"How long has it been since you've seen the banner of war?" Twilight asks Discord as he plays with a ball of pure black as a human known as Morbiss sits drinking the liquid from said black ball, "Cause without the princesses here, its only a matter of time before the Minotaurs and Griffon test their luck."
Twilight, currently trotting back and forth in front of a window overlooking the stone wonder of Canterlot with Fluttershy behind her dressed in some light armor and sword at the side, watches the two figures sitting at a floating table while taking in Morbiss' new features. He's changed since that moment in the throne room oh so long ago and she still can't bring herself to completely believe this new change. She still waits to see a flicker of his old self, but nothing so far.
Morbiss now has short blonde hair that stops above his two green eyes that seem pierce through a creature's soul, a slender feminine figure has replaced what used to be his manly muscular form, and his voice has been turned up a bit to match his more child like form. Yet despite how none threatening he looks, an aura of power radiates off his body. This aura of power prevents her from wanting to get too close to him or even taking her eyes off of him. Discord finds quite the perverse pleasure in seeing Twilight's paranoia which annoys Fluttershy to no ends which distracts her from her thoughts for she can't help but to constantly glare at Discord and his chaotic ways.
Overall, it's been a pretty normal afternoon for them. Discord and his shenanigans while training Morbiss, Twilight learning more about how to run a country while Fluttershy trains the guards, and winding up here in the meeting tower freaking out over what will happen in the future that seems far off. Of course the days haven't always been like this.
The first couple of days were spent cleaning up the mess that the magic infused corrupted version of Morbiss made. Luckily, not too many ponies asked what happened during the first days of Figuring as Morbiss likes to put. They had to figure out what had happened to him and tell him all that he did. He came to on the second day of Figuring asking what happened to Discord and someone by the name of Flint. Of course Discord did most the talking as Twilight was in the middle of a extensile crisis with the help of Fluttershy who was manning up as they say.
The third day was spent on who will do what and how we should address the issue of no longer having Princesses. Morbiss said we should tell the public, but who knows what will happen if that information ever gets out. So we went with something less explosive and simply told everypony that they are sick and letting Twilight run in their stead with Discord and Fluttershy as advisors. Of course there were a bunch of skeptical ponies and theories running around, but none of them lead to very faintest idea of the princesses being dead so as far as they were concerned the ponies could say whatever they want.
Though a few already know the truth and are keeping as quiet as they can about it. The guards were the first to know and immediately quelled any and all thoughts of anypony wanting to tell the populace that their believed to be immortal princesses are in fact dead. Such an action would no doubt bring about a series of unfortunate events that even Discord said would be too chaotic.
"I guess that depends on what banner of war you mean Twilight. After all, there are all sorts of different wars that took place after the great magic war all those years ago and even than-"
"I meant any big war Discord!" Twilight yells stopping a hoof a irritated look sprawled across her face as her eye twitch and a strand of hair flicks out of place, "I mean a serious threat to Equestria war!"
Fluttershy moves forward and strokes Twilight's mane back down while pressing her body against hers in a gesture of calm. Fluttershy has really taken quite the position in Twilight's life. Some would speculate more than just being friends, but knowing the two's personalities like Morbiss and Discord do would eradicate such thoughts.
Well. For Twilight's side.
"Fine. If you put it like that than about a few centauries ago back after the Wendigos left." Discord says rolling his eyes and head.
"Exactly. Now. We need to start thinking about what to do about the giant flux of magic that I'm sure more magical incarnated creatures would have felt from that battle and the blast of magic leaving the world. I'm sure they're already starting to piece two and two together!" Twilight says laying her head against Fluttershy's torso.
Morbiss sighs putting his cup down and hopping down from his chair. He walks over to the window and opens it letting a cold autumn wind blow through the room.
