Author's Note

I hate two things, titles and entrance exams.

Chapter 5: Engagement 1 - Princess Luna

Engagement 1 - Princess Luna

Finna, Zecora, and I had decided to take our visit to the hut's garden. It was quiet the sight I had to say, the outer area was filled with vibrant and wild flora. Large bioluminescent plants hung from branches and dotted along the sides around the path, while other plants used the light to bring out their own colors. The whole area looked so surreal it could have been a dream, but by the gods it wasn't. Finna immediately darted of into the garden giggling like a child, with a playful shove Zecora followed throwing a teasing glance back. With a grin I ran in after them.

The glowing plants lit the entire area with multicolored light and the thick vegetation made the chase a very abstract game. As I ran into an area I would hear the two of them laughing, but their voices came from each direction. When ever I saw them I would quickly follow but they always disappeared, as I ran I never grew tired and only more determined to catch one of them. I spotted Zecora's cloak flash around a corner and I quickly sprinted towards it send a portion of my magic into my legs. As I turned the corner I saw two cloaked figures dart down divergent paths. Following the right figure I didn't let it out of my sight, when they turned I did to never losing ground. With a grin I forced the gravity around me to surge forward launching me into the back of the figure.

"Not this time doll." I chuckled before grabbing the hood.

Before I could pull it back I felt a sharp pain in my side, I couldn't help but fall back letting the figure vanish into the plants. I gasped for breath and I looked to see a small dagger in my side, quickly pulling it out I set to work healing the wound. I looked up to see no trace of whoever that was. Hearing a noise behind me I saw the girls both running onto the path from the bush, they're smiles dropped at the sight of my blood.

"Elijah!" Finna gasped rushing to my side and pouring as much magic into the wound as she could. Zecora rushed a bit down the path looking for the attacker but she found nothing.

"Come we must get somewhere safe." She said helping me up as Finna continued to patch the wound.

Wasting little time inside the hut Zecora checked for any poisons or toxins, thankfully whoever that was hadn't planned on killing me then and there. Finna looked over the blade trying to find an imprint or mark of ownership, but the blade was unmarked and too new for the owner to have made a connection to it.

"Where you able to make out any details on who may have assaulted you?" Zecora asked handing me a small mix of herbs.

"Not much, mainly physical traits. Most likely male or a masculine female, I felt a tail but I couldn't tell more than that through the cloak. Come to think of it the cloak was probably enchanted to hide them as I could get a smell or reading on them." I said drinking the thick soup, I felt the pain in my chest subside a bit more.

"So we're dealing with somebody who can completely seal their identity." Finna huffed resting against my good side.

"I'll be honest, I though they were one of you two so I didn't bother trying to look for details. Brown cloaks are pretty abundant and damn near ever species on this planet aside from me has a tail, I hate being in the dark about shit like this." I groaned frustrated at letting myself get hurt like that.

"Don't put too much thought on what happened Foster, keep your mind focused on the present and look for anything that draws your eye. I'd also recommend keeping your friends a bit closer for a while, at least until you're all home." Zecora said.

I looked outside and saw the sun passing it's noon position.

"I'll keep that in mind, and be sure to heed you're own advice that spy could have been here for you and not us." I said and the shaman nodded. "Well it looks like it's time for us to head back into town, it was a pleasure to meet you Zecora." I held out a hand but she instead moved closer for a hug.

"The pleasure's all mine, I'm just glad to see someone stand with my student." She said before hugging said fox. "If you wish I would be more than happy to see the two of you out of the forest."

"You don't even have to ask." Finna said returning the hug.

Smiling at the two I headed for the door. "Come on the other's should be meeting us at the inn."

I noticed Zecora put a few bottles and various bags into her cloak, but I didn't say anything about it.

The walk back to town was much quicker as Zecora knew a much quicker route and all of the wildlife avoided us. Once we left the denser forest I noticed the trees reaching out to the duo ahead of me. Finna rested a hand on one of the trees and they receded but I could still feel a sense of longing in the air.

