War Mages & False Prophets

Chapters

Chapter 3 - May You Live In Interesting Times
Chapter 4 - Introductions, Mysteries, And Questions
Chapter 5 - A New Day Old Problems, And A Sense Of Wonder
Chapter 6 - Learning It's a Two Way Street, Taking Back A Life
Chapter 7 - Rescues & Royal Introductions
Chapter 8 - Making Connections part I
Chapter 9 - Tell Me Of Your Homeland Braxton
Chapter 10 - Making Connections Part II
Chapter 11 Appointments,Conditions,and Secret Meetings
Chapter 12 Cowards, Aces, Eight-Eyed Faces Pt I
Chapter 13 Cowards, Aces, Eight-Eyed Faces Pt II
Chapter 14 Spotlights and Reflections In Webbed Glass
Chapter 15 Hunting Shadows In The City Of Light
Chapter 16 Meet the Parents, Forest Tales and Dwellers Trails Part I
Chapter 17 Meet the Parents, Forest Tales and Dwellers Trails Part II
Chapter 18 Puppets & Puppeteers
Chapter 19 At The Gala: Beauty In The Eye Of The Beholder Pt I
Chapter 20 At The Gala: Beauty In The Eye Of The Beholder Pt II
Chapter 1 - 50/50 Chance And In Need Of A Break
Chapter 2 - Crash Landings, Language Barriers,And Fine Messes

Chapter 3 - May You Live In Interesting Times

Chapter 3

May You Live In Interesting Times

As Braxton walked out of the Everfree forest with the unconscious filly still wrapped up in his cloak to keep her shivering form warm, he took a moment to listen to her breathing. If he concentrated enough, he could even hear her heartbeat; he’d treated enough battle wounds to know what to listen for.

He was not encouraged by her weak yet rapid pulse, or her clammy, shivering form, recognizing the telltale signs of someone going into shock. He hoped that the little fledglings he was following knew of a skilled healer that could do more to help their white-furred friend than he could, which without access to more magic than he could spare at that moment, was limited to keeping her head below her feet, and trying to keep her warm. As they reached the exit of the woods, Braxton gave a soft whistle and pointed to a cottage near the edge of the forest. He needn’t have bothered, though; the two fillies were already racing for it ahead of Braxton and on arrival pounded frantically upon the door.

“Fluttershy! Open up, we need help!” Scootaloo said as she pounded repeatedly on the door under the deepening dusk, Braxton rushing up behind them as fast as he dared. To their relief, a few lights came on within the cottage and soon, a five-foot-five butter-yellow Pegasus with long pink hair answered the door. Her mane cascaded down over her voluptuous build as her soft teal eyes looked out the door window to see two fillies she knew. She was barely dressed, looking like she’d been getting ready for bed, but she gasped and quickly cast aside all modesty when she spotted Scootaloo's burned clothing and Applebloom's bloody and shredded clothes.

“Oh my! What happened?” she asked as, realizing that the blood and the burns she saw were real, she flung the door open to bring them inside, Only then looking up to see a very tall figure carrying Sweetie Belle's unconscious form in his arms wrapped in a strange mottled green cloak. She might have been afraid of him, but concern for her young friend overrode her misgivings as Fluttershy recognized that the way the alien figure carried Sweetie Belle was to combat shock. Though wary, she watched the figure set Rarity’s younger sister down very gently, keeping her hooves slightly elevated.

“He saved us! Don’t know who he is, but can ya help her?” Apple Bloom pleaded with the older mare, tears glimmering in her eyes, forgetting her own pain for a moment as she sensed that of her friend’s.

“I’ll do what I can, but she needs a doctor! You all do!” Fluttershy knew that time was short and she needed to fetch Nurse Redheart and Dr. Horse from Ponyville General Hospital. After tending to their immediate injuries, she then flew out of her cottage as fast as her wings could carry her with Sweetie Belle in her arms, not caring that she was only wearing a sheer camisole and high cut T back panties.

“Do you think anyone would mind her going out like that?” Kylnn Ka' Tar asked Braxton in a soft mental whisper.

“I personally didn't mind her showing up like that,” Braxton mentally stated in a matter-of-fact tone as he watched her leave with more than purely academic interest.

“You're a man after all. Of course you wouldn't,” Kylnn Ka Tar playfully teased

“I will without shame acknowledge beauty. Particularly coming from one as clearly kind as she,” Braxton returned the mental joust.

“Be that as it may, there will be a lot of fear and anxiety coming, because of those three fledglings I fear,” Kylnn Ka' Tar conveyed to Braxton, turning serious.

“Yes and when the three girls are deemed safe, matters will turn to you and I. We need to prepare,” Braxton said mentally.

While waiting for Fluttershy to return, Braxton sat on the floor keeping a watchful eye on the two young fillies in his charge. He opened the pocket at the top of his bandoleer taking out the little pocket book and unfolding it to the textbook as the two fillies watched in awe at the magic trick he had just performed.

Smiling at their reaction, Braxton opened the back of the book and took out ten pages of loose parchment, though he hoped he didn't need that many as he squeezed the book's spine and pulled out a calligraphy styled pen and a small vial of ink. Now possessing what he needed, Braxton flipped back to the front of the book and started writing while Applebloom and Scootaloo watched what he was doing with great interest.

Fluttershy entered the front door of the hospital, barely slowing down to a canter, before coming up to the nurse’s station. She drew quite a few eyes both from stallions and mares alike, to the point that a few mothers elected to cover the eyes of their impressionable young colts.

Fluttershy found Nurse Redheart at the nurse’s station and hurried up to her, a swaddled Sweetie Belle still in her arms The five foot three inch silvery earth pony had a carnation pink mane and tail and sharp blue eyes that were now assessing who stood before her.

With what she knew of the pony before her she instantly surmised that one or more of the CMC had gotten hurt, or Rainbow dash had done something incredibly stupid. She perked her ears to better listen to what the pretty pegasus had to say between pants, having flown in a hurry while carrying a load she was not used to.

“Nurse...Redheart...so much blood...the other fillies… hurt… burned… going to… get Twilight… get Doctor… Horse to… my house… to help them.” Fluttershy finished, passing her Sweetie Belle before running back out of the hospital and taking to the air again.

Recognizing the seriousness of Sweetie Belle’s injuries, Nurse Redheart quickly left the nurse’s station to find Dr. Horse and give him both the young mare and relate to him the overall situation. She gave the cloak to Fluttershy to cover herself for modesty's sake, and wrapped Sweetie Belle in a warming blanket.

Dr Horse, a five foot nine inch brown unicorn with brown mane and tail enjoyed the night shift with a cup of tea. He hoped that the night would be uneventful and even made a wish to the moon despite it being full. Medical professional that he was, full moon nights were always busy. Not a question of if, but a question of when. Dr. Horse put his tea down.

But the good doctor should have known better, as Nurse Redheart came into the lounge. “Doctor, we have a patient in bad shape, and it would also appear that there are more injured fillies were she came from,” she informed him, leading him to where Sweetie Belle was already being attended to by multiple nurses, who were removing the warming blankets and cutting her clothes away to give her a proper assessment for Dr. Horse.

“What do we have here, Nurse Coldheart?” Dr. Horse asked.

A stark white mare, five foot five, turned to address Dr. Horse. Her mane and tail was navy blue, and her crystal blue eyes looked toward the doctor. “We have a female filly, Sweetie Belle, roughly thirteen to fourteen years of age, presenting with Acute Stress Reaction, and mild hypertension. No traumatic injuries, Doctor.”

“Very well, Nurse Coldheart, elevate the filly’s feet above her head, keep her warm, set up a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder interview, notify the filly’s parents and monitor the hypertension for adverse changes.” Dr. Horse turned to Nurse Redheart. “Nurse Redheart, what are the facts presenting with the other fillies?”

Nurse Redheart gave the few facts that Fluttershy had related to her for the doctor. “It seems that the CMC have run into trouble and the other two are at Fluttershy's cottage. Injuries unknown, but Fluttershy talked of burns and blood.”

“I see. Let us not dawdle, Nurse Redheart!” Once Sweetie Belle was stabilized and left in the capable hooves of the other nurses, Dr. Horse grabbed his bag for house calls with Nurse Redheart in tow. His patient safe, he knew it was time to tend to others, so lit his horn and teleported off to Fluttershy's cottage.

Meanwhile, in the center of Ponyville at the Castle Of Friendship, a five-foot-tall dragon with scales of soft green and purple was attempting without much success to calm a near-hyperventilating five foot seven Alabaster white unicorn with deep violet hair and ocean-blue but very bloodshot eyes.

“Come on, Rarity, the other two CMC members are with Sweetie Belle. I'm sure she is safe,” Spike said reassuringly, spreading his hands in a calming gesture.

“Spike, Sweetie Belle has never been out this long! She left a note saying they were going into the Everfree with only the clothes on their backs, and you know how dangerous that is! This is the... worst...possible...thing!” Rarity said, melodramatically putting her hand to her forehead as she threw herself backwards as if she were fainting. She might have fell to the floor were it not for the red chaise lounge encased in a blue aura that slid under the fashionista to catch her.

A five-foot-ten-inch tan athletic mare with blonde mane and tail pushed her brown stetson cowboy hat back to show her tired emerald-green eyes as she sat in a throne of crystal with three apples embossed into the thrones’ high back. “Rarity, I swear you can be such a drama queen. Them fillies ain't been missin more than a few hours, not days. It’s way too early to panic, though Ah swear though when I get my hands on Applebloom, she's gonna learn not ta be out this late!”

While Rarity sat up upon her couch, a bright pink five-foot-three-inch voluptuous mare with an equally bright pink mane and tail paired with sapphire blue eyes came out of the kitchen nearby with a tray of cupcakes in one hand and some tissues in the other as she presented them to Rarity. “Tissue for the issue?”

“Thank you, Pinkie.” Rarity said as she used the tissue to wipe away the running mascara and dry her eyes.

“Hey!” Pinkie exclaimed in an excited voice, drawing the attention of everypony in the room. ”Maybe they are late because they got attacked in the Everfree but were saved by somepony exotic and are now being helped by him!?” she suggested as she set the cupcake tray down on the map table.

Rarity and Applejack's eyebrows went up and down giving Pinkie a “really” look as a voice drew the three mares attention “Pinkie, have you been reading Spike's comic books again?” A rather busty five-foot-six-inch lavender Alicorn mare put a hand over her mouth to stifle a yawn, looking to her friends running her other hand through her long blue mane that had a natural purple and pink stripe with the same complement to her tail.

Pinkie cocked her ears slightly. “It could happen, Twilight!” she insisted, passing around her cupcakes.

Behind Twilight, an athletic five-foot-nine-inch cyan-colored mare with a prismatic mane and tail walked into the room, already munching on one of the cupcakes as she looked to her friend. “Come on, Twilight, let the mare dream.”

Pinkie smiled, giving a small squeak as she did. “Thank you, Rainbow Dash!”

“She can dream if she wants, but sorry Pinkie, that sounds like something out of a Daring Do novel and it's just not pos...” Twilight sighed, putting a hand to her face, realizing what was about to come out of her muzzle. This earned a small round of giggles from all the mares in the room before her mind came back to the reason all of them were up so late, save one.

“Okay so Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo have been gone since ten this morning, and according to the note they left, they were going to the Everfree to make bows and arrows even though they knew they weren’t supposed to go in there unless they wanted to visit Zecora. But Zecora just replied to Spike’s dragonfire letter saying she hadn’t seen them, and worse, all of them know to be back by sundown. Given that it's now nearing ten o'clock, it’s been twelve hours since they left, so something must be wrong. I will cast a spell and see where they show up on this scroll map, and then we will go get them together.”

This brought a unanimous yes from the mares in the room as Twilight began to charge her horn for the spell the doors. But she didn’t get a chance to cast it before the door to the room slammed open, revealing Fluttershy in her night clothes, a mottled green and brown cloak billowing around her shoulders, and panting as though she had run a marathon.

“I think you missed in your spell, Twilight. Though it is great Fluttershy is here! And oooo… I think she may have been busy tonight!” Pinkie said, taking no little note of what Fluttershy was wearing.

Ignoring the eyes on her, Fluttershy walked in and leaned heavily on a badly blushing Twilight, completely out of breath. “Twilight… come now… my house...CMC...hurt bad… already have... been to ...hospital... attacked by creature... help...” she managed just before passing out from her exertion.

Twilight helped Rainbow Dash catch their friend, then kept her floating in the air; if the situation hadn’t been so urgent she might have taken more note of Pinkies' interest in Fluttershy's taste in nightclothes. “Okay, everyone gather around! We are headed to Fluttershy's right now!”

The mares and Spike didn't need to be told twice as Twilight charged her horn, everypony joining hands as the group vanished in a mass teleportation spell.

Before Fluttershy had even arrived at the castle, Dr. Horse and Nurse Redheart were first on the scene at Fluttershy’s cottage. Upon seeing the two burned and injured fillies and their strange companion, Dr Horse began treating Scootaloo while Nurse Redheart attended Applebloom.

Despite the bloodied clothes and a few minor burns, neither of the pair two had any signs of serious physical injury, but their mental and emotional state was another matter as Dr. Horse heard from both Applebloom and Scootaloo about the monster that attacked them. He quickly reassured them that Sweetie Belle was safe, being treated at the hospital, and he’d take them there once he was satisfied their injuries wouldn’t preclude them traveling there. .

Their patients treated, the two medical professionals then looked to the enigma in the room that seemed to be like the eye of a hurricane, staying out of the way while just finishing up scratching runes onto a sheet of paper.

“I know not your race, but they say you saved them. Are you hurt?” Dr Horse asked, turning his attention to the odd alien.

Realizing he was being addressed, Braxton looked up but said nothing as the healer before him spoke in a language he didn't understand, indicating his lack of comprehension by speaking a few words of his own language and shaking his head. Nurse Redheart was trying to figure out how she could ask to examine him when a bright flash filled the living room, startling Braxton as six more mares now stood within it.

Dr. Horse now had one more patient to treat as he saw the exhausted mare in both Rainbow Dash's and Twilight's arms. Nurse Redheart took Fluttershy to her bedroom with Spike’s help a and the next series of events for Dr. Horse and Nurse Redheart unfolded with all the speed of an Emergency Room weathering a small natural disaster.

Seeing her little sister's shredded and bloody clothes, Applejack screamed and ran to her, trying to see if her younger sister Applebloom was hurt, rifling off questions and accusations so fast the little filly couldn't get a word in edgewise before finally hugging her.

Rarity, upon learning that Sweetie Belle was more seriously hurt and now kept at Ponyville hospital, passed out with more justification this time only to be caught in Twilight's magic.

For her part, Twilight couldn't contain her excitement once it was clear the three girls were safe and attended to. For there was a human here, and she wanted badly to know how he got here, but was busy having to deal with Rarity at the moment.

Pinkie wanted to meet the newcomer as well. He tried to give him one of her flying welcome to Ponyville hugs only to crash into Fluttershy's wall after going through Braxton's displaced form, the real one watching her initially somewhat warily but then with more interest as Pinkie groaned with her face in the corner and her rear in the air.

Seeing this, Dr. Horse facepalmed. He was not surprised these six mares and the CMC were involved, but the addition of the strange creature added a new element entirely. knowing chaos would follow.

Braxton watched all of this unfold around him staying perfectly still, his senses taking in everything around him when a voice rippled through his mind

“What a curious world. We live in interesting times, my Brother,” Kylnn Ka' Tar noted flatly

“Indeed. But I'm still trying to figure out if that is a blessing...or a curse…” mused Braxton thoughtfully, wondering what surprises this new place had in store for him.

Chapter 4 - Introductions, Mysteries, And Questions

Chapter 4

Introductions, Mysteries and Questions

Braxton took stock of what was a modestly sized living room, filled to what could best be described as 'uncomfortably full'. Crammed in its environs were two female fledglings, seven adult females, two males—including himself, and, much to his surprise, a dragon hatchling who seemed to be some sort of familiar for the mare who had both wings and horn. As eclectic a group as he now found himself in, he mused that the scene before him would've been better served in a inn or a pub rather than a house… which in turn left him wondering what kind of spirits they served in this as-yet unknown world.

Once it was clear that the fillies were safe, their wounds tended thanks to the good Dr. Horse, all eyes turned to the other visitor in the room.

Braxton had not moved from his corner of the room as the pink mare got to her hands and hooves, asking questions in her race’s language as fast as she could rifle them off. Unable to understand or answer her, the human mage remained seated on the floor to make himself as non-threatening as possible, hoping that his next actions would not provoke a violent response and that he could do this to understand as well as be understood.

As they watched, Braxton set three pages of parchment on the floor in front of him. Then he took a moment to read from the two pages he had been working on, carefully checking his spell for errors. Satisfied with the finished product, he recited a separate incantation and the words on the document erupted in a flash of smoke and light;his fingertips began to glow a light blue.

Braxton placed his left hand on the open book he had, before touching the blank pieces of parchment with the glowing fingers of his right. As he did so, words appeared to burn themselves upon the parchment, showing that he had succeeded in what he was attempting… though what the spell was, his slightly nervous observers weren’t sure. His task complete, the glow faded and all his spare writing materials found their way back into the book, which he then refolded down to the pocket size he kept it in for traveling. Knowing he had the room for what he needed to do next, he pulled a small clay ziggurat from a pouch on his belt and set it down. Taking a moment, he begins reading from the parchment, the spell taking shape before it begins to take hold. The ziggurat first shattered upon the spell’s final syllable, and then the parchment burned to a crisp, indicating to him that the magic was at work now.

The room had a palpable silence after the display of spellcasting from the stranger, each of the members of the room perceiving it in different ways, though all couldn’t help but feel some kind of electric charge was in the air, enough to make the fur of their coats stand on end.

For earth ponies like Applejack, Applebloom, Pinkie Pie and Nurse Redheart, it felt like a pulse they could feel in their hooves before it traveled up their bones and bounced back, almost like two strong magnets being attracted to each other while simultaneously trying to keep themselves apart.

For pegasi like Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Scootaloo, they felt it in their wings, almost like a static charge was building up. This caused their wings to stand out somewhat embarrassingly and make it look like they were fluffing up some.

For unicorns like Rarity, and Dr. Horse, they felt it resonate within their horns, the unfamiliar energies reacting with their own auras to send a sudden chill down their spines.

But for an alicorn like Twilight Sparkle, she had to deal with all the sensations that everypony else felt, but all of them at once due to her connection to all three types of pony, leaving her almost overwhelmed, recognizing the great and intricate spellwork he’d just done—a type of magic as of yet unfamiliar to her, but resonating strongly with her own.

For his part, Spike felt little in the way of physical effects, but he did perceive some sort of faint pull in the back of his mind. He only describe it as of like some sort of forgotten memory he couldn’t quite grasp or recall, but he didn't know what to make of it.

If Braxton didn't have much space around him before, the surprised shuffling and shifting back from him when he opened his mouth and spoke to his new hosts would've guaranteed it. "Greetings, gentlefolk. Be at peace, and be assured I mean you no ill will. It is good to see fledglings returned to their families." Braxton's voice was a rich, warm baritone as he looked to all within the room to gauge their reactions.

Applebloom was first to shake off the sheer surprise of hearing the figure speak. “I thought you couldn't speak, mister?” she asked him warily, her hooves still tingling from his spell.

Braxton looked over at Applebloom, warmth in his gaze, "You are correct. I can't speak your language, young one. The spell I cast allows for us to briefly understand each other... at least for the next sixteen minutes."

His gaze then shifted to the pink mare looking him over— less fear than interest—as he stood up, drawing himself to his full height of six feet two inches. "Permit me to introduce myself. I am Braxton Zeddmoore,” he said, bowing low. “And whose company do I have the pleasure of...?"

Uncertain of the new development, the equines didn’t reply right away, whispering among themselves. All, that was, except for Pinkie Pie, who gasped loudly before rocketing out of the cottage at a speed that would've made Rainbow wonder if she wasn't hiding a pair of wings.

While Braxton stood and gave his name in the hopes of gaining those of the his hosts in turn, Nurse Redheart leaned in close to Rainbow Dash and whispered softly to her. "Never seen his like before, but that is one tall drink of water, am I right, Dash?"

"Wing-boner inducing..." Rainbow whispered no sooner than her wings did just that with an audible 'Pomf!', drawing the attention of the other girls while Rainbow blushed and Redheart giggled.

Braxton's eyes caught the movement before his gaze shifted to Dr. Horse. “You have every right not to trust me, given the manner of my appearance,” he offered easily, then tried a different tact, turning fully to Dr. Horse. “Forgive me, good healer, but I believe you had asked me a question when you first arrived. I believe I might be able to answer it now?”

Dr. Horse was taken aback for a moment, but seemed to be recovering quicker than the mares. “Yes, Mr. Zeddmoore. My name is Dr. Horse. And I asked if you were injured along with the young fillies.”

Braxton shook his head before speaking, "No, I am uninjured. But I appreciate your concern and the excellent care you rendered to these fledglings. You are clearly a healer of some skill. And please, all of you can just call me Braxton. Mr. Zeddmoore is my father. I'm just glad I was able to save them from the chimera."

“What in tarnation is a ki-mer-what-now?” Applejack stepped forward to protect Applebloom, interrupting the conversation between Braxton and Dr. Horse. “And is this thing still loose around here?”

Braxton turned his gentle gaze towards Applejack. "No, my good lady, the chimera is dead. Slain by my hand to protect those three fillies. I will need to return to it at first light if I am to get some answers out of it."

“Not alone you aren't, bub,” said Rainbow Dash walking up to Braxton, locking eyes with him and drawing close in an attempt to be authoritarian. “Those woods are dangerous.”

“Like all of you fillies shoulda already known?” She glared at Applebloom in particular, who cringed. “What in the hay were you thinking, going in there alone and wandering off-path?”

While Applejack scolded her baby sister, Dr. Horse turned his attention back to Braxton. "Thank you for taking care of the three fillies, Braxton. All here would agree they can be a handful!" he remarked, looking to each of the two who shrunk from his stern gaze as well. "Their wounds are treated and they will be fine with some rest. The third filly that Miss Fluttershy brought to the hospital was in shock, but she had no other injuries, and should be just fine after a good night's sleep in a calm environment. I would however like to see them again soon to get a sense of the emotional trauma. This chimera creature does not sound kind in the least, and the injuries young Applebloom suffered support that."

As the back-and-forth continued, the tug of war that was going on within Twilight's mind between the forces of Curiosity and Suspicion was finally concluded, and curiosity won out after that last statement. She felt that things were getting out of hoof and needed to be put back in order. "Alright everypony, please allow me to speak."

The room fell silent as the ponies took a moment to bow to Twilight. “As you wish, Princess,” Dr. Horse answered for all of them, and stepped back.

Twilight looked to Braxton. "I am sorry, Sir Braxton, but before things get out of hand we should tell you our names. It would be rude of us not to, after you gave us yours earlier,” she told the others pointedly. “I will start with myself, I am Twilight Sparkle," Twilight bowed to him, and then began to point to each of the other ponies in the room. "That is Dr. Horse and Nurse Redheart. The one in front of you there is Rainbow Dash, over there is Applejack and her sister Applebloom,” she introduced each in turn. “The filly on the couch is Scootaloo, by her is Rarity. Over there in the bedroom is Fluttershy; she owns this cottage as you’ve probably already figured out. The one you took to the hospital is Sweetie Belle, and this here is Spike, the only dragon living in Ponyville. The mare that tore out of here in a hurry is Pinkie Pie, I am sure you will meet her again soon enough."

Braxton gave a bow. “A pleasure to meet all of you. Before you begin asking me the many questions I’m sure you have, may I in first ask two of my own?”

“Of course.” Twilight beamed.

“My first question, mare Twilight, is... where am I?” Braxton looked to Twilight as she spoke.

“You don’t know?” Rainbow Dash was incredulous, but Twilight waved her off.

"He’s clearly not from around here, Rainbow. You are in the land of Equestria, Braxton Zeddmore, and land ruled by the alicorn princesses Celestia and her sister Luna, keepers of the sun and moon." Twilight watched as Braxton moved his right hand to his chin in thought.

"Keepers, you say? Interesting…” the human mage looked intrigued to his equine hosts as he considered that information. “I wish to know more, and that leads me to my second question, mare Twilight. I seek a library, or other repository of books and academia, so I may learn about this world I find myself in. Does the nearby village possess one?"

To his surprise, his polite request was met with grimaces, and the look on Twilight's face was as though she had just been slapped. The winged unicorn’s ears wilted as she spoke her next words in a somber tone. "We had one…” she said sadly.

"Did I say something to cause you melancholy, good lady Twilight?" Braxton asked softly while looking into Twilight's violet eyes, concerned he might have upset his hosts. And to see her before him, the young mare was unquestionably a fair maiden as well...

"No... no..." Twilight broke eye contact, her face flushing when she noticed to Braxton’s appraising look before giving off a sad sigh. "Ponyville is still recovering from a fight we had with Tirek, a power-hungry centaur who tried to claim my power as his own. The library—my long-time home—was destroyed in the battle." She turned away, tears in her eyes.

“Then I offer my most sincere sympathies for the loss of your home, good mare Twilight.” Braxton gave another bow to Twilight.

“Thank you, but my proper title is ‘Princess’, Sir Braxton,” she told him, having no idea if the honorific was appropriate but deciding he’d earned it just for saving the CMC.

“Very well… Princess…” he gave her a deeper bow, causing her to blush slightly and leaving him wondering exactly what kind of royalty she was.

Dr. Horse cleared his throat at that moment to get Braxton's attention. “Sir Braxton, we thank you for summoning us to the aid of these fillies, but we do have other patients to attend. So if Nurse Redheart and myself are no longer needed, we must return to the hospital.” He put a hand on the Nurse Redheart’s shoulder, readying to teleport them both away.

Braxton nodded his understanding to both of them. "Then before you depart, hold a moment, good healer." Dr. Horse and Nurse Redheart looked to each other and then to him as Braxton reached into a small pouch upon his waist and took out two coins of what looked to be silver. "I am a man who always settles his debts. This is for services rendered, and for the trouble of coming on short notice." Both looked over the two coins with curiosity, neither one bore the mark of Celestia and were quite a bit larger than the standard bit. Each coin felt heavier than two normal bits, and had a mark of a dragon’s head on one side, and its tail on the other. “They are made of Platinum, which I hope is a precious metal here as well.”

“It is indeed, and a coin of this size is worth much. Thank you, Braxton Zeddmore,” The equine healer said, passing a coin to Nurse Redheart. She smiled and looked dreamily at Braxton, before mouthing the words “Thank you.” Then, Dr. Horse teleported them back to the hospital.

Braxton looked back over to the remainder of the group, "I fear my spell does not have much longer, and it may be some time more before I recast it. Is there anything you desire to learn before it does?"

“I have one,” Braxton's eyes turned to Twilight, who spoke first. "How can a human use magic? I haven't encountered a single one that could," the equine princess asked him.

"Devoted my life to the study of the arcane arts, like any human that wishes to learn." Braxton then looked to Rainbow Dash.

“If you are a Human magic user, you must have a cutie mark for it. Can we see it?” Rainbow Dash asked failing to hide the curiosity in her voice, hoping against hope to get a look at his human flank.

To her disappointment, Braxton’s brow furrowed in some confusion. "I fear I know not what a 'Cutie Mark' is, mare Dash, but most humans are quite capable of learning anything they set their minds to."

“No cutie marks?” chorused Applebloom and Scootaloo, apparently aghast at the idea, while Rainbow likewise couldn't hide the look of disappointment and pity for a race that didn't get them.

Scootaloo came forward next. “Can I see your sword, Braxton? It looks really cool!”

Braxton gave a soft, warm chuckle. “Sorry,young mare Scootaloo. But there are no monsters about or lives in danger so within its scabbard Klynn Ka' Tar must remain.” Braxton turned around and lowered himself to Scootaloo's level. “However, you're free to examine it upon my back.”

Scootaloo looked over the sword—it was quite the sight to see. The first thing that caught her attention was the pale lavender ellipsoid stone that made up the pommel. The stone had mercurial stars that seemed to shimmer softly in the soft light of the cottage. The handle was some sort of hardwood, with what looked like expensive silver filigree etchings within it. The crossgaurd meanwhile looked to be made of gold and and was shaped like a dragon posed in a gentle 'S' shape with the head near the pommel and the tail acting like a back strap guard. The throat of the scabbard had a polished brass dragon’s head with a open mouth that gave the illusion that it was swallowing the sword when sheathed. A silver silken cord that was braided went from there to the tip, attaching to a polished brass cap that was also shaped like a dragon’s face.

Mesmerized, she reached out to touch it, but Braxton moved out of the way as he moved to look at another one of the girls to answer their question.

“Kl-ynn Ka-tar? Why is the sword named, Braxton?” Applebloom asked, to which the human adventurer smiled.

“Where I come from, young mare Applebloom, swords are named for either those that forged them, heroes who wielded them, or the great deeds that they have accomplished. Translated, Klynn Ka' Tar means 'Seed of Justice'.”

“Really? That is so cool…” Applebloom beamed, and Spike and Scootaloo looked amazed as well, but her older sister was less impressed.

Applejack stepped up and narrowed her eyes at Braxton. “I don’t get it. Why would somepony who could use magic ever have to be needin a sword like that?”

Braxton gave Applejack a soft smile. “A normal magic user, yes, they would have no need of it. But to a war mage, mare Applejack... a sword is no different than your fingers, your tail, or your hooves. It is an instrument of my will and being, an extension of body no less than your own limbs.”

“War mage? Is there a war where you come from?” she asked next.

“No, but there is need of warriors… like myself. And my sword is part of what makes me one,” he explained patiently.

Applejack wanted to know more, like why it looked like it could feed a small country if you melted it down, but Braxton merely raised his hand to stop her as he turned his gaze to the young drake, who had as yet been silent, staring at him with less fear than curiosity.

