Rising Hope: Birth Of The Transcendents

The clattering and shouting of the troops converging brought a  greater feeling of authority within me. Walking down the narrow pathway, my overlook called my name as I leaned over the railing, seeing my troops move about with fluidity urged me to do what I did even more. Channeling some magic to my throat, my voice reverberated across every inch of the caverns.

''Attention, troops!'' everything came to a standstill. ''I seem to possess a problem that may affect you all. Not so much as an hour ago, a letter was 'delivered' to me proclaiming aid from the ruler of another land: a Queen Titania of the Threstals has requested your master's aid...and do you know how she went about it? Either do this task of my own volition or I may be persuaded otherwise or war may be imminent,'' a chorus of murmurs and groans rang throughout. ''So naturally, the course of action we would undertake is to react accordingly by preparing for any circumstances so I am ordering a mandatory increase in patrols, weapons training and especially the new implementation of a 'human' touch of things. First Lieutenant Graffias, Twilight Sparkle, Princess Luna, Shining Armour, Valiant Barrier, Iron Hammer, and my daughter, Amethyst Sparkle will be assisting in the process. In my absence, you are to report, tend to, do anything they command and install your trust in your temporary superiors: Princess Luna, Twilight Sparkle, Gizmo, Lieutenant Graffias and Shining Armour. '' During this point, the morale of my troops began to drop.

''Am I clear?''

''Yes, sir!'' the Diamond Dog's voice came as one sound.

''Yes, sir? YES SIR?!''

''Yes, my master!''

Hmmm...this is not enough: not for me. I need to push their expectations a little bit higher as I can have a piece of mind. Picking Amethyst up in my arms and displaying her beauty for all to see gave me a little boost in pride as I spoke with even more volume.

''But this is for those who I am certain will step out of line at one point in time, so listen up,'' I covered her ears as to not sully her mind. ''If any harm, of any kind comes to my daughter whilst I am away...I will personally see to it that you are castrated, sodomized and eaten alive before your very eyes, am I clear?!''

''Master, we understand!''

Excellent.

''Very well, this should be a walk in the park for you all. Dismissed and remember that I will have a sharp eye on you all, so do not disappoint me,''

After setting my daughter down, I turned around with a new found invigoration as I briefed my team on the situation to be. Based on 'Titania's' letter, it seems she values showing up promptly over all, and as we know next to nothing about her or what her influence is, then it would be smart to play her little game for a little bit until I have assurance we can act without backlash. Sitting at the rustic command table, a map of all of Equus lay in front of me, places i've never heard of in this distinction: Prance, Reighsia, Germane, Saddle Arabia, Yak-Yakistan, Jaypan, Devil's Creek and so many others place stuck out like a sore thumb, but one had my eyes focused: the home of the Threstals, Chronomid.

''So, it seems like this Threstal Queen has a lot of land to herself,'' Rainbow pointed a hoof to the representation on the map, the shape of the foregin country resembling a antique pocketwatch. ''Shouldn't she, oh I don't know be just fine with all that space she has to move around with! I mean, I wouldn't really turn down someone in need, but the way she's going about it ruffles my feathers the wrong way.''

''Ah agree with ya on this one Dash,'' Applejack pondered as she tapped the worn out parchment. ''But the one thing we're all seeming to miss is what exactly happened to make the Vamponies hold such a bitter grudge in the first place,''

''Not even I can give you a accurate answer, Aj: i'm doing the best I can with finding more information out and that should be a cinch for somepony like me,'' Twilight called from her place next to me, her face nose deep in a reference guide, her eyes darting between pages. ''But whatever it was had to held a force to it if she's going this far for aid.''

Silently brainstorming on that idea, my mind is drawing a blank here. I literally have no idea on what could have sparked a feud between the two factions, nor do I wish to be put in the middle of it, just obtain the answers from this Titania as well how and why she knows as much as she does. Viewing over everyone's faces in the room, I had to ask this, though I will get varied answers.

''So,'' I sighed. ''Who's coming with?''

''Well, even though I know you can handle yourself with pretty much anything thrown at you, i'm still coming to make sure you don't screw up,'' Rainbow smirked.

