Author's Note

Just one more before I stop for Hearth's Warming Eve and Hearth's Warming Day, I promise!

Chapter 5

“Fair Rarity, I believe it is time to eat,” Luna called out over the wind.

“Quite right darling!” the unicorn responded, and a pair of apples were levitated in front of the two flyers. Luna caught one swiftly with her own magic while Fluttershy took hers gingerly with her hooves. When they had received their first course, Rarity turned to Twilight and cast a nutritional transference spell… a spell beyond her normal expertise yet just within her capabilities.

Several apples in front of her shriveled up into withered husks as their essence was sent, unseen, into Twilight’s body. Short of an IV, it was the most convenient means of keeping her alive; many hospitals in Equestria opted for this treatment when they had unicorns on staff of sufficient skill and subtlety. Rarity had taken a course in the spell at Twilight's suggestion awhile back, and found that her normal magic use was complex enough to qualify her for the spell.

Watching the spell made Fluttershy wince, though she would have been hard pressed to explain why even if anypony had noticed and asked. Sighing very quietly she tossed her own apple core into the sea far below them, wishing they could move faster so she could get her hooves back on the ground.

She jumped slightly in her harness, earning a sharp look from Luna. She blushed and muttered, “Sorry..." even though she knew it would be lost in the wind, and Luna rolled her eyes and went back to watching their trajectory.

Fluttershy’s brow furrowed slightly, her ears straining forward to catch the sound that had startled her. It had sounded like her name...

Fluttershy, it came again, this time stronger… and it was unmistakably the voice of Princess Luna floating through her mind. Fluttershy, it is me. I am sending you my thoughts.

She turned toward Luna with wide eyes, but was answered with but a single, quick glance. Don’t speak, just think and I will hear you. I wish to speak in private.

Frowning slightly, Fluttershy nodded and turned her face forward. What is it? she thought, her mental voice strong and clear, especially in contrast to her typical quiet speech.

I wanted to know something personal, if you do not mind. How have you and Rarity been since the “incident” with Amber Dawn?

We’re fine. Everything is… nice.

Nice. Just… nice? Luna’s face was serene, but she projected incredulity with the question.

After a moment, Fluttershy sighed despondently. Everything seems to be exactly what I wanted… except… we’re just not intimate! Unlike Luna she didn’t keep her emotions off her face, which showed a mix of frustration and sadness that was even louder in her thoughts.

If it weren’t for the occasional kiss, I wouldn’t think that our relationship was anything more than friendship. She bit her lip, trying not to let her sorrow affect her flying. Perhaps it’s for the best. After using her the way I did, I’m lucky to have Rarity as my marefriend at all, let alone my friend...

Let me stop you there, Fluttershy, Luna’s thoughts interrupted firmly, though not at all harshly. She sighed mentally. We are both aware that you did wrong. I believe you have told me since that you have made great efforts to make reparations. It seems as though she has, at least to some extent, accepted your courting, but she is not obligated to forgive you, nor to forget what occurred between you.

Feeling that Fluttershy was about to respond she gave her a sidelong look and shook her head briefly. Hear me out. That said, it has been many months and more since you were all removed from Amber’s influence. To keep you in limbo for so long is, I think, a bit unreasonable, and it is within your rights to ask her, clearly and directly, about how she feels, and her intentions.

But Luna, I... I violated her. I can’t ask anything of her, especially that!

You deserve to be forgiven, Luna retorted firmly. And I cannot help but think that she is finding it hard to forgive you in no small part because you have not forgiven yourself.

Fluttershy flew in stunned silence, unable to respond, though Luna could see a knot in her mind start to loosen.

Fluttershy, you were under the influence of powerful magic, wielded by a pony who was a master manipulator of minds and hearts. I watched and heard as you begged your friends to restrain you for their own good, and for yours. Yet for all your kindness and compassion - and I assure you, you are the most considerate pony I know, even to a fault - you have not managed to turn that kindness on yourself.

Her eyes haunted, Luna struggled to keep the beat of her wings steady, mindful of the burden they were carrying, and the still too painful weight of the one in her heart. One could hope you will find the strength to let go of your one... lapse in judgment.

