Prevailing Shadows

Stars and moons gleamed brightly this midnight. Not a single cloud marred the sky's beauty. Below, ponies lived in harmony in the valley. However, this harmony was only a pretense. Many colts and stallions had volunteered to fight the aggressive griffons, leaving behind foals and mares.

Princess Twilight stood on a balcony of Everfree Castle which was surrounded by the City and the Forest. Sighing, Twilight headed inside. Twilight sat down at a table upon which rested a large book, quill, and ink vial. Opening the book, Twilight dipped the quill and began to write.

It is unfortunate that war has befallen our fair Equestria. King Odin V has died, to be replaced by his son Thor III. Some speculate Thor murdered his own father. I hope that this is not the case. Thor has followed a policy of aggressiveness, claiming the lands of Equestria for his own. Shining Armor has taken arms to defend Equestria by order of Celestia and Luna. Aiding him in command of our armies is Rainbow Dash. A month has passed since Thor first attacked our lands, and Equestria is winning. Currently, we occupy the Griffon town of Pisa. Yet the Griffons fight onward. Celestia wants me to go to Gryphus and start peace talks. If these peace talks were to fail, we would have to capture the Griffon halls themselves. Much blood will be spilled if the talks fail.... I must try my hardest and bring peace once more to Equestria.

~Twilight, 1005 AL (1005 years after banishment of Luna and Celestia ruling Equestria herself. For reference, Luna returned 999 AL).

Twilight placed down the quill and got up from the chair. Walking to the bed, Twilight flopped down on the bed and drifted to sleep.

~~~

A knock at the door awoke Twilight. "Princess, it's time to get ready for the journey to Gryphus," a feminine voice called.

"Come in, Silk," Twilight responded.

Twilight's maid entered the room. Twilight originally objected to having a maid assigned to her, but Viridian Silk was a good companion to have in the bores of court life. Walking to the wardrobe, Viridian opened it and pulled out one of the gowns that Rarity had made for Twilight.

"Twilight, what do you think about this one?" Viridian asked.

When Twilight was assigned Viridian, the maid had struck a deal with Twilight. In return for calling the lavender princess Twilight with no titles, Twilight had to call Viridian by her first name. Twilight smiled, reminded of Rarity and her other friends.

"The dress is fine, but this is a diplomatic mission. Maybe something more serious?" Twilight asked.

"I guess you're right," Viridian pouted. Reaching further into the wardrobe, Viridian pulled out a simple amethyst dress with highlights of grey at the edges.

"How about this?"

"That will be excellent."

As Viridian helped Twilight into the dress, she asked, "What do you think the King will be like?"

"A royal pain," Twilight joked.

"No seriously."

"Probably counter-productive to the goal of peace. Essentially, a royal pain." To this, Viridian laughed. Suddenly as Viridian laughed, she stopped. The humor faded from both of their faces as the seriousness of the subject reared its ugly head.

"I hope this war stops soon," Viridian wondered aloud.

"So do I. So does the rest of Equestria."

Another knock was heard from the door.

"Come in," said Twilight. Flash Sentry walked in.

"Your Highness, the escort is ready and awaiting your command," Flash informed.

"Thank you. Tell them I shall arrive soon," Twilight commanded. Flash briskly turned and marched towards the courtyard.

Viridian sighed, and asked Twilight "What do you think of Captain Sentry?"

"Nothing. He is just a Captain of the Guard, assigned to protect me," Twilight answered perfunctorily, having answered this question a thousand times before.

"Nothing at all? Not even a twinge of attraction?"

"No. I have to focus on other things besides stallions. As a princess, the weight of Equestria is on my back. A family would come as a distraction to my royal duties. I will not accept failure," Twilight responded.

"Twilight that was harsh. Well, at least that leaves the best stallions for me," Viridian joked.

Twilight sighed and headed out the room to the courtyard. Viridian followed. Guards stopped and saluted as Twilight passed. Acknowledging the guards with a nod, the pair moved on.

Waiting in the courtyard for them was a closed carriage, similar to the one used by Celestia. Surrounding the carriage were the Twilight Guards, wearing purple armor fashioned from various metals based on their role. The Twilight Guards are proficient in using and combating magic. The Twilight Guards are split into three distinct groups.

The first group, the Magi, is made of magic users specializing in residual magic, and as such wear orichalcum armor. Orichalcum is known for it's ability to absorb, store, and re-direct magic. Residual magic is the use of ley energy saturating the air, and channeling it to produce various effects.

The second group, the Spirits, is made of magic users specializing in elemental magic. Elemental magic is magic of the natural world, using the elements of fire, earth, air, and water. The Spirits performs similarly to Magus and also don orichalcum armor.

The third group is the Judicators, specialized in combating magic. As such, these warriors wear cold-iron armor. Cold-iron is an alloy of arcanite and steel, as arcanite is almost as rare as gold. Arcanite has the ability to repel magic, allowing it to defy levitation spells, break through illusions and fore-fields. In large quantities, as found in armor in weapons, arcanite can poison magic users.

Flash Sentry, a member of the Judicators, noticed Twilight and strode towards her.

"We are ready to depart Your Highness."

"Good. We depart for Gryphus immediately." In response, Flash Sentry turned about face.

"FORM UP! We depart to Gryphus. Her Highness must be protected at all costs! Move!" Flash ordered.

As the Guard got into formation, Twilight and Viridian entered the carriage. Once properly seated, the carriage rumbled and began to move. Viridian crocheted, and Twilight picked up a timeworn book left in the carriage. Twilight read deeper into the diary of the royal sisters.

