Life Is Never So Simple

Indigo cracked open his eye and looked over at Sombra. The gray unicorn’s eyes were squeezed shut in concentration and his horn was flaring brightly. Indigo’s was doing the same, and a cold sweat dripped down his face. He tore his attention away from Sombra and back to the challenge. Transmutation was hard enough, smoothly turning one form of matter into another without destroying it, but changing one element into another was damn near impossible. Indigo scrunched up his face in concentration and poured all he had into the spell. Gradually he felt the ball of suspended water before him shift. The water collapsed in on itself, rearranging it’s basic build. Indigo opened his eyes as a large ball of hardened dirt fell on the ground before him and Sombra. With a puff Indigo released the magic, followed shortly by Sombra. His legs were shaking and his head spun. He felt exhausted. Sombra was not in a much better state, swaying on his hooves and panting. The two looked at each other and smiled, silently congratulating each other. The clack of steel brought Indigo’s attention to Luna, who was walking over to them with a wide grin on her face.

“Marvelous job, the both of you. Most unicorns are not able to do magic of that caliber,”

“Thank you, princess,” Indigo said with a small bow. Sombra smirked and rubbed his head.

“I would like to know the practical application of this. Its enormously time consuming and draining,” he said, eyeing the ball of dirt with distaste.

“Well, when you are stuck in the desert or there is a drought, you tell me how useless it is,” she turned and motioned for the two of them to follow. Together, the three walked through the castle grounds, illuminated in the light of the setting sun. Birds twittered in the tall green trees and a stream babbled along next to the winding gravel path the trio strolled along. Indigo had always loved this place, it was so quiet and peaceful. He remembered when he was a foal, and he and Sunny used to come play here. Those were good times. Indigo was snapped out of his reverie when Sombra nervously cleared his throat.

“Princess? I was curious as to whether or not I could be allowed access to the forbidden archives?” Sombra inquired hopefully, increasing his stride to match the princess. She gazed at him sidelong with a suspicious expression.

“Absolutely not. Nopony but Starswirl, Celestia and I may enter the archives,”

“Princess please! It will help so much in my studies! There’s magical knowledge in there I have only dreamed of,” Indigo quickened his place and placed a hoof on Sombra’s shoulder.

“Friend, you do not need to go in there. Please drop the issue. It will gain you nothing but another argument with Luna,”

“He speaks the truth,” the princess was still looking straight ahead. “Under no circumstances are you to be allowed access to the archives. The knowledge they contain is too dangerous,”

Sombra opened his mouth as if to respond, but a look from Indigo made him close it glumly.

“If not the archives, may I finally be allowed access to the restricted section? I think the time is long overdue,” he looked at Luna expectantly. She sighed and a wide grin spread across his face. He had learned over the years that generally when Luna sighed like that, it was a sign of defeat.

“I believe I will be able to make that happen. For you and Indigo both,” Indigo gave a small smile and moved around to stand  on the other side of the princess.

“Thank you very much, auntie Luna,” she smiled at the affectionate title and nuzzled his cheek.

“No trouble at all. I do hope you two will take care in your readings. Some of the magic in the restricted section should not be practiced with a careless heart,” Indigo and Sombra nodded quickly and shot each other excited grins behind Luna’s back. She chuckled lightly, pretending not to notice. As the trio approached the gate they were stopped by a gray unicorn with yellow eyes and a flowing blue cape speckled with stars and crescent moons. The bells on his large, pointy had jingled and gleamed in the sunlight. His flowing white beard swayed as he stopped and fixed the three of them with a kind, crinkly smile.

“Starswirl!” Indigo exclaimed, rushing forward and enveloping him in a hug. The unicorn ‘oofed’ and chuckled, patting the exuberant colt on the back.

“Hello, Indigo. It’s good to see you again. Hello to you as well, Sombra,” the other unicorn smiled and nodded his head, stepping up to Starswirl as Indigo retreated.

“It’s been a long time,” Sombra said with a grin as he pulled Starswirl into an embrace of his own.

“That it has. How are your studies going?”

“Very well. You just missed us practicing transmutation,”

“Really? Transmutation already? I wish I could have been th-”

“Starswirl, forgive my interjection, but I must know why you have returned so soon You said you would be in Avion for another six months,” Luna said with a hint of confusion. Starswirl sighed and rubbed his forehead. In an instant all vitality seemed to drain from the unicorn He looked tired and worn.

