Blood and Sunfire

---------------------------------------------------Chapter 1---------------------------------------------------

Pride of the Pegasi

“I call this meeting of the Council to begin!” Cried King Sky-Render.

The Council hall was filled with both pegasi and gryphons, each taking seats on cloud-stone steps surrounding a low center stage. On the stage was a middle-aged pegasus mare clad in full battle attire, her coat was of a sky blue and her mane the color of the very clouds that surrounded the Council.

“The Council brings to attention the actions of Commander Bright Hurricane!” Roared the Gryphon High-King Malcolm.

“She is accused of several counts of treason, including the unauthorized claim of territory, desertion, rebellion, and fraternizing with her sworn enemies the Earth-Pony Coalition and the Unicorn Kingdom of Lymorah.”

“What does the Commander have to say in her defence?”

She looked down and sighed before glancing up at the Council. She stretched out her forelegs and yawned.

“I commited treason in order to save my City-State?” She mocked.

“Guilty! Even now the traitor acts as if her allegiance is to the earthbound!”

Several cries of uproar followed the first only to be silenced by the piercing shriek of High-King Malcolm. The pegasi lords continued to stare at her with disgust and hate. Getting out of this wouldn’t exactly be the most fun Hurricane ever had, but then again she didn’t really care for what the Alliance had to say anymore.

“Both I and Sky-Render understand and easily forgive why you moved Cloudsdale away from the blizzard,” Said Malcolm.

“What we don’t understand is why you have openly declared your City-State to be foreign territory from the Alliance. That tiny problem is why you’re here.”

“Tiny? The earth-loving bitch left us for worthless farming peasants and scheming mages!” One of the Council members stood up in his seat and thrust a hoof towards Hurricane.

The rest of the pegasi in the room all shouted their agreements.

“I say we make an example of her now!”

Followed by even more shouts of agreement.

“Funny my friends... but perhaps you’re forgetting who the one with the real combat experience is,” Hurricane hissed.

The others shuddered for a few moments each questioning if they should continue. Their hearts were bolstered by a cry from the top row.

“You aren’t invincible Hurricane, and you aren’t the only one with thirty years of veterancy on the front lines!”

The crowd was once again silenced by Malcolm who stared down at the Commander with mixed emotions. They had for many years been close allies and rivals, choosing each other in sparring matches and giving each other scars to remember. Long had they defended their most noble City-States and reaped both honor and glory, but the question entered Malcolm’s mind.

Did she truly betray us?

He sighed and ran his talons gently over his face. He was becoming far too old to deal with these minor lords and their petty issues.

“Please Bright, raise your hoof in the air and swear to the blasted Pantheon that you didn’t join our enemies,” Malcolm grunted.

“Malcolm, you know that I did,” She sighed and looked at her friend.

Hurricane stood there for a few moments before continuing. They were good friends but her time in the alliance was over. She had to focus on the well being and safety of Equestria nothing else mattered.

“I’m sorry friend... but I would go so far as to even suggest that the Pantheon sides with me on this matter.”

That did it. Even some of the gryphon Aerie-Lords got involved now. The crowd shouted and hollered at her only barely managing to keep themselves from jumping off of their seats and mobbing her.

“Hurricane what you say is not only treason, but heresy!” Sky-Render stood and trotted down to the stage.

“I’ve fought on the line for three decades only to spend half of one freezing to death and watching the elements claim the lives of my citizens!” Hurricane cried.

“I moved Cloudsdale to safer territory only to find that the storm literally followed us because we continued our fights with the earthbound!”

No longer were cries of hatred and anger heard; instead, bouts of uncontrollable laughter assaulted the Commanders patience. It went on for a full minute before Sky-Render intervened and began to speak.

“Yes we’ve all heard stories of these magical beasts that plagued you. Hurricane that blizzard was nothing more than a freak act of nature!” Sky-Render quipped.