"For now, we have nothing to worry about. Maybe things finding that magical power and feeding off of it, but as far as your potential enemies go; its fall. Nothing is going to happen while they focus on food and making sure their troops are ready for spring when it comes around. Supplies are usually short on hand during this time right?" Morbiss asks leaning up against the open frame of the door looking towards the setting sun in the distance.
"Well yea. That's true, but if we want to make sure we're ready we-"
"Need to think ahead and plan and blah blah blah. I understand, Twilight. I've only been awake for what? Three weeks? And we're already talking about war that may very well be on the very distant horizon. You need to stay calm Twilight. War is a strategic game that none want to lose. Losing the game of war is a very horrific thing." He turns towards the room with just his head looking over his shoulder, "Just look at me and Discord."
The room grows quiet which allows the distant sound of the streets below reach their isolated tower. Fillies playing in the cobbled stone streets and the older ponies haggling wares and food to others. Friendly hellos and bitter goodbyes. These sounds of peace makes Twilight sigh and Fluttershy's eyes grow softer. Discord simply shakes his head snapping his finger putting the chaotic decorations back to their normal states before turning into a bird and landing on the perch beside Morbiss.
"If you excuse me, I need to fly the coop for a bit. I'll be back to nest before night. Do try to keep yourselves a float for a while." The discord bird says before taking off into the sky.
"Peace is a gift, Twilight. Never forget that okay?" Morbiss says looking back out the window following Discord with his eyes.
Fluttershy sighs placing her helmet on the night stand beside a purple and white bed with gold trims. The bed that she has slept in for the past couple of weeks with Twilight due to her recent night terrors. She lets a hoof run through her mane as she looks up at herself in the dresser mirror. She can sometimes hardly imagine the image staring back at her as herself. Some times she feels like she's looking on to a life that's not even hers.
From the corner of her eyes she can see Twilight out on the balcony over looking
Again.
Twilight has been like this for so long now. She's concerned about her future subjects and how they'll adjust to the change of leadership. So far things have been going well, but there will be a time where they will question where Celestia and Luna are and why she is still the one to be allowed leadership. Of course when that day comes she'll have three powerful beings at her back.
Hopefully.
Despite the uncertain future, things have truly been calm. Not a lot of events have happened since that faithful day. Even the Everfree forest has seemed to have gone into some sort of shocked state of being. Perhaps the forest was effected by the residual magic...
"I'll probably have to look into that..." Fluttershy says laying on top of the silk velvet sheets waiting for Twilight, "Twilight. Come in before you catch a cold." Fluttershy speaks out after clearing her throat.
Twilight gives a slight nod before turning and entering the room closing the glass panel doors behind her. She crawls into be pressing her face into the pillow giving a sigh. Fluttershy strokes a hoof absentmindedly down her friends mane and spine.
"Tomorrow is a new day Twilight. Don't worry so much. Your friends are beside you."
"Not all of them..." Twilight speaks back voice muffled by the pillow, "... I miss Spike."
Fluttershy nods her head slowly and knowingly. Silence rains as Fluttershy looks out the window towards the ever moving moon that seems to just sit in the sky watching over the world as some silent protector. A few moments of breathless silence a snore erupts from Twilight's maw only slightly muffled by the pillow. A girlish giggle of glee sneaks its way from Fluttershy's muzzle as she leaves one hoof on her friend's back and brings the other to it.
"Tomorrow is a new day..." She reminds herself as she lays her head down with a small smile on her face.
Author's Note
So decided to start doing these all over to the current point that it should be at. When I was writting I realized that I had no where to take it and tht I wasn't having fun with it. So I decided to do it over again.
Twilight walks down the bright, sunlit hallway that leads from her room into the main foyer. She let's a yawn escape her purple maw before looking out towards the abundant green garden that's being taken care of by the many maids and butlers, as well as the morning garden staff. Little to no fauna can be seen in the early mornings. Most of the creatures that live in this garden now a days are nocturnal, so it's only natural that so little should be seen. Though the morning creatures are just a bit more docile and kinder than the one's at night in her opinion. Though... a lot of the ponies that wander the gardens at night like to disagree with that point. Fluttershy is one of those ponies.