“Forgive me for cutting more questions short, but my spell fades now. Before it disappears, I have a question for you, young drake. Would you be willing to answer?” Braxton asked politely.

Surprised, Spike looked to Braxton; like Scootaloo he was enthralled with the sword the war mage wore upon his back. “Uh, sure? If I can answer, Braxton, I will.”

“Very well, then…” Braxton seemed to think a moment before he opened his mouth again, but when he did he spoke in a different language: “Can you understand this tongue, young Spike?”

Spike blinked a moment before another pull came itching at the back of his mind. When he opened his mouth, he spoke in the same language that Braxton had, leaving him laughing in wonder and the mares totally gobsmacked, Twilight most of all. “Yes! I can! But how !? I've never spoken in this language before! I’ve never even heard it! So how do I know it?” he was suddenly desperate to know.

A wide smile that could brighten any room and warm, rich laughter danced over Braxton's finely chiseled features. "A true gift of dragon father lo... Ancestral Recall. The right stimulus at the right time unlocks new abilities from your lineage. In turn leaving you able to do them as effortlessly as you draw your next breath."

“WOW! What else can I do?” Spike said as he walked over to Braxton, his green eyes burning with a curiosity that hadn't been there at the start of this night.

"I don't know, only another from your lineage can truly tell you Spike. And to that end, shall we head to what we hope is a library? I will need your help tonight." Braxton gave him a soft smile. "You should probably tell them where we are off to. I fear the spell has worn off and it seems that they do not speak Draconic like we can."

“You bet!” Spike nodded in agreement and was just shaking Twilight out of her surprise when Pinkie Pie returned with one of her party cannons.

“Hey Braxton and everypony! Who is ready to par-tay?!” Pinkie shouted, and everypony in the room was caught by surprise as the pink earth pony lit her party cannon.

A brilliant flash of light lit up every window in Fluttershy's cottage for a fraction of a second, before confetti rained out every open window—and the chimney, onto the roof. The cottage stood in eerie silence for a few moments, its guests covered in confetti, before Pinkie Pie could be heard softly whispering, “oops.”

Chapter 5 - A New Day Old Problems, And A Sense Of Wonder

Chapter 5

A New Day, Old Problems, and a Sense Of Wonder

The sun rose over Equestria, as had been the case every morning for the thousand years of Celestia’s reign.

The six-foot-two white alicorn stood in a sheer robe upon her balcony high above the city of Canterlot, using her arms and wings to control the ebb and flow of magic to guide the sun into position for the day. As she lowered her limbs and released her magical hold on the solar body, her mane and tail slowly returned from the soft fiery orange that it took whenever she was raising and lowering the sun, to its more normal hues; a flowing pastel blue mixed with sea green and soft pink. Once the magic had returned to equilibrium, her hair began to softly billow within an ethereal breeze.

Letting the sunlight play upon her face, she closed her violet eyes and gave a genuine smile, more than likely the only one she would give all day. She knew full well that today was not going to be a pleasant day in royal court, for Celestia's sister, Luna, had informed her upon awakening that several of her subjects had been killed by a very strange creature which the night guard had only managed to slay after losing three of their number, bringing the total death toll the creature had inflicted to thirteen.

Celestia took one last breath, gathering herself carefully before mentally stepping behind her mask and regal bearing. As she crossed her room, calling her royal regalia to her and dressing herself as she walked, she gave a passing thought to Discord, causing her to scowl. “That damned draconequus better deliver what he promised... a way to make it up to us,” she said quietly to herself, thinking she’d believe it when she saw it and not before. After his near-disastrous alliance with Tirek and betrayal of the element bearers, Fluttershy foremost among them, he had a long way to go before he had atoned.

Still, that was not something she could address for now, as more immediate problems presented themselves. Putting thoughts of him out of her mind for now, she put on a regal smile and stepped out of her room off to royal court, for she had letters of condolences to send, fears to quell, flank-kissing nobles competing for her hoof (much to her eternal displeasure), and a kingdom to guide all before breakfast.

Braxton awoke in three and half inches of confetti, feeling like he had been run over by several carts, each a little heavier than the last. “My head… what happened, Kylnn?” he muttered to himself, rubbing his temples and feeling like he’d just gone at least three rounds of drinks too many at his favorite pub.

“Oh, nothing much. Just Pinkie making enough noise to wake the gods with some sort of insane party favors,” Kylnn Ka' tar muttered.

Braxton looked around for Spike, and sure enough, he found the drake—but as he was about to wake him, he saw the two fillies, Applebloom and Scootaloo, snuggled in Spike’s arms, resting peacefully.

“Hate to wake them up,” Braxton thought, thinking the scene looked far too adorable.

“All well and good, but he would make the better interpreter unless you wanted to spend an hour performing two spells for sixteen minutes of talking,” Kylnn Ka' Tar countered in a tone of mild amusement.

“Touché,” Braxton mused softly. “Let’s see if I can do this by just waking him…”

Braxton lightly tapped Spike’s foot, taking care to not touch the two fillies he was holding. Somewhat blearily, Spike opened his eyes to see Braxton bringing his finger to his lips but beckoning him to follow. Spike merely nodded, very gently disentangling himself from the other two, who stirred and moaned once or twice, but didn’t awake, still sleeping off the ordeal of the previous day.

To his credit, Spike managed to get out from under pair without waking them, having grabbed them as he tried to protect them from the concussive blast of the party cannon, which by going off in a closed room had all but knocked everyone out. Still, he was unable hide the blush on his face that he had been caught. Though worries about that quickly took a backseat to other matters as he heard sharp and angry voices coming from the kitchen.

“What's going on in there?” Braxton asked as Spike stood up and threw a blanket over the two girls, who instantly and instinctively cuddled up to each other lacking him.

“Oh, they’re just fighting about Pinkie's party cannon.” Spike listened for a moment more before his eyes became very large. He looked to Braxton. “Don't make me translate that one, please?”

Braxton chuckled softly. “I can imagine. I would be upset, too, if a friend made a needless mess of my home, so let's go see if we can help out. Plus, we have to thank our hostess.”

“Okay, but I’m not sure she’s in the mood to be thanked. Truth be told, I've never heard Fluttershy that angry before,” Spike warned as the two of them entered the kitchen. Their entrance silenced the arguments instantly, all the mares immediately locking eyes on Spike and Braxton.

“That is why you look out for the quiet ones…” Braxton noted as he turned his head to look at the mares, none of whom looked happy about being interrupted save for Pinkie, who looked relieved—if rather crestfallen. “...and when they travel in packs.”

Spike took a moment to recollect his thoughts before he spoke to the girls as they played an impromptu round of musical ponies. Upon seeing Braxton, Fluttershy forgot her anger and quickly hid behind Twilight, wrapping Braxton’s mottled green cloak more tightly around her over her thin nightclothes, while Rarity leaned forward in her chair and put her elbows on the table with her hands framing her face as she looked to both of the boys, annoyed at the interruption. Applejack and Rainbow Dash immediately moved to Twilight's side, a step ahead of her, to either side of Twilight's flanks, giving Fluttershy an extra layer of protection, their attention now off Pinkie on the chair in front, looking like she was about ready to burst into tears.

Spike felt uncertain to see all this, but forged ahead anyway. “Sorry to interrupt girls. Braxton was wondering if there was anything he could do to help out Fluttershy as a way to thank his hostess?”

Rarity merely sighed, looking to both Spike and Braxton. Not for the first time, she noted how both Spike and the newcomer seemed to cultivate an aura of well-bred manners, leaving her wondering yet again if young drake she had overlooked for so long just might be a true diamond in the rough.

Applejack and Rainbow Dash didn't move from Twilight's side, but Fluttershy's voice could be heard as she was peeking out at Braxton, peering over Twilight’s shoulder at him. “Oh, my… well, um, if it isn't too much trouble, could he perhaps help clean up?” she requested very nervously, in direct contrast to how immediately and fearlessly she had leapt into action upon seeing the CMC injured.

Spike turned to Braxton and conversed with him in Draconic for a moment before turning back to the mares. “Braxton says he will accept his hostess' request with one lone caveat: That Pinkie be allowed to help, since she was just trying to be welcoming to a new guest, if ‘a little over-enthusiastic’,” he quoted his new human friend directly.

His request seemed to take all the anger out of the kitchen, as even Fluttershy apologized for maybe being a bit too harsh with her tongue lashing. That made Pinkie smile once again and the girls embraced in a group hug as Braxton and Spike left the Kitchen, the sight of it making their male minds go in various adult directions...

He wasted little time beginning the cleanup effort. As Braxton walked down the hallway a small little whirlwind followed behind him and Spike, seeming to pick up the confetti as it went. Sensing the odd energy that accompanied it, Twilight stuck her head out of the kitchen to get Spike’s attention about breakfast, but saw the little whirlwind and was immediately enthralled by it. She watched with amazement as it very efficiently cleaned up the hallway, sucking all the confetti up into it instead of scattering it. To her surprise, the little magical creation then split into three at the end of the hallway to triple the ground it could cover in the living room, at which point Twilight magically summoned her study book to take notes.

She wasn’t sure what to make of it, as it was unlike any magic she’d seen. She could feel the magic Braxton had used to create it, but in comparison to her own—or anypony else’s for that matter—it felt different. It didn’t feel dark or dangerous, but it still gave Twilight a cold chill to touch his magic.

After an hour of magical vacuuming and simple sweeping, the confetti was completely picked up and Fluttershy's cottage was clean once more. In that space of time, Twilight had taken a few pages of notes, but still didn’t understand how he did it. “Spike, could you ask Braxton what type of magic he used?” she turned to and asked her scribe.

Spike nodded and looked to Braxton. “Twilight would like to know what type of spells you used to clean up the house so quick?”

Braxton thought a moment before giving Spike what to translate back. “It's called a Cantrip. Think of them as minor spells that allow apprentices to tap minute amounts of magical energy. These are taught before actual spells, and are more toys than tools. Like a child crawling before they walk.”

Twilight giggled like a school filly as she wrote down what Spike had said to her. She may have found Braxton's magic cold, but it was unquestionably interesting, leaving her wondering what she could learn from him.

Recognizing her schoolgirl gleam from long experience, Spike looked up to Braxton with a knowing look upon his face. “I think you have a new fan, Braxton. I would be afraid.”

Braxton chuckled. “She seems quite powerful in her own right. You may tell her I will answer any questions she may have, later, once we have solved the language issue. In the meantime, we still have a library to visit. So shall we go, Spike?”

“Yes, before Twilight decides she wants me to ask you more questions,” Spike said as he began to head for the cottage door, but Braxton stopped him with a hand on his scaled shoulder.

“Before we leave, I need to grab my cloak. Spike, can you ask the one called Fluttershy to give it back to me please?” he asked.

“Leave it to me, Braxton!” Spike said a bit too eagerly, his face lighting up as he remembered that Fluttershy was only wearing a sheer nightgown under the cloak.

Spike found the CMC in the kitchen eating breakfast next to their respective sisters, the fillies unusually quiet but their faces lighting up when Spike came in. Fluttershy was finishing up her own meal as she smiled and pulled the cloak more tightly around her as she was talking to Rarity, who was visibly admiring the material, running it through her hands and testing its properties with her magic. “It really keeps you warm, Rarity. I don't know what it's made out of, but it's soft as velvet and feels like silk.” She hugged it more tightly to herself, feeling not just warm but protected in its embrace.

Rarity was looking over the fabric intrigued not so much by the mottled coloring but the iridescent shimmer that danced in the fabric as light played over the cloak. “I must find out what this is made of! The way it glimmers reminds me of breezy wings if you think about it.”

“I agree, Rarity.” Fluttershy said softly looking over the cloaks hood

Spike cleared his throat, getting two mares’ attention. “Fluttershy? I know you how much you like it, but could you give Braxton's cloak back? He is ready to head to the library.”

Fluttershy deeply blushed. “Oh. Um, sure,” she said in disappointment, starting to slip it off her before she caught herself--and Spike staring hopefully. “Um… Spike, could you please turn around?” she requested bashfully, a far cry from delivering Sweetie Belle to the hospital in her nightgown the day before.

“Sure thing,” Spike said easily, doing as Fluttershy asked, listening for the telltale shifting of fabric. Once he heard it, he held up his hand over his shoulder as Rarity floated it to him and gently deposited it in his grasp.

“Thank you, Spike. Just walk out of the kitchen and don't look back please,” Fluttershy requested, and disappointed though he was, Spike obeyed. No matter what else he was, he would always be a Gentledrake.

“Hey Spike? Could I come with ya? I have ta tell Braxton somethin’.” Apple Bloom asked as she made her way out of the kitchen with Spike, asking her big sister if she could go with them and receiving permission.

Surprised, Spike looked back at her. “If AJ’s okay with it, I don't see why not, Apple Bloom,” Spike said with a smile as he walked out of the kitchen with the young filly in tow, finding their new human friend waiting on the porch. “Here you are, Braxton. Your cloak really had the girls’ interest piqued. So what type of cloak is this, anyway? Also, Applebloom, here has something to tell you.” Spike handed Braxton the cloak and turned towards Apple Bloom, waiting for her to say something.

“A special one,” Braxton said of the cloak with a wink and a smile, causing the young drake to answer with a flat look. “So, what would you ask me of me, young filly?” he addressed her through Spike, who quickly translated.

“Ah just wanted ta say that the fillies an me... we never said thank you fer savin' our lives,” Applebloom said, going downcast and giving Spike a glance.

“I’ll tell him.” Spike smiled and turned and told Braxton what Applebloom had said.

Braxton merely gave a warm smile and said something back to Spike, and Spike in turn told Applebloom. “Braxton says you will never have to,” he translated.

However, it turned out Applebloom wasn’t the only one who wanted to speak with Braxton, as Twilight stopped them as they made their way out of the cottage.

“Spike! Great timing! Before you go, I have some more questions to ask you to ask Braxton!” she said in an excited manner, twirling a quill pen in her aura ready to take note, all but bouncing with energy.

Spike knew full well if he gave in to her now, it would be noon before they departed. “Twilight, please! I am only one dragon, and I promised Braxton that I would help him first. He’s been waiting to go to the library since before Pinkie's Welcome To Ponyville party!” the young drake stated in an exasperated tone.

Twilight folded her arms and pouted cutely. “Fine, but I get him after you help him!” she announced, to which Spike groaned, not looking forward to being the intermediary for hours of interminable questioning.

Applebloom watched them leave through the window, then walked back into the kitchen, lost in thought, not quite getting something Braxton had said. “Hey, big sis? I have a question,” she announced, getting the attention of all.

“Okay. What's the question sugarcube?” Applejack asked, looking to her younger sister.

“Well, um…” she wasn’t sure how to ask at first, but finally decided to just plow through. “When ya tell a stallion that you never thanked ’im fer savin’ your life, and then all they do is smile ‘n tell ya, you’ll never have to... Is that stallion just brushin’ ya off?” Applebloom asked in perfect earnestness.

Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Twilight and Rarity all lightly fanned themselves as if they had suddenly became hot, but Applejack just laughed and told Applebloom the truth. “Nah. Just means he already knows yer grateful, and that’s thanks enough for him.”

“Well, here we are, Braxton,” Spike said as he pushed open the crystal double doors to reveal a great library of books. The shelves were carved from crystal stone, the floor adorned with a soft red carpet that only tapered to an end near the aisles of the shelves lined with brass.

“Impressive,” he granted, next taking in a magnificent stained glass window that allowed natural light to flood in, noting how the chandelier crystals caught the light and scattered multicolored sparkles of diffused light about the library. Braxton whistled softly as he took in the mountain of knowledge, one that would have done the scholarly halls he knew back home proud.

“It isn’t much fun organizing it, believe me. So what was the book list you needed again? Think you were about to tell me last night before Pinkie arrived.” Spike broke him out of his thoughts as he gathered a cart for the books.

“Indeed. I would like a draconic to equestrian dictionary, old and new, I will need four children's books, two for fillies and two for colts, an equestrian dictionary... and one current newspaper,” Braxton outlined, his list as Spike promptly ran off to get what he needed out of the maze of shelves.

While he was waiting, Braxton arranged the furniture so that he could recline and read, moving the last piece of furniture into place just as Spike returned with the books. The massive reference books taken up by the cart was too heavy for the adolescent dragon to easily carry, but the other items he toted under his other arm, and Braxton helped Spike get it into place. “Thank you for all your help, Spike. You've been invaluable.” Braxton said with a smile.

“My pleasure. Can I get you anything? Some coffee, or tea, or…?”

“If you have tea and perhaps some honey, I will take that. In the meantime, do not let me keep you from your duties, young drake. I fear I will be at this for some time,” he replied with an easygoing grin, already taking a strong liking to the earnest young dragon.

“Will do. And after that? Think I’m gonna nap. You can find me out in the main hall, with the giant stone table, if you like,” he told him, to which his human friend nodded his understanding.

Braxton took the books and set them up with the reference books in the center, the colt and filly books to the left, the dictionary on the right and the newspaper in hand. Braxton heard Spike yawn as he delivered the promised tea, setting his cup with a steaming kettle on a tray down next to him. “Thank you. Now go catch some sleep, my friend. It sounds like you need it.”

“Thanks.” Spike said as he stifled another yawn and made his way out of the library and was soon was fast asleep in the great hall of the castle where seven thrones of Crystal stood each bore a different cutie mark. Spike's throne bore no mark but was very comfortable to sit in, and he soon fell asleep in its familiar embrace.

The six mares each went their separate ways after breakfast, but said they would all meet back up at the castle to explore it one more time, Tirek’s attack having been a short time earlier. After the three fillies had been dropped off at their respective homes, each was told they had narrowly avoided a sound flank chewing and grounding for their behavior, which including going into the Everfree without telling anypony—and worse, going off-path into areas that were far more dangerous than the road to Zecora’s, which their zebra friend kept various alchemic wards on to guard against the attacks they’d suffered.

The first three mares to arrive were Rainbow Dash, Twilight, and Fluttershy, arriving on the strength of their wings. The other three, Applejack, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie soon soon followed on hoof. Entering the castle, they found Spike sleeping in his chair in the great hall and Braxton in the library where he said he'd be, but decided to leave him be... though more at the insistence of the other five mares in the group than Twilight, who still wanted very much to talk to him, only relenting when reminded that Spike had to be awake in order to translate for her.

Leaving him be, Pinkie was the first one to return to the Great Hall, skipping her way over to her throne and sitting down, oblivious to the cutie mark of three colorful balloons now glowing in the throne’s high crystal back.

“Let's go over this one more time,” Twilight said, not taking her own chair..

Rainbow Dash made her way to her throne, her hooves not once touching the ground and sitting on the cushion with an exasperated sigh. Her presence lit the cutie mark on her throne in the same manner as Pinkie’s, as Twilight looked ponderously over the floor and layout of the great hall. “We've been over this, like, a million times Twilight. We found all six keys, defeated Tirek, and got this awesome castle. End of story.”

“Yes but why? And what does Braxton's arrival have to do with all this?” Twilight asked, wondering out loud.

Applejack made her way over to her throne which was marked by three large red delicious apples. “I don't know, sugarcube. Maybe it's just yer new house, a gift from the Tree of Harmony, and there ain't nothing more to it than that.”

Rarity sat in a dignified manner upon her throne as the three diamonds that made her cutie mark glowed sapphire blue. “I must say, speaking strictly on aesthetics, there really doesn’t need to be more to it. It's all simply divine!” She let her eyes rove over the grand hall, taking in all the crystal decor and high halls.

“I agree with Twilight,” Fluttershy stated as she herself sat down upon her throne, a trio of butterflies on the back of her throne also beginning to glow. “And Rarity, and Applejack, and Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie,” she then looked to the sleeping dragon who was sprawled out asleep with his legs over one arm of the throne and leaning against the thrones back with a giggle. “Oh, and probably Spike.”

Unsatisfied with the offered answers, Twilight walked around the room looking to each of her friends as she spoke. “As Princess, I've been chosen to spread the Magic of Friendship across Equestria. So why would the Tree of Harmony want us to sit in a castle in Ponyville? It doesn’t make any sense!” Frustrated, Twilight finally sat in her throne, a lavender six pointed star with stars of white between the points glowing violet as it did so.

As if in answer to her pointed query, a gentle chime of magic drew each of the mares’ attention. The marks upon their thrones began to glow brighter and a rumble began to shake the floor as beams of magical energy hit the gold star seal upon the floor of the great hall. New crystal rock formations broke through the floor of the great hall a vein from each of the respective thrones before converging in the center and growing into a large open map of all Equestria before the six surprised mares.

Spike awoke with a yawn and saw the new stone table, quickly sitting up in his throne “Whoa. Is that new?... I like it,” he added with a smile, admiring the intricate map.

The mares looked to their flanks as they could feel their cutie marks pulse softly under their dresses and pants. Pinkie laughed, her flank ticklish as the cutie marks traveled from Ponyville over to a small range of mountains, coming to a stop over them.

“Um… if this is Ponyville, then why are our cutie marks over there?” Fluttershy asked pointing at the map.

“I don't know,” Twilight gave the map a sidelong glance of her own, “but it seems like the map wants us to find out. The tree, the chest, this castle, Braxton's arrival... and now the map. After all that’s happened, how can we not follow it?”

“You know what? There is a ton of room for dangerous adventure along that route!" said Rainbow Dash as she studied the path they would take, as tracing the trail with her eyes. “A brand new adventure? Count me in!” Rainbow Dash grinned.

“Aw shoot, I reckon yer right. But I have to ask—what do we do with our guest? Can we really just leave ‘im here to run loose?” Applejack asked.

“Good point,” Twilight granted, realizing this was also going to put a crimp in her plans to quiz him on his magic.

“Well I was planning on reorganizing my baking sheets. But this sounds a lot more fun! So why not get somepony to act as his escort?” Pinkie said with a grin on her face.

Rarity gave a light-hearted sigh. “Very well. I agree with Pinkie and Applejack—though he seems trustworthy, somepony still needs to keep an eye on that stallion.”

The other three mares looked to Fluttershy, who flattened her ears and cringed a little when she realized she was the center of attention. “Um, maybe I'll just stay here with Spike and Braxton?” she suggested.

“Awesome!” Spike said gaining the four mares attention “Me and Big Mac have a huge weekend planned out! Talking Hoofball and trading Hoofball cards and talking Hoofball statistics. And don't forget Braxton said he wanted to go back into the Everfree forest. You’re more than welcome to join us, Fluttershy!”

Fluttershy looked like she might run away screaming back to the safety of her cottage for a moment, then looked back to the other mares. “On second thought, maybe I’d better go with them... in case they need me.”

“Well, the map does seem to be calling all of us,” Twilight realized, noting everypony’s cutie mark assembled over the mountain range. “I agree we can't leave him, but I might have an idea of somepony who would want the job,” she chuckled. “Once I get back and introduce them, it’s time for a road trip.” Twilight said as she lit her horn, teleporting away, the sudden use of magic registering on Braxton’s senses in the other room.

Twilight reappeared outside a house in Ponyville. The house was no worse for wear than most of the houses in Ponyville. It did look recently painted, at least around the door frame, but one coat wasn’t enough to cover the word “CRACKPOT” showing through the fresh paint.

The sight broke Twilight's heart. She knocked on the door only to have it swing open with a creak. “Lyra... Lyra Heartstrings are you home?” She called out. Receiving no reply, Twilight made her way deeper into the house, only to find even more heart wrenching sights. Upon every flat surface there were letters from universities and colleges, but all of them seemed to be letters of rejection in the study of Cryptozoology. A doctorate degree lay upon the floor smashed as though a rock had hit it, damaging the document beneath. The name of Lyra Heartstrings was visible in elegant script through the broken glass.

The living room book shelves looked as though they’d been ransacked, causing all of the books within to wind up on the floor. Worse, some of the books had been torn at their spines or otherwise defaced, and the kitchen looked as though a party had been through but given how most things in the house were trashed, this didn't look like it was an out of control Pinkie parties. Different colors of spray paint had been hastily sprayed upon the walls, each spelling out a different hateful message: “KILL YOURSELF!” “LIFE’S WORK A JOKE”, “USEFUL ONLY AS A BREED MARE”

Twilight had to steel herself to keep from loosing her cool and crying from the sheer pain that this house was hiding. As she neared the last door of the house she heard a soft sobbing sound. Opening the door to a study, Twilight saw Lyra, a shattered wreck of a mare holding in her hands a bottle of Deadly Nightshade. Even before Twilight had entered, Lyra had popped the top looking at the bottle with shaking hands staring at the bottle fighting with herself to take that first deadly drink. The sea-foam green unicorn mare looked like she had been put through an emotional wringer. Her sky blue and white striped hair was matted from lack of rest; she looked like she hadn’t eaten or slept in days. But what most struck Twilight were her friend’s eyes. They looked as though they had seen the depths of Tartarus and back; the brilliant amber eyes gone bloodshot from constant crying over unending rejection and endless personal attacks. .

“By sweet Celestia, Lyra!” Twilight covered the distance very quickly and slapped the bottle of Nightshade out of her hands with her magic, sending the vial into the wall shattering against it. “I won’t let you kill yourself.”

Lyra locked eyes with Twilight, revealing despair, sorrow, shame, and even a desperate cry for help. All these things Twilight saw in Lyra Heartstrings' eyes as she pulled her into a tight hug. “It’s all right. I’m here. I’m your friend, and I’m here,” she assured the other mare, who only burst out in tears at her words.

“Why?! ...why did you stop me, princess?! ” Lyra sobbed in Twilight's embrace. “I’m hated and I’m useless. Just let me die…”

Twilight bit her lip to hold the tears at bay. This mare did not deserve what had befallen her, and she swore she would find those responsible and restore her friend’s reputation if it was the last thing she did. “I had no idea it had gotten this bad. But you could have come to me sooner, Lyra. You are my friend after all. Also I came to ask you for your help.”

“What would you of all mares need my help for? ” Lyra sniffled softly.

“Just… please come with me, Lyra?” Twilight asked in a beseeching tone. “I think there’s someone here who can help you. Who can prove your life’s work has meaning.”

Something in Twilight's eyes gave Lyra Heartstrings the courage to say yes. With that, pulled a hoodie over her matted clothing and stepped close to Twilight as both mares teleported back to the castle of friendship.

Both mares appeared in the great hall as the other five mares saw Lyra they immediately wanted to know what had happened and Twilight retold the tale including what Twilight had stopped. This left Rarity and Applejack shaken, Pinkie and Fluttershy and Twilight in tears. Till Lyra looked squarely at Rainbow Dash and laid out one litany of grief squarely at her hooves...

For all of this trouble had started with her.

Braxton had felt the warm inviting pulse of magic almost fifteen minutes ago. Since he had started his study, he had almost completely learned the equestrian common tongue. He would need more time to master it enough that he could write it, but he could now speak it, and it would be enough to get by for now. It was then Braxton's keen hearing let him in on the rumble out by the entrance of the castle, as well as sobbing and screaming echoing in the halls.

This needed investigating.

Rising from his improvised study, Braxton’s feet made no noise upon the crystal floors as he walked, trying to make out the voices. One was Rainbow Dash’s, while the other belonged to a mare he didn't know but sounded very distraught.

“ME?! What did I do?” asked Rainbow Dash in a defensive tone.

“You self-absorbed whorse! If you hadn't opened your mouth saying that a pair of ponies had moved into Ponyville before the parasprite incidents in Ponyville and Fillydelphia, then they wouldn't have found us!”

“Who?!” Rainbow Dash asked as Braxton quietly opened the door walking into the great hall in silence

“I don't know who those stallions were! But they knew you, one even claimed to have slept with you!” Lyra said pulling no punches getting several gasps from the room of mares.

“Well, they’re lying! I mean, how can that be? I'm still a vir...” Rainbow dash put her hands over her mouth to cover it when she noticed Braxton in the room.

“Whether you are or not the fact remains I was given till tonight to make a choice as to what was painted on my walls at home!...” Tears ran down her face traces of anger filled Lyra's voice “kill myself and free my best friend, or keep going in my studies despite the rejections from members academia and receive my best friend in pieces through the post!”

Braxton was now behind Lyra as he looked to the mares in the room, who noticed him but weren’t sure what he was doing there. They all started when he answered their unspoken questions in their own tongue “It sounds as if you need true help, my good mare. I offer mine.”

All eyes looked to Lyra as she turned expecting to see a stallion, but she came face to chest instead with a very tall being. Lyra took a half a step back when she realized he was over six feet tall. She took in his features, recognized him for what he was in shock, and by the time she opened her mouth to speak, all she could say was, “Dear sweet Celestia...”

Twilight smiled softly. “Dr. Lyra Heartstrings? I would like you to meet Braxton Zeddmoore.”

“Hello... Braxton...” Lyra whispered trying to straighten up to him almost falling over if Braxton had not caught her gently by the shoulders. Lyra's eyes filled with wonder for what she had sought for all her life was now standing before her, living, breathing, and real. She took his hand from her shoulder looking at it, her thumb tracing the two extra fingers compared to a ponies hand. “You’re really…”

Lyra began to shake from sheer excitement. The last two days had been nothing but highly charged negative emotions, and the taxing toll they had taken upon her mind was adding up. And yet, as Lyra looked into Braxton's lapis lazuli eyes, all she could do to show her joy in her emotionally spent state was raise her voice to the top of her lungs and exclaim “YAHOO!” Lyra patted her chest softly mouthing the words my heart my heart. Braxton helped Lyra sit down on the map table.

“Will you be alright, mare Heartstrings?” Braxton looked the poor mare over and could tell Lyra was rapidly approaching a shellshocked state. He had seen enough of it in troops he had commanded, when captains pushed their men too hard for too long. All Lyra could do was nod yes and she gave a smile to him.

“Braxton?..” Twilight asked this time the first coming out of the shock of hearing Braxton speak equestrian for the first time.

Braxton turned his head to look away from Lyra still keeping her in his field of view but looking to Twilight. “Yes, Princess?” He hummed his response to her.