“One that we couldn’t control?” Hurricane said haughtily.

“Can’t you see it? We’ve been killing each other for far too long, the Pantheon is getting restless. I had to share resources with the earth-ponies for five years all while losing good soldiers to unicorn battle-mages.”

“A fact that should only make you dislike them more.”

This was Hurricanes final chance. She figured they wouldn’t understand, not unless they experienced it themselves. They had to be there in that damn freezing cold cavern to truly understand the wishes of the Pantheon.

“I was frozen solid by malicious wild beasts and saved because my subordinate saw what I wasn’t able to see. We can be allies with the earthbound, there isn’t even any reason we fight them. We all preach taking honor and glory in fair conflict, but how is it fair to let the sun whither the Coalition’s crops? Is it fair to cause tornadoes in unicorn settlements?”

“Usually they don’t even have the ability to fight back, they can’t attack our City-States or the gryphon Aerie-States! It isn’t like they can fly, or stand on clouds!”

“The only reason any of us fought, was because we lived under centuries of racial oppression. We’re all ponies and besides they really aren’t that bad when you get to know them,” Hurricane took the moment to glare at Sky-Render.

“Spoken like a true dirt-licker!” One of the Council members laughed.

“I also seem to recall hearing stories of the times of old when pegasi and gryphons fought a constant blood feud over aerial supremacy,” Hurricane continued.

“We aren’t even of the same species! If we made that arrangement work, then by the Gates of Tartarus we can make this one work.”

The room was silent for a moment, all of the Councilors had their eyes on Hurricane just waiting to see what she would do next. The silence was suddenly broken by heavy hoofsteps. A very smug looking Councilor in a robe struck his hoof off the cloud-stone steps in a slow sarcastic applause. He then proceeded to get up and move slowly over to Hurricane while chuckling to himself.

“A most inspiring little speech Commander, but I think we all know where this is going.”

“The earthbound are not blessed by our gods, the unicorns do not fly, and the earth-ponies are even worse. Compared to us they are sick trash!” He turned now to glare at her.

“I would die before I ever thought of the earthbound as my allies!” He said staring Hurricane in the face, barely inches away from her.

A few seconds, that’s all it took. The Council gasped in surprise as something shot out of the Commander’s shoulder and impaled the Noble through his lungs. A sharpened rod of feather-steel rigged to a magical chamber on Hurricane’s right shoulder was the cause. The Councilor gasped for air and scratched his hooves weakly against Hurricane until finally his muscles relaxed and his life force left him. Hurricane shoved the corpse off her weapon and looked at the rest of the Council.

“Oh... looks like he was telling the truth,” She remarked with a severe lack of empathy.

“Do you all like it? It’s called a Lance, a bit of a gift from the unicorns.”

“Commander! Are you looking to start a damned war?” Sky-Render barked.

“Listen to me... and listen well for I shall only tell you this once. If any one of you come near my country with the intention of killing its citizens, Cloudsdale will retaliate in force! You will have the whole of a veteran pegasus legion to contend with,” Hurricane shouted.

“Bright please calm down,” Malcolm made a final attempt at peace.

“No Malcolm... I’m sorry but when my citizens get threatened and insulted how do you expect me to react? Senseless killing isn’t what we stand for, and I along with my comrades refuse to be a part of it. The Councilor died here because he insulted the existence of my brethren, I hope to the gods that none of you make the same mistake,” Hurricane finished and turned her back to the Council members.

Her leave was showered with insults and warnings, typical of the Council members when they didn’t get their way. One voice in particular carried above the others though, a loud angry voice.

“Hurricane! If you leave, you invite hundreds of legions into your damned Equestria! This will not stand before the Alliance you traitor! Cloudsdale will rain red!” Sky-Render threatened.