“I’m afraid that the Griffin Imperium has fallen into civil war. The rebels attacked Avion not two weeks ago. I was visiting with the king in the royal hall when they launched their attack. The king made me leave the city. There...was nothing I could do. I only escaped since the rebels ignored me. The army was fighting ferociously with them, and I promised I would return and secure assistance for the griffins in their time of need.” Starswirl took a deep breath and straightened, instantly composing himself and staring Luna in the eyes.

“That’s why I have returned. The griffins need our help. I was going to ask you and Celestia to send aid to the imperium. Now that you know, I must insist we deploy our forces to assist the griffins,”

Luna frowned and rubbed her muzzle thoughtfully. Indigo gave Sombra a look that portrayed confusion, nervousness, and even a little fear. Sombra’s own stony look softened and he gave Indigo a small smile. Starswirl continued to stare at Luna with determination, oblivious to the two colts’ silent exchange.

“This is most troubling news indeed,” Luna said finally, looking up at Starswirl with a stony look. “The griffins have been our long standing allies. We cannot allow them to go unaided in their time of need,” Starswirl nodded and lifted the corner of his mouth in the smallest of smiles. Luna walked past her students, her magic blooming to life as the large gates swung inward on silent hinges. Starswirl fell in step with Luna, talking to her in fast whispers. Sombra and Indigo lagged behind their older companions. Sombra stared straight ahead with a stony expression, his eyes fixed on a point above Luna’s head. Indigo’s eyes flitted about nervously. He was clearly much more nervous than Sombra was. Indigo’s mind kept jumping from ridiculous situation to even more ridiculous situation, and he couldn't stop himself. What if the griffin rebellion spread? What if the other griffin kingdoms descended into anarchy? What if Equestria was invaded?! Images flashed through his mind of The Glimmering City of Canterlot burning to cinders. Ponies slaughtered in the streets my griffins clad in black leather armor. The blood of the innocent and warriors alike flowing in the streets.

Indigo shook himself out of his self induced stupor and took a deep breath, forcing his dark thoughts to the back of his head. He felt a nudge on his shoulder and looked to see Sombra gazing at him with concern. It was clear, at least to Indigo, that the older unicorn was nervous as well. Sombra was much better at hiding it though.

“You alright?” Sombra whispered with concern. Indigo nodded and twitched the corner of his mouth in a semblance of a smile. Sombra gave a small smile back and the two stopped as Luna paused before the doors to the great throne room. She turned and addressed her students as Starswirl stood patiently by the door, smile line crinkled face distorted by a frown.

“You are to wait here while Starswirl and I inform my Celestia of what has transpired in the Imperium. Please be patient while we discuss this rather...important issue. It may take a while,” with this Luna turned and quietly opened the double doors with her magic. Starswirl paused briefly in the doorway and gave Indigo and Sombra a sad smile before following Luna and closing the doors behind him. The two golden clad pegasi flanking the doors stood in silence as Indigo and Sombra walked down the hall a short ways and slid down to sit on the floor. For a while, the two sat in silence for a time before Indigo spoke.

“War in the Imperium. Can you believe it?”

“As much as I would like not to, I can. Tensions have been...high in the Imperium for quite some time,”

“I never would have thought that it would have degenerated into open rebellion, though. The griffins are always so composed. How do they not like Tiberius? He’s such an amazing griffin!” at this Sombra raised his eyebrow and gave Indigo a pointed look.

“Be that as it may, he has not been the best king of late. He’s been very strict in the enforcement of his laws and none to lenient toward dissenters,” Indigo frowned and slumped back against the wall, falling silent. They sat waiting for a few more minutes before the door to the throne room opened and the princesses strode out. Sombra and Indigo climbed hastily to their feet as the two Alicorns walked up to them.

“Good afternoon, Sombra. Indigo,” Celestia said with a slight nod toward each of them. “Thank you for your patience while we discussed this topic. And I believe-” she gave a pointed look at Luna, who huffed and looked away, clearly not happy. “We will be reinforcing the griffins-” Starswirl gave a firm nod at this, which Celestia ignored and continued on. “For a multitude of reasons I would rather not explain, I will not be able to lead our armies. Therefore-”

“I will be leading the Lunar regiments to the Imperium tomorrow night,” Luna interjected, cutting off a slightly annoyed Celestia. Luna’s expression turned to one of slight regret as she continued. “This means, then, that all my closest will have to accompany me. Especially those with any combat training...” Luna trailed off as Indigo’s eyes widened and he and Sombra looked back and forth between the three in front of them. Slowly, the two grasped what was happening.

“We're...we're going to war with you?”

“Unfortunately, yes,” Celestia had the most disgusting look of pity on her face.