“You learned the Equestrian language in only forty-five minutes? ” she realized in an astounded voice.

“Not all of it. I can’t write Equestrian just yet and some of your more obscure idioms may not have meaning for me, but I can speak it well enough to be understood, now,” Braxton said flatly, still concerned about Lyra.

“There goes my first question about asking if you’re average for your species,” Lyra said softly still not looking away from Braxton as she watched every movement he made.

“Braxton, that is the mark of an extraordinary mind,” Twilight said as the others began to gather around him

“You flatter me, but it’s more experience than anything else,” he said casually as he turned to look at the map, realizing it hadn’t been there before. Curious, he rested his hands on it for a moment only to jerk his arms in surprise.

“What happened?” Lyra asked, all her earlier grief forgotten at the appearance of this mythical creature she had made her life’s work.

“Ever touch a hot stove burner? what it felt like to touch this map,” Braxton replied, rubbing his hands together. “In any event, mare Lyra, my hostess mare Twilight brought you here for a reason. So might I inquire as to why?” He turned back to Twilight.

“We have something pressing that needs to be addressed and rather than take you with us, we felt it would be good if you had a...” Twilight doesn’t get to finish before Lyra finishes for her.

“You want me to foal sit him?” Lyra said in surprise.

“I think it would do you both good,” Twilight replied, turning to Braxton, her eyes begging him to say yes.

Even without her plea, he would have anyway. “I personally think it is an excellent idea, mare Lyra.” Braxton said turning his back to the map to face the mares before him. “I would be honored to spend time in your company.”

“WHAT?!” came a unified response from the mares in the room, all wondering why he agreed so readily.

Braxton gave a warm chuckle. “I will give three reasons. First, not all of you trust me and I am fine with that. Were I in your hooves, I would not trust me either given the manner in which I appeared and the abilities I wield. So I will take you at your merits as I hope you take me at mine in order to cultivate trust. Second, a pony watching over me puts both her people at ease and those on Princess's council that saw the need to take such a step in the first place.”

Applejack looked to Pinkie and Rarity. “He kinda has us there, sugarcubes.”

“And thanks to mare Applejack, I now know who those are,” Braxton smirked, folding his arms watching the three mares ears go flat under his gaze. “Third and final, I can't fault you for this as I would do the same thing in your position, .” Braxton gave a soft smile “If good mare Lyra Heartstrings does not mind, I would welcome her company. Good mare Heartstrings, as it would appear you are a scholar, may I also offer that I pay you in the currency of academia for spending time with me, as my foal sitter and escort?”

There were very few times in her life when Lyra found herself at a loss for words. Typically it would happen when she was talking to members of the opposite sex for a date, or debating to some of the duller ignoble sons and daughters of the university upon a thesis she knew to be sound. Now she could add Braxton Zeddmoore to that list, the first human she had ever known. “You… you may…” she finally managed.

“Well good mares, I am off to Everfree forest with my escort. Have a safe journey to your destination.” Braxton smiled as he and Lyra made their way out of the great hall.

Twilight, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash left the great hall to the train station. Unaware that upon the map in the great hall another cutie mark appeared. This mark was the silhouette of a fox pouncing upon an open spellbook, with twin swords making an X behind both fox and spellbook. Had any stayed to see, they would have seen the mark stopping over the town of Ponyville.

Chapter 6 - Learning It's a Two Way Street, Taking Back A Life

Chapter 6

Learning Is A Two Way Street, Taking A Life Back

Lyra and Braxton walked side by side down one of the main roads of Ponyville, Lyra giving the taller human male excited glances every chance she got, as if to reassure herself that he was, in fact, real.

Recognizing quickly that his longer legs were forcing Lyra to hurry her steps, Braxton paced his stride to match the mint-hued unicorn mare so he wasn't pulling her along. Giving her a glance of his own as she entered his field of view, she struck Braxton as nineteen to twenty-two years old. She was five foot flat, with a medium-framed athletic build by human standards, and by his best guess weighed one hundred twenty-six to one hundred thirty-two pounds. Braxton also took note that she shook not from fear, but excitement; he could tell she had a lot of questions but no clue of what to ask first.

He gave Lyra a soft smile at that, and broke the companionable silence that was between them. “I can tell you have many questions, Ms. Heartstrings. By all means, ask me anything you desire. If it's too personal I will say so, but no offense will be taken. And in turn, I hope you might tell me of this rather ugly business you find yourself in.”

“Oh! Um… thank you…” Lyra struggled not stammer, startled by his voice and how easily he had read her. She didn’t wish to seem rude, but there was just so much she wanted to ask Braxton about his species, to say nothing about Braxton himself. His very presence made her giddy; she knew she was acting like a helpless fangirl around him and to top it all off she looked completely frumpy, far from somepony who should be walking down the street arm in arm with a stallion like this!

Plus her current troubles also weighed in on the back of her mind, only compounding her stress—it just didn’t seem right to suddenly feel so happy while Bon Bon was still in danger. But Braxton's gentle voice shook her out of her looping thoughts as she looked up to him. To see his gentle smile and crystal blue eyes, she couldn't help but blush at him when she realized she was staring.

“Oh… yes, perhaps could we start with the vital statistics,” Lyra said, trying but failing to maintain an air of professional objectivity and not let on how flustered she truly felt around him. Using her magic to bring up a scroll and pen as they walked. “Um... are you married?” she blurted out then grimaced, wondering why in the name of Celestia she choose to ask THAT first! W-Well, I just want to know how human pair bonding works… she tried to tell herself, not entirely successfully.

Braxton gave a short warm bark of laughter, belying the shadow that passed briefly over his eyes. “Widower.”

Lyra's ears flattened out, regretting the question instantly. “I am sorry. I didn't mean to pry.”

Braxton shook his head and gave her a reassuring squeeze of her shoulder. “Not at all, Ms. Heartstrings. I did say you could ask anything, and if it was too personal I would tell you,” he responded in a gentle tone. “This is such a case. Yes, I was married once, but I would prefer not to share the particulars at this time. If you wish to know about human courtship or marriages in general, however, then I would be happy to share.” He favored her with another smile.

“Thank you, Braxton. And please call me Lyra.” Lyra said her ears returning to their upright state, feeling not just relief but starting to relax around him..

“Very well, Lyra,” Braxton said with a smile.

“I should have asked this first… how old are you, Braxton? ” Lyra asked taking notes upon the scroll. “I ask because I wish to know if ponies and humans age at the same rate.”

“Over twenty-one,” he replied coyly. “And if I might ask a question in return… they said you were a doctor. In what field of study? ” Braxton returned with a question of his own.

“I get it, you don't want anyone to know how old you are...” Lyra wrote down her observations, a couple guesses as to why that would be floating through her head briefly. “I am a doctor of Cryptozoology, which involves the study of creatures whose existence is theorized but unproven... um, how big are you?”

Braxton raised his eyebrows and his voice danced with mirth. “My... my... we are covering the vital statistics. Perhaps you wish to know how that compares to ponies as well?” he suggested almost lasciviously as Lyra’s hands slapped hard over her mouth and redness shot from her cheeks all the way up to the tips of her ears. “But I suppose I could show you for the sake of science if you really want to know....” his expression turned impish as he teased her further.

Lyra’s only response was an embarrassed whimper as she pulled her hood up over her head for a moment, trying desperately to get her blush under control. “I m-meant... how tall are you?” she offered somewhat feebly, not even sure if she truly did. Come on mare, get a grip! You’re walking next to one of the most important discoveries in Equestria and he now more than likely thinks you’re a pervert who just wants to get into this pants…. She inwardly cringed until Braxton's renewed laughter pulled her away from berating herself.

This time, Braxton answered her restated question directly. “About six feet two inches. And you may come out of hiding, Lyra. I may boldly jest, but I knew what you meant.”

“Th-thanks…” Lyra wrote more down on the scroll, mentally rehearsing her next question carefully for fear she might accidentally say something untoward again. “Next, might I ask how much you weigh?”

Braxton thought a moment. “I have not weighed myself in some time, but last I knew, about two hundred twenty-five to two hundred and thirty imperial pounds. And if you would permit another question in return, do you have colleagues in your field of Cryptozoology?”

Lyra wrote down what Braxton had said and stole a look at his handsome profile when she was sure Braxton wasn't looking, finding him very pleasing to her eyes despite his lack of fur or any real pony attributes. But his question brought her back to the present, and her expression dropped for it. “I am the only one in this field, and an academic laughing stock for it. No one takes my work or theories seriously and I fear I have few friends for it.” She became downcast.

“Then they are fools, Lyra Heartstrings,” he squeezed her shoulder again, sending a fresh wave of warmth through her, making her nearly drop her notepad. “For it would seem the proof of your theories now stands before you, and will be more than happy to assist you in regaining your good name.”

Lyra couldn’t help it, leaping immediately into his arms and sobbing in them. For she knew Braxton was right—his presence meant that her life had hope and meaning again.

He held her patiently until she was ready to let go. “Th-thank you…” she finally managed, still sniffling.

“Who am I to turn down the needs of a lady in distress?” he asked roguishly. “If I can in any way help you, Lyra, then I will do so. Simply name it, and it is yours.”

Lyra had to suppress several immediate ideas for he might do for her, having felt how powerful his form was while hugging him. “I think simply continuing to answer my questions for now will do…” she said, unable to stop herself from giving him yet another appraising look. “So I assume all your bodily functions are... normal?” she blurted out again.

“I beg your pardon, Lyra? ” Braxton asked.

“How very subtle this one is!” Kylnn Ka' tar noted in amusement from his back.

“I m-mean, do you eat?” Lyra said hastily to cover that she had been staring at him again.

“Yes. And by my species, I am an omnivore.” Braxton said stepping in front of Lyra and opening his mouth to show his a mixed set of teeth to her, some pointed and some flat, before closing his mouth and resuming his walk with her as Braxton's stomach gave a growl. This made Lyra giggle.

“Omnivore… exactly what I predicted humans would be…” Lyra said to herself in great satisfaction, just loudly enough for Braxton to hear. “Well, if you’re hungry, we could stop and eat at Sugar Cube Corner?” Lyra suggested as the two of them were crossing sugar cube plaza, still writing down about Braxton's teeth. Not only was he human, thus far he was proving her her hypothesized human behaviors right!

“The offer is appreciated it, but as I assume your race is herbivorous, I must decline. For while I can certainly enjoy eating fruits and vegetables, I need meat. Especially after suffering severe injuries and expending large amounts of magic.” Braxton flatly stated

That caught Lyra short. “Is that why we are going to Everfree to hunt?” she asked, a slight note of alarm in her voice.

He hesitated slightly before continuing, deciding there was no point in not telling her. “No, there is a dead chimera there that I was going to take the meat from. Given its enormous size, it may yield about four to five hundred pounds of meat, so I was going to use that.” Braxton said as they walked. “And before you ask, no, I cannot eat so much in one sitting, but I have ways of preserving the rest for later.”

The color drained from Lyra's face all of a sudden, the accompanying lurch of her stomach leaving her very glad that she hadn’t eaten anything yet. But her ears did catch that he had killed a chimera, and that was also a curiosity for her—Everfree chimeras came in many forms and she was curious what this one was. Of course, if I’m being honest with him, I don’t want to leave him either… she inwardly admitted, though she was less certain whether it was because she was afraid if he left her sight she’d never see him again or for reasons more… personal. I’ve just met this human stallion and I already wish to…?

Braxton broke into her suddenly heady thoughts again. “You are welcome to join me, though I will understand if you prefer not to. Regardless, if you would permit one more question… what is the currency here in Equestria, Lyra?” Braxton asked, noticing that his escort was looking greener around the gills than usual, though the paleness quickly gave way to renewed warmth again.

Lyra was very grateful for the subject change, not wishing to throw up in front of this very important (and handsome!) discovery. “Oh! Um… our monetary system uses bits, Braxton.”

“Bits?” Braxton asked, looking to Lyra.

Lyra combed her clothes for a coin, finding one in the front pocket of her hoodie and then levitating it up to show it to Braxton. “This is a bit.”

Braxton looked over the coin for a moment before plucking it from midair, noting that the passage of his hand through her visible magical aura caused a slight tingling in his fingers. “I see…” he said as he inspected them, noting that despite its hue it was NOT made of gold, but from some unknown alloy. On the gold coin’s face was a bust of Celestia—whom he had learned of during his reading that morning—and upon the back a bust of Luna. “Interesting, but our currency system is radically different.”

“How so? ” this time it was Lyra 's turn to be intrigued as she watched Braxton pull a handful of coins from a pouch at his belt, pointing at each in turn.

“Well, we base our currency on precious metals, with scarcity or utility imparting value. We have Copper, Silver, Gold, Electrum and Platinum. Copper is our lowest, as it takes ten copper to make a silver piece. It takes ten silver to make a gold piece; it takes five gold pieces to make an Electrum. Lastly, it takes two Electrum to make a Platinum,“ Braxton said as he moved his fingers to show each piece to her.“As I might have need of local money, any idea as to the possible rates of conversion?”

Lyra thought a moment. “I don’t know off-hand. Filthy Rich might be able to give you the exchange rate; he is the town’s wealthiest businesspony and well-versed in financial matters, after all.”

Braxton smiled to Lyra. “Perhaps we will visit him later, then. Well, as escort and my guide this is your tour...”At that moment, Braxton's stomach once again growled, letting its thoughts be known. “After we eat, that is...this is getting embarrassing,” he chuckled, rubbing his empty belly.

Lyra could only giggle as well as they made their way back past Fluttershy's cottage and into the Everfree forest. Normally most ponies wouldn't want to set hoof in here except if they had to, but walking next to Braxton she felt quite safe.

Nevertheless, she was given some reason to regret remaining with him as they came upon the dead chimera in a clearing, already smelling somewhat foul. Even dead, it was a rather rattling sight as Lyra was not expecting it to be so big and vicious-looking. She shuddered at the thought of this creature being alive and then the other side of her mind recalled Braxton had killed it, suddenly appreciating how strong he must truly be in order to have slain such a beast. She began hurriedly sketching it in her notebook only to be drawn out of her thoughts when she saw her human friend take a utility knife out of his boot.

“Lyra, If you truly wish to watch, you might want to stand over there,” Braxton advised, pointing his knife to a location upwind of the Chimera. “Its upwind, and when I cut into this carcass, it is really going to stink,” he added as he saw her questioning look.

“Oh…” Lyra immediately moved to the location Braxton suggested. Forcing herself to observe, she watched in some horror as Braxton began to skin the creature and couldn't help but dry heave, covering her mouth as a small amount of the dead creature’s ruptured digestive tract hit her nose. “Br...Brax...Braxton” she heaved, thankful that she had nothing in her stomach to lose. She turned away from the sight trying to steady herself. “F-forgive me for asking, but… why did you kill this creature?”

Braxton then retold the tale of how he heard Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle being attacked by this chimera and how Apple Bloom was mauled and Scootaloo's wings were harmed by the dragon’s flame. Lyra listened stunned, unable to believe it, suddenly finding herself hugging herself tightly against the chill that crept over, rubbing her own arms as she considered how many innocent ponies this creature could have killed had it not been for her human friend.

“Are the fillies alright?” Lyra asked, almost afraid to hear the answer.

“They are fine,” Braxton assured her as he continued his grisly work. “A draught of Cure Critical Wounds potion was enough to heal them bodily… but mentally, I fear that remains to be seen,” he stated as he finished removing the hide of the Chimera and began taking strips of meat of it. “Lyra, as this will take some time, could you do me a favor and build a fire?” Braxton asked as he looked over the lion's head, trying to determine if there was any point in eating it or any utility in saving its teeth, which could be turned into various tools.

In the end, it took Braxton a good portion of the morning to clean and dress the chimera as Lyra built the fire ring Braxton had asked for. But instead of immediately going to it, he took out a stick of chalk and drew a door on the trunk of a nearby tree. “Lyra, I will be right back,” Braxton said as he carried the bundles of meat to the door, whispering something in a strange language before he somehow pulled it open and entered. As a surprised Lyra approached the tree, the door shut, leaving her for a moment looking at the solid trunk of a tree the door outlined in chalk. Braxton soon emerged and the door shut behind him, the chalk line of the door vanishing upon the gentle breeze of the forest.

“That was amazing! Where did you go, Braxton?” Lyra asked, truly curious.

But to her surprise, his eyes went pained. “Your pardon, Ms. Heartstrings, but may I not answer that, please?” Braxton said, a touch of melancholy in his voice that Lyra quickly picked up on.

She stared at him in some surprise. “I am sorry... was the question indiscreet?” asked Lyra, more curious than ever and wondering why his eyes suddenly looked so sad. .

In response, he closed his eyes and smiled, and by the time he had opened them again the sadness was gone. “No, Lyra, the question wasn't.... But I fear the answer could be..” Braxton answered somewhat cryptically. “And my apologies, Lyra, but I feel it best not to say more.” With that, he seemed to Lyra to put his game face back on and began looking over the dressed Chimera, his stomach growling again, increasingly angry at being ignored.

Lyra noticed him looking over the creature as if he was looking for something as Lyra began to assemble a fire ring. “What are you looking for, Braxton?”

“Looking for the Glyph.” Braxton said flatly as he opened the goat head’s mouth. “And there you are,” as Braxton opened the mouth finding what he sought upon the goat’s tongue; an odd symbol seemingly tattooed directly against it..

“The glyph?” Lyra grimaced as she saw Braxton cut the goat’s tongue out dry heaving again “I have the fire set up, Braxton.”

“Thank you, Lyra” Braxton said as he fashioned two spits and put two hunks of meat upon them. Braxton sheathed his knife and with his free hand snapped his fingers as a small flame sprung up to ignite the tinder and deadfall that Lyra had placed into the fire ring. Satisfied, he then set the meat to cook, propping the spit on some larger rocks and stumps.

“You can use magic?” Lyra asked Braxton in amazement.

“Yes, I can.” Braxton replied as he dried his bloodied hands with dirt.

Lyra hesitated, multiple questions in her mind all demanding they be asked first. “More on that later. First could you tell me about this ‘glyph’?” Lyra asked with great interest, picking up her quill and pen again.

“Certainly,” Braxton agreed as he began slowly turning the spit, the meat quickly beginning to sizzle. “You see, a Chimera isn't a natural creature of the wild. It’s what one calls a homunculus,” Braxton began.

“That sounds like a word Twilight would know of, but please do continue,” Lyra said as she wrote what he said down quickly, her pen scratching out words as it hovered in her magical grasp. “Far too few studies have been done on these creatures, so any insights you have would help us to understand them and defend against them.”

“Of course,” Braxton pulled one of the sticks that was cooking his meal out of the fire and and bit off a hunk of meat. Lyra winced at the act, but only briefly, deciding she’d rather have him eating the creature rather than the creature eating other ponies. She watched as he thought to himself for a bit before keying in on some moss growing on a tree. Braxton drew a circle around the tongue and put a N at the top of the circle relative to the moss of the nearby tree. Lyra watched as he put the other markings around the an E, an S, and a W completed the circle's outer edge around the goat’s tongue. His task done, Braxton finished his first strip of meat and placed another strip onto the fire.

“How much meat do you normally eat in a day if I may ask? ”Lyra said, high curiosity and fascination in her voice she was running out of scroll paper and he had only done a few mundane tasks and she had only asked a handful of questions

“It varies with energy expenditure and other factors, but I generally eat about five pounds of meat a day,” Braxton guessed as he finished off the first spit and swallowed his remaining hunk of cooked meat.

“How long will what you have last?” Lyra asked as her jaw hit the ground, suddenly understanding his need to butcher the beast.

“About two and half months—three if I stretch it. There are ways to preserve it even longer, but it ruins the texture and taste,” Braxton sat down by the fire and took out the little pocket book unfolding it and immediately drawing Lyra's attention to it with childlike wonder.

“What type of book is that? I've never seen a book do that, it was amazing. Where did you get it and how does it keep ink and a pen inside of it?” Lyra rifled off the questions almost as fast as Pinkie had when they met for the first time.

Braxton threw his head back and laughed warmly. It reminded Braxton of his time as an apprentice. “To answer your first question Lyra, this is a traveling spellbook. It keeps the utilitarian spells that a mage or other practitioner of magic that he doesn’t want to commit to memory. As for where I bought it, where I come from there are shops that sell books like this for about one hundred pieces of gold.”

“One Hundred Pieces of gold!?!” Lyra was taken aback. “Braxton, our houses start at that price in bits!” Lyra told him, shocked at the book’s price.

“Perhaps, but for a mage of my talents, it’s well worth it, considering you get a hundred pages and a book that can compress down to a quarter of the size—and even contains a pocket that holds a vial of ink and a quill,“ Braxton continued as he started to jot down a spell from his spell book. He wrote down his spell on the sheet of paper as he ate, noting he had only two sheets left after an hour of transcribing.

“What are you writing? It looks more like a formula than words.” Lyra asked as she had not taken her eyes off of what Braxton was doing.

“You’re right, Lyra. This spell is called ‘copy’ and it’s likely the most used spell in my utility book,” Braxton told her as he picked up the two pieces of parchment. “Observe.” Braxton read the spell off the parchment and the parchment went up in a puff of fire and smoke as the fingertips on Braxton's left hand gave a soft glow. Braxton with his right hand turned the book to a new spell and placed his left hand on it before putting his right hand on the parchment.

Lyra watched in amazement as the ink seemed to burn itself onto the parchment of the two blank pages, perfectly transcribing itself. “That is amazing! Can it do more than a couple of pages?” she asked in excitement, thinking what it could do for her own work or ponies in general.

He smiled at her enthusiasm. “As long as the medium is the same, be it parchment or book page, the spell will transcribe it,” Braxton said as he stood with the two new sheets of parchment in hand and went over to the chimera tongue he had placed in the circle and began to read the parchment and when he concluded the spell the parchment went up like the first. The chimera tongue began to glow blue as it levitated off the ground about four inches, and then slowly spun until pointed to the northeast.

Lyra had by now taken to writing on the backs of her now spent paper; she could more than likely publish a dissertation from these few hours with Braxton alone! The thought brought a giddy smile to her face, and she didn’t immediately hear him call her, only realizing he was addressing her by name the second time he did so. “I’m sorry. What is it, Braxton?”

He gave her a patient smile. “If you went Northeast from here, where would you wind up?” Braxton asked her, deep in thought.

“Northeast? Oh... Canterlot, Braxton. Northeast leads to Canterlot. Is that our next stop?” Lyra said, hoping she could go with him, only to go slightly crestfallen when he shook his head.

“Not yet, Lyra. There is still something we must do.” Braxton said as his eyes looked into Lyra's. “As you have helped me, it is now time for me to help you. Now that my immediate needs are taken care of, let us save your best friend and get your life back.”

Lyra walked alongside Braxton about the town and at times she even blocked his path, carefully steering him away from certain roads. She felt ashamed, but did so in hopes of keeping him away from her trashed house and the embarrassment of her new friend seeing how she had let herself go into a tailspin over the loss of her best friend and her life's work. Braxton had already given her more than she could ever dare hope to imagine, far more than she thought she deserved, and yet here he was giving her even more. Lyra was just not used to this treatment, as it was both foreign and disconcerting even as she felt like she was dreaming.

For his part, Braxton let Lyra take him on a tour of the town. He guessed she didn't seem to want to head to her house, but he could not blame the mare. After all she had been though, he knew she wouldn't want to return to a place that no longer felt safe and probably would just set off her anxieties and fears anew. Time had taught Braxton patience, and he knew enough from past experience that if Lyra was kept busy, Braxton could pose questions about her work and her home. As he asked her about the architecture and general aesthetics of the town’s layout as well as learning Ponyville's social hotspots, he gently probed for information, never pressing, interrogating her gently and as much as possible without her knowing.

It was also his first foray into town, and that brought him additional attention as an alien in the town’s midst. Most of the ponies who saw him were initially startled to see him but put more at ease by the fact Lyra was with him, deciding they felt safe if she did. Most was not all, however; a small minority were openly hostile to him, but when challenged or told to leave, Braxton politely withdrew, not seeking to cause a fight or trouble for Lyra.

After and the two were alone again, Braxton looked to Lyra and realized she was clinging to him, shaking like a leaf. Recognizing her distress and guessing the source of it, he rested his hand upon hers in a comforting gesture. “One of those stallions was in your home last night. Am I right?”

“Silver Mane,” Lyra said shakily without thinking only to slap her hands over her mouth, realizing she had told Braxton something she didn't want to.

“I see…” was his only immediate reply, peering back down the direction the indicated pony had been. “I promise you’re safe with me, Lyra,” he told her, giving her hands a squeeze.

“Th-thank you,” she told him, feeling unsteady once more, and not entirely from seeing her assailant again. Lyra had initially wilted from telling him the name, thinking Braxton would be angered or go charging off like an angry minotaur to right the wrong against her. But to her sheer amazement Braxton did nothing merely craned his head to the side and asked politely. “Is it alright to come in to your home?”

Lyra whipped her head from Braxton to her left and then back to Braxton when she realized they were indeed outside of her home. “...How…?” was all Lyra could say to Braxton's gentle smile. Then she remembered all the questions he asked as they toured Ponyville, and concluded that he had gleaned his answers that way. Though grateful to him, Lyra made an immediate mental note that if her new human friend wanted to know something he could and would find it out. “Pony feathers,” was all Lyra could say with a sigh as she invited him into her home feeling very embarrassed and dreading Braxton leaving tonight.

Once inside in the ruins of her ransacked home, Braxton merely cleared away some debris, sat a chair upright and beckoned Lyra to sit in it, giving her some water from the kitchen. Once she had drank, he asked the mare in a gentle voice. “Lyra, could you tell me of these Stallions that came to you last night?” he requested politely.

“I c-can’t…” she told him. “They’ll kill her…”

“On my honor, they will not,” he swore to her with his hand over his heart, and somehow, she believed him. “If you are not ready to speak of this, then let us attend to your abode first, and perhaps then you will feel ready. I am here to help you, Ms. Heartstrings. What you are going through is something I have dealt with many times in my homeland. And believe me when I tell you I am well-equipped for redressing such wrongs.”

She would have hesitated further, but somehow, she sensed he wasn’t boasting or bragging, just stating a simple fact, and knowing that he had taken down a chimera gave credence to his claims. Still, it took time for her to open up, not wanting to relive the invasion and assault on her person the previous night, but as they worked on restoring her home she found herself finally opening up about the events, telling Braxton their names: Silver mane, Onyx Fire, and his brother, Shadow Fire. Braxton listened to her story, saying nothing as Lyra told him of what they had done to her the night before. Restraining her with silk rags, cutting and tearing her clothes, writing on her, threatening to rape her before her blood was even cold as they would stab and strangle the life out of her. Even driving her best friend Bon Bon away from their home, promising to kill her if she did not comply with their orders. Ransacking her home, destroying everything near and dear to her, taking from her everything, even her reasons to live. Lyra held herself together as long as she could but finally succumbed to the memories, collapsing into a chair as she could still hear their laughter echoing in her mind, covering her face with her hands

All yet, for all that, all it took to bring Lyra out of her dark revere was Braxton's hand upon her shoulder. Just that simple platonic gesture was enough to break the dam of fear and tears that she had been holding back as Lyra lunged at him, wrapping her arms around him as she broke down in emotionally draining sobs of anguish.

Sensing she needed this release, Braxton held her in his arms until she had cried herself into exhaustion and finally sleep. The human war mage then picked her up gently so as not to wake her and crossed the living room of the house to a nearby door. “Home is where my heart belongs,” he whispered softly in his own tongue, and when he turned the knob, the door opened not into the bedroom but into the interdimensional space that served as his shelter.

Crossing the foyer he made his way to the guest room near the kitchen and set Lyra down in the goose down feather bed, writing a quick note to leave on the nightstand beside her. He then left just as quietly as he came in to allow her a peaceful night of safe sleep. He expected his own night was going to be anything but peaceful as he took one last look over his gear, spotting his travel pack by the door and adding it to his supplies, having nearly rushed out so fast he had forgot to grab it. Finally, he took a belt from the mannequin, adding it to his armor before leaving the house trusting his instincts… he was ready. I may not be in my own world now, but there are still evils to confront here… he knew, having learned that much, at least from his short time in Equestria.

When Braxton closed the door behind him, watching the shadows of the house lengthen into night. As he set out for his destination, Kylnn Ka' Tar spoke softly into Braxton's whirlwind thoughts. “And just what has gotten into you, pray tell? Your behavior in the last twelve hours has been, to say the least, a bit odd…" she observed. “Protecting a mare you hardly know, allowing her to sleep in your sanctuary, telling her more of yourself in a few short hours than most have known in twenty years? So tell me, my dear Braxton… you're not in LOVE with her, are you?”

“That was out of line, Kylnn Ka' Tar. I don't appreciate the jest,” Braxton chided with his thoughts, focusing on the task before him.

“Brother, you would have to be dense as a rock to not see how she looked at you. And I daresay you encouraged her,” Kylnn Ka tar countered softly

“It wasn't lost on me, but even Pygmalion fell for his statue,” Braxton said flatly.

“Now you are just being cynical,” Kylnn Ka' Tar giggled.

Braxton let the banter go as his ears picked up the noise of three heavy steppers about the house, making their way to the front door. Braxton pulled the hood of his cloak up over his head and stepped back next to a wall by the entryway, taking on the color of the paint and surroundings. He then let his eyes slip into the black and white spectrum of vision, granting him low-light acuity he was certain the intruders couldn’t match.

Braxton could now see and hear three heartbeats as the ruined door slowly opened to admit a five-foot-six earth pony black stallion, his eyes glittering softly to the human war mage, who immediately noted he seemed to be leading the others.

Behind the first intruder came a pegasus, about five-foot-eight; the one Braxton recalled as being Silver Mane.