~~~ A Few Hours Later

Luna seems to be writing about a particular stallion. But I can't find his name. It seems that he is an influential stallion of the aristocracy. However, a physical description is given of him. Let me see, ah, here it is. Tall, dark grey coat, piercing red eyes, and... AN ALICORN!

Twilight loudly gasped, drawing the attention of Viridian.

"What is wrong Twilight?" Viridian asked.

"Nothing Viridian. It's fine," replied Twilight. Viridian gave a doubtful glance and continued to crotchet.

How can this be? The only alicorn are those from royalty. In fact, I have never heard of a male alicorn. But could it be possible that there was once male alicorn ruling Equestria? This requires more reading and research. And finding his name would help a lot!

Twilight flipped the pages madly, desperately looking for a hint at the name of the mystery alicorn. More than once, Viridian shot concerned looks at Twilight. However, she didn't say a word, used to Twilight's episodes.

This is a diary. Not all ponies leave everything for others to plainly read and see. Celestia and Luna would have hidden the most private of information. Maybe if I looked for a keyword, or a phrase, something that would hint at a code, anything!

The sun shone through the windows of the carriage, landing on the pages of the diary.

Wait... Light.... Ink.... Maybe Luna wrote in invisible ink? It is worth at least a try.

"Viridian, blind the windows please," Twilight asked. Viridian closed the blinds as asked, uncertain of what Twilight had in mind.

Twilight focused ley energy into her horn, casting a purple light on the diary's pages. With the light, Twilight probed the fading and yellowing sheets. Lo and behold, under the light, a single word appeared on the edge of the page.

bamroS. Twilight groaned.

Why is this so difficult? Why did Luna go so far to hide the name of her lover?

"Twilight, I think you should rest for a bit. That book is really getting to you," Viridian suggested.

"That is a good idea. Maybe the answers will come to me then," said Twilight.

"The whole point of going to sleep was to be away from the book. Its obviously bothering you," Viridian commented.

"Of course its bothering me. I figure out one thing, only to be confronted with another problem."

"That is what life is Twilight. Surely you would know this?"

"Hush now. Let me get some sleep."

