Sinister Shadows

Stars and moons gleamed brightly this midnight.  Not a single cloud marred the sky's beauty.  Below, people lived in harmony in the valley.  However, this harmony was only a pretense.

Princess Twilight stood on a balcony of Twilight Castle.  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.

Why has this disaster befallen us?  Why do the Griffons seek to do us harm?  We have not insulted the Griffon's precious honor, nor have we wronged them in any way.  I only wish for all this to end, and so do the other princesses.  Tomorrow, I leave to bring peace to Equestria and negotiate with the Griffons.  May Celestia guide me...

~Twilight, 15th of May, 6 LR (AUTHORS NOTE: 6 years after Luna's Return. AKA 1005 AL, 1005 years after her banishment).

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.  "Twilight, it's time to get ready for the journey to Gryphus," a feminine voice called.

"Come in, Viridian," Twilight responded.

Twilight's maid entered from a side-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.  The gown was lavish, having actual amethyst gemstones lining the collar.

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

"The dress is fine, but this is a diplomatic mission.  Maybe something less flashy?" 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."

"Counter-productive to the goal of peace.  Essentially, a royal pain."  To this, Viridian laughed.  As 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 hallway door.

"Come in," said Twilight.  Flash Sentry walked in, and bowed when he neared Twilight.  He held the bow for a few moments, and then rose to speak to Twilight.

"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 then looked at Twilight. Twilight was all too familiar with that look.

"Viridian, we've gone over this before, haven't we?  I do not feel any attraction towards Captain Sentry," Twilight perfunctorily answered.

"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 relationship would come as a distraction to my royal duties.  I will not accept failure," responded Twilight mechanically.

"I'll have to call you Death from now on, seeing how serious you are," Viridian joked.

Twilight sighed and headed out the room into the hallway.  Viridian followed.  Guards stopped and saluted as Twilight passed.  Acknowledging the guards with a nod, the pair moved onward, and eventually reached the courtyard.

Waiting in the courtyard for them was a closed carriage, similar to the one used by Celestia.  Surrounding the carriage were the Twilight Guards, proficient in using and combating magic.

