Chapter One: Reunion and Denial
The burning glare of the sun was felt through the cloaks of the two mercenaries as they made their way through the badlands. Ripper wanted to fly to their home like they had the last time, but his brother wanted to march to their cave in military fashion. Waith was always making Ripper do small things like this, mostly because Waith believe that the only way to stay sane as an immortal was to do something different each day. Ripper believed it was a bunch of yak spit, but he marched on without any prodding to keep his brother happy. Every now and then Waith would look back to check on Ripper, and give a tired smile and Ripper would smile back in kind.
Ripper was more muscular and slightly taller than his brother. His coat, when cleaned, had the natural gray that all thresals had, but sadly it was streaked with minotaur blood from last weeks battle. Ripper had no natural mane and his tail was still regrowing from being singed from dragon fire, but his tail was naturally a mix of navy blue and a deep black. His wings were black as sin and were shiny from his natural oils in the noon day sun.
On each hoof he wore weighted horseshoes each around sixty pounds in weight. Around the edges of each shoe were pointed spikes that were meant to be used for tearing flesh and maiming , but Ripper mostly used them for holding down foes or climbing up walls. The cloak he wore was given to him by his long dead friend Swirls, and could deflect most magic attacks, but impacts were still felt by the wearer of the cloak. The most interesting piece of Rippers equipment was his mask. It was a wicked piece of work, made of white iron, that instilled fear in his opponents, and had made many wet themselves on the battle field. The mask did not cover his whole head rather it covered his muzzle and was ornamented with two horrifying rows of spikes that resembled a timber-wolf's gaping maw. On his head was a navy blue bandanna with the symbol of his cutie mark, which was of a simple black helm. The sun glasses he wore, as a thresal's eyes are weak in bright sun, were made of the same white iron and were enchanted, by Swirls , to been nearly unbreakable.
Waith was smaller than his brother, but he was all lithe muscle, and a great deal more quicker than Ripper in a fight. His coat was less stained than his brothers, but was still stained nonetheless, neither brother had been able to wash do to the arid nature of the badlands, and what little water they had was for drinking. Placed on each leg, from longest to shortest, was a set of three knives each made of a dark blue metal that made an enemy weak when cut. Waith's cloak was was white with dark purple stripes and had been given to him by his teacher and mentor, a zebra shaman by the name of Zockie. On his flank were two torches each blazing with green and white fire. Unlike his brother Waithnhad a mane, and he had never once cut its black locks thus they spilled over his shoulders. Each of his saddle bags were filled with glass bottles that contained all manner of potions ready to be thrown at a moments notice, and his sun glasses were an exact replica of his brothers only purple.
The badlands they traveled were home to some of the most dangerous creatures in the world, but as long as one respected those creatures they respected you. The location of their home was nestled neatly in the middle of the badlands, and was a cave system that stretched miles across. The brothers had not been the ones to dig it out rather it was craved out by some Cerbalus spiders awhile ago.
The brother's had been sleeping in the badlands after their banishment, and when they found the cave they couldn't believe their luck as it was a perfect cave that suited their needs spectacularly. Cool and dry just the way they liked it, and it even a nice underground fresh water stream that flowed nicely into the lower level of the cave.
Unfortunately the spiders had not moved out yet, so they had to do what came natural to a hungry thresal when presented with big, juicy, giant spiders, and eat them. Several hours later their stomachs with extremely bloated and full hey had a new cave. They even left the queen alive and trained her as a pet. They named her Sally after a dog Ripper had years before the incident, and when she died they did the same with the next queen and so on and so on. They were up to Sally the ninth so far, and she was the best they had ever trained. Sadly she was in her hibernation season, so the two of them wouldn't get to play with her when they returned.
As they neared their home Waith stopped and started to bite at his ear at a tick that had been on him for two days. Ripper wouldn't have been irritated by this if not for the fact that he had been forced to bump into unwashed thresal rump. "Do you have to do that right now," Ripper voice was a deep bass, and while he was annoyed by Waith's actions he could not stop a chuckle at his brothers childish actions. "We're are right near the cave, and once we get inside you will have all the time in the world to do that."