She can only giggle at the thought of Fluttershy's puffed up cheeks arguing how the lunar beasts are much more nicer than the Solar ones while wearing her royal armor she obtained a few days ago. As she walks through the garden, she can imagine Fluttershy walking right alongside her. Just being as happy and giddy as she is when no pony else is watching her.
When there is no longer need for facades.
After all, captains have to keep up a certain air in order to keep their charges in line. If they think their captain is a doormat, you experience resilience more often and a lack of moral over all. The lack of experience needed for training and the lack of moral equals loss after loss if a war were to erupt.
She lets a sigh escape her maw before leaving from the garden just as soon as she had entered. This wasn't the time to be wandering off for some thinking and relaxation. She has duties to see done before she can take some time for herself. It's what Celestia and Luna would want for her to do.
From the garden she walks the corridor until two heavy set doors taller than herself loom above her. The doors protect many secrets and the walls inside could tell so many stories. Of course, the stained windows tell a different story than what the walls would tell. They are magically infused with destiny magic from an era long lost and even more so with the death of the princesses. The recent stained glass depicts Twilight with a glowing crown above her head signifying her rise to a pseudo princess hood.
Twilight places a hoof against the door and sighs again before pushing them open with her magic. The staff has done a very good job in cleaning up the mess that the magic infused Morbiss and princesses had made. The room looks as if there was no fight to begin with. Of course this façade would one day have to be broken since her... the other ponies would need to know the truth of the matter of what has happened behind walls made of steel and infused with anti-spying magic.
The toughest of locks and the softest of strings lie within Twilight's heart as she slowly makes her way towards the two standing thrones within the royal chamber of the two alicorn princesses. The chamber that she now has to hold up so that court and regular pony activities can still be carried forth while she and the higher ups take care of the more... dirty business.
She pauses at the steps that lead up to the thrones. This will be the first step to taking the throne and allowing ponies to become used to her seated position. She's sure that when the time comes for the beans to spill, she'll lose support. But hopefully, none will complain too much on why it couldn't have been any pony else. Of course, there is the issue of prince blueblood as well as some of the other stallions that seek the throne.
"Of course we can't allow Prince Blueblood to just take the throne... perhaps a election would suffice…" Twilight says still standing at the base of the stairs, "What do you think Princess?" She asks looking up to the empty thrones.
A pang of pain, guilt, and sadness strikes through her being like a spear through her heart. She feels tears threaten her eyes as she stares at the empty spots that remain as a reminder of her failures and choices. She may have to take one of those spots up, but she'll never be like how they were. She could never fully take their spots. She's only a pseudo princess that still needs guidance. Guidance that can no longer be there.
"I'm so sorry..." Twilight says laying her head on the first step covering her face so that the ghost of both princesses can no longer make out of face.
Though her attempt is in vain, she does it to also to prevent the sight of the harsh gazes of the princesses that she knows are coming directed towards her from wherever their spirits may be. The gazes of pain and hatred as the semi-real princesses encircle her as constant reminders of her failures. To her friends, her country, and more importantly to her mentor. The torment is too much to bear as Twilight rips herself away, tears running down her muzzle, as she sprints from the room and the constant feeling of Celestia and Luna circling her like vultures with hate and hunger filled eyes.
"I can't do it... I can't do it..." She says whimpering out in front of the still opened doors to the throne.
The sun hangs high in the sky upon another market filled Canterlot day where the snobs and the poor mingle, bicker, and work about trying to gain an edge on the other and a foothold for themselves in order to prevent the other from reaching their point, or the other keeping them from a goal they have in sight. The snobs of Canterlot are many, but the poor are greater. Highly skilled and many in number. If a revolt were to happen...
