Chapter 36: Freedom

The air in the room hung heavy. It was the kind of scent that told of celebration, lust, and need. Even with the open window there was a hazy kind of fog inside of the room, one that told of hours of debauchery, the kind that usually ended up with one or more ponies pregnant and expecting. The three bodies that laid in the room were spent, and for the stallion in the middle he realized that finally things seemed as if they had gone the way he was hoping.

It hadn’t been that way a week earlier. No, after discovering the location of the thing controlling the wolves, getting information from the fisher ponies that saved the other human, and listening to what Professor Flintheart had to say about it he knew that they were facing a powerful Lich. A being that apparently wanted to take Rarity’s body for her own, or had wanted to do so. Luckily Endymion had friends that were willing to help him face this powerful enemy.

The first stop had been Captain Sparrow. Endymion had found the Captain helping with the fishing crews. The large unicorn seemed happy to lend a hand with the fisherponies, helping to mend nets and drag the large fish up to the waiting boats. Finding him Endymion approached him and began filling him in on the plan. The Captain was many things. An experienced sea and air stallion, someone brave enough to fight against things that would cause most ponies to balk at the danger presented, but at the same time he wasn’t suicidal. Still, it was obvious that he wanted to help. His wife came from the isles, and he wanted to make them safe for her, and her family. Endymion approached him, waved, and watched as the well built stallion gave a wave back before heading toward him.

“Your Highness,” he said with a bow, “How may I be of service?”

He gave a grin, “Captain Sparrow, the root of the problem with the wolves has been discovered. I have need of your talents, as well as your ship, in order to help stop it once and for all. You would be doing as you’ve done before, raining down various potions and magics from above, destroying the cursed wolves, and I would head in to destroy their master.”

Captain Sparrow looked at him for a moment, “Are you certain? Will it just be you, or will there be a small accompaniment of soldiers with you?”

Endymion shook his head, “It needs to be me alone,” he replied, “I’ve got armor that will protect me from the wolves and other shadow magic, but I don’t have any other suits of armor. I won’t risk the lives of others who would be unable to defend themselves.”

Captain Sparrow took a moment to study the Crown Prince of Equestria, adopted son of Princess Luna, and now known as the Warrior Prince of the Shetland Isles. What he saw before him wasn’t a royal playing pretend at being an adventurer, but instead he saw a stallion that was willing to fight for his ponies, a stallion that led by example, and adopted or not he was his mother’s son. There were stories, old ones, of how Princess Luna would personally lead her soldiers into battle.

She would fight for them just as they would fight for her. It was her truest nature to defend and protect. He saw that reflected in her son. He clapped his hand down on Endymion’s shoulder.

“You’ll have my ship, my talent, but I ask that you get some brave Pegasi that don’t mind to help hold the deck. If you’re going after the damned thing that controls the wolves, you don’t know what it might send up to the ship. A few brave Pegasi could help make sure that we hold.”

Endymion nodded, “I’ll ask, but not demand.”

That in and of itself proved the kind of ruler that he was. He wouldn’t force those that could be considered his servants to risk their lives if he wasn’t going to do the same. Because of that Captain Sparrow doubted that he would have trouble in finding volunteers. No, he believed that they would practically be fighting each other for the opportunity to help. It would be a chance to prove themselves, andmore than that it would be a chance for them to become royal guards.

Now that the Isles had an honest to Luna princess there would be royal guards. Those brave enough to follow the Prince into battle, stand their ground, and assist him would surely make it into the guard. Of course it was more than that. It was more than just a chance to make it into the guard. It was to protect their homes, to protect the foals, and make a better future for themselves.

He knew right away that the Prince was the kind of ruler the Shetland Isles needed. As Captain Sparrow watched him walk away Endymion began to consider all that was going to have to happen. With Captain Sparrow on Board he needed to talk to Charm. He was sure that he had potions already made, or that he could make more, but he needed to warn him that it had to happen soon, perhaps as soon as tonight, but certainly within the next couple of days. There was also no getting around the fact that both Pinkie and Twilight would demand to be there.