For a long while Fluttershy could find no words, though she desperately wanted to find a way to ease Luna’s hurt. That thought sparked as it whirled together with what Luna had said, just now as well as after the battle with Amber, and her eyes widened.

The burst of release and the cry of a broken chain echoed from Fluttershy’s mind into Luna’s, and as one they began to fly just a little faster.

A smile unlike any had seen in hundreds of years graced Luna’s lips, and it made the sight of land appearing on the horizon much sweeter than the mere idea of easing her aching wing muscles.

Hold on to that, Fluttershy; it will serve you well now and in future. she thought to her, then called out to everypony around them. “Comrades, lift your eyes: we have crossed the sea, and are entering Gryphon territory!”

As Rarity and Fluttershy looked forward, they reduced their speed and dove below the patchy clouds to reveal a jagged line of mountains, their peaks far taller than any in Equestria. Luna had told them that they were home to several cities built into the cliffs and caves visible on the leading edges, each a vital locus in the Kingdom of Gryphonia (not to be confused with the once-wealthy city-state Kingdom of Griffonstone).

The ancient Gryphons - the cities had been established by the Karthian Kings thousands of years before Equestria - were once the envy of the world. While the Ponies were still feuding and bickering tribe-to-tribe, the Gryphons built a society of chivalry, justice, and merit. They had been quite unconcerned with the rise of Equestria, which posed no threat to their own growth... at least, until about fifty years ago, when the last of the Karthians died without an heir.

Gryphonia erupted in civil war, fueled in particular by one brilliant general: Sir Argyle. Sweeping cities into his claw under the banner of shaking off the grip of the old, corrupt Kings, he enacted a bloody coup and seized control of the nation. The Freedom Party he commanded, which many quietly called the Fascist Party, had inserted its members into the echelons of power without destroying most of the social and economic structures the Karthians had built. As his own grip tightened, though, dissent was crushed, as was the artistic and entrepreneurial spirit of the nation, as well as its open tolerance of its neighbors.

All this flashed through the ponies’ minds as Princess Luna fired a pattern of white smoke plumes from her horn. Fortunately - and Luna had emphasized this carefully so they would not panic - the vast majority of Gryphons were not as xenophobic as their putative leaders. This was proven out as the four armed and armored Gryphons that rose to flank them in response to Luna’s signal gave them polite nods as they approached.

Aside from a few nervous glances they managed to ignore the soldiers as they approached the diplomatic checkpoint that would, in theory, enable them to pass peacefully through Gryphonia to the neighboring country of Felonia. Landing on a cliff ledge that overlooked the sea, the checkpoint hosted several stone buildings and a multitude of Gryphons going about their duties. Fluttershy and Luna shed their harnesses with ill-concealed groans of relief, and all three were glad to be on solid ground after such a long flight over the ocean.

A tall Gryphon with burgundy feathers and brown fur approached the trio briskly from a nearby building. He work a large sash with a few medals pinned to it and a black military cap. “State your identities,” he demanded shortly, then more kindly added, “Please.”

“I am Princess Luna, Vice Queen of Equestria,” Luna responded grandly. “With me are my temporary retinue: Rarity Belle, renowned seamstress and the former Element Bearer of Generosity, and Fluttershy, expert beastmaster and the former Element Bearer of Kindness. We are transporting our mutual friend, Princess Twilight Sparkle, Countess of the Everfree, heiress to the Crystal Empire, and the former Element Bearer of Magic, whom you see asleep in our vehicle.”

The Gryphon nodded, and became visibly more friendly. “Welcome to the Federal Republic of Gryphonia, your highness, ladies,” he greeted, bowing his head to each one in turn. “I am Colonel Laurence, the commanding officer here at Checkpoint One. Please state the nature of your visit.”

Rarity and Fluttershy could sense Luna tense up slightly, but held their tongues. “Princess Twilight has… become ill,” the Princess answered, looking the soldier straight in the eye. “We have been forced to seek a remedy for her condition in the southern part of your continent, and therefore have been forced to make one of our stops here en route to our desired location.”

“Can you be more specific about the nature of this journey, your highness?” asked the Colonel. Politely, which was a surprise to the mares given his somewhat imposing height.

