Primal Menace

Celestia sighed as she looked over a few papers not really retaining what was on the page, rereading the same section she rubbed the bridge of her nose. She lay the sheets on the arm of throne and noticed her secretary walking up quickly her hooves echoing even on the carpeted floor. Ignoring the paperwork for now the Sun Monarch leaned forward.

“How are the men Raven? I hope that the incident earlier didn't hurt them too badly.” Celestia asked taking a few more sheets from the small woman.

“Captain Diamond Shine was correct with his assessment most of them had minor scratches and burns their pride was the most damaged. Lady Minfillia is currently in the library and Urianger has joined her after having a conversation with myself, he says Olwen was beginning to go to sleep when he left her.” Raven smiled and her cheeks a slight red as she spoke of the tall man.“Your letter to Princess Twilight Sparkle has been sent, do you expect her today or in the morning?” She said quickly regaining her composer that did not go unnoticed by her boss. “Should I send the guard to wake your sister? It is nearly time for her breakfast and your supper.”

“I am sure Luna would like to meet the new arrivals if she is not already aware of them. I expect Twilight and her friends to arrive either later tonight if they can catch the train, I hope we hear from them if them miss it.” Celestia smiled as she stood walking towards the dining room. “Can you contact the Astrologists and see if they have seen any change in the energies around Equestria. I want to see if they have seen anything that we should be worried about.” Celestia said her smile turning into a frown. “Also to see if these Scions are telling the truth.” Celestia thought as a pair of guards opened the large doors to the dinning room. “Also tell our guests that food will be served soon if they wish to join me.”

Raven nodded quickly rushing out the doors, Celestia watched as her secretary took a small spill, but quickly bounced to her hooves and rushed along.

...

Celestia sat down at the head of the table a few reports from the Crystal Empire having odd weather patterns that confused their weather teams. Another report of an excess of smoke billowing out of a mountain to the west of Canterlot, an inactive volcano that was due for an eruption if she remembered right. Many other odd weather quirks were on the reports that she asked Raven to fetch for her to try and figure out if her guests were correct that a monster had been able to get into her lands without her knowing it. She did not notice as a servant stood beside until she coughed to get her attention.

“Excuse me Princess, do you wish to be served now?” A small light pink woman spoke said quickly.

“Yes please.” Celestia said quickly organizing the papers as the servant waved to another bringing another pushing a cart. As the servant began to pour a cup of tea Urianger stepped through the doors with a bow.

“I apologize for my tardiness. Minfillia has returned to her room to see if Olwen is awake and will be down shortly.” Urianger said taking a seat a few chairs down from Celestia.

“You have no need to be sorry. You are a guest, I figured you may want food after your long trip.” Celestia said taking s sip from her cup. “I wanted to ask a few things about your country. We have had very few meetings to my knowledge.”

“Tis true. The land we come from has three large cities that have a small coalition that comes in handy from one of the bigger threats we face.” Urianger answered taking a cup of tea himself.

“The primals?” Celestia asked getting a shake of the man's head.

“An empire that believes themselves superior due to technological advances.” Urianger looked to a large window. “They are currently fighting among themselves as a their previous emperor had passed away and left no heir. An upstart General has taken the crown and we worry that he may advance, but they have been dealt a heavy blow as one of their most well known figureheads was killed and their super weapon that they believed would unstoppable was destroyed.”

“Interesting. I was not aware that a war was waging just across the ocean to us. Does your Coalition require any assistance? I can send what we can to aid in the plight of your people.” Celestia said lowering her cup and accepting a salad a servant had placed in front of her.

“I am not the best one to deal with that sort of deal Princess.” Urianger chuckled as he took a sip of tea. “The Scions are a neutral faction that will assist any of the nations of Eorzea, but we cannot deny or accept anything without their consent.”

“Political red tape how I hate it so.” Celestia said coldly as she stabbed her salad. “A necessary evil, but it does not mean that I like it.” She smiled as she took a bite.

Minfillia entered looking around at the people in the room. A slight panicked look in her eyes made Urianger stand. Regaining her composer Minfillia cleared her throat. “Pardon my interruption but Olwen is gone from her bed and none of the guards have seen her.”