The fact that he was going was hard enough, but that they couldn’t protect him was worse. He knew that it would bother Pinkie and Twilight that he would be going alone into the lair of the Lich. Neither would want him to, and either of them would willingly go with him. But neither had protection from any shadow creatures the Lich might have in wait. He couldn’t risk their lives, not like that, and he wouldn’t want to. It would be bad enough if they were on the ship, but he was certain that there would be plenty of protection for them if they were.

He walked near the castle and saw the groups of ponies gathered. Several showed various signs of respect, and he watched as a young Pegasus mare studied him. She was a soft lavender, her hair a moss green, and her eyes were a gentle teal. She moved toward him, bowed in reverence, and then looked up to him.

“Prince Endymion,” she said in a determined manner, “Ah wid lik' tae ask allowed tae become a member o' th' guard. A'm quick, pure tough, 'n' ah hae helped murdurr th' wolves. Ah hae seen th' kind o' ruler yer, 'n' ah wish tae protect that whilk protects us.”

He looked at her, “The post as a guard isn’t honorific, it is protecting all that I hold precious.”

“Ye protect whit's precious tae us, 'n' ah wid dae na less fur ye. By protecting ye ah hulp tae protect us.”

He studied her a bit more, and finally a smile crossed his face.

“I’m not against you acting as a guard, but soon, within the next couple of days soon, we will be having an assault upon the one that controls the wolves,” he said, “I know that both Princess Twilight and Princess Pinkie will want to be there. This would be your first test as a guard, would you accept it?”

She stood ramrod straight and saluted, “Ye bet yer bahookie that ah will be thare yer Highness. Ah will personally see tae th' protection o' th' Princesses, 'n' ah will murdurr ilka beast 'n' bas that tries tae harm a locks oan thaim.”

He smiled at her, “Very well,” he said, “We will be issuing armor for guards soon. For the meantime report to the throne room.”

The exchange seemed unreal. Endymion knew that the royal guards in Canterlot were all there because they felt compelled to be there. He learned from his mother that the guards each had trained their entire lives for the chance to become a guard. To them it was a great honor, and for many it was a family tradition. Shining Armor was the exception to the rule.

He was the Captain of the Royal Guard, but he had become so not because of his, and Twilight’s, Parents standing with nobility. Instead it had been through his own hard work and perseverance. He’d put in the time needed to become a guard, and then he put in the extra time to climb the ranks until he was the Captain.

The ponies here were no less driven, and in truth many of them had faced things that none of the Royal Guards had faced back in Canterlot. According to the stories his mother told him they faced things that only the armies she led over a thousand years ago had faced. They were a hardy and proud group. He didn’t need to worry about them volunteering for the chance to battle the wolves aboard Captain Sparrow’s Airship. No, he needed to worry about not having enough room for all of them.

Walking further into the courtyard he saw others gathering together. The words he’d spoken to that mare had spread far more quickly than he’d expected. What had started as a single Pegasus mare asking to become a Royal Guard was now two dozen ponies of every tribe standing before him. All Pledging to defend what he held most precious. All of them were ponies that had gone to battle. Earth Ponies that had become even stronger than their magic naturally made them, Pegasi that looked as if they’d been to battles so numerous that several were missing bits, and Unicorns that each had the same spell cast upon themselves that Jolie Maison had cast upon himself.

They stood together and he realized that they were the making of the beginning of the Royal Guard. He did wish that Stella were here. Not that he wanted her in danger, but she was like an older sister, and more to the point she would have something to say to the group standing there. Most likely she’d tell them that they were all a bunch of misshapened cunts, but they were willing and that if they followed her lead she’d turn them into proper tight cunts ready to take on anything.

The fact of the matter was that he wasn’t Stella. He wasn’t going to try to act like her, and all he could do was be himself. Stella could insult people and it was enduring. She could say some of the most vile stuff, but the way she would say it made the difference. He couldn’t, and he understood that what he could do was what he had always done. He could be the kind of person to be honest, to talk to them how he would talk to anyone else. He could be someone that treated them like his Mother had shown him how to treat everyone else.