Viridian returned to crocheting. Twilight laid back, closing her eyes, and drifting towards sleep.

~~~

Twilight awoke, and at the same time did not. The landscape was surreal, unrealistic, and shrouded in a heavy blue mist. In front of her stood a blue mare, wearing royal regalia. To either side of the Princess of Night stood a Noctral, ponies with wings of bats and tufted ears.

"One should not worm their way into the personal business of others," Luna stated.

"Who is the stallion you are writing about?" Twilight asked anyways.

"That does not concern you. He is long dead to the world," Luna answered.

"I will figure this out eventually Luna. Please -"

"SILENCE! I forbid you from pursuing this topic further! Only pain and heartbreak can be found by pursuing the path you have chosen!"

"What is so wrong about this stallion? What could he possibly have done?"

"He ruined his own life and the lives of others by pursuing the dark arts! For that, I have decided to eradicate all reference or memory of him!"

"Eradicated everything except the vague reference of his name! I must know who he was! Let me know what his mistake was."

"By attempting to prevent a mistake, often one enables the mistake! You learned this when you traveled back in time. You yourself caused the problem in trying to prevent it," Luna reminded Twilight. Twilight winced in memory of that time.

"Please leave this topic to its slumber. Don't disturb the beast that is the past," Luna warned softly. Luna and the two Noctrals turned and walked off into the mist.

Twilight flopped down, mind whirling.

"Twilight! Twilight!" a voice called. Twilight bolted up.

What? Who?

"WAKE UP!" came the voice again, penetrating the encroaching mist.

Viridian! Twilight ran through the fog.

Twilight awoke to Viridian shaking her and shouting her name.

"Finally. You were muttering in your sleep, Twilight. Honestly, I would have thought you were having a nightmare," Viridian sighed.

If only you knew.

A tap-tap came from the side of the carriage. "Your Highness, we are nearing the hall of Gryphus," informed one of the guards.

Viridian smiled and said "Good. I was beginning to wonder when this trip would end. Crocheting can only keep me occupied for so long."

"I still don't see how you find that entertaining at all," Twilight replied.

"I don't see how you find reading musty old books entertaining."

"Point taken."

Twilight opened the blinds and looked out the window of the carriage. Twilight found her breath taken away by the sheer height of the carriage. Currently, the group was looking down on the clouds, a mile or so down the slope of the mountain.

Streams flowed from springs, swirling and racing downhill. This allowed for pockets of life on the barren summit.

"Such beauty. Surely the mountains would appease the Griffons? Why continue a war that never should have happened?" Twilight wondered aloud. Viridian had no answer.

Abruptly, the carriage stopped.

"Halt in the name of Thor!" a deep, gravelly voice called.

Outside, Flash replied "We are here on a mission of peace. Thor agreed to opening his hall for talks of a treaty."

"Very well. Follow."

The carriage began to move again. Through the windows, Twilight could see that the group passed through an iron gate. The carriage continued down the main avenue. On either side of the road sat dilapidated homes, neglected and abandoned. From behind dirty and cracked windows peered curious feathered faces. These faces depicted various emotions from hopelessness to anger.

Such poverty. Why does King Thor allow his subjects to wallow in mud and grime?

The carriage rolled on and left the poor souls to their misery. Eventually, the carriage came to a stop in front of the Grand Hall of Gryphus.

"We have arrived, Your Highness," announced Flash. Flash opened the door for Twilight, allowing them to exit the confines of the carriage.

Twilight and Viridian took a moment to gaze in awe at the ancient marvel standing before them. Grooved columns held up the roof protruding from the side of the mountain. Stone carvings decorated the front face of the roof, depicting varying Griffons from farmers to warriors to scholars.

Twilight detected movement coming towards her and the escort. A robed Griffon was approaching, looking distressed.

"Welcome, Princess Twilight to Gryphus. I am Minister Bruxellois," greeted the anxious Minister.

"Thank you and your King for agreeing to a peace talk, Minister Bruxellois," Twilight cordially replied.

"The honor is ours, Princess. Follow me, and I shall take you to your quarters. Your guards can stay in adjacent rooms, if you would like," Bruxellois offered.

Flash Sentry interjected before Twilight could, "That is acceptable. The Twilight Guard will stay with her Highness."

Twilight shot a look at Flash but could do nothing since Bruxellois had already turned.

Twilight and company followed suit into the Grand Hall.

If the outside was awe-inspiring, the inside of the Grand Hall was godly. Larger-than-life statues guarded the path into the mountain's heart. In the center of the path were even bigger idols to past kings made of bronze. Near the front of the line of kings, a half-constructed bust was in progress of the current King Thor. Behind that was his father King Odin.

The Griffons pride themselves in their long line of Kings. But is all this necessary? Pride is good, but this is borderline vanity, Twilight pondered.

The group reached the end of the line of Kings. A single iron portcullis prevented entry. A guard came out of the side room and took notice of Minister Bruxellois. The griffon went back into the side room and could be heard giving orders to open the gate. A moment later, the whine of old chains and gears came with the opening of the portcullis.

Bruxellois continued past the guardroom and down the foyer. A wide red carpet led to the end of the hallway and its double wooden doors tall enough to fit two carriages on top of another. Except for the carpet and occasional torches, the drab stonewalls were unadorned and lifeless compared to the grandeur of outside. Several side passages beckoned, and stairs went to different balconies and floors.

"The hour grows late, and the King is not in attendance," Bruxellois informed, gesturing to the doors at the end of the hall, "So I will take you to your quarters now."

"Thank you. We are weary from travel and I do not wish to negotiate into the hours of the morning."

Bruxellois nodded and took them closer to the halls end and its double doors. Abruptly, Bruxellois turned onto an upward spiraling staircase a mere two meters from the double doors. Twilight could feel the concentration of ley energy behind the doors. Such energy. This mountain resonates with ley. I am surprised that the Griffons are able to live here at all, much less have a home.

"Your Highness, we must continue," Flash reminded Twilight.

A distracted Twilight replied, "Of course." Viridian had to practically pull Twilight along. Twilight came to her senses and graciously rushed to Bruxellois with practiced precision.

Several flights of stairs above the open hall, the group finally turned into an open passageway. Contrasting to the plain and undecorated strength of the hall, this passageway was decorated with wooden panels and carpet flooring.

"We have reached the guest quarters. You may chose the rooms you prefer, Princess Twilight," announced Bruxellois. Without waiting for a reply Bruxellois turned and leaped over the railing of the stairs.

Those nearby let out a gasp and rushed to the railing. Twilight chuckled when she saw that Bruxellois was gliding safely down to the floor.

"Search the rooms, men! Ensure the safety of Her Highness," Flash commanded. The Twilight Guards rushed into the nearby rooms.

"Flash, I don't think that it is necessary," Twilight sighed.

"It is my royal duty to protect you, Your Highness," Flash mechanically replied. "I would prefer that I told Her Highness Celestia that we upset the Griffons than have to report that an assailant killed you."

"I can take care of myself. You worry too much Flash," Twilight stated, and trotted off into a room of her choice.

To himself, Flash muttered," Sometimes I think I worry too little with the chances you take."