“I can send some guards looking for her.” Celestia said looking to Urianger sitting down shaking his head with a knowing smile. “I have a feeling you know where she may be.”

Urianger straightened as he was addressed. “Was it so obvious? She will be in an open area preferably with nature. A park or garden would be where you will likely find her, if she wants to be found.” He said returning to his meal.

“How would you know this?” Minfillia asked rather put out by her companion's insider knowledge.

“I have dealt with Olwen's oddities before.” Urianger said sipping his tea. “She tends to go to nature to think.”

“An action I wish I had a chance to do myself in recent times.” Celestia chuckled as she returned to her dish. “No offense, but your ally seems like she would rather be out in the world rather than dealing with politics. Why would you bring her?”

“She may appear as a troublesome child with too much power, I assure you that she is dependable when needed.” Minfillia said straightening her back.

“That is something we will always need.” Celestia said softly as she took another bite.

…

Olwen sat on a thick tree branch, her attire had changed to a set of blue plates over a thin black chain mail set, the normal face mask had been removed. She overlooked a large courtyard with multiple statues and a hedge maze. She sighed as the quiet of the area took hold of her, the quiet was shattered by a whistle of a train a few kilometers away. Her eyes closed as she began to meditate in the tree. The calm air around the garden eased the warrior as she looked deeply into herself.

She lost track herself as she sat in the tree only when a fluttering of wings snapped her basic instincts into gear as her small ears began to turn searching for the noise. Noticing a young woman kneeling in front of some of the local fauna, pink hair and a yellowish complexion, Olwen was about to reveal herself when the soft voice of the woman stopped her.

“You are all so skittish since the last time I visited. Is there someone or something that is scaring you?” Her voice trembled slightly as she ended the sentence. The animals squeaked and chattered as if replying to the woman, Olwen watched curiously. “A predator? Here? How could a predator be here, but we are in a safe place.”

Olwen could almost make out a squirrel pointing to the tree that she currently sat in, the thought seemed ridiculous to the warrior. The thought that a woodland animal was smart enough to point out her position was a silly thought. She wasn't trying to be stealthy, but the action from the animal felt almost like it was an intelligent creature. Lost in her thoughts she never noticed the woman floating beside peeking shyly through the dense leaves, a snap of one of the branches made Olwen's ears twitch and turn to a pair of cyan eyes looking at her. A panicked squeak and the voyeur disappeared into the leaves, Olwen sighed as she noticed the yellow woman retreat into the castle.

“I have a feeling this will come to bite me.” Olwen groaned as she unfolded her legs and hopped off the branch. Landing softly and walking towards the castle a large guard stepped forward. The guard towered over the cat, his armor looked like two sets patched together for his large frame.

“Olwen Stormcaller I presume.” He asked his voice like gravel. “I have come looking for you, the Princess wishes for your presence in the dinning hall.” He said pointing down the hallway. “I can lead the way if you don't mind. I am curious about your weapons.” He smiled as he turned back to Olwen.

“I wouldn't mind the company. Although I don't know much of the mechanics of how the weapon changes, I know more about how the pointy end goes into the enemy.” Olwen chuckled as she matched his pace. “May I ask your name?”

“I am Stalwart Shield. I have a hobby of collecting exotic weapons, I saw you in the courtyard earlier and was amazed.” Stalwart laughed his deep laugh echoing in the hallway. “Seeing someone that can use so many weapons when everypony here only focus on usually two styles of fighting. It was exciting.”

Olwen took a step to the side as the large man almost squealed like a child. “I appreciate the enthusiasm, It has taken me a long time to learn how to use these weapons.” Olwen smiled at her blade as she held it in front of her. “My teachers would be proud to see me today. If it wasn't for them I wouldn't have been able to do anything against the guards from earlier.” She turned to Stalwart who grinned broadly.

“I am surprised you are so humble. I am sure if I was able to take out a Captain my head would be so huge.”

“I think your head is large enough, if it was bigger you wouldn't be able to fit in the doors.” Olwen laughed with Stalwart laughing again a few seconds later.