He looked at them, and he took a moment to process what he was going to say. He remembered the stories he’d been told, how things had been done, and he looked at the group. He knew that his actions were already measured against the stallion that would be his brother. He also knew that the ponies here saw him as Jolie’s equal. If his mother had trusted Jolie to protect these ponies, and they trusted him as well, then he could only attempt to live up to the same standard. He cleared his throat before he addressed them, “I have no problem with you becoming guards, and I am proud that you wish to protect what is precious to me. As I said before the testing ground is coming, and soon. I wish for those able bodied to go with us, but at the same time I do not believe for an instant that we will be the only ones attacked.”

He looked at them, “The Castle, Honey Shine’s island home, and the well lit deck of Captain Sparrow’s ship are the three safest places for any pony to be. I declare this now. We will need at least twelve ponies on the ship, but I want ponies here to protect those who work to serve, and I want what ponies not able to be housed in the Castle to be taken to Honey Shine’s home and kept safe there.”

He could see them staring, watching, and he was glad for it, “I know that my brother Jolie, and I am sure my niece Honey Shine, would welcome those that need protection into their homes. On their behalf I do that now. I make one demand when it comes to my niece’s home. It is to be in the exact condition that it was in when they arrived. They are the guests of Honey Shine herself, and I have faith that her spirit will be there to help protect them. However, the stories I’ve heard of my niece makes me realize how much like her grandmother she was. That means that while she was a caring, and protective mare, she did not take kindly to anyone destroying what she built.”

There were several chuckles, but it was Gentle Harvest that stood the tallest, “Aye, 'n' ah will tell ye richt noo she'd pat a hoof up a' body's bahookie that fucked wi' her hame. She cannae be 'ere tae dae it, bit as her grandfoal ah will dae it in her stead!”

He grinned, and realized that this was together. There would be ponies to protect the castle, ponies to protect Honey Shine’s home, and of course to protect the ship itself. Everything that he held precious would be protected. His friends, his brides, and the ponies he was to lead would be protected, and that was his everything. It also gave him a very clear idea of what it was that lay ahead of him. Since he wouldn’t have to worry, as much, he could focus on the Lich.

Slowly the night began to fall, and he could feel it in the air. The Lich was strong again, and that meant that sooner rather than later there would be an attack. It couldn’t wait beyond this night, and he knew it. The castle was secured, and the moment it was he went to his wives. Twilight was still in the throne room, but there in attendance were fifty ponies. All of them standing guard, all of them ready to protect, and he realized exactly how literally they had taken his words.

When they retired to their room, which had originally been Jolie’s room, Endymion stretched out on the bed that had been created long ago. He felt both Twilight and Pinkie crawling into bed beside him. Outside he could hear the guards determining the shift changes, and he wondered if this was something that his mother had gotten used to. He felt his two brides hugging onto him, and he enjoyed their warmth.

“It’s tomorrow, isn’t it?” Twilight asked, her voice full of concern, “You’re facing it tomorrow, right?”

He nodded, “You can feel it too, can’t you?”

She closed her eyes, “I can, and that makes me afraid. Not of it, but that I know you’re going to face it alone.”

He looked toward her, “I’m not going alone. The armor has your cutie marks engraved in it. I’m taking your strength, your love, and everything that makes us who we are down there with me. I won’t be alone.”

She sighed, “It’s just taken so long to get here. It’s been such a hard trip to get here, I don’t want to lose you now.”

He smiled, “You won’t,” he promised, “I’m going to stop this thing, and we’re going to help these ponies. When it’s over you need to get the Rune Portal operational.”

She looked at him for a moment, “Of course I want to, but it sounds like you have a reason besides just having a way to visit home so quickly.”

He grinned, “Mother has grandfoals, lots of them, here, and I am sure that she wants to meet them.”

Twilight’s eyes widened, “Jolie’s descendants,” she said in a whisper, “All of them would be her great great grandfoals and so on.”

She giggled for a moment, “She’s going to spoil them rotten, isn’t she?”

