly from behind him.

“Bare this to the beast.” Mordane felt as her hooves attached what he could only assume was some kind of jewelry around his neck. 

Mordane had a moment more as she stepped back. He looked at the trees. The clouds. The wall. The slaves. Trixie.

He pulled it all in. It bore into his mind.

 I’m okay. I’m okay with this. 

The door dropped.





> The Pit
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mordane gasped. He was in a pool of water. He struggled to swim and got his head above the water, but he still couldn’t see.
 
As he began to flail, his hoof caught onto the edge of something hard. Using that, he pulled himself up onto land.
 
He sat on a cool floor, panting and blinking rapidly, waiting for his eyes to adjust.
 
A deep voice shook his entire being, but he still managed to scramble to his feet. He peered into the darkness, trying to see what was going to eat him. 

“They finally sent one down?”
 
Mordane felt his heart turn into a jackhammer, but even so, he stood strong and looked forward. He knew that his death was imminent, but he wasn’t afraid. No, he was calm. Images of Trixie flashed through his mind.
 
If I am going to die, it will not be as a cowering fool. 
 
“Are you going to run, little pony?” The voice grumbled from the darkness as his eyes continued to adjust.
 
“No.”
 
“Many have said that before.” The creature laughed. “Until...”
 
From the dark, an immense wall of flame leapt up, and Mordane saw the monster of the pit.
 
A dragon.
 
It was huge, larger than a Hydra. It dwarfed any dragon he had ever seen. Its scales were dark sapphire, wet and smooth. Like a mountain of the precious gems. The eyes were emerald green and they were glaring at him.
 
Mordane’s fur stood up on end. His wings hurt as they tried to rip out of his restraints instinctually, but he stood still and met the dragon's gaze.
 
The darkness returned; Mordane could hear the dragon moving through the dark.
 
Then suddenly a wall of teeth leapt from the shadows and snapped shut right in front of his face.

“Oh? A pony that refuses to flee. Useless as it is.” The voice shook him to his bones. Down to his core. “I am fascinated. What might this pony call itself?”
 
He looked up and down the dragon’s snout, taking note of the open mouth and rows of yellow teeth

“I am Mordane Stronghoof.” No tremor in his voice.
 
“Stronghoof? Old name.” The dragon chuckled. “Why are you not afraid, little pony?”
 
Mordane looked up and down the dragon’s length stretching into the darkness and met its eyes. Any thoughts of lying were gone in an instant. Those eyes seemed to pierce his skin and dig into his soul. Anything but the whole truth, and he would wish for quick death.
 
“I am afraid. Very afraid.” Mordane sat down on his haunches and let his ears drop. “It would be madness to not be afraid in front of such a being as you.”
 
“Yet you remain before me. You do not run.”
 
“Running would do nothing against one of such majesty as yourself. I decided that if I was going to die, then I’d meet the Creator eye to eye. That I wouldn’t cower.” Mordane hung his head. He had no expectations, no hope to live past that minute.
 
The ground rumbled and he felt a shadow blot out the light from above.
 
The dragon exhaled, hot wind rushing all over his fur and threatening to push him down. For a moment, he feared being burned alive.
 
An inhale, and the air reversed, turning frigid cold as his feathers and fur shook.
 
Then it happened again.

And again.
 
“You are an alicorn?” 

Mordane shook his head to try to get rid of the ringing, but the dragon spoke again. “I smell much on you. Blood, yours and not. More blood than I would expect from a pony. I smell another alicorn. Hmm…a dragon?”
 
The dragon pulled back, staring intently at Mordane. He took this moment to collect himself.
 
“Where have you met one of my kind before?”
 
Spike.
 
“I met him long ago.” Mordane inhaled again to calm himself, “He lived with my magic teacher who hatched him from an egg. The alicorn you smelled. His name was Spike.”
 
“Spike? “The dragon chuckled. “Pray tell how this pony found this dragon egg.”

Mordane shivered. There was an edge to the dragon’s tone that made him want to answer and not think. Like the sheer size of the being’s gravity pulled answers out of him.
 
“His egg was part of the entrance exam for Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. The unicorn in question would need to use magic to force his birth.”
 
“…No pony should be able to make a dragon egg hatch.”
 
“That was the point of the test. They only had one dragon egg. Many thought it was…infertile. Twilight, my teacher, was able to make it hatch when she had a magic surge along with acquiring her mark.”
 
“I…see.” The dragon looked troubled, almost uncertain.
 
Then her eyes locked onto Mordane’s.
 
“I am not so hungry today, Mordane Stronghoof. I suppose I’ll eat you in the morning. For now, follow me.”
 
Mordane shivered but didn’t even think of disobeying. Hesitantly, he followed the dragon as it moved back into the darkness.
 
_______________________________________________________________
 
 
The cavern turned out to have a hallway at the end of it, just big enough for the dragon to enter if she bent down.
 
“Don’t think I can’t reach you back there. I’ll just smack you with my tail and lick you up later.”
 
“…I won’t forget.”
 
Mordane kept his head facing forward, trying to think. His mind was sluggish. Like rusted gears, his mind had slowed with disuse, and it was hard to get it to focus again.
 
The dragon…She isn’t keeping me alive for a snack. It must be about something I said. 

He started grinding his teeth and thinking over their conversation
 
His eyes, though, turned to the walls of the hallway they were traveling down. The walls were far from the rough stone one would expect from a cave. In fact, it was obviously pony-made, smooth as could be expected with a dragon’s scales rubbing against it.
 
Even with long streaks in the stone writing could be made out. Mordane recognized ancient Equestrian, though he didn’t know enough to read it.
 
“These walls are old,” said the dragon, as if she could hear Mordane’s thoughts. “Older than even I. At one time they held all the power of Equestria. The grand council and the two sisters. Now it is only ruins, buried beneath rubble and sunk into the earth.”
 
“What buried it?”
 
“Celestia,” the dragon said, then sneered. “Celestia casted it down during the Nightmare War.”
 
They came to the end of the hallway into another great chamber with no other exits.
 
Mordane swallowed, hard.
 
On the other end of the room was a pile of jewels and gems. Huge by his pony senses, but small in comparison to the large dragon.
 
In the moments as Mordane walked to the pile of glistening treasure, he began to feel the truly ancient nature such a being. Even eating the occasional jewel, she still had so many. Perhaps thousands, no, tens of thousands of ponies had passed through her maw. He remembered her eyes looking at him, gleamed over, like she was looking at a piece of wood.
 
To her, I am nothing but an interesting meal.
 
The image of her snapping at him played in a loop in his head. The sudden wave of heat that washed over him from her moist breath. He hadn’t breathed, but he could almost smell her breath in the memory.
 
Fear tried to creep into his heart, but like before it just seemed unable to reach him. His heart slowed to normal, thudding along with his hooves.
 
“Place your necklace upon the pile.”
 
Mordane complied, taking off the valuable jewel and tossing it onto the pile before moving over to a pile of cloth, which he quickly realized was the discarded clothes of those that had come before him. Most seemed to be thick winter clothing.

The dragon circled the massive pile of gold three timed, strikingly similar to a dog. The heavy metal reformed to fit her bulk.
 
They sat across from each other like reflections, each lying comfortably atop the piles of the deceased.
 
“So, little pony. Tell me of the outside world before I retire.”
 
“Well…there was a war between Tietus and Irona. I fought as a mercenary for Tietus. After losing, though, they heaped the blame for the brutality of the war upon me.”
 
“Tietus and Irona have always fought; they hate each other. Stupid little ponies. The king of Tietus is the rightful heir of the lands of Herridon. It was about two hundred years ago when the king’s council led a rebellion to form their ‘democracy’. Weak. Just like their king who couldn’t hold them.” The dragon rumbled in irritation. “Speak of things more interesting, or I may go ahead and eat you.”
 
Mordane thought for a moment, then continued.
 
“I am sure that from others you have heard almost everything about the land above you. Perhaps you would prefer to hear about Equestria?”
 
“I was a citizen of Equestria, pony,” the dragon snapped. “This land IS Equestria.”
 
Mordane blinked and shifted his mindset.
 
“Of course, by all rights this land should be part of Equestria, but the fact that it is not, doesn’t mean that Equestria is no more. It has only been reduced to north of the great divide.”
 
The dragon blinked slowly before smiling.
 
“I see…” She let out a puff of smoke, then scratched herself before stretching. “Tomorrow you will tell me of Celestia’s Equestria. For now, sleep.”
 
The dragon closed her eyes and soon began to snore.
 
Mordane laid on the makeshift bed. Taking a moment to measure the lack of a fear. To remember the look on Trixie face and his thoughts before death.

He wondered, what was it he had been so afraid for all those years?

______________________________________

Fire. Fire everywhere. Pitch-black fields and ruins as far as he could see. Bodies of ponies and men strewn around. He stood in an empty riverbed.
 
Mordane recognized his inner self. The projection of his inner self anyway.
 
Looking down, he was surprised to see only his human hands. He opened and closed the appendages that he was originally born with.
 
They seemed almost alien, but still it felt right. It was good to have them again. He shakily stood up, took a few tenuous steps and got into stride. He began to follow the dry river of tears.
 
Mordane reflected on the purpose of tears as he walked. They were meant to signal weakness, to incite empathy and draw others close. He supposed that was why it was dry now. There was no one for him to turn to. No one to speak to about anything.
 
He was always alone.
 
“That is not true.”
 
Mordane turned to see something walking beside him. A pony.
 
“You had your friends. Spike, Twilight, then Stalker and Boulder.”

 He turned and glared at the construct.

“Even in a crowd, one can be alone, Kindness. That form doesn’t suit you. You are not Fluttershy. Go back to your human form.”

Suddenly the form changed to that of a young woman. One he had met many years before comming to Equestia.
 
“And you are not real. Only a part of me.”
 
“I-” The construct began.
 
“Be no more.”
 
And like dust, Kindness dispersed. He felt the aspect of himself resettle inside of his mind.

“I grow tired of this place.” Mordane growled. “I keep returning here. Why can’t I leave this part of me behind?”
 
Mordane walked for a few days, a few seconds, or maybe an hour. Time was a meaningless thing here, passing as quickly, or slowly as he desired.
 
The land was barren. It fit, he thought, as it reflected how he felt. The ruins all around him were washing away, running into the wind.
 
He came to the tower.
 
At the base of it, the withered skeleton[?] of the necromancer from years before lay. Dead and gone, never to return. Mordane remembered ripping into him, tearing constantly to take what he wanted. In a flash of insight, he realized that perhaps the reflection of the other pony had always been more. Whatever it was, it was a part of him now.
 
The dead form flowed into him as well and he moved on.-
 
The chamber was empty. Not a single idea vied for his attention. Not a plan was strewn on the table.
 
The glass window was broken. Letting that hot, moist wind flow throughout everything.
At the table sat three figures. Somehow each seemed more solid than ever before. Mordane understood. They had drawn in the other parts of himself. Somehow he knew that they were the only four parts left.
 
“So here he is.” Rage gripped his fingers, knuckles turning white. “All in ruins. Everything burned and useless.”
 
“Yes, it is true.” Logic nodded, eyes cold but focused. ”Closing shop, it would seem.”
 
“It has been a long time.” He wasn’t certain who this little girl was. ”It is good to see you, Moment.”
 
“You are?” Mordane/Moment asked. “I do not know you.”
 
The others chuckled and shook their heads. They were acting far too real for Mordane’s taste. This was, after all, only supposed to be a reflection.
 
“You have given up.” She smiled as he leaned against the table. “There is nowhere left for me, but here. Everything is so empty. You have been running from me for a long time. I have been trying to get here for ages. Now... I have finally made it.”
 
Mordane felt fear it rushed in, like a thunderclap. This was not natural. He had no idea what this thing was. He should always know what everything here was.
 
“All of this was just a way to keep me from you, John.”
 
“Maria...I..I...”
 
Maria wrapped her arms around him.
 
“Don’t you love me anymore?”
 
Mordane’s world dissolved. 
____________________________________________________________________
 
Mordane woke up.
 
He rolled over. Inside, he was like a cavern, yet somehow he ached in his heart, a pain he didn’t want, but couldn’t push away.
 
No tears flowed.
 
“You slept unsoundly, little pony.”
 
Mordane barely held back a snap. He instead clicked his mouth closed.
 
The dragon looked over him before stretching.
 
“What have you dreamt of?”
 
“Things long forgotten.”
 
Mordane grunted before standing.
 
“Tell me of this dragon you knew.”
 
Mordane nodded.
 
“His name is Spike. He was a friend for many years. A bit awkward, especially when nervous.” Mordane cocked his head to the side trying to remember more and deciding how to proceed with the conversation.
 
“Where did he come from?”
 
“Celestia had him, from what I understand. I don’t know for how long.” Mordane considered for a few moments. “Ah yes, and he is married to a pony named Rarity.”
 
A deep chill settled over the room. Mordane winced as the dragon froze for a moment before suddenly heading off down a random hallway.
 
Mordane relaxed before a roar shook the room.
 
“MARRIED A PONY!”
 
The dragon wandered off down one of the many tunnels, each step shaking him to his core and bringing a clunk from the pile of gold.
 
*Gurgle*
 
Mordane’s stomach reminded him that he hadn't eaten in a full day. Looking around the cave left little in the way of hope for food.
 
What light there was seemed to come only from a pit in the corner of the room. Mordane wondered what exactly it could be burning for a second as his eyes fell on a cistern.
 
Earlier he had assumed it to be a sewer. Now, though, he saw it to be reasonably clear.
 
Must be mountain water.
 
He walked over and dipped in his head, taking in several gulps before beginning to examine the structure.
 
It stuck out of the ground about half his height. There were carvings in the stone and, he noted, the ancient Equestrian.
 
Out of the cave, he heard the dragon returning. Looking back, he was surprised to see her carrying three pigs by their rear legs.
 
There was a gleam in her eye as she dropped them in front of him.
 
“Hmmm, my one meal a day arrived.”
 
She began to lick one of the pigs. Mordane raised his eyebrows as the skin was stripped of in a matter of moments. Then the dragon reared back.
 
Mordane bolted back just before a gout of flame consumed the pig, sizzling the flesh in an instant. He watched with fascination as the dragon repeated the process two more times, leaving a small pile of skin.
 
Mordane walked up again, really looking at the burning pigs. He sniffed and could smell no oil nor gas, only burned flesh.
 
Curious, I thought they would use a gas sack. 
 
“Perhaps you want a bite, herbivore?” The dragon asked with a chuckle.
 
Mordane considered it for a moment. Eating meat was something he hadn’t done since coming to this world. It was possible, but the ponies put it on the same level as cannibalism. Something only to be done in desperation. He certainly didn’t qualify yet.
 
However, the idea didn’t affect him as much.

“Yes actually, if you wouldn’t mind sparing some of course.”
 
The dragon stopped laughing and snapped her head back to him.
 
“What did you say?”
 
Mordane walked up and started looking one of the pigs over. Thinking of a way to get part off.
 
“I see no reason not to.” Mordane grabbed onto a leg then pulled.
 
The flesh tasted strange in his mouth. There was no chemical or acid from the dragon fire, but the burned flesh just seemed to slide off his teeth.
 
Ah, no canines.
 
A dragon claw came down and spit the leg from the body. Mordane fell back onto his plot but smiled in thanks.
 
Whipping off his hooves first, he grabbed onto the flesh and ripped off a piece of the pork. It was quite rare but surprisingly tasty. He could taste the iron content more easily than he remembered, though.
 
The dragon sat across from him and began to eat her food, watching in fascination as a smiling pony ate the flesh of another being.
 
“Your teeth don’t seem to help much in chewing that.”
 
“My hooves don't, either. It's a bit annoying.” Mordane looked down at her now-bloody claws. “Do dragons usually eat meat?”
 
“Not as much as I do, but we don’t suffer from it.” She lifted up her claws and began to lick off the blood. “So where does a pony learn to enjoy the taste of flesh?”
 
Mordane snorted for that
 
“Not any place I know. The concept just doesn’t bother me as much as my fellow ponies. To them, this meal would be an horrible crime. A sin against nature and all that.”
 
“Perhaps it is.” She chuckled. “Ponies don’t eat meat.”
 
“That is true,” Mordane said before heading over to the cistern and jumping in.
 
The dragon turned her head to the side.
 
“How old are you, Mordane?”
 
“Eighteen.” The dragon's nose scrunched up. Her eyes bore into him.
 
“How old are you, Mordane?”
 
He froze for a fraction of a second before continuing to wash.
 
“I'm eighteen. Quite young, I assure you.”
 
The dragon growled, and a claw snaked up under his throat before turning his head to her.
 
“I warned you not to lie to me.”
 
The dragon’s eyes flashed, and the world seemed to stretch. Suddenly Mordane couldn’t look anywhere else but her green eyes. They seemed to reach out and pull him in some intangible way.

“I’d have preferred to keep your mind intact.”
 
__________________________________
 
Mordane gasped. He sat up in the middle of his tower construct. Outside there was a storm raging and the peal of thunder, but that wasn’t what drew his attention.
 
The tower shook, and Mordane felt something pierce his mind, coming to be in this world and holding against the storm of his mind.
 
Suddenly, the great window busted in. The female dragon skidded to a stop on his floor, snarling.
 
She was much smaller and younger looking, but her eyes scanned the room with just as much rage.
 
She locked eyes with him.
 
“What is this?” She gestured with her claw. “This is your mental self-image?” She sped across the room and snaked around him. Mordane noted that they appeared as the same size.
 
“What are you?”
 
She pushed him over and crawled on top of him. Her claw dug into his throat as she sniffed him all over.
 
“Get OFF!”
 
A blast of force threw the dragon across the room to slam into a wall. She twisted in midair to land with a growl.
 
“So! Not a pony.” She laughed. “A predator. And one that I’ve never seen before. Tell me, creature, when had you taken a foal’s flesh?”
 
“Questions. Questions!” Mordane growled. “All you do is asking questions. If you want any more answers, come get them!”
 
The dragon leaped at him. Mordane leaned forward to go under her, but then her wings opened, and she twisted her body in midair to swing her tail at him.
 
The tail passed a few inches over him. Mordane then drove his shoulder into her.
 
Mordane began to pant. He wasn’t sure how he could be tired from a mental conflict.
 
The dragon growled and embraced him. Her claws wrapping around his head.
 
“Tell me!”
 
With a wrenching, the images of his life as a human began to flash past. Pulled against his will, it was as if he was being dragged through gravel.
 
His parents coming home late.

Their cold shoulders.
 
His grandfather.
 
The mistake and finding his way into a womb.
 
Then back again.
 
His parents.

His grandfather.
 
Star Charmer.

Maria.
 
Mordane roared. He punched the invader. He punched again. And again.

With a great heave, he threw her out of the tower.
 
___________________________________________
 
Mordane gasped.
 
He fell down into the cistern, the world spinning.
 
Mordane looked up at the towering dragon.
 
The dragon panted.
 
“Yes. I took it long ago.” Her eyes locked onto him again. A flash of anger was quickly washed away as Mordane realized she was analyzing him.
 
“So, you are no pony.”
 
“Mentally I am not.” Mordane looked down at himself. “Ever since gaining this body, though...”
 
“No.” She frowned. “You are...human, was it?”
 
“How much did you get?”
 
“Enough.” She turned around. “I need to think. Stay here.”
 
Mordane watched her move over to the pile of gold, do a few loops, then lay on it. Mordane decided that perhaps it was best to just do a little jog to dry off.
 
A few hours later, she returned. Her eyes looked him over. The glint seemed to be gone from them, though, leaving a stern look behind.
 
“I have decided not to eat you.”
 
“...Thank you?”
 
“Yes,” she continued, ignoring him. “You are no pony. In fact, you are a predator...even though you barely act like it.”

Mordane furrowed his brow and looked down at the ground. He dug his hoof slightly into the ground.
 
“I don’t know what to say to that. I am what I am.”
 
“No. You are what you think you should be,” she snapped before taking a moment to calm down. “You are mistaken; the path you have chosen leads to death.”
 
Mordane sighed and lowered his head. His eyes hooded over.
 
“Everyone dies.”
 
The dragon chuckled.
 
“True, even an immortal will die in time. A stray arrow, a falling boulder. Poison in their cup. Why are you ready for it, though?”
 
Mordane chewed the problem. He wasn’t sure how to answer the dragon. He just didn’t have much choice. It seemed inevitable. He had no way to…
 
“It’s because I can’t do anything about it. Not with my horn being broken.”
 
“Broken horn? Why would that stop you?”
 
“I can’t cast magic,” Mordane snapped.
 
“No magic?” The dragon frowned before a light blinked on in her eyes. “Do you only think magic comes through your horn? Are you not pegasus? Are you not earth pony?” She sighed before looking back over to him “You know though, that I wasn’t referring to the now. Why is it you seem to have already died?”
 
Mordane shook his head again. He had only been acting on what the world forced him to.

“I’m too weak to do anything that I want. To help anyone, save anyone. It all seems to turn to ash wherever I go and whatever I touch. I seem doomed to misery.”
 
The dragon looked him up and down. She seemed to drift off then, looking into the distance. Mordane sat still, not sure what to think. This entire time since he had saved Trixie was out of his experience.
 
“Fire.”
 
Mordane’s ears twitched.
 
“You are fire.” Her eyes focused on him again. “Fire burns hot. It draws others in with its warmth to keep them from the harsh cold. It burns them as well, though. So you dampen yourself. You hesitate and dampen your fire. You turn inward and lose sight of the world. Is it any wonder that they succumb when you are not there? When you are not fully in the moment?”
 
Mordane bit his tongue. He bit it to fight back the shaking in his chest. The urge to let the tears flow.
 
“I’m tired of being scared...I know my failings.” Mordane hung his head. “I just don’t know how to get better.”
 
The dam broke, and his shoulders shook. He didn’t want to cry. Not like this. Not out of his control and not out of his own terms. His belly twisted and the shame stabbed like a knife twisting there. The streams of saltwater poured out.
 
“I hurt everyone and everything. I can do nothing. I hate it. I hate it. I hate lying to everyone. I hate being weak. I hated being beneath HER.” He gasped. He was shouting now, his teeth bared, eyes fixed on the floor. “Beneath her shadow. In a world of HER making, In HER nation, I HATE IT. I HATE NOT BEING FREE OF HER! EVEN NOW SHE IS EVERYWHERE!”
 
He shook and balled up, tears falling to the dusty ground beneath.
 
The dragon nodded before snaking a claw under his chin and turning him to face her.
 
“Pony. I am Hahnu Loaas in the dragon tongue, and I will teach you to control that fire within. I will teach you how to live. I will teach you, Mordane Stronghoof, about yourself.”
 
___________________________________________________
 
“Keep going.”
 
Mordane had never felt this tired in his life. Nor had he ever been so hot. He was panting now, wings aching as he flew.
 
Two hours ago, the dragon had sat him down and asked him to meditate. Thirty seconds later, she had shot a fireball at him.

She then told him to meditate while flying, or she would burn him.

Mordane was not meant to keep going this long without breaks. He remembered Rainbow telling him to take naps when tired from flying, but Hahnu was giving him no chance.

“Feel the burning inside. Let it flow through you. Out of you. Let it burn the outside, not the inside.”
 
Mordane dipped again, and once again the dragon left off burst of flame onto the ground below him. It was already a cherry red.
 
“Fire is of the wind. It is movement and life. Let the fire burning you flow...low?”
 
What the hell is she talking about?
 
Mordane had used magic before to help him fly, but without a horn, such a thing was impossible. All he could do is flap his wings, muscles already cramping.

“How can you not see?” she growled.
 
“I-I’m--” Mordane gasped. “I’m trying; this is impossible, though. My horn is broken! I cannot control the flow of magic!”
 
The dragon snarled. Then drew a deep breath.

A hot wave of air blasted him. He was thrown back and pinned against a pillar sticking up. There he stayed for four seconds.
 
Ten seconds.
 
Mordane took the opportunity to rest. Not resisting against the wind and letting it hold him there naturally, thinking it would give him a few seconds.
 
Twenty seconds later, he started wondering just how long she could keep it up.
 
One minute after that, he was in awe. This was an impossible amount of air for any creature to be holding in their lungs.
 
Pushing against the wind, he cracked open an eye toward the dragon.
 
He saw her take a breath without the wind abating.
 
What?
 
Suddenly it stopped, and Mordane, not wanting to be singed, began to flap again.
 
“The wind does not answer to a horn.”
 
Mordane frowned before looking at his wings. A fireball screeched past and impacted on the wall. The dragon snorted.
 
“Again.”
 
Mordane groaned and took to the air, his wings creaking in protest.
 
“Feel the flow around you. It is the fire within you that let you mingle with air. Because you are the air.”
 
“Don’t I move the air with my wings?”
 
“No child. With your heart.” She sighed in exasperation. “I cannot make it any clearer. You must mingle your wind with the greater whole. Only then can you truly control it.”
 
Mordane tried. He focused on the wind. On his wings. He had done a dozen things, a hundred things in the last few hours.
 
“Be the wind,” he mumbled. And Mordane turned inward.
 
Wind is fire, fire is life

So my life?
 
He dodged another fireball. He was panting again.
 
Fire. Heat.
 
He saw the dragon standing and breathing as a windstorm racked across him. Her eyes blazing.
 
 Fire is life.
 
The words echoed back from his first lesson with Twilight. Friendship is magic. Feeling is power. He thought back to his greatest feats of magic, how he had been fueled by desire. How he had changed that feeling into his spells without thinking about it.
He once again dodged another fireball. Rage blossomed in his chest. This time he did not push it down.
Mordane reached down and unbuckled the clasp of his heart.
 
Hate, anger, and fear all flowed out like a torrent. Mordane did not flinch back, though. He did not run like before.

He channeled it down his wings, out in his breath. He breathed in anger, he swam in fear.
 
For as long as he remembered, he had to pull at the wind and push with his magic to maintain and control flight. For the first time, he felt the wind caress him. He felt the wind flow to his will.
 
The dragon fired another fireball. This time he felt how weak it was. How it barely held together.
 
With a flash of courage, he wrapped himself in a wind cocoon.
 
The fireball splashed over him. Ripped to pieces from the quickly-twisting wind around him.
 
“Goood,” the dragon’s voice rumbled. “Even a pup of a dragon could have dissipated that fireball. Though not as quickly as you did.”

She nodded her head over to the cistern.
 
“Take a break. We continue soon.”
 
Mordane teetered over to the pool of water.
 
*Plop*
 
He belly flopped into the water before flipping over and resting his head on the edge. He gulped down the spring water, thinking of nothing but the feeling of being wind.
 
____________________________________________
 
 I’m going to become a carnivore at this rate, Mordane thought as he twisted his head side to side before finally ripping off a chunk of meat. Mother would probably faint if she saw this.
 
He chuckled.
 
“What do you find funny, little one?”
 
“I just thought of my old teacher, Twilight, student of Celestia, and how she would react to me eating meat.”
 
She threw back her head and roared in laughter.
 
“I remember when Luna saw me eat for the first time. She emptied her belly all over my meal. Insisted on giving the pig a funeral.”

He choked. The image of Luna standing solemn over a grave for a pig was priceless.
 
“Though, did she not know of your true nature?”
 
“She didn’t even know I was an alicorn. Nopony did. I hid that way for a long time. What made you meet Luna anyhow?”
 
She smiled and leaned back to look at the ceiling. A claw came up to scratch her chin.
 
“I decided to make a mountain in their home duchy into my hold. Canterlot Mountain, I think it was called. It was empty at the time but within sight of their castle. I... may have taken a few animals. So they came to ‘vanquish the evil,’ as she put it. I put the little upstarts in their place.”
 
“You defeated them?” Mordane’s voice quivered. “How?”
 
“They were young. I was old, even then. After speaking for a while, I decided to teach Luna how to become one with the wind. Before their rise. Before the fall of Equestria. Before the Nightmare.”
 
She blinked, coming back from her thoughts before frowning back down at Mordane.
 
“You fear them?”

Mordane nodded his head rapidly. Only a fool wouldn’t fear the pony princesses. She furrowed her brow.
 
“I see...you have been fearing a lot of things.” She nodded her head. “Fear is the mind killer. The slow death. The cold that stills the winds of your heart.”
 
“You have been having bad dreams,” she said simply.
 
“Yes.”

“About the tower. About that girl.”
 
Mordane froze.
 
The dragon snorted, then stood up. Driving her foot into the ground hard enough to crack the stone and cause Mordane to yelp.
 
“Let us get started then.”
 
__________________________________________________________
 
“Fear is the mind killer.”
 
Mordane was deathly afraid.
 
The dragon had been keeping him busy all day, even after the flying. She worked Mordane to the bone. She had him lift rocks while flying, Protecting a small flame in a windstorm. Cleaning up bones.
 
The entire time she had spent explaining the taste of a pony. What it was like to feel the bones crack in your teeth. Mordane now knew the different taste of pony from Griffin, from chicken, from cow and even from zebra.
 
She even commented on their screams, in that she could tell what kind of being they were from them. Some would say nothing. Others would beg. Some very few would look her in the eyes like Mordane and got to live a bit longer.
 
Mordane tried to talk to her. Tried to get her to listen to stories of Celestia, Luna and Spike. She wasn’t interested. Not even in the least.
 
He began to practically feel the teeth on his flesh.
 
True to her word the bite never came though. She never even stated that she would.
 
By that night, exhausted, he fell into a pile of cloth and was out like a light.
 
______________________________________________________
 
Mordane stood at the window. Fear still twisting in his heart.

He already knew who was up here. He wanted to run. He wanted to put this tower at the bottom of a ravine then cap it.
 
He laid there trying to focus, trying to get up and move from this tower.
 
But he was too tired. Too weak.
 
“You’re back.”
 
Mordanes eyes shifted over weakly. Expecting her eyes to grab him in. They instead crossed him.
 
“Are you going to run?”
 
Mordane stood shakily to his knees, looking at the angel before him.
 
“I am too weak to run from this.” He suddenly realized this way the dragons intent. To make him weak to run.

“Have you forgotten me?” The voice of silk asked him.
 
“You know I haven’t.” He hung his head. “I have been running from you for a long time though. From what I did.”
 
She smiled, caressing his cheek.
 
“You didn’t have anything to do with tha-”
 
Mordane clamped down on her arm. Rage burning at the image before him.
 
“No. Not in her voice. I don’t have that right.”
 
Her face twisted into pain.
 
“John.”

“Get out.”
 
She stood there seemingly uncertain.

“GET OUT!” Mordane roared.
 
And like a wisp she was gone.
 
Mordane fell back to the floor and cried again. Through gritted teeth he cried. Until he heard a noise.
 
“Do I not even have peace from you in my dreams?”
 
“If this dream is peace.” The dragon materialized from the shadows in her smaller form. “Then I do not know misery.”
 
She slipped around the room and up the burning fireplace. Seemingly basking in its warm glow.
 
“Tell me what happened.”
 
Mordane snapped his head to her. Then back to the ground. His eyes hardened and lips drew back into a line.
 
“She died.” He looked off into the distance. “He died. They all died. And I survived.”
 
“Tell me.”
 
Mordane growled.
 
“Fine. But I do not want sympathy. I don’t want any comments. I’ll satisfy your curiosity and then you’ll be gone.”
 
_________________________________________________________
 
Two years before John became Mordane and came to Equestria
 
“John! John? Wake up John. You don’t want to lose that girl of yours.” His mother's voice cut in like a knife. “Anyone’s guess why she’s with you.”
 
He ignored the comment said as she moved away. For some reason he never fathomed she always seemed to think she was being quieter than she was. John ran down his itinerary for the day before glancing over at his clock.
 
Plenty of time left.

John stood up in his small cramped room and picked out some clothes.
 
“I said get up!” His mother roared again despite the fact he was up, “You don’t want to be like your good for nothing father.”

John bit back a retort. Instead her took a deep breath and reached over to the stand next to his bed. There rested a bible. He rested his hand on it for a moment.
 
Lord give me strength to forgive her
 
He released the breath and let the anger flow down the river. Down the river and out to the ocean from where it would never return.
 
His hand moved over and picked his pistol, strapping it to his back followed by putting his shirt over it.
 
Picking up his keys, wallet, phone and bag he took only a moment to load up a basket of his clothes before slipping out the front door.
 
He thanked God silently that his father wasn’t home and that his mother had slept in. Otherwise he wouldn't have gotten a full night's sleep.
 
“Yo, John!”
 
He smiled. There she was. Maria, right on time like always.

John wasn’t stupid. He could objectively tell that she wasn’t the prettiest girl around, but she was HIS girl and loyal to boot. Plus, an interesting person to talk to.
 
She wore plain clothes and little makeup. She wasn’t thin but neither was she fat. Pleasantly plump he would say.
 
“How’s my plump little buttercup” He grinned wickedly before dodging the cup thrown at his face from Maria. “Careful, you might just chase me away.”
 
“At least then I’ll not have to look at your smart ass. Get in the car we have church to get to.”
 
He slid on in. Taking a moment to wave over at his grandfather across the field.

“Had you invited him?” She asked as she pulled out of his driveway.
 
“Yeah. Said he didn’t believe in church. That him and the lord had an understanding. Then he started going on about some war going on in Kenya:”
 
Maria smirked. They moved down the road and took a left before coming to a stop at a stoplight.

On the corner John noticed someone standing.
 
It was a man he recognized. His name was William and his brother had killed himself a few years earlier. The thought left a sour taste in John's mouth. The brother blamed him for the suicide. The two of them had spoken before it happened. He had said some things. Looked at the guy and turned his own fears against him. John regretted it. But he refused to believe that he was responsible for the guy’s death.
 
John wouldn’t lower, or turn his head. He stared directly into the man’s eyes until his girlfriend punched him in the arm after the light turned green.
 
The two of them arrived at services and it was mostly uneventful. The spirit moved some, but not much and the sermon was about the ten commandments. He did learn that not using the lord's name in vain didn’t mean swearing though.
 
After the sermon and the talking afterwards, plus some rather pointed questions as to if they were married yet, they got back into the car and headed back down the road toward their town. It was then when John's phone went off.

“Hello?”
 
“John? It’s me!” 

John chuckled.
 
“Hey grandpa, what are you doing? I see you got your flip phone working.”
 
“Like trying to replace an engine one handed. So I’d bet my last two real teeth you're with that girl of yours. Going to bring her to meet me?”
 
“Yes he is.” Maria bumped in giggling. “How about we pick you up for lunch?”
 
His grandfather seemed to have shaved for once and his clothes had no holes in them, which was an oddity for the old man.
 
The three of them went down to a diner. John couldn’t remember what they talked about. All he could think of was the warm smile of his grandfather. His girlfriend spewing milk out of her nose at something he had said. The look of horror on her face as the two of them laughed.
 
After eating they went back out to her car when it happened.
 
When his past choices came back to haunt him.
 
He didn’t see the blow coming, nor did he hear the group of men. Before he knew it he was on the ground, stars dancing in his eyes and head pounding like an elephant was jumping on it.
 
“Stop it. I said stop it!”
 
John scrambled to his feet, grabbing the car for support. He forced his eyes to focus and assess the situation.
 
There was three of them and one was already reared back for a punch.
 
The blow landed in his gut. He felt his back pop from the impact. Instinctually John raised his hands to cover his face and caught the next blow with his arm. A twist and a step in, and he drove his left arm across the man’s face.
 
His assailant staggered back and it was then he recognized him.
 
“William? What the hell are you doing!?”
 
The anger he had seen earlier that day was boiling out of the man’s eyes. One of the other men had grabbed his girlfriend and had her head in a cross lock with his hand over her mouth.
 
On the ground laid his grandfather, clutching at his stomach. A big black spot spreading through his clothes. Johns eyes flicked back down to his assailant's hands. In the left was a knife covered in red.
 
“What am I doing? What am I doing!” William roared. “You killed my brother. What the fuck do you think I’m doing?”

William stepped in and swung in with the knife. John dodged just to the right of the swing and stepped into his assailant. Pinning the arm with the knife. William responded by coming in with a hard right into his side.
 
John gasped and was pushed back to the car again. His head swam again.
 
John had enough.
 
He reached up under his shirt and gripped his pistol. Whipping it out he saw a large man rushing him.

He fired.
 
Two shots right into the chest and the man dropped. But it was not William, only one of the guys helping him.
 
“Freeze! Or I’ll gut her!”
 
John had his gun at half raised. His blood was pumping. There was ringing in his ears.
 
In front of him. William was holding her. He had the knife pressed against her stomach and his arm pinning her to him. Maria was afraid. John could see it in her eyes.
 
John though, was not afraid. He was enraged.
 
“Your brother killed himself William. I can’t be held for that. He was already messed up.”
 
“Bullshit. My brother was good until you talked to him. What you said tore him to pieces. He wasn’t the same. Locked himself up until he put this knife to his own wrists.” He pushed the knife a little into her for emphasis. Drawing a gasp of pain. ”You killed him. I don’t care what the law says. You're going to pay. Mike! Take the gun. He won’t do anything while I have his girl.”
 
Mike seemed to hesitate. Seemingly wanting to run but made up his mind and started toward John.
 
John saw Mike moving closer. He knew that a knife was to his beloved’s gut. But a rage welled up inside of him and he made a mistake. The decision to kill came too easily.
 
Some part of him calculated the risk involved and put his own safety first.
 
Moving to the right he fired one shot into Mike’s head before moving back to William.

It was too late.
 
His face pinched in as William drew the knife in deep and long. All the way across her belly before John was able to aim at him.
 
John ran over to her. She was clutching her ruined stomach. Shaking as a pool of blood rapidly formed.

Some part of his mind registered that his grandfather was already gone. That Maria would soon follow.
 
“John?” She said tearing up. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
 
“Shh, don’t talk.” He whispered, cradling her head. In the distance he could hear sirens and people shouting. “Help will be here soon.”
 
She looked down at herself before shaking her head. Her eyes watering up.
 
“John, I. Love…”
 
And she was gone.

John laid her down.
 
He stood up and backed away. His hands hanging out in front of himself. Covered in her blood. He tried turning away but all around him were dead. Three men, his grandfather, Maria.
 
At a short distance he could see people he knew staring at him. Mouth wide with horror.
 
He looked at Maria’s face.

And he ran.
 
___________________________________________________
 
“The police picked me up at my grandfather's house and took me in. But the whole thing was on video and there were witnesses. I was only in for sixteen hours before being let go. A clear case of self-defense they said. No charges were ever brought against me. I wandered home and went to Maria's and my grandfather's funeral.”
 
“Then what?”
 
“I was alone. Until I came to Equestria.”
 
Mordane sighed before sitting down.
 
“So you ran.” She stated blunt.
 
Mordane glared at her.
 
“Yes, I ran.”
 
“Then you never stopped running.”
 
Mordane said nothing. Did nothing.
 
“Yet after you kept running others still died. What then was the point of running?”
 
“I just had to.”
 
The dragon nodded.
 
“You are afraid to live.”
 
“...Yes…”
 
“It is the small bravery to face violence, it is so much harder to face ourselves. It is hard even for a dragon.”
 
Mordane’s ears twitched and he looked up with a slight frown and pinched brow. The dragon was hanging her head, eyes closed.

“It is hard. Long ago I fought Celestia. I was the lord of my pack. Beholden to no one. I sat upon the Celestial mountain. Three times. Three times the pony princesses had come before me. Three times I had thrown them out of my personal hold, claiming another three years of gems for my hoard.”
 
She smiled.
 
“They did not show themselves for a long time. The gems kept coming so I didn’t mind. Then one day Luna came. Blazon in armor.” She chuckled “She defeated me with shadow. She was my opposite and held my weakness. I followed the old ways and swore myself to her. I was abandoned by my pack.”
 
Her wings rose and she growled.
 
“They left me. But I was not ashamed. This pony was strong. Worthy of my respect. I offered to go, bring the dragons to heel for her but they were too far below her consideration.”
 
She lowered her head.
 
“Celestia and I never got along. I would stay in my caves and she would stay in her family tower. She watched as her sister founded the small town of Canterlot.”
 
“I always thought it was founded by Celestia.”
 
“No. It was Luna. I remember when we abandoned it. In the middle of the night to move to the south. A few years later we were at war. Then came my greatest shame.”
 
Mordane waited quietly while the dragon collected herself.
 
“I was betrayed in this city. Despite Luna’s orders the council voted to surrender to Celestia. When she arrived I was in a sea of flame. Her wind met mine… and mine was found wanting. My wings were burned clean off. I was broken and waited for death.”
 
“What did she do?”
 
“She did the worst thing imaginable. She left me alive and took my egg.” The dragon spat and growled. ”She spared me.”
 
“She spared your life? Why would that make you angry?”
 
Mordane didn't even have time to react to the tail strike. It whipped around so fast that it was a barely perceptible blur. If it had been a few inches more to the back of his head, then it might have been the end. Instead only the tip brushed against him. Feeling like a firm slap.

“I. Am. A. Dragon.” She said low and menacingly. “Not some half rotted carcass unworthy of concern. To be left alive.”
 
Mordane tried to understand as he rubbed his cheek.
 
“I am sorry. I do not understand. What would an honorable dragon have done in her place?”
 
“She should have killed me. Then taken my egg as their own, and if I was worthy opponent, mate that egg with one of their own. To leave me alive but to take the egg was...despicable. Worse than nothing.” She spat a small ball of fire then sighed.
 
“But I am weak. Celestia is strong. This I must admit, even though it took me a hundreds years. Celestia is stronger than I am. Greater than I am.” her lips turned upward and a sadness creeped into her eyes. “It is hard to face those things you fear. For me it is that I am weak. Too weak to even keep my own son. To be even treated as a threat. Just as you were too weak to protect your mate.”
 
Mordane snifed.
 
“You must face this little one, because you are still little. You still have a chance. You have my fire and Celestia's magic. You can defeat her for me.”
 
Mordane shook his head. The tears flowing freely.
 
“I can’t do anything. I’m too weak. My horn is broken.” He laid down the tears flowing.
 
“You are not weak. You are afraid. That fear clouds your judgement.” She scooped him up carefully and brought him to her level. “You have carried this fear for others too long. It weighs you down. You cannot fear others hurt, because all is pain.”
 
Mordane looked the old dragon in the eyes. He looked at Hahnu Loaas. He saw himself. He saw that he could be strong. If only he stopped caring what they thought. Stopped fearing what harm he would cause. Because harm is just a natural part of life.
 
He had to succeed. It was right. It was who he was.
 
“Let yourself be the man you are. The way you must be.” She barked “Let your fire shine and be done fearing who is burned, or you will always be a pawn in others’ games.”
 
“You-you just want me to kill Celestia for you. To knock her off her throne as Luna did to you and she to her.”
 
“Of course I do. You will be my arrow into her heart.”
 
Mordane understood she was trying to manipulate him, but he could also see that it was to give him what he wanted. So he could trust her to serve her own interest. To tell him true.
 
“Am I truly strong?”

“More than you know. But you have handicapped yourself. You must put it all away. You must see what you wish and take it. The weak will bow and you will rise. It is your right. It is the only way things should be.”
 
Mordane could feel the rising uncertainty, the thoughts of what might be, the concern of losing control of himself to…
 
Himself?
 
The absurdity almost made him laugh. He had been running for so long. Trying to be the good pony. Trying to not hurt the little people. People unwilling to even see.
 
Why deny himself?
 
What was there to forgive?

He latched onto that desire for power and control. He heard the drums of destiny and did not shy away.
 
He opened his eyes and looked into his teachers.

“Let us continue.” she growled and grinned.

______________________________________________

Mordane inhaled. He exhaled. 

“Breath deeper. Let the wind flow through you. A baby dragon does this before even speaking.”

“That is easy to say. A baby dragon has scales. Not squishy pony flesh.”

The dragon chuckled.

“True. For you it is a far harder task. You must consciously control the flow of wi- heat, I think you called it. I have seen both unicorn and pegasi do this though. It is possible.”

Mordane stood before a pit of fire.The heat already making him uncomfortably warm.

“Are you afraid?” The dragon asked.

Mordane shivered but didn’t answer.

Instead he breathed in deeply. Focusing on the fear inside. He let it flow, let his anger at the fear flow. Let it all flow as he extended his wings.

He felt the wind stir.

With calm, he stepped forward and into the flames.

The flames were weak. No will drove them and Mordane was surprised at how easily they flowed with the wind.

He walked through the fire in a small cocoon of air with his wings fully outstretched. His smile grew larger until finally he passed to the other side.

“Good!” the dragon laughed. “Very good. You have learned to control your flame and those outside.

“Thank you Hahnu Loaas. I couldn’t have learned this without you.”

The dragon nodded. Before clearing her throat.

“Mordane Stronghoof.”

Mordane straightened at her serious tone and sudden change in demeanor.

“For over a thousand years I have been in this cave. Under this city. Despite being broken and in pain, fear of me drove the locals to send their criminals and animals to nourish me. I have eaten pony flesh and griffin without hesitation.” Her brow tightened, “My wind is strong. I would yours be strong as well.”

Mordane blinked. He felt uncertainty settle in but he pushed it away.

“I will accept your flame and I will carry your wind.”

The dragon smiled before suddenly drawing a deep breath and bathing Mordane in flames.
_________________________________________________

Mordane found himself at the base of that black tower again. It seemed. Less real now. More a memory of the tower than the tower itself.
 
Regardless he made his way up the steps, sculpting his form as he went.
 
Human, Armor and wings. Sword on his belt. He entered the high chamber.
 
“You came back.” Maria said. “I missed you.”
 
“I know.” Mordane whispered.
 
“Something's different about you.” She said puzzlingly.
 
“Aye.”
 
Mordane strode up to the girl. He reached out and caressed her. Bringing her in close.
 
He kissed her.
 
She stiffened at his sudden closeness but melted into him shortly after. A minute later he pulled back.
 
“I love you Maria. I will always love you.” He gripped her side “and I’m sorry.”
 
“It's okay John. I forgive you. It was never your fault to begin with.”
 
“No, I’m sorry I left you alone all this time. I left you far way in the back of my mind. This part of you left behind. Please forgive me.”
 
“I do Mordane, I do.” Mordane kissed her again.
 
Then she was no longer there.
 
Mordane stood in an empty room. He looked around knowing that this was the last time he would ever be here.
 
For the first time in a long time, he was looking forward to the future. The challenges to come didn’t seem so bad. Even thoughts of Celestia didn’t make him afraid.
 
With a smile he raised his hand.
 
And that world was no more.

_________________________________________________
 
Three days. For three days Lady Swirl had waited for the news. Waited to hear what she once lamented but now desperately desired.
 
From the pit, all that could be heard was murmurs and low grumbles. Too quiet and deep to make out but one thing was certain.
 
Somehow. Mordane was talking to the dragon.
 
The very idea chilled her to the core and she hoped to receive the news that the guards over the pit would hear the crunching of bones. Maybe a scream that would let her know she could rest easy. Sweat was being kept at bay by no less than four fan wavers. All working hard, but not sweating nearly as much as her.
 
Mordane lived.
 
She had heard the reports. Had heard of his cruelties and still had been certain that no pony could stand up to such harsh conditions. Yet here she was. She had put him through her worst and yet he still had not bent.
 
She sat down and rubbed her temples. Already many ponies were asking about him. Begging about him. Ready to hear if she had succeeded.
 
That now seemed so pointless. Earnestly her eyes turned over to the wall. Considering activating the charm. Sending him to Tarturas personally.

 But what if it doesn't work. 

She shivered.
 
“My lady.” A guard showed up. “The pit- He. He… “
 
“Spit it out!” She practically shouted. Rising slightly out of her seat.
 
“Mordane came out of the pit!” He seemed ready to bolt. “Do we throw him back in?”
 
“How did he get out?” She hissed.
 
“The dragon-” The guard gulped “Helped him.”
 
The mare locked up. Her eyes frozen wide before realizing how ridiculous she looked. She sat down and smoothed her dress. Thinking about what next to do.
 
“Okay…okay. Send him up to me.”
 
“My lady?”
 
“Do as I say!”
 
The guard bowed and rushed out. The mare walked around to the other side of the office chair and pulled out two glasses. Then she made herself a glass and downed it before pouring another.
 
Stay strong Swirl…
______________________________________________________________________________
 
“You are all dismissed.” The guards stiffened but a firm glare from her head slave made them obey without complaint. They knew that he was the hoof of their owner.
 
“You as well.” The head slave stiffened but bowed before leaving. Mordane had little doubt he would stand just beyond the door.
 
And so they were alone. Mordane had little time to consider why, as the mare began to take her clothes off.
 
First the hat revealing a bright orange mane. Then the dress to reveal a slender figure with slightly toned muscle showing through. He didn’t shy away. Looking her up and down with a small smile on his lips.
 
He confirmed that her eyes were green. He noted that many stallions would have been putty in her hooves at such a display.
 
“So, you survived. The Warlord, the city burner, the alicorn for hire is thrown into the pit with a monster and finds a friend. I should have seen it coming.” She crossed her hooves, then smirked. “Don’t tell me that you actually intend to wait so long that those enchantments holding your magic degrades.”
 
“No, I think you are going to let me walk out way before that.”
 
The mare paused, then frowned.
 
“You can’t expect me to do that.” She stood up and walked around the table. “I have read the reports of your actions while being a mercenary captain. Ponies such as you are not broken so easily. Which is a problem for me, as it seems you will never be a slave where it matters mos.” She tapped the side of her head.
 
Mordane cocked his head to the side.
 
“If you know what I can do, what makes you so willing to provoke me. To put a collar on the lion as it were. Was it pride? To make me work the fields-”
 
“I didn’t buy you to have you working fields.” She walked around to the other end of the table and began to pour some glasses of wine. “You are far too valuable for that.”
 
She places the glass in front of him. Mordane picked it up and gave a firm sniff. It smelled of grape and pear. A very weak drink then.
 
“Why did you buy me then?” Mordane said taking a drink of the wine.
 
The mare came closer before reaching around to the back of his head and pulling off his horn suppressor.
 
She grabbed both sides of his face and tilted his head back and forth to look at his still broken horn.
 
“Does it hurt?”
 
“No.” He replied quietly, aware of how close they were to each other. “You still didn’t answer my question.”
 
The mare pulled back and smiled. Her eyes slightly closed. She started to stroke his cheek.
 
“I would like you to father my children.”
 
Mordane leaned in and kissed her. She stiffened and puled back as she felt two pricks on her lip.
 
“Bullshit.”
 
The mare’s hoof darted to her lip. The feeling of points almost making her run from the room.
 
“I’m sorry?” She replied blinking rapidly.
 
“No one pays as much as you did for a slave simply for good breeding stock.”
 
“There is only one known alicorn.” She smiled “I had to act quickly to get you as cheaply as I did. That slave master didn’t know what he had.”
 
She slipped into the same chair as him now.
 
“Everypony that knows the old laws knows that an alicorn would have a right to the ancient title of Empress.”
 
“Of Luna. The nightmare.” He said flatly. “I think you and I both know that a title means nothing without an army to back it up. For that you need to not only be a noble, but a noble landholder.”
 
She shifted off of him slightly.
 
“A little bundle of alicorn foals would go a long way to making that land a reality.” She leaned in. “Combined with my wealth that is.”
 
“I say it again. Bullshit.” He turned and glared at her right in her face. “You don’t want me for my loins or you would have taken it on the first day. Though now that I think about it, I can think why.”
 
“Oh?” She asked smiling lightly.
 
“Earth ponies rarely make it as nobles.”
 
The tension in the room was back. Harder and colder than ever before.
 
“Not that I care about your race.” He smiled, drinking the last of the wine. “It fits though. The house, this room, your voice. You were once a wagon leader or you are the daughter of one. After becoming exceptionally rich you bought your way into a title.”
 
The mare frowned.
 
“I don’t know what you want from me, but I definitely know what you want for yourself.”
 
Miss Swirl huffed. Then hopped off him and practically stomped back to the other end of the room before shimmying back into her dress and putting back on her hat.
 
“Fine Mordane.” She turned to look back at him. “What do you want?”
 
Mordane mouth opened slightly to reveal his teeth. The mare's eyes dilated slightly as she beheld his new canines. A small point had grown on them.  His eyes seemed to burn as he smiled fully and honestly.
 
“I thought you would never ask.”

Just outside a butler stood stiff, face contorted in rage. Stiffly he made his way down the hall. Disappearing to find Mordane a servant. Perhaps the one in which he had shown an interest...


> Parties and fools
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the lower slave quarters, slave ponies moved in and out of the room even as the sun began to turn yellow. Trixie laid awake in her bed, eyes red, fur unkempt.

She sniffed, biting her lower lip. In her mind's eye she just couldn’t stop seeing him. The smile. The last glance before closing his eyes and dropping into that pit.

She thought back to first meeting Mordane. She had been so angry at him. The monster who had left so many dead. Had left her and many others chained.

But he had been kind. He covered her from the rain and then agreed to help her escape.

Then she had messed up.

Again.

She had just assumed that some pony like that would be cruel. Now he was dead.

Trixie would have to get up soon or face a beating from the head slave. So she pushed herself up and went outside toward the tub to prepare when she froze.

Standing in front of the barracks was Mordane. He was covered in dirt. His fur was ruffled and for the first time she had seen he was girnning at her. 

“You look like you wrestled a bear last night.”

Trixie’s mouth dropped open, before she suddenly leapt forward., wrapping her hooves around Mordanes neck.

“I thought I had killed you.” She sobbed.

Mordane blinked several times his lips turning down then up again in quick succession.

“I’m surprised you're glad to see me.” he chuckled. “Hey now. I’m alright. Dry your tears.”

After a short while Trixie collected herself. She glanced around to make sure nopony had seen her on instinct.

“How did you survive?”

“Complicated.” Mordane answered honestly, his eyes arching together. “Lets just say I had a meeting of the minds in the pit.”

Trixie laughed and snorted. She began to clean herself up some before looking him over and noticing his back.

“At least tell me why you don’t have your wing restraints on.”

“Simple really, I lost them in the cave.” He smiled “ I got some good news though.”

“What?” Trixie asked

“Miss Swirl has offered me a chance. Freedom, if I accomplish a certain set of tasks.”

Trixie’s ears drooped slightly.

“Trixie will be alone then I suppose.”

Mordane grin reached his eyes.

“I wouldn’t say that.”
______________________________________________

Mordane washed himself carefully in a private room with a bath, desk and wardrobe. The manservant had escorted him here along with another.

“Trixie does not know why she must be your maid.” She growled.

“That would be because the Mistress told the Butler who told you to do so. ” Mordane smiled “Besides, I requested you anyway.”

Trixie snorted and glared at him. She seemed a bit weary as he began to work on the bottom of his hooves. 

“I requested you because I feel I owe you the easy job and I need somepony I can trust.” Mordane glared back. “Not because I desire your company.”

Trixie tissed and turned away to continue with her task.

“What is this thing she wishes you to do anyway?”

Mordane chuckled while stretching his wings. He took a towel and draped it over his face.

“Like I said. Complicated.” He let his wings hang over the edge of the tub. The action was a very relaxed and had several intimacy meanings in the traditional pegusi culture. His brother would have knocked him across the room for such an infraction. “Lady Swirl’s father was a merchant of some prominence. Even enough to gain a minor title. She has continued that dynasty as much as possible.”

“Impressive.” Trixie said while fixing the bed.

“True, she is trying to make it into the upper nobility though. Gain access to the rights and resources available to them by gaining some ‘zebridian contract’. Not my concern what that is.  We are to help that become a reality.”

“How would we do that?” She asked while moving on to pour more hot water into Mordane’s bath.

“By making her look as if she was able to tame a monster.” Mordane grinned. Trixie rolled her eyes once seeing his wing where out on full display.

“Why don’t you put those things away, ‘Monster’”

Mordane chuckled and pulled the cork on the tub. A minute later he stood up and stretched out his wings. He took a deep breath and reached for the wind.

Trixie yelped at the sudden gust of wind before look at Mordane as the wind dried him off of himself. 

“Your mouth is open.” Mordane remarked as he stepped out of the tub completely dry.

“But-but your horn.”

“I’m not only a unicorn.” Mordane chuckled, ”I don’t understand it either but it is so.”

“Then why am I cleaning your room?”

“Because, I can’t use this.” He motioned to his still cracked horn, “Not for at least another eleven months. ‘Till then I’ll just have to make due with the wind and my superior strength.”

Trixie frowned while looking up and down Mordane’s body.

“I didn’t know that pegasi could do that…”

“Apparently they can. Along with a lot of other things.” Mordane snorted, “The pegasi are far more suited to war.”

Tonight I get clean, I have already been to her tailor, I am currently taking a bath. What else do I need…

“Trixie, clean my wings.”

Trixie stumbled, her face turning beet red. She jerked her head over to Mordane with her mouth hanging open slightly.

Mordane pulled off his face cloth and frowned.

“I’m being serious. I need them straitened, plucked and cleaned, otherwise they won’t be presentable.”

“I am not...your play thing!” She hissed “There is no way I’m getting anywhere near your wings.”

Mordane snorted.

“You're at least twelve years my senior.” Really twelve younger “I think any such relations are off the table as a matter of course.”

Trixie growled and threw a towel at him which he batted away with a wing.

“I can do it myself but they need to be perfect. I thought that you would understand the most about presentation.”

“Just...lay down on the bed.” Mordane smiled and did as he was told. Blushing the whole time Trixie used her magic to clean Mordane’s wings. Pulling on each of the feathers into alignment.  

Mordane admitted to himself that the sensation was pleasurable, but not in a sexual way. More intimate than anything. Like rubbing someone's feet.

That didn’t stop him from making cooing sounds thougn.

Shortly later Mordane stood up and stretched his wings. They moved far easier and looked far better. 

“Thank you Trixie. I’ll skip the happy ending.” He grinned as she grumbled curses at him.

Mordane moved toward the door but Trixie blocked his way.

“You need to get back in the tub.” she said.

“Why? I’m clean.”

“Because.” Trixie smiled while levitating a pair of scissors “I need to give you a cut. You look as if you haven’t had a trimming in months”

“That's because I haven't.” Mordane said backing up, “and I don’t think that you-”

“Trixie had to cut her own hair and do her own mane on the road. Are you doubting Trixie's ability?”

“I just don’t like that look in your eyes.” Mordane whispered as the door closed. He moved into the tub though, “I will remind you that I need a good job done.”

“Don’t worry, ‘Monster’, Trixie will make you look the part you have to play. After all, I am a master of illusion.”

Mordane snorted but layed down and let Trixie cut his hair anyway.  He sat there and ran his tongue over the new small points in his mouth. 

A mere week ago teasing Trixie this way would have been unthinkable. Now it came so easily. For a brief moment he considered pushing for more but then declined. He may have been here for decades but his was still a human at heart. Laying with a pony was something he would only consider if seriously drunk.
___________________________________________________________________________

“Is this really necessary?”

“You must look the part Mordane. The nobles think of you as a barbarian. A ruffien.”

“Yes, but this outfit. Why would I wear anything like this?”

Mordane stood in the Mares office. The stark simplicity and function of it hadn’t changed since he was there last. Now though he wasn’t only wearing a slave collar. It was a leather outfit with iron fastenings and thick steel armor plates. Pictures of pony skulls and such were engraved all over it.

Honestly, it looked overdone.

“Well, what did you wear?”

“A black cloak with thin enchanted plates so I could still fly. Why would I weigh myself down unnecessarily?”

“Well that isn’t was some pony thinks of when they think ‘leader of cutthroat mercenaries’.”

“Just...get me thinner armor plates with no engravings. I feel like I’m a walking joke.”

Mordane gripped both sides of the armor and twisted to pull it off. Much to his surprise the claps gave way and snapped.

The armor fell off of him and clattered to the floor, leaving him standing naked.

“Well, we certainly wouldn't want that to happen.” Mordane said.

“Indeed. I’ll have a more practical set of armor made.”

Mordane nodded. “So, there was something about etiquette lessons?”

“Yes, you must learn to play the part of a gentlepony.” She reached over and rang a small bell. A few moments later the head butler came in and , giving a glare to Mordane, gave a deep bow to Swirl.

“What do you wish for my lady?”

“Take this one and show him proper court etiquette. Make him at least presentable by tomorrow.”

Mordanes ear swiveled.

“Tomorrow?”

“Yes. That is the first available invite I’ve received this month.” She sighed,”The only one I’ve received this month. The patron is an old client. A good friend but not very...ambitious.”

Mordane grunted and followed behind the Head butler. “I will be ready.”

“See that you are.”

Mordane followed the silent butler down the expensive looking corridor, then down a flight of stairs to the servant section before coming to a halt in what appeared to be a storage room.

“Quite dusty in here isn’t it?”

“Better than your kind is use to I’m sure.” Sniffed the butler. 

Mordane grunted again, the pony snorted, back hair rising to stand on end he flipped around and glared knives at him. 

“I do not know what you did to gain my ladies favor, but I’m sure it will not last. How DARE you speak so flippantly with her!”

Mordane a few days ago might have hung his head. The pony from a month ago would have given no mind.

Mordane was not those ponies.

He tackled the Butler, driving him back until coming into contact with a stack of boxes the pony gasped. Mordane just gave him a jab into the gut in return causing him to crumple to the ground.

“And you” he spat, “Will not speak save to serve if I call..”

Stepping back Mordane rubbed his shoulder, promising death through his eyes at the butler as he stood up. An uncertain look in his eyes.

“Now. You will teach me the forms of address and social fax paus so that I may meet our master’s obligations then never see you again.”

The pony nodded while brushing off his suit, his ears drooping fully.

“In social circles it is proper to address your superiors as my lady or my lord-”

____________________________________________________________________________

Mordane sat on a stone. Sweat pouring off of him. The exercise had continued. Now though he found he enjoyed the exertion, at least when his life didn’t depend on it.  In front of him was the dragon. The lessons had gone on for hours, dragging though a hundred different social rules. Mordane had demanded to learn them all. Even the ones he would likely never use such as when talking to a lesser.

Now he sat in front of his dragon laughing about them all.

“-but if you're a prospective partner you must first ask to even approach the daughter. It's the silliest dance of lies and false nobility I’ve ever heard.”

The dragons laughter was boulders bouncing in a deep ravine. Mordane could almost feel it stronger than his own.

“Ponies are foolish creatures. Clinging to the mere semblance of power.”

“Personally I think it because the nobles of Tietus are ‘young blood’ as it were. Being only third generation nobility would make anyone want to affirm their specialness.” He sniggered. ‘Still, I will need to be careful. Their power is real. To far, or not far enough, and I could end up with my head on a spike.” Mordane said rubbing his neck.

“Hmm, that would be a great loss. I was hoping to hear more stories of your rise. Tell me little one. Why have you returned here?”

Mordane looked away. His mouth drawing into a fine line.

“You are an interesting being to talk to is all.”

________________________________________________________________________

Mordane bit the inside of his mouth.

He was wearing iron and steel. It looked rough but exactly what a noble would call ‘rustic’ set of armor. The black cloak was there but now it had Armor on the top. It also was a full piece going around his body instead of a few thin plates. The edge rested underneath his chin. Gems sockets were directly set into the armor with smooth flat spaces around them for inscribing enchantments.

Mordane thought it was hideous.

Still it spelled the image of a powerful, mysterious alicorn to a T. 

In truth it was a far grander suit then any mercenary could have ever afforded. It was far too tight around his collar.

Even so, he grabbed the side of his hood and pulled it over his face before stepping up into a carriage. He was glad to be out of Celestia's sun again.

 Time to start the act 

He straightened his wings and tilted his head casting his face into shadow.

“What do you think?” He smiled.

“Acceptable.” Swirl said from behind her veil, “You look the part.”

She nodded toward the carriage puller.

Whispers. That is all he could hear as he kept his eyes firmly on the back of the pony in front of him.

“That's miss swirl” “Who is she..” “The mercenary king” “ I think his name was Strongwind?”

At the last one he snapped his eyes to the source.

A unicorn mare in proper dress. Obviously noble of birth. She stepped back her mouth opening in a silent shriek.

Mordane turned to look back toward the carriage puller. Giving the same look to a dozen ponies along the way. 

He spent most of his time fiddling with his teeth points. Getting use to the sensation.

Arriving shortly after he waited for Swirl to motion him to follow. Looking up he noted the size and opulence of the estate. It was smaller than Swirls but far more rustic, it denoted an older noble family.

Swirl lead him through the side door and up a flight of stairs. After a few moments he could hear a large group beyond the huge double doors.

The servant lead them turned around and leaned in to whisper to Miss Swirl.

“My lady, how should I uh...introduce your escort.”

“This is Stronghoof.”

The stallion straitened and quickly glanced over at the expressionless Mordane.

“V-Very well, my Lady.”

The stallion turned around and breathed deeply before coughing and pushing open the door to reveal a large room where over two dozen ponies stood chatting. Mordane was vaguely reminded of Victorian decor as he looked at his surroundings. It showed its age, but he assumed it was still of the current style. Old and respectable but not stagnant.

The crowd of ponies stopped and turned to look at them entering. Their eyes focusing on Swirl for a moment before locking on him.

“Lady Swirl, owner of Brightcorn company escorted by Stronghoof the...mercenary.” 

He bowed with Lady Swirl and lifted off his hood as they entered. His polished slave collar gleaming in the light he gave a small smile to the surrounding ponies. Immediately the whole room had burst into whispered discussion. Everypony watched as they descended the steps to be among them. Unconsciously they backed up and made room, looking to the guards that stood tall in the corners of the room.

“Lady Swirl.” practically shouted a stallion. He descended from the main table and walked out to meet them before bowing to her. “It is so good of you to come to my humble gathering.”

“The pleasure is all mine Goodwind. I must apologize for arriving late.”

“Fashionably late it would seem.” He looked at Mordane eyes lighting up, “I approve. You have many fine qualities of which to share.”

“You flatter me too much Sir Goodwind. May I introduce to you personally my escort, Stronghoof.”

“A fine specimen indeed. How did you come to procure him? Had I known he was up for sale…”

“I heard from a friend of a salespony moving him toward our fair city and thought the country air would do me well.”

Mordane frowned. The other ponies eyes snapped back to him.

“I hope you enjoy this party.” he turned to Mordane, “You as well, Stronghoof.”

Mordane gave a slight nod in return. The idea of being measured like a slab of meat did not sit well but he knew that he was playing the part of a slave. This shouldn’t anger him so much. It was irrational. He needed to resist the urge to glare at the stallion before Swirl tapped him on the arm. 

“Stay calm.”

Mordane nodded, stretched his neck, then looked at the mare approaching them.

“Good evening Lady Swirl.”

“Lady Farsight” She gave a slight bow.

“A good slave you have brought there-”

Mordane frowned again as the pony once again seemed to ignore him.

As did the next one.

After a short while his eyes glazed over and couldn’t help but look bored. It wasn’t until Swirl stiffened that he came back to the moment.

“This is the barbarian reaper!?” Shouted a voice filled with disgust.

The room fell into silence. Mordane snapped to the pony in question. It was a stallion. Prim and proper suit with a short mane.

“I find such a...creature to be the feared and rageful beast that raged in the countryside to be utterly unimaginable!”

The room began to murmur. The ponies felt uncertain and before Mordane even realised it he had struck.

The stallion went tumbling back as Mordane had crossed the space between them in a moment. He struck the stallion. A thrum in his ears shook him from the beating of his heart. 

His hood fell back and his wings came onto full spread as a cold seeped into his blood.

“I will not let such words go unanswered.” Mordane spat. “You filth-”

“Stronghoof.” Swirl spoke firmly cutting him off. “Calm yourself.”

Mordane stopped immediately. Reason catching up with his actions.

 What the hell? What did I just do?  

He could practically feel the guards getting ready to rush him.

“Return to my side.”

Mordane noticed he was still standing over the wide eyed stallion. Breathing hard. His eye twitched as he looked down at him.

“As you wish my lady.” Mordane turned and walked stiffly back to her side. “I will not kill him for his words.”

“Good. It would not seem well for you to decimate our hosts guards.” She chuckled bringing up whispers. ”It is also true that many of these ponies are my...friends.”

Turning toward the dumbfounded host standing on the other side of the room, she gave a slight tilt of the head.

“I apologize for my...escort’s behavior, Goodwin.”

“Think nothing of it…”

Once beside her Mordane closed his eyes and did some breathing exercises. He focused his anger and sought to ride it as the dragon said. The sudden outpouring of uncontrolled rage unnerved him.

“Are you well?” Swirl whispered

“I am acceptable.”

“Good, don’t do that again. Not without my permission.” She looked around at the crowd giving them a wide berth. “I think though your action had the desired effect.”

“Desired effect?” Mordane asked looking at her.

“You did intend to make them think you were unhinged…” She looked questioningly. “Don’t tell me you intended to kill him in truth?”

“Of course not. I am just surprised you saw through my thoughts so quickly.” Mordane lied before giving a smile.

The two of them found a corner and sat. Swirl nodded in recognition at anypony who looked their way.

“Who was that stallion anyway?”

“A business rival named Fairwind. He must be competing for the same position as me.”

“...I see.”

“Excuse me?” A mare whispered hesitantly while walking up. She looked to Swirl. “May I...speak to...Mr. Stronghoof?”

“Of course, anypony may.” Swirl smiled.

Mordanes eyebrow raised as he oriented himself to face the mare. Mentally he took note as several ponies stepped closer.

“Good evening.”

Mordane turned to look at her he furrowed his brow lightly.

“To you as well.”

“Is it true you were the mercenary who occupied the holy temple?”

 What?  He did a quick thought back before settling on the fortification where he made his last stand. It had seemed old.

“Yes.”

“Why? Didn’t you fear the bad dreams?”

“It was necessary. So I did it.” Mordane replied calmly. 

“But how did you keep your army there?”

Mordane cocked his head to the side. 

“I told them I’d kill them if they ran.”

She gulped. Eyes darting to other ponies watching her.

“Leave me.” Mordane snapped suddenly. “I have no time for those that can’t control their fear.”

Mordane turned back to Swirl and listened as the mare skittered away.

Much of the night was passed in the same way as Mordane was asked simple questions about his journey by the few who would approach him.

_________________________________________________________

Back at Swirls mansion he went to the room offered to him and stripped. An irritating task without his magic. 

Frowning he went over to a mirror and slowly pulled off his bandage. Underneath that was a protective cone which he slid off a centimeter at a time.

The horn just...looked painful. It worried him though that he hadn’t really felt much from it. Could the nerves be dead?

He considered trying to cast a spell for a moment but quickly dismissed it. After all it would be better safe then having his horn fracture even more.

Instead he got a good look at his injury for the first time since he had received it.

The cracks were on the mend though he could be certain it would be some time until he could cast spells again.

It was something that he was trying to not think about.

Tentatively he reached up and tapped his horn.

Instantly a spike of hot fire ran down his spine. He shivered and became sweaty as the feeling faded away.

Definitely alive

Taking a damp cloth the slowly cleaned it.

“That is far more sever than I was lead to believe.” Miss Swirl whispered suddenly behind him.

He stiffened and paused for a moment before continuing to clean.

“Yes, the horn hasn’t taken to rot though. Which should mean an eventual repair.”

“Good.” She came to stand beside him as he continued to slowly clean his horn.

“Allow me.”

Reaching up she took the cloth and continued to clean for him. Mordane winced as little jolts went down his spine. 

“Thank you. It is hard to do it well myself.” 

She placed the towel on the table and kept her eyes focused on it.

“We have another party in two days. What do you intend to do until then?”

“Speak with the Dragon.”

The mare stiffened.

“Why would you want to…”

“Power.”

Mordane turned to her and smiled.

“The same reason that you are trying to raise your rank in this little kingdom right?” Mordane reached out and touched her cheek. “Why you are still trying to seduce me.”

The mare snapped her head away, letting her hair fall over her face. He nearly bit his own tongue. The words had come out so easily. He hadn’t even considered what the impact might be. He just acted on his instinct.

A thrill ran through his soul.

Surprisingly though he didn’t feel any need to clamp down. To do no harm.

Looking at the tub he frowned.

“On second thought. That cave is pretty dirty. I’ll go there first.”

____________________________________________________________________

Mordane flew through the old city hallway and into the central chamber where the dragon lived. 

The smell was far more noticeable this time. Some small part of him was panicking at the idea of seeing the dragon again. 

‘It isn’t safe!’ The voice seemed to cry.

It was a very real possibility that the dragon could still eat him on a whim. However…

He just had to go. There were too many questions and what happened at the party stuck clearly in his mind.

“Hello little pony. I see that you have returned to my pit once again.”

“Yes, I have come to ask you something.”

“What is it?” The dragon smiled. Displaying its huge rows of razor sharp teeth.
Mordane stood next to the open pit. Spreading his wings, he dived into the chamber. The room stank worse than he remembered it.

“Its” He started. The words just wounding come though. “I...am striking out at ponies.”

“Hmm?”

“It's hard to explain, but I am not suppressing my rage and it's...hard to control.”He looked the dragon in the eye. “I nearly broke a pony's neck at a party.”

“Then you should have killed them.”

“Perhaps...but I suppose I wanted my freedom more.”

The dragon chuckled.

“You should always pursue what you truly desire.” Mordane frowned, ”but also listen to your instincts.”

She rustled her wings as Mordane nodded.

“Consider that your gut reaction may of came from an insite. Watch out for that pony. Now, we will continue with the lesson from yesterday. Focus on your breath…”

________________________________________________________

The next party came quickly and was largely uneventful, save for seeing the Goodwind frowning at him from across the room. Though, just before he disappeared, Mordane thought he saw him smile.

It was also a considerable step up to a landed noble. The entire place was not much of an improvement over the merchant save that all the trappings felt older. As the two of them made their way off the cart ponies whispered behind hooves masked in velvet. The two of them were escorted around back as Mordane fiddled with a broach on his chest.

Swirl had placed it on him just before they got of their cart saying it would denote him as her escort.

Mordane felt jittery, like a snake was slithering under his fur that he could see or if Celestia was skrying him. 

His spine itched and his wings ached ever so slightly. Worse, his horn was throbbing. Its ache seemed to be drilling into his mind.

A shroud had been thrown over the world as he mind turned partially inward to control it.

The ‘gathering’ was outside in the daytime with perhaps fifty ponies standing around tables. Finery that tried to find the nonexistent balance between ostentatious and casual could be seen everywhere. The bar was open and well stocked with full casks. Delectable delights of every kind lined the space. 

None of it was touched.

“You, Crimson Mercenary.” 

A haughty unicorn mare looked up at him while somehow still looking down her nose.

 I am hearing that one more and more often.

Mordane raised an eyebrow.

“Yes?”

“How many ponies did you have under your command?”

Mordane tried not to groan. This question had come a hundred times.

“Around three thousand.”

“So many?” She snorted “I rather doubt it. How would one such as you get the iron?”

Mordane leaned in close and hardened his gaze. Her nose began to move down.

“I took it.”

The mare flushed and took a step back. Neck straining to keep her nose high enough.

“Well..I-” Her mouth clamped shut before she took her leave.

Sigh, why do they keep coming?

Mordane wandered over to the table. A wide birth seemed to form as he went. Once there he picked up a plate and took a glass of water with his wings.

“Why don’t you try one of the wines my good stallion.” Mordane turned to the voice and noted that it was the party owner, “It is of good quality, I assure you.”

Mordane paused for a moment at the surprisingly jovial language before deciding to change his tack with this one.

Smiling, he downed the glass of water before responding.

“To be frank, I refrain from alcohol as I do not like having an addled mind” He sat down the glass. “If, though, you insist, I will not decline one glass.”

The stallion smiled and walked with him over to the large barrels before nodding to the attendant. 
They quickly produced a frosty bottle from behind the stand before pouring Mordane a glass.

“If it is only one glass, you will partake in then you will have my best!”

Mordane looked down at the substance he hoped was alcohol. The stallion seemed to notice his hesitation.

“A glass for me as well.” 

Mordane smiled again. He was starting to like this pony.

Mordane tasted the fine wine. Dry but sweet aftertaste that came along well with the burn going down his throat.

It was exceptionally good quality wine.

“How much does this cost?” Mordane asked raising an eyebrow 

“Five thousand bits a glass.” The stallion said seriously. “It is the best wine that I own.”

“...I am humbled.” Mordane said warmly. His eyes lighting up. “This is perhaps the best drink I have ever had.”

“Oh, have you had many?” 

Mordane laughed. 

“Enough, I may be young but I get around.” He took another sip.

“I bet you do. Makes me wonder where you came from.” He smiled 

“Oh far away and over the mountains you know how it goes.” 

The pony laughed.

“I’m Ironhoof.” He touched Mordane’s shoulder. “I hear most ponies are calling you the Crimson lord.”

“Yes, I heard. I wonder if this one will stick.”

“From what I hear it will.” His eyes tightened “I heard though a friend that your last name was Stronghoof…”
Mordanes smile loosened slightly.

“Yes, that is true. Does it surprise you?”

“Did you come from Equestria?” The stallion continued ignoring his question.

Mordane took a look at the stallion again. A closer look. Nothing though stuck out at him.

“...your questions are getting rather pointed my friend.”

“Friend is it?” The stallion said softly. “A slave as a friend. Wouldn’t be the first time.”

“I see that you have met my slave,” Miss Swirl commented as she made her way up to them. ”He is quite the specimen isn’t he?”

“Quite.” He turned suddenly to her and smiled. “How much?”

Miss swirl did a double take.

“I’m sorry?”

“Name a price. I want to buy this pony from you.”

Swirls smiled seemed to be stretched over her face like someone had bolted it there. However she firmly replied.

“He is not for sale, Ironhoof.”

The stallion searched through her eyes before smiling. 

“No? Thats to bad.” He paused for a moment, “Oh, there is an idea. How would you like to come to my afterparty.”

Swirl seemed to hesitate, but her eyes hardened much to Mordane’s internal groaning.

“Of course.”

____________________________________________________________

As the other guests filed away and the sun hung low in the sky, Mordane and Swirl were shown inside of the mansion.

The place had a different flavor than the other mansions he had been inside of. The place seemed more functional than anything. Yes, there was the usual opulence he had become use to, but each room also seemed to have a distinct purpose. Instead of ‘general sitting room’. There was a full armory, an art room and library. This place felt lived in.

They were led to a small room with a table in the center.

“Miss Swirl.”

Mordane tensed up at the sight of the pony Mordane had punched before. Nevertheless he followed decorum and bowed with his owner.

“How is the well leashed pony, Miss Swirl?”

“Now, now. None of that. The Crimson Lord is as much of my guest as Miss Swirl.” He smiled, “In fact, he will be playing the game with us tonight, if Miss Swirl is willing to have him.”

Miss Swirl frowned.

“I would not wish to impose. After all he is my servant. I would not wish for others to fear I would use my control of him for an advantage.” She smiled.

“Are you suggesting your honor is weak?” Ironhoof said but continued before Miss Swirl could retort. “I doubt it. So your promise to have there be a fair competition between us and to do Stronghoof no harm for his actions in the game will be enough.“

“Very well. I promise as such.”

“Wonderful! Now how about a game of Poc”

“What other game is there?“ Swirl said with a strained smile.

“Indeed! We have four, which is the perfect number. Two master traders, one mercenary and an old pony. Just perfect!” He laughed a bellowing laugh.

In the next room was a table with a thirty by thirty square board on it. Mordane took a seat to the right of Miss Swirl and left of the host. He began to look over the pieces before him. Each corner of the board was pointed toward one side of the table.

First was a stack of about fifty checkers with arrows on them. After was what appeared to be a star of the same color, followed lastly by five stick pieces five spaces long.

 What is all of this?

“I don’t believe I know this game.” Mordane smile weakly.

“You've already made your first mistake then.” Ironhoof crackled “ This is a game of strategy. A very old one.”

He reached up and touched his nose. 

“I’ll tell the basics but that will hardly help you. You place one piece and move or reorient each of your pieces every turn. You may stack one piece atop another to increase its power. A piece attacking at a ninety degree to you attack is doubled. One from behind is quadrupled.  Pieces in fortresses are considered facing every direction. One fortress may be placed every ten turns. The sticks are roads and a unit may move anywhere along each road stick in one move. If a piece’s power outnumbers another two to one then they can attack with no pieces lost. If not then the loss to the one with the greatest power is proportional to the attack difference. Hence if a five power is attacked by a three powered then the three is wiped out and the five losses two pieces.”

The stallion paused for a moment.

“Did you get all of that?”

Mordane frowned. Swirl game him a weak smile as Fairwind sneered wickedly.

“Any noble would know this game, Crimson Lord.”

“Enough of that. As host, I’ll take first move.” He seemed to straighten a bit, a serious look came over his face, “Let the game begin.”

Quickly Ironhoof set down and placed his iron piece checker with the arrow facing toward the board center about one fourth of the way toward the center.
 
“Playing evenly.” Miss Swirl said as she placed, “I’m surprised to see such a traditional move.”

“I do too.”

Fairwinds placed his piece with the toward the hosts piece an eighth of the board away. It was Mordane’s turn.

“Wonder what he will do.” Fairwinds practically growled.

Mordane wasn’t sure. He didn’t want to ask for the rules again, despite him just getting the jist of it.

He wasn’t going to let that cause him to freeze though.

Calmly he placed down his peace opposite of Ironhoof.

The others shook their head. Swirl gave a strained smile while Fairwinds snorted.

Over the next hour Mordane tried his best to keep up with the three skilled players. Miss Swirl and Fairwinds showed no mercy though.

It was only by losing half of his pieces that he was able to secure his position. Placing three fortresses with roads between them allowed him to set up a high defense, about thirteen percent of the board. Beyond that, though, he held no territory.

Despite being far more thinly spread, his opponents placed formations that pinned his stronger units, maliciously pressed his weaker ones and generally made a mess of things.

What truly made him want to break all their backs was the sudden explanation of situational rules.

“Oh, if a piece is surrounded it surrenders without a fight.”

“Stacked units may split but split units can’t combine.”

“Two pieces can attack at once.”

It went on and on.

He felt a bit of pride though, having outlasted the host Ironhoof already.. 

Nearly an hour ago there had been a puncture in his line  in which he had tried to reinforce. Doing so had weakened his other side which caused a puncture there and a total route.

He seemed good heartened about it though. Instead taking up commenting on the ongoing game.

“Miss Swirl, you seem to be letting your left flank weaken.” Ironhoof chuckled.

“True, perhaps Fairwinds will take advantage of it.”

“Eventually my dear, eventually.”

The both of them were hardening their lines as he was kept confined. Mordane wanted to grind his teeth, wanted to be angry.

He wasn’t though, instead he found himself going over and over possible actions he could take. Already he was far behind with the other two forces outnumbering him two to one apiece. Any move to push to one side would eventually see him overextended. Staying still would accomplish nothing as he was out of pieces to reinforce with.

The tension was mounting and he just couldn’t see a way out. There was no way to take them-

He saw it.

Mordane placed his piece and over the next few turns in order to build up his forces in two large stacks at the tip of his territory. At ten stacks high, he left only a two line high wall to guard his territory.

Both of his opponents moved to intercept.

“Oh? Risking all instead of nothing?” Ironhoof asked Mordane declined to answer, staring intently at the board.

Finally he was ready.

“I declare an attack against Miss Swirl.”

“And you thought he would help you.” laughed Fairwind as he moved to punch through Mordane’s weakened line.

“I now am going to take you here, Good sir.” Mordane smiled pivoting his forces to attack the trader.

“Attacking both? Going out with a bang, Crimson Lord? Certainly fits your name.” Ironhoof sighed, leaning on his hoof

Mordane moved his pieces again, his face like stone.

“So, you’ve given up.” Fairwinds snorted. The two opponents moved to surround his pieces. He kept them out of reach, instead attacking single pieces and keeping his stacks on the run. He couldn’t avoid damage completely though, as each army was losing one piece for every two they took.

“Can’t say I’m too surprised” Sighed fairwinds. “What do you expect to accomplish?”

“I attack you here Mr. Winds.” Miss swirl smiled as she suddenly punched through a section of his line.

Fairwinds eyes played over the situation, he frowned. That position had been secure before, but now it was compromised. In fact, there was no real way for him to salvage the situation. Scanning Miss Swirl’s line he noticed a similar weakness and attacked, ignoring Mordane’s stack.

Over the next twenty turns, Miss Swirl’s and Fairwind’s lines collapsed.

Mordane moved his twenty remaining pieces into stacks of five, abandoning his corner completely.

He moved to the rear of each of their lines, harassing them and preventing any consolidation.

The rest of the game was played in silence.

Neither of the two leading players could stop attacking the other without giving up the game entirely. Both continued to whittle each other down.

When  the enemy pieces left were few enough, Mordane went on the attack. He chewied through the considerably weaker stacks with ease until there were none left.

“Victory...for the Crimson Lord.” whispered Ironhoof. “Victory of the kind I’ve never seen.”

Looking up he smiled at Swirl and Fairwind.

“It seems you lost.” 

“Indeed.” Miss Swirl smiled “As is to be expected I suppose.”

“It is not so!” Spat Fairwind, ”He controls no territory. How could he be said to have won!”

“I would say that he controls the entire board Mr. Fairwind.” Miss Swirl replied still smiling.

“Horse apples!”

“Mr. Fairwind!” Snapped Ironhoof “There is a lady present.”

“Earth pony filth a lady?” he growled “She is not fit to be a whore.”

Ironhoof bucked Fairwind, sending him across the room.

The Unicorn stallion stood over the pegasus and glowered.

“I think I will be giving my recommendation to the king that LADY Swirl be given the contract ,Mr. Wind. I suggest you accept this.”

Fairwind opened his mouth in a snarl before closing it suddenly. . His eyes flicked over to Mordane,  boiling with rage he stood up smoothly, dusted himself off and left just as smoothly.

“Oh my.” Miss Swirl said covering her mouth with her hoof “That is the second time I’ve seen his temper get the better of him.”

“Yes.” Ironhoof replied staring off after him.” I apologize Miss Swirl. Such language should never be directed toward a lady.”

“It is well Lord Ironhoof. I am made of hardier stuff than most ladies of the court.”

“Indeed” The stallion smiled before turning to look at Mordane. “What though should I give you as a reward for victory?”

“Defending my lady is compensation enough my lord.” Mordane said tilting his head. “Though I am confused. Why did he contest my victory?”

Ironhoof looked at Miss Swirl and To Mordane.

“The game is not meant to be won in such a way. Usually a leader aims to waste as little as possible. Wiping out your enemies and doing nothing to hold onto you own territory.” He shook his head “ It goes against all convention. It is as if you abandoned all defence of your land.  Such a thing would be seen as defeat.”

“You won by making us lose everything Mordane. By loosing so much yourself. It is not done.” Miss Swirl added.


_____________________________________________________________________

That night Mordane replayed the battle in his mind. He thought of the battlefield covered in blood and broken homes, Shatter fortresses. 

The unease he had been feeling grew.

Mordane once again found himself entering the dragon's lair.  He moved as quickly as he could down the hole and hall.

He entered the inner chamber at full tilt. The wind blowing a wall of dust he impacted in front of the dragon. He felt the ground shake through and felt the room echoed with his impact. His eyes dilated, Hair shaking in a wind not there. Moving out in random directions.

“Mordane?” The dragon rumbled.

Mordane breathed deep and cracked his wing muscles.

“I feel like ants are crawling under my skin. Like I just want to SCREAM.”

The dragon raised an eyebrow.

“I could never pretend to be concerned about those little ones.” She smiled “It seems to be eating you from the inside.”

“Perhaps literally” Mordane snorted. Finishing his wing pops “ It took every bit of my focus not to strike today. I was stuck, playing a game for hours. A game where I didn’t know the rules.”

“Did you win?” The dragon glared. Eyes piercing and sending shivers down his spine. 

“Yes.”

“But you still feel uneasy. Why?”

“I don’t know.”

The dragon snorted.

“Have you been paying attention to nothing I taught you. You are fire. Fire that rest smolders. You must always be moving forward.” He pointed to the collar around Mordane “The longer you where that thing the worse it will get.”

“There is not much I can do about that.”

“I suppose you just want to live with that on.”

“Of course not. I will be free when I complete the task Swirl has set before me.”

“You don’t really think she will set you free do you?” 

“...No..”

“What is your plan then?”

“I’m working on it.”

“So you are letting the wind carry you. I understand you’ve done that for a long time.” She leaned in close. “ Tell you what. Why don't I just rip that ring right off you. Then you can just fly out of here.”

“You- I can’t.” He stammered. “I can’t just run. I gave my word. Also, if I run then I’ll always be running...I just don’t want to run anymore.”

The dragon snorted.

“Why stop now? All that you have to do for me is open two gate.” She held up two fingers. “ Two gates and I can make it into the city. Do that and I’ll break that ring off of you.”

Mordanes eyes were glued to the dragon. He thought about it. Flying free. Perhaps he could try going south some more, perhaps a boat to Zebrica. If he just kept going far enough…

Mordane pinched his eyes shut and shook out the thought. He was done running. 

“No. I won’t run.”

The dragon unfurled her wings. Eyes lighting up. Her voice once again taking on the form of a rolling storm.

“Do you not know that I could kill you.”

“Yes...yes. I know, but I will make my own way and live with the consequences.”

The dragon lunged and snapped.

Mordane closed his eyes and waited for the end.

Then, laughter.

“Rise little one. Rise up truly free.”

Mordane opened his eyes to see his teacher smiling.

“You have chosen well.Tell me, why are you so nervous, so afraid, do you know?”

“No.” Mordane frowned. “I was uncertain?”

“Partially, I said that I saw great fear in you Mordane.That is still there. You still fear what you might do.”

“Yes…”

“But you stood resolute against me.”

“Yes.”

She chuckled “Don’t ever run again my little hatchling, or else you will never stop. Don’t think. Just act.”

“Restless, like a little pup who doesn’t know where he wishes to go.” She chuckled. “Now though you are ready. Come! Eat with me.”

That night Mordane ate with the dragon again. Somehow they both knew this was the last time he would come to the pit and the last time they would face each other as teacher and student.

______________________________________________________________________


“A ball?”

“Yes, a ball”

Mordane rubbed his forehead. It had been two days since he spoke to the dragon. Two and a half months since the fight at the fortress.

“At least I know how to dance.” Mordane sighed.

“Mordane.” Swirl said standing up and walking around the table “ I know that this has been...straining on you. Just know that we are close. This party is vastly important.”She blushed” I was invited by a duke”

“You have a dance partner?” Mordane said, noting the blush “ Should..I go then?”

“Yes.” She pulled out an invitation” You where invited. While I...get acquainted with the duke you will make yourself known in the main auditorium. Traditionally though you should bring a dance partner. Tonight I hope to have him invite us to view the games at the colosseum.”

Mordane raised an eyebrow. Inviting a slave was odd to say the least. However, he had been a sensation for some time. More and more ponies had begun paying attention to the stories of him.

“Well, there is only one mare I know besides you around here…”

“Yes, that Trixie mare.” She cocked her head to the side “What is your intentions with her?”

“Honestly I have none.” Mordane rubbed his chin.


_________________________________

“How did you get Trixie to do this.”

“I just reminded you that if you didn’t go you would be sent to clean the entire lower foyer.”

Trixie wore a blue dress and Mordane a tuxedo. The pair of them sat in a cart being pulled through the rich part of Tietus.

He saw a poor pony being dragged toward the outer gate.

Then he realised where they were headed.

“Pony feathers, it's in the inner walls.”

They crossed into the innermost wall section. There only the Dukes and king could own anything or even move freely.

There were guards who broke off and began to escort their two wagons.

“Oh my.” Trixie whispered. The area was even more opulent than the outer courtyard. There was Marble streets with storm drains build in. Lampposts with blue magical flame lined the street. Every building looked to be a piece of an art.

The house felt mostly empty, oddly quite.

That stayed true even as he went into the actual ball room. 

Music played softly as perhaps four dozen ponies milled about with ten dancing in a set off area. Mordane pulled her out.

“What are you doing?”

“Dancing.” Mordane pulled her up into a dancing stance. “Do you have a problem with that?” 

“Trixie.” She blushed ”Doesn’t have a problem with that.”

He smiled and began to scan the room. Every single pony was talking dancing doing anything and everything, that happened to be in line of sight to him.

 They are all focused on me.

The thought thrilled him even as the claw of fear began to rear its head. A claw that he recognized and pushed down.

Trixie flowed from step to step with utter ease as Mordane stiffly moved with her.

“Where did you learn to dance like this?” Mordane asked.

“I learned it from my father.”

“Your father taught you to dance hm? Thats nice” Mordane smiled down at her.

Trixie looked up at him. Her nose scrunching up. 

“I cannot believe that you're any less than twenty five. You're to big.”

Mordane laughed softly. 

“Now my eyes are up here.”

Her face flashed red, Mordane just grinned and kept talking.

“I’ve always been big for my age. By now I’m freakishly tall.” He looked around and made sure no one could hear him before leaning in. “I am actually nineteen.”

Trixie stiffened for a moment. Before shaking her head.

“No one would believe such a lie.” 

“I suppose they wouldn’t.” Mordane replied. “Even if it's true.”

As the song came to an end the two walked off the dance floor to the corner where Miss Swirl was waiting. Around her an assortment of hanger ons parted ways and let them get close. 

“Mordane. I was just talking to Miss chestnut over here. She was wondering what it was like to walk among the great ruins of our fair Lady of the night.”

“Well.” mordane began.” I remember there was a great many murals. I did not spend much time looking at them though.”

“What of the nightmares?” The mare Chestnut asked. “ Most are chased out in a day.”

“I didn’t have much of a choice in the matter-” Mordane continued. His eyes wandering over to seeing Trixie excusing herself while miss Swirl gestured torward the bar “ I myself was able to ignore them. My ponies found it to be the strength they needed to weather it.”

“Very impressive.” Gargled the mares husband” Surely you must of had a few deserters.”

“None worth mentioning I think you’d agree.” His mind flashed back to High Rise, wondering a moment where he may be.

Mordane settled in for the long hall. Answering question he had a dozen times since coming to the city. The nights clock ticking on as he found his mind slipping onto other things. Trailing off as he answered questions automatically.

He had been there for four months by this point but his gut was telling him the time here would soon be coming to an end. He wondered again what was happening to Boulder. If someone had buried Stalker. What would he do with Trixie.

”Where is Trixie” he thought ”It's been at least thirty minutes since she went to the bar.

He took a moment to scan the room but couldn’t see any sight of her. Looking back at Miss Swirl he noted she still lacked a drink.

Did she run?

That didn’t seem to likely to him. He continued to think on it until a servant approached him.

“Message for you sir.” The stallion said passing him a card. “ from a Mr.Fairwind.”

Mordanes chest tightened. Instantly he ran through possible scenarios and realized the likely content of the message.

He took it over to Miss Swirl and opened it. Letting her read over his shoulder.

 To Stronghoof

        I have your Mare. Come to the warehouse 13. Tell no one.

He looked over to Miss Swirl biting her lower lip. Her eyes told it all. The king would be coming soon. If Mordane left then it might go badly. Mordane though wasn’t going to wait for permission. His blood was aboil. Not for Trixie, but that somepony had thought to try and take from him. Even if that something he didn’t really own.

“I’m going.”

“What? You-”

He growled, his pointed teeth showing at his upturned lip.

“V-very well.”

Mordane turned his gaze back to the crowd. One look was all it took for them to part ways as he stormed out of the building.

A few ponies not knowing what was going on started shouting but Mordane didn’t stay to listen. Once outside he took to the air.

 Damn that Fairwinds thinking he can blackmail me.

The night air was cool against his wings as he ascended to two hundred meters over the city. The pale moon was slightly higher in the sky. By this time it was bright enough that he could see.

He flew up to the wall of the inner courtyard. Waiting he darted over the wall as the guards passed. Then over the second wall and into the outer sections.

He moved quickly and straight toward the wharf. He flew along the edge until he saw the designated Warehouse. Flying down he landed lightly onto the roof. Even at this late hour there were ponies working on the wharf. He hopped they wouldn’t get involved.

Walking lightly he went up to the window and listened in.

“Be assured. He will come.” Mordane thought that he recognized the voice but was unsure.

“That half breed better. Napping this Mare has cost me a pretty bit.”

“I assure you he will come. From pride if not anything else.”

Mordane scanned the room. His heart quickening as adrenaline began to flow into his system.

five ponies. Two unable to fight. Trixie is tied up. Relatively unharmed. Those guys look like hired thugs....Frontal assault it is.

Taking a deep breath and exhaling quickly he dived into the room and planted his hooves right onto the small of one of the thugs backs. 

“HOLD MORDANE.” He looked to the right and much to his surprise he identified the second voice as it held a dagger to Trixie's throat.

Mordane froze though he wasn’t sure why.

Gritting his teeth Mordane spat.

“Your Miss Swirl would be very disappointed in you, Servent.”

“That may be so.” Spoke up the head servant as he pushed the knife slightly into Trixie throat “,but I truly am serving her with this. I will prevent your blood from polluting her line-”

“Quite.” Fairwinds snarled before turning back to Mordane.” We need to be quick.”

Fairwinds tossed a fisherman's rope across the room sliding to Mordane feet.

“...What is this?”

“Put that on or she dies.” 

Mordane looked at Fairwinds. The thugs. Trixie. 

Images flashed before his eyes. Another world and body. Another situation but the same once again.

He felt his wing shift. 

Did he really want to do this? To kill Trixe. To attack and see her throat slit. To play this the same way again?

 No!

Then he caught himself. No, he did not want that. He wasn’t sure why, it wasn’t love nor compasion, but he didn’t want to see Trixie die.His blood boiled but he had been here before. He had stood across and watched someone die when he struck. Reason told him to and still he did not act.

Instead,he pulled to rope under himself and waited as the two thugs came and tied him up.

The entire Time Mordane looked at Trixie. Tears rolling out of her eyes. The knife pulling back and calling out the barest hint of a red stream.

Then Fairwinds nodded to his thugs.

The blow was sudden and painful. Mordane immediately detached from the situation as the earth pony applied firm kicks to his side. Yet in the void that helped him so many times before he did not find nothing.

No, there was a fire. A fire that he hated but needed. The vastness. 

His eyes snapped open.

“You know. I expected More.” Fairwinds smirked.He kicked Mordane. Hard. But Mordane barely felt it.

“You will die tonight Fairwinds.”

“...” Everypony froze for a moment before Fairwinds Laughed.

“How? Your wings are bound and I know your horn is cracked.” He Stepped back. “What else do you have?”

“The Earth”

_______________________(Five Months earlier)__________________________________

“Why though Stalker?” He chuckled. “I have my magic and wings. Why would I need hoof to hoof?”

“What if you ever find yourself without those things eh Mordane?” He walked up to Mordane and pushed on his lower back a bit.

Mordane was balancing with his rear hooves in a meditative position. 

“Its enough that you teach me the basics of Earth pony magic. I don’t need to know that.”

“Mordane.” He frowned.” Your butt is beginning to look a little fat.”

“...”

“...”

“Now it isn’t ever happening.”

Stalker sighed.

“There is more out there then you know Mordane.”

“Of course I am looking for it-”

Faster than he could blink Stalker was there. Knife drawn and pressed against Mordanes throat.

“You're going to let Boulder teach you the sword and I’m going to teach you at least how to give a good buck!”

___________________(Present day)____________________________

Mordane bucked like he had never bucked before. His hooves connected with the earth pony stallion, breaking his neck. He used the kicked to push off and slide to the side of the second thugs knife.

Stepping back rapidly he drew the twitching first stallions knife before squaring off against him. Vaguely he heard the clatter of the knife as the head servant made a b line for the back door.

The stallion had drawn a Great sword. His eyes lighting up in preparation for the attack.

Mordane simply cut the rope binding his wings.

The blast wave hit Fairwinds and the thug a second throwing them off their feet. Mordane wasted no time and paused on the thug plunging the knife into his heart.

“Whats going on here!”

Mordanes eyes flashed over to the front door where the Head slave had run out.

A mare was looking in as two stallions opened the door exposing the grisly scene.

Mordane heard Fairwinds start to move to the back of the warehouse but Mordane wouldn’t let him get away.The stallion backpedaled and Mordane approached.

“P-Please.St-Stron - Crimson Lord! I just wanted you to help me get the contract.”

“I don’t care.”

“Look” He said desperately shaking his hoof toward Trixie.”You Marefriend is safe. Your safe. There is no need to kill me.”

“Your right. There is not.” Mordane stood over him. Before placing booth hooves on either side of Fairwinds head.“You made two mistakes Fairwind. The first was not knowing about my earth pony strength. The second TACKING WHAT BELONG TO ME!”

*CRUNCH*

“Ahh!” The ponies watching screamed and ran. Many calling for the guard.

Mordane stepped away from the body and walked over to Trixie.

Her eyes were wide but she didn’t run as he cut the ropes and blindfold off of her

She didn’t speak, instead opting to look at the ground.

“Your hurt.” Mordane said. Lifting her chin. 

“I’m sorry.”

Mordane choked his head to the side.

“I...heard you were a killer, but seeing it. I…”

“Its different.” Mordane whispered. “These are wild ponies.”

“...Why did you save me? Why...help me.”

Mordanes eyes hardened.

“Because they thought to blackmail me. I have nothing”

“I owe you my life.” She whispered

Mordane looked down at the mare. He had come because his gut told him to. Just as he had been nice to Trixie on instinct. Perhaps…

He grabbed both sides of her head. Drawing out a small squeak.

“You.” He growled “You belong to me. ”

Trixie didn’t breath, she didn’t move for a full second.

Before nodding her head.

Looking away Mordane lowered his hooves.