"You two must have spent a lot of time among the trees for them to act like this." I knew how long Finna had spent in the forest, but with Zecora being a more permanent resident she had almost made the forest apart of herself.

"Indeed we have, when I was younger I couldn't help but wander through these woods." Zecora said looking back into the denser forest. "After a while I could feel every branch and every leaf speaking to me, after days and days of listening I finally understood... everything."

"Then you must have a deep connection with this place?" I didn't really need to ask, I could see the forests natural magic circulating around her as it did with every other plant around us. She knew this as well as her only response was a wink.

As the edge of the town came into few I began to feel less of the forests voice, I hadn't even realized I was staring to hear it to. Shaking the feeling off I continued into town headed to group up with the rest of my team.

Charon, Noir, Kodo, and Quill were all waiting on the deck of the inn, seeing the three of us Quill quickly stood and hurried to us.

"Ah Mr. Foster just on time." He said waving the others over. "Her majesty will be meeting us in the fields south of town, if you would gather your belongings we can meet them their." He said.

"Then we may leave now." Charon said while he and Kodo carried our bags. "No point in keeping them waiting."

Chuckling at the two of them I agreed and let Quill lead the way. The walk took us through town and past the library, I could see the sign read closed and no lights were on inside. The bakery also seemed to have a longer line than the previous day to, an entire stall was obviously missing from it's spot in the market even. Odd details aside I followed our caretaker a ways out of town and into a place called White Tale Woods, the trees here were old but lacked the same loose feeling as those in the Everfree. Many of the trees also held either birdhouses or rodent houses, the entire area had a much more settled vibe and it was almost creepy.

Almost a half an hour later into the forest we came to a large open area that looked like a soccer field. Standing in the center of the field was Twilight Sparkle along with her friends, they were talking to a large imposing figure dawned in thick blue armor. The Equestrian Moon Emblem in the chest piece made it clear who was underneath all the metal. As soon as I stepped onto the field the armored princess glare directly at me, I could see her piercing green eyes just through the slits in her helmet. Twilight and her friends turned to face us and I could see their worried expressions, it looked as though Twilight had been crying.

Stopping just a few meters from them I noticed two other figures partly hidden behind Princess Luna. One was a female soldier wearing a lighter seeming version of the Night Guard's armor, beside her was a much taller male and he seemed to be a Unicorn if the horn coming from his helmet was real.

"Your highness, I have brought the representative as requested." Quill spoke up drawing her attention.

"Thank you Master Quill, is our guest prepared?" She asked her tone firm and cold.

He turned back to me and I nodded to him waving for the others to step back. "He is your highness, are these your witnesses?"

"They are, my sisters protege and her friends have agreed to vouch for the honor of this contest." Luna replied, she looked back to my team. "I see he has gathered his witnesses as well, then there is no further need to postpone this match."

"There is not your highness, please take your position." I raised an eyebrow at that, but I watched as Luna moved to the middle of left field. "Mr. Foster please take your position there." Quill said pointing to right field.

Making sure the flask Charon has brought was strapped to my belt I moved to the center, Quill lead the other to a row of benches were Twilight and her friends now sat. Seeing Finna cast me a worried look I smiled back and nodded before fixing my gaze on my opponent. Once everyone but Quill was off the field he raised a hand.

"Princess Luna of Equestria do you swear to uphold the honor of your nation and face Elijah Foster of the Brink unaided in single combat?" Quill called to her.

"I swear to uphold the honor of my people!" She responded.

"Elijah Foster of The Brink do you swear to uphold the honor of you nation and face Princess Luna Of Equestria unaided in single combat?" He calls to me.

"I swear on the honor of my people." I called back.

*Not that it counts for all that much either way.* I chuckle in my head.

"Then by the powers vested to me let this duel being!" In a flash of magic he vanished from the field.

