Twilight Sparkle vs. the Yaksby Silver LetterChaptersChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 4Chapter 5Chapter 6Chapter 1Since the Yaks from the distant north had come to Ponyville, it had felt like days had passed in the span of a few hours. The town hadn’t suffered this kind of wanton aggression since Trixie took over. And it hadn’t been since then that Twilight had been put into such a bind over the safety of her own town. Not until that point anyway. And as Twilight stared helplessly despite all her efforts to help the Yaks see reason, the creatures lumbered forward, driven by the several brain cells that must have been working in overdrive to spark their exaggerated anger. Everything Twilight tried to do had failed. By all appearances, they seemed to be going home and all hope for negotiation and diplomacy long since passed. But if that wasn’t enough, the leader, an especially volatile prince, turned away with a furious expression on his long face. Like children, they had demanded that things be their way in every instance. Not once giving so much as a ‘thank you’ in return. But the second the prince threatened war on her ponies, Twilight’s sense of formality snapped. For once in her life, she had enough. Twilight wasn’t about to stand by and let these filthy creatures threaten her pony friends without consequences. How could she? She had a duty too as a princess to defend her pony subjects and to sacrifice herself if need be, even to the point of harm. She felt a rush of anger, of humiliation and shock that boiled in her blood in a way not since she fought Lord Tirek. In a flash of light, she stood in front of them. They snorted in reply to Twilight’s sudden shift in stance as if they believed her to be as insignificant as an ant to them. But surely they came to realize that Twilight was a boulder and there was no budging her that time. Not by words nor by actions. Her voice was as piercing as a rapier. “If you refuse to behave in a dignified manner and respect the crown that so graciously offered its hospitality to your people then I must indeed refuse your friendship! For the time of talking is over and anytime any creature threatens my ponies, I will not tolerate them any further!” Twilight said. The stupid creature obviously had never had anyone talk back to it in such a way. So used to violence that it had no words to say. It merely stared at the other two yaks. It was fine by Twilight. It was suddenly so clear that to converse with him, at least at that moment, would be as futile as debating with Pumpkin Cake on the merits of high class society. “I want you to leave. Now!” Twilight demanded. “And take your threats with you!” She pointed at the train to emphasize the point. “And don’t worry about the sheep. I’ll move them from the tracks so you can return to your home.” “You…you ponies! Stand against Yaks! We are no friends! Never return…no… we return with Yaks for war!” the prince declared. His facial expression was unyielding. Eyes as angular as a dragon’s. Steam and saliva blew with each word and it fell upon Twilight’s invisible magic barrier. It would have been enough to turn any pony’s skin white but not her. Not that day. Twilight opened her wings. She had been brought to bay and she had no choice but to confront them. “Then it’s war!” The princess stood firmly as the three yaks slammed their hooves against the ground like a buffalo would in preparation for a charge. She didn’t let them start and focused energy into her horn but only as much as needed. Before he could react, the prince felt his legs fold as if he lost all feeling. His body fell to the ground from the force of Twilight’s kinetic magical blast. He uttered a guttural gasp, both in pain and in confusion. Mere seconds after his regular gloating, he was somehow forced to eat dirt like a worm. The last thing he saw was Twilight soaring into the sky to avoid his brothers’ desperate assault. His vision turned blurry and then after that, black. Chapter 2As much as it pained her to have to use force, Twilight knew in her heart that she couldn’t have avoided it. A princess has a very special relationship with her subjects and she was no exception to this. To hear the Yaks declare an intent to hurt them was too much after she had seen what they were capable of. They tried to hurt Fluttershy’s cute animals and almost seriously injured her loyal friend, Spike the dragon. If it wasn’t for his tough hide, it might have ended badly for him. But what was worse out of all that was that she had to face her old mentor, Princess Celestia. Twilight paced in her long hall, wondering how the news would fall upon her ears. She was alone in the castle, having sent her friends away some time ago, and all was silent except for her thoughts that were so loud with judgment. If the princess was angry or upset then Twilight knew she had to be the only one to face her full wrath and worse, her disappointment. She wasn’t punished yet but Twilight’s time spent alone was nothing but one long metaphorical flagellation and it was bad enough. She ran countless scenarios about what she should have done. Even the aftermath was not something she was even close to being prepared for. They had to dig an impromptu pit in the ground deep enough so the yaks couldn’t escape. That had to make do as a dungeon of sorts until the royal army arrived. She couldn’t help but feel that her friends were right to criticize her for not wanting any guards around. She thought that having stern stallions at every corner wouldn’t promote much in the way of positive feelings of friendship. But having them could have prevented so much. Or maybe not. Celestia entered the main hall. She was also alone and quiet. Her demeanor was serious but not in her usual way. Out of the many ways she could have shown it, she looked quite glum, even depressed. But few other than Twilight could have picked up on it. Maybe her sister or perhaps Spike. And whenever she was sad was when there was a situation when even she didn’t know what to do. “Twilight Sparkle….where are the Yak ambassadors?” she asked. She was probably more concerned for her former student than for the foreigners themselves. Twilight tilted her head askew so she could glance elsewhere. It was still very hard to admit her failures to Celestia. Their relationship has gone through so many phases but being equal was still not something Twilight was used to. After all, what former student wanted to risk looking weak in front of their teacher and friend? “They are probably resting. We made an underground room of sorts,” Twilight said. “Very well. I shall retrieve them at once. They must be escorted back to the far north so no further diplomatic incidents may occur.” “But, princess, how do you know for certain that things won’t get worse?” Celestia sighed. “I can’t be certain. It’s the nature of diplomacy. But we shan’t fret. I don’t believe that the Yaks pose a danger to us, despite their words to the contrary. But I am afraid that with things as they are, it will be many more moons before we get another chance to mend our relations.” That realization was a heavy weight on both of their minds. Twilight’s especially. She hated having no answers or admitting that things just didn’t make sense. Things like friendship wasn’t something that could be studied in a book. Nor could conflict easily be read or understood. She knew that more than anypony else. If it were then she could befriend anyone with as little effort as casting a basic levitation spell. But things could never be that easy. “Twilight, I hope you realize that there is little to blame yourself for,” Celestia assured her. “You’ve done all you could. It’s true that I wanted to see you succeed with the Yaks but a pony’s will only goes so far.” “Even a princess’s?” Celestia put a hoof on Twilight’s shoulder. “I’m afraid so.” Those words did little to help. Even if the situation was tenuous for a princess, there still had to be a reason why she was chosen for the job. And she still failed. There was no denying or overlooking that fact. “Princess…I wanted to bring up something about my duties as the princess of friendship,” Twilight said softly. “What is it?” Twilight’s body felt tense. “I wanted to make my concern known that as a younger princess, I might not be up to the task towards being a mediator between yourself and guests from foreign lands.” “Because of one situation?” Twilight felt some worry that she might have disappointed Celestia but she received a quick nod. “It is certainly easy enough to understand. Seeing what happened would disillusion most ponies. But not you, I think. You’re better than that.” “Well…in a way. I certainly never met creatures like those.” Celestia smiled. “But I have. I’m sure you’re wondering why I hadn’t built up a relationship between Equestria and them in such a long time?” “I would be lying if I said I was not interested.” Celestia walked to the door, preparing to slip into the sky. She had that look she used to have as her teacher; her eyes would grow and sparkle and she would have a kindly smile. When Twilight was so close to making a breakthrough in her studies and Celestia didn’t want to show her but just help her to where she needed to go. “Then I’ll be sure to expect you at the Crystal Empire shortly. Princess Cadance will as well,” she said. It wasn’t long after her departure that Twilight was hastily writing in her notebook. If Celestia wanted her to figure out why the Yaks were so hostile then she needed to study non-stop. Her mentor would expect nothing less. Chapter 3A week later, Twilight Sparkle was on the train, going on the long journey to the Crystal Empire. She didn’t pay any attention to the beautiful landscapes that zipped past her view. She was spending most of the time resting after an exhausting week. But not just