“Will you obey me?”

Trixie nodded again.

“I, Will.”

“Don’t regret it.” Mordane snapped, “let's go.”

Mordane pulled her up and led her out the back door.

Behind him word began to spread.

___________________________________________________________

Several hours later Mordane and Trixie slipped into the home complex of Lady Swirl.

The first thing he noticed was the head servant swinging in the breeze. The second was a new servant wearing the uniform of the old. 

“Sir Mordane.” he said respectfully “ The old head servant has admitted that he was the one who assisted Sir fairwinds.”

“I… see.” Mordane replied ”how was he found out?”

“Only he, you and Miss Swirl knew to which house you were going.” He motioned toward the stairwell. “Lady swirl is waiting for you.”

“Trixie.” He said looking at the Mare. “Run us a bath please.”

She nodded and excused herself while the servant  escorted him up to Miss Swirls office. Once there she motioned him to the traditional chair with a glass of bourbon waiting. Her fur was pristine but the eyes shimmered in the candlelight.

“Mordane. I assume you saw what happened to my former head servant?”

“Yes. You sure don’t mess around do you. What was it he said after getting back?”

“Something about you stealing him and Trixie yourself. It would have been convincing save that you were in my sight the whole night.”

Mordane snorted and shook his head.

“It all happened quite fast. I assume you know the detail by now?”

“Yes. As does everypony in town. In fact their was a bounty on your head for a short time.”

“For a time?”

Miss Swirl smiled and stood up over her desk.

“Yes, but it was suspended by the king. After he spoke to me at the party.”

“Shame I missed him.”

“Oh he agrees.  Which is why he is coming here tonight to negotiate on the Zebrican contract.”

Miss Swirls eyes gleamed with greed as the clock ticked by a few seconds. Mordane rolled the bourbon over his tongue. His eyes shifting down to the ground.

“Then it would seem...that our time together will soon be at an end I suppose.”

The mare's eyes glinted slightly as her smile was forced even bigger. 

“Of course”

Mordane frowned. He stared intently into his drink, brow furrowed.

“I will need you on your best behavior of course.” She continued “ He will be here in just a few hours. Any disturbance at this stage would be disastrous and you..Well you would of course not receive your freedom.”

Mordane looked up from his glass. A slight gleam there. 

“How about No.”

Miss Swirl binked.

“I’m sorry?”

“I said No. I won’t play the catowed killer for your kings visit. Unless of course you give me something.”

Miss Swirl blinked again before sitting down Her hooves pressing against each other to then press against her mouth.

“As I said. Your freedom.”

“Freedom.” Mordane snapped “ is a pretty word but not real until you take this collar off. Plus it's not enough anymore.”  He leaned forward. “I want Trixie.”

“...sigh, very well-”

“Now. Before he gets here or when he does I-”

Suddenly like a wave of lighting burning lines of agony ripped out from the collar around his neck. His eyes snapped to a ring Miss Swirl had pull from her desk.

“No Mordane.” She growled “ You will do as I tell you or you will die.” Her eyes where wild as her hoof played along something in her drawer, activating the runes.

He tried to breath but he couldn’t draw breath.

“Do not worry Mordane you won’t die of suffocation. The pain will kill you first.”

The agony doubled, it was horrible. Part of him would have done anything to turn off that pain.

Mordane folded onto the floor. His eyes becoming bloodshot.

“Every minute you test me Mordane. No more. You WILL do it.”

Mordane tried to speak staring at the mare. Smiling she let of the charm enough for Mordane to gasp for air. 

He drew in a  few rapid breaths before wearing out. His eyes looking her over. 

She was trembling.

“I hold all the cards. I. won’t. bend.”

Miss Swirl stared at Mordane. Her face twisting as if she tasting something sour. Her hoof trembled as Mordane forced himself to stand.

She sighed.

“I have no choice”

Mordane gasped as the charm turned off. Miss Swirl walked around the desk and placed her hoof on the clasp.

“If you are honorable as you seem to be…” She sighed again. “ it doesn’t matter now if you are.”

The collar clicked off.

Mordane stood up and rubbed around his neck before turning to look at the mare. 

“And Trixie?”

“My. New servant will go ahead of you. To release her.” She stretched slightly. “ The king will be here in three hours...please be ready.”

Mordane nodded before heading to his room. Once there he found Trixie already relaxing in the tub scrubbing her hair. The collar laying on the floor where it had been thrown. The mare was covering her eyes. Shoulders shaking.

“King is supposed to be here in two and a half hours about.” He commented. “ Do you think you have enough soap for the both of us?”

___________________________________________________


The house was cleaned. Twice.

The best china was brought out. Then new china bought at a high price.

A full course meal was made up of various snack foods and cheeses all made ready if the king should ask for it. Even the cellars where raided for every kind of wine imaginable.

Mordane chose to wear the armor given to him by Miss Swirl. Save that he polished it clean. The blood had been washed out of it as well.He was sitting in the lounge snaking on the confectioneries and waiting.

The king Barburus of Tietus, lord of the trotty sea, heir of Equestria, knight of the the dark was late.

It had already been three hour since he should have arrived.

“He sure doesn’t hurry.”

“The king never hurries.” Miss Swirl spoke up. “He knows that we will wait as long as needed”

Mordane stretched and cocked an ear. The town was unusually loud this night. He wondered for a second why before remembering.

oh yeah, I killed Fairwinds.

A few minutes later a servant came inside and informed them that the kings coach had arrived. Miss Swirl swallowed.

“What a homely place. Quite simple.” Mordanes ear twitched at the sentence from down the all and turned turned to see the king step into the room.

The Pegusi pony seemed almost sickly. Deep chasm like eyes and small weedy frame seemed wrapped around the large grinning smile.His clothes could only be described as fabulous. Purple with gold swirls and a huge plume of fluff sticking out of his coat. His crown was laid daintily on his head, almost as if casually laid there. 

In his wings where so many gold rings and fancy feathers that Mordane was almost certain he wouldn’t be able to fly.

He looked almost possessed yet  calculating. His eyes sweeping over the whole room with ease before coming to rest on Mordane.

“There he is!” said the king. Taking tiny quick steps. “The talk of the city and the source of so many Letters from the High Chancellor of Irona.”

The king spun around him Mordane elected to stay still.

“Oh? This is played up armor. Was yours destroyed?”

Mordane decided to go for the honest rout with this King. He seemed to be the kind of pony who would enjoy knowing that sort of thing.

“Well this is for show. I didn't have near as much Iron for steel. Plus I always prefered to use War Magic.”

“Really?”  kings head cocked to the side.” I find that. Fascinating. I’d say your current outfit is more true though, you where uncharitably brutal in war.”

“I did what was necessary. Many died and I accept that now.” Mordanes ears drooped slightly.

“Magnificence.” Swirl said while cutting in with a bow. “ I apologize for my slav- colleagues rudeness he-”

The king glared at her. His grin twisting harshly into a scowl.

“Did you not see I was speaking to him.” 

Mordane took a step back, his eyes widening slightly at the sudden flash change of mood. Miss Swirl only bowed lower still though.

“M-my liege I beg forgiveness.I meant only the upmost respect and did not wish to have myself sullied before, such a handsome stallion as you.”

Instantly the king's anger flashed to mirth again.

“Oh, you do know how to supplicate don’t you. What was it you wanted again.” He sat down on his rump and began tapping his forehead. “Something with trade routes. Oh! The Zebrican contract. Thats right.”

Turning back toward the door he clicked his tongue. A servant came in and presented a scroll to Miss Swirl.

“The full contract Dutches Swirl. With a subcontract for warehouse 3. Stronghoofs mess is still in there but it should serve your needs well.”

Miss Swirl blinked then bowed again.

“It will your magnificence.”

“Good, good. You should be commended for your controlling of this one.” He indicated Mordane. “Though I see he is now free?”

“Yes. Such was our contract”

The king frowned, blinked then smiled again.

“Here I was wanting to purchase him off of you. A contract is a contract though.” He smiled “ I commend you again. Such a simple way to get what you wanted out of him. I would’ve never considered you to have the foresight to write off such a valuable asset. However, now my business is with him if you would kindly leave.”

“Of course…”Miss Swirl bowed again and left the room. The contract tucked tight under her hoof. She hesitated only a moment at the door, her eyes focusing on Mordane as if to tell him something but her lips stayed shut and she went on.

“Now, Crimson lord.” The  king smiled. “ What are your plans?”

“Plans?” Mordane tilted his head. “ I have no specific ones that I can think of. Save too head to Harridon. My father said we had family there.”

Mordane was uncertain what the king wanted but the smile now seemed clearly off. More aggressive than comforting. He began to suspect what kind of pony this King was.

“Hmmm, It's unlikely you would make it that far. The king of Irona has been demanding your head you know.”

“No...I didn’t know.” Mordane replied. “I suppose you enjoyed telling him no?”

“Oh yes definitely. That Chancellor and their democracy go against the fundamental rule of law set down from the moon princess herself.” Me nodded. “By all rights I should own the majority of their current holdings.”

“I’m still surprised so many care about the march into Irona.”

The king paused, his brow furrowed. He walked over to the chair and motioned for Mordane to sit down.

Mordane slid into chair as the king poured them drinks.

“Your march toward Irona while meeting our states objectives officially. The problem was you where never meant to make it that far.”

“...We where a diversion.”

“Spot on, Mr Stronghoof. Another mercenary force was sent through the west. The Irona military saw through our scheme though and flanked us.” He leaned in slightly.” Then, despite insufficient forces, you struck them from nowhere.”

“You labeled the town as your crossing point. The bridge was even constructed as asked.’ Mordane replied. “Which technically means our contract with you was met…”

“I signed with High Rise Stronghoof and I wouldn’t pay him either. Now, do you realize what you did by hitting that village when you did?”

“...I don’t know much beyond what my army did.”

“You struck deep into their territory, despite having no resources. You then attacked an entrenched force across a river at least a month ahead of even the best estimations. You then spent said month pressing the locals to work in order to construct a bridge that by all rights should have taken thrice as long. You did this while only killing a few and imprisoning more. Then when you saw the Irona force would come you ran.”

The king took a long draw from his draft.

“You ran and burned the bridge behind you and sacked the village. Then as if to defy all reason you hold up in the night princess cursed fort. Your comander abandons you and still you decide to put up a defense.”

“It seemed...logical at the time.” The king rolled his eyes.

“A defense that kill one in three of the attackers. The elite of Irona, lead by the brilliant commander Ice wing. Even then. You sacrifice yourself to save your army and scattered them to the wind. Many wonder if its to fight for you another day.”

He smiled again.

“This was enough to make you legend. Even now your army speaks of you in every brothel and bar. They say you are a being of legend. They say you will be made a plaything by the Irona elite. Yet then as if to shock the world you turn a coat and suddenly-” He spread his hoofs wide “your going to high society gatherings. Irona is abuzz about you. I’d say everypony from Toe to Mier has heard of you and that, that is something that not even money can buy. Its a spark like that which can be enflamed into something grand! Something wonderful! Something where names draw crowd and blood means profit! That place- Is the arena!”

“The arena. You want me to fight in the Colosseum?” Mordane cocked his head to the side. “ Why would I do that?”

“Two reasons.” The king waved his hoof toward Mordane dismissively. “ No-Three reasons. The first is that I will pay you. Handsomely pay you to keep playing this Brutal but refined image you’ve crafted for yourself as I play you up for profit! Two. There is currently a warrant out for your arrest for the murder of Fair Winds. To be suspended if you report to the arena in the morn. Otherwise you can never come to Tietus again. Irona will also continue to haunt you as well. Without money or connections they will eventually catch you.” He stood up and loomed over Mordane. His smile becoming manic.

“The fame I will bring you. The respect of a veteran of the ring. With that all will know your name. That prestige...It can open many door once closed. So tell me Mordane Stronghoof, the Crimson Lord. What do you think?”

Mordane chewed it over the question was not an easy one. So many factors where worth considering. Way too many to count. He could think for hours and come to no conclusions. He began to grind his teeth.

The idea of willingly walking into an arena to kill for money seemed wrong to him.

Then he stopped. He remembered the lessons of the dragon. He remembered saving Trixie. He let the concerns wash over him.  He was thinking too much. What does he want.

Then he let his gut decide. Sand under his hooves. The jingle of change. A pair of smiling lips. A sense of opportunity.

“When is my first match?”
> A Mares Question
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mordane walked hoof and hoof with his escort. The four guards flanked him on all sides as he was taken to the outer district. All around him, dozens of ponies were whispering behind hooves. It was only now as he walked past slowly that he could hear the dozens of individuals whisper at his passing. Something that he had not noticed before.

He took a moment to, as in the carriage, take in the city and surroundings. The dozens of ponies, walking around and breathing in the putrid, stale air. The stink pooling into his nose mixed with the punch of strong perfume. Even in this place the rot could be felt. The roads were not straight. The ponies were not walking line with each other, crossing each way in chaotic rush to get where they were going. It irked him and pushed him as they passed into the outer cut and angled toward the arena as the perfume faded.

The rot was still there.

Trixie followed behind Mordane, her steps shaky. Her horn arching slightly. Mordane had told her not to act. To wait and follow.

She only paused at the main gate between steps. Pulled forward as Mordane walked on solidly, the guards parting the growing crowd.

“Hear ye! Hear ye! Come now and purchase your seats for the month of games! You will not see it again till next year-”

The stallion caller paused as the guard motioned him down. Leaning in he whispered to him while motioning to Mordane. 

The caller snapped his head to Mordane before grinning and motioning toward a door.

The guard waved Mordane over and they began to head inside as the cries began again.

“You can’t follow him inside." Said the guard to Trixie.

“Mordane?" She asked, furrowing eyebrows. 

“Be prepared to leave after the games Trixie.”

“What am I to do with myself until then?" She frowned "I have no money, no food. Nothing.”

Mordane frowned before turning and looking her over. He smirked and pointed a hoof at her.

“No food, no money, nothing but the dress on your back." Mordane smiled at her “Ponies die around me Trixie. If you can’t make due with what you have then I have no use for you and you have no future with me.”

Mordane turned around.

“What am I supposed to do?"Trixie asked

“Survive.”

He turned and walked into the arena underground leaving the teeth grinding unicorn behind.

______________________________________________________________

Trixie practically stomped through the town, walking down the road center, trying to ignore the smell. She wore the only dress she owned. It was patchwork, barely worth wearing by the consideration of the elite, but an exorbitant luxury out here.

She was trying to think, but the nerve of Mordane was making her blood boil.

That bastard! Treating me like some, some... thing! To throw away and pick up as it suits him. She knew already where to go. It had seemed beneath her before, now though the prospect seemed favorable. In truth, she regretfully admitted to herself, she hadn’t been willing to start at anything but a lead role.

After all that had happened though…

She wasn’t going to think of that.

Should I sell the dress or hold onto it? She knew what choice she would have made. The same kind of rash thinking that had lead to Mordane being thrown into that black pit. Then he escaped. Those months of preparing him for balls. The witty messages. His bright eyes.

No, no more thinking about him. It's time to make my way back to Equestria. 

She sighed, there was no going on such a long voyage without a lot of money. So she stepped into a dress shop and a few moments later walked out with nothing on. She slipped her small money sack into her mane and trotted off.

Trixie entered the theater district which was only a short way from the colosseum. She made her way past the drinking parlors and then to the theaters before coming to one of the smaller ones.

Here Trixie goes she gulped before knocking on the back door. A few moments later the door opened.

“Miss Lunamoon?" Said the theater manager. “It is a surprise to see you here again.”

“Yes, Playwright" Trixie said bowing her head slightly “Trixie has come back to ask for work.”

The stallion blinked then frowned.

“Last time you were here I offered you a part and you said that it was beneath you. I don’t have room in my theater for those with inflated egos."He began to close the door but Trixie put out her hoof, stopping it.

“Sir Playwright. Tr- I am sorry for my words from before. I won’t do such a thing again.”

The manager's eyes softened slightly. He stopped trying to close the door.

“I… made mistakes before. I let my pride push me to make bad decisions and have suffered for it." She put on her best puppy face. "I am willing to do any part you would have of me and I hope that you can treat this as our first meeting. I hope to serve with this theater for a long time.”

The stallion looked her over and then sighed.

“We have a minor role open. It's not glamorous.”

“Even if its as a slave Trixie will do it." She said quietly.

“Not that bad" the stallion smiled.”It is as a maid actually.”

“Trixie shall be the most eager maid ever seen on stage.”

The stallion laughed.

“Now that's the spirit. Come in, we are practicing the play right now.”

Trixie smiled happily and followed the stallion in. Perhaps the play was ‘Catching a stroll mid summers day’ or maybe ‘Ironhide’, both classics. The parts wouldn’t be that important but she could start somewhere. Soon she would be a rising star, and eventually everypony would know her name as that nopony faded from the public.

Oh who is there, she thought, fake waving in a little fantasy where Mordane was trying to get her attention from the crowd. Did I know you some time?

Yes, she would be rid of Mordane. Free at last to pursue artistic mastery.

“NO, YOU CANNOT DIE, I SHALL NOT ALLOW IT!”

Trixie's eyes snapped to the stage. Her eyes shrinking to pinpricks. There on the stage was an earth pony stallion with a pair of fake wings and a horn attached to him.

He was wearing a full breastplate armor. His four foot hair blowing in the wind from seemingly nowhere.
“But Mercenary-sama, I have been struck" Spoke up a mare with ample posterior facing where the audience would be sitting, was laying in front of him. “And I am dying because of it.”

“But Stalker, you are my one true love. How will I live on." His voice went from ear shattering to a dull roar.

“Take, my heart." Said the mare, presenting a red gem.

“Oh, sweet Celestia no." Squeaked Trixie. She would have to do something about this.

_________________________________________________________________

“I don’t understand." The theatre director was frowning as Trixie passed the room. “You’re saying you… met the alicorn?”

“Yes." She looks at the frowning pony. “Did you not hear rumors of a blue haired unicorn going with him to the king's party?”

The director's eyes lit up and his frown softened.

“Trixie was… enslaved." She said quietly dipping her head. The director froze. His mouth opening slightly. ‘Trixie… was made to be Stronghoof’s maid.”

The director blinked. His ear twitching.

“Tell me…something distinct about him." the director said before swallowing. “Something obvious.”

“Mr. Stronghoof… his left ear was damaged. It was sewn back together.”

“Anything else?”

“He doesn’t have a black coat and… he has no cutie mark.”

Suddenly the director's’ eyes lit up.

”Yes I noticed that as well. When I saw him at a party I mean. It's not in any of the rumors so…" He smiled “I believe that you are telling the truth.”

“Thank you." Trixie beamed. “Now...What you have to understand is that Stronghoof talked to me. He told me what happened at the fortress and I saw him doing other things personally.”

“Like what?”

“He was thrown into the pit, and survived.”

The directed froze for a moment before grinning.

“Really? That's… unheard of. Tell me, where is he now?”

“He is in the colosseum." Trixie answered quickly. “After all he killed a noble saving-"She blushed “saving me.”

The director burst out laughing. Pulling out some parchment he motioned for her to sit down.

“Miss Lunamoon. I need you to tell me everything.”

Trixie left the theater managers office with her head spinning. The director had asked her so many questions about Mordane, where he walked, how he talked. If she and he had…

Trixie shook her head.

Mordane confused her so much and she wanted to leave. She found herself drawn back though, and defending him. Telling a story about him.

Trixie shook her head.

There was much to do. The director had given her the role of herself. Trixie nearly laughed at that. As if her life had any place in song or play, but here she was.

She couldn’t stop it anymore and let out a small giggle. Even if this wasn’t exactly what she had wanted Trixie loved the idea of being an actor almost as much as being a powerful wizard of legend.

Now where was the Stars room. She had to inform the former actress she was being replaced.

__________________________________________________________________________

Trixie slapped Stronghoof. She was wearing a pretty dress. Her hair tied up with a piece of cloth. She was sitting with him in a cage. All around could be heard the jostle of the road and the clip clop of hooves.

“Don’t you touch me roughen.”

“But isn’t it cold." The stallion smiled. Moving close to beside her. He laid his fake wing over her flashing white teeth.

“Well, it is cold"she said

“Sleep then. I’ll keep you safe." Stronghoof said.

“That was the first time I met Stronghoof." Trixie said, standing as the cage bars were lifted away. “Sold into slavery, not certain. The first time I met Stronghoof, he offered to shield me from the cold" She walked out onto the stage. Her eyes looking up to the crowd.

“His voice was warm but hard. Even caged he was reaching out and trying to worm his way into ponies souls. I tell you, above all his magic, sword skills and tactical brilliance it was this more than anything that bound his soldiers to him. It was that which was his greatest strength.”

The lights dimmed and the crowd began to clap. Trixie waited and bowed at the appropriate times as the lights came back up. The playwright telling the crowd of ponies to come again soon for the finisher.

Trixie made her way off stage. Through the congratulations and questioners she made it to her room where she closed to door.

She walked over the chair and sat down. She looked into the mirror and pulled off her headcloth, looking down at it. “I would have loved to have this in that cage.”

She shivered.

She knew that the story she told was embellished but that is what the crowd wanted. Not the real story. Not of the pony who had lain broken beside her…

In a few days they would be coming out with the final part of the play. Where Mordane would then abandon her at the arena. Again.

She shook her head.

“Miss Lunamoon?”

“Yes?” Trixie said “come in!”

A short mare walked in with a sack. Trixie paid her for her merchandise and dismissed her with a large tip.

When she was alone she took out all the things and laid them on the table.

A short simple knife, not a prop and sheath. A blank book with slot for a pen. A sizable empty money bag and a flyer with a familiar face on it.

She picked up the flair. On it was a shadow outline of Mordane with a caption below. ‘ Come see the VIOLENT WARLORD MORDANE in the ARENA during the FINAL ROUND’

She looked it over and turned to the window.

______________________________________________________________________

Months later, with a few thousand bits in her enchanted moneybag, Trixie was waiting in line for the highlight of the evening. She had spent a hefty sum on a ticket. The rest she had earned and kept. She had never kept any money before, leaving her hoof as fast as it got there. Now she was doing well and the director was getting along well with her. Even the actors liked her.

It was a far cry from before. She was doing well

Yet she didn’t spend anything and now she was in line, waiting to see the pony she had left. That pony just seemed to stick to her mind. The thought of him made her heart quicken as she asked once again.

"Why am I doing this?"
> Grinding Stone
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Heat and stone. Blood and sand.

That is what Mordane would remember about the arena. The caustic nature of it. The sun overhead and the roaring fires lighting at night. The arena was a place where individuals are not put to a test but are broken. Where blood and fear are exchanged for coin and prestige.  In that sense it is the perfect allegory for Tietus.

Mordane’s ragged fur was dripping wet and pooling in his cell.

For most ponies the occasional scream would put them on edge. Start them looking to make peace with the creator and wonder if they would kill.

Mordane had no such concerns. Just a growing tension. His mind conjuring his standing. Naked, bare wings in the arena. Ponies looking or laughing as he killed. Not for gain, not for glory but as a slave to the masses of a broken city. Rotting from the inside.

The king played across his mind as the sweat began to drip off of him. Plopping to the ground and pooling in the uneven damp stone already saturated from the mopping it had received before his arrival. He remembered the smug grin. The piercing eyes and his general liking of the stallion despite the off aspects about him. Things that should have been pushed to the forefront of his mind and made him doubt. Yet still he felt he was somehow in the right place, at the right time. He could be anywhere else, he could be raising a new mercenary army for higher, his name was well known enough. He could simply be seeking his fortune or going to Haridon to see if he can contact his grandfather. But he was here.

Whatever the reason, he knew his worst enemies would not be on the sand of the arena but in the royalty box. Measuring scales of gold in his mind.

________________________________________________

Mordane was sweating again. His back hurt from push ups.

He laid down on the stone floor of his cell panting, his head dizzy from the lack of air. His mind coming back from two days before.

Even as the guards had lead him away from Trixie he had known the walls of this place where old.

Surprisingly though it wasn’t exactly dingy or as smelly as the rest of the town. Ponies could be seen down side corridors mopping all the time.

Mordane blinked and paused momentarily at the litter carrying an groaning pegasus whose wing was no longer attached. A unicorn was walking with the litter casting frantically to heal and reattach the limb.

Mordane continued on, nodding to myself internally.

 They play for keeps here. 

As he walked down the hallways Mordane could hear the dull roar of a crowd begin to grow louder. At first he wondered if there would be no time to prepare. If he would be forced to fight in this armor made for show by Miss Swirl.

That was quickly answered for him as his armor was stripped in the next room along with every single piece of clothing. He was left with only his skin.

 I feel naked Mordane subconsciously shivered. He hadn’t been publically without clothes since leaving his hometown.

Another pony walked into the small room. He was big, grizzled and looked at Mordane with little interest.

“I am the pit manager. We have been informed to treat you as a volunteer.” His new escort said before leading down a hallway “Any attempt to escape though and that right will be revoked and you’ll be collared.”

“Alright.” Mordane looked up at his exposed horn. “I’d prefer my horn protector though.”

The pony paused looking back and examining Mordane’s horn before shaking his head.

“What a waste.” he motioned to an attendant to reattach the protector. “It is near ready to let breathe. Matter of luck in such things if you will still be able to use magic eventually.” He turned and walked down the new hallway motioning for Mordane to follow.

“Yes.” Mordane nodded following after him.

He was lead quietly down past cell after cell with ponies stuffed in. He noted as he came toward the end that the cells got less crowded. He even started seeing single beds. They were still packed with ponies though.

“There must be hundreds of ponies here.”

“Aye.”

They took a turn and before Mordane knew it they stepped out into the light again. A walled off section attached to the Colosseum not open to the public. The large structure seemed to loom over the yard. Forty ponies stood waiting.

“Good evening fools.” Snarled the manager. “Some of you have come under my care by choice” he looked at Mordane and another two. “Others are Looking for glory or perhaps preferring the small chance of survival over a lengthy prison sentence. Some of you were sent here for capital crimes. others for treason. None of that matters now. For you are in the Colosseum. The beginning of all things.”

He began to pace slightly. Mordane felt the tension thicken with his every word.

“Over a thousand years ago this building was the central legislator of a grand republic. Ruled by two monarchs. One of the sun, the other of the moon. Until the Nightmare War. The tyrants’ armies occupied the city but their princess fled before the coming of the moon princess. She drove her army through the wall and into what we now call the arena. What was then called parliament.”

He turned to look at the crowd, disgust on his face. “The councilors were rounded up and put into the arena. Arms all around them. What did so many of the pitiful councilors do but beg for their lives. Promising service, wealth. Anything. Knowing that they had nothing. So the princess looked at them and said ‘What need have we of the weak? Only one will remain’. Some begged more. Others moved toward the weapons. Those that won were appointed lords of the realm. Their descendants rule us to this day.”

The grizzled Colosseum manager looked them over. His eyes piercing fiercely.

“In time, the Colosseum has become the central execution point for every kingdom of the southern lands. Tradition dictates that one in ten fighters that fight here will survive the fighting and be let free as the Princess wills. Perhaps that will be you.” He motioned to another assistant who came forward and began reading off names and cell numbers. 

Mordane followed the group to the mess hall. It was in a building off from the yard seprate from both the Colosseum, cells and barraks. Once in there Mordane was given a small portion of potato and bean soup which he ate readily before being lead past the cells.

After the door clanked shut Mordane realized he was in the room with five others. One unicorn, two pegasi and two earth ponies.

Mordane looked over the oddly clean room. The other five ponies looked at him as well.

“Well… It’s a winged Unicorn?” Said the Unicorn.

“Ah, seems so. Horn is covered though. You got a busted horn?"The largest earth pony said.

“Yes” Mordane sitting into the corner. The only spot open.

“Name’s Smithy.” Spoke up the earth pony as he pointed to the unicorn “he’s Frosthorn.”

“Nice to meet you.” Mordane droned. “What of them?” Mordane indicated the other ponies in the room.

“No idea. None of them will talk to us two.” Smithy snorted.

“It’s quite strange” Frosthorn said. “Me and Smithy came here to fight in the Arena but I think they are forced.”

“Huh” Mordane thought that perhaps there was another reason but he didn’t say that. “Well, do you know when we will be taken into the arena?”

“Tomorrow I think. Want to play cards?” Smithy asked.

Mordane shrugged and motioned to the floor. Letting himself sit down to start the game.

____________________________________________

Mordane looked at the corner, a small pile of cards sat there at the base of a blade given by the king himself. He didn’t know how Smithy had gotten ahold of the cards but he was grateful for the short respite. In truth he liked each of those ponies. They were of the strong sort. The go getters that he could respect.

The empty cell seemed to pull at him. Its hollow accusation resounding deeper than even the loudest trumpet.

Silently he walked over to the corner and drew his new sword.
In truth Mordane came to enjoy that night. The two other talkative cell mates talked all night with him. Smithy and Frosthorn were from a city called Toe. It bordered right up against the great divide. It was an earth pony kingdom but not because of military might.

“No one else wants the place, but they do want the iron from the mountains. As long as they pay we ship it to them.” Smithy had joked.

Frosthorn had been found by Smithy’s family when he was a colt. The two brothers had heard of the arena and came to win enough money to help their family break into minor nobility.

Mordane listened to them talk with a small smile. Something though was eating at him.

Why only one bed?

“Come out!” Shouted someone from the hallway as they unlocked the gate. “Your turn.”

Mordane and the other five got up and walked outside before being lead down the hallway, then up some stairs and before a large door.

“Pick out your weapons." The guard went over to a large lever connected to a door opening mechanism.

Mordane looked over at the wall then the two talkative ponies, raising an eyebrow.

Smithy shrugged and walked over to the wall and picked up a hammer. Frosthorn followed after and slipped on an enhancer ring. The other ponies picked up various items and prepared. Suddenly a chill went down his spine.

He walked over to the wall and hoofed off a sword. Before lining up in front of the gate. He let himself be passed, choosing instead to stick to the back of the pack. Looking at Smithy and Frosthorn who smiled back at him. He gave them a small smile in return.

The doors opened. Each pony walked out as the light came streaming in. Mordane took a moment to steel his heart and walked through.

The arena was bigger looking on the inside. Nearly a thousand ponies sat in the stand. Earth ponies, pegasi, unicorns and even a few griffins all chatted, cheered and laughed.

The floor was sand, it's grainials well-trodden with hoof prints. Then there was the wet sand spots here and there.

He went with the others and moved to the center of the arena. He noted the other non-talkative ponies positioned themselves around the three of them.

“Get ready.” He whispered to the other two. They blinked then frowned at his intense stare at the other ponies’ weapons.

The floor of the arena was circular but there was an audience box to the side with a small raised platform to one side. As Mordane looked he saw the King sitting under the gazebo receiving a glass of wine. To his right sat the strangest being he had ever seen but he didn’t have time to examine him as an old pegasus stepped up onto the platform.

“For the last match on the third day of this month of games we have something special for you.” He gestured to the Mordane and the other ponies in the arena. “These ponies shall fight…to the death!”

The crowd cheered lightly, most only seemed moderately interested but Mordane’s eyes snapped to the ponies around him as their eyes hardened.

“Fight! Till only one remains!”

The ponies around him seemed to pause for a moment. Barely breathing as they looked from one to another. The tension almost ringing in the air. Their eyes took measure of them.

Suddenly, the tension broke and everypony moved. 

One of the ponies thrust his spear into another's back as every pegasi took to the air. One pony jumped toward Smithy and Frosthorn, sword aimed for their necks.

Mordane was in the air. He didn’t have time to look at anything else besides the two pegasi coming after him as he sped into the air. Snarling, he spun before darting down at them with drawn sword pointed down. The one on the left turned sharply, aiming his sword for Mordane’s shoulder. Mordane made a snap decision and lightly swung his blade to deflect his thrust. His blade ricochet.  This caused Mordane’s sword to drive deep into the right one’s wing muscle. His eyes twisted in pain. Seizing up he crumpled to the ground, while the left one impacted Mordane and the flyer who tackled him careened toward the wall.

They smacked against the wall and tumbled down with a loud thud. Once they hit the ground Mordane grappled with the pony twisting one way then the other.  He finally was able to reach down and draw a small knife on the ponies thigh before plunging it into his heart.

A few moments later Mordane slid up. Only to have to fling himself to the right as another pony with a mace came at him. Then that pony was skewered as the other pegasui Mordane had injured earlier tried hitting him. His face now supported a large gash and was crumpled slightly. He took a few steps toward Mordane before shakily falling to the ground a few moments later from blood loss.

Mordane panted and looked out over the field. It had only been a minute since the fighting had started. The last pony, Smith was walking toward him. Mordan fumbled for his sword and drew it up.

“I have to Mordane. Frosthorn he-”

Mordane didn’t give him a chance to finish. He took to the air and swung with a wide arch. Smithy blocked with his shield, eyes widening slightly.

“Only one.” Mordane hissed. “It will be me.”

Smithies eyes flashed.

Mordane drove his hoof into Smithy’s ribs. Then he stepped back and aimed for the ribs again. Smithy was able to block but the blade slid off the shield and loped off his other hoof.

Before he could even scream Mordane drove the blade point through his head.

The body slid to the ground. A few rough claps sounded over the stadium.

Mordane couldn’t believe it. This clapping was pathetic. His eyes went over to Frost horn. His head was smashed. The first pony had likely been his last.

“And we are done. Stronghoof proceeds to the tournament. That's all folks! Come back tomorrow for more exciting games!”

Most of the crowd was already leaving. His eyes turned toward the king. A frown was on his face.

Disgusted, Mordane trotted out of the arena and back to his room. The guard nodding to the wall but Mordane just dropped the blade in front of the door.

Once inside he fell onto the single bed and went to sleep.

______________________________________________

His breathing had slowed. The four walls still stood empty.

He had won, but he had also failed. His fighting had been weak. Better characterized as a brawl. He could push with wind. He could strike well with a sword, seance his enemy and even utilize great strength.

However, these did not come together into a cohesive fighting style. He had a bunch of pieces but no structure.

Mordane sneered at himself. Before, with magic, he had an easy way and the various pieces had been used situationally. Magic was the catch-all glue that had made him a force on the battlefield.

He laid down on the bed, his breathing slowing. He pushed away thoughts of Frosthorn and let himself drift to sleep.
_________________________________________________________________________

King Barbarus mouth drew into a firm line. His eyes where looking out over the harbor where a grand ship was pulling in. As it parked his brow furrowed even more. Lazily he let his drink topple over the ledge to fall down into his castle courtyard far below. He never even thought about who it might fall on.

The match had been underwhelming. Mordane hadn’t even stopped ponies from leaving. It was atrociously done.

“I believed he was some great warrior?”

“Oh Claw,” Barbarus chuckled “Not warrior, commander.”

“I know no difference” He said, flicking his claws against the stone.

“The difference is obvious and it is something I knew already. Yet I didn’t consider that the alicorn might not be a fighter.”

“He may very well have been holding back.”

“Or his broken horn neutered him.” Sneered Barbarus “Have you heard of how he became injured?”

“Fighting a dragon. Saving a princess. A token by the sun for alicornhood. I’ve heard many things”

“He broke the protective spells of the Night Fortress and channeled the energy.”

“...”

“Yes.” Barbarus said, pointing at the creature as he reached for another drink. “That is the right reaction.”

“What is left of the fortress?”

“Nothing. The spellwork unspooled in a matter of days then the whole thing collapsed. Taking half the mountain with it.”

“...”

“I have two messages for you to deliver.”

__________________________________________________________

Mordane woke up with a knock on his door. He slid over and stood, still in his armor. The killing from days earlier was resting bitterly on the back of his head.

He swallowed it and walked to the door.

The creature standing there on the other side of the opened door seemed like as if from a dream.

The face was that of a pony but it's furred neck gave way to scaled shoulders and wings. Instead of hooves short claws rested against the floor.

The room continued to titer. The cave. His master. The falling.

“Sir Stronghoof?” the creature asked. Snapping him to.

“Yes?” Mordane’s eyes tightened in on him. “Why are you disturbing me?”

“The king requires you in the arena. Now.”

Mordane blinked then tightened his jaw.

“Lead the way then.”

Down the hall and up into the arena again. The open doors didn’t blind him this time. Instead he stepped into an empty arena. The king and half a dozen guards sat in the observation booth and a single earth pony stood in the arena.

“Is this him?”

Mordane frowned. He had picked up a sword before coming out. The stallion in front of him though held nothing.

“Mordane. Your fight this morning.” The king dismissively waved his hoof. “You need to show me something more if we are going to do this. Otherwise we are done.”

Mordane nodded. There was little point in giving an excuse. Fighting had never been his forte. He would have to do better.

He squared with the earth pony.

“Hey! Introduce yourself.” snorted One Eye.

“Why?” Mordane replied as they began circling. The old pony was clothed in a iron curio up to and covering his neck and wrapping around his body. His coat was orangish brown and his mane was black. One of his eyes was covered with a patch.

“Because that's what other ponies do.” The old earth pony snickered. “I am called One Eye the Demon. You?”

“My name is Stronghoof.”

He snorted.

“Well. There is no point in waiting.”

One Eye paused for a moment.

Then he stomped his hoof and in a moment he was a foot from his face.  

Mordane had no time and so he reacted instinctively and kicked his forehoof while pushing off his back ones. Aiming to drive his hoof through One eyes face.

He was too slow, One eye moved right past his outstretched hoof and his seemed to snake, coming right for Mordane’s chin. Mordane barely dodged as his wings thrust him into the air.

“You're not getting away that easily.”

One Eye jumped and before Mordane could do anything his hoof impacted into his chest.

Mordane rose a six more feet into the air. He gasped. One Eye impacted the ground like a ton of bricks.The sound reverberating to his bones.

Mordane shook with the impact. Slidingly softly to the ground he gasped and clutched his stomach.

“Huh, you're still up. Usually only an earth pony can take a hit like that.”

“How?” Mordane gasped “How do you hit that hard?”

One Eye snorted.

“I just push against the earth and it pushes back.”

Earth pony magic. He is somehow making himself physically stronger.

Mordane looked over at his dropped sword. It would be useless to him in this fight.

Mordane noted that he wasn’t panicking. Just like in the fight earlier that day he was only feeling angry.

So he jumped as fast as he could and blasted off with his wings to add a boost, aiming to just land something. One Eye though just seemed to hop to the side.

As Mordane passed, One Eye bucked.

Mordane never felt the impact. There was only blackness.

_________________________________________________________________


Mordane is awake in his room, a room that somehow feels colder than before. His eyes are focused on his horn as he chews on some weave grass to dull his pain.

With magic he might have stood a chance against One Eye but without it was truly what he had been concerned. He was a lame duck, a sword with no edge. Yet he didn’t despair. Instead he collected himself and meditated.

At the foot of his bed was a crumpled note. Given to him by the half dragon half pony named Charon apparently.

The note said:

To The Bloody Mercenary Stronghoof

Our agreement was with the understanding that your skill in battle was quite high. A mediocre fighter can be made interesting but not without considerable time and investment. Far more than you could draw I’m afraid.

As such I’m afraid we will need a reworking of our agreement.

Firstly this, I will be publically announcing your capture by the guard and your sentence of execution for the murder of count Fairwind.

In one month's time you will be entered into the final tournament. I hope you do not disappoint me again.

He would have burned the note but the cell had no fire. Instead it laid there, burrowing into his mind. Only the fear of another finding it stopped him from throwing it out the window.

 Exercise won’t help me. I’m already strong as most soldiers. He sighed  Boulder had warned me this might happen. Stalker tried to teach me. Heck they practically forced me. Lord, I miss them.

So he closed his eyes and tried to remember.

 I know the wind, but not how to use it effectively as a soldier. I have the war magic but not the instincts. Then there is this earth pony strength. I have it but no skill in enhancing it any further. 

He thought back to all the warriors he had been around. When it came to spells he was skilled, stronger than most and quick to cast but that had dulled him in other ways. It had left him vulnerable when his horn was broken. Spells though had a limit, eventually the energy in an area would be spent and impractical to draw on.

Hopping off his bed he pressed his wings against the ground before starting windups.

The exercise was much easier then he remembered. Eyebrows furrowing he wondered if it would be enough.

“You are so dead.”

“Wh-"Mordane didn’t even have time to register who was talking when the hooves started landing. Before he knew it he was in the floor.

Desperate he pulled his wings back and sent a blast of air knocking him against the rear wall.

He forced himself to focus on the attacker. It was-

“Smut Peddler!? What in Tartarus are you doing!?”

“What does it look like.” He threw off his black cloak he had been using to hide in the shadow. "I’m here to kill you for what you did to my brother!”

“What!? Childstalker-”

Smut Peddler jumped across the room, diving into Mordane’s chest and pushing him into the corner. A knife appeared and was pressed against his throat.

“You got one word.” Smut growled “One thing to say before I cut your throat!”

Mordane paused, breathing heavily. Thinking for a moment before continuing.

“Liar”

Smut Peddler growled and readjusted his knife.

“What.”

Mordane grunted and tried to turn as much as he could to look at Smut.

“Stalker died saving my life.” Smut pressed the knife “-and you know that.”

“Horseapples.” Smut stepped back and flipped his knife into a sheath before he placed it into his hair.

“You fight terribly.”

“Well, yeah” Mordane said rubbing his throat.”Why are you here?”

“Been watching you. Found my brother, buried him.”

Mordane frowned.

“Found a note on him as well. Told me what he thought of you. Only reason you're not dead right now.”

“Look, Smut, I miss him as well and...His death was my fault.”

Smuts eyebrow raised.

“Now that. That is not the Mordane I know.”

Mordane sighed and sat down on the bed, tucking his legs under him.

“Stuff happened.”

“What stuff?” Smut Peddler said, his voice like a slowly drawing knife.

“First, our forces made it deep into Irona land. After securing a beachhead we built the bridge we were suppose to before finding out an army was heading toward us-”

“Yes, I know that. What happened to my brother?”

“...On the night I was captured, the enemy captain launched a surprise attack. Child Stalker took a blade to save my life.”

“Dammit.” Smut peddler threw the knife into the wood foot of Mordane’s bed while standing and rubbing his head. “So he gave his life for you...I guess I can’t kill you then. It would make his waste useless.”

Mordane frowned but said nothing. What was there to say?

“So...what now?”

Smut Peddler turned back to Mordane sighing, his eyes hardening.

“I saw your fight in the arena. It was pathetic.”

“...I don’t know about pathetic.”

“Didn’t Stalker teach you any hoof to hoof?”

“I...didn’t pay attention, to my regret.”

Peddler slapped him. Mordane fell to the ground, his face throbbing already as Peddler shoved his hoof into his face again. Eyes on fire.

“You will. You. will.”

He grabbed Mordane and threw him into a push up position.

“You will.”

__________________________________________________________________

As the light began to pass over the ocean and the seagulls cawed, a grizzled earth pony darted from wall to wall. In each place he put up a poster on which was a silhouette and the arena symbol.

Groups of ponies would stop and whisper. Some making adjustments to their daily plans.

In the castle the king drank wine.

______________________________two weeks later________________________

Smut Peddler had said next to nothing. It was as bad as the dragon but in an entirely different way.

Sit ups, wing ups, push ups, lifting. He fed Mordane a steady diet of a foul tasting mush mixed with bugs, ‘for the protein’ until Mordane suggested Jerky instead. The response to which was.

“So you have the stomach for that hmm?” Before jerky bits started being mixed in instead.

Mordane suspected that there must be some kind of drug in the mush. He lost the last of his body fat but gained weight in muscle. Smut wrapped his flank, legs, back muscles and hooves in a tight wrapping. They were supposed to make it where his muscles grew hard and not big. Even so, he still had the last vestiges of the softness of his youth, those of which fell away.

Smut’s punches still felt like being hit by a brick wall though.

Two grueling weeks later, after practice, when Mordane was lying gasping on the floor he said.

“Sufficient.”

Then he dragged him out to the training field. He began sparring with him.

Mordane took to the air but Smut was faster. He kicked down. Driving his hoof across Mordane’s face and into the ground.

Mordane once again thanked the maker that no one was around to see them. The field was secluded as could be. A minor addition to the main training field that was rentable. Smut had purchased up the whole month

“Enough.” Smut said. Mordane dropped to the dirt floor practically heaving. “You can use your wing magic. Kinda. You can also sense through the earth but that is the lowest form of Earth magic. You must pull deeper. Reach down into the deep earth and pull that strength into your body.”

“I*gasp* am trying.” He said “My hooves ache from trying. I feel like a foal again, trying to pull more magic then I can handle.”

“Good. That is your magical paths forming.” He snorted. “Did your wings feel the same?”

“Years ago...but even when I was training with the dragon I felt pain”

“Yes.” Smut peddler said sitting across from Mordane “She was a good teacher for you. To think there is a dragon beneath us. You still surprise me sometimes Mordane.”

Mordane nodded. He rubbed his hooves through his mane before speaking again.

“I don’t mean to question you Smut...but it seems like you are just pushing me through workouts.”

“Aye.” Smut nodded.

“How is that suppose to help me when fighting the champions of the arena?”

Smut snorted. Pulling a canteen off his belt he tossed it to Mordane.

“Because I don’t have enough time to train you properly. You will have to do that in the arena. I can only hammer enough into your body and head so you can make that leap. Jump a few years in training and overcome yourself. That body,” He motioned to Mordane “is a lot stronger than you used to be. If I can get your earth pony magic flowing properly then you just might have a chance to bloom in there.”

“And if I don’t?”

“Then you die.” Smut peddler shrugged. “My family will be disappointed but it is what it is.”

Mordane’s breath was catching up to him as he took swigs from the canteen. His eyes distant as he thought over what Smut Peddler had said.

“Using the wind or the earth. It's a lot like unicorn magic.” Mordane said. “But it's all about feelings really.”

Smut snorted.

“I only know earth magic. It is its own thing. If you say they feel the same though who am I to disagree?”

“No” Mordane shook his head.“I mean...the magic is a lot like war magic is all.”
Smut Peddler raised an eyebrow.

“War magic is a unicorn spell. Sure an earth pony can use it but it’s not something an earth pony can do on its own.”

“...perhaps.” Mordane took one more swig before standing back up. Smut following him. He readied his stance. Hooves wide and wings flat to the ground, just as Smut had told him.

“Let's go again. This time, try to pull in more strength. Let’s see where you get with two weeks of fighting me.”


The day had come.

Preliminaries were over, the small fights meant to be rid of the weak and those unwilling to fight. Now the stands were filling up. Ponies came to watch as the fights became interesting, more elaborate and even spectacular.

On the day of Mordane’s first fight however, the stands didn’t just rise in number, they were filled to capacity. Then more were let in until no room existed for another soul. Even the pathways were filled with bodies and the sky overhead with clouds. Everyone in the region who could afford a ticket bought one. Including a new rising, blue furred actress named Trixie.
Mordane sat in the room behind the double doors. On all sides guards stood nervously. The famous alicorn had come in and sat an hour before on the cold stone. He bore a black heavy cloak.

It was a simple thing. He thought back to when he had received it two weeks ago

________________________________________________________________________

Claw had come in to see Mordane sitting on the ground. His muscles twitching from exhaustion.

“You look pathetic.”

“Such is the trade off.” Mordane said swallowing. “What is your name by the way?”

“...I am called Claw.”

“I said.” Mordane locked eyes with him. “What is your name? Not what people call you.”

The half pony stood for a moment before dropping the bag on the ground and turning to leave.

“You know words cost nothing.”

“Which is what I measure as your worth.”

Mordane smiled.

“Is that so? Then why not enrich me with your name.”

Claw turned around his claws scratching the stone slightly.

“You usually talk to ponies this way?”

“Just the interesting ones.” Mordane smiled. “So, name?”

“….Charon.”

“Charon huh, where you from Charon?”

“Why do you care?”

Mordane stood up and made his way over to a pot of water before taking a long drink.

“As I said. You are interesting to me.” he came closer “So, where?”

“Herridon.”

Mordane stopped for a moment.

“Interesting.” Mordane said softly. “What brings you here.”

“Work.”

“So you received the job in Herridon.” Mordane smiled “Then came here, long trip.”

“Yes, it was.” Charon said  “The king sent me to assist with this competition. I feel it’s a waste of 
my talents but…. Why am I telling you this?”

“Don’t know. You seem to be a pent up sort of pony. Now tell me, how is my armor.”

Charon glared at Mordane a bit longer before sighing and picking up the bag.

“It’s just as you asked. Leather, procured from a griffin ship, with iron fastens and steel under plates.”

“Good. I thank you.” He smiled “So your king sent you here. I assume that means he is coming himself?”

“That is classified information.” Claw said lowly.

“And it is my privilege to keep it to myself.” Mordane replied. “Thank you. Now go.”
Mordane turned over in his bed and started to slow his breathing while Charon stood a moment. 

Mumbling under his breath the half pony, half dragon left.

______________________________________________________________________________

Mordane smiled. The creature named Charon had given him some interesting ideas. Herridon, after all, was the land of his father. Hearing that the king of that city would be coming this way.

“Welcome fillies and gentlecolts. Welcome to the arena! You have heard his name whispered for months-”

Mordanes ear twitched. His hoof coming to rested on his new sword, a new gift…

______________________________________________________________________________ 

“Here.” Mordane sidestepped and caught the naked blade that was lazily tossed at him by Smut Peddler.

“What the hell! Be careful!”

“You’re fine. Anyway, take that blade. Its special.”

Mordane looked over the blade as Smut tossed the simple sheath over to Mordane. It was an ordinary steel blade. Hoof strap and pivot for two hoof swings. Short and with a slight curve away from the sharp side. It had the space and thickness for engravings but had none. Mordane looked at Smut with one eyebrow raised.

“Thanks?”

Smut laughed before raising his own blade.

"Thank me later.”

Then he struck.
______________________________________________________________________________

Mordane ran his hoof over a shoulder cut Smut had given him.

“-The scourge of Irona!”

Mordane stood. He felt his heart quicken.

There would be no time to rest or consider. Here he would fly or here he would die.

Outside he heard the roar of the crowd. The hunger for action and muse from a meaningless existence.

“-and here he is the Bloody Commander!”

The doors opened and the crowd roared.

Mordane stepped out into the blinding light. The voices shaking him to his core.
> Reborn
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you asked any noble of the southern land the king of Herridon was a blubbering, fat, arrogant moron that was completely white, with brown eyes and gray hooves. 

At least that was the opinion of anypony who met him. He arrived in Tietus under the invitation of King Barbarous. He spent the first two days on an extensive round of debauchery that put even the sleaziest of Tietus ‘nobles’ to shame.

The first time they met was the day of Mordane’s battle. King Fancy fluffed up his wig before putting on his best smile

“Barbarous! So nice to meet you and to purview your fair city.”

The king of Herridon retured his as he was led onto their closed of personal stage separated from the crowd by a ironwood fence.

“Fancy! It is good to finally meet you my good friend. Sometimes I feared my letters were being intercepted and someone less noble was reading them.”

Fancy laughed.

“Not at all Barbarous. Each has been burned as I’m sure the ones I sent you have been. Now tell me, is it true?” He asked, eyes twinkling.

“Indubitably. I have indeed procured the Bloody Commander to fight in the first round you will see. We will see if he lives up to his legend.”

“I’m sure he will! I’m sure he will!”Fancy sat down in his throne chair next to the king of Tietus, the chair creaking a little. “Or at least make it past the first round.”

"I don’t know about that. Well sit down, you’ve arrived just in time the announcer was waiting to start…”

=====================================================================

Trixie sat in the stands, nervous, looking down at the field. She had asked around about the arena and heard…disturbing things.

Things she wouldn’t have believed a few years about but now…now she was nervous.

“Bloody Commander, WOOO!”

Trixie flinched from the loud voice behind her as the crowd was riled up.

“-and here he is the Bloody Commander. Stronghoof!”

The crowd roared.

====================================================================

Mordane blinked rapidly. His eyes adjusting to the bright sand and glaring sun.

As he walked he reached into the robe and unbuckled the clasp allowing his black cloak to hang loosely over him.

“In accordance with tradition, this murderer has been sentenced to death, but victory will mean his freedom! Commander, Are you prepared?”

In answer Mordane drew his blade and let the cloak slide off.

“Then! We begin!”

Suddenly in a flash of light a large number of ponies were teleported in.

Mordane did not hesitate. He didn’t think.

First thing he did was charge.

The first pony was an earth pony who came toward him with a pike. Mordane slashed and knocked the weapon to the side as an arrow flew past and hit an earth pony charging him.

He swung and much to his surprise it connected with the earth pony's neck.

Mordane didn’t have time to asses the damage to the first pony, a unicorn was levitating a sword in front of herself. He didn’t engage with her and instead took the opportunity to take to the air and cleave off the wing of the last remaining pegasus.

Mordane impacted onto an earth pony wielding a bow.

He ignored the cracking beneath him and looked around again.

Eight ponies were left. They seemed to realize that they were outmatched.

He had grounded the only pegasi who was now unconscious and bleeding out on the ground.

There was a lull in the fighting. Many of those who were up against Mordane had only  basic skill in fighting. To see him crush so many so quickly shocked them. 

“Stronghoof! YEAH!”

“Bloody Commander!”

The shouts sank through the drum beat of their hearts.

Every single one began to shake.

___________________________________________________

King Barbarus jumped forward out of his seat. The expensive wine falling to the ground. Already out of his mind.

 This isn’t the same pony I saw a month ago.

“Oh? This is the strength of that winged unicorn? I didn’t think a half breed would have even this in him.”

“Yes…” Barbarus’ eyes flicked around the arena and took measure.

He had expected that Mordane would die gloriously in the first round. Just like all week. The surprise and ease reminded him of the pegasus from last week.

However, he took measure of Mordane then. He knew for a fact that even with this increase in skill One Eye could defeat him.

“Hmm, I would like to make a bet with you Barbarus.” King Fancy offered.

“Oh? What bet.” He replied while still focusing on the field.


“I will bet that Mordane will make it to the last round alive.”

“Really?” Barbarus laughed. “How much?”

“How, about fifty thousand.”

“...”

A ridiculous sum. No less than one sixth of Herridon’s  gross national budget if memory served him and nearly one twenty fourth of his.

But.

Barbarus looked at Fancy.

To many ponies Fancy was an incompetent. A fat blubbering fool. It was true that he was a Hedonist but Barbarus knew the other side through their letters.

He was cunning, Twisting everything in service to his own lust. 

To put up such an amount of money meant that he was certain.

Unfortunately for him, Barbarus knew for a fact Mordane had no chance. Even if by some miracle he beat One Eye he would be shattered by Glimmer.

“Deal”

_______________________________________________

White teeth and hot flame. His master's lessons resonated back to him. 

When the enemy stands before you don’t hesitate.

Mordane pushed away his feelings a few moments after they appeared.

Leveling his blade at a group of three earth ponies. One carried a pike while the other two had swords. 

He charged the dozen feet between them in an instant. He swung and knocked aside the pike then the sword. He drove past their defences and sheathed his blade into the swordponie’s chest while driving the pike wielding pony back into the arena wall. He grabbed the first sword pony blade with his right wing and flipped around to drive it to deflect the strike coming from the other sword pony. With a bit of luck the blade deflected and embedded itself into his neck.

He took a moment to draw his blade across the last ones throat and flew to the air just in time to avoid two arrows. 

He stopped at his arch and saw an archer standing alone. He arched down and impacted the pony hard. Snapping his bow as he embedded his blade into him.

Turning around two swords ponies were rushing him. He took them head on.

 They are all slow compared to Smut Peddler

He blasted a wall of wind at them, breaking their footing before darting forward and hacking into them.

Mordane’s attacks were savage. Each one carried with it a spray of blood, much of which came back to him.

Still though he was not particularly seeking to kill these ponies so he didn’t go for the kill unless he had to. Despite this he had no delusions. Several ponies would likely not be getting up from those cuts. You don’t get that much blood unless you hit something vital.

Looking around he saw the remainder of the ponies grouping together near the exit. Their eyes wide as they shook in fear.

He jogged over to a pike and picked it up in a wing before charging the ponies.

The pike deflected off one's shield and impaled into the shoulder of another. Mordane drew his sword and deflected one of the others sword as he passed through the line in their defence.

It was over in a moment. 


Breathing steadily but with no desperation he trotted to the center of the stadium and picked back up his sword.

The crowd roared. Their voices hitting him like wall he nearly jumped out of his skin.

Around him ponies laid groaning as side doors opened to take them out. Many of the ponies would survive but others not. Mordane though didn’t notice that. All he could hear was the cheering.

It shook him, bored into his soul and so Mordane found something in him that he never knew he needed.

It welled up in him from his chest, up his neck and to his mouth. HIs smile shown large and proud.

For the first time in either life, he felt...right.

=====================================================================

Trixie sat frozen as the crowd cheered around her. The bloody sight bellow shocked more than anything she had ever seen. The clear brutality with which Mordane had fought caught her. He had flowed through the battlefield as if it was home.

He had killed with no sign of hesitation. 

 blo-bloody commander


She was sick, but she couldn’t look away. Caked in blood Mordane raised his hoof to the crowd and smiled.


=====================================================================
The king of Herridon laughed, a deep bellowing laugh as Barburus whispered a few commands to a servant who ran off quickly.

“Two more rounds to go before I am richer, eh Barbarus?”

“Quite, next though is One Eye.”

“One Eye?” Fancy rubbed his belly “Isn’t that the earth pony that specializes in fighting pegasi?”

Barbarus nodded. “He is a strong fighter, never uses a weapon. Says it's how he lost his first eye.”


Fancy snorted and began to be transfixed by a bowl of cherries. Barbarus decided to pace the time with a few reports form the Irona senate.

_________________________________________________

Mordane sat on his near one of the side doors as slaves washed him. He sat as medics poured over thee wounded.

Personally, he found it odd that there were so many medics, but then again the number of ponies that would willingly enter the arena was small and the supply of convicts small. It made a certain amount of sense to have enough medical care to match the rate of attrition in the arena.

His heart was beating. The smile had fallen from his eyes but still touched his lips. Like a kiss from some long forgotten lover, it shocked him. His chest had exploded with the cheers.

 That was like nothing I’ve ever felt. It was like I was...alive.

He shivered as sparks shot up his spine. He felt a strength flood into him.

But it was not enough, The rushing feeling seemed to flow to his heart. There it poured into a chasm. 

Mordane had always felt empty, a hunger that no amount of food could fill. The crowd though, cheering. It was the only thing to ever fill that within him, even if a little. He had always been hungry, this didn’t satisfy though, it only made him feel the hunger even more.

“Thank you for waiting ponies!” The announcer's voice began again. Mordane stood and made his way to the doors, pushing his way out into the arena. 

“You know him as the heavy stone, The one eyed monster! Veteran of the first Irona rebellion! Now he will test the mettle of the Bloody Commander!”

One Eye was waiting for him.

“So. Here you are.” One Eye said just loud enough for Mordane to hear.“You think you got what it takes to kill me this time?”

"I don’t rightly know.” Mordane said matching One eyes speech.“That’s what everyone is here to see.”

One Eye chuckled. Then his brow furrowed.

He snorted and stomped his hoof.

“You ready to die?”

“That” Mordane snarled “that won’t happen.”

One eye struck, swinging low and fast. Mordane jumped to the side. He flew and impacted the wall before rebounding.

Mordane slid to a stop. Looking up he saw One eye was already in front of him swinging again.

 SO FAST!

Mordane was struck dead center on his chest. He slid a few feet back and slipped to his knees.

“Well.” One eye said, standing near him “You have improved a little.”

Mordane said nothing, his eyes looking at the ground and messy hair covering them.

“For a half breed, your not bad. You should have probably used your sword.”

Mordane didn’t listen to One Eye, he instead replayed that last moment in his head. The hoof hitting him. The force to push him back. Then the feeling of…

“I’d say if you had five more years-”

Mordane struck. 

He moved between him and One Eye in a blink. Raising his hoof, One Eye moved to counter, but Mordane adjusted. Their hooves impacting him directly.

And stopped.

The crowd gasped as Mordane and One Eye jumped back. No one had ever taken One Eye’s blows head on before.

Mordane smilled. 

It worked

One Eye’s eye opened wide as a grin sliding slowly across his face. He than trotted up to Mordane who, though slightly surprised, matched and met him in the center of the ring.

“Well...ain’t that a bit of a surprise. You have earth pony in ya too?” One Eye cocked his head to the side. He spoke low enough that no one else could hear them “Plus you've learned the old magic.”

“It's a neat trick I give you that.” Mordane replied. “I didn’t realize that I could pull the earth's strength into myself, but when I sensed that energy in your hoof”

One Eye laughed.

“You know,  you're something else. Don’t think you can beat me, but if you do….”

“?”

“I’d follow yah.” One Eye said seriously.“I respect the strong.”

Mordane stared blankly for a moment before nodding.

“Then I will speak to you after this is over.” He began to turn, before suddenly striking at One Eye.

One Eye blocked and countered with his right hoof. Mordane sidestepped before sticking again. The two exchanged blows continually. Their forehooves barely touching the ground. Each blow that connected sounded like a drum. Mordane received twice as many blows as One eye but he wouldn’t let himself fall.  

He kept trying to speed up but found that having to kick off the ground limited him. Suddenly he had an idea.

Mordane jumped back crossing ten feet to the wall he impacted hooves first and rebonded. In an instant One Eye did the same.  However, Mordane had his wings in the forward position.

So as he moved toward One Eye he pumped his wings and accelerated even more.

One Eye didn’t have time to react. Mordane’s hoof impacted on the right shoulder causing One Eye to tumble uncontrolled to the ground. Mordane however took to the sky.

One Eye shakingly rose to his hooves and stared at Mordane in the air.

The crowd was a smattering of cheers, whispers and slack jaws.

Mordane was working overtime though.

 Bloody hell he is tough. I don’t think I have the endurance to match him. Nor speed without my wings. How do I defeat him?

Then Mordane got an idea.

He took himself as high into the air as he could then dove toward One Eye.

The earth pony's mouth drew into a flat line before he tensed up to take the strike.

Mordane though had a different idea. Before hitting he bladed a wall of air at him.

All the force of Mordane’s dive was transferred to the air. It was like a brick wall by the time it hit One Eye.

He went flying but Mordane wasn’t done.

Impacting the ground he judged where One Eye would land and took off. Reaching him before he could touch the ground with his hoof. 

Mordane knew that earth ponies must touch the ground to draw strength from it. So when he impacted One Eye at full speed in the stomach he had no defence.

The two of them hit the wall, but Mordane didn’t let them fall. He extended his wings and hovered, pinning One Eye with his rear hooves to the wall.

He pummeled him, not giving a moment for him to recover.

Each blow grew weaker as the earth strength bled out but One Eye’s matched. Soon there was none left. One Eye struggled but couldn’t get away from Mordane, his strength faded as quick as Mordane’s but he could reverse against the pony.

Soon, One Eye’s struggling stopped as he slipped into unconsciousness.

Mordane flew backwards and landed in the arena center. His hooves sore and heart beating like a hammer.

Then the crowd roared 

=====================================================================
 So close.

Trixie was sitting on the edge of her seat. 

“Did you see that!?” The pony beside her yelled. “He is strong!”

The ponies cheered and in Trixie’s heart she began to realize.

Mordane might just win this.

=====================================================================
Mordane was waving to the crowd as he stepped off the stage. Other ponies went over to One Eye who came to and was able to walk himself out, getting cheers of his own from the crowd.

King Barbarous’ mouth was sealed shut. His eyes locked on Mordane as he left the arena. His mind reeling from what it had seen.

 Sweet Moon Princess, if he defeats the next one I’ll be out a hundred thousand bits.

“One more Barbarus.” The king of Harridon smiled before gulping down a bowl of jelly "Only one more to go!”

Barbarus frowned and motioned over a servant.

=====================================================================
Thirty minutes later Mordane walked out into the arena. According to Claw he was to fight two more Champions before being able to leave.

Mordane didn’t listen to to the announcer. Instead he focused on the pony coming out before him.

Red fur, black mane. Hooves clad in bright bronze and a rather large sword laid across his back. He was glaring at him.

Not just a slight anger either, but a true loathing.

“-and you know him as... The Red Flash!”

The red maned unicorn snarled. Drawing his sword and impaling it into the earth.

"Fight me!”

Mordane didn’t know why this pony was angry at him and in truth it didn’t matter.

Drawing his sword Mordane leveled it at the coming pony.

“With pleasure.”

The pony charged, his sword going straight for Mordane’s throat but it was deflected with a counter. Mordane’s eyes widened as the unicorn began to weave a spell he was familiar with.

 he’s nuts!

Mordane jumped back just in time to avoid the explosion of fire that roared out in front of him. 

“And he lets it out! In a flash! The instant spell caster Red Flash!"

Mordane ignored the announcer. Instead he raised his blade to catch his enemie’s as he ran forward. 

The two of them exchanged blows before Red Flash disappeared.

Teleport!

Mordane rushed forward toward the wall. He felt as the blade nicked him.

Behind me!

Mordane slashed behind himself, but his sword passed through nothing. The only thing left was another flash dissipating.

So Mordane kicked off with his enhanced strength. He scanned the battlefield. Flash was moving around the field in sudden blinks, only pausing to throw a small flame at Mordane which he dodged easily.

He is using blink. He must see here he is going. He is not good at long range magic. How to deal with this?. 

Mordane snarled as he sent a blast of air that was torn apart by another blast of fire.

The look of anger gave way to frustration on the red unicorn’s face. Mordane though, could read the quick spells in an instant. 

Idea

Mordane sent another blast of air and waited until Red flash sent in another blast of flame.

Stretching out his wings he twisted the air around him before diving toward where the unicorn was.

But the unicorn was fast and sent a blast of fire right at him.

He felt a moment of searing heat, as he dodged, before impacting so hard as to leave cracks in the ground. There was a sudden pop. His legs buckled under the weight.

My leg!

Something had popped in his leg. Even as he tried to put weight on it there was shooting pain right up to his spine.

He didn’t have time to think on that though.

Where is he!?

Mordane scanned the arena, his eyes widened as he saw the unicorn most of the way through a spell.

A column of flame poured out at him. It was nicked in white and blue. 

 That- I can’t dodge it!

He could only finish standing and try to jump before it hit him.

In that moment he had no time to think of a new defence. So instead he reached for something that had served him for years.

Somewhere deep in his mind a connection was made.

Mordane stomped his functional forehoof and willed the ground to obey.

A wall of stone rose up and intercepted the gout of flame.

Red Flash was in shock. He saw Mordane’s horn broken, how could he-

Mordane didn’t give Red Flash time to think. He was flying like a rocket at him with blade swinging.  Flash dodged but it was not enough, he was nicked.

Mordane kept up the strikes not letting Red Flash rest. Quickly he noted how much slower his enemy was now.

 He has spent a lot of energy to kill me quickly. He must already be at his edge.

Soon, Red Flash made a mistake and Mordane sword sliced into the jugular. 

Mordane backed off as Red Flash grabbed his neck. The blood pumping out onto the ground coming quickly due to his jackhammering heart.

Just as the stream began to weaken the pony cast another flame spell, searing his own wound shut before collapsing.

“Incredible! Bloody commander two for two!”


The crowd roared. Mordane smiled.

 For some reason I’m glad that this pony is still alive. It seems a waste to have someone like him die

“Noo~. My sister."the pony whispered, face, pale from blood loss.

“You fought well.” Mordane said walking up. 

“My sister"he cried. His shoulder shaking. “The king said he would free her if I defeated you.”

Mordane frowned. He looked up at the podium and considered a moment. Then he moved toward it limping slightly.


=====================================================================
Barbarus was in shock. Fancy was laughing up a storm. 

“Fifty thousand! I can restore Costa Mine with that!”

He giggled.

Barbarus stood suddenly. Then turned to his fellow king and smiled.

“I hope you aren't a sore loser Fancy.”

“Eh?” the unicorn tilted his head “But Mordane has won. He is going on to the final round.”

Stronghoof was approaching the stage. A slight glint in his eye. Barbarus thought for a few moments before smiling and standing up.

“Victorious again Mordane! I commend you.”

“Release his sister.”

Barbarus paused, before silently cursing Mordane. 

I don’t have time to argue about this

“Of course! He has fought well for a long time.”

Mordane glanced back as the medic pulled Red Flash up. He caught a smile before turning back to the king.

“Are you prepared Mordane?”

“Of course. I will gain my freedom.” The crowd cheered.

“I just thought I might say. You may recognize this last pony.”

Mordane frowned but didn’t respond, instead taking his time to go back to his side of the arena.


Sitting there he was surprised when no medic showed up.

 Seems like the king doesn’t want me to survive this round. 

Mordane spent his time meditating. Focusing on the pain of his hoof and willing it to hurt less.

 That's a serious injury. The knee is creaking when I move it. Feels like its bone related and.. He lightly placed down his hoof and a sharp jolt ran through his leg.  Oh ponyfeathers. That hurts like hell. Definitely broken. I’m going to have to stay off this one.

Mordane heard some sudden shouting.

“Mordane.”he heard a voice in front of him and opened his eyes. Much to his surprise he saw Trixie there.


He saw the guards running up and raising their pikes.

“STOP!”

The words ripped out of him in a blast. Trixie and the guards froze suddenly.

“Trixie” he said quietly “Do you know how to set a hoof?”

“Ye-yes.” She moved in and looked around a moment before opting to rip the end of her cape. 

“Is that..the mare from the play ‘the pony who would be king’!?” The announcer shouted "She is famous for her play about the bloody commander! Those are true?!”

The crowd gasped and began to get riled up again.

Mordane only looked at Trixie and raised an eyebrow.

“I’ve... been dabbling in the local theater.” she said scrunching her nose and looking away. 

“Smart.” Mordane smiled. “A play about me is a good way to make money. Though that makes me wonder if you plan on going with me.”

“Mordane” Trixie replied. Her brow tightening and a stab of pain entering her heart. “I-”

“Remove that mare!” Shouted the king suddenly, shaking the pony guards out of their stupor. 

“Do not harm her.” Mordane said and they neared. “See to it she gets back to her seat, she belongs to me after all.”

Trixie blushed like a beat as the guards mumbled assents and lead her from the field.


Mordane took the piece of cloth Trixie had given him. Using his other hoof he made a sling and pulled the broken hoof close to his body. Wincing the whole time.

“After that odd scene.  I have been told that the last pony is ready. Pulled from retirement and ready to began. We have, HIGH RISE!”

=====================================================================

 High Rise!

Mordanes eye twitched. The images of Luna’s castle, his defeat flashed before him. 

Through the opening doors he saw him.

The crowd cheered.

“Last year’s victor. High Rise returns with special request from the king! Will he take this diabolical commander down?”

Mordane noted that the crowd was split between him and High Rise. At the moment though, that didn't matter to him.

“Its unfortunate, but I don’t I’ll be paying you Mordane.”

“High Rise! You dirty bastard!” Mordane spat. “Whatever reason, however you are here, you are going to regret showing yourself to me again.”

High Rise took to the air looking down at Mordane’s limping hoof and the many cuts and bruises he had accumulated.  He smiled.

“You were no match when you challenged me in that town colt.”

“What's this!?” Shouted the announcer “They know each other? And there seems to be some bad blood!”

Mordane hovered up to High Rises level. 

“You’re hurt I see. Think you can fight?” High Rise smiled.

Mordane drew his blade, it ground against the sheath as it came out slowly. High Rises smile fell away and he reached behind to draw a spear.

“No jokes High Rise. I swore it. No maiming, no mercy. Today you die.”

High Rises face hardened.

“Fine you little pup.” He spat “Let's see what you’ve got.”

Stretching his wing High Rise sent a blast of air at Mordane.

Mordane counted with his own blast...but High Rise’s overwhelmed his. He was pushed down to the ground but was able to day on his three hooves.

No time was given before he had to counter. His blade contacted with the thrusting spear, diverting it. 

A cut on his cheek. He stomped the ground which shot up a foot but High Rise reacted, dodged and pulled back away into the air.

Mordane gave him no rest.

He blasted into the air and made contact again.

They exchanged blows. Left swing met right thrust. A blast of wind and Mordane used his own to dodge.

Then, Mordane’s broken hoof connected with the butt of High Rise’s spear.

He seized up and tumbled. He was too close so High Rise slammed the pole into his head.

He impacted hard.

To gain a moment he stomped the ground. A half foot thick stone canopy slid to cover him and cause High Rise to call off the finishing blow. Instead taking a few moments to go back high into the air.

The side of his head was throbbing, and his leg felt like it was on fire. He knew though that this was no time to give into pain. He only had a few moments.

 What the hell. I had no idea he was this strong.

High Rise hit like a ton of bricks and was extremely skilled with the spear. He had moved it just was quickly as Mordane moved his sword during that exchange.

No, he can’t have...it must have been like with Peddler. He seemed faster but that was just the difference in experience. What should I do?

He still wasn’t sure but he knew that he couldn’t wait any longer.

He let his will lose focus and let the barrier weaken before punching through it and taking to the sky again.

“Whoa, Whoa, WHOA! These two are really going at it!”

High Rise impacted in a blast of air, leaving cracks in the ground where he landed before taking back to the air.

The crowd sat slacked jawed.

High Rise dove toward the rising Mordane who deflected and dodged before sending another blast of wind up at High Rise who again countered with his own wind. Mordane was able to get around it and strike at him again. Exchanging a series of blows.

When he fell back High Rise had two new cuts. He had three.

The both of them were breathing heavy. 

“I have the high ground Mordane.” High Rise said. Pulling back his armor to show a cyclone mark.“You can’t reach me.”

 A wind manipulating cutie mark! Plus war magic...

He had an idea

He exchanged a few more blows before darting to dodge another blast of wind.

Landing on the ground he pushed off and sent up his own blast of air, following closely behind it.

High Rise saw Mordane and the blast before thinking ‘all too easy’ and sending down a blast of air.

Mordanes air blast was dissipated and he drove his spear straight at Mordanes face.

Then  a first size stone smaked him in the face.

It was all Mordane needed. He swooped past the spear and lopped off one of High Rises forelegs.

“AHGHA!!"High Rise reflexively grabbed his stump but Mordane wasn’t done.

He swung back around, kicking High Rises wing and sending him careening to the ground.

Mordane dived and High Rise rolled to the side and struggled to his hooves a few meters away.

Mordane slowed down enough to only wince from the impact.

“Damn you bastard Mordane.” High Rise drew his sword.

Mordane didn’t listen. Instead he charged.

He swung a hard right aiming at his shoulder.

High Rise blocked and stabbed.

Mordane swiped it to the side and nicked High Rise who swung again only to get a deep cut on his only remaining leg.

His scream bled with Mordane as he drove his blade into his head.

The crowd roared.

“Unbelievable! He is definately dead! High Rise has been defeated! Mordane is the new champion!”

The roaring of the crowd again shook him to his bones.

And slowly, very slowly, he smiled.

_____________________________________________________________________



Lord of Tietus, Rightful king of Rina, Head merchant of a trade empire. King Barbarus was breathing fast and shallow. His eyes bloodshot.

Sixty thousand, I’m out a bloody sixty thousand. 

Even with the profit from the tournament he would still be at a loss. This was unacceptable. What was worse was Fancy.

“HAHAHAHAHAHA!” He was laughing like a maniac. “I am up fifty thousand. I knew that pony had it in him! Oh don’t look so glum Barbarus!”

“Glum?” He smiled. "Why would I be glum. I’ve not lost yet.”

“No.” Fancy said suddenly serious. “I cannot let you place another fighter. That's too far-”

“Oh, I won’t be doing that. We did after all agree that if he MAKES it to the last fight you win.”

King Barbarus and Fancy stood and went to the edge of the stand. Barbarus raised up his hoof and signaled for his trumpeter to get the crowds attention.

“Excellent. Stupendous. Truly a grand fight!” Barbarus beamed and the crowd roared. He signaled for silence again. “Your fight was truly grand. So grand that I grant you your freedom!”

“Thank you King Barbarus.”

The crowd reared again, this time Barbarus let it play out, but then King Fancy signaled, bringing quiet.

“What fun is there in that?” Fancy asked. “We were promised four fights and I feel these good ponies deserve it.” He hit his hoof against the banister. “What say you Mordane?”

Mordane, still panting swallowed.

“I, unfortunately must decline.”

The crowd booed, Mordane’s ears folded back.

“What would I have to gain?”

“To gain?” Fancy suddenly bellowed. “Yes...to risk one's life should gain a hero's reward-”

“He is already receiving a reward!” King Barbarus suddenly shouted. “Ten thousand gold! A king’s fortune! He already has all the honor he could want."

The crowd began to whisper, uncertain.

“Ten thousand. A fair amount-”

“-and I’ll double that if he does the rational thing and leaves. Now.”

Ponies were extremely confused.

“Truly sane! To leave when one’s hoof is broken, with such a sum in tow….but what if he decided to go on. What award then…”

Many ponies began to nod. It would be incredibly brave to go on to the last fight. Even though they didn’t know about a fourth champion. It must be powerful to be still alive! Mordane is hurt, he would likely not survive.

“I will give twenty thousand gold. With the ten king Barbarus has promised that would be thirty thousand” And then King Fancy looked at Barbarus. A gash of a smile plastered across his lips.
“That of course would not be a correct reward for bravery though.”

“So in addition to that. I will give him a landed title in my kingdom. “

Everypony reacted differently.

Some gasped, others shouted and others laughed at the absurdity. King Fancy smiled down at Mordane.

‘ don’t do it’ Trixie silently prayed.

“Thats right Bloody Commander. If you take this gamble and win. I would have you serve me. I will grant you nobility.”

______________________________________________________

Mordane swallowed, his heartbeat was so hard he couldn’t distinguish between beats. His mouth was like a desert. All that was in him screamed, this is it!

Not only a title of Nobility, but a landed one. With such a fortune, if he put it in the right places, he could turn that…

He bit his tongue to stop an assent from leaving his lips. 

His forehoof was broken. He had small cuts all over his body...and he was exhausted.

The truth was. No sane person would accept this...but-

The crowd awaited with bated breath.

Blood and grit.

Sand and heat.

His heart slowed.

Beating.

Those pearled teeth rearing in his memory.

 Will you falter now?...do you not remember what she said. Eyes forward. Never back down. Either you fall… or you rise.

His eyes glared out. Locking onto king Barbarus.

“Let the last champion come.”

____________________________________________________

The cell was both small and damp.

After leaving the arena he was led to the cell and pushed in. Apparently King Barbarus was REALLY unhappy with him.

However, King Fancy had sent over a full meal and water proof mat for him. No gause for his bandage or padding or bed.

However, standing in front of him was Claw. He was now wearing a sash with a mark he barely recognized as the King of Herridon’s. 

He had come and placed a full meal.

A full salad, high quality oats, a large platter of fresh fruit. High quality wine sat bottle and all poured into the clearest glass he had seen since coming to the southern lands.

“Is there anything else you need?” Claw asked.

“No” Mordane replied. Ignoring his desire for meat. “Except perhaps your company while I eat.”

“There is little choice to that.” Claw said. Pulling out a plate for himself. "I hope you don’t mind, I brought something more in line with my...appetites.”

Mordane raised an eyebrow at the obviously cooked rabbit before reaching over and pulling off a haunch.

Claws eyes widened as he quickly ate it before throwing back down the bone and washing it down with some wine.

“...and some call it an abomination when I eat meat.”

“Ponies are so easily made uncomfortable aren't they.” Mordane smiled. “That is something I’m sure you’re familiar with.”

Claw nodded, slicing off a piece of the rabbit before skewering and eating it. 

“Of course. It is...odd having somepony not concerned with it.”

“Of course. So you intended to shock me?”

Claw paused before chuckling.

Mordane smiled and continued eating.

“Tell me.” Claw spoke up a few minutes later. “Why are you doing this?”

Mordane paused and considered for a moment before replying.

“Because, if I didn’t...I know where that leads.”

Claw nodded his head and gathered up the plates before stepping out and handing the guard a bag of gold before motioning to the pony who brought in the food.

“Hello...I will treat your wounds.” The green unicorn mare said “Please show me all your wounds.”

__________________________________________________

So much for healing magic not being as good down south. It seems it's just kept for the rich.

Mordane stretched out his hoof. Feeling no pain he smiled and nodded his head.

“Thank you.”

“I was paid. Nothing more."The mare said tersely before exiting the  cell.

Claw nodded to Mordane before handing the guard a few more coins.

“Compliments of King Fancy, please see to it that his cell is sweeped out and a fresh bottle of water to be maintained. If you do there will be another coin for you."

“Of course sir.”

He turned back to Mordane.

“It was good knowing you Mordane...but you have no chance of survival. Good day.”

Mordane frowned. Why would have have no chance?

Not having an answer he sat calmly and waited. Meditating. He didn’t move as the guard did as Claw asked.

A few hours later the guard taped on the cage.

“Some blue unicorn is here to see you. Calls herself Trixie. Do you know her?”

“Yes, please let her in.”

A minute later Trixie came around the corner. Her eyes had red lines fracturing over them. She had obviously been crying

“Mordane! Why did you decide to fight?!” She hissed quietly.

“If I make you work so hard would you expect me to do any less?” Mordane smiled.

Trixie shook her head and then ran her hoof over his leg, noting that it was healed before turning back to him. She pulled out a receipt to a moneylender for ten thousand coins. Her eyes sparked alive.

“Look, the king went ahead and gave me your reward! He called me to the castle and asked if I knew you. He said that since we were friends I could take the reward for you! With this ten thousand we could have gone back to Equestria! We could have left the horrible land.”

Mordanes smile flipped in an instant. He leaned down to her level and looked for any signs of deceit. He found none.

“He just gave you my reward? What did he say?”

Trixie paused and blinked a few times.

“Well he asked about how I had met you and what my plans where…He even suggested where I could find a ship heading there today! Unfortunately the next one is several months away but if we hurry…”

Trixie trailed off as Mordane stared at her emotionlessly before he sighed.

“Trixie, he wanted you to steal the money and leave without me.”

Trixie froze.

“I...Well I thought about that. It just didn’t seem right.” Trixie blushed a little. 

“I see...So you want me to escape and we rush north?”

“Yes! Even the guard said he would let you go.”

Mordane sighed again. Seeing the plan in full now.

“I intend to fight Trixie.”

“You can’t do that! This is no normal fight Mordane! This champion hasn’t come out in over a century! Its- Its a dragon!”

Mordanes heart stopped.

The reflective eyes, the hot breath and pearl white teeth flashed before his eyes.

Mordane swallowed but shook his head. He was committed.

“I...I cannot run. Not anymore not ever again.” He looked up to her again. “Trixie if you really want to go to Equestria I advise you to take the money and leave me. I”m not going to Equestria. I am staying here to fight.”

Trixie swallowed looking down for a moment before turning back up. Tips of water poking out of her eyes.

“I-I can’t do that.”

“...Why.” Mordane said, without asking.

“Because… I don’t know. I just can’t think of leaving you.” Tears began to flow out of her. She looked straight at the ground and began to heave. “I don’t want for you to leave me.”

Mordane stared at her.

For the first time he truly considered what he was doing to this mare. He had reached out when alone in some instinctual need for control. As surely as if he planned it he had charmed and twisted her until she was ready to stay here in this land.

He still wasn’t even sure why she wanted to stay with him. He did know that this was a crossroads. Mordane before would have panicked. He would have said anything to get her to run as far away as possible. To perhaps find a happier life in Equestria.

But his gut lead him to do something different. Something his old code said was one of the worst things he could do.

He reached out... and cradled her head in his hoof.

“Shh” he whispered, her hooves locking around his back.“It's okay. I won’t leave you alone. Follow me and you won’t have to go back to those empty roads. Don’t forget….You belong to me.”

Trixie slumped completely into his hooves, pressing into the bars. She was a mess, but Mordane continued to reassured her.

His heart stirred. As Trixie seemed to try and pull the warmth right out of him he noted where others would feel a budding love, a feeling of pleasure filled it. Echoing what he felt in the arena with the crowd. He looked down at the shaking mare and felt...satisfaction.

_____________________________________

“Stronghoof.”

Mordane woke suddenly. He looked up to see a guard glaring at him.

“Get up...Your opponent wants to meet you.”

Mordane ears stood straight. He felt a flash of an impulse to fall back, but he couldn’t. Instead he swallowed and followed the guard.

He found himself lead down a series of corridors and to a large stone door laid open.

The guard motioned to the door. 

Mordane swallowed and went through the door then down a decrepit staircase. The walls were laced with the marks of moss that had been recently removed hastily.

He heard a growl of amusement from below.

“Come faster Mordane. The way is clear.”

“Yes...master.” Mordane said trotting quickly down and eventually finding the stairs coming to a short stone opening past which was a cavern he recognized.

Before him sat his master. Her eyes were alight. 

“It was such a bother to convince them to let me see you. They thought I was going to eat you before the right time.” She laughed. Mordane smiled lightly. He took the time to sit and think some more on what to say.

“They don’t know the dragon way."Mordane said softly. “Were...you surprised?”

“Well, I will admit it was a surprise. I’ve never been a one to deny any challenge.”

“Of course."Mordane swallowed.

“I can’t believe you actually challenged me though!"She laughed, Her voice carrying throughout the dark cavern. "I just wanted to congratulate you before the day.”

Mordane looked down at the ground and swallowing.

“Hahnu Loaas."He said suddenly."I intend to withdraw from the battle.”

His master stopped. The smile slipped out off her face.

Her eyes locked onto his.

“I just."He swallowed. “I just don’t want to fight you. I don’t want to hurt you-”

“Get out."She growled.

“Master…”

“Mordane. Don’t lie to yourself."She said. "You will fight me. Go.”

Mordane stood still. Trying to think of what to say.

“Do you wish to dishonor me more? GO!”

Mordane turned and ran. He took flight up the staircase and only stopped once back at his cell. His guard came running a minute later to close the door. His eyes looking sympathetically as Mordane sat in the corner breathing rapidly.

He took a drink of water.

For a moment he breathed and internally he had to ask. Would he do it?
____________________________________________________________

King Barbarus threw his mug at the servant. It missed and splashed against the wall. The cup clanging down to the ground.

He was resting in his palace garden gazebo, away from the eyes of his court. 

“SHE DID NOT EAT HIM!?"He roared.

“Yes my lord.."Whimpered the servant. 

“Why? How?” He growled then breathed in deeply. Taking a moment to calm himself before sighing."Bring King Fancy here.”


A few minutes later King Fancy came in and sat across from him. All smiles he waited for Barbarus to speak.

“How did you know?”

“That he would make it? Easy. You let him fight One Eye.”

“...thats all?"

“Of course.”

Barbarus sighed and motioned to another servant. He picked up a small document/letter and sealed it before handing it to Fancy.

 I King Barbarus, order the payment of ten thousand gold coins to holder from the royal account.

“It seems to be all in order."King Fancy said signing the document and handing it to a Claw who bowed and moved out quickly.

“At least he will be dead."King Barbarus snorted.

“Of that I am not so sure."King Fancy replied.

Barbaru’s ears perked up.

“Really...that seems unbelievable. Why then offer him a position in your noble court if he should live then?”

“That."King Fancy said. “Is because of his last name. Stronghoof.”

“Stronghoof? What is the point of that?”

“Well...Nothing if he doesn’t live. After all, if he isn’t strong it won’t matter.”


___________________________________________________________

That night he woke to a flask bouncing off his head.

Mordane started awake only to see Peddler sitting across from him.

“How the hell…"Mordane grabbed the flask and took a swig.

“Everypony deserves a last drink."Grunted Peddler. 

“I don’t know if I’m going to fight.

“Oh?"Peddler replied. “That seems...more like the old Mordane.”

“...I don’t deny that."He sighed. "But I can’t kill her. It just doesn’t seem right.”

“Kill her? You mean the dragon?"Peddler laughed. ‘And here I was going to try to talk you out of this. Now I find you’re not doing it out of pity? That dragon is a vicious monster Mordane. She will eat you alive.”

“Aye...and she wants me to be the same.”

“...What?”

Mordane explained what had transpired taking swigs as he went.

Smut Peddler took it in stride. 

“Ha! Now that's a pickle.”

“Aye.”

Peddler stared at Mordane for a few minutes as the pony paid attention to his whiskey and thought about what to do.

“Still. Either way a king will want you dead.”

“Oh?"Mordane raised an eyebrow.

“Yeah, turns out the two kings have a bet on if you will make it to the last round. He is probably trying to get you to run away.”

“True…”

He sighed. Standing he went to the exit.

“You decided well Mordane."He grinned “Live to fight another day? I’ll get some transport ready.”

“Okay.”

Smut Peddler left and the gate was closed behind him. Mordane heard a few clinks of coins passing hooves.

He was left alone. To think.
____________________________________________________________

Trixie sat alone. Her every valuable possession in a small pack on the bed. Only what she could carry would come. Everything else had been sold.

Following Mordanes instructions she had publically purchased a large ship for just over a thousand gold. It was fitted with a deep hold and would serve well as both warship and smallish trade vessel.

She had purchased something else as well. 

The knife was two hoof lengths long. Its blade straight and simple. 

She didn’t know why she had bought it...





____________________________________________________________


“Fight!”

Mordane swallowed. He had come out quickly in the evening. Even sitting in his cell he could hear the crowds roar.

“Fight!”

A dozen unicorn mages cast their spell. His skin tightened as he felt the barrier slide over his head. Perhaps forty meters up.

“Fight!”

It shook him to his core.

He felt his heart beat with the crowd as the doors to the arena opened.

King Fancy and King Barbarus stood at the arena edge. One's eyes gleaming, the other dark. They looked down and waited to see what future would befall Mordane.

Mordane could hear chains clanging in the darkness of the grand entrance.In the middle of the floor Mordane could see began to slop before passing out of view.

He heard a low growl.

His master stepped out into the sun

The crowd gasped

Her scales flashed in the light. Thought at the same time she looked scuffed. He hadn’t noticed before but several scales were missing. On her back, the stubs.

Mordane bowed as the crowd fixated on the dragons giant teeth.

“Stronghoof."She said suddenly. “What have you decided?”

The crowd didn’t speak. Trixie stood abated. Her eyes looked down disgusted.

Mordane looked up at her. His mouth corners turned up.

“Master...The fire in me doesn’t want to turn….How can I betray myself?"He stood fully and drew up his blade, pointing it at the dragon. “Surrender and I will spare your life.”

She smiled.

“Never!"She reared back her head and breathed deep.

Mordane stomped.

Her gout of fire poured over where Mordane stood. Its lips tipping near the edge of the arena.

But Mordane wasn’t there. She looked up only to see Mordane diving at her. She spun around and whipped him across his face.

Mordane impacted the ground.

He spat out a tooth and swung to deflect a light swipe from her.

Jumping in he swung...and his blade barely left a scratch.

With a blast of wing Mordane took to the air to avoid a stomping claw but was smacked down. 

There was a sickening crunch as Mordane’s shoulder gave way. He landed on his side, stars dancing in his head. Adrenaline pumping through his brain he didn’t even pause. He willed the ground to push against him and, spreading his wings, he then willed the wind to propel him forward.

Only to be smacked down again with the other claw. This time, his leg definitely snapped along the weak injury healed a day earlier.

“You’ve done well."the dragon said, “I will not make you linger Mordane.”

Trixie averted her eyes. King Fancy sighed. Claw frowned. The crowd winced and some leaned forward. Most shouting. Her claw raised high into the air. The moment of silence broken by no one and nothing.

Until a bird began its call.

Then Mordane stood up.

His master's claw stood suspended in the air, his forehead had a large gash. Blood streamed down to his nose and began to drip to the ground.  His eyes seemed to draw her in as he slowly turned toward the sky. 

The trilling of the bird echoed solely through the stadium. Mordane listened to it. The calling it seemed to hold. The wind picked up.

He could hear it turning around a column, hitting a wall, rushing along the edges of the arena. Instinctively he opened his wings, slowly. Extending them to full. He could feel the moisture and water there.

The pain of his broken foreleg and shoulder seemed to dull.

The dragon's claw descended.

Mordane inhaled.

The dust tickled his nose. His mind turning to the ground beneath his feet. The dirt, gravel and stone pushing into his hooves. The slight wetness of his dripping blood and water in the soil.

And the fire of rage in his chest.

The crowd roared.

And he was happy.

The wind nicked his wings, the ground trembled beneath him. His eyes stayed fixed on his master.

This is who I am, this is where I’m meant to be. All eyes on me. The sky above. The ground below. The water connecting them. Fire in my breast.

There was a flash of light from his flank.

His dragon master winced away.

And Mordane rocketed under her falling claw and sword first he plunged into her belly. 

Pushing off of her and with a massive blast of air he carried the blade and cut three pony lengths across her belly.

She roared and smacked at him, but Mordane had already dodged.

Mordane floated in the air. His body was aflame.

===================================================

In Canterlot Celestia's head turned suddenly. She felt a slight shiver through the world. A power she had not felt for a year.

“Mordane lives.”

====================================================

Mordane looked down on the crowd gawking at him. Down on the dragon snarling. Down on the kings with fearful eyes.

His body screamed at him but his mind stayed straight and focused. Like a tall ship mast in a storm.

 This is who I am. Where I belong. Between heaven and earth. 

Mordane dove. His master's claws raked into the sky. A blast of freezing wind diverts them.

Mordane impacts, his fire pours down into the wound as she is driven to the ground. Blood gushing from her freezes and Mordane wills it. Her body hits the ground and Mordane summons spikes of stone to pierce her belly.

Silence.

She shivers.

“Mordane."she gurgles. Smiling as Mordane fades into unconsciousness. “Tell my son of me...tell Spike.”

And she was gone.

Mordane feels cold seep into him. As he fades he hears the roaring crowd, and smiles.

On his flank, the light that was forming faded to nothing. Leaving him still blank.

========================================================

Celestia passed back and forth. Her mind working furiously. She wasn’t certain if she was the only one to feel the subtle shift in magic.

Mordane had tapped into something powerful. Something that Celestia had to assist Twilight with for her to tap into. Plus he was ridiculously far away. At least in difficulty to get there.

Sure she or Luna could fly away but they were in a delicate situation with the diamond dogs. 

Plus she was hosting a banquet with a half dozen of the pony city states on their incorporation back into Equestria.

Her heart sped up at the thought. 

Mordane was in the southern lands.

She had little information about the place. After raising the mountain all regular communication had been cut. She did know that she was reviled there. Taking on almost a demonic tone while her sister was the heroic figure.

She hadn’t informed Luna of  her knowledge of the southern lands either. As far as her sister knew in the whole world she wouldn’t be accepted. In truth, if she had flown south over the mountains she may have found a throne waiting for all Celestia knew. She couldn't let them be torn apart too soon. Better to work out their co rulership first.

Now she still couldn’t send her. Luna’s and Twilight’s presence were needed in the coming negotiations.

There was a knock on the door.

Luna strode in.

“You called sister?”

“Luna."She trotted up, taking a moment to think of her word choice. "I have sensed a faraway presence.”

“Who?”

“Mo-”

Suddenly there was a flash of light. Twilight appeared her eyes wide and hair frizzed.

“MORDANE’S ALIVE!!”
> Around the Block
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

I am a leaf tumbling through the wind. Buffeted and twisting in the current. I am a ship of which only I am the captain, turning in the everlasting breeze. Only I can define myself. 
 
The vast divide. Tips rising into the sky higher than most pegasi could fly, the divide hung over the southern lands. Even near a hundred miles from the divide it dominated the horizon. 

In the city of Irona, Commander Ice Wing sat hoofing through an ancient journal. The short statement was written alone on a page as if to be a reminder. It gave him pause.

In his pack, a group of items were bound up tight. Engraving tools, a book of magical formula and more. Those other things had given even him pause, from their stark observations and sent flashes of a dark room and slow moving knife through his mind.

Detailed drawings of pony anatomy and spells to rip apart souls, and bind flesh to service. He had heard the rumors of Mordane being a necromancer, but hadn’t believe them. Yet in these notes he had found the proof. Though, it was also confusing.
 
‘Blackheart really was a bastard.’ read a note on one page. ‘Logically I can understand why it would be easier to make a zombie from someone still living, but to control them you would need to strip away most of their soul… Still, the ability to rip souls apart also implies the power to hold them to the body. As such I shouldn’t forget this.’
 
Who was Blackheart? Mordane wrote as if he both lived the experiences and was dissecting them. Deciding what he would keep. That would imply memory stealing. Which was something Ice Wing found nearly as horrifying as necromancy.


Currently though he wasn’t reading that. He was reading a journal that claimed to be from the lunar diarch herself. The mare of the night. The one true ruler of the Equestrian throne. Before, he would have probably burned such a book as foolishness. The alicorn were legends brought on by the odd pegasi/unicorn hybrid births. No pony could actually contain the magic of all three races.
 
That was until he had seen it himself. Mordane was an alicorn, the magic had been inside. His magical eye had seen them twisting around each other.

So Ice Wing was forced to take the journal far more seriously. If he did that… If Luna existed, then another alicorn would exist as well.

Flames burning high into the sky. Pale white like death. 

Those impressions flashed over him. Stories of Celestia.

With a sigh he placed the journal back into his bag.

These journals are dangerous. I will need to keep them with me.
 
His second in command walked into the room. 

“Sir!” Iron Quill saluted before sliding into at ease. “We have finished role call and inventory. Four ponies are unaccounted for upon arrival. Inventory was thirty percent below expected levels and morale is described by the other captain as ‘low’. I expect the long journey and low rations have taken their toll, on top of the losses we sustained.”

“Indeed Captain Iron Quill. The enemy was fierce. The soldiers should be proud.”

Iron Quill saluted again before producing a letter. 
 
“A message arrived from the council. You have been called to the main chamber to speak.”
 
Ice Wing winced as he took the letter and read it. A short reading, no mark of congratulation, or request for a later dinner. An official order from them to come and report.

By Luna, they really intend to blame me for this whole thing He swallowed before turning to the young captain. 

“They are likely going to have my commision for this.”

“It would be a loss to Irona sir.”
 
“Indeed. Any news on that pony?” Ice Wing flipped open a trunk and began to place on his official uniform. Taking it slowly as he satisfyingly adjusted small straps and stepped forward into it.
 
“None sir, after him being spotted heading into the arena we heard nothing.”
 
He sighed.

“Thank you Iron Quill. Please go check again before I return.”

“Yes sir.”
 
Ice Wing stepped out of the barracks and into the encampment. It was the fielding area for Irona’s army.
 
He strode through it toward the city gate and listened to his ponies.

“Bloody river, I missed my colt’s birthday.”

“I hear the commander is still keeping track of the Stronghoof commander…”
 
“Never bury somepony on the side of a hill dumbo.”
 
“Why in the Tartarus can’t we go!? What do you mean political unrest?” He heard it all and continued. 

Coming up on the gate he found it already open and strolled right in.

The town hugged a navigable river and regularly traded with the griffon kingdom territory to the northeast via it. Going down the river and up the coast then back. Some said that it was this colonies support that kept them free of the Tietus king.
 
He of course officially declared this as ridiculous.

Privately, his brother had made it clear that this was actually reality. He claimed to have heard it from a friend, who heard it from a friend, who was there when the rebellion was forming.
 
That was over a generation ago though.
 
As he walked through the streets, many ponies noticed him, but said nothing. They choose instead to turn away and few even flicked their tails at him.
 
He loved this city. He had been born here and now it seemed, in the hearts of the ponies at least, that he had already been ostracized from public life.

It fell like a ton of bricks onto him. Ponies he had seen around for decades were turning away in shops.

He swallowed and straightened his shoulders.

Trotting toward the conciliate. It stood tall and stark against the far more modest city. It had been built originally as a pleasure palace of the Tietus king. Its construction had been paid for with taxes taken from Irona, to the desolation of the local economy. 
 
Instead of simply burning it down it had been converted into the conciliate. 

And then back into a rotting mess. 
 
He entered through the main gate and proceeded quickly to the main council doors. Carved from single oak tree in two large pieces they were adorned with carving depicting the revolution. A picture of his own great grandfather was there. Each door was six ponies tall and two wide. Usually it took an earth pony to open them. On the other side he could barely hear muffled shouting as he took a moment to breathe.

Nopony was there to meet him, or to open the door.
 
They insult me.

He growled lowly before reaching into his mane and taking a small swig from a flask. 

Fine then. No subtlety.
 
He threw the alcohol onto the ground and pressed the ends of his wings against the massive doors and pushed. 

Firmly placing his hooves into the ground, he stepped forward with the doors swinging open. His back and calf muscles bulging at the exertion as he pushed. Sparks traveled down his wings, and the alcohol began to pile up and freeze. He willed the liquid into rolling columns to help him push.

The entire chamber went dead silent as he entered. It was large for a council chamber. Fully two hundred of the most influential business ponies, military generals and noble families all had seats, but only the inner council had voting power.

The whole room was splayed out from the door. Stone steps went up to the back from the center, allowing easy access to the stage for many to speak.

With all the strictness of his training, he stepped through the double doors and pulled the alcohol off the ground, and back into his bottle before stepping onto the central platform.

Pausing for a moment he then went into a bow.

“I have been summoned by the council and so, I have presented myself. What is this councils will?”
 
“Our will?!” Shouted Lance Light “Our will was that you defeat the pathetic mercenaries and gain victory! You-”
 
“Councillor! We will follow procedure. Ice Wing is an officer returning from the field and so will hear his report.” His brother Iron Wing glared.  “Before that though, I would have this chamber sealed.”
 