Morbiss chuckles at the idea as a small gust of wind ruffles his blonde hair. His sudden mirth is brought on from the idea playing in his head. It seems more along the lines of something Discord would do in order to bring about more chaos in this confused and destroyed world. Of course, his chaos making days are at a stand still while he tries to take control of the wild chaos in the air of late. He says it's because of the massive surge of mana from the fight of himself and the princesses, but he doubts it's something as simple as that. He considers something else at play in the far reaches of the world or something beyond their imagination.
Either that or Discord is getting lazy.
Either way, it doesn't concern him as he goes over the list of things he wishes to complete before he's not able to anymore. Death, too much work, or it being completely lost would certainly be a stop to his cause for wanting to leave Canterlot as soon as possible. Of course there are a few... things that keep him here as well.
Morbiss walks slowly down the streets of Canterlot as ponies gaze on with different looks plastered onto their muzzles of old and young. Some smile and wave, others look on in fear and shock, others awe and surprise, and some with the look of disgust and hatred. It is always different no matter which way he turns or looks. It wasn't agreed upon for him to return into civilization, due to the effect it would have on a lot of these poor miserable excuses of sentient creatures, but he could care less about that due to the fact that stir crazy is real and easy to come across when you've looked over the same stained windows several times in an hour while taking only routes laid out for you to prevent you from interacting too much with creatures that would be able to give you information of the outside world, and or squeamish ponies that will report to others outside of the castle that there is a "monster" roaming about since not many know of his existence.
Of course, that changes today with his leisurely walk through the market area of uptown Canterlot. Not too many snobs out today despite what he would have imagined this place to be like, but certainly not his cup of tea for sure. He always liked the woods more than the stuffy claustrophobic inducing surroundings of tall, fancy, side by side buildings; shiny and complex.
Morbiss allows a sigh to escape from his mouth as he stretches his body beneath the glare of the sun as it rains its beams upon the earth to give it warmth and life. It's been awhile since he felt such intense sunlight striking against his skin. Not being able to go outside for such a long period of time really was a pain. It still is a pain technically speaking seeing as he's not even supposed to be outside. Though the fake sunlight and moonlight they have in the "new and improved" garden proves quite the lack of a substitute. Though it's understandably needed for the creatures and plants that live in the giant area of the castle under the protection agency.
Despite not being one for animals, he has to admit some of the animals in there are quite the sight. Birds of fire and mice of rocks. If only the others of his kind could catch a glimpse of these extraordinary freaks of nature. Of course, Discord is still considered one of his kind by blood, but the rest of him. Not so much.
His thoughts wonder over to Discord and his possible location. He said that he would help Morbiss later on this week three days ago before suddenly disappearing off to who knows where. A few locations come to mind when he really sits down and thinks about it, but with his chaotic nature he's most likely where the main source of chaos is emanating from. And if that's true then-
"Hey!" A very male and familiar voice yells out from behind him followed by the sound of hooves moving fast across cobblestone.
Morbiss slowly turns to look at the voice that had suddenly intruded upon his thoughts like a thief in the night if the thief had bells and horns attached to his feet. Before him is a stallion of sterile brown and gray as most of the guards on duty look with their special enchanted armor on. This one in particular wields a lance at his side and a special mark on the right side of his armor revealing his rank easily. His chest is puffed up and his eyes are stuck in a glare at Morbiss.
"Yes?" Morbiss asks not fully turning his body towards the pony before him.
"I want my match." He says glaring up at the bigger creature, "And I will no longer take no. Twilight is not here to keep watch over us anymore, and I want my match against you. You've insulted me for the last time and I WILL make you understand my power. If you don't, I'll tell Twilight you've escaped from the castle."