sleeping. She hadn’t gone by herself and her friend, Ribbon Wishes, joined her. Since her history books alone hadn’t been enough to help Twilight grasp the complex nature of the Yaks, she had sought out the best psychiatrist in the land. Ribbon could figure out how most minds worked and used that to solve all sorts of problems whether it was a strained relationship or a fear of heights. They spent some of the ride catching up. Ribbon was doing better than ever with lots of new clients. She would often say that it was all too heavy at times. But it was no better time to remind her that such things came with the territory of being a scholar of pony behavior. Twilight worried constantly that the relationship the ponies now had with the Yaks had been compromised, maybe even beyond repair. It’s what had kept her up at night and denied her peace. She sent letter after letter to be updated as to the happenings over at the empire. So far, her sister in law had kept the situation under control with the prisoners. At the eve of her return, she had to be there to at least try to speak to the Yaks one last time. After all, she had been right in the middle of it. Her participation was not to be avoided or overlooked even if Celestia had been so forgiving as of late. The train came to a grinding halt at the station and a throng of ponies exited to the platform. Steam billowed between everypony. Ribbon Wishes was jumpy since she spied the Crystal Palace during the approach. Being a small town pony, she was not used to big cities. She went towards the first souvenir booth and nearly pressed her face against the glass until it began to fog. Her smile shone like a child’s underneath her heavy scarf. “Ribbon, we must make haste for the castle,” Twilight said. She carried a small suitcase with only the research concerning the yaks. Full of papers marked with yellow highlighter and sticky notes. “Right, Twilight.” They doubled the pace through the streets, passing by numerous crystalline storefronts and flats. Ribbon could barely keep her excitement in check, despite her grasp of the gravity of the situation. Everything must have been awe-inspiring from the crystal buildings to the crystal ponies with their exotic northern dress and shimmering hair. When Twilight spotted Cadance over at the Crystal Heart, she could tell that her sister in law felt anything but excited like her friend. She looked as grey and deflated as the cloudy skies above. She could be expected to be like that during troubling times. She’s the quiet type, always keeping things close to her chest. But she did perk up enough to give Twilight a hug as usual. “Twilight, is this the friend you mentioned to me?” Cadance said. Twilight smiled. “It is she. We’ve been friends for a while.” After introducing Ribbon, the mare gave a short bow. But Cadance insisted on shaking hooves which was done to Ribbon’s delight. “I’ve heard things about you but meeting you face to face is a great honor,” Ribbon said. She was nervous, barely able to stand still. “Thank you. You honor me with your words.” “Where is my brother and Princess Celestia?” Twilight inquired. “Shining is looking after the prisoners personally. It is something right up his alley and I think he was rather eager to meet the yaks since he heard of them. As for Celestia, she is upstairs and very eager to see you both.” Twilight was actually glad to hear about her brother. She always thought about whether he was satisfied living in the castle after such an exciting life in the guard. Maybe he was able to put on his armor he used to wear. She knew that would please him to no end. At the very least, the city was in safe hooves with him around, yaks or no yaks. “I assume time is of the essence,” Ribbon said seriously. “Indeed. Let’s walk and talk,” Cadance said as she led them both into the palace. Cadance got both of them up to speed before they entered the viewing rotunda. The prisoners were kept well as they can manage. Like animals though, they often reacted with hostility. Even feeders didn’t enter their cell lest they be assaulted. Shining himself had been put to his wit’s end but that wasn’t where Cadance had kept her focus in the last day. Supposedly there had been rumors of movements in the far northern mountains. They were the Crystal Empire’s northern frontier. Neither Cadance nor Shining Armor had anticipated such and it was evident in the very air. The guards appeared restless as if fearing the shadow of war. Princess Celestia was waiting in there. Her sister was in Canterlot, performing her duties most admirably in all likelihood. Celestia was staring out towards the far mountains, her gaze serious and unyielding as though keeping watch over her own city. “Celestia, we are all here,” Cadance announced. The princess turned and her hardened stance seemed to finally melt back into a familiar smile that spread across her aged face. As Twilight strode in, she was glad to see it. Twilight rarely saw her in such a serious manner. At least she hadn’t since the royal wedding. “Hello, Twilight,” she said. She spoke as if tired, having had so little rest in many hours. “Your studies went well, I presume?” “Well, yes they did, but princess, things are getting worse, aren’t they?” Twilight spoke candidly. “In a way. I fear that they had contacted their home somehow. If so, it might be too late to prevent a significant overreaction.” “That is a wide euphemism, your majesty,” Ribbon said. She kept her head slightly lowered either in fear of her reply, of awe at her sight or both. Her voice also betrayed a keen sense of anxiety. “It is that their reaction may indeed be wide. Are they foolish enough to try and strike against the empire in earnest? Or will they try another way? Without understanding them, I am as blind to their desires as I was with the changelings.” “I heard of them. I wish I had been there or even had one to my disposal so I can pick at their brain so to speak,” Ribbon said. “I’m afraid that isn’t the case but what do you know of yaks? Hearing of your skills as a psychiatrist piqued my interest and I would love to know how you can help us better understand them.” Ribbon chuckled nervously. Despite that, she was keeping her cool for the most part. “Uh, I’ve done a lot of study with Princess Twilight. Practically non-stop. All I haven’t done is meet one face to face.” “Then I suggest that you go right away,” Celestia urged. “It will help us to make the right decisions before it’s too late.” “I will, Princess.” Cadance turned towards the doorway. “I’ll lead you to the dungeons.” They said a hasty goodbye and left. “I didn’t know the castle had dungeons,” Twilight commented with interest as they went down the hall. “They’re really old. Older than King Sombra even,” Cadance said. “But we don’t talk about them much. It’s not like we put them on brochures so guests to the empire wouldn’t know of them.” They started talking about the history and Ribbon slowly tuned them out as she usually did when Twilight droned on about something she really didn’t care for. Instead her eyes darted around the walls and at all the old paintings of crystal princes and princesses. It was so grand, greater than she had ever expected. Maybe it was all too much for a mare like her. She was used to ponies coming to her for advice. A spat between two lands kept in dark dungeons away from prying eyes was something different. How could she understand what three princesses couldn’t? Chapter 4The dungeon was not as bad as Twilight had pictured it. Cool air circulated down there and there was enough light to get around easy enough. The walls were made from bluish crystal and the doors of the cells were thick steel with little slits to look in. Cadance pointed at one of them. “They’re inside. Be careful.” She kept her distance. The two of them approached the door and Twilight slid the latch to peer inside the cell. The three yaks lay on the ground on a pile of hay which appeared scattered all over the place. The yak she recognized as the prince got up. When he rose, his head got into a beam of light cast from the barred window high up. It glinted off the bands of gold on his thick horns. “You again?!” He snorted angrily. “Why you? Enemy of Yaks come to bring insults?” “Hardly,” Twilight replied. She tried to focus but the mere voice of that yak brought back feelings of frustration. “My friend came with me to speak to you. We all feel that talking is the only way we can get past this.” “You are no great princess of friendship,” the prince said snappishly. Twilight wondered if provocation was the only thing the yaks knew when it came to talks. As far as she was concerned, she was done so she had Ribbon take her place without another word. Ribbon looked inside then introduced herself but the prince gave no acknowledgement. As she left and sat down against the crystal wall, Twilight felt like giving him a stern lecture on their total lack of decorum then their ridiculous hygiene after that. She gave a worn out glance over to Cadance which reciprocated. They were both stressed out. She listened as Ribbon tried to use every bit of psychological knowhow on the prince. It must have been trying, even for her. They responded with grunts more often than full sentences, or whatever passed for it in their far-flung country. But still, she wrote down what she could in her little notebook and never got impatient. She would nod and try to casually lead the conversation where she wanted to take it. But with little payoff, it must have been as difficult as opening a lock with a toothpick. And as patient as Twilight thought herself to be, it’s not flattering to realize that she would have given up long ago. After one of the longest hours ever, Ribbon walked away from the door. Twilight was staring up at the ceiling, daydreaming of Applejack’s farm or Rarity’s boutique. She