"I have to eat it now while it's ripe" Waith said like it was the most common thing in the world to say. Waith's voice was like that of foal that was to smart for his own good, and as much as Ripper didn't like the way his brother talked he didn't want to go back to the grim years when Waith didn't talk at all. Two whole centuries Waith hadn't talked, because he believed that would bring her back.
When Waith started to go around in circles like a dog Ripper knew it was time to put a stop to this. Ripper unhooked one of his shoes and reached out to the swirling mass that was his brother and deftly ripped the tick off. Waith stopped immediately and began to stare at the tic in Ripper's hoof forlornly. "You're not gonna eat that are you bro", Waith asked with puppy dog eyes.
Ripper didn't want to tease his brother, but chances like this are too good to pass up. With an exaggerated smile Ripper said," You mean this.... Delectable..... Juicy..... Fat.... Fang Watering tic right here in my hoof." With each word he brought the hoof closer to Waith's drooling mouth and just when Waith was face to face with it Ripper popped it right into Waith's mouth," Nope, now lets get going." With that he gave Waith a brotherly pat on the head then grabbed his shoe and began walking. Waith followed chewing with satisfied smile on his face.
As they saw the cave entrance they both closed their eyes and gave a screech that was so loud and high-pitched that only they could hear it. The screech was a magical sonar that all thresals used to use, and the brother's had been using their sonar for so long that they could map through walls as long as they knew what the other side was supposed to look like. Normally the sonar would come back with only the inside of their house, but not today for today it detected a presence and it was one that they could never forget that of an alicorn.
Like a switch had been flipped all playfulness and smiles had left their bodies to be replaced by a rapid blood lust. They turned to each other and spoke but one word, "Celestia" through gritted snarling teeth. Even after a thousand years the rancid name still made them the go mad with fury. Waith pulled out a jar filled with green liquid and tossed it at the door to the cave. As the jar cracked and the contents touched open air an explosion destroyed the door leaving a gaping hole. As the smoke was still flowing in the breeze both of the thresals jumped in prepared for the fight of their live, but all they found was a Princess Luna surrounded in a deep blue aura looking quite disturbed with tea spilled all over her coat.
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Princess Luna was just finishing her plans for bringing back her personal guard 'The Guardians of the Night' when a knock came from the door. "Who is it" Princess Luna asked. "It Is Thy Sister Who Hath Come To Speak With Thee", was the reply from the other side of the door. Then with a flourish the door opened and in walked Princess Celestia with her hoof raised in an over the top fashion. Princess Luna all but fell out of her seat laughing,
"Is that what I really sounded like two years ago." Luna said when her sides stopped hurting.
"Yes and I didn't even add the thunder and lighting." That set off another round of laughing that didn't stop for two minutes.
"How are your plans coming along" Celestia said. Leaning over her sister's shoulder.
"Everything is going great except for two very important details, "She grabbed a sheet of paper with all the names of the ponies she was considering, "I need two captains of the guard and none of these troops have any leadership experience ,"
Celestia placed a hoof on her chin and tried to remember something important,"Why do you need two captains? I always thought your guard was over scene entirely by you."
Luna sighed and a sadness crept into her voice, "It's in remembrance of my two most prized guards and friends Ripper and Waith. It's so that the new troops never forget those that came before the, and above all else it's so that the two last thresals are given in death what I only gave them sparingly in life.... respect." When Luna was finished a single tear tumbled down her face. Celestia on the other hand was stock still as she heard the names of two long forgotten foes.
Memories flooded to her of the destruction those two had wrought in the name of Luna. She remembered all of the loathing they had for her and her own guard, and that they had even withstood the magic of the elements in their quest for her ultimate destruction, but most of all she remembered that those two were certainly not dead.
Celestia was heavily tempted not to tell her sister the truth, and let the matter die in that very room, but as she looked at her sister she felt more guilt than ever before. Celestia knew that if she kept this from Luna that Luna's heart would never heal from the hole those two were leaving, and that if Luna ever found out she had said nothing, then she might loose her sister to the darkness again, " Luna they are alive.... I cannot tell you how or why, but they are alive in the badlands." She placed her face right in front of Luna's, "Go find them.... don't worry about the raising the Moon or the stars I will handle everything go find them, and when you do bring them here the four of us need to talk." With that she teleported away leaving Luna in a state of confusion.