The crowd roared. Sealing the chamber meant that only voting members would be able to stay. But Iron Wing would hear none of it. With a mighty pump of his wings, he created a loud clap that must have been heard all the way to the edge of town.
 
“Silence!” He roared. “I have heard your concerns and still ordered it, and so, it shall be done. The chambers are to be sealed!”
 
Slowly, painfully, the vast majority of ponies filed out, leaving the twenty inner council members behind. The doors shut. One of the unicorn council members remaining, cast a spell and runes of silence flared to life.

“Begin.” Iron Wing said. “And dispense with any formalities.”
 
“Sir, upon leaving the capitol I marched my forces to intercept the enemy army. Upon arrival at the town where they were stationed I found they had retreated and so gave chase, pausing only to put out the fire on the bridge, that had been built, before it burned to nothing. Chasing them, we found them held up in the Lunar Fortress.-”
 
“Lunar Fortress?” One of the councillors spoke up.

“My officers informed me that it was the central command fortress of the Lunar Empire. The mercenaries established a base there and raised their defences to the extent of reactivating the magical arrays-”
 
“Stop.” Spiraling Lights cried “I must object, no spell matrix can last for over a thousand years. Where would the power come from?”
 
“As best as we could tell the matrix was tied directly into a multilayered self maintaining nexus, that drew heat from a pocket of magma under the mountain… furthermore it should be noted that this fortress was severely damaged along with the matrix. Even so it was still operating though not at its peak… there were also the issue of nightmares.”
 
“Yes. Nightmares. Did your soldiers needed some mare’s milk before going into battle?”
 
Several of the councillors chuckled and Ice Wing bit his tongue to prevent himself from complaining.

“After Lance Light’s arrival I was ordered to launch a full scale assault.”

“An action you should have taken immediately upon arrival.” Snorted Lance Light. “Before the enemy had time to entrench.”
 
“He was entrenched upon arrival-”
 
“JUST” Lance Light cut him off again, “like it took you so long to return to Irona.”
 
“That would be due to supplying issues at the Flowthrought river. We were camped for two months waiting for resupply.”
 
“You were not at war Ice. Your ponies could have gone hungry for a few days.” Iron Wing said.

Ice Wing paused. His own brother had just rebuked him. Why would he do that?
 
“I suppose...” Ice Wing responded, not sure how to continue “Though I should say that I did try a probing attack shortly after arriving and found the defences I mentioned earlier. When I launched a full assault… I lost a significant number of ponies. Following the return to Irona I received the figures as one in three lost.”
 
The council burst out into yelling, cursing and various threats on just what they would do to him. Before Iron Wing sent a blast wave again. Shocking the council back into silence.

“Continue…” 

“...After the battle I captured the commander who lead the fight against us during the siege. He bore both wings and horn, odd, rare, but not unheard of. What was strange, was that he used both magic and flight. At first I thought it a complex spell, but… After having him examined the doctor informed me that he possessed equal amount of traits from pegasus, unicorn and earth pony. In short, he was an alicorn.”
 
Silence.
 
“That” Spoke up Lance Light “brings us to what you did to the alicorn.”
 
“We are… certain it was an alicorn?” Iron Wing said.

“Yes, we are.” Lance light replied. “And your brother has let that valuable asset go!”
 
“I claimed him by my right!”
 
“You had no rights to such a thing.” Iron Wing roared suddenly, stunning Ice Wing into silence. “A captured alicorn is something that would belong to all of Irona.”
 
The council nodded as Ice Wing could do nothing but sit once again in stunned silence as his brother continued. His horror slowly growing with every word.
 
“After you sent that alicorn to Tietus, the fools actually sent him to the arena. Where he defeated a grand dragon! A grand dragon! Now he has been given nobility in Herridon! Beyond our reach!” Shouted another counselor suddenly. “You have brought shame onto the Wing household.”
 
Ice Wing’s mouth fell open.
 
 A grand dragon!? How is that possible? I fought him not four months ago. How could he have become so strong? And how did King Fancy get involved?
 
“That he has not.” Iron Wing said suddenly. “I would hoof down his punishment first though, before addressing that.”
 
Ice Wing had no time to consider that, when the punishment was handed down.

“General Ice Wing, for your blatant failures as a commander, for your near treasonous greed. For your disrespect toward your position and all it stands for, you are stripped of your rank, and cast out of the military. Your private lands are to be sized by the state, or respective families. Your privileges revoked and your previous honors whipped away. You are declared a nonpony to be never given​ birth again.”
 
The sentence hit him deep into his soul.
 
 No, brother… I expected dismissal, but not being a nonpony. This is my home. How could you let this happen to your own blood?
 
But then Iron Wing continued.
 
“Furthermore, as I have presented to the whole of the council earlier today, I will declare that you are no son of the Wing clan. It has become known that you were a bastard of my mother, that you share no blood with the Wing elders.”
 
Something inside of Ice Wing broke.

“Brother! How can you-”
 
He had no time to react. Iron Wing traveled from his podium to right in front of him in an instant and struck him across the face, throwing him across the room.

“You are no brother of mine!” Iron roared before attacking, kicking Ice Wing as he was down and began ripping at his uniform. “You lack the blood of my father and the Wing elders! Now go, leave this land and never return! I banish you, bastard!”
 
Ice Wing stumbled to his hooves and out the door, he passed through the barrier. His fine suit was destroyed and he in shock.

Iron Wing had disowned him. Worse, he had claimed he was never of the Wing bloodline. A bald face lie. Yet without their father around, who could deny it though?

He stumbled down the hall and when seeing the first open window he took to the sky.

Running on automatic he angled toward the ancestral Wing home. Arriving less than a minute later he found his personal slaves waiting for him.

“Sir Ice W-...My master, we have prepared your things as per Iron Wing’s orders…”
 
The two ponies stood next to an ornate carriage. Inside he could see several cases and a small chest. From the top of wealth he had fallen to only this.

“Help me…” He swallowed. “Help me change.”

The two slaves moved to his side and began pulling off the tattered clothing.

“Keep it.” Ice wing said. “Wrap it all and put it away… leave the satchel with me.”
 
One of the servants presented a bucket of water, his face blushing.

“I’m sorry master they… wouldn’t let me pack up the silverware.”
 
“Of course.” Ice Wing sighed. “And I assume my personal funds in the chest as well?”
 
“Ah…” The two ponies exchanged looks before turning back to him. “Actually no… we hid those. They found only an empty chest.”
 
Ice Wing nodded, checking and confirming that the chest now contained perhaps ten thousand bits. A sum he had been saving for a victory banquet, but now was his only wealth in the world.

Looking over at the pile of clothes, he made a quick decision and sorted through them. Choosing only three outfits he hoofed the rest over to the faster one.

“Take this and sell them. You should get at least three thousand. Meet us at the west gate if you don’t want to be left behind. I’m sure my brother would claim you in that case.”
 
The pony swallowed and shook his head.

“N-No sir, I have only one master.” He turned and sped off barely keeping the pile of expensive clothes on his back.

The other slave headed to the front and hooked himself up.

Ice Wing settled into the comfortable seat. 

Then it hit him. He had been dishonored, banished, disowned. His life was gone. His brother had cast him out personally. 

This pain, swirling blackness that seemed to be pouring into his heart.
 
He remembered a phrase he read in Mordane’s notebook.
 
He went for it quickly, finding the page a few moments later.
 
I am a leaf tumbling through the wind. Buffeted and twisting in the current. I am a ship of which only I am the captain, turning in the everlasting breeze. Only I can define me.
 
He breathed in.
 
The words that had struck out to him as nonsense earlier, suddenly came into focus.

He remembered that even now at his lowest he still had control. Remembering he pulled out a map of the southern lands.

His hoof traced down to Herridon.

A thought entered his head.

As the cart traveled he could see the consulate and his brothers words raged in his mind.

With sudden abandon he growled. His shoulders began to shake and he grit his teeth.

“One day brother, I will cut your black heart from your broken body.”
 
______________________________________________________________
 
The stink of cow manure was everywhere. An earth pony moved silently in the dusk, past the barn where the cows slept. 
 
His frame was ragged and bony, as he trotted he saw a light down the road, and ducked behind some conveniently placed barrels.

The soldier passed without seeing him and the pony continued onward.

He came to a nondescript house and made his way to the back. Tapping for a moment on a stone with a particular sequence he kept lookout as the stone was pulled away.

He quickly slid in three long packages he had been carrying before trotting away into the night.

Inside the basement of the house, six ponies worked quietly.

Three moved through the motions of swordplay silently, as another taught. Another elderly pony sat counting coins, carefully floating them with his horn.

A tiny colt sat in the corner reading notes and missives. He seemed far too small for the task but he was the leader of their still living rebellion.

Even at the age of twelve his mark stood proud. A checkerboard, with two chess pieces behind it.

“Sir Ground Berry” Said the unicorn whispering. “Here is our take for this month.”
 
The young colt read over the missives and nodded to the unicorn. His eyes turning back to the wall map.

 So Mordane, you've killed a dragon and gained a title. I wonder if you remember me, or the advice you gave.

He stood up and walked over to the map placing his hoof onto Tietus he traced it down to Herridon.

I wonder how you will fair with the high unicorns of Herridon.
 
The farmers continued their silent motions. Slowly turning themselves into soldiers.
 
____________________(Three months, three days earlier)_____________________________
 
Twilight dangled the necklace over her head, as she snuggled comfortably into a cloud. The sun was shining high in the air, its rays catching in the broken edges of the crystal. ”I miss you” 
 
She placed the necklace back around her neck. Remembering the first time that she had received it from Mordane.

It had been her birthday and Mordane had presented the gift so suddenly. He had spent the entire evening in the corner reading and occasionally talking to Spike, or the CMC before getting up to present it to her.

“Here you go Princess Twilight.”

“Oh Mordane, you didn’t have to get me anything.”
 
“No, but I want to.” he smiled. thrusting the small box toward her. “For being such a great teacher.”
 
“Oh my stars is that an ice sapphire?” Rarity gasped, gawking at the pendendent.

“Err, yes.” Mordane said. “It seemed… appropriate.”

The necklace was beautiful. It was shaped from bronze into a small star, with a near white tinge of blue sapphire in the middle.
 
Her heart caught into her throat.
 
“Oh Mordane,I love it.”
 
Then her eyes focused on the crack.
 
The sound of the diamond dogs retreating. Celestia, brilliantly​ appearing on the wind of her rising joy.

Mordane was there a bright smile on his face, his wings standing at full
 
His wings
 
His eyes locked onto hers, then he shot off into the sky.
 
She had stood there stunned. Unable to understand what she had seen. 

“Twilight! Follow Mordane!” Celestia shouted. “I’ll follow shortly!” She turned to finish off the last few pockets of Diamond dogs.

“Yes Celestia!”
 
Twilight took to the air a mile a minute. She hadn’t seen where he had gone, but took a guess and aimed for his shack.

A minute later she arrived to find Mordane standing in front of his own shack, that was ablaze.
 
"Mordane? What are you doing and how do you have wings!?"
 
A sudden shockwave from the blazing shack had thrown Twilight into the air as her wings caught the blast.  However, Rainbow Dash had taught her to recover well.

Mordane seemed to be trying to run, so she blinked toward every direction he turned. She saw him square his shoulders when he realized that wasn’t going to work. His face twisted in part anger, fear and dread. They began to circle each other as she landed.
 
"Let me pass, Twilight." he said, voice dripping with malice.
 
It was only afterwards, in these silent reflections that she had taken his anger to mean he was under some kind of spell. His tone of curt dismissal as if she was just an obstacle.

And once again she asked herself, if she would have been able to change his mind, if she had known what he had been really thinking. And maybe she would have known what he was thinking, if she had paid more attention, or been more assertive-

She stopped for a moment and breathed in deep, while bringing her hoof to her chest, and performed the relaxation technique Cadance had taught her, before allowing herself to remember again.
 
"Mordane, you need to calm down, we have to find out why you have wings." 

She tried to guess at what was going on. To pull in her faithful student, that she believed, had to be still there. 
 
"Stay out of my way Twilight. I don't want to hurt you."
 
Twilight’s heart felt as if a knife stabbed into it. She felt her forehoof begin to tremble as she replied.
 
"Hurt me? What are you talking about? Look, let's just sit down and talk about this..." she trailed off as his eyes narrowed and she felt his power start to gather. The stallion’s horn glowed. Twilight prepared her most powerful barrier. This strength was more than Mordane should have been able to use. 
 
"Mordane, something is wrong with you. If this is because of some kind of magic, then you need to let me help you. You don't have to worry about accidentally hurting me; you know that I'm strong enough to stand up to your magic. Mordane please..." The stallion's eyes turned pinkish and watery. His face twisted as if trying to chew a lemon.
 
"I'm sorry Twilight."
 
A purple pulse flashed out of Mordane's horn. She raised her shield and was surprised as the pulse passed through, both it and her, seemingly causing no injury.
 
"What did you-" She was cut off as her strength began to fade away. Confusion filled her until her eyes caught a red glow.
 
Looking down, the amulet Mordane had given her for her birthday sparkled with red and purple sparks. She collapsed to her knees, as the amulet took its toll. The last words she heard from her student, before slipping into unconsciousness, seemed to claw out of that growing darkness and into her present mind.
 
"I didn't want to do this Twilight. But I won't be a slave to Celestia. I'm so sorry... I thought of you as my second mother."
 
Twilight shivered. A mother. 

For years she had grown closer to the young colt. Seen him grow into a young stallion. She had tried to teach him and instill in him the elements of Honesty, Laughter, Generosity, Loyalty, Kindness. To make real friendship.
 
Yet… she had failed. He had lied to her since the first day, rarely laughed, kept knowledge from her, betrayed them, heartlessly trapped the best gift he had given her. 
 
He had not been a friend… but he had still said that she was like a mother to him.

“Twilight!”

“Ah!”

Twilight nearly jumped out of her fur.
 
“Rainbow Dash! What?”
 
Rainbow laughed, twisting upside down and around Twilight's cloud. 

“Come on Twilight. I’m done for today. You going to just sit there or do you want to hang out?”
 
Twilight sighed and looked up at her friend with her ears drooping.

“Oh I’m sorry Rainbow, I have a lot of work to do today.” She perked up a bit. “How about I meet you at Fluttershy’s cottage tomorrow? You can have tea with us.”
 
“Sure thing Twi! See you around” She smiled before rocketing off.
 
Twilight watched her go and stretched before heading home to her meeting.

Arriving at the castle, she asked Spike to go get the filled out paperwork and bring her a coffee, before heading to her new office. It had been set up three months ago, after a series of scathing articles, saying twilight was not a princess. 

When claims had come up, that she was not a true princess, since she had no land, Luna had commented ‘Twilight's kingdom is the dutchy of Ponyville’. Many had taken this as a joke, before some enterprising newspony checked the records.

It turned out that Luna had quietly transferred the duchy to her, the night she had ascended. Twilight had nearly put her hoof through her own head when she had heard. Realising the title of duchy that Luna had given her was no honorary title.
 
What's worse was that old laws exempted princess titles from the nobility accords and union documents. Technically Celestia still held total direct control over the Everfree and Luna of the Nightingale city state. So she was in complete control of Ponyville. Literally. Her little duchy didn’t have to answer to any other equestrian power, save Celestia and that, only if she called them to war.

It was a nightmare.
 
Twilight walked into the office to find her captain and Mayor Mare fighting.
 
“We must meet the other territories recruitment and mobilization standards if not exceed them!” Captain Winter Charge shouted. 
 
“That would require a tax increase and I doubt-”
 
Twilight sighed and walked in. It was going to be a long day.
____________________________________________________________
 
Twilight waved goodbye to Mayor Mare and Winter as they left. The sky was tinging with orange, as the sun began to tip below the horizon.

She was glad this week's meeting was over.

“The twilight looks pretty beautiful today.” Spike said.

“Thank you Spike.” Twilight snorted. “That joke certainly never has gotten old.”
 
He chuckled and patted her on the shoulder.

“Try to get that order done Twi. I think it would be for the best.”
 
Twilight tensed a little, but nodded and smiled before waving goodbye, as Spike left to go to his and Rarity's house.

She turned and trotted through the empty castle. Her hooves clip clopping off the walls. Empty echoes sounding through the building. Most of the rooms were unused. Once she got to her bath she took her time in the hot water.

Before going to bed, she saw the form on her bedside.

It was a form granting permission for the Ponyville government to sell the ruined remains of ‘his’ shack. 

It hadn’t been an issue until last month when somepony had decided they wished to rebuild it.
 
She sat on the edge of her bed. She floated it over as well as a quill. It wavered in the air for a full moment before she placed it down again.
 
Stepping out of bed she hesitantly made her way downstairs and to her basement.

The walls were covered with the most advanced machinery available to ponykind and a computer with a hundred megabits of ram. It was the latest model built in Canterlot not forty years before.

She went over to her chalkboard and sat down in the chair in front of it. 
 
Hours later, eyes heavy with exhaustion, Twilight made her way back up to her room.

Crawling back into bed she turned off the light and went to sleep.

_______________________________________________________
 
 
The next day Twilight woke up on time and made her way over to Fluttershy’s. Waving to Rainbow who passed her on the way.

The sky was cloudy​ and lumpy. It roiled as a fast prevailing wind was driven over the town.

Twilight knew though that it would not rain. After all, she had approved the minor change to the weather schedule. Not that she had much choice. It seemed that since her little duchy had been given to her, the Cloudsdale Weather Board had decided that Ponyville would be a good place to act as a release valve for the rest of Equestrian weather plans. The fact that Ponyville was no longer under their jurisdiction, of course, had nothing to do with it.

Just like the ‘accidental’ hailstorm in the middle of summer would just be released toward Las Pegasus next week just as the summer rush happened. Totally unrelated of course.

Twilight sighed. Much of her life had become such political maneuvering, strong winging the various government agencies to not give Ponyville the short end of the stick now.
 
She smiled though, remembering that she was off today, and would get to spend time with Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash.

As she continued to  Fluttershy's cabin. Rainbow came back, landed and trotted up to her. Her brow was furrowed and seemed obviously upset about something.

“Hey Twilight. Thunderlane just tracked me down. Cloudsdale decided to let loose that cold shower to the north, outside of schedule. I’ll have to go work with the rest of the team, to prevent our schedule from being thrown out the window.”

“Okay Rainbow.” Twilight smiled “You head on out and don’t worry about the overtime pay, I’ve already budgeted this.”

“Awesome Twilight!” Rainbow jumped in and gave her a hug “I’d never been able to get the old Ponyville district board to do that!”

“I’m glad you’re happy Rainbow. I know you have trouble with the Everfree.”
 
Twilight waved goodbye as Rainbow Dash shot off into the sky. Twilight watched her go. When she was out of her sight Twilight's ears drooped and she slowly began to trot down the road.

At least I’ll be able to still have some tea with Fluttershy. 
 
The path passed under her slowly. Soon though she arrived. Fluttershy was floating up in the leaves of a tree laying down nuts for squirrels and seeds for her bird friends.

She waved to Twilight and motioned her toward the cottage as Twilight waved. Twilight trotted up and into the house and over to her stove and began to prepare the tea. Fluttershy came in a few minutes later, a twig in her hair and having a bit of ruffled fur. She sat down and took a cup of tea.

“Hello Twilight.” She said quietly taking a sip of her tea “I hope you’re doing well.”
 
“I am Fluttershy. Just a bit tired.” Twilight sighed drinking her strong tea. 
 
“Oh, were you busy with princess’s things last night?” 

“Yeah…” Twilight smiled, but Fluttershy's​ raised eyebrow made her sigh. “Just, working on… the project.”
 
“Twilight! You said you wouldn’t be obsessing over th-that anymore!” she stuttered “You promised Spike and everything!”

“I know.” Twilight's ears drooped. “I just can’t stop myself. It just feels like he could walk through-”
 
The front door slid open and there was Mordane.
 
There he stood with a frown on his face. His dark brown coat and ice hard blue eyes. Looking back at her as if cutting through time.

“Twilight. Fluttershy.” Mordane walked in. His horn glowed and floated a cup from the cupboard before pouring himself some tea. “Good news. I”m back!”

Twilight thought for a moment she had gone crazy but she glanced at Fluttershy and saw her mouth hanging open. Her eyes were pinpricks and her teacup was frozen halfway to her mouth. He snorted before pulling up on his cloak.

 Its real. It's really him. 

“M-mordane?” She whimpered. 

“Yes Twilight.” Mordane said giving a soft smile. “I’m sorry I’ve been gone so long. I just had a few thing I need-”

Twilight didn't let him finish. She shot into Mordane like a sparkly rocket. She wrapped her wings around him and silently swore to never let go. Her tears broke loose. All the sadness, all the worry, all her feelings came rushing out of her at once.

Even as Mordane slowly began to shift.

As his form flowed and became taller. His hoof changed into a claw and a single tooth poked back out from under his lips. Not smiling like he usually would his ears drooped and eyes darkened.

He looked at Fluttershy for help, but only received a stare scathing enough to scald boiling water, to which he could only hang his head lower in shame.

His arms encircled the mare whose sobs only deepened. Picking her up and taking her over to her chair again.

“There, it's okay.” Fluttershy said hugging her. “Let it all out.”
 
Slowly but surely Twilight's tears subsided. Discord sat there in front of Fluttershy trying to leave, but finding glares from Fluttershy to be more binding than even the greatest magic.

“I’m sorry Fluttershy.”

“Oh Twilight.” Fluttershy hugged her, small tears at the edge of her eyes.

“It. It's just I thought he was back. I always felt he could walk through the door at anytime and… he was back.”
 
“I’m… sorry Twilight. I did not realize that would make you react that way…”
 
“What did you think I would do?”
 
Discord titered back slightly before reaffirming himself. He decided honesty might be the best choice right now.

“I...thought it would make you mad at me. I thought that would be funny.” He closed his eyes. “What you did, wasn’t funny. Is there any way I can make it up to you?”

Fluttershy nodded her head, as Twilight teared up again.

“I-I just...” She stopped and looked down, barely above a whisper she sobbed “Can you bring him back?”

Discord winced away. He began to shrink, down until he was shorter than any of the ponies and swallowed.

“Even at the height of my power I couldn’t do that and now…” He swallowed again.

“Now?” Fluttershy whispered.

“Now… Well let's say you don’t have to worry about me taking over the kingdom again. My magic has been on the decline.” He began to sniffle. 
 
“Oh Discord.” Twilight stepped up and hugged him again. 

Discord shook his head.

“Its due to my new… friendships I think.” He grabbed and squeezed Fluttershy's shoulder. “But while I cannot bring Mordane back to life. I can… help you deal with your feelings.”
 
“How would you do that?” Fluttershy asked.

“By showing you his death.”
 
Fluttershy gasped.

“Discord!”

“It's the only way I think that could help her Fluttershy. She must accept… that he is never coming back.”
 
“That's true, but showing her-”
 
“Yes.” Twilight said suddenly. She looked up at Discord, her eyes red and puffy “Show me.”
 
________________________________________________
 
Discord had to spend a minute preparing. Such a spell was far harder when one had not been there and just as much was his decreasing strength.
 
Twilight didn’t say anything. Warping reality and connecting it to a ghostly playback of the past was magic beyond her. This wasn’t just time travel. It was perhaps a half a dozen high class spells all at once.

The image around her stabilized.

It was Ponyville, guards landing and helping the citizens. 

Discord snapped his talons again and the image shifted. Now they were at Mordane’s burning shack/house. She was laying on the ground as Rainbow Dash landed to pick her up.

Then, finally, they were in the sky. 

And there he was. Mordane was pumping his wings. The sight of it sent a shiver down Twilight's spine and made her own wings itch. She could feel the unnatural way he flew, twisting the wind with his horn and only using his pegasi magic a bit.

They were perhaps a hundred feet off and Twilight raised her hoof. As if she almost wanted to reach out and pluck him from the air. Discord, though, covered her hoof and shook his head.

They could only watch as Celestia closed in. Her teacher was taking long and confident strides through the air. She was calling out to Mordane, though Twilight suspected he couldn’t hear. However her student looked back anyway. 

Upon seeing Celestia his eyes shrunk to pinpricks and he dove. Twilight gasped as Mordane swooped through the trees, his wings snapping branches as he tried desperately to escape.

As they shot into the Ghastly Gorge, a massive thundercloud was rolling overhead.

“You don’t have to see this Twilight.”

“No. I do.” Twilight's ears folded back.

Mordane was sweating. He hovered under the rolling storm. His eyes staring at the incoming Celestia as his horn began to glow.

“Don’t do it.” Twilight whispered.

Celestia was getting close and her eyes widened at what Mordane was doing. Her lips seemed to part to warn him.

But it was too late.

Suddenly five, ten, fifteen bolts of lightning lashed out at the single pony.  Twilight's eyes stayed glued on the bright flash, not blinking as the brightness was lessened by Discord.

One moment Mordane had been there and then he was gone.

Twilight's eyes turned away and she began to sob again.

Discord waited a few moments. Watching her sob.

“Do you miss him Twilight?”

“Of course I do.” Twilight sniffed before looking up at the shaken Discord. “Have you ever missed someone?”
 
Discord said nothing. Electing instead to stare off into the distance. After a short time he spoke up again.

“Are you ready to go back?”
 
“Ye-”
 
Discord snapped his fingers.

Floating, there he was alone. His eyes staring at the nothing where Mordane used to be. He raised his talon and then stopped for a moment, before proceeding to snap.

A familiar study. Books stacked high along the walls, a boiling caldron on the room side.

There he stood. At least he thought it was him. He couldn’t really remember. It just seemed right. Somehow.

He was… young but already wore that ridiculous hat. Standing in front of him were two small ponies.
 
“Hi! I’m Celestia, and this is my sister Luna.”

Discord snapped again. He was back in the modern times, floating above the field, breathing raggedly.

Those little eyes still stared back up at him.

__________________________________________________

Twilight arrived at her home an hour later. The weather outside was clearing up. Twilight had spent a long time being comforted by Fluttershy. 

She turned and trotted through the empty castle. Her hooves clip clopping off the walls. Empty echoes sounding through the building. Most of the rooms were unused. Once she got to her bath she took her time in the hot water.

Before going to bed she saw the form on her bedside.

It was a form granting permission for the Ponyville government to sell the ruined remains of his shack. 

It hadn’t been an issue until last month when somepony had decided they wished to rebuild it.
 
She sat on the edge of her bed. She floated it over as well as a quill. It wavered in the air.

 Why can’t I do this?

The image of Mordane, hit by the lighting flashed before her eyes once again.

She gritted her teeth and signed the page. 

Placing it down on the night stand she floated over a glass of water after drawing it from a pitcher, raising it to drink. Still, the image burned before her eyes. Just how quickly Mordane had vanished. She paused in mid gulp.

 Could’ve he? No. It is impossible. He couldn’t channel that much energy. His will just wasn’t that strong.

Mordane handing the necklace to her. Nothing showing on his face as she laid the trap on her own neck.

He didn’t know a full blown teleportation spell. He had barely mastered blinking.

Mordane, wings outstretched. His eyes, turning toward her.

Twilight crushed the glass. Its shards hung in the air as the water rushed out onto her bed, all over her.

He would have come back.

‘I won't be a slave to Celestia.’

She threw the shards against the wall. Each shard shattering into even smaller pieces.

“You can’t do this Twilight. You can’t keep worrying about him.”

Standing, Twilight flashed to the room's door. Then stepped into the hallway, before blinking to the stairwell. Looking down the steps, she saw the bottom floor and blinked there. From there to the kitchen, opening the last door to the basement which she blinked down to.

Looking around her lab, she thought for a few moments, then reached out and erased the board.

An hour later she stepped back. Formula proving the possibility she had thought of. 

“Detecting him… is impossible. I have no idea where he could be… if he is anywhere.” She swallowed. “At any great distance there is too much interference.”

From a cupboard she drew a small jar of magic labeled Mordane. Something she had gained from him years ago. More than half of it was gone from dissipation, but Twilight still opened the jar and drew out a small amount.

It was a simple spell. Return to source.

The magic floated up but then dissipated into nothing.

Twilight hung her head. This didn’t answer the question. It could mean he was dead, or so far away her spell couldn’t reach him.


But if he is an alicorn...

A series of looping coils, large sensors and testing apparatuses. 

“If there is a strong enough burst. If he taps into that plane of magic then it just might be…”
 
Twilight's magic reached up and began to disassemble, and reassemble. She formed a sensor like few ponies had ever thought, or conceived. It could only be tuned to one signature and nothing else.

The machine came together slowly, but a few hours later she finished it. Sweating, she floated the jar over once again.

She breathed deep. Mordanes face floated once again behind her eyes, as she drew in.

The magic twisted around her horn and shot out to bath the walls, forming a bubble, but she didn’t stop there. She drew on more and more power. The process was slow. It took over two hours, until she had enough to pierce the veil.

Her eyes glowed and she began to float up into the air. Her mane took on an ethereal quality, waving in the eternal wind of the greater magic.

Her magic twisted and collided upon the jar. She pulled out the boiling magic, completely enveloping it in hers and the jar fell to shatter on the ground.

Mordanes magic began to shrink. Its color began to fade as the regular magic boiled away, only the magic that resonated with her own alicorn magic remained.

It was barely a thimble sized amount, that Twilight loaded into the machine, as she turned it on.

No visible change occurred. No sudden shifting of lights, but Twilight felt a weight lifting off her shoulders. She knew that if he ever touched that plane, she would know.

Slowly she went up to bed.

_________________(Three months, two days later)____________________________
 
Twilight was returning from lunch, when she passed by the basement. Something she had done a hundred times, since turning on the machine. She had grown to think of it less and less as time went on.

As she passed this day, her ear twitched and for a second she couldn’t place the loud beeping noise she heard. 

Then it hit her like a train. She rushed down the steps to be sure. There, she saw the green light indicating the detection sensor. 

Twilight gasped her eyes growing wide and filling with sparkles.

“He's alive!”
 
She smiled, her eyes shining. She floated the jar of magic over.

In a moment she teleported right up the steps and out an open window. Landing on one of the spires of her castle she took a few moments to charge a long range teleportation spell. She felt the sudden spinning and rushing, as she came out about two miles away. Looking toward Canterlot she repeated the spell. Than eight more times. It left her feeling running ragged, but she made it. 

So excited she was that she teleported straight into Celestia’s chambers.

“Mordane is alive!”

_____________________________________________________________________

Celestia shook her head at Twilight's antics, as she hopped around the room. Her eyes absolutely gleaming as she chanted again and again, while she floated a jar with a bit of Mordane’s magic.

“Mordane is alive! Mordane is alive! Mordane is alive!”

Celestia dismissed the guards who opened the door to check on the ruckus, before turning back to Twilight.

“Twilight.”

“Mordane is alive! Mordan-”

“Twilight please” she said a little firmer.

“Mordane is alive! Mordane is alive! Mor-”
 
“Twight!” Celestia snapped and immediately after, she blushed, and covered her mouth, as Twilight froze mid bounce and gasped.

“I’m sorry Twilight. I do not know what came over me.”
 
“It has been a long time since I’ve seen you get angry sister.” Luna said “You used to do that all the time when you were uncertain.”
 
Celestia sighed and hung her head.

“I’m sorry Twilight. It's just- I’m not sure what to do.”
 
Twilight shook her head before staring at her mentor for a few moments before coming in closer.

“It's okay Celestia. We will figure this out. My machine said that Mordane was somewhere very, very, very far south, beyond even the great divide.”

Celestia frowned slightly.

“You made a machine to detect alicorn magic?” She paused for a moment “Please see to it that it is dismantled and your notes on it classified Twilight.”
 
“Yes Princess Celestia.” Twilight said automatically.  “I mean. Of course Celestia.” 

Celestia smiled as Luna chuckled under her breath.

“That being said.” Celestia went on. “The beginning to make any decision, is to assess the situation. So… what do we know?”

“We know that a colt alicorn is flying around who knows where.” Luna sniffed.

“Luna! I didn’t expect such sexism from you. What does it matter that he is a he?” Twilight gasped. “I thought I told you such… attitudes disappeared hundreds​ of years ago Luna.”

Luna snorted.

“Very well then. We have an alicorn colt, who has spent his life hiding alone.”
 
“He… wasn’t a good flier” Celestia added.

“Mordane was a promising mage. If he turned his magic toward evil…” Twilight mumbled.

The three of them paused to look at each other. Each acknowledging the unknown nature of this pony. 

“Perhaps we should go to the map room.” Celestia said already moving to go there.

The other two nodded in assent and the three of them left the room, and went down a series of hallways. In the distance, construction could be heard going on, to accommodate the expanding bureaucracy of Equestria.

Deep in the mountain, past armed guards and special wards, the three princesses settled into, and sealed up the room.

Celestia poured a glass of tea, from a pot already waiting and dismissed the servants, and guards.

“Now.” She said. “Since we have had time to think, what do we know about Mordane?”
 
The three mares spent a few moments in silence each thinking back before Twilight spoke up.

“Well, obviously we know he is an alicorn, where he grew up and where he spent most of his last eight years.”

“We know about what happened to Star Charmer...though I am starting to wonder about that...After all he lied about his war magic bond.”

“He did.” Twilight swallowed “and he was always reserved. I know he’s knowledge in magic.”

Twilight went on to describe what she knew of Mordane as a pony. He was diligent, reserved, secretive, untrusting. Yet the stallion she knew had come across as honest, ambitious and gregarious.

“Spike told me that even he didn’t know much about Mordane, but that he had been a good friend.” Twilight's ears wilted. “I just don’t understand why he would do all this.”
 
“I know that Mordane knows of S- Discord’s origins and how I fell.” Luna swallowed from her own tea cup. “And of war magic.”
 
“Yes, I could feel him using it.” Celestia said. “He grew up at the very edge of my influence in an isolated village. His parents were immigrants from the southern lands.”

“What do we know about those lands?” Luna asked. “The last memories I have of them is before the wall.”
 
“The wall?” Twilight asked.

“The great barrier mountains which Celestia raised.”

Twilight gaped at Celestia who smiled slightly.

“It was a difficult thing to do Twilight. The spell took nearly a full year to prepare and it wasn’t easy to… abandon the old lands. As for its current condition” Celestia trailed off, biting her lower lip as she turned and used her magic to open a cupboard before floating out a map.

“This map was purchased in the city of Tietus by a contact there.”

Celestia spread out the map. 

“Our intelligence says that the southern lands have split into a nine to twelve warring states. Each with its own government all claiming their legitimacy comes from.” Celestia looked at Luna “The lunar princess, Nightmare Moon.”
 
Luna straightened​. She breathed in, with eyes closed, before opening them again. 

“I see. Am I still considered the rightful ruler there?”
 
“...yes.” 

“Then…” Luna breathed again. “We will need to correct their misunderstanding and bring them back into the fold.”

“Luna, we can’t.”

“Why not?” Asked Twilight.
 
“Because we would need to dismantle the great barrier and that would take a year of preparation. Then there's the weather effects. The Badlands used to be green plains but it and many areas of Equestria currently have different climates because of the change. It would mean destro-”
 
“Sister.” Luna said suddenly. “We must reunite Equestria. We can survive the cost.”
 
“...You’re right sister. I’ll have to pull up the old maps, repair the infrastructure… maybe claim the land for the government where cities will have to be moved.”
 
“If we don’t know anything about Mordane. What do we do?” Twilight asked.

Luna sighed.

“It seems we will have to gain more info another way.” Celestia said

“What do you suggest?” Luna asked.

“Twilight. Can you please give me the sample of Mordane’s magic?”

“Of course Celestia.” Twilight said floating over the jar. “What do you intend to do with it?”

“It seems we will have to use a transcontinental scrying spell.”

Luna groaned, cupping her face in her hooves.

“A what?” Twilight frowned 

“Transcontinental scrying spell. Much like the spell you devised but for looking and hearing at a long distance. With this, we can confirm where he is and see him uncontested.”

“Indeed.” Luna said “ It is necessary, although the strain will be immense. I dare say that even with all three of us it may not work. Plus it will use up any of that magic still in that jar.”

Twilight frowned but nodded.

“I’d rather see where he is.”
 
__________________________________________________________________

Preparing the spell took hours. The magic required had to be stored and directed from the crystal lattices under Canterlot. The energy required to maintain the spell for an hour would be enough to support the Canterlot siege barrier for two days. Twilight was very aware that if any normal unicorn had been involved they would in all likelihood have burned out. 

The unicorns of Canterlot each paused as the spell began to draw all the ambient energy. Most resorted to not casting anything at all, rather than try to pull from the flow of energy, to the heart of the mountain.

In the Crystal Empire, Cadance stopped mid sentence, when talking to her guard, to turn toward Canterlot. She made a split second decision and told the guard to mobilize. If Celestia didn’t answer her soon to be sent message, they may be under siege.

In the chamber, all three princesses stood still as statues, as their magic poured into a small sphere of light.

Unseen to most pony eyes, great streams of branching magic reached out over the badlands and the mountains to the southern lands. There the magic split off, connecting a thin strand to every living being and comparing it to the reference in Canterlot.

As the spell reached over Tietus, one such string connected to a pony laying prone on a stretcher and the two others around him.

Twilight, Luna and Celestia’s eyes snapped open as the spell matrix collapsed along with all the strings of magic, save the one match.

On the wall a window seemed to open showing only blackness.

“Did something go wrong?” Twilight asked as Luna's horn lit up to check the spell.

“It appears not. It would seem instead, that Mordane is in darkness.”
 
“Let us be quiet.” Celestia spoke up. “So that we can hear what is going on around him.”
 
The blackness was not quite all that was coming through.

“-lighter than he looks.” Grunted a gruff voice

“Yes, are you sure we are heading the right way?”

“Aye, should be right up here.”

There was grunting and creaking before a flash of light came through, revealing Trixie and One Eye and on a stretcher laid Mordane.

Twilight gasped, Celestia covered her mouth and Luna grimaced. Twilight's eyes watered as the ponies maneuvered Mordane out through an opening door and out into an empty space surrounded by buildings.

“Perfect! This is exactly where I thought we could come out. Is the ship near here?”
 
“If this is where you said it was then it should be very close. Mr. Charon should have already prepared the ship.”

“Hate not knowing, but there ain’t much hope any other way. Ponies have been acting crazy trying to get their hooves on ‘em.”
 
The three princesses had continued to focus on Mordane and his companions to this point. Each taking a few moments to get their bearings. Twilight floated over a quill and parchment. “Broken horn, wrapping on ribs, rear hoof in sling, wings appear unhurt, Various cut all-all over his body.”
 
“It seems he has had it rough sister.”
 
“Agreed. Do either of you recognize those ponies he is with?”

“I don’t know any of them.” Luna spoke

“The mare looks familiar.” Twilight said. “Though I can’t place her.”
 
“Rather skinny looking mare.” Luna commented.

“And that stallion seems quite rough.” Celestia added.
 
The two ponies in the screen picked up Mordane, the blue coated mare floating her side, while the earth pony stallion balanced his on his shoulders.
 
“Ponyfeathers.” The mare cursed. “Looks like we will have to push through a crowd. A bunch of them are around the ship.”

“Let me take the front.” 

The two ponies switched places, with the one eyed pony taking front.

“Out of the way! Coming through!”

The one eyed stallion began to push through the crowd rushing the ship. As they neared, the crowd waiting for them spotted them and surged out to meet them.

“Is that Stronghoof?!” “I want to see him!” “Alicorn!” “Let me give him this!” “Dragonslayer!” “Take me Stronghoof Simpi!” “I wish to follow you Alicorn!” “Out of my way!” “Stronghoof I met you a few months ago!” “I believe you're an alicorn Stronghoof!” “Buck you bastard!”

The blue mare did her best to push ponies back with her magic, but many still got close. Reaching out, some only touched Mordane, others grabbed a feather and tried to pull it. Still others tossed a flower, or letter onto the litter.

The stallion holding him continued to push, punch, kick and spit his way through the crowd. Biting at hooves that tried to grab Mordane’s letter from him.

“Whats going on?” Twilight asked. Her ears splayed back. “Are they trying to hurt Mordane?”

“I don’t think so.” Celestia said. “It reminds me of an earlier time in Equestria. When we didn’t have the royal guard.”

“I’ve heard dragonslayer” Luna said. “It's been a long time since I’ve heard that title. Mordane has grown that strong?”
 
“Is that how he became this injured?” Twilight asked.

“Most likely”

“His horn appears to be an older injury however.” Celestia commented. “Which would mean he defeated a dragon while lacking unicorn magic.”

“The alicorn magic?”

“Also likely.” Luna commented.

The blue mare and the stallion made their way up a plank and onto a ship. Onboard a half pony/dragon seemed to be waiting for them.

“Charon!” The blue mare said. “Pull up the plank!”

“There appears to be too many ponies to do so.”

“What are we going to do then?”

“Do you have any guards for this ship?” One eye asked suddenly.

“No, I didn’t think we would need any. I only hired sailors.”

“I have an idea” The stallion grinned.

He stepped to the edge of the plank before giving a snort.

“Who amongst you want to work for Stronghoof!”

The crowd’s voice died down for a moment, before surging again.

“I do” “What?” “YES!” “Does he need a concubine?” “Stronghoof!”

“Those of you who want it, remove the others from here! If you can’t do that then Stronghoof gots no use for yah!”

Several ponies frowned, others flashed to anger, about one in four though grinned and got to work.

“Get out of here you!” “What the buck!?”

Hooves collided with faces and others were pushed back, as about thirty ponies forced fifty away from the ship.

“How barbaric.” Luna said frowning.

Twilight continued to stare and take notes.

Celestia only stared as her mouth drew into a thin line.

Soon the crowd was dispersed, thirty odd ponies stayed, many would be having a new bruise, or had a bloody nose.

“Well there you go.” The one eyed pony said.

“That's too many.” Charon said. “Max we can take with current cargo would be fifteen.”

Stepping forward he looked over the ponies waiting.

“We have limited supplies. As such any pony who join us will only be given tak and water for the two weeks we are under way and we will be leaving immediately. If you aren't ready to walk onto this ship and leave this city, then turn around and leave.”

Eight of the ponies left immediately, many grumbling.

“I should also mention.” The blue mare spoke up. “Coming on the ship is only a guarantee of a job from here to where we are going. It will be up to Mordane to decide if you are to be hired permanently.”
 
Many more ponies turned and left. Leaving only eight ponies behind. 

“Welp. What are you eight waiting for. Get on. Come up here.”

As each pony passed, the monocular stallion did an inspection of them, turning away two which he said were too old, leaving six on the ship. One unicorn, two pegasi and three earth ponies. Half of them were wearing rags. Two had suspiciously collar shaped impressions on their necks. 

“Alright you maggots! If you're going to serve Mordane then you are going to be worth something! I want push ups!”

The ponies jumped to obey, only taking a few glances at the alicorn as the blue mare floated him from the litter and into the cabin. It was a large if barren space containing a desk and bed alone. 

The blue mare laid Mordane down on the bed and left the room.

“That was-” Twilight caught herself and covered her mouth. “I’ve never seen anything like that.”

Celestia walked over to the trembling Twilight and wrapped her wing over her. She looked down at the smaller mare and gave a small, tight smile, and pulled her close.

“Such acts… I am ashamed.” Luna hung her head.

“It is not your fault Luna. Ponies make their own choices.”
 
“Do not give me platitudes sister!” Luna spat “They are alone by my choice.”

“And mine.” Celestia said. “It was after all, I that raised the divide. Don’t do this to yourself sister.”
 
Luna breathed in deep and let herself sigh out.

“Okay. I won’t my sister. I just wish that I hadn’t done it.”

It was at that time, that they heard a groan from the screen.

Mordane began to move and slowly he rose up in his bed. Blinking he took in the room. Celestia noted his blue eyes had a different look than she had seen before. His eyes seemed more sharp, than when she had last seen them. 

“Mordane.” The blue mare walked into the shot carrying a pitcher of water. “It's okay, we are on your ship.”

Mordane reached past the cup and took the pitcher, taking a long haust from it and spilling a bit on the bed while the mare waited patiently for him to finish. He let out a little gasp and sat in on the window sill.

“What happened.” He croaked.

“After you killed the dragon, you slipped into unconsciousness. I entered the arena to help you… I- I thought you were dead and-”

“I wasn’t, it seems. What happened next?” Mordane cut in. As his eyes seemed to scan the room, his brow furrowed at something. The blue mare frowned but continued nonetheless.

“I, with the help of some guard, moved you back underground. King Fancy’s servant, Charon, came with a magical healer who said you needed​ to spend a few weeks off your hooves. Me and Mr.Charon spoke and I asked him to go ahead and get materials for the journey. Then One Eye arrived and we devised a way to get you to the ship. I had no choice but to trust them both.”

“Very good.” Mordane said. Suddenly he smiled and looked her in the eye. “Thank you.”

“Thank you.” The blue mare replied blushing slightly. “Tr- I am glad your alright.”

“Yes and I’m glad you are with me.” Mordane said. He leaned forward eyes locked onto hers. “I don’t know what I would do without you.”

“M-mordane?” She stuttered.

Mordane leaned in close drawing an ‘eep’ from Twilight who blushed.

“Surprising” Luna commented.

Mordane wrapped his forehoof around the blue mare's head.

“No-I mean I’m not ready.” The blue mare stammered, but Mordane pulled her close.

And kissed her head.

The spell matrix shattered as the long reaching line of power snapped back to the source and caused an explosion.

Each of the princesses stood where they had been before the small explosion. Twilight and Luna quickly patting out the small fires, that had gotten on their manes.

“What happened?!” Twilight yelled as guards rushed into the confined room.  None of the princesses could answer though as all of their eardrums had been busted from the concussive wave. Luckily the flame was pulled instinctually in, by Celestia preventing any burns.

A few short minutes later, after the castle medics had cast magic to heal their ears, Twilight could get her answer.

“It would seem Mordane noticed our spying.” Luna, she was sitting on a bench in the hallway beneath a blanket with a small cup of coffee floating before her, said. 

“Indeed. I would say he broke into that mare's mind and used her magic.” Celestia replied as she sat across from her, with Twilight and similar blankets on both. 

“I never taught him how to do that.” Twilight whispered “That's dark magic.”

“Indeed. Unfortunately, It seems we will have to think of another way of finding out about Mordane.” 

Celestia sighed and rubbed her temple. The cost of repairing the situation room would be astronomical and Mordane was loose in the southern lands, and somehow in possession of wealth. Considering how it had barely been a year since he had left, that was disturbing.

She would have to take Mordane seriously. Maybe even speed up her plans.

______________________________________________________________

Trixie snapped away from Mordane before slapping him. Her eyes were smoldering and her back was stiff as she turned and stormed out the door.

Mordane sighed and rubbed his cheek. There was no reason to explain why he had broken into her mind. He had pushed the understanding on her while inside. It had been a rough transfer, being one way as he had forced her to cast the spell he wanted.

“Weigh anchor, set sail!”

Mordane heard the call and poured himself a glass of water. 

It was a long trip to Herridon and it seemed some ponies were looking for him. He grinned at the thought of the nasty surprise he had sent back. He was glad to see his passive spells were working again. Tentatively he touched his horn.
 
The door opened and in stepped Charon carrying a small basket. He frowned once seeing Mordane sitting up. 

“I see the healing magic assisted you well.”

“Indeed” Mordane replied. “Is that for me?”

“Yes, it's some of the mail thrown onto your litter, I took the liberty of checking them to make sure they were safe.” He walked to Mordane’s bedside and pulled a particular letter out ”This one I am bringing you, is from the King of Herridon. I assumed you would wish to have it as soon as possible.”

“Thank you Charon. Please send someone with a broth of some kind. I’m quite famished… See if you can sneak some fish in as well.”

Charon nodded his head and left. Mordane didn’t watch him leave, instead picking up the envelope.

It was of superb quality. The paper was of the kind meant to last. The seal was a coat of arms he assumed was the king's. Grabbing a thin letter opener left in the basket Mordane broke the seal from the envelope. 

Inside was a folded letter and a bank slip for the amount King Fancy had promised. Opening the letter Mordane slowly began to smile.
 
King Fancy the third, King of Herridon, Lord of the Hinterlands, Tenth of his line does bequeath this wrote of nobility to Mordane Stronghoof. That he is a noble of Herridon and so is of right to all the privileges, and duties that this does entail. The king does decree that he is of clean blood.

So it is written and so it is.

Thus decrees King Fancy the third, King of Herridon, Lord of the Hinterlands and tenth of this line.

Mordane read through the letter twice then once again for good measure. Carefully he folded the paper and placed it back in the envelope. 

Looking out the window he watched as the ship began to pull away from the dock. It would be a week at least before he was ready to get out of bed. Until then he would… relax. For the first time in a year he would finally rest.
> Waves of Water and Other Kinds
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mordane was fucking tired of relaxing. 

He had been in this bed for four straight days and he had literally run out of things to do. He had practiced causing a little wind with his wings, done divisions, multiplications, exponentials, he had mentally constructed all the parts to a steam engine, radio and water pump, tried to do wing-ups and even to sing random songs he could remember from Earth. 
 
Yet he had been thwarted again and again as Trixie kindly, lovingly, vindictively made sure that he stayed. In. BED. 

It was only his knowledge that she was right that kept him in the bed truly. He was a mess, nothing a few weeks of bedrest couldn't fix, but that was just it. The trip was going to take a few weeks. On top of that Trixie was obviously still angry with him about the mind invading thing. She kept their conversation focused and seemed to delight in depriving him of information about the ship at first.

As the time had gone on though she had quickly simply grown cold. Leaving him with nothing.

It was worse than being in the womb, at least there he had no choice but to stay still. Here though he had a mountain of new experiences just waiting beyond the door. His ears twitched at every command shouted, muffled beyond recognition through the walls. He listened intently to try and make out every conversation over his head.
 
“I’m telling you Charon I honestly, truthfully wish there was a pirate attack. At least then something interesting would happen.”

“Indeed.” Charon said with one eyebrow raised as he sat next to Mordane’s bed sipping a cup of coffee. “Though I do have to mention. Since you are stuck in this bed you’ll only be able to listen to it.”

“...”

“...”

“You don’t have to be such a bummer Charon.”
 
______________________________________________________________
 
She couldn’t see him, It was like a sudden updraft, or bolt of lighting. His hoof slammed into her face and she was thrown into the air.

This time, for the first time, she was able to correct herself before crashing into the wall. She teetered down to the ship deck, rubbing her cheek.

“You need to learn how to dodge!” One Eye nodded his head “Dodge!”

Ivy Green swallowed as the next recruit walked up. She rustled her wings and quickly reached down to smooth them.

It still felt strange to her to be outside without her shirt. As she adjusted each feather that felt out of place under her hooves her eyes slid over to the door.

The main cabin door where Stronghoof was. Stronghoof. The alicorn.

She swallowed. It had been a week since they left Tietus. After these many months her mother had certainly given up on finding her and returned to the village. 

Once again she wondered if it might have been better to stay home and stay quiet.

I can’t have done that

One Eye defeated the tired and battered stallion with ease, finishing off the last of them once again. 

“I can’t believe how terrible y'all fight. Its enough to bore me into not trying. Go rest now. I’m going to go get a drink.”

The others groaned and began to shuffle toward the stairs. It was time to once again get their tak and cup of mead. Tak could best be described as hardened oatmeal with nuts mixed in. It is not terrible, at least not until you've had it for every meal for a week. 
 
She wasn't going to have any of that yet. Instead Ivy decided to go for a short fly. She took to the air and banked to slowly circle the ship. Sailors were scurrying and flying around to keep the ship under way. It was a grand ship with two masts and a deep through hull, with two lower decks and a captain's cabin. She considered swinging low past the captains windows and perhaps catching sight of Mordane.

The Alicorn, wings spread out toward the sky. In a flash he dove toward the great fiery dragon. 

The image sent a shot of fear down her spin. What if the stallion was angered by her curiosity, or doing something he did not wish for others to see. Would he kick her out, sick, or just kill her immediately?? She didn't​ know, so as she banked around the ship's rear she went high into the air, pumping her wings to make sure she could not see through the windows. 

She wouldn’t want to have him lash out at her, like her earth pony father would when displeased.

After a few minutes she glided down to the vessel again and then trotted down to the mess hall. Once there she took her tak in solid form and pitcher of water to the table with the other recruits.

“I tell you, this one eyed fellow fought a hundred ponies himself in the arena! He was a great fighter, but a terrible teacher! All he does is work us out, then beat us, then drink himself to sleep. I’d smack him on that bed myself, but​ you all know what happened to Smarty.”

The unicorn winced and rubbed his shoulder. He still complained it felt ‘loose’, ever since One Eye kicked him through a wall.

“It's a good thing you pegasi are going last Ivy. Otherwise the ship would have left half of us floating behind already.”

The rest of them grunted agreements and nodded their heads. If the food wasn’t bad enough, it was all these ponies were talking about anymore.

“You made this bed, now sleep in it.” Ivy said “Speaking of beds. I think it's time for me to head to mine.”

Ivy finished up her tak and got up to go to bed, but instead headed back onto the deck to look at the sea.

Sailing the sea was something she had dreamed about as a kid and even after a week getting her butt kicked, staring off to the horizon still brought thoughts of adventure and excitement. Now though there was more detail than before. Mordane standing in gleaming armor, a banner flowing behind him. She couldn’t make out the symbol on it as he pointed toward a castle on the hill. ‘Commander Ivy! Take control of the castle!!’ ‘Yes Lord Stronghoof!’

She smiled, adventure would be hers, following somepony like Stronghoof.

“Once again Miss Trixie, I will not press One Eye to cease his drinking. After all, I prefer my hide on my body.” Ivy’s ear twitched and she turned to see the half dragon/pony frowning at the one called Trixie.
 
“But Sir Charon-” the mare frowned. “Mordane will not be happy-”

“I am not under the employ of Sir Stronghoof, but the King of Herridon and therefore could care less what you say or what he will feel about me. If you find One Eye’s actions deplorable then you should speak to him about it yourself.”

“Trixie tried that already! He merely laughed!” Trixie snarled “He will not listen to Trixie!”

“Then I suggest you give him a good thrashing as that is the only way I know of to get somepony like him to do as you say.” Standing Charon stood and did a slight bow to Trixie. “Good day mam.”

Trixie seemed to fume and Ivy broke out into a smile. The mare seemed to notice this and stalked over to her.

“Are you waiting till Trixie sleeps to try and break into Mordane’s chambers?” 

“No ma’am” Ivy said, standing up taller. “I was just heading below deck.”

“Good.“ Trixie sniffed and turned up her nose. “Run along then.”

Ivy swallowed the sour taste in her mouth as she trotted to her bed below decks. Trixie had been pleasant enough at first, but has become more and more acidic as the week had gone on, bitter at every little perceived transgression put in front of her. She had become intolerable. Plus she had picked up a weird speech tick where she spoke in the third person.

The representatives respected her only since she was the guardian to Stronghoof. She wouldn’t let anyone through. Not ponies wanting to pay respects, not the ship captain and barely that Charon fellow. One Eye didn’t seem to want to go in so that travesty didn’t happen.
 
Ivy really felt sour about this though. After all, her and the other ponies had dropped everything to throw their lots in with Mordane. Sure this early it could really pay off, but considering he had already lost one army…

She shook her head. No, that time he had been a simple mercenary, not a noble with the name Stronghoof! 
 
Her bed was one of many cots stacked in rows. It was incredibly uncomfortable and hot in the room. Several ponies were already asleep while the others were grumbling still.
 
“-don’t even know if Mordane is still alive-”

Tired and sore she was able to eventually sink into a deep sleep.

____________________________________________________________
 
The following morning she awoke, just as every other morning on the ship before.

“ALRIGHT! UP AND AT ‘EM!” 

One Eye paraded in, shouting up a storm, and following them up onto the top deck.

First was push ups. Followed by jogging. Then jumping.

It went on for two to three hours normally, before the first fight of the day. After the first fight, they received a short break.

During the fighting, One Eye had been particularly rough. Apparently Trixie had decided to pour the alcohol over the side of the ship. The two of them were currently arguing as Charon sat reading a book.

As the recruits sat down, they began to discuss their favorite topic, grumbling about the conditions on the ship.

“Son of a whorse, is what he is. I just think he gets a kick out of beating us.”  “What did we do, to deserve this treatment?”  “I am thinking they just wanted to use us, to get rid of that crowd.”

Ivy didn’t participate, but in many ways she was starting to agree. It wasn’t like she was unused to the kinds of things ponies would do.

“I said it last night and I’ll say it again. Is Stronghoof even still alive? We haven’t seen him and he was in a pretty bad shape.”

“Aye, that dragon did a number on him.”

Suddenly one of the earth pony stallions stood up. 

“Well I ain’t going to put up with this, if there is no job in it. I want to hear that from Stronghoof myself first.” He motioned to the door currently unwatched “Who is with me?”

Ivy’s heart started to beat faster​ as most of the ponies agreed, her and another agreed after a few moments, when they could see where this was going. These ponies were tired of how they were treated. So as a group they stood and began to move toward the door. They quickly drew the attention of the two bickering ponies.

“Hey!” One Eye shouted “Where do you think you're​ going?! We haven’t had our sparring!”

“You ponies get away from there! If you want to see Mordane you can speak to Trixie!” Trixie shouted.

The lead stallion spun on his hooves. His face was beet red as he stalked toward the two.

“We are here to be hired by Stronghoof, not by either of you!”

“Yeah!” the crowd bellowed 

“You can’t, Mordane is resting.” Trixie said.

“Ain’t he already dead?”Asked one of the recruits. “I mean, he fought a dragon…”

“What? he's dead?” Asked One Eye, miss hearing the pony “ Then this ship is mine!”

“Like Tartarus it is!” Shouted the lead stallion “Get him!”

The other recruits lunged at Trixie and One Eye, but Ivy hung back, her head spinning. This was too much, too fast.

“Mutiny! The Great and Powerful Trixie will put you down!”

“Oh you wanna fight?!” 

Trixie let loose a blast of energy into the group as One Eye Charged. Ponies struck back and sailors ran below deck.

What do I do!?
 
Ivy’s panicked eyes swung back to the door. She rushed to it, but stopped in front. What if the alicorn really didn’t want to be disturbed? What if he really was very sick and couldn’t help?
 
It was just like when she was back in the city. Her mother hoofing over a small pile of gold, asking if she was sure of this. If she was sure she wanted banishment.

She had felt the same, after being thrown out of the mercenary guild for being too small and saw the poster for Mordane's fight.

And once more, when she had stood at the boat dock and thought if she wanted to go, and pursue a childlike dream.

 I can’t stop here.

She grabbed the door latch and barged in.

_____________________________________________________________________
 
Mordane blinked, his ear twitched at the sound of ponies fighting and his eyes focused on the mare who stepped into the room.
 
Her coat was light green and mane was the color of bone. She wore no clothes of any kind and so, he could see her well defined muscles, and long feathers on her wings. 

She was by any definition a paragon of a pegasus.

“To be frank, if you're here to kill me I might just let you.”
 
The mare blinked, her first statement catching in her throat.

Mordane smiled and pushed off the bed, he took to the air with his hoof on his scabbard. Sliding smoothly to hover he pulled out the blade with him. He barely had enough room with only a hoof clearance over his head.

“Although, boredom isn't that bad.”
 
“N-No! I-”
 
“Pray tell.” Mordane said, tentatively touching down onto the floor a few feet in front of her, his wings still outstretched “Why is a sailor coming in here?”

The mare's mouth fell open, but with a quick shake of her head she spoke.

“Sire, I am not a sailor. I am a recruit.”

Mordane frowned and tilted his head.

“Recruit for what?”

Ivy froze. 

It took a few seconds for her to understand what he had said. When she did, her heart began to quicken and her face flushed. She opened her mouth, but stopped.

He doesn’t know.

He didn’t know about them at all and had nothing to do with their treatment. She saw the genuine curiosity in his eyes and decided to explain.

“Sire,” she bowed down to him “Upon your leaving of the city of Tietus there was a large crowd waiting to see you. To have them break off, your follower One Eye… made it seem you were seeking soldiers and that those of us who wanted to join you should push others off the dock. He then said that those who wanted to join you must also immediately come onto the ship. Me and five others were the only ones who came and were accepted.”
 
‘I...see” Mordane said lowering his blade resting the tip on the ground. “And the fighting outside?”

“The treatment of the recruits has lead to rising tensions with them.”

“And what was your treatment.” Mordane looked over at the door, eyes narrowing slightly.

“Hard exercise under the direction of One Eye, followed by brutal beatings every day called fight training. Meals consisting of only tak. To be frank, we were left drifting blind on a hot updraft mid flight sir.”
 
Ivy continued to stare at Mordane's hooves, not sure how the pony would react to the news, laugh, or shout? She didn’t know. Instead she focused on his broken leg and wraps around his body. Even now she could feel a breeze as he continued to use his wings to support most of his weight. It was at this moment, she realized how weak he really was right now. At the same time she was shocked at the level of control he was exercising and will to accomplish this feat.

“That is greatly disturbing news and something that only I can repair… What is your name.”

“Ivy Green, my lord.” She said quickly.

“You have done well Ivy. I must go out into that maelstrom now and speak. I will need your hoof to do that.”

“It is yours.” She looked up. “Just tell me what to do.”

“Rise and lend me your shoulder,” Mordane said floating down and letting his damaged left forehoof hang over her shoulder. “Assist me out the door.”

Ivy nodded as she felt the sweaty hoof draped over her. Noting just how tiring the whole thing was to him. She also felt a thrill as he grabbed his scabbard from the door, sheathed the blade and hung it on her.

“You might not know how to use it yet, but just stab at them if I order you to.”

A few moments later they slipped through the door and out onto the deck.

The deckspace was chaos. The five other recruits had cornered One Eye and Trixie. Small fires had broken out on the ship, along with a dozen scorch marks. Mordane took a moment to take a deep breath.

”Stop!” The use of the royal voice shook Ivy. The crowd of ponies froze, before turning toward him.

“Mordane! What are you doing up!?”


“Doing what must be done!” he barked. “You there, recruits! Come here, speak to me.”

“Oh I’ll speak to you all right.” growled the lead stallion turning and coming toward them. “I’ll speak to you with a hoof-”
 
Quickly, with only a bit of shaking, Ivy drew the blade Mordane had given her and pointed it at the stallion, stopping his advance. Mordane took the opportunity to speak, before he could decide what to do.

“Attacking me would be a waste I would think, as I would only be forced to kill you.” Mordane said nonchalantly. “Also I would be unable to inform you that One Eye’s training was both unauthorized and stupid”!

Mordane glared over at One Eye whose ears folded back at the sudden roar toward him.

“Well...uh” the lead stallion said “We still want an answer. If you’ll still hire us.”

Mordane looked at him and then at the other ponies who started to gather around before frowning.

“I think not yet.” Mordane snapped. “ I don't know if you are worthy. After I train you, if you still wish to stay. Then yes.” His eyes narrowed.

“What of the abuse?” One of the other ponies spoke up.

“Foolish. You are on tak, no beans for muscle building, no vegetables for hard work. You're not in the condition to begin physical training.” He looked back at One Eye “ And if you want any future work from me, I expect you to start running around the ship until you drop!”

One Eye blinked and frowned, but as everyone watched he sighed and turned to take off.  

“And don't you go and command my soldiers unless I tell you!” He turned to Charon. “ Why are my soldiers eating tak?”

“Supply shortages.” the creature said from his position up above Mordane on the cabin roof. “I stocked for only the crew and us. One Eye was already a stretch on our regular supplies plus your rather… unexpectedly large consumption amount.”

Mordane deadpanned before shaking his head.

“That is rather small margin even for a two week trip Charon.”

The creature nodded.

“Indeed. I will make notes to prevent such mistakes in the future.”

“Okay you recruits… There will be no physical training until we reach the land again and become settled. Until then I am going to focus on teaching you how to behave like guards. Even though I’m not yet going to teach you how to fight like ones. For now, go below and get some rest.”

The group gave Mordane their respects and made their way down to the hold for a much needed rest.

“Trixie.” Mordane said quietly. “Come talk to me later.”

Trixie flinched, but then stood up straight and nodded her head.

“As for now, put the fires you started out before we lose our only ship.” He turned to One Eye who was passing for the first time. “ Keep it up One Eye and we will be even.”

“Yeah yeah” One Eye shouted “I get it! I bucked up.”

Mordane motioned for Ivy to take him back to his room and bed. It took a few minutes, but quickly she was lowering the sweating pony back down. Her ears laying flat. He took up a position with his back to the window, resting on a spacer between them.

“Bloody hell.” Mordane said. “A pony can’t even spend a few weeks recovering without a full mutiny. Would you mind pouring me a glass of water.”

Ivy nodded and stepped over to the desk next to his bed to do so, before coming back over and hoofing it to him.

“Thank you.” Mordane took a moment to drink the glass, emptying its entire contents. Ivy watched him finish, trying to think of what to say. She had so many questions to ask. A dozen, or more that had been bouncing around in her head. What his plans where. If she had a place in those plans.

She was of stern stuff though, all three of her parents had taught her to be that way. So even as the tension strengthened to near bursting in her she stayed silent.

Finally Mordane finished his glass and placed it on the table’s edge.

“So, Ivy Green. You barge into my room then drag me to face a group of furious ponies.” He smiled wickedly at her. “Tell me, what is it you wish as a reward?”

Ivy knelt before him. Her wings, spread parallel with the floor.

“To serve you my lord.”
 
“And why do you wish to do that?” Mordane asked tilting his head to one side. “I was a slave, not over a week ago.”

“And a lord now.” The mare replied, swallowing.

“Actually, my current rank only grant me a title of nobility. No land, no castles. That means I am not a lord. My proper title would be ‘Sir’ in line with a knight, though I’m more of a courtier. I believe though this is something that is likely to change, but I'm not certain. After all, I am a brute of ‘low birth’.”

“You are an alicorn. Nopony can say that you are of low birth.” Ivy said firmly.

Mordane stopped smiling. He really looked at the mare then. He took note of uncombed fur. Kept only to the minimum of cut so as to not allow for tangling. It reminded him of how Big Mac and other earth ponies cut it. The small cuts and simple mane told of a life of farming, or at least living in a remote town. She was certainly no seapony, now that he looked at her. She didn’t seem at home enough. 

“You were a farmer, yes?”

“Y-Yes.” Ivy said. “Though I was taught to fight by my fly father.”

“Fly father?” Mordane asked.

“My pegasus father. He… well, he and my two parents had a strained relationship, but I was still taught pegasi ways, by him.”

“Though not raised by them. Your muscles are too defined for that.”

“Yes...” She swallowed. “I worked the field with my parents most of the time.”

“Hard work, for a pegasi.”

“Yes, it was.” She looked up at Mordane. He looked at her in silence for a few more moments, before speaking again.

“Why do you wish to serve me?” His tone left no room for obfuscation. Ivy knew that if he found her wanting, she would be gone well before they reached land. So she took a moment to think as to why she had decided to follow him before answering.
 
“I… admire you sir. After I saw you fighting the dragon…” She swallowed again. “I thought about the life that I was probably going to have in Tietus. Safe, reliable work as a dock worker and then I thought about what might be, if I followed you. You might actually change the world. You're an alicorn! What greater adventure could I hope for besides following you?” 

Mordane deliberately reached out and placed his hoof on the blade he gave her before drawing it. He looked up and down the blade as he spoke again.

“Ponies that follow me die. Are you willing to trust my judgement, obey my words, fight my battles and perhaps die?” His eyes focused on her again. “Are you willing to become my knight?”

Ivy took a moment and breathed.

“Yes, I swear it.”
 
Mordane placed his blade on her shoulder and said.

“Then I Mordane Stronghoof claim you as my own.”

______________________________________________
 
Mordane waited in the room alone. He had already released Ivy to rest, telling her to come with the other ponies tomorrow. He stretched and tried to doze off but a feeling in the back of his mind wouldn’t allow him, despite how drained he felt and how much his magical channels hurt.

Once again his mind went back to the arena. His blood was on fire. The roaring of power as it coursed through his veins out of every pour. It was only while thinking back that he could remember the pain. In the moment he had felt nothing. Instead he had looked into that dragon's eyes...
 
“Tell my son of me...tell Spike.”
 
Mordane frowned again. He doubted he would ever see Spike again and even if he did he would probably be at his throat, but there had been that spell, reaching out to find him.

If that spell was from Celestia... 

A cold tried to close around his stomach but he would have none of it. The fire burning there wouldn't let the fear grip him again. 

Even if it was Celestia it would be a few years before Twilight Sparkle would be knocking on his door.

That lead him back to Trixie.

 Trixie Lulamoon. Former show performer who stopped in Ponyville that one time and threw a bag of garbage at Twilight's castle. I think she summoned an Ursa, or something, Twilight told me. It's a bit fuzzy. What I care about…
 
Mordane frowned. 

The door suddenly swung open. Mordane tensed up but relaxed when he saw it was Trixie, she was carrying a pitcher of water. The mare marched across the room and carefully poured it into his near empty pitcher.
 
She then set the empty pitcher down and moved to a few feet in front of Mordane before turning to face him and going silent.

She stood there waiting, but Mordane declined to speak. Instead he sat silent, staring at her. 

Soon she began to fidget and before long her blank face began to contort slightly.

“Well? Are you not going to say anything?” Trixie barked her eyes lighting up.

“Are you just going to sit there and glare at Trixie?”

Mordane raised an eyebrow. He kept the rest of his face expressionless as Trixie's turned slightly red.

“Trixie has been trying to keep your ship together! Trying to let you rest and handle minor matters.” She furrowed her eyebrows as Mordane still stared at her saying nothing “Would you have them in here? Messing with your rest? You-...You have to look well when we arrive at Herridon.”
 
Trixie grew silent. This was not how she had envisioned this going. Mordane was just sitting there as she defended herself.  The flame in her chest began to fade as the expected blows did not come. She wanted to apologise, but would not let herself be so shamed. Instead choosing to puff out her chest and glare at Mordane as if to say ‘do your worst’.

Mordane sat still for a few more moments then leaned back against the mast. He had considered shouting her down, placating her, or just telling her to get out. Today though he was feeling particularly cruel. He would talk to her about the truth.

“You know… I didn’t meet you for the first time in that cage.”
 
Trixie deflated slightly, she frowned but then quickly put back up her defences before Mordane continued.

“I was once a student of Twilight Sparkle, yes THAT Twilight Sparkle.”
 
Trixie inhaled sharply and her eyes seemed to want to burn a hole through him but she kept her peace.
 
“You?”She spat.

Mordane nodded confirming for a third time. He gave her a bit to process and try to remember him. It was unlikely, he had been on the edge of her crowd.

“I remember years ago when you came to town. I was there you know.” 
 
“Trixie had the right to be in that town! How was I supposed to know those colts would take me at face value!”
 
Mordane didn’t respond and only frowned at her for a few moments before taking a moment to take another sip of water.

“You look so much different now since then, you're thinner for one. It took me a few days to recognize you. Twilight told me about what happened to you afterward a few years later. It was one of her moral lessons” Mordane chuckled “ A lesson on pride.”
 
Trixie stiffened up and seemed to be waiting for the blow to come.

“I disagreed with her though, you were in the right.”

“What?”Trixie's mask cracked, Mordane could see her try to make sense of his statement, it just didn’t gel with what she was expecting and so would be discombobulated for a few moments. As such he pressed forward.

“You did have every right to be there and why should a performer be expected to be responsible for colts too young to understand what an act is. Sure you went a bit too far claiming to have defeated an Ursa Major, but that doesn’t equate to you being responsible for the actions of a few idiotic colts. Twilight said that you ‘promised too much’.” Mordane took another sip of water.

“Personally I think you lost due to fear.”

Trixie frowned again and opened her mouth to reply, but was cut off.

“Your fear blinded you to the fact that you held all the cards, You resigned yourself to defeat and let others decide what the story was. Why did you do that?”

“Trixie had no choice, those ponies would have accused her, it was better to just… just-”
 
“Bow.” Mordane cut in. “ Bow out. Why didn’t you accuse those colts? Lament their stupidity. Shout about how you were an entertainer? At any point you could have acted to prevent the tarnishing of your name, allowing what ponies believed to be formed without your input, then you wouldn’t have become destitute and you wouldn’t have left Equestria in desperation. Trying to run from your past,” He leaned forward. “Well it looks like it found you.”
 
Trixie was shaking slightly. Not sure what to think, she had always assumed he didn’t know her past, but here he was.

“Now, the mutiny.” Mordane said. “First, you should not have recruited them,”

Trixie tried to respond, but Mordane wouldn’t let her.

“I don’t care how it happened, once it did, you should have commanded them and seen to their needs, not in my name, but your own. Instead you left things to fester, concerned with your petty anger with me.”

“You invaded my mind!” Trixie cried.

“And I may one day demand your life!” Mordane roared back  “I told you, life with me is not safe, I’ve already lost ponies Trixie. If you don’t start acting smarter then you’ll end up joining that short list.”

He took a drink again and coughed for a moment before setting back down the glass.

“Do you know why you failed to control One Eye?”
 
“No.”She whispered.

“You used my name, instead of standing on your own. You let fear overcome you and so you distanced yourself from them. Instead of taking efforts to endear yourself. You're an entertainer, that is your specialty. If you had then you could have gone to One Eye with confidence and he would have seen that you were worthy to speak for me and listened.”

Mordane locked eyes with Trixie.

“You are not ready to lead, or speak for me Trixie.”

Trixie deflated. It had been the worst that she feared. Her eyes dulled as she felt the weight settled on her. Turning she spoke out.

“I will...stay in the ship's hold until we arrive at Herridon… I-”
 
“Trixie” Mordane said just barely loud enough for her to hear “I did not say you could leave.”

Trixie froze before turning slowly back to face him, her eyes beginning to water.

“You’re smart Trixie, you're pretty and you understand ponies. You're a survivor. One day I think you will be happy.” He looked down at the floor. “I think that you can grow into somepony who can really help me.”

He smiled slightly and looked back at her.

“You’re mine Trixie and I won’t throw you aside for your mistakes, to do so would be foolish as I’ve already paid for them.”

Trixie started to cry in streams. Her whole frame was shaking as she unconsciously came closer to him.

Reaching out Mordane scoops her close with his wings and hugs her.

“I won’t abandon you Trixie.”

The mare finally broke down sobbing and embraced him. She sat there crying and telling him what had happened over the last week. How she had been afraid. How she had started to use her name again and how ponies started to defy her. Mordane conforted her, offering small corrections to her stream of consciousness as they went, he stared off into space.

An hour later she left, going to take a day off. Soon Ivy would be showing up. Then he have his cot carried out onto the deck to supervise the ponies training. And to socialize. He would also need to speak with Charon about supplies and then to One Eye about his judgement. He wasn’t too worried about One Eye, that pony cared only about fighting and wasn’t one for considering the weakness of others.

It seemed he would only have a short time alone.

Carefully he reached with a wing and opened the desk drawer, reaching in he pulled out a couple of sheets of paper. 

On them was drawings, one was of a steam engine, another of a basic water pump. 

The last had no equivalent counterpart on Equis. As he picked up the pencil in his wing he looked at the long straight tube. A copper coil setup for electricity generation, antenna and receiver.

Putting pen to paper he began to draw a circuit diagram of a radio transmitter.
> Herridon: One Eye Rot
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The smell of the sea, its salt clung to his fur and seemed to settle in his lungs as the ship tossed in the turf.

He loved every minute of it. Standing on the upper deck he gave a nod to the pegasus captain. A pony he had come to know over the last two weeks after leaving his isolation. The trip taking longer than expected had proven to be a great boon in that and other regards.

“Trixie, how are they doing?”

“Well Mordane, they have… been responding as you said they would.” She said quietly. Trixie had apologized to each of the soldiers directly, explaining her actions as stress brought on from her worry for Mordane. Follow that with being attentive to their needs and acting as a conveyer to Mordane started to be a convenience. Speaking to him directly still proved stressing to most of the ponies.

“Good.”  Mordane turned and walked over to the side where he could look down on the deck.

“One!” One Eye swung his blade down and stepped forward.

“Two!” He stepped back into a defensive position before shouting again.

“One!”

Four of the hired swords swung clumsily trying to match his form. They were getting better and each was mark-less. A far more common phenomenon in the southern lands than in Equestria. He had set them to a training method as quickly as possible.  Such old mark-less ponies were apt to get one at any time. If he could make them feel as if he had given them a purpose, it would certainly hasten the process.

For a moment, he glanced at his own covered flank. He too was getting older. How much longer until he gained a mark? As he aged, it was beginning to look like this would never happen at all.

From what he had read marks came from the same force that lived through the elements. That of Harmony. When a pony learned their ‘destiny’ they were in fact accepting a place or role for themselves in the future. He had no such role and so had no harmony.

Looking back to the other blank flanks he smiled. It seemed likely they would develop a talent in martial arts if he could win their loyalty and make himself their ‘destiny’.


As for the others, there was still much to be done to/in order to keep them in shape.

“Stand straight Berry Blossom.” Mordane commented in a deadpan tone. “You are slouching.”

“Sorry. Sir.” The mare said, sweating profusely. “This is a lot harder then I thought it would be.”

“You are doing very well.” Trixie commented.

“…Thank you.” The mare said curtly.

Her and the other recruits stood at the ready lining the deck. Each of them already possessed marks. Most, however, had no relation to combat. Worse still, at best they had been in rags. Mordane’s first order had been to abandon all their clothing. It now sat in a pile in some corner of the ship. It was lucky that the ship had come with a compliment of weapons.

After making sure that none of them would accidentally fall on their own blade he had decided to forgo martial training for the majority and instead set them to parade training. For the last two weeks, he had taught them solely how to stand guard, march together, keep discipline and obey simple orders. This level of training would break under even the lightest of resistance but he didn’t care about that right now.

Right now, he was concerned about the quality of their gear and lack of it.

Right now the majority were using wood and between them they possessed five functioning swords. Even these were never maintained and were dull. There was no armor.

“All ponies take a breather.” Mordane said bringing the sessions to a close. “I have just received word from our scout we will be in sight of Herridon within the hour. Ivy, come here I have assignments for you.”

Looking up he took to the air and into crows nest, balancing on the end of the pole he waited.
-

The city was not the largest Mordane had seen, but it was by far the most distinctive. It rested on one side of a mountain which sloped gently to the peak while the other side was jagged and full of near vertical climbs.

Three massive sections of walls could be seen as the city seemed to climb up a mountain on the sea's edge. Its lowest section was in the valley and even over the wall he could see houses packed tight at no discernable pattern. The wall came right out into the river and what Mordane realized was probably a bay. Seeing the great chains hanging off the edge he could guess that access to the port could be closed in case of an invasion.

The second level was half as large. This section stretched up cliffs that ascended toward the peak at a forty five degree angle and as Mordane and his crew entered the harbor he could see just how ordered the section seemed, laid out in straight rows and wove with battlement emplacements like soldiers standing in rows.

The third wall cut off the very top where the land mostly seemed to even off again and ended at the cliff edge. There he could see a random assortment of buildings again but these looked large. Even from the dock he could see the signatures of wealth and power and at the farthest point he saw a castle. Its battlements pointed toward the sky.

Carts were hanging on wires and moving up, and down the city as he could see. He assumed that the carts were for moving goods and/or ponies. All in all he could guess the city had a population of thirty thousand.

Tietus had an eighty thousand and was the second largest behind Irona with a hundred thousand. In that perspective, this was small, but compared to the average of ten thousand in most cities it was decently large.

The city walls extended into the bay at the mountain base and left only a small opening where ships could enter. As they approached he could see several ponies standing on the edge waving them down. Mordane looked at the captain and told him to order the drawing of the sails to quarter mast before trotting to the front of the boat.

He could tell quickly that the three ponies were two pegasi guards and a unicorn city official. He took to a shout.

“Good evening! We are unaware of the rules for mooring in this port. How may we do so?”

“Do we have permission to embark?” Shouted back one of the pegasi.

“You may!”

The two pegasi took to the air and flew over to land next to Mordane. Shortly after the unicorn flashed away only to appear back in between them.

“You are approaching the port of the glorious city of Herridon. Please turn over your ships rudder to this one” he indicated the pegasus on his left. “So he may move your ship into port safely. Then please make your manifest ready so that I may determine your tax.”

“Of course.” Mordane said before pulling out his write of nobility “I assume this will be enough?”

The unicorn frowned but floated over the write. He blinked a few times before pointing his horn at the seal. There was a flash of white from said seal which caused the ponies eyes to widen slightly before turning to a snarl.

“A pegasi noble?” he seemed to spit.

Mordane frowned but decided to think on this later, seeking instead to appease him.

“Actually no.” He said lifting up his hair to show is cracked horn. “I am not a pegasi.”

“Huh, winged unicorn.” He sniffed. “Not as bad I suppose…you can use magic?”

“Of course.” Mordane said nonchalantly.

“Ah. Tragic. You must be a great mage for the king to grant you nobility. Even so, I must conduct a search of your ship. Though the import tax will be waived of course.”

“Of course.” Mordane smiled taking back his write and putting it back into its protective folder. “Are you of the Herridon nobility?” Mordane asked on a whim.

“No…” The pony seemed to straighten. “I am only of the second tier.”

Then as if only remembering what he had just read he bowed low.

“I apologize for my rudeness Lord Stronghoof.”

“There is no shame in performing your duties so admirably. I must admit that I unfamiliar with the ways of Herridon, but will strive to learn them. Any assistance you might suggest as your acquaintance performs his duties would be appreciated.”

The stallion stood back up before inclining his head.

“Thank you for your kind words Lord Stronghoof. As for propriety, there would be others far more suited than I.”

“If you so say.” Mordane smiled before leading the way.

___________________________________________________

Three hours later they were at port and the three ponies had disembarked. Mordane waited a few minutes before the groups came down.

One Eye groaned and rubbed his head. He still felt terrible since waking up and the workout did nothing to help. The grog he had been able to pull together had ran out the day before. He was starting to feel the onset of a tyrant headache. One Eye came down with two earth pony guards, both of which were experienced fighters. Mordane waved him over.

“One Eye.” Mordane unclipped a satchel. “Here, I want you to go and purchase a warehouse near the docks.”

One Eye’s eye bugged out. Mordane was handing him a satchel of what must have been thousands of bits.

“Mordane…” One Eye said. “Err…”

He didn’t know what to say. Him and Mordane had barely spoken. Only sharing a few drinks, but now he was trusting him with what must be a sizable chunk of his fortune.

“Can I trust you with this One Eye?” Mordane asked. “I’ve told you my training plans. So you know what kind of place we need. You should seek the lowest price possible of course.”

“Uh, yeah. Of course.” One Eye grinned, quickly taking the money away from Mordane “I’ll get that warehouse.”

“Good. I’m trusting you One Eye.” He turned back to Trixie. “You can also get you three something to eat.”

“Thanks.” One Eye nodded as Mordane walked over to Trixie before stopping a second time.

“Don’t buck this up.” Mordane practically growled at him.

“Of course, I won’t.” One Eye reassured as Mordane continued walking.

“He has lost his mind.” One of the earth ponies whispered to the other.

“What did you say Rough Shaw.” One Eye hissed. Before slapping the pony lightly in the ear “Come on, let's go Pear.”

One Eye lead them away from Mordane and the ship. He confidently attached the bag of bits to his flank and grinned before passing through the gate.

The two other ponies made sure to stay with him, their eyes looking at the place all around them.

The main road leading to the cart station was clean and well patrolled. Ponies in full iron armor patrolled this street regularly. They glared down the side leading off and forced away any loiters. Even as they walked they saw the guards approach a disheveled earth pony.

“Hey. We ordered you to move on.” The armored unicorn growled.

“Sorry. I’m just waiting for my friend.”

The pony’s horn lit up and his sheathed sword rushed out, and smacked the pony across the face.

“I told you to walk earth pony. Be thankful I don’t break your leg.”

The earth pony staggered to his hooves and gave a quick bow before rushing down the nearby lane. A few of the guards jeered at him but none pressured.

Then the unicorns scanned the street and locked onto the approaching one eyed pony then the rather large bag on his hip.

One Eye felt a slight chill and instinctively turned off the main street.

“Black Tartarus. Did you see that?” Pear said “They beat him for no reason.”

“I heard things about Herridon...” Whispered Shaw.

One Eye grunted. He had heard them as well. Ponies said that Herridon was a society of unicorn supremacists.

“Well. We will just have to stay down here…”

The buildings shadows hung over the ally to narrow to pull a cart down. The buildings quickly gave way from uniform stone, to patchwork structures. Filthy rats ran along the corridors and trash, and worse was laying everywhere.

The ‘road’ was simply stones packed into the dirt. Around them ponies slid past, carrying satchels even as ponies sat on the edge of the road, not even begging as the ponies passing had none to spare. Simply staring into the distance.

Shortly after the main road they passed a water spigot where ponies were lining up to draw water. The color was not exactly clear but seemed good enough to drink. He wrinkled his nose and moved his eye to just down the street, and his ears twitched at the conversation he could hear.

“Bloody water gots a bad taste now. They need to replace the pipes up in the second level.”

“At least the toilets don’t smell as bad. Heard they repaired and cleaned them out after the king smelt the stank.”

One Eye looked around and saw a bar. It looked better than any other building around it. He licked his lips. His headache flared back to life kicking him again. He looked back at his bag of bits for a few moments.

“Let's take a stop here.” One Eye said. “Wet our whistles before anything. We may also get to hear some good leads.”

The two other ponies grinned and nodded their heads.

The three ponies entered the bar and went to one corner. One Eye grinned and ordered a pitcher of beer.

The lead mare there jumped and rushed over to the bar. Around them ponies were sitting quietly nursing their beers. In a few minutes the mare arrived with bread and a pitcher. One Eye poured his fellow earth ponies a drink and hoofed over six gold coins.

“Keep them coming!” One Eye grinned. “Also, bring me a hayburger.”

The mare grinned and nodded before rushing off.

Looking down at his glass One Eye smiled but hesitated.

Mordane had trusted him with his money. Maybe it would be better to first actually go DO the job before getting wasted.

His mouth itched though and the pounding in the back of his head seemed to be working up to behind his eyes.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

One Eye groggily became conscious of himself as his eye was pounding.

 What in Tartarus?

One Eye looked out around him. He pushed back against the searing headache.

 What is happening… Did I black out?

That thought shocked One Eye a little awake. With great effort he forced open his eye as he felt something shaking on his side.

He could see an orange coated stallion tugging on him. His mind though felt like it was going through molasse. For some reason he could see a cup and for some reason that seemed significant.

His eye rolled over and stared blankly as the stallion pulled back. A look of fear as he pulled back with a bag. A bag of money.

Mordane’s money.

One Eye’s heart kicked up and he opened his mouth to try and say something, but could only gurgle slightly.

The last thing he saw was the stallion passing off some more coins to the sneering waitress.

_________________________________________________________________________

*Splash*

One Eye and the other two ponies jolted awake as the water splashed over them. Blinking rapidly One Eye set up and tried to get his bearings.

“Go on you slosh buckets. You’ve taken your fill. Now get out!” The mare who was their waiter sneered. “Come back when  you have more money!”

One Eye reflexively reached down to his side.

Then back up at the sneering mare.

It took him a full two seconds to put together what happened.

Something had been put into his drink. He never went out like that.

He could recall some of what happened, but it felt like it was behind the worst blackout he had ever felt. So he put two and two together.

Wispy pine. A drug he had run into before.

“Where is my money?” One Eye said as the two other stallions struggled awake.

“I don’t know where your money is.” The mare sneered. “I serve drinks.”

“Pear, Shaw. You up?”

“A bit groggy,” “Feel like I’ve been drugged.”

“Aye. Pear, Guard the exit. Shaw run interference.”

The two other ponies looked him over for a split second, but after seeing the glint in his eye hopped to it.

“Hey! I said to get out of here.” The mare said.

One Eye stood up flexing his shoulders slightly. The mare didn’t seem to react though. Playing the part of the waitress.

“Can’t do that. I don’t know where my lords money is.” He said.

“That’s not my problem I-”

One Eye struck her across the face. She was thrown against the bar and she gripped her head. 

The three other patrons started, but One Eye drew and leveled his sword it at them. Giving a glare.

They froze and he simply shook his head no.

Slowly the stallions sunk back into their chairs now seeming to be afraid of even Shaw as his much less intimidating glare stared them down.

“You can’t do this to me.” The mare spat out a tooth. “I’m just the bar owner. I didn’t have anything to do with it.”

“You slipped the Wispy Pine into my drink. You took gold from the thief.”

“What no! I-”

One Eye slashed with his blade, smashing a glass sitting on the bar and spilling alcohol all over the mare causing her to wince and close her eyes as glass rained over here.

“The Pine don’t work as well on me missy. I saw that orange coated stallion and I saw him giving you money.” He looked down at her then at the lantern sitting just a short ways down the bar.

The mask of righteous anger fell away. The mare's eyes widened and she began to shake. She had seen many a pony be killed outright for a cup of mead when the mood hit them and looking into One Eye she knew he was ready to kill everyone and burn everything to the ground.

“You can’t. I...I have protection.” She stammered.

One Eye placed the blade on her neck and smiled.

“You thought your position in this here community would protect you from stealing from us little missy. You were wrong.  I’ll kill you like any other and any that come afterward I’ll kill them too. You got only one chance. Talk.”

The mare swallowed and looked up and down this stallions blade.

It shouldn’t have gone like this. She had helped ten dozen thieves knock out ponies stupid enough to walk into a bar carrying a large amount of money. These ponies looked like nothing more then traders off a ship with the stink of the sea on them.

Now she was wondering if they were not bloody pirates.

“Okay...I’ll talk.” She swallowed.

__________________________________________________________

One Eye stormed away from the burning building as smoke started to billow out of the doorway. A mare could be heard screaming for the fire brigade. In his head though only a name burning into his brain could be heard.

Firm Oranges.

He had been stolen from by a pony named Firm Oranges.

He half blushed with embarrassment. How could he let something he was trusted with be stolen by a pony named Firm Oranges. It was pathetic.

Around him ponies were rushing by, already carrying buckets of water to splash down the block around them. He figured a pegasi would fly emergency clouds over quickly enough and sure enough he glanced up to see ponies pushing black clouds back where he came from.

Soon after a column of troops marched past toward from where he had come.

He didn’t care about that now though.

“Firm Oranges. Why did the bloody stallion have to be called Firm Oranges.”

“Did you get a look at his hair?” Asked Shaw. He was still rubbing his jaw from where one of the stallions had kicked him to jump a window.

“Did we have to burn the place down? I mean she did answer you.” One Eye looked down at his new leader bound satchel. It was thick and buckled with an enchantment to prevent removal  by anypony but the one wearing it.

Apparently a necessity in this city.

Once again he silently cursed himself for being so careless.

“She was a right whorse.” One Eye spat.  “Lucky I didn’t kill her.”

“Still.” Shaw cut in. “I’ve never done anything like that before. What are we going to do now?”

“Now? We go find this Orange and get back Mordane's money. Otherwise I ain’t going to be able to even look him in the eye.”

He sniffed.

“We better hurry, we wouldn’t want her to tell her friend we are coming.”

_______________________________________________________________

On the other side of the main highway, near the docks. One Eye and the other two ponies marched.

The entire docks drew the eyes of Pear and Shaw. Iron was everywhere.

It was in pots and pans, In the form of raw ore, in blades and swords.

Herridon was practically swimming in iron. As food was coming in, iron was being loaded and traded in exchange.

They followed the directions of the mare and found their way to a particularly filthy slum, they then found the building described.

A run down warehouse filled with what One Eye assumed was ponies not paying any rent. They approached from the sea side though and through the open doors they could see a large open area. The warehouse was attached to a work building that was boarded closed with seals. In the corner though a shack had been cobbled together.

Half brick and half ship wood.

One Eye stepped up to the door and then motioned the other two ponies to take up position around the shack.

With a grunt he shoved the locked door with his shoulder and popped the latch.

“What in Tartaru-”

One Eye didn’t give the orange pony a chance to finish. Drawing his sword he swung the flat of the blade and smacked the pony in the side of the head.

The orange pony crumpled to the floor eyes fluttering, he didn’t resist as One Eye reached down and took his knife.

He then hoofed the pony into the air and threw him onto his straw mattress.

“Where is my money.” One Eye spat.

Shaking his head the pony’s eyes came to focus on him before dilating to pinprics. Around him a puddle began to form as he lost control of his bladder.

“I don’t have it anymore.” Squeacked the pony. “ I already passed it off.”

One Eye swung down burying the blade into the dirt floor. Rushing him he grabbed the pony's head and dragged him to press his neck against the blade. The pony kicked and hollered, but One Eye paid no mind, simply forced him against the edge until he saw a shallow line of red.

“You tell me who is it that you hoofed the money to, or I’m going to start cutting off pieces. Starting with your ears.”

The pony shook so much that a few more lines had been cutting him.

“Orange?” Squeaked a little voice.

One Eye looked up. Looking out from a back room he could see a small earth pony. His little eyes were wide at him.

Behind him he could see several others huddled in a corner, about a dozen earth ponies, a unicorn and a pegasus.

Looking at them his snarl relaxed and turned to a frown.

Picking up Orange he shoved the pony back into his bed. Reaching over he picked up a now nearly empty sac from the pony.

“Where is my money.” One Eye said softly. “Tell me and I’ll keep this civil.”

“Th-Thank you.” Orange said rubbing his neck. “I used it to pay off the pony who runs this area of the city.”

“Pay him off?” One Eye asked.

“Yes. He signed over this warehouse to me. The deed used to belong to a noble so the property is even tax exempt!” He scoffed as One Eye frowned again then looked at the small bag of coin.” I... Please don’t hurt the kids.”

“...” One Eye growled under his breath. “I won’t. How much coin you have left?”

“Two hundred coins.” The pony looked down at the floor.

“I see.” One Eye tossed him down and sighed before whistling.

The two other earth ponies entered and stood besides One Eye.

“So tell me where this pony is.”

____________________________________________________________________

Up near the wall One Eye was trotting quickly. The sun had already passed its zenith and this close to the wall the shadow hung over everything. It was a bit moist with mold growing up its side.

Pipes were intermittently seen coming from the wall to align with the intermittent spikes and urinals throughout the city. It seemed they were the only source of water.

As they went further from the main road the housing was getting worse. Soon shacks were pressed up tight against the wall. The few patrols had thinned and turned to nothing.

One Eye's heart was quickening and a slight feeling of dread was filling him as his anger had time to settle. He wasn’t yet sure what to do with the Orange pony. That would have to be left to Mordane.

Just thinking of explaining that unsettled him. Mordane had said he would want nothing to do with him if he made this mistake. Maybe he would even try and kill him.

While fighting Mordane to the death would be fun he wasn’t sure he could win. There was also giving up such an interesting pony to fight with.

Plus Mordane seemed to be on the rise and One Eye wasn’t getting any younger.

“What's the plan?” Shaw asked. Pear had been left with Orange to report back should they not return.

“Go in, kick their flanks, then go buy a warehouse and head back to the ship.” One Eye said.

“You think we got the push for that?” Shaw asked, his voice a little low as he looked around. “There is only two of us.”

“We have me.” One Eye grinned. “Let's go take a chunk out of them.”

The pony was located in the corner where the inner wall and outer wall met.  It was a two story building made from shipping crates far fresher than the ones around them.

The two of them trotted up to the main entrance where a pony was standing guard.

“What are you-”

One Eye struck quickly, punching with his whole body he  landed a blow on his chin. The pony crumpled down to the ground.

Stepping over it, he and Shaw rushed into the building.

First room inside was a two floor rest area where were three ponies, who had little time to react as the two ponies attacked.

Two rose quickly and went for clubs while the third rushed through another door and started shouting.

“Intruders!”

One Eye punched for the other ponies jaw, but he dodged. One Eye though had no time to mess around. Reaching in deep he grabbed for his magic. He stomped with his back rear hoof into the ground and was able to change the angle of his attack by ninety degrees, slamming his hoof into the pony's stomach.

Planting his hoof, the ground cracked as he reached for the earths power. Briefly his mother danced through his mind before focusing back on the situation.

He glanced and saw Shaw still struggling with his foe as ponies came rushing in.

Cows tits

One Eye struck and kicked and punched, quickly he was taking hits and soon there was too many.

Shit, not again. His first time being captured, before the arena flashed back to him. The seedy bar, the shard of glass. His own followers.

One Eye roared and bucked a pony into the wall.

“COME AT ME! COME GET ME!”

“STOP!”

The attacking ponies jumped back, leaving One Eye and Shaw alone in the center. One Eye had a torn lip and bruise reddening on his face and Shaw had a torn ear letting a stream of blood onto the floor.

The speaker was a brown coated earth pony on the second floor walkway. Around him were several ponies with drawn crossbows pointed their way.

One Eye's nose twitched. There was nowhere to go.

The earth pony looking down at them with little emotion had a brown coat and white mane. In many ways he looked a lot like Mordane, but with hazel eyes and broader shoulders. He struck a commanding figure and seemed to draw the room to him.

“You are Stronghoof’s ponies.” He spoke softly, his voice carrying through the room.

“Aye.” One Eye said.

“I just learned.” went on the pony. “That the alicorn has arrived. Right now he is in the main chamber of the castle. Speaking with the princess and king.”

The earth pony spat and several in the room muttered curses.

“I’ve been told. You beat up Firm Orange pretty bad. Did you kill him?”

“I don’t kill the weak.” One Eye grunted. “I was just going to break his legs.”

The earth pony nodded.

“I can understand that.” Reaching behind him the earth pony grabbed a satchel of coins and tossed it down to One Eye.  Just at a glance One Eye could tell most of the coin was still there. Even so he picked it up and took wieght placing it at three fourth the original.

“That's most of it.” One Eye grunted. Then he looked back up at the pony his eyebrows furrowing as he tilted his head to the side. “Why?”

The brown earth pony placed his hooves on the railing. His shoulders curled slightly as the wood began to creak. He snorted and his lip curled up like he had just bitten the most sour lemon ever.

“Because. I want you to give this message to Stronghoof. Leave Herridon. This is Our City and we don’t have need of another  high born aristocrat in the mix. Tell him this comes from ‘the Hoof and Sickle.’”

Shaw stiffened and One Eye sniffed.

The Hoof and Sickle was a group he had heard of. Tried raising support all over the kingdoms. They wanted to bring about a new order. Kill all the kings. Seize the land and form a great council of the southern lands to hold and govern it. All ponies would work and share of the labor of the fields.

They were nuts.

“I’ll tell him.”

Nodding his reply. One Eye turned and headed for the exit as the crowd of ponies parted for him and the scrambling Shaw beside him.

_____________________________________________________________________________

“The Hoof and Sickle.” Shaw whispered. “The few I’ve ran into were crazy.”

“Same.” One Eye replied “and I’ve never seen that many together. Most ponies just laugh them out of town.”

“Yeah, it's been a few years though, ever since the purges.”

“I’d not be surprised if they are the only left here.”

“I wonder why they even survived here?”

Turning at a corner the two of them quickly made their way back into the warehouse. Pear was standing in the middle of the room, he glance back at them and followed as they went back into the shack.

Firm Orange was sitting in his chair with a ledger. Using tally marks to keep track of money and costs. Looking up he winced as he saw One Eye pushing the largest pile of coins toward him.

“Here is your masters coin. As I agreed, please do not hurt the children.”

“What of yourself?” Asked Pear.

“I-...I’ll accept any punishment you may wish to give. Just don't do it in front of them.” He glanced back at the door to the other room and swallowed.

One Eye looked at the pile of coins then back at the pony before giving a wicked smile.

Reaching around his flank he poured the rest of the bag onto the much smaller pile. Then he placed down hoof and slid over a third of the coin.

“Give me the deed for this place.”

Firm Orange swallowed and pulled back over the now larger pile before reaching into a shelf and pulling out an old envelope which he passed to Pear.

“We will be out by tomorrow.” The stallion swallowed. “I will be able to find another place for them.”

“Why not stay here?” Shaw spoke up. One Eye glared at him, but the pony kept on with a slightly shaking voice. “I mean...we will need somepony who knows the area… who we can trust.... Who will clean?”

He swallowed.

“I’ll have to ask Mordane.” One Eye grunted. “That’ll be fun.”

Already the thought of explaining all this was threatening to elicit a groan from him. He motioned the other two ponies over and told them to stay and that he would be bringing the rest of the ponies here that evening.

Trotting outside One Eye looked up. The sun was hanging low in the horizon. Trotting off he headed for the ship.

On the way though he passed a bar.

Maybe... just one drink...
> Herridon: Fractured edge
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Trixie inwardly groaned as One Eye and the two numbskulls trotted off with a small fortune. Her first instinct was to keep her disapproval to herself, but Mordane had insisted that was a bad idea. A position she still disagreed with.

“Why let those three fools trot off with all that gold? One Eye is just going to drink it all.”

“Some, for certain. What he does with the rest will tell me a lot.” Mordane replied with a small smile. “Maybe I know that, if he takes it, it would be worth knowing now rather than later.”

Mordane leaned next to her ear, sending a shiver down her spine.

“Or maybe, trust given often breeds trust in return.”

Mordane pulled back and smirked again. Looking up to the High District he inhaled deeply before reaching into his satchel and pulling out a second smaller bag of money.

“I need you to go up to the second level market. I’m told by Charon that most of the manufactured goods are from there. I want you to go there and purchase some quality equipment, as well as something healthy and fresh for a change. Also,” He handed her a small note “Please purchase these items for my experiments.”