would rather be anywhere but in that dungeon. When Ribbon stood between them, Twilight looked at her. “I did what I could. I thought that trying to find common ground could help them open up a little. It was harder than I thought it would be.” “Can I see the notebook?” Twilight asked. “Sure. Here you go.” Twilight grabbed it and flipped to the page she started writing on. It had broken down the yaks by individual or that was the intention at least. The prince didn’t fare well, having mostly negative comments scribbled down. Arrogant, demeaning, hostility….the words kept getting bigger and harder to read as if having been placed under intense annoyance. Twilight had no idea. Ribbon’s eyes didn’t twitch and her mouth kept its neutral shape the entire time. She deserved serious credit. When it came to the other two yaks, they were summarized rather simply: docile and subservient to the prince. Twilight knew it would be bad but to see it in writing by her most unbiased friend was hard to take. Shining Armor came from the stairs and walked up to them. Twilight saw him and he smiled warmly. He wore his charming royal armor and his mane looked very sleek and clean. “Hello, Twilight. I came as soon as I could.” He gave Twilight a quick hug then turned towards Ribbon. “You’re my sister’s friend? I hope those three didn’t give you too much trouble.” “I do admit that they’re a difficult bunch.” She giggled. “But they’re nothing I can’t handle from behind an iron door at least.” “I was worried that they would be able to break out at first. They really are some of the strongest creatures I’ve seen besides creatures like the Minotaur.” “I can imagine. All I recall from the incident in Ponyville was their yelling and loud stomping. I could hear it all the way from my office.” Shining’s eyes widened. “Really? Well, did you learn much about them?” “They’re like closed books if I had to describe them quickly. In a way, it’s just like their country, isn’t it? I was hoping to get their point of view and why they did what they did but…I didn’t get much. I can at least speculate that honor and tradition play a huge role in their cultural mindset.” “It’s not really a lot to work with,” Twilight said with a sigh. “I’m sorry, Twilight. What else could I do?” Twilight gave her the notebook back. “It’s alright. I don’t blame you of course. I’m going to speak to the prince one more time before we go. Excuse me.” She took a deep breath and approached the slit with a dignified air. The prince saw her and shuddered as if trying to shake water off his body. His large nose was crusted over and leaking some kind of mucus. Twilight noticed how bad their hair smelled. It was like old leaves and wet hay. She crinkled her nose which caused the prince to snort. She immediately went into speech mode. “Prince…this is my final entreaty. For all our delegation’s efforts have accomplished…” “Pony words are too difficult!” the prince said, cutting her off sharply. “Not Yak way!” They started their little dance of anger anew. “Then what can I say that you will understand?! Why not try to work with us?” Twilight yelled. “Yaks will not work! Yaks choose war!” “This is not a war. You’re our prisoners,” Twilight emphasized curtly. “For now, princess. Yak brothers received messenger birds. Soon will be at bright village gate!” He grinned, flashing his chipped, stained teeth. From what Twilight could see of his eyes, they shown off his princely arrogance. “Wha….what did you say?!” she cried. They didn’t reply save for deep laughs. She fled, passing her friend and relatives and hurried back up the stairs, ignoring pleas for her to slow down. Chapter 5“Princess, the empire is in danger!” Twilight shouted that to Princess Celestia as she approached her at the rotunda. Celestia folded a wing over her and told her to pace her breathing. Twilight was liable to faint if she kept it up. “Princess…the Yaks….reinforcements are coming!” Celestia gasped and scanned the horizon. “How do you know of this? They told you?” Twilight pressed a hoof against her chest. “They may as well have.” “But I don’t understand,” Celestia muttered. “Even the Yaks must know that an approach to the city would be devastating for any advance across the plains. We would see it coming.” “It could just be some kind of trick.” “Maybe.” The others finally caught up to the two princesses. “Twilight, you left in such a fright. What happened?” Ribbon said. Twilight turned to face her. “There may be an attack against the empire.” Her brother went into full alert. “Excuse me. I must warn the city guard at once!” He went off in a swift gallop to gather his forces. “Ribbon Wishes, did you manage to glean any insight from the Yaks?” Celestia had hesitated to ask as if already sensing the worst. “I’m afraid that what I’ve learned might be enough to fill a small book. And I must say that I’ve never said this before but I have to admit that they are not prone towards reason. I’m sorry.” Celestia’s voice sank. “Is there truly no hope whatsoever?” “What can I say? Perhaps the only thing we can hope for is to protect our ponies from the Yaks.” Just like that, it seemed like it was already decided and the Yaks’ fate sealed. The ponies split up. Celestia went to send a letter to her sister, likely calling for an additional battalion from the capital to be sent. Twilight told Ribbon to go to her room to rest while she also took advantage of the coming night and went to her suite. But despite a long trip, she had no stomach for food and the thought of eating made her queasy. She thought of the Yaks and their retched smell. She vowed to wash it out of her nostrils even if she had to do so with a strong acid. As the veil of night fell over the city, the distant mountains disappeared into shadow. Twilight wrote in her diary briefly and turned off the light. She didn’t even feel like some light reading which was rare. The pillow felt good enough, like a cloud or a pile of hay. An hour passed and she was drifting in the drowsy aura between wakefulness and a deep sleep before the balance was crushed in an instant. It was a loud boom that must have woken up the entire palace. When she sat up, she smelled smoke drifting in with the cool air from the outside. The distant cries of ponies was coming from below. When a heavy knock rattled the door, Twilight’s body also shook in kind. “Who is it?” A soothing voice answered and told her to open the door. Twilight opened it and was more relieved than ever to see her older brother. He looked extremely agitated and his mane was in disarray. “Shining, what’s wrong?” He held his gaze firmly to her. “Twiley, please listen to me. I’m here to advise you not to go out even though you’ll want to. The Yaks have made a move for the capital as you and Princess Celestia had feared. We don’t know how many have come but they’ve attacked the dungeon specifically. I think they want to free the prince.” Twilight rushed over to the window and looked outside. She saw several fires flickering like stars in the northern parts of the empire. “It’s dangerous outside.” Twilight turned with a pained look on her face. “I refuse to stay like a helpless foal. I will meet the Yaks face to face with Cadance.” Her brother tried to protest but Twilight’s voice made it clear that there would be no debate as she went into the hall. He had underestimated her unwavering devotion as usual. But she didn’t mind. She’s always been that way. The kind to sacrifice herself in the name of some higher ideal. She even sort of preferred it like that even if ponies like her brother didn’t understand. Still, she knew that he wouldn’t be the last before the end. Twilight went outside as the masses streamed towards safer ground. Smoke obscured the moon and balls of fire that looked like comets arched low over the city until they landed with violent thuds. Many soldiers were busy directing crystal ponies and she could barely keep herself oriented in the bedlam. A hoof gripped her shoulder and she turned around to see Cadance. “Twilight, you need not be out here!” She shouted to be heard over whistles and the stomping of hooves. “No, I need to,” Twilight said with upmost determination. “I had failed to make friends with the Yaks but I won’t fail this time. Not when our safety is on the line.” Naturally, Cadance hesitated but she was one of the few that understood Twilight on a personal level. They respect each other too much for her to stand in her way. “So be it. I believe if we hurry, we can catch up to the prisoners in the north. We can’t let them escape.” “How did they get away?” “I don’t know but they blew a hole in the side of the castle. They must have jumped out and ran in the confusion but chances are that they’re hurt. They probably haven’t reached their allies yet.” “Let’s go. We have no time to waste.” The two of them flew low over the houses, careful to avoid the projectiles flung into the city. They were huge, the size of boulders and they left flaming craters in buildings. Something strong must be launching them. She knew they had to be disabled right away while so much of the empire’s forces were scrambling to put out the fires. The rest were marching north in formation to meet the Yaks. She feared that Shining Armor would be at the front. It was his duty but she still knew that he was in danger. At last she spotted the three fugitives crisscrossing their way through alleyways, trying to avoid capture. The prince hobbled a bit. Likely a hurt leg from falling from his prison cell. A small white bird followed them closely. “Do you see it?” Cadance said in surprise. “What?” “That’s how they coordinated their escape. The bird must have relayed exactly where they were and are probably telling them where to go now!” “Let’s go!” Twilight was about to dive down when Cadance got in her way. “Hey, what are you doing?” “Twilight, we