"Their alive ....."
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Princess Luna was shocked when she realized that the spell Star Swirl the Bearded used to find Ripper's home so long ago might still work . The spell, was a teleportation spell, but it did not teleport the user to a specific location, rather it took the user to the location of the intended pony's or in this case thresal's home. All one needed to cast this spell was an object that had value to the target of the spell. This spell was meant to replace dragon fire, but after a string of thefts the spell was banned. The only trick was finding the object, but luckily Luna knew just where to start her search.
Using her magic she vanished and reappeared inside her old home. The castle was still in its demolished state, and she felt guilt rising in the pit of her stomach so much that it made her sick. She vacated the contents of her stomach into the nearest bush, and when she was done only the guilt remained.
Her heart was heavily weighed down by her stomach's new occupancy, but she steeled her self and focused on the job at hoof. Turning towards the old guard's grounds she spotted what she had come here for in the form of a large out cropping of buildings. The buildings were in rough shape do to the ravishes of time, and not one of the flags that had flown on the tops of the buildings, in her time, could be seen. Even her personal banners were gone and they had born her own personal hoof print.
What had once been the steeple of her guardians was now a broken down hobble. She knew there was no point in looking through the rubble, so she only had one hope left. She made her way over to the main building noticing that its golden statues of chimera were missing. They had been hoof crafted by one of her guardian's smiths and were quite enchanting in moon light. -Probably stolen by thieves- she thought and made her way to a hidden passage, or at least it was supposed to be hidden.
The wall it was supposed to be hidden behind looked to have been blown open by magic. The bricks looked burned and no attempt had been made to had any of the damage. Luckily the stairway was still intact, but it was in ghastly condition, as the stone was withered and smooth from rain water. But the stairs still felt nostalgic to her hooves as she made her way down to the former home of Ripper and Waith. She was made haste as she walked through the catacombs of the castle, but stopped when she found the bones of a griffin and it was wearing the very item she had come to find.
As she was lifting the helm with her magic she noticed how odd the bones were. The bones were connected to a wall and the griffin looked to have been left for dead. The skull had a huge gash in its top which was shocking because griffins bones are very strong against impact,and were nearly ageless. In fact some lasted up to three thousand years without any outside influence by bone collectors.
All of this was nothing compared to the letters written in old equestrian. - Here lies a traitor of Princess Celestia- . As the words flowed into her mind they sent questions flying wherever they went 'Celestia wouldn't do this... would she? Who was this griffin and how many others had shared its fate'. She had no answers now, but she knew just the two that might.
"With this I'll find at least one of them", she slightly worried that they might have split up, but from what she remembered that was impossible, "Where The Ripper goes so does The Waith and vice-versa." She said remembering their old saying. She held the helm up high in her magic and began to chant the words, and in a flash of blue light she was gone.
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She opened her eyes to find herself in a cave surrounded on one side by what looked to be a shaman's hut with all manner of potions and even a black cauldron. On the other side was what looked to be an arsenal that could outfit half the guard in Canterlot, and the weapons were all glimmering in the dim light that filled the room. When she looked up she could see that white glow moss had been planted on the roof of the cave, and gave it an eerie look.
If all that evidence had not been enough for Princess Luna to know that she was in the right place then all it would have taken was the giant banner of the Night Guard splitting the room into. On the banner were the words -Remember our Princess- in white spider-web. Luna shed a tear as she looked then lower on the banner and saw two drawings of her. They were both absolutely horribly drawn, but she loved them anyway because they were drawings of her and not Nightmare Moon.
After seeing how they remembered her she knew that she had to make their reunion special, but she didn't know how until she spotted a her old black tea-set on what was obviously Waith's side. "There's what I need" With that she found some tea and water heated it in the black cauldron, this was okay because every-one knows shaman's don't brew dangerous potions in their cauldrons.
Just as she set down with the tea an explosion destroyed the door, and tea spilled all over her. Her magic had put up a shield around her protecting her as Ripper and Waith . She knew it was them only because they were thresals, they looked in a word fierce with all their deadly gear out in plain view, but as she looked at them all she saw was the two teenage threasals that had protected her and her shield lowered.