“Trixie will do so.” She smiled “Do not think though I will be tricked into trusting you more.”

“No need for that with you.” Mordane replied. “I’ll see you this evening.”

Trixie nodded and left. Going out alone she headed straight for one of the hanging car stations which was a short ways outside of the docks.

As she walked her attention was focused completely internally as she tried to suppress a blush.

Once she came to the station she quickly got in line. It was a large platform with great spinning wheels bellow it with about a dozen earth ponies strapped in. The line went up a narrow staircase where ponies were waiting. Trixie noted that almost all the ponies were unicorns, or pegasi. As she went slowly up the line she jolted as the admittance officer shouted suddenly.

“I don’t care if you're a trader, dirt pony! You are not allowed to the second level without a slave collar. Do you want me to give you one?”

The earth pony trader shook his head and decided to take the quick way out by jumping the rail into the street.

Watching the pony go the unicorn officer sneered before shouting for the next pony.

Arriving up the top the Officer asked Trixie:

“Race.”

“Unicorn.”

“Purpose.”

“Shopping.” She smiled, feeling a bit sick at her stomach.

“Up to the platform then.” He waved her past making a mark in his journal.

Trixie nodded her head and went onto the platform. As carts came down the left in pair she watched as the doors on the other side of the cart opened to an exit platform. Ponies quickly rushed off. Two unicorns stood to assist ponies get on and off.

When the car came back around and Trixie and the dozen other ponies rushed to get on as they had about a thirty second window.

Trixie ended up next to the window, looking down as the cart quickly ascended over the rooftops. It was only then that she was able to get a good look at the bottom level.

Filthy would be the one word she would use to describe the place. Narrow streets and ponies packed in by the thousands. In the distance she could see the mines lining the mountains and the furnaces where the ore was smelted all tucked into one corner.

Charging her horn she cast a spell to see the lay lines. She was a little dismayed at what she saw.

 I’ve never seen the lines of energy so twisted except in Canterlot.

The free energy of the city was pulled from everything. The wind, sea, deep in the earth and even waste heat from the furnaces were all gathered, strung up into twisting lines, and converged into cords, and then into thick ropes which all came together into a single stream flowing up the mountain. Moving that kind of power was no small feat and something she hadn’t expected to see in the southern lands.

 What are they doing with it all?

She focused and searched for the spell exit but she just couldn't’ find it.

“Miss, what are you doing?” Asked a unicorn beside her. “You shouldn’t disrupt the stream.”

“Yes, I know thank you.” she replied smiling at the mare “I was just trying to figure out where all that energy is going.”

“Oh. Its for the royalty and to move water up to the reservoir and clean it.”

“Oh? Is that the source for all the cities water?”

“Yes it is. I can see you’re new here, so i need to warn you… Be careful when walking around, the city is super strict.” She leaned in “Also… don’t go too far off from the market. You should be okay, but…”

“Thank you.” Trixie said before pulling out Mordane’s list. “Do you know where one might buy these items?”

The pony frowned and shook her head.

“Your best bet would be a smithy, or maybe an apothecary? I’m not sure.”

Trixie thanked the pony and continued to look out the window as they passed over the first inner wall.

The shacks and hovels streets were replaced with neat rows curving with the wall in evenly spaced patterns. There was a notable change of air and Trixie noted a slight unnatural draft wafting down over the wall. More spellwork.

This kind of magic was beginning to remind her of some of the older stories she had read about Unicorn cities. Built like fortresses sitting at mountains with great nexus of power.

The buildings were made from colored and treated brick, in matching colors and the spicots which were more evenly split.

The cart came up to a matching raised platform. She exited the cart as quickly as possible and made her way down the steps, and into the market.

The place was filled with ponies, but it seemed like there was a lot of sellers and not so many buyers. Trotting up to a stall Trixie was shocked to see metal utensils for sale, that by itself was not unusual, but the price… the price was at least three fifths what it would have been anywhere else in the southern lands.

Trotting past, she moved from stall to stall, then store to store. She saw plenty of utensils, jewelry and other high end items, but no weapons, or armor. Each store started to make her worry more and more.

“Hello miss! Would you happen to be looking for something in particular?”

Trixie gave a little start at the sudden address to her. A little unicorn colt with an orange coat and green eyes, had popped out in front of her giving a small smile.

“What are you interested in? I know where to find the cheapest prices in all the kingdoms.”

“I believe it!” Trixie smiled. “This places prices are ridiculous. How can they be so low?”

“Iron is about half the price in Herridon. It is our main export and production commodity after all.” The colt replied nonchalantly, giving Trixie a look up toward where the mines were.

“Oh. I had no idea.” She replied. “Do you know where one might pick up some arms?”

The pony frowned.

“That would be difficult. The production of them is tightly controlled. Only a few ponies even have the permits…, but I do happen to know where one would be who isn’t working now.  I’d point you in the right direction for ten bits.”

Trixie frowned but floated the bits over. The orange coated colt grinned and motioned for her to follow him.

Down the street they went and soon he pointed toward the shop he talked about. Thanking the colt, Trixie walked off.

As she came close she saw guards standing out in front of the shop. Coming close enough she overheard two ponies arguing.

Curious she went down the alley beside it and chuckling to herself at the guards oversight, she casted a simple illusion spell to copy and move air vibrations, so she could hear what was being said.

“I’ve already given you the payment for this month. Please, I can’t keep my business open like this.” Wafted out a broken hearted mare's voice.

“And I can’t keep the way open for what you have been currently paying.” Another mare replied exasperatedly. “I have my own ponies to pay, bread to move, mine guards to bribe… If you don’t pay, then I’ll have to lift the protection.”

“Just..just give me till the end of next month. I’ll pay… We wouldn’t want them to win yes?”

“Sigh. Yes. For the princess.” The pony replied firmly. “This is your last chance Starlight.”

“For princess Platinum.” Grumbled the shop mare as clopping hooves led toward the front of the smithy.

Trixie decided to be a little careful and cast a simple visual cloak as the guards passed. They were led by a pony in a long flowing robe of purple and black.

After they passed Trixie dropped her cloak and quickly made her way into the shop.

“We’re closed.” Grunted Starlight.

“Are you certain? I have a rather large sum of coin.” Trixie smiled and shook her bag. “I heard this is where one could procure weapons?”

The mare perked up, her ears straightening slightly before dropping again.

“I’m sorry, but no. I’m going to have to ask you to leave.” She sighed.

“Why ever not?” Trixie asked coming up to the counter and sitting the satchel on the counter.

“Because of these-!” Starlight caught herself and took a moment to take in a deep breath “Because, I have no iron.”

“I see.” Trixie said in a low tone, her eyes softening. “Is there a shortage?”

“No… I just can’t get to where it is being sold this month.”

Trixie blinked.

“I’m sorry? Where is this?”

The mare looked at Trixie for a few moments before giving a small smile.

“You are not from Herridon, are you.”

“No, I am not.”

“Then listen carefully. There are… factions. They exist in trade blocks that are seeking to control various areas of the Herridon economy.”

“Tri- I see…” Trixie said rubbing her chin. “And one of these factions is blocking you from getting iron?”

“Yes.” she nodded “They cut the ropes to the eastern sides cargo elevators and moving from the sea side is dangerous.”

“Could I just purchase from their side?” Trixie asked while sliding across Mordane’s note. “I mean, the things I can’t get from you.”

The mare took the note and read through the short list before frowning.

“I should be able to get these things, but they won’t be cheap. Some of this… I don’t know what you would be using it for. Nearly pure nitrogen? Copper spool one centimeter in diameter… You would need to go to a different store for each of these. I can supply the copper myself. I will do this for” The mare bit her lip. “one thousand gold.”

Trixie nearly melted into the floor. That was a fourth of what Mordane had given her. With that much she couldn’t possibly get the arms and armor they would need…

“What if… I could bring you a shipment of iron?” Trixie said quietly. “I mean… just how much would you need?”

The mare blinked before a grin slipped on her face. She giggled and gave a little snort before becoming serious again.

“Unless you have a noble friend somewhere. Then you can use their guards to escort it. Then ANY amount of Iron you bring to me would be stolen and you would be well, dead, before you made it back.”

Trixie smiled. She in fact did have soldiers and Mordane to move the iron. She opened her mouth to say as much when she froze.

You are not ready to lead, or speak for me Trixie.

She closed her mouth and frowned, furrowing her brow.

After a few moments she made a decision.

“I don’t have one I can call on, but let's say I was able to move Iron back to you… How much would I need to bring to cover this and armament for fifteen ponies?”

The mare seemed to want to dismiss her, but stopped. After a few moments she reached below the counter and began to do some number work.

After a few minutes she chuckled.

“Six pony lengths cubed. That should cost you… ten thousand bits, plus the guards, and haulers.”

“That's… not feasible.”

Trixie and the mare began to argue, Trixie considered offering to pay now for the goods needed later that week, but they needed the ponies to have weapons and armor immediately.

The first thing Trixie asked was if she would make the armor thinner.

She immediately refused, saying that she was already considering it at the thinnest it would still be viable as armor.

Eventually the blacksmith owner figured out how much gold Trixie had and so it became a negotiation about the amount of iron Trixie would bring, and what she would receive.

First to go was the helmet followed quickly by the metal hoofcups. Then the flank guards. Even then there wasn’t enough.

“I suggest you take a shield, spearhead and longswords as a certainty. From what you have left… You have just enough for a helmet and one greave with a little extra, or just a whole breastplate.”

Trixie considered for a minute before asking.

“One hoof will be used with the shield yes? So what about armor covering the right hoof up to the shoulder?”

“Hmm, I’d have to use leather straps to hold it to the body… Okay. One cartload of iron and one thousand coin and I’ll provide you with twelve sets of armor like that and the items on the list.”

“It's a deal.” She bumped hooves in agreement before floating out the coin bag and started to count eight hundred bits. “Here is the coin for the items from the list. Please have them available by this evening.”

The mare grinned but immediately frowned.

“Today?”

“Yes.” Trixie said. “I will have your iron today… otherwise you should deliver those items to dock D13.”

The mare nodded as she drew her lips into a line.

“Good luck.”

“Thank you.”

_________________________________________________________________

Trixie left the blacksmith and trotted down the street.

“You shouldn’t do this.”

Trixie nearly jumped out of her skin again. Flipping around she saw the same orange coated colt from before.

“You!” Trixie caught herself. “You shouldn’t come out of nowhere like that.”

“Sorry. I thought I would hang around and see if you need some more help. I overheard your conversation with the blacksmith owner.” The colt frowned. “I just wanted to tell you, you will be killed if you try moving that amount of iron.”

“That amount?” Trixie replied causing the small colt to blanch. “Have you moved iron before?”

“I-...Yes. I have, small amounts only a few hooffulls at a time.” The colt replied. “But if you try to move a whole cart there is no way you won't be seen.”

Trixie smiled and ruffled the colts head. He quickly shook her off and glared at her.

“There is definitely a way with Trixie! The question is will the little colt help?”

The colt sighed and clopped his hooves in place.

“How would you even do it?” he frowned “also, why do you keep using your name like that?”

Trixie blushed slightly before smiling.

“I used to be an entertainer specializing in illusion. I can make the cart invisible.”

“What about sound?” The colt asked.

“No… I can make noise but I don’t know how to hide it. I figure if we move slowly…”

“That...might work. That is if you know where to move it. Streets wide enough, straight enough and practically abandoned.” He rubbed the back of his hoof and looked seaward along the street. A couple of ponies came from out of a building. They were two earth ponies wearing slave collars flared with symbols.

It was only that moment where Trixie realized she hadn’t seen any earth ponies on the second level. As if seeing what she was thinking the colt spoke up.

“There are no free earth ponies in midden, just as there are no free pegasi in the Top.”

Trixie frowned, a look of disgust flashed across her face.

“So can it be done?”

“...Yes, but it will cost you.”

Trixie looked the pony up and down. The orange pony was rather dirty.

“I’ll give you two hundred bits.”

“One Thousand bits.”

“Four hundred.”

“Six.”

“Five.”

“...Okay, I accept.”

____________________________________________________________________
Getting to the side of Herridon with working freight elevators was the easy part. The two ponies simply trotted along unmolested.

The streets looked much the same at first but quickly began to degrade the farther you got from the hanging carts.  Trixie was surprised to learn that the central line was for nobles going to the third level only.  Passing over the second level Trixie could only imagine what it would be like to see a poverty you know you are causing.

As they passed the midpoint Trixie began to notice more ponies openly staring at them.

“There are at least seven groups. They have carved out sections of the city, guards stations, elevators, stores, stalls, manufacturers, tax collectors, even entire streets. Everypony is in their pocket, or paying them.”

“How can they do this?” Trixie asked as a guard patrol passed by “I mean these guard look well paid.”

“Who knows. All I know is that this all started about five years ago. I remember… well, I’ve lost my parents to this.” He gestured all around himself “ The guards just started working for the tax collectors though, ALL the guards. It wasn’t that bad until the sides started disrupting goods flowing through the territories. Now they are breaking things”

“We should be careful then… by the way, what is your name?”

“Didn’t i tell you? It’s Mortimer.”

Trixie and Mortimer arrived at the freight area shortly later.

Trixie swallowed. There was iron everywhere, lying in open on pallets with stallions shouting down at the passersby trying to sell it.

“IRON FOR SALE!” “REFINED IRON NEAR PURE!” “Adamite! Get your Iodine!” “Marble!”

And so on. Iron was by far the most common being saved though. Passing another stall, she saw prices for iron products twice the price of the other side of Herridon.

This can’t be maintained.

Trixie looked around as she trotted up to a stallion near the edge, standing next to a medium size cart, with iron in it.

“Hello Miss! May I interest you in Iron ore?”

“Maybe. How much for that cart?”

The stallion frowned.

“I’m sorry. I’m selling the iron, not the cart.” He started turning away when Trixie spoke up again

“No, I mean how much for the cart with all the iron inside.”

The stallion stopped mid turn and snapped back as half a dozen nearby ponies heads turned.

“Well. There is a cost of me acquiring another cart to consider. How about...five thousand bits.”

Trixie frowned.

“I know math, you want to charge me two thousand five hundred bits for a cart?”

A few of the other stallions around snickered but another bit on his carts saddle and brought it around to Trixie.

“Saddle, Straps, Iron and cart for three thousand bits.” He said bluntly.

“This is my sale firm!”

“Buck you Rawhide!” sneered the stallion “I’m getting out of this city while I still can. He turned back toward Trixie. “What do you say?”

“Twenty five hundred.”

“Deal.” He grunted. “You do have it with you right?”

Trixie reached into her satchel and floated out three small bags of one thousand she had moved the coins into. Pulling out five hundred from one bag she then trotted around and made sure there was enough iron and that the cart was in good shape before handing over the coin.

“Good luck.”

“You too.” Grunted the stallion.

The pony headed straight for the freight elevator ignoring the other ponies giving him scathing looks.

Trixie and Mortimer left the confines of the raw good market quickly and made their way to an alley where they could be alone.

Taking out a sheet Trixie threw it over the cart and charged her horn. A moment later the object shimmered and disappeared from view.

“Okay. Now it's my turn.” Mortimer said.

Moving a loud, creaking, large and invisible cart through a city without being noticed is not a task many ponies would be up for. Trixie could take the weight, she had years of practice trotting down roads pulling carts lightened with magic. It took a constant low level amount of magic to maintain but that was something she did automatically now. The hard part was focusing on maintaining the illusion on both her horn and the car. A dozen interwoven spells had to take in the surroundings and bend light to project a seamless image to the other side.

The colt grinned as they stopped once again in a random alley. Trixie had lost track of where they were an hour ago.

“Your spellwork really is amazing.” he said, trotting to behind her. “I don’t see anything at all.”

“Trixie has much practice.” She said straightening her mane. “What magic does the colt know?”

“Not much.” The foal admitted “I’m average for a unicorn. I can move stuff and make a small light but that's about it.”

Trixie nodded.

Mortimer was moving them slowly. The colt estimated it would take another hour for them to reach the shop. Internally he was grinning. This was going very well and with the money he got from this he should be able to meet his needs and more. Going on he would actually have enough to start making more money! This could be the start of his way out of poverty.

Soon though they would need to cross the main road. The two of them took to leaning against the alley entrance.

After a few minutes the road randomly clears and the two ponies rush across. Hitting a small bump splashing a bit of water before making it across.

They rushed down the alley and turned left. Slowing down the two of them shared a grin.

“Hey Mortimer, what you doing?”

Three ponies trotted up from the front of the two of them. Two were unicorns and one collared pegasi. All three were grinning in a way that made him shiver.

“Hardhat! What are you- how are you?” He smiled.

“Doing well,”The stallion motioned Mortimer over. “Doing escort?”

“Yeah, “ he stood still as the stallion patted him over “it's just a simple job. We aren't carrying anything.”

Looking behind them the pony frowned then grinned even larger.

“You sure you are not carrying anything? You remember what I told you would happen if I found you doing that again.”

“I know…”  His eyes shifted between the three ponies as they came in closer. “What's the problem then?”

Hardhat leaned in sneering with gleaming eyes.

“Where did those wheel tracks come from, hmm?”

Mortimer and Trixie looked back and winced. Their cart had picked up mud leaving a trail behind them. Turning back Mortimers eyes had dilated.

“Do you remember what we told you would happen if we caught you moving goods through our blockade again Mortimer.” The three ponies came a little closer.

Mortimer swallowed. He glanced at Trixie and scratched the back his head.

Trixie only saw it for a split second as he pulled a small ball out of his mane and threw it against the ground.

A huge plume of smoke covered the area.

“Run!”

Trixie felt the colt pushed her back. It took her a fraction of a second to realize what was happening before backpedaling and turning down another alley.

“What in Tartarus!” “Get them!”

The two of them came out of the cloud at a full run, their cloth billowing in their wake. The alley barely wide enough for the cart.

“What do we do!?” Trixie shouted.

“Keep going!”

The two of them kept moving for a few seconds as they heard the thunder of their pursuers hooves before Mortimer pointed at an upcoming turn.

“There!”

They took the turn, hard. They could hear their chasers following just behind.

Then she noticed the clothes line hanging down low enough to hit the top of the cart.

“Keep going!” Mortimer shouted.

Trixie complied and was surprised when she only felt a slight slowdown followed by the cart getting slightly lighter.

Glancing back she saw the cloth was gone and just behind in the roads curve she caught sight of ponies struggling under it.

“The sheets tangled them!”

“I know! I planned it! We are pretty close, we should be able to make it into the other's territory!”

Trixie thanked the maker and focused back on Mortimer. Within a few minutes they were safe and proceeding easily toward the blacksmith.

Once arriving Trixie paid Mortimer and bid him adieu before entering with a big grin on her face.
_____________________________________________________________________________


Hours later, as the sky was turning gray, Trixie stood at the counter across from a grinning blacksmith pony.

“I still can’t believe you actually made it through.” The mare said as she hoofed over Trixie’s goods. Swords, armor and other items completed, polished and shined. “I couldn’t have done it alone.” The mare waved at two other ponies heading out the back.

“That's why I paid extra. With this I may have troops to physically escort the iron, so you may hear from me again… though probably not with such a time constraint.”

“Take care~!” The mare smiled as she helped them out of the store quickly before slamming the door.

Trixie stood there floating the bag of goods beside her frowning and looking at the door.

Maybe I will go somewhere else

“Trixie?”

“AH!” Trixie jumped a bit and spun to see Mortimer again.”Stop doing that!”

“Sorry…”The colt rubbed the back of his head. It was then she noticed his black eye and ruffled fur. It didn’t take her long to put together what happened. “I was… wanting to ask you a question.”

“Did… you have your pay stolen?” Trixie asked pensively.

“Yes… and my cabin raided. I’ve lost everything. I was wondering if...if you had a job for me?” The colt winced at his own words. “I have a lot of skills, connections…”

Trixie nodded and sighed. Looking the colt up and down she considered.

 He is a good worker and I could use an assistant if things get more hectic.

“Okay Mortimer. I’ll give you room and board as an opening pay and more if you prove more useful than just as a gofer.”

Grinning the small unicorn gave a small bow then the two unicorns headed back to the tram and onto the ship where Mortimer would learn just who he was going to be working for.
> Herridon: Tradition
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mordane watched as Trixie followed One Eye out of the dock area. He gave a small smile but his eyes drifted up to the castle. He frowned. Charon had already left, flying toward the top level.

“Ivy!”

“Yes?” The mare asked trotting up to him.

“You go up onto the ship and pull up the plank. Keep everypony off, save for our guys.”

The mare nodded and placed her right hoof over her chest in a salute before asking:

“Should I oversee practice?”

“No, have the ponies stand guard and patrol” Mordane replied before looking back at her. “ Show me you have what it gots to lead.”

“Yes sir. I hope things go well for you.”

“You and me both.” Mordane took a deep breath and double checked if his bag was securely attached to his side, and pulled his cloak close. He decided to put on the brown thing, after meeting with the unicorn bureaucrat.

Looking up he could see two pegasi guards come in for a landing. They were different from the ones before. For once, they were collared and secondly, their armor was sturdier, and pure black. As they landed, it gave the impression of a great weight settling.

“Lord Stronghoof?”

“Yes?”

“Papers.”

Mordane pulled out his nobility paper and his docking permits. Looking it over, one of the two guards nodded.

“If you will come with me sir.” He gestured toward the main dock office “There is a chariot we can use to take you to the castle.”

“Of course, first though, I will need to purchase some clothing.” He gestured to himself. “I will not appear in court wearing nothing.”

“Very well sir, I know of a place for nobles to purchase proper attire if you wish.”

“Yes. Let us go.” Mordane took off suddenly toward where the guards had motioned causing the both to flank him instead of lead.

Mordane nodded back to Ivy, who saluted and returned to the ship. He proceeded to the main office.

In his mind Mordane was already a noble and this showed in how he walked. He intentionally shifted his mental patterns to match this. Placing his hooves firmly on the ground, his head held high and eyes locked forward, gave the impression of importance. Ponies noticed.

Like a sudden beacon from the darkness, Mordane thrust himself onto the consciousness of everypony in the area. Each looking and thinking why the guard would be escorting this pony? Did he commit a crime? No, he’s walking too confidently.

Quickly they arrived at the import office and the yard where two carriages were hooked up. Mordane did not wait, nor ask permission as he trotted past the small barricade and onto the chariot.

The guard motioned to the two attendants, who graciously bowed away for the black clad guards and then quickly again for him.

Hooking themselves up they wasted no time for the gasping ponies and took to the sky.

Mordane looked down at the slums as they quickly passed and he had just as little time to look at the second level before reaching the third.

Rising above the castle Mordane’s couldn’t help but sharply inhale.

The place was beautiful.

He asked the guards to move slower, as to give him time to admire.

While the outer wall was very militaristic and the inside was almost chaotic in its layout. The term castle obviously meant the whole plateau which was as big as the other two floors but much better maintained.

Solid stone paths were lined with greenery, mixed with sculpture. His eyes focused on a singular statue of a unicorn, made from marble, a stream of marigold flowers seeming to sprout from her horn and slice through a stone block five yards away, surrounded by trees, looking like broken buildings, masked in red roses.  Such works could be seen lining the paths, maintained by pegasi wearing collars.

Trees were everywhere, twisted into signposts, lamps, benches and small vistas where one could go for seclusion.
This public garden wound its way around stone libraries and play houses. Water fountains and the occasional small restaurant.

The part was surrounded by a winding road, near the sea was resuspended mansions of every style and taste. A few large enough to have small vineyards.

Despite the chaos of the central area the part nearest the wall was extremely ordered. There sat barracks where he saw pegasi soldiers training and warehouses for food supplies. Plus a large facility his escort informed him was the city pump house, that delivered free water to the whole city.

Then his eyes focused on the actual castle.

It was the largest and tallest property on the level. It sat on the opposite side of the various mansions and was made in a far more traditional style. Its stone face came right up to the corner seaward and merged with the wall. Just in front was a large courtyard where several ponies could be seen eating from tables and milling about.

“We are about to arrive sir.”

“Very well.”

They landed outside of a stonework building in the park and Mordane hopped off. Walking into the store, he was surprised to see a practically empty room. Two slave pegasi mares bowed as he entered and a pink unicorn smiled after turning to look at him.

She was wearing a much more open cloak than he was, barely draping over her flank. A flowing robe design marked by floral design. Her eyes only dulled slightly at his look, before glancing up at his tuft of hair and deciding on the side of caution.

“Good evening sir. How may I assist you today?”

“Yes, I am going to be seeing the king. I require appropriate attire.”

The mare gasped.

“Truely? May I ask what your rank is so I may prepare the proper attire?”

“An unlanded lord.” Mordane replied.

“Hmm, and your budget.”

“...I don’t have one for this.”

The mare brightened. And motioned toward a small patio.

“How about a mane cut first?”

“Yes, I would like for my horn to be readily visible please.” Mordane sat on the patio as the mare prepared.”

“Of course.”

The mare took one look at his hair and floated over three brushes before handing two to the slaves. The three mares went at his hair and began working on knotes. Sometimes just cutting out the worst parts. Her magic caught all the cut hair and deposited it into an open bag. It was rather nice to Mordane even if the two pegasi seemed uninvested.

The mare only paused as she uncovered his horn and saw the healing crack.

“Oh my, how did you get that?”

“I overcharged by channeling too much energy at once. It should be healed in a few months.”

“That’s good.” The mare smiled, about ten minutes later she finished the head. “Please stand up.”

Mordane rose and saw as the mare’s magic pulled a curtain, and enclosed them.

“If you would sir please remove your cloak.”

Mordane paused, for few moments his heart speeding up slightly. He swallowed before replying

“Very well.”

Reaching up he opened the clasp and felt as the mare pulled his cloak off, leaving him fully exposed.

The store owner gasped and quickly frowned before looking back at his horn.

“I- I’ve never served a pony… like yourself.”

“Indeed. I imagine you have not.”

“Are- Are they real?”

“As real as my horn.” To make his point, he rustled his wings, causing the mare to eep, as she stepped back.

The two pegasi mares were staring at him and one's wings started to stand slightly at the sight of his toned back

“I do not have all day miss.” Mordane spoke up to break the tension.

“I’m...” She swallowed glancing out at the waiting guards “I’m sorry to have you wait… I just, need a bit... You two trim and… treat his wings.”

“Yes mistress.”

The store owner trotted outside to the guards and the two mares began again to stare at the bigger pony. One's wings were standing off her body, as she regularly swallowed and began the process of preening his wings. The other mare spent her time brushing his mane even more furiously.

“Can you fly?” Asked the first mare.

“Arstol! Don’t ask him that.”

“Yes. I can.” Mordane replied, causing the two mares to fluster.

“Magic?” The Arstol  mare asked.

“That as well.” He thought for a moment as their eyes clouded slightly, looking at their wings he quickly added “I feel the call of the horizon and the calling of the wind in my feathers.”

The two mares paused and looked at each other before Arstol gestured back to his wings. Then both went back to work.

“I...” Arstol leaned in and whispered barely audibly. “Are you… going to help us?”

Mordane didn’t make any expression, only turning to look her in the eye. In a moment he realized that now was one of those moments. Looking into her eyes he saw the fire of hope and fear.

He had never felt more helpless.

There was only one thing he could open his mouth to reply.

“Yes.”

The other mares eyes widened. Slowly, carefully they began to refocus on their work, except this time it was almost obsessively. A few minutes later one of them reached down and pulled up his forehoof quickly rubbing her cheek against it, she looked at him with sparkling eyes.

Mordane fought down a flush. His wings were beginning to itch.

She placed it down and swallowed, closing her eyes she tremblingly placed her hoof on his shoulder for a few moments, before trotting to grab a dustpan and take his shavings away.

Mordane looked at where she had placed her hoof.

She took the hair and feathers to the waste basket, her ears drooping, but Mordane reached out and grabbed her wing.

She jolted, but stood still as Mordane stretched out her wing and his at the same time. Letting go she held her wing in the same place as Mordane reached up and, with a sudden tug, pulled out one of his large feathers and slipped it between two of hers.

The Mare trembled and her eyes watered for a few moments before she rushed into the back.

Mordane watched her and the other mare go. Not sure what he was feeling Mordane stared at where she had left from.

In the city of Tietus he could remember the roaring crowds. What he had felt in her was something different, something that sent a shiver through his soul. It felt heavy like a thick fur coat in the wee hours of morning.

He only snapped back when the pink mare came back, blushing as she looked at him.

“I apologise, I have been told the king himself saw you use high magic.” She floated over her sizers and gave her head a little shake before focusing on Mordane’s fur. “Please accept this hair cut for free as compensation for my rude behavior.”

Mordane nodded and waited as she finished up the cut. Then stood as she took his measurement.

“What kind of style would you like?”

“Something subdued, but fashionable please.”

An hour later Mordane trotted out of the store. He was wearing a satin black cloak in a similar style to the mare, but his hand gray accents woven in and focus gems around the collar. What surprised him though was the gold bells placed around the foot of his cloak  and the fact that all three accessory gems around his collar were in fact a reservoir gems. He would have to keep that in mind later.

Ultimately he had decided against hidding his wings though and opted for his cloak to not stretch to cover them. It still looked more like a cape to him, but the mare insisted they were cloaks.

He trotted up to the two ponies who motioned to the cart. Mordane inwardly sighed and stepped inside.

After what happened inside, flying to the castle would probably be a bad idea. Best to not throw the fact that his wings were usable into the other ponies faces.

The cart didn’t go into the air instead following the path until they pulled up to the yard in front of the king's castle. Several dozen ponies were billowing about the yard. Stridently walking from food table to wine table and to groups strewn throughout.

Behind them Mordane could see the castle doors were closed and iron worn braces lined it. Mordane mentally whistled at the waste. It had to cost ten times what he could afford even spending all the money he had.

The ponies did not look as he arrived. Stepping off he took a moment to check himself over, before nodding to the guards.

“Send for a chariot when you need to return my lord.” Then the two took off to return the cart.

Mordane walked into the crowd. Quickly ponies began to take notice of him.

Most of the ponies were wearing attire similar to him, save for the bells. The few that were wearing them though, seemed to be the center of attention.

Several of the ponies immediately approached him, though none of the ones wearing bells.

“Good day to you Lord Stronghoof. It is an honor to have you her-”
“Salutations-”
“Good day-”

Each of the three ponies looked at each other for a moment with piercing glares, before breaking off into chuckles.

“You first Miss Swirl”
“No you Sir Gavold.”
“If the two of you will not go then I shall.”

The two other ponies laughed and took up flanking positions around the stallion. Bright smiles were on their faces, wide and showing teeth.

“As I was saying. I am Sir Galdiwak and this is lady Swirl and Lord Gavold”

“Lord of the court only,” Lord Gavold spoke up. “My family services the court for the service corridor.”

“It is well to meet you, Sir Galdiwak, lady Swirl, Lord Gavold.” Mordane replied with a smile “It is comforting to see that some are not deterred by the nature of my physical form.”

The mares eyebrows raised slightly and the two other stallions took a bit of a breath. Mordane smiled at their physical efforts to restrain themselves. Already he was seeing them moving their hooves.

“Well, I was not going to bring it up.”

“Of course not, you three are obviously too, excuse my terminology, well breed to fall to such impolite behaviour.” Mordane looked at his wings and sighed. “An unfortunate though useful mutation I’m afraid and this horn. Damaged in an overcharge. I collapsed a class four, self recurrent, city class barrier and channeled it through my horn.”

That brought a bit of a gasp from all three as several other ponies came over.

“My goodness.” Lady Swirl spoke up, covering her mouth with a hoof. “is it..”

“No, Stars forbid.” Mordane replied. “No, it's been about eight months since I was injured, every doctor I’ve seen has told me that it is well on its way to healing fully and completely, with no loss of functionality at all.”

“Something like that could even increase the amount of mana you can move,” A new stallion spoke up. Somepony floated a glass over to Mordane who took it in one hoof. Out of habit he took a taste and swirled it in his mouth tasting for poison. After detecting nothing he decided to swallow.

“I must ask though, according to King Fancy you used magic in the Tietus arena. May we assume that you are perhaps familiar with…”

“War magic? Yes. It might not be as… sophisticated as the more arcane arts, but I am informed in those as well.”

“Ah, then you have earned your bells well. A stallion came up to Mordane wearing a deep blue robe with stars and golden bells hanging off of it. Mordane had seen him earlier being with a group of younger mares and sharing smiles. Nodding his head Mordane took the smile off his face and gave a small acknowledgement to the stallion. “I am high lord Starfall the bearded.”

“It seem right to present myself as I am.” Mordane replied trying to not show a reaction to the family name of Starswirl.

“Yes, a very strong magic user indeed. Strong enough to kill a dragon in single combat.”

Mordane turned and bowed to King Fancy.

“Stronghoof. I am glad that you have made it well. I look forward to speaking with you about your future among us later tonight, the city needs both your combat abilities and command ability.” He placed his hoof on Mordane’s shoulder “It seems the reason for our party has arrived. The first new lord of Herridon in over three hundred years.”

“It’s my honor to be here.”

Turning to the crowd.

“This evening I am holding a ball. All are invited.” He paused and turned to smile at Mordane again before frowning and saying. “I recommend that you all attend. Especially you Stronghoof. I tend to name the next landed noble for the recently claimed territory.”

The other ponies started to chatter, many grinning as the king continued onward to the castle.

Frowning Mordane looked back to the three ponies who were still near him.

“New territory?”

“Oh yes, recently conquered from Niel. Our border was extended further south to the ocean. It's quite hilly and so many think that it contains iron.”

Mordane frowned as the king dismissed himself. He had believed that this was a thriving city before but the king had seemed a bit too excited about the idea of iron.

“Doesn’t Herridon have plenty of iron?” he whispered to himself.

“No, it doesn’t.” Mordane turned to see Charon. Wearing his usual attire and looking even more out of place than usual. Ponies all around seemed to not even acknowledge his presence. “Has Herridon been all you thought it would be?”

“It exceeds them in almost all.” Mordane said smiling, drawing a chuckle from the crowd around him.

“That's good then.” Charon said coldly. “As for why Herridon needs iron. It is because, it is running out. The mines are not what they used to be.”

“There is still plenty of iron in the ground.”  Grunted Gavold as ponies began to disperse.

“True, but we have been seeing declining output for decades.”

“Is there a reason for that?” Mordane asked noting that the small crowd around him had seemingly melted away. “That normal?” He asked indicating how the crowd was reacting to Charon.

“Yes. As for why, it is simply due to depletion. We have reached the limits of what magic allows Herridon to reach. They've already doubled the depth of a usual mine.”

“Huh, and I didn’t see much other industry around here.” Mordane said.

“Yes, it's a huge problem. If something isn’t done soon… I fear food shortages will follow.” Charon looked at the king and sighed. “It seems I have been dismissed due to my analysis.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Don’t be. I have an independent practice anyway and I was actually paid this time.” He took another breath. “Perhaps I can provide my services to you someday.”

“Actually.” Mordane said, “I already have something I’d like you to research if you could.”

“Oh?” Charon asked reaching over and plucking a drink from a slave's tray. “What might that be?”

“I was wondering if you could find out about a family, here in Herridon. I don’t know if any are left, or what their station was… but I have family here. They should have my family name of Stronghoof.”

“A little search through the records? Might be dead, or alive, slave, or not? Sure. I can do that. I’ll bring you the check with the information. I know you have the money.” The half dragon downed his glass of wine and started to look for a second. Mordane felt concern for this scaled acquaintance.

“To be honest. I’m surprised you're allowed on this floor.”

“Ah, my father may have been a dragon, but my mother was of Herridon nobility. Now so am I.”

“I see, is she..?”

“She died at my birth.” Charon replied curtly.

“I’m sorry to hear that. I’m sure she would have loved to know you.”

“Doubt it. She wasn’t exactly ‘willing’ with my father and he is mounted on the wall of our family home.” He sniffed and placed down his third glass. “Goodness. I can’t believe I said that.” He blinked and looked off at the castle again. “I think I should leave. I’ll do a little research tonight and eliminate the easiest places to look.”

Turning he trotted away and soon Mordane was once again surrounded by the lower nobility. Chatting away the hours, regaling them of tales of his exploits.

_______________________________________________________

A few hours later Mordane was able to extract himself from the party which he had learned was meant to welcome the return of the king. They also explained that attending the ball was mandatory.

First thing first, Mordane trotted over to the bank of Herridon. After showing his act and horn he was able to open an account.

Forty thousand bits in notes and coins found their way into his account. Asking around he found out that a mansion on the third level rarely went up for sale, but when it did it usually went for a hundred thousand while a second level residence would normally go for ten.

With nearly half of day of spare time Mordane decided that search for more… specialized items was in order.

Trotting over to the small market area Mordane was given quite a shock. There was absolutely only highest class stores, but the prices were frankly ridiculous. Iron clasps and gold jewels alike were going for a third of the price he had seen anywhere. It was so cheap. In fact he couldn’t help, but buy two expertly carved cuffs with a small embedded dragon carved into the surface. He asked a few questions though and was able to be pointed to the store he needed. Glad to find they even had one he headed there immediately.

The apothecary was located in a small shop located above the second floor of a beauty salon. Mordane trotted up the steps and through the door without slowing.

The inside of the shop was… surprisingly orderly. Neat rows of jars laid out in neat little alcoves. All labeled, with a glass case covering each individual beaker. Some were filled with leaves, others with liquid and even more with minerals.

The counter was smoothed and polished oak, with an iron box fastened to it. Next to it was the only other door, covered by a curtain.

None of this however was what Mordane noticed first.

His nostrils instinctually pinched closed to keep out the smell of bitter almonds that assaulted him. So strong it was, that it stank.

An instant later he reached with his war magic and drew in air from outside, filtering the whole building.

“Hey, who’s doing that!” Shouted a stallion from behind the curtain.  Pushing it aside Mordane blinked at the stallions headgear, which he could only classify as a fishbowl, with a neck brace to create a seal and with a lid on top. Even as he watched the stallion trotted over to an open window and opened the helmet presumably to get fresh air.

Trotting in Mordane inclined to instead hold a sphere of slowly spinning air around himself keeping the smelly air away.

“What are you making?” Mordane asked.

“Something for a client.” The stallion slid a seal over the large pot in his office. “I’d advise you to get out. Airs not too good.”

“It should be clear now.” Mordane replied. “I’ve cleared the building.”

The stallion took a look around and cast a scanning spell before taking off his helmet. Then he trotted outside and scanned again before casting a transmutation spell.

“Shouldn’t have done that colt. Stuff is dangerous. Can’t just push it out into the city, even such small amounts of it.” He grinned and trotted up to Mordane before casting a spell on him. “Don’t worry though, I made it inert and you didn’t get enough for any ill effects.”

Mordane flushed red and his ears stood up. He took a moment to admonish himself for such recklessness turning his eyes to the floor.

“I said don’t worry. No harm, no foul.” Trotting up behind the counter the stallion continued “Thought I had locked the door myself. Anyway, what can I do for you.”

“I’m here to buy twenty grams of saltpeter and ten grams of arsenic.”

“Hmm, well that would be… five hundred gold.”

“Three hundred” Mordane snorted. “Don’t try to push on me.”

The old pony chuckled and out floated two jars from the shelf. A little flash and a few measures on a scale later Mordane was trotting out into Herridon.

 Hmm, I still have a few hours. Perhaps a book?

Mordane checked his mental picture of the top level and pinpointed a building that seemed likely to be the libary.

Trotting to, it he was glad to find out he was right and quickly approached the front desk.

“Is the library open to the nobility?” Mordane asked.

“To any noble of course and also free unicorns. You may enter.”

Mordane nodded and headed past, it was a truly grand library. Something like he remembered the Canterlot library being, though with far more older books available.

Trotting from shelf to shelf Mordane carefully selected one containing enchanting cravings then went on to the historical records. Ten minutes later he found a general summary. His wings were itching so badly he briefly considered if they were infected with bugs before remembering the cleaning he had just received. Instead of worrying he finds an isolated reading corner tucked between two shelves and a column. There is a small wooden chair. Taking a moment of privacy he takes a moment to scratch before sitting down.

Opening the enchanter’s book first, his excitement was quickly dampened, as the book contained nothing he didn’t know.

 Sigh, a book five hundred years older than what I could find in Equestria and no change to the knowledge. Truly, ponies are making practically no progress at all, just forgetting and rediscovering ideas.”

Looking over to the history book he internally sighed. Expecting it would be much the same. Even so he knew that having an understanding of a nation's history was vastly important to understanding that nation's present and future.

Opening the book he began to read.

Oh great city of Herridon! That most blessed by the Lunar light! That High fortress carved in the southern lands of Equestria. The nation no more.

Herridon, whose name in the old tongue means hold of knowledge has stood since the first hooves set here from the frozen lands.

When the first compact was made and skewn. The first bindings of the races now broken.

“Hell… that is something to unpack.” Mordane muttered. Mentally adjusting himself to interpret what was obviously going to be more propaganda than literal history.

That contact has proven to fail to bring harmony. But we have brought harmony! We of the horn have set the world as it should be with the collar and spell. To each their place in strength.

To the feather wing the sword. To the mud pony the plow. To the unicorn the crown!

Set high daughter of Platinum. Set high and hold the duty to our destiny set by the Lunar crown! Longo imperio, quos cornu, in lumine tuo, sicut et nos unum fiunt!

Mordane frowned. Flipping through several more pages. The rest of the book was just a long series of pictures and names of mares. Quickly he realized that this was the line of Platinum. Skipping to the end he was not surprised to see the book ended just over a hundred years ago.

Standing up he returned the books and sought out another gene record, finding a much more modern record that went up to the modern day.

Princess Marigold Platinum begat (982AL) princess Starshine Platinum the 32nd first husband.
Second husband, one son, no daughters. First of his line.

Mordane frowned at the second part. No other entry had indicated a second husband to take over from the first. Add to that the phrase ‘First of his line’ and he had no idea what that meant.

Trotting up to the secretary he laid the book out in front of her. The mare's eyes lazily derived up to his face as if to ask ‘What do you want.’

“I was wondering if you understand this entry.” Mordane said pushing the book over. After taking one look the mare winced.

“Ivy Hide has been a king pony but to put something so arrogant in a published book…” She shook her head.

“I’m sorry, could you explain it better? I just arrived in Herridon.”

“Oh, well” She rubbed the back of her head “After the previous princess died her first daughter from her first husband became princess. She did have a son with her second king though.”

“I’m sorry.” Mordane held up his hoof. “So you are saying that the king is chosen by the current princess? Why doesn’t she just marry somepony and make them the new king?”

“I’m not exactly sure.” The mare replied. “The current king would have normally stepped down when the old princess passed on. Now he is calling his son the ‘prince’ it's a very confusing time.”

“I bet.” Mordane nodded his head sadly. “Have a nice day.”

Mordane made sure to replace the material before heading out to the castle. As he walked he received yet more looks and stares from groups huddled on the roadside.

Even so he continued on, ignoring the itching feeling of his missing sword from his flank.

_______________________________________________________

A few hours later he arrived back at the castle. He had found a public bath and dedcided to partake, glad to find that there was private bathing rooms as well. He wasn’t sure he could have dealt with bathing among others.

The castle was alive this night, bright balls of light energy were floating around at random, accented by candles placed as almost emphasis to the building.

He glanced up at the pegasi, who were pushing clouds to cover the sun and bring evening early, for some sign of irritation at the frivolous task, but he could see none.

Trotting up the stairs he steps through the open doors and takes it all in.

Firm, gray stonework and bright stitched tapestries accented the wide entrance hall, lined with statues. Approximately thirty ponies were there with servants trotting around, carrying dishes of food on their backs.

The floor was covered in the largest carpet Mordane had ever seen, dull green with black trimmings seemed to be the standard color pallet for the castle and what Mordane assumed was the national banner.

It was a rather simple thing. Green background with a black unicorn spiral outlined in a circle.

Taking a moment he put together what the circle was.

Must refer to the moon. Unicorn supremacy indeed.

“Mordane.”

A familiar voice brought a grin to his face .

“Charon. How are you doing?”

“Well Mordane, and I hear you are doing great yourself. Rumor is this party might be for you.” Charon gave a twitch of a grin before drinking once again from a glass he had.

“I doubt it.” Mordane snorted “Though I do wonder what the king intends to do with me. Personally, I hope it isn’t being a guard.”

Charon snorted.

“I doubt it.” He took another drink. Mordane frowned.

“Do you usually drink this much?” Mordane asked.

Charon frowned and swayed for a bit before focusing on Mordane again, his claws clinking as he readjusted.

“I’ve been… released from the King's service. Apparently I was ‘unable to meet his standards’”

“That seems… odd. From what I saw you were exemplary in your service.”

“I was.” Charon nodded. “I think that I will head to my family's mansion. I wouldn’t wish to disturb your entrance into the royal court. Goodday.”

Mordane nodded his head and watched for only a moment as Charon headed for the door.

Damn I wish I could follow him

Instead Mordane turned and began to walk through the crowd. Intent on measuring the various reactions he would be getting in order to get a feel for the room and ponies in it. He didn’t get much of a chance though.

“Stronghoof was it?” A pony he noticed earlier wearing the bells trotted up. “High Lord Sparkle. At your service.”

“Yes, and I am at yours.” Mordane stepped and bumped hooves with him while standing at an angle. “Though I must admit my ignorance to what a ‘high’ lord is and the proper means of address.”

The lord chuckled and looked him over.

“We. three families are sworn to defend the crown. Though we are not peers of the land, we are vassals of the crown.”

“I… must admit my ignorance.” Mordane replied politely. “I fail to understand”

“Well. It doesn’t really matter.” The high lord smiled “You will be sworn in as a noble and peer of the land. Truly it would be good to have another wizard among our ranks. Few have the mastery of spellwork to wear such bells. From where though did you receive instruction. I wasn’t aware that there was any place outside of Herridon capable of giving the required education.” The pony smirked, his hooves shifting slightly farther apart.

Around them ponies were taking notice and forming a small circle.

Mordane paused for a moment and turned to face the stallion.

“I was trained by a single master north of the great divide.”

“A single master? Interesting. You are a protege? That method of teaching can work if your master is truly skilled. Who was this” he grinned “Grand mage.”

Mordane thought for a moment on how to reply before taking a drink.

“Being trained by a single pony is strange, even in my home nation north of the barrier. My master though was… unique in her skill.”

“Yes but what was her qualifications? What institute did she come from and what test did she give you for mage status.”

Mordane frowned.

“She was taught by her master. The avatar of the Sun, princess Celestia Invictus.”

The pony snorted.

“If you say so Alicorn.” he trotted away leaving Mordane to stand among the chuckling crowd.

Mordane opened his mouth to retort, a snarl on his face, when he was interrupted.

The door in the back room slammed open. Out stepped a mare clothed in a completely different style to everypony he had met so far. Their clothes were far more simple and instead of cloaks based on fashion they barely wore anything at all. Iron and gold inlay clasp were impossibly laced around thier body, forcing Mordane to assume either magic was needed to remove them, or there were hidden points to break them apart.

“Dressed the same as ever.” High Lord Sparkle whispered tersely to himself. “Why is the princess here?”

 So, that is the princess

The mare was like marble carved from the stone itself. Her fur was a soft off white and as she walked it was with a fluid grace brought on from decades of practice. Her emerald green eyes stood out stark against her soft blue mane.

All in all she distinctly reminded him of Celestia but more inviting than threatening. What’s more, she was young. Nearly as young as he was from the looks of it.

As Mordane watched, the king appeared from somewhere and stepped in front of the princess.

“Princess Platinum.” he gave the slightest bow. “I do not remember, if I sent you an invitation to this little get together…”

“You did not.” She cut him off her eyes taking on a glint. “I do not require an invitation to attend a party in MY castle Fancy.”

The king seemed to bite back a snap reply, his face settling on returning the utter look of contempt.

“The castle is property of the crown which sits upon my head.”

“A crown that belongs to my family and which I will take back when I wed a suitable stallion.”

“And such a stallion doesn’t exist” King Fancy’s face relaxed and he gave a small smile.

“Hm!” The queen turned away and stuck her nose in the air. Her cohort of followers did the same and followed her as she made her way to one side of the room, by going down toward Mordane’s level, with the staircase opposite of the kings.

“Hmph.” the king grunted turning down his own staircase and heading to the other side of the room.

Mordane decided staying in the room center was perhaps the best option. However, the king didn’t give him that chance

“Mordane!” The king declared changing his tone and direction to meet the stallion.  His eyes glanced at the startled princess before returning to him.

Mordane faced the king and bowed.

“It is an honor to meet you again.” Mordane calmly replied.

“Indeed. I am grateful you came.” The king stopped in front of him and smoothly griped his shoulder “After all. I decided to throw this party for your sake.”

“I’m honored.”

Several ponies ears perked up and High lord Sparkles tail flicked slightly. King Fancy continued to speak but his voice was slightly too loud for private conversation.

“We are the ones honored to have such a powerful warrior to join our ranks. Our western mountain border is under pressure from our enemies. A strong hoof is needed to secure those lands.”

Mordane grinned and laughed with the Kings side of the room following. Behind him an aching silence could be felt from the princess's side.

“It would be grand to bring glory to the realm king Fancy.” Mordane replied.

“This one wonders if you could meet the duties of such a station.” High Lord Sparkle cut in.  Taking up even space between Mordane and the king. “After all. You wear the bell of a mage but we have not seen you take the test.”

“There is no need for that.” Fancy cut in. “I have seen his power for myself. In fact, why don’t you show them your strength.”

“Indeed.” The princess spoke stepping out from the crowd. “I’d be interested in seeing the power of a winged unicorn.”

“Powerful magical blood runs through my veins.” Mordane replied. “And my magic is limited by my cracked horn… I would be limited to war magic and that is not meant to be wielded in such a gilded hall.”

“It is acceptable” “Proceed anyso”

The king and princess glared at each other before turning back to Mordane.

“Very well…”

Mordane considered for a moment what to do, but soon came to a decision.

“Please step back.”

The king, princess and other ponies made a circle around Mordane. Several deciding to raise shields.

When Mordane tried to decide what to do. He made the decision to exclude the wind since it fell into the purview of the pegasi. Fire would be too dangerous. Water not interesting enough and there really wasn’t enough dirt to make anything larger then his head.

The princess was looking at him and Mordane was once again struck by her eyes and in that moment he had his inspiration.

It was bold, daring and frankly kind of nuts

 Well...go big or go home

Mordane reached into his satchel and pulled out ten gold coins and sat them on the ground. Then stood still and closed his eyes.

Deathly silence filled the room as Mordane slowly prepared himself mentally. This magic would be of a higher order, as such he would need a rune, support structure.

The unicorns around him suddenly felt a massive presence as Mordane will struck out and snared the energy around him. Candles went dark, the room chilled and the magical lights dimmed.

From across the room a wind spun up in a fireplace and raced across the room carrying with it ash, Mordane’s eyes opened and stared intently at the blackened coals as they flashed back to life. They quickly grew to glow white and burst into flames.

Gray ash burned away and smoke billowed off, but was contained as Mordane poured mana into the system.

His runes flashed to glow a dark red as the coals finally burned themselves out. Mordanes eyes furrowed and the lump fell to the ground among the coins.

His eyes remained locked as dust and other impurities were pulled from the still glowing coal.

 This is far easier than it was the last time I used that much power

Finally Mordane was left with a lump of white hot pure carbon. After staring at it for a few seconds the lump shrank to half the size before rapidly cooling.

The closest crowd gasped as a diamond was left behind and only the acquainted with the magic saw that the coins had melted and were flowing around the crystal.

A few moments later with a flash of light, a return of the lights and small crack, a gold necklace clinked to the floor.

Trotting over Mordane picked up the jewelry and examined it.

The diamond was clear and formed as a perfect sphere. In his hooves he could feel the purity and that it was indeed diamond.

The gold and other metals in the coins were wrapped together into a solid piece, thick and crude in design but sturdy and polished.

“Though it is barely befitting, this is for you my lady.”

The crowd broke out into cheers, stomping their hooves and sending up small sparks. High Lord Sparkle slowly smiled and locked eyes with Mordane. Ever so slightly he gave a slight tilt of the head.

Mordane felt a warmth flood up from his stomach as the princess reached out and accepted the necklace. She examined it and, much to his surprise lifted it over her head and down onto her neck.

“A worthy gift Stronghoof. What my stepfather says, is true. Let no one deny your noble blood for truly it must be of the strongest, to overcome the deficiency of your parentage.”

The joyous fire dampened significantly, but still he bowed low to her and then to the king, for good measure.

The king turned from frowning at the princess, to a smile as Mordane took heed to bow to him again. Stepping forward he spoke again.

“Indeed on this we can agree. I have seen the power of his blood. Truly he must be from the highest lineage. Stronghoof. I knew I was right to bring you here. Let me introduce you to your fellow nobility.”

The king stepped beside Mordane and over the next thirty minutes, the king introduced him to each of his followers. Mosts reactions were positive, congratulating him on the direct manipulation of three elements with his magic.

The grind of it began to wear on Mordane. Performing the mental gymnastics to try and memorize the hundreds of names was beyond him, but he at least was able to get a sense of the nobility.

Most were actually neutral as far as the princess and king go. He knew the ones who weren't, due to their reaction to the king. Being either to go so far as to congratulate the king on Mordane’s strength, or to ignore him save for bare courtesy.

Each one received a polite reply, but after a short time he began to notice statements mixed in, that seemed to be reaching for some reaction, or to remind the individual of some loyalty. A complement to the loyal, a veiled threat, or promise to someone against him. Soon though the king became embroiled in a polite discussion with several of his supporters. Mordane finally had a chance to to slip away.

“Sir Stronghoof?” One of the princess's gold wired clad tagalongs accosted him.

“Yes?” Mordane replied his brow furrowing. His wings were itching again.

“The princess would like to speak with you.”

Mordane swallowed, with his heart rate picking up again.

Following the pony he was lead through a side door and through a servant corridor. He only had a few moments to consider if this was some kind of veiled insult, before they left and stepped back into a main corridor. Shortly later they came up on a pair of doors.

“She is out there. Good day lord Stronghoof.”

“Good day.” Mordane watched for a moment as the pony left. Alone for the first time in  awhile he took a second to crack his wings which helped relieve the itching feeling in them and the odd hunger that was growing in his belly. A feeling he couldn’t place.

Opening the door he stepped out onto the patio. It was a small space built directly into a right angle of two walls and facing out of the keep. Hanging over the chasm and ocean far, far below.

The furnishing was simple, two padded chairs and a small table. On it were set two glasses and an absolutely ancient looking bottle.

She sat there a glass with a small splash of the liquid in hoof. She was floating a book in front of her that looked older than the wine.

“Please sit… Mordane was it?”

“Indeed.” Mordane glanced behind and closed the solid door. He sat down and reached over to pour himself a glass.

Her head snapped to him with a blank look. Those eyes made him want to take a dive off the balcony, but instead he continued to pour himself a drink.

“I am honored for your invitation.”

She gave a small smile and he felt himself relax.

His wings itched.

“What are you reading?” Mordane asked taking a sip of the wine.

“Properties of war magic, particularly this section from my memory on the thematic elemental limit. I assure you it is very dry.”

“The energy that one draws in from the world is shaped and selected, based on the shape of the container.” Mordane recited “Much as water fills and takes on the properties of the container it inhabits, so a mage's mana, is impressed on the world, like a sponge to act in the transfer of thaumic energy used to enact on the rules. The further one moves around the energy spectrum the less efficient. The thematic elemental limit is therefore set by the nature of the container.”

Princess Platinum's eyebrows raised as she closed the book and floated it down to the table.

“I’m surprised, both a practical and academic understanding of magic is a rare combination. Add onto that being a mercenary and being a winged unicorn… you’re unique Stronghoof.”

“That is what others tell me.”

“Must have been an interesting journey for a mercenary to be teaching himself the arts.” She said while stretching.

“Well I didn’t teach myself and I didn’t start out as a mercenary. In fact I was a student first.”

“What made you give it up?”  She  asked propping her head up with one hoof.

“I had my reasons to leave.”

“We all have our reasons.” She stretched and then sighed harshly. “This thing is so uncomfortable.”

Her horn lit up and in a flash she appeared two feet forward as her bow, cuffs and golden latius clanked to the ground before she floated them into a corner.

Free from its confines her mane began to wave in the ocean air and for a moment Mordane was distracted by the setting sun playing through her hair.

“What is it that I may help you with?” Mordane asked.

Platinum looked at Mordane, then giggled.

“Is Mordane’s time too precious to meet a princess?”

Mordane stood up and leaned against the side wall. He smiled and replied.

“Not at all. Is there anything you wish to ask?”

“Hmm, yes. Is it true you channeled the dark fortress matrix through yourself and into a transportation matrix?”

“Yes,” Mordane chuckled before taping his horn. “That's how I received this crack. Should heal soon though.”

The mare suddenly closed the gap between them causing Mordane to lean back for a sec before mentally correcting and leaning down for her to see instead. The mare looked up and down his horn with a careful eye.

“Its big.”

“Hm? Is it.”

“Yes, at least a half an inch longer than standard.” She reached out, but stopped before making contact. Her horn lit up and scanned it. “You should be healed between two to three months.”

“Indeed,” Mordane began “If tha-”

Mordanes wings were snapped open.

Mordane fought down the urge to strike the princess, as she stretched out his wings with her magic. Stepping closer she stared at it for a few seconds.

“Those are sensitive you know.” Mordane said. The mare let his wings loose shortly after.

“So tell me something Mordane. What are your plans?” She stepped back again and poured them both some drink.

“I’m going to make some money I think. I don’t think I’ll return to the party though. Even with the networking opportunity.”

“Oh? Tell me then Mordane. Where do you come from.”

Mordane moved to take a seat with her again. Giving a small smile.

“I come from Canterlot.”

“Canterlot?” The mare giggled leaning in closer “I suppose you're going to tell me you were taught by Celestia herself.”

“Oh no. By her student.” Mordane grinned “A young alicorn herself.”

“Oh my it sounds like there are many alicorns in the northern lands then.”

“Just four.” Mordane replied simply. ‘It's the reason I left. Celestia didn’t like the competition.”

The princess giggled and covered her mouth. Eyes dancing with mirth.

“Rather cold in the mountains?”

“Freezing. I had to fight some monster and skin it for its coat.”

Platinum burst out laughing and Mordane joined her. The mare setting down her glass, so as to not spill it.

“Tell me this. What does a princess like you, do for fun?”

Platinum laughter lowered to a chuckle before tossing her hair back and falling back into the chair.

“Study mostly. Few stallions are brave enough to see me.” She turned to grin at him. “You might get in trouble with my step father.”

“Trouble comes, trouble goes.” Mordane said nonchalantly. “Still I have enjoyed this talk. Though... if what you say is true I should just take the back way out.”

Mordane trotted over to the balcony edge. The princess eyebrows raising a bit.

“It would be a shame should you fall to your death. How about you meet me for dinner tomorrow instead? We can talk business. The Bright Star always maintains a table for me.”

Mordane paused a moment before replying.

“Sounds grand, should I meet you there at five?”

“Perfect.” She purred. “My servant can lead you out.”

“Oh, I think this would be good enough.” Mordane stepped up onto the ledge. The mare rose up to standing.

“There is only so far one should take a joke Mordane…”

“No joke princess.” Mordane replied turning and giving a small bow.

Mordane came up out of the bow and allowed himself to fall over the edge.

Platinum gasped and rushed to the edge just in time to see Mordane flip around and fly back up to her level.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“See you!”

Mordane flipped back around and dived toward the ocean to make a slow turn toward the harbor.

Platinum watched him fly away. Her eyes lighting up.

“Those wings, don’t even look half bad…” She whispered under her breath. Then giggled.
> Princesses, Kings and Men.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The ship swayed in the dock. Clouds let down their content and thunder clapped as ponies all over Herridon rushed to their hovels, palaces and homes. In his cabin Mordane sat across from his closest subordinates.

Trixie stood calmly in the swaying cabin, the rocking not affecting her in the slightest. Years on the rode in her cart had gotten her used to the subtle sway. One Eye though, he looked a bit pale. Occasionally taking  swigs from his flask he was grumbling under his breath.

‘So.” Mordane said “Herridon… From what you tell me there is a rebellion stirring in the... pit was it?”

“Yes,” replied Trixie “and the second level is called the midden, while the third is called the top.”

“The pit… lawless, brutally oppressed population surviving on the states handouts. A midden where ponies fight a war daily over mere blocks and a nobility steeped in succession conflict.”

“Might be better to just pull up and pull out.” Grunted One Eye. “The whole place is likely to catch fire anyday.”

“Trixie wonders, how the city could have stood as long as it has. Apparently this is standard for Herridon. It’s been like this for as long as Mortimer has been alive.”

Mordane sighed and leaned forward to rub his own forehead. He growled lightly under his breath and flexed his wings before grabbing the right one and sitting down before scratching it.

“I’ll leave the colt to you Trixie. Learn from him as much as you can and gain his loyalty.”

“I’ll do my best.” Trixie replied. “He is a good colt.”

“He’s got to be a tough little bastard to have survived here.” Cut in One Eye. “Still, he got you the iron through the blockade. Now we will be able to start training for the grunts.”

“I will be training them One Eye.” Mordane cut in. He took a moment to switch wings before continuing “You lack the… finesse.”

“At least the cargo sold well.” Trixie said looking into the cabin corner at the newly purchased chest. “How much gold do you even have now?”

“After our expenditures and cashing in the kings voucher, I sit at seventy thousand.”

“That’s enough to field an army for three months.” One Eye said.

“A small army maybe. It's not nearly enough…”

“Enough for what?” Trixie asked taking a seat beside Mordane and leaning in. “What are your plans Mordane?”

“Aye, what are your plans?” One Eye chimed. “What are we going to do about the Hoof and Sickle”

“And the nobility?” Trixie added “Who do we side with?”

“Who do we side with?” Mordane smiled. “My plans? Isn’t it obvious?”

Mordane stood and trotted over to the wall where a map of Herridon hung. He looked the map up and down for a moment before replying.

“We survive.”

As the lightning cracked, arching toward the top of Herridon again and again Ivy stood guard. The rain dripped down off her red hat and onto her wax dipped cloak, before rolling down to the ship deck.

Her eyes scanned the docks. Occasionally she would notice the same stallion trot by and take a good look at her and the ship.  An hour earlier she had seen a crate rushed from the docks with a dark cloak over it despite the illegality of offloading at this hour.

At the moment she could hear the croaking of frogs and the pitter patter of the rain on the curb as she looked up at the towering city over her.

She tightened her grip on her spear and readjusted her coat. Ready to spring into action when the time came.

______________________________________________________________

Trixie trotted down the road at a brisk pace. She was wearing a newly acquired dress. Black with blue trim and made of satin. Mordane had apparently picked it up for her and said it made her look professional. Trixie noted though how it seemed to… emphasises her curves with a small blush.

However, last night she had slept poorly. Her mind running in circles about what Mordane had said about the princess.

Beautiful had been the word used and it seemed to rattle in her mind even as she tossed and turned trying to sleep. It felt as if it was too hot. Trixie stomped off through the midden office. One of her tasks was to see what was holding up the repair of the left elevator.

Her mind though was still on Platinum.

 There is nothing to worry about. Mordane isn’t one to just… fall for some young harlot. He will just use her.

For the first time Trixie was feeling old. Her body wasn’t what it once was and the issue of their different ages was really sticking into her mind. She was ten years his senior and he was an alicorn! How could she compare to a princess?

Trixie shook her head, such thoughts were not right. After all she had no claim over Mordane. She had agreed to follow him and only him alone.

The office building was the only one made of stone. A great block building stretching into the heavens. It was also a total and complete mess.

Ponies, dressed the same way as the first tax collector she saw, were rushing in and out, delivering bags of coin, or stacks of paper. Ponies were standing in two lines, one for unicorns and another for ‘other’.  Once again she grimaced at the flagrant display of racism. However, a few moments later she frowned.

“Why are so many unicorns standing in the other line?” Trixie asked Mortimer.

“Hm? Oh. Many of unicorn ponies do a lot of business with ponies of other race. Many take the other line in protest to the division. We can just ignore them.” Mortimer said starting toward the unicorn line.”

“We are going to take the other line Mortimer.” Trixie said quietly.

“What?” Mortimer stopped and looked back at Trixie frowning “Why?”

“Because…” Trixie considered for a moment before responding. “Do you trust me?”

“Trust you? I suppose.” Mortimer said turning to face her. “If we take the other line it will take at least one hour more than it would normally.”

Trixie bit her lip. Juggling the two options.

What would Mordane want me to do?

What did she gain by going with the normal things.

“It just isn’t right Mortimer. I couldn’t take it.”

“Okay, if you say so Trixie.”

So the two of them trotted down the block and eventually found the back of the line. Waiting was excruciating, but shortly after arriving the ponies around them opened up.

“Huh, not many visiting unicorn don’t take the unicorn line. It's far faster than this one.” A pegasus said before looking at Mortimer. “And I’m even more surprised to see you here.”

“My teacher insisted.” Mortimer said before looking at Trixie.

“Teacher?” Asked another unicorn coming from behind. “Sensible teacher then. How did you get in with little Mortimer?”

“Miss Trixie. This, is Silver Quill. A stall owner in the midden.”

“It is my pleasure to meet you.” Trixie said giving a small hoof shake.

“The pleasure is mine. What brings you here today?”

“Questions, primarily, about why the elevator hasn’t been repaired.” Trixie replied.

Several ponies in front of them an earth pony with a jeweled collar snorted. Turning he motioned for the ponies between them to go ahead of them as he slipped back in the line to just in front of them.

“Precious Stone! Fancy meeting you here. Nice collar by the way.” Silver Quill said.

“Thank you. Cost me a lot of bits to get this thing. Still, I just heard your conversation and thought I might join.”

“You are most welcome.” Trixie said, giving a slight bow. “Though I’m surprised to see such a...unique collar.”

“You must not be from here. You might have heard free earth ponies are not allowed in the midden.”

“Yes, I had heard that.” Trixie lowered her voice “ A disgusting law.”

“Indeed, wrecks havoc on trade. Anyway if you bribe the right ponies you can become a ‘slave’ for a day to the Sparkle family.”

Silver quill chuckled.

“It's mighty expensive though. The paperwork both makes me a slave and frees me by days end. Quite useful.”

“Though only the wealthy can afford it.” Grumbled a passing pegasus.

“Indeed.” Silver quill said. “Going back to your reason for being here though. It would be best if you gave up on such a thing Missy. Sure you can acquire the elevator and permits cheaply, but ponies that try to repair it keep turning up dead.”

The two merchants sighed.

“You would need an army to protect it.”

Trixie smiled tossing her mane.

“It is good that I have access to an ‘army’ then.”

“Mercenaries are not allowed in the midden legally Miss Trixie. Nor are slaves allowed to have weapons.” He gave a small sympathetic smile.

“They are neither of those. They are ponies sworn to a lord of Herridon.”

Silver Quill and Precious Stone perked up. Their ears coming to attention as the both of them stopped slouching.

“A lord? Hmm, so a lord is making a move on the elevator. Bold.”

“Which player has ponies to spare though?” Precious grumbled, frowning and looking down.

Trixie made certain to portray no emotion, but her mind lit on fire.

 The midden divisions are between different nobles? They must be taking a cut from taxes! But, why would the royalty allow that?

“Sparkle?”

“Hmm, no, high lords don’t get involved directly. Perhaps Brightlight?”

“Gentleponies.” Trixie cut in. “I can tell you directly who my master is.”

Silver Quill raised an eyebrow and Precious Stone took a step closer.

“You may have heard of him.  Mordane Stronghoof.”

“Stronghoof?” Silver quill blinked a few times.

“Who's that? I don’t know him.”

“A totally new lord. First one in a hundred years I think? He is a pegacorn maybe?” Silver Quill said shaking his head “I don’t rightfully know a lot about him.”

“Pegacorn… wait. You don’t mean that Stronghoof? From the Tietus Arena? He’s here!?” Precious Stone hissed. “and a lord of Herridon? How in bloody Tartarus did that happen?”

“The king accoladed him and Stronghoof has many followers…” Trixie replied frowning.

“You know him Precious Stone?” Silver Quill frowned.

“Do I. You remember hearing about that Necromancer Mercenary half a year back? Blunted the Irona spear?”

“Him.” Silver hissed softly.

“Well, I’ve never seen him use necromancy.” Trixie cut in. “But he is a truly good magic caster and commander.”

“And you serve him.” Precious Stone inhaled sharply. “Well. That is a major surprise. I wonder what the king is thinking.”

“Who knows. Maybe the western border?” Quill continued. “Though I wonder what your… master Stronghoof is doing.”

“What else?” She asked, giving a small laugh “Profit. He is actually looking for… entrepreneuring ponies to do business with.”

“Well, if he doesn’t mind my other deals, with the ‘lesser’ races-”

“Mordane will do business with anypony that offers him reasonable terms.”

“Really.” Precious Stone said. “I think then it would be best if you and I had… a lunch if you would.”

“I would say that several of us… free agents would Precious Stone. As for your permit Trixie. I have enough favors to acquire it for you. Cut through the bureaucracy and all that. If you would join us for” He looked at Precious Stone “Dinner, at ‘The Dancing Mare’. If that is acceptable to you Stone.”

“Fine by me. Hmm, is your lord the one who acquired the warehouse in the midden?”

“Yes.” Trixie said with a smile.

“Then we should most definitely speak this evening. An ‘army’ would need food… I hope that you don’t really have an army there though.”

“We have enough to protect Mordane assets.” Trixie said. “You understand…”

“Of course.”

“Well then, my reason for entering this line is done. I hope you ponies have a nice day. I’ll see you this evening.”

“Good day to you Miss.”

“Good day.”

Trixie gave a slight nod to the two stallions before trotting off and around the corner. Mortimer trailed slightly behind.

“And that, is why you don’t take the unearned privilege.” Trixie grinned.

________________________________________________________________

Scritching, itching and now burning Mordane scratched on his wings, a few feathers falling to the floor as he paced.

Tonight he would be meeting the princess, but right now that wasn’t the main problem. On his mind was the training of his ‘soldiers’.

Without magic and this would be a first time that he would teach anyone about anything. Sure he had given direction before, but this was wholly different. Here he would be taking ponies with no skill and turning them into a blade to be wielded against his enemies.

He had to do this without magic to protect himself. Trixie would succeed in her task, One Eye in his. He would need to do his.

Inhaling deeply he took a moment to calm himself.

“Mr Stronghoof?” Mordane looked down at the little colt in a snap.

“Yes?”

“I gotta go potty.”

“...Sigh.”

Mordane looked around the room at the dozen little colts and fillies he was keeping caroled while the pony whose name he couldn’t remember was out getting food.

“Well then you’ll need to go in the pail in the corner.”

Mordane sighed again.  He really hoped that the colt didn’t miss, otherwise he wouldn’t be able to move it so easily.
_________________________________________________________________

One Eye frowned. The task Mordane had given him wasn’t to his liking and the colt was still not strong enough to fight. It made his old bones creak.

It was a simple task really. ‘Go to the mines and see how they do business’.

Personally this whole idea of Mordane’s sounded fishy, how was this steam engine supposed to help anyway?

Whatever the reason One Eye would comply. Though he was starting to get irritated. Soon he would want to fight him again, or at least, some other kind of strong opponent.

He took off toward the west side of the city where most mines were kept. He ignored the ponies sitting on the street side. Several were laying on their sides clutching their stomachs. Once he passed the slums and got closer to the actual mines the streets began to improve. At first it wasn’t easy to say why it was so, but several were kept in better shape. More windows and fewer broken ones. Guards actually seemed to walk at steady pace at greater ease.

The mines themselves ran along the huge mountain face that the city ran up against. It took up almost half way around the city to meet with the walls. Spaced every thousand feet, or so would be another entrance. One Eye just followed the rode. Realizing that it curved to match the mountain.

Something about the place was nagging him, though he couldn’t pin it.

However, the first mine on the road caught his attention. It didn’t take long to realize that the great wooden doors over the entrance were barred shut. After the mines were closed they had converted the yard in front to an auditorium. A large platform was set against the recessed entrance forming a impromptu amphitheater. Ponies were sitting on haphazard outcroppings and standing in the aisles looking to the ponies on stage.

A group of six guards flanked them with their wing knives and light shields equipped. Their eyes scanning the crowd as a pampered unicorn standing in the center of them, was reading from a scroll. One look at him, immediately brought to mind what Mordane had said some of the nobility dressed like.

“Bloody hell, it's worse than I imagined.” One Eye cocked an ear. He had just heard something that caught his attention.

“-with the declining output and rising costs cited before, lord Bright Star has decided to close mine 34.”

The crowd roared and booed. Sneering the guards closed in around the unicorn as globs of what One Eye hoped was mud were thrown toward the stage.

“You can’t do that to us!”
“What are we just suppose to starve now!?”
“Greedy bastards!”

“Leave the area!” Shouted one of the guards.

One Eye stuck close to the wall on the opposite side of the street, not getting involved and observing only.

Suddenly from the crowd a flaming ball flew and impacted one of the pegusi bursting him into flames. His screams mixed with the attackers who shouted.

“Death to the King and Princess!” “Down with the unicorn hegemony!” “For the working earth pony!”

Five ponies charged the stage throwing short spears. Two missed, one impacted on a guard's shield, another was hit in the face causing him to drop like a stone. Even as his comrades fell the last one with a spear jumped toward the hole and impaled the shocked unicorn.

The whole crowd scattered, any stragglers in the area got nicked by the guard as they chased them off. One Eye himself took off down the road passing more mines.

“Sun Tyrant, another Equalist attack.” Cursed a pony running beside him. “There's going to be a drop in rations for this.”

“This happen a lot?” One Eye grunted.

“Yeah,” the stallion earth pony said his eyes narrowing on One Eye “it does. The Equalists have a good amount of support. There is an attack at least once a month. You back in Herridon, Keen Eyes?”

One Eye blinked he hadn’t heard that name in years. An echo from his past sung out suddenly. The pony before him seemed familiar.

“Yes... Looking into the mines.” He frowned. “Do I know you?”

The pony snorted.

“It's me! Peperstep? We used to run water to the mine ponies together.”

One Eye nearly gasped. Yes he could remember, the other colt he had run with had a green coat.

“So I grew up here? Forgot where here was. Could have sworn it was a town.” One Eye muttered. “I did leave young though… Got too hungry.”

Pepystep laughed “These times there isn’t any work to be had that isn’t worse than what a slave gets. Names Bounty now by the way and yes, I am aware of how ironic that name is.”

“Heh, considering where you are. Well then, where are you headed?”

“I’ll need to go home… if you got coin I know where we can purchase dinner cheap. A room for the night will be in it for ya.”

One Eye grunted an affirmative and followed the pony to his home.

“Oh by the way, its One Eye now.”

___________________________________________________________________

Trixie was sitting in Starlights workroom drinking some of the local water. She found the fresh water refreshing. It had been some time since she had drinked it unmixed with mead. Swirling the glass for a moment her lips curled up as she took a long and satisfying sip.

“I actually maintain my own distillery. It's better than sending servants out all the time. Expensive though.”

“I imagine so.” Trixie replied. “Still, this is refreshing. I have found a great amount of stress from working with my patron.”

“Indeed? This, lord Stronghoof? What does he compensate you with if I may ask?” Silver Quill asked.

“Nothing at all.” Trixie smilled.

“Oh?” Starlight paused. Her horn stopping her cup mid move with her horn.

“Well obviously not nothing.” Trixie smiled. “It's more on a anticipatory variety for now.”

“That must be” Giggled Starlight. “I would be able to find a place for you in my organization…”

“Stop that Starlight” Laughed Silver Quill. “Still though, I must insist. Why do you follow him?”

Trixie paused before floating her cup down to the table and standing up. She walked around to the back of her chair then leaned over it.

“He… is like no pony I have ever met.”

“Oh?” Starlight asked. Her eyes darkening slightly. “Tell me about him.”

“Well. He is just somepony you wish to follow. Everywhere I’ve seen him go he has done amazing things. He is strong, talented and insightful. From what I heard he is also great at magic.”

“What you heard?”

“Yes, well he can use war magic, but for the whole time… well about half a year I’ve known him his horn has been on the mend. Still has some way to go, but don’t think that means he is helpless. His war magic is something to behold.”

“Heh,” Grunted Precious Stone. His collar now gone. “I’d enjoy seeing that someday.”

“Yes, still though you spoke of some task Mordane set for you earlier?”

“Ah, well Mordane needs the assistance of several… discrete blacksmiths and woodworkers if he is to repair the elevator.”

“I know just the ponies.”

________________________________________________


“After finishing these exercises you can take a break.” Mordane said to the twelve ponies sweating before him. Currently doing pushups and wingups.

For the last four hours he had been working on basics with them. Real muscle and focus building exercises.

He was having them taking frequent breaks and hearty meals.

Frankly it was easy training.

Something to start with and slowly, he would raise them up to military qualifications. Trotting over to Ivy he gave a small smile.

“You did good.”

“Thank you sir.” Her fur was slightly damp, though she wasn’t breathing hard. “Is this as hard as we are going to go?”

“Pretty much, I don’t want to push you ponies too hard. Keep a watch on the place. I have a dinner to catch.” He turned to the other ponies “You have fun.”

“Will do sir!” She grinned.

Mordane Spread his wings and flew up and out the window.

“Bloody hell, that was tough.” groaned one of the other ponies. Sitting down on the floor he groaned. “I could use a drink.”

“That sounds great.” Spoke up a mare stretching.

“I suppose some drinks wouldn’t be a huge problem…” Ivy mumbled.

_______________________________________________________________

One Eye sniffed.

He reached behind his ear and scratched. Somepony sneezed making him start a little.

“Would you like some more bread?”

“Err, no thank you.” One Eye responded frowning. His hooves hugging close to himself. The house he was in had only one room. It was a moderately large room but not enough to make a comfortable house for the extended family living  there.

Parents, children, their wives and their children. Twenty ponies were meant to live, bathe and sleep here. Beds lined the walls, some on top of others ready to be spread around. Bounty sat down next to him.

“Eat up, Keen Eyes- err I mean One Eye. Sorry about that.” he grimaced. “How did that happen anyway?”

“Got it when I got this.” One Eye said tapping his cloak where his mark was covered. “To be honest though. I don’t rightly remember you that well Bounty.”

“I’d imagine not… One Eye. I've heard your name before I think…”

“Yes, I was in the arena in Tietus until shortly.”

The room around them quieted slightly. One Eye smiled and took a drink of water while ignoring them.

“It was good work. Fightings about the only thing I’m good at.” One Eye continued. “What about you Bounty. Last thing I remember was waving goodbye to you. Though it's pretty fuzzy.”

“Well. After you decided to leave I kept running water in the mines. Made some more friends and eventually picked up a mining position. That was until about five years ago when I got my mark. I helped organize a strike and it just appeared.”

He leaned up and showed a flank with a silhouette of many ponies standing in a circle with one pony in the center.

“Hmm, well it's a good mark.”

“Where did you go One Eye?” Bounty asked pouring some more oats into his bowl.

“...Away.” One Eye mumbled looking down at his food. “I went away and I didn’t look back. Ended up forgetting much of what happened. I left so young.”

“Well, such things are easily forgotten over time…”
The whole crowd was watching them causing One Eye to scrunch his nose.

“Ah.” One Eye snorted. “What's to be said. I went out into the hills… I mined for iron. I lost an eye and found my real talent.”

One Eye motioned to his flank.

“What is you mark again.”

“Oh…” One eye reached back and shifted his leather padding. “Means fighten.”

The picture was of a hoof punching through stone.

“That's pretty interesting. Never seen one like that.”

He smiled and the room began to speak again.

One Eye suddenly felt a profound respect for his old comrade. It passed from his mind though as they passed him a bottle of grog.

_____________________________________________________________

Arriving precisely one minute before their appointment Mordane walked into the Bright Star dinner in his best cloak. He found himself worrying it might be considered rude for wearing the same cloak to greet her even though this would be only the second time he had worn it. Pushing that and his militia training method out of his mind he focused on the now.

The restaurant was made from a tree grown and shaped into the shape of a building, complete with windows and doors, while the inside was dotted with stone fire basins and lined with alcoves.

“Stronghoof.” Mordane said to the waiter who gestured for Mordane to follow. Quickly he was lead through the dining hall and to a corner table where she was waiting for him.

This time she wore nothing save the necklace he had made, her green eyes were looking at him as he approached. Her coat was finely groomed and contrasted well with their stone and fire lit setting.

As he slid into the booth he felt the tingle of spell work splash over him and the dull notice of the restaurant become even more indistinct.

“A spell of silence, though it also seems to muffle?”

“Yes, I myself am not sure how the owner has it on every booth, it bothers me every time I am here. How are you Mordane.” She said smiling. “I hope you don’t mind that I ordered for us.”

“Not at all.” Mordane replied with a smile taking a moment to rip off a small piece of bread. “I have spent most of the day concerning myself with business.”

“Oh? I’m sure you’ve found much difficulty.” She replied, “I’d be surprised if the king doesn’t ask me to dip into the royal finances, again.”

“Of course it is not easy, though I have some ideas. I’m sure you will hear of them soon.”

“I cannot wait.” She replied with a small grin. “Though if you would tell me… perhaps I could be persuaded to financially invest.”

Mordanes eyebrows raised slightly. He took a drink and looked at the table for a moment.

“All right.” He said looking her in the eyes. “I intend to purchase Harcooth mine.”

She paused momentarily.

“Harcooth mine? I was to believe that it cannot produce any more iron.”

The princess rests her elbows on the table, hooves on her cheeks as she leans over the table, smiling at him. “Unless you're hiding something from me~”

“Of course. Secrets are the machinations of power, are they not?”

“Oh~ but too many can weigh a pony down. Surely you have those who you rely on that can keep secrets, right?” She leans back, taking a sip of her red wine, regarding him from the corner of her eyes.

“Having the power to know what secrets should be revealed, also leads to a layer of mystery. Mystery is quite exciting, I find.” She smiles, her eye half lidding.

“It makes the reveal all the more wonderful.”Mordane smiles.

Despite himself he finds that the tension inside of him loosens.

“Hmm, I suppose so. Very well I'll give you a tidbit.” He leans in close, but just before he speaks, she scoots around to be sitting right next to him. Her cheek rubs against his.

He swallows and whispers.

“I have access to a technology from my homeland that can remove the water from the mine far faster than any group of unicorns and can bring down air as well.”

“How amazing,” she reaches for a fork, idly taking a bite of his food, looking down with the same, knowing smile.

“Perhaps I could provide you with the funds for your endeavor… But such thing are never free, are they.” She bites down and swallows, leaning forward to stare into his eyes.

“How would you help me?”

Mordane considered the question, just how could he help her. Judging from her demeanor though, he assumed she already had something in mind.

Platinum stayed still next to him, not bothering to return to her side of the booth and Mordane found that he didn't mind so much, the invasion of his personal space.

“Money of course, but what would that be to you? Beyond that, I'm not sure your stepfather will be easy for me to influence any time soon…”

The mare leans forward, practically leaning on him as her breath escapes, blowing on his nose, her eyes half lidded.

“Sounds like a deal… but there is one other thing I would like.” She brings their noses together, a hoof to keep his face turned to hers, eyes intensely staring at him.

"I want you."

Mordane flushed as his heart sped up to a jackhammer pace.

His mind spun, like it was thrown into a cotton candy machine.

Her acceptance and where they were spilled right out of his mind leaving only the words branded in neon in his mind.

I want you.

“I must assume.” Mordane replied. “You don't mean politically.”

The mare leans back, turning to head back to her side of the table. Her tail flicks his face lightly, watching him with sly amusement from the corner of her eyes. “You're a smart stallion. I'm sure you can figure it out.” She sits down and leans forward. “I want you. Right beside me on the throne.” Her eyes close halfway, giving a sweet smile. “As a king of Herridon.”

Mordane in that moment felt as if his senses had been catapulted into space.

Over a course of few seconds, his mind tried to reorient and process what was happening.

He took in all that he knew about Herridon, the queen, the king, the rebels, Herridon culture, tradition and tried to create a model for how this situation could possibly have come to be. Surprisingly it quickly started to take shape in his mind.

“I expect, that your stepfather would have something to say about… us.”

A soft breath escapes her, and she pokes at her food.  “Yeah, tell me about it.” She rolls her eyes. “If it wasn't treason. I'd kill him myself. But you know how politics are.” She takes a bite, looking away in mild irritation.

“I have all this knowledge and nothing to use it for. I'm so bored~.”

“Are you not interested?” She asked firmly pressing herself up against him.

“I'm…” Mordane coughed and glanced around, “interested. I'm just trying to understand… why me?”

“Hrm,” she idly taps her chin. “You mean the Great Mordane, can't decipher little ol’ me~?”
Mordane burst out laughing.

“It’s true, I must admit… you’re a mystery to me.”

“Doesn't that… interest you?” She smirks. She snuggled into him looking up. Her voice gaining a slight upturn.

“Admit it, you are drawn like a moth to a flame, questions unanswered~”

“No.” Mordane shook his head.

She brings her eyes close to his, leaning forward as if to kiss, but draws back at the last moment, reaching for her glass. “Oh~”

“N-No! I'm interested in you.” Mordane said quickly, his heart tensing up. “I just… I'm not into mystery. I prefer the truth. If I have a mystery then… well I can't trust anything that I don't understand.”

She looked at him questioningly.

"Mmmmn~ And you yourself admit the importance of secrets~” She smiles, eyes half lidded.

“My secrets and certainly not with someone who would be my… wife.”

She sighed leaning back against the chair.

A tiny bell jingled before a flash of light deposited their first course.

A variety of fruits and vegetables from all over the world was laid out before them.

Reaching up she plucked a cherry and threw it whole into her mouth. The stem still sticking out she hold it there for a few moments before pulling it out seed still attached.

“My stepfather is a fool.” She says suddenly. Her voice taking on a sharp edge. “He sees to it that every eligible stallion has been wed off in the whole of the kingdoms nobility.”

“Mother died… suddenly when I was very young. She wasn't around to teach me how to say no to him… It went on for years with him leading the kingdom through these dark times. I respected him, admired him a little even.” She looked into Mordane’s eyes, hers beginning to tear up. “It was only when he insisted I marry his first wife’s son, that I realized what he intended. He, wishes to destroy the matriarchy and have the kingdom pass down his line.”

She wipes her eyes and quickly shrugs, giving a smile. “It helps that you're cute too.”

“And smart.” She begins to list off. “And dangerous and the irony of the king bringing in the pony to dethrone him, and x, and y, and z.” She poked him in the nose. “Truly you are a perfect candidate for a king. One might think you were trained for it.”

“I am a lowborn how-”

“No one would deny the noble blood of an alicorn.”

She giggled.

Reaching over she began to stroke his wing sending shivers up his spine.

“I am an alicorn.” he said quietly. “That means that I will live forever you know.”

She giggled.

“I’m not actually stupid enough to believe in those legends.”

She leans up to whisper into his ear. “Besides. I would love to ride you… as you fly through the clouds.” Her tongue goes out to lick his ear and she sits back, taking a bite of her food. “Well, there it is. I have no more secrets.” She smiles. “I want you. You're smart, handsome, and of noble birth. I might not get another chance like this.”

“It's my most advantageous move.”

___________________________________________________________________

Mordane took to the sky with his cheeks burning. His heart beating like a jackhammer and the itch in his wings rising to a fever pitch.

That bitch is crazy

Ascending quickly he rose up to the chilly cloud layer, Its cool air condensing on his wings. He came slowly to a stop as his beating wings pushed against less and less air. Before slowly turning back to the planet.

Mordane dropped low and fast. He was like a dart by the time he crossed over the bay. He breathed in deep and reveled in the wind and his speed.

It felt so right to him to fly, it was too bad, that circumstances generally gave him little reason to.

Mordane wasn’t alone for long, two pegasi flew out, to intercept him as he came around the mountain. After passing close Mordane slowed. Luckily it was the two guards who had transported him in the first place.

“My lord. You didn’t have to, I mean you may.”

“Nothing to be ashamed for captain.” Mordane said turning upside down to face him as they continued to travel. “Just felt like taking a short fly. The updrafts are quite good here are they not?”

“Y-yes sir.” The captain replied recovering quickly from the shock. “It is just that…”
“You thought my wings were vestigial? I’m not surprised.”

“No sir, it's just that the laws were written… well without someone like you in mind sir.”

Mordane and the two guards came to a hover a few feet apart. The two guards bobbing up and down as Mordane floated, wings fully extended.

“Though I must say your control is… amazing. I can feel the wind flowing around you.”

“Thank you.” Mordane replied with a smile. “I learned from a dragon.”

The two let out a chuckle before realizing he was being serious.

“A dragon? I heard you killed a dragon.”

“Yes I did. The same dragon that taught me. She was my last master. Told me of the great wind. Before then I used unicorn magic to fly.” Mordane snorted. “Even through war magic it was terribly inefficient. Still, it makes flying the correct way far easier. It’s far better suited to the task anyway.”

The guards grinned at him.

“I never thought I’d hear a unicorn say that, err winged unicorn either.” He laughed.

“I’m no winged unicorn.” Mordane said matter of factly. The guards eyes all widened slightly. “Perhaps a story I will tell someday. For now, I was wondering, how are the conditions in the military?”

“Very good sir.” All three said immediately. Their eyes though told a different story.

“Hm, I’d imagine working under unicorn supremacists would be taxing.”

“Not at all, the unicorn races rightful place is above the sky.”

The faces of the guards flashed blank.

“Of course…” Mordane replied. “Still, the law is the law. I shall not fly anymore without proper permits?”

“That is correct sir though you would need to be uhh… moving mail, or other ponies.”

“Regardless” Mordane smiled “I will follow the law.”

Tipping his hat Mordane angled and flew down to a dinner to meet Trixie and One Eye.

__________________________________________________________________

The Cafe was right on main street near the docks. Ready to serve those workers from the ships who couldn’t go to the second level through birth, or coin.

“Truly this… lord Mordane isn’t a monster? I mean no offence.” Precious Stone said quickly.

“That is quite alright my friend. Mordane is the kind of pony many are afraid of. He is a skilled fighter, that is true, however he isn’t a brute.” She said pausing to take a sip of wine. “You should enjoy meeting him.”

“Still, I’m surprised he would even want to meet somepony like me.”

Trixie smiled.

“You maintain control of many of the pit’s markets, you have done business with nobles before.”

“Well yes.” He said quickly. “Though usually I act more through an intermediary. To be frank that is what I thought you were.”

“And I am. Mordane though wouldn’t wish to do business with anypony he hasn’t met at least once.” She reached up and poured a bit more wine into her glass.

“Trixie.”

Trixie and Precious Stone turned to see One Eye and Bounty trot up to the table.

The two guest looked at each other. Precious Stone’s eyes widening slightly at the sight of Bounty who only gave a firm nod of acknowledgement.

“Do you two know each other?” Trixie asked while giving One Eye a slight frown.

“Oh yes. Bounty and I often find ourselves on… opposite sides of negotiations.”

“What he's saying is that I serve the interest of a collection of miners and he is occasionally hired to negotiate on behalf of a nobles to high and mighty speak to us.”

“Indeed.” Precious Stone said. “Miss Lunamoon, are you… associated with this individual.”

“It seems my compatriot One Eye is. I have never met mr. Bounty though.” She frowned “Why, may I ask, is he here?”

“I thought he could answer some of Stronghoof’s questions.”

“Well, if any Herridon Pony can it would be Bounty.” Precious said giving a small strained smile to the pony in question.

Bounty just continued to glare at Precious Stone until there was a flutter just in the street.

Several ponies looked up, before a few gasped as Mordane landed softly. Folding his wings and brushing the mane from around his horn he smiled at the few gawking at him.

“Trixie. One Eye. It is good to see you. I see you brought friends.” He grinned trotting up to the group.

Trixie raised an eyebrow, but gestured to her gust.

“Lord Stronghoof, this is Precious Stone. A fine merchant who operates a large trading hub in the midden.”

“And there e’re is Bounty. He's the leader of the mining Unions. Good pony, He’s interested in speaking with you about getting a few hooves…”

“I’m glad to hear it.” Mordane said. “And I’d be glad to speak with you as well Precious Stone though my schedule hardly allows for it.”

“Keeping busy?”

“Always. The nobility, princess and King are all trying to set up some meeting, or another.”

“Oh...Well I could work out the details with Lady Trixie…”

Mordane smiled.

“She has my complete confidence. Please help her in her task. Our understanding of Herridon is rather limited…”

Precious Stone grinned nodding his head like a bobbing toy.

“It would be my pleasure… though.” He asked head coming to a stop and ears dropping. “I wanted to ask, there were some rumors that you know… necromancy?”

Bounty frowned and looked at Mordane whose mouth drew into a line.

“Yes. I am knowledgeable in it, though I prefer to not use it.”

Precious Stone paled.

“O-Oh, well- it would be my pleasure to work with your servant my lord.” He swallowed.

Mordane nodded again and wished Precious Stone a good day as he left.

“Mr Bounty was it?”

“Yes.” The earth pony said, keeping his face flat.

“I wish to hire some ponies in a month for a new mining operation. Mr One Eye will be overseeing it. I was hoping you could show him the ins and outs of mine operations.”

“Okay. I can do that.” Bounty nodded his head. “Plenty of ponies need work. Not a lot of it, since mines started closing”

“Hopefully I can help ease that problem.” Mordane shook his hoof and exchanged a few more pleasantries before Bounty excused himself.

“Well, that went well. You two come with me. I’d like some updates if you have any.”

Trixie and One Eye nodded. One laying down the bits for the food and grabbing the wine bottle to bring with them.

As Mordane made his way with his companions they informed him about what happened. The ponies they passed took note of him, many choosing to vacate the street.

“Your childhood friend?” Mordanes wings shuffled and his eyebrows rose.

“Apparently. I do kinda remember somepony from back then and there is something about Herridon that rings a bell.”

“Interesting and Trixie-”

Mordane cut short. Something seemed off, for a few seconds he couldn’t place it. Then he noted the few ponies streaming past. They were carrying some small kegs with the corks drawn out.

Many would suddenly take sharp turns down alleys when seeing him. Others though would grin and give salutes.

Mordane picked up the pace. Something was wrong. The wind began to pick up and rain fell.
His wings itched. His hooves ached.

Trixie and One Eye were pelting after him. Both understanding that something was wrong if Mordane was running like this.

Turning the corner Mordane slowed to a trot and came to the door.

In his chest he could feel a spark.

“Oh no.” Trixie whispered.

Sitting next to the doorway was the colts and fillies. Huddling close to the building. Their ears drooping as little rivetes of rain dripped off.

Over them stood Firm Orange. His eyes ragged. Slowly Mordane walked up to them. He could hear someone talking to him but the beating in his heart seemed to echo out any other sounds.

He quickly put together what had happened.

Beside him a pony was trotting out of his building carrying a cask. The various looks on the street and sayings meant he had been exposed in some way publically.

Looking up he could see a poster.

Looking for fighters

The illustrious Stronghoof is looking to recruit fighters

If interested see inside!

Welcoming party tonight!

The red paint was fresh. It had dripped in a few places.

His mind fit it together like a puzzle.

His recruits, they must have done this. Inside he could hear the partying still going. Perhaps they had grown overconfident. Taking a mile with a little give.

‘Have a drink’ he had said. For a moment he wondered what Ivy had done with this.

He was just making his foreway into this new city and these fools had already fucked it up.

“Mordane.” He twitched as Trixie hoof contacted him. Blinking he realized the colts and fillies were now cowering. Orange stood between them red eyes and blistering fear etched into his very form.

“Be quiet Trixie.” Mordane growled.

“But, your horn.”

“I said be quiet.” He snapped to her, small arcs curled around his broken horn “I’ve already made a mistake today. So be silent.”

She stared into his burning eyes for a second before backing up, her ears drooping.

“Take your coin and rent a room. See to it these colts and fillies are warm, well fed and out of the rain. One Eye.”


“Whatever you say, Stronghoof” One Eye said nervously. His eyes looking to a nearby alley shiftly.

“Escort them. Both of you return shortly.”

Mordane stood there as Trixie coaxed out the stallion and then her and One Eye went down the road.

His rage only had time to froth and boil until they returned. He listened to the laughing and carrying on inside with utter contempt.

Slowly though the rage in him began to harden and solidify into solid thoughts.

He had only been here for two days after arriving from Tietus. He had assumed that these ponies would understand that he could crack their skulls like eggs. Perhaps they had rationalizations. Perhaps they had reasons.

He didn’t care.

Slowly he stepped into the door with them behind him.

The inside was exactly as he had expected from the noise. Bottles and cases, blocks of cheese, bread and other food sat atop boxes.

Thirty or so ponies were in the warehouse. Some danced, others were eating with mirth. Most were around a few mares on tables.

The mares had straps on their hips clearly stating their profession as clearly as a neon sign.

He scowled and looked over the crowd. None seeming to realize he was there. Turning he looked back at his office and was not surprised to see Ivy Green standing watch over it. A scowl on her face.

She bowed her head slightly and Mordane returned it before looking back at the crowd.

Taking a deep breath he paused and steeled himself

“What a sorry bunch of ingrates you are.” he said. His voice coming out with an acidly razor edge.

The whole room quieted and the mares stopped dancing. Some looked on a bit confused. Others with fear.

Slowly, Mordane walked forward. Mentally holding himself in from bucking the face of each stallion he passed.

“We arrived in this city the day before last. Not two weeks ago, many of you saw me fight in the arena.” He turned and looked around slowly his wings raised threateningly. “How much, have you spent?”

He stood there expectantly. Eyes glaring from one pony to the next.

“About... twenty… thousand.” Mumbled one stallion.

“Twenty thousand. Counting here. I see thirty two ponies. Many of you coming in after reading that asinine advertisement outside. That works out to six hundred odd bits a pony.” his eyes focused on a stallion he didn’t recognize. “You. How much did you earn last year about?”

“Ah, Ah don’t rightly know.” said the stallion. “I earned about ten bits a week in the mines.”

“Ten bits.” Mordane said tersely. “ Which means you spent a years wages on this.”

“Hey, I wasn’t- I mean we weren’t-”

Mordanes horn sparked. Causing the stallion to silence himself. Seeing that the stallion wasn’t going to say anything Mordane inclined to.

“You did. What then am-”

“Ah what did yah expect us to do.” spoke up a stallion Mordane recognized. Stepping forward. “We joined your band to go out raiden, not to guard some warehouse.”

“I remember you.” Mordane said matter of factly. “You spoke during the ship riot. Did you lead these ponies here?”

His chest puffed out as he stomped up to Mordane and glared back at him right at eye level. Responding he kept the same shouting tone.

“Darn right I lead the ‘riot’ on that barge you called a ship. Right starved to death. I didn’t need to get any of these ponies to do anything. We needed some liqueren after seeing what you have turned out to be.”

Mordane looked away from the stallion, still frowning and at the other ponies.

“Is this the way you all feel? I’m not meeting your expectations?”

Most ponies looked away, or down at the floor, some slightly nodding. The stallion in front of him though shook his head vigorously seeming to not hear the low warning in Mordanes tone.

“Of course not! You’ve been setting up some kind of business of all things. I can speak for everypony here when I say that you should have done something! I’ve never even see you cast a spell. What kind of Necromancer can’t cast spells?”

“You are on dangerous ground.” Trixie sneered. Several of the ponies looking back and forth at them. Some frowning in consideration.

But the pony didn’t seem to notice his words.

“I bet you’ve been lying all along. Your no magic caster. Your no warlord…”He grinned “And I bet you’re no alicorn either! Your just a- a.” He gulped.

The stallion stopped and stuttered... Mordanes horn arched with power. Around him an ethereal wind began to blow. The crack in his horn spewed lightning. Little arcs of it began to impact his skin and the ground leaving burn marks. Mordane didn’t seem to care.

“Alicorn?” He said quietly. “Necromancer. Perhaps I should show you what that means.”

Mordane snarled and the sparks all arched to just at his horns tip.

A wall of mana blasted out.

Trixie didn’t have even a moment to react. The wall hit her and she felt a push that was not a push.

The wind coming off Mordane didn’t ruffle her fur, or blow her back. Instead her eyes dimmed to black and then back to light again. But strangely she was staring at the back of a mares head. Then she realized her legs were INSIDE the mares back.

Then she recognized the mare.

Trixie screamed. They all screamed and cried as their souls were pushed out of their bodies. The unicorns reached for some form of protection. Some method of protecting themselves but there was no energy free within their range.

Only One Eye seemed to have resisted it. His soul’s hair barely sticking out before being sucked back into the gritting stallion.

Their bodies stood eyes glazed over. In the state they were in, each pony could see the flow of power arching into Mordane. His magic radiating from his body and the dark shadow that hung over it.

Slowly their souls slipped back into their bodies. All chose to collapse to the floor. One Eye included.

The single pony that had spoken to Mordane shook and shivered as he approached. Reaching out he placed a hoof on him.

“This is not all.”

Again Trixie felt a pressure.This time though she anchored her soul with a quick spell. Only to realize that this was not necromancy. She felt a presence in her heart and mind as if a finger had come out and touched her mind with its own.

Know Me

For a moment she could feel Mordanes mind. Like the flash of a hot oven opened she mentally shied away.

Mordane breathed the power in. It had been far too long. It seemed to roll and coil around him. Sharper than before. Or perhaps he had simply been without it for too long. It washed over him and his wings like itch cream over a rash.
Then the discord. The broken frequency of his power echoed in his skull. He had very little time.