don’t need our combined strength to capture them when they appear to be wounded. If we split up, one of us can go and destroy their weapons before they can do further damage to the empire,” Cadance reasoned. “Good idea. You go north and join my brother. Defending the empire is your fight. I’ll handle the prince.” “I know you will. Be safe, Twilight.” With incredible swiftness, Cadance made off for the battle ahead. Twilight flew with all the power and speed of a griffin. The time had come. They probably wouldn’t surrender but if they were going to, it was going to be their last chance as if they really deserved any after what they’ve done. As she impacted the street below, the Yaks stopped in their tracks. They were a bit different than last time. Even the prince looked reluctant and the other two stood defensively rather than showing off their strength. If anything, they must have been more eager to rejoin their comrades. Twilight didn’t care one bit. “You are done! Surrender now!” she bellowed, every ounce of her authority radiating from her lungs. In preparation, Twilight prepped her wings to lift her upwards. The prince choked as he tried to speak. Perhaps out of fear or saliva from his ragged sprinting or who knows. “Yaks….never surrender. Far too noble for that.” “Why do you have to be so defiant?” Twilight just had to ask, even if it would be the only thing she ever learned from them. No creature has frustrated her as much as the Yaks perhaps save for the spirit of Chaos. “Because Yaks are powerful and greatest in the world,” the prince said. As he did so, he stood to his full height. He was one of the biggest of them all, a towering creature even taller than Princess Celestia. “Greatness does not come with arrogance….I’ve personally seen that to be true,” Twilight replied. The four of them stood silently for a moment, in a kind of standoff. Neither side wanting to strike the first blow in a fight already inevitable. They both had their reasons. Twilight desired only to fight in self-defense and the Yaks were in a weakened position. Suddenly, a voice grew louder from Twilight’s right. As it came closer, she recognized it as Ribbon Wishes. Twilight was distracted only briefly and glanced at her for just a second. It was a frightful sight. Her friend weaving her way around rubble strewn about. The way her hair glistened red from the fire and in her eyes that grew ever wider. Twilight’s heart leapt in her chest and she turned to see a long knife flying in the air. She had no time to think or plan or react with anything other than to cover herself with the only thing she had. Her own wing. A massive searing pain pulsed through it as the blade shattered one of the bones and came out the other end, coated in darkened blood. She shoved her wounded wing aside despite it throbbing immensely. Seeing the two yaks come within one pony length in front of her was enough to make her funnel all the anger in her heart into her horn until it was a raging tempest of fire. Chapter 6If there was any reason for a pony to stop and tell others to beware the wrath of Princess Twilight Sparkle, it had come at the battle against the Yaks. But they had no idea that she had felt the same fear as those that would tell the tales. A pony like her feared her own power. She hated wielding it, seeing it and smelling it. And the smells of rubble, smoke, and burnt flesh was unmistakable. A depraved cocktail of destruction. The two yaks that had charged her lay in burnt, broken heaps. One of their horns as broken as her wing, its shards amongst the ruins and toppled helmets. “Twilight!” Ribbon came to her and embraced her friend. Tears stained Ribbon’s cheeks. “Stay back! The prince is still alive.” Twilight kept her gaze fixed upon him. He may look like a wounded animal but it could be yet another ruse to fool her. The only reason why he wasn’t a charred corpse was due to his guards sacrificing their lives, absorbing the full brunt of Twilight’s attack. If she could say anything about them, it would be that they were loyal to the end. “I was just so worried about you,” Ribbon said. Her voice cracked and she sniffled. “And now you’re injured.” “I’m going to be okay,” Twilight assured her. “But he won’t.” She looked at the prince. He couldn’t even stand anymore, having suffered wounds to his legs. Each breath struggled from his lungs. She stepped closer to him. “Is there any last words you’ll say before we put you away for good?” Twilight stared deep into his eyes which were now glazed with anger. “Last words are not needed…..last joy will be enjoying the sight of your death, pony princess,” he said. He laughed at them. “Look, Twilight!” Ribbon pointed at the white bird, which flew in a circle overhead. The next thing Twilight knew, one of those flaming meteors was heading right towards her. With her wing broken, she couldn’t fly and even if she could, she knew her friend had no wings. She ignored her pain and leapt at her, knocking her to the ground. At the same time, she activated her horn and teleported them both away to safety as it struck the exact place she had been standing before. The only thing they found at that place later was a few large golden rings. Twilight and Ribbon rejoined Cadance and Celestia at the front lines. Far off, lines of troops pushed back the retreating Yaks. Celestia took in Twilight’s dirty and bloody sight and looked frozen in shock. “Twilight, what happened?” Twilight managed a weary smile. “Not much princess. Just a little broken wing and smoke damage and some scrapes from having had dodged a giant stone a bit earlier. Not too bad.” She indeed had quite the sight like an action hero from one of her books. Although she felt too tired to stand proudly and wobbled as she walked. “I’m sorry, Twilight. I did all I could but it just wasn’t possible to get to the last one in time,” Cadance said regretfully. “No worries. I know you tried your best.” “The battle is nearly concluded,” Celestia said. “I think they know as well as we that their prince is not going to return. Their cause is lost.” “Not fully. Not if they keep their hatred and remain as ruthless as before. They’ll strike again,” Cadance warned. A heavy thought must have come to Celestia as she grimaced sadly. “I have then only one last question.” She turned towards Ribbon Wishes. “Ribbon, your insight into the minds of others is valuable. We need you now. Do you believe that the Yaks have any capacity to see reason and come around to a state of peace and do you think our two societies can ever find common ground?” As much as Twilight would have wanted to make such a decision herself and spare her friend from having to do it, she knew that Ribbon’s ability to understand the mind dwarfed her own immensely. In that case, she had to keep silent and let her friend speak. Ribbon stared at the ground and felt the wind blow through her hair. In that almost impossibly quiet moment in the center of so much pony suffering, all her thoughts swirled together. Every last perception was just one part of a greater whole. And there really could be only one. The kind to decide the fate of nations, empires and leaders. It felt too great for her cutie mark, the ribbon shaped like a heart, to bear. She noticed blood streaked across her left hoof. Twilight’s blood. If she really wanted anything, then it would be nothing more than a respite from the shedding of blood. But she also knew that no matter how much she would beg, the Yaks would have given her and Twilight no mercy if she and her friend had been on the ground and unable to stand. And then she knew what she had to say. “Princess Celestia, I want you to give mercy to the Yaks and let them go.” Celestia was confused nearly to the point of astonishment. “Let them go? Do you believe that they can negotiate a peace?” Ribbon shook her head. “That’s it…I don’t. That’s why we should give them mercy of our own kind. Show them that we’re better than they are. You see, this war in the Crystal Empire reminded me of when you and Princess Luna also fought for a greater purpose. This whole place, the empire itself, was sacrificed. But it had to be done, hadn’t it? Now, I see that time has come again. If you taught us anything, wouldn’t it be that the gift of a thousand years can perhaps heal all wounds?” “I think I understand,” Twilight said. “If we use Rainbow Power, we can banish the Yaks and put this to an end.” “What’s Rainbow Power?” “Our ultimate power derived from the Tree of Harmony,” Cadance said. “With Twilight as the leader, all Alicorns can be brought to summon it. If we have to use it, then we must have a clear mind. To not be discouraged.” “I have no doubt left that we’re doing the necessary thing,” Twilight said. “So be it. Let’s use our powers at once,” Celestia decided. Nopony protested even in passing. They all realized that it had to be done. Perhaps they would have, even if Ribbon Wishes hadn’t been present. But it would have taken longer to finally do it. Twilight begun to summon the innate powers and her horn produced an intense light. Ribbon stepped back and watched as the two other princesses joined, nearly touching their horns and basking in the radiant rainbow glow. A great shield shimmered and they rose into the sky. Their manes somehow were even grander than ever before, full of beautiful colors like a flowing stream and sparkling as if made of gems. They did not speak but threw out a great wave of light which enveloped the land and dispelled the clouds and smoke, putting out every last fire which still burned. And in the end, there was no more crying or wailing to be heard. It was all silenced in an instant. There were many still awake, soldiers no longer facing an enemy while others tended to the wounded. Those asleep or unconscious could have spotted Princess Luna drifting from each mind, granting sweeter dreams to all to replace the nightmares they suffered.