''Same 'ere,'' Applejack joined the bandwagon. ''Sugarcube, something is not right about this and ah don't like it one bit: it would better for me to come along.''

''We'll go too boss,'' Zareran stepped forward. ''We do perform our absolute best at your side and would like the chance to accompany you, so why not?''

''Hold on, now Jamir.'' Shining Armour caught my attention. ''do you even have a plan? For this whole excursion, I mean.''

Yes and no. Do I have a plan? No. Will I come up with one? Yes. See, making progress.

''Of course I do, you don't have to worry: you're not the one that's going,'' I gave him a playful nudge.

''Well, if that's everyone, then we can-

''Wait!'' two voices cut through the air. ''we're coming with you!''

''What?/Huh?'' me and Shining asked wide-eyed. ''You can't be serious./That's absurd!''

''Come on, this would be the perfect opportunity to prove that I was right about just falsely assuming out of thin air. And besides, you yourself said you were setting up a diplomatic meeting so you would need the Princess of Love in your corner,'' Cadence offered me her aid.

''But honey, are you sure about doing this? What about the Crystal Empire? Who'll watch over it?''

''I guess you will just have to multi-task, dear. I'm going, and besides: I can handle myself...i'm not a little filly,''

''And what about you?'' I turned to Chrysalis to hear her side.

''While I would normally have the responsibility of tending to my subjects, Princess Celestia and Luna have agreed to 'sit in' for my absence. My liege, I also side with Cadence on this endeavor as well: I would be of great assistance to you...and I do not wish to potentially lose someone so close to me,'' she mumbled the last part.

''Huh? What did you say?''

''I w-will not a-allow harm to come t-to you whilst by your side, m-my lord!'' the changeling stammered.

Looking over my roster, it doesn't really seem as if I could change their minds on this, but then again-

''Daddy?'' Amethyst rubbed against my leg. ''Do you really have to go?'' her eyes began to water. Quickly scooping her up, I wiped away the discomfort and rubbed small circles on her back.

''Hey, hey.'' I cooed. ''none of that crying, you hear me? I hate this as much as you do, believe me: I would rather sit here and relax but Daddy has a very important meeting with a seemingly important pony and while I would love to take you with me,''  I cast back the look of Twilight's eyes boring a hole in the side of my head. ''but I would never be able live with myself or call myself sane if I ever put you in harm's way, you understand why sweetheart?''

My daughter had hesitation on her face, masking the stream of tears from seeing her father leave. Again. ''I-I do, Daddy, but I j-just want to know you're okay,''

I may be able to correct that.

''You know what, then?'' I bopped her nose. ''I can do you one better,'' I brought a red and golden hue of magic to my left hand, touching Amethyst's horn with a finger, bringing a spark of her red and purple aura to her horn as both our streams intertwined before the opposite went into our respective casting conduits.

''What was that?''

''A little communication spell: sweetie. Now whenever you want to talk, all you need do is just think about the sound of my voice and I will always be there to answer and comfort you...no matter the time or place.'' I poked her in the chest. ''Okay?''

''Okay, Daddy, but you better pick up!''

''I wouldn't have it any other way,'' I flashed a warm smile. ''Well, team it would be smart to be quick about this, so we should-

''Hold it right there,'' Frank stopped my advance. ''A little birdie told me this may be different even though we all can agree on that, but this may just give you the edge required to rip somepony a new one,'' he smiled, tossing me a tiny leather bag. Opening it up, my eyes met...different colored dice adorned with varying symbols and point values, but these were different...they held magic within. Holding up a green 3 sided die with a transparent snapping Venus Flytrap pulsed with a green mist that upon contacting my nostrils calmed me in that instant.

''What are these and why do make me feel so...

''Calm?'' Flashing spoke for me, the unicorn flashing a mischievous smile. ''That is my latest trick: I call them Fusion-Dice: the perfect blend of magic and intelligence put together.''

''What do they do?'' Kanaranx picked up a die, eyeing with curiosity, the jet black dragon rummaging through the bag.

''That's the simple part,'' Frank snatched the bag back. ''There are 3 types of fusion dice: Adpatium, Blaston and Cosmix: or just ABC. A-Fusion-Dice are probably the best kind you can pull out in a pinch. Depending on your emotion and thoughts you can make changes to the environment around you but only works within the point value.''