Quickly he weaved a spell. A key to an old lock he had made many decades before.

And suddenly he was free.

It was so much easier than all those years before. Reaching out he touched all the minds in the room.

Fear. Chest pain. Stupor.

The sensations and feeling flowed past him, but his mind didn’t pay attention. Instead quickly bringing himself to barge on the pony who had dared. The knowledge flowing out of the panicking stallions mind, into his own and then out to everypony in the room.

He spoke without speaking. His mental voice sounded deeper and more mature than his physical one. Throwing into stark contrast his younger frame once again.

“You are afraid Firm Stride. Your parents?” He said despite never hearing the name. “Ah, two poor farmers. Your siblings? Dead. I can see that. Ahhh, your sister. You fancied her?”

The stallion stuttered and blushed unable to answer Mordane, or pull away.

“You never acted on it though. For the best. I can understand an unnatural hunger. I feel it myself all the time. Like a thirst you cannot quench, or a hunger you cannot fill. It gnaws at you… no? just me. Well then see this.”

Mordane projected an image of the moments before inhabiting his body and the feeling of birth. The words of his parents.

He showed the death of Star Charmer and his acceptance as Twilight's student. Him bowing low and she stared down at him.

He showed Luna, causing all the ponies of the southern lands hearts to jump in recognition as he showed her flying through the moonlight.

And he showed Celestia, pursuing him eyes intent. Burning hot like the sun.

Slowly though his power faded. Along with the spell and his mind wrapped back into its cage.

Swaying Mordane looked over the crowd with one eye closed.

“I am Mordane Stronghoof. I am an alicorn. Do you deny this?”

The dozens of ponies quickly shook their heads gasping now through their dry mouths.

“Yet you have stolen from me. Perhaps set me back. You want glory? Wealth? I will give you these things. Though no more, the easy way.”

Turning he marched back to his office stopping just before it.

“You have taken from me and so I will take from you. Today you have died. No more the slow progression. I will strike you, like a hammer to the iron. I will make you of use.” Breathing in he knew he had enough for one more spell. “You belong to me… now sleep. I will have use of you in the morning.”

The spell washed out from him. Turning to miss Trixie and One Eye. Slowly the shocked ponies eyes grew lidded and them all slipped to the floor.

“One Eye. Put them in their cots.” He said. The stallion nodding and moving to obey. Though still keeping his eye on him.

Slowly he moved into the back room and slumped into a chair. His eyes beginning to tighten as a sharp pain worked its way up his spine.

“Mordane?” Trixie said quietly walking in. “Are you okay?”

Mordane swallowed and looked at her his back leg beginning to shake. He felt like cotton was in his mouth.

“No, no I don’t think so.” he started to breathe more rapidly. “I shouldn’t have done that… Shit.”

She came closer and helped him into his cot. Her eyes widened slightly.

“Trixie. I’m going to… take them on a march when I wake up.”

“You’re hurt! I think you are suffering magical backlash.” She leaned in close and touched his horn.

An arc passed from the gap in his horn and snapped to her horn causing her to jump back as if from a hot grill.

Mordane began to shake, his eyes screwing shut as spasms raked his body. His wings spread out and gripped at nothing as static discharge leaped across them.

He could feel every inch, every nook and every cranny in his horn as through the gaps he could feel a rushing wind as the stored mana discharged sporadically.

Every second he could feel microscopic flakes being blown off as the energy in that small section of his horn grew too large for it to contain.

Trixie raced back to his side and steeling herself lowered her horn to touch his. She mumbled an apology as she continued.

Tapping into his magical store she began to quickly draw it out. Taking care she strained to force the power into her and then into the air, causing the entire room to heat.

She gritted her teeth and bore the embarrassment of touching horns and the feeling of Mordane mind.

All she could get from him was swirling chaos and rage and pain. Slowly though she was able to bring the energy stored in his body down to manageable levels.

As the energy in his body dropped Mordane’s mind came back into focus.

Reaching out mentally he brushed her mind as if asking if he could enter. She knew he couldn’t speak now and so mentally agreed.

 “Trixie, I must sleep. Here are my instructions… thank… you

A series of concepts and intents flowed into her head as Mordane slipped into unconsciousness.

Blinking rapidly Trixie swallowed before casting the spell to block Mordane dreams before tucking Mordane in and shakedly heading to the door.

One Eye had finished moving the ponies and pushing the beer kegs to the side of the room. Trixie, shaking came over and poured herself a glass.

She downed it quickly and let the tankard fall to the ground before collapsing onto a crate.

“Well, that was something.” One Eye grumbled. “Not the first time I’ve met a necromancer. First time I’ve felt one that strong.”

“It was the first time I’ve felt one at all.” She sat up and rubbed her sore horn “He is definitely an alicorn. I’ve felt that kind of dark power before.”

“You have!?” One Eye grunted eyebrows rising.

“Yes. I once had an amulet that gave me an alicorns strength in exchange for madness.” She turned to look at ONe Eye. “Mordane used magic despite his horn not being ready for it. I don’t know what that will do to him.”

“What's the worst that could happen?” One Eye asked.

“He could lose his magic all together… or his ability to control it. If he wasn’t an alicorn I don’t know what would happen.”

One Eye grunted and moved off before moving to the center of the room and starting to do push ups.

Trixie watched him for a few moments
“Mordane gave me some instructions. We have tasks.”

“Aye, I assumed so.” He grunted again.

Trixie stood and headed toward the door her brow still furrowed and eyes bloodshot.

“I’m not worried Trixie.” One Eye said. “This won't stop him.”

Trixie paused for a moment at the entrance before slowly nodding. Swallowing she moved out the door and to where she had left the colts.
____________________________________________________

Mordanes hooves shook slightly as he lifted the cup to take a drink of tea.

He was waiting in a sitting room in the castle. He had waken a few hours earlier after sleeping through the night.

His horn ached deeply and in waves that seemed to come and go. Sometimes it felt so bad it seemed to reach down into his eye socket.

A quick visit to an apothecary had lead to a horn protection sleeve being applied again quickly, this time with a suppression ring to channel the magic away from his horn completely.

The doctor had insisted that Mordane should not take it off until the crack had completely closed and that he report any more symptoms.

Mordane felt a lump in his throat again. His horn injury it seemed had gotten worse. Even the best case now would still have him with permanent scarring along its length and part of his face.

The king arrived a few minutes later. He wore as ostentatious outfit as ever. He broke into a wide smile upon seeing Mordane who stood to show respect.

“Sit my friend. I’ve been told you wanted to speak with me?”

“Of course your majesty. I thought I would inform you of my current plans.” Mordane replied smiling and settling back into the chair across from King Fancy.

“I heard there was some trouble with… discipline? In your guards I mean.” The king said taking a sip of tea. Still smiling lightly.

“Yes. That is the reason I am here. I thought I would ask your permission for a training exercise. A march out into the wilderness to strengthen their bones, discipline and to-” Mordane smiled and grinned at the king “- take the chaff from the oats as it were.”

The king nodded before taking a sip of tea himself.

“I also hear you have some interest in defunct mines?”

Mordane paused, before continuing to drink.

“A possible source of income.”

“Being alicorn, I’m sure you could squeeze some more iron out of them.” he nodded before jestering to Mordanes horn “At least before you damaging that again trying.”

Mordane didn’t reply, instead reaching over to pour another glass only to find the king doing it for him with his magic.

“Such a tragedy. Even with such a large reward you must be nearing the limit of your spending.”

“Indeed.” Mordane replied curtly.

“Well,” The king smiled. “That is easily corrected if you were to gain the rights to fiefdom.”

Mordane sat quietly, not trusting himself to speak.

The king stood and started toward the door before turning back to him.

“Well, we can speak about that on your return. Sharpen your sword Mordane Stronghoof. I have great need of you here. Also, your ship, I believe it needs inspection. The paperwork should take about until oh, your return.” He said stepping up to Mordane.

“Thank you. For being so expedient.” Mordane replied flatly.

“Of course. Anything for a friend.” The king smiled as he placed his hoof on Mordane’s hair and ruffled it a bit. “You are still quite young Mordane. Have you thought of a mare?”

“The thought.” Mordane replied smoothly, ignoring the infatalizing jester from the still larger stallion “had crossed my mind.”

“And the princess… I hear she has been in regular contact with you.” The king began to press harder on Mordane head.

“Yes, I could not deny a requested meeting by the princess.” Mordane replied emptying his cup “That would be rude to the royal family.”

“Of course. We can solve that problem on your return as well.” the king said quietly drawing back his hoof. “So when will you be returning?”

“Two Mon-” the kings hard look caused Mordane to stop and reconsider before solidly replying “One Month.”

“That good. The fresh air will do you good.” The king made his way back toward the door and gave a lazy wave. “It has been a pleasure Mordane.”

“A pleasure.” Mordane said through gritted teeth.

The cup in his hoof cracked, then crumbled into dust.
____________________________________________________

The princess of Herridon entered her room alone. She preferred the time alone and without servants. Using her own magic to take off the traditional regalia.

Trotting over to the windowsill she smiled after seeing the plate of fresh fruits and vegetables cut and laid out in the shape of a flower. It was placed on a table next to her favorite lounging chair which faced a window and the sea.

Smiling she sat down and drinked the water waiting next to the bowl before continuing in to eat.

A few minutes later as the sun began to set she floated over a nearby basket, inside was a collection of today's missives and mail. As was her habit she read the ‘important matters’ notice of the day before moving on to personal letters then more general statistics.

After a few minutes of hoofing through the letters though she paused at one of particular interest.

It wasn’t of particularly fine quality paper, in fact had it been from anypony else she would have considered it a veiled insult.

Smiling she opened the letter of Mordanes only to frown as her eyes bore over the banal greeting and pleasantries.

Thinking for a few moments she then smiled and lit up her horn. Quickly the letter changed as the security spell fell away.

To the Princess of Herridon.

It is a cruel twist of fate that I have not been able to talk to you again. Perhaps- most likely- you have heard about what happened with my guards. I’m sure that you would understand why I would be forced to take care of this so suddenly.
I am to take them to march for a month before my return.

This amount of time is far too long to leave you without answer as to your question during our last meeting.

To say in short, I am not sure. Truly you are beautiful and our children would be strong. In this I have no doubt.

Such an action though would mean dethroning your mother’s last husband. The current king of Herridon. A task beyond me at the current moment…

She smiled, covering her mouth she gave a stifled giggle before returning to her reading.

King Fancy has indicated that he wants to have me landed and wed shortly after my return. In so many words he also made it clear that this was not up for debate.

I tell you this for one reason alone. A hope that we can be.

With admiration,

Mordane Stronghoof.

P.S. I hope to exchange letters again. The following is where to send the pickup.

Giving a small sigh the princess read the letter again before folding it. She smiled and stared out over the sea, floating a small strawberry to her mouth.

“Shadow.” She said. A unicorn stepped out from seemingly nowhere covered head to hoof in loose fitting black robes. “Follow him.”

The shadow bowed before quickly slipping away. Standing the princess walked over to her dress set, a flash from her horn causing the letter to burst into flame.

“I think I’ll go with a purple dress.”

The letter was consumed just as she reached out to pull a small stack of paper. She had several letters to write.

___________________________________________________________________

Ivy shuddered.

Her dreams had been uneasy, odd dinners with skeletons and the feeling of falling from a thousand meters up.

Then the memory of what happened came back to her.

She jolted. Coming to her hooves in a few moments. Her heart trying to beat its way out of her chest. She spun. And spun again breathing rapidly.

She was no longer in the room and instead found herself in the middle of the other of Mordane’s ponies in a woods.

Seeing that nothing was dangerous she checked herself over before briefly wondering if she had already passed to the afterlife before noticing a distinct need to urinate.

Blushing she quickly trotted a short ways out and relieved herself before heading back to the group.

“Hey, do you know what's going on?” asked a mare from the night before.

“No, Mordane must have brought us here for some reason.”

“Mordane? Is that the name of… that necromancer from last night?”

“N..Yes.” Ivy Swallowed. “It is.”

“Who would have thought he really was a bloody necromancer.” Whispered one of the other ponies tersely. “What in the hell is he going to do to us.”

“What has he already done to us.” spoke up another.

Looking around some began to wonder if this was real, or some kind of prison for their souls.

But Ivy was thinking on the sparks coming from the crack of Mordane’s horn.

“You’re all awake it seems.” Mordane spoke up. All thirty six ponies heads turned to look at him. Their ears standing at attention.

“Eh. What do you think your doing with us here. You can’t-”

Mordane stomped.

A blast wave rocked out causing all the ponies to cover their ears and shout in alarm. Their voice cut short by sheer volume of the wave.

“Incorrect.”

He stared down at them as they glanced at each other unsure of what he wanted.

“You will address a superior officer with sir at the beginning of your statements.”

Looking around again no individual spoke up for a few moments before a hesitant voice spoke out.

“You… you can’t just bring us here to do Luna know what to us.”

“That,”Mordane replied his eyes hard as stone. “Is incorrect. I am a lord of Herridon. You damaged my property. You stole from me. The king himself has already declared you all my slaves.”

Each of the ponies manes stood on end. There was no doubt to those words. Under the laws of Herridon what he had said made sense. But to be able to get the king himself to declare it… A slave of criminal debt had no rights in Herridon.

“B-but I was hired. I was just suppose to..”

“You accepted my money. Stolen. Frankly, I don’t care if it is ‘just’.” he gave a small smile. “Just look on your hip. You will find the payment in full. From what I’ve been told it was thirty time more than your standard rates.”

Several of the mares sputtered. Some actually looked back and taking stalk of the amount of coin tightly strapped in bags to their hip. Sealed in a heavy wax.

Swallowing Ivy tried to speak but had to swallow before being able to.

“Sir, what are we doing here?”

“That, is a correct question. You are here because the ponies who follow me are inexperienced jackasses. Instead of beating you senseless on the dock they went with a temporary solution. An unplanned expense that would have to be rectified at a later date, until then, accepted, used for the minimum of tasks. Standing guard. Looking tough. No pony you would have to fight.”

“We are tough.”

Mordane stomped again. This time the ponies crouched low. Most losing their hearing for a few seconds. He stood, staring at them until their eyes refocused on him.

“You are pipsqueaks. Pebbles under my hoof. A buzzing annoyance in my ear.” He scowled and lifted his chin into the air. “You are shit stains on the ground waiting to be turned into dirt only meant for being stepped on.”

He paused and looked up as if considering for a moment.

“No, you aren't even that. Dirt doesn’t get up and move around. Dirt doesn’t root blindly into what is not yours.” He smiled before looking down. “You’re like worms. No, maggots. Feasting on my broken flesh.”

Mordane reached up and flicked his horn, letting out a bitter laugh before continuing.

“So that is what I’ll call you. Maggots. But you’re maggots who can grow. Perhaps even become something more than the little shit stains you are.” He nodded closing his eyes with a certainty. “Perhaps I can turn you into soldiers… into men.”

“Men?” Asked one of the stallions.

Mordane looked down at him coolly considering.

“Yes Men. Men do not skitter around like animals. Men do not take what is not their own. Men are predators and killers.” Mordane smiled again. “I will turn you into men. My men.”

He laughed, a dark laugh that seemed to claw its way deep into Ivy’s soul.

“Pray to your god maggots.” He looked down at them with an evil glee.

“Prepare yourself for the March of Hell.”
> Task for Trixie
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

She was staring at it again.

The point Mordane had been standing.

Nothing there spoke of the clawing darkness, nor the chill in her bones. Nothing roared at her, as it seemed it should. Just bare stone staring at her blankly.

Trixie’s hair stood on end. Whispers clawed at her ear with their frightening insistence.

“Trixie!”

“AH!” Trixie started, hopping a foot to the side only to look wide eyed at Mortimer who stood holding out a piece of paper.

“He wants stone.”

“Stone?” She asked, frowning as she calmed down. Taking the letter, she opened it to read the missive. “How much of it?”

“Two tons of it. The merchant will do the work and pay a little cash, but he needs the stone.” He gave a sheepish grin - “Apparently he has a colt on the way.”

“We will have to tell him our congratulations.” Trixie said with a monotone. She turned and trotted over to the desk to set down the letter, ignoring the open ledger before grabbing another premade envelope of her own.

“Here…take this one.” She said, passing over the letter. “This is to the Golden Hammer, fourth ward of the midden.”

“I know where it is,” Mortimer said before his face loosened as if from a tightly bound rubber band. “Shouldn’t you be the one doing this? I don’t think they are taking me seriously…”. “Just do as I say Mortimer.” Trixie mumbled, eyes tired as she turned back to the ledger. “I have important things to do.”

Mortimer watched her walk back, his eyes searching for something before he sighed and lowered his hat for a moment before screwing that loose board back down.

“Alright, just… get some sleep Trixie.”

“I already got some sleep.” Trixie grumbled as the door slammed shut behind him. She leafed through the three-page ledger, which was more a list of expenses than anything else.

Mordane was burning through money fast.

Oil rags, food, that mine, the armor… it was all adding up. The party had been the real right hook though, all the sudden they were in real danger of bankruptcy.

She couldn’t have imagined before, in her little cart, how quickly so much money could disappear. Even so she had already recounted the currency. After all their expenses they were down to forty thousand bits.

Looking over her estimation for the cost of stone, even if she had a way to transport it, would be around six thousand bits itself.

Mordane, had given a budget of twenty thousand for the cost of building his engine. She was glad that the mine had been purchased already at least.
Some time later as she was going over the book and thinking, the door opened behind her again.

“Miss Trixie.”

“Yes, Mortimer?”

“Golden Hammer wants ten thousand bits.”

“Ten thousand? Would he not come down at all?”

“No, I don’t understand.”

Trixie looked out the window and rubbed her chin.

“Perhaps they know…” Mortimer shifted between his hooves swallowing. He let the silence hang a bit before saying quietly.

“Know what?”

“They probably know that Mordane is a noble and expect to be able to get more from him.” Trixie sighed.

“Funny, in any other city that would mean cheaper prices.” She weakly said before floating another envelope. “Still, we should be okay. The name is on the envelope.”

Mortimer grimaced, but took the note. This time though when he came to the door he stood there. His brow furrowed and mind pensive. He couldn’t help, but think going would be wrong, but to stay…

“Mortimer? Is there a problem?”

“No, Miss Trixie. I will be back shortly.” Bowing slightly, he turned and trotted out the door. His mind on the few coins in his personal purse.

Trixie looked back away from the door and continued to read her ledger.

A few minutes later she snapped the book closed and growled in frustration.

One month, two weeks. That was how long until Mordane was out of money. It didn’t matter what she did that was the hard limit. Afterwards he would be left with an empty warehouse and a defunct mine.

Trixie rubbed her head and eyes. The weight of this was pressing on her mind and gripping it like a vice. Her stomach felt like it was boiling. Her skin felt thin and itchy.

It felt like her soul was being pushed out.

Trixie shivered. The stress pushed away as the shock of the memory entered her system.  Her knees popped as she tightened them suddenly along with her whole body.

The sensation played across her again as she recalled from memory. The numbness, the darkness closing in and then, the tingling before finally…

She shook her head and rubbed her shoulders to get rid of a sudden chill. Trotting over she placed some coal into a stove and lit it with a spark from her horn.

She looked into the fire and let its warmth play over her sweating form.

Slowly, she turned and looked at the spot.

An impulse flickered at the edges of her mind.

At first, she pushed it away, reasoned that she had something to do, that it was simply poor sentiment. Achingly though, she took a step forward. Walking toward where he stood.
She approached the spot which showed nothing, yet screamed at her.

Her eyes played across the stone surface as she stepped past where she had stood. Then to the edge of where he had been.

Her eyes staring intently at the stone until… she saw it.

A faint color change in the stonework, traveling out from where he had been. Invisible to casual observation and obvious to those who saw it.

Trixie began to shake. A cold wind that did not rustle her fur seemed to snake around her hooves as she stood there.

Suddenly she wanted to back up, move away, but it was as if she was facing down a great hill. Her eyes fixated on that single spot as she slowly sank to the ground, hooves folding behind her.

Her heart beat painfully in her chest and something wormed its way from deep in her mind.

‘Mordane is going to kill me’

The thought raked her mind, coming up like a great fissure disrupting the landscape. It felt so wrong, Mordane had become such a big part of her life, he was more than a friend yet… she could not shake the solidness of this thought, the unyielding insistence.

The blackness around Mordane called for images of a mare, much like herself, sitting on a throne, paranoia gripping her mind as she forced two foals to drag her along.

In this moment, what happened suddenly became real. She couldn’t ignore it any longer.

“Mordane is a necromancer.”

Her blood flashed to ice as she slowly stood up. She closed her eyes and stood there trying to sort her feelings.

She had heard, what felt like so long ago, that he had been a monster. A murderous and blood hungry necromancer.

But when she had met him instead he had been kind and now he was sometimes… tender even. He was so limited in what magic he could do, his broken horn hobbling him to no end. Having to eat like an earth pony, dress like one. All the spells a unicorn could cast being beyond his reach made Trixie feel important to him. The stories started to sound just like that.

Stories.

Seeing him standing there, feeling that power roll off of him. For that moment he didn’t feel like the Mordane she knew. He felt like… an alicorn. An alicorn of death.

She shivered again.

*SLAM*

“AH!?” Trixie jumped as her hair stood on end and the door behind her slammed open. Mortimer had run in around the corner, his ears drooping as he had a hoof on his cheek.

She trotted after him before finding him at the sink floating small amount of water to a cut.
“What happened!?” Trixie shouted, turning his head with her magic.

“He hit me.” Mortimer sniffled.

“Hit you? What? Why!?” Trixie shouted rushing over to him to examine the wound.

“He said ‘I won’t speak to a street urchin’, saying that if Mordane wanted his help he should come himself. When I insisted he wouldn’t he struck me!” He sagged a bit in the seat before continuing. “He kept the blueprint as well.”

Trixie groaned a bit before floating over a needle and thread. Over the next few minutes she gave him some stitches.

“I’m sorry you got hurt, Mortimer.”

“Its okay.” He sniffed “I’m used to it, but I lost the parts plan! What if the forge pony steals Mordane’s idea?”

Trixie cursed herself, she hadn’t considered that, before remembering an important fact.

“That isn’t a concern. Alone, the part is useless. It is only when brought together that it has any use.”

“But what will Mordane think?”

Trixie froze.

What would Mordane think?

The feeling came back as Trixie realized she didn’t know. She didn’t know what this Mordane would do with them.

She realized she had no idea what he would do if she failed. Swaying slightly, she considered what to do for a few moments.

“Mortimer...” She whispered intently. “We are going out. Get prepared.”
As Mortimer cleaned himself up, Trixie trotted back over to her desk and drafted a letter. She chewed on her woden quill a moment before putting pen to paper.


To Lord Mordane Stronghoof.

The application of your task proceeds at haste. 

I have been focused on this for the last few days working with Moritimer and securing the warehouse without One Eyes assistance. While I am unsure as to the possibility of utilizing One Eye for more complex tasks than as a guard dog the concern of this missive is not him, but me and my task.

Due to circumstances beyond our control I worry that this task is beyond my current means.

I will not concern you with the details, of which you cannot intervene, I only wished to make you aware of the possibility of my failure.

I am certain that you are aware of the dire consequences should I fail to bring reason to those ponies who are currently behaving unreasonably to your personal social and financial standing, as well as myself.

On this matter I will keep you promptly informed.

Your Servant,
Trixie Lunamoon

Placing down her pen, Trixie folded and sealed the letter before motioning Mortimer over. The two of them had work to do.

________________________________________________________



Trixie knocked on the door again. She waited for a moment, biting her lip.

“Well then, if you will not even speak with me, I will take my business elsewhere.”

Turning, she flicked her tail towards the door and snorted. Her brow furrowed and she motioned for Mortimer to follow her.

This was starting to get to her. In her bag were the five wrapped up blueprints.

Trixie trotted down the corridors of the Miden with Mortimer trailing behind. His tail swishing softly from side to side trying to get comfortable as he occasionally rubbed his cheek.

He wasn’t used to wearing clothes of any kind, but she had insisted that if he was to be hired in a professional manner, he will dress to the expectation.

He wore a tight cloak and dress shirt. On his side was a polished wood carrier for papers and pencils.

“I’m surprised he didn’t even answer. Evening Tide is a well known greed-blinded pony.” Mortimer said, frowning and rubbing his chin.

“Perhaps we have already begun to make enemies,” Trixie said quietly. She shivered as the image of last night came back to her. ”Come on. Let’s go to Starlight next.”

____________________________________________________

“One ton of iron.”

“You can’t be serious,” Trixie said. “You have already used all of the iron I brought last time?”

“What is it to you?” The mare replied, polishing her hammer. “I had lots of demands for various items, and now I need more.”

“My item isn’t worth as much as one ton.”

“But that is how much I need.”

Trixie slammed her hoof on the counter. “But it wouldn’t be worth it to me!”

“Then I’ll give you a ton of coal in exchange as well as the goods! I have too much of that already!” she growled.

“That still makes no sense.”

“A ton and a half then. Figure it out yourself. Now just get out!” she hissed, gesturing to the door.

Trixie straightened and trotted out of the shop. Snorting in frustration, she exited the smithy and her eyes saw a metal bucket by the door, which she kicked.

“Did it not go well?” Mortimer asked.

“No. It did not.” Trixie nervously replied “Who was that first stallion you went to?”
_______________________________________________________

“Sorry, wife’s with child and I have plenty of bits. I need graded stone to extend my house. Been waiting for an opportunity for months.”

“Perhaps we could escort it for you?” Trixie asked desperately. “If you cover the cost…”

The pony snorted.

“With the work you’re having me do, the price is already at a huge discount. I’m not going to be paying you to make this thing for your liege.”

The two of them stood in the far corner of the midden. The area least able to be supplied due to the conflicting gangs. Around here empty buildings were abound. Everything was expensive and only the most profitable business could sustain itself.

Trixie frowned and shook her head.

“I disagree, what you ask is something very risky. Why don’t you offer something else in return?”

“Well, I can offer my spare iron. Just tell me how much. I’m practically drowning in the stuff.”

Sighing, she picked up her satchel and headed to the door.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

________________________________________________________

“10,000 bits.”

“...” Trixie frowned. “Surely you can come down Mr. Running Slide. This is a simple part, more orders would soon come at a lower price point.”

“And when those orders come I’ll be glad to lower my price.”

“Do you doubt my lieges ability to pay?”

“I doubt Mordane Stronghoof’s ability to survive.” He said simply.

Trixie frowned and looked down for a few moments.

“I see. It seems that you have a lack of faith.”

“More like I know how things go in Herridon. Now please, I might have other customers.” the stallion gestured toward the door. “Come back when you have the money.”


“It is a bad idea to speak ill of Mordane.”

Trixie stiffly turned around and trotted out. Turning the corner her relative, calm fell away.

Her eyes darted as she seemed to consider what to do next as Mortimer waited nervously nearby.
____________________________________________________

Trixie was getting desperate.

It felt as if her eyes were tied to her tail, following her wherever she went.

Something deep inside her needed a win so she turned to somepony she had come to know.

Precious Stone had grown into a valuable contact since her arrival a short time ago. She felt a little relieved when he had been home and invited her for some tea.

He sat calmly and listened to her request, taking a look at the blueprint himself and nodding along the way.

“Well, I certainly hope your employer knows what he is doing, but yes I believe that this is within my means.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” Trixie said with a smile. “What would be the price though?.”

Leaning back into his seat the stallion seemed to ponder for a moment before motioning a butler over. After a whisper and a few moments of silence the pony in question brought out a letter on a tray and sat it between Trixie and Precious Stone.

“It has come to my attention that your lord had contact with… a certain mare in Tietus. His owner I believe. It was my hope that this letter could make its way into her hooves within the next seven days.”

“In seven days? Seems reasonable” she said softly while sipping her tea. “And you wish for this to bypass the usual filters?”

“Yes. That would be my hope.” He said simply. “Do this, and your part is free. I hope to be making several for him in the future as well… that is, if this is acceptable to you.”

“Indeed it is.” Trixie said with a smile. “Please, have one of your servants bring an envelope large enough for this and a letter explaining the situation and urgency of this message.”

With a nod, Precious Stone’s servant proceeded with the task leaving the both of them to chat idly before they returned.

A quick note later Trixie closed the letter, before sealing it with Mordane’s seal. Much to Precious Stones surprise.

“He trusts you that much hmm? Well I am sure that it will go well. Please inform me when the letter is on its way… Perhaps over tea, two days from now?”

“That would be delightful.” Trixie replied before taking another sip of tea.

______________________________________________________________


“What do you mean, all the pegasi are gone? There are some right there!”

“Please miss Lunamoon. I meant to say that all the pegasi messengers to Tietus are gone. The last carrier left yesterday and all our fast flyers have been called out.” The mail pony shook his head. “I’m sorry to say that none will be back within the time frame you specified.”

“Celestia!” Trixie cursed stomping out of the mail office with Mortimer shortly behind.

The comforting letter of Precious Stone now burned in her satchel. With the normal method gone Trixie didn’t have access to a trustworthy source for transport. Turning to Mortimer, she asked as calmly as her nerves would allow if he knew some other pony that could do it.

“I-I am not sure. The royal guard might be willing to do it on a week off if you pay enough. They always like to slip away to Tietus to spend coin from what I heard. They also wouldn’t ever lie to a noble or their servant.”

“Okay, we’ll try them then.” She replied before angling toward the elevator.

______________________________________________________________

“Try old Copper Wings. He is the only one available that can make the journey.”

The royal pegasi guard slapped on his helmet. “The rest of us have been denied leave, we are to be on full patrol. Niel is acting up again sending scouts into our territory. Some think it's going to be war. You can find him up on The Precipice this time of day usually, watching the ships come in.”

“I see, thank you.” Trixie said shaking slightly as she watched him trot off.

Making her way around town Trixie quickly found somepony to point to where The Precipice was.

An outcropping of ground hanging off the edge was just unstable enough that the crown had no use for it.

Though it looked as if the Royal Pegasi Guard had turned it into some kind of open air shrine. Flowers and vines were dropped all over the prespas. Small statues dotted the area depicting old legends Trixie had heard as a filly. Culminating in a statue of Luna center stage, fighting a demonic Celestia, where gifts could be seen at the statue’s base, usually a knife, or coin.

As she passed, a pegasi mare in a rope with an X on her forehead walked around picking up the offerings.

“May the sun and moon watch over you.” Whispered the mare giving a small bow.

“T-thank you.” Trixie said awkwardly, walking past her and the half dozen other mares quietly sitting in the garden.

Sitting on the edge past all the statues sat a stallion, pure black fur unadorned by any finery. Instead opting for a simple vest of leather dyed in the royal colors.

Trixie hesitated on the edge of the prespas for a moment. Aware that the pegasi could just fly if it fell while she would be left to his mercy. Summing her bravery though she ignored this and pushed on to stand behind the stallion.

“What is it that you want, Miss?” Croaked the old stallion.

“I was wondering if you would perhaps be able to take a message to Tietus for me? It’s urgent and I’ll pay you well.”

The stallion stirred, causing Trixie to step back.

It wasn’t until then that Trixie realized just how old this stallion was. He looked like he had months, if not weeks in him at most.

“Money don’t mean nothing to me anymore. I don’t have the time to spend it, nor the inclination. I’d rather just spend my time here while I have it.” he said simply continuing to stare at the ocean.

Trixie opened her mouth, but found she couldn't think of what to say. All that she could think, all that she could feel was the words echoing in her head.

 He is going to kill me…

Slowly, achingly, she turned around and left.

___________________________________________________________________________

Trixie walked slowly into the warehouse.

Mortimer had pestered her, but she had just sent him away with some small coin to occupy himself. Instead he had followed her in silence, watching her with brow furrowed.

Trixie took a few step forward, her eyes locked onto that particular spot. She shook, her hair poked out at strange angles. A strange silence settled over the building.

Mortimer shrank back and ears dropped as he looked at her.

Suddenly, Trixie made her way over to the desk. Floating over pen and paper she began to write.

To my dear Mordane.

I have spent the last thirty minutes as I walked and rode down from the top of Herridon what I would say to you. What excuses I would make. What lies I might tell. In the end however I couldn’t think of anything.

Then I thought about why. Did I want to ensure your wrath? Did I feel I deserved it?

No, I didn’t think that.

Mordane, who are you?

I do not ask this in jest, but instead truthfully. It is a question I think I asked you before, but now I must ask again.

Where did you learn the dark arts of necromancy?

Why are you called a murderer?

How did you really escape Celestia?

And what I fear to ask most of all… Are you evil?

I don’t know if I will ever know the answers to this. By the time you receive this letter I will be long gone. Alone on some road with a new cart, making my way back to Equestria.

It seems… that I just don’t have what is needed to follow you. Once you told me ponies die around you…

What you didn’t say is that they never knew you.

I have failed at the mission you gave me and worse, I have made a promise in your name that I cannot keep.

I’m sorry Mordane, but I must go.

Thank you,
Trixie Lulamoon.

Trixie waxed and sealed the letter into the envelope.

Putting on her hood she trotted down to the lower level mail office. She got in line and waited to in it. Her face blank.

After delivering her letter she would return and take some coin. She would take Mortimer with her and head north via ship. That should throw him off long enough for her to escape.

Soon she was at the front of the line.

“Envelope and payment please.” said the pony behind the counter.

Trixie floated over the bit and then placed the envelope on the counter.

The mail pony moved to slide it over, but then stopped.

Trixie aura still surrounded the envelope.

“Miss?”

Shadow fell across Trixie’s eyes as she didn’t move. Nothing showing on her form or face that pointed if she was even living.

“Miss?” asked the mail pony a little more nervous this time. “You need to let go of the letter.”

Trixie stayed stock still, then one rear hoof took a half step back. Followed by another. Then another.

Before she knew it she was running back, tears streaming down her face with the letter in her magical grip.

Bursting through the warehouse door she dived to the bed furthest from the door. There she curled up and sobbed. Teeth gritting as the letter was burned up in magical fire, the wax and ash falling to the bed.

She sniffed the pillow. Blushing and glad that she had seen Mortimer at a nearby stall she used her magic to close an lock the door.

Burying herself into his sheet she breathed in deep, wrapping her hooves around the pillow and sheets she weeped.

Biting it she cursed. Twitching away only when she felt something foreign.

Out she pulled a feather, a primary. Dark brown.

She hugged it close, tenderly even as she felt somehow repulsed by it. Desire, fear and need all wrapped into one.

She sniffed his pillow and shivered, she pulled the cover over and remember a forgotten dream of her father tucking her in. She held the feather even as it felt like it would burn her.

Trixie remembered the magical energy she had felt. It had been nothing like unicorn magic. She wondered if perhaps such potent energies would remain.

As she called on the resonance of the feather her horn began to glow brighter and brighter. After a time she felt . Bringing all the energy it contained into alignment.

Then it glowed.

Trixie shuddered again at the soft glow.

She knew for a fact, no pegasi feather contained such power of this kind.

And so Trixie was reduced to a shivering sobbing mess.

_____________________________________________________________

Day turned to night.

Mortimer returned knocking until Trixie finally unlocked the door.

He gasped a little and took a half step back for a moment before hopping onto the bed to push her out the door and over to the stove.

There he narrowed his eyes and furrowed his brows as he elevated a pot in his magic before filling it up.

As he floated the full pot over to the burner his tongue popped out a little and cheeks puffed out.

He huffed a sigh of relief as the pot settled in place.
Waiting patiently he comforted the stricken mare while the pot boiled. Once done he quickly made them both tea.

“Are you okay Miss Trixie?” Mortimer asked

“No Mortimer. I am not.”

Mortimer looked down into his cup of tea, eyes searching for something, but her hoof found him first as she pulled him in close and into a snuggle.

“T-trixie...”

“Shhhh”

The moment hung in the air. Simple and beautiful, broken only by the knock at the door.

Trixie walked over and opened to door, surprised to see a mail pony standing there.

“Message for Trixie Lulamoon?”

“Thats...me.” Trixie said hesitantly as she took the letter from the stallion.

“You fit the description. Okay, have a nice day Miss.”

“You as well.”

Trixie closed the door as she turned looking at the unexpected letter only to freeze a few strides in.

Mordanes personal seal and signature draped the envelope bringing back that feeling of dread Trixie had been feeling.

Trotting back to Mordanes room she sat on the bed.

Hesitating for a moment she broke the seal and opened the letter.



To Trixie

From Mordane Stronghoof


It is good to know that you are taking your tasks so seriously. The training is going as I expected. Ponies will be rather surprised by the results I think.

As for your task. I can imagine many issues that may crop up and that they may cause delays. We are working on a tight time frame but know this-

Trixie, I trust you.

I know that this task is difficult, but I didn’t give it to you because I had to. We haven’t known each other for a long time but during this period of time, I’ve realized that you are an intelligent mare capable of making due in even the worse circumstances.

Having said that...

I understand that this task may very well be impossible. Don’t let this discourage you though. I know the consequences of failure. I know how little money we have remaining.

Nothing is gained without risk.

Be bold, as I know you can be. Those who are not bold are trampled by the march of time.

Be brave, as I’ve seen you be. Fear is the mind killer.

Trust in yourself and even if the worst happens, we will simply pick up and start again.

We will get through this together Trixie, no matter the failures we suffer. It is only a matter of time.

Your Master
Mordane Stronghoof 

Trixie lowered the letter for a moment before reading it again. Then a third time.

Slowly, the ball of thorns in her stomach began to unravel. The relief washed over her and left a smile in it’s wake.

The feather she had left on the bed continued to glow as she lifted it and looked at it again.

She still felt afraid, but no longer like the world was going to fall out from under her again. No…

Like even if it did she would be okay.

As she looked at the feather, an idea began to work its way into her mind…

____________________________________________________________________


The sun was low in the horizon. It had been a long evening of watching the ships.

The old pegasi guard sighed, a small smile on his face.

The ships had come and gone, moving on the ever changing wind. For most, an invisible or one dimensional thing.

For him though? Who had spent his years flying on those winds? They were clear as day. He could trace them as they kissed the waves to their scraping of the face of the heavens. The alicorns domain.

He breathed in the sea air and for a moment his painful joints seemed to float away.

In his foolish youth, he had once dreamed of stowing away on one of those ships. To sail the world and see the many skies.

Luckily though his father had set him straight.

Still, in his old age, a part of him longed to sail away over that horizon, never to return.

“Commander Copper Wings.”

The old stallion sighed. The voice from earlier that day was back. Just when things had been going so nicely.

“Yes?” He grunted. “Can you just leave an old stallion alone?”

The sun was well into setting now, the long shadows of the ships were playing across the waves.

“I’m sorry, but I cannot.”

“And why not?” He asked, growing irritated.

The mare said nothing. After a few moments he was ready to tell her to begone or just fly off when he noticed something.

Around the edge of him a light was playing, slowly getting brighter even as the world grew rapidly dark with the setting sun.

Behind him he heard gasps from several of the other ponies. One saying a quick prayer to the alicorn of light.

Something about this light was... different.

Slowly, he pushed and turned to look at the lights source.

There, a blue hued mare sat. her hoof outstretched and in her hoof a feather.

The feather was a normal looking one. From a younger stallion, or a large colt. It would be like any other feather of millions he had seen if it wasn’t for the glowing.

“What...What is this? You are offering me an enchanted feather?”

“No.” the mare shook her head. “I am offering you the feather of an alicorn.”

The clearing broke out in murmurs. Several simply gaped at the thing.

“And where” he asked, eyebrows furrowing. “Did you gain the feather of an alicorn?”

“From my master. Mordane Stronghoof.”

The old stallion frowned. He had heard of this Stronghoof.

A winged unicorn. Not an unheard of birth defect. Some heretics even said that it was the source of the ‘story’ of alicorns. He didn’t take such words lightly.

For generations he and the pegasi of Herridon had worshiped the alicorn of old. Taking heed they had followed the Lunar princess last command to them to guard Herridon and the academy.

Pretenders had come before, but this one…

He had heard whispers. That he could fly, that he could use magic. Two ponies who said they had even preened him had brought a few feathers. Giggling like foals that he had the hooves of an earth pony.

Personally he hadn’t concerned himself with this, but if it was true…

Lifting out his hoof he took the feather from her.

He reached and called the wind trapped in the little feather, not too surprised when it began to float in his hoof.

However, the glowing didn’t fade, if anything it grew a little brighter.

“This magic...it is not unicorn magic.” He said matter of factly.

“No. It isn’t. This feather detached after I saw him….After I saw him touch the realm only alicorns can reach.”

Copper Wings stood there, feeling the wind play over his hoof. From it he could feel something else.

A greater wind. One not bound by sky and air.

“...Just because it might be. I will take your letter. Will you see that he gives me and my blood his boon?”

The mare broke into a smile. Her eyes playing in light as she lifted out a letter.

“Yes, you and all your kin.”

________________________________________________________________________

Trixie was giddy upon her return. She had done it. Figured out how to get Mordane the most complicated part done without costing a bit!

As she walked through the door of the warehouse, she picked up Mortimer and gave him a spin around.

“I did it!”

“Yeah!” Mortimer cried in joy.

The two of them enjoyed a giddy laugh together. Trixie even going so far as it give him a little belly rub to tickle him.

“Hehe stop it! How are we going to get the rest of the parts anyway?”

“Leave that to me.” Trixie said confidently. “First though, I’ll need a lot of paper and ink.”

Trixie and Mortimer were up late into the night figuring out a plan. It wasn’t until hours after the dark that they struck onto an idea...
_________________________________________________________________________


Iron Tongs groaned as he pulled on the cart of stone.

It had been a rough morning and noon as he had argued with Trixie Lulamoon.

After he had got rid of that stupid brat yesterday he was shocked in the morning when a blue unicorn named Trixie came to his shop, shouting up a storm and threatening to have him dragged to prison for striking the servant of a lord.

It had taken forever to convince her to stop yelling and get down to compensation, but then she had made a ridiculous request.

He would make her stupid useless device, return the blueprint and provide a supply of stone he had lying around and in return she would give him coal.

Working it out, he was a little worse for the deal, but it was better than any other option. Especially since he had to only bribe two ponies to get this wagon up here.

She had given him a site on the midden to drop off the stone were she would meet him.

Once arriving he was surprised to find the same colt he had hit yesterday waiting at a podium, ledger in hoof.

The little open area was basically empty save for a rather large pile of coal in one corner. The little pony looked at him wrinkling his nose.

“Oh. Its you. Just leave the stone in that corner” He said pointing at the end.

“Uh...okay.” he said moving his cart into place as the colt scribbled down in his notebook. “You..you’re not a slave?” He asked hesitantly.

“No. I am a employee of Lord Mordane Stronghoof.” Mortimer said, glaring at the stallion.

“S-stronghoof!?” He hissed, feeling his nethers retract into his body.

“Yes.” the colt replied simply, looking back down at his book.

The stallion gulped, moving his empty cart to the pile of coal.  When first arriving he had planned to just load up the whole lot but with that bloody necromancer involved...

“Uh, h-how much of this is mine?”

The colt looked up, blinking once before replying.

“I believe that half of that pile is yours. Is that satisfactory or are you saying you and Miss Trixie agreed to a different amount. If so I’m sure my master could clear it up…”

“No! I mean no. Half seems right...yeah, I think one ton is what we agreed on?” The stallion gulped.

Mortimer looked down at his notes and shook his head.

“Yes, that seems right with what I see here. I will need you to sign a receipt though.”

“Of course!” The stallion said, rushing over to sign a paper offered up by Mortimer.

“Do you need help loading?” Mortimer asked wrinkling his nose.

“No. No I’m good.” the stallion replied before rushing over to the pile and loading like a mad pony.

Not ten minutes later he was, gone leaving Mortimer with one ton of coal and just under two tons of stone.

“Strong pony.” Muttered Mortimer. Floating over the old contract he lit it on fire. Noting the two tons listed in the agreement. Instead filing away the new agreement after filing the proper amounts. He would have Trixie sign it later. “Bit of a nervous sort though.” He winced touching his cheek “Quick to anger as well.”

He gave a small smile as he went back pretending to do equations, waiting instead for their next customer. Luckily, he didn’t have to wait long.

“Huh, well I don’t believe it, but here you are.”

“Hello Golden Hammer, how is the missus?” Mortimer asked with smile.

“Good, good. I’m surprised Trixie was able to get ahold of all this so fast...you must have bits coming out of your flanks! I didn't’ get harassed or anything coming over here.”

“Well Mordane wouldn’t want his business partners to be inconvenienced. This does happen to be at the edge of the line between three factions though.”

“Oh? That explains it. Must have some serious pushers around that bend though.” he went to a corner and gave a big shake, letting all the iron ore roll off his cart onto the ground before Mortimer hopped up into it and threw out the last few pieces.

Then he noticed a couple of bags in the bottom.

“What are these?”

“Coal! For being so quick. I happen to have a lot of that as well. Consider it thanks for working so fast.”

“Don’t mention it!” Mortimer said grunting as he helped the stallion roll out the five bags onto the coal pile.

Trotting over to the large stone pile he gave a whistle.

“I don’t think I’ll need THIS much stone.”

“Oh? Well take as much as you need…” the young stallion said hesitantly.

“This really two tons? It's more than I thought… I’ll just take as much as I need. Trixie can make us square later. Maybe when she buys more of this part?”

“Definitely.” Mortimer nodded. “I’ll let her know.”

Golden Hammer grunted and worked hard and after about an hour he finally stopped, giving a loud huff and a big grin.

“That should do it, plus a little extra! Tell you master I appreciate it!”

“I will! See you soon!” Mortimer waved as the pony left.  Even as another pony pulled in from the other side.

“Oh...Well It seems you have my iron and coal…” Starlight’s nose ruffled a bit as she positioned her cart.  “A little thing like you is the only one here? Well I guess I will have to load up myself…”

The two of them worked together to load up all the coal and iron which turned out to be enough to fill her cart to the brim.

“Darn, I didn’t think she could get ahold of this much…” The mare said “Now I feel like I’m cheating her...oh tartarus, here.” She reached into her satchel and pulled out a small purse. “This should make the difference. If not we will square later. Okay?”

“Okay, thank you miss Starlight. I’ll pass this on to Trixie.”

“See that you do.” grumbled the pony as she threw sales of corn over her new supply, grunting as she pulled the heavy cart to the left without saying anything else.

Mortimer looked down at his fake ledger and the pile of coins before looking at the small pile of stone left.

He scratched his chin for a few moments before grinning, hopping down from his podium and running off.

A few minutes later a gruff stallion showed up with a cart carrying him on the back.

“Well I’ll be darned. Its really here.” the stallion reached into his satchel and pulled out a bag of coins before tossing it back over his head for Mortimer to catch. “Where did you get this stone anyway?”

“Oh you know I don’t tell my ways Hacksaw. Just load away. This is enough, it's yours.”

The stallion grinned and started packing. A few minutes later leaving the lot completely empty.

After waving the stallion goodbye, Mortimer ran back over to the podium and quickly packed his things. Only pausing to look at the sun to check the time before running off into a nearby ally.

A few minutes later Trixie and a mare came walking around the corner. Both laughing and carrying on.

“I’m really sorry we were not able to make an arrangement Trixie. It's just that I have the Bloodhoofs breathing down my neck. I can’t sell until there is a change in the wind and I certainly can’t rent to you with a mole in my department.”

“That's quite alright Miss Silverhorn. I will find some other way of storing my goods. I’m sorry for appearing so late to our dinner.”

“No, no It's quite alright. I can understand what it means to be accosted in this city. Taking you to that spa was the least I could do.”

“We should definitely do it again some time.” Trixie said as they  walked up the steps to the building next to the empty lot.”Take care now. I hope you have a good work day.”

“Work day? Oh darling I dismissed them today for a meeting.”

“Oh my, I hope we didn’t disturb your business…”

“Not at all. I needed the break. Here is a hope to a sea change. Good day.”

“Goodbye.” Trixie said with a smile. It only started turning to a smirk after the door had closed.

____________________________________________________________________________

“Once again, I must thank you Miss Trixie.”

“Don’t mention it.” Trixie said sipping her tea. “It was my pleasure to pull a few strings. Iron wing is an excellently trained flyer. If anypony can reach Tietus in your time frame it is him.”

“Indeed.” Nodded Precious Stone. “Still, I can’t help but wonder how you persuaded a retired royal guard during this tumultuous time to actually go.”

“It was not easy.” Trixie said nodding her head “I looked for many other options. The cost was rather steep.”

“I imagine.”

“Indeed. Concerning that, I was wondering if you could do me a service in addition right fast. A letter of recommendation…”

____________________________________________________________________________

“Is this…”

“Of course it is Mr Running Slide. Precious Stone is a friend of mine. Would his recommendation serve as reason enough?”

“Yes...Of course it would. How about seven thousand bits?”

“Four thousand sounds more reasonable.”

Running Slide sighed.

“How about six thousand and we forget any insult that may have been implied.”

“Five, and I’ll forget to mention the insult.”

“Fine. You’ll have the part in a week.”

Trixie smiled and trotted out of the door again, giving a flick of her tail as she left. Leaving the grumbling stallion to his work.
______________________________________________________________________________



Trixie smiled. Ink still not dry on her hoof as she had sent a letter to Mordane informing him of her success.

Her and Mortimer sat in the most expensive restaurant in town. Both eating their fill and enjoying the music in the background.

Tomorrow, she would have more work to do. Planning the move of so many disparate parts to the mine wouldn’t be an easy task. Not after she had distracted them from Golden Hammer.

For now though she was happy.

Work could come tomorrow.

_____________________________________________________________________________

In a room few knew of, but many visited.

Many ponies were crowded into the small space. Up in the rafters, standing between legs of larger ponies.


The whispers, though were piercing to the ear, seeming far louder than they should have been.

Copper Wings flew in through a window, bringing the whispers to a close as a mare in a cloak walked forward.

“Copper… you know flying directly here is against the rules.”

“Peace, mare. I bring a gift…”

Reaching into his satchel he pulled out the feather.

The whole room gasped as in the dark room the light from the feather was incredibly obvious. Its glow shifting all the time.

“That color…”The mare whispered.

“I have received a boon from the one who claims to be an Alicorn.” grunted Copper Wings. “For now I’ll leave this with you...sister.”

“Of course brother.” The mare said. Her hoof reached out and the feather seemed to almost jump between them “We will hold it dear.”

“Dear?” asked the brother, brows rising “Are we so certain?”

“Certain enough.” The mare nodded.

Turning she walked to the back of the room, a small altar stood, Two alicorn statues waiting.

And in between, two feathers.

As she came and laid the feather down on top of the other two all three began to glow in a slightly dimmer light.

The whispers of awe did not reach beyond the small hiding place. No words would leave any ponies tongue.

Their eyes wondered though.

Had the alicorn returned?
> Hold the presses
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“My request is for the good of Equestria,” Celestia replied coolly. A soft smile on her face. She stood in the atrium of the Equestrian Congress.

It was a grand looking place, having cost her quite a lot of money to build, about twenty years back. The golden and steel caped reliefs of ponies dancing together really appealed to her. It was all horrifyingly expensive, though.

Nearly as expensive as the thousand-year-old tea set that stood by her side.

She smiled as the mare from the magazine ‘Royal Tea’, took a few quick shots of her from the rafters. Giving a smile down in appreciation for the rare artifact from a long extinct civilization.

That made her feel slightly bad.

Around her, representatives and nobles broke into an uproar.

Representatives cried out about the rise of tyranny and how she was returning ancient oppression.

Nobles claimed she was trying to grasp at the crown.

Some others argued in her favor even as the head of the house banged his hammer fruitlessly for order.

A fraction of a second later, she was bathed in the thousands of flashes of magically powered lights. It blanketed her as the news core took a thousand pictures of her.

It was something she had become used to in the last two hundred years, since the infuriating invention.

Still, the pop magazine was something she could have done without.

She tilted her head slightly and raised an eyebrow at one mayor’s particularly venomous rant. A real thorn in her side named Bayleaf.

“Were discrepancies and missing national funds not found in Manehattan account books, Lady Bayleaf? My little ponies of your district want answers.”

“They are not your little ponies, Celestia. They are free ponies!” She coughed before saying much quieter. “Besides, that money was stolen by changeling spies-”

The whole council broke out into a renewed roar.

It was something that had been trotted out again and again to the bemoaning of the public and senators.

No, I wasn’t involved with an unlicensed cuddler. That was a changeling that robbed that bank. Changelings kidnapped my husband and trapped him in a cave. Changeling pretended to be me to accept that bribe. The changelings. The changelings. The changelings.

So many accusations and excuses had come down to this single assertion, one that wasn’t easy to disprove in the public eye.

Never mind the intelligence reports that suggested the dissolution/extinction of the changeling hive. Or the fact that it had been over a year since any changeling had even been detected. OR the mind numbingly painful knowledge that it had been ten years since the changeling invasion.

Ponies still brought up how she had been ‘struck down by the criterion queen’.

“-struck down by the criterion queen!”

No one even reacted to the statement. The pony who had been speaking was called Legal Surge.

Inwardly, she sighed again, remembering the terrible name. Then, she let out a small smile.

“Your hide thanks you that I did not strike her down, Legal. Lest the light of the sun burn you to ash.”

Legal palled as the cameras let forth their cacophony again. His mouth opening and closing a few times.

In the observation booth, Luna allowed herself a full smile. It was good to once again see Celestia baring her teeth towards the nobles and aristocrats. She had been saying for years that they had forgotten what her sister was capable of.

‘Perhaps-’

“Threat! A-A threat on my life!” shouted Legal Surge, followed by several ponies jumping to shout their affirmations for a few moments, before another pony stood up.

Iron Hoof, Lord of the Far Lands banged his thick earth pony metal shoe on the podium before him. Brow furrowing, waiting only a moment for the crowd to quiet, before deciding to abandon silencing the room and press forward.

“Celestia, you forget yourself,” he said, drawing himself up. “The power of the sun is indeed yours to command, but it belongs to all Pony kind! Not to mention, to threaten a-”

“The sun belonging to pony kind!?” Luna shouted “Since ancient times it has belonged to the Equestrian crown of Platinum, our sire~”

“The crown which no pony holds, PRINCESS” snarled the Mayor Red Tape of Manehattan. “The ancient law is clear. Two must rule, one Queen and one King!”

“Who would you say should sire with the SUN, Red Tape. Perhaps you would like to try? Do you think you could take the… heat?”

Roars of laughter and the stomping of hooves echoed from her supporters in the council as the
the mayor snarled.

“I am happily married, you-”

“ENOUGH!”

The room shook.

For a few brief moments, cameras snapped away at Celestia's loss of control.

Her colorful mane slowed its waving and merged into a blinding bright whiteness. Her already pure white fur began to shine as her eyes locked onto the crowd before her. Brows drawn dangerously low. The room was instantly turned into a sauna.

Then, She spoke. Gone was the motherly tone so many were used to and instead, for a moment, it was like the noon sun had stepped down.

“I have ruled for over a thousand years and have watched this for too long!” She reared up and slammed her hoof down again, shattering her tea set. The cup in her hoof cracking and boiling over, only to turn to gas as it landed on her fur.

The whole room was frozen, save for the news ponies quickly adjusting their exposure and rising for noon day lenses.  That is, save for the few who had known what was to come.

“Corruption! Stealing from my ponies!” Her eyes glared at the first pony “Yes, MY little ponies.”

She huffed and breathed hard as the light slowly dimmed.

She slowly turned back into the mare that they had all known.

“Enough, I will hear no more of this foolishness. Come, my sister, let us leave.” Celestia drew her mouth in a line, not flinching as her sister appeared by her side in a quick flash, her mouth and eyes equally aloof.

The two of them looked at each other, then nodded before practically marching toward the exit.

“T-The council has not dismissed you!” shouted Iron Hoof “This is contempt!”

With a flick of her tail, Celestia didn’t look back, only shouting enough to be heard and giving a quick snort.

“Indeed!”

The two of them traveled down the short hallway as the council burst into another uproar. This one far more chaotic and sincere sounding than the last.

The two of them did not speak, instead choosing to trot right past the normal, small, exit door that everypony usually used.

Instead they went to the giant ceremonial doors. Ones that hadn't been opened for the twenty years that the building had been standing. Nor the three hundred years that it had stood in the old council building.

Celestia and Luna reached out pulling the two large bolts, each three feet long, open with a sound of screeching metal before slamming the doors open and stepping out to another sea of flashing lights.





“What do you think Twilight is calling us for?”

“I don’t know.” Spike frowned as Ponyville came into view. Rarity, his wife clinging to his wide back. 

The two of them had been in Canterlot for a grand event in Rarity’s boutique when Spike received a message from Twilight.  

Even after all these years Twilight's castle still looked like such an eyesore. Slowly though the nearby buildings were beginning to change to match the resident sovereign’s place of residence.  With the rustic elements of ponyville giving way to a particularly colored stones, with crystal overhang. It had started when Twilight had constructed the new Ponyville barracks to house her small unit of a hundred or so personal ‘guards’.

It still irked him how she had been forced to pay for the building personally. Her ability to tax had only been gained recently, after all. After she had purchased the rights from the nearby city of Cloudsdale.

He inwardly groaned again remembering how ‘purchased’ was technically incorrect. She had settled a thousand-year-old debt, that had transferred the right to tax to a Canterlot money house, which then sold the rights to Cloudsdale.

He had heard that the pegasi forum had been kicking itself, ever since Twilight personally quadrupled the county's output.

Flying down through a large opening patio on the castle’s second floor, he skidded to a stop.

After letting Rarity slide off, they went through the short passage of rooms, before stopping in the main corridor. He then walked over to the nearby doors, opening them to the throne room.

“After you my lady.” Spike said giving a low almost mocking bow.

“Thank you, my knight.” Rarity giggled swatting him on the nose.

The rest of their group of friends, sans Twilight, who had been together through so much, sat around the table chatting.

“Hiya Rarity! Spike! It's so, so, so good to see you again!” Pinkie burst suddenly. “Did you get the gifts I sent you?”

“Yes, Pinkie dear.” Rarity said, trotting up with Spike and sitting at the table. “Though I don’t know how you wrapped a cupcake without crushing it… nor why it was still warm, now that I think about it.”

Pinkie zoomed across the room to her side, leaning in with squinting eyes.

“Because I’m getting eeeven better.” She said, waving her hoof into the middle distance.

Spike laughed, getting a jab from Rarity to the ribs, to which he simply gave her mane a quick lick.

*Gasp*

Everypony laughed as Rarity pulled out her emergency brush and began to comb.

“Don’t do that!”

“Hey Rare, what goes around comes around.” Rainbow said resting on a cloud floating above the table.

“Plus, you did marry him.” Fluttershy said with a small smile.

“I did, didn’t I.” Rarity laughed looking up at Spike who couldn't help, but blush at her small smile.

He coughed. “So, do any of you know why Twilight wanted us to rush here?”

Each started to give a negative, but before they could finish, a flash of purple brought Twilight into existence standing on the table.

“Spike! Girls! You're here! That's great!”

She grinned broadly, as she reached out with her magic.

Chalkboards, piles of data tables and the jar containing a small sample of Mordanes magic all began to be summoned.

Floating over a chart, she began gibbering away, talking about magical fluxes and timetables.

Rainbow was the first to react, zooming up to her and booping the princess on the nose, and by doing so, breaking her concentration.

“Ah!” Twilight fell down, letting everything drop around her.

“Twilight! Cool that big brain of yours. We can’t keep up!”

Twilight blinked a few times, as the others gave their confirmations, before her cheeks blushed slightly as she rubbed her hoof against the back of her head.

“Goodness,” said Fluttershy. “It’s been a long time since we’ve seen you this excited.”

“Yeah, just tell us everything from the beginning, okay Twi?” Spike said.

“Okay.” she paused and took a moment to do the breathing technique Cadence had taught her. “The beginning.”

Then teleported again, but now, onto the table.

“What I’m about to tell you has been classified as top secret for the last two months. You cannot tell anypony outside of this room.”

“Whatever you say Twilight.” Pinkie said immediately making a show of mining zippering her mouth shut, as everyone gave their confirmations.

“As you know… I had great difficulty dealing with Mordane’s betrayal and death.”

Each of the listeners winced.

“Twilight…” Spike whispered, starting to worry.

“Just wait.” Twilight stopped in front of the dragon, reaching up with her magic to grab both sides of his face and turn it to make him look into her eyes. Then she gave him a smile. “I’m okay. Just let me finish.”

“Okay.”

“Now.” She said turning back toward the others. “As I was saying, I couldn’t let Mordane death go. I was obsessed.”

She took a moment to sigh.

“It was… really getting unhealthy. Eventually though, Discord gave me an offer…”

“When he showed you… that? ” Fluttershy whispered.

“Yes, when Discord showed me his death.” She paused taking a moment to give them a reassuring smile “I was stunned, overwhelmed even. I noticed the light had been far too bright. Running the calculations, I determined it was possible that Mordane had cast a teleportation spell instead of being destroyed.”

The room froze.

Spike felt a metal trap slam shut gripping his heart.

Twilight smiled continuing her story for them to hear.

“But there was no way to be sure, so I used this.” She said floating up the small jar “A bit of Mordanes magic to build a detector… and one month later, I had a signal.”

“Mordane alive?” Spike croaked.

Ripples like spindly fingers ran down Spikes chest and into his stomach where it twisted in him.

Joy…..

Fear….

Shock...

Anger.

Twilight took in a deep breath closing her eyes before giving a small smile.

“Yes, Mordane is alive.”

The whole room rushed into activity at once.

Fluttershy gasped and covered her mouth as small tears tipped her eyes. Acting as if she could hold in the feeling, that had rushed from inside of her.

Applejack’s mouth fell open.

Rarity frowned.

Pinkie’s smile faded as her mouth opened slightly.

Rainbow froze mid flight.

“What!?”

The girls shouted.

“How could this be~!?” Rarity gasped “How am I going to tell Sweetie Belle!?”

Twilight started out first with a deeply detailed and technical explanation, only to be cut off when Spike held up his claw.

“Twilight, you're doing it again.”

Twilight stopped midway through marking out an energy curve on a chalkboard.  She looked back over the shoulder blushing slightly.

“Oh… “She turned back around and sat down, setting aside her extra-long ‘extreme’ ruler “Mordane masked his teleport spell inside of a compression wave and drain spell. The energy from the storm was used to fuel a long-range spell.”

“Uh… And, where did he go?” Fluttershy asked.

Twilight grinned before flashing away and appearing again with a large map.

“Hmmmmm, there.”

She pointed with her hoof while flying.

“Uh, Twilight.” Rainbow dash asked, “What map is this?”

“A world map.” she said cocking her head to the side before face hoofing, “Sorry, I forget most ponies only deal with an Equestrian map. The territories belonging to Equestria would be about… that.”

She made a glowing square appear over the map.

“Oh my.” Rarity said covering her hoof. “That's rather… small.”

“Ah’ can’t believe it.” Applejack frowned. “Ah’ always thought Equestria was a lot bigger.”

“Uhh… Twilight?” Spike said, already knowing about the global position of Equestria “You’re saying that Mordane is beyond the southern lands?”

“Yes.” She nodded as she said it, giving them a strained smile.

“THOSE southern lands.” he said with a scowl. “That place is terrible… Violent. And the only thing I know about them is that they used to be a part of the old Equestria.”

“Old Equestria?” Rarity asked quietly, covering her mouth.

“Pre-Nightmare moon.” Twilight replied. Her friends though still looked confused. So, using a beam from her horn she created a large glowing space over the landmass where Equestria was. It extended to beyond the small square map she showed.

“Equestria used to be much, much bigger. Prance, Germaneigh… most of the current nations and city states of ponies, used to be under the aliarchy alliance. This includes the lands beyond the great divide. In fact, that is where the capital used to be.” she turned about to the group “Equestria has declined for a very long time to get to its current borders. That only stopped recently with Luna’s return.”

“Indeed.” All the ponies looked back as Discord entered through the door.

The ponies all winced as he did. Discords face no longer contained the mania that seemed to animate him for the years that they had known him. Nor did he pull the same kind of tricks he had before.

Fluttershy took the air and fluttered over to him.

“Oh, you shouldn’t be out of bed.”

“It’s quite alright dear. I feel stronger today. Those meals you have been making have done wonders.”

“Here, take a seat.” she gestured to her own chair.

His magic had taken a particularly sharp decline since showing Twilight the past.

As he sat down Rainbow looked away frowning, uncertain what to think of him, or this new information.

“Old Equestrian alliance.” Discord began after taking a moment to settle into his chair. “It was founded by the Princesses, oh about two thousand six hundred years ago. After the Unity war of the ancient kingdoms.”

“Discord…” Twilight spoke up. “What do you mean Unity war? Are you talking about the war uniting the three tribes and bringing on the wendigos?”

“Wendigos?” He blinked eyes furrowing. “Oh, those old things. Dangerous pests. Artifacts of lost souls torn asunder in the war, coming back to wreak havoc. Tartarus cursed things nearly starved us out.”

“Discord…” Fluttershy whispered, eyes wet with worry. “Are you feeling well?”

The calm expression on Discord’s face gave way to a small grin, as he looked back at the mare. “Oh, quite well Fluttershy. Just under the weather. Haven’t been feeling like my chaotic self lately.”

Turning back to Twilight his eyes seeming to look for something before a small glint flashed.

He threw back his head leaning into Fluttershy much like Rarity on her fainting couch.

“Oh, I remember those times. Wonderful Chaos! Sombra’s rebellion, The Second Great Griffin Succession War, and even the Nightmare War.” he paused and scratched his chin as if remembering something. “Or as they used to call it before my reign and Celly’s scrubbing, the Two Queens War.”

Twilight stopped her notetaking and looked at Discord, cocking her head to the side questioningly.

“I’ve never heard that name, why did they call it the Two Queens War?” She asked. “There was only one queen, Nightmare Moon.”

“Oh?” Discord said as his clawed hand raked through Fluttershy’s hair. “Well the war started after the disappearance of… a certain pony. The kingdom fell into disarray.”

Discords eyes grew distant again as he looked off toward the window.

“All that chaos. It drove Celestia and Luna ragged. The tension was high, and the alliance was on shaky ground.” He frowned. “Then I came. And from my chaos, they came out as rulers of Equestria. I rolled in chaos for… well, even I don’t know how long. The line of succession was broken, everything was in upheaval and so Celestia reached for the queens’ crown.”

“Now hold on a moment.” Spoke up Applejack with a frown. “How would you know this, you were in stone!”

“Yeah, come on Discord, at least keep your story straight.” Rainbow laughed as she flew lazily over.

“As I have told you before.” He said. “I was awake the whole-time and... aware. That isn’t important though. What is important was what happened when Celestia bucked tradition and reached for the crown.”

“She wouldn't!” Twilights shout rang out. Her brow furrowed.

“Oh?” Discord replied, grinning like a snake. “Is that what you think?”

“Yes!” Twilight declared “Celestia is no tyrant.”

“I have to agree with Twilight, Discord.” Rarity cut in. “Celestia would never be so... underhoofed.”

Spike reached over and patted Twilight’s wing. She looked at him, her tense face softening. Spike stepped forward with a heavy footstep and looked down on Discord.

“Celestia is like a second mother to me and Twilight. You shouldn’t make such jokes as that.”

Discord stopped petting the worried looking Fluttershy. He drew himself up and looked at Spike on an even level.

“I’ve told plenty of jokes, but that isn’t one. Celestia was declared queen a year after I was turned to stone. If you don’t believe me then just ask her yourself.” he grinned before taking to the air wobbling. He flew slowly up toward the window. Before turning back and shouting “Ask her about the ‘silent dreams’, she’ll know what that means.”

Twilight fumed as Discord flew out of the castle. Her friends taking the time to comfort her and ask questions about Mordane.

But even as she answered and spent time with them, she still couldn’t take what Discord had said from her mind.





Luna slid into the bath with a sigh. She floated off her regalia and at the same time a plastic bottle of bubble soap towards her.

She sat in the extra, extra-large bath, (some might even call it a pool), placed in an isolated wing between her and Celestia’s tower.

It was their usual meeting place when they had more than an hour to celebrate, or relax. Several servants had prepared a large table of food that could easily be picked up with magic, for them to float over and a wide range of bottled drinks.

A series of clever holes even allowed live music to be played from several rooms over with sound only going one way.

‘Celestia has truly outdone herself’ Luna thought. ‘A full orchestra for a private meeting? Full service? What happened, did she figure out how to raise our mother from the dead?’

It had been...decades since she had seen Celestia indulge in such luxury.

Even now she was listening to Evening Inclines Nachosic, 1st movement as she slipped deep into the water enraptured.

“Ink Well, tell them to play George Fredric Hoofdel - The Arrival." Luna heard Celestia whisper. Luna’s ear twitched as her music stopped and a hooffull of seconds later the song began to play.

She opened her eyes and watched as Celestia practically pranced to the tube, while floating a bottle of bubbling cherry Goofe. A true smile on her face as she gave a winning smile barely hinging at the edge underneath. Her hair was tied up in trestles.

Luna raised only a single eyebrow.

“Fancy meeting you here sister.” Celestia giggled as she shimmied into the tub.

“Your joke is rather blunt sister; its lack of grace seems to reflect your contents this evening.”

Celestia elected to respond with a flick of her tail giving Luna a small splash as she slipped fully into the water.

“Duke Chapping Hides just passed an official motion, to have me put on leave.” Celestia snorted. “It should be up for vote in parliament in three days.”

Luna barked with her own laughter.

“Putting YOU on leave. Even if they had the legal right, even if the crown was under their council, even if it was WE who personally owned most of the capital city, they might as well shut the whole government down if they were to make such a move.”

“It doesn’t matter. They will not get the chance.”

She smiled and took a sip of her drink, smiling as the music came to an end.

“Moo-zart 5th?” she asked looking back at the butler who nods before trotting off to tell the orchestra the correction.

“I do not know that one.” Luna said.

“Oh, you would love her. She was born just over a hundred years ago.”

Luna’s ear twitched as his music started to come through, even with just a few bars she began to smile.

“Really? She is quite good. More classical than I would have imagined would be played so recently.”

“She was a very strange bovine. Very moody, and couldn’t hold on to a single bit. Tended to munch on anything around her. Grass, wood-” Celestia subconsciously reached for her tail “-hair. Also liked to watch water for some reason. Gave her milk a very complex taste. I still think I have some cheese of hers in the basement as well.”

“Truly? I will have to ask for some.” She said with a smile looking at the butler who returned the smile and headed out a different door with his unspoken quest.

“So,” Luna said, charging a spell to heat the water to boiling again. “Enough of Equestrian politics. Tell me, what are we going to do about this male alicorn.”

She grinned.

“One would be foolish to not take opportunities, when they present themselves.”

“Luna, he is over a thousand years my younger.”

“Not mine though, merely a hundred. I still think I have a chance. At least better than you do, sister.”

“Oh, stop it Luna.” she giggled “This is very serious. He is the first alicorn male. We don’t know how that will affect him, or how strong he will be.”

Luna snorted.

“That clout from the council has more of a chance to depose you, sister. His strength may, or may not have a greater potential, but that would be significant only after hundreds of years down the line. Mordane is no Twilight Sparkle. Even if we were to bypass you, he still has essentially no chance of ever catching up, let alone matching her in magical skill, or raw power.”

“We really must speak of this bias you carry, Luna. Stallions may be weaker on average magically, but I would remind you Discor-” She coughed as Luna glared at her “I mean Starswirl’s magic was one of the strongest. His reserves were even bigger than my own.”

“An anomaly against a well-established average. I’ve seen Twilight’s charts on Mordane’s progress, and the projected charts on his ACTUAL progress given he shouldn’t have been able to cast the spell he did. Trust me, Celestia, he is only a danger in what trouble he may cause. I tell you- Sister?” She paused, blinking a few times as her eyes locked onto Celestia face.

“Sister!?” She shot up and started looking around the room, remembering that the butler had left.

Looking back at her sister Luna was almost in a state of panic.

Celestia was frozen, wide eyed. Her mane was beginning to blow harder, sharper, even starting to whip behind her as her pupils turned from distant, to milky then disappeared altogether.

Luna bit her lip, she knew what this was even though she had never been personally present for any before.

Celestia’s prophecy. Said to be a gift from the creator themselves.

Usually the butler, or other attendant would have something to write it down with. It didn’t matter that one hadn’t been heard, in over five hundred years.

But Luna had sent the butler away and was without a pen.

As Celestia opened her mouth Luna bit her lip, looking around wildly before her eyes locked onto a floor tile.

Charging her horn, she recorded as Celestia began to speak.

“When the lost one that lacks purpose, brings together hoof and earth upon the horn of the world, if his destiny shall be made whole. The sky will march against the earth, crown fallen raised again.”

“All hail the king. All hail the king. All hail the king.”

Celestia shuddered and dropped into the water. Luna caught her and set her up.

She touched Celestia's cheek. Eyebrows coming together.

“Sister.” She whispered.

“Huh?” Celestia moaned, eyes fluttering open. Her pupils slowly fading back in.  “What happened?”

“A prophecy sister. You had a prophecy.”

The two of their attentions were brought to the main door as a guard forced their way into the chamber.  

The pony that rushed through was black as the night. Gray hooves, black feathers and wings.

Mordane’s brother was first through the door, his fellow guard standing uncertain just outside. After all this was the princesses bath.

Even though Luna thought for a moment it was ironic that he had been the first pony to come through considering the prophecy’s most likely message.

“Princess are you alright!?” Flashwing roared, his large black wings extended. His eyes burning bright.

“Flashwing?” Celestia said, giving him a genuine smile. “Well, you certainly know how to make an entrance.”

Mordane’s brother blanched.

“I’m sorry princess. It is just-”

“No, you did well. It was a vision this time, but next time it might not be so. In any case I am fine.”

“A vision?” his eyes widened slightly. “The nobles will be in an uproar when they find out…” he said before snapping to attention. “Not that we will report it your majesty… and if this one was not heard by anypony unwanted.”

“No, this place is already sealed. It is contained…” Her eyes caught the words burned into the floor tile. “Please leave us… actually, make sure that no one speaks of this commotion. I’ll consider what to do with the information after assessing it. Report to my office in two hours.”

“Yes, Princess Celestia.” he bowed straightening his helmet as he stood up again. “Your royal guard will be ready.”

The two sisters took a moment to collect themselves shivering despite the warmth as he left. Their eyes flicked to each other and the floor, then back.

“Didn’t have paper ready?” Celestia asked, a small, forced smile breaking the ice.

Luna laughed and shook her head, leaning in as she embraced her sister.

“Don’t you start.” She giggled “there was little time.”

“Indeed. Well, let me give it a read.” She took a deep breath and stood up, moving to Luna’s side she looked down and read the words along with Luna.

Luna cocked her head and furrowed her brows. Looking back at her sister she saw her fellow princess had drawn her lips into a firm line.

“It's been over a millennium since I’ve been to the horn of the world.” Celestia whispered. “...that place…”

“This prophecy must be about Mordane. He is the only pony I know who could fit it. ‘Lost one’ and the lack of a destiny, or ‘purpose’. Mordane didn’t have a mark when we last saw him.”

“I’ve never seen an ‘If’ in a prophecy before.” Celestia frowned “Are you sure I said that word?”

“Yes,” Luna nodded rereading the lines once again. “Perhaps this answers Deep Thoughts conjecture?”

Celestia’s eyebrow raised slightly, seemingly with the billowing in her mane and Luna’s smile.

“That a mark is chosen by the pony and therefore their destiny with it? That is something I have never heard of before. Many a pony have sadly grown up without marks, but to choose your own? It's magistically impossible, Logically impossible! You cannot CHOOSE a destiny.  No pony whose spirit formed within another pony’s magic field would not be already saturated with it. It must be weaved into the worlds greater magic field. To NOT be so, would require for the spirit to form before the body." Celestia said stomping her hoof slightly for emphasis.

“And yet this says that Mordane will choose his destiny.” Luna said. “doesn’t that imply...”

“It does. But won’t I be caught up thinking through a mental twist. Our fate is our own. We are meant for it as much as we choose it.” she frowned “What I wonder is what is ‘hoof and earth’ standing for. I cannot divine anything from it.”

Luna floated over another bottle of wine and two glasses as she simultaneously collected up the fallen ones. After handing Celestia's hers and taking a sip she spoke again, breaking the silence.

“A king?”

“A king.” Celestia replied her mouth drawing into a line. “So Mordane will gain a crown. Should he gain first a mark on the horn of the world.”

“It seems so.”

Their eyes lingered on each other, a mountain of conversation passing between them.  Glancing once again at the message Celesta breathed in deeply before stepping out of the water. Then her hair flashed bright white, steam roiled off her.


“I will send a message to Twilight.” Celestia said sipping her drink even as the glass in her grip melted. The hot silicon seeming to have no effect. “At least in a few minutes, before the stone cracks.”

Luna smirked, her eyes beginning to glow as her mane turned to an even darker blue.





In a restaurant that few in Canterlot, or anywhere else could afford; several congressional ponies sat in their large and comfortable chairs.

There was little noise from outside the moderately sized room, cloth panel and expensive yak carpets were accented by the accoutrement that would clearly and most widely state the phrase ‘I get my kicks through hostile takeovers and randomly closing apartment buildings’.

Lady Bayleaf, Legal Surge and Red Tape sat drinking an expensive brew. The stinging smell of hot spice, mixed harshly with the sweet cocoa clung to the air, battling the scent that was combination of ginger and nutmeg. It was from the camel kingdom. On the table laid a spread made with ingredients from all over the world. The ponies themselves were wearing standard Canterlot affair. Three cloaks stuck out from the opulence. They were hung on a hook in a corner, which was worth more than a hundred of such garments.

Lady Bayleaf wore a top hat, a strange choice for a mare, but the height of current fashion in Manehattan nonetheless. She sat smiling softly as she slowly stirred her spiced red tea while pouring in far too much honey.

“The nerve of that mare, walking out of parliament.” Mayor Bayleaf said quietly “I tell you that mare still thinks it’s the second century.”

The mare Red Tape chuckled. While the stallion Legal Surge slammed his hooves against the table.

“If she thinks this expansion of her ‘royal guard’ into a standing Equestrian army under her control will help her-” The stallion took off his large Stetson cowboy hat and whipped his forehead before biting into his pipe, letting out a stream of purple bubbles while he glared. “I’ve been working on extracting Las Pegasus for too long. If she starts to gain political power again I’d be ruined, or worse.”

“Wasn’t it the third century though when the Equestrian army was disbanded?” Red Tape said grinning before gulping down her dark salted coca.

Bayleaf smiled softly.

“Yes.” She bit slowly into a crisp strawberry before speaking, still with a soft smile. “This turn of recent events is disturbing. The decline of Equestria has been long and steady. Even my cousins in Prance, benefited from it seven hundred years ago, when the province broke away. The princess has always been unable to truly act.”

“Not anymore!” Surge took a deep breath of his chosen narcotic. The purple haze oozed out of his lips with magic bolts rushing through it. “Ever since the return of Luna she has taken much off Celestia. The mare now makes visits to cities that are even weeks away from Canterlot!”

He stood and swept away his drunk eyes brimming with rage.

“What does that matter,” snorted Red Tape. “We have her right where we want her. Maintaining the sun and dealing with evil villains.” She slammed back a glass of hard salt water.

“Then get her out of my hair.” grimaced Bayleaf  “Extortion used to be so simple before her private investigators started getting around.”

“Don’t even get me started on them,” spat Legal Surge, picking back up his pipe. “My ponies have to run the sheep nearly ragged to avoid them and her royal patrols.”

“And the police are starting to make their bribes higher.” She once again slammed her hooves on the table. “If this keeps going the way it is,” She leaned over and laid against Legal Surges hoof. “I’ll have to go work the streets again.”

Legal Surge snapped back his hoof and snorted. “Good luck, you wouldn’t even be able to pay for your eyeliners.”

Bayleaf grinned. “Oh, it’s not the same as the one you’ve known, dear. It is much better, though I’ll have to tax you for it. And you know what the percentages are.”

“Oh, have you been paying the Business License Fee? As you know they measure by income via unregistered business act,” Red Tape giggled. “I could have my stallions come down for an… audit.”

“And they would find that my stallions have no income, miss Tape.” She smiled. “They live in the home for wayward gentleponies, a charity I set up myself. Giving downtrodden colts the necessities.”

“And these ‘necessities’ include whole apartments, jewelry, and large fine dining, I hear,” Red Tape giggled.

“Anything for my constituents.” Bayleaf smiled softly. Standing up she let the mask slip. Her brow furrowed as a toothy grin broke out on her face.

Seeing her move the other two stood and at the same time the three of them slammed their hooves on the table.

“So.” Bayleaf practically hissed. “The three herdmasters find themselves around the same table.”

“To assume you are my equals” Legal Surge snorted. “I’m of noble blood. You could lose your power with one bad vote and she is nothing but a corrupt bureaucrat. One of hundreds to purchase.”

“I'm not  A corrupt bureaucrat.” Grinned Red Tape “I’m  THE corrupt bureaucrat. NO piece of paper. No permit, tax form, or anything, gets out without ME allowing it. I am the state.”

“Elections are fine by me. Better to sometimes step back and even more to have those got chosen take the fall for me. Something your bloodline could very much do with Surge.” Bayleaf said eyes looking between the two other ponies, she let the silence stand for a moment. “We all know why we are here.”

“Indeed... Celestia.”

“The princess of the sun.” Red Tape sighed.

“We need to get rid of her, or we are all going to end up in a cell.”

“I am sure you would.” Said a new voice before kicking the door open.

A stallion clad in purple captain’s armor. Eyes focused and brow furrowed walked in looking over the political ponies around him.

“What is this I hear?” He said in a ringtone manner. “A group of miscreants abusing their positions of power? Why if my aunty were to hear, I’d say she would die of heart attack.”

Bayleaf’s grin only seemed to grow more sinister.

“Oh, good Blueblood you’re here. Legal Surge, Red Tape, my… competition, I’d like you to meet an old friend.”

“Captain-prince Blueblood the thirteenth, of the Royal Equestrian Guard.” He bowed giving his award-winning smile “At your service.”

“And if things go right, future commander in chief of the Equestrian military.” Bayleaf said to her shocked companions.

“Blueblood, weren’t you fighting in the desert against the changelings?” Legal surge blinked seeming to realize something before grinning. “The captain of the guard and her own family.”

“Why would he be here.” Red Tape hissed “Though I do wonder. What is it you have to gain?”

“Hrm.” He grunted slipping off his helmet, before slamming it down onto the center of the table.

“Well. I am here to protect the assets of the high houses of the greater Canterlot Nobility. That is to say. The houses both directly tied to me and you in a... not so legal manner.”

He Leaned onto the table, as the others moved to accommodate him, while Bayleaf was first to speak.

“Legal Surge, Red Tape, I give you Prince Blueblood. Fourth herdmaster of the Equestrian underworld.”

The other two ponies said nothing, coming to terms with the news and trying to think how it would fit into their own plans.

“Well then Bayleaf. I don’t have all day. Why did you use your favor to ask me to come down here?”

“Yes, why bring me here. It's a risk to both I and Blueblood being in the same room.”

“I want clear terms.” Red Tape announced. “I give other ponies the run around, I never take it.”

The mare did nothing for a moment before reaching down and opening a black bottle. She poured herself a shot and taken it. Shaking for a moment as something in the air changed. The four ponies’ eyes widened slightly as they feel the music begin to take shape.

The four lean forward again at the same time, slamming their hooves around the helmet.

“Right here, right now,
I put the offer out.
I don’t want to mess around. But. I know. you. see. it.
This has, to end.
This play we are all in.
Out of this drudgery the dyes we hide in”


Bayleaf sweeps her hooves-

"So let's take our typical,
and make it colorful,
and if it's crazy, live a little crazy."
We can stay in seats, then fall,
Kings of broken halls.
Or we can risk it all and see”

She throws her hooves into air-

“Don't. You. Want to get away,
from that same, old, part that mare has us play,
cause we got what we need, so come with us and take a ride.
It’ll take us to the other side.
Because you can just do as you do, or we can do the dream.
Stay in the cage, or you finally will be free.
Oh, damn! Suddenly you’re free to fly!
It’ll take us to the other side.”

Blueblood shook his head-

“Okay, my friend. So you want to cut us in.
Well I hate to tell you, but it just. Won’t. Happen.
So thanks,
But no.
I think I’m good to go,
I think I can speak for them when I say I enjoy the life I’m trapped in
Now, I am just like you, and I don’t like this change of tune.
It really is something. Really it’s something
But I live among the swells, and we don’t want to break that shell.
I’ll have to leave that up to you.”

Legal Surge sings

“Don’t you, know that I'm okay
With this, backtown cowboy I get to play
Cause I got what I need and I don’t want to take the ride,
I don't need to see the other side.
So go and do like you do
I'm good to do like me.
Ain't gonna end up in a cage,
so I don't need to risk my keys
Oh, damn!
Can't you see that you’re playing with fire.
Your plan is just a little too dire."

Bayleaf-

“Is this how you would spend your days.
Whiskey in the periphery with the dogs and the braves”

Red Tape-

“If we was mixed up with you, it’d be the talk of the town
Disgraced and disrobed
Another gem in the crown.”

Bayleaf-

“But you would finally live a little,
finally laugh a little.
Just let me give you the freedom to dream
And we will wake them up and cure their aching.
Take our walls and start 'em breaking.
Now that's a deal that seems worth taking.
But I guess I'll leave that up to youuuuuu.”


In silence they stood for a few moments, waiting before Blueblood spoke up.

Blueblood-


“Well it's intriguing, but to go would cost me greatly
So what title of this show would I be taking?”

Bayleaf-

“Fair enough, you would want a piece of all the action.
I’ll make you a landed count,
We can shake and make it happen.”

Blueblood-

“I wasn’t born this morning.
King, would be just fine.”

RedTape-

“Why not just dissolve the council and slap us all with crime!”

Blueblood-

“Duke?”

“Crie.”

“landed prince.”

"Capital”

“Fine”

The four shake and sing together

“Don't. You. Want to get away,
from that same old part that mare has us play,
cause we got what we need, so come with us and take a ride.
It’ll take us to the other side.
Because you can just do as you do, or we can do the dream.
Forget the cage, ‘cause we finally can be free.
Oh, damn suddenly we’re free to fly!
We’re going to the other side.
We’re going to the other side.”

Lifting their glasses, they toasted.

“To the other side”

Then drank breaking out in laughter, save for Blueblood who looked at his glass and whispered as the last of the magic slipped away.

“To the other side.”

Looking at the other ponies Bayleaf nodded. Straightening and smiling with confidence from the musical magic.

“And so, she has forced our hooves.” Bayleaf said with a grin. “She may have the ponies love, but we have the power. If she tries to arrest us, then we can turn it against her and strip away the last of the power she has. If not, then we will do it anyway.”

She raised her hoof, with the glass in it.

“Down with the stellar autocracy. And up with the Equestrian Parliament.”

“Here, Here!” The ponies pounded their hooves and partook of drink and merry. The sounds of which never reached outside of the room. Wrapped as they were in silence. 






The stage was set, and the actors were in the middle of the play. The crowd was watching in silence. Among many of them you could find small toys and other paraphernalia depicting a winged pony with red eyes.

The brown coated pony dressed as an alicorn thrust his hoof into the air as his prosthetic horn glowed. He wore a gleaming suit of armor with black sculled accents and fastens. His hair waving behind him was dark black and filtered into the black magical glow that surrounded him.

“No Boulder, I will not surrender. I will not snivel and bow.”

“But sir, the battle is lost” Wined another pony wearing hard amber armor. “Your soldiers have fallen. Even your most loyal Stalker.”

“And died well he did. I will remember him for taking that blade. But fear not, he is still here.” ‘Mordane’ grinned gesturing as another pony stumbled out from behind the mound. A knife seeming to jut from his skull “I will not let death have him! Go! Fight on! I will not let anyone die until I have VICTORY!”

The choir sung in haunting toned apocrypha.

“Let us go! Let us go!”

“NO!” Mordane howled.

Mordane’s mother, Sunny fields leaned over far, holding her three daughters. Merry was covering her eyes and trembling slightly, seeming to hope that she would disappear as well. Her mark was a large cake and streamers.  Berry’s eyes were transfixed and wide, her mark a small pile of scrolls. Dandelion, formerly Dandy Sweets, had a dandelion in her hair and on her flank as well. She was covering her mouth as her eyes watered along with her mother’s.

His father, Stone, was standing stock still, eyes lingering on the pony representing Stalker. A mixture of disgust, sorrow, and anger warring in his eyes.

Pegasi then began to sweep over the crowd, wearing mock Irona uniforms. They started to shout to ‘get him’ and firing arrows into the mound around Mordane’s feet as some of the ponies wearing more amber armor fell, only to rise with arrows sticking out of them.

“Please, Mordane, you have to surrender.”

“I won’t surrender. I can’t surrender!” the Mordane character shouted. He took to the air, fighting the ponies as they continued to pick off his zombies. “I’ve lost too much! Stalker! My Ponies! I WON'T GIVE IN, IRONA! YOU HEAR ME!? I WON’T GIVE IN!”

He looked around. His eyes grew wide as Irona soldiers surrounded him.

Slowly, they closed in.

“Sir, you have to surrender. You have to- argh!” The actor playing Boulder was cut short as a swords strike cut into him.

“Boulder!?” ‘Mordane’ shouted, his eyes wide in shock for a few moments. His eyes darted around and around again, before furrowing in rage.

“You think you have defeated me!? I won’t lose!” He turned up to face the ceiling, raising both his hooves up high and wings outstretched.

“LUNA! MY MOTHER! CALL DOWN YOUR NIGHT!”

In the back of the stage, a painting of the Lunar Fortress was suddenly played across with lights.

The orchestra built to a crescendo.

Then, a large crash. The lights fall as all the Irona soldiers dive for the floor.

The curtain falls.





Stone kept his three daughters and wife close as they left the theater. He bit his lip as they shuffled toward an alley and out of the thrall of the crowd.

Merry was crying and being comforted by Dandelion. Stone focused on Sunny Fields, embracing her.

“Luna curse it, Stone,” she said through tears. “Mordane’s becoming just like father.”

“Don’t say that,” Stone said. “You know as well as I that you can’t trust plays. Who knows how many fictions that has?”

“But, we do know that he fought a dragon!” Berry squeed. “The whole city is talking about it. Mordane fought a dragon and won!”

“I-I just can’t believe little Mordy has grown up to be so mean.” Merry sniffled. “He was such a cute little colt.”

“Dears, don’t be sad,” Stone said turning to look at them all head-on. “Mordane is an alicorn. He was meant for great things.

“Indeed.”

Stone’s ears snapped up. Practically jumping, he spun around and sniffed the air. Sunny Fields grabbed her daughters and drew them close as a few dangerous looking sparks leaped out from her mane.

“We need to leave,” he said.

“Dear?”

“Let’s go!” Stone shouted and the group of ponies began rushing down the alleyway. Behind them, a few curses were followed by the pounding of hooves.

Ahead of them, another group of ponies stepped out to block the exit, trying to cut them off.

“Left!” Stone shouted, turning the corner. Only to come to an abrupt stop.

Shadows hung low on the walls as the six ponies closed in, stopping to form a half circle around Stone and his family in one corner.

Stone himself planted his hooves firmly into the ground, giving a snort

“Well, come on then,” he said. “What are you waiting for!?”

“They’re waiting for me.” The voice came out of the dark. A large earth pony walked slowly, the light slowly traveling up his body until he was clear to see.

“P-Peddler.” Stone’s eyes widened for a moment, before narrowing again. “How did you know I was here?”

“Been watching you for years, even all out in Equestria. Met your little alicorn babe as well. Cute kid, bit oblivious.” Smut Peddler said, looking over the family.

“Father, who is this?” Merry whispered, her head sticking out.

“Aye, you didn’t tell them about me? Of course, you didn’t.” He sneered. “Didn’t tell little Mordane about his clan either.”

“You're not my brothers,” Stone said softly, and firmly. “I am not part of your clan anymore.”

Smut and the other ponies ears snapped up.

There was a pause, before Smut shook his head.

“Blood mixed until death, Stone. It can’t be undone. Come, the clan masters want to see you. They want to hear about your son.”

The six ponies all stomped together, slowly stepping forward. Each step reverberated the ground like giant weights were being lifted and dropped. Two drew out a metal chain and swooped in.

“No.”

The ground erupted. Clear across the city of Tietus, the sound of an explosion could be heard as Mordane’s father, Stone Stronghoof, lived up to his wife's family name.

His hooves were sitting in two holes as in front of them a wall of stone had been flung up.

“Dad!?” Shouted Merry, Berry, and Dandelion’s. Their shocked faces starting to take on shadows as a purple light started to gather around their mother’s forehead, sparks covering on a small stub.

“Close your eyes!” Stone shouted, before rearing back and bucking a nearby wall.

A huge cloud of dust filled the area as a beam of powerful light sliced through at neck level, forcing Smut Peddler and his fellow clan members to flinch away and jump back to dodge.

“After them!” Smut Peddler shouted, sending his ponies scrambling into dust as he stood coughing.

In his own puff of smoke, Shop Lifter landed with a small crack on the stonework.

“Told you it wouldn't work.”

“Aye,” Smut Peddler sighed. “He was always the strongest.”





“A-are you sure, my princess? This is the statement you want to make in this, err… political climate?” Times asked, looking at his friend, of so many years.

“I’m sure, my good friend,” she said with a smile. “I’m certain many ponies will appreciate the break from your newspaper’s talking of Mordane’s survival.”

“It's just” he said, ears drooping “You have always been good to me and my family. Ponies are just getting used to the idea of Twilight as an alicorn. If another alicorn is out there, not under your influence… I don’t want to do anything that undermine your legitimacy, my princess.”

Celestia smiled. Leaning down, she gave a soft lingering kiss on the forehead.

“It’s okay, my little pony. It will all be okay.”

Time’s ears raised slightly as he gave a sheepish smile.

“You haven’t given me a kiss like that since I was a little foal.”

“Well, I just wanted to thank you for being concerned for me. Please, go ahead and publish my statements and any other information you have on Mordane. It is okay, trust me.”

“I will.”

Celestia waved as Time left, pausing only at the door to give a deep bow. The guards, of course, pretend to not notice, and if asked would have said his tone was cutting, accusatory even. The Time’s, after all, was the most cutting and revealing paper about Celestia, more than any other media.

He didn't even see the small frown on her sister’s face.

“It is wise of you sister?” she sighed. “To do this, I mean?”

Celestia turned to see her sister, seeming to appear from shadow, a genuine smile rising from seeing her mane. Only ponies that really knew her could tell the difference. The colors tended to shift a little quicker.

“Well, I do feel rather proud of myself. Everything is in place and Mordane’s story is a good place to get the ball rolling.” She looked out the window at the city below. “I just hope that the ponies take it well.”

“Take it well?” Luna scoffed “Sure, many will be riled, especially in the nobility. Though, why would normal ponies not take it well?”

“Because, my dear Luna, in my thousand years of rule, I have learned this lesson well. The public can handle any kind of crisis. Ponies fall at our border and whole towns are lost every day, but that is to be expected.” she sighed. “They can take the expected. It's the unexpected, I fear, that truly leaves an impact.”





In the city of Manehattan, ponies were going about their business. Some shopping, others working, others doing what some might circumscribe as crimes.

“Extra, Extra! Male alicorn still alive! Celestia at fault?”

“What?” said a startled pony in a fitted business suit. Spinning suddenly, they reached into their satchel and pulled out bits. “Give that to me.”

Their eyes scanned rapidly over the paper as another pony trotted up, quickly holding their own paper.

“Have you read this!?”

“Yeah, the male alicorn that saved Ponyville. He’s still alive!”

“And he's in the Southern Lands! He fought those diamond dogs. Maybe he’s the alicorn of fighting!” The mare speaking gasped. “Maybe he is going to attack us!”

“He is!?”





“He lives!”

In the ground section of Las Pegasus, a group of several dozen ponies were giggling with glee.

Their meeting was in the back room of a bar that one of them owned. The shop closed as the group sat, looking over the morning paper before it even came out.

“But, he doesn’t look nothing like the party king,” said another of the ponies over the general murmuring. “An wasn’t he a soldier, or something?”

“No, it says here that he was always an alicorn. They didn’t say that in his obituary. But, he lives!”

“How do we know it was him?”

“How many male alicorns do you think there are?”

“Plus, it says that he became Twilight’s pupil shortly after he vanished. She must have forced him to become her student!”

“The Party king lives!” another giggled with glee, throwing the whole group into an uproar.

The shouts of it were repeated and echoed.





The calls rang out, from Vanhoover to Las Pegasus, from the swamps to the mountains of lands not held by Equestria for centuries.

Mordane was alive.

The first and only male alicorn was alive, and somewhere beyond the crown. Somewhere that hadn’t been touched for over a thousand years.

The question on everyponies lips?

What was he doing?
> Leading a Pony to Water
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“The opportunity is too perfect to pass up.”, Bayleaf said with a grin. She gestured to the paper on the table before her.  “This isn’t gossip. It's not hearsay. This is a clear and present threat, that was right under her very nose.”

Bayleaf stood in front of her large mahogany dresser. Upon it was placed her signature top hat. The three mirrors on top of it did not reflect the room; instead Blueblood, Legal Surge, and Red Tape sat in various states of undress.

Legal Surge had a kiss on his neck, and donned a bathrobe. Behind him, a mare that was certainly not his wife trotted out of the door.

Red Tape was wearing absolutely nothing at all. One might even say “aggressively nothing”. Her hair, rather than in it’s usual bun, was splayed on her shoulders. Her room a collection of nicknacks and odd seemingly unconnected articles framed on the wall.

Blueblood’s irritated eyes stared emotionless from his stark bedroom, bags clearly visible under his eyes.

“Yes, I just read it.”, he said floating up his own paper. “Going to print in an hour. The nobility is going to, pardon the colloquialism, lose their minds.”

“Hmm, I can set things off at any time darling.” Red Tape said “I’ll have them so tied up in-” she giggled “-red tape they won’t know if they are trying to send out aid, or playing twister.”

“Well, that's interesting news.” Legal Surge said reading the paper on the table. “Hmm, the thing is. Are we ready?”

Bayleaf’s lips curled up. Her eyes glazed over, lips pulled back into a chilling smile.

“With our assets and resources we are more than ready.” She leaned forward slightly, “This is our moment. I’ve already pulled large favors with contacts to hold on its distribution in Canterlot. I have it on good authority Celestia won’t know about this for at least another hour. She has never been able to control Times and they have always been her most critical commentator.” 

She slammed her hoof down onto the dresser her smile breaking out into a wide grin. 

“I’ve already spoken with Mr.Times, and he has agreed to allow me to expedite delivery. By the morning, ponies everywhere are going to be in an uproar.”

“I’ll spring all my traps then.” Red Tape sighed “It's going to take months to clear the legal backlog.”

“There are a few families I’ll need to contact, perhaps expedite their agreement with a few bribes. It should be within possibility even at this early juncture.” Blueblood nodded whipping and running his hoof through his mane.

“And I’ll gather up some of my boys and declare independence. Then I’ll seize the local royal armory. That should clog up half of the rail lines out this way. Reinforcements will be impossible from the frontier.” Legal Surge grinned.

“It's settled then. I’ll make contact at noon. If all is going well I will be stripping Celestia of her powers before the evening.”

“Her powers?” Blueblood asked raising an eyebrow.

“And soon after I will create a new duchy over Canterlot. Don’t worry my dear Blueblood, you will receive your just reward.”

Blueblood nodded in agreement.

“Let us begin then.”

The connection cut as the three ponies moved to carry out their vital roles. 

As the mirrors turned to normal, Bayleaf sat down for a few moments smiling before reaching for her brush. Her hide bristled against the sharp stiff bristles as shivers ran up and down her spine, tickling her hooves and nose.

She would need to look her best this morning. 





Twilight had not expected this.

She hadn’t expected this at all.

Celestia had warned her to not be too surprised by ponies’ reactions to the news of Mordane having not died tragically in a magic induced lightning strike. In fact having decided to run away, far away from society, doing who knows what. This was beyond the pale. This was pandemonium.

“We’re all going to die!!!”

“Why didn’t the princess stop this? What are the princesses going to do about this!?”

The small crowd gathering outside of her castle became a little rowdier when they spotted her. Biting her lower lip, she retreated to the corner chair again, where her cook had left her morning breakfast.

The Times newspaper didn’t mince the words. In bold large letters on the front it read,

 
MALE ALICORN STILL ALIVE!

   
Celestia unsure of present location!

     
Council passes vote of no confidence!


At five this morning, just before sunrise, it was discovered that Celestia, alicorn of the sun, had concealed for an undetermined amount of time that Mordane Stronghoof, declared hero of Ponyville a year ago postmortem, has been found to be alive and in a land south of the badlands beyond the princess’ control or reach. 

What is known, is that Mordane Stronghoof attacked three of the alicorns with a powerful attack spell two months before the date of this publication.

Why the alicorns did not choose to inform the ponies of this blatant aggression from a nonaligned alicorn was not commented on by the princess, and no other princess could be reached for comment.

An unnamed source in Celestia's court had stated that Mordane escaped over the badlands and the Great Divide to what our contact called ‘Old Equestria.’