Chapter 1Since the Yaks from the distant north had come to Ponyville, it had felt like days had passed in the span of a few hours. The town hadn’t suffered this kind of wanton aggression since Trixie took over. And it hadn’t been since then that Twilight had been put into such a bind over the safety of her own town. Not until that point anyway. And as Twilight stared helplessly despite all her efforts to help the Yaks see reason, the creatures lumbered forward, driven by the several brain cells that must have been working in overdrive to spark their exaggerated anger. Everything Twilight tried to do had failed. By all appearances, they seemed to be going home and all hope for negotiation and diplomacy long since passed. But if that wasn’t enough, the leader, an especially volatile prince, turned away with a furious expression on his long face. Like children, they had demanded that things be their way in every instance. Not once giving so much as a ‘thank you’ in return. But the second the prince threatened war on her ponies, Twilight’s sense of formality snapped. For once in her life, she had enough. Twilight wasn’t about to stand by and let these filthy creatures threaten her pony friends without consequences. How could she? She had a duty too as a princess to defend her pony subjects and to sacrifice herself if need be, even to the point of harm. She felt a rush of anger, of humiliation and shock that boiled in her blood in a way not since she fought Lord Tirek. In a flash of light, she stood in front of them. They snorted in reply to Twilight’s sudden shift in stance as if they believed her to be as insignificant as an ant to them. But surely they came to realize that Twilight was a boulder and there was no budging her that time. Not by words nor by actions. Her voice was as piercing as a rapier. “If you refuse to behave in a dignified manner and respect the crown that so graciously offered its hospitality to your people then I must indeed refuse your friendship! For the time of talking is over and anytime any creature threatens my ponies, I will not tolerate them any further!” Twilight said. The stupid creature obviously had never had anyone talk back to it in such a way. So used to violence that it had no words to say. It merely stared at the other two yaks. It was fine by Twilight. It was suddenly so clear that to converse with him, at least at that moment, would be as futile as debating with Pumpkin Cake on the merits of high class society. “I want you to leave. Now!” Twilight demanded. “And take your threats with you!” She pointed at the train to emphasize the point. “And don’t worry about the sheep. I’ll move them from the tracks so you can return to your home.” “You…you ponies! Stand against Yaks! We are no friends! Never return…no… we return with Yaks for war!” the prince declared. His facial expression was unyielding. Eyes as angular as a dragon’s. Steam and saliva blew with each word and it fell upon Twilight’s invisible magic barrier. It would have been enough to turn any pony’s skin white but not her. Not that day. Twilight opened her wings. She had been brought to bay and she had no choice but to confront them. “Then it’s war!” The princess stood firmly as the three yaks slammed their hooves against the ground like a buffalo would in preparation for a charge. She didn’t let them start and focused energy into her horn but only as much as needed. Before he could react, the prince felt his legs fold as if he lost all feeling. His body fell to the ground from the force of Twilight’s kinetic magical blast. He uttered a guttural gasp, both in pain and in confusion. Mere seconds after his regular gloating, he was somehow forced to eat dirt like a worm. The last thing he saw was Twilight soaring into the sky to avoid his brothers’ desperate assault. His vision turned blurry and then after that, black.
Chapter 2As much as it pained her to have to use force, Twilight knew in her heart that she couldn’t have avoided it. A princess has a very special relationship with her subjects and she was no exception to this. To hear the Yaks declare an intent to hurt them was too much after she had seen what they were capable of. They tried to hurt Fluttershy’s cute animals and almost seriously injured her loyal friend, Spike the dragon. If it wasn’t for his tough hide, it might have ended badly for him. But what was worse out of all that was that she had to face her old mentor, Princess Celestia. Twilight paced in her long hall, wondering how the news would fall upon her ears. She was alone in the castle, having sent her friends away some time ago, and all was silent except for her thoughts that were so loud with judgment. If the princess was angry or upset then Twilight knew she had to be the only one to face her full wrath and worse, her disappointment. She wasn’t punished yet but Twilight’s time spent alone was nothing but one long metaphorical flagellation and it was bad enough. She ran countless scenarios about what she should have done. Even the aftermath was not something she was even close to being prepared for. They had to dig an impromptu pit in the ground deep enough so the yaks couldn’t escape. That had to make do as a dungeon of sorts until the royal army arrived. She couldn’t help but feel that her friends were right to criticize her for not wanting any guards around. She thought that having stern stallions at every corner wouldn’t promote much in the way of positive feelings of friendship. But having them could have prevented so much. Or maybe not. Celestia entered the main hall. She was also alone and quiet. Her demeanor was serious but not in her usual way. Out of the many ways she could have shown it, she looked quite glum, even depressed. But few other than Twilight could have picked up on it. Maybe her sister or perhaps Spike. And whenever she was sad was when there was a situation when even she didn’t know what to do. “Twilight Sparkle….where are the Yak ambassadors?” she asked. She was probably more concerned for her former student than for the foreigners themselves. Twilight tilted her head askew so she could glance elsewhere. It was still very hard to admit her failures to Celestia. Their relationship has gone through so many phases but being equal was still not something Twilight was used to. After all, what former student wanted to risk looking weak in front of their teacher and friend? “They are probably resting. We made an underground room of sorts,” Twilight said. “Very well. I shall retrieve them at once. They must be escorted back to the far north so no further diplomatic incidents may occur.” “But, princess, how do you know for certain that things won’t get worse?” Celestia sighed. “I can’t be certain. It’s the nature of diplomacy. But we shan’t fret. I don’t believe that the Yaks pose a danger to us, despite their words to the contrary. But I am afraid that with things as they are, it will be many more moons before we get another chance to mend our relations.” That realization was a heavy weight on both of their minds. Twilight’s especially. She hated having no answers or admitting that things just didn’t make sense. Things like friendship wasn’t something that could be studied in a book. Nor could conflict easily be read or understood. She knew that more than anypony else. If it were then she could befriend anyone with as little effort as casting a basic levitation spell. But things could never be that easy. “Twilight, I hope you realize that there is little to blame yourself for,” Celestia assured her. “You’ve done all you could. It’s true that I wanted to see you succeed with the Yaks but a pony’s will only goes so far.” “Even a princess’s?” Celestia put a hoof on Twilight’s shoulder. “I’m afraid so.” Those words did little to help. Even if the situation was tenuous for a princess, there still had to be a reason why she was chosen for the job. And she still failed. There was no denying or overlooking that fact. “Princess…I wanted to bring up something about my duties as the princess of friendship,” Twilight said softly. “What is it?” Twilight’s body felt tense. “I wanted to make my concern known that as a younger princess, I might not be up to the task towards being a mediator between yourself and guests from foreign lands.” “Because of one situation?” Twilight felt some worry that she might have disappointed Celestia but she received a quick nod. “It is certainly easy enough to understand. Seeing what happened would disillusion most ponies. But not you, I think. You’re better than that.” “Well…in a way. I certainly never met creatures like those.” Celestia smiled. “But I have. I’m sure you’re wondering why I hadn’t built up a relationship between Equestria and them in such a long time?” “I would be lying if I said I was not interested.” Celestia walked to the door, preparing to slip into the sky. She had that look she used to have as her teacher; her eyes would grow and sparkle and she would have a kindly smile. When Twilight was so close to making a breakthrough in her studies and Celestia didn’t want to show her but just help her to where she needed to go. “Then I’ll be sure to expect you at the Crystal Empire shortly. Princess Cadance will as well,” she said. It wasn’t long after her departure that Twilight was hastily writing in her notebook. If Celestia wanted her to figure out why the Yaks were so hostile then she needed to study non-stop. Her mentor would expect nothing less.
