Chapter III: Home

"She's what?!" Luna said in shock as she was playing with a puzzle on her bed. Though she still felt weak as before, for Celestia it was good enough that she was eating a little bit at least. Luna was still to hold off royal duties. Belle once again was busy chewing on her Ursa plush on her make shift bed which was becoming more ragged by the minute.  "Yes. What I say is true. Ms. Goodwell has proved it. Even I was doubtful of this situation."

"A carnivorous pony? A carnivorous pony! Celestia you don't really expect me to believe that do you?"

Celestia furrowed her eyebrows at her sister before pulling out x-ray images of Belle's mouth from her bag that was strapped to her waist. She was prepared shall her sister doubt her. "These are the images showing the inside of Belle's mouth. The teeth still in her gums are all canines. Well,  at least the front teeth are."

"You weren't kidding dear sister but then this leads me to another question. How do you plan on adopting her out? No pony family at the least is going to risk a carnivore running around the house."

"That's the issue I am trying to sort out. More than likely she may end up not finding a home. I can't risk another uproar as well. This time being about how the pony that survived Sombra's mayhem was a 'carnivorous being that killed her own family.'" Celestia heard a snicker come from her sister. "Perhaps that's a bit too exaggerated sister." Celestia couldn't help but smile. "Perhaps Luna."

"I doubt she would very much end up eating any pony."

"How do we know that for sure?"

"Will she is like us for starters. We can see that. Usually if an animal is raised around a certain kind it will come to consider them as family, it won't come to consider them food. Lies true for almost any animal in Equestria Celestia."

"I just don't want any problems to arise out of such a thing but questions do still need to be answered. Why would a pony end of carnivorous?"

"Adaptation." Luna responded. "Bat ponies are all pegasi and they came about when they were adapting more to the night than the day."

"But we have never encountered such a thing before. Bat ponies also have fangs but it's not for tearing into flesh but to make it easier to tear into and slice fruits. Hence why their so small. Belle's teeth on the other hand are pure canines with the exception of her back teeth."

"It could mean she's an omnivore. Meat and Plants Celestia." Luna said feeling her sister's uneasiness. "Perhaps it is best that she stays with us? We can attend to her needs."

"How will be able to do so? I doubt the castle servants will be keened on attending to her and they are busy with their own tasks. Not to mention that we are princesses. We have duties to uphold." Luna could feel the stress of her sister building up and placed  a reassuring hoof on her sister's shoulder. "It is up to you on weather or not  you wish to adopt her out. But I do recommend you ponder on the situation before laying down your final agreement. It is still best however, that you tell them about her but the information surrounding her conditions can be kept behind closed doors. For the sake of simplicity. Celestia looked down at the floor, knowing the words her sister spoke are ones that are of truth and wise. Perhaps it was something she should at the least consider.

"I gave her a name." Celestia said in a low, calm tone.

"You did? What is it then?" Luna asked with a smile on her face.

"He name is Belle. I remember hearing bells ringing whenever she was close to me prancing around. So I named her after that."

"Sounds lovely."

Celestia was still wary of her sisters advice to still adopt the foal out. She and her sister certainly did not have the time nor energy for that matter to raise no foal. With royal duties to uphold and jobs to take care of, the last thing Luna and most importantly Celestia (being the eldest of the two) needed was more weights on top of their ton. At least she was content in knowing that it was going to be a bit time before actual adoption papers will go out. Belle was still to young to to be adopted out. it well be another year or two before she was to be released out as somepony's else's responsibility. Until then, Celestia has declared to keep the foal safe and under her care. Attending to whatever needs that may come about. Surely she couldn't be that different?

"How is she Ms.Goodwell?"

Ms. Goodwell gently let loose the scope she was using to feel Belles heartbeat. She turned to Celestia with uncertainty in her eyes.

"The foal, it seems that the reason she was sleeping so much seems to be due to her having a lack of needed vitamins and nutrients."

Celestia wasn't expecting such an answer and flinched. However, she couldn't help but later pout at herself internally at remembering what exactly Belle was. "Lack of nutrients? Is her diet not sustainable?" Celestia clearly wanted to avoid the situation she knew was coming at hand. "The diet you put her on is okay, to say the least, but she is not obtaining all of her proper vitamins. She is in need of more protein to say."

"Her diet does consists of nuts and such, is that not-"

"Those are good but her body is having a hard time digesting such things."