This land is beyond our current national diplomatic contacts. However, this reliable source has told us there are many independent pony states there. Our experts express concern of what this alicorn, who has shown leadership qualities already, is doing there.

This reporter though, awaits the princess’s response. 

Twilight let the paper flop to the table, her brow furrowing. On a whim, she reached out with her magic and crumpled it.

“Its alicorn, not alicorns.”

With an almost snap of her head, she levitated up the latest article brought by her assistant.


CELESTIA’S RULE CALLED INTO QUESTION


Leading members of the Equestrian nobility and the long-standing Mayor of Manehattan: Bayleaf, along with a coalition of other nobles and democratic offices issue a vote of no confidence. 

Such a vote has never been issued against a monarch, however, the council members informed us that the crown serves at the discretion of the council.

Celestia immediately filed a complaint in the national courts. The case was rejected with the head of Justice department stating they did not have jurisdiction over the crown or the council.

In a double decision the justice department also discarded hundreds of complaints concerning council members, leading some news papers to declare the council above the law.

A vote of no confidence-

Twilight rolled up and tossed the paper into the corner, her eyes watering as she curled up on her couch.

She sniffled, wondering if she should send another letter to Celestia, though Spike had disappeared. According to Rarity, he wasn’t taking the news of Mordane as well as she had hoped

More than anything, she wanted to know why Celestia hadn’t contacted her.

She pursed her lips. No one was taking the news as well as she thought they would.

In her heart, she knew that she couldn’t stay cooped up while this was all happening. The dissolution of the Equestrian state wouldn’t happen on her watch.

She sat up sniffling and walked into the bathroom to prepare herself.

Twilight exited the bathroom and trotted down the hallway. Outside her door, two guards had manned their posts, quickly falling in behind her as she continued to her secretary’s office.

“Twilight, I have the reports right here!” The mare pulled out her spreadsheets and laid them on the table. “Ponyville military forces have been called up as you requested. Ninety-eight of your personal guard have reported in. We have supplies to keep them marshaled indefinitely, considering the supplies from Sweet Apple Acres.”

“Princess,” Flash Sentry saluted as he stepped forward. “We are ready to act to secure your dominion. What are your orders?”

Twilight took a moment to take a deep breath that allowed her to steel her nerves again.

“I want a plan to instill martial law in Ponyville if we must. Also, prepare a full take over of weather control above Ponyville and to begin a defensive perimeter with border patrols.”

The ponies’ ears stood up in surprise as several of the assistants paused at her last words.

“Border patrols? Are we expecting a war?”

“I do not know what to expect,” Twilight said. “But, I want us all to be ready if Celestia calls on us.”

She hesitated for a moment, remembering she wouldn’t have expected riots either, before slowly shaking her head no.

“In case this dissolves into civil war...”

After letting that hang in the air for a moment, she sighed.

“That is unlikely, though. I just hope that this doesn’t end with the dissolution of Equestria as a whole.”

“We will be with you, Twilight, and I’m sure many other towns in the area would be as well.” Flash Sentry gave her a small smile.

“I’m sure. Still, I will try to calm the ponies outside. Just, be prepared to step in if it gets out of hoof.”

Twilight trotted to her front doors and swung them open as the guards behind her flew into the air, to corner, and coral the thirty odd ponies outside.

“Ponies! Ponies! Stand back!” shouted the guards.

The crowd rumbled and grumbled, but quieted down as Twilight stood looking them over.

She knew these ponies, many had moved into the small town over the last year. They had come soon after Celestia had given her one of the few titles the old monarch still held. Even though the papers had joked about Twilight receiving a count title AFTER becoming a princess, it had proven very informative.

Some old ponies were here as well. Ones who she had come to know well. There, in the back, was Scootaloo leaning against a pole; packages put to the side along with her scooter. 

Applejack could be seen talking to several ponies. Her eyes were full of worry as she placated the few around her. 

Derpy was sitting on a cloud, looking sad at all the shouting.

Twilight stood still and strong, a soft smile on her face even though part of her wondered if it was a lie to pretend to be happy.

Still, she couldn’t show her uncertainty. When the crowd was finally quieted enough, she began to speak.

“I’m sorry, my fellow ponies. I know that it has been a very trying day. So, I am here to answer all your questions; and to put your minds at ease.”

“What are you going to do about Mordane!?” Shouted a stallion suddenly gripping his basket of groceries like a newborn foal. “I saw him during the invasion!”

“Yeah, what are you going to do!?”

Twilight tightened her lips and straightened slightly before answering.

“Mordane was a good student, if a bit troubled foal. He had a great deal of trauma placed on him as a young colt and suffered from acute paranoia.” She shook her head. “Mordane isn’t a threat to anypony in Ponyville. He is simply a small colt running away, when he thinks he is in danger.”

“What about his attack on you!?” shouted a voice from the back with a chorus of replies. “Says here that he was raised by his family to hate ponies, especially Celestia! Who would hate Celestia!?”

“Yeah!”

“Ponies!” Twilight shouted “Please everypony, just calm down. You must understand, what Mordane did was not an attack, it was a response to our scrying spell, to determine his location. I know him. Mordane always puts a little too much power into his spells, and he must have done the same with this one.”

Applejack winced, scrunching her lips and looking away at what Twilight had said. She knew when her friend was lying.

“Please, trust me. Everything is going to be okay.” She gave a soft smile. “I will protect you. Now Please, just return to your homes until this constitutional crisis is over.”

Most of the ponies who had been standing with worried looks quietly loosened at her words, many nodding and even a few turning to their friends to encourage them to obey.

“Please, trust me,” Twilight said again, sitting on her haunches and covering her heart. “I’m YOUR princess in particular. We, the elements, will make sure that you are safe, no matter what happens.”

The crowd seemed to calm down even more. With a few more reassurances, the crowd began to dissipate. Most of them heading to their homes as instructed.

One stallion didn’t. Instead, his jaw tightened, and he stepped in closer. His eyes focused keenly on the mare.

“What about Celestia?”

“Celestia will be alright.” Twilight chuckled softly, still giving a reassuring smile. “I’m sure she has a plan to deal with this vote.”

“Did she tell you her plan?” the pony asked, eyebrow raising slightly.

Twilight blinked and paused for a moment, before responding. Despite the love for her mentor, her lip did curl slightly as she answered.

“Celestia hasn’t seen fit to inform me.”

The stallion’s brow furrowed, and he lowered his head.

Turning and going away, he mumbled nearly too quietly for Twilight to hear.

“Why should we trust you if she doesn’t.”

Twilight stiffened. Her back-locking rigid at his words for a few moments as her mouth opened to give a rebuttal.

But none came.

She closed her mouth and gave a quick glance to confirm that nopony had seen her freeze. Already, her gut was doing flips with regret about the misplaced ball of anger.

 “Celestia must have a reason.”

For a moment, her eyes caught Sweetie Drops as she walked home. Their eyes locked, The sweet maker’s filled with rage, before disappearing around a corner.

Twilight shook her head.

“Twilight?”

She opened her eyes and looked over at a mare she had known for many years.

Sweetie Belle’s music career had really started to take off, and she had grown into a fine mare. She usually had a very happy and cheery outlook. Now though, her eyes seemed sunken. Twilight was immediately thrown back to the time shortly after Mordane had left, when the mare had been totally distraught. In many ways, she had become a staple of Ponyville, helping to put the formally small town on the cultural map.

“Oh, Sweetie Belle, you look terrible.”

“It’s okay, Twilight. I didn’t get much sleep last night,” she said, rubbing her eyes. “A friend let me know in advance. Is it true? Is Mordane alive?”

Twilight smiled sadly, placing a hoof on the younger mare’s shoulder.

“Yes, I saw him through a scrying spell myself.”

“Did… did he look healthy?” the mare squeaked, covering her mouth with a hoof.

“He looked… like it had been a rough journey,” Twilight said quietly. Sweetie’s ears drooped. “,but he has gotten a lot taller, and his wings-”

Twilight stopped herself mid-sentence as Sweetie Belle winced.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay” She swallowed, eyes watering, “it’s not your fault Mordane didn’t tell us. I guess… I guess I just wasn’t ever good enough for him.”

Twilight moved to hug her, but Sweetie belle choked, turned, and ran towards her home, tears streaming down her cheeks.

The princess watched her go. Her own eyes tearing up as she looked down at the ground. Images flashing through her head of little Mordane in his cloak. Running from her, nodding off into his lunch, his locked focus on a spell  and even the few rare smiles she had scrapped out.

Always sad or focused, Mordane had ignored her every attempt to get him to open up. To make friends. It had been her biggest shame and in a way her most cutting failure. 

Still, there were good memories, but even those felt tainted, because in them Mordane always wore his cloak, and with it, was his blatant lie.

If only she had pushed a little bit more.

Twilight looked up at Canterlot. Her eyes swimming with a mix of emotion, her decision was made.

After speaking with her officers and a few others, she would be heading to Canterlot, to get some answers.






“Thank you, my liege. Thank you.”

Ponies bowed and groveled, thanking Ice Wing profusely.

The village was like many others, a place of poverty and seclusion. The farming community depended greatly on exports, but due to the war had been forced to store their grain in hastily constructed barns. This town was so remote that the Irona military had not even appropriated the grain.

But now taxes were going to come due, the ponies would need coin as per a new mandate forbidding payment in commodity.

As such, he had seen an opportunity. Using some of his fortune, Ice Wing had purchased as much grain from them as he could. Even purchasing carts and slaves to pull them.

All of which, he would sell when he made it to the city of Tietus. A place he was sure would be having a high demand for the grain.

“Getting over the border would be impossible for a normal trader right now, and considering the city imported a large amount of grain from Irona before the war...”

Ice Wing smiled a bit, he had been finding it much harder to travel alone since being banished. Luckily, the news of it hadn't reached out this far and so his privileges were still intact.

Using that privilege, he would get his grain over the border, and sell it for a hefty profit.

Killing a small manticore for a local reward didn’t hurt either.

Still, he felt unease. His eyes looked toward the horizon. In a few days, he would be coming to the city and then he would charter a boat before finally making it to the far-flung city of Herridon.

Ice Wing felt a chill run up his spine thinking about what Mordane may be doing in that city.

Something was telling him that he had a limited window to get there. The image of Mordane’s wings splayed on his table. Of the colt ripping apart ancient magic and turning it on Ice Wing’s own ponies.

Then the image of his own brother throwing him from the council.

Ice Wing looked toward the horizon, and prepared to leave.





The land Canterlot sat on had been owned personally by Celestia for over a thousand years. She had won it from Spikes mother ,and after the nightmare war, the city was founded officially as it formed around her reclusive grieving spot. Celestia had to abandon her family's ancestral Everfree Castle, unable to bare the walls where she and Luna had played as foals.

Celestia had personally financed the city and owned the rights to all the buildings. If one wanted to use land in Canterlot, they would be purchasing a rental agreement instead of a deed. All ponies paid money directly to Celestia in the form of rent.

Even the Equestrian council was forced to pay rent for the very council chambers in the capital.

With all these funds, Celestia had expanded her personal guard to serve Equestria as a whole, the fractured state that it was.

Twilight thought about this as she rode the train up the mountain towards Canterlot alone. The only other pony onboard being the conductor and his assistant.

Every other pony had been denied entry, under Celestia's orders. After all, as sole owner of the rail lines, they were built to her specifications and at great expense.

Her eyes lingered on the castle as she pulled into the station. Wearily sighing in anticipation of what was to come, she made her way to the door, only stopping when the flash of bulbs started to blind her.

“Princess Twilight, princess Twilight!” The paparazzi surrounded the car’s entrance. Soon they began to push towards her.

Startled Twilight took to the air only for several pegasi officers to block her.

“Miss Sparkle, you need to come with us.”

“Excuse me? Who are you?”

“We are the council’s guard. You’re going to have to come with us, Miss Sparkle.”

The flashing cameras intensified as the crowd became quiet, waiting to hear Twilight’s response.

“There is no council guard, and this is Princess Celestia's Feudal property-”

“The council has ultimate authority in the Capital City of Equestria. Any previous claim-”

“MOVE IT!”

A Royal guard shoved his way in, followed by several others who rushed to move between Twilight and the council’s ponies.

Twilight recognized Flashwing from her studies of Mordane’s past.

Meeting him like this caused her to feel conflicted.

“Princess Twilight Sparkle, we should head directly to the castle, your highness.”

The council guard scowled as he pushed forward shouting.

“This is Equestria’s Capital. You can’t-”

Flashwing snorted. Rearing back, he gave a huge thrust with his wings and bucked the stallion across the face.

The council ponies crumpled as the Royal Guard rushed and pinned them to the ground.

Grabbing her hoof, Flashwing forced Twilight to move as the Royal Guard began to arrest the council’s goons.

“I’m sorry, I wasn’t able to reach you, Princess Sparkle. My group had to stop several arguing ponies disturbing the peace,” he said with a grimace.

“I-Its okay,” Twilight said, taking over her own flight “Just take me to Celestia, Flashwing.”

The pony jerked to look at her with surprise at her recognition. Turning back toward the castle he pulled out a mirror and flashed it toward a tower which gave a quick few flashes in response.

“Yes Princess.”

Twilight looked down over the city and the several knots of ponies grouped in arguments. About what exactly she wasn’t sure, but guards were hurrying around to break them apart. She winced seeing some of the harsher treatment that was dealt out.

A few minutes later, Twilight and Flashwing arrived at Celestia's balcony.

“Come in Twilight. I am glad to see you today.” Celestia said walking over to a sitting area.


“Princess”, Flashwing said with a salute before turning to leave.

“If you would Flashwing.” Called out Celestia, “I would like you to come with us as well.”

The stallion paused for a few moments before responding.

“Of course Princess.”

“It is good to see you as well.”  Twilight smiled trotting in and giving her former mentor a hug. “Though I’m worried about you.”

The study was in a small room off of Celestia’s bedroom. A small fireplace sat in the corner next to a desk and across from a collection of comfy chairs and a coffee table surrounded by books, scrolls and other assorted items of practical use. The room was closed off save for one wall opened with a large window.

Celestia smiled motherly as she magically turned chairs and floated over some tea from the whistling teapot over the fire.

The three of them sat as she spoke.

“That's sweet of you Twilight, but I am quite alright. This little issue with the council is nothing to be scared about. I’ve had my trouble with them before.”

Twilight nodded and sipped her tea while Flashwing took longer drinks from his cup. His eyes still scanning the horizon behind Celestia who sat across from them.

“I’m sure you do Celestia.” She sighed “I knew you had a plan as soon as I heard. The council has always been putty in your hooves. This city is proof enough of that. ”

Putting down the cup Twilight leaned forward, intentionally ignoring Mordane’s brother beside her.

“But I would like to know what that plan is, please. If the crown falls, all of Equestria will suffer. I’d at least like to know so I can plan for a possible failure.”

Celestia paused for a moment, taking a sip of tea as she looked out the window considering her response.

“Twilight.” She turned and smiled. “It would cause many issues if you were to take any precautions. This plan will work best if everypony only finds out in proper time.” She chuckled.

“After all, there are ears even here.”

Twilight frowned. Looking down she took a sip of her tea. Only to instead put it on the table in front of her.

“That's okay Celestia, I understand.” Twilight sank back into her chair, her ears wilted like flowers.

Celestia frowned before she rushed to Twilights side. She looked down with a concerned smile.

Twilight looked up and gave a weak smile and quick nuzzle in response, before blushing and looking at the stallion in the room.

“Don’t mind me princess.” Flashwing replied. “It is good to see my brother’s teacher is still cared for. He spoke a lot about you.”


Twilights ears perked up and she leaned back as Celestia returned to her seat. As she looked at Mordane’s brother, her nose scrunched up a little.

“What did he say about me?” 

“That you were a puppet of Celestia.” Flashwing said nonchalantly. “brainwashed, delusional, and a bit obsessive.” He then smiled.

“But at the same time he praised your skills and insight. Spoke your praises. I remember when our mother started laughing as he stopped calling you the ‘The Purple One’ and instead ‘Master’. It was really touching.”


“Purple?” Twilight stuttered. 

Flashwing blushed and set up in his chair glancing between the two mares.

“Sorry princess I didn’t mean-”

“It is quite alright Flashwing.” Celestia said with a smile. “I, in fact, have been meaning to talk to you about this.”

“Princess?” 

“Tell us,” she said pulling Twilight’s chair from beside to across from Mordanes brother. Her eyes playing all over him. “What kind of pony is Mordane?”

Flashwing sat back in his chair, his eyes looking at the floor for a moment before turning back to the two mares.

“Mordane is… strange. I don’t know how open he was with you Princess Twilight, but he was reclusive even with us.” He rubbed his cheek frowning, seemingly trying to think about what to say. “Mordane never acted like a baby, I was there the day he was born. And even then he would just sit and stare at everything. Never crying, or being demanding.”

“Not at all?” Celestia asked curiously.

“Well, I mean he would tear up sometimes, but only when something wrong happened. Like once when my father was burned by a pot of water. Or another when he was hurt.”

“And he was born an alicorn?” Twilight asked. 

“Yes, for sure. My parents used that to explain any strange behavior.” Flashwing laughed “I mean, he was two years old when he started learning to read and write. By three he was teaching our youngest sister, two years older, to do her multiplications.”

Celestia raised an eyebrow, but didn’t comment as Flashwing continued.

“He learned magic not long after. The first thing he focused on was magic for fighting.” Flashwing smiled gently “He would fly with me when no pony was around.”

“Tell me.” Twilight asked. “Is Mordane a good pony?”

Flashwing paused and looked at his princess. Smile fading away into a frown.

He leaned forward and furrowed his brow.

“He is my brother and I love him.” He shook his head. “Mordane can be loving and caring... ,but it just doesn’t come naturally to him. I’m sad to say, but he just isn’t a good pony.”

The room grew quiet. Outside you could still hear the far away shouting of ponies and guards. Twilight floated up her cup again, staring off into the distance as she emptied it, before filling it up again.

Then emptied it again.

Celestia looked off into the distance as well, her hooves together as she contemplated what Flashwing had said. 

“I’m.” Flashwing said after swallowing, his brow furrowing. “I’m not saying that Mordane is… evil. He just doesn’t have the same way of thinking as anypony else that I’ve ever met.”

Looking up he grimaced.

“He was a stubborn, aggressive foal with a mind like a whip.” He shook his head. “But he was also kind, considerate, and controlled. At least until he came to Ponyville.”

“That sounds like a contradiction.” Twilight said “How can he be both aggressive and considerate? Controlled and stubborn?”

Celestia frowned.

“I see.” she replied “Mordane is a far more complex pony than I thought.”

She nodded before smiling again.

“Flashwing, thank you for this information.” She tilted her head letting her smile reach her eyes. “However, I do have a few more questions about you.”

“Princess?” Flashwing raised an eyebrow, reminding Twilight of Mordane. 

Celestia leaned back and looked down her nose at Flashwing. Her eyes hardening slightly.

“Tell me Flashwing, why did you decide to join my Royal guard?”

Flashwing blinked and scrunched his nose for a moment before straightening again.

“I joined because the taxes were too high. My family needed the money.”

Celestia raised an eyebrow herself.

“I wasn’t aware that the tax burden was so large anywhere in the kingdom.”

“It was on the furthest outskirts of Vanhoover princess, the local governor was exploiting his ponies. The governor pressed the extra taxes way beyond what was legal. Even so no court seemed to know if it was legal for them to try him. So he went free.” Flashwing tightened his jaw. “It was from that and my guard training that I came to realize the necessity of strong central authority. Namely the crown.”

He sighed angrily.

“I tried to convince Mordane of this in my letters, but he just wouldn’t listen.”

“This stubborn streak you mentioned.” Celestia commented.

“I saw that myself.” Twilight cut in. “Mordane would try the same things for hours on end. Meticulously adjusting his spellwork.”

“Reminds me of a little unicorn filly.” Celestia chuckled before turning back to Flashwing.

“But back to the question at hoof. So you joined the guard for money and stayed to serve your nation and princess. That is the proper attitude for a royal guard.” She reached out and floated over a folder. Flashwing’s ears perked up a bit when he saw his name on it. “You served during the war with the Diamond Dogs as a squad commander. Tell me, what did you think of that experience.”

“The ponies I served with and commanded were the finest soldiers. Brave, honorable. It was my honor to command them.” 

“And they said the same was true of serving under you.” She nodded her head before flipping the page “However, your platoon commander said that you were aggressive, often attacking the enemy without orders.”

“Often winning ma’m.” He said his brow furrowing slightly.

“Practically always, and you knew when to fall back. In fact my acting captain says here that you behaved ‘in a manner unfitting a guard, brash, aggressive and far too quick to use deadly force’” She looked back at the little pony with a smile. “What do you say to this?”

The stallion stood quietly for a moment. The glass of tea forgotten before him.

“I am reminded of something my brother told me. ‘Only the victor may give mercy’. He said that after beating me in chess for the first time. I had joked I went easy on him.” Flashwing smiled. “I attacked, because despite our force being called a personal guard, we are used as a standing army of Equestria, of your throne. The faster I win, the fewer ponies…, or dogs, have to die.”


Celestia nodded, floating down her folder to the table. For a few minutes she looked the stallion over, considering, as he stood at attention.

Twilight sat quietly, watching Celestia, her heart beating a little faster.

“Ever since I commissioned the creation of the guard and payed for its service with my own currency, I have focused on my guards being ponies who could keep the peace.” She shook her head “That must change soon, and I see what must change in you.”

“I don’t deserve such praise princess.” Flashwing said bowing his head. “I serve at your discretion.”

“Indeed.” She smiled. “It comes to my attention that a new captain of the guard is needed. Would such a position interest you?”

Flashwing straightened, his eyes widening slightly, before loosening again. Setting his jaw the pegasus saluted.

“As you wish my princess.”

“Good,” She floated over a few bundles of paper. “Here are your commision papers and orders. You have a few hours to reach them.”

The stallion took the papers, reading over them, his brow raising only slightly.

“Are there any questions?”

“No ma’am, I will be there within two hours.” He gave a small smile. “First I will need to pick up my new armor.”

He stood, giving the two princesses a bow and received a nod from both in return before he took to the air and flew out of the balcony doors.

“He reminds me of Mordane.” Twilight said quietly.

“Does he?” Celestia asked. “Well, he is a good soldier, just what we need for the coming times.”

“Celestia…” Twilight began, before stopping herself.

She wasn’t sure what to ask.

Her heart was burning with some desire, but she just couldn’t say it. A need that she had to meet flashed anew after speaking to Flashwing.

“I- I think I should go find Mordane.”

Celestia frowned and shook her head, leaning and floating her tea up for another drink.

“We will need to wait until after this crisis Twilight. Then we can decide how to approach Mordane.”

Twilight frowned, the small feeling of unease inside her fanning into a spark. A feeling she just couldn’t ignore, so she pressed.

“The southern lands are a chaotic place and Mordane is a young colt, not yet at his full strength... Plus, he’s an alicorn. What if something were to happen to him?”

Celestia chuckled a small bit as she looked through another folder. “Everything I’ve read suggests Mordane to be a very capable pony. We are at a critical juncture with the parliament. We can’t seem to be weak, if negotiations are going to happen.” Celestia smiled warmly looking at her. “I’ll need my best student. For the good of Equestria.”

“But, you won’t tell me what the plan is.” Twilight grumbled, looking down at the floor. Her teeth gritting slightly.

“I’m sorry, Twilight, it's just the way things are. As princesses we must often make unpleasant decisions, for the good of all Equestria. Mordane chose to fly away, to attack you and us. Luna has been making progress on entering his dreams and we will have plenty of time to find him afterwards. Mordane is a sensible pony, it isn’t as if he will fling himself into danger after danger. Eventually-”

Twilight’s ears flattened back. Her feathers ruffled and eyes flashed.

“Eventually?” She snapped, her tone hard.

Celestia jerked toward her, ears standing up. “When we have time.”

Twilight snorted, stomping a few hooves away, before turning to face her mentor. Her teeth grinding.

“My student. MY STUDENT, is not just missing, or off on a tissy. He is in danger. You know this, so why won’t you let me go get him!?” Twilight's horn sparked as she hunched low in front of Celestia. Even now her horn pointed away, maintaining good discipline even when enraged. 

Celestia had to resist smiling in pride at the control, or frown in anger at the harsh words. She instead chose the middle road.

“Twilight, I know how much you are in pain.” Celestia covered her heart with her hoof. “I’d be willing to do almost anything to find you if the situations were different.”

“But it isn’t different,” Twilight replied, her voice mellowing out. “Celestia, I have a bad feeling about this. We can’t leave Mordane alone down there. The look he had when he ran away… I’m afraid if we don’t hurry, I’ll lose him forever.”

“Well, it is not as if you actually had him.” Celestia snapped. Brows furrowing, she slammed her cup onto the table, spilling a bit of tea out of the cup.

A moment later, Celestia's eyes widened as she covered her mouth.

Before Twilight could even register what she had said, Celestia pulled her into a hug.

“I’m sorry Twilight, I don’t know what came over me. It's just the council, all of this legal code, I- I’ve been under a great deal of stress lately.”

“It’s… It’s alright,” Twilight said weakly. Her heart feeling like a pit.

Celestia shook her head. Before her ears perked up a little bit.

“Twilight,” she said floating over a paper. “This is a secret, but I thought you should know.” 

“What is it?”  Twilight asked.

“Yesterday, while I was in the bath, I had a prophecy.”

Twilights ears perked up, her eyes widening.

“A prophecy!?”

She took to the air, wings beating like a hummingbird.

“Omy gosh, omy gosh, You told me that the last time you had a prophecy-!”

“It was for Tirek.” Celestia nodded. “Not many ponies know that I have prophetic visions Twilight, so please, taper your enthusiasm.”

Twilight winced and settled down floating the paper over. Giving a quick apology she dove in and read the prophecy.

When the lost one that lacks purpose, brings together hoof and earth upon the horn of the world, if his destiny shall be made whole. The sky will march against the earth, crown fallen raised again.

All hail the king. All hail the king. All hail the king.

Celestia took a moment to explain what the horn of the world was and her thoughts on what it meant.

“-It seems Mordane will be finding his destiny on the mountain.”

“His destiny…” Twilight started to nibble on her hoof. “I was worried when he didn’t have his mark. But he has to choose his mark? How is that even possible? What if he chooses wrong!?”

“Twilight!” Celestia said, “Calm down.”

“I’m sorry Celestia, it's just.” She hesitated before her eyes tightened “What will I do if I lose him? Mordane has something wrong with him. I wonder if that necromancer... Celestia, I need to go to him.”

Celestia shook her head no, and sighed.

“I can’t let you go Twilight. As dangerous as leaving Mordane is, I just can’t send you. It’s too dangerous.”

“Too dangerous.” Twilight repeated. Her brow furrowed. 

“It’s okay, Twilight.” Celestia said.  “Once the spell is ready and the great divide is lowered we will be able to send far more ponies to the south. We will find Mordane ,and then you can go to him.”

“But when?” Twilight asked her ears drooping.

Celestia held her head low.

“I don’t know.”

Twilight nodded her head giving Celestia a hug. She looked up at the mare who had been like a second mother to her.

“I must go to Ponyville. They will need me there.”

“Why don’t you stay ‘till tomorrow evening.” Celesta said softly with a smile. “I would like to talk with you after… tomorrow’s events.”

Twilight nodded and trotted to the window. Celestia turned and went back to her desk. The purple mare paused for only a moment, her mouth opening just a fraction, but seeing the solar princess already absorbed in her work, Twilight closed her mouth into a thin line.

Turning she took to the air and aimed for her parents house. She could at least spend some time with them.









Just outside of the main bridge to Manehattan, ponies were running erratically from side to side, looking around like they couldn’t believe what was happening.

A group of city guards stood at the gate watching as the rich ponies made their way to the villas outside of town.

They were rougher than royal guards ,and far less flamboyant in dress. They wore a simple cloth shirt emblazoned with a star.


Locally, they went by the name of cops, or ‘police officers’. Under the compact however, they were considered the city’s soldiers. Their independence guaranteed by the new constitution of Equestrian Confederation.

“Huh, what's that?” One said, squinting to see down the road.

“Looks like... a Royal Guard column?” A mare cop said. “What do the royals think they are doing?”

The guards sent out a dispatch and soon reinforcements came up. The Royal Guards though, kept marching. As they came near, the thirty officers started to become nervous. The ponies simply going about their business frowned and looked back and forth between the two groups, most not understanding what the problem was.

The column of royal guards continued marching without slowing. At their front, a pony wearing purple armor.

Flashwing, leading the unit marched steely eyed with his ponies. Eyes forward, back straight.

Inside though, conflict echoed about.

Mordane’s little eyes caused his heart to burn. The genuine love and care had been there before, then he came to Celestia’s Ponyville. 

Something had happened to him there, closing him up again. He had never been a very open colt to begin with. Fiercely intelligent though, so much that it intimidated Flashwing.

And the darkness.

He remembered once flying over the tree canopy. 

There he saw Mordane sitting alone, beneath him, a fish and…

He had dived down to the pony, landing beside him with a frown.

Mordane only looked away from his project for a second before turning back.

“Hello Bro, just give me a minute, I’m nearly finished.”

“What are you doing?” He asked “That…why haven’t you killed it already?”

Mordane turned and blinked, looking at him. In front of the young colt layed a fish, its chest split open and organs exposed, heart still beating.

“It IS dead” Mordane snorted “Come take a look.”

Flashwing slowly shook his head, but stepped closer anyway. 

Pegasi would occasionally eat fish, but they didn’t cut them open, instead they would pick them up and fly high, allowing them to drop onto the rocks. The minerals and oils from the flesh were essential to wax production in their saliva. 

Once they got down there wasn’t much left, but paste, which was preferable to the ponies.

This though, Mordane had obviously used a knife and telekinetic grip to slit the fish clean in half from head to tail.

“The fish has been dead for about ten seconds, I could actually feel the life leaving it surprisingly, as a large part of it’s magic dissipated within a few moments.”

Mordane looked at him, concern showing up in his eyes. He reached over and touched Flashwings wing. Giving a reassuring smile.

“Why are you doing this?” Flashwing asked tersely.

“To understand why I can’t kill with magic. I tried to crush this fish, rip it apart, or anything with my telekinesis. However it doesn’t seem to hold on. I can’t get the magic to transfer heat directly either.” He pointed at the fish, his eyes lighting up. “ However, the knife I held could still cut, and so I was able to quickly split the creature in half.”

Flashwing looked at the fish and the still beating heart. Indeed it seemed Mordane had succeeded in only removing the outer layer of skin.

“Is that its… stomach?”

“Yes, this here is the heart, that is the brain, then there is the bladder-” Mordane said pointing with his knife before frowning. “Hmm I wonder.”

Mordanes dropped the knife before igniting for another spell. Much to flashwings surprise he heard Mordane grunt.

The fish’s heart collapsed as if put under a press. A few bones cracked and the blood leaked out everywhere.

“Well. That confirms that. This thing’s still harder to manipulate than a rock, but it is far easier than when it was alive, and getting easier all the time.”

Mordane frowned.

“Does this mean it had a soul?”

Flashwing threw up.

He shook his head as the city guards approached and pushed the thoughts away.

“Halt!... I said halt.” Shouted the earth pony police officer. Flashwing ignored her. He had clear instructions. “Halt I say, HALT, I SAID-”

“COMPANY HALT!” Flashwing roared. The Royal guard came to a stop in three steps. Two body lengths away from the bridge line. The police ponies were standing behind rushidly deployed barricades.  

As he stood there, he could see pegasi flying in with crossbows, which were then distributed to the police ponies. Several of them were shaking as they looked down at him.

“Thank Celestia.” Hissed the earth pony officer. “The Royal guard are limited to four ponies when Celestia visits and I count about three hundred of you. Now I don’t think you are hiding her under your pretty little gold helmet.  So tell me, what are you doing on our turf, bodyguards?”

A few of the police chuckled nervously, Flashwing opted to stay quiet. Eyes locked forward and uncaring at the police ponie’s statement.

Behind him were a line of trained battlemages, ready to raise shields in an instant if the police fired. 

So he stood there and waited.

The police officer frowned and spoke up again.

“The Royal Guard are not allowed in Manehattan. You have no jurisdiction here. State your business.”

“I am not in Manehattan.” Flashwing stated. “Me and my fellow guard were ordered to this location.”

The police pony blinked a few times before turning, and told a pegasus to go ask the lawyers while cursing under her breath.

Flashwing waited.









“Order!” Bayleaf cried. Her wig slightly askew. Above her dozens of flashes were reaching down every second. 

This time though spellwork could be seen, expensive, but needed, paid for by Bayleaf herself. 

They were transmitting to every major city, where they were then distributed to large screens placed along buildings. 

All of which had been very, very expensive. However, she needed ponies to see this, to really hammer home the new Equestria she was trying to bring, that her mother and even her grandmother had strived for.

“The riots and chaos all over Equestria, that have rocked our peaceful existence, are due to Celestia's failures as a ruler. For centuries she has overseen the decline of Equestria and struggled vainly against the progress that has brought prosperity.” She paused for a moment letting them think through what she had said. “Long ago, princess was the title held for the queen in waiting. It was one of quiet dignity. Now that title is one held by a mare who expanded its powers to undermine the ancient position of King and Queen. Two! There is always to be two. One stallion and One Mare, born of different tribes. Held to bind the races together. Yet this institution has laid silent, all for the greed of one mare reaching beyond her purpose, a purpose so clearly laid upon her flank.”

Bayleaf covered her mouth, letting out a little choked cry, as if her heart was breaking.

“It has proven that she has become unable to manage the scope of the position trusted upon her.  Perhaps we are at fault. Perhaps it is time that we grow up and stop relying so strongly on a mare that has served our ponies so well and so hard until time and progress outpassed her. Even today she is stretched so far that she cannot attend this meeting even when specifically called.”

The crowd whispered in surprise. Everyponies heart twinging at the image. Times winced and frowned, looking down his eyebrows tensing slightly.





Riots rocked the surface section of Las Pegasus. 

Ponies rushed around the red-light district. On one building a large white banner was hung showing the Bayleaf image, but her words were drowned out as ponies rushed around.

“Whoooo! Lord Stronghoof, PARTY KING! Let it flow!”

“Las Pegasus for the Party King!”

The shouts by the partiers ricocheted off the walls. Above them Noble looked down from his cloud castle in disgust.

“Light up the third district, make sure the ponies are still able to get out though.”

“Yes my lord.” Said another pegasus.

“Sigh, at least this Party King idea has done some good. This riot can help with our expansion plans.”

The lord sighed as the riots raged on. 

“I probably shouldn’t have called the Party King a myth though….”





In Manehattan ponies were clustered in the streets looking up at the large screens beholding the image of their mayor. 

At the edge of the crowds, police ponies patrolled protecting the city from the riots of the criminal elements burning parts of the town. Upon the screen their mayor spoke drawing nods of agreement from the crowd.

Above them, mail ponies were quickly heading out. They had received special orders.

With nopony focusing on them, the ponies opened their bags, allowing the pamphlets to fall on the many ponies watching below.





“It is time that we stop being Celestia’s little ponies. It is time that we stand up and take responsibility for ourselves. That is why I propose the dissolution of Celestia’s powers. Let us take this burden from her.”

“And into your waiting hooves, I presume?” 

Celestia’s voice echoed through the room. Bayleaf looked around, but could not see her. She was surprised the mare was here. By all her reports she had gone to Las Pegasus to restore order.

“I won’t answer to a disembodied voice. Come speak to me as an equal Celestia! Equestrian ponies deserve that!” She said, her sneer starting to show.

“I would have to fall far to be your equal Bayleaf.”

In a flash of light, Celestia appeared. Her wings spread wide and casted a shadow over Bayleaf.





The Manehattan pony was shaking. 

His eyes looked down at the pamphlet. 

Front and center was a picture. Around it was printed text explaining its context, stating intent. However, none of it mattered next to the picture.

Bayleaf sat in her office chair, the city behind her. Her hoof lifted out. A pony known by everyone to be the meanest, most rude, untrustworthy, extorting pony in all of Manehattan.

And he was kissing her hoof.

The ponies read the paper, slowly drawn into the story ,and soon accepted it.

The police were confused and uncertain what to do about the flyers. Some were shouting to not look at them. Others were reading for themselves.

The ponies currently rioting in Manehattan would answer to the crime lord. They would answer to her.


“I would have to fall far to be your equal Bayleaf.”

The roaring crowd grew quiet. All eyes turned to Celestia.





“Celestia!” Bayleaf said flipping around and moving slightly to the side. “Teleportation is forbidden in the council chamber, once again you-”

“A council chamber I paid for.” Celestia smiled walking to the other side of the podium. “For a mare that suggests that Equestrians should ‘grow up’ you represent a body that acts as little fillies unable to pay for their toys. After all, who pays for the postal service, for the army, for this nation's very capital.”

“With the taxes of Canterlot, the nations greatest-”

Celestia giggled, loudly cutting her off.

“I haven't had the power to tax in nearly five hundred years. Legally, Canterlot is my private property.”

“Property of the crown.” Bayleaf asserted curtly.

“Property, purchased, financed and managed without a single bit of tax money.” Celestia sighed shaking her head. “Even if you were to ‘strip my powers’, or even take my crown, you still would have no legal right to take Canterlot. I built it. This city belongs to me, every brick, every corner. It would not exist if I did not build it.”

Bayleaf cut in. Her mane becoming frazzled and panicked.

“So we are to continue with this lack of development? Continue to see you trample over the rights and privileges of all ponies?” She turns and looks up to the senate. Only to see the ponies there shying away. So she turned to Blueblood, standing high in the chamber. “What of you Blueblood. What do you and the other nobles say?”

The viewers turned toward Blueblood who stood still.

Slowly, with the pained look on his face, Blueblood trotted down the stairs and onto the stadium. Many ponies whispered in surprise that he hadn’t immediately opted to decline comment as he usually did.

Therefore, him speaking caused ponies pulses to quicken.

Suddenly everypony knew for certain that this was a moment in history. A place in time that their children's, children’s, children would learn about.

The harmony of the universe reverberated. Slowly the ponies could feel the wisps of harmony.

“I put the offer out…”

“But you know I can’t see it.”

“You said you’d run with me.”

“You can’t set me free. I’d never betray the mare that raised and taught me.”

Bayleaf wilted.

Her ears drooped and the manic energy drained out of her. Eyes became haunted as the horror of failure set in.

Celestia smiled sadly at the mare, stepping forward she narrowed her eyes. In a flash Bayleaf disappeared in a golden light. She gave a nod to Blueblood who bowed fully. Firmly and without hesitation Celestia stepped up to the podium.

“My little ponies. I have heard your cries-”





Red Tape sat in her office biting her hoof. Her ear twitched as she read the magically delivered mail from her firecandle. 

Ponies were demanding access to records, ordering investigations, demanding assistance, and posting declarations of martial law.

In the next room, she could hear shouting. Briefly she considered jumping out of the window, but dismissed it assuming they would have flyers outside.

The door did not hold long. Soon after, they came rushing in.

“Red Tape, you are under arrest.” Sneered the lead unicorn guard. 

“By whose authority!? Do you know who I am!?” She said shrilly. “I was appointed by the council! By whose authority do you arrest me!?”

“You are arrested under royal authority.” The guard said, his ponies started shifting through her cabinets.

“I have immunity! I am appointed by the council! This is against the law!”

The unicorn charged his horn a clasp flew out quickly and hit the mares hooves locking them in place. She fell over and off her chair shouting out in surprise.

“Not anymore.” He said coldly.





“-corruption, uncertainty, and chaos. The ponies pushing for rapid expansion have not revealed themselves to place it upon: ‘the good of ponies in general’.” Celestia said. “Bayleaf and many others are being apprehended by my Royal Guard, rest assured that they will be brought to justice. All ponies will have their day in court. However, I understand that many of you have issue of a more...personal nature concerning my actions.”

Celestia looked sadly at the senate as her sister slowly walked from a shadow to her side.

The princess reached up and plucked off her crown, setting it softly on the podium.

“I’m so sorry. I have failed you.”






Flashwing had been waiting with the guards, ignoring the police ponies.

He wondered how long he would have to wait until Soarin, from the wonderbolts, landed with a shudder. Sparks of lighting curled around her.

“Orders to Captain Flashwing. Begin Operation’s second phase.” 

“As the Aliarchy commands.” Flashwing replied, receiving a nod from the pony before she took off again in a flash.

Turning back, he looked at the police line, thinking for a moment. The ponies there had stiffened after hearing of his new orders.

After a few moments he made a decision.

Slowly he stepped toward the line.

“Halt!” The police chief mare shouted.

The captain did not respond.

“Halt I say!” 

“By the authority of the Aliarchy, the Equestrian police of Manehattan are ordered to stand down. The princesses will restore order.”

“We answer to the State of Manehattan!” Shouted the chief, her voice breaking slightly. “If you cross the border we will open fire!”

Flashwing stopped just on the edge of the territory of Manehattan, Marked by the paved stone giving way to dirt. 

Slowly and deliberately he raised his hoof.

“DON”T DO IT!” the chief cried.

Flashwing placed his hoof over.

The crossbows shook, but no one fired.

Flashwing smiled.

“Royal Guard forward! Secure Manehattan!”





“Yes, I have failed you.” Celestia lowered her head. Visibly showing shame to a shocked crowd.

She allowed the word to hang a moment before continuing. 

“For the last millennium I have struggled to maintain the alliance of all pony kind. In this however, I have not succeeded. We are divided. We are disharmonious. So much so that the bonds of Discord were able to be broken. We are lucky that a mare like Fluttershy, or like my student was around to heal him and carry such burdens. One thing can’t be denied. This state has declined. Broken by me.” She turned and pulled her sister into a hug.

“Celly!?” Luna gasped in surprise. The mare glanced down and gave a reassuring smile.

“My sister, so humble, so strong.” She nuzzled Luna. “But I thought I could rule alone. I thought that I was strong enough.” 

Celestia shook her head.

“What a fool I was, and Equestria has suffered a thousand years for it. So much death in the war. So much suffering. Even so, I struggled and persevered. As my strength was sapped every day by the maintenance of the solar cycle. Other ponies stepped forward to fill in where I had left off.”

Her smile darkens.

“Soon corruption seeped into the realm, but to maintain peace I kept silent. Asking and speaking as best I could to prevent the decline. Yet even so, decline it did.”

She straightened up again.

“Bayleaf and so many ponies like her inflicted abuse after abuse on my little ponies. They taxed excessively, they allowed the military to fall into disrepair, all the while they took more and more for themselves, carving up the ponyland for their own purpose. Well no more.”

Her eyes lit up. She stepped forward her voice began to boom.

“As time rolled on, I was bound to my city, and to my task. I watched as the old light made so long ago faded… But then things changed.” She smiled “I found Cadance, gained Twilight, and then Luna returned to me. And now there is another alicorn. A male. ”

Celestia’s mane flashed with light, her power echoing through her mane and tail for all to see. Her eyes ablaze yet controlled.

“Many of you have read about him. Heard the story of how he grew up on the edge of Equestrian territory, and nestled among the hills to the south, which borders the Badlands. She stepped forward, looking squarely at a particular noble lord who shrank beneath her gaze.

“This territory was ruled by a member from this very council. Despite the region being poor and underdeveloped, I see the ruler is here decked in finery. His coat covered by fine Arabian cloth and his hoofs cuffed in steel. Mordane grew up there without protection, without basic services. Suffering only the tax pony, coming every year to take his toll. Tax rates, I am told, were roughly forty to sixty percent of ponies income. If the ponies there had not already been living on subsistence, I fear what kind of starvation would have been found in the land. Even so, I do not stretch to imagine Mordane went to bed hungry. Even so, the guards that came to collect wore the armor of Equestria, not the banner of this lord. So why would it be surprising he would grow to not trust the crown, or to fear what tyranny would be visited upon him. Even so, when the time came, when the danger and dogs howled at the door, he stood up and answered. He earned those wings on his back that night.”

She lowered her head, and her voice to a loud whisper.

“This is what I had not seen. Abuse of my little ponies everywhere.”

She snarled. Eyes lighting up again.

“NO MORE! This I promise you my little ponies. This corruption that has been felt throughout the land. I will purge it! I will restore the old Equestrian Empire. I will find Mordane and return him to his fellow alicorn.” She paused for a moment. “No, WE will do it. Luna, Twilight, Cadance and I. We will do these things.”

Celestia's eyes began to glow, her horn a sphere of roiling lights. As she spoke her voice came out not as a yell, but in clear tones.

“On this day I declare the dawn of a new age, and the revival of Equestria. From this day forth I establish the Aliarchy of this land. All equal, we will together carry equestria. When Mordane returns to the fold, when he once again returns to his friends and family, he too shall join us. Thus I have foreseen. Thus, shall. it. be.”

Blueblood shot up, his horn glowing as he amplified his voice.

“All hail Celestia. All hail Luna. All hail Twilight. All hail Cadance. ALL HAIL THE ALIARCHY!”

Half the council rushed to their hooves. Stomping and clapping in approval.


The nobles that didn't stand in ovation looked around confused, then quickly began to disappear in flashes of teleportation in moments. This was seen by nopony outside the chamber as the viewer was focused solely on Celestia and not her sisters glowing horn.

Most to await their sentencing in that night. A select few, only awaken to flames and bars in Tartarus. Still others would have a worse fate.

Across Equestria, similar scenes were taking place. Ponies who thought themselves covered in shadow, secrecy, and the law found all that stripped away. 

Ponies cheered in Manehattan as cabinet members were lead away.  Bayleaf’s tower banners were dropped above cheering crowds only to be replaced with pictures of the aliarchs.

Papers gushed about the possibilities and riled against the corruption. Some like the Times throwing all the blame of their coverage onto to the fallen nobles and criminals.

In the council chamber, a bill, well crafted and considered, was put before the remaining council. It passed unanimously. 

It granted Celestia the ability to tax, the ability to charge nobles with crimes, the power to appoint court judges and remove them, the right to destroy and create new titles, and the power to declare war and make peace. 

Such broad and unchecked powers had not existed for millennia in Equestria. Indeed, even the king and queen had not had so much power over the various pony states.

Few would comment on this. Fewer still would protest. Most of them would be swept away as the massive reforms began to take effect.





“I, of course, support what my friend and Mentor Celestia has done. She has done so much for Equestria with her own resources. With the added resources of the state, the threats and dangers at our borders can be mitigated. New trade routes can be established, and Celestia can reunify ponykind into a new golden age. I’m ecstatic!” Twilight beamed at the reporters.

“Yes, but how long were you aware of this?” Shouted a newsmare over the rest.

“I have much work to do, as such I cannot answer more questions. I’m sorry, good day.”

The new ponies continued to call out questions as Twilight took to the air, giving a polite wave as she used her magic to gently move a pegasi reporter blocking her path.

He seemed stunned before remembering the recent political changes, giving a quick bow and apology to the new aliarch.

Twilights mask fell away though as she approached the castle. Her smile peeling off to reveal a confused pony.

The guard scanned her as she got closer, not even stopping her as she flew at an illegal altitude. 

Twilight felt a bit sick at using her new privilege, but right now she wasn’t feeling well regardless of that, so she focused on a single thought. She needed to talk to her Mentor. 

Flying onto Celestia’s balcony, she wasn’t surprised to see Luna waiting with her.

“Twilight. I hope the news didn’t shock you too much.” Celestia said trotting over, and comforting her with a hug. Twilight weakly smiled and hugged back. 

“Well it did unsettle me. I am not sure if I’m ready for so much more authority, but I’m ready to do it for the good of Equestria.” She smiled a little more, the smile even reaching her eyes. “I’m also glad you left the door open for Mordane.”


Luna snorted, getting a glare from both mares.

“If what you say is true then I will hold my tongue. Mordane will have to prove his ability to lead, not cower, and not lie.” She turned away. “After all we do not know if what we have seen from him is genuine.”

“Perhaps sister, but he can learn. He did, after all, save our little ponies.”


Twilight gave a reassuring smile as Luna nodded considerately before standing and moving toward the door.

“Excuse me, Twilight. I have noble ponies to try, sentence and strip of all assets.” She stretched her wings with a small series of pops. “It was difficult enough to teleport them, now I will have to listen to a thousand attempts to weasel out of responsibility.”

“I trust you sister.” Celestia smiled warmly, lovingly brushing her as she passed with a wing.

“Yes yes.” Luna grumbled walking out the door.

“Why don’t you sit Twilight? I’m sure you have questions.”

Twilights nose scrunched. She looked at the seat for a moment before shaking her head.

“I don’t have many. It's not hard to see what you have done. It's written in the papers after all.”

“Well, I suppose so. The Aliarchy can guard the Equestrian state far more thoroughly than the council did. With the authority we have gained we can increase infrastructure spending and spearhead the reclaiming of the badlands.”

“To prepare for the lowering of the great barrier mountains.” Twilight replied curtly.

“Why… yes.” 

“And then we will go after Mordane, about oh say...” She tapped her chin. “A year from now.”


Celestia frowned.

“Twilight, it would be politically difficult if you were to go after him right now.”

“I know.” Twilight said softly. Before her ears twitched remembering what she had come to ask. “Celestia, why did we have to do this? Why couldn’t we take the reforms slowly?”

“Oh Twilight, the answer to that is quite simple. Time. It would take nearly as long as the fall to gain all the power I’d need, and those nobles would have fought us every step of the way… Several of them would have also eventually turned to more extreme plans.” She sighed. “I even had Blueblood infiltrate them. They were preparing to not only overthrow me, but to carve up all of Equestria into sovereign units. In time that would have meant war. That would be inevitable.”

She trotted over to the window with Twilight following her.

“Sometimes, as princesses, we must make hard decisions. We must do the small evil to prevent the greater evil. That is the burden of a ruler.” A sad smile came over her face, before she turned back to Twilight.

“But how do you not become a tyrant?” Twilight whispered “How do you not become a queen?”

Celestia stiffened slightly, seemingly considering for a moment, before coming to a decision.

“There was one time I did seek to become a queen. My plan was to gain the crown then change the laws to make my sister my fellow queen. However, I did not tell her my plans. I just expected obedience.” She leaned down resting her cheek on Twilight's head. “It was this mistake that led to the rise of Nightmare Moon and so I lost my sister.”

Celestia sniffled.

“A tyrant demands Twilight. A princess… and a prince must lead. That is why I did not dissolve the council and why I did not wait.”

Twilight reached over and wrapped her hooves around Celestia. Giving the mare a hug.

“Harmony’s weight is heavy. You told me that.” 

“I-*sniff*, I did.” She smiled “I love you, my little Twilight.”

The purple mare sniffled. Through a smile, she shed a few tears herself.





“Twilight! Twilight!”

“Pinkie!?” Twilight froze as she stepped out of the train. Her vision was eclipsed by pink.

Pinke stood over her, eyes bloodshot and wide, her nose twitching.

“Twilight. Mordane is the Party King?!?!”

“Whoa there missy!” 

Applejack pulled Pinkie by the tail as the others came up. 

Rainbow Dash swooped in to lift Twilight up.

“Heh, how's it goin’ Twi?”

“Well… I’m a bit…” she shook  as if chilled by the wind, concerning her friends.

The other mares, and Spike, came in closer to show their love and support.

A few quick looks conveyed a plan between them.

Spike lifted her into his arms and took to the air to her castle with the others following behind in their own ways.

Arriving at the same time, the ponies ran up the stairs and onto the patio where Spike was hugging her.

The rest of them joined as she sniffled and shook. 

“I-I’m sorry girls, Spike. Its just- Its just.” she sniffed, working to gain control of herself.

“Hey Twilight, what's wrong.” Pinkie said reaching over, to place a hoof on her shoulder.

“I talked to Celestia about Mordane.” Twilight looked toward Canterlot her nose scrunching up. “She said I can’t go, and I… just don’t think I can accept that.”

“Whatcha’ mean Sugarcube.” Applejack cooed. 

“I- I just don’t think I can be a good ruler, a good princess, if I let my student go like this. I don’t think Celestia is right.”

“Who are you and what have you done with my Twilight.” Spike deadpanned drawing a chuckle from the mare and other ponies.

“What are you going to do, dear.” Rarity said giving Spike an affectionate rub on his shoulder.

Twilight's eyes hardened looking away from Canterlot toward the badlands. Toward the Great Divide. 

Toward Mordane.

“I love Celestia, but she can establish the aliarchy without me. Leaving Mordane in the wind is just a wrong decision, for the kingdom, for the future, and for him.” She gave a weak smile.

“Are you sure you want to do this Twilight?” Spike asked eyes and brow furrowed.

“I know you want to see him too Spike.” Twilight teased.

“Of course! I got a knuckle sandwich stewing for the little guy. Find out why he left.” He winced. “Find out why he killed a dragon.”

“And I want to find out if he is the Party King!” Pinkie said.

“I want to give him a talking to. Leaving a mare with so many questions is just so ungentlepony-like.” Rarity chortled.

“Ah, know you love him like one of your own Twi, and family of a friend is family of mine. I’m goin’ with ya’.” Applejack grinned tipping her hat.

“You know I’m always up for an adventure, especially over the Divide! Darring is going to be so jealous!” Rainbow said snickering.

“Um… I just want to see if he's okay.” Fluttershy mumbled.

Twilight smiled happily, glowing with warmth.

“I have such good friends and I’m sure we can save him.” With one last great big hug the ponies began excitedly discussing their plans. 

And how to make it so far away.





Celestia frowned looking at the piece of paper. She looked at it in the way one might look at moldy cheese, but even so there was also a hint of pride.

“So, your student did it, then?” Luna asked trotting up to her tub.

“Yes, she has defied me.” Celestia grumbled.

“Good. About time that mare gained a little backbone. You did remember to place the tracking spell though?”

“Of course. All the usual. Sight and other senses, mana funnel, even a psychic link.”

Luna blinked a few times.

“Usual?” she said with an incredulous look.

“Well, okay, I may have added a few extra spells, but it's Twilight! I just want her to be safe.”

“And she will be.” Luna said slowly sitting in the tub next to her sister, looking over her shoulder. “What did she write anyway?”

“Something, troubling.”



Dear Celestia, my friend. There is no good way to say this but this.

I’m going. 

Leaving Mordane in the southern lands is a mistake. Every fiber of my being tells me it is so. Even now I can almost feel him hurting. I don’t want him to hurt anymore. 

That's why I feel I need to say, I think I understand why he left.

I’m a princess Celestia. Before and now, I am your equal. You shouldn’t have simply told me no. You should have trusted me more.

Celestia, I’m sorry, when we return I’ll come talk to you with Mordane. We can put this all behind us.

With Love, your friend:
Twilight Sparkle.


“I’m so proud of her” Celestia said, running her hoof over the word love.

“Indeed, it is a big moment for her. She must take on the Spirit of friendship.”

“I’ll inform the media that she has gone to rescue Mordane and that I approve. They will be mildly surprised but pleased to hear she has taken the task in hoof.”

“Indeed, with the power of friendship, Twilight will certainly bring Mordane back to the fold, where we can find out his destiny.”

“Yes. And to a greater Equestria.”

“May peace and prosperity follow us.” Luna giggled. “At least for the nine hours of sleep we hath till tomorrow.”

“Well, just a moment sister.” Celestia said before letting her go.

“What is it?” Luna asked.

“Well, the southern lands are dangerous and I am worried…” She pursed her lips.

“It's a little late to be too worried sister.” Luna grinned “She should be already over the badlands.”

“Already? Oh dear… What if I was to send a trusted agent to watch over them? Intervene only if needed?”

“Who would you send?” Luna asked cocking her head to the side.

“Somepony used to working alone.” She trotted slowly to the window. “Somepony who can pack a punch. Somepony who knows Twilight…”

She scrunched her nose a bit before suddenly realizing.

“I know the perfect candidate.”

“Oh, who?” Luna asked genuinely curious.

“A retired special agent of the MDF. She retired a few years ago to Ponyville. Her birth name was Sugar Sweets, but her call sign was Sweetie Drops.”





In the castle gardens where but a few royal hooves regularly tread, there is nopony to know what layed in twists and turns rarely traveled..

The hedges’ bend in a maze-like fashion, maintained by some grand magic unknown.

One wouldn’t know if a section had existed before, save by the stark smoothness of the sculpture. Perhaps the grass would be slightly uneven. She was sitting on her side. Turned with her muzzle pointed slightly up.

Stonework, a pony defiant, tophat slightly askew. If you were to look carefully, you might even notice that the artist had carved the eyes to be slightly wider, as if cast in the moment of surprise.

No pony would give such a statue a second look, though there were so many in this garden. If one did, then they would find that it looked much like the late Counselor Bayleaf. Perhaps a monument to her giving the top hat, which was her signature of course.

But if they would notice, they would remember it only by the word carved into its pedestal.

HUBRIS 

Looking beyond her one would see several more stone figures, one with a stetson, another covering her face in seeming fear, trails running down her cheeks.

But no pony goes into this old maze. 

Only the princess. 

Only the chirping of birds. 

Only to remember nothing.
> A Broken March
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

They marched in silence.

Two by two, the thirty unwilling recruits were kicked and rousted into columns. On their backs, mountainous bundles of supplies, gear, weapons, and of course, their ‘burdens’. Solid and heavy, the resin clasped packs chafed their aching flanks. Everypony in the formation was forced to don a collar marked with various runes.

Each pony carried some unique items as well as packs measured to match the level of strength Mordane expected from each race.

The earth ponies bore the heaviest specialized gear: a large copper shield and short sword. Differing from conventional wisdom, they did not have saddles for mounting crossbows or spears, opting to incorporate only the shield and short sword into their equipment. This confused the militarily experienced among them as this would force them to stand their ground and limit their attacking options.

Pegusi wings were bound firmly. They were primarily armed with thin spears twice as long as they were, and a very light crossbow barely strong enough to kill an unarmored pony. A few carried a specialized flying blade meant to be dragged behind them in the air.

The unicorns were fitted with horn nullifiers synced to Mordane's own magical signature. They did not carry any weapons, but they were instead loaded with extra provisions. Their equipment was lighter than the earth ponies but still heavier than the pegasi's, despite being the weakest of them all.

Then they marched, marched, and marched some more. Each carrying their assigned weight. The miles pounded like nails into their skulls, he dragged them over the mountains and onto the great plain of Heridon.

It was clear One Eye would hound them over every rock, nipping at their every step.

His hooves, like short javelins, would find the gaps in between their burdens to jerk and stab them back into line. His flighty eye darted between each rank as he ran with short breaths, all for the purpose of keeping them in proper form.

That was not the worst of it.

Worst was their silent leader, the necromancer Alicorn. He stepped firmly down the road, eyes fixed and brow furrowed, scowling forward as if at some disgusting artifact towering before them, an apparition only he could see.

Ivy Green considered herself a fit mare. Years of farm labor had seen to that. Still, like the others, she was starting to pant under the relentless and unforgiving sun. The sweat streamed down her hooves, unable to cool her ever-fleeting constitution.

She wanted nothing more than to sit, rest her weary legs and never get back up. However, she knew what the price would be from One Eye. For the first hour, Ivy thought she would not be able to push her weary legs forward any longer. She cursed herself for following this Alicorn, pleaded for the night mother's blessing, thanked her father for forcing her to work the fields even as a pegasus, and her mother for every harsh word that had forged her work ethic into a stubborn snapping cragadile.

Already two of the unicorns had collapsed from exhaustion. They were draped over the backs of two earth ponies chosen by One Eye. They had been hyperventilating, the relentless pressure of One Eye having driven them to the ragged edge. A pony was ordered to step out of line, pass out water, and carry the collapsed ponies to those assigned to carry them.

Ivy looked up at Stronghoof again in exasperation. His back straight and eyes forward, he appeared steadfast in his mission to nowhere. He carried twice the load everypony else did, his own as well as One Eye’s, giving the blockhead the freedom to practically float around the whole formation. Her wings itched so badly it felt as if ants were crawling over them.

“Company halt!” Shouted One Eye, causing the ponies to stumble to a stop.

A slight reprieve from the grueling march.

“Eyes forward you bird brain!” he trotted up beside Ivy, poking her with his hoof threateningly.

“Sir yes sir!” She squealed.

She had learned quickly the price of forgetting the first rule firmly established by Mordane and firmly reinforced by One Eye.

All sentences addressing a superior are to begin and end with sir.

The line had started to take on a curve over the last half an hour, but at One Eye’s bark to stop, the ponies jumped back into a straight line.

Mordane did not bother to observe the column correction. Instead, he simply waited, keeping his eyes down the path.

Ivy kept looking at Mordane the whole time. Trying to understand what she was seeing. Mordane wasn’t exactly the most well built, but even a strong earth pony stallion would have wanted a break by now. Yet he was as dry and relaxed as if they were on an evening stroll.

“EYES FORWARD!”, One Eye roared. Causing her to snap back forward again.

“SIR YES SIR!”
 
He didn’t look tired either. She started to wonder if it was some kind of magic.

“All right! Move out!”

An hour later, a full day from the beginning of the march and forty miles from Herridon, Mordane suddenly stopped.

No slowing. No change in posture. 

He just simply came to a stop.

It was so sudden that she didn’t react in time. Stumbling to a stop before being run into by the pony behind her, who was then ran into by the pony behind them.

Instantly the formation dissolved into a jumbled pony pileup.

One Eye started shouting and pushing ponies onto their hooves.

“Line up,” Mordane spoke softly.

At first, Ivy thought she had misheard him. One Eye caught it though and quickly started to push ponies into two lines.

After a few minutes of shouting, uncertain looks, and ponies shakily stepping into formation, the two lines finally formed.

Mordane stepped slowly in front of them, passing back and forth until coming to a stop at one one end of the line and focusing on the pony there.
 
“Lower your chin,” he said after looking at the mare over for a few moments. “Loosen your tail. It's riding too high. Tighten your jaw. Eyes forward.”
 
He looked her over as she tried to obey, straining herself even further before he moved onto the next one.

“Ears up. No, straight up. Don’t lock your head in place. No, keep it still-”

And so it went as he moved down the line correcting the ponies into the same exact stance. After going through all thirty he walked a few steps away and then back up and down the line nodding until he spoke up once again.

“I have little regard for what passes as soldiers in the southern lands. Even less than I do for Celestia’s ‘guards’. Mockery of that term that they are, her golden royal guards can at least look the part, march in line, and stand still.” He stopped, eyes turning to a mare who had just slightly adjusted her back hoof.

Instantly she snapped back into stance, but Mordane still stared her down for a few moments before continuing.
 
“Those ponies were fighters, warriors,” He sighed, shaking his head before looking at them again. “They were the closest thing to soldiers I have seen in this world. If they were the epitome, then the ponies of the southern lands barely count as an armed militia.”

He frowned and looked at the ground for a moment, seemingly unsure of what to say. 

His brow furrowing as he seemed to find it.

“Tonight you will swear the following oath: ‘Tomorrow I will do better than today.’” He said before going quiet. His eyes scanning over them demandingly.

“I-I will do better tomorrow than today.” stuttered out Ivy.

Quickly several others followed, then the rest stuttered along. Mordane’s eyes scanned them all, his ear twitching slightly. Then his eyes locked onto a single pony.

Ivy Swallowed, Realizing her mistake. His glare seemed to weigh if he should force them to resay it correctly or worry if they would just say it worse. 

Coming to a decision he stomped down the line. Sliding through their vision like a granite block. Grinding down the line to stand in front of a single stallion. 

“And what of you, Firm Stride?”

The pony stood, his head arched back, chest puffed out, blown up like a puffer-fish.

His eyes wavered as he looked Mordane in the eye. Seemly uncertain if it was safe to do so.

“Or do you forget again so easily?” Mordane whispered.

Suddenly they were there again. In the warehouse.

Power arching over the room, Mordanes eyes boring into each of them and they felt as unnatural spindly things wrapped around their minds.

“I will do better!” Firm Stride shouted suddenly “I will do better tomorrow, better than today! I will do better tomorrow than today, I swear it!”

“Good.”

And then the presence was gone, the air was once again clear and Ivy could feel herself breathing again.

Mordane turned and looked over to the side of the road. Seeming to measure the sun's distance from the horizon.

“Prepare our defenses. We camp here tonight.”

Everypony jumped to obey. An image clearly in their minds they quickly worked out who would do what jobs as One Eye shouted his brand of encouragement.

It wasn’t until half an hour later, deep into digging a hole that Ivy realized she hadn’t heard Mordane speak.





Mordane stood in his tent reading a letter written on the finest paper. Horn bright as he floated over a pen. Arches of energy occasionally slipping out of his horn fracture.

He looked up at his horn, eyes narrowing. He gives a short snort before looking back at the paper.

It was a list of expenses and estimations from the guild in Heridon, sent to him by Trixie two days before. He looked them over again before setting down the paper and revising his data table. 

He checked a note before he stood and walked over to the small chest and went through several letters before finding one that matched with the date marking on his sheet. Confirming the original sum written there.

Nodding in affirmation he followed with a sigh, rubbing his temple.

The expense of this expedition would break him. The costs for fielding even a small force such as his were astronomical. The necessity though was undeniable if his plan was to succeed.

”Still,” he thought as his eyes wandered back to the total column. ”I am not sure we will make it.”

The flap on the tent was opened and One eye stepped in. His ears were wilted and his eye darted around the room.

“Uhh, Mordane.”

“What do you want, One Eye.” He replied curtly, his eyes still scanning the notes.

One Eye shifted from hoof to hoof. He didn’t look at Mordane as he spoke, instead seeming to focus on the small fold-out table.

“The fire is built. The pon-” He caught himself as Mordane turned to glare at him. “-Soldiers have finished setting up camp.”

The silence hung for a moment like a heavy blanket on a pocket of air before Mordane looked away again.

“Good. Go stand at attention with them.”

One Eye swayed on his hooves before tightening his jaw and furrowing his brow.

“What… Why are you angry with me.”

Mordane stopped reading. Looking off for a few moments before setting down the paper. He turned toward him lazily ending with a flick of his tail and a raised eyebrow.

The silence seemed to boil between them.

“Why?” Mordane asked, blinking a few times. “Are you really asking me why?”

“Well, I-”

“Don’t” Mordane cut him off raising a hoof. “Just...don’t.”

Mordane’s sigh turned into a half snarl. Rubbing his forehead he looked back for a moment before continuing.

“Why?” Mordane's brow furrowed and nostrils flared but he seemed to pause, taking a moment to reach over to a canteen of water and swallow a few gulps before beginning again.

“Why,” he said again, firmly this time. He rubbed the base of his horn, turned and squared up against One Eye, raising his hooves to gester.

“One Eye. We both know why you followed me here.”

One Eye nodded. His jaw tightening His ears folding back slightly.

“When we fought in that arena...I rose above my limits. It was like being birthed by fire.” Mordane paused for a moment, lowering his head before looking up intently into his single eye. “You wanted me to give you the same push, right out of your complacency.”

One Eye leaned back letting out a dismissive tiss and a quick smile. Shortly followed by it falling away as he saw only a serious look in Mordane’s eyes.

“I wanted to fight you.”

Mordane nodded, giving a small smile as he responded.

“Sure, call it that. You also wanted to take part in whatever bounty I found.”

One Eye chewed on his tongue, fidgeting before reaching under his satchel and pulling out the flask for a quick swig.

“Yeah. I did.” He kept his eye firmly on Mordane now.

Mordane leaned in close, his voice dropping low. The mirth leaving his eyes and face.

“Do you think I don’t know what you did to that bar?” His eye twitched as One Eye’s widened a bit. “Did you forget the ship? The random crew you signed on?”

He was practically snarling at this point.

“Did you think I wouldn’t count my coin? How much of my own coin have you swallowed down that gullet of yours, One Eye?”

One Eye’s ears splayed back, his ears flopping wildly as he became acutely aware of the liquid-filled flask on his side, under his satchel.

“To be frank, One Eye,” Mordane coldly said, “You are a bad investment.”

He stood stiffly. As if pulled out on a string.

“To me, you are no better than that trash out there.”

One Eye bristled. His eye and nostrils flaring with a snort.

“Now listen here. I left my cushy spot at the arena to go with you. I had mares, coin, the works! I didn’t leave for trinkets, to be treated like trash!” He stepped closer, his head going a few inches above Mordane. “Are you going to toss me now? You need me!”

Mordane didn’t reply. He simply started One Eye down. The two scarcely breathed.

“Well,” One Eye hissed, “Say something.”

“You’re right.” Mordane said softly, his eyes not breaking contact, “I need you.”

One Eye smiled, his chest puffing up.

“But not like this.” Mordane shook his head, closing his eyes. “I need you at your best, not as a fighting, hungry, piss away drunk.”

He sighed and turned away.

“Get your things. You’re done here. Go...wherever.”

One eye stiffened. His eye looked distant.

“You can’t maintain discipline.” He whispered pleadingly.

“The soldiers can’t learn discipline from a pony that shows none,” Mordane replied, looking for a piece of clean paper.

“You will lose my contacts.”

“We’ve made more,” he said, going for a pen.

One Eye thought for a few moments, still standing stiff.

“You need a strong fighter like me.”

“As I said.” Mordane flicked the pen into the ink. “I need soldiers, not fighters.”

Mordane wrote out a quick letter before signing his name. He presented it to One Eye who recognized it as an official dismissal from all vows and responsibilities.

But One Eye didn’t reach out; he seemed to rock a bit.

“Your opponents could use what I know against you.”

“You know nothing valuable. Not for my lack of telling you, but for your lack of listening. You never really paid attention. You coasted through the last month.” Mordane nodded his head to the tent flap. “And this is where we are because of it. Now sign.”

Mordane laid the paper on the table. Then got a quill and inkwell for him.

One Eye just stood there, staring at the page, his face blank.

“Sign it.”

“I...don’t want to.” One Eye replied slowly.

“Why.” Mordane curtly said. His eyes conveying it was not a question.

“I...“ he seemed to struggle with something, his head tilted a bit, “...don’t, think it would be good.”

“Continue.” Mordane lifted up a letter he had been preparing to send and scanned back over it. Seeming to fiddle over the minutiae of a word choice.

“You...what you did in that arena wasn’t possible. No pony learns that fast.”

“What I lacked was just dedication and focus. Our fight helped give me that.” Mordane said, setting the paper back down.

“It also awakened something in me, I thought…” he turned, his eye looking at the map. “I thought perhaps you could lead me to being more of something.”

“Well,” Mordane said, stepping around the short box acting as his desk, “I can’t do anything like that. Greatness comes from here.”

He poked One Eye in the chest. The older stallion frowned and tilted up his chin.

“I see greatness in here, but you have to show it. You’ve got to be more than a simple bandit. You must have greater ideals… a greater ambition than that.”

Mordane turned and moved his candle to one side of the paper before pushing the ink and quill to the other.

“Don’t think. Just do, or stop wasting my time.” He pushed past One Eye toward the tent flap, “Let me know your decision.”

Outside Mordane could see the camp was set and dinner was well underway.

There the ponies in his company were lined up. Bowls in hoof, they were ready to eat from a pot of boiling mash and vegetables. Their rations for the evening meal. Each pony looked like they were ready to collapse, held aloft only by the smell from the pots.

Even the four chosen as cooks looked ravenous and ragged. Their eyes lingering on the steaming pot waiting for them.

Mordane walked slowly, drawing the attention of the ponies there.

“Get into line.”

The ponies only waited for a few moments, glancing at each other before slowly filtering into a rough formation.

Mordane waited, looking at them with his mouth drawn taunt.

The anger in his belly still burned hot at what these ponies had done to him. It felt as if it should just rip right out of him. It was like a monster screaming in his heart, trapped in a cage of steel. Screaming into the void around it.

Those feelings stood before him, obvious as the cute boopable snoots on these foolish ponies faces. He wanted to hate them. He wanted to spit at them, punish them, feel compassion, or something, anything.

But there is nothing. Only the cold unflinching logic consuming all in its dull roar.

At the moment the general goal of making soldiers rattled around in his head. He knew the plan meant he had to put his rage aside. He only wished the ease with which he did it didn’t leave such an ache.

He steeled himself and tried to think of what to say.

As he stood there he could see as they became uncertain and confused. After a few moments, he tightened his jaw.

No time to think. Into the breach, he thought.

“This journey will be hard.” he quipped shortly, his nostrils flaring in a sharp inhale. “Our organization...needs soldiers. Not slaves.”

The crowd's ears perked up. He noted that.

Mordane turned and looked around for inspiration. His eyes settled on a spot on the horizon...

“There are the Central mountains.” He said, gesturing with his hoof. “Around it lies a swamp and untamed forest.”

He firmly exhaled. “We will go there.”

Shock rippled across the ponies, seen as folded ears and half steps.

The center of the continent had always been the least developed. Towns petered out and quickly gave way to undeveloped and difficult terrain.

The mountain and the trip there would surely be fraught with danger.

“If this seems too difficult,” Mordane continued, drawing them out of their dark visions, “then you can simply opt-out. There are many towns and hamlets around that would gladly pay top coin for a slave.”

He paused and turned back to look them in the eye.

“However, if you stay, I promise that you will become a greater soldier than has existed for millennia. I will give you your freedom, and should you still want it, a place in my service.”

A thrill ran down the ponies spines. Their hairs practically jumping off their backs.

”Freedom? Maybe redemption? Could it be true?” They thought.

“Plus,” he smiled, “I’ll let you keep the gold on your side. Free and clear. Whether you stay by my side or not.”

The crowd broke into excited chatter. A new life! Far away from this crazy death wielding alicorn.

Others sighed in relief, their eyes looking up at the mountain and deciding they would never set hoof there. Accepting the price of slavery easily in the exchange.

Still, others felt a ray of hope, and the taste of glory once again on their tongue.

“Oh,” Mordane said, his eyes hardening. “Don’t consider running away with that coin on your side, I would be rather...cross.”

His eyes flashed as they heard the last word echo in their heads.

Mordane took this moment to trot over to the pot and grab a bowl. The ponies parted to give way as he walked.

“Sleep on it. We leave at daybreak.” he chuckled before entering his tent. “Don’t expect me to make the night last longer for you.”

They began to hoot and holler, already shouting for the hope for freedom.

One eye watched as Mordane left. 

He sat quietly, brow furrowed. Trying to understand.





The following morning Mordane took one step out of his tent, looked around, then ordered that the walls be taken down, tents packed, and all ponies be ready to go.

“Do not leave a trace.” he finished before dismissing them. 

The ponies were able to break down the wooden palisades and bury them in the moat before covering it all with dirt. The firm stomping of the ground and the moving of a few rocks quickly hid the evidence of there having ever been any fortifications there in the last hundred years.

Mordane led his ponies with a light stretch. He then followed that with fighting form practice for an hour.

Lastly, he gave a ten minute break before they started again, down the road, toward Aton.

Over the early part of the morning the road started to wane, going from cobblestone, to gravel, and then finally to dirt.

It was about noon when they came to a small town on the Heridon side of the Aton river. Its currents were shallow, relatively speaking, with an easy ford section over the river. This would change throughout the day though, leading to times it would be difficult.

Due to its chaotic nature, the town planner dared not to place a house on the other side lest a pony be unexpectedly cut off from the town at an inopportune time.

This region was recently conquered from Niel not ten years before as part of an alliance agreement with Aton. Which of course had, even more recently, broken down.

Still, the need for food had led the king to establish this far flung settlement and even now to maintain it.

They marched solemnly, One Eye running up and down the line to shout them back into formation or to keep their eyes forward. 

Even so, as they passed, the ponies in the field stopped their ceaseless toil for a moment to look them over.Most with tired dead expressions of those without hope. The chains locked them to posts nearby marking their place for all to see.

The town could at best be called ‘quaint’, however, a more apt description would be ‘thrown together’. There was a bar, what appeared to be a central warehouse with the royal Heridon seal on it, a small market, and several barracks. 

For two years this settlement had been operating and Mordane was pretty sure that was at a loss.

“Halt.”

The whole line of ponies came to a stop quickly. The fact that he had not spoken glaringly clear to most of them.

“Stand at attention!”

His voice ripped out verbally and mentally. His ponies stumbled in surprise at the sudden command, their loose straps slipping and arms drooping in every direction. One Eye’s helmet was so loose it slipped right off and clanged on the rocky grounds, drawing curses out as he scrambled for it.

“Stand at attention, I said!” Mordane hissed. His mind whipping out like a whip.

The ponies snapped to, their thoughts feeling sickly unease as a shiver ran up their spines.

They could feel Mordane. Feel his breath. See what he saw. Feel the flick of Mordanes tongue as it slipped over an over-sharp tooth.

A flash entered their minds of them standing in disarray and he thought.

Why don’t I just kill these fools. 

Mordane shook his head, withdrawing back into his skull. His eyes widening marginally and ear raising before he furrowed his brow again.

He watched them for a moment as they got into line before turning toward one of the largest buildings in the small village.

The recruits sat swaying like wooden stocks in the breeze, their ears drooping and eyes dull.

It took the ponies a few moments to recognize a slave market. Several strands of hair stood up as they realized just what kind of slavery was practiced this far out from the city.

What comforts and dulling that had taken hold in the city had not reached out this far.

Mordane walked in, leaving the ponies alone in formation. The lot of them stood still, not daring to letup as he was gone. The group could not help but notice the ponies in the nearby field. A taskmaster hovering over them.

Later he came out with a well-dressed unicorn. Her wig and makeup would place her at the highest echelons of Heridon society. Her eyes glazed over the two columns, a small giggle drifting out from behind her fan. 

“Oh, you do have many don’t you.”

“Indeed,” Mordane replied. “It's as I said. I’m going to be putting them through the paces. When some wash out I want to be able to drop them off easily and have a set price.”

“Hmm.” The unicorn Mare walked down the line, drawing flinches and shuffling hooves. “Not very disciplined.”

“But strong. And discipline can be taught.” Mordane replied. “They are rather new slaves.”

“Indeed.” The Mare trotted up and down the line.

“They all seem healthy. I’ll give you two hundred bits apiece.”

“Three hundred,” Mordane replied.

“Hmmm,” She turned and smiled largely at Mordane, “Acceptable. If they are still in good condition after they arrive.”

“They will likely need some rest and a wash, but outside of that we are agreed.” He replied firmly. “The rest I’ll sell at half that.”

They exchanged a few pleasantries before Mordane turned back to the group. He continued as if he had not just negotiated their purchase into slavery.

“Beyond the river is untamed lands. The kind only the strongest willed ponies can traverse. If anypony wants to give up now, you will save yourself a great deal of discomfort.” He paused for a few moments, no one volunteered. So he continued. “Since the land is uncharted we need to have patrols, both flying and on hoof.”

A few ponies ears twitched.

Mordane’s eyes scanned the group before locking onto one pony in particular.

“Ivy.”

“Sir!” She shouted, struggling in vain to stand a little straighter.

He trotted up to her and looked her up and down before speaking.

“You will do air patrols,” he said reaching down and pulling off her wing binding buckles.

She blinked in surprise. Her wings almost instinctively flapping for a moment before she forced them back to her side.

“Uh, sir, yes sir.” She said swallowing and looking off to the side.

He reached up and twisted her head to look straight into his eyes.

“Don't run.”

“...I won’t.” She swallowed before forcing a scared smile, “I swore, didn't I?”

Mordane didn’t respond, choosing instead to walk down the line. The mare watched him for a moment before spreading her wings and flying into the air.

“We march.” Mordane said turning and getting away. The ponies followed unevenly. Though more in pace than the previous day.

They moved to the ford. The rushing water kicked up over rocks.

“Step carefully.” He said stepping into the water up to his barrel.

He moved forward steadily, ignoring as the water rushed around and over him.

The ponies behind him gawked at the crazy display. Mordane was acting as if the river was not in full surge. Walking with what must have been a hundred pounds of water pushing against him.

They hesitated, but with a buck from One Eye the lead ponies began to make way. The earth ponies charged right in having no issue getting through. However, they quickly found themselves holding back the pegasi who were washed into them.

The Unicorns panicked, with their horns bound they couldn’t do anything to save themselves and were overcome by the other bodies and pounding water.

Mordane came to a halt on the other bank, turning to look back he frowned, then spread his wings and stepped back into the water, reaching for his war magic.

After a few strides, he beat his wings and a great gale struck up. The water, sparking with arcane energy, pulled back from the shore as Mordane stomped back to their side of the river.

The ponies who had been struggling in the waves suddenly found the water draining away. The wall of water sliding around them and down the river. Mordane now stood one-fourth of the way across the ford on the slimy stones. His eyes ablaze as he glared at the ponies standing gobsmacked in the muddy riverbed.

“Back onto the beach you dimwits! Back! All of you!” he roared.

Scrambling, they moved to comply with his demand as Mordane stomped up to them. Taking only a moment to push on the chest of one unicorn stallion laying still. He spat up water and sat up only to see Mordane thrust a hoof to the shore and wait for him to scramble there.

Standing on the river edge with the ponies forming a crescent around him, Mordane released his magic. The water rushed back through the temporarily diverted river. 

“You will regret that later,” Mordane stated, pointing past the gasping unicorns and pegasi to the group of earth ponies standing nonchalantly to the side.

“What?” asked an earth pony with a mohawk, glaring at him.

Mordane flared his wings, stomped, scraped the ground, and snorted as he glared back.

The earth pony jumped back. Eyes wide at the naked display of aggression.

“You will see.” He said, pulling his wings back before pointing at the recovering non-earth ponies. His eyes firmly focused on the stallions, “If they don’t make it then you won’t make it.” 

Mordane stated firmly before turning and plunging back into the river.

The ponies took a moment to consider what he meant.

Then they collectively realized that finding out was not in their best interest.

Most stood back and waited, looking to others who stepped forward to make suggestions. First, there were a few plans. Then disagreements.

Then the shouting began.

Several ponies insisted that the unicorns could surely be able to make their own way. Others suggested a bridge, stones be thrown, or even a raft be built.

Mordane did nothing. He sat on the other end and watched. Listening to his gut and silencing his tongue. One Eye waited with him and the few earth ponies that made it. They were glancing at Mordane uncertainty.

When the ponies began to shove each other One Eye just shook his head and dove back in to cross the river again.

As he came out of the water he pulled out a rope and scanned the group, selected a unicorn pony, and trotted up to her.

Walking up behind the mare he dipped down and ran her up onto his back drawing out a yelp of surprise. Before she could react he quickly threw the rope over with his hoof. Throwing it to catch and wrap around him and the mare a few times.

Her teal fur glowing red with a blush as he pulled the rope tight. Her hooves dangling on both sides of him.

“Put your head to the left, Missy.”

“W-what?” She said before sputtering as One Eye charged into the water.

The mare was coughing again as they got to the other side. 

Grabbing the rope knot in his teeth, he pulled it loose and let her slide like a sack of grain onto the muddy bank.

With a whip he bundled up the rope before giving it a toss over the river. Aiming to have it land at the other ponies hooves.

“That's how you do it. Now get to it!”

Stumbling, arguing, the earth ponies helped the other kinds across. Their eyes flicked up to Mordane who watched silently. Staring at them. Unmoving as they went through the laborious process.

The whole affair took longer than it should. Even allowing time for ponies from the village to come out and watch. Some jarring and laughing as the initiates emerged gasping on the other side.

Thirty minutes into the exercises Ivy came flying back, landing unsteadily beside Mordane.

“Mordane.” She said panting, her eyes wide.

“Sir,” Mordane replied curtly.

Ivy stopped for a moment before swallowing.

“Sir. Sorry, sir.” She said before standing at attention. “Sir, I have patrolled the nearby area. This place is….”

She trailed off her eyes darting a bit.

“Speak, Ivy.”

“Sir, this place is… completely untamed. I’ve never seen a place so wild. I think no pony could have seen this place in a thousand years, sir.”

Mordane exhaled heavily. Hearing the pony catch all for ‘a long time’ irritated him more than he had expected. A thousand years? Nine hundred years? He guessed that the real number was closer to six hundred. 

“It is what I expected.” He said. “But I need to know more details. What kind of creatures did you see?”

She scrunched her nose, but leaned in and whispered to him.

Mordane waited until most of the villagers had left before ordering his ponies back around him.

After their ordeal, they were irritated, tired, and not ready to hear him prattle on about anything.

Still, he waited until their murmuring stopped before speaking.

“That was terrible. No organization, no honest assessment of what the best idea was.” He shook his head “It's clear that the ponies talking cared more about being right than getting across the river as quickly as possible.”

He turned and looked at One Eye.

“Your solution was workable but limited.” he turned back to the rest of them

“What if you had to move not thirty ponies, but thirty thousand. What would you do then.”

“But we don't HAVE thirty thousand.” quipped Firm Stride

Mordane pointed at him.

“That is not an excuse!”

The pony wilted under the hoof. Ears only perking up a little when Mordane started speaking again.

“Do not forget! This is the purpose of standard practices! You should NOT have to discuss how to cross a river. You should know and use the universal method for crossing difficult terrain.”

Mordane snatched up a rope with his teeth from the ground where the last pony across had let it drop.

He trotted over to a nearby tree and quickly tied a hitch knot around the tree then himself before crossing the river. Once on the other side, he tied the rope around a stump.

Then he loosened his strap buckle and wrapped it around the rope before going back into the river.

Halfway across he let himself be carried by the current. Floating on his back before lightly kicking his way to the other side, disassembled the rope, and flew back.

He stomped to the silent crowd. The water sprinkled off him.

“When the terrain is difficult and you have a large group, you need to make the way easy.” He tossed the rope to Firm Stride who caught it with a slight stumble.

Mordane walked through the crowd stopping for a moment before letting out a little chuckle.

“It's always like this when I leave ponies alone. It's like you can’t do anything without a herdmaster.”

He shook his head and continued trotting before shouting.

“Fall into line!”

Mordane’s ponies hopped back into line, and just like that, they were off.

The firm ground near the river quickly gave way to rocky outcroppings and dusty earth. Grass became mold and sparse shrubs. The white stones reflecting with glares like liquid sunlight pouring into their eyes.

“Squint.” Mordane said loudly. “It will help.”

The ponies behind him complied as Ivy took to the air to fly around.

Almost thirty minutes passed before something broke up the landscape.

Mordane came to a stop. This time, the ponies behind him reacted quickly and avoided a pileup. Their ears twitching as they tried to sneak glances at what he was looking at.

Beneath him, broken and half-buried, bleached white and cracked by the high sun, was a road.

The stones were not clean cut but instead they were cobblestones roughly placed on gravel and packed tight.

Rain and time had done a lot to hide the road. Looking up and down its length, he could see the short section he stood next to quickly disappear under nearby brush. Indeed, this was the only part that even vaguely resembled a road.

Then his eyes caught onto a right angle. A stone here, a corner there, and it became clear he was standing in an abandoned town. His eyes moved around seeing the signs of raised ground and outlines of buildings.

“We will stay here tonight.” Mordane said loudly, his eyes looking up at the sky before giving a firm nod. “Set up camp, use what you must, but don’t disturb the mostly intact structures.”

The ponies behind him scrunched up their noses and looked around. Many of them quickly realized what the stones were and pointed it out to the others who reacted with fascination and awe. Their eyes trailed the ancient architecture hidden among the trees. 

He looked down again, his eyes rolling over the road before resting on a large angular stone covered in frail moss. Mordane walked up to it and pushed the moss away with his hooves.

The stone sat near the old road’s edge, pushing away the moss revealed a worn and tattered, but still recognizable, image.

Two princesses curled around the symbol of harmony.

“I-is that,” Ivy whispered, looking down at the picture.

“Luna and Celestia. Symbol of the Equestria Diarchy.” He said matter of factly. He tilted his head, “they got the proportions wrong. Celestia is a bit larger than Luna.”

Ivy’s ear stood up and several ponies nearby suddenly found that their work would require them to stay within earshot.

Mordane turned and took a seat on the stone, leaning back he let his head rest on the bunched up moss. Folded his hooves behind his ears and let his wings hang loose.

“Could you tell me about them?” whispered Ivy, sitting down with her hooves planted between her legs. She leaned in, her ears cocking forward.

“Well.. they both are large ponies. Luna was twice my height. Her fur is several shades of blue.” He closed his eyes, remembering the towering mare standing in his doorway, the feeling as her magic took the book from him, and the spike of power as the book disintegrated. “Both sister’s hair flowed with the ethereal wind. Lunas sparkled with starlight. Her eyes would look into you and then just keep going.” He chuckled, “ That's how I saw her mostly, when I saw her, she wore a frown. It was as if she looked at something far away. Some kind of distant truth.”

He sat up, brow furrowing.

“Celestia wore a smile. Constantly. It didn’t matter the situation I saw her in... she always wore a smile. Portraying herself like a loving mother.” He twisted his face into a snarl “Fucking bitch.”

Ivy’s ears stood up, her eyes opening slightly as an absolute silence fell across the glade.

One Eye, a short distance off, looked troubled. His ears splayed back and many of the ponies with him.

It was Ivy who broke the silence with another question.

“What...did she look like?” she whispered.

“It changed. Celestia's hair was like a rainbow, but an ever-shifting one. Her coat is the purest white you can imagine. Like bleached bones. The sun emblazoned on her flank.” He sat up and looked her in the eyes, “The only time her hair changed, it blazed like her sun.”

He sighed and leaned back again.

“You’ve got a defensible position to build. Get to it.”

The ponies around him jumped, quickly getting to work.

He watched them move, slowly coming to lose focus. The image of Celestia and Luna dancing in his head.

Holding up a hoof, he examined it. The brownish chitin from his youth was gone now. It had begun to change recently he knew, but he couldn’t recall when the change had started, only able to guess it was during the latest growth spurt.

His fur had darkened as well. Over the past month, he had grown like a weed, and with it his hunger. The quantities of food he was consuming daily had led to more excursions to supplement his diet with wild game in secret. A fact he made sure to keep from everypony.

”It feels good to stretch out my mind again,” he thought. ”Though I must say it is far easier here in this world.

He felt for the anchor of his soul in his body. The roots were deep inside, but he knew he could detach if he had to.

“For the first time in a long time, I am starting to feel like myself.” He frowned at the thought before shrugging. He licked the sharpened canine in his mouth with a small smile before turning back to watch the rest of the ponies.

______________________________________________

Firm Stride watched as Mordane seemed to examine his hoof. His nose scrunching at what he had heard.

He didn’t trust the stallion. Having seen him grow over a foot before his very eyes made the pony seem all the more unnatural. Surreal even.

It was like the fight with the dragon had taken him from strange to otherworldly. Especially with his blue eyes and now pure white Mane.

Still, Firm Stride reached into his pack and pulled out the rope. His hoof playing over the surface, troubled.

He looked over to a group of ponies weakly pushing some stones around. The mare at the center of the group looked at him. Her eyes lingering a little longer than needed.

Slowly, Firm Stride shook his head ‘no’ before looking away. Instead going to another group that was arguing over whether or not to move a rather large building foundation lined with stone.

“Hey! Let's make this the corner.” he said, pointing at the corner closest to the ruined road. “We can move the stones from the other two walls to get started.”

He started laying down the rope where he thought the wall should be, several of the ponies just nodded and started working.

Others looked, uncertainly, at Mordane and One Eye before moving to help.

One Eye watched and gave direction, occasionally helping before setting up his own tent in the camp center .

Mordane had already assembled his and retired there before the evening.

Just before the ponies lined up to have dinner, Mordane came out of his tent demanding they fall into formation.

As they all stood, their bowls sitting in front of them, he stared into the fire.

“I swear to be better than I was yesterday,” the ponies chanted quickly, distracted by their bellies. 

So as soon as they thought he was done, the ponies started for the line, but Mordane spoke up again.

“For the whole, each pony is responsible.”

Firm Stride straightened at this. His jaw setting.

“For the whole, each pony is responsible,” replied the crowd.

“A pony, a unit, an army, a nation. None of these can survive without taking responsibility. Without each pony pulling their weight, together, toward a common goal.”

Mordane looked down and reached toward the kindling bundle near the fire. He raised a single stick in both hooves in front of him, and with a sudden flourish it snapped it in two.

“A single pony, a single stick, can be broken.” Mordane casually tossed the two halves into the fire before reaching down to pick up the whole bundle, “But a bundle of sticks held together in common purpose...” Mordane heaved bending the bundle over his back. A few of the twigs snapped and cracked, but even as he shook with exertion the bundle did not break.

“But the whole cannot,” he gasped, letting the sticks thud to the ground. His eyes misting over.

“I let my army and myself be broken. I’ve not unified my conflicting will with a purpose my whole life. Perhaps I thought myself strong enough to not need others, or to allow discord in myself. But like any twig standing against the sea, I was broken.”

He tapped his horn which sparked. “And for that, I paid a price.”

The silence hung in the air. The sky turned rapidly red with the sunset.

“I swear that tomorrow I will do better than today. My brother's burdens are my own.”

The ponies entoned back in unison, many with eyes troubled.

Mordane retired again, not waiting for a response or to dismiss them. Leaving that instead to One Eye who barked the orders. Though his own eyes spent more time looking at the ground than the ponies around him.

Only then did a group of four slip unnoticed into the night. Their hooves pointed north and their eyes set far away from this madpony.





Ivy woke in her tent early the next morning.

The fabric smelled of old barns and barrels normally used for barley. The floor was covered in a thick pad of tightly woven cloth and fibers.

She tried to flip to her side, but just as the night before, she was pushed onto her back. The packs of hardtack and coin that bit into her side were well on their way to forming bruises.

So instead, she opened her eyes to stare at the brownish cloth of the tent above her once again, wondering if it had actually been made from rags and used to clean the streets of Heridon.

”Is this what an adventure is?” she thought before shaking her head.

She sat up and stretched her wings, popping them audibly.

The stallion to her immediate left groaned. Sitting up, he looked across the tent at a still sleeping mare. “Come on, Stream. Mordy’s favorite has gotten up. Rise and shine. Time for another day of marching under this Luna forsaken sun.”

The other mare in the tent let out a cough and a groan, flailing her hooves futilely into the air as if hoping to beat away the day.

“Can’t I just die? I can’t even wipe my arse like a civilized unicorn,” she said, flicking her own horn. It drew an immediate wince from her. She cradled her head in pain. “Bloody hell this thing. Did that mare have to choose such a good bind?”

The stallion perked up looking down at the mare.

“Did you figure out its classification?”

“Yeah,” she groaned. “And it's a combination of one and three.”

The stallion groaned loudly while rubbing his own head as he sat fully up. His hair immediately springing back into its mohawk shape.

“And so we're stuck.”

“Yeah…” The mare groaned, sitting up slowly. “The first binding is a simple feedback loop. If I draw too much my horn shatters from the feedback. Then on top of that is a spell that interferes with the frequency of the energy being created, degrading any small energy matrix and making small spells impossible.”

She threw up her hooves.

“Guess we're stuck here.”

“It's not that bad,” mumbled Ivy, her ears splayed back.

“It's not bad? No, it's the worst.” She scrunched her nose before glaring at Ivy ``It's easy for you to say, at least you get to fly. What is a unicorn worth without their horn?”

The stallion snorted and with a grin replied, “You? I’d say at least two ponies.”

“Aww,” she pawed at him, “you big softie.”

“It's not like I have it easy,” Ivy insisted. “Mordane has me flying constant patrols. My wings feel like they are going to fall off.”

“Hey, you swore to the stallion.” the mare giggled “Can’t believe you did that, honey. I at least wanted to get some coins from the guy.”

Ivy wilted a bit under the unicorn mares gaze and looked down at the satchel on her side. 

The mare grinned and stood up.

“My, my, you seem to have something on your mind. What was it you were hoping to get from him...perhaps a little struggle snuggle?” She emphasised, turning to give a little shake of her rump.

‘What! No.” Ivy shouted, her cheeks blooming red.

“Ah, too bad,” the mare laughed. “I certainly wouldn’t mind. You would as well if you saw him at the Lunar Fortress.”

Ivy's ears twitched and perked up. She had heard about that battle.

She knew about the ancient fortress. The largest, legendary, still active fortress of the Lunar Princess herself! Protected by tradition and fear from everypony in the southern lands. Untouchable.

Well, at least until Mordane waltzed right in and shattered the princess’s spell single hoofed.

Hearing the street story hawkers tell it, he had stood on the roof of the highest tower, his mane wiping about filled with the shrieking souls of his thousands dead. His horn drenched in black ash crying to his moon mother to save him.

“You were there?” she asked the mare, dumbfounded.

“Yeah,” cut in Snarl, sitting up as well. “We sat in the last tower to fall with him as the Irona military elites beat down the door.”

“Saw him get real antsy about something,” the mare cut in. “Then his horn glowed real bright. Like a bonfire.”

She looked at Snarl, giving a firm nod.

“Then his horn blew and we found ourselves standing near the forest edge. So we booked it,” he quipped.

River gave him a playful punch. He shrugged it off with a grin. 

“Well, it's true. We booked it,” he continued. “Don’t know how we made it out. Eventually made our way to Tietus. Hit High Rise for our pay and paid to watch Mordane’s game. Then he was away on a ship before we could get close. So we caught another one. When we saw the recruitment party we thought… Well, I was excited to be under him for real this time.”

Ivy was leaning forward intently, but her brow was furrowed.

“He didn't recognize you?” she asked.

“Apparently not. His eyes just glazed over us. Just like the rest of you ponies. Guess we are just background characters to him.”

“Roll Call. ”

The fourth pony in their tent, Boundless, bolted straight up. His eyes wide and coat pail. 

“Creeps me out,” said Riverside, shivering and hugging herself. The room calmed down again.

“Me as well,” Ivy whispered. The other two ponies nodded before Snarl's ears perked up again.

“I didn’t know unicorns could do something like that. Hey River, can you do that?”

She shook her head, hugging herself even tighter instead.

“That isn’t a unicorn spell,” she said quietly.

“What?” Boundless croaked.

“It's not a unicorn spell!” she hissed. “I can’t feel anything, no gathering of energy, no bending of the rules, not even a twang on the ley lines.”

She shook her head.

“It's like he already is a part of our minds and just speaks.”

Ivy sat quietly. Her eyes on the ground. An unspoken question bouncing around her head for the last minute finally working its way to the surface.

“Do you two plan to stay?” 

Snarl and Riverside stopped and looked at each other. An entire conversation seemed to happen between them.

“... We probably shouldn’t keep him waiting,” replied Snarl.

The group of them got up and adjusted their burdens before trotting outside into the already forming columns.

Once again, Ivy felt a little shocked at the variety of ponies here.

Earth Ponies, Pegasi, Unicorns, and even a Nightwing. Some were tall and scarred, years of experience written in the universal tongue on their flesh. Others were all curves and pudge in all the right places. Their eyes weary and sick from the sudden endless exercise. Looking like models or precious concubines. Still others stood tall, their horns and noses pointed at the sky. Some minor noble son who had thought to have an easy pa13rty with the rabble.

She had heard his name was Ivory Star, a powerful Unicorn from the Firelight family. His blue eyes seemed to be focused on one of the quickly fading stars as the sun rose with the breath thrum of the ethereal weave.

At least, that is how Unicorns explained why they all seemed to wake up at the same time.

What drew her interest most of all was the four bundles of cloth laid neatly in front of the fire. She, and most of the others, were looking at them curiously. She looked over at Snarl who shrugged.

“Attention!” One eye shouted, her rump and heart jumped to attention.

Ivy stood up tall with the rest of them as they heard a pony step across the ground. She resisted the urge to turn and look, instead waiting for him to pass into their line of sight.

Mordane Stronghoof.

He stood taller than most ponies but claimed to be younger than almost any of them. His fur was brown as wet dirt, his mane the palest white. What stuck out at her most, though, was his eyes: tired and glassy. Their blue surface seemed to slide over the world as if in a haze, looking at something beyond the horizon.

His wings laid flat against his back, in a position that made Ivy's own wings itch despite their aching. His saddlebags hung loosely along with a thin sword too small for his size.

The camp was like half a dozen others they had built. Dirt and wood walls, tents to one corner, a large fire in the center. Mordane walked in front of this fire right now before coming to a stop and turning to face them.

“Four ponies attempted to leave last night,” he said softly. His voice carried unnaturally on the wind so that all could hear.

“They did not make it.” He gestured to the five bundles. “Their things are for you to split.”

He nodded once, something he seemed to do as a tick. As if confirming something with himself.

“We move out in two hours… Dismissed.”

Mordane’s eyes looked at Ivy seemingly to say ‘not you’. So as the rest of the group rushed off to begin the deconstruction of camp, she made her way to his side.

Only a few ponies went over to the bundles. Surprised to find even the coin filled straps there. One particularly greedy pony snatched up two and threw them over his own back before trudging off to finish his work.

“We are going south west today,” Mordane said with no fanfare.

“Uh,“ Ivy said, trying to remember what the land looked like, “That would lead us directly into the swamp.”

“Yes. I need you to map our route,” he confirmed, “Can you do that?”

“Yes,” she replied quickly, her heart jumping into her throat.

“Good.” Mordane turned and trotted toward the mess, “Good work.”

Ivy widened her eyes and her mouth opened a bit but only managed to stutter out, “Thank you, sir.”

Before she could leave though, Boldness trotted up. His ears drooping as he neared, “Uh...Stronghoof?”

“Yes,” he replied without looking at him.

“I’d like-.” He swallowed. “I don’t think I can do this.”

Mordane did not visibly react save to look him in the eye. Ivy's ears stood up and her stomach did a small flip on hearing this.

“Are you sure?”

“Y-Yeah,” he replied looking down at the ground.

“Okay. Follow me.” He turned back to Ivy. “I’m going to need that report when I return.”

