Prologue: A Message On The Return Trip
"This day is full of shit," said the stallion.
"I agree, a waste of troops for a changleing isn't something you want to happen in time of war," responded the second stallion.
"Yeah, well remember, its the queen so she's 'special' in royalty manners," the first stallion said sarcasticly.
"Yeah well it makes no sense. I say take her head by one of our boarding axes here on the ship."
"We aren't in marshall law. War is bad but changelings aren't hard to kill. I can cave ones head open with my hoof."
"Yeah well I heard that the new recruit can eat a... say what is that," the second stallion pointed up.
In the air was an orange stallion, with royal armor. He flew hastily towards the ship. It wasn't natural for a royal guard to abandon his place at the castle, except for times of distress.
"Do you think its a spy?" asked the second stallion with woriness.
"A real spy would have already been caught with the enchantment on the ship. Shall we let him pass?" The first srallion asked.
"We shall, but we are to ask him of his buisness. We must retain a look wellness to impress our majesties back home," The second stallion.
The royal guard slowed at his descent on to the ship deck. Stallions quickly surrounded him with swords at the teeth and hooves. The royal guard had a terrified look on his. The men let the first and second stallion through to him.
"State your name, and buisness?!" The first stallion asked.
"I am Captain Flash Sentry, I'm here to releave a hasty message to General War Cry. I would like permission to speak with him in order from the his daughter, Cadence's signature," he finished, drawing a pink letter with a crystal heart seal.
The first stallion walked up to Flash and took the letter from his hooves. He saw the princess's signature on the letter. He was about to tear the seal when, "um sir I was told it was for War Cry's eyes only," mentioned Flash Sentry.
The first stallion gave him a nasty look and continued to open it. Flash Sentry tried to approach them but was cut off by the guard"s swords. The stallion began to read, and read, and read. His eyes were widen and his jaw was hanging as far as it can go.
"We must take this to War Cry. You follow me," he ordered Flash.
They went across the deck to set of doors. The doors were painted blue and laced with copper, a plaque read "Captain's Quarters" above the door. The second stallion knocked on the door four times. A large male alicorn opened the door and gave Flash an observent look. The alicorn had pink fur and had gold and dark purple mane and tail. "Who's this stallion that walks on our ship?" the alicorn asked.
"He claims to be a Captain at the Crystal Empire," stated the first stalion.
"Actually I never mentioned I was from the Crystal Empire," Flash corrected.
"Yet you wear there armor. Though we have met before. The last time i saw you were a captain for Canterlot," the alicorn mentioned
"W-W-Well sir, its an honor for you to remember me," Flash said.
"I remember every soldiers face. Now why do you board our ship?" the alicorn asked.
"This is why," said the second stallion, handing over the letter.
"My daughters seal? Did you read this?" asked the stalion.
"No. I did sir, my apologies," said the first stallion, embarassingly.
"It is fine," finished the alicorn, and he began reading. As he levitated the paper in his face, his mouth began to slowly form into a frown. He sighed as he finished the letter. "Follow me into my quarters," he told Flash, "the rest of you are releaved back to your jobs."
The two stallions were relieved and continue to argue over the state of health for the queen. As he was told, Flash followed the alicorn into the captain's quarters. In the room there was large, circular table in the middle of the room that was designed to have a large map inplanted into it, in short a map was put on top and sealed over with glass. To the right is a board for the crews armoury and the left sat another board for the ships statitstics. In the back sat a large desk with a comfortable chair on the other side. The alicorn got around the desk and sat firmly in the chair. "Now lets gt down to brask tasks," said the alicorn.
"um, yes sir," Flash agreed.
"I assume you know who i am," asked the alicorn.
"Of course. Your General War Cry, the noble stallion alicorn rumored to be the only one alive. If i may add, your sometimes called Captain. may i ask, why?" asked Flash.
"Captain of the ship. a little joke i have with my men when we sail by sea," replied War with a little chuckle.
"Ah, that's a little...um, cute for a bunch of grown stallions," Flash said awkwardly.
"It is from time to time," expressed War.
"Hmm, weel its goo-"
"Sorry but i'll have to end that topic for now. i want to ask you about the letter you sent me by hand. I'm sure you may already know what some of these questions are, agree?" War asked in a simmer and rougher tone.
"I do indeed, sir," Flash agreed, trying not to act nervous.
"So it is true? King Sombra is dead, yes?"
"Y-Y-Yes. So far Canterlot has claimed martial law on the kingdom until your return."
"No."
"No, What?" Flash cleared his throat, after askkig the question. He started to sound nervous in front of one of his leaders and he needed to be brave.
"I won't be the next King for the Crystal Empire," War answered.
"Sir, we may not have any others who might take the crown...especially in thes-"
" I do not care," he paused, and slowly raised from his chair, " I need some time to think on this. I must ask you. Will you tell the princesses to met me at The Crystal Kingdom at the signal of my fleet return?"
"Um, I shall," agreed Flash.
"Then make your way back, and please give my message to the princesses." Ordered War.
"Before i do go. May i also... ask of your success?" Flash asked
"Yes, Queen Chrysalis of The Changleing Forces has been captured."