That explains her constant runs to the bathroom then. "Thank you Ms. Goodwell." Celestia grabs a blanket by her mouth and places it over the now resting foal. "I well see to her needs then."

"But princess! How in the world do you plan on obtaining such a thing without risking your reputation."

"Don't concern yourself with that. I have someone. Is Malida still present in Equestria?"

The nurse blinked a few times before nodding her head slowly. "Yes, but-"

"Send Light Weight to go fetch her. I will be needing her hospitality."

Feather Weight made her way through the sky with her typical desperation of speed. Her thoughts filled with only the one thing that the princess has said to her as well as the note that she carried in her mouth.

"Give this to Malida. And do not open it."

Feather saluted boldly. "Yes your highness!"

Feather saw in her sights what served as not only land for the sky but the very building blocks used to create every thing on it. The very clouds that adorned it was the home to her own kind. The pegasi. The winged ponies who had the inner magical ability to manipulate weather and fly. The one's whose ancestors where nothing but wind that took physical form to become what they are now. Feather relished in the memories of her old home before moving to be as her highness personal messenger. She found it as an honest task that screamed her destiny to take. She looped through the clouds and did a few tricks. Smiling as she took the time along her way to participate in her little bit of freedom. Away from the typical relishes of the monarchy.

"Malida. Take it to Malida. What a weird name." Feather thought to herself as the wind gushed through her mane. Maybe a weird name for a pony but not for a creature that lived on the other side of the world. Feather could have sworn that she heard the name before. Having been around the royal courts recently, closer than ever, the name rung a few bells that she sure recognized the sound of. Feather looked to see the tall, ancient designed architecture of the building before her. She fluttered down gently on the clouds below her. Not wanting to disturb anything or anypony. "The Royal Conference Hall....it's bigger up close."

The entire building was majority made of clouds like the rest, with the exception of a few parts, such as the large doors, being made out of reinforced steel. Feather never understood exactly why any pony would even decide to make doors of what belongs on an armies tank, but considering the military history of the place, it came as no surprised that such things stayed long after Celestia came to power. Indeed it was a very old building. Two guards approached her dressed in gladiator gear. Feather was too busy gazing at the building to have even noticed that they were standing there the entire time.

"Halt! State your affairs!" The grey colt stated firm and cold.

Fetaher placed the letter that was still in her mouth on the gorund and bowed "I came with a message from her highness, Princess Celestia. She wishes for me to deliver a letter to a pony named Malida?" The colt's partner looked at him before nodding his head. "Show me the letter." Feather grabbed the letter as commanded and the other looked at it with scrutiny. He nodded to his partner upon seeing the evidence and turned his attention back to the cream colored mare. "You are Feather, am I correct?"

"Y-Yes!" She quickly regained her posture and saluted. "The name's Feather Weight! The royal messenger of the ruling sisters at your service!" The two colts looked at each other. "Right." they drowned out. "Ms. Malida is in a conference with the commanders and other royal assistants. We'll let you through." The two colts positioned their front hooves in front of the door and pushed it open with their hooves. The doors making a long streak sound as it did. It amazed the mare how something so heavy could be pushed open with relative ease. "Ms. ?" one of them coughed. Feather shook her head. "Ah, yes. Thank you." she zoomed through the doors without a second thought leaving the two colts to look at each other confusingly.

"I am asking that a treaty be placed in order sir."

The red colt dressed in a black mane, responded with a scowl. "After what happened a hundred years ago and the animosity that your kind have bestowed upon our ponies, give me one reason to even consider your offer."

"Princess Celestia herself wishes to bestow a means of peace between the Eastern Empire and the land of ponies. But first, she wishes to have the consent of approval of the other nations that also govern Equestria. Hence why I'm here."

"I have no idea why her majesty would request such an offer! She's know our relationship with the Eastern Empire! Especially those flying rodents that call themselves griffons!" A loud thrash was heard on the rounded stone table where everyone sat. "Watch your tongue, Steel Blade." The silver colt backed down when he noticed the sharp glare that the red colt gave him. Aries Red coughed after disciplining his partner and pulled his attention back to the creature that was waiting patiently. "Please excuse my pupil's insubordination. And I ask that you don't take offense to his comment"

Malida simply huffed and took the paper that sat before her into her grasp. "None taken." she said stoically. "Anyway, back to formalities, it would seem that not only her royal majesty wants to make amends to the Great Eastern Empire, but also with my leader Osanburg."

"Osanburg? That-He was the one who requested such a thing?"