The last stallion was a black unicorn about five-foot-five; his horn casting a black aura keeping their hoof falls quiet and voices just below a whisper, rendering them invisible to all sight except Braxton’s. “So do you think we can rape this bitch since she hasn’t already offed herself? Our mares said we could get our rocks off instead of just writing on her this time,” he said.

The lead stallion turned to look him and sneered. “Knowing you, Shadow Fire, you will knock her up the first time.”

“Go to Tartarus, Onyx. You have sired more bastards than I ever will!” Shadow fire sneered back.

“Shut up, both of you! The house has been cleaned and I can smell the fresh paint.” Silver mane said in a commanding tone “Is she in here, Onyx Fire?”

“We saw her go in but not leave, so she’s in here, and most likely asleep. And thanks to my brother’s magic, we can get past any protective enchantments she’s set and muffle our way to her. We’ll surprise her in bed and be on her before she knows what hit her,” Onyx Fire said in a cool tone; it was clear to an increasingly angry Braxton he was looking forward to getting his hands on her.

“Good. Then let’s do this, I am missing out on important sleep,” Silver mane said softly, cracking his knuckles.

“Great. Since you’re too tired to enjoy her, my brother and I will get to double team her and you get sloppy seconds,” Shadow Fire announced wickedly to Silver Mane.

“Buck you. I think she’s got enough holes we can fill them all,” Silver Mane said, following Onyx Fire down the hallway.

For his part, Braxton fell in behind Shadow Fire as they made their way to Lyra's room. “Ready?” Onyx asked the other two, who nodded and grinned, their pants already bulging with anticipation. But before Onyx Fire opened the door, Braxton pulled two items out of his red belt pouch on his left side, a small bit of bat fur and a small pinch of coal and crushed the two items in his fingers as Onyx Fire turned the knob to enter. .

They had just enough time to see that Lyra wasn’t there before a fifteen foot diameter globe of solid black darkness enveloped all four members of the group to shouts of alarm and consternation from the three ponies. The magic rendering even his enhanced sight useless, Braxton let his other senses guide him, able to pinpoints the others by sound and shifts in the air around him alone. Shadow Fire was first to fall as the human mage grabbed the stallion by the throat and struck the back of his leg in one swift motion, applying such force that he snapped the stallion’s digital flexor tendon and broke his cannon bone. The agony of the injury caused the stallion to go into immediate shock before the back his head hit the floor with a sickening smack.

“Onyx! What…?” The other two heard the ugly sound and the pained cry that followed, but had no chance to avoid the same fate as Braxton spun with his left hand, remembering the marching order as he grabbed Silver mane by the back of his shirt. Braxton used his thumb nail to set a mark on Silver manes shirt before tossing him down the hall as he struck the wall, still stunned and surprised, not knowing what had hit him and worst of all, unable to see even with the help of Onyx’s night vision spell.

When the globe hit the three stallions, Onyx Fire had pushed his way into Lyra's bedroom thinking the bitch had set a trap, intending to find wherever she was hiding and make her pay immediately for it. The sickening sound of breaking bones behind him turned his stomach and he drew a dagger, but still could see nothing until he made his way out of the inky black globe next to the bedroom’s far wall; a darkness he couldn't see into or dispel set there.

It was then that something that the earth pony with Thestral blood had never experienced also set in...true fear. Onyx Fire had always prided himself on being able to see into the dark as good as any Thestral pony, but here was a darkness that he even his eyes couldn’t penetrate, and it terrified him to the core. Only the creature emerging with glowing lapis lazuli eyes terrified him more.

Onyx Fire swung his dagger wildly as his fear had unbalanced him. The dagger bit into Braxton's Displacement causing it to disappear, but it had served its purpose. As Braxton grabbed hold of the stallion’s arm and using Onyx Fire’' wild momentum Braxton arm barred Onyx Fire into the foot of the bedpost and then drove the dagger through his shoulder blade to the hilt impaling him to the foot board post of the bed, causing him to scream in pain.

Onyx Fire's position he couldn't grab the dagger that impaled him. “Pull it out! I beg you pull it out!”

Instead of doing so, Braxton made his way back into the shadows again, going for Silver Mane as he heard him bumbling around on the floor looking for a way out of the disorientating darkness. Having mastered blind-fighting a very long time ago, he found Silver Mane very easily and dragged him out towards his comrade

Braxton dismissed the globe of darkness standing beside Silver Mane grabbing him up causing the Pegasus to gasp as he beheld the much larger human. Glowing cat-like lapis lazuli eyes looked right through him, promising pain or death if he didn’t comply. “Run, Silver Mane. Flee and take me to where you have Bon Bon hidden. Do so, and maybe I will spare your life,” he told him in an ice-cold voice. Braxton then grabbed Silver Mane and smashed him right through the front door, breaking his wings as the Pegasus broke through the hard wooden door with his body and a loud crash.

Silver mane hit the dirt outside with a thud. His wings screaming in agony; if Tartarus itself was not hot on his heels he would have been happy to lay there till the night watch found him and confess to anything to get away, but the order of his unknown assailant rung in his mind. “Run, Silver Mane… to where Bon-Bon is hidden,” the voice echoed, and despite his agony the pegasus did so as Braxton stepped through the remains of the shattered door hanging just off its hinges, following behind him, like a wraith of shadow.

Chapter 7 - Rescues & Royal Introductions

Chapter 7

Rescues And Royal Introductions

The evening began like any other for two Thestral Guardsponies making a patrol flight over Ponyville to ensure it remained peaceful. While pegasi took the daytime patrols, the night watch belonged to the batponies, whose nocturnal nature and cat-slitted eyes made them right at home in the dark. The shorter Thestral pony, a mare of five-foot-three turned to her partner with a smile as they flew nearly wingtip to bat-like wingtip.“Ready for a peaceful night, Sapphire Moonlight? ”

A rather tall mare at five-foot-eight, Sapphire Moonlight turned to her shorter wingmare, Twinkle Diamond. “Don't say that, Twinkle. I keep telling you the universe listens to always jinx the smug.”

Twinkle rolled her eyes at that. “Sapphire, its Ponyville. The one town in all Equestria where nothing ever...” Twinkle Diamond doesn’t get to finish her statement as the keen hearing of both mares pick up the sound of a door splintering in their sharp keen ears.

“You just had to open your big mouth, Twinkle Diamond,” Sapphire said exasperatedly, taking her spear from the harness upon her back. Twinkle Diamond was not far behind her partner.

Weapons wielded, both mares dove for the source of the noise, shortly seeing a silver Pegasus stallion scrambling to his hooves in terror. His wings hung limply down his back and the look on his face was as if all Tartarus was on his tail. Both mares then saw a tall and ominous figure coming through the door like an inky shadow, menacing the stallion. Deciding he was the danger, Sapphire Moonlight and Twinkle Diamond swooped in between him and the stallion and leveled their spears at the figure. “Hooves up!” the mares said in unison, trying not to be intimidated by his size or decidedly non-pony features, clearly visible to their cat-eyes even in the low light.

Braxton raised his hands slowly so he had the attention of both mares. As the first one began to shuffle her way toward Braxton to manacle him, he quickly opened his hands, sending a shower of sparks and a loud bang from his palms. He was able to then deflect both spear points away from himself as the startled mares jumped back at the lights and the noise, their eyes dazzled by the bright flashes, temporarily blinded. Pressing his advantage, Braxton brought both his arms back in an X and plowed into the mares, striking one on the right shoulder and the other on the left shoulder with such force that it spun the mares into each other, leaving them both dazed from the dual impacts and trying to blink away the spots in their vision as their assailant made his escape

Rubbing their foreheads which had collided, both mares groaned as they got to their hooves, picking up their spears. Recognizing they needed help, each gave a high-pitched call of distress, calling in reinforcements and were about to give chase when the sounds of screaming and other distress reached their ears from inside the house.

Ponies in distress took priority to the two guardsponies over an escaping figure. As both mares entered they found one stallion screaming like a foal, not understanding why until they caught sight of his leg. They didn't blame him or the other stallion either as they found him stapled to the foot of the bed, a dagger buried up to the hilt in his shoulder and stabbed deep into the wood of bed frame keeping him stallion in place.

Realizing the pair’s injuries were beyond their ability to treat, Twinkle Diamond turned to her friend. “Sapphire you need to go get Dr. Horse from Ponyville General. I can stay here to watch over these two. Also find out who else is on duty tonight. Whoever did this to them has to be caught quickly,” she said, wondering what kind of monster they were up against.

“Right.” Sapphire returned to the front door rubbing her shoulder but also thankful that her shoulder didn't look like the door hanging on a single hinge she gave a series of high pitched squeaks and listened to the replies before she yelled back into the house “Dark Star and Midnight Oil, Twinkle. I will advise them of what we face and tell them to inform Princess Luna,” said Sapphire before she took flight to get Dr. Horse.

Twinkle Diamond rolled her eyes at the thought of the hotshot rookie team of Dark Star and Midnight Oil; new on the beat, new to procedure, and new to working together. In Twinkle Diamond’s professional assessment those two batty jackasses couldn't close a patio umbrella together, let alone pursue a dangerous fugitive. She put her hopes in Princess Luna instead, knowing she would intervene personally in particularly dangerous situations as this one seemed to present. But who was that… creature? She shivered at the memory of him; of his size and alien features, wondering what business he had with the stallions they were now trying to help that he saw fit to torture them in such a way.

Unaware of her thoughts or the arrangements being made to hunt him, Braxton moved shadow to shadow after the first set of guards had got in his way as he tailed Silver Mane towards the clock tower. He had managed to slip past the second set on their first night patrol pass, recognizing from their thestral forms that they likely had the night vision and hearing of the bats they borrowed their appearance from, but he had no idea how sharp their senses truly were until they spotted him in the shadows and swooped down on him, catching him on their second pass.

“Halt in the name of Princess Luna!” cried one of the guards as they approached.

“Damn it,” Braxton thought, making a break for the clock tower on foot as the two guards descended quickly upon him. Recognizing he had to lose them quickly, Braxton reached into his left-handed belt pouch as he ran. His practiced fingers finding what he was looking for, he pulled an eyelash encased in a bit of gum arabic and disappeared from sight.

“What the…?” The two Thestral Stallions saw their suspect vanish in front of their eyes as they slowed down from a diving tackle to a graceful landing, looking around in confusion. “You see anything, Dark Star? ” the five-foot-nine Stallion asked his wingmate, looking around with sword and shield at the ready

“On it, Midnight Oil” said his friend, who looked all around them, scanning their surroundings carefully. When his red eyes couldn't immediately tell him anything, he gave three short but high-pitched yells before he whipped his head back toward the bell tower, having spotted movement there. “Two ponies just went into the bell tower,” Dark star announced with a whisper as he then moved his shield from his back hanger so as to fold his bat-wings against his back and drew his sword and closed in on the Bell tower with his partner, who did the same. “Let’s go.”

Still on the run, Silver Mane slammed the bell tower door shut, unaware that Braxton was present, having slipped in unseen with the near-exhausted and hysterical Stallion. “Master...Master Facade we... we have... a problem,” Silver Mane panted, out of breath as he made his way down to the belfry antechamber. For all he had been through, the mere presence of shadows made Silver Mane jump and even stifle a scream, some part of him certain he was still being stalked. When Silver Mane burst into the semi-lit room, two other stallions stood up. The first one to speak stood five-foot-five and possessed a gold mane and tail, his tone icy and uncaring. “So, the colt returns. Did you kill the mare as directed?”

He could only shake his head violently. “S-Something... was there… Wild Snow,” Silver Mane put his hands upon his knees, struggling to catch his breath. “I… barely escaped…” he managed.

“And this something… was what broke your wings, I take it,” Wild Snow noted with a sardonic and completely unsympathetic tone. “That being the case, it would seem you owe me a bit, Master Facade, my old friend.” Wild Snow smiled coolly at his five-foot-ten unicorn companion who was cloaked in a grey robe and wore a single silver ring upon his finger.

The unicorn was unperturbed. “It seems I do, old friend.” Master Facade flipped a bit to Wild Snow before turning his gaze to Silver Mane. “That bet was whether or not I sent colts to do a stallion’s job.” Master Facade turned to look sidelong at his friend. “It seems Lyra has made her choice… as these three proved useless, I do what I should have done from the start and dispatch you instead. Kill her friend and feel free to fun with her while you do so, Wild Snow. I am sure you can conjure something from that dark imagination of yours.”

“That would be my pleasure.” Wild Snow grinned and began to leave the room, motioning Silver Mane to follow him. Silver Mane went to do so but Master Facade stopped him with a hand on his chest. “You stand fast, fool. For I am far from done with you.” The look Master facade gave Silver Mane was one that could freeze water on a hot summer night. “You disappoint me, Silver Mane... you disappoint me and Wild Snow both. So I fear it falls to me to clean up your mess.” Master Facade's smile warmed a few degrees but was still anything but pleasant. “Say your name,” he commanded.

Silver Mane became nervous about the odd instruction, but obeyed. No sooner than had he done so, Master Facade drove his index finger right into the young stallion’s throat.

“Thank you,” Master Facade told him, his facial features unchanging.

Wild Snow left the room noticing Mane hadn’t followed him, which was a pity because he planned to kill him in front of their captive. He entered the lower belfry and saw the mare he had chained to the wall with makeshift shackles since her fillynapping. He neared a bucket of water and drew up the ladle and swallowed a mouthful. On his second mouthful he paused a moment, swishing it around his mouth before he spit it back on Bon Bon as she tried to lap up the liquid on her shoulders and face; the first water she had received in almost thirty-six hours. But Wild Snow only allowed her a moment’s peace to do so before he pulled on a bell rope, sending a cacophonous wave of sound throughout the belfry, the sound all but deafening the mare.

Wild Snow laughed at her distress and sobs. “I love cacophony torture. Though to be honest, that isn't truly the reason I do this. The truth is I just enjoy torturing young mares. I know it's sick, but as you ponies say… everypony has to have a hobby.”

At that moment, Wild Snow sensed somepony was behind him. He turned, expecting to see Silver Mane, planning to give him a nasty hooked-nose dagger in the gut as a gift for his failure. Braxton however was waiting for Wild Snow to turn around.

Having seen all he needed to, Braxton did not hold back. He delivered a mighty blow that shattered Wild Snow's Sternum and separated his clavicles from his chest. But the human war mage had one more, and very deadly card to play; one reserved only for the most deserving. he moment Braxton's fist hit Wild Snow, it delivered a powerful electrical charge that seized up Wild Snow's nervous system, causing Wild Snow's heart to explode within his chest.

Master Facade withdrew his finger as Silver Mane stood there shocked, suddenly unable to draw breath. “You may wish to cover that if you desire to breathe Silver Mane,” he informed him dryly.

Silver Mane used his own finger to cover the hole in his throat and took a breath.

“I have one last thing to give you, young stallion.” Master facade's voice seemed to warm for a moment before dropping back to its original arctic tone as he pulled a wand from the folds of his gray robes. “Run the tip of this along the table and touch it to your wound. Do so, and it will heal you.”

In pain and in terror, suffering terribly from many physical and mental traumas, Silver Mane needed no encouragement. He ran the wand along the table as directed, leaving a small black trail on the table as the wand's tip burned the wood. Silver Mane then touched the wand to his wound but the wound itself didn't heal. Silver Mane looked to Master Facade in horror as Master Facade spoke in Silver Manes voice.

“I, Silver Mane, offer myself and my friends, Bon Bon, and Wild Snow to the hounds of hell as a feast. As recompense for our pathetic inadequacy and our failures.” Master Facade gave a warm smile even as the sound of banging on the clock tower doors could be heard as the guards demanding the doors be opened in the name of Princess Luna. Master Facade saw the portals beginning to form and he gave a truly chilling smile as he touched the ring upon his hand looking Silver Mane right in the eyes before saying to him “...Goodbye...”

Silver Mane held his finger in his throat and looked around the room in panic as the seven Hellhounds emerged from their portals. Monstrous beasts standing thirty-six inches at the shoulder, they were covered in rust-red fur with eyes of glowing crimson, each smelling of brimstone and smoke, their different soot-black markings seemed to bristle upon their fur. As the horrified stallion watched, each mouth dripped with saliva that burned upon the stone floor of the bell tower as they opened their maws to mouthfuls of sharp soot-black teeth.

The Hellhounds gave pause for but a moment as the wand in Silver Mane’s hand snapped, completely spent. The Hell hounds dog piled upon Silver Mane, eating him alive as his screams were slowly silenced in the puffs of fire and demonic growls. When each had tasted of Silver Manes flesh and his soft internal organs, two Hellhounds gave an eerie hollow-toned howl that announced to the fleeing pray that the hunt was on.

Outside, Dark Star and Midnight Oil gave a full-body shiver as their short cropped manes stood on end, each taking an involuntary step back, their wings flaring for immediate escape. Dark Star turned to his partner and said, “I think this just became much higher than our pay grade.”

“Yes,” Midnight Oil squeaked, his sword trembling in his grasp.

“Get Princess Luna?” Dark Star suggested, starting to slowly back away from the door.

“Princess Luna,” Midnight Oil parroted, quickly doing the same.

A second bay brought them out of their conference circle as they both said “Now!” and raced back to Canterlot to get Princess Luna.

Dr. Horse had just extracted Onyx Fire off the bed post when her heard the howl cut through the night. Neither stallion had been very talkative other than to complain about how much it hurt and where, as well as what they planned to do to the stallions that did this to them. But their tongues loosened when the doctor gave them morphine injections, and when pressed, their story started out as being ambushed by ten stallions the size of Big Mcintosh, then it became five frisky mares belonging to a slumber party that had gotten out of hoof. When told both seemed unlikely, the two stallions settled on gotten into a drunken brawl with well trained celestial guards from Canterlot, though with the drugs taking effect, they could only answer very sluggishly, seemingly unaware how ridiculous they sounded.

Dr. Horse could only roll his eyes at their shifting explanations while Sapphire Moonlight coughed “bat guano” into her hand, only to have her hoof stomped on by Twinkle Diamond. She gave her partner a ‘bitch would you please?’ look, but Sapphire Moonlight could tell Twinkle Diamond not only agreed with the sentiment, she was trying her hardest to look serious and not fall over laughing at the two stallion troublemakers, when it was more than obvious that ONE being had handed them their testicles.

“Dr. Horse, when Princess Luna arrives she is going to want to ask them a few questions,” Twinkle Diamond pointed out. “When may she?”

Dr. Horse just shook his head. “lt depends on when these two stallions get out of surgery and how fast the morphine wears off, ” he said before lighting his horn and levitating the pair. “As I’m sure you can tell, they’re not going to be giving coherent answers before that,” he informed them with another eye roll before teleporting away with his two patients.

Just then the howls sounded again. “Okay, let’s find out where the others are and if they’ve found anything. Those bays make me nervous,” Twinkle Diamond said to Sapphire Moonlight.

“You said it. I just hope the rookies are alright” Sapphire Moonlight said with shiver, concerned for her inexperienced guardspony stallions.

“Me too. We will have to come back later to search the scene more carefully. I just hope the mare that lives here is alright.” Twinkle Diamond agreed as they marked Lyra's house with crime scene tape and took flight again into the night.

His heart disintegrating gruesomely within in his own chest, Wild Snow was dead before he had hit the floor.

Braxton began to pat his victim down with sudden haste as he heard the first bay of the hellhounds, recognizing them for what they were—a very real threat, even to him. Thankfully he found what he was after quickly, pulling the keys to Bon Bon's shackles free of a pocket. Braxton swiftly unlocked them and scooped the terrified mare up into his arms he heard the hellhounds coming toward the belfry, knowing he had to think fast.

Braxton uttered some words under his breath and instantly, both he and Bon Bon began to be surrounded in a fire of soft blue flame that was cool to the touch of both. “It’s okay. I’m here to save you,” Braxton assured the trembling and still gagged mare who clung to him as he made his way up the belfry’s stairs, knowing he had to get those hellhounds in a line for his next plan to work.

It was a race, and one Braxton was initially losing as the first hound made it to the belfry door barely three feet behind him. The slavering beast barked, but as it did so, fire shot from its mouth, hitting the stairs and setting the wooden risers ablaze and cutting off their quarry’s retreat. The second hound then closed in, passing right through the fire without harm—as did a third and the fourth. Seeing Braxton retreating deeper into the bell tower, the fifth hellhound tried jumping at him as he made his way up the stairs, but his jaws only snapped shut on Braxton's displacement, breathing fire and smoke as its teeth found only empty air.

His illusion spent, the sixth hellhound pounced, having a clear shot at Braxton, slowed by Bon Bon’s added weight as he was. This time, the Hellhound’s jaws came down on Braxton’s arm as he used it to shield Bon Bon from getting hurt, but his razor-sharp teeth didn’t penetrate his enchanted leather and mail vambrace and couldn’t find any purchase as Braxton backhanded the Great Dane sized animal back down to his packmates, who then released great gouts of flame as one.

Bon Bon tried to scream in terror through her gag, expecting the hellish fire that the infernal beasts breathed to consume them, but the blue flames that swirled and danced around upon their skin did not let one lick of heat touch them. The lead Hellhound then leaped but went low, trying to take Braxton out at the legs to bring him down so its brethren could have a chance. The hound made his jump to the open platform but only hit the bricks as Braxton had moved out of the way a little further up the belfry tower stairs, but allowed them to remain in striking range, seemingly trying to get them to rush him, one of their wild swipes managing to dislodge Bon Bon's gag enough for her to give coherent speech once more.

“ARE YOU CRAZY??? WE ARE DEAD! THEY ARE--” Bon Bon screamed in panic and fear, not wanting to die even though her rescuer seemed to have a death wish. He then spoke calmly, his voice quieting her storm of panic and fear.

“Right where I want them,” Braxton said with a thin grin and lowered his hand, pointing it at the hellhounds as they prepared for their final charge, having finally cornered their fleeing prey. As Braxton uttered another series of words, a cone of visible extreme cold erupted from his extended hand. The eighteen-foot diameter cone was funneled further by the belfry stairs, enhancing its effect in the closed space and adding to its already ninety-foot effective range, dousing the fire started by the Hellhounds even at the base of the stairs.

Hemmed in by the walls and narrow stairwell, the hellhounds had no way of escaping the devastating spell and were slain almost instantly, their internal fires doused as they stood as eerie statues for just a moment before they shattered like hot glass dipped in cold water. Their shards rained down to the floor, and even those soon crumbled to dust and left only a small stain of soot and the smell of brimstone behind. The stairwell, however, looked as though it was carved from ice until it, too, began to thaw and the wood splintered and collapsed, leaving Braxton and Bon Bon only one way to go.

Outside, two elite thestral stallion guardsponies and Princesses Luna appeared outside of the bell tower just as snarling sounds of the hellhounds were abruptly ended with puffs of cold vapor appearing from cracks in the belfry walls. Twinkle Diamond and Sapphire Moonlight landed next after spotting Luna teleporting to the location where their two comrades. They had no time to explain what they’d already seen before there was a loud crashing sound that caused the elite guardsponies to link their shields.

“Follow me, my loyal Lunar Guard!” Princess Luna ordered as she entered the base of the belfry, sensing unfamiliar magic and a decidedly evil aura, covering her guardsponies with her own power. Nevertheless, her escort entered with swords drawn in a two-by-two formation as they’d been trained, with the rear pair lowering their spears over the right and left edges of the forward guards’ shields as they moved in as a unit.

Upon reaching the darkened antechamber the two thestral stallion guardsponies wished they hadn't been so eager for action, their keen senses recognizing the smell and sight of blood, even in the nearly-nonexistent light. But it was only when Luna used a light spell that all the guards were overcome by the sight of a pony that had been not just butchered but also torn to pieces by large predators; the odor of blood and excrement from voided bowels hung in the air like a thick cloud.

“Proceed cautiously,” Luna directed, seemingly unaffected by the sight herself. She could see the tracks of large four-legged creatures leading out to the belfry hall and the sight there was little easier to take in, finding a second dead pony, this one looking like something big had hit him and crushed his chest, his rib cage visibly caved in in places or looking like it had burst outward in others, pieces of bone visible and sticking outwards in places.

“Curious…” was all Luna could say as her trailing Guardsponies tried valiantly not to become ill, wondering what other horrors yet awaited them and if they had a chance against them. “I am not familiar with this form of magic,” she noted as she then beckoned her escorts onward into the belfry stairwell, where they found piles of soot as well as the scorch marks upon the walls and the stairs that impossibly now held a thin sheen of ice on them. But the most unnerving thing was the evidence that a pony had been manacled here. It was then Luna heard voices coming from the very top of the bell tower.

“Princess…?” Sapphire Moonlight called out, her ears pivoting to the source of the sound, trying not to let her voice tremble as it was threatening to, wondering what other nightmares awaited them… or if she was forever going to be having nightmares after all they’d already seen that night.

“I heard it. Be on your guard,” she ordered, then led them up.

Now safe at the top of the bell tower, Braxton took the time to look over Bon Bon as she quietly sobbed in his arms after all the adrenaline and fear had gone “It's over Bon Bon... you’re safe now...” Braxton took a deep breath himself, letting his combat high ebb, feeling a hint of trembling in his own body from it. “Here, dear mare. Drink this slowly. But don't gulp it or you will throw it back up,” he warned her gently as Bon Bon looked on in amazement as her rescuer held out his hand and a globe of water seemed to materialize itself out of thin air and levitate over to her.

Still in shock, Bon Bon was afraid to drink it so he did so to prove it was safe, leaning in to take a small sip from the sphere. Having had very little to eat or drink for the past two days, this was all the encouragement she needed, immediately reaching in for it. After taking some tentative sips and finding it extremely cool and refreshing, even nourishing, she began to starting trying to gulp it down but Braxton moved the sphere out of her reach from within his arms.

“I said slowly, Bon Bon. If you drink too fast, you will vomit. And I don't want you losing what your body is screaming for,” he chided her gently. Once she had nodded her understanding, Braxton lowered the sphere once more and Bon Bon drank slowly till she had her fill. “There you go. Come on, let us get you home,” he gave the mare a soft smile

“Thank you, but… how do you know my name and where I live? ” Bon Bon asked with trepidation, still not entirely convinced she was safe.

“Lyra told me of your plight and I felt I could aid her,” Braxton stated simply as he stood up looking out over the town from the bell tower. “She was most concerned about you. Even willing to die if it would save you. But I will allow her to tell that part of the tale, so shall we go?” he offered her a hand to help her up.

She accepted it, and climbed to her hooves shakily. “B-but how are we going to get down? The stairs are gone,” Bon Bon stated flatly. “M-maybe we should call for help?”

Braxton smiled as he holds up a small leather loop in his fingertips, showing it to her. The leather loop disintegrateD and Braxton stepped off the side of the clock tower edge but doesn’t fall—instead he offered his hand to Bon Bon. “Going down, good mare,” Braxton says with a warm smile.

Bon Bon looked down over the edge to see her savior was really floating in the air, and all without a unicorn horn! “How are you doing that?”

Braxton merely winked at her and said, “It’s a kind of magic. And forgive me, my good mare, but where are my manners? I am Braxton Zeddmoore, at your service,” He bowed low as he hovered.

For the first time a week, Bon Bon found a reason to giggle. She took Braxton's hand he wrapped his arms around her and as she stood on his feet he lowered himself and her to the ground, beginning to lead her back to Lyra's house.

After casting an invisibility spell on herself, Luna reached the top of the tower only to find it empty.

She knew she had heard voices and after looking around but finding nothing but a strange mixture of ice, soot and scorch marks, she half-wondered if Celestia was playing a prank on her—or maybe Princess Twilight—only to immediately recall the corpses she left downstairs. Then she caught sight of a strange being walking next to one of her little ponies on the ground outside. She teleported to the bottom of the belfry tower and told two of her Lunar Guardsponies to secure the scene, beckoning the other two to come with her as she flew out after the unusual pair.

Unaware they were being followed, Bon Bon saw the splintered door of Lyra’s house and immediately became worried again, but Braxton told her the door was his doing and that he should make a sweep of the house first, telling her to stay close. Bon Bon agreed, following close on his heels, horrified by the ransacked interior as the entered. But Braxton realized the the house was just as he left it save for the scent of disinfectant and a few extra hoofprints in the dusty floor. From the smell of rubbing alcohol, he reasoned a doctor had been there, more than likely Dr. Horse since no smell of perfume was present. The good Stallion must have come at the guards’ behest, he reasoned as he completed his search of the structure and pronounced it safe.

“Where’s Lyra, Braxton?” Bon Bon asked, growing nervous that her friend hadn't responded to her voice.

“Take a seat on the couch, Bon Bon. I had to put her someplace to keep her safe. A place only I can access,” Braxton explained, whispering something to the door that would have lead into the bathroom.

Entering it and closing it behind her, Braxton made his way back to where he had laid Lyra down to rest and found her still asleep. He woke her gently with a light shake, calling to her softly. Somewhat blearily she opened her eyes and rubbed them, seeing Braxton as well as a bedroom she didn't recognize.

“Wha… where am I, Braxton?” Lyra asked looking around the room in some wonder.

Braxton chuckled warmly. “Forgive me, but that must remain my secret for now. You may ask me again sometime, but for now, just know it has served its purpose. My work is done, but allow me to see you home.” Braxton got up out of Lyra's way and escorted her out of his sanctuary.

Lyra turned her head back as she saw the door close behind them, noting Braxton had picked up a pack that was placed by the door. “You are going to have to tell me where I spent the night one day,” she told him, still looking back over her shoulder at Braxton as she spoke.

“Perhaps I will, but judging from her look she doesn’t want to wait another day,” said Braxton with a slightly wry tone, pointing behind Lyra with a warm smile.

“LYRA!” “BON BON!” both mares said simultaneously as they rushed to hold each other, crying tears of joy. Braxton let them have their moment, just checking his pack straps, pausing only to smile at the heartfelt reunion. He was just about to leave when Lyra grabbed him by the arm and pulled him into her, kissing him deeply, tears of joy streaming down her face. Her actions took all present, which now included Braxton, Bon Bon, two night watch guard mares and even Princesses Luna by total surprise.