Morbiss sighs at the burning belly fired Unicorn as he demands something he hasn't gotten in weeks. A simple insult towards the jokester Unicorn and suddenly he's up in arms ready to throw down with a creature he hardly knows. Morbiss wishes he could relate to such a feeling and leisure life style. Though it has been some time since he was in any fight, so perhaps now would be a good time to indulge the Unicorn. Morbiss turns his body towards the creature and walks slowly giving off a powerful aura while a smile spread across his face
"You're on. Name when and where, buddy. I think I've kept you waiting long enough. And that's not because of your threat to tell Twilight. I could care less what she has to say about this." Morbiss finally replies while squatting down to become eye level with the shorter creature, "Unless you really are the runt of the pack like I thought you were, than you should go ahead and turn around and not bother me anymore."
Morbiss can see the stallion grind its teeth as he forces himself not to lash out in such a semi-public area.
"Tonight! The Uptown center right underneath Celestia's statue so she may see what a loser you really are!" He snaps back before turning and snapping his tail at him.
With a roll of his eyes, Morbiss sets his mind back to the day before him. All sorts of new wonders to discover, new objects to find and buy, maybe a job, perhaps find a lady of the night!
"Yea right!" Morbiss says to himself as he start laughing.
Down the street, ponies give glances of worry both the way of Morbiss and the Unicorn who had just ushered a challenge to some alien creature walking about their town like he owns it.
Perhaps an insane human has been released to the streets.
The moon sets high in the sky as Morbiss throws himself from the foot of the Celestia statue to his feet on the ground as his challenger approaches, accompanied by several other stallions of different colours. There seems to be at least ten others with the main participant. Perhaps all off duty guards, or simply bystanders he's been gloating about his "upcoming victory" to. Speaking of the participant, a yellow bodied Unicorn with green mane and tail walks up lance latched on his back with saddle and tie.
"I see you didn't chicken out!" The Unicorn says confident in his voice as much as his upturned muzzle, "I'm going to enjoy kicking your flank up and down this road."
Morbiss can only chuckle as the Unicorn begins to take his saddle off and grasp the spear in his light green magic. Morbiss reaches behind his back with his right hand and pulls out a four inch knife, the blade curved towards his body when held outwards. The hilt seems to be made from some dark wood with no engravings and no guard which only makes the Unicorn smile more.
"Ha! Not even a proper weapon huh? You really must want to get your flank handed to you! I'll give you one chance to leave here before it's too late!" He says as he moves to the left side of Celestia's statue, "Consider it my last act of generosity."
"You know, I thought I would be doing you a favor fighting you and maybe roughing you up a little, but I think I really wanna kick your ass now." Morbiss says walking over to the right side of the statue, the onlookers backing away from the upcoming fight, "Lieutenant or not, I'm going to leave you with a few nasty scars. You're going to wish you had your armor with you."
The Unicorn spins the lance with ease around his body before slapping the bottom of it on the ground, and taking a defensive stance. He spits on the ground in between himself and the human.
"I'll be sure to make sure you won't be able to say such words again." He says as more ponies begin to gather around the two fighters.
A few moments go by as the air grows tense, and Morbiss crouches down in position wielding his knife in his right hand while staring his opponent down while being stared down. A gust of wind blows ruffling manes, fur, feathers, and coats before the two go towards each other faster than anyone thought they could move.
Morbiss comes in quick, his knife going for a slash towards yellow Unicorn's muzzle, but a preemptive block from the mid section of the lance is met by a quick blow into the side with the bottom part of the wooden long range weapon. The unicorn attempted to turn for a buck into Morbiss, but he moves faster than pony as he moves under the hit and grabs the stallion by his throat and tossing him into the statue of Celestia. Morbiss presses his advantage as the Unicorn bounces hard off the flat edge of the base gripping his knife tight. He moves forward aiming for horse's barrel to end the duel quick. A hoof to the face catches him off guard as the Unicorn had already recovered and had predicted his next move before he could even raise his knife near his body.
Morbiss moves away quickly as the whistling of the lance goes flying past him. Had he stayed where he was, he would certainly find that in his spine. The Unicorn grunts as he flips his lance back to his side with magic while rubbing some blood off his hoof onto his coat. Morbiss spits blood to the side finding the hoof hit a lot harder than he thought it would be.