Celestial Valkyrie Princess Luna

A bright blue light covered Luna's hands and began to contort and stretched, as the light dimmed I squinted to see she now held a long shimmering spear the crackled with power. Flaring her wings she launched into the air, she swung her spear wide sending an arc of wave of ice down. Quickly bringing up a wall of earth I cringed seeing numerous icicles sticking through, with a hard shove I sent the wall flying up at her but she dodged it with ease. I quickly drew my revolver and fired rapidly towards her, her brought up a shield of her own stopping each shot but not without a few cracks.

With her shield up I drew my own blade and covered it in fire. Running below her I sent a flurry of fire towards her but none made it through her shield. With a smirk she dove down spear poised to strike, quickly firing another volley of bullets I landed two into her shoulders forcing her to divert course and miss. Seeing blood pouring from her armor I noted the astonished look on her face, quickly wiping it away she glared and me and dove again. Firing again I she moved one again but this time she landed beside me and jabbed with her spear. I moved as quick as I could but I still felt the bladed tip dig into my skin. I could feel the electricity coursing through it and my muscles tensed, giving her time to take another swipe this time her spear bashed into my chest sending me flying across the field.

Before she could send another swing I back away, but she was close again in seconds. She grabbed my arm and I felt my flesh and blood freezing at her touch. She jabbed the head of her spear into my stomach, I cough sending blood all over her helmet. I sent out a strong pulse of lightning pushing her back and scorching the front of her armor. Not letting me get another volley out she sent a blast of ice and wind out once more throwing me around. I had to put all of my magic into closing my wounds just to stay conscious.

---Spectator's Stands - 3rd---

"Come on Princess show this nobody whose boss!" The rainbow haired Pegasus cheer as she watched her princess send the outsider into the air.

"Come on now princess send 'em packin." The orange Earth Pony mare cheered along side her friend.

The rest of the ponies remained silent but they didn't try to hide their hopeful expressions.

Noir glared at the back of their heads wanting nothing more than to shut them up, but instead she huffed and turned back to the match. She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked to see Charon smirking down.

"Come now you know it's going to take far more than that to put Eli down. I doubt he's really even stared." He whispered

"I know but I still don't like to see him hold back, he could end this whenever he want's." She said running her paw through her fur.

"And so could she." Finna said not looking away. "I can see how strong she is, and it's obvious why she and her sister lead this country." Charon and Noir looked at their friend before looking towards the armored princess. "Let's just hope Elijah can stand against her if she get's angry." She was silent after that and her eyes never left the fight.

---Elijah---

I coughed as I quickly picked myself up, I saw she was running this time instead of flying. Taking the sign I pounded my fist into the ground and sent a concussive wave out tearing the ground from under her. She stumbled for just a moment before using her wings to takeoff from the ground, once she was airborne I put my blade and revolver away and drew the rifle. Taking aim as she tried to right herself I fire two shots into the bone of her wings, she cried out in pain as the bullets tore through bone and muscle making her drop from the air. When she landed I hit the earth once again sending another wave, this time the impact slammed into her forcing her down and allowing the churning dirt to bury her. Wasting no time for her to recover I fire the rest of my shots into the mound each sending large plums of dirt up. Slowly moving back I pulled my magic back and focused on healing the gouge in my stomach and side.

With a loud crack the dirt was blasted away and a wave of frigid air whipped around the field creating a small blizzard. I felt the magic in the wind as it tried to dig into my skin, I was thankful that my natural element was fire. Luna stood in the center of the blizzard a dark look in her eye.

"Your weapons, what are they?" She growled, I saw the blood had stopped pouring from her armor.

The two of us paced in a circle ready should the other move.

"Their called firearms or guns, a recent design of the brink. But a long standing tradition to my kind." I kept the rifles sights on her.

"You say your people made these weapons, why? Why bring something so destructive to these lands, what are your intentions here?" She demanded.

"I want my people, the people of The Brink to live with the same privilege as yours do!" I shouted over the wind.

"I have been to The Brink, Foster. It was not but a crowded villa of criminals and degenerates, why should such people be granted what they desire?" She spat.

"A lot can change within a few years your highness, I've seen to that. Even so doesn't everyone on this planet deserve a chance at a better life?" I retorted.