“I already have that problem.” Stalwart Shield chuckled as he stopped at a pair of large doors. “This is your stop. If you have time later would you like to go out for a drink and continue this talk, I believe Captain Diamond Shine wishes to talk to you as well.”

“I will think about it. Thank you for the company.” Olwen smiled as she pushed open the door she looked at the group of people surrounding the long table.

Minfillia and Urianger sat on right side of the table a dessert in front of them half eaten in Minfillia's case. Princess Celestia sat at the head with a similar dessert in front of her, to her left was a shorter woman but was clothed similarly like Celestia but in dark blues. On the left side of the table was six women of various builds that Olwen assumed was a council of some sort.

A heavily built one with a stetson and blonde hair and a healthy glow about her, she looked like she worked hard and represented the common people. The one beside her made Olwen's ears twitch slightly an elegantly dressed woman with long curls, the aura of superiority that Olwen had seen before, but something wasn't exactly right, high socialite was laughing and smiling at the blonde as if old friends. A woman dressed in violets and looked like a textbook case of a powerful magic user, her thin frame and bookish looks made her a candidate to the magical gifted people. A prismatic haired woman with a set of cobalt armor and athletic frame had a look of distrust to the other side of the table, but she glanced to her side of the table and gave the impression that would dive in front of a blade for them, Olwen couldn't think what she could be representing. A bouncing pink garbed woman was stuffing a piece of cake into mouth, she swirled the dessert in her cheeks before swallowing in a large gulp a smile and big thumbs up confused the warrior. The final woman was the yellow clad woman she saw in the garden, now getting a good look at her Olwen was impressed from the woman, her long pink hair and simply dressed compared to the others held an aura of calmness in the commotion.

“Glad you could join us Miss Stormcaller.” The Princess smiled as Olwen moved towards the table. Out of the corner of her eye Olwen noticed the yellow woman shrink down in her chair slightly and the prismatic one noticed growing slightly agitated. “We will get to introductions, in a second. How are you feeling since the incident earlier?”

“My tail is fine and my body is sore but will heal and the any job I will be assigned will be completed.” Olwen answered to point like a trained soldier. This surprised the left side of the table as Olwen sat her hands folded in front of her.

“That is good. You missed supper so would you like something to eat, you must be a little famished from your trip?” Celestia motioned to a servant, Olwen was about to protest but the servant was gone too quickly. “Now then to the introductions. This is my sister Luna co-ruler of Equestria.” Luna nodded as Celestia continued. “These ladies are my former student turned princess and her friends. I wasn't really expecting them to be able to make it in such short notice. Princess Twilight Sparkle.” The violet one nodded. “Applejack Apple.” The blonde gave a smile a lazy wave. “Rarity Belle.” The socialite gave a slight bow. “Rainbow Dash.” The prismatic one gave a cocky smirk and a thumbs up. “Pinkie Pie.” The one clad in pink bounced and waved franticly grinning from ear to ear. “And finally Fluttershy.” The yellow one gave a tiny wave. “They are going to be important to this meeting because they will be your guide to our lands.”

“I don't want to sound rude Princess. How well trained are these women?” Urianger asked calmly as a servant filled the cups on the table. He smiled and gave him a nod of approval. “We may be walking into a very dangerous situation. I would not want to put them into harm sway if it could be avoided.”

“I agree. What we are going to face is a beast that could kill them or worse.” Minfillia protested looking to the solar princesses.

“What could be worse than death?” Rainbow asked as she leaned back in her chair.

“How about becoming a mind controlled slave to a monster and watching yourself murder maim and or kill everyone around you, and you are powerless to stop it.” Olwen said calmly as she took her cup of tea from a now spooked servant. “I watched a friend have to put down one of her sisters because she was afflicted by a condition we call tempering.”

The six women looked at each other shocked as the grim words sunk in. Princess Twilight Sparkle stood up and leaned forward on the table. “Why didn't you try to save her? You have a cure for that do you not? You wouldn't face these creatures if you didn't come prepared.”

The right side of the table sighed and shook their heads. “We have not found a cure for tempering yet.” Urianger answered getting a few murmurs from the six.