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As the shield lowered and the brother's saw who their intruder really was both of them ripped their glasses off and stood stock still. The silence lasted a minute before Luna said, "Hello my loyal Sheep Ripper and Waith Fighter. Your Princess has returned to you." When she spoke both of the brothers fell over in a fit of maniacal laughter,
"Brother we have finally gone mad again haven't we" Waith said.
"Yeah, bro we have...have?" As soon as Ripper spoke they noticed that the Luna they were imaging was crying. Luna tears spilled over in droves at the sight her two long lost friends not seeing her for what she truly was.
"Ripper when we had hallucinations of Luna the last time did she ever cry" Waith said slightly worried now.
"No she didn't, but that doesn't mean that she's real. It just means that our minds are finding new ways to mess with us. " Ripper said trying to act calm in this strange situation. "Lets go and put away our things Waith", but as they began to move Luna's blue aura surrounded then and made them start to float towards her.
They struggled with all their might, but the aura that surrounded them was stronger than any they had faced in a long time, "Sheep explain this", Waith said.
Ripper knew that Waith was scared, because he had used his first name, but Ripper had nothing to say except "Brothers to the end..."
And Waith finished the saying with," We will protect Princess Luna through thick and thin" With that they closed their eyes a waited, but instead of death they found themselves in the warmest hug they had ever felt. Luna's Forelegs held them tight, as her warm tears streamed down her face.
"Please.... Please..... Please..... I am real..... Remember me..... my guardians." Luna said in choked sobs, and that was when they knew that this was real, and they both truly cried for the first time in a thousand years. Luna's wings covered them all in and their sobs formed a symphony of happiness, because they had been reunited again, and no matter what troubles they faced they would face them together.
As their tears finally dried up Luna said, "I have so much to tell you.... "
Canterlot was gleaming in all of its natural glory with the sun standing high and proud above it. The ponies were in perfect harmony and the palace guards were all at ease, never knowing that a long forgotten past was coming to meet them that day. Sitting on her throne Celestia's stomach was filled with breezies due to her constant worrying about her sister. Luna had been gone for nearly a week, and had not sent any messages as to where her search had led her. She was also a bit shocked that nopony had really asked about Luna's absence. When Celestia had told her court that night court would be canceled for an undetermined amount of time nopony had even seemed sad. Some even looked happy, because they wouldn't have to work late.
She was pulled out of her contemplation when the court announcer, Loud Mouth, shouted, "Ferry Flight and Nimbus Rider your highness" The mare spoke so loud that the glass windows had a small crack in them every time she spoke ,but luckily Celestia had found a spell that caused them to fix themselves over time. Unfortunately the same could not be said for her ears which were still ringing by the time the two aforementioned ponies entered the room.
The first to enter was a faded red pegasus stallion with a rich blond mane that was styled into a low pompadour. He wore a brown aviator's jacket that did not bare any insignia or medals, leaving it plain and simple. His cutie mark was of a golden cloud flying in swirly pattern around his flank. The stallions head was raised high and his walk was full of swagger, but it was not enough to overtake the concern that bled through his facade and painted his face like thick make-up. The overzealous smile he was wearing did nothing either.
The mare that followed behind him did not try to hide her distress, and it was painfully obvious by the hurried steps she took that she wanted to be anywhere, but inside the throne room at that moment. She was a very trim pegasus and her wings were being pulled tighter to her barrel with every hoof-fall in what was an obvious effort to make herself shrink from Celestia's gaze. Her fur was vibrant green and her mane fell down her face in white flowing curls. Her flank was decorated by a rosy red pegasus wing inside of a circle.
As they came to a stop in front of Celestia the red stallion took a step to the right unveiling the mare behind him. "I am Nimblus Sider .... No I am Nimbler Minder.... No No I am Nimbus Rider your majesty " he said smiling hard to cover up his botching of his own name. His voice was a high-class bass that carried throughout the room nicely.