"Not neccesarily. He too was stubborn and wished to not concede in an agreement, but with the convincing words of your ruler, he complied. Though, reluctantly."

"Is that so?" he winded out.

"I simply ask that you take such things in consideration. We ask peace be bought together on the paws, hooves, and claws of both Equestria and my home continent. Too push back the past and move on towards a brighter future." The ponies that sat at the round table looked in a disagreeing manner. Each holding a personal reluctance and scowl. None, wanted to make amends but if anything was to be bought to peace, a treaty is best option as too what Malida was proposing. Aries Red broke the pregnant silence. "As the main executive representative of Cloudsdale,  may I ask just how many other countries or kingdoms in Equestria, have you gained the approval of?"

"I have gained the compensation of Saddle Arabia, Unicorn Range, and Los Pegasus. One of your partners."

Aries groaned. "Is that all." Malida nodded her head. "Yes. Those are all that I have so far."

"I suppose that we can make a deal. Since her majesty so desire's it." he gritted through his teeth.

"Aries! You don't suppose that we do this? Celestia! Her majesty! Surely we can refuse! We do not have to sign a deal with her!"

The pegasus mare that wore glasses and was albino disrupted the near agreement on amends. Aries Red bore his teeth at her. "The thoughts of us does not neccessarily matter when her highness herself wishes to establish a connection with a another country or kingdom. I respect her for taking into account our thoughts and opinions but surely if this is what Ms. Malida has came to us with on behalf of her highness, than its something we shall consider as it is probably for the betterment of our kind."

"Thank you Sir Aries."

"Don't get your hopes up!" Malida simply smiled at his pridefull attitude and let out a deep sigh of relief. She grabbed hold of the feathered ink pen that stood next to her. "Now, since we are past our differences, you just need to read the terms of agreement and-"

Before Malida was able to state her words completely, the doors of the meeting room flew open with a large gush of wind and smashed against the steel, dull grey colored walls. Flying the papers across the table. Before them stood a cream colored pegasus trying desperately to catch her breath.

"Damn it! I always get lost in this cursed building! Why aren't there any labels?" The pegasus re-positioned herself and brushed off her coat. she shook herself clear of dust and looked up to see a legion of stares gazing at her. Aries particularly carried an angry expression while Malida looked as though she saw enough of this to kill a pony. The mare simply blushed in embaressment.

"May we help you?" Aries broke with irritation in his voice. "Yes, I am looking for a pony by the name of Malida? My name is Feather Weight and I have an important message for that pony from her majesty."

"That, will be me."

Feather's eyes grew wide as she saw the one called Malida stand before her. "A-A griffon!" she stammered out.

Malida stood tall and postured perfectly. Smiling gently down at the pony that was small like the others in comparison with her. Her lion half was crisped in a thick black fur coat while her bird side was that of a snow leopard crossed between an owl. "A message from your highness?"

"Yes! She wishes me to give this to you." Feather pulled the letter from her pouch and handed it to the magnificent bird that took it within the grasp of her claws. With a single claw, she tore it open and grabbed the piece of paper hidden beneath it. Her expression quickly changed from one of gentleness to concentration.

"I understand." she handed the letter back to Feather and turned to face the ponies before her. "It would seem that your ruler has requested a small state of urgency with me. Before I go however, I would like the papers to be signed. As for you Ms. Feather, please escort me, once I am through, to your majesty's quarters."

Feather saluted. "Yes ma'am!"

Celestia laid down on her bed sorting through adoption notices and paper's. The sun was slowly giving way beyond the horizon as Celestia laid in front of her fire. Her moment of peace, however, was quickly interrupter by the gentle opening of her room doors. She turned her head to be greeted by one of her guards. "Excuse the intrusion your majesty but, Ms. Malida wishes to see you."

"Thank you. Let her know that I will be there shortly."

"Yes ma'am." He bowed and closed the door silently.

"Princess Celestia! I have bought who you requested!" Feather greeted joyfully. Malida smiled at the presence of Equestria's ruler and out of respects bowed. "Greetings your highness." Celestia smiled and bowed her head. "Greetings."

"You messaged detailing urgent manners to be discussed?"

"Yes. Feather, thank you for your support. I greatly appreciated it." Feather smiled and saluted. "No problem princess!"

"Now, if you excuse me. I have to talk to Ms. Malida."