Luna shook her head in a ‘no.’ “I can only say that our next stop after this checkpoint is the Holy Felonian Empire, and that we will be traveling straight there from this point. This journey is diplomatically sensitive, and I hope you will respect that, sir.”

Colonel Laurence took a deep breath in and then shrugged. “I would be in more trouble if I pestered foreign royalty and started an incident,” he replied with a slight smile. Fluttershy and Rarity resisted the urge to let out a sigh of relief at this.

“You are free to embark to Felonia whenever you wish, under a small escort. If you require supplies, you may purchase them at the shops here. Your highness,” he bowed, then marched back to the structure from whence he appeared.

“What a gentlecolt of a Gryphon!” Rarity remarked.

“He was nice,” Fluttershy agreed.

Luna chuckled. “Do not let their politeness entice you into relaxing overmuch. Of our journey, this was perhaps the easiest part. You have yet to meet the Felonians.”

“Surely they’re not as bad as the newspapers make them out to be!” Rarity scoffed in disbelief.

“No, fair Rarity,” Luna answered with a frown. “They are actually much worse.”

Twilight Sparkle giggled maniacally, which was normally never a good thing but in this case was really not a good thing.

After returning to the Friendship Castle, she had immediately entered the basement and undid the many magical locks she had placed on the safe in there. This safe held no personal valuables or wealth, but rather something far more important: It was the repository of all the black magic tomes she had confiscated from the Castle of the Two Sisters, which in turn had been confiscated and forgotten by Princess Celestia centuries ago. As the princess’ most devoted student and now a princess herself, Twilight was authorized by the crown to guard those tomes and study their contents on a very limited basis.

The time for studying their contents on a very limited basis was over now. Twilight rapidly scanned the pages of one particular book, quickly filling her mind like only she could. Here, in this forbidden volume, was the key to overpowering any enemy, no matter how innately overpowering. A simple weapon forged by the most complex of magics.

The Spear of Death.

Its origins were a mystery, but its ability was clear. One hit was enough to kill any living being, no matter how powerful. This was a fact: It had been tested on Gold Crown the Demonic, a unicorn tyrant who had briefly reigned over the ancient Kingdom of Unicornia upon achieving immortality through his own black magic. If this weapon could kill him, Palderias would surely be next… and Nightmare Moon as well, though the weapon had a one-time use.

It was amazing that such a thing of great destruction took only a few seconds to create, once the prerequisite knowledge was obtained. Indeed, the only barrier to the Spear’s creation was the knowledge and raw power it took. Twilight did feel faint after the weapon, seemingly an ordinary spear, was forged, but she knew that her energies would return quickly.

“Heheheheh,” Twilight chuckled, holding up the Spear. The increasingly intense sickly green and crimson light of her eyes glimmered on the blade. “I have surprise date for you Mr. Spear. His name is Palderias and I know you two are going to hit it off.”

“Everything outside of this room appears to be in order,” Celestia remarked as she rejoined Vigilant Watch in the main chamber. “Tirek seemed to be really out of it, but I can understand why.”

“Do you want me to check up on him, your highness?” Vigilant offered, trying not to cringe at the memory of his substitute’s failure.

The Princess shook her head. “No time, we have more pressing matters,” she said, gesturing to the various prisons around them. “These bindings must be reinforced very soon, and we have quite a lot of work to do.”

“Yes, your highness,” he responded, unable to keep the pain from his voice.

Celestia nodded and turned towards the nearest prison. She pretended to examine it while working out just how to get Vigilant Watch to let go of the weight he was carrying. Recalling his strict adherence to protocol, she decided to be direct.

“Is there anything on your mind, Sir Watch?” she said as she turned to look at him. “And please understand that however nicely worded, that question was an order that requires a clear and complete response.”

In spite of the situation Vigilant felt a surge of pride at still being considered part of the chain of command. Even so, he bit his lip and pawed the ground before sighing loudly.