“I only face them because I appear to be immune to the tempering. I am the only one fighting this beast. We worry about your safety because we do not have enough data how your people will react.” Olwen said setting her cup down. “I personally have seen very strong mages walk into the lair and then be tempered, I have seen mages of similar power get 300 meters away from the things and go mad and begin blowing up their allies.”

“The elements should protect us from them kind of things, shouldn't they Twilight?” Applejack asked leaning into the table.

“I would think they would, but they didn't protect us from Discord.” Twilight answered tapping her chin in thought.

“But we weren't wearing them then.” Pinkie spoke up in a sing song voice.

“Yea, Discord had taken them and brainwashed us.” Rainbow said a smirk on her face.

“Pardon my interruption 'elements'? What are these elements?” Urianger asked confused, Twilight was about to answer but a raised hand from Celestia stopped her.

“The Elements of Harmony, A set of magical necklaces that are powered by these women before you. They are both a powerful weapon able to neutralize chaotic foes and a potent deterrent to such foes.” Celestia answered. “They can purify a corrupted foe or imprison them in stone. They are a weapon that could solve this tempering problem, but I am not sure they could prevent it from happening.”

“So they are more of a reactionary weapon. I foresee that if one of you got corrupted you would have problems, would you you be able to summon this if one of you were gone?” Urianger analyzed the new information.

“It doesn't matter.” Olwen said getting glares from her two companions. “They are getting me there. They are not going to be there for fighting.” Olwen looked to others at the table. The six looked rather pout out by this as did Minfillia and Urianger, the two princesses looked at her rather curiously. “Unless you had another plan without telling us. Maybe you were planning on using these elements of harmony to turn the thing to stone or make it 'pure'.”

Celestia shifted in her chair as the comment hit home. Olwen looked at the Princesses and was surprised she guessed it. Her shock was plastered on her face as she looked to the princesses.

“We are a peaceful society. We would prefer to pacify the threat than directly fight it.” Luna spoke up for the first time. Minfillia and Urianger nodded in agreement, Olwen sighed and leaned back in her chair. “I know that this is not your way of dealing with these creatures, It is ours.”

“Fine, I will agree with this under two conditions.” Olwen said crossing her arms across her chest. The six and the princesses looked to each other and mumbled to each other.

“What are your terms?” Twilight asked turning to Olwen.

“First term, if you are coming on this trip I will train you. You will be trained in combat, you will be able to protect yourself if I am not able to get to you and the elements are deemed useless.” Olwen said looking to the six who looked a little nervous but they agreed. “Second term, if the elements are deemed useless we will take care of the primal my way.”

The six nodded as Olwen straightened up in the chair. “We agree to your terms and hope that you will be patient with us during training.” Twilight said getting a slow nod from Olwen as she stood. “When do we start?”

“What the average time on the burst of aetherical energies and the summonings?” Olwen asked turning to Urianger. The tall man sighed scratching the back of his head.

“It depends on where the primal is being summoned and if they can gather enough crystals to use as a beacon for it. Ifrit was a few weeks, but Titans was mere days due to location. We need to research the crystal supplies here.” Urianger answered turning to the princesses.

“We can help with that, we can get the paperwork from the shipping companies.” Celestia said with a nod.

"We should start training soon, we still need to find where the signal is coming from and that will take time as well." Olwen siad as she she stood tucking in her chair.

Minfillia gave her a glare. “Where are you going?”

“I am going out for a drink with a couple of the guards.” Olwen said turning to the six. “You are welcome to come. A Stalwart Shield asked me and mentioned the captain I tossed around would be there. I want to talk to him, say I'm sorry and all that.”

“Is it going to be a party?” Pinkie smiled getting a shrug from the cat woman.

“I doubt that them guards would be holdin' the same kinds of parties your used to Pinkie.” Applejack stood and walked around the table ruffling the curly haired mane of Pinkie as she passed. “My bet is it would be a bar downtown.”

“That would be my guess as well, unless they wanted to fight again?” Olwen smirked getting a knowing look from the apple farmer. “Which I would like to avoid, but boys will be boys.” Olwen laughed as she and Applejack walked through the doors a rainbow blur quickly on their heels.