She glared at me and stood still. "Then prove it, show me how much your band of cutthroats has changed! show me why you deserve a peace we fought for over the course of a century!" She roared before stabbing her spear into the ground, the dirt began to freeze and spread out from around her. Quickly falling back I drew my revolver and replace the rounds inside, coating the casings with fire runes I let out another volley this time the each shot shown brightly and cut into her armor. Without even flinching she poised her spear and stabbed at me a much large spear of ice shot forth. I felt it jab into my arm before being ripped back out, the edges had been barbed and I could feel my magic struggling to close the jagged edges of the wound.

I sent two more volley back trying to put as much distance between me and her as possible. I could feel the blizzard growing stronger and I felt my movements slowing down. Gathering as much earth as I could I pulled it around myself and compressed it into a makeshift armor, once it was hard enough I began to heat it up until I began to turn red. I immediately felt the cold vanish replaced with a blanket of warmth. Seeing her aura wasn't working anymore Luna went on the offense again stabbing rapidly at me with her spear. Controlling the earth armor I moved quick enough to avoid each strike or parry them with my own blade.

Sparks flew each time our weapons clashed and the blizzard grew more and more intense. Catching the edge of her spear head I stabbed the weapon into the ground jerking Luna forward. With a propelled gauntlet I rammed my fist into her gut denting the metal and making her heave. I stomped on the spear forcing it from her hands, I grabbed her shoulders and slammed her head into the mine. The impact knocking her helmet off, with her face unprotected I brought it back again and again each time a sickening crunch was heard. Shoving her back I grabbed her leg and swung her over my head and into the butt of her own spear, I heard a much louder crack this time. Seeing her try to stand back up drew my revolver and put a round in each of her knees. I could hear her gurgling on what was probably her own blood, but I wasn't finished.

Reaching back around I parted the earthen armor and grabbed the flask. Grabbing Luna by her wait I brought her to her feat and locked her arms and legs in stone. Flicking the lid open I drained the contents of the flask the burning sensation of the alcohol was stronger than anything I had ever tried before. It was mere seconds after that and my head was already spinning and had it not been for my armor I would have fallen over. Grabbing the alicorn by her head I made her face me, her nose was crushed and bleeding heavily and both of her eyes were dark and swollen with bruises, gashes and tears marked her face. She barely had the strength to look at me, but even still I could see her resistance still held.

"Never... insult... my... home." I gasped, link my mind to hers I began wreaking havoc on her mental walls causing all sorts of flashback and repressed memories to surface. Once her mind was in turmoil I forced all the pain I currently felt onto her, as well as the dizziness and nausea of the alcohol.

Letting her go I released her from the stone, she crumbled into a shaking gagging heap. From the look in her eyes I knew I had forced her into a personal hell.

---~~Celestia Valkyrie Princess Luna~~---

Seeing the match was over the two Night Guards ran to their princess' side, the unicorn set to work healing her his magic strained to close her wounds. The earth pony took out a medical kit and began to apply a number of ointments and bandages. Quill sat on his bench his head in his hands, his shoulders shaking every now and then. The rainbow haired mare and the orange mare were silent, each with a look of horrified disbelief. I noticed the yellow pegasus was weeping into a pale unicorns shoulder, the unicorn herself barely keeping her tears back. Twilight however was nowhere to be seen.

The sound of running footsteps drew my attention to Finna and Noir running towards me, the two of them went to work patching me up as well. Letting the stone fall from my body I got a look at how badly wounded I was. A large purple spot marked where the spear and caught my stomach and even more infected lines were scattered all over my torso and head. Finna and Noir were saying something but the ringing in my ears made it hard to make out anything they were saying. I could feel my head getting light, and this time it wasn't from any drink.

---Ponyville General Hospital---

The annoying beeping sounds in my ears slowly pulled me back into the waking world, slowly and subtle other sound made themselves known. Voice from outside of the room, a low humming from the lights, and shuddering breathing from beside me. Opening my eyes I squinted at the light, I peeked around the room and found myself in a hospital bed. Took my left Finna sat on a puffy red chair while she lay sleeping against my lap. I could see the fur around her eyes was matted with dried tears and when she breathed she shuddered. I gently ran my fingers through her hair a soft smile on my lips. She shook and groaned before waking up as well, seeing me awake made her shake off any weariness.

