Burning spear loved patrolling the gardens. Despite being a guard she loved spending time with nature. She also loved looking at the statues placed in the garden. As she walked she stopped in front of her favorite statue. It was one of a strange creature. It was bipedal and it seemed to be wearing some kind of outfit. It looked like a coat with the collar flipped up. Across its waist it had a belt coming across at a diagonal angle along with a sheath obviously connected to it. Its legs were covered in a pair of boots that covered it from slightly above its knee to its feet. It was positioned as if ready to attack, it’s massive blade held backwards in its right hand. Its long hair flowed out from its head as if trapped in an invisible wind.
As Burning Spear admired the statue she turned her attention to the plaque sitting at its base. It read Ragna the Bloodedge. Burning wasn’t sure if it was a name or a title. As she pondered a question she had asked about a million times over she heard something she never heard before. A loud crack echoed throughout the gardens. At first Burning was confused as to where the sound came from. After inspecting the statue she took notice of a very large crack that hadn’t been there before.
(Ragna POV)
I have been here for so long it had drivin me insane. Then I got bored of that so I came back to the land of the sane. Every single day seemed to blend into one another with no variation. I sighed inwardly, as today would be no different. It was then that something big happened. I felt a surge of power. The kind of power I felt whenever I used the Azure Grimoire that had replaced my right arm and eye. It could only mean one thing. Somehow, somewhere, someone had managed to replicate the power of the Azure Grimoire. Actually no, they hadn’t done so yet. They were close but it still wasn’t quite right. it was only a matter of time before whoever they were succeeded. I was distracted from my train of thought by a curious sensation that had followed the energy.
My prison was fading. And it was doing so fast. In another minute or two I would be free! Free at last, oh thank the lord I would be free at last! Wait a second. Was that the guard pony that always inspects me every time she comes around here. Well this just went from the greatest day I’ve had in the last 500 or so years, to not so great, but still pretty good in the long run. After the stone crumbled away from my body like it was the worst case of sunburn I fell to the ground. Right in front of one surprised guard pony. On the plus side I still had my sword. On the negative side I would most likely be using it against the Royal Guard soon.
To her credit, the surprised pony only hesitated for a moment before leveling a spear at my face and commanding me to “halt” in the cutest voice I had ever heard. In a single swift, well practiced motion I grabbed the spear right behind the head and gave it a twist, yanking it right out of her poor hooves. Then I stood up, towering over her as she tried her best to show no fear. I had to say she was doing a pretty good job with the glare, though she did lose points with the trembling legs. After sheathing my sword I took her spear and broke it over my knee. Mostly to help show her I was not to be trifled with without doing something I would really regret.
“Now, I am not going to hurt you, but I would appreciate it greatly if you could direct me to the castle. I need to have a few words with Celestia.” I attempted to sugar coat my words. It was something I had never been any good at, but I still felt like trying. What she did next certainly did surprise me, though in hindsight I should have expected it.
“Intruder, sound the alarm!” She yelled out as loud as she could. Considering how close the guards actually were to each other in this maze, one of them definitely heard her. Looking up I could see the signature magical flare sent out by the unicorns to alert everyone. Well so much for being nice. I thought to myself bitterly as I knocked out the guard in front of me by delivering a swift punch to her face. Sad, she seemed nice. I thought as I prepared for the rest of welcome wagon.
Not but five minutes later I was surrounded by pegasi unicorns and earth ponies. All clad in armor. Some sported spears, other’s swords, but all were aimed at me. So much for the peaceful diplomatic way I was hoping for. Ah well I kinda need this workout anyway. I readied myself for the incoming assault falling into my classic battle stance. I spread my legs slightly wider than shoulder width. I bent my knees and held my left hand out in front of me while holding my sword Blood-Scythe in my right hand behind me. I looked to my left and right to see if they left me an escape path. They didn’t and I honestly wasn’t expecting them to.
“So then who’s first?” I asked of the amassed guards. They gave no verbal response but I did get my answer. One of the stallion earth ponies charged me his spear held up high. I smiled and shifted my weight slightly to my left side. Swiftly I ducked out of the way of his charge and grabbed his spear with my left hand and swung him around. After that I knocked him out by hitting his helmet with the hilt of my sword. Taking a few steps away from his unconscious form I smiled and simply asked, “next?”
After about a minute with nothing happening I decided that maybe I should try talking since I had everyone's attention. I planted my blade into the ground and held up my hands in the sign of surrender.