Chapter 3A week later, Twilight Sparkle was on the train, going on the long journey to the Crystal Empire. She didn’t pay any attention to the beautiful landscapes that zipped past her view. She was spending most of the time resting after an exhausting week. But not just sleeping. She hadn’t gone by herself and her friend, Ribbon Wishes, joined her. Since her history books alone hadn’t been enough to help Twilight grasp the complex nature of the Yaks, she had sought out the best psychiatrist in the land. Ribbon could figure out how most minds worked and used that to solve all sorts of problems whether it was a strained relationship or a fear of heights. They spent some of the ride catching up. Ribbon was doing better than ever with lots of new clients. She would often say that it was all too heavy at times. But it was no better time to remind her that such things came with the territory of being a scholar of pony behavior. Twilight worried constantly that the relationship the ponies now had with the Yaks had been compromised, maybe even beyond repair. It’s what had kept her up at night and denied her peace. She sent letter after letter to be updated as to the happenings over at the empire. So far, her sister in law had kept the situation under control with the prisoners. At the eve of her return, she had to be there to at least try to speak to the Yaks one last time. After all, she had been right in the middle of it. Her participation was not to be avoided or overlooked even if Celestia had been so forgiving as of late. The train came to a grinding halt at the station and a throng of ponies exited to the platform. Steam billowed between everypony. Ribbon Wishes was jumpy since she spied the Crystal Palace during the approach. Being a small town pony, she was not used to big cities. She went towards the first souvenir booth and nearly pressed her face against the glass until it began to fog. Her smile shone like a child’s underneath her heavy scarf. “Ribbon, we must make haste for the castle,” Twilight said. She carried a small suitcase with only the research concerning the yaks. Full of papers marked with yellow highlighter and sticky notes. “Right, Twilight.” They doubled the pace through the streets, passing by numerous crystalline storefronts and flats. Ribbon could barely keep her excitement in check, despite her grasp of the gravity of the situation. Everything must have been awe-inspiring from the crystal buildings to the crystal ponies with their exotic northern dress and shimmering hair. When Twilight spotted Cadance over at the Crystal Heart, she could tell that her sister in law felt anything but excited like her friend. She looked as grey and deflated as the cloudy skies above. She could be expected to be like that during troubling times. She’s the quiet type, always keeping things close to her chest. But she did perk up enough to give Twilight a hug as usual. “Twilight, is this the friend you mentioned to me?” Cadance said. Twilight smiled. “It is she. We’ve been friends for a while.” After introducing Ribbon, the mare gave a short bow. But Cadance insisted on shaking hooves which was done to Ribbon’s delight. “I’ve heard things about you but meeting you face to face is a great honor,” Ribbon said. She was nervous, barely able to stand still. “Thank you. You honor me with your words.” “Where is my brother and Princess Celestia?” Twilight inquired. “Shining is looking after the prisoners personally. It is something right up his alley and I think he was rather eager to meet the yaks since he heard of them. As for Celestia, she is upstairs and very eager to see you both.” Twilight was actually glad to hear about her brother. She always thought about whether he was satisfied living in the castle after such an exciting life in the guard. Maybe he was able to put on his armor he used to wear. She knew that would please him to no end. At the very least, the city was in safe hooves with him around, yaks or no yaks. “I assume time is of the essence,” Ribbon said seriously. “Indeed. Let’s walk and talk,” Cadance said as she led them both into the palace. Cadance got both of them up to speed before they entered the viewing rotunda. The prisoners were kept well as they can manage. Like animals though, they often reacted with hostility. Even feeders didn’t enter their cell lest they be assaulted. Shining himself had been put to his wit’s end but that wasn’t where Cadance had kept her focus in the last day. Supposedly there had been rumors of movements in the far northern mountains. They were the Crystal Empire’s northern frontier. Neither Cadance nor Shining Armor had anticipated such and it was evident in the very air. The guards appeared restless as if fearing the shadow of war. Princess Celestia was waiting in there. Her sister was in Canterlot, performing her duties most admirably in all likelihood. Celestia was staring out towards the far mountains, her gaze serious and unyielding as though keeping watch over her own city. “Celestia, we are all here,” Cadance announced. The princess turned and her hardened stance seemed to finally melt back into a familiar smile that spread across her aged face. As Twilight strode in, she was glad to see it. Twilight rarely saw her in such a serious manner. At least she hadn’t since the royal wedding. “Hello, Twilight,” she said. She spoke as if tired, having had so little rest in many hours. “Your studies went well, I presume?” “Well, yes they did, but princess, things are getting worse, aren’t they?” Twilight spoke candidly. “In a way. I fear that they had contacted their home somehow. If so, it might be too late to prevent a significant overreaction.” “That is a wide euphemism, your majesty,” Ribbon said. She kept her head slightly lowered either in fear of her reply, of awe at her sight or both. Her voice also betrayed a keen sense of anxiety. “It is that their reaction may indeed be wide. Are they foolish enough to try and strike against the empire in earnest? Or will they try another way? Without understanding them, I am as blind to their desires as I was with the changelings.” “I heard of them. I wish I had been there or even had one to my disposal so I can pick at their brain so to speak,” Ribbon said. “I’m afraid that isn’t the case but what do you know of yaks? Hearing of your skills as a psychiatrist piqued my interest and I would love to know how you can help us better understand them.” Ribbon chuckled nervously. Despite that, she was keeping her cool for the most part. “Uh, I’ve done a lot of study with Princess Twilight. Practically non-stop. All I haven’t done is meet one face to face.” “Then I suggest that you go right away,” Celestia urged. “It will help us to make the right decisions before it’s too late.” “I will, Princess.” Cadance turned towards the doorway. “I’ll lead you to the dungeons.” They said a hasty goodbye and left. “I didn’t know the castle had dungeons,” Twilight commented with interest as they went down the hall. “They’re really old. Older than King Sombra even,” Cadance said. “But we don’t talk about them much. It’s not like we put them on brochures so guests to the empire wouldn’t know of them.” They started talking about the history and Ribbon slowly tuned them out as she usually did when Twilight droned on about something she really didn’t care for. Instead her eyes darted around the walls and at all the old paintings of crystal princes and princesses. It was so grand, greater than she had ever expected. Maybe it was all too much for a mare like her. She was used to ponies coming to her for advice. A spat between two lands kept in dark dungeons away from prying eyes was something different. How could she understand what three princesses couldn’t?
Chapter 4The dungeon was not as bad as Twilight had pictured it. Cool air circulated down there and there was enough light to get around easy enough. The walls were made from bluish crystal and the doors of the cells were thick steel with little slits to look in. Cadance pointed at one of them. “They’re inside. Be careful.” She kept her distance. The two of them approached the door and Twilight slid the latch to peer inside the cell. The three yaks lay on the ground on a pile of hay which appeared scattered all over the place. The yak she recognized as the prince got up. When he rose, his head got into a beam of light cast from the barred window high up. It glinted off the bands of gold on his thick horns. “You again?!” He snorted angrily. “Why you? Enemy of Yaks come to bring insults?” “Hardly,” Twilight replied. She tried to focus but the mere voice of that yak brought back feelings of frustration. “My friend came with me to speak to you. We all feel that talking is the only way we can get past this.” “You are no great princess of friendship,” the prince said snappishly. Twilight wondered if provocation was the only thing the yaks knew when it came to talks. As far as she was concerned, she was done so she had Ribbon take her place without another word. Ribbon looked inside then introduced herself but the prince gave no acknowledgement. As she left and sat down against the crystal wall, Twilight felt like giving him a stern lecture on their total lack of decorum then their ridiculous hygiene after that. She gave a worn out glance over to Cadance which reciprocated. They were both stressed out. She listened as Ribbon tried to use every bit of psychological knowhow on the prince. It must have been trying, even for her. They responded with grunts more often than full sentences, or whatever passed for it in their far-flung country. But still, she wrote down what she could in her little notebook and never got impatient. She would nod and try to casually lead the conversation where she wanted to take it. But with little payoff, it must have been as difficult as opening a lock with a toothpick. And as patient as Twilight thought herself to be, it’s not flattering to realize that she would have given up long ago. After one of the longest hours ever, Ribbon walked away from the door. Twilight was staring up at the ceiling, daydreaming of Applejack’s farm or Rarity’s boutique. She would rather be anywhere but in that dungeon. When Ribbon