"Looks like someone has underestimated their superior." The Unicorn says getting ready for a charge.
"No. Simply testing my luck. " Morbiss says doing a quick fury of slashes before preparing himself for the next barrage of attacks, "The night is still young Lieutenant and I've yet to make you bleed and I have far more blood I'm willing to part with."
The lieutenant tsks before moving forward slashing his lance diagonally. Morbiss moves back and has the Unicorn move forward into his area going for a hoof to the stomach. Morbiss quickly flips the knife around in his hand and slashes up the yellow coated creature's foreleg to almost his shoulder before he lurches back and finds a foot in his chest sending him backward over his ass and on his back.
The Unicorn's head snaps towards Morbiss as the human runs towards him. Morbiss throws the knife at the downed Unicorn who quickly drops the lance from his magic to catch the knife and throw it to the side as he gets back to his hooves. Morbiss brings a knee into the underside of the pony's muzzle and the pony retaliates with coming up fully and hitting Morbiss in his left hip with a heavy hoof strike. Morbiss slams his foot down and punches the smug pony straight in the side of the face with his balled right fist sending blood escaping from his maw.
A burst of lime green magic bursts the two apart as the lieutenant seeks distance. Morbiss glances at the knife now on top of the nearby statue and the lance behind him coming up with some sort of plan. He's at a disadvantage with magic but not only is he good at magic, but he's a hard hitter too. He curses himself for not preparing more in case of a crowd.
The yellow Unicorn drips blood to the cobblestone covered ground as he grits his teeth and goes back down to all four.
"Got ya." Morbiss says kissing his knuckle.
"Indeed, but a scar for a scar I say." The Unicorn says smiling.
Morbiss gives a confused looked before he feels something slide from his leg. He looks down to see a small beam of magic formed into a three inch knife pulling itself from his leg. Morbiss jumps away and quickly looks back at the sound of hooves running. A charging Unicorn catches him in the stomach, but Morbiss reaches down and grabs the side of the Unicorn and quickly plants his feet down and uses his strength and the opponents momentum to lift the Unicorn up and over making him and his opponent land on their backs.
Morbiss quickly rolls away to the right as his opponent goes left. The Unicorn has the get up advantage being so used to being on all fours as the knife from before comes flying in. Morbiss pushes himself to the side with his arms and legs to barely miss the knife getting into his chest. He gets off with it being embedded into his arm.
The Unicorn grabs his nearby lance in magic and charges forward once again bringing it leveled with Morbiss' chest. With not enough time to fully get up, an idea comes up in Morbiss' head. He quickly lurches forward into the lance moving his body out of the way having it pierced through his shoulder. The crowd seems just as shocked as the Unicorn before his right hand wraps around his throat and lift him up making the magic of the lance drop to the ground the tip of it bloodied with a loud clattering noise. Morbiss gets up squeezing his fingers around the Unicorn's throat before turning and slamming his body into the base of the statue that was once behind him. With the unicorn pinned, he begins to punch the Unicorn in the face using both the back and front of his knuckles of his left hand till the Unicorn stops squirming in his grasps from either the pain or lack of oxygen.
He drops the unconscious body before him and falls to his ass breathing out a heavy sigh. He looks at the blood along the cobblestone road and then at the other stallions who look on in disbelief. He's sure he sees a couple of Mare's as well looking with some higher concern than the Stallions.
"What? You guys wanna go next?" Morbiss taunts slowly getting up, "If not how about you help us out here and get us some healing."
"Yes, that does sound like a good idea doesn't, Morbiss." Another familiar voice says above him.
The crowd and Morbiss look up to find a yellow Pegasus tossing a knife up and down in the air glaring down at everybody from the top of Celestia's head, "And while we are at it, why don't we also get a nice long report about this incident in to Twilight."
"Shit." Morbiss says plopping back down to his ass.