Mordane led the pony over to the fire and helped him pull off the bag of coins. Then the other tools, bits of armor, and other valuables.

When the stallion went for his cotton undershirt Mordane raised his hoof and shook his head. Turning, Mordane looked at One Eye who snapped suddenly to look at him before giving a firm nod. Some kind of communication passing between them.

Ivy waited as several ponies stopped to see what was going on.

“You ready?” Mordane asked.

“Y-yeah.”

Mordane took to the air and flew over to pick up the smaller stallion, wrapping his hooves around the ponies barrel.

Then he took off.

Ivy watched for a bit as he flew toward the village a day's march away, or twenty minutes by wing, before shaking her head and taking to the air in the opposite direction.

From the river, the land quickly degraded in quality. Soon becoming a thick canopy that forced her to fly in a tight flight pattern. Circling to get a better view of the ground and foliage below.

She winced. The path was not clear at all. The place was a swamp at best. A death forest at worst. Still, Mordane did not seem ready to change his mind. She bit her lip and planned out the next day's travel.

Thirty minutes later she had her map, but before returning she looked off into the distance.

There she could see the mountains, and particularly a large mountain jutting out of the range.

Mordane had explained that reaching the foot of that mountain was their goal.

A goal that filled her with dread as she looked at dozens of miles of forest turning slowly into a swamp. Out here at least she could be sure that she was alone with her thoughts.

Now that her task was done, questions started bubbling out of her subconscious.

Why were they here? What was Mordane planning?

What was at the mountain?

More so, Mordane was an alicorn. She had believed it almost as soon as she saw him, but believing and knowing it as fact are two different things. She had found herself marching into the wilderness with someone who might as well be out of a fairytale. One who claimed to have spoken to both Luna and Celestia.

Just how old was he?

She didn’t know the answers, but she had a path to deliver. So after a few moments of rest she headed back. 

In the distance though Ivy saw Mordane approaching and went to meet him.

When she got closer Mordane angled upward and headed to a small cloud. She hesitated a moment before heading up to meet him.

Mordane sat just short of the clouds’ wispy edge. Close enough to the center to not sink through. In the distance, a large blackness was rushing toward the mountaintop. Its bottom rolled as it neared the snowy peaks.

“Report.”

“The region is not something you want to move anything through,” she said bluntly, her ears drooping.

“And?”

“...and I have found a route,” she replied. “It trails a little south. There is an impassable area of water pits. I think I saw something in there, probably a hydra.”

Mordane turned, raising an eyebrow.

“What is it that you saw?”

“Just some odd movement in the trees. Too fast for a pony.”

Mordane turned and looked back down.

“I see,” he mumbled, “and in the direction you sent us?”

“Still covered in water pits, but I can see snaky bits of land that are not big enough for something like a Hydra.”

Mordane nodded.

In the distance, the cloud clapped with thunder. As it splashed against the mountain the water quickly became a downpour.

“This region is unique in the world,” Mordane said

Ivy didn’t comment, instead deciding Mordane only wanted to speak and not hear her opinion.

“A mountain range this tall would normally turn one side into a desert. The weather manipulation by Equestria prevents that though. An unnatural negative space draws two different wind fronts coming from two different directions to meet here. Because of that it is green on both sides. The world’s wind is split by the mountain, flowing in two great circles that eventually return. “

He turned back and gave a smile

“Equestria needs its water I suppose. The region around Canterlot and Baltimare can’t naturally support the population of ponies living there. Even so, the pulling of the stream has had global effects. Now there is too much water here, making the land unusable. About a thousand years ago, this used to be the breadbasket of old Equestria, and now it is a swamp.” He inhaled deeply, holding a moment before giving a long slow exhale. “The other side I’m told is not as wet but just as green. Courtesy of currents from further south coming and hitting the mountain from the other side.”

“Is that why-” she cut herself off, ears drooping.

“Yes?” he said, turning to look at her.

“Is that why it's so windy atop Aton?”

Mordane slowly nodded then turned back to the scene taking in a deep breath of the wind blowing past. His eyes closed.

“It would take a team of two thousand pegasi to stabilize this wreck of an ecosystem. Someponies would have to pull moisture north, over the craggy midlands of Tietus. This would dry up the land here and turn the north greener. Maybe even ending the storms cutting us off from Northern Equestria.”

“...No city would be able to field that many pegasi,” whispered Ivy. “Not even Aton. It's a nice idea though.”

“It is a nice idea,” Mordane agreed. “Well, let's head down again. From up here it looks like they are finished with the camp.”

Mordane looked back at her again, stepped onto the wispy edge, and started to sink.

“Try to play nice with the earth ponies and unicorns. You're going to need each other to get through this.”

He let himself tilt back over the edge before twisting into a dive angled to fly back toward the camp.

Ivy followed shortly after in a glide. Her brow furrowed as she quietly followed, eyes locked on the enigma before her.





Muddy and hot.

That is how Firm Stride would have described this place. He briefly considered if Mordane had chosen this path to specifically punish him personally for challenging him. However, no special treatment had come his way.

He hated it. The air. The sweat matting his fur and these Luna forsaken horn heads and feather brains.

The place smelled like the wrong end of an ass that had been shoveling dung its whole life. Its trees seemed to be treating life as a lost cause, clawing toward the sky even as they were drenched in moss and filth.

This was the first time Firm Stride had ever set foot in a swamp, and he hoped it would be his last.

“What does this feathered bastard think he’s doing? ‘They didn't make it.’ What in the buck happened though? Did they fall down a well? Stub their hooves!?” 

Beside him, an over greedy earth pony with three bags of coin was panting already, his hooves shaking as he pushed himself over the terrible terrain.

It wasn’t like he couldn’t figure out what Mordane was doing. Pulling the wheat from the daisies was standard practice among mercenaries.

They moved in a straight line along a slither of land between two mud pits. Their legs covered up to the knee in the muck. Already their hair had snatches of twigs and briars. The vines snaked everywhere, wrapping up the tree and spilling from the land into the water.

As he had a hundred times already, he forced himself to step over the next root. 

This time though he slipped, his leg riding the space between the two roots and slipping on the moss in between. 

His hoof rode straight off the edge of the embankment along with the rest of him.

He sputtered and tried to stand up. However, he sank into the mud immediately. It curled around his legs like a great beast. 

The more he dug in his heels the more it snarled and dragged him down.

“Help!” he shouted, frantically looking around. “Help me!”

Mordane swooped down and hovered a few feet over him. His eyes scanning the situation before turning to the group.

“Well, you heard the stallion,” Mordane said, crossing his hooves.

“You bas-” Firm Stride got a mouth full of mud as he began to slip under. Panic starting to claw at him.

“We got ya!” shouted one of the other earth ponies as a group of them tried to shuffle past the other two races to get closer.

It became very clear he was not going to get any help as no pegasi nor unicorn moved to assist. Their eyes still gleaming with anger. Just standing stock still and watching as he drowned.  Some even turned and trotted away, not caring to wait and watch him die.

As he began to dip under Firm Stride thought back to the day before, and how he had ignored the two other struggling races and Mordanes warning.

‘You will regret that.’

Well, he was regretting it now. In a last desperate struggle, he pointed his snout up and whispered.

“Please.”

A hoof met him.

“Hold on!”

He recognized that voice. 

Ivy. 

Mordane’s favorite. He could feel as she futilely pulled on him. Only stopping his descent.

“Luna's tits, I’ll help too!”

Firm Stride heard some grunting as a rope was tossed out for him to grab.

“We got you!”

The ponies heaved and soon the mud began to give away.

The first pony he saw was One Eye, leading the pack as they pulled and yanked.

*Shunk*

He slipped out suddenly and was pulled straight onto the bank. The ponies pulling him fell onto their behinds.

Firm Stride flopped, gasping on the spindled shore of the swamp strip. Sucking in the dank air and sputtering ‘thank you’ to all the ponies that helped him.

Soon though, he sat up and looked at Mordane who hovered above. His eyes coldly looking down.

“Were you just going to let me drown?” he hissed.

Mordane’s lip pulled back showing pointed teeth. His eyes lighting up like little embers as he let out a bellowing laugh that trailed off quickly, leaving behind the grin.

“If it's any consolation, I would have thrown in the ponies around you that didn’t help.”

The nearby standing pegasi wings ruffled, the unicorns instinctively tilted their horns at Mordane who only grinned a little wider at their reactions.

“Any place on a march is dangerous. There are things all around that will kill you. Animals, the ground, the air. Things both magical and mundane. All this before you ever meet an enemy.” Mordane stopped flapping his wings and fell a few feet.

Twisting in the air Mordane swept a wing through the air, a glow shimmering off of them.

A huge gush of clean water swelled like some beast out of the muck.

The ponies had no time to reach and quickly several of the pegasi, unicorns, and earth ponies were washed off.

Gasping they struggled against the muck. Some are just close enough to grip a vine or rock to pull themselves out.

Others, though, were not so lucky.

This time the pegasi and unicorns panicked. Trying to grab at anything they could. Even the ropes thrown for other ponies.

But the earth pony who threw it simply gave it a whip and it slung back around him.

The groups of ponies glared at each other, rushing and working to save their own and getting in each other's way during the process.

Firm Stride saw Ivy and One Eye jolt forward to help, but both suddenly stopped and swiveled to look at Mordane who hovered, staring at the crowd.

“Are you going to do anything!?” Firm Stride shouted. Drawing only a grin from Mordane and a wince from Ivy.

He turned and shouted at his fellow earth ponies who had already pulled out the few of their own who had washed in.

“Help them, you dunderheads!”

Several looked conflicted. 

The one who had thrown the rope though sneered.

“Why should we, they didn’t help you.”

“Because we didn’t help them! Don’t you get it?” he spat “We can’t do this without them! Mordane won’t let us!”

The earth ponies looked at each other.

“DO IT YOU DIRT PONIES!” He roared.

The group jumped. Most rushing over to help. Still, three sat to the side. One being the stallion who had used his rope to save him.

The pegasi and unicorns were fished out. They thanked everypony, some gripping the other in shaking hugs.

Mordane waited a moment for them to settle before making his move.

With a twist over he impacted behind the three earth ponies. Causing them to jolt and swerve to face him.

“You're done. Strip.”

Two of them immediately wilted but the center rope carrying one sneered.

“How am I supposed to help some horn heads and feather brains that won’t help one of my kind when he's dying.”

“They aren’t pegasi or unicorns. They are your fellow soldiers.”

“You’re kidding,” he laughed, crossing his hooves. “They aren't my comrades.”

“Any of you feel that way about earth ponies?” Mordane asked, turning to the group.

At first no one responded, then two unicorns and a pegasus nodded.

Mordane frowned and motioned the three to come closer.

“You six are right. They are not your comrades. If you can’t accept that then there is no place for you here. Drop your things and I’ll take each of you back.”

The pegasus glared at the earth ponies and reached for his knife to take off his assigned bag.

One of the unicorns followed, keeping his nose pointed toward the sky. However, the other one bowed his head and said.

“I can...learn.”

“I don’t have time to let you learn. Drop your things.”

“Well, I won’t go! I don’t want to,” cut in the large earth pony from before.

He lunged at Mordane, both hooves aiming for his head.

Mordane sneered as he reared up and met the earth pony.

Their impact set a crack through the air. Mordane’s cloak billowed out behind him.

But the stallion didn’t get long to even think.

Mordane spread his wings and with a mighty pump sent a blast of air into the earth ponies chest. The pony stumbled back a step but Mordane didn’t give him a chance before he turned and gave a big buck into his chest.

The pony was lifted from the ground a few feet as a loud snap split through the forest.

“Shit!” Mordane shouted as the pony before he crumpled to the ground.

A gurgling sound escaped the ponies lips as he smashed onto the marshy ground.

“Damn it, I hit him with everything,” Mordane shouted. His eyes glanced over the unicorns. “Do any of you know any healing?”

The ponies shook their heads.

Mordane cursing trotted over to the downed stallion and roughly threw him over his shoulder. Drawing spittle of blood to smack against Mordanes flank.

Mordane didn’t wait to give an explanation, instead rocketing off into the air with a blast of wind.

One Eye tracked him as he went. His eye then turned to the rest of the group, thinking for a moment.

“Grounds uneven. We should use a rope while we walk,” he said. He stomped over to the dropped rope and trotted up to the largest earth pony.

“Move to the back,” he barked before tying the rope to himself and heading to the front of the line. “Strap yourself to the line.”

He stopped, turned, and sneered.

“No pony left behind,” he let that hang for a moment with no reaction before shouting, “DO YOU HEAR ME PONIES!”

“Sir, Yes SIR!” they shouted

Firm Stripe hurried like the others to tie himself to the rope.

He kept a brisk pace with the group as they headed off.

Soon, another pony slipped but was quickly caught and pulled out by their neighbors.

Firm grew more sure of his footing and observant as they walked. He found himself watching the pony in front of him.

A tug on the rope made him immediately glare back, but the pegasi only pointed at a soft moss patch at his hooves.

Realizing she had saved him from a tumble Firm Stride gave a quick nod of thanks before turning back to the mare in front of him. Watching where she stepped.





There was little regard for bruised hooves or popped joints as Mordane returned again and again. As their number decreased one by one the remaining grew quieter.

As they pushed the day forward, Snarl came to understand just what separated unicorns from other ponies.

His friend was abnormally fit for a unicorn, her sword skills were great and her knowledge of the arcane made her a great mercenary.

They had traveled from battlefield to battlefield together for years.

Riverside had sworn to always stay with him, ever since they had left their village together all those years ago.

Every step deeper into the woods really drove it home to him though.

Each step warbled, and between the saddlebags and supplies she looked exhausted.

Mordane, though, had ordered that everypony must carry their own supplies.

Snarls ears perked up. He glanced back at the two gold packs already on his back. He had even picked up another bag. Enough to start a new life out of this hell hole.

But what about his friend?

Pursing his lips he pulled up behind her and tugged on the extra gold pack quickly unclipping the thing and flipping up onto his own back with a grunt.

She stopped and turned, blushing as she panted, glaring daggers at him.

“What...” she gasped. ”What are you doing?”

Sweat rolled down his cheek but Snarl smiled. Bumping into her and forcing her to keep walking in the Congo line.

“Turns out I’m just too greedy. I don’t want to let you have any of the gold.”

“...oh,” she replied softly. Her face buttering up from stone to something more akin to leather before her eyes lit up again, this time a smile cracking underneath. “You were always a bit pincher.”

“Have to be with how quick you spend them,” he chuckled.





Mordane trotted away from the last bigoted pony. Not looking back as he went down the street of the small town. 

He went past the mill, the blacksmiths, and eventually the general store. Ignoring the slaves all around him, he went straight to the ‘courier office’.

In such a small town, far from the defense of Herridon, this little box on the edge of the town represented the furthest reach of the unicorn princess and king.

Even here, the divide could be seen. Two guards stood on either side. One a royal pegasi guard and the other a unicorn city guard.

Mordane trotted up giving a nod to them both, only the pegasi returned it while the other only turned up his nose.

Flipping through the letters he was quick to find one listed for him from Trixie.

He took a moment to read it. Then chew over the words. His brow furrowing as he chewed absentmindedly on his quill.

“I’ll just have to trust her.”

His horn sparked, and with a grimace, he wrote back his reply.





She pumped her wings again, the warm wet updrafts carried her higher into the sky. Each beat trailing her heart by a moment. The crankshaft of her wings tempo setting all the bells and whistles firing. Striking from her brain to her limbs to keep the timing and adjustment needed for flight.

A swing of the tail and she veered to the left. A tilt of the wings she would fall suddenly, a being of flesh and blood again.

She caught a breath of fresh air. Eyes closed before reaching the apex of her arc and diving back down toward the stink.

She snapped open her wings and glided over the treetops. Her ears twitching at the snaps, chirps, and cries of creatures.

Far below the ground could be seen.

Over the last two days, they had come to march well.

Mordane had led them through.

A suggestion here, an instance there, and soon they had begun to change.

Thirty down to twenty. Nine quitters. One died from eating bad berries. Drowned in his own spittle while Mordane had taken the last quitter away.

The ground had given way from the spindly islands to potholes of water and mushy ground. The trees thinning and becoming craggy claws reaching to the heavens.

Her tired wings carried her back to camp. 

Landing as the sun was setting, she noted Mordane was not yet back.

The ponies were well on their way to finishing camp with a few even settling down for a break around the fire before bed. 

She came skitting to a landing. Folding her wings and trotting to sit with them. A conversation already underway.

“-All I’m saying is that it's making sense to me now. We had a hard day today. We lost Boundless today. The rain has been terrible. If I hadn’t been used to making the camp...I don’t know if I’d have the strength,” commented Firm Stride. Taking a sip of water after finishing.

“I guess-” Riverside conceded. “It just seems like a lot of wasted effort…”

“But you don’t know when you’ll need it either,” cut in Snarl. “You remember that night near Nato?”

The mare shivered, shaking her head before answering.

“Of course I do, and we could have used something like this that night…”

“Tell you one thing I could do without though,” spoke up Ivory Star, he laughed, “these gold bags!”

Several of them laughed. Even nodding in agreement. But after a moment a few of them stopped, looking perplexed.

“Would you?” spoke up Snarl. “Get rid of it, I mean.”

“Well...yeah,” Ivory Star agreed. “It chaffs and is heavy. I can’t really eat it. I mean, money is always good but this is a bit much to carry around.”

“But what about after this training? Don’t you want it for then?” Ivy asked.

“No. I don’t think so,” he shook his head firmly. “I’m going to ask to join Mordane’s army.” 

Many of the ponies frowned, looking at each other to see how they would respond. A silence fell as they all tried to think how to continue the conversation.

“I...want to get stronger,” Ivy said suddenly. Her cheeks were a little red. “Mordane offers a way for me to do that. To...become something else.”

“I am the same,” replied Ivory Star. “Though I was hoping for a title. My brother is in line for our family inheritance. I will have nothing. I’m sure that if I serve Sir Mordane well, I will have a place in his kingdom.”

Stalwart nodded firmly.

“A kingdom?” asked another pony.

“Can you really see an alicorn staying the subject of a half throned mortal?”
The group had no response and no denial.

“Kingdom or no...I want to follow him. Me and Snarl owe him our lives,” Riverside said. “Frankly, I don’t care where he goes.”

“I think he will free the ponies of Underside,” Firm Stride stated. “He's an idiot. But he is the kind of idiot that can’t help but change the world.”

The ponies looked at each other. Realization dawning on their faces. Their eyes looking out at the collections of ponies around their own fires.

They realized they were not alone.





The next morning, while flying her patrol once again her eyes caught something in the distance.

A movement among the trees that was unnatural.

It made the fur stand up on the back of her neck.

She turned and stepped back toward the column, breaking into a dive as she approached and slamming into the ground near Mordane. Her hooves sank into the soil a few inches.

“Mordane!”

“Report,” he said eyes snapping to her.

“Timberwolves! About ten minutes out heading right for us!” she shouted before pointing with her wing. “That way!”

Mordane didn’t waste any time. He glanced over the area before pointing to a tree.

“To there. Form a half circle.”

The ponies hesitated, drawing a curse from Mordane and One Eye.

Quickly, Mordane and One Eye pushed the ponies into formation, making a half-circle near the tree. Mordane started walking down the line.

“Earth ponies, bury your shoulders into the earth, anchor against them, and use your hoof blades. pegasi use your spears, reach over their shields. Unicorns…”

Mordane frowned before giving a small snort.

“Come here then.”

The unicorns scrambled close, bending down to let Mordane release the horn rings. Their magic rushing back mixed with the adrenaline in their blood to make them giddy.

After a bit more shouting and a little prodding from One Eye, the ponies were in formation.

Silence took hold.

The chirps and creeps of the swampland called out through it.

Each pony shook from fear, exhaustion, or worse. Coats gleaming in the fog as they waited.

Mordane stood at the center. His eyes closed as he swayed in an unknown torrent.

“Don’t break. I won’t.” Mordane whispered.

He opened his eyes, staring into the swamp.

“I am here. Do not break. We live or die together.”

Snarl was giving credence to his namesake. He snapped his teeth to grab the strap on his hoof. He pulled tight, giving it a firm tug around the spear as his eyes narrowed into the fog.

The small sounds began to fade as the cacophony of small animal sounds and birds taking flight fell suddenly away, leaving only the creaking of wood and the snapping of trees swaying in the wind.

Mordane took a good sniff. His brow furrowing.

“They are here.” He wrinkled his nose. “You can smell the stench of them a mile away.”

Rotting flesh and wood, mixed with a freshly cut lawn and the flipping stomach of dark magic.

Each pony immediately committed the smell to memory, knowing it was something you could never forget.

Then suddenly, one was there.

It bound out of the fog, twice as tall as any normal pony.

“Brace your shields,” Mordane and One Eye Shouted.

One Eye leaned down glaring with his eye as the timber-wolf charged him down. It slammed into him but One Eye didn’t budge.

He grunted as the Timber-wolves scratched along the copper shield. Its sharp claws denting the copper shield. His instinct told him to step back but Instead, he thrust his hoof blade deep into its chest.

It yelped but did not stop. Only trying to claw even more furiously over the shield.

Mordane’s eyes widened.

“Tougher than the Everfree…” he muttered. “What are you waiting for, Pegasi! Stab it!”

The three nearest pegasi stabbed at the beast. Snarl carried through taking a step forward as he let out a low rumble. 

The three spears stabbed in. Two going uselessly for the head. Snarl for the heart.

The pony to the left of One Eye, seeming to think it pinned, stepped out from behind his shield to strike.

“Dammit, that's not the only one!” Mordane shouted. But it was too late. The second one struck. Its claws and teeth sinking into the foolhardy pony. Two new spearmen stabbed at it. At the same time another Timberwolf pulled back and redirected, this time going for Mordanes throat.

A third wolf was closing until a fire bolt hit it, blasting the arcane creature into burning chunks of wood.

The first wolf finally disintegrated. Just in time for the rest of the pack to arrive.

A total of twelve wolves dove into the small party. A couple quickly grabbing and dragging off two ponies before the rest were pinned by shield and bow.

The two wolves dragged their still-living prey kicking and screaming ten feet away before starting to claw at their armor. Pulling back the leather to get at their stomachs.

Mordane narrowed his eyes, pausing a moment to make a decision before taking to his wings.

Ivy saw him lift off, her spear buried deep in a timber-wolf she suddenly lost interest in. In that moment she thought he was running away. Her ears stood straight, her eyes dilated, and she froze.

”No, please no,” she thought.

But then the wind began to shift.

Mordane’s eyes began to turn slightly white before he dove down to where two of the ponies were well on their way to being disemboweled.

He impacted the ground with a blast of wind throwing the wolves around him off balance just in time for a splash of dirt to slap them.

One disintegrated immediately. The other tried to recover but Mordane didn’t give it a chance.

He flipped and gave a powerful buck, his hoof shattering the core of the timber-wolf.

Four more turned to face him and charged.

Mordane stood tall, hooves together he closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, pointing his wings straight toward the sky.

One Eye threw off another wolf, preparing to stab only to have four more spears find their homes in its chest. He stepped back and scanned, seeing most of the wolves had fallen to pieces until he spotted a pony about to be overcome. He charged in to help, breaking formation.

The four wolves were almost upon Mordane when he snapped his wings down.

There was a blast and a spark.

The air in his blast ripped into flame. A ring of fire spread out from him, barely singeing the ground. The timberwolves, however, seemed to be suddenly standing in a blast furnace.

They howled in agony, falling down and struggling to put out the flames.

Mordane then bent down and scooped the stallion and mare before jumping back to the circle with a beat of his wings, delivering him to their sole healer.

Just as suddenly as it had begun, it was over.

The last of the timberwolves were falling to pieces. Their howls continued long after their wooden jaws fell uselessly to the ground.

“Gather them up! Burn them!” Mordane shouted. Looking at the unicorns as he pointed emphatically.

The ponies rushed forward and began to throw the bodies onto a large pile which the unicorns quickly set alight.

With pegasi fanning the flames it was not more than a minute until the entire attacking pack was set ablaze. Their ghostly howls reached a crescendo before fading into the crackling pine.

“Casualties,” Mordane said, standing next to the open flame. “Casualty report.”

‘“One dead here,” shouted One Eye.

“M-My leg is broken,” spoke up another pony through clenched teeth.

“These two are wounded badly. I don’t think one is going to make it,” stuttered out their only healer.

“Focus on who you can save,” Mordane replied to her.

Mordane trotted over to the two downed ponies and motioned for the third still being untreated to be brought over.

“Who else here knows healing spells, anything, even first aid”

“I do, sir,” spoke up Riverside. “But only some first aid.”

“Good. Come here.”

She complied, stepping up to the towering stallion.

“I can only do-”

Mordane put his hoof over her mouth and she felt something. A sudden presence where it was not wanted, tendrils reaching out to her mind. 

Her eyes widen and for a moment she wants to jump back, but her body is frozen in place.

In her head, two eyes burn into her. A five-fingered appendage wrapped around her brain, its fingers sinking deep into its wrinkles.

Her nose flared and her heart quickened. Her eyes drained of hope as the mountain looms up before her. Behind her, she hears the stamping of feet and a great weight grinding down on this… creature’s mind. While something else bubbled up in black ooze.

“Do not be afraid of me, Riverside...We have ponies to heal.” 

From the boiling black she felt sick understanding wash over her. For a moment she was overcome, her desire to retch catching in her thoughts as the black tide swallowed and poured into her.

A different voice whispered.

”You are mine now little mar-”

”No.” 

Suddenly a rush of energy washed over her mind, banishing the darkness. The mountain poured and radiated strength into her. Its will, twisting like an iron screw into the soil.

“Focus. The ponies, River.” 

Riverside opened her eyes. She turned and looked down at the three ponies. She saw their flesh and knew intimate details.

Her horn charged and she set things right. Her horn burning hot as they slowly, methodically stitched the ponies together with their spellwork.

There was nothing but work. Nothing but the understanding and will to do.

Then, it was over.

Mordane’s hoof fell from the back of her head and she blinked.

The three ponies laid unconscious, their bodies healed by her magic.

A magic she could still feel inside her. The image burned into her mind of the pony form. What it should be, how it fit together. The darkness of how and why pushed away, leaving only the knowledge.

Looking down at the bodies, she realized that it was her own magic that had cured them. Her own power, and she could do it again. Indeed, she would do it again, and that made her happy.

“Congratulations,” entoned the voice behind her. “You have found your mark.”

She turned to see a mark of a pony silhouette with a bandaged hoof. She smiled, something clicking into place in her mind before exhaustion overtook her and she fell to the dusty earth.

Mordane swayed on his hooves. 

His horn was sparking from a chip that had been blown clear, striking his ear. Where it struck the skin was burned and blacked .

His eyes glared up at his still sparking horn, the energy dying down as he stared at it.

A small river of blood seeped out of the crack, sliding down to the base and over his brow.

Mordane steadied himself. His eyes came to focus on the downed ponies.

“Bury the last one. In a cloud, if you must.”

He turned and tried taking to wing, but he only made it a few feet into the air before tumbling to the ground.

Crashing into blackness.





Mordane laid in his tent. Shaking.

The pain.

A numbness followed after it, feeding into his wings as Mordane breathed pained breaths.

”It's getting worse,” his Shadow hissed.

”He can’t even hold us together anymore,” spoke Pony.

”It is driving him mad,” intoned Logic, observing what was going on dispassionately.

”You can’t escape me.”

Mordanes' eyes snapped open, sweat pouring down him, his eyes focused on something far away, and slowly the voices faded.

“Who were they,” spoke Ivy.

“W-what?” sputtered Mordane. His eyes locked onto the mare. She stood over him, dabbing a water soaked cloth against his head.

“The voices.” She reached up with her wing and tapped her head. “I can hear them, so can the rest of the camp.”

Her ears drooped.

“They are terrified.”

Mordane blinked a few times. His eyes were barely able to focus on her as he swallowed.

He sat up with obvious effort and pain.

“It was...necessary to save those ponies,” Mordane said. “You can’t be someone like me and not have some...internal conflict.”

Ivy nodded slowly, her eyes staying focused on him.

“I’ve taken two away…” She lifted her chin. “I wouldn’t sell them, but I took their things.”

Mordane’s eyes focused on her, searching for some indication before sighing and laying back down.

“I’m surprised more did not try to run.”

Ivy shook her head sharply. Her lips pushed tight together.

“The rest…are determined.”

“Gold does have its allure,” Mordane replied.

“No pony would go this far for gold,” she spat. Suddenly angry. “Nopony would sit in the dark shivering as nightmares crawl into their dreams just for...” She stopped, sucking in a sharp breath as Mordane turned to stare at her.

His mouth hung open, eyes widened at her words.

“What?” he asked

“They want to follow you.” Her voice cracked. “Those ponies you saved, the things you've done. What you will do. What you are. WHO you are.”

She looked down, tears falling down her cheek.

“They want to be part of it.”

Mordane watched her start to sob. Her wings clamped tight against her chest as she shook.

“I don’t understand,” Mordane said, staring at her.

She snapped to look at him. Her eyes burned with rage.

Rising to her hooves she pulled Mordane up, made him slip on a cloak and practically threw him out of the tent.

Mordane stumbled out, caught off guard by the sudden ferocity.

Outside, the sun was falling below the horizon. All around, ponies were hard at work. The camp construction was already underway, straight and square.

Mordane’s head swam as the light of mid-day hit his eyes. However, he drew himself together and looked around as ponies stopped what they were doing to come up to him.

He scanned over them, they seemed tired. Afraid, to him some looked ready to bolt if he so much as glared at them.

Ivy stood at his side supporting him as he had trouble standing. 

Uncertain of what to say, he said nothing. Instead, waiting for a moment to present itself.

And for once, the moment came.

“Who is here for the gold?” Ivy hollered. No pony spoke up, but many in the crowd frowned. Others seemed perplexed.

Ivy took a quick glance at Mordane and seeming to find what she was looking for continued. “Mordane wanted to thank you for your work in driving off the timberwolves. After discussing what would be a suitable reward he has decided you all pass. Your crime is forgiven. You can go.”

Mordane stiffened at her words, but he didn’t say anything. Waiting to see who would take her offer.

No pony moved.

“In fact...keeping soldiers is expensive. If you don’t go, then Mordane is just going to keep the coin. He thinks you are a bunch of idiots who can’t even ford a river properly.”

Several ponies chuckled. 

Mordane said nothing. His eyes flicking around the crowd as it visibly seemed to relax.

The fear drained from their eyes and smiles appeared on their faces.

“If you think what happened before is bad...oh wow, you have no idea what is coming!” She looked very serious. “He's a necromancer alicorn you know! Perhaps the alicorn of death itself! Are you sure you want to stay?”

The sun shined and Mordane felt as if he had swallowed a stone. His legs ached in all the wrong places. His horn burned and ached even more. His wings itched and felt bunched up despite laying across his back.

He swayed in the wind as no pony moved. All just standing, saying nothing.

Slowly, Mordane looked them over. Each ponies’ eyes filled with something he recognized.

Hope.

“What is it that you see?” he grumbled as he tucked his chin.

“An alicorn,” spoke up one of the two prostitute mares.

The ponies shifted, muttering agreement.

“You saved my life,” spoke up another. “If you hadn’t helped River-”

“I risked your life.”

The pony stepped back confused. The wide smile shying off of his face a bit before he spoke up again.

“Yeah, but...if I had done what you said.”

“You helped me find my talent,” whispered Riverside, looking up at Mordane. “I had never even tried to learn more about healing spells, and you just....” Her eyes turn to him full of wonder. “I'll follow you anywhere.”

Mordane sat down, his brow furrowing, wings pressed tightly against himself as he tried to make sense of what he was hearing. 

“You can’t go fooling us anymore. You saved those ponies, and Ivy said you weren’t even selling the quitters,” Firm Stride spoke up. 

Mordane’s eyes snapped to Ivy. His brow furrowing.

“You never came back with any coin…” She mumbled looking away.

“You really have started taking privileges,” Mordane stated blankly, making the mare blush. 

“I find slavery ideologically abhorant, but that doesn’t change the fact that some ponies died. Surely you ponies cannot forget that?”

“No pony is stupid enough to think following an alicorn would be easy... at least any that are still here,” Ivy replied softly. “So stop waiting for us all to give up and start making us into these soldiers you keep talking about.”

The group fell quiet, Mordane looked toward the sky and the ponies all felt as he pushed aside his own confusion and accepted what he was hearing.

“I’d like to hear from each of you.”

The ponies formed a rough line. Sometimes approaching alone and others in small groups. He took a short while to talk to each of them and to learn their names.

Ivy was by his side. Her eyes brightened as she waited while he gave compliments, advice and confirmations to each pony. Seeming to take note of them.

It wasn’t long until Riverside and Snarl stepped up.

“My name is Riverside. This is Snarl,” she said, a giddy smile on her face. “Thank you again.”

“I am glad the mark makes you happy.” He stopped, blinked then gave them both a genuine smile. “Riverside and Snarl. Glad to see you made it out of the tower. How did you make it all the way to Herridon?”

Their eyes brightened as they broke out into grins.

“Well, it wasn’t easy. Had to practically skin old High Rise for our pay. Still, it's good to be working with you again,” Snarl replied.

“Shame what happened to Boulder,” Riverside said quietly. “I thought he was a great squad lead.”

“Stalker too. Shame to see a comrade go like he did.”

“They were--”  Mordane choked, swallowing, “--my good friends.”

The two gave him a half bow, before stepping away. Leaning against each other as they did.

As he looked at each pony, uncertainty sat deeply in his mind. For a moment he thought he would hold back. Not give his trust and care to these ponies.  However, he pushed that aside. Realizing that this was what he needed and what was right. Come whatever the cost.

“This is the vow I’d ask of you,” he said solemnly. 

Each of their ears perked up at the change in tone.

“I swear to serve the soldier beside me, and my Lord, Stronghoof.”

Each pony repeated the oath, most eyes shining as they did. Mordane watched them eagerly swear their lives away and he felt nothing.

The oath did not ring right. Even though it was closer. He knew he needed something better, something more than simple loyalty. Uncertain, he decided to continue on with something else.

“Take out your knives and cut open your gold packs.”

The ponies frowned, some looked at each other with confusion. 

Snarl though simply complied. Drawing his blade and ripping into one of the packs he carried.

A large black ingot slipped out and thudded to the ground.

Leaning over Ivy picked it up, looking over the metal.

“Lead?” She asked Holding up the heavy bar.

“Lead.” Mordane replied with a grin.

Quickly knives flashed in the light. Bags were cut and soon the clearing was filled with mirthful laughter.

Mordane watched as the ponies relieved themselves of their burdens. Sharing a hug. A laugh. Beside him, Ivy let go and allowed him to stand on his own hooves. 

Mordane though was looking inside himself. Feeling how the sensation of comradery flowed through him.

Mordane felt almost...

Ivy's, his, and the others’ ears perked up and their heads swiveled  to look in the sound's direction with surprise.

In the distance, shouting and the beating of drums could just barely be heard. 

“What is that?” Ivy asked.

“That,” Mordane replied as he pulled his mind back into his skull. Brow furrowing as he looked toward the sound. “Sounds like our first battle.”
> On a Knife's Edge
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ivy’s haunches were starting to hurt again.

The change from swamp to forest was sudden as they moved closer to the mountain range.

The stink only grew as they walked and soon even the spindly dead trees gave way to only rocks and moss before coming onto a sudden tree line.

Mordane had ordered the forced march after receiving the preliminary reports of the nearby force.

Forty troops against Mordane’s twelve. Most appeared well armed and seasoned. Practically busting their way through the rough terrain head on. Of particular note was how the entire force was fielded with both spear and bow.

For the last week Mordane had played a game of cat and mouse with their pursuers. Small time raids and skirmishes, never really committing, while drawing the other force on. Mordane’s goal was simply to force them to keep marching.

It was only now that his force truly came close to the mountain that the swamp cleared and gave way to a deep and heavy forest.

They were making much better time than their pursuers, but Mordane still seemed pensive. He would pace around the camp at night, mumbling to himself about various things. Occasionally a spike of stress would leak out of his mind. Still, the ponies were not discouraged. Mordane literally radiated confidence when speaking about the opposing force.

Yet still, he seemed strained. He had her running frequent patrols. At first she had been concerned. Wondering if he was becoming paranoid. Now though. She knew better. Her eyes caught what she was looking for. Banking she headed back toward their force.





Walking among the trees towering like ancient centennials imposed on a pony perspective. They seemed eternal, like part of the mountain, towering over the small gnats at their feet.

That's why it was almost a shock when they found the downed behemoth. Scattered among the roots of smaller trees, their camp huddled under the great oak. Mordane had declared a day of rest. Much to the cheers of the soldiers.

The nearly crushed smaller tree branches were soon bent down to form a kind of room between the log and the mountain. It had been two weeks since leaving Herridon. One since he had made the breakthrough with the others and taken his soldiers oath. The distance and weight of the journey sat heavily on his soul.

Two dead, eight given up, five vanished in presumably failed escape attempts. The count now stood at twelve. Twelve ponies that had agreed to go with him through thick and thin.

His eyes fell on the two whorses. They sat with the others. Their squishy forms had hardened exceptionally fast. Most of the mares of the night had given up quickly, even the desperate need or greed for gold unable to overcome the basic lack of the physical capacity to keep up. Still, two earth ponies had sustained themselves taking to the drills with a hunger and fervor that shocked the other ponies. Now they were simply one among many.

He gave a nod as one brought him a plate of porridge. His small smile of thanks blossoming into a full grin on her face.

Mordane sat under his tent. It was draped over the crux between the two large roots. His back against the tree. His wings spread out quivering as he tried to not turn his head.

The shock and pain he felt playing down his horn and spine had forced his wingtips into extension. It forced his wings out, twisting the muscles painfully. At the same time though another pony was wiping down his now burning horn and replacing the wrap, which forced him to sit still.

Mordane ignored the pain, it wouldn’t serve him right now.

Eventually though it passed and the two ponies left him and One Eye alone. His second stood reading off a count of their supplies and the morale of each pony. The latter of which, Mordane mentally summarised, could have been best described as poor.

“I’ve been pushing us too hard,” Mordane said to One Eye.

“Bout’ time you said that,” sighed One Eye, as he sat down his notebook. “What has possessed you? Your plan worked, these ponies are ready to charge into Herridon Castle tomorrow if you ordered it, and that force is a good three days behind us now. We haven’t even had contact with them since before yesterday.”

Mordane looks out across his soldiers. They were glad for the day's rest. He had broken out the last of the good rations. At the moment they were sharing in a rousing song.

“It’s…something I noticed a day or two ago. A few odd reports. We might have a hanger on.”

“A what?” One Eye asked. But Mordane was already pushing himself up. A few pops coming out of his shoulder blades as he stood, walked over to his supplies, and pulled out a bladder of water.

“We make for the Horn of the World," Mordane reaffirmed, taking a long drink.

“But why?” pleaded One Eye. “Why not turn and head toward Niel?”

Mordane shook his head.

“That would be a two week journey. I do not have the time for that. If I go that way the King is likely to kill me by the time I make it to Herridon.” He looked over at One Eye. “And what about the patrols?”

One Eye vigorously rubbed his head, eye bloodshot as he glared back up with frustration.

“They haven't spotted anything. Just the same as everyday,” he practically spat. “They are inexperienced, just jumping at shadows.”

Mordane’s ears perked up.

“Shadows, you say?” His brow furrowed. “What did they see exactly?”

One Eye threw his hooves up into the air.

“Different things, a tree limb moving in the wrong way, the rustle of some leaves. A shadow slipping behind a tree," he snorted. “The ponies say it's like a ghost.”

“Or a Stalker," replied Mordane. His eyes turned to Ivy who came trotting in. He leaned over listening to her whispered report.

He nodded and turned to One Eye.

“Ready the men. We have company.”





The group of ponies stood at the entrance to the tree structure. Thick logs lined the entrance. A small creek ran a few meters in front of them making for muddy ground.

Mordane’s breathing was slow and steady as he sat, eyes closed on a stone.

“What are we waiting for?” whispered Firm Stride. “Has he gone nuts?”

“Be quiet,” hissed Snarl. Adjusting his spear over the grumbling pony.

“Just be ready," whispered Riverside. Her face was obscured by the shadow of the cave.

Snarl looked back at his friend. The mare had been different over the last two days. She was quiet. Intentionally staring at Mordane. Ever since getting her mark a new side had come out of her. A side he had thought only he would see.

Now she stood in the back, ordered by Mordane to save her strength until after the battle had been won.

“You can come out, Peddler,” Mordane’s voice rang out, bringing the attention of everypony to the front.

Mordane shifted from his front hooves to his back. Appearing relaxed as he lightly kicked a small pebble, eyes looking down.

“You kept as quiet as ever…but Stalker taught me enough to know your patterns…and the Timberwolves outside of a forest was a bit much.”

The chirping of birds echoed in the small ravine.

The wind blew onward as it always does. The sounds of nature undisturbed.

In a moment it changed.

In quick succession three ponies impacted the ground. Their hooves buried deep into the earth and sent out cracks as their muscles bulged to absorb the impact.

Cursing, One Eye tensed ready to strike, only to remember Mordane’s order at the last moment.

Mordane seemed to be taking a rest. His eyes were closed. Seemingly undisturbed by the three ponies who had just landed in front of him. His men seemed uncertain as the three stepped forward kicking the rubble out of their way until they were a few meters away. 

Mordane still did nothing. Waiting for something.

Ivy started to ask what they should do when suddenly a fourth pony came crashing down, driving his hoof straight for Mordane’s horn.

Mordane’s wings flapped, he raised his hoof and let himself fall out of the way. The fourth pony’s hoof passed through where his horn had been before crashing down into the stone Mordane stood on. Shattering it into a few dozen pieces.

Mordane stopped mid fall. His wings outstretched. The small amount of grass below him was waving in the wind. He hung in the air suspended on magical wind power alone.

And his eyes were still closed.

“What,” thought Ivy. Her feathers standing on end at the sight.

The pony who came crashing in took his time coming to stand. Brow furrowing as he looked at Mordane’s display of control.

Mordane hung there for only a few moments before kicking down and slamming his hoof into the ground. Propelling him into the fourth pony’s chest.

The pony flew back toward the three others crashing to the ground hooves first and slid a few feet.

Mordane, flapping his wings, hovered over the destroyed boulder waiting for the pony to charge again.

The pony did not wait, he stomped into the ground, grabbing a large stone shard before throwing it at Mordane.

The alicorn though didn’t play his game. He seemed to grab the air, throwing himself down and slamming into the ground. Letting the stone dash over his head.

The pony was already mid charge, having circled to attack this time from the side. Hoof aiming for the foreleg.

Ivy was certain that Mordane would be caught. But then he opened his eyes, horn glowing, glimmering with a white sheen.

Peddler came to an abrupt stop, hovering mid-air.

Everypony's eyes widened. Gasps of shock filled the ravine.

“Smut Peddler,” Mordane said, his eyes not wavering in front of the pony. “Fancy seeing you hanging around these parts.”

Smut Peddler blinked, slowly his lips turned up into a grin. He chuckled, then laughed laboriously, throwing his head back as he hovered in place. Held in Mordane’s shimmering magic.

“Oh, I can at least tell the family you are too tough for me now,” Peddler said with a grin while looking him up and down. “You’ve put on at least two hooves and filled out a fair bit. That should give them a loop. Probably even call off the assassins going for your throat.”

Mordane gave a thin smile, sparks trailing off his horn. His eyes, still, a blank white.

“Are you going to tell them you attacked me with no enchantment, no weapon. Not even a piece of armor?” Mordane winsed, his leg buckling underneath him as his horn flickered for a second.

“True, I may have let you get the better of me. Still, who would have thought you would still have enough strength to lift a pony with raw magic. The amount of energy you’re channeling through that broken horn must be immense. It's a wonder it doesn’t blow right now.”

His brow furrowed into a little concern. “Are you sure you want to be holding me like this?”

Mordane lowered his chin and closed his eyes. He opened them a moment later, his pupils boring into the spy. His lip curled and brow furrowed as the glow around his horn surged again. There was a twist and the sound of a popping back, drawing a sharp hiss from Smut Peddler. Then a gasp from behind as the three ponies with him pulled knives.

“Buck! Hold fast! You take a step and he’ll break me. Don’t come, he has the strength!” Peddler shouted. The other ponies glanced at each other but stepped back.

“You're going to tell me the truth now,” Mordane said coldly. “The whole truth. I don’t have time for our games anymore. Talk.”

Speaking through the pain Smut Peddler gasped. “I will, I will, just let me down, by sweet chaos, before you blow your horn Tartarus dammit!”

Mordane’s eyes glowed more, and he suddenly stilled. His eyes bored into Peddler’s.

“A mare is after me,” Mordane stated firmly.

Peddler’s mouth opened for a moment as he seemed to try to grip Mordane’s question. Then Mordane’s horn sparked again.

“Yes!” he shouted.

The steel in Mordane’s eyes lessened and he stumbled again. His horn flickering out this time.

Peddler dropped suddenly, but landed on his hooves.

“Well,” Mordane said, taking a moment to draw in a ragged breath. “Talk.”

Smut Peddler nodded his head and looked back at his own ponies, one of whom gave an assuring nod before he turned back.

“It's complicated.”

“When is it not," Mordane replied, his breath becoming stronger.

“How about we keep it simple,” Smut Peddler said solemnly. “We want to kill Harmony.”

Mordane’s ears drooped. A single eyebrow raising up.

“You want to kill ponies getting along?” Mordane said, the frown growing stronger and quickly turning into a scowl.

“No! We wish to free them and save them from-” he stopped, seeming to search for a word.

“…I said the truth, Peddler,” his voice swinging low and dropping again.

“Yes, yes,” he said, raising a hoof defensively. “It's more complicated than that and we don’t have the time for me to explain everything. I can give you the important bits.”

“…you are not the only one chasing us," Mordane affirmed.

“No…that is true.'' Peddler shook his head, brushing his hair back into place. “My…family has decided you are too dangerous. That you need to be gotten rid of before you fall under Celestia's hoof and become some knight of Harmony.” His eyes narrowed a bit. “They sent one pony. One you might have met before. Though I doubt you would remember her.”

“Who?” Mordane sat and pulled out a small tin. Popping the lid he took a bit of ointment and rubbed it onto his horn.

“I, uhh,” his nose scrunched, “I think her name back then was Sugar.”

Mordane blinked. “I’ve…I don’t remember that name.”

“You don’t? Well, no matter. She knows you. Vowed she was going to geld you starting at the neck.”

“That… is colorful.”

“She could do it too," he replied. “If you were in a city. She's a master of stealth. Out here though? You should be able to see her coming. So, she is at a disadvantage.” He gave a small grin. “Looks like that luck of yours has reared its head again.”

“Don’t kid yourself, Peddler. I have a lot of enemies in Herridon. If I wanted to just forge this force into an army I wouldn’t have to go out so far," he sneered. “Your ‘Sugar’ is just another pony on the pile.”

Slowly and carefully Peddler replied. Eyes still weary looking at the glaring Mordane.

“I don’t agree with their decision. You are no puppet of Harmony. Tartarus, if I didn’t know any better I’d say that you were made by Discord himself.” He swallowed then grinned. “You got too much of your dad's looks in you.”

“You haven’t answered my question," he said, ignoring the statement about his father. “Why destroy Harmony?”

“How am I supposed to…well, I think you might understand.” He pointed at the ponies behind Mordane in their tight formation. “How many of them bear marks?”

Mordane blinked and thought for a few moments. Taking only a moment to push down the desire to punch Peddler for being so roundabout.

“It doesn’t matter,” he waved his hoof. “More than none would be too many. What you need to know is that cutie marks are not natural. It's something pony made.”

Mordane blinked, almost laughing. Instead, he shook his head, trying to throw out the ideas. Everything he had read treated marks as a natural part of the pony race. Mordane pursed his lips and frowned. For a moment he toyed with the idea. Why would anyone make a mark to control someone's fate? The amount of work would be immense. Only the most totalitarian despotic will...or perhaps the most terrified, would do such a thing.

His brow furrowed. No, not even a despot would do such a thing. Only someone who imagined what they did was for some greater good could do it.

“...Definitely fear. The marks of destiny are a collar you say.” Mordane’s eyes glided over to look back at the mare who had gained her mark a few days earlier.

“That's right. All part of Harmony and destiny," he said firmly. “A magic to bind ponykind to the world.”

Mordane sat down. Covering his mouth. He could feel the shifting ideas bouncing around his head. The questions bouncing around his head. How could such information be sent, marks maintained, and more. Too many for him to process.

“…you are going to have to travel with me," Mordane said slowly. “I have more…questions.”

Peddler raised a hoof over his heart shaking his head. “I can’t go against Sugar. She is one of us. If I were to fight her-”

“No fighting," Mordane cut in. “Just…talking. I would hear about…this crime against ponykind.”

Peddlers eyes lingered on him for a moment, then looked at his compatriots. One grinned and turned and took to the sky, with the other two following shortly after.

“Well,” Peddler said with a quick smile, “I’m in your protection.”





“I find that quite impossible.”

“I assure you, miss Shadow, I’d stake my life on it. He is going there.”

“But why!” The mare known to Ice Wing as Shadow slammed her hooves against the box in front of her.

The two ponies were sitting in a large tent. Outside a large group of ponies could be heard moving about.

Ice Wing knew who he was sitting on the stone across from. She had come onto the games field six years ago. The Herridon Princess’s shadow. Known as an assassin of the highest caliber. Personally, he did not think a well known assassin could ever be considered the ‘highest’. Leaning forward he replied with a frown. “Listen. You came for me. You made your offer-”

“And you will get that chance," she replied, shouting as she slammed her hooves on the table and standing up. “You will be able to bring Mordane back to your kingdom and get your name back, Ice Wing, but only if you take this seriously!”

Now it was his turn to slam his hooves onto the table.

“And I defeated him before.” His wings spread wide and his eyes bore into the pony. “He is there! It is the only reason he would have for leaving the safety of Herridon. It would be stupid unless he faced some danger there. Something to force him into training his small force and head for the Horn of the World!” He sat back and combed back his mane, furiously. “The reason is unknowable but the motivation behind his actions is obvious. Mordane Stronghoof does not have a destiny mark.”

“So?” replied the shadow. “Many ponies do not.”

“So,” he practactically spat. “He is an alicorn. And an alicorn without a mark sounds like the beginning of a coltish joke.”

Shadow’s hackels slowly retracted as she sat back down.

“Okay…you're the ‘expert’ here," she said sardonically.

“Indeed.” Ice Wing followed her lead to sit back down. “Now, if you don’t mind, please leave my tent. I must get my rest before we engage the chase in earnest.”

Shadow tsked in irritation, but didn’t press. Instead standing and leaving quickly through the tent flap being held open by another stallion.

“Luna dammit," Ice Wing groaned, leaning back in his chair. “You leave as well. Go fetch me some water and check on the other two.”

“Yes sir," the pony replied with a bow before quickly stepping outside.

Ice Wing stood up and looked over the old map, one from the internal Herridon treasury if he was to presume. Worth at least a hundred gold bounty in Teitus. Not that he cared.

No, the thing he cared about was the small notes and little details marked onto this map.

He sighed.

Two days ago this pony called ‘Shadow’ had caught up with him heading to Herridon. A force of mercenaries in tow.

When he had first seen the mare step out to meet him a dozen ponies he had offended flashed through his mind. He wondered who had decided to go through the effort to actually catch and kill him.

However, Shadow had performed a proper lord’s greeting before explaining her proposition.

Apparently, this pony had a personal vendetta against Mordane. Something about him having sex with the Princess. Not that Ice Wing bought it. He did not even care. Instead, he closed his eyes and processed the information he knew.

“Mordane has a rapidly depleting force. However, that has stopped. According to one of the defectors, Mordane has been driving them hard and with intense training. Ponies who attempt to run or are unable to continue are dropped off at nearby villages and are free to go.”

He bit his hoof.

“The deception is unknown to the ponies still involved, though since the dropouts have stopped…”

The pony did not seem like a failure candidate to Ice Wing. Right now he had already joined the mercenary band to get some revenge. The unicorn had proven to be above average for his race in magical strength, but Mordane had thrown him out due to lack of physical abilities.

“Are you trying to make some kind of elite force?” He frowns, thinking about if this was why he had picked up the pace, gaining a three day lead.

Ice Wing smiled, realizing that Mordane must be trying to avoid them. What he still needed to think of however was if it was pure desperation or if Mordane could be planning something, but he couldn’t see it.

Ice Wing shook his head and stretched.

“Either way, it doesn’t matter. I will catch up to him.” His eyes flicked to the tent entrance. “This Shadow will die no matter what happens, but Mordane… We will see.”He smiled thinking of the furious alicorn raging and the mare’s body laid out as a presentation.

“Let’s see how you handle this.”

After all, he couldn’t follow a pushover.





Shadow came to a landing. Her hooves cracking the ground.

The earth was churned up. The only sign that somepony had passed. She knew that these had been fortifications not long before.

Her eyes slipped over the landscape. Seeing the holes in the trees and brush she could see the outline of the coming battle, but the details escaped her. This was not what she was trained for. She kicked the ground, searching for a short time before finding a piece of burnt wood just under the surface.

She lifted the burned chuck to her nose, taking a sniff before snorting in irritation. She trotted around the clearing looking to see if there was anything else to glean. How many ponies there were, or perhaps if they were carrying injured comrades.

But there was nothing.

The mare stomped in frustration. Her mane standing on end before wilting again.

Reaching into her sleeve she drew out a simple knife and lifted it into the sunlight.

Years ago she had acquired this knife under a different name. Simple in design but had quickly proven to be the most valuable knife she possessed. She had ended up carrying it for years.

She let out a frustrated sigh and spread her wings, not even bothering to be stealthy as she flew back to her mercenaries.

The coin to pay them was no small sum and required her to pull on reserves and funding from years of working with the Herridon whore.

She only hoped it would be enough.





“Stand at attention!” shouted Ice wing, his eyes practically burning. “I said be quiet!”

He whipped his wing across an earth pony’s face, a loud snap ringing around the camp. The rest of the earth ponies went silent. Straightening up and paying attention as he glared at them.

Ice Wing walked up and down the line quickly, slapping ponies about into line before going back to the front.

“What you ponies don’t understand is that Mordane is no push over. Even outnumbered three to one, I expect him to put up a good fight.” He cleared his throat before continuing. “Now, his forces are evenly split between the different races from what I’ve been told.”

Most of the earth ponies chuckled while the pegasi and unicorns frowned. Many of the latter group weighed what that meant for their much smaller groups in the upcoming fighting.

“We move out, but you must listen to my order. Mordane will try to bait you. He will try to trick and snatch victory from his coming defeat.” His eyes narrowed. “We won’t let that happen!”

The crowd roared in approval. “If we do not meet him with force, on OUR terms, then defeat is likely.”

The crowd shifted in place, unsure of how to answer, but one pony looked up defiant. “Several of us fought on the side of Tietus, my lord. Many under Mordane’s command. We won’t be under judging him none.”

Several of the ponies grunted in agreement.

Ice Wing’s ears stood up, his brows raising slightly. “You were in his forces?”

“Yes sir, fighting you outside the Lunar fortress, I escaped a few days before the end, but Mordane is wicked clever.”

“Strong too," another pony cut in.

Ice Wing raised an eyebrow. He hadn’t expected such respect to be in these ponies. “That he is. We must understand that we have lost a major advantage. Mordane’s maneuvers show he is quite aware of us. He has pulled away from us at a surprising pace.”

“Do you think he's running?” spoke up another pony.

“No…based on what I know of him, he will find a favorable position and wait for our attack.”

“Then we get him," hollered another, bringing hoots and cheers from the group. Ice Wing only smiled, sitting and letting the ponies jeer.

“Hey, what's this! What are you tit suckers doing!?” Shadow landed, her brow furrowed, she snorted a short whinny. “Why are you resting on your flanks? Mordane is about three days ahead of us and his ponies are wasted.”

“I am giving a brief,” Ice Wing replied and stepped between her and the rest of the ponies. But she would have none of that, trotting around him and snorting at them before she turned to glare at him. “We need to keep the pressure on. What am I paying you ponies for. Get them off their flanks right now.”

Ice Wing stared at the mare, searching her eyes and making a quick calculation before turning to shout at the group. “You heard her! Gear up! We are fast marching today! Pegusi do another patrol. I want a heading two hours ago!”

The crowd of ponies broke and scattered, several bumping into others as a few in low clouds began to hover around the dominant one in their groups. The unicorns sighed, shuffling their cloaks and bracing themselves for an earth pony march.

Ice Wing waited and watched as Shadow stomped up to him, her eyes still burning.

“And YOU. Why didn’t you push them?”

Ice Wing raised an eyebrow, meeting her gaze. And then abruptly started to move toward his tent.

Shadow quickly caught up beside him. Ready to bite his ear off if he had not started speaking.

“There is a cost to every action. I had to be sure that these ponies wouldn’t underestimate Mordane’s force. Even if we do outnumber them.”

“While true,” Shadow said, calming down, “pursuing him as quickly as possible would be advantageous. We should catch up before his ponies can rest.”

Stepping into his tent, Ice Wing turned and raised an eyebrow. Mirth playing in his eyes.

“That would be rather foolish. Mordane’s forces may be exhausted at the moment but he can still choose his ground. No, we should be careful.” He firmly planted his hoof into the soft earth. “We cannot rush ahead and be led into a trap. Instead, a steady pace must be maintained. A balance between putting the pressure on and maintaining a distance to allow maneuverability.”

Shadow's eyes narrowed, her nostrils flared before she turned back toward the tent's entrance.

“Fine. But lose him and a lack of coin will be the least of your worries," she spat before turning and trotting off.

Ice Wing watched her go, cursing under his breath. Sitting down he pulled out his wing blade. He sat taking his time to draw the stone firmly against the grain, bringing the blade to a razor edge. His eyes narrowed to meet its point.





Ice Wing kept his wings against the hot southerly wind. Riding it carried him swiftly down the mountain range.

“We should head back,” shouted one of the ponies with him. “Could they really be this far ahead?”

Ice Wing ignored him, he couldn’t admit it but he was considering agreeing. He knew that Mordane would have been foolish to march his ponies this far, but he still had seen no evidence of a camp or them changing course.

As these thoughts were running through his head a chill shot up his spine. He glanced around, eyes flicking to nearby locations. His eyes locked onto a distant point. Four bodies contrasted against the bright white of a bulk fluffy cloud a few hundred meters across. One of the four slightly larger than the others. Ice Wing banked toward them with little hesitation. The ponies with him follow a moment later, squinting against the morning's glare.

“We can’t let them escape.”

Ice Wing’s expression did not tighten nor did he tense up. Instead, he reached up and popped the clasp for his wing blades. They fell back dangling a foot behind him. Their shape catching the wind and pulling them into his slipstream.

The thin chain once stretched pulled into a locked state, becoming interlocked to prevent the blade from running into its wielder.

Two others in his group released blades while the other five drew out one of their short spears.

The four ponies continued unabated as they closed the distance. Ice Wing frowned. On their backs were long spears as well as crossbows.

“How unusual, do they intend to engage earth ponies?”

Then Mordane’s ponies suddenly dived in unison. Their path took them right into the cloud they had been circling letting them vanish from sight.

Cursing Ice Wing began a dive, taking a guess as to where they would be he undocked his own short spear and quickly let it go. The five others did the same, letting their short spears sail into the cloud while reaching for another.

The spears hit the cloud twelve seconds later, passing through in a matter of moments, unhindered as they sailed down to the ground below.

He cursed and banked, letting his wing blade carry into the cloud. Trying to slice blind as he continued to look around. Only to see one of his own ponies tumbling out of the sky. A bolt sticking out chest as he carried toward the ground.

“What in Tartarus!?” He cursed, his eyes scanning the clouds and horizon for the enemy flyers. “How did they hit him from the cloudbank?”

He heard a thud. One of the ponies beside him cried out as an arrow pierced his hoof.

Ice Wing snapped his head up, seeing the movement as the cloud rustled from the minor disturbance. His brow furrows before he takes a sharp turn. Grabbing the wind with his wings he strained against the mountain's cross wind to twist it.

Quickly his fellow flyers saw what he was doing.

The remaining ponies fell back as the cyclone sped up. They could barely keep ahead of the wind's turning center.

Quickly the cloud began to condense. A stream of water falling out of the bottom in a wide spray.

A minute later he pulled out of the turn and away as the vortex finished its job. His eyes scanned and looked for their attacking sweep.

Instead he saw the opposing group above them on full wing headed north.

His frustration spiked as he realized that they had been outmaneuvered.

With Mordane at a higher altitude and the northerly winds at their backs, Ice Wing would be unable to catch up and still be in a condition to fight. 

His eyes came to focus on one stallion in particular. Far easier to make out at this distance.

“His wingspan is definitely bigger.”

Ice Wing craned his neck to look at him, and as he passed over Mordane looked right back at him. Recognition playing across his face.

“So, now you know,” Ice Wing thought to himself. “I’m the one chasing you.”

Mordane kept staring for a moment before his scowl returned.

“Run back home, Ice Wing. I don’t have time to play with you.”

His wings missed a beat. A dark black chill shooting through him like a lighting bolt. Ice Wing blinked a few times, wobbling in the wind as he tried to regain his mental balance. 

The feeling of dread left as soon as he took his eyes off Mordane.

He broke off, brow furrowing as he focused on the rapidly shrinking dot. Warmth and his confidence resurged as he got further away.

“So that was an alicorn Arora,” he whispered to himself. “Powerful.”

Old stories had spoken of this. Of alicorns and their supposed powers.

The words floating back up from his deep memory as a colt. Unsure of when he had first heard the tales of the moon princess and the sun Tyrant.

“…and it flows like milky film from them, settling on all things. Their strength carried by its ethereal shimmer enlightening glow.”





On the northern border of the land of Toe, west of the republic of Rina. The dusty clouds wisped around the Great Divide’s peaks. The wide sky was spread out above them and the green hills below. Twilight and her friends floated along pushed by a magical wind.

“Oh, we must let Celestia know when we get back. Her sunrise is absolutely radiant!” Rarity sighed, her head laying on the ship's rail. Spike leaned over her, one claw dangling over the edge, the other wrapped tightly around her hoof. His head laid in her hair.

On the bow, Twilight adjusted the astronomica, pointing it at the horizon where she could catch the first rays of sunlight. Which would probably contain a message from her former mentor.

“What is she doing down there?” Twilight asked while chewing on her quill. “I can feel the magical lines thrumming all the way up here!”

Below deck in the overly large kitchen, Fluttershy sat with two stressed hens. “Please, just one egg?” she whispered. Her eyes misting up as the two hens refused to even look at her.

Pinkie stood behind. Humming a tune. The magic danced around her. Her bright hair was shining just a little pinker than normal. The bobbing of her head began to build, slowly flowing in a full body dance.

“Oh! What can you say, Oh! What do you play.”

With her voice starting everypony in earshot felt the magic of harmony begin to take hold. Her humming tune shortly took on an accompaniment, the banging of a drum and a harmonica could be heard easily from anywhere in the room filling out her sea shanty styled tune.

“Just a little pinch of salt and I’ll make a souffle.” She dashed around the cabin looking. “No lemon in the pantry, no sour in our crout. No milk for the squeeze. Just a little bit further and we can eat as we please!”

She dramatically laid across the table.

“Come on Pinkie! You gotta make it count. Just a little bit of flour and we won’t give out.”

“Oh, please, oh please, just one egg,” Fluttershy joined in, her voice going slipping perfectly into a high pitched tune, counter to Pinkies own. “Rainbow’s got to be tired, please don’t make me beg.”

“But I’m the best baker in the world, and that's why I can say, with potatoes and lavender I can make a souffle!” Pinkie tossed the dough she had been working on into the air before slicing a bunch of potatoes, adding butter, then catching the dough again.

“Just a smudge of emergency cinnamon,” she sang softly, the energy of the song quickly dying down. “And there is just enough to go around. The last that we can have after days away. I hope nopony frowns.”

“Uhhh, that ain’t a souffle.” Applejack deadpanned unspinning the magical heartsong like a snap. “They're called tater pies," she continued, frowning at the concoction.

“Oh AJ, don’t you know souffle rhymes with say!”

Applejack ignored the pink menace, instead giving the two chickens a glare as she came to give the wide eyed pegasus a hug.

The two hens gave a very ineffectual cluck until Fluttershy started glaring as well. Then suddenly they became serious about laying.

An hour later when Rainbow came back to land on the ship everypony met up on deck to discuss the plan.

“Is it really that small?” asked Rarity. “And the capital of a nation?”

“Yeah, at least according to some ponies I met," Rainbow said. “Couple of messenger ponies.”

“Will they mind if we come and land?” Twilight grumbled, looking at the blank page readout from the sunrise.

“Uhhh, oops.” Rainbow blasted off toward the city.

Pinkie giggled and Applejack rolled her eyes as the pegusi left.

Twilight trotted over to a large fire nozzle, turning a knob and reducing the flame. Slowly they began to descend, listing to the west from the wind bouncing off of the southern stretch of the great divide.





Mordane stoked the fire. The ponies moving all around him passing close and hoofing off things. Moving as quickly as they could to build the camp along the edge of a cliff.

One hoofed him a glass of water before looking at the pony across from him.

“Thirsty?”

Peddler stuffed his nose into his shirt and pulled out a canteen. Giving a quick smile. “I keep some on me. Though I hope you don’t mind I have been filling from your stocks?”

“I don’t,” Mordane replied. “It’s pulled from a cloud anyway. We only carry enough for two days at a time.”

Stalker grunts in acknowledgement before looking up with a glint in his eyes. “So. Did you see it?”

Mordane frowned, taking another swig of water. His eyes flicked over to Ivy whose ear was tracking them as she drove a stake into the ground.

“Of course…kind of hard to miss from that high.”

“So…were you able to confirm it?”

“…Yes. The weave points to there. Kind of obvious that high up.”

“But not detectable to most unicorns.” Peddler smiled.

“No. Not detectable. It's just as you said. The ley lines curve toward the tip.” He frowned. “I don’t see how such a fact could be…ignored by the greater academic community.” He paused to give a little shake of his head. “Well, I know who would be responsible for that,” Mordane said rubbing his temple. “I suppose she thought keeping ponykind ignorant was for the best. Twilight is too far north to realize it so that's out. So I suppose magical theory will just have to develop without a fundamental understanding she could establish in five minutes.”

“All for our protection, of course.” Peddle chuckled, taking another swig of his canteen. “The mountain is the center of the great matrix. The source of most unicorn magic today. It moves and weaves through other nexus, but here, here is the center. Where it draws in the energy of the world.” He sighed sitting back. “Where it is killing us from.”

“So you say," Mordane replied quietly.

“So the facts say," he cut back. “What do you think of the weather?”

Mordane didn’t say anything, his eyes staring into the fire.

“You know…the Griffon’s winters are getting longer and colder. I hear the frost line for the Crystal Empire is expanding. Of course that was caused by Harmony completely losing control of the climate after the Celestia tried crown grabbing.” Peller let out a low growl and flippantly slapped his forehead. “Oh, sorry, Celestia's 'restructuring’. Please, two thousand years ago the Crystal Empire was green and open, her crown mongering lost so much. Over a thousand years of decline, too longterm to be marked by normal ponies. Why ponies cannot just leave well enough alone, leave the weather to sort itself out an-”

“I get it," Mordane snapped, turning to glare at him. “It's just…a lot to accept.”

“Well, you demanded the truth. I’ve given it to you.”

Mordane covered his eyes and bowed his head. His wings shifting to fold over his shoulders. “This mountain. The Horn of the World.”

“Or the World's Center. The High Rock. The Alicorn’s Perch. The Sun’s Cradle-”

“Enough. The World’s Horn. Is it close?”

“Yes, it's close," Ivy chirped, coming to sit down.

Peddler smiled and nodded as Mordane looked up at the peak.

“And what do you know of it?” Mordane asked.

“Only that it's tightly controlled. It’s neutral ground for nobles. The valley at its base has a small town that serves the nobles as their foals attempt the climb.”She looked away and into the fire herself.

Mordane raised an eyebrow.

“Destiny is there," Peddler spoke up. “Literally. Can’t have the little ponies getting close to it. Who knows what mark they would come out with.”

Ivy shrugged, looking down and away.

Mordane looked back into the fire, sitting in the silence





“By Luna’s might it was forged. From moonlight's sweet embrace of Naraus, Alicorn of the underworld. Birthed whole, the agony taking her breath.” The crowd gasped.

The stage was small and could barely hold the production. A large painting was the backdrop. It showed a depiction of Herridon, a large brown stallion playing Mordane looking out on the harbor below where a great iron chain could be seen spanning across it.

“The Night Matron is dead?” the white princess whispered, tilting down her head a single tear rolled down her cheek.

“Yes. But not gone.” He turned and looked at the mare as small wires lifted him into the air and out over the edge. “Fair princess. This is why I cannot return thy love. My journey continues. To the Horn of the World I must go. To the Equis mother’s very heart. Only then will I know what may save me from my dark father’s embrace. Only then can I find who I am.”

“No! Don’t go!” the mare cried rushing to the edge.

“The night…is beautiful, isn’t it,” the stallion said looking off into the distance. “Tonight I shall fly. Fly free on the wind. Let the wind rush past my mane. Let the song be slung free in my heart. For on the morning I ride for the horn and my fate.”

The pony turned and seemed to fly as the balcony was pulled away. Behind him the scene shifted followed quickly by the closing of the curtain.

The crowd immediately broke into a roar. Hooting and hollering ponies cheered in approval. Coins tossing up on stage even as a black coated pegusi floated out.

“Will the bloody necromancer lose his mare? Will Mordane Stronghoof gain an army once again? Who knows! But we will bring you the story when it does! Shake in terror, for it is the nightmare, MORDANE STRONGHOOF!”

The roof shook with the roar of earth pony hooves stomping and the flapping of pagusi wings. As the pony hurried off stage. Ponies immediately began to move out, some shoutinting others chanting.

“Stronghoof! Stronghoof!”

In the center though, six mare sat staring at the stage, now occupied by a stagehand eagerly sweeping up the coin.

Over the next ten or so minutes ponies slowly let off the chanting as they filed out of the ramshackle theater. Leaving six mares alone in the back.

“What a load of hootan-” Applejack trailed off, blinking rapidly, trying to comprehend what she had just seen.

“It takes some, uhm, rather creative license?” Rarity added.

“Creative license!” Fluttershy shouted, rushing into the air. Her hooves and eyes spread wide. “Discord singing is creative license! That was nothing but bald face lies! MORDANE WOULD NEVER DO THAT! Not that sweet colt! Fighting! Dragon! PRINCESS! THAT'S NOT LIKE HIM AT ALL!”

A purple field wrapped around the hyperventilating pegusi, who was drawn into the waiting arms of cooing Pinkie.

Twilight however, sat in silence. Hoof over mouth, her eyes staring intently at the stage.

“You alright, Twi?” Rainbow whispered into her ear from the row behind them.

“No…I’m not," she mumbled, looking down to her hooves. “Most of this was obviously just storytelling, but…what is it based on? How much is the truth?”

She bit her lip and looked at Spike as his eyes grew dull.

“That dragon had tattered wings…they said she was old. Couldn't even fly away,” he whispered.

A barb caught in her throat. She had heard he had killed a dragon, but seeing even a pale imitation of the ‘wingless ancient’ boiled her blood cold.

Her eyes narrowed onto the stage.With a pop she appeared next to the startled sweeper. She stepped through the curtain to the blackstage. Ponies were running to and fro mid packup stopped and turned to face her in surprise. Behind her she heard her friends shout out for her. Undeterred, she stepped forward.

The large earth pony wearing false wings that had been playing Mordane strode toward her and spoke up.

“You can’t be back here, you-” Twilight stomped up to him. Her eyes lightly glowing as roiling power pooled off of her.

Normally she had taken the habit of leaning down slightly, of keeping her wings tightly pressed against her side. It helped ponies feel safer around her. It helped her with forming friendships

Now though, she stood tall, her wings ruffled, her eyes sharp, and horn practically humming. She trotted up to the stallion, looking down to meet his eyes.He swallowed, wilting under her gaze.

“You don’t look like him," Twilight said.

“Wha- What?”

“You don’t look like him,” she repeated. “Mordane doesn’t wear his hair that way. He keeps it short, out of his eyes.”

He blinked growling, his eyes flicking down to her wings before suddenly freezing.

“Well, he isn’t exactly Therusliam the Second. He hasn't sat for a portrait.” He smirked.

“So who are you supposed to be?” a white maned mare unicorn said, stepping up. She wore a large top hat, eyes focused slightly behind her as if she didn’t care about the answer.

“I am Twilight Sparkle.”

“And I suppose you're an alicorn," the earth pony snorted, bringing Twilight's eyes back to him.

“I’m going to have to ask you to leave,” the mare spoke up. “Backstage is closed and we are not accepting new actors.”

Twilight shook her head. “First I have questions.”

“Hey,” the earth pony placed his hoof on her shoulder. “The boss said you have to go so-”

He grunted, his hind legs trembling as he pushed against the mare.

“Let me help you with that," Twilight said. She smoothly placed one hoof on his nose. Slowly she pushed him back. Leaving him flailing to reach pushing with both legs.

The mare charged her horn, but gasped in pain. Twilight had overcharged her horn and slipped on a layer of overglow collapsing the mares spell matrix.

Twilight frowned. Looking around as several ponies started to reach for nearby blunt instruments.

“Enough!” the white mare shouted, rubbing her horn. “Don’t do anything, Thurgen. Stop struggling.”

The earth pony slowly let up, shakingly coming to sit still. Twilight though was not breathing hard, she simply turned to look at the unicorn. Slowly the mare stopped rubbing her horn before cocking her head to the side as Twilight friends made it across the curtain.

“And the wings?” she said with a small knowing smile.

Twilight frowned before opening her wings.

As she lifted into the air, the confidence in the white mare's eyes vanished along with other ponies gasping in surprise. Around her ponies gasped.

“I have questions.” Twilight looked down at the mare, her temple pounding and jaw already aching from the pressure.

The white mare swallowed. “So…alicorn," she squeaked.

“Did her height not key you?” Applejack barked.

“I’ve seen ponies with wings and a horn, but they…well they couldn’t use them. At least on all three races.” She swallowed. “You said your name was Twilight Sparkle?”

“Yes. I’m here looking for my student Mordane Stronghoof.”

Her ears stood up. “…Mordane’s teacher and an alicorn.” She laughed suddenly. “Too bad it’s not Celestia. That would be a far better story.”

“She was my teacher.”

The mare laughed before trailing off.

“Seriously, are you sure?”

“Yes. I spoke to her two weeks ago. I left Equestria to come find my student,” she replied. “Can you please help me do that?”

The mare swallowed, looking her over again before snapping back to her eyes.

“Alright. Let's talk.” She lifted her hoof pointing to a back room.

Twilight nodded and motioned to her friends to wait before following.





Shadow trotted into her tent. Eyes bloodshot, rubbing her shoulder. She headed toward the bed before stopping, her hoof sliding smoothly to the knife on her belt.

“Stand for, or take four inches of steel,” her voice cut as she scanned the room.

“You always were a bit blind on your right side, Sugar," Peddler said, lifting the side of the tent to step under and into the space.

“My name is Shadow today, Peddler, or have you put aside that name yet?”

“This one?” he said, gesturing to himself. “No. I’ve grown attached to it. I’ve worn it for fourteen years now. It's the one that my subject would know. Unlike ‘Shadow’, Sugar.”

“Mordane is not my subject. He is my target. Sugar’s subject is dead. Fallen in the battle at Lunas keep.”She sneered, slipping the gleaming knife back into its sheath.

“Is that irritation I hear? Were you that attached to Boulder?”Peddler raised an eyebrow.

“Boulder would have nothing to do with me. He ran from his destiny and then from his anger. He ran so far I lost him.” She chuckled, going to sit down on her cot.

“Or he was taken?”

“No. He ran. Mordane is something different,” she hissed, sitting firmly down, her cheeks flushing.

They sat in silence, Shadow breathing deep, eyes locked forward and tense. Peddler lazily laid his back against the thin tent pole. For all the world looking as if it was supporting his weight. His eyes though only bore down.

“You are being foolish. Mordane is our best hope.”

Her embarrassment gave way to a sneer. Her brow thickened as her eyes glared. “He is not the avatar of Chaos. He is not Discord.”

“Discord is no more. Star Swirl has returned and his bindings are unraveling.” He shook his head. “A pony of the system cannot embody the opposite.”

“And Mordane can?”

“He has no destiny. The binding does not bend him. I’ve seen it. Each time he turned away, each time he spat in the face of Destiny."

"Cut the feathers."

"Do you know why Stalker died for that pony? Why did he give him ten years?" Peddler sighed and rubbed his forehead. Shadows mouth drew into a thin line. Her eyes glinted like steel.

"Mordane will accomplish nothing. Nothing!" she hissed. "I will kill him."

Peddler shifted, just an inch. In a flash Shadow was upon him. Her chest pressed against his. The knife firmly against his neck.

"And you cannot stop me." Peddler looked her in the eyes, then smiled. He laughed. In her side Shadow felt the sharp thin point at his jostling. Just below the second rib.

Thin, cold, a needle already about a centimeter from her heart.

"Mine is closer," he sighed. "Now step back."

Slowly, agonizingly, she stepped back. The thin needle slid out. It was long and narrow. Simple, smooth with a groove making a half turn down its length.

She sat down again and took a gulp of air. Her lungs were unable to pull it in easily. The tiny hole gurgled a bit before she slapped her hoof over the hole. Twisting it close.

“Take it easy," Peddler said. “I know you have the medicine and talent to deal with that by the morning. In two days you’ll be in top shape.”

He dropped down to his hooves and reached into his hip bag, tossing her a small package. She ripped it open and began wrapping a bandage holding a bundle of herbs around her barrel. The patch pressed firmly against her side. A slight acidic smell filled the tent.

“I’m not here to bury you, Sugar.” Shadow looked up, the glint still in her eye. “Your faction wants Mordane dead. Well, I’m going to give you the shot," he said. A flick of his wrist and the needle disappeared.

“…where?” she wheezed.

“The Horn of the World.”

Shadow’s eyes widened. Her mouth opened slightly.

The tent flap opened. Ice Wing stepping in. His eyes immediately focused on the new pony. In a flash Peddler struck out. His hoof almost caught Ice Wing on the chin, but the pegusi stepped to the side. Which was all the opportunity Smut peddler needed to rush out of the tent.

A moment later Ice Wing chased after him, not sparing a look back at the mare.

Shadow sat weezing. Glancing down at her side she grimaced, but took a note that her breathing was already becoming easier. Leaning over she reached into her bag and pulled out a bottle. She took a swig before slipping it back in just as one of her ponies came in.

“Who in the buck was that pony?” the mare cursed. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. He was one of Mordane’s ponies. I got him good," she wheezed. “He gave me a knick. I suspect he won’t last till the morn.”

“I’ll be looking for his corpse then.” She looked down at the bandage, frowning but disinclined to ask anything. “If there is nothing you need…”

“No. I’m well. You and the other ponies do a short search then get some sleep. We have a hard march tomorrow," Shadow said as she turned and laid on the cot.

“Of course, miss Shadow," she said as she turned.

“There is one thing actually.”

“Yes?” the mare said, stopping half out of the door.

“…call me Sugar.”





He laid on the cloud. His eyes fixed on the white peak in the distance.

It was not the largest mountain in the world. He was sure of that.

But it was strange.

It rose up like a giant among the smaller peaks around it. No secondaries, no other roots. It stood tall and smooth out of the beauche of rock around it.

The power flowing to and from it was immense.

Mordane moved through the layer. Sitting in the strata. Ivy came and went, seeming to take no note.

It was not her power, the kind that only flows up and down a horn.

But here he could feel it. In this place where no unicorn could sit easily and no place they would care to go.

Here he felt the arteries of the world. Flowing in layers coming and going. Stacked on top of each other. They flowed out in great bands, thick as a tree. He was certain they would go everywhere. Falling eventually to the ground, weaving a great tapestry.

Pulling in energy and expelling it. Moving it through itself. Connecting everything to it.

He kept his horn void. Not a speck of charge from his internal magic. Even so he could feel the echo.

“All the spells I ever cast. All the magic I weaved with war magic and I didn’t even know what it was I was twisting.”

He shook his head. In the vast distance he looked for the little wisp of smoke he had seen the day before. “The wind is strong here,” he thought. Too strong for him to see without being far closer, but he knew they were there. His lips drew into a thin line.

“It’s time to end this.”

Standing, he walked to the edge and dove.





Ice Wing paced around the clearing. Their fire was sitting further off from the camp. For the last day he had given chase to Mordane. For four days he had his ponies picked off. Ambushes in the forest, a bottle of burning alcohol dropped on a tent. The attacks where sporadic, uncontrolled, and chaotic.

His mouth drew into a thin line as he looked into the fire.

He had commanded mixed forces before. It was a specialty of his homeland. Earth pony skirmishers and pegusi archers had served the city for ages. It was what allowed them to break away from Tietus and become the dominant northern power.

Now though, he was feeling the pressure that came from commanding a mixed force.

His few fellow pegusi have been ambushed. Pulled from the sky and carried off in nets, only to be found a half day or so later, badly beaten. Mordane had taken some magical wing binds and placed it on them, effectively knocking them out of combat until they captured the alicorn while still obliging him to feed and pay them. Much to the cargin of his other ponies.

The unicorns were like the walking dead. They had been forced to pour their stored energy into each fight. Which left them drained and less able to resist in the next exchange. Each of which left them poorer.

The only place he outnumbered Mordane was in earth ponies, but Mordane had refused to engage, instead retreating. They would leave behind traps and contraptions of logs to confuse and delay them.

“You asked me a few days ago if I felt confident in engaging with Mordane, miss…Sugar. Unfortunately, I am forced to change my opinion.” He shook his head and did not bother to look up at the mare. “You tell me that these ponies under his command are green. That they are undisciplined. That they are in fact down right whores and plow ponies.That is not what I’ve seen. This force is working in cohort. Their attacks are timed and come in waves. They knew exactly how to hit us and make it hurt. I must question your intel under these conditions.”

“…Mordane is a skilled tactician. Clearly he is a skilled marsheler as well.”

Her voice carried like a cool breeze over the fire. She no longer charged around like she was blind to the world. Her head and body now covered in a black cloak, knives strapped brazenly across her chest.

Her words where calm and measured, sharp as her knives.

Sugar had changed overnight after the attack. Her demeanor became firm and hard. She rarely spoke, never shouted. Instead, her eyes bore into him.

Gone was the fiery redheaded pegusi mare and left was only eyes of cold steel.

The change sent chills down his spine.

For the first time, he wondered if this mare could kill him. If such a question had been posed not three days earlier he would have laughed. Now, every instinct told him the opposite. Before him was a cold and practiced assassin. She would gut him before he drew a blade.

“My intel was correct,” she continued. “I did say to pursue quickly.”

“Are you saying you predicted this?” hissed Ice Wing.

“This? No.” She shook her head slowly. “But Mordane was always unconventional. I knew that the situation would change rapidly with him involved. It was my hope to press on him in advantage.”

Ice Wing pressed his wings against his side. His mouth drawing into a firm line.

“We are committed," he said firmly. “Retreat would only expose us further to him. I have no doubt he would pursue our force to the edge of Equis.”

“He is headed to the Horn of the World.” She slowly nodded. Looking off into the distance.

Ice Wing blinked. The simple firm statement throwing him for a loop like a sudden hot draft.

“The horn,” she affirmed. She drew a blade and stone, starting her grinding again. “We will engage him at Falkers Path.”

Ice Wing fluttered a bit. Then snorted. His brow drawing into a sharp V. Reaching into his pack he pulled out a map. Tracing it. “If he enters through that way then we will meet him with a height advantage…the pass narrows before joining with the main valley leading to the horn…he could be intending to draw us into a narrow defence, much like with the fortress.”

She nodded. Her eyes trailing along the edge.

“…We also must address why we have not seen him in engagements.”

“He must command from the center…The ponies are new, as I said. Once we get close we will pin him and all his forces with him. We will then close the noose.”

She looked up, eyes coming to focus on him. “I’ve sent a message to the other group. They will cut him off. His defence will become a trap.”

Ice Wing opened his mouth, but then nodded, letting his mouth draw into a line.

“Your move Mordane.”





The ship was filled with fresh food. Its coal stores refilled. Its sail mended and clouds restocked. The Equestrian airship had already left the port and was hovering high in the air. No laughter filled the hull though, no conversation or ideal chatter.

The six mares sat quietly in the cabin exchanging nervous glances while Spike moved around expressionlessly placing tea in front of each mare. Twilight sat alone at the head, her hooves pressed firmly together.

“It's all true.”

The other mares looked at each other.

“Darling…I’m sorry to say, but we know that none of that was…” Rarity trailed off, unsure how to say it.

“The details were wrong," Twilight clarified in a whisper. “But other stuff was true. Mordane led a mercenary force against a rebellion. Then against another nation leading them to attack a village.” She swallowed. Her eyes tearing up. “He enslaved the ponies. Forced them to build a bridge, executed the innocent when they did not obey, and then…and then he…”

Her friends rushed to her side. She shook as they squeezed her. Almost as if they could push back down the tears.

“Please. Please. Sit back down. I can get through this," she said catching her breath as they moved hoof length from her.

“Mordane…faught and attacked other ponies. But in the end he lost…was taken to be a slave himself before somehow joining some kind of fighting arena, where he was forced to fight a dragon. As a reward, he is now a noble in a city called Herridon-”

She stopped again and began to rub her temples, breathing heavily as Spike massaged her back. 

“That is not the worst though…” Her eyes turned to look into Spikes. “He used necromancy.”

Spike’s eyes widened, his hand stopping as he gave a small gasp.

“…He…he made?”

“Yes. Just like…if Celestia finds out…” Twilight wrapped her hooves around herself, turning to stare at the table.

“What's this, Twilight?" Applejack asked. “What is necromancy?”

“Necromancy,” Spike replied, looking over the mares, “is the magical art of using the dead as a magical component.”

Rarity’s eyes widened, her ears laying flat against her head.

“Zomponies?” Pinkie asked.

“Zomponies aren’t real. Right Twi?” Rainbow cracked with a grin. “It's just some nerd thing… right?”

Twilight said nothing, continuing to stare at the table.

“Right?” she asked uncertainly.

“With the proper knowledge you can raise ponies into a state of undeath. Such knowledge is forbidden though. Hidden in the dark depths of the Canterlot Library. Princess Celestia hides a lot of evil things in there. Necromancy, lyponthy, blood magic, time spells, War magic…Curses.”

“Uh…Twilight? You told me yourself that curses aren’t real…right?” Fluttershy squeaked.

“They are. Very much so. Just…forbidden. Hidden away. No pony should even know about them," Twilight trailed off, slowly leaning into Spike for support.

“…I’m sensing that there’s a story, Sugarcube.”

“It’s…When I was a little filly, studying under Celestia as a personal student. One day I got a little curious? I wasn’t planning anything. It just seemed so tempting to read those special books from Celestia's private collection. So I snuck in…Celestia found me a few hours later. I thought she was going to burn the whole building down with me still in it.” Twilight choked a bit. “She threw me into magic kindergarten with the rest of the ponies. That was the worst month of my life. She even took away Spike.”

Spike reached down and hugged her as she shook.

“After a month she called for me. Apologized. Said she had been too harsh.” She shook her head “After that I promised to always do what Celestia said.”

“But if that's true…” Fluttershy asked sitting back down in a chair. Her wings hugging her body. “How does Mordane know about Ne-Necro…it?”

“I don’t know. He shouldn't. He only had exposure to it once and that was for…” Slowly Twilight's eyes opened. Her jaw opening and ears standing up.

“What is it Twi?” Spike asked, still gripping her.

Twilight didn’t respond. Her open mouth morphed into grinding teeth. Her brow thickened and eyes blazed with light. In a moment she burst into flame. Eyes, mane and coat blazed with light and blackened the chair she sat on.

Her friends jumped back, but Spike stayed. Unfazed by the flames.

“Twilight!”

“The Necromancer. To a little colt.”

“Twilight! The ship, it's made of wood!”

Twilight blinked and jerked her head around. Seeing the table she had her hooves on was already charred. She closed her eyes and began her breathing exercise. Slowly, the flames died down as she gained control of herself.

“The Necromancer.” She opened her eyes. “Mordane has been possessed by that Necromancer.”

The mares looked at each other, then to Spike who only stood stiff. Eyes wide as he stared off.

“…Could he have done it?” Spike whispered.

“He must have,” she hissed. Her eyes cut toward him. “It explains everything!”

“What are you talking about, Twi?”

“Yeah! Who is this necromancer?”

She turned back to her friends. Ears standing on end.

“Do you remember the first time Mordane was called by the Tree of Harmony?”

“That was what you were going to fight! A pony that raises the dead?”

“Yes," Twilight replied. “I think that the necromancer has possessed Mordane.” Her eyes teared up. “It explains how he knows necromancy…and why he became so violent. The Necromancer is slowly taking him over. It's poisoning his mind.”





Mordane sat alone, far above on a cloud, clearing his mind and meditating.

Ivy was providing interference against the forces under Ice Wing and some mare if he had heard right. Harassing the large group of earth ponies as they move into the valley his ponies had stopped in.

They were very close to the Horn of the World now. It loomed over him. Despite him being high enough for frost to be nipping at his wings.

He sat expressionless. The nick off his ear aching in the cold. The scar on his leg and eyelid throbbed in pain.

He was locked onto the mountain. Like a lion before the strike. Yet he did not feel like he was a lion.

He felt small.

He felt stuck.

High above the world he could feel the weight of a thousand tons of stone on his shoulders. His heart beat hard and fast but he was not out of breath.

He felt weak and thin. Like a loudspeaker in a large open field or the snow as a film on the ground.

He felt numb.

“Here I am again…will these finally be enough? Can I just go back to Herridon? What do I even do once I get back there? Either side I choose will be a collar…Either way I’ll be fighting wars for years. Either leading to crush the King or leading to put down his rebellions. Or another chess piece for the Princess.”

Eyes hot and red he bowed his head.

“Always a piece in another’s game. Always someone wanting to control my life.”

He looked back up at the mountain. Its spiral reaches into heaven.

“Now I see I was never free to begin with.”

He felt the pony approach. But he did not react. There was no aggression there. He could feel the attention of the pony as he approached. Circling to curve into Mordane’s sight.

Mordane snapped his wings out. Instinctually preparing a spell at the sight of Ice Wing.

“Alone. What does he want?”

Ice Wing came to hover a dozen meters in front of him. Hooves raised. Spear sheathed.

The pegasus approached slowly. Staying a few feet below him. A difficult place to attack from.

Mordane stayed silent. Waiting as he approached until he was close enough to hear.

“I did not expect to meet you here. Is this how it is then? Have you come to find some solace? Is it to be two spears in the sky?”

“No.” Ice Wing raised slightly, to match Mordane’s level before bending forward. His forehooves tucked together and wings spread straight.

“I’ve come to offer my service.”

Mordane did not move, he only gave the same stare that seemed to look right past him.

“You are currently leading a force against me. You’ve traveled across the whole of the land, just to serve me?”

“Of course not," he said, coming back to a hover position. “The force was a matter of opportunity. Miss Sugar approached me in Tietus. She reported to have some grievance with you.”

Mordane didn’t react but recognition showed in his eyes.

“It's been over a decade…perhaps it’s right that someone connected with Star Charmers death would be here.” He looked away to the mountain. “I wonder if she still has the knife I gave her.”

Ice Wing frowned, brow lowering slightly as he realized immediately what knife Mordane must be referring to. He had seen the way the mare stared at it.

“She does. Keeps it sharp as well.”

“Does she. For me I suppose…Strange to see her this far south. I wonder what she has against me. Still. You came with her. In force.”

“I came to make an offer.”

“You came to ask something of me," Mordane replied curtly, making a cutting motion through the air. “A pony of your station wouldn’t make an offer for anything less.”

Ice Wing floated a few seconds, his eyes searching across Mordane’s face.

“I need to kill my brother…To do that I must lead an army to my homeland.”

“What makes you think I have an army?” He waived his hoof. “Barely a dozen ponies stand loyal to me and soon I will be out of money, forced to be a minor lord for an upstart king.”

“I know you will be no such thing," Ice Wing said curtly. “The pony I met would have rather died. You are too strong willed for such a position.” He snorted, flicking his tail. “Any king would have to be a fool to try to mount you. You’re an alicorn after all.”

Mordane laughed bitterly. Placing his hooves on the back of his head before taking a deep breath.

“An Alicorn. I do not know what ponies expect of such a creature. Without land. Without family. Without title. Markless.”

“But standing at the Horn of the World," Ice Wing replied, sweeping his wing. “Today you will get your mark. Just like everypony else. The mountain rejects no one. How long until you have the rest?”

Mordane shook his head, taking a moment to rub his eyes and let out a sigh. He sat in silence. Staring at his hooves for a few moments.

“What do you offer?” Mordane asked.

“I…offer my services…and the surrender of my forces. I’ll gladly lead you to corner this Sugar. Her deep pockets should also alleviate our monetary issues.-”

“I said,” Mordane cut in, “what do you offer.”

Ice Wing became silent. His brow fully furrowed, trying to understand what this pony could possibly be asking for.

Mordane sighed.

“You have a lot to learn about negotiation," Mordane said with a sigh. “Here's the first lesson. Never enter into a negotiation when you do not know what your opponent wants. You will only make a fool of yourself.” He waived his hoof. “As for your offer. I reject it.”

“What?” Ice Wing asked. “You want me to attack you?”

“Yes. Take it as a test. An entry interview.” Mordane smiled slowly, not reaching his eyes. “A test of mettle. Attack, capture as many of my forces alive as you can. Impress me and I may spare your life.”

“And if I defeat you? What then?” Ice Wing asked. Practically glaring across at Mordane. 

“Then we’ll be what you have been actually asking for. I’ll be your partner. Once your brother is taken care of you’ll have no obligation to me and my command of you will be defunct. Accapable?”

Ice Wing floated silent, staring into the younger pony’s eyes. After a solid three minutes he nodded.

“I accept. May the best pony win.”

“May the victor enjoy his prize,” Mordane replied. “We’ll target Sugar first. That should leave this between us. Don’t bother to leave her exposed though. Give us your best.”

“I will," Ice Wing replied, starting his descent.

Mordane watched him go, slowly turn and then speed away.

“We’ll see,” he whispered, turning to look back at the vast sea of virgin land, his eyes only drawn to the highest point.





Celestia took a sip. Her immaculate fur played like the swaying trees in the wind.

Her mane though waved with the ethereal in complete defiance of the very physical wind around her.

“Sister…” Luna spoke in a muted whisper. “What are we to do about this?”

“What can we do?" Celestia replied.

“Mordane’s soul is being consumed by the necromancer if what Twilight’s report says is true.”

“I’m quite surprised she was able to send it. She must have assisted Spike’s spell. It was unlikely to reach us at all. Still, I’m not so certain as she is with her conclusion.” She looked at her sister. The two of them are currently sitting on Celestia's balcony.

“Indeed. Now that you say it, I must agree. We scoured his soul. There should have been nothing left.”

“No taint of corruption…although…”

“The oddness,” Luna brought up.

“Yes…and now the confirmation, Mordane knows things he shouldn’t. He does things shouldn’t be able to.” Celestia's lips drew into a thin line. “That is the hook I think, a simple colt shouldn’t be able to do these things.”

Luna looked off into the mid distance for a few moments before floating over an envelope and pulling out strips of thick card stock paper. On it was written in clear block letters the prophecy.

“When the lost one that lacks purpose, brings together hoof and earth upon the Horn of the World, if his destiny shall be made whole: The sky will march against the earth, the crown fallen raised again," Luna quoted. “It’s still confusing, no matter how many times I read it.”

Celestia twisted her brow into knots as she glared over the horizon. The sunset suddenly took on a darker red.

“A thought occurs, Luna. It's possible Mordane stole knowledge from the Necromancer, ripping apart the pony’s mind in the process. But how could a small colt in a peaceful land do such a thing?”

Lunas ears perked up. Her nostril twitched at realization.

“He couldn’t have. Any level of necromancy…especially like what Twilight described would require years, decades even, of study. Not to mention a mind adapted to the rigors of soul Magic.” She snorted. “No colt...or filly, no matter the talent or genius could have defeated the necromancer in such a way. Even more to hide it from both of us and his master. To practice in secret, slowly as to avoid taint. Inconceivable.” 

“I had assumed it was the influence of Harmony. A lesson to bring a wayward student in line with a young teacher. However, his actions since then have not been harmonious. It's been chaotic. Uncontrolled. Even Harmony itself seems uncertain about him.”

“But it must be the necromancer that broke his connection. Right?” she replied pensively. “Mordane must have been part of the weave before then?”

Celestia turned and sat down in her chair.

“I have had a stray thought. How to square this puzzle we call Mordane.” Her nose scrunched at the ridiculousness of her thought.

“What is it sister? I'd trust your intuition more than a thousand scribes or prophecies.”

“My mind keeps returning to Deep Thought’s conjecture,” she started to speak, stopping as if trying to organize her thoughts. “What if Mordane’s soul did not form within the Harmony matrix?”

“I don’t understand what you're saying, sister. The Harmony matrix stretches all over Equis. Even those places that are now frozen. Even if just a little.” she replied, only pausing a moment. “Could you be referring to Star Swirl’s mirror?”

“No. They are weaved into the flow as soon as they step through, but what if something came from another place, far enough away from us, formed and arrived suddenly, forcefully.” She turned, “Pen Stroke, bring me my notes. Give me…twenty through eighteen years ago.”

“Sister?” Luna asked.

“Patience, Luna. He’ll be back shortly.”

Celestia waited until the pony’s return. Three small journals on his back. Celestia floated them off, quickly scanning through.

“There, nineteen years ago. About six years before your return. There was a massive disruption in the immaterium. Something punched through from beyond the realm of dreams.” She tapped her chin. “I scryed wide and far for it but just couldn’t find it. But what if it had been a spirit?”

“A bodiless spirit? What thing could have a spirit strong enough to exist without a body?” She scoffed.

“I do not know. Perhaps it was falling apart. Desperate. Scared. It went for the first empty vessel it could find.”

“…Such an amount of energy could have a profound effect on a small fetus.”

“If the spirit's mind was strong enough…Mordane would be around nineteen by now.”

Luna stood silent. Her brow bunching up.

“Such ethereal realms are my domain. If I had been around then the soul would have been properly shepherded. It would have been cleaned and fresh before I would let it enter our world.”

“…It explains much," Celestia said. “We will have to ask him, at the next chance.”

She sighed.

“We may have another creature to cast into Tartarus if Mordane cannot be brought into Harmony. If he really is something truly alone and will always be out of hoof, we will have little other choice.”

Celestia nodded, turning to look back at her horizon.

“It would be best then, if he found that mark on the mountain. For his sake at least.”





The hills around the Horn of the World rolled and twisted together, forming sheer cliffs.

Armored, spears drawn, and with eyes scanning the horizon.

In the crux of the valley there was conflict.

Mordane sat behind one of his two groups.

His assessment of Ice Wing’s attack was positive. He had split his forces. Using the two groups to harry his forces into a corner in the valley. Several cuts and bruises had been taken as they had minor exchanges.

Outnumbered, Mordane’s ponies had been forced to retreat until he simply broke contact and moved to defensive ground.

The ravine exit now sat to their back, the mountain coming together to form narrow winding paths. Ivy and one other were watching their backs, just in case. Mordane was forced to stay at the rather wide entrance lest they be able to circle and surround his force in the pass.

“It was a skilled attack," Mordane mumbled to Peddler. “Still, a little too predictable. Without a screen of pegusi he couldn’t see the small force I sent out. And now…”

“I see. So you predicted this?" Peddler replied.

“Yes.” He scanned the left flank where his small reserve force led by One Eye had crashed out of the growth. The ponies had struck with perfect timing, crashing into the larger chunk of the enemy forces. “Twenty ponies being pinned by seven.”

He looked up at the sky, his eyes catching the few new recruits.

“Seeing his own forces on our side must have been a bit of a shock," Peddler mumbled.

“They are lucky I didn’t just kill them," Mordane replied, rubbing his shoulder. “Now leave me be.”

Mordane trotted forward, past the few of his ponies tying up the surrendering enemy. His eyes scanned and located Ice Wing. Keeping to the ground in his rapidly weakening forces.

Pegusi swooped in opportunities to pluck away a pony. Just to deliver him to the hogtiers or to drop if they were particularly resistant.

Mordane’s wings were numb again. That aching pain boring into the back of his mind at the loud shouts of fighting.

“I just want this to stop.” he thought.

A large space opened up in his line for a moment, allowing for two ponies to rush out. Their eyes locked onto him and quickly rushed. Mordane drew his hoof-blade and practically lept to meet them. Closing the distance in an instant the two ponies seemed to stand still as he lopped off their heads with a single swipe.

“What a waste.” His eyes drooped as he wiped the blade on one's mark. “This battle’s over. My forces and his performed exceptionally. Ice Wing acceptably. There is no point in further death…time to end this.”

As he turned to take flight his hoof holding the blade spasmed, throwing the length of steel to the ground.

With a sharp intake of breath he doubled over. Feeling the burning shaking pain rip down from his shoulder into his fetlock.