The awkward silence as the door clicked shut could be cut with a knife. A polite cough made the room turn to the elegant woman stirring her tea. “Brutes will be brutes more like it.” A vibrant pink rose to her cheeks as the she froze the combined looks of confusion and surprise on the remaining parties in the room. “Oh dear did I just say that out loud.”

…

Applejack slammed her mug down sending a shock wave through the table as a small group cheered as a disheveled stallion slammed his mug down shortly after, earning the remaining hoots and hollers. The claps and slaps on the back as the spectators cheered on the competitors, another round was placed in front of them and the bar grew quiet. The two gave each other a smirk and grabbed the mugs the entire room burst into cheers again.

Olwen leaned against the bar watching from afar as Applejack slammed the mug down again and the stallion toppled to the side getting even more cheers from the crowd. She smiled as she turned back to the bar her own drink largely ignored, a stallion approached his light blue hair cut in a military style a small smile on his lips.

“Lady Stormcaller. Glad you could make it.” He gave her a curt nod and holding out a hand to shake. Hesitating slightly before taking it. “It is better to see you outside of combat.”

“I assume you were one of the guys that surrounded me earlier.” Olwen asked sipping her drink. “I have been apologizing all night, and getting the same from some of these guys.”

“It is alright. You were in the right after we learned what happened. I am Diamond Shine the last one you fought.” Diamond Shine smiled taking a seat beside the cat woman.

“I thought you were taken to the infirmary. I did a number on your armor.” Olwen said her ears perking up by the name.

“It was a shame to break such beautiful armor, but it served its purpose and protected me. The only thing damaged is my pride and maybe my reputation as a top swordspony.” He gave dignified chuckle as he drew a handkerchief from his shirt pocket and dabbed his eye.

“You didn't strike me much of a dandy in a fight.” Olwen remarked getting a chuckle again from the captain.

“I am hardly a dandy, but I tend to have a flair for the dramatic.” Diamond answered quickly getting an eye roll from his company. He watched as Olwen glanced back to the women that she came with her tail swishing back and forth as she noticed Applejack and Rainbow Dash trying to goad another soldier into another contest. “Something the matter?” Diamond asked snapping Olwen back to the world of the living.

“No, nothing too important. I guess I am just over thinking some things.” She said turning to Diamond who was eyeing her up like a trained soldier. “You train people in multiple styles of combat do you not?”

“Ah business, we guards try to learn multiple forms of combat. Hand to hand, swordplay, polearms, and in rare cases bows.” Diamond answered his look analyzing the woman before him. “Why do you ask?”

“How would you train those two? You know the limitations and the positives of your races better than I do.” Olwen asked pointing towards Applejack and Rainbow. “I get that Applejack is physically a powerhouse just by looking at her, just what would she be able to use and hold up to that might. Rainbow seems like she would be perfect behind a bow, she seems too impulsive for the concentration it takes to take that shot.”

Diamond laughed as he finished his drink. “Those two would be fine in hand to hand, Applejack feels to me like a sword or axe would just get in the way, she has power to spare but what she lacks is control. Rainbow's speed would be her greatest asset, a short sword in her hands would be effective, but the cockiness would be her downfall."

Olwen groaned as she turned back to the bar. “I was afraid of that. That was what I was thinking as well. I have to find a fighting style for them so they feel comfortable, but at the same time do not get too frustrated and hurt themselves.”

“A second opinion I see.” Diamond said scratching his chin. “Those two will be a handful, just remember a teacher can both be friend and enemy.”

“It isn't about me. It is about them.” Olwen replied earning another chuckle.

“You are already a teacher then.” Diamond Shine stood and moved towards the exit giving a salute as he reached the door. Olwen returned the salute along with a few other soldiers. “You better be ready for drills early in the morning grunts.” Diamond shouted over the bar. “We can't be shown up by anypony ever again, we will be the best we can be and ever was.” A cacophony of shouts of encouragement rose up from the patrons and soldiers. He left with a smile as the bar seemed to rise up in a drunken song.

Olwen ignored the song as she thought over what the captain had said.