stood between them, Twilight looked at her. “I did what I could. I thought that trying to find common ground could help them open up a little. It was harder than I thought it would be.” “Can I see the notebook?” Twilight asked. “Sure. Here you go.” Twilight grabbed it and flipped to the page she started writing on. It had broken down the yaks by individual or that was the intention at least. The prince didn’t fare well, having mostly negative comments scribbled down. Arrogant, demeaning, hostility….the words kept getting bigger and harder to read as if having been placed under intense annoyance. Twilight had no idea. Ribbon’s eyes didn’t twitch and her mouth kept its neutral shape the entire time. She deserved serious credit. When it came to the other two yaks, they were summarized rather simply: docile and subservient to the prince. Twilight knew it would be bad but to see it in writing by her most unbiased friend was hard to take. Shining Armor came from the stairs and walked up to them. Twilight saw him and he smiled warmly. He wore his charming royal armor and his mane looked very sleek and clean. “Hello, Twilight. I came as soon as I could.” He gave Twilight a quick hug then turned towards Ribbon. “You’re my sister’s friend? I hope those three didn’t give you too much trouble.” “I do admit that they’re a difficult bunch.” She giggled. “But they’re nothing I can’t handle from behind an iron door at least.” “I was worried that they would be able to break out at first. They really are some of the strongest creatures I’ve seen besides creatures like the Minotaur.” “I can imagine. All I recall from the incident in Ponyville was their yelling and loud stomping. I could hear it all the way from my office.” Shining’s eyes widened. “Really? Well, did you learn much about them?” “They’re like closed books if I had to describe them quickly. In a way, it’s just like their country, isn’t it? I was hoping to get their point of view and why they did what they did but…I didn’t get much. I can at least speculate that honor and tradition play a huge role in their cultural mindset.” “It’s not really a lot to work with,” Twilight said with a sigh. “I’m sorry, Twilight. What else could I do?” Twilight gave her the notebook back. “It’s alright. I don’t blame you of course. I’m going to speak to the prince one more time before we go. Excuse me.” She took a deep breath and approached the slit with a dignified air. The prince saw her and shuddered as if trying to shake water off his body. His large nose was crusted over and leaking some kind of mucus. Twilight noticed how bad their hair smelled. It was like old leaves and wet hay. She crinkled her nose which caused the prince to snort. She immediately went into speech mode. “Prince…this is my final entreaty. For all our delegation’s efforts have accomplished…” “Pony words are too difficult!” the prince said, cutting her off sharply. “Not Yak way!” They started their little dance of anger anew. “Then what can I say that you will understand?! Why not try to work with us?” Twilight yelled. “Yaks will not work! Yaks choose war!” “This is not a war. You’re our prisoners,” Twilight emphasized curtly. “For now, princess. Yak brothers received messenger birds. Soon will be at bright village gate!” He grinned, flashing his chipped, stained teeth. From what Twilight could see of his eyes, they shown off his princely arrogance. “Wha….what did you say?!” she cried. They didn’t reply save for deep laughs. She fled, passing her friend and relatives and hurried back up the stairs, ignoring pleas for her to slow down.
Chapter 5“Princess, the empire is in danger!” Twilight shouted that to Princess Celestia as she approached her at the rotunda. Celestia folded a wing over her and told her to pace her breathing. Twilight was liable to faint if she kept it up. “Princess…the Yaks….reinforcements are coming!” Celestia gasped and scanned the horizon. “How do you know of this? They told you?” Twilight pressed a hoof against her chest. “They may as well have.” “But I don’t understand,” Celestia muttered. “Even the Yaks must know that an approach to the city would be devastating for any advance across the plains. We would see it coming.” “It could just be some kind of trick.” “Maybe.” The others finally caught up to the two princesses. “Twilight, you left in such a fright. What happened?” Ribbon said. Twilight turned to face her. “There may be an attack against the empire.” Her brother went into full alert. “Excuse me. I must warn the city guard at once!” He went off in a swift gallop to gather his forces. “Ribbon Wishes, did you manage to glean any insight from the Yaks?” Celestia had hesitated to ask as if already sensing the worst. “I’m afraid that what I’ve learned might be enough to fill a small book. And I must say that I’ve never said this before but I have to admit that they are not prone towards reason. I’m sorry.” Celestia’s voice sank. “Is there truly no hope whatsoever?” “What can I say? Perhaps the only thing we can hope for is to protect our ponies from the Yaks.” Just like that, it seemed like it was already decided and the Yaks’ fate sealed. The ponies split up. Celestia went to send a letter to her sister, likely calling for an additional battalion from the capital to be sent. Twilight told Ribbon to go to her room to rest while she also took advantage of the coming night and went to her suite. But despite a long trip, she had no stomach for food and the thought of eating made her queasy. She thought of the Yaks and their retched smell. She vowed to wash it out of her nostrils even if she had to do so with a strong acid. As the veil of night fell over the city, the distant mountains disappeared into shadow. Twilight wrote in her diary briefly and turned off the light. She didn’t even feel like some light reading which was rare. The pillow felt good enough, like a cloud or a pile of hay. An hour passed and she was drifting in the drowsy aura between wakefulness and a deep sleep before the balance was crushed in an instant. It was a loud boom that must have woken up the entire palace. When she sat up, she smelled smoke drifting in with the cool air from the outside. The distant cries of ponies was coming from below. When a heavy knock rattled the door, Twilight’s body also shook in kind. “Who is it?” A soothing voice answered and told her to open the door. Twilight opened it and was more relieved than ever to see her older brother. He looked extremely agitated and his mane was in disarray. “Shining, what’s wrong?” He held his gaze firmly to her. “Twiley, please listen to me. I’m here to advise you not to go out even though you’ll want to. The Yaks have made a move for the capital as you and Princess Celestia had feared. We don’t know how many have come but they’ve attacked the dungeon specifically. I think they want to free the prince.” Twilight rushed over to the window and looked outside. She saw several fires flickering like stars in the northern parts of the empire. “It’s dangerous outside.” Twilight turned with a pained look on her face. “I refuse to stay like a helpless foal. I will meet the Yaks face to face with Cadance.” Her brother tried to protest but Twilight’s voice made it clear that there would be no debate as she went into the hall. He had underestimated her unwavering devotion as usual. But she didn’t mind. She’s always been that way. The kind to sacrifice herself in the name of some higher ideal. She even sort of preferred it like that even if ponies like her brother didn’t understand. Still, she knew that he wouldn’t be the last before the end. Twilight went outside as the masses streamed towards safer ground. Smoke obscured the moon and balls of fire that looked like comets arched low over the city until they landed with violent thuds. Many soldiers were busy directing crystal ponies and she could barely keep herself oriented in the bedlam. A hoof gripped her shoulder and she turned around to see Cadance. “Twilight, you need not be out here!” She shouted to be heard over whistles and the stomping of hooves. “No, I need to,” Twilight said with upmost determination. “I had failed to make friends with the Yaks but I won’t fail this time. Not when our safety is on the line.” Naturally, Cadance hesitated but she was one of the few that understood Twilight on a personal level. They respect each other too much for her to stand in her way. “So be it. I believe if we hurry, we can catch up to the prisoners in the north. We can’t let them escape.” “How did they get away?” “I don’t know but they blew a hole in the side of the castle. They must have jumped out and ran in the confusion but chances are that they’re hurt. They probably haven’t reached their allies yet.” “Let’s go. We have no time to waste.” The two of them flew low over the houses, careful to avoid the projectiles flung into the city. They were huge, the size of boulders and they left flaming craters in buildings. Something strong must be launching them. She knew they had to be disabled right away while so much of the empire’s forces were scrambling to put out the fires. The rest were marching north in formation to meet the Yaks. She feared that Shining Armor would be at the front. It was his duty but she still knew that he was in danger. At last she spotted the three fugitives crisscrossing their way through alleyways, trying to avoid capture. The prince hobbled a bit. Likely a hurt leg from falling from his prison cell. A small white bird followed them closely. “Do you see it?” Cadance said in surprise. “What?” “That’s how they coordinated their escape. The bird must have relayed exactly where they were and are probably telling them where to go now!” “Let’s go!” Twilight was about to dive down when Cadance got in her way. “Hey, what are you doing?” “Twilight, we don’t need our combined strength to capture them when they