“Okay, look, despite my appearance I am not looking to hurt anyone.” I began slowly hoping they would be willing to listen. “Look, I have a warning for Celestia and I would appreciate it if…”
“Be quite monster!” One of the guards in slightly more ornate armor stepped forward as he rudely interrupted me. “We have only one job here, and that is bringing you in chains to the dungeon!” He smirked as he proudly stated his goal and conviction. I responded by beginning the slow clap. As confusion began to crawl across his face I took the opportunity to retort.
“Okay first of all, rude much? Secondly I actually need to see Celestia, so whether I go to her or she comes to me is a mute point. I will not however be doing so in chains, a cell, or be otherwise contained. I have a deep hatred of any form of imprisonment so trying it is not recommended. Thirdly I could have easily killed at least two of your number and have refrained from doing so. Not only because I feel that would taint my return but I also avoid killing innocents, or guards just doing their jobs.” As I finished I stopped clapping and let my arms drop to my sides.
“Um excuse me ma'am but if I may speak.” Another guard has stepped forward and inserted herself into the conversation albeit in a much nicer way. I motioned for her to continue and she did so. “When we found you we sent a messenger to Princess Celestia asking her to come here right away. I am sure that if you stay here she will be here in a few moments.” She concluded and I nodded to show I heard her.
“Well that settles it.” I shouted as I clapped my hands rubbing them together in anticipation. “I will wait here and you can go do whatever.” I pointed at the collection of guards and waved my hands at them. As I made my way back to my sword intent on relaxing for a bit for the first time in forever a resounding shout resonated throughout the gardens.
“RAGNA THE BLOODEDGE SURRENDER NOW AND FACE JUDGMENT!” Came the voice from up high. Eventually my ears stopped ringing enough to allow me to focus on the newest arrival. It was Celestia to the surprise of no one and she was not looking to happy. Instinctively I reached behind me and grabbed the hilt of my sword and yanked it out of the ground. I was trying to warn Celestia of a possible threat but we didn’t exactly have the best history. Best prepare for the worst I always say.
Celestia landed directly in front of me. As we stared daggers at each other I decided to break the awkward silence with awkward conversation.
“Celestia,” I said curtly. I could tell that she hadn’t forgotten me either given how her eyes narrowed a bit at how I used her name.
“Ragna, you better have a good reason to show your face again.” Her voice came out strained. She was trying to filter the hatred out of her voice and she was failing. I couldn’t blame her though. As much as I would love to have a rematch with her I had more important business to attend to.
“First of all Celestia, I didn’t have much of a choice considering you are the one who put me on public display after sealing me in stone.” She made to interrupt me but I cut her off before she could say anything. “Secondly, I have a warning to give you. Considering your own personal experiences this will mean more to you than anyone else.”
“Very well then what is it?” She asked cutting to the chase. I sighed knowing she wasn’t going to like this.
“Someone has just activated a copy of the Azure Grimoire.” I deadpanned. Her shocked expression told me she certainly wasn’t expecting that. It didn’t last long and if you were not looking for it you wouldn’t have seen it, but I did see it and it told me all I needed to know. Inwardly I sighed a bit.
“What, how?” She asked, a tinge of fear creeping into her voice. Again her royal demeanor overpowered it but I knew her well enough to hear it. No matter how hard she tried to conceal it. Maybe it was because of how you tend to know people better when you fight them and all masks are stripped away. Or maybe I was being too philosophical.
“I don’t know.” I responded eliciting a frown from her. She pursed her lips together in thought as she considered the implications of my words. It was then she asked a question that I had certainly had not been expecting.
“What about your Grimoire?” As the question passed her lips my left arm instinctively grabbed my right and squeezed as I clenched my right hand into a tight fist. Though Celestia said nothing she nodded in affirmation of my response. I returned the nod and then proceeded to sheathe my sword.
“So what will you do now Ragna?” She asked of me. I should have known she would have asked that question and to a lesser degree I did. However I still had no answer for her.
“I don’t know.” I answered flatly, and I honestly I didn’t know. I had no idea what I could possibly do. I hadn’t thought that far ahead.
“Well then if you have no other plans then I will just have to keep an eye on you.” Celestia stated matter of factly. I made to object but she held up one of her forehooves to stop me. “I still remember what happened all those years ago, Ragna.” I shrank back a bit at that comment. “However I am willing to give you a second chance. If you accept my terms.” I groaned at that comment. Knowing celestia I wasn’t going to like her terms. She smiled and simply said, “follow me.”
With that I followed celestia to what I was certain was my doom.
