Heat lightening cracked across the red sky of the Kallai Empire, the roar of an audience could be heard from miles away. The volcanic wasteland stood out amongst the golden plains that stretched out around it. Where the rock ended, grass began, and the dead plants had ceased to regrow. The crimson sky swelled with darkness as the black clouds swirled from the volcano, sending ash floating down like snow. The Black Arena was full of equine, those that remained in the stands, and the two that fought in the ring. Fire flew from their mouths it seemed, raking their antlers at one another, throwing their hooves. Embers of fury burned in their eyes, it had been a momentous occasion. It was everyday the Prince was challenged.
The glow of the mountain kept the light concealed, as the black clouds began to wrap around the sky above the arena like a serpent. Sending more ash downwards towards the horses. In the Podium sat the Royal family, the Empress, and her daughter. The two mares watched the fighting stallions below, both praying that Hakan would win. The Crowned Prince was young, but not weak - not in the slightest. His powers were strong, but his will and courage far outweighed meager magic. He tossed his head, sending his antlers towards the larger stallion, who reared back before the sharp points connected with his throat.
Sending a kick towards the Prince as he veered to the left, his sharp cloven hoof catching Hakan's cheek. Creating a small slice, that soon began to bleed. Anger rose in the young colts chest, a fire burning deeper and brighter than Mt. Esh-Ban itself. But Goliath was stronger, and more clever. He fought to win, which resulted in him lacking all honor in his battles. This earned him his title as Warlord, but he was far too greedy for such a privilege.
As Hakan was struggling to gain the upper ground, Goliath used this chance of panic in the young Prince to strike a deathly blow. Using his razor sharp antlers, he made three long cuts across the colts neck, sending him to the ground with a loud thud. The entire audience went silent - all you could hear was the rumble of the volcano. The large black stallion moved like a wolf towards his opponent, ready to finish it. This puny Prince was no fit ruler, he thought he'd be doing the Empire a favor by killing him. Why else would his presence be beneficial? He wanted to change the entire way the Kirin think, he wanted to end the bloodthirsty way of their people, their warmongering culture. He wanted to bring an era of peace and light, but that was not the way he wanted to live by.
"Well, it seems the Great Emperor's son isn't nearly as strong as his late father dreamed he'd be...."Goliath hissed sadistically, mocking the Prince's father. His blue eyes locked with Goliath's amber ones, pure hatred fusing the two stallions. "Give my sincere condolences to your father, "he growled as he reared up, readying his hoof to end the Prince. Hakan couldn't move, he couldn't do anything. The bleeding wound on his chest was enough to take the breath from him, he knew if he had walked out alive, he would've died from the injury - possibly from infection.
Before the bloodied hoof could come crashing down on his skull, a shrill screech echoed from the Podium. Both Kirins looked to the source, his mother, Empress Enalla. Her emerald eyes glaring daggers at Goliath. "That is quite enough General! "She shouted, causing every horse in the arena to silence and look to their hooves. Shock registered on Goliath's face, as he listened to his Queen.
"Your majesty, I apologize for asking this....but what do you mean? "He replied, raising a scaly brow.
"You've made your point, you want the Throne, you won. Hakan has fallen, isn't that enough to satisfy your desire? "She asked, ferocity engulfing the mare, her sapphire scales shimmering in the red glow of Esh-Ban. Her ivory mane waving in the breeze, her elegant antlers adorning her head with jewels and golden jewelry decorating her form.
"I challenged him to a fight to the death! Not until one of us goes down...."he shouted back, talking out of turn to the Queen was a death sentence in itself, and he had just crossed her patience.
"It is finished! "She commanded, the announcer blew the horn signaling the end of the match. "Congratulations Goliath, you've won the throne...."she hissed, turning her gaze away and ushering her daughter out of the arena and to the palace. His sneer was obviously noticeable as he turned back to the Prince.
"Lucky for you that I respect your mother, "he chuckled, walking away, but not before giving orders to two of his personal minions. Hakan could not hear what they were saying, but he knew for sure it was nothing good. After the arena was clear, instead of healers coming to see him, two Kirin guards appeared instead. Dragging him away, before he was able to get to his feet and defend himself, a bright white light flashed. All he could hear was the scream of his mother and sister, and the maniacal laughter of Goliath.