appear to be wounded. If we split up, one of us can go and destroy their weapons before they can do further damage to the empire,” Cadance reasoned. “Good idea. You go north and join my brother. Defending the empire is your fight. I’ll handle the prince.” “I know you will. Be safe, Twilight.” With incredible swiftness, Cadance made off for the battle ahead. Twilight flew with all the power and speed of a griffin. The time had come. They probably wouldn’t surrender but if they were going to, it was going to be their last chance as if they really deserved any after what they’ve done. As she impacted the street below, the Yaks stopped in their tracks. They were a bit different than last time. Even the prince looked reluctant and the other two stood defensively rather than showing off their strength. If anything, they must have been more eager to rejoin their comrades. Twilight didn’t care one bit. “You are done! Surrender now!” she bellowed, every ounce of her authority radiating from her lungs. In preparation, Twilight prepped her wings to lift her upwards. The prince choked as he tried to speak. Perhaps out of fear or saliva from his ragged sprinting or who knows. “Yaks….never surrender. Far too noble for that.” “Why do you have to be so defiant?” Twilight just had to ask, even if it would be the only thing she ever learned from them. No creature has frustrated her as much as the Yaks perhaps save for the spirit of Chaos. “Because Yaks are powerful and greatest in the world,” the prince said. As he did so, he stood to his full height. He was one of the biggest of them all, a towering creature even taller than Princess Celestia. “Greatness does not come with arrogance….I’ve personally seen that to be true,” Twilight replied. The four of them stood silently for a moment, in a kind of standoff. Neither side wanting to strike the first blow in a fight already inevitable. They both had their reasons. Twilight desired only to fight in self-defense and the Yaks were in a weakened position. Suddenly, a voice grew louder from Twilight’s right. As it came closer, she recognized it as Ribbon Wishes. Twilight was distracted only briefly and glanced at her for just a second. It was a frightful sight. Her friend weaving her way around rubble strewn about. The way her hair glistened red from the fire and in her eyes that grew ever wider. Twilight’s heart leapt in her chest and she turned to see a long knife flying in the air. She had no time to think or plan or react with anything other than to cover herself with the only thing she had. Her own wing. A massive searing pain pulsed through it as the blade shattered one of the bones and came out the other end, coated in darkened blood. She shoved her wounded wing aside despite it throbbing immensely. Seeing the two yaks come within one pony length in front of her was enough to make her funnel all the anger in her heart into her horn until it was a raging tempest of fire.
Chapter 6If there was any reason for a pony to stop and tell others to beware the wrath of Princess Twilight Sparkle, it had come at the battle against the Yaks. But they had no idea that she had felt the same fear as those that would tell the tales. A pony like her feared her own power. She hated wielding it, seeing it and smelling it. And the smells of rubble, smoke, and burnt flesh was unmistakable. A depraved cocktail of destruction. The two yaks that had charged her lay in burnt, broken heaps. One of their horns as broken as her wing, its shards amongst the ruins and toppled helmets. “Twilight!” Ribbon came to her and embraced her friend. Tears stained Ribbon’s cheeks. “Stay back! The prince is still alive.” Twilight kept her gaze fixed upon him. He may look like a wounded animal but it could be yet another ruse to fool her. The only reason why he wasn’t a charred corpse was due to his guards sacrificing their lives, absorbing the full brunt of Twilight’s attack. If she could say anything about them, it would be that they were loyal to the end. “I was just so worried about you,” Ribbon said. Her voice cracked and she sniffled. “And now you’re injured.” “I’m going to be okay,” Twilight assured her. “But he won’t.” She looked at the prince. He couldn’t even stand anymore, having suffered wounds to his legs. Each breath struggled from his lungs. She stepped closer to him. “Is there any last words you’ll say before we put you away for good?” Twilight stared deep into his eyes which were now glazed with anger. “Last words are not needed…..last joy will be enjoying the sight of your death, pony princess,” he said. He laughed at them. “Look, Twilight!” Ribbon pointed at the white bird, which flew in a circle overhead. The next thing Twilight knew, one of those flaming meteors was heading right towards her. With her wing broken, she couldn’t fly and even if she could, she knew her friend had no wings. She ignored her pain and leapt at her, knocking her to the ground. At the same time, she activated her horn and teleported them both away to safety as it struck the exact place she had been standing before. The only thing they found at that place later was a few large golden rings. Twilight and Ribbon rejoined Cadance and Celestia at the front lines. Far off, lines of troops pushed back the retreating Yaks. Celestia took in Twilight’s dirty and bloody sight and looked frozen in shock. “Twilight, what happened?” Twilight managed a weary smile. “Not much princess. Just a little broken wing and smoke damage and some scrapes from having had dodged a giant stone a bit earlier. Not too bad.” She indeed had quite the sight like an action hero from one of her books. Although she felt too tired to stand proudly and wobbled as she walked. “I’m sorry, Twilight. I did all I could but it just wasn’t possible to get to the last one in time,” Cadance said regretfully. “No worries. I know you tried your best.” “The battle is nearly concluded,” Celestia said. “I think they know as well as we that their prince is not going to return. Their cause is lost.” “Not fully. Not if they keep their hatred and remain as ruthless as before. They’ll strike again,” Cadance warned. A heavy thought must have come to Celestia as she grimaced sadly. “I have then only one last question.” She turned towards Ribbon Wishes. “Ribbon, your insight into the minds of others is valuable. We need you now. Do you believe that the Yaks have any capacity to see reason and come around to a state of peace and do you think our two societies can ever find common ground?” As much as Twilight would have wanted to make such a decision herself and spare her friend from having to do it, she knew that Ribbon’s ability to understand the mind dwarfed her own immensely. In that case, she had to keep silent and let her friend speak. Ribbon stared at the ground and felt the wind blow through her hair. In that almost impossibly quiet moment in the center of so much pony suffering, all her thoughts swirled together. Every last perception was just one part of a greater whole. And there really could be only one. The kind to decide the fate of nations, empires and leaders. It felt too great for her cutie mark, the ribbon shaped like a heart, to bear. She noticed blood streaked across her left hoof. Twilight’s blood. If she really wanted anything, then it would be nothing more than a respite from the shedding of blood. But she also knew that no matter how much she would beg, the Yaks would have given her and Twilight no mercy if she and her friend had been on the ground and unable to stand. And then she knew what she had to say. “Princess Celestia, I want you to give mercy to the Yaks and let them go.” Celestia was confused nearly to the point of astonishment. “Let them go? Do you believe that they can negotiate a peace?” Ribbon shook her head. “That’s it…I don’t. That’s why we should give them mercy of our own kind. Show them that we’re better than they are. You see, this war in the Crystal Empire reminded me of when you and Princess Luna also fought for a greater purpose. This whole place, the empire itself, was sacrificed. But it had to be done, hadn’t it? Now, I see that time has come again. If you taught us anything, wouldn’t it be that the gift of a thousand years can perhaps heal all wounds?” “I think I understand,” Twilight said. “If we use Rainbow Power, we can banish the Yaks and put this to an end.” “What’s Rainbow Power?” “Our ultimate power derived from the Tree of Harmony,” Cadance said. “With Twilight as the leader, all Alicorns can be brought to summon it. If we have to use it, then we must have a clear mind. To not be discouraged.” “I have no doubt left that we’re doing the necessary thing,” Twilight said. “So be it. Let’s use our powers at once,” Celestia decided. Nopony protested even in passing. They all realized that it had to be done. Perhaps they would have, even if Ribbon Wishes hadn’t been present. But it would have taken longer to finally do it. Twilight begun to summon the innate powers and her horn produced an intense light. Ribbon stepped back and watched as the two other princesses joined, nearly touching their horns and basking in the radiant rainbow glow. A great shield shimmered and they rose into the sky. Their manes somehow were even grander than ever before, full of beautiful colors like a flowing stream and sparkling as if made of gems. They did not speak but threw out a great wave of light which enveloped the land and dispelled the clouds and smoke, putting out every last fire which still burned. And in the end, there was no more crying or wailing to be heard. It was all silenced in an instant. There were many still awake, soldiers no longer facing an enemy while others tended to the wounded. Those asleep or unconscious could have spotted Princess Luna drifting from each mind, granting sweeter dreams to all to replace the nightmares they suffered.