The mare stood like she was caught in the stare of a cockatrice for a long time, and only when Nimbus waved his hand in front of her face did she speak. Her accent was Fillydelphian as she said, "I'm Ferry Flight your highness" Then she moved slightly closer to Nimbus, and whispered a soft "Thank you"
Celestia was surprised by these actions, because normally her little ponies were quite happy to see her, not scared out of their manes. She knew that she had to find out what was making them so nervous. Celestia turned to them and spoke in the tone of a motherly figure said, "Hello Mr. Rider and Mrs. Flight how might I be of service".
Nimbus smile faded slowly as he said, "Um.. Your highness we have come to ask you..
He didn't get a chance to finish because Ferry blurted out, "Did you send Princess Luna back to the moon?" The mare then began to hyperventilate, but luckily Nimbus quickly started to fan her with his wings.
"Sorry, your highness, she gets a bit worked-up sometimes, but worry not she'll be fine in a minute." He quickly calmed the mare down with practiced wing flaps and the quick hushes to slow her breathing. He was true to his word, and the mare was right as rain in a minute looking no worse for wear.
"Now like I was saying Princess....." Nimbus stopped as he looked at Celestia's face to see that her warm smile had morphed into a shocked opened mouth stare.
Clesetia looked like she had been struck, to have two of her subjects believe that she would be even think of doing such a thing again, was beyond belief. When she had banished her sister, Celestia had been in such a state that she hadn't been able to sit on the throne for over ten years. Celestia swore to herself by the most sacred of desert's, her angel food cake, that such a thing would never happen again. Never again would her kingdom be on the verge of a civil war due to her inaction, nor would her room be filled with tear soaked cake dishes.
Celestia was pulled out of this line of thought when Ferry Flight said, "Maybe we should get some water"
With a couple of hasty blinks and a rather deep breath Celestia began to handle the situation, though her voice was filled with concern, "No, my dear ponies. Princess Luna is merely on a personal mission." The look of relief on their face's was instant and Ferry lifted her hooves in celebration. This exaggerated response would have been normal, after all many ponies in Equestria are very expressive in emotional circumstances, but this response caused the mare's wings to unfurl revealing quite a sight.
"You're a Sooty!" Celestia blurted in surprise and curiosity. The insides of Ferry's wings were a shiny white that when unfurled made the mare look like she had dim spotlights attached to her wings. Sooties were well known for their long distance flying abilities, but were extraordinarily rare in modern Equestria, even Celestia herself had not seen one in over a century.
Ferry Flight's wings snapped closed at the word 'Sooty' leaving the room slightly darker as she did. Then the pony began to chew on the inside of her cheek as she mumbled "Yes, your highness"
"I haven't seen a pegasus of your pedigree in years. Its nice to see a species from the past that isn't dangerous." Celestia said trying to lighten the nervous air Ferry was suddenly giving off. Something seemed off about Ferry Flight for some reason, but Celestia did not want to press the mare.
Ferry gave a light chuckle as she said, "Yeah, you don't see many of us any more, but can we bring the topic back to Princess Luna."
"Of course" Celestia was glad to switch the topic not wanting to upset one of her subjects, "What is your relation to Lulu" Silently hoping Luna had taken her advice.
Nimbus spoke first "Well, we are her chariot pullers...", Nimbus then glanced at Ferry, "and if I may be so forward were her friends." He then felt relief to finally not get interrupted by his compatriot.
Only years of dealing with many a foreign delegate and the prudish ponies of her own court kept Celestia form running down the steps of her throne, and giving the pair a warm hearted hug. Luna had made friends, and Celestia was in utter bliss at the thought that Luna was finally branching out to their subjects again. She was beginning to worry that the only friends Luna had were twilight's circle, and the little foals and fillies she helped with nightmares. Now these two ponies were coming up to her, and telling her this news she couldn't wait to get to know them better.
"How did you meet......" It was Celestia's turn to be interrupted as a swirling vortex of blue magic opened behind Ferry and Nimbus.
Knowing that color of magic by heart, Celestia flew off of her throne and landed near it expecting Luna to pop out at any minute. Instead a dark gray hoof popped out and lightly struck her on the muzzle. Celestia's head snapped back in shock
"Luna I think you messed up my hoof just hit something squishy", A childish voice said.