He recovered a moment later, glancing to confirm no pony saw him before shakingly picking up his sword.

Spreading his wings, Mordane took to the sky. The burning, numbing sensation nipping at his wings and creeping up his spine. He pushed hard, and the wind answered, carrying him above the surrounded enemy.

Breathing in deep he bellowed. Channeling a little of the wind's power into his voice.

“Enough, surrender small ones. You need not die here.” He reached out with his mind, stirring the fear in the pony’s minds.

“We surrender! We surrender!” Ice Wing shouted. “Throw down your weapons!”

Most of his ponies immediately complied. Leaving only three who continued to struggle until a well dropped stone from a pegusi put an end to their resistance. Quickly his ponies secured the enemy. But Mordane didn’t wait, an uncertainty crawling into his mind, he stormed up to Ice Wing.

“Thank you, Stronghoof. I hope that you will now see reason and-”

“Sugar,” Mordane said, cutting him off. “Where is Sugar?”

Ice Wing’s brow furrowed and he gave a little snort and shake.

“She was supposed to attack from the pass. Left yesterday with our fastest four. I do not-”

The pit of Mordane’s stomach fell out. The pain raised to fever pitch and shot up his spine as he felt his horn discharge. The spark of it forced him to close his left eye for a moment before growling. His lips pulled back. The small but now prominent canines standing out on his gritted teeth. The ponies around him stumbled back as the rage boiled off of him as small black wisps.

“Ivy.”

He took to the air, hovering a few meters above their heads.

“One Eye. Secure the position. Set camp. Hold our prisoners until I return.” He felt One Eye’s acknowledgement without seeing it.

He took flight into the pass. Twisting through the terrain. His shoulder popping, his wings burning, his vision starting to blur.

At the other end of the pass was a sudden drop and a trail leading off down a sharp incline to the right. There he could see four ponies waiting.

He did not know how long he had so he came in for a hard landing, all four hooves. The wind he carried with him blasting out as he reached to have the earth cushion him.

Only to feel the earth not respond, He felt every bit of his impact as he landed hard, his knee buckled a moment before he popped it back into place and looked around.

There was a pony on the ground. Clutching his chest. A memory flashed through Mordane’s mind. The dark. His grandfather on the ground.

But he did not have time to dwell. Two ponies stood about ten yards away, bows in their hooves. The rightmost pony fired their shot, missing him wide. Mordane did not dodge for cover. Instead he reached up with his wing grabbing the air.

The left one fired a moment later, but his arrow was blown off course as Mordane blasted a wall of air at the both of them.

Both of whom fell down the path into the valley beyond.. Grunting and clanking as they rolled down the steep incline.

He started walking toward Sugar, who was gripping Ivy close. A few yards passed until Sugar tilted the knife.

“No closer.”

Mordane stopped. His eyes narrowed as a ball of sharp ice encased his heart.

“This is not the first time someone has threatened me with a mare.” Mordane tilted his head, forcing a smile. “So, what is it you want, Sugar? Who would have thought to see you here so far south of the Sun's fair kiss.”

Her eyes narrowed as she gripped the struggling pegasus harder, forcing her to stay still.

“An egotist little feather brian as always, Mordane.” Her nose turned up. “I’ve thought about that crypt for years since I last saw you. Shortly after that I walked away from my charge.”

“Is that what your clan calls their targets? Their charge?”

She laughed bitterly, her eyes staying locked onto him.

“I take it Peddler has told you about that…Did he tell you about what we were doing in Equestria? About you father?”

“I really don’t care about what you’re going to say,” Mordane snapped. “I don’t want anything from you. Just let Ivy go.”

Sugars lips thinned and eyes hardened. Mordane let the smile slip.

“You don’t want to do this. I’m sure we can end this peacefully.”

“Your smile was always terrible, it's like wax pulled over a ponnequin,” she spat. “You look like something just pretending to be a pony.”

Mordane’s face darkened further. A spark jumping down from his horn once again.

“There is only one thing you could want…So do you think you have it in you, Sugar? Come at me then. She's no threat to you.”

Sugar said nothing, standing perfectly still.

The next moment would only become clear when he played it back later in his mind.

Ivy was thrown backward off the cliff edge with a large crack as the mare leaped toward him. Her hoof slamming into his head.

Mordane rolled with the kick, twisting around the impact reducing the damage and twisting away as quickly as possible.

He felt a prickle along his skin as a knife passed just over his ear. And the burn as it bit just below it. Planting a forehoof on the ground he pushed off toward the pass. The knife dragged through as it was pulled away, leaving a deep gouge under his right eye.

He landed on the wall, wings outspread, ready to launch, ignoring the screaming pain. He looked for an opening.

However, he was only impacted again. Sugar grabbed him as they tumbled into a bind. She came to pin him. His rear hooves were pinned. She pressed down his hooves where they crossed in front. The knife slowly moved toward him before suddenly bursting into a bright white hot glow.

Blood pooled into his eye from the deep cut, but the shining blade gleaned through the red haze.

As his eyes focused on the blade. The rage drained off his face. Ears wilting back. His nostrils flared and eyes watered. A deep hunger creeping achingly into them.

Then his brow furrowed, he gritted his teeth and narrowed his focus to the knife point.

“No man can serve two masters.”

The blades' glowing white surface suddenly blinked out. Sugar only had enough time to open her eyes in surprise before the knife shattered in her hoof.

She screamed and rolled back. Landing and rolling on her broken burning hoof, trying to put out the flame as Mordane slowly walked over to take a standing position over the shaking mare.

“Y-You trapped it?” she hissed through clenched teeth.

“It wasn’t easy. Back then I didn’t know as much about enchanting. Everything I learned was from a stupid foal’s book. Meant to maybe make a toy train move or a stuffed bear hug when its name was called.  But, one doesn’t make a weapon that can be used against them.” Mordane stepped closer, his eyes focused on her.

“But. How? You were just…a colt.” She looked him in the eyes.

She felt the moment his mind reach into hers. It was like a swirling cauldron of rage, hate, and anger pouring in.

The onslaught left her trembling and pale.

“Why did you try to kill me, Sugar?” he said softly.

“You- You’re no pony.” she whispered. “What by Tartarus are you?”

Mordane did not reply. Reaching down he slowly drew his blade and limped toward the defenseless mare.

“Wait,” she cried, eyes still locked onto his. “I can help you. I see now! You don’t have to-”

Mordane drove down the blade, eyes ablaze.

Roaring.





Peddler walked slowly down the pass. Behind him he could hear as the band of ponies followed perhaps a hundred yards behind him.

He was calculating what he would do when he got to Mordane and Sugar.

Surely, he thought, Mordane would defeat the mare, perhaps even turning her to his side. Even a year ago he would have been no match for her, but now? Now, it would be quick.

Mordane’s power was growing exponentially. His awakening would be any day now. Even with the disruptions she had little to no chance.

He was so caught up in his thoughts that when Ivy landed in front of him he nearly jumped back, only catching himself a moment before.

“I- I don’t know but are…I think that you are the closest I can think to a friend of Mordane’s?” she said, trembling.

Peddler’s blood ran cold. Her eyes were red. He didn’t bother to answer her, instead choosing to take off toward the pass. Moving like a blur he quickly left the mare behind. Not even bothering to hide his abnormal abilities as a deep fear settled into his hooves.

Less than two minutes later he came to a stop. Hooves tired from the prolonged exertion at max strength. The sight that greeted him planted his hooves where he stood.

Sugar was no more, in every sense of the meaning. There was nothing alone that one would call a body. Peddler walked slowly up to the pony responsible, his heart beating slow and hard. Trying to understand this creature sitting so brazenly on a rock near the cliff edge.

Mordane wings stood outstretched, smudged with blood as they were. Yet he didn’t seem to care, instead preferring to look out toward the mountain. His eyes focused on some impossible hight. Power rolled off of him. Both mental and physical. Peddler could feel the thousands of strands wrapped around him. The twisting of the world once so subtle. His mind flashed back to the small village in Equestria. The small hooded colt trotting toward his stand. The slightly twisting world around him. Too small and too few who could see it to know.

But he had known.

Now though, there was no mistake. No pony who knew anything about magic could be mistaken as to what he was.

“Mordane?” Peddler asked.

“I think I’m losing my mind, Peddler," Mordane replied. Still looking out to the mountain. “I’m getting angrier. I’m becoming irrational. The constant struggle is getting to me.”

“I can see that," Peddler replied carefully. Swallowing as he sat near the alicorn.
“Mordane, right now. All around you I can see-”

“Great lines. Like fishing wire wrapped all around me. Yes. I know. They've become stronger since I’ve become aware of them. The great mess I’ve made. Twisting up against nothing as a silly spell trys to draw meaning from a blank page…That's what the point of a mark is, isn’t it. To write your story?”

“...yes," Peddler replied after considering for a moment. “The Harmony matrix controls everything. It has seeped into all life, all magic. Its parts have many names. The Tree of Harmony, the Crystal Caverns, the Crystal Heart. All just parts of the same thing. A noose of order around pony kind’s neck.”

“And so you serve chaos. Discord.” Mordane turned to him. “Do you think I’d make a better candidate than Star Swirl?”

Peddler sat in silence. Stunned as he tried to figure out how Mordane had made such a connection. Failing, he opted to answer truthfully.

“My ancestors wanted him to throw off the whole system. They succeeded. But he only replaced it with a far more restrictive one. Calling ourselves his worshipers.” Peddler shrugged. “It’s convenient.”

Mordane sat in silence for a minute. Looking up at the mountain before speaking again. His wings slowly fold and unfold.

“What are you going to do?” Peddler asked softly.

Mordane snapped his wings shut.

Rain began to fall on them as the humidity condensed above them. The shower focused on the alicorn stallion.

He turned, revealing the long red gouge from cheek to muzzle.

“I think it's time that I go and meet destiny.”
> Over the edge
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mordane flew on aching wings. The pain and strain that had been growing over the last few weeks was becoming unignorable. The growing sense that he had pushed himself too far sat like a bloated toad on the back of his mind. Its slime oozed into his fur, raising a fiery itch, distracting him with its putrid breath and casting his mind into a haze that clawed at every moment.

Still, he had enough sense to give commands to One Eye before leaving. He had little doubt the foolish pony would execute the stallion prisoners and have the mares violated if he said nothing.

Then again, One eye had some kind of honor. He might consider letting that happen to be against some code of honor Mordane had not yet seen in him. At the moment he could not bring himself to care.

They would take the ones who were captured. They would be put through their paces and bent to serve. He imagined he would have to get rid of most, but perhaps a few would be useful enough to keep. It all depended on One Eye and his skill. Mordane nodded to himself. He would judge One Eyes' performance upon his return. This would be his last chance to see if he picked up anything from following Mordane the last two weeks.

For now though, he was focused on the rage inside of him. It came with a sense of unease and irritation he couldn’t place, pulling him to the Mountain. Thinking back he could think of a half dozen times he had felt this pull, driving him forward, not letting him rest. Taking those instincts within and feeding on his worst impulses.

He checked his thinking, reminding himself that even before Equestria he had felt this drive. It was just that before he killed it. Now though, it had grown with the challenges of this life. He had locked himself away before, running from his problems. From this need inside of him driving him vaguely forward.

Now though, it was directional and sharp. He had gone for too long running from his destiny. Following the words of his Grandfather. The price would be high. Higher than any he had ever been willing to pay but now he had no choice and no other desire. He would bring this to resolution, both the feelings inside and the Mountain, before the coming storm came crashing down.

Better to strike and reap the consequence or reward than to be bashed against the rocks of his birth.

“Time to settle old debts” he thought, setting himself to the task.

As he flew closer to the world's horn he could see a ring of mountains surrounding the base with a great valley full of lush forest in between. Everything he knew about geography said this was impossible. It screamed ‘unnatural’ to him. Even so, his eyes traced several paths trailing through the mountains. All curved away from the Valley and its mountain. They snaked along merging as they went before leading to a small town.

The town though served him no purpose. So he turned toward the World’s Horn. Flying on automatic as he chewed on what had brought him here. It took some time before he realized there was a problem. A few more minutes of flying before he suddenly noticed: as he approached the Mountain would grow larger until a certain point before shrinking away again at the same speed.

It was only when he looked down he noticed that he was passing the same rock.

He changed tactics. He tried to focus on the ground, but when he would look up he was no longer flying toward the Mountain. 

He then flew trying to keep both the ground and mountain in view once again. Slowly the mountain's distance stopped changing, seeming to become fixed. He flew and flew but even the ground below no longer seemed to be moving.

“So it will not be so easy,” he thought through his haze. “This is some kind of spatial distortion, perhaps even an illusion of some kind.”

Looking down he instead aimed to the town outside of the ring of mountains. His gut was jumping his throat like it stole its girlfriend on their wedding night.

A few minutes later though he breathed a sigh of relief as it began to get closer and pass under him.

As he circled over the buildings he took note of the small number of facilities pressed up near the Mountain. All seeming to focus around a single building.

He snorted, impatient to proceed. Neither his schedule nor mental state would allow subtlety. With a tilt of his wings he rocketed down to the small village, not caring who he disturbed.

Moments before impact, he reached out for the earth magic, calling it to take the energy of his impact. But as was happening more and more frequently it seemed to spill wildly from his grasp.

He slammed into the ground sending waves of pain up his spine. The ground broke. Sending shock cracks through the cobblestone street. A few of the surface stones even popped into the air.

The dozen ponies gasped and shoved their foals behind themselves, hackles raised.

Mordane’s eyes slid over the well dressed ponies. He took no note of the small crater as he stepped out of it, nor the gleaming products for sale among the storefronts.

Now that he was among it, however, the small town's excellent architecture was impossible to miss. Stone and thick wood. Shingled roof and a line of water ducts. Proper drainage and clean cobbled streets.

Ponies who had been watching in shock slipped into disgust at the sight of him. Mordane was bloody. Most of his face was wrapped in a bandage, leaving just enough room to breathe. It was applied by Ivy who stuffed a replacement batch in his satchel shortly before he had rocketed off.

In their eyes though was fear.

The two emotions seemed to fight fierce battles in many who saw him. Trying to drive them to run or to stand and curse this ruffian who had intruded on their quiet opulence. In the end though, all seemed to come to unanimous truce: ignore him.

At first, he paid little mind to the stalls. They were full of odds and ends, jewelry, fancy suits and all attachments of finery were on display. Various kinds and styles of cloth purchasable only by the very wealthy were laid out.

As he slowly walked and raised no more commotion the crowd focused on their compromise. While not exactly forgetting his presence they seemed content to just let the crazy pony be. The mares drew down veils and hid their small colts and fillies. Many of which he noted were marked. Even the obviously peasant children moving boxes behind stalls all possessed one.

Such marks were not exactly uncommon down south but not nearly as universally seen.

But he pushed the thought out of his mind, focusing on the goal. His vision hazy and his head throbbing he slid against a building’s corner.

A few moments later the swimming settled. His focus came to a small shop near the temple entrance. It sported climbing supplies of the more practical sort than what he had so far seen. 

However, while most stalls had been well built, this one seemed to be thrown together, he might have not even noticed it if the stallion had not called out.

“Going up the Horn of the World?” grunted the bored looking stallion behind the counter.

“Yes,” Mordane replied quietly. His eyes trailing around the shop. “Is that…common?”

“No. Most don’t make it past the outer ring of trees. Few these days even try,” he grumbled. “It used to be the fad to try and climb as high as you could. The mountain was thought to give more powerful marks.”

He sighed and reached back behind him.

“You're gonna need a pack. Warm clothes, some food. I can fit you out for what you don’t have,” the stallion continued, his eyes glancing over Mordane. “You can’t fly up you know.”

“So I found,” Mordane replied with a sneer. “Either way, I must go. My armor won’t protect much from the chill.”

“Yeah. I’d leave that if I were you,” the stallion said, starting to pile up supplies on his table from the boxes.

Mordane selected a cloak and some supplies. It was only after he had paid him the stallion spoke again as he stepped away.

“It's gonna be tough for you. Being a pegacorn and all. The mountain had trouble giving marks to those stuck in between two worlds.”

“I am not a pegacorn,” Mordane replied, turning and leaving the store.

The stallion snorted, rolled his eyes, and looked forward again. Watching for the few ponies that might be interested in his wares.

The temple stretched up the side of the mountain a hundred feet. Carved directly from the stone surface.

“The sisters.” He drew his eyes to the symbols on the side. “Or perhaps Harmony itself.”

The front doors were open, a mare exiting the temple with her colt. Mordane stomped past them. The mare jumped back with a yelp. Gripping the little one to her chest. Mordane crossed the entryway ignoring her. He walked down the long hallway covered in reliefs and tapestry.

The barely scarred gash made his face feel stiff. It would drag on his eyelid making it close a moment after his other. He felt like going back and giving Riverside a piece of his mind, making her heal him properly.

That strange thought almost felt as if it was clanging around his cerebellum. He took a moment to rest against a nearby wall.

“W-What are you doing!?” hissed a white unicorn storming out of a side hallway with his horn already glowing. 

Mordane reacted instantly, smacking the pony’s horn, sending him tumbling to the floor gasping in pain.

Mordane did not give him time to recover. Reaching down he grabbed the stallion and hefted him against the wall.

“What?” Mordane grunted through bloodshot eyes.

“The tapestry!” moaned the stallion. “It’s from the Moon Mother herself!”

Mordane glanced along the hallway. The tapestry was huge, covering a large section of the wall. In its center was Luna's mark and from there it wove throughout the tapestry into a depiction of the starry sky.

And just to the left of that was a print of his hoof. Caked dirt clinging like glue to the ancient tapestry. Then down the hall, he saw the same prints following it. 

After a few moments his brow hardened and he glared into the stallion's eyes.

“P-Please…this is a peaceful place,” the stallion whimpered, wilting in Mordane’s grasp. “We have no gold. But if you want to take anythin-”

“Keep your coin. I’m here for the Mountain. Tell me how to get to the Mountain,” Mordane practically spat.

The stallion's ears perked up, his eyes going owlish.

“You’re here for the Mountain?”

“Yes! Show me through!” Mordane shouted. “I cannot wait any longer!”

The stallion gaped like a fish for a few seconds before shaking his head, coughing, and then answering.

“Only the Pathfinder can show you that! I’m just-”

“Take me to him then,” Mordane cut him off, shoving the stallion.

He practically drove him with whips down the hallway. Hate boiling off him in waves as he passed statues and pictures again and again of Luna and Celestia. All beautiful. All dignified. 

And the smile.

The demur sister. The warm sun. The burning tyrant. The brave night.

It made him sick.

He pushed through the haze, ignoring the pain. 

Gasping temple keepers gawked as Mordane stomped down the hallway. He ignored the few well-to-do ponies as they were pulled into side rooms by their attendants.

The room felt like a shrine. Its floor bare, around was a small fire pit set in the center. Its walls were lined with more murals and across from the entrance were two large statues flanking an ornate metal door.

In the center there were four ponies: a monk, a colt and his parents.

The little one was grinning, his wings fully bristled. A bright mark still slightly shining on his flank: a sword wreathed in flame. His parents' eyes only shone brighter.

The colt's elation turned to shock as the father yanked him behind while the mare jerkingly pulled into a defensive stance leveling her horn.

“Pathfinder!” Mordane gave the unicorn an enforced kick that sent him sprawling to the floor.

The Pathfinder turned to Mordane. Mouth falling open in shock.

Mordane could feel the Mountain now. Like a great pumping waterfall. It rushed through him. He'd do anything to get through.

He glared at the ponies in the room as he stepped in.

“Where is the path to the Mountain?” he whispered.

The Pathfinder stallion who was clearly about to shout paused for a moment. The unexpected question allowed for the reassertion of a lifetime of practice.

“Do you seek Harmony, traveler?” the stallion intoned.

The white unicorn stallion scrambled to his hooves. Sweat dripped off him and he was panting heavily. His eyes flicked between Mordane and the open door. His hooves were planted like trees.

“What I seek is something you can’t understand, priest!” Mordane snapped. Punctuating his statement with a stomp.

“Many come seeking, but few find the journey worth the prize. After all, we only lead you to what was already inside.”

Mordane paused, his eyes moving away from the doors to lock onto the old stallion.

“You give therapy to assist in recognizing those qualities, within an individual, that both bring internal fulfillment as well as integration with the communities they come from. Otherwise represented and manifested as a ‘cutie mark’.”

The Pathfinder blinked. His experienced mind shifted once again to reassess this new pony.

Meanwhile, the father relaxed a bit. Motioning for his family to step into a corner with him as he kept his eyes locked on Mordane.

“That…is perhaps, one way of saying it.” His ears droop. Eyes glancing over Mordane. “Sir, are you alright?”

“Within a certain level of alright,” Mordane replied, his eyes flicking over to the stallion and his family then back to the door before turning to the head Pathfinder again. “Does that door lead to the Mountain?”

The head of the temple's mouth slowly drew into a line. His eyes hardened as mordane began to sway slightly. His fur paleing slightly as his eyes dulled a moment.

“Sir. I can’t let you enter the Mountain unprepared. A clouded mind could leave you wondering for far too long.”

“It's calling me,” Mordane whispered before giving himself a little shake. Eyes returning to a hard sheen. “I must climb the Mountain.”

Mordane stepped past the pegusi stallion. He approached the door. Examining it. The surface was much unlike the rest of the place he had seen. A gray, hard door with a thick ring handle to open.

The surface was layered with thick bolts and the stains of oil wash. The only color was the large Equestrian seal in its center.

By Order of Celestia, princess regent. 

Ruler of the World. 

Guardian of the Sun. 

Forger of Ages. 

Bringer of Peace. 

Herald of Harmony. 

This door is sealed, none may pass.

“Sir. This door cannot be used. It belongs solely to the Equestrian Regent….Celestia. It is sealed by a powerful spell. None can enter. Everypony else must take the servants' path…”

Mordane turned and glared at the Celestia statue. His face twisting like a gnarled root. With firm steps he stepped up to the statue before spitting on its face.

“I am no pony’s servant.”

The room fell to silence and shock as everypony stared at the small wet spot he had made. A few fainted straight away, slipping to the floor while others seemed ready to drag him out and burn him alive in the town square.

“Who are you?”

The tone and sense of command it carried threw Mordane out of his mental fog. His eyes slid over to the father of the colt. He glanced the pony over, noting the well pressed clothes. Bits of jewels and medals. Then two large wings, and a sword now visible through its folds. His well groomed fur spoke of wealth, but the eyes said a lot more.

He held his head high, with all the authority and acuity of blood a noble could carry.

Mordane tsked. He turned, letting himself fall into a Heridon court bow.

“I have many names. They call me the Bloody Necromancer, Dragonslayer, Fallen Alicorn. But I go by the name Mordane Stronghoof. Lord of Herridon.”

The stallion hesitated for a moment before returning the gesture in kind, stiffly.

“Blackwing. Lord of Aton.”

The noble stallion spread his wings flat and bowed, tipping them down as he did so. His head tucked deliberately to the left side.

Mordane tilted his head examining the pegusi. It was different from the bow he had been taught. In a flash of insight, he realized that the style he had been taught was a unicorn method.

“Then how would the earth ponies…”

Mordane stopped mid bow and shifted.

He bowed, horn aimed low like he had been taught. But instead of placing both hooves forward, he put only one, balancing on that leg he completed the unicorn bow as his wings stretched out to meet the pegasus. His right hoof crossed to cover his chest.

“The pleasure is mine, Lord of Aton. But I do not have time to dally.”

“Why is this?” the stallion asked, eyes tracing over Mordane and his unique bow with a slight look of surprise.

“As I said,” Mordane replied, rising and turning to the Pathfinder, “the Mountain calls me. I must go to meet my destiny.”

Concern rolled off the pony who seemed unsure of what to do.

“Sir- Not many ponies come here, and those that do…we can usually help them in our Temple. The Mountain can’t give you something you don’t have. It only-”

“It only can show you what is inside. I’m not surprised. I know more about that rock than you ever will and it's done enough to mess with my life,” he snarled.

“Sir-”

“Let me make myself clear,” Mordane cut him off again before stomping up to the pony, wings fully out. “If Luna herself came down and bowed low begging me to not climb that mountain, I would do it anyway. I’m not here to find my destiny! I’m here to get answers and those answers will be given by that mountain no matter what gets in my way!”

The white stallion, who had been listening, practically stood on his hoof tips, rage flooding into his face.

“I’ve heard of you! Upstart! Pretender! You're that stallion that claims to be Luna's son. You-”

Mordane turned and slapped the stallion to the floor again, eyes boring into him.

“There is no way I would be the son of a mare so weak. So pathetic as to fall from a lack of love! Don’t you dare insult me with that again.” The room fell silent as the words seemed to echo in the room. Ponies in the hallway faces contorting into horror.

“So…what are you claiming then?” whispered the Pathfinder, mouth turning into a sneer. “Are you Celestia’s son instead? Were you sent here to claim her sister's domain?”

Mordane neighed and spat on the ground. His rage boiling to a froth.

“Why would I spit on my own mother's face? I’m not that bitch's either. I would no more follow that domineering bent than skin off my hooves,” he spat. Eyes burning with rage. “If she was here I’d burn this building to the ground before submitting!”

“How can you say these things, do these things!” the Pathfinder shouted. “How could you hate them so? What-”

“I’ve met them!” Mordane spat. “I know them. I’ve bowed before them and I have defied them. I have no master. I’m not their spawn. I came as they did! No less! There is only myself.”

“Knew them?” the Pathfinder croaked. His eyes widened and his breath quickened into shallow sips.

“Grew up under them. North of the wall. Trained by their precious students.” He trotted up close, boring his eyes into the Pathfinder. “I looked into Celestia's and Luna's eyes just as I am doing to you now.”

His ears folded back, searching as if he could pierce Mordanes soul. Trying to see something behind the eyes of the crazed stallion in front of him.

“Here,” Mordane said with a wicked grin as he grabbed the pony's head. “Let me show you.”

Mordane reached for his power and thrust into the pony's mind.

And the Pathfinder saw.

Luna, Celestia. The sun gleaming through her horn. A smaller alicorn, Twilight, standing beside him. A feeling of regret. Fear. The power of Celestia standing over him as he kneeled. Pressing him into the soil. Luna’s threat and the knowledge she would carry it out. Mordane’s desperation as he climbed against the wind. Wings burning. Horn coursing with power, pushing to turn the storm itself. Celstia’s look of determination as she rushed to meet him.

Then he showed himself. His horn coursing with power. The wind folding in his wings and the soil answering his call. And under that a deep burning. A need that couldn’t be spoken. A-

The stallion jerked back. Stumbling. Eyes wide, gasping. He gripped his head as he sat hard. Blood poured from his nose just before he clamped a hoof over it.

“Ponies! The headmaster is under attack! The headmaster-!” shouted one of the ponies. The crowd's faces twisting into rage at the sight of his blood as they began to surge into the room.

“Stop!” roared the headmaster. “Stop at once! Don’t touch him!”

The ponies faltered. Many trying to shove through the main entrance door stopped midway. The few ponies who came in slowed to a confused trot. Coming to a halt a few steps into the room.

Mordane stood, breathing harshly. His cut was burning as fresh blood seeped from the wound. He swayed on his hooves for a few moments before coming to look the headmaster back in the eyes.

The two stared at each other in silence. Unsaid words playing across their eyes.

“Sir…Mordane. Stronghoof,” the Pathfinder said softly. His voice cracking a little. “Alicorn…I will open the way for you,”

He started to trot toward the door, several ponies raising alarm at the declaration.

“Quite! It’s as I say…just…look at him. Really look at him. Those hooves are too large for a half breed. Those wings are too full. And I-, I have seen it. What he says is true.”

Disbelieving whispers filled the hallway as the stallion stepped up to the smooth wall before waving his hoof over a particular spot where the doors met.

A slot appeared into which he quickly inserted his horn.

White lines of light traced the door edge and after a moment it started to slide to the side.

“The way is cold, and dark. Most do not make it even halfway before finding themselves.”

“I’m going to the top,” Mordane replied, stepping forward. “This stone has much to answer for.”

But then he stopped. His eyes turning to the statue of Celestia, his ears folding back, with a snarl he turned and bucked.

No pony moved as the stone head tumbled across the room. Mordane turned and bucked again. Sending the second sister flying.

He did not even look back as he stepped through the slowly opening crack, into pitch blackness.





Blackwing, Lord of Aton, watched as the pony named Mordane trotted through the open gate. His eyes slightly wider than normal and breathing just a touch deeper.

His wife stepped up slowly, running her hoof along his fetlock. With a slight shake of his head the stallion pulled their colt closer as the guardians ran around in chaos.

“What do you think of him, my husband?” the mare whispered to him.

The stallion stood silent. Brow furrowed.

“He is only an unlanded lord with delusions of grandeur,” he said shakily. “But if he is ever more…we will have to act.”

Seeing that they were unattended, they quietly slipped out. With few noticing their passing. They were too busy sharing harsh whispers with their master.

“Pathfinder. How could you do this? Ever since Celestia herself the magical key has been passed down for generations. You have broken our sacred trust. The door is open.”

The old stallion continued to stare after Mordane until the last shades of color faded into the darkness before turning.

“I was blind. Now though it seems so obvious. Of course he was able to manipulate Luna’s spell at the Lunar Fortress,” he said, shaking his head. “After all, he is like them.

“Master. What are you saying…”

Turning from the door he seemed to consider for a moment before speaking.

“Reach out to the stonesmiths and open the treasury. We will have four new statues to replace the ones broken.”

“Four?” asked another, still confused.

“I will need to chronicle this. You, Swift Script, fetch a pen and parchment. I will need to record my revelation.” The pony addressed quickly bowed and scampered off. 

“Master, why four?” insisted the stallion again.

“Why four? What else? Mordane has seen fit to give me a vision. He has revealed the truth to my blind eyes. Yes, two for the sisters. Another for this, Twilight….and one for Mordane. It seems we were wrong. There are four alicorns.”





As Mordane walked his hoof steps echoed and rolled off the walls turning into a cacophony that seemed to reverberate even into his mind.

The aching ebbed and flowed away. Like a great weight being lifted off his shoulders. He stepped out of the tunnel into the secluded valley.

The sun barely peaked through the mountain crest but Mordane did not care. He trotted only a few paces to the side of the entrance and slipped down. His head bobbed and legs were heavy as darkness creeped in.

Fear was the only thing that kept him from immediately slipping away to sleep. Fear and fury. He pushed through the fog feeling as a bit of adrenaline entered his system.

Standing, he began to walk one shaking hoof at a time toward the Mountain.

“I’m not going to sleep. I’m coming.” he raged wordlessly, glaring up the incline.

Much to his surprise, the powerful pressure subsided. Leaving him swaying in the breeze.

Mordane focused his will. He fought and struggled as his perception sloshed in waves until he finally settled. He shook his head before glaring with hate.

Even so he noted the sudden change didn’t just affect his desire to sleep. The fog of his mind faded away. He gripped onto clarity like a drowning man with a raft.

For a moment he stilled again. He prepared to cast away the confusion. To force it down so he could focus and move forward. Slowly, like pushing through a deep snow Mordane sat one trembling firmly on the ground as he came to a stop.

He tightened his straps, checked his hoof shoes and water again.

Without looking up he began to walk. One hoof forward at a time. Before him the trees were nearly woven together blocking most of the light, leaving the ground drowned in a sea of shadow.

Every step felt heavier than the last. For an hour he stumbled forward. His mind slipped down into a slurry.

Old wounds began to ache, and leak.

His face burned like a hot iron. He walked feeling woozy and disoriented. His eyes were only partially looking around him.

The years of practice let him notice holes in his own thoughts. Places that it was sliding past and ignoring catches where things don’t make sense. Holes in his perception.

He stopped and focused on the root of a tree. Forcing his eyes on something that for an unknown reason he couldn’t make sense of.

It took time, piecing together the image in his mind and forcing the thought was like grasping at flys on a windy day. Eventually however, he was able to understand what he was seeing.

A colt, some fillies in the distance. Leaning on trees, next to bushes.

Their ears twitched in blissful slumber.

“How can this be? That pony seemed set against letting anyone in?” he thought, furrowing his brow. Trying to force his mind to work.

He blinked. Uncertain what to do.

He could see the twitch of the colt's ear and the wrinkling of his nose before suddenly he stood up, eyes still unopened.

“No, I have to go. My father- my father demands-” he stumbled off, barely able to stay on his hooves. 

Mordane watched as the colt shuffled slowly toward the Mountain.

As the colt disappeared beyond the foliage Mordane looked back down at the other two children before turning and walking.

An hour passed. Soon he found himself coming upon a great chasm.

He looked down. Squinting into the inky black. He vaguely tried to remember what the inside of the ridge had looked like from above but drew nothing. For all he knew the chasm was real.

Across could be seen a path up the Mountain. Winding behind a large rock.

Across the casim, a giant tree had fallen. And formed a makeshift bridge.

He looked at his wings, extending them he tried to take to the air just to confirm it wouldn’t work as he didn’t take off.

Sighing, he hopped up on the log, crushing the heckels rising on his neck as he walked across. 

Hoping off the end he frowned, taking a moment to glance at the strangely placed tree before shaking his head and moving on. He was close to the Mountain now. The trees were growing thicker. Despite the high noon sun the ground was thickely shaded, and barren.

He walked for hours through the forest. The ground is becoming dry. The air is musky.

He passed a crack in the trees. The sun, still at high noon. He looked back, suddenly unsure. Surely he had made it to the Mountain by now? Realization settled, his eyes widening as he saw a broken tree limb, much like the one he had cracked perhaps an hour before.

With nothing to do he could only press forward. Hoping he would make it soon.
Around that time though he heard something in the distance. A whisper.

By now the forest was completely changed. The craggy trees stretched clawing at the sky. The musk had given way to a foul stench of rot and ammonia.

The quiet broke more as the trunks moaned, shaking in a sudden wind.

Mordane was breathing hard through his mouth, so as to not smell the stench. The whipping trees seemed to grab at him.

“Why are you here?”

He felt a presence slip into his mind. Barriers needed to be raised, gritting his teeth, Mordane twisted his will like wrought iron gripping his soul. He was breathing deep ragged gasps. The pain throughout his body was intense enough he feared his teeth would crack.

Slowly, his soul detached, limiting the connection between his spirit, body, and mind.

However, the whispering only grew more intense, gripping into his mind.

He stomped forward, keeping his eyes locked in place. Shacky images played across his vision. Dark visions he dared not see.

“-ou scare me, Mort,” a half formed shadow of his brother seemed to say. “What kind of pony are you?”

“Don’t bother asking. I died and he wouldn’t tell me.”

Mordane stomped past Stalker, past his brother. His heartbeat thundering in his ears.

“What thing crawled into my womb? What has doomed the world with his hubris? His unwillingness to suffer and die for his own mistake.”

His eyes watered and a small whimper escaped at the words of his pony mother. His father stepped into form beside her.

“I taught you to be strong. To care for other ponies. How could you do this? Were we nothing to you?”

Mordane turned and galloped. Running through the now thick brush. The limbs snagging and tugging at him.

“We loved you,” a woman whispered. Her hands running along his snout. “But you never loved us back, right?”

He turned, seeing the mare and women of his life. Star Charmer stood to his right, her hoof tracing his eyes. Maria, his first love, laced her fingers with his mane.

“He let me die,” Star Charmer said.

“He crawled away into his little man cave,” Maria whispered. “Did you ever really love me? You promised me you would change. That you would leave and we would make the world a better place…”

Star Charmer’s hooves began to wrap around his neck. Maria grabbed his tail and mane.

“He thinks he knew me. Like he was the most important pony to me…that was always Sunburst! You killed my dream Mordane…John. You killed my dream. To free ponies from cruel fate. To make them the equal! Free from their talents! You left it buried in a cave!”

Mordane turned away, refusing to look Maria in the eye. Only to see a second mare trot up form the shadows.

“And what of me, Mordane?...am I just a mistake? Is the loyal and supplicant Trixe not enough for you? Are you going to kill me too?”

Mordane ran. A beam of burning lighting carving across his face, leaving a large wound.

He jolted away again, this time through a briar patch. The cuts in his skin swallowed by his now thick and rapid fur.

After a dozen feet he jumped into a clearing. Spinning, looking for a way out.

“…my son.”

Mordane froze. Slowly turning to face the three murky shadows. There he could see the outline of his old home's basement.

“…Fine. I’m done. I’m just…Done.” The tall man stepped away, his suit wrinkled. “Come Martha. He's gone.”

“John…” the woman weakly whispered, eyes looking back, red and watery.

“If you want to rot here! Then fine!” his father shouted. The loud slamming of the door. Echoing through the room.

The only thing he could think of was how large the bags under her eyes were.

“Drugs, she's on drugs.”

He turns back to his trains. Blocking out the visions. The growing dread.

“Boy.”

He freezes. The old man grabbing him by the shoulder.

“I’m…sorry. I couldn’t save you.” His hand shakes. “I wasn’t there enough. The things you have done…So many lives. Please stop. I don’t want to see this, not again.”

Mordane gripped his head.

He screwed his eyes shut.

“Stop it! STOP IT!”

His voice cracked, small burning beads pooling in his eyes.

And then it was gone.

He laid curled on the edge of a clearing. Pressed up against a cliffside shaking as he finally let the emotions crash over him.

Slowly the great storm began to settle, and soon he was able to open his eyes.

To the front of him was a cabin. Made from old stone. The roof was caved in and cracks raked up the wall.

Beside it stood a tree, its roots spilling into a glowing smear in the ground.

Mordane trotted forward slowly. His eyes squinted at the smear. Once close, and his eyes adjusted, he saw it was a small pond. 

The pond glowed with ethereal light. Its water seemed to ripple and move. The only sound coming from the small stream pouring out of the cliff face.

“What the hell?” he thought. He lifted his wings, letting the moist air flow through them. Feeling the magic like warm streams. Coming to stand over the edge he kicked in a rock, watching it slip beneath the water.

“…I think this is actual. Literal. Raw mana…in a pool.”

He shook. His lips snapping into a grin as he burst into laughter.

Gripping his stomach, his eyes teared up.

“This is impossible. Actually impossible. Magic doesn’t work like this! This is like…like finding a frozen pool of water in the desert.” He looked around, eyes wide. “Is the magic just that dense here? That it can take on a physical form naturally? That's insane. That-”

His eyes caught something sticking out of the tree's root. Drawing him closer he leaned down.

“Gem?”

From the tree limb a tiny vein of crystal could be seen. Transitioning from an outer shell of burnt wood.

“Mana burn? The limb is sticking out of the mana pool. Makes sense, the high energy must resolve into something. But why isn’t the whole pond going up? Why?…”

He stopped, and followed the limb up the tree. Then to the forest, before finally to the Mountain cliff.

Then to the sky, eyes widening as he remembered the great dreams of energy flowing toward the Mountain.

Shaking, he looked down. The ripples in the pond had grown still and for a moment he thought some truth was about to reach him.

And just before that moment, when he was most absorbed in his thoughts.

He was suddenly shoved in.





A smell that could barely be contained in the word putrid permeated the air. It saturated his skin and slipped like an unwanted tongue into his mouth. Laying its waste upon his taste buds. He would have gagged, he should have gagged, but this was something he had become used to. Something that had come to mean safety, solace, and freedom.

He ground his will on the gem. Pushing as best he could to not let any of the energy escape.

For a moment he considered his time under his new master. Biding his time as he pretended to be controlled. The sudden turn after he had learned enough. The blood pooling as he cut the decrepit fool's throat. A deep bloodlust welling up in his soul, mixed with glee and a deep manic will.

Mordane flicked his eyes to the soul jar, he reached out with this feeling. He pulled from the screaming mass of whirling energy. A hundred souls churned like butter, frothing in their agony.

Bring it close before breathing it into himself. The mass felt as a dull roar under the will to dominate. The will to control and master. Holding it in his vacant heart to savor the feeling as the mass submitted. Bound forever to himself. Before turning to blow it upon the gem's remains.

Soon the crystal powder began to glow, it's the small stone cracking, nearly melting as he blasted it with his soul's breath. Infused with raw energy of the souls.

Then went in the bone shards, the popping grew louder followed by the snapping of twigs as the bone cracked again and again, reducing them into powder.

“Good, it’s working perfectly,” he said in a gravelly voice.

Behind him a mare broke out into sobs that were muffled by a dirty rag and tinted by the dinging of chains binding her to the stone. The iron bands dug into her flesh leaving red welts. 

On her flank were three butterflies. Her pink hair stood out against the dark gloom.

Mordane turned, reached above her and grabbed a jar of his blood, already prepared. A small burst of concentrated fear magic pulled from the mare herself was poured into it. A fear he controlled and forged into ethereal chains which dug into her flesh and soul.

Taking the blood he slowly poured it into the gem and bone mixture, stirring it with a small wooden ladle until it formed a black bile.

He pulled down his hood. His horn stood tall and black with a green glowing tip.

Tugging the mouth binding off of Fluttershy he levitated the bowl before her.

“Drink.”

“M-Mordane,” she whispered through cracked lips. Her eyes locked with his. “Please don’t.”

“Drink,” he said more forcefully. She trembled. Seeming to try and retreat into herself before realizing again she couldn’t. His will suffused her mind. Forcing her to stay present and awake.

“Please Mordane. You were such a sweet colt,” she said, lip trembling. 

“Tell that to your Sun. To the Solar Princess,” he spat. “Did she not cast me out? Did she not send her oh so precious student to find me? Not at first of course. Only after the dozens of lowly guards fell to become my servants,” he sneered. “Pointless. How little she valued their lives.”

“Mordane,” she said, animating a bit more, “it’s the necromancer! He has corrupted you!”

Mordane laughed, a deep bellowing laugh.

“Corrupted me? Girl, when he came into my mind do you even have an inkling of what I did to him?” She sat silent, only slightly shaking her head. “I ATE him. I tore apart his soul and drained his mind. MY first taste of true power. In this world my powers were unlike on Earth. They have FORCE.” He reached out mentally, trying to connect to the mare. “My mind can practically LEAP out of…out of…”

Mordane stopped. He swayed in place. A sudden dizziness flooded over him.

“What am I doing?”

He looked down at the black bubbling bile. He knew what it would do. Somehow he knew how it would go into this mare. How it would hollow out her soul, making her body and mind something he could pour his will into. An Element, bent as a conduit for his power. Twisted and broken as an extension of his will. A corrupted kindness.

“Mordane?” she whimpered, hope sparking again. “I know there is good in you.”

Mordane looked into the mare's eyes. He could feel her subconscious push. His mind was spinning. Reeling. Trying to find some center.

“I was in the forest. In…the southern lands.” His head felt like cracking rocks. He looked down again at the bile. He needed it for some reason.

“Mordane…they, they will be here soon,” she whimpered. “Please, I don’t want you to get hurt. Let us help you.”

“Yes…that, that's right. I…need to do this. To fight them off.”

Twilight and the rest were coming. Even now he could feel them. Following behind a group of knights lead by Rainbow Dash.

“Mordane…It's okay to give in,” Fluttershy said through tears. “We are your friends. We love you.”

Mordane stared into her eyes, despite all that his memory was telling him. All that his rage boiled for her suffering.

This just was not him.

Slowly, he tilted the concoction and let it spill from the cup and onto the floor.

Fluttershy’s eyes slowly regained their warmth. She reached out to him. Her hooves catching on the chains.

Mordane, though, slipped into them. Shaking with a sob. He felt a numb aching.

“There there, it's okay.”

Mordane slowly smiled. Tears running down this face.

“I-I thought I’d do it. I thought I’d choose myself.” His eyes screwed shut. “I’m not a monster am I?”

“No, no, you are not. You’re just confused. We need you Mordane. We can help you,” she said, before turning to new sounds coming from the corridor.

Mordane stilled at Fluttershy's words. His eyes widened as he realized something.

“Mordane, let me up, hurry, I need to tell them-hmm”

Mordane stuffed Fluttershy’s mouth with the rag, tying it shut. His eyes, dull.

Her confused cries echoed as he turned to face the intruders. No elemental channel in hoof.

His magic was drained. The spellwork had taken all his energy.

“No…I won’t. This is not me. This is not something I would do. This disgusting perversion of the soul. I won’t be a monster…I’m not.” He looked down the hallway again. “But I won’t be a servant either. I’m my own master.”

He could hear the shouting of guards now in the room beyond, the two skeletons in the room with him started to animate, moving to the entrance as they prepared to meet the charging foes. “No way out,” he thought. Certain of what he must do. “But they will not take me alive.”

One of the guards came charging in swinging, but his blade was caught by the first skeletons while the next shoved its spear into his chest.

Gurgling, the guard let go of his blade, which was caught and tossed to Mordane’s waiting hooves.

Soon though, several more rushed in. Quickly dispatching his animations they formed a half circle.

“It’s over, necromancer. You're out of power. We command all the energy here,” spoke the purple clad captain coming in afterward. “Lower your weapon, brother.”

Mordane barely recognized him. He was an older full grown stallion now. His purple armor glinted with an unnatural light. Scanning the room, his eyes looking over at Fluttershy’s. Who slowly shook her head.

“What can I do…I’m just…just.” His eyes locked on the sword. A weapon he had never carried. “No. I know how to use it…I’ve trained with it.”

Struggling to hold onto the truth, Mordane slowly lifted up the sword, leveling it at the three guards in front of him.

“Give it up! Please!” shouted his brother. “I can’t call them off until you do.”

Mordane breathed in, his eyes hardening as he slid into the first form.

“Dear brother, you should have guessed that I had so much more in me. Feel my mark upon you!”

And he charged, his blade flashing, first with a tremble then stronger as he blocked blades. His memory of fighting with it overpowering the illusion as he parried, dove, and struck with the three. Reaching, he pulled at his earth pony magic and pushed with the unicorn. A blast of wind throwing three off as he skewered one.

“W-what?” his brother said, stumbling to his hooves. “How are you? How can you-”





Mordane blinked, breathing heavily as he jolted awake.

He sat up, adjusting his glasses. A mana spark flashing through the runes upon it.

“Are you alright, Mordane? Sleep well?”

Mordane could only focus on the loose strand hanging out of her pulled back mane. She certainly looked cute that way. 

“Looks like another one is trying to escape,” he chuckled, his horn glowing as he tucked a purple strand back in.

“Ugh, they always do that,” she said with a disgusted look.

“Truly unbecoming of a princess, Twilight.”

She laughed. Lightly, smiling behind a raised hoof.

“Stop it. I’m not a princess here and you are not a prince. This is the royal library after all.”

Mordane raised a single eyebrow.

“Please explain how that makes the least amount of sense.”

Twilight shook her head. Floating over a book from a nearby stack.

“We are not in the public eye. That's the point of a royal library. Here there are only us equals.” She grinned. “And all this forbidden knowledge, woo~.”

Mordane smiled, leaning back in his chair and he adjusted his robe. Beneath one could see a mark. A quill, wrapped out and around a book held in a human hand.

“Now that. That is why there is a picture of a dear Celestia on the cover of another newspaper. Pecan this time?” he asked, pushing back to balance on one chair leg with a hoof.

“Perhaps strawberries. Hmm, makes me wonder. Wasn’t there a surplus in that market this year? I’m sure the canterlot elite will gobble that up now.”

“Mordane,” she said furrowing her brow and using a waring tone. 

“I know. I know. She is doing her best,” he replied with a waving hoof. “Still, she could try to be a little more subtle.”

“She is being subtle…If what you're seeing is true at all with your ape brain.” She teleported across from him to look into his eyes. “Look, I know that your human history was…strict on rulers, but Celestia has been in power for over a thousand years. It's not right to overlook that just because of a bit of cake,” she pleaded. “You promised you’d let up.”

Mordane snorted, rolling his eyes and getting up to look away, but the mare pursued him.

“You have been making a lot of progress. Pinkie has forgiven you and I hear Sweetie Belle and you have been getting to know each other very well.” Mordane made gagging noises causing Twilight to giggle. “Even Celestia has forgiven you for lying and having to talk you down from that ill timed teleportation spell. The technology you have brought to Equestria will save countless lives. With it we can bridge the great divide. Bring peace. Luna is still singing your praises for how you handled the Diamond Dog War.”

Mordane said nothing, staring at the book on Necromancy.

“So you can let up.” She snorted, “Horseland can take care of itself without the big bad monkey man's help.”

The two broke out into a full guffaw. Floating over two glasses she poured from a bottle of wine.

“Yes, I suppose you're right,” he replied. “These books are amazing and…well she has been kind to me. Giving enough space to live.”

Then a shadow seemed to fall over him. “It's just that- that…”

Mordane stopped. His hoof hovering as he reached for another book.

“What is it?” Twilight asked, stopping what she was working on.

“No…no, I can’t allow this. I can’t accept this. I could have never accepted this!”

He turned suddenly, eyes darting around the room. 

Twilight's eyes widened slightly, before she suddenly trotted up to him.

“Are you okay? Are you panicking again! Please calm down. I’m here for you.”

Mordane swayed as Twilight embraced him. Her hooves wrapped around his barrel tight enough he could feel her heartbeat blaring away.

For a moment he wanted to fold into those hooves. Forget his concern. Go back to the table. To the books.

His thoughts snapped. His heart beat firmly.

“No. I’m…Alright. I’m fine!” He smiled. “Just a little shock. A little flashback from my time as a human.” The lies rolled off his tongue easily. The symbol on his flank flashing imperceptibly as he did so. He felt a strong unnatural desire to stay, to tell Twilight what he was feeling…to just let go and follow his destiny.

He shakingly pushed her away.

“I’ll be heading out.”

“Okay…” she replied, loosening her hug. “You sure?”

“Y-Yeah.” He smiled, slowly turning and purposefully walking away. He could feel the need to head back. To keep up his studies. It was who he was.

“Be safe!” Twilight shouted.

“I will!”

Mordane opened the door.

White fur, wings outstretched.

Her eyes bored down on him. Looking right through. He knew what she was here for. She must have known. Harmony must have warned her what he was about to do.

Mordane didn’t even hesitate. His horn charged.





“Now where am I?”

Mordane visually swept where he was as he took a mental check. He knew who he was. The forest. The illusions.

“Mordane?” a scared voice called out. Desperation evident in it.

Mordane started. Recognizing it.

“No…it can’t be real. Ignore it.”

He focused, trying to pull together his sense of self, blasted as it was by the spell he was under.

“Please! I’m slipping! Mordane!”

He calmly scanned the featureless landscape. Ignoring the voice.

“You’ve been dead for years,” Mordane replied coldly.

“W-What!? Mordane! I’m not- I don’t know how but I’m-” he heard the sound of rocks tumbling down a cliff face. “I’m here! I’m alive!”

Seeing nothing he trotted toward the voice in the mists. Looking for some way out and mentally pulling himself together.

Soon the featureless landscape gave way to uneven stone. The scattering of moss quickly gave way to a stream, then a cliff.

“Mordane!”

Slowly he walked to the edge. The hair on his neck stiffening to bristles.

“…Star Charmer.”

The mare was hanging on by a hoof. Her lower legs scraping uselessly against the cliff edge.

“Mordane! Help me!”

His eyes trailed her. The purple fur. The clashing cyan blue in purple. The slight off shade in between the two stripes.

Her deep dark purple blue eyes.

Slowly the nagging memory jumped up. The image of her not long but oh so very long ago.

“…Starlight Glimmer?” he murmured.

The mare froze for a moment, her eyes widening.

“How…Yes, please Mordane. I would have told you if... If...”

“If we had time,” Mordane’s voice cracked.

Suddenly the stone she was holding onto started to slip. Before he knew what he was doing he had dived to catch her. Wrapping his front hooves around hers and scooping into the dirt with his wings. Pulling war magic through them.

There was essentially no power in this realm. He barely had the magical strength to bulge the earth before taping out.

Grunting, he tried to pull her back. “Hold on!”

She struggled, her horn sparking uselessly for a few moments. Before suddenly stopping.

“What are you doing! Come up!”

“I…Mordane, you’re slipping. Don’t fall with me!”

“Keep fighting!” he shouted. His eyes wide.

“Mordane…you have to let me go.”

“I can’t do that! I don’t care if you're an illusion. I can’t,” he sobbed, his eyes now bloodshot and teary. “Not like this.”

“Please,” she whimpered as Mordane was slowly pulled forward, his right wing nearing the edge.

“Is this a cruel joke? Your face, your hair. Your eyes. Am I supposed to just let you fall!?”

“You have to let me go,” she whispered again. Looking him in the eyes. “Please.”

Mordane sobbed. Her as well.

She tried to pull away, but Mordane only held on tighter.

“Please…before we fall. Please just call me by my real name.”

“I loved you, Starlight Glimmer, and I always will.”

His wing slipped.





Mordane scribbled on his paper. Ruffling his wings.

He hoofed it over to the attendant, not looking up to see as he trotted out.

Mordane blinked, shrugging off the mental suggestion again, but grabbed onto the information implanted for this illusion.

He covered his face with his hoof. Trembling he shook with a sob before drawing a shaking breath.

“Starlight, I’m sorry. It seems I’m an idiot after all.” He shook his head pushing away the irrational feelings. He tried to push them down. Ignore them. But like before he was unable.

Instead, he was forced to draw his attention completely to the moment.

“I am the servant of…Ice Wing. That pony? He frowned remembering something that just didn’t fit. “In The Lunar fortress I surrendered after Stalker died…”

The thought replied to him but he pressed on.

“In chains I was taken in by the Rina government. Where I was tried…but ultimately declared his lor- Ice Wing’s servant. From there I recovered…made friends…enemies. Gained enemies…and now…”

He looked down at his note. The number forty two in the ledger book followed by a slash.

“…shit. His brother.”

The throbbing headache he remembered being normal suddenly came back in force.

He had already given the order. It was a hail mary. A last ditch effort to not have himself dragged off to some magicians lab. Ice Wing’s brother had ambitions.

He heard a sitting behind him, and from the tone he knew immediately who had violated his private quarters. 

“It’s hard to keep that balance.”

Mordane grit his teeth, turning to look at Sugar.

“You have done well. To hide your power, to pay the right ponies, to kill the right ponies…To pay me, in fact.”

Mordane nodded.

“Of course, Sugar, it has been good to work with you.”

She smiled. Mordane returned it while floating over a coffee cup.

In that moment she dashed at him, knife drawn.

Mordane’s spell of teleportation flashed to life, ripping the mare back to where she had been standing.

He pulled on the latent magic and pulled the water from a plant nearby into daggers. Only to stumble as he tried to dodge the now bleeding mare who had kicked off the wall to scream right back at him.

Her knife bit in and it hurt, cutting just below the eye.

But this time, the blade stuck deeper, gouging a chunk out of his face.

However, he roared and as his horn came into alignment he cast a spell of rot point blank on her heart.

Sugar stumbled. Shock played across her face, before settling on a smile.

On Mordane’s desk, an alarm went off. The detection of necromancy sending a signal to its owner. The one that had expressly forbidden him from using it.

“Looks like you are gonna die here…looks like I win,” she wheezed.

“…I still don’t get it,” Mordane replied. “Why do you hate me Sugar…I’m not the one that killed Stalker.”

Her eyes widened again. Before setting down as the light began to fade from them.

“Of course you...did. He followed you. Just like your army. Just like Star Charmer…just. Like…me.” She shuddered and fell silent, sliding to the floor.

Mordane opened his mouth. Tried to give an answer, a witty retort. Something to cover up a growing sense of realization.

“…Yes. It was me. It's all been me.”

Then, his collar blew.





“John.”

Mordane ignored the women. His thoughts dwelling on the last few illusions.

He didn’t care what this lesson would be. He didn’t want to think as he tried to settle on something. To understand the deep shift he couldn’t put into words.

“John!”

Mordane looked up, slowly.

At first he didn’t recognize what he was seeing, but then his cerebrum nearly jumped out of his skull.

A human woman.

Fiery red hair, highlights of yellow. The lady wore a dress suit that screamed professionalism. The kind of malignant bureaucratic skill.

The woman leaned forward, her eyes widening slightly.

“John. Can you hear me?”

“…yes,” his voice cracked, feebly coming from his lips. He reached up covering his mouth, surprised at the sound.

Then feeling his fingers.

Slowly. His eyes hardened.

“This is not real,” he practically growled.

“Please, John…I’m not here to argue with you what is real and what is not,” she said in an even tone.

“Of course not. To argue such a thing would be the height of semantics.” He rolled his eyes, looking around the stale room.

The walls were covered on all sides in marker boards. The surfaces of which were absolutely covered with drawings.

Unicorns stood on mountain tops, pegusi among the clouds, and earth ponies below.

A large map of Equestria, both North and South, filled one corner while on the other had a series of symbols he recognized as spatial and reconstitution runes.

Looking back he practically skewered the woman with his eyes.

“So. I suppose you're going to tell me none of it was real. That Equestria, Star Charmer, Stalker, Trixie, even Mordane. are all just figments of my mind.”

“No. No, I would never say that,” the woman quickly replied, leaning forward to lay a hand on his knee. “In a sense, they are very real.”

“Don’t patronize me. Either you believe them to be real or not.”

She sat silent. Seemingly unsure of how to continue.

Mordane sighed, rubbing the back of his hand against his eye.

“In that case…what would you say that they are then. Independent of my perception of them.”

“I believe…that they are constructs of different parts of your past and psyche.”

Mordane sat quietly for a moment. Chewing on what the woman was saying before spitting it back into her face.

“This is a magnificent illusion. Truly like nothing I’ve ever seen or heard of before. Unfortunately you won’t be able to maintain it for long. I’m already consolidating my mind. Soon I’ll have the mental strength to break through and seize total control of my perception.”

The woman shifted back, seeming to take careful consideration of her response.

“Tell me about your Grandfather.”

Mordane stilled.

“My Grandfather?”

“Yes…how he died.” She pulled up her clipboard. “Your fiance as well.”

“She wasn’t my fiance.”

“Oh I disagree,” she replied curtly. “You seem to care about her a lot. So much so you’ve duplicated her thrice in your story-”

“Don’t,” Mordane growled.

The woman straightened her back, raising her chin.

“This world you’ve created…by my perception. Seems very well tailored for you. The battle, the excuses. In it you are perhaps one of the most important of these ponies that exist. Whole nations move to deal with your passing. Great battles are turned on your decisions.” She gave a bitter smile, “And not only that, this greatness comes naturally. You simply know what others don’t. You can see what others can’t. Your right to rule is not only the best option, it’s divine! A born right to rule.”

Mordane glared at her. His face flushing as he suddenly felt vulnerable. Like someone had come and pulled away all his clothing suddenly, then stretched him out to bake in the sun.

“What I’m saying, John, is that this is an unhealthy selfish fantasy. You are given this power. The world breaks and bends over to help you, and you don’t have to take responsibility for it. For your actions. For these ponies that you have killed. When the consequences finally catch up to you what do you do? You run.”

She touches his shoulder, looking sadly into his eyes.

“You blame Celestia, you blame Twilight, you blame the Stalker family, and now you blame the world. But you can’t run from your problems, Mordane. Because you are the one causing them.”

Mordane sat trembling. His control shattered again.

He shook as he tried to respond. His mind blanked as it was filled with a deep unsettling horror.

“You caused the death of your fiance and your Grandfather. You have to accept that.”

Mordane shook.

“I-I,” he croaked.

“Fine. Let's say that this is no fantasy. Let's say that Horseland-”

“Equestria,” he whimpered

“If Equestria is real…” She lowered her voice, “What do you think would have happened when your parents found your rotting body?”

His body shook as he covered his ears. Eyes screwed shut.

“Who else would come to check up on you once a week? You know she begged you not to leave. And warned you what would happen to her if you took your own life.”

Mordane couldn’t breathe. His own hand gripped his throat. The nails biting into his skin.

“You never had a good relationship with your parents. Save in this story. But those aren't the people that created you.”

She shook her head.

“You ran from your dead lover, then your dead Grandfather, then your parents.” She gestured to the wall. “Even then. Never taking responsibility. You run and run until you can run no more. Now you’ve stumbled into here.”

She gestured to the cell.

“Everyone wants to be special Mordane…Everyone wants to live a worthy life. To be the master of their own destiny. But there is a price to everything. Living hurts others and dying as well. You cannot escape the tyranny of choice.” She grabbed him by the shoulders.

The shaking man looked through his parted fingers.

“Doing nothing is a choice. You cannot run from yourself or its consequences. You must embrace it. Destiny is not a chain around the neck. It is many moments made manifest through time. It is a thousand uncertain interactions made certain by who you are now, by who you choose to be.”

She pulled down his hands, exposing his face.

“It's time to stop this fantasy. It's time to take responsibility. It's time to make your true destiny.” She smiled. “It's time to accept that no one is better without you.”

Trembling, Mordane slowly loosened the grip on his throat and in the faintest whimper he asked.

“But…how?”

The woman rubbed his ear, folding it between her fingers.

He reached up with his now hoof to touch her hand.

She smiled and booped him on his snout. A powerful shock rushing through his body and settling at the base of his horn.

Letting him go, his hooves clop to the chair as she stands and walks to the door. He watches with moist eyes.

Her hand grips the door handle before she looks back.

“Climb my crumbling sides. Scale against wind and cold. Reach for where earth meets sky. There we will unify Earth and Hoof. There we will find out together.” She stood up and walked to the door before turning. 

“Find me on the top of my horn.”
> Peace Maker
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

A gleaming spire of mirror-smooth crystal stretched toward an artificial sky, and beneath it, a thousand gleaming crystal ponies roamed about their day. The echoes of laughter, salty tears, and sporadic music rang along the hard surfaces, forming a song of life and love.

A mother gently cut off sandwich crusts and snipped flower stems, arranging her daughter's lunch just as she liked. A husband turned to give his wife a long hug and kiss while running late for work. Friends chased, taunted each other, and fought in the small streets, faces grinning all the while. An old couple closed their front door before trotting off to their flower cultivators' meeting, their marks pressed together.

Friends, lovers, mothers, fathers, and children all swirling about in a harmony of connections. Love, in Cadence's humble opinion, was the beating heart of her kingdom.

And the focus of that love was the crystal heart.

In her castle, Cadence sat upon her crystal throne. The rooms seemed to almost breathe with light; Great streams flowed faintly in the crystal. To those with patience, it was possible to follow lines of love's power to the crystal heart where it pooled.

From that pool, a river flowed up the tower and to the throne, to the barrier which drew up moisture, and concentrated light and heat. Creating an environment for the ponies to live as the energy was expanded into the interior space.

There it would circle again, renewing its strength as it worked to keep all the ponies warm and fit. It filled her with warmth, love, family, and a sense of belonging.

Her kingdom, a pocket of life in the freezing wasteland. A sense of place, of peace, home.

It was at times like this she needed that feeling more than ever.

"My family has lived on that soil for over a thousand moons, a thousand years ago! We have farmed crystal berries there since before the founding of the Empire! Our nectar has been served on your very table, Empress—"

The green maned mare shouted, her eyes tipped with tears. Her name was Berry Shine. A long-rooted family of the empire and friend of the court.

"Princess," Shining cut in, glaring down at the pony.

"Yes, well… I'm just not used to the new title. I meant no disrespect."

The small mare gave a quick bow, making a little bell in her hair jingle as she did. Cadence's eye glanced to see the crystal berries there, her heart clenching as it stood as a reminder of what was a stake to the mare. Even using herself as an advertisement for the quality of her products.

"Let us get back to the matter at hoof," Cadence softly spoke, leaning forward, "Celestia."

"Present!" Celestia smiled, sitting on the left side of the rug. Beside her stood an Equestrian maid balancing a platter on her back that held a cup of tea. "Oh! Thank you." Celestia floated the cup from the tray with her magic, careful not to spill any.

"Celestia," Cadence leaned back in her chair stiffly, "thank you for coming. It is my understanding that you are here… As the CEO of the Celestia Royal Railroad, correct?"

"Yes," Celestia chuckled with a small smile, taking a sip.

"And you have filed the appropriate paperwork. Waited the allotted time. Paid the appropriate fees as the treaty demands. Twice the market rate, as I understand."

"Yes," Celestia looked down, ears drooping slightly.

Cadence breathed in, letting that feeling of peace and belonging flow through her as she considered things for a moment. After a few moments, she glanced down at the mare petitioning her. "My little pony, Berry Shine. I understand your argument. Your family HAS served the Empire well."

The mare smiled, her ears perking up. A flicker of hope in her eyes.

"Which is why I'm asking you to do so again. I don't want to take this land from you, but it would be for the good of the Empire. Without this new train line, how will we be able to reclaim the waste from the cold of Sombra? Do we not need a connection to Yakyakistanto to purchase their wool? Without the line to Griffonstone, how are we to sell them our gems and jam? Please… For the good of the Empire…" she looked the mare in the eyes, pleading with her to accept. Even now, she could feel the connection with her through the heart. Her love of the Empire was great, maybe even blinding in the past. Now though, that love wavered. Shaking as a candle in a great gust of wind.

"Princess Cadence," she pleaded shakingly in a low tone, "that land belongs to mine. You are sworn as my liege. Have you not found mine tribute in order? Have our vows ceased to echo? Do the ancient rights of my family mean nothing?! WHAT OF THE HEART?!"

Cadence stiffened, wishing she had a copy of these supposed rights again. Apparently, writing things down a thousand years ago was not in fashion. It was a simple thing, but it meant the world to the crystal ponies. No, it is more to say it was the world to them.

From it, she derived authority and the magical law binding her to the heart. A contract of protection and security. As Celestia had cooed to her as a little filly, it was something to be envied, a physical representation of the social contract, worked into the very fabric of the crystal ponies' lives and flesh. Born out of time unmeasurable.

"...Indeed. Your rights do have meaning in this court, and I have a duty to uphold them. But, I have an even greater duty, a duty to the Empire as a whole." She thrust her hoof into the air, cutting off the mare. "After consideration, I have decided to grant the land request. For the good of the Empire."

Berry Shine's connection in the fabric began to tremble even more, reflecting the burning rage pouring from her eyes.

"How can ceding land to- to a company be for the good of the Empire? It undermines everything that it has stood for since time immemorial! Eminent domain," she spat on the ground, glaring up at Cadence's frown, "no such law has ever existed since before you. It is not the proper law of any Empress. How can we maintain the heart if our promises can be so undermined?"

"Princess," Shining snapped, his brow furrowing. "That is the second warning."

“Princess,” She spat again.” Maybe I should just call her queen if she is going to act like Sombra!"

The guards shifted, their spears scraping slightly against the stone as they prepared to charge Berry Shine's. However, before they could, Celestia turned and looked down at her. "If she was like Sombra, as you say, then you would not be still standing and speaking so easily."

"Don't you say anything! An equestrian princess has no right to be here! No right to say anything! Only an Empress! Only one of the Empire!"

She stomped around Celestia, looking her up and down like a piece of driftwood found on the side of the road. Celestia's ears wilted, her gaze falling into her cup.

"What? Do you think I won't say anything to you, Daybreaker? Queen of Equestria? Jumpstart, daughter of a Southern Duke? Equestrians may have forgotten, but we remember. The Empire fought your Combined Equestrian Forces many times. Each time you were driven back! To unify ponykind, you said, and unify you did. A bloody warpath. So great was your thirst for power you even raised yourself above your sister. Kinslayer!" She roared, shoving a hoof accusingly at the alicorn. "I've read the papers. They now say you banished her to the moon, just as you banished us! You never could take us, given time we would have dealt with Sombra and then have pushed south, driving you from the lands you—"

"ENOUGH!" Cadence slammed her hoof onto the crystal throne with a reverberating boom. The whole room froze as ripples of light cascaded down from where her hoof struck. Playing all over the room until flowing up through Berry Shine's hooves.

 "Lady Shine. Have you forgotten I am an Equestrian princess? Do you think that I do not have the right to speak here?"

She turned, her eyes locked with Cadence, and at that moment, she felt something in Berry Shine snap. Her connection to the heart broke, and just like that, a dullness came over her mane, the shine leaving her eyes along with her vitality.

She swayed for a moment but recovered and glared at Cadence with fiery tears in her eyes.

"The only pony that deserves to sit in that chair is an empress… I thought you would be it. An alicorn, the first to sit on the Empire's throne. A force that could match her. I thought it was your destiny." She choked and sat down, tears falling to the floor. "But you're just an Equestrian Princess… The Empire is lost. Gone. Gone like Crystal cove, Radialoft, Oven Hien…Like so many. Dead, then swallowed by the snow."

She turned and walked out of the throne room with slow steps.

Cadence wanted to run after her, to embrace her. Insist she was their Empress first, that what she said was wrong, but the connection told her faithful. This mare would never forgive her.

The reverberations of her leaving rippled through the crystal connection like an icy wave. Her words were given the weight of a mountain. Crystal ponies needed the heart's connection; it was a part of them. Without it, the pony would begin to age and fade and slowly waste away.

Cadence knew she would feel the shockwaves of this throughout the empire over the next few days. Nothing could be a stronger condemnation of her rule.

"Court… Is adjourned."

The courts broke, the guards moved to the exit, and Celestia rose from her chair.

Cadence turned to Shining, mouth open to say what she was feeling, but he had already started down the steps to speak with Celestia.

He thanked her for taking the time to come for such a small matter as he practically beamed at her apologizing for speaking out of turn in the court.

As Cadence stepped up beside him. It struck her again with what she knew. Shining loved her, but he adored Celestia.

The hours slipped by as meeting after meeting ground by. For such a small kingdom, there was more than enough of it to grind the whole place to a halt if she didn't constantly grease the wheels. Despite her constant efforts, the consulate always found more to inquire about and give her insight into.

That evening Cadence found herself sitting on the dining hall patio with Celestia, sampling a collection of Crystal Empire and Equestrian dishes and drinking quietly.

“Do you enjoy the Manehattan souffle? I've heard it's divine." Celestia sputtered between inhaling a few more sweets.

"Of course it is. Didn't it get invented a few hundred years ago and introduced at a gala?"

"Was it? I don't remember. Those galas really run together," Celestia floated a puff treat into her mouth.

Cadence giggled, floating up one for herself. "I love those as well. Shame the cream is rising in price…."

"Well, perhaps if the Empire made room for a few cows…Shining seems tired of thanking me for the special shipments."

Cadence shook her head, frowning slightly, "You know as well as I that there isn't enough land for that yet. Every single meter is accounted for, and what isn't growing crops or being lived on is resting for next year. I literally have nowhere to give them and no grassland for them to graze."

Celestia sighed, shaking her head. "Careful Cadence, your Empire is getting a reputation for xenophobia, you know."

"I know," Cadence massaged her temple. "But this is not Equestria. The Empire is founded on the heart and its binding magic. It's in that they trust… And the bovines can't join. The magic was never made for them."

Celestia said nothing, simply swirling her cup as she looked into it. Cadence sat forward, leaning over to her mentor.

"I agree with Equestria. I do! Harmony is the correct path, not order. Defining who can join the social contract so narrowly is a holdover from the early Empire. It's not something I can change, not yet. That would take every single pony in the Empire to agree… And a mage who is skilled in such magic."

"Seven thousand years," Celestia said. "Seven thousand years of history. This contract… If the Empire was not so declined, I believe many would see it as the model of civilization."

Cadence looked out over the lights of the nighttime crystal empire. The small market district still had a few lights burning bright in the windows of its buildings.

"It's hard to believe though, That this used to be a true empire. But you remember that, don't you." Cadence looked off into the distance, not really expecting a response.

"I do." Celestia quietly placed down her drink after a few moments. "It was… Long ago, before Equestria, before the fires of friendship were lit. It was when Star Swirl was young. But even then, the Empire was in decline. That was a thousand moon— No. It would be better to say it was about one thousand four hundred years ago. Near when I was first born."

She looked off into the distance, her eyes growing foggy as she saw things no mortal could see or dream of. Cadence's breath seized in her chest. Aunty Celestia never spoke about the far past. She joked that it made her seem like an old mare, but Cadence thought it might be so she wouldn't ramble.

"Our ponies had arrived on this new continent but one generation before. The cold had driven our nations away from the continent of Almera… A vibrant, magical land over the southern ocean, from what I was told… Or is it called the frozen ocean now? Even the southern ocean is wrong. It used to be called the vibrant strait in eons before I was born." Celestia swayed a bit as if physically searching through a vast library of memory. " Back then, the tribes were still divided, fighting was common. Princess Platinum and her City of Herridon, Chancellor Prudence and the city of Toe," She smiled as the memories played out in her mind. "Pudding Head was what commander Hurricane called him. The two hated each other, and of course since Commander Hurricane's Cloudsdale still exists..."

"Cloudsdale is that old?" Cadence asked softly, pretending to not be that interested, trying to draw out even more as she had subtly activated a precast recording spell rune.

"Even I don't know how old the city of Cloudale is… But I can confidently say it is the oldest city in the world. Even this one was made later. Little Garnet, I believe they called it. A trade city at a crossroads… Still, it is the whole of the Empire now, and even so, it is shielded from the cursed snow." Celestia started off into the distance, her regal air falling away as her wings sat limp behind her. She tightened her jaw, and for a moment Cadence saw a flash of anger in her eyes only to quickly fade and be replaced with a bit of moisture.

"I was a little more," she paused, looking for the right word, " fiery back then. After receiving my mark, I mean. I was such a silly filly back then. My father had been sick you see. Discord had taken on the rot after a skirmish with the Empire. The Equestrian alliance was in shambles, with no help for the Northern Lords…Discord's return had ripped us apart…but it was the Empire who truly suffered when we defeated him. The chaos destroyed so much of the Empire's ponies' faith in their contract. Their crystals could no longer hold back the cold... I had to repel the Empire lines again and again as they desperately tried to claim Equestrian land. Only to invade north in return, still desperate we were for land of our own…so few remained afterward. That unified the Northern Lords under our banner….and a few years later Equestria Kingdom was founded, Our father the king… I was a national hero, a powerful ruler..but my father did not live long after…."

She bowed her head, her eyes seeming to desperately look for something.

"Discord sowed Chaos into the Empire's system of perfect order. He had to support its existence with his power…Even then, he was no killer. But with him gone... and their hearts were already broken. The snow crept over the Empire; their perfect order wavered. Its system, so rigid, could not survive its most basic building block being unsettled. Its contract, which chained it together, acted to pull the whole with the part into the abyss. The enhancement of the barriers, the fortifying of the population, and as the cold encroached, so did fear. Their hearts began to waver one by one, and as they went out, millions were plunged into the cold."

She shook her head, coming out of a daze.

"Oh, please make a room available," Celestia said flatly. "I've sent for Griffon representatives through my contacts. I'll clear the last hurdle for the rest of this rail line, don't you worry. The Empire will reclaim some of its lands. That much is required."

Cadence tsked, her horn sealing the recording spell for later review and duplication.

"Like I'd stop you, if you would just ask." Cadence exhaled sharply. "Why can't you and Shining be more careful?"

"Hmm?" Celestia turned, looking Cadence in the eye, who flushed suddenly, realizing what she had just said. "I'm sorry, that was inconsiderate of me. If I should ask, it's in your best interest, but this is your kingdom. I meant no offense."

"It's okay. I—no, that was stupid," Cadence mumbled, her cheeks cooling off. Celestia sat up as well, her wings opening as she looked into Cadence's eyes. That loving motherly bond thrumming between them.

"No! It was honest. Tell me, Cadence, what's wrong? What was that about Shining?"

Cadence sat quietly for a few moments, looking out over the city before mentally cursing herself and turning back to face Celestia.

"After the hearing. When that mare was cut from the heart. I felt terrible. But Shining didn't seem to notice. How you asked for that reminds me of it." She snorted suddenly, smiling. "I'm sorry, that is silly of me. I love Shining, and I know he loves me."

She paused for a moment before her eyes widened slightly.

"And I've done worse to you! The things that mare said. I knew many of the Empire didn't like you, but the things he said…." Cadence covered her mouth. "Why would you come here knowing something like that could be waiting for you? Those exaggerated insults… You must have not heard them for a thousand years."

"Exaggerations, but…" Celestia hung her head, "the core is true nevertheless. I did declare myself Queen. I led armies against the Empire and conquered the east and west, bringing much of modern Equestria into the fold."

The two mares sat in since for a few moments. A cool breeze ruffled their hair.

"Oh Celestia… I know you've changed. That was a thousand years ago. You were young, brash, and Equestria was in chaos. You unified the Equestrian alliance into the Equestrian Republic with your actions!"

Celestia sat up a little more, her mask sliding back into place, returning the distant mentor Cadence knew and hated to see.

"Thank you, dear. I know that, but how can the citizens from that time understand? I ripped two vassal states from the Empire. They won't forget that." She touched her cheek. "That's why I came, to give them a chance to face me. It seemed… Right."

Cadence stood up and rushed over to give Celestia a hug. They sat together, pressed close to one another for a minute before Cadence spoke again.

"And the… Other reason you came?"

"What?" Celestia asked, looking at Cadence with wide eyes. "What do you mean?"

"The other reason. You are sweet, Celestia, but you're a ruler first. The negotiation, the mare, both of these could be done by your aides."

Celestia sat quietly for a moment before smiling. "You're learning,"

"If you want your lies to stick," Cadence softly whispered, "Always lie with the truth."

"So I did. Now come Cadence. It should be obvious."

Cadence turned her head away from Celestia, thinking, before shaking it and looking back at her. "No, it isn't. What is it?"

Celestia looked her in the eye for a moment before tilting her head. "I've not been getting as many letters from you recently. Twilight, I can understand, young mares need to get out and… spread their wings. Especially when they have a relationship like Twilight and I do. But you? Dear, we are well past that phase. Tell me what's wrong."

"What? I'm just busy. I've not been avoiding you. You know that with the baby and the coming trade, I've been—" She stopped and turned to Celestia. Her worry turned to irritation. "You DO know that. Don't lie to me. You know I'm just busy."

Celestia smiled, covering her mouth. "You just get so flustered. But I wasn't lying. I was telling the truth… With the roundabout way of a lie."

"So… Telling the truth with a lie?"

"Best policy," Celestia said.

"Agh!" Cadence groaned, standing up and moving to the railing before turning and shouting. "Why can't you just be straight with me?!"

Celestia sat still. Her smile slowly faded as she looked into Cadence's eyes. After a full minute of silence, she answered. "All right… I'll be straight with you. Let's see if you can take the truth when it is given."

She breathed deep and set down her cup of tea before standing, her back straight as she looked down at the smaller alicorn.

"I am here to ask Shining Armor for a favor… I need to track Twilight. To make sure she is safe. I want to use a spell to track her magic signature, but I don't have any on hoof. Shining is close enough to her though. Combined with my familiarity with Twilight's magic, I should be able to use it to locate her."

"...Why would you need to locate her? Didn't you announce that you had sent her on this mission to find Mordane?"

The silence stretched on for a moment as Celestia stood up, trotting to the railing.

"I did…But that was a lie. Twilight left on her own after commandeering a blimp. I forged the story so the newly formed Equestrian Aliarchy would not seem to be already losing cohesion."

Cadence tsked, her face twisting in disgust. "This is why I couldn't stay part of Equestria, Celestia! I would never lie to my subjects like that."

"Sometimes, for rulers, lies are necessary."

"Not here, not in the Empire." She glared at Celestia for a moment before relenting, her eyes going soft. "Why can't you just be honest with us, Celestia?"

Celestia continued staring into Cadence's eyes for a few moments before she puffed up her cheeks and pointed her nose to the sky. "Well, I am more honest than anypony! I always tell the truth, even when I lie! Besides—" her cheeks reddened. "—I never was the bearer of the element of Honesty anyway."

The dinner returned to pleasant company and petty talks for the rest of the evening before Cadence dismissed herself, promising to make more time before Celestia had to leave. Thirty minutes later, Cadence was tucked tight in her bed, hair tied up from the shower as she waited for Shining.

 "Of love, my dear, most true, of love is what I speak. For my heart burns with passion, and my mind turns with glanced visions of you. What drug, what curse, what vile seduction have you wrought on me?" Braveheart turned back, grasping Marygold's hooves. "No! No, not a curse, a blessing. A graven image sent on heralds wing by Cadences holy blessing bearing her godly countenance—" 

Cadence spat her coca across the room, her eyes bugging out as her face flushed red.

She glanced at the book's title again, 'A Becker's Romance'.

 "Oh Stars! This author is bold! Celestia and Luna I understand this being in a post-Equestria future , but why do they have me, Twilight, and Flurry as gods! What could I have possibly done to become part of the same level in a pantheon?!" 

She looked down and blushed again after reading the line. While she did consider herself beautiful, goddess level she did not reach. Nor would she dare to. She had stomped that right out after the Empire's refounding brought up a few cults.

As she placed the book down, she swallowed, the lump in her chest jumping up again. She sighed and floated up her pillow to fluff. Then quickly straightened out of her bed as a yawn echoed down the hall as Shining approached the room.

"Shining, dear! How was your day?"

"It was average. There was a dispute about the quality of imported goods on the train." His head hung slightly as he stepped into the door.

Cadence shook her head before giving a small smile. "Thank you, Shining."

Shining floated his armor to the nearby stand, Shining and ready for the next day before he even came to bed. Slipping under the covers, he slid over and gave her a kiss as she curled up next to him. "So, how was your day dear?"

"It was okay…." Cadence said, looking away.

"That's good to hear," Shinings head nodded as he started to slip away to sleep.

They sat in the quiet for a few minutes, Cadence facing away from him, her mouth pursed into a frown. "...Shining?"

"Hm?" He said, eyes opening partially.

"Has Celestia asked you to help her yet?"

"Hm?" he asked, surprised, shifting in bed to look at her. "No, will she?"

Cadence smiled tightly. "Well, she is hoping to track Twilight. To do that, she would need a magical sample… Yours, combined with your parents, should be enough to estimate. With that, her location could be tracked." Cadence paused, waiting for the next obvious question.

"That's good. Yeah, I'll help her, don't worry."

Cadence bit her lower lip for a moment before answering. "Well… I thought that Luna and Celestia agreed with her going."

"No. Twilight left on her own," Shining said matter of factly. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I didn't want you to worry."

"Oh… Well, it's okay. Twilight is a big mare. She doesn't need permission to go after her own student."

"...Well, that's true. It's good to track her. You can't be too careful."

"I suppose not," Cadence whispered quietly as she turned from Shining. "Good night."

"Good night dear."

Shining's horn flared, turning off the lights.

Cadence lay in the dark, her eyes open and staring into the distance, a small tear rolling down her cheek.





"My little ponies, it is my pleasure to come together with you today in order to officiate this wedding between Crystal Punch and Bubbling Wind. May their union bring Equestria and the Empire into an ever closer alliance."

The crowd cheered as the crystal pony stallion and pegasus mare kissed,  accompanied by the stomping of hooves.

The wedding was taking place under the castle, the Crystal Heart glowing in its center as streamers were left waving in the wind. Large tables filled half the courtyard as the food was served straight from the royal kitchen.

This stallion was no one 'important' by political standards, but Cadence had habitually participated in these small weddings. This gave a sense of satisfaction on top of the joy she felt on seeing the binding of love between them.

Cadence and Shining's table was placed to the bride's and groom's right. Cadence couldn't help feeling that it was a bit of wasted space with how large it was. However, it was traditional so it had to stay.

She turned and dabbed Flurry Heart's cheeks with a napkin, cooing at the giggling little filly.

As the party built into full swing, the happy attendees singing and dancing, she leaned over to Shining. "Shining, I wanted to just ask you something…."

"Yeah, what is it dear?" He turned away from the couple and raised a glass of wine to his lips.

She motioned for him to lean closer before whispering what had been on her mind all day. "I've been thinking… You should reconsider helping Celestia with tracking your sister."

Shining's head jerked to look at her, eyebrows raised slightly before turning back to put on his public smile. "Hmm, well I thought about it, but I think this is for the best."

Cadence frowned, shuffling in her chair. "Celestia's anxiety is always suspicious to me. If she was so concerned, she should have asked before Twilight left."

Shining rubbed his brow before turning to her, "Let's talk about this later babe."

Cadence looked him in the eyes for a few moments before nodding. They turned, and both smiled, putting back on their 'public' faces, hoping no one saw their slip.





Cadence bit her lip in frustration. Her heart hurt, and the crystal heart reflected this, its typically bright surface turning dark.

Nopony had commented, but their looks said enough. They were afraid, concerned, and glancing at each other unsure of what to do. She could feel this as an impression through the heart, but that was nothing next to the gnawing cracks in her own. Not to mention the headache.

She had cleared her schedule for the rest of the day, deciding to spend it with Flurry Heart. Her daughter was finally exiting her surging and babbling phases.

Unfortunately, it hadn't helped. Flurry Heart had picked up on her feelings, reflecting them. In the end, she had hoofed her over to the nurse to coo and soothe while she went to the royal chambers and prepared for bed. Sitting there now, she waited, eyes closed.

Shining came twenty minutes later.

"Hey Cady, it's been a rough day. How are you doing?" He floated off his armor.

"Fine. Just fine. I, uh, just wanted to talk about that thing…  You know, from earlier?"

"Oh, that?" he slipped into the covers. "Yeah, I hear you dear, but Twily doesn't really know what she is getting into going south."

Cadence frowned, touching Shining's hoof. "Shining, don't you think it would be better to trust Twilight? She has her friends to help her and tracing her without permission is a bit… Captain Guardy of you. Not so much BBBFF?"

Shining returned her frown. "Well, I guess it is a little bit. But I know what I'm talking about, Cadie. "

They looked pensively at each other for a few moments, a tension settling into the air.

Shining sighed. "Cadie. I know you don't like me to talk about my work in Canterlot, but… You know the work I did."

"Yes, I do."

"Then trust me when I say that Mordane colt is dangerous."

Shining waited as Cadence looked away, her heart beating like a woodpecker.

"I think Twilight would know best about that… She sent enough letters. She loves that little colt. He has to have a good heart."

"Cadence, I promised."

"Well! Tell me then. Forget that promise this time."

Shining's eyes hardened. "...Fine. I'm no longer an Equestrian citizen anyway. Those oaths can't hold me, and my wife is more important anyway." He took a moment to collect himself before beginning. "The first thing you should know is that much of the knowledge about Mordane is censored. His history is obscured, and not by us but by the simple lack of information. His family was Anti-Monarchy, strongly so. His foalhood was filled with seeing ponies wearing Equestrian royal guard uniforms enforcing excessive taxes, working in illegal markets, and tragedy."

"I didn't know that… He must have had it rough."

"We have no record of him from the time he left his home village and arrived in Ponyville, but we know that he made contact with a necromancer."

"A… Necromancer?" she asked softly. Her face paled as she pulled the covers a bit closer.

"Well…that is classified. Officially there is no such thing as zomponies, but this isn't true. Necromancy is the manipulation of dead flesh and souls. It is among the top forbidden magic fields."

"So. Mordane… Met this Necromancer?"

"Was attacked by him. Exactly what happened, we do not know. Twilight and he were able to defeat the necromancer a few years after he arrived in Ponyville… at least, we think he did. I'm not certain about that. His behavior was too strange. It was after that event that we put eyes on him."

"You spied on Twilight's student?!"

Shining was quiet for a few moments before answering. "Yes. Constant observation for a year. Even so, we did not discover he was an alicorn… Nor that he had learned to use necromancy."

Cadence looked away again, her hoof slapping over her mouth. She sat quietly for a moment. "...Do you know if he only started to use it after they fought him?"

"...No. In fact, it's not the only forbidden spell Mordane had been working with. War magic, time travel, universal illusions. We detected the residue of many of those kinds of spells, including dark magic. Based on this, we know he lied consistently for at least two years."

Cadence looked across the room, thinking about what she had heard before speaking again.

"Until he saved Ponyville."

"Yes…"

"Would an evil pony do that?"

Shining huffed, rubbing his neck before turning back with a frown.

"I don't think Mordane is evil. I think he is an anti-monarchist with a mean dark magic streak and too much power for a pony his age." His eyes narrowed. "And he is an alicorn to boot. A rogue alicorn."

"So it comes back to Celestia then. Does Mordane have to stay in Equestria? What he needs is love to be shown that Twilight cares about him. Twilight believes in him!"

"Twilight is going off what she knows! She has never dealt with a pony like him before! He is irrational!' Shining stood up out of bed, beginning to pace. "He lied and manipulated everypony, under every nose! Under the elements! He lied right under the nose of the element of Honesty without her catching a whiff! Twilight can't seem to get that!"

Cadence sniffed, and her snout scrunched. After a moment, she took a deep, shaky breath. "I believe in Twilight. You and Celestia are just thinking the worst of him. You're just jumping at shadows. You're just driving him away. Maybe that is why he was so cautious."

"You're overthinking it."

"Am I?" Cadence snapped. "Maybe I can understand why an alicorn might just think Celestia would control their life!"

"What are you saying?" He stopped, his mouth hanging open as he looked at his teary wife.

Cadence slipped out of bed, Shining following as she walked up to the window. She let out a small sob before speaking again.

"When Mordane… Died. Twilight was broken… And I was one of the first ponies she came to. She spoke for hours, going over every detail. Every moment of that day. I learned Mordane was afraid of Celestia, that he had tricked her. The colt is scared and paranoid… and clever. [i[But, he is a good colt. I know!"

Shining moved to her side, slipping under her wing as he pulled her close. "How do you know, dear?"

Cadence felt the bands between them. The love Shining feels for her ringing painfully with the same for him, "I saw them once together. Twilight and him. They have a connection… I thought it would go great! But Twilight confided in me her struggles every time we spoke. How she tried to open up to him. To pull him in, but there was just something she couldn't cross. She must have come crying to me a dozen times. I know Mordane is paranoid and probably too smart for his own good."

"Paranoid doesn't cover it, Cadence. I don't have any idea how his mind works. It must be painful."

She sighed, leaning over him.

"...I understand Mordanes feelings. I share them."

"Cadence…"

"Celestia is kind, diligent, and loving, but she is also controlling. Very controlling. You never know what she is planning. I had to watch as she had Twilight running in circles. She anticipates your actions, engineers your life lessons, and plans for your grandchildren."

Shining shifted slightly, looking worriedly at her.

"Do you remember how we met?" Cadence turned back to him with her leg covering her eyes.

"Of course I do. It shocked me when I walked in with you in my living room." He embraced her.

"Shocked you? It felt like I had stepped into a sauna. Your crush flared like a nova as soon as you saw me." Cadence shakingly laughed.

Shining grinned. "So you knew immediately."

"No, I felt panic! You know I had my eye on you."

"Hey, it was a free garden no one visited. How was I supposed to know it was the rumored princess' private place?"

Cadence laughed. "Do you know how distracting it was to see you from my study desk practicing your sword swings there? How couldn't I have fallen for the young fast rising Captain?"

Shining chuckled, leaning into her again.

"But that's the thing," she said softly. "If you think about it, it's strange."

"What is?

"That garden had a locked gate on it."

Shining stopped and looked at her, frowning some. "Well, it was locked a few times but mostly…."

"No, Shining. It was locked almost ALL the time. But Celestia would often visit me before you arrived and come through the garden."

"What are you saying?" Shining grew a little nervous. Turning, he held onto Cadence, his eyes full of worry and ears low.

"Shining. Why did you train in my garden?"

"The former Captain of the guard pointed me to it. I thought it was a reward for performing so well." He frowned before a spark lit in his eyes. "Oh, Celestia, you clever old mare."

Cadence nodded. "And I was studying at that time under Celestia… It was also Celestia that asked me to pick up babysitting jobs. She even helped me select the right foals to babysit for 'security reasons'." Cadence chuckled.

"...So what you're saying is, our love was some kind of diabolical plot—"

"No! Not diabolical. Loving… Celestia knew who the bearers were going to be. I know you know that."

Shining nodded a little. "I saw the prophecy from our parents' generation. She identified them when Rainbow Dash performed her first sonic Rainboom." She sniffed. "Or maybe earlier…."

"Cadence… She isn't all seeing." Shining whispered.

"She makes a good act of it though, doesn't she?" Cadence laughed darkly. "But those prophecies. It makes you think. She was waiting for me in that magical realm. Like she knew I would be there and she came to the village, despite me never telling her where it was… I sometimes wonder if she was the one who had me abandoned on the edge of that town. Did she banish the Empire, knowing I would one day be there to reclaim its throne?"

Cadence shook her head. "But it's not like the prophecy is the core of her power. It just enhances it. Her real ability comes from meddling in lives for thousands of years. She has plans in plans." Cadence whispered. "How can you move against her when she laid the stones you walk upon?"

The two sat in silence, Shining and her staring at the glistening lights below, holding each other as they thought through their lives and how much had been shaped by one mare.

"Cadence. I love you." Shining kissed her, leaning in.

"I know, Shining. I love you too. And… Even if this kingdom is just a cage laid for me, I love it as well."

She hugged Shining as he rocked her for a few minutes. The two of them watched as the lights of the small city shield dome dimmed.

"Shining… I think you should trust Twilight… I know Celestia wants you to help her. But can you not, for me?"

Shining sat quietly for a moment, chewing over what she had said.

"I trust you, Cadence. And choosing between you and Celestia? You. Anyday." Shining leaned forwards and gave her a kiss.

The knot in her chest shriveled away, letting the warmth of Shining's love and the crystal heart fill her.

The dull light flared to life. The stars shone a little brighter. The streets swirled with a calming pulse.

Cadence sighed happily.





Later that same night, Celestia sat in a meeting room; She had been requested to arrive early for the meeting with the griffon ambassador. Luckily a hole had been in the schedule due to her canceling a luncheon with a local noble mare to secure a supply of crystal berries for Canterlot Castle.

Shining arrived a minute later. Small bags under his eyes from being up past when he typically slept. "Thank you for seeing me this early, Princess."

"It's quite alright. I've not yet had the chance to sleep myself." She sighed " And I'm worried about Twilight."

"Yes… Well, I suppose I'll have to get to the point." He straightened up, standing nearly at attention. "As the Prince of the Crystal Empire, I feel I should no longer be associated with the intelligence operations of the Equestrian Monarchy… err, aliarchy."

"...I see," Celestia replied curtly.

"As such, I will not be participating in the plan to track Twilight Sparkle."

Celestia took a sip of her tea, giving Shining a blank look. "I understand… Perhaps it was a bit too much. Don't worry, Shining." She broke into a smile. "It is just an old mare being overly cautious. You know how I worry."

"Yeah, I'm worried myself." He replied softly, "but I trust my sister."

Celestia's smile softened. "Do not worry. I sent an agent to watch her. Sweetie Drops?"

"Oh, that makes me feel better." He gave her a small smile before bowing. "Good day, Celestia."

As Shining left, Celestia waited alone, a small smile still gracing her lips. Curious, she wanted to know who it was that she was really meeting. The Griffon ambassador she supposedly had an appointment with wouldn't be till an hour later, despite what the itinerary said.

It gave her no end of mirth to see Berry Shine trotting in, pushing a cartful of products and wearing a maid outfit.

Celestia pretended to not notice her, waiting as she replaced the teapot and still mostly intact platter of delicacies with crystal berry jam, obviously from her own stores. The mare didn't make it two steps before Celestia spoke up.

"Is this letter for me, Berry Shine?" She asked while silently casting a spell over the refreshments to check for poison. "I'm free if you would like to just speak with me directly."

The mare froze for a moment before turning slowly to sit in the chair. Her dull color stood out more as she took off the cap.

"Celestia Solar. I suppose you wish to toy with me before hoofing me over to the princess guards?"

"Not at all." Celestia replied, floating over a new glass of tea and biting into a jam treat, " I expected you would come. You seem the dedicated matriarch."

She quickly scanned the letter. Not surprised to see an honest plea for mercy and an offer. A tempting one.

"So your farm rights extend beyond where the current barrier stands." Celestia summarized. "And you want me to build there."

"Yes." The mare replied curtly. "I know...it would be difficult. But in time, the barrier will extend that far, and the profits I'm making from selling to your nobility...well, I can afford to offset any inconvenience."

Celestia chewed. Pretending to think it over. Before frowning and looking down at the jam.

"This is perfect crystal Jam, the best I've had in fact. Equestrians just can't grow them like you can. Or your sire."

The mare stiffened further, eyes glaring at Celestia.

"This is so good that I would say it would be fit for our royal table...if you would be willing to secure a supply, I could change the designated space. Indeed, the way the law is written, I'd not have to change anything in the legal documents. The exact chunk of your land stolen is meant to be designated at this stage anyway."

The mare's eyes twitched at the use of the word.

 "I have her just where I want her" 

Celestia's ears drooped.

"I...only call it what it is, Miss Shine. " She looked over mournfully, drawing shock from the mare. "I want to help your ponies. Your empire. That's why I saved a little crystal mare. Why I sequestered her and other survivors in a small village and why the Cadenza line still exists in the modern day...Because I'm sorry."

The mare's mouth hung open now, her ears perking up.

"Cadence loves the empire...and she will help you in ways I cannot. Should not." She smiled bitterly. "She is your Empress now. Not my little princess."

"B-but.."

"Please." Celestia cut her off, "I'll pay whatever you ask. Equestria needs a stop on the line, and I had to nearly destroy my relationship with my little Cadence to make it happen...forgive this stupid old mare who couldn't see the obvious."  She held up the jam biscuit. "Until a mare literally shoved it into my mouth."

The mare's eyes teared up as color began to return.

"I forgive you."

The two hugged, sharing stories of the old empire, Celestia cursing what happened, the mare warming up and promising to apologize to Cadence.

It went on long enough that once she left, now a bright color again, the griffon plopped down unamused at the delay. But he kept his peace, his claws pressing firmly together the only indication of his displeasure. He was adorned in a suit and tie, a brooch gleaming brightly on his chest.

"I apologize for the short delay," Celestia turned steadily to the griffin.

"There is no apology necessary. A few minutes is not long to wait after such a ponderous journey."

"Well, I certainly wouldn't want to waste your time," she chortled.

"Indeed. I'll cut to the chase then. What will the rail line cost the Griffon Kingdom?"

Celestia sipped her tea before continuing. "Many hundreds of years ago, your Griffon Kingdom colonized land rightfully held by the Equestrian Crown. This land is the region called Faun, in the Southern Lands."

The griffon bristled, but Celestia held up her hoof, silencing his comment. "I am not here to argue if it is rightfully held. I'm here to purchase its return."

"...Griffon land is not for sale."

"I imagine so. Land is at a premium these days. The cold encroaches ever closer I hear. In a few years, your homeland's primary growing region will be unusable… Oh, don't look at me like that," she frowned slightly while leaning toward him, "I warned your ancestors. The wendigos are very real, and they would seek out new food after starving on Equestrian peace. The various griffon nation wars have seen to that."

The griffon clicked his beak. Snorting a little before answering. "We have detected no such creature. Our magicians state it to be a breakdown of the magical flux."

"Either way, you will need Equestrian food imports. You don't have the military to expand in the Southern Lands, and the small piece you have has no arable land… You need this line. We need that colony."

The griffon sat silently, his eyes boring into Celestia, who met his gaze evenly.

He gave first. "A rail line is not enough for a colony,"

"Then how about this? Low-interest loans to finance the moving of your population south. A military defensive contact and instead of just food… Fertilizer. You can make new agricultural land in Dryland Heights. It won't be easy. But you have the time," Celestia poured more tea into her cup.

"...That is tempting. Aqueducts would need to be built. New cities. Roads… The old lands would be emptied, but no one would dare attack… With the encroaching cold, we would only have to wait for the other nations to collapse or offer…Compromises."

Celestia considered for a moment, taking a sip of her tea.

"I would hope that you could offer a token of peace to them. After all, it has been far too long since your people have been united. King Gravenclaw should look to be a unifier more than a Warlord."

The griffon nodded slowly. His brow furrowed as everything he had hoped for was handed to him. But something caught on his lip. A gritting need to make this mare pay something she didn't want to. "We, of course, cannot turn over the land in a single day. It will take time… A few years."

"Well… How many years then?" She said curtly, almost glaring at him.

"...Two. We will need two," he stated matter-of-factly.

Celestia frowned, then ruffled her feathers a little bit. "Very well."

The griffon's smirk as he left didn't annoy Celestia. She instead made a note, marking off the five to six years on her note and writing down two.





Cadence waited for Shining. She had ordered a late-night dinner for the two of them, or was it early breakfast by this time?

As she stared out at the beautiful night city, she smiled, lovingly looking at the few still lively places this late in the night.

Slowly, her smile faded from her lips as thoughts pervaded her mind. She had had these feelings about Shining and his loyalty to Celestia for some time. Wouldn't she have picked up on it? Perhaps she would then contrive a way for the conflict to come out. A harsh request of Shining like he was still the Captain of the Royal Guard.

A request that, now that she thought of it, did not make sense. Would Celestia really not already have a tracking spell on Twilight? Wasn't Twilight communicating regularly? How could she send replies if she didn't know where Twilight was?

Her brow furrowed, and she frowned as her eyes looked at her small kingdom. An echo of an empire long gone, brought low by Celestia, but preserved… For her.

A place she was fit for, like a ponyshoe

She breathed deeply. Accepting it.

She thought of her subjects, her husband, and their new child. She thought of the separation from the soul-crushing Equestrian politics. Slowly, the frown softened and faded to nothing, leaving only a gentle smile.

"Celestia would for certain have some of Twilight's magic… She lied. It was another move by her. She didn't need Shining's magic. Another small step in her grand plan." she sighed, smiling still, "Well, if this is a cage, then it is one I am glad to have."

Turning as the door opened, she gestured where to place the meal, putting out of her mind her troubling thoughts.