“Well. That was unexpected,” Braxton and Kylnn Ka' Tar said as Lyra and Braxton parted for breath.

“Yet it was so totally worth it,” Lyra said dreamily resting against Braxton in her own world for a moment before she came back to Equestria. “Wait… Braxton, what happened to my door? ...and why are the Lunar Guards here? ...Eek! And Princesses Luna!? How long have they been there?” She went instantly embarrassed over both the state of her place and the very public display.

Braxton couldn't help but laugh warmly. “Judging from the guards’ faces, I would say they arrived about the time you kissed me,” he said as he pulled his hood back to look at the newcomers. He could tell they were sizing him up but in turn he had already done the same of the first two mares, finding them but the new mare…? She was something else. She was not only considerably larger than others and possessed both a horn and wings, but he could sense great power within her, and a great deal of experience and intelligence in her gaze. Whoever she was, she was not to be trifled with, he knew instinctively.

As if sensing his thoughts, Princesses Luna stepped forward at that moment and bowed to her subjects. “Lyra Heartstrings and Bon Bon... may we enter your domicile?” she asked politely, though she did cast a baleful stare at Braxton.

This got both mares to look around to see if anything needed cleaning at the last second, only to realize the state of their place was such that everything now needed cleaning. “Please, Princess Luna, come in,” Lyra invited despite her flustered state and joined Bon Bon on the couch, the pair holding hands. “Um… I guess you have a lot of questions…” she offered.

“And I am more than ready to answer them,” Braxton bowed to Luna, sensing she was somebody used to such respect, sitting on the floor while she levitated a chair to her and sat down, considering him carefully.

“Questions I have, newcomer. Not the least of which is... are you friend or foe?” She steepled her hands as she considered him, her wings partially flared behind him. “And you will forgive me if, considering the carnage and mysterious magic I have encountered tonight, I will need some assurance other than your word.”

“He saved us, Princess!” Bon Bon spoke up. “He saved us both!”

“That much is clear. However… many questions remain as to what happened here, and I do not believe mere explanations will suffice…” Luna said she looked things over again. She seemed to Braxton to be weighing things carefully before she finally nodded to herself and looked to her guardsponies. “Moonlight Shadow and Twinkle Diamond, I would like to have your thoughts upon this night,” she informed them, and both guards nodded and bowed their heads to allow Luna to take the night's memories from them as a glowing white orb.

Next, Luna looked to the two mares upon the couch and asked them for their thoughts as well. “Of course, Princess…” Both Bon Bon and Lyra answered, bowed their heads to allow Luna to add their perspectives to the orb. Finally, she turned to Braxton. “As you are not our subject, we will not require this of thee, but we ask that you indulge us as a courtesy. Will you grant me access to your thoughts and memories?”

“If It will ease your concerns… certainly, Princess.” Braxton placed his hands in his lap and closed his eyes, allowing Luna’s spell to do its work but check. Truth be told, every mare in the room was sad to see him close those beautiful lapis lazuli eyes of his; even the thestrals could appreciate their cool yet piercing blue. As Luna took the sphere from Braxton, she watched as it began to fall apart til it was the size of a small triangle, but it pulsed with thought that Luna could feel. Braxton opened his eyes and said softly. “Forgive me, Princess, but I will allow you only to take my memories of this night alone. The rest will take more trust.”

“As you wish. But may we at least say you have amazing mental acuity,” an impressed Luna complemented Braxton with a respective nod of her head, amazed that he had been able to limit her mental probes thusly. Luna then held each orb to her horn a moment, closing her eyes to take in the memories before she opened them again and looked to her guards. “We see you have acted to save and help others this night, Braxton Zeddmore, seeking only to aid your new friends,” she bowed her head to him, having gleaned his name from his memories. “You are clearly an ally, but we feel our accounting for events of this evening remains incomplete, given ‘tis not clear why these ponies sought to slay young Lyra or kidnap Miss Bon Bon. Therefore, I must see the two stallions in the hospital tonight to gain more information. They are all that is left of this story.”

“You are correct, Princess. That mystery remains unsolved,” Braxton agreed. “However, I must leave you to it for now. There are many other questions I have as well, but as I am quite fatigued. With your leave, I must head back to Princess Twilight's castle for a few hours rest,” Braxton said as he stood and bowed preparing to leave.

Without thinking, Lyra hopped up from the couch as Braxton stood up taking his hand in hers as she looked up at him “Could you please… stay here with us, Braxton?”

Braxton seemed to think for a moment before answering as if weighing something. “If that is what you wish… then yes, Lyra Heartstrings. I will rest on the couch and guard your door till I can fix it on the morrow.” Doffing his travelers pack, Braxton began to take off his armor, noticing he had one hysterically laughing sword echoing in his mind as well as an audience of mares. Seeing the way they were looking at him rather intently, he grinned. “Mares… it’s my armor, not my clothes,” he stated in jest.

Red was the color of every cheek in the room as Luna and the Night guard departed for the hospital, Bon Bon retired to her room, and Lyra soon followed, but only after she stole one last look at Braxton, dearly wishing it was his clothes.

The three nocturnal mares flew to ward Ponyville general to collect the memories of the two other stallions. Upon their way Twinkle Diamond turned to Sapphire Moonlight and said, “You know I'd pay good bits to watch that stallion take his clothes off!”

“You slattern,” Sapphire Moonlight said trying to get out of her wingmare’s line of verbal fire.

“Like the bit is going to stay between your knees if he came to you naked. I bet that stallion is hung,” Twinkle Diamond said a dreamy far off look in her eye. “Wouldn’t you say, Princess?”

Luna smirked and sped up, not about to let her own guardsponies wring any gossip out of her. “As our sister would say, methinks you both have one-track minds.”

The two Thestral mares giggled like fillies for a few seconds, but had put their game faces back on as they neared the hospital for answers.

Chapter 8 - Making Connections part I

Author's Note

Hello readers forgive the long delay as my schedule of late had turned into a few weeks of 7 12 hour days leaving little time to write. Enjoy, and thank you for reading =)

Chapter 8 - Making Connections part I

Chapter 8

Making Connections Pt I

Two hours into a night of much needed sleep, Braxton's keen senses picked up movement in the house. Awakening instantly, he picked up the distinctive sound of a light-stepping female with something dragging behind her as she walked. Curious but not too worried, Braxton cracked open one eye to gaze out over the darkened room in the black and white spectrum.

To his surprise, it was Lyra wrapped in a blanket and as he watched, she quietly made her way to him. She looked out the broken door and gave a soft sigh before sitting down on the floor beside him, leaning against the couch where Braxton slept.

“She seems quite taken with you, brother,” Kylnn Ka' Tar said as she rested on the top of the couch, in easy reach if needed.

“Indeed. She hasn't slept yet, has she?” Braxton summarized with his thoughts, noting how Lyra looked like she had been through an emotional wringer.

“No Braxton, she hasn't. Her surface thoughts and fears are keeping her awake. She keeps thinking none of this is real and Princess Luna is just giving her this dream to comfort her.” Kylnn Ka' Tar informed him in a gentle tone. “I suspect she comes to you now because she only feels safe in your presence.”

Braxton smiled and his hand came to rest upon Lyra's shoulder. She jumped at first, but his comforting hand didn't move as she looked over to him.

“I'm sorry. Did I wake you?” Lyra whispered guiltily.

“No, you didn't, Lyra,” Braxton said in a soft gentle tone. “Truth be told, I’m having as much trouble sleeping as you.”

“I’m sorry,” Lyra said again, leaning her cheek upon Braxton's hand. In response, Braxton turned his hand so that the back of his fingers caressed her cheek as Lyra tried desperately not to cry.

She even succeeded until Braxton spoke again. “The threat against you and Bon Bon is over, Lyra Heartstrings. You are both safe now.”

Unable to hold it back any longer, Lyra turned awkwardly to try to hold Braxton, she on the floor and he on the couch. Clutching his hand to her, she began to quietly release all the emotions she had pent up over the last three days, sobbing softly against Braxton’s arm. Unable to speak, Lyra could feel Braxton shift from the couch to the floor, allowing her to she hold him in her arms.

“Lyra,” Braxton quietly said but Lyra shook her head hard.

“Braxton, please,” Lyra sobbed. “Please, don't you understand… Just… Just let me hold you for a while. I know how weak I must look to you, but… I need to know you’re here. That you’re here and this is really over. Because right now… I’m afraid if I fall asleep I’ll wake up to find that this was all a dream and Bon Bon is dead.”

Relenting, Braxton wrapped the blanket around her then folded Lyra into his arms, holding her head to his chest and gently rocking her. Lyra listened to his heartbeat, her cries finally stilling as the gentle rhythm lulled her to sleep at long last.

Once she had finally nodded off, Braxton returned to his meditations, only to be interrupted again. “I sense the presence of a powerful mind probing us, brother. Use caution.” Kylnn Ka' Tar whispered softly.

Acknowledging the warning, Braxton continued to meditate, playing possum until he could feel the room shift around him to a open field under a beautiful starry night sky, Lyra Braxton still held within his arms though they were now leaning against a tree trunk and not the couch. “I know you are here. You may as well show yourself,” he called into the dreamscape, guessing who it was but giving her a chance to come forth before calling her by name.

In response, Luna herself slowly materialized from one of the stars in the night sky to alight before him on large royal blue pegasus wings. “We have had two encounters with you, Braxton Zeddmore. And each time you have astounded us.”

“What are you doing in my thoughts, Princesses Luna?” Braxton asked with caution.

“We apologize for the intrusion. We are not here to view your dreams, but rather, to look over our little pony Lyra Heartstrings.” Luna looked over to the sleeping mare, noting a soft smile of contentment upon Lyra's face. “You spoke of earning trust before? Well, we wished to see for ourselves your inner thoughts. Fear not, we are sure to stay upon our best behavior within your lucid dream,” Luna added with a smile of her own. “‘Tis your dream, and thus your own rules, after all.”

Braxton nodded to Luna in respect. “Perhaps, but this is also your realm and your world, and therefore I am but your humble guest within it, Princess Luna.”

He knew he’d chosen his words well when Luna stood up a little straighter, looking from Lyra to Braxton after a moment.

“We sense that although young Lyra isn't dreaming, and that she feels completely safe in your presence. In the short time she has known you, ‘tis clear that strong feelings have already grown within her. If we may, while our names were exchanged en passant, please allow us to introduce ourselves properly. We are Princesses Luna Alcyone. Keeper of dreams and Princess of the Night,” Luna said giving a respectful nod of her head towards Braxton.

“Braxton Zeddmoore, wayward War Mage. I would bow to you, honored Princess, but that would be somewhat difficult given I am both sitting and my arms are a little full,” he offered with a wry grin.

Luna favored Braxton with another smile. “‘Tis of no concern. We do offer you some news, however. The two surviving stallions that broke in here tonight will be interrogated and then punished severely for their transgressions. Will also plead thy case to my sister, Princess Celestia. She will not be pleased to hear that two of her little ponies have come to harm and will demand a full accounting of these events.”

Braxton looked to Lyra and then back to Luna with a look that seemed to scream 'You have got to be fucking kidding me?' Still, he said nothing letting the nocturnal monarch to finish before he opened his mouth.

Despite his discretion, his reaction did not go unnoticed. “Fear not, Braxton Zeddmore. When my sister sees the thought orbs she will know of your heroism and that you protected many before those beasts could run amok. But we must ask thee… just what in Tartarus were they?”

“They are called Hellhounds,” Braxton started as he willed a facsimile of one of the beasts into his dreamscape. As if sensing them, Lyra began to whimper softly and her hands clung tighter and tighter to Braxton in the dream.

“Hellhounds, you say?” Luna repeated. “We have seen many vile creatures in our long life, but those are new, even to us.”

This time, a restless Lyra spoke up before Braxton could. “They stand thirty-five inches at the shoulder, average weight one hundred and eighty pounds. Charcoal black teeth and markings. Silent hunters, summoned from otherworldly realms. They breathe fire and smell of brimstone… Braxton… where are you?” Lyra began to panic at the visage before her as it began to feed on her fear.

Braxton gently took one of Lyra's hands in his and mentally dismissed the creature, reassuring Lyra it was not real and that she was safe. He began rocking her again, he and Luna watching as the unicorn mare calmed back down to a peaceful rest.

“By the moon, where did Lyra learn of that creature?” Luna asked, looking to Braxton who seemed to be deep in thought and not have heard her. She was about to repeat her question when Braxton spoke.

“A question I wish to know the answer to… but as I do not wish to trouble her, might I ask you a different question, Princess?” Braxton looked up from Lyra to Luna.

She nodded her acquiescence, willing a chair into existence for herself to sit on. “Of course, Braxton Zeddmore, wayward War Mage. If we know the answer, we will tell you,” Luna promised.

He nodded. “First, Princess Luna, please call me Braxton. I dislike formal titles. Secondly, do you know of a stallion called Master Facade?” Braxton inquired.

Her brow furrowed for a moment. “Indeed we do. He is an esteemed professor at Canterlot University. But how would you know that name if you have only just arrived in this world?” Luna asked, very curious.

A smile touched Braxton's face as he whispered his answer softly. “With that, Princess Luna... the last pieces fall into place.”

“Forgive us, noble Braxton, but we are somewhat confused. Perhaps there is something we are missing?” Luna inquired, looking to the human war mage.

Braxton considered his next words carefully. “Remember what I told you was conjecture and wanted to keep to myself until I was sure of it?” Braxton looked to Luna, arching an eyebrow.

“We recall that, yes, and wondered then why you withheld it,” Luna replied with a nod.

“Then allow me to show you what pieces of puzzle I have so that we can compare proper notes,” Braxton said and around them the dreamscape shimmered and shifted until all three found themselves at the bell tower’s antechamber. But instead of moving forward normally, events were moving in reverse as Braxton rewound his own memories to where he had slipped out of the chamber hidden in the shadows, his cloak shifting in the patterns of the stone and stride making no more noise than a gentle breeze.

Luna watched fascinated as events continued to wind themselves backward even as Wild Snow walked back into the room. The memory was a carbon copy of what she had already seen but this time she actually heard Wild Snow tell Master Facade about the bit and Luna also noticed that the Canterlot Professor’s voice was half an octave higher than she knew it to be.

It was then the bell tower faded out and the dreamscape came to an earlier point in the evening where Braxton was helping Lyra with cleaning her home. Luna was aghast at the deplorable writing upon the walls of her home as well as the state of how the three stallions had left it the previous night. Before Braxton's intervention, both Lyra and Braxton worked in reverse in their respective cleaning roles till Braxton pulled a tall stack of rejection letters out of the desk and the action about the room stopped as though time had frozen. Luna looked over and noticed that the letter that shifted into focus was signed by one Dr. Master Facade. Though the writing was not as flowing as she recalled it to be, it was still upon the Canterlot university letterhead, indicating it had come from the college itself.

Once more the dreamscape shifted returning to the starry night sky as Braxton looked to Luna. “You see now my interest in this pony. I need to read that letter, but in order to do so, I must wake. Princesses Luna, might I ask you to step out so you are not thrown out?”

As Princesses Luna began to rise toward a star within the sky she called to Braxton “We thank you for sharing this with us. ‘Tis quite curious, to say the least. And in return, two more pieces of the puzzle we give unto you, Sir Braxton. One: Master Facade’s voice is normally half an octave lower than what you heard. And two, that is assuredly not Master Facade's handwriting...” Luna's voice seemed to echo softly within Braxton's mind as he opened his eyes.

Looking to his left, he saw Lyra in his arms as the morning sun shown in through the destroyed door. Braxton carefully picked a sleeping Lyra up, carrying her to her bed once more. In doing so, he passed in full view of Bon Bon, who was trying hard not to giggle at the sight unfolding as she saw the tall human walk by her room with Lyra snuggled up to him in his arms. This was going to provide lots of teasing opportunities for her best friend, and she couldn’t wait to rib her later.

Once Lyra was tucked in, Bon Bon heard Braxton move back the other way as though he had a purpose, returning from her friend's bedroom. She could soon hear him donning his armor and buckling on his sword, returning it to its place upon his hip. It was at this point Bon Bon decided to get up to speak to him, but could not approach undetected by his sharp senses. “Good morning, Bon Bon.” She hadn’t even entered the room before Braxton turned his head and spoke softly to her.

Bon Bon could only offer a small wave at first as she saw that he was checking over his traveler’s pack before placing it on his back. “Are you leaving, Braxton?” She had to know, trying not to feel any fear at his impending departure.

To her relief, he shook his head. “No, Bon Bon, I'm not. I still have a few things to do here before I make my way to Canterlot.”

“Like?” Bon Bon Inquired, hoping Braxton would tell her so that she in turn could tell Lyra.

“Like I have some currency to exchange, a door to pick up and repair, and I still need to ask Lyra a few questions. She had a restless night, but should be sleeping soundly now. With luck, she should be up and refreshed by the time of my return,” Braxton said, reciting a small mental list that caused Bon Bon to muse that he sounded like Princesses Twilight. “If you would, please remain here with Lyra? I do not believe she wishes to be alone right now,” he requested with a bow of his head.

“Of course,” Bon Bon replied evenly, thinking that at that moment, she didn’t want to be alone either.

After having a grand tour of Ponyville the previous day thanks in part to Lyra, Braxton was able to find the money changer he sought without too much trouble.

An alien in an equine land, Braxton knew he was being watched and kept at arm’s length by the locals, feeling nervous eyes and equally anxious voices on him everywhere he went. Despite this barrier, he kept himself cordial as he stood outside the money exchange, offering nods and a soft smile to the stares he was receiving. When it was finally his turn, Braxton came to the first open desk, taking in the nameplate upon it. As a cream colored unicorn mare with sharp blonde hair and deep blue eyes prepared for her next client.

“Welcome, good sir. How many I help…” she turned to greet him only to see she wasn't greeting a pony customer as her mouth fell open. Braxton took her surprise in stride, keeping it business as usual. “Good morning, mare Fair Scales. I am visiting from a faraway land, but perhaps I might I enlist your help in converting some of my currency over to bits?” he requested with a warm smile.

This seemed to snap Fair Scales out of her agape state. She didn't know what creature this was, but she had to admit he spoke very eloquently. “Um… yes...yes I can,” she said, struggling to recover her composure. “Might I see the currency in question, please?”

“Yes, of course, my good mare,” Braxton offered easily, taking the pouch from his side and giving it a few soft shakes to open the drawstrings before upending it to produce the money within. They came out with a clamor and he immediately set out to organizing them before Fair Scales. The first coins were ten square pieces of copper metal that had the edges cut from them. They had a hole in the center of each coin with a different star constellation embossed upon each side. The next set of ten coins were silver, but these were triangular with a pair of crossed swords adorning the coin’s faces. Braxton then sat down ten coins of gold; the face of each of these had a wolf head behind an open flame.

Braxton placed down only five of the next set of coins. They were an oval shape, but the Electrum metal that they were made of gleaned almost as lustrous as Silver. The final coins set before Fair Scales were made of platinum, just three in total. However each of these had the face of a dragon devouring its tail.

Surprised, Fair Scales went to work looking over each of the coins in their own turn. She stopped once only to examine the gold coins, thinking that they would transfer bit to bit. But upon closer inspection she found that the coins weighed one troy ounce and were therefore worth nearly five bits to themselves.

Somewhat lost, Fair Scales looked to Braxton and asked very politely if he would object to her getting a coin specialist in order to verify the wealth that was before her. Braxton himself had no objections and waited her to obtain her boss. She soon returned with a well-dressed stallion named Filthy Rich, who showed up and asked Fair Scales why he did not receive word that a wealthy dignitary was showing up, apologizing to him and sitting down to take care of his latest client personally.

After examining the coins himself, Filthy Rich informed Braxton that the wealth that was before him on the table was equivalent to a few hundred thousand bits--quite a hefty sum and one making him a very wealthy visitor indeed. “I fear our currency reserves are such that we might not be able to give you a full exchange…” he offered apologetically. But Braxton of course only asked for what would keep his belly full and buy a door, not wishing to deprive the money changer of all his currency and force him to turn other customers away.

Filthy Rich agreed, and after completing Braxton's request, informed him that he was always welcome and that should he have any other financial or business needs, to please contact him immediately, handing him a small business card to help keep such services in mind.

Promising he would, and noting his honesty, Braxton collected both the bulk of his own money as well as his freshly exchanged currency. He then departed for the lumberyard, where he found a brown earth pony stallion named Speed Square. Though surprised at his otherworldly visitor, the carpenter pony had no trouble finding a door that would work, as door frame sizes were standard.

Obtaining a particularly thick and sturdy one to guard against future intrusions, Braxton paid Speed Square for his wares and asked him to deliver the door to Lyra's house, offering extra bits if he did so quickly and obtaining an immediate promise to do so. As Braxton walked back to Lyra's house, he heard a loud whistle that could be heard throughout the entire town. Uncertain what it was, his curiosity spiked, but noting the lack of reaction to the strange sound from the ponies around him, he decided it was nothing more than one more question to ask Lyra later.

The train pulled in with a rhythmic timing after coming to a stop, producing a slowing series of hisses as the brakes engaged.

Once the doors were opened, Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie disembarked the train, each very travel-weary. Twilight Sparkle bore a concerned look up on her face, worried as she was about Starlight Glimmer. Her disappearance into the mountains left her with a small pit in her stomach that the mare could and would cause more trouble before she resurfaced.

Twilight didn't have a lot of time to reflect upon this, however. No sooner had she and her friends stepped off the train platform when two angry lead mares came forward to proclaim their innocent stallions had been maimed by Braxton and put into the hospital, while a third stallion that was their friend had been missing since last night. Though confused, Twilight looked to each of the two mares—a earth pony named Azure Flame and a unicorn named Nettlekiss—and promised them that she would get to the bottom of what had happened to their stallions.

About the same time, Rarity, having missed the local gossip and quickly catching up on it, was shocked to learn that the Ponyville rumor mill was abuzz over the very wealthy dignitary that had arrived in town and was looking to build a home in Ponyville. The main gossip mares whom were at the center of this where three earth ponies Lily Valley, Daisy, and Roseluck. The three herd sisters owned a flower shop, and were talking as they welcomed Rarity into their circle to catch her up on the town gossip she missed.

The told their fashionista friend that they hoped this dignitary was as attractive as he was loaded, and that he was in the market for a herd or at least open to courting a pony to take care of him. But they also bore news of a more serious nature, mentioning the elite Lunar Guardsponies stationed outside of the clock tower not letting anypony into it, vaguely mentioning that it was partially because the bells were silent and partly because Time Turner was a bit upset they hadn't woken him up that morning. Rarity cast a glance back as Twilight was wrapping up dealing with the other mares, assuring them that the problem would be taken care of and seen to with the utmost attention. Rarity glanced back again and while Twilight didn't show it outwardly Rarity knew things like this took something out of her friend. Rarity decided to leave just as a pegasus pony landed to get a few flowers from the three mares after being filled in. As Rarity was turning to leave the mares to their gossiping, she heard the Pegasus speak to the flower shop owners.

“What if he already has a full herd and has no interest in gaining more? ” the pegasus mare asked the three earth mares.

The three earth mares immediately fell over over-dramatically. LilyValley could only twitch. While Daisy said “That would be awful, Star Diamond!” before covering her eyes with her arm as though blocking the sight of a befalling tragedy.

Roseluck could only utter out in a bemoaning voice, “The horror... the horror!”

Rarity merely rolled her eyes as she was walking over towards Twilight, passing Rainbow Dash and Applejack as she muttered drama queens under her breath.

Rainbow Dash looked to Applejack raising an eyebrow and whispered to Applejack, “Has the kettle met the pot?”

Applejack looked to Rainbow Dash and gave a snort in an attempt to hide her laughter. “I reckon.”

As the mares made their way back to the castle of friendship Rarity looked to Twilight “Dearie, are you okay? It looked like those mares took a lot out of you.”

Twilight shook her head. “Just heard the details of the two stallions that were in the hospital. One will never be able to walk without the use of a cane and the other will never have full use of his shoulder.”

“What uncouth beast would leave a pony a stallion no less with those horrible injuries?” Rarity asked, truly horrified.

“I am still trying to wrap my head around that-” Twilight started before Pinkie Pie bounced up, interrupting Rarity and Twilight's conversation.

“Not to add more fuel to an already big fire Twilight but there is the rich dignitary about Ponyville as well as the elite lunar guard stationed over at the clock tower,” Pinkie said with a giggle trying to liven up the situation.

“I was going to tell her so she wouldn't be overwhelmed, Pinkie darling.” Rarity looked to Pinkie who gave her a sheepish smile.

Twilight pinched the bridge of her muzzle between her eyes. “Not helping, girls, thank you... And Braxton, Spike said he didn't come back to the castle last night either so we also have to go look for him.” Twilight steeled herself a moment and was about to start delegating to help deal with the problems that needed addressing when a small fit of pinkie giggles broke her train of thought as Pinkie spoke.

“Oh I wouldn't worry about that young rogue, Twilight. That wild mustang can take care of himself.” Pinkie hooked one arm around Rarity “Don't forget, Braxton has Lyra with him too.”

Rarity looked to Twilight before looking to the others. “You don't think he spent the night with Lyra do you? We did kinda leave him alone.”

Twilight gave a sigh before speaking. “Okay girls, here is the game plan. Me and Rarity will go to Lyra's house to see if she knows where Braxton took off to, Rainbow Dash go ask the lunar guards why they wont let anypony into the clock tower. You speak for me in this matter if they object. Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, can you two go look for this mystery diplomat, and Applejack could you go to the hospital and ask the fire brothers who put them in the hospital.”

“Those two brutes?” Rarity gasped, “they are the ones in the hospital?!”

“I reckon I can do that sugarcube, anything else?” Applejack asked putting personal feelings aside.

“Yes. When all this is said and done we meet at Lyra's house before we go on to the next hoop we no doubt have to jump though.” Twilight finished as the mane six deposited their luggage in the castle foyer and left for their respective portions of the town’s woes.

Speed Square had been able to deliver the door about the same time that Braxton had arrived back at Lyra's house. As Braxton tipped Speed Square three bits for his delivery of the door Braxton asked, “Speed Square my good stallion do you know off the top of your head where one might get some parchment? I am nearly out.”

“Of course, my friend. Just down the way at Quills and Parchment.” Speed Square said pointing down the road before he departed as two mares came up and told him to beat it. Speed Square beat a hasty retreat as Braxton watched him go he turned his gaze to the Earth pony and the Unicorn mare.

“Are you the stallion that put our stallions in the hospital with a knife wound and a broken leg?” The Unicorn said in anger pointing an accusing finger at Braxton.

Braxton folded his hands behind his back in a non threatening gesture. “I will let you mares in on a little secret, they were doing bad things.”

The two mares looked at each other they hadn't counted on the stallion admitting to his crime so soon they wanted to beat it out of him. They still did actually.

“Mares whatever you are thinking please rethink it,” Braxton said calmly as he took a few steps forward as his fingers moved in small movements behind his back out of their sight.

The two mares gave a cruel chuckle. “He wants us to rethink it, Azure Flame... I am so scared.”

Braxton's mind began running through tactical scenarios on how they might attack and how he might counter. He closed the distance almost with near imperceptibly keeping their focus by talking to them. “Oh I know you’re scared... I can see that in your eyes, mare.” Braxton's voice had a chilling edge to it his eyes locked on to both mares as the unicorn began to light her horn with magic, sending three missile bolts toward Braxton. The missiles flew toward Braxton with all the rage the mare could muster. She watched as they didn't strike Braxton but merely seemed to vanish and as she prepared another volley, Braxton quick as a striking snake lunged the final distance needed and flicked the mare unicorn's horn at the base where it met her skull. The unicorn’s magic fizzled out, her eyes crossed for a moment, and she let loose a terrible scream an octave higher as she fell backwards. “You hit me!... you worthless jackass you hit me! ” the Unicorn screamed at the top of her lungs.

Twilight and Rarity stood dumbfounded as the scene before them unfolded. When had Braxton closed the distance when had he struck her all they saw was his body coming back to rest to look to the other mare as she prepared to strike at Braxton with all her Strength. Twilight had to intervene. “By my order, cease this fighting!”

Braxton turned his head to look to Twilight and Rarity, but knew the other mare was past the point of no return and leaned back out of the way of her haymaker. Braxton used her momentum against the earth pony as her punch sailed past and Braxton grabbed her by the wrist, locking her at that joint and pulled the earth pony off balance before stepping behind her. Braxton's free hand gripped like a vise around her descending Aorta. “Now, good mare, this fine princess told us to cease fighting and while I did, you did not. Now please apologize to the princess before you pass out.”

Azure Flame's vision began to tunnel quickly. This stallion, what was he? What demon of Tartarus spawned this bipedal terror? Her fading eyesight saw the princess and locked her eyes to her. “I apologize, Princess Twilight... Please... Help... me...” Azure Flame's eyes shut as she fell unconscious.

Braxton helped the unconscious mare down next to her shocked and whimpering companion as she recoiled from Braxton. All bravado gone from her, this stallion was something to be feared.

Twilight looked as Braxton gave only a slight bow in respect to the princess. Rarity rushed to the fallen mares to check them over while none had any true wounds how Braxton had brought both hot blooded mares down was something else. “Nettlekiss and Azure Flame do not appear hurt in the least. Not in body anyway Twilight.” Rarity looked back over to Twilight as she began casting a spell.

“My Prance fragrant flank I am not hurt... I may never be able to use my magic again!” Nettlekiss whined to Rarity “That Creature needs to be caged and gelded to prevent any of its misbegotten spawn from touching Equis! ”

Rarity placed a hand on her chest and said in a patronizing tone to Nettlekiss to inform her she was not amused. “Dearie you can't cage and geld a wild mustang, they are national treasures.”