Canterlot Castle - Throne Room
Celestia hummed to herself as she sat in her throne, taking her time with hearing the issues and concerns of her people. One by one, ponies came into her hall to ask or inform her of problems. And she happily obliged by doing what she could, or at least trying to. Her light purple eyes roved over the hall, empty and silent; except for the quiet clatter of armor on armor from the fidgeting guards. Taking a moment of peace to herself, she heard the double doors open, and new right away from the sound of the hooves, it was Luna.
"Good afternoon, sister "Celestia greeted, her pigmented mane flowing in the still air. Pulsating with magic, Luna's was the same, only the smaller darker mare held an ominous frown. More so than usual. "What is it? "Celestia asked, worry taking control as her eyes went from their normally kind and inviting gaze, to solemn and concerned.
"A creature has been found in the North of the Crystal Empire, Princess Cadence has requested that he be brought here...."Luna announced, keeping her voice as soft as possible. The solar Princess hardened her gaze, standing up she nodded her head accordingly, giving a silent signal for Luna to give the word.
But then something drew her curiosity, "pardon me Luna, but did you say he? "
Celestia made her way down to the dungeons, her mind stirring with questions. The guards she passed by bowed their heads in respect, and she returned such a gesture with a small nod of her own. After the small information Luna gave her in the throne room, she decided the best course of action would be to have him brought to her castle. Cadence and Shining Armor had a child now, and after the recent battle against Sombra, and with Chrysalis; it seemed the safest bet. Luna had long since went to attend with her own duties, as Celestia took over responsibility with the new prisoner. She would've given him a guest room, but not knowing what he was, or how he would react; it wasn't very wise. Dungeons were a last resort with her, she didn't quite like the idea of locking up ponies, or any other creature.
Striding down the staircase to the entrance of the dungeon chambers, she already began thinking of things to ask him. The most obvious one would be, where he came from? Who he was? And more would come to mind she assumed, he was probably just lost. Or perhaps an escapee from Tartarus. Whatever the case, she'd get to the bottom of it. Her gold jewelry glimmered in the dull light of the chambers. I really must do something about this depressing interior.
Approaching the cell, she gave the guards the o.k, stepping aside and opening the door hesitantly. She entered with her head held high, not feeling any fear whatsoever, whatever he was she was sure she could handle it. Upon entry, the door closed and clicked behind her; with the worrisome guards keeping a watchful eye on them both from the outside. All she saw was a dark room, with the only light coming from a lantern, which was far from the prisoner. There, in the corner, her eyes fell on a dark silhouette. He wasn't moving much, besides the rise and fall of his shoulders. At least he was breathing, she thought.
Before making any advance towards him to talk or introduce herself, she used her horn as a torch of sorts. Giving more light to the enclosed space. Finally, getting a good look at him. He was a dark grey stallion, with black markings and what looked to be - scales? Intrigued by her discovery, she began examining him further. He surely wasn't a dragon, but he wasn't truly an equine either. She saw no wings, no horn in the center of his head. He had no articles of clothing or jewelry on him anywhere; but the fresh wound on his chest was visible. Looking over him more, she saw something that was truly astonishing; two stubs where some form of horns once were. Before she was able to make any further evaluations, he awoke.
His eyes opened, revealing two blue eyes; with scaly brows. When he saw her, he almost jumped with shock; making her back away slightly as he stood up abruptly. Standing so fast, with such a fresh wound, might have been a mistake. As he quickly fell back to the floor, the only thing keeping him at a safe distance from her was a chain and shackle. He snarled at her as he created a larger distance, flashing white fangs.
"There is no need to behave in such a manner, I've only come to speak with you. "She assured the stallion, he wasn't convinced that was all she was here for. Beginning to grow even more irritated he hissed, flicking his long, lion tail at her. Which she only had to move a leg back to dodge.
"I demand to know where I am? "He barked, yet it was more regal than aggressive or rude.
"You are in the castle dungeons, "she replied, keeping information small.