''Point value?'' Fluttershy asked. ''What does that mean?''

''Glad you asked Shy.'' Flashing hopped back in. ''Each dice has a numerical vale from 0-12, stating its PMI, or potential magic Index. Think of it like levels where each one unlocks a certain trait you can have for that die. Now for every increase in level will cost you a bit of magic each time. Now onto the 3 types: as the name implies, Adaptium, a substance that changes all around it are dice can alter the things around and within you, but like Frank said: it depends on emotions and thoughts. For example, say you were losing a fight when it came to strength, you can technically use the dice to change the ground of your opponent's feet, strengthen your body, or change the amount of gravity pressing down,''

''And.'' Frank picked out a white pair of dice, a image of a shield being struck repeatedly. ''Blaston Dice, a collection of magic particles that react in a unconventional way do not differ all that much. These are the fallback move you'd want to play when you're overwhelmed. Emotion also plays the same part when you're scared. You take that fear and turn into strength and you could gather a almost limitless amount of energy to construct the ultimate defense.''

''But then there is the last type of Fusion-Dice and most possibly my favorite: Cosmix, a branch of yet exceptional signatures behind them make this the absolute last defense you could ever have,'' Flashing fished out a red die with a image of a pair of flaming horns on it. ''Summoning, substitution, illusion magic and so much more lies with these mysterious dice. While I don't have all the proper research, I would advise the careful use of these should you use them. But, since we did this under your permission boss, I figured you could do better with testing out the dice as they do have a considerable trace of your magic in them which makes utilizing them almost second nature,'' she levitated the pouch over to me.

''Do I really want to do this?'' I pondered the choice. ''Well, having her take samples of my blood can't be for nothing, so what the hell?''

''I'll keep that in mind,'' I hoped as I strapped the bag to my belt. ''I suppose we should get a move on, eh?'' I gave Twilight a smooch on the forehead, the other girls nodding in agreement as we readied to leave.

''Love,'' Celestia's voice rang in my thoughts. ''Are you certain you should be doing this? Luna is ever so eager to accompany you at the drop of a hat, thought I feel as if fate will have a hoof in causing discomfort.''

Great, more kindle for the fire.

''You and Lulu saw the letter, Tia. I have no choice but to go lest I risk putting you guys in danger over nothing. And so long as fate is concerned? It can get knocked up for all I care,''

***

Meanwhile in a distant sector of Equus lay a mighty fortress overlooking a thriving, but dark town. Rain swarmed the streets as thunder assaulted the calm skies, revealing subtle images of the building gazing past the horizon for miles. Gargoyles carved of steel decorated the tops of the four key pillars supporting the structure, an array of lighting striking the monuments at almost timed intervals to accent the vividness of supposed life. Inside the keep, past the iron drawbridge came a ornate door leading into a regal hallway, spanning crystalline white inside, mosaic depictions of past rulers and coronations littered the windows. In the center the shape of two beings shrouded in shadow peered into a a crystal ball as the small whispers of the wind and beating of hearts thrummed throughout.

''So...what does it reveal, Castris!?'' a voice with the highest tone, akin to matching a opera singer's final notes in her aria shouted causing a slight rumble of the surrounding area.

''Look and see, my lady,'' a voice laced with confusion, regret and somberness replied, waving a hoof over the current vision of a dragon embarking for a skyward portal with a smaller partner upon his back shifted to a more recent one, portraying a bipedal creature with long flowing hair in a underground cavern with a army of Diamond Dogs flanking his overlook as he conversed with ponies, Griffion, Zebra, and Dragon alike.

''You and Lulu saw the letter, Tia. I have no choice but to go lest I risk putting you guys in danger over nothing. And so long as fate is concerned? It can get knocked up for all I care,''

''What does that word mean, Castris? Knocked up?''

''...I believe he's telling you to fornicate yourself, my lady, and based on his tone: I would say he really means it.''

''Eh...?''

''As I said-

''He said what?!'' the row of windows instantly shattered under the immense pressure of the voice. ''he done bucked his chances of having a choice to help now! I *will** force to him to help even if I have to rape him to get the point across!*''