“I failed you, your highness,” he answered mournfully. “And the realm. And my house and family traditions on top of it all. Never in history has a prisoner escaped while a Watch was at his or her post. It was one thing for Tirek to escape while I was gone, but I have allowed Tartarus’ number one inmate to go free--”

“Sir Watch!” The deep bell of Celestia’s voice stilled his tumbling litany of shame. With an incredulous look she lowered her head to meet his eyes directly.

“Yes, your highness?”

“What is your duty?”

He frowned. “To guard Tartarus and prevent its inmates from leaving until you say otherwise.”

“And who do you answer to?”

“You, your highness.”

“And who provides for the resources and logistics of this prison?”

“You, your highness.”

“And who makes the decisions regarding the function of this prison?”

“You, your highness.”

Celestia’s lips crept upward. “Then don’t you think that my decisions have a lot more to do with whether or not somepony might be able to pose as Royal Agents and perform a breakout of a maximum security prisoner?” she asked pointedly.

Vigilant Watch thought about it for a moment, and as he did his features brightened somewhat. “I… suppose that makes sense to me your highness,” he agreed, his voice holding less pain.

The Princess winked and looked back at the prison she had been inspecting. “Good… now, do try to keep up, Sir Watch. There is much to do, and I need your help.”

“All I’m saying is that maybe we should stay put and let them come to us,” Shining Armor argued patiently.

“Son, this position just ain’t defensible enough,” General Broadsword disputed, gesturing to the map. “We’re on a hill. If we were just going to stay put, either some mountains, or even a town--” He saw Cadence and Shining’s grimaces. “I know, I know, I’m not eager to turn Ponyville into a barricade either, and not just because of the military tribunal that would come right after. But this is not the place to fight an army about our size with no concern for its own mortality. Either we find a better place to dig in or we hit this Palderias hard while he’s gathering his might.”

Cadence sighed. “The latter should be the better option, but it’s really not.” She gestured in the air towards the east. “A good portion of our best magical might is overseas.” She pointed her hoof towards the southwest. “And another is in Tartarus, making sure Palderias is the only problem on our hooves.”

“We have Discord,” Spitfire remarked, earning some raised eyebrows. “Hey, I’m not big on trusting the guy, but you all said he and the giant bat-mantis aren’t cool with each other. I think that counts for something.”

“Ah can say he won’t backstab anypony again,” Applejack said, “if Ah’m any decent judge of character and all.”

“Good enough for me,” Shining said heavily, shrugging his shoulders. “Now, about that defensive position--”

“NO TIME!”

Everypony spun to the entrance, where they saw Rainbow Dash wheezing and gasping for breath. “They’re… he’s….”

Five heartbeats shot up, five guts squirmed, and five ponies bolted into the sunlight. “FORMATIONS!!! CODE RED!!!” Broadsword roared at such volume that he could have been mistaken for Princess Luna. “FORMATIONS ON THE DOUBLE!!!” War bells rang and thousands of military ponies scrambled from across the camp to the rim of their fortifications.

“Rainbow, how far away are they?!” Cadence demanded urgently, turning back to the tent entrance.

“Not… far….” the cyan pegasus managed, struggling to catch her breath--

*CLICK* *CLICK* *CLICK* *CLICK* *CLICK* *CLICK* *CLICK* *CLICK* *CLICK* *CLICK*

The Equestrians looked on with wide eyes to the horizon as it was lined with metal.

“Rainbow Dash, when you recover I need you to find a messenger and send them to Canterlot,” Cadence said wearily, facing the oncoming destruction with panicked pupils. “Tell them, ‘We have engaged Palderias.’”

It is now time, Palderias announced evenly from the other side of the plains to the two unicorns at his side. This is the battle that will either preserve or mortally wound sentiment.

“Quite!” Flim agreed, a touch too enthusiastically. “Today, your enemies stand here for their slaughter--!”

“And the news of their demise shall spread like wildfire across the kingdom!” Flam finished emphatically. The brothers began laughing maniacally; it was a behavior Palderias never understood (like laughter in general), but in this case he did not mind. Let them laugh all they wanted. They had provided him with the resources he needed for an army, and now it was up to him to slaughter the Equestrian Army and the war targets that he could sense amongst their numbers:

Princess Cadence, Prince Shining Armor, General Broadsword, Captain Spitfire, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and--

Discord.