"No, really? I thought I was in a hotel! "He remarked in a sarcastic tone, giving her a deadpan look. "What country am I in? "He asked, beginning to sound more and more condescending by the minute.
"You are in no position to ask questions. I will ask you what I want to know, and you will answer. If you cooperate, then you will have your answers "her voice was stern, and her stature regal and powerful. She wasn't going to obey a prisoners orders, a prisoner who was by far the rudest horse she'd ever met. If only he knew that she had accepted him here, had his wounds tended too, and was now trying to figure out what had happened to him. All she wanted was to help him.
"Then I'm afraid, you'll be disappointed. I'm not talking to you...."he snorted, turning his head away, refusing to even give her a glance. Closing his eyes, sticking his nose in the air.
"Fine. If you prefer staying here in the dungeons, by all means you're welcome to. "She turned tail and walked back to the door, tapping it with a hoof to signal the guards. The door opened, letting a stream of light in, blinding the Kirin momentarily. "I'll be back tomorrow to see if you've changed your mind. "With that, she left, the door slamming and locking back behind her. Leaving the injuries and confused stallions to his own solitude.
She was angry, but not overly so. Before her trip to the dungeons she was optimistic and happy to help this creature. But now, now after seeing the way he treated someone, she was figuring he'd be a tougher one to handle. Sighing out her irritation she decided to take a stroll, she had scrolls and other documents to look over, but a half-hour walk wouldn't do any harm.
"Sister! "Called Luna from the throne room doors, she was exiting them as Celestia passed by. "How did it go with the prisoner? "She asked, after seeing her elder sisters face, she understood the reply to her question.
"He's stubborn, I can already tell. And he's going to be far more troublesome when it comes to getting anything out of him, he is completely unwilling to cooperate. I don't think I came off as rude...."she sighed, looking towards the gardens.
"Give it time...."
"What if there is no time to waste? "She asked.
"He was out there in the north for at least two days before he was found, covered in snow and unconscious. Everypony get's lonely sister, the next time you go back to question him; I'm sure he'll comply. "She assured her, with a soft smile exchanged between the two royal sisters they headed to the gardens.
Hakan was furious, he amused himself by chewing on the chains. Hoping perhaps he'd be able to break them apart, but after a struggle with the metal, it was no use. Damn! He thought to himself as he paused to listen to the chattering guards outside the door; scowling at their puny forms he went back to his plan of escape. If he could just find a way to get the chains off, he'd be able to get out. The second the door opens, he'd run for it.
"No that's stupid...."he mumbled as he inspected the cell, the veins of cracks in the walls were not deep enough to break the rock apart, and there was no other entry or exit besides the door. Which was constantly guarded. His fire powers were washed up, after the time spent in that northern wasteland, he awoke with no powers. He didn't know how long he'd been out for, all he remembered was waking up to complete white surroundings, then he woke again in this cell.
The door clicked, at first he suspected it was the white mare, but it was only a guard. Sliding two bowls to him; one with food - the other with water. The stallion left as quick as he had come in, obviously terrified of whatever Hakan was. "Honestly, it's like they've never seen a Kirin before...."he growled as he lowered his head to take a sip, sniffing the liquid first. If it were poisoned it wouldn't be the first time he caught it. Assassination attempts were a normality in his homeland, especially with his family. That was how his father died, the one assassination that actually succeeded.
As he started to take a drink he noticed something in the reflection, his antlers. They were gone! In horror he brought his neck back, looking again to be sure he actually saw what he thought he saw. "No, no this can't be? How? Kirin antlers are nearly indestructible.....how could they have shattered? "He asked himself, almost losing his composure as he dealt with the fact that a Kirin's most praised trait were their antlers; and now he had none. Upon looking further into his reflection he also noted that his once black sclera was now white. "What in the hell happened to me!? "He nearly yelled.
"You hear him in there? "One of the guards asked to the other, as they listened to Hakan.
"Yeah, looks like he's cracked...."
"Wow, I know right? That's the quickest it's ever happened...."
"Yup. He's already talking to himself, next thing you know, he'll be seeing things that aren't there "
"Pity "