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"I'll need to get a lot of pudding" Waith stated matter-of-factly, and began to step away form the table.
Ripper who knew his brother better than anyone else was simply dumbfounded by this statement, "After all the things we've heard over the past three day's that's all you have to say?"
"Yes" , he said as he continued to stroll away now mumbling an old Zebrian song, "Jambo... Nzuri sana"
Luna simply chuckled at the pair noting that the two hadn't changed much since she had last seen them. In fact, since the brothers had cleaned themselves up, from their monstrous appearance before, they looked like their old selves . They had both long since taken off their gear and cloaks, and Ripper had removed his bandanna in favor of wearing his helm.
When the Ripper had finally noticed it sitting on the small desk next to the cauldron he had been pulled to it like a diamond-dog to gems. The helm still fit smoothly onto his bald head, and its black plumage seemed to stand straighter as it settled on him. Then he had gazed up at it with proud eyes, while Luna and Waith simply smiled. The only thing that had remained on Ripper since their initial meeting was his mask, and now that they were alone Luna was going to find out why.
"Ripper why are you still wearing that mask?" Luna asked politely
After removing his helm a thick aura of sadness rolled off of Ripper and into the room, "I was hopping that you wouldn't ask about it." Ripper then chuckled a little, "Yeah, that was too much to hope for..", with that he started to unbuckle the straps behind his head.
Click... Click... went each clasp and as the last one clicked the mask fell off his muzzle.
A small tear rolled down his muzzle as he showed the princess his face. Three long deep scars ran the length of the right side of his muzzle, and without the mask his face looked crooked. The scars were not grotesque rather looked they healed, and gave him an aged look. Luna was about to say exactly that, until Ripper opened his mouth, revealing that some of his teeth were missing including one of his fangs.
"The accident that made us immortal heals all wounds and returns us to normal in a couple of days time. Missing limbs, crushed organs, and even our heads will grow back given enough time. But unfortunately the magic of the spell can't heal what was broken before it was cast hence my smashed appearance."
"My princess I understand if you don't want me now. I mean I am barely half a thresal now but , " He then placed his helm back onto his head and said, "If you'll have me I will fight for you until my body breaks and my soul is taken to the beyond."
Luna stared at the thresal before her and smiled , "Ripper I would never abandon you because of your looks, and besides I think your scars are handsome and I'm sure you must be quite the mare slayer."
Ripper's tears dried and his laugh filled the room, "Waith!! I just got hit on by the Princess"
Luna facehoofed at hearing his teasing, but she couldn't help but chuckle when Waith walked in laughing with muzzle coated with flies and blood pudding.
"I was not 'hitting on you' my little thresal, and Waith I thought you were going to get some blood pudding not eat it" Luna said trying to change the topic of the conversation.
"Well you see my princess I had to taste test it first, and I did manage to bring enough for the trip." Waith answered quickly , and placed the bag of pudding on the table. "Gilgross really out did herself when she tried out this new recipe."
Then as he glanced at the pair at the table his mouth opened in shock, and joyously shouted, "Brother you've taken off your mask!!!" This exclamation was followed by a textbook tackle that even professional hoofball players would have been envious of. "I didn't think you'd ever take off that eerie thing." The thresal then snuggled into his brothers chest, while Luna smiled nostalgically at their affection.
"Yeah I did... now get off of me and wash your muzzle your getting my chest fur dirty " Ripper stated while lightly pushing Waith off of him.
Waith got off at Ripper's prodding, "Sorry about that, it's just that I haven't seen your face in a long time." Then Waith wrapped one arm around his brother's barrel and said, "You look good brother". Then he walked over to the sink and started washing his face.
As the thresal returned to the table Luna lighly coughed into her hoof, " Modern Equestria is a lot different than when I last shared the throne with my sister. The technological advancements and magical improvements in just the two years that I've been back are astounding. Celestia's student Twilight Sparkle was able to finish the spell that not even Starswirl the Bearded could, and ascended to the rank of princess at only twenty. Are you sure you can adjust quickly."