Celestia led the griffon to her chambers without saying much of a single word. The sun had long set and been claimed by Luna's moon and the night lit up with stars. Celestia enjoyed the gentle glow of the moon and how the beams of light that traveled through the castle at night, sparkled with the glittering dust of the stars. She opened the doors to her room with a silence that was only broken by the crackling of her bedroom fire. Philomena stood looking intently at the other bird like being before her but quickly lost interest and went back to sleep. Ducking her head between her wings. "I've been meaning to ask Ms. Malida."

"Please, call me Malida. No need to be so formal."

Celestia smiled. "If you want. What I wanted to ask was how the treaties on the union are coming along."

"Ah! Yes! About that. I managed to get the consent of Los Pegasus and Saddle Arabia and with some hassle from the ponies of Cloudsdale, their's as well. It was tough, but they finally agreed."

"Yes. Getting that hot head Aries to agree to anything he doesn't so much as breathe into can be quite troublesome." Celestia chuckled.

"Anyway your highness, is there something that is problem? You stated in your letter that you have a request for me? Something that you cannot do on your own?"

"Yes. Follow me." Celestia guided the female griffon over to her bed where the curtains where strewn closed. Using her magic, she swiftly opened them to reveal the small foal that laid silently sleeping. "Your highness?"

"This is Belle. After our defeat and the Crystal Empire's loss, we found her lying on the edge of the empire in a cave with her mother. Unfortunaty, her mother had passed, so me and my sister took her in."

"So this is the foal that I've been hearing about. How did her mother pass?"

"We are not sure. She had multiple scars on her body, but not far from the site was a small group of deceased timber wolves. All fallen victim to some type of ice magic and brutality. Me and my sister assumed that is was the work of the representatives that came to tell us the news about Sombra but we quickly ruled out that it wasn't them behind it."

"I see. What is it that you wish for me to do for the foal?"

Celestia captured Malida's gave onto her own and with all seriousness present in her tone spoke. "Hunt for her."

The griffon could have sworn her ears was about to burst. "W-W-Wait what?!"

"Hunt for her. I cannot do it myself. Les' I risk my reputation among my citizens."

"B-But she is a pony! Why would I need to hunt for her?"

"If you do not wish to do so than that is okay."

"No! It's not that your highness its-" Malida caught herself and took a deep breath. "It is not that I can or won't but the fact  that she is a pony. Why would the need for flesh be for her?" Celestia turned her head and sighed. It wasn't a question she herself or the nurse for that matter knew the answer to. "That is something I cannot answer." Celestia responded with a solemn look in her eyes. "All I know, is that if we didn't take her in. She would have surely died. Me and my sister made the assumption that she is a survivor of Sombra's wrath. We still don't know of her history. Her mother on the other hoof...."

"Her mother?" Malida egged on.

"Her mother did not appear crystal nor of any type of pony that me and my sister have encountered. She was...a cold hue of blue and looked as though she was made of the winds. Swirls coated on her coat and mane. She seemed...other worldly."

"I myself cannot bring forth an answer to that but I must say to you princess, it would definitely be something I would look into. A carnivorous pony isn't something I would take lightly."

"You are right Ms. Malida."

Malida smiled at Celestia and took a deep breath of contentment. "I will be able to hunt for her, that is certain. It may be a while before i leave the residence of Equestria. There are still other kingdoms and countries to attend to and go on with proceedings with. Take it as a promise your highness."

The sun princess could have sworn she felt her heart leap for joy. "Thank you Malida. It is truly an honor. But please, do keep this secreat between both your kind and my own. I do not wish for any trouble."

"Sure thing princess."

Celestia let out a gentle laugh as Maldia made her way to her bedroom windows. Opening them up when a gush of wind blew back the panels and curtains. "It was certainly a joy to get to know you better your highness. I do hope that both our kingdoms do make amends through the treaty. I wish you, your sister and the foal the best of wishes. May your goddess Faust look upon you all."

"Thank you. Best wishes to you and your people as well." Celestia looked as Malida made her way off into the distant sky. Flying on wings twice as big as her own. Celestia grabbed a blanket and headed back to her bed. Placing the small throw on the sleeping foal. Content, calm, peaceful, was the only words the princess could bring herself to describe the scene before her. She laid back on her bed and sorted through adoption papers that would have to be organized. Celestia sighed and furrowed her eyes before tossing the papers into the fire. No, she couldn't. She couldn't bring herself to put the foal in a situation that may be unhealthy for her. Luna was right, perhaps it was best that her home be made here in the castle. After all, was it not in a princess duties to look after those who are under her care?