Braxton merely cocked an eyebrow at the exchange. Nettlekiss for her part thought about belting the pretentious mare in the mouth, but quickly took stock of the situation. Right now she had only a fine to pay for assaulting a stallion, no apology necessary. If she hit Rarity on the other hoof, the Element of Generosity, a powerful unicorn in her own right, and close friend of Princess Twilight, Nettlekiss would definitely be paying a very steep fine, face a public apology, and spend some time in the Canterlot dungeon for her crimes. As it stood, the stallion was in greater trouble than she was, so she considered her job done.

Meanwhile inside the house Bon Bon had watched as Braxton had the door delivered and was about to start to work when the mares came up starting trouble, and as soon as the shouting started, she rushed in to wake up Lyra and bring her to living room. Then when they had heard Braxton had hit someone and Twilight intervened to stop the fighting, they were near frantic trying to think of a way to get Braxton off the hook, for he was a stallion without a herd and most times a fine and hard labor awaited any stallion who was foolish enough to strike a mare as well as face the fact he would be called a mare beater and spend even more time alone. Both mares could only watch as Braxton endured the insults and the part about the mare he struck wanting him gelded.

Twilight's magic began to take hold as she poured power into the spell she was casting. all the voices seemed to slow down while the environment about her began to tell her the truth of the event. Twilight saw Braxton tip Speed Square with a few bits, she saw him begin to set the door up as the two mares arrived, the auras about them told her they wanted to harm Braxton. While they didn't harm Speed Square they did spook him enough to quicken his step. Twilight had heard what the two mares asked Braxton. Twilight's reaction to the three stallions being behind Lyra's torment did surprise her. For what had Lyra done to them to warrant such behavior? Twilight watched as Braxton placed his hands behind his back but she saw his fingers move he was casting some sort of spell. The answer came a moment later when Twilight saw Nettlekiss strike at him first with magic. This magic was not meant to hurt, it was lethal magic—she was out to kill him. She saw the lethal bolts vanish as they hit something and she also saw Braxton lunge out, but rather than strike with a fist he just flicked the unicorn’s horn. Braxton hadn't hit Nettlekiss in the least. Twilight had the events before she and Rarity arrived and knew the rest as far as why the stallions wound up in the hospital.

Twilight canceled her spell her returning to normal time. The new spell was truly draining and she couldn't do much with it yet, but she had to thank Time Turner for teaching the spell to her. Rainbow Dash was the first to arrive from her part of the delegated mission and took in the sight of two mares on the ground near Rarity and she wanted to question the prime suspect but had to deliver what the night guard had said. “Twilight, the guards at the clock tower said if I was speaking for you they could at least tell me that you have to go there in pony. Also do we need to question Braxton for all the trouble about town? I can do that for you.” Rainbow Dash said with brash gusto, cracking her knuckles.

“Yes, Element of Loyalty that stallion struck me and my sister in law! That creature is a mare beater!” Nettlekiss bemoaned trying to stir the pot as much as she could.

“First... No, Rainbow, you will do no such thing. Secondly... Nettlekiss, shut up!” Twilight said as much for the safety of her friends as not wanting to jump to any conclusions yet. Twilight had done so in the past and those experiences had taught her to gather all the facts first.

Applejack was next to arrive as she walked past Nettlekiss to Twilight. “Stallion beater, maybe, but hit you...no. Tell Azure Flame she is a crummy actress an' she should wake up,” Applejack said looking back over her shoulder to Braxton and the two mares who were trying to rouse the third as she opened her eyes and pushed Rarity away from her, crossing her arms and scowling at Applejack.

Applejack rolled her eyes as she looked back to Twilight and lowered her voice. “Twi, Braxton did put those two stallions in the hospital. But they wouldn't tell me why Braxton attacked em. I tell ya Twi those two stallions are lower than snake’s bellies in a wagon rut and the mares ain’t a far cry from em. But I ain't gonna lie sugar cube, Braxton is in a heap a’ trouble.”

Twilight already knew Braxton was in trouble and wanted nothing more than to get him out of it. Her options were dwindling to pass judgement for the two mares when Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy showed up just in time with Pinkie saying in a chirpy voice. “Oh Twilight, good you found the wealthy diplomat.”

A collective “WHAT?!” erupted from Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Lyra, Bon Bon, Azure Flame and Nettlekiss.

Twilight's mind raced for the open door. Twilight was going to give Pinkie the biggest hug when this was over. Stepping forward, she quickly gave a bow, “Ambassador Zeddmoore, please forgive these two mares for this little misunderstanding. The last thing the crown or myself wishes for is this to mushroom into an international incident.”

“She is a smooth one, that one. I like her.” Klynn Ka' Tar said to Braxton as his own mind gave a pause before he answered as though to convey that he was mulling it over. All the while, Azure Flame and Nettlekiss were sweating bullets. They were used to stirring up trouble, but this was way over their heads.

Braxton looked through the two of them before he opened his mouth “I will be lenient in this matter with one caveat,” Braxton said crossing his arms looking down at the two mares who were trying to disappear into the ground sweating under his gaze. “That they apologize to my emissary and escort while here in Ponyville—mare Lyra Heartstrings.” Braxton made a gesture to the open door that had yet to be repaired to draw attention that Lyra and Bon Bon were standing near the doorway just inside the house.

“Us apologize to that crackpot?!” Azure Flame said in disbelief standing in defiance.

“Then I have no choice but to have Princess Twilight throw the book at you. Starting with the following charges: Attempted assassination of a foreign dignitary, assault on a foreign dignitary-” Braxton paused looking to Twilight whom took his cue without missing a beat.

“Lets not forget trespassing, interfering with matters of the crown and an addendum to the two aforementioned charges is the same as if one tried to assassinate a member of the crown, which places you two now in the realm of high treason. The penalties are exile for the herd and total seizure of all lands and assets,” Twilight said deadpan.

“Let us not forget Princess Twilight in my realm such acts are met with a sentence of immediate death by beheading in the town square,” Braxton countered no longer looking to the two mares as though they no longer mattered to him but he kept them in the corner of his eyesight.

“Laying it on a little thick aren't you. Don't bury yourself in the part 'ambassador'.” Klynn Ka' Tar said teasingly.

“Silence ye ol' impudent piece of cutlery.” Braxton returned the barb in equal measure.

“Whom are you calling cutlery you shmok.” Klynn Ka' Tar laughed.

The two defiant mares realizing just how far up shit creek they were, threw all pride out the window and scrambled over to Lyra's threshold and began to beg for forgiveness in sobs and near hysteria. In those ramblings the name Master Facade came up once more. As well as Silver Mane about how he had paid them all to give Lyra torment and that she was a better mare than they were and hoped that she would forgive them for all the heartache wrought.

Lyra and Bon Bon were dumbstruck here where all her tormentors before her hanging all hope that she was still a kind mare. Not wanting exile and certainly not wanting death.

“How do we end this Lyra?” Bon Bon quietly asked Lyra.

Lyra bit her lip looking to her best friend and then to Braxton and outward to the mane 6 and finally down to the two tear stained faces of the pitiful mares before her groveling waiting with held breath for her answer. “I just want to know if they are truly sorry.” Lyra's voiced in a concerned tone. Wanting no more trouble would befall her later once this mess was over or Braxton left.

“We are sorry, we will trouble you no longer” both mares sobbed openly

“They’re tellin’ ya the truth, Lyra.” Applejack looked to Twilight and Lyra.

“For the moment, or the rest of your lives?” Braxton asked

“Our lifetime!” the two mares wailed in sorrow, crying once more anew as they held onto one another for dear life.

“Then... I forgive them,” Lyra said as she let her anger that was boiling just under the surface go. It was not an easy task, but if she was going to move on with her life, at least she would have to forgive them.

“Then I am satisfied—nothing more need be done,” Braxton said looking to Twilight and then back to Lyra with an understanding nod.

“I have no objections so the matter will close and put behind us as a misunderstanding of cultural differences. Now there is only the matter of the clock tower and a letter to Princess Celestia,” Twilight said as she turned to leave with her friends, before she stopped and turned back to Lyra. “Oh, Lyra, I almost forgot. Could I read your interview with Braxton? I've been wanting to read it since yesterday,” Twilight said with a giddy smile. Lyra meanwhile blushed from her cheeks to the tips of her ears.

Braxton acting quickly, merely countered, “If you wish, Twilight. We can hold our own interview. I don't mind being asked some of the same questions over again. I just have to fix this door and pick up more parchment. As well ask Lyra a few questions while I work.”

Lyra mouthed 'thank you' to Braxton, but didn't voice it.

“I don't see why not. Sure, after I finish up this bit of business... say in an hour and a half?” Twilight asked excitedly.

“Sure, but I get to ask questions back.” Braxton added with a friendly smile.

The mane six departed for the clock tower. Braxton began work upon the door. As Braxton worked he and Lyra talked a little more.

Lyra was the first to break the companionable silence between them. “Thank you for keeping my paper safe from the Princess's eyes, Braxton.”

“Don't worry, Lyra. Given your reaction I would think you put more personal thoughts into those notes, given I didn't give you a lot to work with,” Braxton said, seeing Lyra blush again knowing he hit the nail on the head.

“Must you leave once the door is repaired?” Lyra asked biting her lip nervously.

“I do need to get to Canterlot to see the two ruling Princesses that reside there. But that does remind me—may I look at the paper that was rejected by Master Facade on your desk?” Braxton asked.

“My doctoral dissertation? I suppose so... I don't know why you had to ask me for that...”she scuffed her hoof into the ground, adding with a whisper since she couldn't look at him as he worked, “you're pretty much welcome anywhere in my home.”

“It is always right to ask, for they are your effects, and I am a guest in your house so your rules and your privacy as well as Bon Bon's is paramount to me,” Braxton said with a warm smile.

Lyra for a moment thought her heart would melt. No stallion had ever so much as cared about her privacy. Unless it was to ostracize her. “But isn't it always better to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission Braxton?”

“Yes, but only when the situation is duly pressing or time is not on your side. Given neither of those criteria were present, I wasn't going to take that liberty and violate that trust you gave to me,” Braxton said as the door came together.

Lyra could only shake her head and watch him. She had never met a stallion like this, and she wondered if there were others like him where he came from, for there were none like him here.

The trip to the clock tower had been the most draining to Twilight, as the elite guard only let her pass despite her initial protests to see inside but the smell of blood quickly killed it as its heavy coppery scent hung in the still air. What the guards were keeping ponies out of however was further back—a small pool of what looked to be mercury, but if that were the case it would have sunk into the ground by now. Twilight had summoned a small glass vial and gathered some, but she couldn't stay there long. The scent of blood was making her ill.

She filled her friends in on what took place—or at least what the guard thought took place—Silver Mane was eaten by some creature that left a paw prints in the blood that was left of his corpse. The other pony was a mystery, given when they found him he was a pony but within a few hours he had been reduced to a large puddle on the floor. As well as the stairs being completely demolished on the way up to the belfry.

Twilight was tired and wanted a nap before her interview with Braxton. Fluttershy offered her bed to Twilight for at least 30 minutes so she would get a little better nap, which she accepted. The other mares went their separate ways, each needing to tend to their own errands and in Applejack's case, chores.

It felt like Twilight had just dozed off when Fluttershy came to wake her up. Putting most of the day’s unpleasant events behind her, she welcomed the thought of what she could ask Braxton, already beginning to get a lot of questions lined out.

Braxton made his way back to the home of his hostess, the castle of friendship. When he pushed the door open with ease, Spike was there to be the first to greet him with a wave.

“Hello, Spike. Good to see you this half past noon.” Braxton returned the wave deciding to speak to Spike in draconic.

“Hey Braxton.” Spike returned without thought, hearing the tongue of dragons. Spike had to admit this was getting very cool and his mind was filling up with quite a few questions. “Twilight came home not too long ago, she said she was headed for the map room. By the way, where were you last night?”

Braxton gave a warm laugh. “Spent the night working, to answer your last question, and I came by to see Twilight because she wanted to interview me.”

“Care if I listen in?” Spike asked.

“You are welcome to, though it will more than likely be about magical theory and practicality,” Braxton said with a smile.

“Oh.” The interest in Spike's eyes died with all the grace of a fart. “Well I guess I can go read my comic books, then.”

Spike then began to make his way out of the foyer when Braxton called after him. “Spike?”

Spike stopped and turned back to look at Braxton questioningly

“When this interview is over if you tell me of these comic books you speak of I will trade you the knowledge I know of the dragons of Avawyvrenn,” said Braxton with a smile.

Spike’s face lit up like a kid at Christmas. “Awesome! I can't wait!” Spike then left the room with a smile.

Braxton entered the map room, spying Twilight. She smiled softly at him. “Hi, Braxton. Good to see you.”

Braxton returned the smile. “As always, good to see you as well, Twilight.”

“So, ready for a two way lecture on magical theory?” Twilight asked.

“Ready as I will ever be, let’s hit the books.”

Walking into the library among the rows of bookshelves in the center was where Braxton had learned to speak Equestrian and Twilight went to go get a large chalkboard bringing it back to their area with her magic. Braxton could feel the warm aura of magic Twilight was using to move the chalkboard.

“Interesting… Telekinesis?” Braxton asked after studying Twilight's spell for a moment, looking at the magenta aura around the Chalkboard.

“Yes, it is an intermediate spell for unicorns, its prerequisite is to learn levitation.”

“For me, Twilight, Levitation is a tier two spell from the school of Alteration and Telekinesis is also an intermediate spell but it is a tier five from within the same school.”

“Alteration? Schools? How diverse is your magic from ours Braxton?”

“If I am recalling from my studies of learning your language, there are four types of racial magic: earth, unicorn, pegasus, and alicorn correct?”

“Yes, and all of them draw their power from the energies of the six Elements of Harmony. They are Generosity, Honesty, Kindness, Laughter, Loyalty and Magic.”

“That may explain why the magic feels warm to me. I would say that our two realms can use magic is best where our similarities end. In Avawyvrenn, we have nine different schools of magic.”

Twilight's jaw hit the ground. “Nine schools?!”

“Yes, and they are Abjuration, Alteration, Conjuration/Summoning, Enchantment/Charm, Greater Divination, Illusion, Invocation/Evocation, Necromancy, and Lesser Divination. Mind you, the term ‘school’ is not an organized place where a person goes to study. In this case, the word ‘school’ identifies a magical discipline. A school is an approach to magic and spellcasting that emphasizes a particular sort of spell.”

Braxton could have sworn that a few cowlicks in Twilight's mane stood on end. Her wings certainly did. As her eyes became wide in realization of all the magic that she didn't know about, Twilight let out a high pitched 'Squee' of excitement.

“This is so exciting! Please, Braxton, show me.”

Braxton laughed warmly “Alright, school mare, we will start with the basics then work our way up. Now, a practitioner of all the schools of magic is called a Wizard or a Mage. The nomenclature fits whether one is a mare or stallion.”

Twilight's smile lit up the room as she took notes, totally absorbed in what Braxton was saying.

“As such, if you recall I had said to Applejack that if I was a normal Mage then I wouldn't have a sword.”

“I recall you saying that you called yourself a War Mage.”

“Yes, a War Mage or Militant Invoker. Twilight if you could do this next part since I can't write equestrian just yet?”

Twilight nodded and took a piece of chalk from the chalkboard.

“Now draw an eight pointed star for me and set the schools in the following order for me. Starting at the top.”

Twilight did as she was told and awaited Braxton's next command.

“Illusion, Enchantment/Charm, Conjuration/Summoning, Abjuration, Necromancy, Invocation/Evocation, Greater Divination, and Alteration.”

“Why only eight points you said there was nine schools?”

“Regardless of the path a wizard walks all schools have access to Lesser Divination and Greater Divination. But there is an exception, and I am leading to that,” Braxton said with a smile. “And I will tell you what each of the schools do, respectively.

“Abjuration spells are a group of specialized protective spells. Each is used to prevent or banish some magical or non-magical effect or creature. They are often used to provide safety in times of great danger, or when attempting some other particularly dangerous spell.

“Alteration spells cause a change in the properties of some already existing thing, creature, or condition. This is accomplished by magical energy channeled through the

wizard.

“Conjuration/Summoning spells bring something to the caster from elsewhere. Conjuration normally produces matter or items from some other place. Summoning enables the caster to compel living creatures and powers to appear in his presence or to channel extraplanar energies through himself.

“Enchantment/Charm spells cause a change in the quality of an item or the attitude of a person or creature. Enchantments can bestow magical properties on ordinary items, while charms can unduly influence the behavior of beings.

“Greater divinations are more powerful than lesser divinations. These spells enable the wizard to learn secrets long forgotten, to predict the future, and to uncover things hidden or cloaked by spells.

“Illusions deal with spells to deceive the senses or minds of others. Spells that cause people to see things that are not there, hear noises not made, or remember things that never happened are all illusions.

“Invocation/Evocation spells channel magical energy to create specific effects and materials. Invocation normally relies on the intervention of some higher agency (to whom the spell is addressed), while evocation enables the caster to directly shape the energy.

“Lesser divination spells are learnable by all wizards, regardless of their affiliation. This school includes the most basic and vital spells of the wizard—those he needs to practice other aspects of his craft.

“Necromancy is one of the most restrictive of all spell schools. It deals with dead things or the restoration of life, limbs, or vitality to living creatures. Although a small school, its spells tend to be powerful. Given the risks of the adventuring world, Necromantic spells are considered quite useful. In spite of the name, the spells are not entirely evil—merely their time of application, and toward whom.”

Twilight's eyes looked to the compass before her. “this is a lot to take in, Braxton.”

“True. Getting back to the matter at hand, I am one who chose to forgo general practice and specialize in one school above all. This in turn gave me more time to study other things, but also limited what schools I have access to.”

“How so?”

“If you follow the compass around to the point of invocation/evocation you will find that the school that is in contention with it is enchantment/charm, meaning I can never cast spells out of this school—they simply fizzle out. And because conjuration/summoning share so much with the first, I can't use that school either, but it does not make a wizard any less of a formidable foe.”

“Out of curiosity how many spells do you know?”

“Are you talking about the spells that I can cast off the top of my head or the ones that take a little preparation work?”

“If not too rude to ask both?”

“I have an extensive repertoire of spells. I can cast eighteen in a day before the mana starts to tax my mind and body. My known spells written down number about two hundred or so. And I can call upon fifty of those two hundred without need of going to my books”

Twilight's mouth fell open for the second time today. “Tax you?”

“Oh yes, powerful spells, Twilight, have powerful prices to pay. Some spells might only leave the practitioner weakened while others cast at the wrong time will kill them.”

“What do your spells look like? For me I just concentrate on what I want and it comes to me.”

“Ah, into the meat of the matter.” Braxton removed his pocket sized spell book from the holder and began to unfold it, getting Twilight's attention. The book thickened when Braxton seemed to knock on it. He opened it to a page with a spell on it and turned the tome so Twilight could see it for herself.

Twilight's eyes went wide at the spell’s complexity. It looked like a mathematical formula mixed with symbols and hieroglyphics. “What is the name of this complex spell here? I can't make heads or tails of it.” Twilight's voice trailed off as she tried to piece the spell together all the while being fascinated by the unknown before her.

“That is the spell 'Copy', the last spell an apprentice is taught after he makes the rank. It paves the practitioner’s advance to Journeyman.”

Twilight sighed, softly shaking her head. “This book doesn't look like it can hold two hundred spells, and speaking of this book, what type is it? I have never heard of a textbook that could fold down to the size of a steno notepad. What is the first spell you learn as an apprentice?”

Braxton chuckled warmly. “This,” Braxton tapped his fingers on the textbook, “is called a traveling spellbook. Most wizards use them to hold utility spells so that they don't need to be bothered with memorizing them. The book contains a dimensional pocket in the book’s spine to hold a quill and a vial of ink. It is one of three gifts an apprentice earns from his teacher when they become a journeyman.”

Braxton rose, taking the red leather pouch from his right side. ”This pouch is the second gift. During the creation of the pouch, a spell called Eschew Materials is cast upon it, so with it—while empty normally—a practitioner can call the materials needed for all one’s spells.”

“Materials for spells?” Twilight asked as Braxton made his way over to the chalkboard

“I will answer two questions with one answer. May I see the chalk?”

“I thought you couldn't write equestrian?”

“I can't, I am showing you what the first spell an apprentice learns is.. as well as the answer to your question of need of materials.”

Braxton knew this spell by heart. He had been fed it enough to choke on it, and to be honest, for the first four months of his career it was the only spell he had access to. Braxton smiled at the warm memories of his mentor some days ramrodding this spell down his throat. Turned out to be his most used spell and he always gave a silent thank you to Tiberius.

Braxton finished the spell formula for the 'Cantrip' on the chalkboard. normally a spell this simple took an apprentice a day at the most to transcribe—an hour for really talented apprentices. Braxton had the spell down to a science, he could write the spell in thirty minutes. Braxton gave another smile as he recalled another memory of his teacher trying not to be impressed and merely told him, “Perfect...now do it again.” and would use a Cantrip to erase the spell from the page. Braxton handed back the chalk to Twilight.

“Okay, with the spell wrote up I need you to write in the upper corner V,S, and M.”

As Twilight finished she asked Braxton “V,S, and M?”

“The letters mean V for Verbal, S for Somatic, and M for Material component. This Spell of course has only two of the three; V and S.”

Twilight looked at this spell. Even though this was the first spell taught, it was still as foreign as the last spell she looked at, but she could recall that the spell copy had a symbol by all three strange runes in the top of the page so she could summarize that what she wrote mimicked how the spell was set up in Braxton's book.

“I think I get it, but I want to make sure I follow. Your spells need a total of three parts in order to work. If one of those things are missing, the spell will not work?”

“Four parts, and correct.”

“Four?”

“Yes, if one doesn't tap the mana for the spell, you can gesture and say the spell all day long, and have all the components necessary, and the spell would still be inert.”

Twilight shook her head. No wonder Braxton's magic felt so cold, whenever he cast it the power was on a completely different level. That realization both intrigued her as well as terrified her. Her gut instinct told her that this mana that Braxton spoke of was as much a weapon as it gave life to all things.

Both drew their attention away from the chalkboard, hearing the rattling of dishes and a door opening. “Hey you two, I figured you might be hungry so I made some snacks and tea for you,” Spike said as he entered the library giving a warm smile to the pair.

Spike set the tea set down on a nearby table and looked over at the chalkboard out of habit seeing it full he gave a whistle “Wow,Braxton, that is a very efficient cantrip very easy...to...read...” Spike started but trailed off as he began to understand what was written on the chalkboard. Inadvertently his two smallest talons of his claws touched and his thumbs extended straight up. He uttered the words Braxton had written on the chalkboard.

Five things happened in a domino like effect when Spike cast the cantrip. First, the chalkboard section that Braxton had transcribed the spell upon vaporized in a puff of magic and flame. Second, Twilight's mouth dropped open as she gave a startled 'eep!' Third, Braxton's eyebrows rose in surprise. Fourth, the tea became steaming hot. Fifth, the sandwiches that spike had made of eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, and onion became grilled as the bread toasted.

Braxton took one of the sandwich halves and took a bite. “Hmm, not bad, a million and one uses and still counting for what a cantrip can do. Never thought to use it for cooking. You taught me something new, Spike.”

Spike took the other half of Braxton’s sandwich and tasted it. There where two slices left. It was the best sandwich he had tasted. “Mmmm where have you been all my life,” Spike said with his mouth full. “How long will this spell last Braxton?”

“A starting apprentice can cast it once per day for an hour. It will grow as you do so don't worry about it being weak.”

Spike grinned. “I think my house chores will be a snap, now,” he walked off a smile on his face.

As he got back to the door he heard Braxton ask“Still want me to tell you about the dragons of my realm, my young friend?”

“Actually could I take a rain check on that, big guy. I kinda want to go play with this,” Spike said pleadingly.

Braxton threw his head back and laughed. He made a shooing gesture with his hands. “Go on, go play.”

Spike then ducked out the door as Twilight shook herself out of the state she was in, the only words she could squeak out with a pout were “No fair.”

The interview lasted about four hours as Twilight and Braxton traded magical formulae and spells,as well as some of the curiosities Braxton had found around Ponyville. The concept of indoor plumbing, as well as the train and use of electrical power to light homes as well as heat or cool them within a box was a truly fascinating thing to Braxton. Most ponies took these amenities for granted since such conveniences were a normal part of everyday life, even in towns like Ponyville.

Braxton had also asked about the marks on his arms he had received from the map when he touched it. Twilight was enthralled by the complexity of his cutie mark. Twilight had also informed Braxton that she was going to send a letter to the princess Celestia so that he could make his way to Canterlot since the last train had already departed, but Braxton insisted that he was able to reach Canterlot at his original appointed time to meet with the princesses. When Twilight asked how, Braxton had merely said he had it handled and could move faster than the train could.

This was another mystery. How he could cover so much ground, as well as move so fast? As for personal questions that she asked, Braxton said he had promised those to Lyra since she wasn't in a true state of mind to give a true interview and would ask those questions be held off on till Braxton fulfilled his word to Lyra. Braxton thought it was rather cute when Twilight pouted as she gave him the scroll saying who he was for the castle guards.

Lyra sat looking out the window with a heavy sigh. Lyra could look to her couch for a moment and see Braxton sitting on it relaxing or at her desk working on something, giving her a soft smile, only to disappear from sight to leave an empty space and her heart a little heavier. Her mind raced asking herself how could she be falling for this stallion so quickly. She had known him two days, but in those two days she had seen him be courageous, compassionate, thoughtful, honorable, humble, and somepony who was willing to risk his life to save a total stranger. He had even given her back her life, the life of her best friend and what had he asked for in return for all this? ...nothing. Was it infatuation? Was she falling in love? How could one stallion possess so many attractive traits? Why didn't more stallions have them!? It made her head hurt and her heart ache to dwell on it. All Lyra could do was look back out the window and sigh.

Bon Bon had watched this for about twenty minutes, and it was getting depressing. Action was called for. Bon Bon walked up, gently taking Lyra's face in her hands and turned Lyra to face Bon Bon square on. “Marefriend, there comes a time in every friendship when a friend has to put her cards on the table and tell her best friend that she need to grab her ass with both hands and go chasing after a stallion’s ass that she’s head-over-hooves falling for. Before she loses said stallion to some mare who does that just to rob you.”

“But what if he doesn’t return my feelings, or isn't interested?” Lyra said as she near panicked looking to her best friend.

“Marefriend you've known the stallion two days. Give friendship a shot first. He strikes me as a very deep stallion, one of a kind. You really gonna let that go?”

They were interrupted by a knock at the door. When Bon Bon answered the door, there was Braxton.

“Good afternoon, mare Bon Bon and mare Lyra. I just thought I would pass by to say that I was going to head to Canterlot today rather than go upon the morrow. I thank you wholeheartedly for your hospitality last eve.” Braxton gave a wave, turned upon his heel with pack on his back and began to walk out of town.

As Bon Bon shut the door she saw Lyra trying her hardest not to cry. This time is was her turn to sigh and she walked into Lyra's room and brought her out a duffel bag dropping it into Lyra's rather surprised arms.

“When?” is all Lyra could stammer out

“About thirty-five minutes after he went on his interview with Twilight and you started moping.” Bon Bon deadpanned

“But...” Lyra started before Bon Bon cut her off

“Marefriend I tell you this with the utmost respect...either I kick your flank out the door or you go chasing after that stallion’s very fine flank yourself,” Bon Bon said with a hint of exasperation in her tone.

Lyra wiped her tears and gave her best friend a hug before she took off out the door, leaving it open. Bon Bon shook her head as she went to the door, seeing Lyra catch up to Braxton. She couldn't hear the exchange, but he nodded yes to Lyra, and she gave a little excited bunny hop as Braxton turned and waved to Bon Bon before they started walking off to the train station tracks.

Chapter 9 - Tell Me Of Your Homeland Braxton

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Chapter 10 - Making Connections Part II

Chapter 10

Making Connections Part II

In the twilight before the rise of the sun, the lunar guard and the celestial guard readied for the change of shift.

Still bleary-eyed after being rousted by reveille, Vintenar Scarlet Star ran her hand absentmindedly over her short-cropped black mane, sensing today was going to be a long day, and it hadn’t even started yet. Scuttlebutt was rampant that morning. She had barely pulled herself out of bed before learning from other soldiers that Ponyville had suffered an attack during the night, dealt with by Luna herself. There was also talk of a strange creature involved—coming off duty, Princess Luna’s two chatty-catties couldn’t shut up about him. Of course, what was fact and what was fiction by the time the day shift got briefed was about as reliable as a cart with square wheels.

Sighing, she made her way out of the muster room in her padded gambeson to her office to find new dispatch orders waiting for her on her desk. She was relieved to see some good news as a note in an elegant script read: ‘The Songs are back in action! See you on the next patrol, Vintenar.’ Thank Celestia, she mused, happy to digest a bit of good news... only to find a second, far more unwelcome note under the first—her orders for the day.

She rubbed her eyes as she read it, wondering what she’d done to anger her higher-ups. A noble, Countess Ebony Moon, had volunteered Scarlet Star to foalsit her daughter, Mystic Diamond, and two of the countess’s new subordinates. Fresh from the Academy Of Nobility, going with them out on the first patrol. Worse, she would not be commanding them but ‘advising’ them, forced to obey the orders of a neophyte noble officer who likely knew little of leadership or combat. Upon finishing the note, she looked skyward, closing her eyes and groaning as she leaned upon her desk and read her formal orders, detailing exactly what the new ‘Vintenar’ had outlined for the day.

The orders boiled down to the most inane and obtuse assignment that she had the privilege of receiving in this mare’s army. “Search the ‘common roads’ for highwaymares and stations selling unlicensed goods yet to receive an entry tariff into Celestia's grand city,” were her instructions. “Translation from bureaucrat-speak: ‘buck around all day with a noblemare while she is looking for a stallion or two to plough,’“ she muttered to herself, half-wishing that whatever attacked Ponyville came after them so she could at least demonstrate to the noble newbies what a real warrior was. Sighing one last time before making her way to the armory to suit up for a massive waste of time, she reflected that there were days she hated her job. But such was the price of service to Celestia.