"Elijah!" She cried and leapt on top of me pulling me into a tight hug. "Thank the gods you're okay." She cried into my shoulder.

"Good to see you to." I chuckled hugging her back. "How long was I out?" I asked gently pushing back onto her chair.

"A little over a day, the doctors were certain it would take you longer to wake up." She said fresh tears running down her cheeks, but a happy smile on her face.

"Having a guardian angle with me help in times like these." I said with a grin. "Well maybe angle isn't the right word, but it doesn't matter. Speaking of help where are the others?" I asked seeing their Noir or Charon was around.

"Noir's talking with Princess Twilight about something and Charon is currently talking with Princess Celestia outside." I had to admit to being worried when she told me that.

"Is everything okay, I know I went overboard with that fight and I don't want any of you getting caught up in my mess?" I asked sitting up a bit more, but Finna eased me back down.

"Everything is going about as good as it can, Twilight went into a panic after the fight thinking you killed Princess Luna who is alive by the way. She sent a letter to Princess Celestia saying that causing her to come back from Canterlot, thankfully the doctors and Charon were able to explain Luna was okay. Although she has refused to say a word to anyone since she woke up." I sighed in relief.

"Well that certainly is better than I though, you said Charon and Celestia are outside right now?" I asked and she nodded. "Can you tell Charon it's okay for her to come in, I need to speak to her?" She nodded again ans stood, she quickly kissed me and left the room.

Once I heard the door close I looked at the palm of my hand, growing from the center of my palm was a now slightly large black rune. It was my accursed blessing, a mark that kept me alive at the price of my humanity. While I regret ever making it, I don't regret the good it has helped me do.

Hearing the door I put my hand back down and looked to see Finna, Charon, and Princess Celestia enter.

"Why doesn't it surprise me to see you awake?" Charon joked as I grinned at him.

"Because this isn't the first time I've been put into critical condition." I gave making him laugh, still chuckling I look at the princess. "I believe you need to have a few words with me."

She sighed at took a seat to my right. "I do, sadly. I know your duel against my sister followed all of the regulations set down by our laws, but I must ask. What did you do to my sister." Her tone was cold, but she couldn't have looked more broken.

"I don't have a name for the spell other than it's function, Control. I knew if that fight went on any longer neither of us would have made it, I nearly died and so did she so I ended it before either of us could go all out. Seeing no other option I sent the full force of my mind against hers break down and mental walls or repressions she had. It pains me that I had to do that, truly, but it's better than the alternative." I didn't lie, there was no reason to and no reward for it. I hated invading another mind, it was wrong and makes me disgusted in myself every time I do it.

Celestia choked up but didn't look away. "I see, now I understand. Mr. Foster do you know of my sister's past?" She asked.

"About Nightmare Moon" She nodded. "Yes I do, which is why I am so sorry for what I did."

"You put her through a century of pain for a second time, I used the time she was asleep to arrange and suppress parts of her memory so she could wake up and not be driven to madness. On top of her mental injuries, I've haven't seen my sister in such a terrible state since our confrontation with Discord." She tore her gaze from me and looked down her fists clenched.

I sighed pinching the bridge of my nose. "I am deeply sorry for the trouble our arrival has brought. But I could not deny your sisters challenge or it would have only brought a worse retaliation later on. possibly at a more delicate time."

"It is a delicate time." She said in a low whisper.

That caught me off guard. "Pardon?" Was all I could think to say.

With a deep breath she looked back to me once again. "For the past four months the nations we have aligned ourselves with have begun fighting, for a cause we have yet to see. At a recent summit to discuss a rise in international crime there was not a moment of civil discussion, the delegates of each nation were at one another's throats."

Finna and Charon were both looking at Celestia, I as as well seeing as this was news to me. I hadn't heard any information to suggest a divide within the nations' pact. This was more missed details Noir would not be happy to hear.