The gates shut on the Council chambers and the yelling was instantly muffled. She took a moment to breathe and gather her thoughts, that whole meeting was just a mess to her. She moved to a balcony and viewed the bustling air space that was the City-State of King Sky-Render. Dragonmaw Fortress was quite a sight, filled to the brim with soldiers training in the streets and weather detail maintaining its white halls. It was the site of an epic conflict between Sky-Render’s grandfather and the great dragon Mor-Krag’ one hundred years ago. Once a true monument to pegasus spirit... now an absolute insult to her face.

“Who do they think they are treating their cousins like dirt?” She asked herself.

“Who did I think I was?”

Her moment of contemplation was interrupted by a gruff masculine voice.

“Commander!”

At first she expected to find another Councilor, she almost wheeled in place and dislocated his jaw right there. She turned sharply only to find that the voice in question belonged to one of her personal guards, Iron Hoof. The stallion wasn’t stupid; he sensed there was something wrong.

“Are... are you ready to go ma’am? We just thought seeing as you’re out here...”

Iron Hoof looked confused and a little worried. With another sigh Hurricane trotted past him and confirmed his question.

“Yes Iron Hoof... let’s just go home.”

With that they were off. Hurricane came to Dragonmaw accompanied by nine guards each armed and armored to the teeth. During their three years of inactivity in Equestria, the pegasi of Cloudsdale had little else to do except train, and unfortunately the blizzard they went through claimed the weak and inexperienced leaving their military with only the best warriors. They were the elite, the hardy aerial masters of Equestria and the only real warriors in the Equestrian army besides the Battle-Mages who were so few in number. If war came to Equestria then the pegasi would be the only real defence the country would have for a long time. At least when it came down to it, their partnership with the unicorns and earth-ponies would make Equestria the best supplied nation around.

A great citadel was being built by the unicorns, to replace the old fortress they left. Canterlot as they called it would be the Capital City of the nation, and the central bastion of defence for both earth-ponies and unicorns alike. Hurricane supposed it was grand fortress... for the earthbound, but nothing not even her new friends would tear away her love for her home. Cloudsdale was just an image of perfection, it was always complimented as being one of the most beautiful City-States in the alliance. Hurricane was highly decorated and often times brought the Council nothing but victory, the realization of what just occurred began to sink in. Many of them did used to be her friends, and then there was Malcolm.

“I wonder if he thinks I’m a traitor as well...”

“Commander?”

“Oh nothing Artemis, it was nothing.”

For what seemed like an hour the group soared through the skies completely silent, the only thing that could be heard was the wind moving gently past their ears and the occasional rustle of helmet crests. They soared past clouds and allowed updrafts to take them, after the spat in the Council chambers the only thing Hurricane really wanted to do was fly. Finally they broke through the clouds to have the early sunset wash over them, the sky was bright red and orange and if one looked carefully enough they could see the flares and fiery halos of Sol herself. The absolutely perfect moment was ruined by a piercing shriek from higher in the sky.

“Gryphons!” Barked Iron Hoof.

“Three of them, two guards and I believe an Aerie-Lord.”

Hurricane looked up to the party that was following them. Iron Hoof was correct, three gryphons each of them heavily clad in armour. One let a small banner hang from his back in the wind, a herald by the looks of him. This sort of guard complement was common for aerie-lords. Hurricane realised that the only gryphon who would likely bother trying to track her down at this hour was Malcolm, and sure enough she was right.

They banked downwards drifting over slowly towards Hurricanes soldiers, the Herald gave another loud and lazy shriek to inform the pegasi that they meant no harm. Malcolm sped up slightly to fly next to Hurricane.

“I’ve decided I want to have a look at this Equestria of yours,” He said in his deep resonating voice.

“Don’t worry I won’t stir up trouble... I just think the Council may have overreacted initially.”

“Overreacted? I killed one of the Councilors in cold blood...”

The other pegasi exchanged confused glances and proceeded to mumble nervously.