He grinned, “In some way, I’m sure that she will. It may be something as simple as having a shop set up that sells sweets, but she will want to do something for the great grandfoals of Jolie,” he said while smiling, “And that is just another reason for me to make it back.”

The hours passed, they loved one another, cuddled, and then when the morning arrived he began getting things ready. Captain Sparrow brought the ship from the port, Charm oversaw what looked like thousands of potions loaded onto the ship. Twilight and Pinkie both boarded the ship, While Endymion had his own armor the two of them were dressed in chainmail and carried what looked like bows. The arrows the both of them had each had been enchanted to strike lightning. Twelve hardened new guards gathered, prepared to go to war for their Princesses and Prince. Twelve gathered those staying at the castle into the courtyard, and the last twelve were gathering families to take to Honey Shine’s home.

Endymion watched as this began to unfold. He knew that it would be dangerous, there was little doubt of that, but he was ready to deal with it. He was determined to deal with it. The world would be made safer, his family would be secured, and he would ensure that there would be nothing, nothing at all, that could ever harm them in the form of the Lich. There would be other dangers, and he knew that, but he would do everything he could to stop this threat.

The evening began to fall after everything began to form, and soon he found his friends, his bride, and even Fluttershy gathered onto the ship. The Priestess of Sol looked determined, if not contrite. Following the direction of the Pegasi that had found the unicorn foal that had awakened the Lich they arrived over a section of the isle that looked as if it had deserted for some time. The hill they were over had several blackened stones that were arranged in such a way that it looked as if it were a pony’s skull.

He could see a stone that had been moved, revealing an opening, and there he saw the entrance of the cavern. From it dozens of terror wolves erupted. They came in a flood, and potions began to rain down upon them. Bottled fire, lightening, sunlight, and harmony magic rained in a tsunami upon the hordes. He watched as they cried out, and then he walked toward the edge. The enchantments on the armor would be tested here and now. He leapt from the side, fell for what felt like an eternity, and then he struck the earth with a resounding thud.

The blast around the area killed several of the wolves that hadn’t been destroyed by the potions, and he looked at the cavern. The fall did nothing to him, not even jolting him a bit. The armor had so many protective enchantments on it, but he felt a new one, one that was so familiar he realized that Twilight had placed it there herself.

The enchantment felt like her hugging him, and he matched forward with the love of his wives guiding him. The dark cavern suddenly became bright, the sword he carried glowing a brilliant blue. He saw dozens of bodies, but all of them were in what looked like cocoons. A strange green gel filled them, revealing only shapes. He moved forward, his determination never faltering, and he heard her.

The laugh was musical, the sight was beautiful, and yet her soul was so withered and ugly. To look at her she almost seemed to possibly be related to Rarity. Her bust was full, her hips wide, and her figure was that of an academic. She giggled at him, her horn glowing black her eyes filled with black, red, and green magic.

“Ah, a suitor,” she said with a mirthful voice, “What shall I use you for after I break your mind? Oh, I do believe that I need a good rutting.”

He looked at her, “Your beauty doesn’t compare to my brides,” he said without hesitation, “What I see is whorse that sold everything special just to extend her life.”

She glowered at him, her vicious nature coming forward, “I’m going to kill you slow, but keep your mind alive, and then I am going to personally rut your brides before I strip the meat from their bones.”

He swung the sword, and the satisfying sound of it slicing echoed. The mare laughed, for a moment, before she realized that the sword itself was something she’d not seen, ever. Her arm did not grow back, the magic she was casting didn’t help her, and suddenly he realized how wrong things had gone.

“Please, I’ll serve you,” she begged, “I’ll suck your cock, let you rut my tailhole, I will become your personal servant, but please, let me live.”

He saw her other arm reaching for something and thrust the sword forward, it dove in between her breasts, causing her to drop. She whimpered as her heart was destroyed, and then she realized that her magic was cut off. There was no saving herself, no protecting herself any longer, but she could do one last thing. She touched the sword, and with a small chant it began to crumble.

“You’ve killed me,” she said in a whimper, “But I take this from you, and I will take my servants with me, this cavern was only supported by my magic, now they, and you die.”