"You said there has been a recent crime wave correct?" I asked, hoping to gather anything useful.

"Yes, over the past year crime has been at an all time high and it's only getting worse." She said with a hollowed tone.

"Is there a possible connection to the crime and the hostility between the delegates?" I fished.

"Not as far as I can tell. While the increase in crime is international, all of the crimes are committed by the natives of where they occur. Minotaurs starting fights in Minos, Griffins in their empire, so on and so forth." That was rather odd, problems like this only occurred back home due to political choices and upset citizens. The problem here sounded like the opposite, with politicians getting upset over social problems. The solutions available to these people are drawing thin, if nothing was done I doubt martial law would be far off.

We have to help Elijah. I heard Charon's voice speak in my mind. Should something happen to Equestria so soon any hopes of support to The Brink goes with them. I propose we offer our services for a political investigation, we should find the source of the crime rise and remove it. Once we accomplish that we need to follow it's wake back to each nations ruler and see why such crime would cause aggression to foreign dignitaries.

I heard Finna's voice next. Charon's right, our efforts to establish trade will be worth nothing if we do not help. As unstable as things are even the slightest offense may turn the other nations against us. You said it yourself that the princess seemed unwell, with a chance to aid her right in front of us this could have a tremendously rewarding effect for us.

Don't worry I agree, however we'll need The Directors permission before we can sign anything. I doubt they'll be to happy to hear of the current situation, and my scrap with Princess Luna will but me on the brunt end of their anger no doubt. I responded.

Clearing my throat I drew the princess' gaze again. "This may seem a bit sudden your highness, but would you be willing to allow my team and I to preform an investigation into this recent uprising. Something this serious might be made a bit easier to handle with a fresh point of view?" I let the offer hang there for a moment.

She looked surprised at first, then a face splitting smile grew over her features. "That would be marvelous!" She cried clapping her hands together. "Being a recent addition to the Equestrian Trade Pact none of the other leaders should have any reason to be hostile towards you. This would mean you could investigate under the protected title of ambassadors, and should you find the source of this trouble the relaxed tensions should make negotiations of far more malleable in favor of restoring peace."

I couldn't help but chuckle at her pacing and clapping. "We would be glad to help you're highness, but we shall need to clear our assignment through our Directors. Though I doubt they will disagree with our plans, it is vital we contact them regardless."

She happily nodded. "I understand, I'll send word to the postal office in town you are to be given use of our dragon fire mail system."

"One more thing before I forget, may I speak with your sister later on. While I doubt I can ever make up for the torture I put her through, I can at least take away the pain." I held out my hand and allowed a small wisp of healing magic to gather.

Her smiled dimmed. "I'll speak with her, if she'll allow it you will have my permission."

"Thank you, I'd rather not let troubles of the past fester." Her smile brightened.

"I am sorry for everything as well, I should have made better arrangements for our meeting. I hope we can move past this, I have no doubt our people can learn much from each other." The chime of a clock drew her attention. "If you'll excuse me I must lower the sun." With a polite farewell she was gone.

"Somethings tells me we won't be returning home within the month." Charon said with a fake pout.

"Sorry big guy but personal leisure comes after global crisis, even if we had never undertaken this mission it is vital we don't let the worlds superpowers grow violent. Any resulting wars would find us in some way or another,and I'd at least like to be on the winning side should it come to that." I looked at him and saw he was looking at the crest on the handle of his axe.

Finna perked up. "Um... before we go on any further assignments, how would we travel? We have no ship or mounts."

"..."

"..."

"Damn it!"

---Noir---

Twilight Sparkle, the former student of Princess Celestia is many things a scholar, magical adept, alicorn, and windbag. For a consecutive five hours she pelt Noir with question after question to the point of where she each question brought her off into a completely different tangent. All the while the unfortunate Panther had to endure the ramblings of an eccentric princess. To top of the horrid train wreck that had been her day, the strangest sensation to strike Elijah crossed her mind.