Flash Sentry, 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.  Their past had provided many laughs and insights.

~~~ A Few Hours Later

Luna seems to be writing about a particular man.  It seems he was an influential lord.  But his name is missing.  Wherever his name is, it has been magically removed and censored.  She did give a physical description though.  Let me see... ah yes, it's down here.  Tall, dark-haired, piercing green eyes, and... an alicorn?

Twilight did a double take, drawing the attention of Viridian.

"What's 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.  Still, there is the possibility that there were male alicorn.  This requires more reading and research.  The absence of a name will prove extremely detrimental to my efforts.

Twilight flipped the pages madly, desperate to unravel the mystery of Luna's lover.  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!

Twilight let out a groan, too low for Viridian to hear, when it came to her.

This diary is written in ink!  Some use invisible ink to hide their true message!

"Viridian, blind the windows please," Twilight asked hurriedly.  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 banged her head on the back of her seat in frustration.

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

Viridian rolled her eyes and continued crocheting.  Twilight closed the book, set it aside, and leaned back.  Twilight let the rocking carriage lull her into sleep....

Twilight found herself in a dreamscape.  The landscape was surreal, unrealistic, and shrouded in a heavy blue mist.  In front of her stood a blue alicorn, wearing royal regalia.  To either side of the Princess of Night stood a Noctral.

"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 thou.  He is long dead to the world," Luna answered.

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

"SILENCE! I forbid thee from pursuing this topic further!  Only pain and heartbreak can be found by following the path thou 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!  Some part of you still loves him.  Who was he?"

"I leave the vague reference so that I remember to never repeat the same mistake again," Luna countered.

"What is that mistake?  If I don't know the mistake, what is to prevent me from making the same mistake you did, now that I am a princess?"

"Does thou not remember their problem of time travel?  Thou committed the mistake in the act of attempting to prevent the mistake," Luna reminded.  Twilight did remember, as it resurfaced in her dreams from time to time.  She visibly winced.

"Thou would do your best to leave this fruitless search alone.  I would prefer thee did not have to carry the same burdens I do today," Luna warned softly.  Luna and the two Noctrals turned and walked off into the mist.

Twilight stood alone.

"Twilight! Twilight!" a voice called. Twilight bolted to her feet.

What?  Who?

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

Viridian! Twilight ran towards the maid's voice.

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," said Viridian.

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.  The group was a mile or so above the clouds.

Streams flowed from springs, swirling and racing downhill.  Pockets of life thrived wherever the water pooled.

"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 King Leif!" someone shouted from outside.

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

A pause.  "Very well. Follow," said the Griffon guard.

The carriage resumed movement.  Looking out the windows, Twilight could see that they had come under a portcullis in the gatehouse.  Twilight looked back in curiosity.  She saw massive stone walls spread out to either side of the gatehouse.  Large oaken doors closed exit with a finality.

Those walls are huge! The stones themselves are at least a meter thick!

The carriage rolled along the main avenue.  Not a soul disturbed the streets, leaving the escort in silence.  On either side of the road sat dilapidated homes, neglected and abandoned.  Beaked faces peered at the ponies from behind cracked windows.

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

The diplomats left the citizens to drown in their misery.  Eventually, the carriage came to the government center of the Griffon city, located at one base of the mountain.  Disrepair could still be seen even here.

This war has too high a price.  His own citizens live horribly.  His focus on the war has left his home in shambles.

"We have arrived, Your Highness," announced Flash.  Twilight was disturbed from her reverie.  The carriage had parked parallel to the mountain side.  Across from them was the Griffon Great Hall.

Flash opened the door for Twilight.  Twilight eagerly stepped out, followed by Viridian.

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 of Foreign Affairs, Hewit 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 stood to either side of the hallway, and guarded the path into the mountain's heart.  In the center of the path were even bigger statues, dedicated to past kings.  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.  Twilight noticed that this one was the most dramatic and eye-catching statue.  Twilight recalled her studies of nations with Celestia.  The Griffons had believed that the first king was a god descended to bring greatness to the Griffons.

Gods.... they rule life from their distant heavens.  I will not allow such attitude to drive my actions.

A single iron portcullis prevented further access.  A stationed guard noticed Bruxellois and went into a side room.  Shouting ensued, followed by the squeak of chains as the portcullis rose.

Bruxellois continued past the guardroom and down the foyer.  A wide red carpet led to the end of the hallway and its double stone 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 led 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.  Our travel has wearied us, and a good sleep is found wanting."

Bruxellois nodded and took them closer to the halls end and its double doors.  Abruptly, Bruxellois turned onto an upward spiraling staircase.  The imposing double doors were a scant two meters away.  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, considering the volatile nature of ley.

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

"Yes, of course," Twilight replied distractedly.

Viridian had to practically pull Twilight along.  Twilight came to her senses and rushed to Bruxellois with practiced precision and grace.

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.  Bowing, Bruxellois turned and left the visitors to their business.

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

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

"It is my royal duty to protect you, Your Highness," Flash 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 chided.  Before he could reply, Twilight left him and entered a room.

To himself, Flash muttered," I don't worry enough."

~~~

Behind the double doors was King Leifs throne-room.  Twilight suspected correctly in its uniqueness.  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 Leif.  Thor opened his eyes, revealing slit pupils and green irises. Anger flashed across his face.  Calm returned.

"Come in Bruxellois," Leif commanded.

Bruxellois squeezed through the double doors, bringing in a glimmer of light.  Leif shied away from the rays.  The little light revealed the features of Leif.  Leif 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!."

Leif, or Phobus replied, "You will call me Leif 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 Leif.  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 Leif 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.  He also insisted that Viridian stay behind.

At least I know he means well, Twilight thought.

Twilight reached the double doors.  To either side stood two guards.  The two opened the doors as she approached.

Flash shot an exasperate look at Twilight when she trotted ahead.  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 Leif.  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 Leif.  As if on cue, a dozen guards came into the room.  They closed the doors behind them.

"Then why are we here, King Leif?" 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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