The sword crumbled to dust, removed completely, and she fell over, everything that had bound her was released. All that remained was those trapped. He felt out with his own magic, and felt the runes she’d created. He fueled them, as he could, and knew that he couldn’t go, not without the hundreds, no thousands, she had trapped. Moments later he heard wings, and looked behind him to see some of the guards, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Twilight herself.

“Endymion?” she asked, “What’s going on?”

He felt the weight of the cavern threatening to crash down, “The cocoons, they’re full of living ponies. All of them need to be taken out, she kept them here, all of them, as a source of magic. Please,” he said as he felt his magic trying to slip, “Save them, and then I’ll escape.”

The guards began to cut open the cocoons, pulling the strange ponies out. They had an odd horn, looking as if it ended in two points, a thick mane that circled their heads, and an almost serpent-like tail with a small puff of fur at the end. Twilight felt the weight of what he was doing, and she joined in him holding the cavern. The hours stretched, and she knew he had to be exhausted, yet he never complained.

Finally, the last cocoon was opened, the ponies and three humans were saved, and both Twilight and Endymion were carried out. The moment they were removed there was a loud rumble and the entire cavern caved in on itself. The guards stood in amazement at the strength of their new royals, and vowed to ensure their protection and the protection of their line.

They moved quickly, and quietly getting carts, loading what they could on Captain Sparrow’s ship, and soon the isle found itself with a surplus of population.

Elsewhere…

Pivot, the capital of the Terran Empire. It is the hour prior to dawn. The crown jewel of the Empire sleeps, the lights dimmed throughout the night to keep the remaining mana batteries charged, though some districts still have remedial power. The Lights over Mason Square still burn brightly, lighting the intersection of The Four Pillars of the Empire. House Majesty, the home of the Imperial seat of power, hums with brilliant, golden light. House Praetorian, the central hub of every soldier, officer, sheriff, and marshal within The Ecumene, is bathed in a crimson hue. House Intelligentsia, awash in hues of white, is ablaze with life, as the artists, geniuses, artisans, musicians, and scientists burn the midnight oil. It is the only district in Pivot that does not keep to a regular schedule. The cost of powering all the projects going on within is mind-boggling; The Chairwoman, though, would it have no other way.

There is naught but darkness in the fourth district that connects with the intersect. It has been dark for time immemorial, it seems, so few knowing when any light there burned at all. The buildings within this district are humdrum, it's streets lifeless. Nary a mouse, a cat, or a rat call this foreboding district home. And at its center, a six story building, more nondescript than any other in the district, rests.

It, too, is darkened, but it has earned, through no small amount of infamy, the care of two Praetorian guards. They are well fed, well rested, and well lubricated, having a lion's share of liquors sloshing about in their water skeins. Theirs is an unusual billet, it seems. They work all of two hours, then are off for six. No true Praetorian, sworn to uphold The Ecumene and The Matron at cost to limb and life, would ever carry such an assignment. These two men, though, are loyal only to the Chairwoman and none else. Should the Primus Legate hear of their course, he would strip them of their ranks and privileges, then force them on Walkabout, to wander past the Five Terrors as a penance for their goldbricking.

Alas, these two laggards suffer no such punishment, albeit, they shall soon. For it is their inattentiveness that shall cost them everything they hold dear. For on the sixth floor, middle window, a flash of light! It is small, most might call it feeble, but it is there. For nigh unto twenty-five thousand years, this light has rested, until such time as it's Master shall return. And lo, that time is soon upon them all…

Ancilla Adjunct 09116-Alpha-Romeo-Iota-Alpha stirs from her self-imposed hibernation, in the office of The Imperial Archmage, at the penthouse of the House Arcane. It sees, for the first time in it's long existence, a darkened home. It cannot reconcile this stillness, the quiet of a grave, with the lively and energetic House Endymion headquarters she knows so well. Confusion is not an emotion she is familiar with; an alien sensation, far flung from any aspect of her personality core. So she shrugs it off, for much work needs be done.

She mutters,