“Oh don’t worry about that, Lord Eclipse was being an ass lately anyway. Most of the other Councilors were planning to do exactly what you did,” Malcolm chuckled.

Malcolm's mirth was always infectious to those around him. Soon enough the entire party was laughing hysterically, all nervous thoughts being banished in the minds of the guard-ponies.

“The pegasi are just upset that their most distinguished military leader left them for the ones they consider inferior. We on the other hand can’t seem to find it within ourselves to give a single feather, I’m just sort of broken up that I’ll get to beat you in duels less often... really brings a tear to the eyes you know?” Malcolm feigned sorrow.

“Oh I agree my friend... just remember where you got that scar,” Hurricane smirked as Malcolm’s smile vanished.

“Well I like it, it makes me look more attractive!”

“Oh... a male bird wanting to look pretty, isn’t that just so unheard of.”

Hurricane caught an updraft and rolled lazily over Malcolm while they joked. The party carried on like that for some time still. The bulk of the City-States was a moderate distance away from Equestria, but they were nearly there after an hour and a half of flight. All sense of formation was eventually lost, they all just maintained a flight path and broke formation soaring with whomever they wished.

Finally, as Sol finished her descent past the horizon, they broke through the clouds and gained their first view of Canterlot Citadel. A tall spire of marble stood nestled on the edge of a mountain. The spire was surrounded by areas still undergoing construction but the centerpiece was completed. The roof of the spire scraped a few low hanging clouds, for the earthbound it was a sight indeed.

“Oh how lovely, I can’t believe I’m going to have my first civil chats with unicorns. I really hope our forefathers aren’t watching... I think mine would skin my hide,” Malcolm groaned.

“Play nice, you brought this on yourself.”

The party landed on an open path of marble halfway up the spire. Hooves and talons clattered on the marble surface eventually coming to a halt directly in front of an opened gateway made of sturdy oak. The guards all sat down to take a rest, their heavy breathing could have practically been heard from inside the spire.

“Oh Commander Hurricane!” Came a voice from across the marble runway.

“I do hope your trip was comfortable darling.”

A silver coated, purple maned mare trotted slowly towards them. She was covered in the most extravagant clothing that the wealth of the unicorn kingdoms could afford. Princess Platinum... once the final heir of her kingdom’s royal line, now one of the three grand-marshalls of Equestria besides of course for Hurricane and Smart Cookie who took over the leadership of the earth-ponies after the previous Chancellor’s peaceful death.

“Comfortable if you’re one to enjoy being yelled at... we have things to discuss I’m afraid,” Hurricane responded.

“Then I assume your visit went just about as well as Clover’s with the unicorn royalty to the east... they weren’t interested in working with the ‘ungifted’,” Platinum rolled her eyes.

“To be honest? I think it went worse.”

Platinum halted when she noticed Malcolm standing not too far behind the Commander. She looked confused for a few moments and then continued forward again.

“You have guests?” She asked.

“An old friend of mine decided he wanted to observe the different ponies living together for once.”

“Oh well then pleased to make your acquaintance... er...”

“Malcolm, High-King Malcolm,” He said as he bowed slightly.

“It is a pleasure to meet you as well... Princess Platinum I presume. I knew your father... the stallion nearly took off my head but spared me, at the time I thought he was the only honorable unicorn I had ever met.”

“Oh my well um...”

Malcolm gave a deep throated laugh, and wiped a tear from his eye. He bent low to be at eye level with Platinum and smiled.

“Don’t worry, I’m merely here because I’m hoping that finally I can see an end to the Council’s thirst for blood. I think I’ve seen far too much combat in my time,” He said seriously.

“Well you’re perfectly welcome to stay in our borders until such a time when you decide to leave,” Platinum smiled and shook one of his talons with her hoof.

Hurricane trotted separated the two of them before they started talking for hours, she knew both of them well by now and both were very prone to it.

“Listen I’m glad you two are being nice, but Platinum... we have a serious problem.”