"Yes, but we will need to read some history books and become familiar with the modern rules. You may have caught us up to speed with some of the more modern head lines, but I would like to see how the nation evolved in our absence " Ripper answered. Then his tone darkened a little, "And if it is at all possible could we not see her,"
"Who?" Luna asked in confusion
"The clueless sun butt known as Celestia", Waith replied just as his brother. His voice missing its usual charm.
Luna mouth hung open for in shock at the disrespect her sister was being shown by two of he closest friends, "My sister is my equal in all things, and you will show her some respect. What happened that made you dislike her so much" Over the past few days Luna had noticed the boys body language whenever her sister was mentioned. The rolling of eye's nor the grinding of teeth had escaped her notice.
"We don't dislike her we hate her!", Ripper shouted as he rose from his seat, "My dear Princess one dislike's a cold shower early in the morning, one dislikes having a headache, and one dislikes having to be stuck in one place for to long."
Waith grabbed both of their cloaks, from the racks before going to stand by his brother's side, "But one hates nearly freezing to death, one hates being smashed in the face with a war-hammer, and one hates being chained to a wall for a solid month."
As both brothers slid their cloaks on they spoke in unison, "And as much as one hates the one that does these thing to that one ...." The brother's teeth clenched at the painful memories as they hissed, "What one really and truly hates is the one that stands by while the one torments the other one"
Waith slightly cringed and looked sick as they finished, "Brother we spoke in unison.... I feel dirty"
"I as well lets not do that again" Ripper said looking equally disgusted.
Luna sat back completely confused, "What was that?"
"Sorry me and Waith tend to get a bit cryptic sometimes." Ripper said.
"Yeah, living this long has kind of messed with us a bit." Waith said taking over the conversation," Service to say, Princess Luna, your sister sat back and watched while a lot of terrible things happened to not only the Night Guard, but the whole of Equestria. Also it seems that she hasn't told you about any of it."
Whats and Whys populated Luna's mind and they ran rampant like wildfire. What hadn't her sister told her? What could have happened after her banishment that could have resulted in this? What happened to Rippers face and his fang. Why hadn't her sister prevented it. Why did she sit on her throne and watch as this happened to them and to their nation. Why couldn't things just be as they were. All these questions ran around in her mind chasing answers, they could not catch for they were not there.
Fear struck her as she asked her friends a question she never thought she'd ever ask, "If I bring you back will you try to kill Celestia." Her face tilted downward in fear and sadness"
Ripper spoke his voice firm, but somber, "If you were still trapped on the moon...." His voice caught in his throat before saying, "Yes, we would try to kill Celestia" Both Ripper and Waith walked around the table, and placed a hoof on the underside of Luna's chin. As Ripper spoke they both lifted her head up, "But we love you and we would never hurt you by killing her. We wish to bring you happiness and joy for all of our days. We wish to guard and protect you with our lives against all evil. We wish to go home and be a family again my princess, but we cannot do that with Celestia in our faces reminding us of the path that led us here. So can we just go home and deal with this another day."
Luna looked into their green slitted eyes and saw that although Rippers voice was level both of them were filled to the brim with fear. Fear for what her response might be, and fear for her heart. For they felt that with every word they spoke hurt her even more.
To crush that fear Luna wrapped her hooves around them, drawing them close, in order to give each a light kiss on the forehead. " You are my guardians, and even after a thousand years your still my guardians." A swirling blue portal opened infront of them. "Lets go home."
"Ooh me first" Waith said he said grabbing their sunglasses and tossing Ripper's his before placing them on his muzzle.
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"Will you just go on. " Ripper said pushing his brother into the portal, and quickly following behind him.
As their rear legs left the portal both thresals stumbled and fell. Luna had placed the portal a little to far off of the ground, and the brother's weren't expecting such a steep drop into Equestria. They hit the ground so hard that it wouldn't take much imagination for a casual observer to see tiny bats flying above their heads.
Celestia's mind slightly cracked as she looked with recognition upon the thresals. The shadowy black helm, the white trimmed glasses, and the leathery wings, dark as sin, brought forth tragic memories long buried. Luckily Celestia had faced a lot of horrible monster's from her past in recent years , and while she was not unnerved by their presence, she managed to remain calm and speak.