The sun rose over the sleeping pair of Braxton and Lyra Heartstrings, still wrapped in Braxton’s cloak of Elvenkind while they lay upon The Crown Jewel Of The Desert.

As an early riser, Braxton had been awake for well over an hour. But he had not wanted to wake Lyra, who he knew had precious few restful nights in recent weeks. He stayed still until Lyra did at last stir from sleep, opening her eyes and recognizing him. Braxton greeted Lyra in return with a warm smile. Slowly coming out of her slumber, Lyra leaned forward as if in a warm bed and kissed Braxton softly, snuggling up tighter against him. She gave a happy moan as she did so, unable to remember the last time she felt so safe and content, wishing the dream she was in would never end… only to abruptly realize it wasn’t a dream and she had just kissed the real Braxton like he was her lover!

“Well, pleasant good morning to you too, Lyra,” Braxton said playfully. He watched the mare gain a deep red tinge under her aqua colored fur, going to the tips of her ears.

Unheard by Lyra, Klynn Ka' Tar was howling with laughter. “Oh, brother!...out of the frying pan and smack into the fire!”

“I am so sorry, Braxton... I thought I was dreaming, and...” Lyra stammered as she tried to disappear within the folds of Braxton's cloak.

Braxton gave a warm laugh as he moved the cloak aside that had been acting as a cover for the two of them. “I am flattered that I am the object of your dreams, then. Do you want any breakfast, Miss Lyra?” he asked the still-blushing mare.

“Yes, thank you…” Lyra shook her head to clear it but still couldn't look at Braxton, embarrassed beyond belief. What was it about this human male that did this to her? Shouldn't she be the one trying to make him turn red? But then again, Lyra couldn't say she was practiced in such charms given that she spent a good deal of her time studying or tracking down clues to creatures that most of her peers didn't even believe existed. That left her little for stallions and the few she did have over the years had either used her or dumped her, leaving a bitter taste in the mare's mouth.

One dated her only on a dare, another tried to steer her away from her life’s work, and the last had wanted to court her into a very large herd with the lead mare's permission. What hurt most was she found out later the stallion had done this as a test of loyalty given by the lead mare herself for her amusement. She had no desire to expand her herd with a ‘low born house noble’ as she explained. The threats of being beaten and impressed into the herd, driving her status in the herd's eyes to just above a servant, was just a sick game for the lead mare.

“You’ll forgive me if I decline to cook for now, as I wish to be on our way quickly. We can eat better later, but for now, I hope you’ll find my provisions to your liking.” Braxton then moved to a pouch on his pack, opened it, and pulled a one-by-four-inch bar from the pouch, and broke it in half. Passing the slightly larger half to Lyra, she was about to bite down on the curious foodstuff when Braxton spoke again. “Don't bite down on it straight away, Miss Lyra. It’s very tough and chewy, so let your saliva soften it up first.” Before Braxton closed up the pouch, he pulled out another flat stick that had a reddish hue. But Braxton didn't give any of this to Lyra. The taste when it was soft enough to chew was quite delicious, the raisins, dates, and a couple of fruits that Lyra couldn’t identify mixed flawlessly with several different types of exotic nuts as well as grains and honey.

As Braxton and Lyra ate, a Royal Guard patrol came up the road and saw the pair camped by the roadside. Spotting them, the group of four uniformed ponies made their way over to the odd couple, eyeing Braxton somewhat suspiciously. Approaching them, the patrol leader took a few strides ahead of her troops, an emblem of the sun adorning the left breast of her breastplate.

“Hail, citizen! I am Mythic Diamond of the Royal Guard. Where are you and your exotic pet off to this morning?” said the patrol leader, an earth pony mare who wore the insignia of a Vintenar. Braxton said nothing as the patrol drew closer, resting on his left side to keep Klynn Ka' Tar out of sight.

Lyra's mouth dropped open. “Pet?!” she exclaimed, “What in all of Equestria makes you think he is my pet?”

Ignoring the slight and Lyra’s sudden surge of temper, Braxton began to look over the four soldiers standing before him. Two earth pony guards, a mare, and a stallion were armed with guisarmes—and the way they held them as well as their condition spoke volumes. Some signs of wear with only minimal maintenance told him that these two had the rudimentary understanding of their weapons. They used them more to lean on and didn't keep them at the ready—a fatal mistake if Braxton was any threat. Were he of the mind to, he could cut them both down before they could raise their weapons.

For her part, the patrol leader mare seemed new to her sword as well, which carried a peace knot still tied to the sheath. She outright ignored Braxton, focusing on Lyra exclusively. The fourth member of the troupe, in contrast, was a unicorn mare who wore a long sword upon her hip. Unlike the others, her sword was in flawless condition and looked well-maintained; her hand rested upon the hilt while her opposite arm bore a shield. At any given moment she was but a half-second away from bringing both to bear.

So she, then, was the real leader of the group and the only true warrior within it. Braxton wondered if this was a common tactic, to draw attention away from the real threat. If so, it would only fool average brigands, not seasoned soldiers like himself.

From behind Mythic Diamond, Scarlet Star used her shield to keep the other two rookies behind her as she took stock of the scene, starting with the mare who seemed to behave much like any civilian. Her companion was another matter, however-- an unknown bipedal creature that gave her pause.

He was not armed that she could see, but he was armored. His protective gear was unfamiliar but rather intricate—it must have cost him a pretty bit, and was flawlessly maintained. Further, his entire relaxed manner gave her pause. Even just the way he moved to recline on his equally impressive carpet. Watching him was like watching a tide move—there was no wasted motion or energy with him, and she could tell this creature was sizing up the patrol as sure as she was sizing him up.

Whoever or whatever he was, he was not to be trifled with, Scarlet Star quickly realized. Scarlet Star rested her hand on the hilt of her sword as his mare companion and Mythic Diamond began to argue over him being a pet. But then again, while something seemed dangerous about him, she was no slouch herself, and she had no doubt he knew it.

“Well, speaking noblemare to noblemare...” Mythic Diamond said, drawing closer to Lyra as she got to her hooves. “As he is so richly dressed, he must be your favorite beast of burden to carry all your packs and this magnificent rug. You simply must tell me where you came by this as I've never seen a rug of such beauty. I might be interested in buying it off you,” she patted at it with her hoof. “Also, if you’re headed into the city, I must advise you to pick up a collar and a leash for your pet, as they are not allowed to run fr-”

Lyra reacted before she could stop herself. To the surprise of Braxton and the rest of the patrol, she punched the other mare squarely in the muzzle, knocking her flat upon her back. The noblemare was so surprised that she failed to immediately register the hit until she found herself lying on the ground with a throbbing jaw and staring up at Lyra in stunned shock. It was enough to give Lyra a chance to speak her mind.

Lyra's voice came out dripping with venom. “Don't... you… ever! Call... my... Braxton... a ...PET!” She stomped her hoof hard and ignited her horn, threatening the use of magic right then and there.

The two rookies could only laugh at the noblemare who bought her way to the station she was appointed. The remaining mare moved her shield to show Lyra that her hand was upon her sword. “My good mare, you are in but mild trouble at the moment. Though your actions are understandable, I strongly suggest you do not make this worse for yourself.”

Lyra froze as the authoritative mare checked her. Not only had she had just punched one of Celestia's Guardsmares, but she couldn't believe she had said that in front of Braxton!

Braxton remained poker-faced as events unfolded before him, but that did not preclude Klynn Ka' tar from giggling softly in Braxton's mind. “Memo to you, old friend: don't piss this mare off!” she warned him. Braxton could only somewhat ruefully agree.

Overcoming her shock and the pain of her throbbing jaw, Mystic Diamond hopped to her hooves, angry that a noblemare would stoop to hitting another of noble blood over what was said about a pet, especially when she was trying to be complimentary about her possessions! She tried to draw her sword only to realize it was held fast. “Sister, why did you tie this sword with a peace knot?” she asked as she began fiddling with the knot, trying to undo it. “As soon as I get this sword free, you will pay, noblemare! You act as if your property has feelings. Or intelligence, for that matter. I highly doubt that furless and flat-faced creature can talk.”

The two rookies were trying unsuccessfully to stifle their giggles as they watched their ‘leader’ embarrass herself further. Deciding things were starting to get out of hand, Braxton slowly began to pull a scroll case from his pack only to be spotted instantly by Scarlet Star.

“Whatever you are doing, cease immediately, creature. Or weapons will be drawn.”

With scroll case in hand, Braxton made no other movement but decided it was time to bring this to a close. He looked to Scarlet Star, the most seasoned guardsmare of the four and spoke. “Then perhaps, good Guardsmare, we might engage in civilized parlay rather than pursue this fracas to its final stupidity?” His tone gained steel despite the bored look. “For if your weapon becomes involved, so too, sadly, must my own. And though I recognize your skill, I don't believe you wish to enter a melee with three millstones around your neck, young warrior.”

“You speak?!” squawked Mystic Diamond as she gave a slight step back in surprise. But her sword became tangled up in her legs and sent her tripping over her weapon and onto her butt once more. “Damn cumbersome thing,” Mystic Diamond huffed as she cast the sword to the side of the road near Braxton, going for her crossbow instead. She fumbled with the latch as she tried to load it.

“I agree...” Scarlet Star said, looking at Braxton as she weighed all her options and knew this creature was right. Whatever he was, his eyes and quiet confidence spoke volumes to the seasoned mare. He carried himself precisely like her grandfather; she remembered his strength and skill well from his long time in the Celestial Service. His example was what made Scarlet Star want to join the Guard herself, and a saying she had always heard her grandfather tell her. It came ringing to the forefront of her mind, and it chilled her to the core:

'Thus an expert in battle moves the enemy and is not moved by them.'

She had to admit this creature had made his assessment of the four and knew the only real threat was her. Whoever he was, his skill was considerable, and though so was her own, she did not wish to test it. Especially when she knew nothing about who he was or how he fought--the folly of entering battle without proper intelligence was another lesson her grandfather had drummed into her over the many long hours he trained her. Deciding the choice to de-escalate was hers, she moved her hand from her sword and then watched as the creature seemed to relax across his shoulders in turn, surprising her. She had thought him relaxed, but in fact, he was coiled and ready to strike. She let go of the breath she was holding. While Braxton's voice was warm and polite, she got the distinct impression the calmness he spoke with was like the stillness before a thunderstorm.

“Permit me to introduce ourselves, good guardsmare. This is my envoy Lyra Heartstrings, and I am Ambassador Braxton Zeddmore. I have a writ of passage from Princess Twilight Sparkle to see Princess Celestia. Princess Twilight's seal should tell you I speak the truth.” Braxton sat up to present the scroll box a second time, revealing Klynn Ka' tar on his back as well. The guardsmare tensed at the presence of the weapon, realizing that if he had jumped up, he would have had that magnificent blade at his disposal instantly. Had it come to swordplay, it was very likely neither she nor the other guards would walk away...

Fortunately, combat appeared to be the furthest thing from the stranger’s mind as he offered her the scroll, ignoring the others entirely. Mastering her nerves, Scarlet Star took the scroll to examine the seal as Braxton adjusted the baldric of his sword, stood up to his impressive full height and strode over to the sword that Mystic Diamond had thrown away.

“Good Ambassador Zeddmore, you will forgive me, but I must be suspicious of this document given the goings-on of the previous nights,” Scarlet Star said flatly.

“Of course. You would not be a good Guardsmare if you were not,” he replied evenly as he stopped near the blade. The four guards tensed, thinking Braxton was going to pick it up and even they were starting to understand how dreadfully overmatched they were by the tall stranger. But instead of bending down to pick it up, he used his foot in a way they had never seen as he seemed to kick the sword up into his left hand all the while keeping an eye on the four guards, holding the blade by its sheath. “Please feel free to escort us to the castle, and it would more than likely expedite things.” Braxton looked at Scarlet Star as he walked over to her, offering the sword to Scarlet Star hilt first.

“Please see to it, good mare, that this sword is returned to one that truly honors it and does not throw it away. Do not return it to the one who obviously bought their rank and station,” he said with a mildly contemptuous glance at Mystic Diamond, who for the first time that entire day had done something smart by remaining silent.

While all this was happening, Lyra could only watch, feeling useless as well as unhappy that Braxton always seemed to have the deck stacked against him. She wanted to be a better mare than to have him be doing all the heavy lifting, protecting, tending and even providing for both of them. She gave a small sigh, and Braxton seemed to pick up on it as the scroll came back into his hands as the four guards agreed to return with them, Mystic Diamond accepting the ‘suggestion’ from Scarlet Star that they did so.

“Keep your chin up Lyra. We will talk later, okay?” Braxton whispered, locking eyes with her and offering up a warm smile that could make her melt as he picked up his pack.

Lyra bit her lip and nodded, still feeling superfluous and unworthy. How could he always do that to her? With but a single word and glance, he could silence her inner storms and seemed to have the patience of a saint. Picking up her duffel bag she asked “Thank you, Braxton. But what about The Jewel Of The Desert?” She glanced back at the carpet they had slept on as they spoke.

“Fear not, Mare Lyra. The rug comes with us.” This caused all the guards and Lyra to watch as Braxton extended his hand over the massive carpet and whispered “Subtraxerim utilium.”

At his spoken spell, the carpet shrank back the size of a handkerchief, leaving four gobsmacked Guardsponies wondering what they had just witnessed. Enjoying their reaction, Lyra smiled softly at the sense of wonder that Braxton always seemed to instill not only in her but others as well, watching him return it to the pocket he’d drawn it from just the day before. Their camp struck, they began to walk toward Canterlot under armed guard.

Celestia Alcyone held day court with a troubled brow as she listened to the plights of her subjects.

The Solar Diarch listened patiently as she always did to the unending line of petitioners seeking redress for some real or imagined wrong. Some had lost kin to monsters, while others only wanted cheaper taxes, more lands, and more significant ways to carve Equestria up more for themselves. These nobles were directed to the office of Timely Manner—a steel trap when it came to the laws of paperwork, but also a real expert in bureaucracy to keep these nobles out of her mane for months at a time.

While not ignoring the problems at court, Celestia's mind was on the matter of the guest that was to arrive today. Luna had already briefed Celestia on the events that led to two of her little ponies coming to harm, but when hearing the entire story from all sources involved in the matter—as well as the activities in the bell tower—it shook her to the core. According to the letter, Lyra Heartstrings and Braxton Zeddmore left Ponyville after the last train and didn't return. This left her faithful student exasperated and more than likely pacing a trench in the floor till she heard from Celestia, but she had no news yet to share. Waiting for these two was like watching a pot boil. The effect it was having on Celestia was not to the nobility or the common pony. Her aides would have told you a different story however, for something was on the princesses mind. An almost nervous energy in organizing her thoughts as well as trying to usher plans into motion.

For Lyra, the journey into Canterlot was nothing short of the most awkward thing that had ever happened to her in her life.

Four armed guards were walking in a box formation around Lyra and Braxton, escorting them as they walked down the wide city streets, making Lyra feel like a common criminal on her way to the dungeons… or worse, the gallows. Braxton, on the other hoof, either didn't care or didn't show it. Most ponies parted the road in the wake of the strange tall creature in the center of the guard's formation, some pointing and whispering, others shielding their foals from him. Rumors began to circulate that he was either a criminal or noble from a distant land. There was even a wild rumor that he was a suitor for the princesses themselves.

As the group made their way to the castle, two young ones—a filly and colt no more than Applebloom's age—came up to the group. Braxton saw that the two looked very hungry, each encouraging the other to go on and greet the stranger and the pony that walked by his side, perhaps guessing from his finery that he was quite wealthy. Mystic Diamond looked scornfully at the two young ones as she raised her hand to swat them out of the way. “Out of our way you filthy urchins!”

The two children recoiled as Mystic Diamond's hand flew toward the two foals, but it was stopped as Braxton grabbed Mystic Diamond’s wrist. His eyes were cold, and his voice just above a whisper. “It seems you are a force to reckon with against children… care to try that with me?”

The crowd was dead silent all activity around them ceased as a stallion had stopped a mare. Mystic Diamond had to look away from Braxton as she was terrified to the core just from his gaze looking not at her, but through her. She wisely shook her head no.

Braxton let the spoiled brat of a mare go. He then took a knee to get down on even level with the two children and looked them over. One was an earth pony with white fur, brown patches and dirty clothes; the other a snow-white unicorn whose clothes were as dirty as her friend’s but stood out even more for against her brighter coat for it. Her white aqua eyes told Braxton all he needed to know of the little filly and he motioned to the two, his voice again gentle and warm. “Have no fear. Come, children, I won't harm you and nor shall the guards. What can this humble man do for you?”

The colt wrung his hands in nervousness, but answered. “Well sir...my friend wanted to meet you... since the city seems to be...abuzz with you...” he said with a thick cockney accent, still a little unsure he should be talking to this massive visitor who could cow nobleponies and guardsmares alike.

“Then meet me, you have. Might I ask who the two of you are, children?” Braxton gently inquired. “Tell me your names.”

“Well I'm Pipsqueak..sir... and this is my friend Ice Lily,” Pip said, still nervous around the guards.

“A true pleasure to meet the two of you, my young gentlecolt and little filly. My name is Braxton Zeddmore,” Braxton said to the pair.

“Um...Mr. Zeddmore...can I touch your face?” Ice Lily asked, biting her lip and wringing her hands nervously. She hoped Braxton didn't say no.

Braxton chuckled warmly and leaned in, saying, “Of course you can, little filly. For isn't that how the blind truly see?”

Ice Lily gave one happy sob and then started with Braxton's hair “Your hair is so soft not coarse.” Ice Lily then moved to explore his face. “You don't have a muzzle, your face is softer than your hair, but you feel like you were carved out of stone.” She could feel Braxton chuckle again. “So strong,” Ice Lily said as she trailed down his shoulder and right arm. “Hands are so different. You’re like no pony I’ve ever met. What are you?”

Even unable to see as she was, Ice Lily couldn’t help but look up into Braxton's face as he answered: “I am a human, little filly.”

Ice Lily began to grip harder on Braxton's right hand. Her white aqua eyes seemed to clear for a moment as she looked right through Braxton. Ice Lily's voice loud enough for only Braxton to hear. “There will be three whom lead that follow the smile of one. The hounds shall pursue the fox turning the tables upon the vipers. The assistant shall become the master's student, and with the Master's keys, the student shall unlock all the doors to his kingdom. Bridging the gap between light and dark.” Ice Lily's eyes once more clouded over as she turned her head from Braxton and said softly, “I am sorry.”

“Braxton was that...?” Klynn Ka' Tar asked sounding quite nervous

“Yes it was, my sister...don't echo it...that was a prophecy,” Braxton thinking in a flat tone, realizing his visit to Equestria had just acquired an as-yet unknown importance.

“Don't fret about it little one. You and Pip take care now.” Braxton gave each a gentle pat on the head, and a warm smile. “Before the two of you leave... here, take these.” Braxton shuffled his pack off his back for a moment and opened one of the belt pouches giving each of the foals a pair of the same bars he and Lyra had this morning.

“What are these, Mr. Zeddmore?” Pip asked, eyeing the bar curiously.

“They smell good!” Ice Lily said softly, sniffing the air in front of them.

“Those are called trail bars. They have a mix of fruits, nuts, and grains all pressed into them very tightly. They are quite hard, so don’t bite into them straight away or they may chip your teeth. Instead, suck on them like a piece of hard candy until they are soft, and then you can eat them. Each of those bars will last a day. It was good to meet you both, but I regret I cannot stay. If you two fine foals will excuse my party, we have to go see the princesses,” Braxton said as he stood back up.

Each of the guardsmares and the lone guardstallion watched as Braxton knelt and conversed with the two foals on their level. Their biggest question in their minds was why this stallion was taking the time to do this for these two, and it unnerved the mares when such filthy foals placed their hands upon him as though they knew him well. In the exchange, a lone Thestral mare landed near the rear of the guards stopping only to watch the exchange before making her way up to Scarlet Star.

“Hi, Scarlet Star,” Twinkle Diamond whispered to the mare as she folded her bat-like wings against her back.

“Twinkle Diamond? I am surprised to see you. You are out late today,” Scarlet Star whispered back. She watched Mystic Diamond flinch as she caught sight of the Thestral mare.

“I have tonight off so I can afford to. A fortunate fate of the duty roster since it looks like that stud has come to town,” Twinkle Diamond said, waggling her eyebrows at her friend.

“You know him?” Scarlet Star asked in a whisper.

Twinkle Diamond nodded. “Met him a couple of nights ago with Princess Luna, under rather curious circumstances. Have to say, she got pretty tight lipped about that stallion—at least for us asking about him.”

“So he did meet the Princess. That means he might not have been lying…” Scarlet Star whispered, growing nervous. “Everything he said might be true...and if it is we may want to reassign your sister somewhere else... fast.” she warned.

Twinkle Diamond was surprised at that. “Reassign my sister? What did she do?”

Scarlet Star would have been amused by recounting the events of that morning were she not so alarmed. “Let’s see here; there was humiliating a possible ambassador by calling him a pet to the noble mare at his side, she then embarrassed herself and humiliated the guards she was leading by throwing a tantrum when she couldn't untie a peace knot and then threw her sword away in disgust, and finally, there was raising her hand to strike two poor young foals who came close to our human charge,” Scarlet Star whispered to Twinkle Diamond, passing said sword to her.

“Threw her sword away? That is my sword!” Twinkle Diamond hissed softly as she took the treasured item, her professionalism beginning to slide in favor of venom. To say Twinkle Diamond was livid was an understatement. Her sister had taken her sword and more than likely used her herd mother’s rank and station to weasel herself onto a patrol, all so she could order and boss around others. By Luna, could Mystic Diamond screw the pooch when she tried! Twinkle Diamond buckled the sword to her belt, resolving to have some unpleasant words with her sister later..

Lyra for her part was caught listening between two different conversations, her attention shifting between the guards and what was going on with Braxton with the colt and filly. Lyra looked to Braxton quizzically before Braxton mouthed 'later' to her and gave his customary reassuring smile. As the two foals departed, the guards surrounding them reformed the box and walked them toward the castle which loomed ever larger as they got closer.

Pipsqueak and Ice Lily Followed Braxton's orders about the trail bars and found that they were delicious as well as very filling. Each foal had a happy smile on their face as they made their way down a side street. After a few bites, Ice Lily turned to Pipsqueak. “Pip we need to go back to the orphanage.”

Pipsqueak swallowed his food before looking to Ice Lily in shock. “The orphanage? But I thought you hated that place, Lily, and found any excuse to get outside?”

Ice Lily's smile never dimmed, in fact, it seemed to get brighter. “I do hate that place...But if we aren't there soon, we will miss something wonderful.”

Pipsqueak's eyebrows knitted for a moment before saying, “Something wonderful?”

Ice Lily’s excitement grew as she said, “Yes, Pip. So please, let’s go back quickly… we have to pack, we are moving.”

Pipsqueak still didn’t know what she was talking about, but several unlikely experiences had taught him that he could trust Ice Lily's judgment. She had this knack for being right about certain things, and could somehow see without seeing. “Okay, Lily. If you say something good will happen, I believe you. Let’s go back to the orphanage,” he agreed, guiding her lightly by the arm.

Walking up to the castle under the escort of five armed guards tended to draw attention, and this time was no different as a large crowd had gathered as word got around of the strange outsider’s arrival. While Lyra tried to appear stoic under the gaze of so many ponies, Braxton looked like this was just another day for him, looking around at the massive castle and assembled crowd with only mild interest.

Lyra was once again amazed by seeming comfort in an unfamiliar place and situation. “How can you be so calm in the face of all this?” she turned to him and asked quietly.

Braxton answered in an equally low voice. “If it helps, I am barely keeping my cool here. I detest court and royalty with a passion.”

“Why is that, if I may ask?” Lyra asked in a low tone.

“Always a bad experience whenever I've attended. I can't stand ignoble royals who insulate themselves from the very subjects they’re supposed to serve and the passive-aggressive two faced sycophants that attend them. Because I speak my mind and the truth it made me a bit of a court pariah,” Braxton replied back softly.

Lyra giggled. “I don't know about the rest of the nobles at court, but at least give Princess Luna and Princess Celestia a fair chance. They are our beloved rulers.”

“Of course, Mare Lyra. Princess Luna strikes me as a fair mare, and ‘tis a rare one indeed who is willing to get her hands dirty; to mingle with and protect commoners as she did. Let us see if her sister is on par with her,” Braxton finished, as they neared a pair of guards and a door ward.

The guards made a gesture for the box formation to halt, noticing Braxton wore a sword upon his back and spreading out to flank them. One of the royal guards stepped forward in her plate mail armor that bore the look of a dress uniform; highly polished and well maintained. The mare moved as though she had spent many hours in that suit of armor, carrying it with ease

“Halt, noblemare. Pets and weapons are not allowed in the throne room.” The guardsmare then saw Scarlet Star stepping forward, snapping herself to attention with a salute before the royal guard, her hand going to her heart in a closed fist.

“Vintenar Scarlet Star bringing two subjects to Princess Celestia to verify a matter of grave importance. His sword will have a peace knot. He will also be cut down if he leaves the guard box,” Scarlet Star said, not looking to the two within the guard box.

Lyra couldn't believe her ears. The guards of the court were never this paranoid. Nor were they ever so quick to move to violence. What was going on? The two guards shifted behind Braxton and Lyra nervously; their weapons were a poor choice for close quarters fighting. New to their posts as they were, if the creature started a melee, they knew they would be of little help. While their bought Vintenar would be of no help at all.

Twinkle Diamond fiddled with the strand of leather that made up her peace knot and untied it from her blade with gentle ease. She then moved up to Braxton's right side. Noticing his eyes catch her movement, she smiled softly at him and offered the leather strand to him. “Use this, stud.”

Lyra's ears flattened against her skull for a moment while she watched the thestral mare. She was beginning to see what her best friend was talking about and wondered again what Braxton saw in her and what she could offer him that others couldn’t.

Braxton nodded in thanks wordlessly before tossing the strand of leather into the air and snapped his fingers. The piece of leather lace animated and tied itself in a peace knot, securing the sword on his back.

Everypony save Lyra stepped back almost a full step. This was an actual game changer. This creature had used magic, and everypony felt the icy shiver run up their spines as the magic gave no aura of color—just a quick pulse of energy they could sense but not see before fading off as the knot completed. The patrol guards looked to Braxton, trying to reevaluate him as a potential threat while the royal guards around them were doing the same thing.

“As requested, I have secured my sword, good guardsponies. May we enter now? We have journeyed far and have much to discuss with your princess,” he told them with a grin that was at once disarming and slightly roguish, his words causing almost as strong a stir as his magic.

Scarlet Star broke the silence that had descended over the group. “May we enter, sir?” she asked.

“You may…” the head guardspony answered, suddenly wondering if they would be able to deny him passage were they told to.

For the past ten minutes, Princess Celestia had been listening to the plight of a noble mare who was complaining about an orphanage near her herd’s home. The noble wished it moved to another place away from her herd's estate while the orphanage head begged her not to allow that. She was about to render her judgment when she felt a chilling wave of unfamiliar magic wash over the court.

Though most ponies dismissed it as a random chill in the air, Celestia knew better. Looking past the noble she saw her guards open the throne room doors to admit a box formation of patrol guards. Within the center, she saw another of her little ponies, Lyra Heartstrings, but she did not hold her interest as much as the figure standing near her. He was just as Luna and Twilight had described him, a bipedal and powerful figure from an unfamiliar race well over six feet tall; she knew at a glance that whoever he was and wherever he called home, he was a force to be reckoned with. How had they arrived? The first train had yet to leave on its early morning circuit. How had he and Lyra arrived?

The latter watched as the solar regent rose from her throne and began walking towards her. She smiled, thinking that the princess was coming to embrace her; so moved by her plight. But instead, the Princess stepped right past her, drawing her surprise and stifled chortles of laughter from the court stallions and open snickering from her fellow mares. As Celestia closed the distance, two elite solar guardsponies flanked her from their stations behind the white marble pillars that lined the grand hall of the court.

Braxton saw them coming first. His eyes locked on the three mares on the ground floor, and two crossbow guards aiming at the group, as Celestia made her way toward the pair in the grand hall second-floor balcony.

Overcoming her earlier embarrassment, Lyra dropped into a reverent bow as Celestia approached them. The patrol guards followed suit, the door warden took a knee, the door guards saluted, and finally Braxton gave a respectful sweeping bow to the princess as she stopped short of the small group.

“Princess Celestia. It is an honor that you would come to see us for we were on our way to see you,” Lyra spoke softly not looking up at the solar diarch.

“The honor is mine, Ms. Hearstrings. Arise, my little ponies and guest of our lands,” said Celestia motioning for all to stand. She then turned to the door warden, who took her cue.

“Advance and be recognized, Ms. Lyra Heartstrings of Canterlot and...” she arched an eyeridge at Braxton, inviting him to introduce himself.

“Braxton Zeddmore of Avawyvrenn, your highness,” Braxton said smoothly before dropping his voice to near a whisper so only the immediate circle could hear. “I have journeyed long to be here in the company of mare Lyra, who has very graciously agreed to be my guide and escort for my time in your domain. It is an honor to meet you, but I cannot help but note… Your elite guards are well trained but if I may be so bold to ask, are your crossbow guards always that jumpy?” he arched an eyeridge at her. “If so, they are more likely to cause combat than to prevent it.”

Celestia gave a small twitch of her wings as most of the patrol guards gasped, as did the door warden. The elite guardsmare to Celestia's right raised her eyebrows in surprise, stepping out to reveal themselves to their princess’ flanks while the crossbow guards stood firmly within the shadows. Only after a wing movement from Celestia did they move back, lowering their crossbows and returning bolts to quivers. Nodding slowly, Celestia herself made her way back to the throne to sit down.