~~~

Behind the double doors was King Thor's throne-room. This throne room was unique as Twilight suspected. Ley energy flowed upward from the mountain's base. This energy accumulated in this room, entering from the gorges that make the sides of the throne-room. Near the edge of the gorge sat the Throne of the Griffon Kingdoms.

Upon this throne sat a Griffon, cast into shadow from lack of light. The Griffon sat silently and still, meditating.

A knock from the double doors disturbed the Griffin King Thor. Thor opened his eyes, revealing the slit pupils and green irises. Anger flashed across his face. Calm returned.

"Come in Bruxellois," Thor commanded.

Bruxellois squeezed through the double doors, bringing in a glimmer of light. Thor shied away from the rays. The little light revealed the features of Thor. Thor had feathers of onyx, with streaks of grey. His armor fit his well-muscled but lean frame.

Bruxellois spoke, "Phobus, why can we not just kill that pest Twilight!."

Thor, or Phobus replied, "You will call me Thor while we are here in Gryphus! And as much as you have a grudge against Twilight, you will hold yourself and your changelings in check!"

"Of course, King Thor. But I also come with warning. Eclipse fast approaches, and though my son is strong, he will not last long to the powers of Eclipse," Bruxellois warned.

"Be at ease Chrysalis. Though Eclipse may be the son of Luna, he cannot stop our plans. The Six Sinestros shall prevail," Thor assured.

"The Hive is at your service, Phobus. Remember, Luna is mine alone to kill," the imposter Bruxellois stated.

"Of course. The chance will be yours. Now leave me."

Chrysalis, still in disguise, squeezed through the double doors again.

Why did I wind up with this arrogant fool? Damn Umbra... This would be unnecessary if he had not failed.

King Thor sat closed his eyes again.

~~~ The Next Morning

Twilight strode down the staircase eager to commence the peace talks. Having already eaten breakfast, Twilight planned for no interference. Accompanying her was the Twilight Guard. Flash insisted on having an escort.

At least I know he means well, Twilight thought.

Twilight reached the double doors. To either side stood two guards. Noticing her approach, the two opened the doors.

Twilight trotted ahead, drawing an exasperated look from Flash. Twilight stopped short a distance from the empty throne.

"Welcome Princess Twilight to the Griffon Kingdoms. I am deeply sorry that I was unable to properly greet you yesterday," came a call from above.

Twilight looked upwards in response. Spiraling down from above was King Thor. He touched down in front of his throne.

"A proper greeting is not the main concern of mine. I have come here to bring peace to our lands," said Twilight.

"I know why you are here Princess. But the reason I let you come is entirely different," replied Thor. As if on cue, guards came into the room. They closed the doors behind them.

"Then why are we here, King Thor?" Twilight inquired.

"Please, dispense with the titles. Call me Phobus. As to why we are here, I expect you already know why by now."

"I suspect, but I hope I am wrong," Twilight responded.

"You are not wrong. I have brought you here for a single purpose. To kill the Element of Magic, Princess Twilight!"

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