"Ripper and Waith. Blood Brothers I welcome you back from your banishment" Celestia's voice was level and cold like a judge's tone when speaking to a criminal. "Where is my sister?"
No answer came came as the brother's hearts turned black with rage at the sight of the Princess. Her words fell on deaf ears as feral hisses escaped their muzzles. Their wings flared and their heads snapped back and forth like wild dogs as they stepped forward. Had it not been for a dark blue blur whizzing past them, the two would have attacked Celestia for sure.
The blur had pushed the two aside as it whizzed past them, and as they regained their bearings it spoke in the voice of Luna
"Do you forget your promises so easily now", she scolded them hoping to snap them back to themselves, "If you hurt my sister you will be hurting me."
The two became aware of the situation and dread spread across their features. The two looked upon their Princess, the one they had chosen to protect, and were shocked for Luna was ready to defend Celestia, the one they had sworn to kill.
The pair let loose a devilish scream that put Loud Mouth to shame. All the windows in the throne room cracked and all the animals in the royal garden began to howl and screech. Ripper and Waith began to fly around the the room their faces a mix of terrible pain and confusion. The palace guard opened the doors and were instantly bowled over by the thresals as they flew out.
Both Luna and Celestia looked at each other before yelling to the guards,"After them"
Nimbus was at a loss for words, but Ferry made up for that by excitedly repeating the words, "Thresals are so cool!"
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"Ripper we're doing a cliche" Waith said as he scooted beside his brother. The were hanging upside down from the rafter's somewhere in the castle. It was the only place with an unguarded door that they had found, and it looked to be some statue room for the posh ponies of Equestria. Large busts of various stallions and mares lined each wall in stunning symmetrical order stretching down the hall.
"I know, but at least it helped to clear our heads." Ripper answered. "We're up to our necks in horse apples this time"
"Yeah, Luna might banish us for what we did..... Sheep I don't know if I can take being banished by her", Waith said sullenly
"Me either" Ripper stated before jumping down and landing silently on the ground. Waith followed and together they started to walk down the hall. It felt strangely good to hear the clops of their hooves on the palace floor. Waith even started to a little dance, bonding around the hall way.
"Be careful or you'll break something!" Ripper shouted at him.
Waith paid him no mind and continued dancing until, as though guided by fate, his hoof tapped a particularly large statue of a stallion sending it teetering. Both brothers rushed to stop it, and barely manged to stop it from breaking. As they situated it back into position Waith said, "Hey, is this who I think it is" anger raising in his throat
Ripper took one look at the face and instantly knew why for right before him, immortalized in stone, was a demon. Right before them with his devil-grin was Prince Sun Ichor.
The bronze captured his image perfectly. An overly large spiral of a horn jutted out from his fore-head perfectly splitting his mane in two. His ears laid down on either side of his head, and a rose sat perfectly in his flawless teeth. His eye's were as smug as a fox's and his muzzle was pristine.
"Yeah, without a doubt it's him" Ripper said ," And now we have something to work off our frustrations on"
He took a few steps away from the statue , "Waith toss that thing over here i need to knock the dust off of this helm"
Waith picked it up off the pedestal with a grunt before chucking it a Ripper with all of his strength. Ripper reared up onto his hind legs and tipped his head back. Then at precisely the right moment he whipped his whole body forward slamming his head directly into the statue . The statue broke into two pieces in an explosion of bronze and heat.
"That was more fun than I thought it would be." Ripper said his head lightly bleeding.
Waith noticed and chuckled a little, "Looks like your out of practice"
"Yeah, well you go nearly a thousand years without your knives and then tell me how good you are with them." Ripper said dabbing his hoof a the leaking blood. He then sucked his hoof clean before repeating the process.
"Eww brother that's your own blood"
"Yeah, well I'm not letting you....." Ripper started before a feminine scream tore through the hall
They both turned to see none other than Prince Sun Ichor standing a few paces from them , with a squad of guards standing in a protective semi- circle around him. Their swords were drawn, and ready as they sized up the two intruders. But by the looks of uneasy confusion, it was easy to see that they had know idea what they were dealing with.
"What happened to my statue" was all the prince said.