The door warden, a unicorn mare took this as her cue she stood and rapped three times on the hard stone floor of the great hall with her knocking staff announcing loudly for all of the court to hear, “My Princess, may I present Ms. Lyra Heartstrings of Canterlot… And Braxton Zeddmore of Avawyvrenn.”

All action and talk within the great hall stopped as the doors to the great hall opened. Mares and stallions alike turned to see the newcomers enter the court. Lyra was looking very nervous to all of a sudden be the center of attention while Braxton was the picture of stoicism.

The court was abuzz as they walked in. There was an initial soft wave of mocking laughter given most knew of Lyra Heartstrings reputation, but those laughs soon died on the lips of those trying to stifle them as Braxton walked in next to her; a living, breathing example of the creature she had for so long claimed existed. Presented with this impossible evidence, the court seemed to react like a hive of whispers—some asking for information, some proclaiming to have been to Avawyvrenn not wishing to look the fool. No pony could miss that the new creature walked without hooves and had four fingers and an opposable thumb.

As Celestia sat down, she gave a message to her sister via telepathy. “Sister, he is as sharp as you claimed he would be.”

A reply returned as Celestia took in the court’s reaction to both Braxton and Lyra. “I take it he has arrived? I also take it he found the two elite guards we discussed to test him?”

Celestia nodded once at the pair approached, “He found all four. I put two extra on the balcony as my way of testing him… The fact that he looked up puts him in a class all by himself.”

Luna’s voice rippled back across Celestia's mind. “I am on my way, sister. I will join you as soon as I’m dresses. If I may ask, how is the court receiving this strange new stallion?”

“You will see when you arrive, sister,” Celestia said shortly turning to sit upon her throne and look over the court.

The day court was a real patchwork—some asking what they knew of the creature walking by the laughing stock of the academic community. Stallions and mares alike were appraising the alien from afar, to get an assessment of him, quickly forming different cliques of opinions about him.

The forward thinkers—a group of stallions no more than five—were whispering amongst themselves, asking each other if any knew of his politics given he was walking beside the mare and not behind her. To a pony, they agreed that he could be a valuable ally to their cause.

The far more numerous traditionalists, on the other hand, were more appalled that this stallion was walking beside a mare and that whatever strange manner of creature he was, he was not on a leash; they instantly questioned his intelligence and some even gave snickering whispers that they hoped he didn’t make a mess on the royal carpet.

The few non-nobleponies present wanted only to move away from this strange being given he carried a sword and was armored like a guard, looking more than a match for any of the guardsponies present

The guardponies themselves stationed around the room were wary of this newcomer and instantly recognized the potential threat he presented, but were loyal soldiers of Celestia first and foremost, and would be ready to act should he attempt or even threaten to harm the princess.

Only the elite guard on Celestia’s right—a five-foot-nine-inch pegasus mare with ebony black fur marked only by a single white stripe in her mane and tail--was unconcerned by the newcomer’s presence. Her lithe aerodynamic curves complimented her well-toned body. Her eyes of brilliant green jasper took in all of her surroundings, but her primary focus was on the strange creature walking next to the mare.

That he had spotted four of her sister mares of the elite guard while they were trying not to be seen was perturbing enough, but it was also clear his garb wasn’t just for show; his armor looked as though it was maintained daily. The blade he carried upon his back—while peace knotted—she felt in her gut it was still a threat. His alien magic had caused her wings to fluff up a little, but her mental control and discipline kept her wings tucked tight to her back with little more than a shiver. She continued to watch as his lapis lazuli eyes swept the room stopping almost imperceptibly at various points around the room. She counted fifteen shifts of his eyes, and the implications chilled her to the bone.

“He found all fifteen of us, Your Highness,” she informed Celestia. “I don’t know how, but he did it in a single sweep of his gaze,” whispered the mare quietly.

“And knowing that, what is your assessment of this stallion, Shade Dancer?” Celestia whispered.

“If I were a betting mare, this creature is more dangerous than a mother Ursa Major defending her cubs. Tread with extreme caution, highness,” whispered Shade Dancer just as as a flash of light announced a new arrival that quickly resolved into the figure of Princess Luna

The Lunar regent’s arrival to day court this sent the nobles into a sheer gossip frenzy as she strode forth to stand by her sister; both diarchs took an interest in this creature.

Celestia turned to face the crowd of murmuring ponies and clapped her hands. “Attention, everypony. I am calling a fifteen-minute court recess. The court will resume at that time. In the meantime, I ask that everypony please wait outside while I question our guest alone.”

Lyra became puzzled and nervously asked Braxton, “why is she clearing the court for us?”

Braxton waited till the last noble left the court before answering in a normal tone, locking eyes with the pair of Diarchs. “They see me as a potential threat, Mare Lyra. By removing everyone else from the scene, they can keep collateral damage down to a minimum in case there is an altercation.”

The pair of royal Diarchs had separate reactions. Celestia for her part flinched for but a moment, her eyes betraying a bare moment of shock. Shock that Braxton had not only spotted all her guards but seen right through her plan, while Luna merely raised an eyebrow that seemed to say ‘I told you so, sister.’ For her part, Lyra’s mouth dropped open in sheer shock that the court was being so aggressive towards a stallion that had risked his life for her and her best friend.

Braxton remained calm and made no movement his voice resolute but held a gentle tone. “Four crossbows on the upper floor, and eleven guards on the main level behind the pillars...” Braxton recited, then paused, taking a few brief sniffs in the air. “And one mare with a bad Nutmeg addiction more than likely taking it for her breathing problems.”

Lyra’s shock soon turned to anger, and she stepped protectively in front of Braxton, her voice holding an edge of excitement. “Princess?! Why are you treating this stallion with such open hostility?! I owe this human my life, as does my best friend. He is a hero, not a villain.”

Luna’s lips curled into a smile, her gaze not leaving her shocked sister as she watched events unfold before her.

Celestia would typically hide under her regal mask, but in this case not only had Braxton found her best guards, he had them down to the exact number. With a clap of her hands, each guard revealed themselves. Each guard had an arbalest slung to their backs; they wore longswords upon their hips, wore highly polished full black plate mail decorated with a sun in the mark of a solar eclipse. The group was pegasus-heavy but also had unicorns.

Lyra couldn’t believe her eyes that Princess Celestia employed such formidable ponies.

Celestia spoke in a gentle and kind tone as she rose from her throne to near them both. “Forgive us, my little pony, but with strange creatures attacking the realm, security had to be tightened, and I had to bring these fine mares back to active duty. As for your champion, I knew of his heroism and meant to test him a little, but I admit I was unprepared for this.”

This seemed to placate Lyra somewhat for the moment, but as Celestia neared the pair, Lyra wanted to shrink away. Regardless, she stayed by Braxton’s side, afraid to leave him lest her presence being the only thing keeping potential violence at bay. Braxton didn’t flinch as the taller Celestia drew near and into his personal space. His eyes didn’t break from her gaze as the test of wills between the two continued.

The contest of wills between human warmage and immortal solar princess continued for the better part of a minute before Celestia finally stepped backwards and spoke. “Forgive me for testing you, Braxton Zeddmore, but the tales my sister told seemed too fanciful to be true. Your reputation preceded you, and yet I still find myself caught short. If you are willing to explain, might I ask as to how you came to gather the knowledge of my guards, ambassador Zeddmore?” Celestia asked.

“I’m curious as well, Braxton,” Lyra said.

He gave her a nod back. “Very well, my envoy Lyra and good Princess Celestia. I will start with the obvious and then work my way to the subtle.” Braxton paused for a moment in thought. “Let us treat this room like a clock. You, Princess Celestia, are at my twelve o’ clock.”

Celestia, Shade Dancer, Luna, and Lyra nodded in understanding. Braxton continued, “At the door, I saw two arbalists in the balcony. Given that this room is square it is a safe bet that if one seeks to maximize the ‘kill box’ there would be one arbalist per side of that square, So three bolts could hit a target anywhere in the room.”

Lyra looked up. Sure enough, there were three arbalists trained on Braxton. Her ears went flat against her head.

Braxton continued unfazed. “Then there are the tapestries and the pillars of the room. the tapestries hide secret passages, and the pillars break up the movement for the guards as they come and go.”

“While revealing that one of my number has a problem, I am not impressed yet, save that you are observant,” Shade Dancer said.

“What tipped you off to the guard's locations about the room, Braxton?” Luna asked, genuinely curious and beating her sister to the question... much to Celestia’s chagrin.

“The dead giveaway was the torches at eleven o’clock, seven o’clock, one o’clock, and lastly five o’clock. These torch sconces have pitch stains upon their marble finishes due to the flames dancing from the change of air direction coming and going, indicating shifts in air currents in the immediate vicinity of hidden passages. As for the number, the unit may move as one, function as one, but heartbeats are still individual.”

“Color me impressed,” Shade Dancer said.

“Braxton? That isn’t just bright; it is simply brilliant!” said Lyra, impressed beyond words at how he put it all together.

“Thank you, but in truth, it is simply a matter of experience, Lyra. Anypony can learn the same skill I used with the right training,” said Braxton humbly.

Celestia turned to look at Luna. This had a two-fold purpose—to hide the impressed look, as well as to speak to Luna telepathically. “I do not like him, sister. Something about this stallion feels very off. I can not put my finger on it, but my instincts tell me he is dangerous.”

Luna remained poker-faced, but continued using their mental link, allowing some amusement to slip into her thoughts. “Is that irritation I hear, my sister? Methinks you simply dislike him for not being able to intimidate him. I for one happen to like him. He is a handsome rogue to say nothing of a stallion with fortitude, possessing a will made of tempered steel.”

Celestia’s lips tightened at that. Nopony else but Luna would speak to her in such a manner, even telepathically, but sometimes, she granted, she needed to hear it. With that, the solar diarch turned back to face Braxton and Lyra, continuing the mental conversation with her sister. “I must agree with you there. Twilight seems just as taken with him, given she was practically gushing in her letter about his exotic magic, and his actions in defending the CMC.”

[/i]“I told you he was a sharp witted rogue. Twilight made him a knight and an ambassador, and you should know by now she does not do such things lightly. You saw the same memories I did, sister. How many ponies did he save last night?” Luna asked. “For that alone, you should honor her decision.”

Celestia considered that, then nodded. “Very well, Lulu, I have made up my mind,” she finished.

Lyra watched as Celestia became still while she thought. Braxton for his part gauged that Celestia was covering the pros and cons of him being in her Kingdom. It wasn’t exactly unexpected. He was, after all, a real unknown in the land.

“You are dismissed, my loyal guardsponies,” finally said Celestia in a calm voice. She opened her eyes, looking around the room. “Please leave us in peace and attend your regular duties elsewhere. If you are needed, be assured you will be summoned.”

The guards saluted and then vanished into the lines of the pillars. As Celestia made her way back to her throne and sat down regally, she turned to Shade Dancer and whispered something to the mare. Shade Dancer then saluted and also vanished into the pillars of the open room.

As Celestia looked over the two, she spoke from the raised dais equal to her sister. “The day court resumes in a few minutes.” Celestia then steepled her fingers as Luna smiled to the pair. “There are many things to discuss with you, honored ambassador and my little envoy..”

Chapter 11 Appointments,Conditions,and Secret Meetings

Author's Note

well under the weather but at least it yielded the next chapter and chapter 12 was started also :twilightsmile: I thank my readers and my editors whole heartedly

Chapter 11 Appointments,Conditions,and Secret Meetings

Chapter 11

Appointments, Conditions, and Secret Meetings

The grand golden doors opened as the doorward held to the fifteen-minute court-appointed recess. The noble stallions and mares were chattering amongst themselves as they filed back into the court. The milling din silenced as Celestia and Luna stood up. In a wave, the room took a respectful bow as Celestia spoke “Court has resumed, my little ponies and honored guests. Please rise.”

The room did as the princess commanded. She waited till all eyes were upon her and her sister. “Mare Lyra Heartstrings you are Equestria’s only cryptozoologist correct?”

“I am your Highness,” Lyra said biting her lip in uncertainty.

Celestia gave a warm smile as she saw Braxton set his hand upon Lyra’s forearm and give her a soft reassuring smile of his own. The simple platonic gesture made Lyra stand a little taller.

Celestia looked to Lyra “The crown is in need of your help, doctor, for with strange creatures upon the loose we need all the knowledge of these creatures we can get our hands on, Will you help us?”

Lyra couldn’t believe what Celestia had just offered her. The crown was offering her a job within her skill set. She looked at Celestia who smiled warmly her gaze shifted to Luna who gave the mare a warm, hopeful smile. She turned to Braxton, who whispered only for Lyra to hear. “See, you get your due in the end.”

Tears of joy streamed down her face as she shook her head yes. She was overjoyed. If she were dreaming she didn’t want to wake up.

Celestia and Luna gave warm smiles and nods of acknowledgment. As the court put on a sycophantic show of applause, Celestia gave a nod to Luna who departed with a teleportation spell and returned a few moments later with a ceremonial sword in one hand and a pair of small boxes in the other. This caused the court to go silent as Celestia spoke again.

“Now to the business with our new visitor from the land of Avawyvrenn. Princess Twilight made you both a Knight and an Ambassador. While your great deeds are known in Ponyville, they should be known to the noble mares and stallions in the court of Canterlot. Please take a knee honored visitor.”

While the court fell silent and Braxton moved near the dais to kneel, Luna passed the ceremonial sword over to her sister, who stepped forward nearing Braxton with the sword. Though the sword was beautifully crafted and while the hilt held several polished gems, when compared to the sword of their honored guest it looked more like a gaudy lawn ornament. Once Celestia was sure she had the room’s attention, she spoke as she drew the sword’s point to the sky.

“I, Celestia Alcyone, Keeper of the Sun, Guardian of Equestria, recognize your valor, courage, and compassion. It is my honor to knight you in the name of the sun, the moon, and friendship.” She touched the blade of the sword to Braxton's right shoulder, then his left, and finished with the blade to rest upon his head for a moment, before withdrawing.

Luna stepped next to her sister. “I the keeper of the moon Luna Alcyone, guardian of Equestria. Present you with this Golden Sun of Valor. For meritorious conduct in the face of an enemy. And rescuing of three fillies of Ponyville. ”

Luna stepped forward and set the medal upon Braxton’s cloak. The crimson and blue ribbon held a golden sword with a sun adorning it.

Celestia then set the ceremonial sword aside and took the other box, with respect. Luna passed it to her with a knowing nod of her head. “We have one more medal to bestow upon you, good sir knight. For conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty, for the rescue of a filly napped mare, and defending Ponyville from an overwhelming force. We present to you the Distinguished Service Star in recognition of your deeds. Your actions honor our finest Equestrian mares.”

Celestia hung a sky blue and gold ribbon adorned with an ethereal nebula with silver stars, upon which rested a cross of gold.

Luna then spoke, “Arise, Sir Braxton Zeddmore, Ambassador of Avawyvrenn and be recognized by the court of Canterlot.”

The court was a patchwork of reactions. As Braxton stood, he looked back to Lyra, who looked at him with a proud smile. It seemed his due had come. The forward thinkers applauded the stallion, for this was after all history as no stallion had ever earned the third and second highest awards Equestria had to offer. Actual history and progress were made today. The traditionalists muttered amongst themselves till a mare stepped forward. She was a light gray unicorn, and her hard green eyes looked to both Lyra and Braxton with a mix of disgust and contempt. She raised her hand to signal that she wanted the floor.

Celestia looked at the mare and said in a regal tone, “The court recognizes Dame Ebony Moon for the floor.”

“Thank you, your highness. We, the Mares of Tradition, object to this creature earning some of the most prestigious awards that would be better given I am sure to a mare, that was in Ponyville. We don’t even know what this creature is.”

Celestia looked at Lyra—who looked like she was about to throttle the noble mare where she stood—and gave a nod of her head. “Then allow our Royal Cryptozoologist to tell you, Dame Ebony Moon. You have the floor, Doctor Heartstrings.”

Lyra took a deep breath, calming herself even as she heard some snickers among the nobles. Unperturbed by her peers, Lyra looked to Braxton, pleading with her gaze not to take offense. “This being,” Lyra said as though Braxton wasn’t in the room with her, “who I call a friend is a human. I am honored to know him.”

The court erupted again in a patchwork of reaction from disbelief to wonder, but it was Ebony Moon that carried over the din of the murmuring courtiers. “Ms. Heartstrings all of us are familiar with these creatures of myth. That were taught with our tutors but I am hard pressed to believe that this...” Ebony Moon pointed a hand to Braxton as he stood by Lyra. “...is a human. For they are mindless and savage meat eaters, they cannot speak intelligibly, cannot make tools or structures, use magic, and have no opposable thumbs. A pen may as well be a cudgel to them.”

“And I can tell all of you that what we have been taught is wrong. Braxton undoes all of our preconceptions of humans.” Lyra said defensively knowing she was right.

Ebony Moon waved a hand dismissively “Very well we shall apply two words that shall end this farce and your flights of fantasy,” she paused for dramatic effect “Prove it.”

Lyra was about to rebuttal when Braxton raised his hand splaying his fingers and thumb.

“The floor will recognize the Ambassador from Avawyvrenn,” Celestia said

“I thank you your highness, and might I say good mare Ebony Moon that your proclivities towards my species show both inane thinking, as well as an antiquated fallacy,” Braxton stated flatly.

Lyra smiled and stifled a giggle, Luna looked away in thought to hide her smile, Celestia raised one eyebrow slightly, and mare Ebony Moon her jaw hit the floor in shock along with most of the traditionalists who stood there gobsmacked.

Braxton continued “Let us break down your aforementioned statement ‘Savage mindless meat eaters.’ We as a species good mare are far from mindless. Though we will savagely defend loved ones and what we believe is ours. As far as meat eaters go that is not entirely accurate though we are omnivorous rather than wholly carnivorous beings. As for tool making and structures, I have known many engineers and other masters of various crafts from swordsmiths to Shipwrights. I, if not for my current occupation, would be an excellent bowyer and fletcher. I have studied magical pursuits since the age of twelve. And as I have demonstrated in getting the princesses attention, I have four phalanges and an opposable thumb.” Braxton touched each of his fingers to his thumb in ascending and descending order to drive home the point. “And as far as pens being cudgels to my kind, good mare... as a War Mage, paper and pen are as important as a sword. I believe the proof is right in front of you.”

Lyra gave a beaming smile, Celestia looked deep in thought, and Luna didn’t try to hide her smile. Luna looked at her sister and said in a telepathic sense of wonder. “That is the first time I have ever been happy to have the door slammed in my face, sister.”

Celestia said nothing outwardly, but beneath her royal mask, she had to hand it to her newest ambassador that he could handle this nest of vipers. Her thoughts came back to the present as she heard Ebony Moon stammering trying to get her thoughts into a coherent sentence.

“How...dare...you...stallion speak to me without a lead mare in your presence, and both insult and give me advice as if I asked you for it!” Ebony moon said her voice was gaining volume and a hash tone of anger behind it.

Braxton weighed what he did next with conscious thought. He merely turned his back on the noble speaking to him as he looked to Lyra. “Good envoy you will have to educate me on pony customs a bit more it seems.”

There was a collective gasp from the traditionalist mares that a stallion had turned his back upon a noble mare speaking to him. While this was happening Luna motioned for a court page a young colt no more than seven years of age to come to her side. Luna spoke on the heels of the courts gasp but before any could retort at the grave insult. “Honored ambassador and envoy, might we offer you some Apple family cider and cheese? I’m sure your journey was a heavy one no doubt.” With a motion of her hand, Luna waved, sending the page to get what she had offered.

Braxton gave Luna a profound bow before speaking. “I have heard and humbly accept the traditions of hospitality, Princess Luna.”

This took the wind out of the traditionalists’ sails very quickly, for now the stallion was protected by the royal house. Celestia looked to her sister. “Are you sure that was a wise move, sister?”

“These old nags, are looking for any reason to strip this hero of his just rewards. I for one refuse to allow these nobles to have their way.” Luna noticed the page returning with a small stack of cheese slices and four small goblets of cider.

The page stopped, offering a goblet to Lyra, and upon providing a goblet to the next guest, his shaking was such that he spilled the cup over onto Braxton’s cloak and armor. The page shut his eyes and whimpered a soft stuttered “s-s-s- sorry” to Braxton, expecting to be hit for the breach of etiquette.

The court gasped, for this could be taken in many different ways. The page of the ones receiving the guest had breached etiquette. Celestia, and Luna leaned forward in their thrones unsure of what their guest would do to the young colt.

Braxton softly put his hand upon the young stallion’s shoulder with a warm smile saying “You didn’t strike me as one to do that on purpose, young colt. As such I take no offense.” Braxton then set three bits on the tray. “Those are for you, young stallion. Would you please replace my cup after tending to your mistresses upon the dais?”

The page nodded and said, “Y-y-y-yes s-s-s-sir.” He did as he was told. Upon returning with a fresh goblet, the page merely lowered the tray so that Braxton could it. Braxton took the goblet and said in a gentle tone, “To the health of my hostesses, and to you, young colt.”

A small breath of relief went through the court as the guest seemed to be in good cheer and held no ill will towards his hostesses or the young colt. Celestia cleared her throat, drawing both the court’s and Braxton's attention. “Good ambassador, might we also invite you and your envoy to share evening repast with us?”

“Highnesses I would be most honored,” Braxton said with a bow.

“I too would be honored Princesses,” Lyra said with her bow.

Lyra internally facepalmed, hoping she would be able to get a crash course in royal table manners before dinner, as well as for Braxton himself. Lyra was once more pulled out of her thoughts by hearing Ebony Moon talking. This mare needed to rut herself in some far off field.

“The traditionalists honor the laws of hospitality once offered and received, but another tradition still stands your highness, that we must respectfully object. Without a sponsor from within the court and a second to accompany it, no foreign dignitary may receive any equestrian accolades without full consent of royalty and parliament.”

“Well, then Ebony Moon I make a point of order to do just that,” said an elderly female voice that carried authority, conviction, and a southern twang. “Sorry youngun, go ahead and announce me for tradition's sake.”

The doorward tapped his staff upon the stone floor and announced clearly, “Vicereine Granny Smith Apple of Ponyville.”

The court shifted its gaze away to look upon the elderly earth pony mare that made her way up to the dais using her cane to support her hunched frame. Though age had shown that she had weathered many trials, and while the years had been kind to leave the mare some of her beauty, it took a good share, leaving her apple green skin with its share of crows feet and wrinkles, and white in her mane and tail. But through it all, her bright amber eyes still sparkled with youth and wisdom. As she walked up to the dais, Braxton drew the courts attention.

“Forgive me for speaking out of order good Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. But might I ask this business with Mare Lyra and myself be moved aside to allow the Vicereine to state her business with you two out of respect?” Braxton said as he stepped aside to Lyra to allow Granny Smith to pass.

The sisters reactions were as clear as day and night upon their faces. One hid behind a mask, the other held no such reservations. The Forward thinkers wanted to know why this decorated stallion had to give up his place to a mare that had just arrived despite her rank and station. The traditionalist had to hand it to the newcomer, he might not be thoroughly cultured or couth, but he at least had respect for his elders. The ordinary pony within the court didn’t fully grasp all the subtle shifts in the energy of the court, but they had to admit the stallion was respectful.

As Granny Smith made her way to give her bow of respect to the princesses her age made it hard to provide a formal bow that she could have when she was a younger mare. To this end, Braxton approached Granny Smith and asked the elderly mare in a gentle tone “Good Vicereine might this humble knight help you to your feet?”

Granny Smith smiled as though Braxton had passed some test in the eyes of the old mare. “You may, youngun.”

Braxton used his gentle strength to help the old mare to her hooves. It also allowed Braxton to come in closer to Granny Smiths eyesight. “Courageous, mannerly, and I tell you what, my grandfoals are gonna hear about this one. They neglected to tell me how handsome you are.”

Braxton nodded in thanks for the compliment but said nothing. Lyra for her part felt a pang of jealousy creep into her attitude till Granny Smith came over to her and whispered something to her that shut that train of thought down completely.

“So young mare have you shown this stallion to the barn yet?” Granny Smith asked with aged mischief.

Lyra for her part swore her ears were on fire as she unceremoniously choked on her spit, only to shake her head no as Braxton gave her soft pats upon the back with a perplexed look on his face as for what the whispered phrase meant. But he figured it had to be a somewhat embarrassing question given Lyra’s reaction.

Granny Smith gave Lyra an impish grin and whispered to her as she gave pats on her back of her own. “Well giddy up girl and ride that Mustang to the ranch. If I were a hundred and seventy-five years younger I would have already made a run for that hill.”

Luna was trying hard not to laugh but couldn’t help a few soft giggles that came out more like stifled snorts. Celestia for her part chuckled softly and said quietly, “Granny Smith you haven’t changed one bit.”

Granny Smith turned to face the royal leaders. “Ah, Celestia and Luna it’s always a pleasure to see you two. Thanks to this Mustang given up his place for me so I can address the issue that Ebony Moon was such a carriage puller over.”

Ebony Moon gave Granny Smith an open scowl while some of the members of court snickered. Even Lyra had to work hard to suppress the smile fighting its way onto her face.

“Please continue old friend,” Celestia said listening to the mare before her.

“Now before anypony objects, I will say that under tradition if a mare accomplished these feats of bravery, then she would have the top pick to any stud in my herd or stable. However given that this is a mustang stallion we are talking about, there is no precedent for this situation today."

Granny Smith let what she spoke settle into the court for a moment before continuing.

“To avoid any outbursts, I have no plan of reversing the roles given that I must show him proper gratitude for saving my grand filly. While this in no way your Highnesses and sir knight shows the value I put on my grand filly, I offer to be this young mustang’s sponsor and also grant him fifty acres of land for him to establish a residence. From my property holdings so that he may appoint his lead mare as head of that household. As Matriarch of the Apple Family and Vicereine, this is only contestable by the ruling house itself.”

Granny Smith gave one more bow with Braxton’s help once more in rising before Celestia spoke.

“We do not object Granny Smith. And I will cross that off his duties when we discuss the matter over dinner.” Celestia said softly

When Braxton had helped Granny Smith to her hooves, she looked at him and said, “I thank ya, youngun. It’s all this old mare can do for you keeping my grand filly from sharing the fate of her parents.”

“As I told your grand filly, Vicereine Granny Smith, she would never have to thank me, and that goes for any of her family,” Braxton said softly.

Granny Smith smiled as she turned to leave, she passed Lyra and whispered to her in a soft motherly tone “That is a rare one young lady, don’t let those other nags poach that one.”

Lyra could only nod as she watched the old mare leave the court, just for her and Braxton to be swamped and asked a gambit of questions. Some questions were as mundane as to what it was like to be the only one in Equestria, to other more probing questions like what Braxton’s politics were. The Free Thinkers broached this topic. One of the more dapper stallions of the group introduced himself as Fancy Pants; the snow-white unicorn stood at the height of five foot five, and his stylized blue mane and mustache gave him an air of sophistication.

“I say good chap, a fine day for court and a finer day still that I get to meet a hero,” Fancy Pants said,offering his hand to Braxton. Instead of taking his hand in a light shake as Fancy Pants had expected Braxton gave a nod and took the stallions right forearm in his grip and gave a firm shake. Startled for a moment, this caused Fancy pants to drop his monocle. For it looked like Braxton nearly pulled the hapless stallion off his hooves for a moment.

Lyra giggled and said to Braxton. “Braxton in Equestria we shake hands not shake each other.”

Braxton was taken aback for a moment. And re-extended his hand for Fancy Pants to take “Terribly sorry for the misunderstanding my good stallion.”

“Worry not good mustang that title fits to a T. Is that a common greeting in your land?” Fancy Pants asked, after putting his monocle back in place and taking Braxton’s hand in a very weak and flimsy handshake.

Braxton laughed warmly “Yes. In Avawyvrenn a man’s sword arm is extended and then gripped at the forearm in a lock to say ‘I come empty handed and without steel.’ Most sword practitioners are right handed, though some can use their left hands, and a small amount can use both hands.”

“Truly astounding my good man. I bet there shall be many of your customs as well as our own that shall take us both by surprise,” Fancy Pants said with interest, and his voice held a touch of wonder over what the new Mustang could bring to this stale old court.

“If I may ask, ambassador Zeddmore, where do you stand on an issue of stallions doing the job of a mare as well as holding places of power in more than just name alone?” Fancy Pants asked.

Braxton shrugged as Lyra looked to Braxton wondering what he would say he paused only to think for a moment before he answered: “Can the stallion do it with the same training and experience?”

“If the stallion’s cutie mark gives them the ability and talent to be a guard, yes.”

“While not entirely what I asked I counter in asking does a cutie mark bestow the knowledge upon a pony or are some things learned?”

“One’s cutie mark bestows a measure of knowledge and power to the pony. It is one's special talent that allows him or her to function in our society. If one didn’t have that mark one could do a few things like hobbies but could never excel in that field like one could with a mark for said field. Take my mark, for example.” Fancy Pants rolled the sleeve of his tuxedo up to show the mark on his wrist. Three gold crowns each set with one icy blue diamond. “The crowns denote regal bearing and nobility. The diamonds unbreakable stones of resolve, making me a fine diplomat and an excellent orator.”

Braxton and Lyra stood side by side as Braxton drew inward for a moment in thought before he spoke again. “Fancy Pants can ask another question of you?”

“But of course my friend.”

Braxton smiled a moment and then spoke. “Standing before you is a group of rioters. They have five hostages and are threatening to kill them; they will spare them though if you step forward to die in their place. Do nothing, they kill the five and take a portion of the city in a riot. Step forward, and you die, but save the five and the part of the city they would have destroyed. What do you do?”

The monocle dropped from his face for a second time that day. Lyra and a few others within earshot gathered around this was truly interesting each had their thoughts about what to do but didn’t voice them.

Fancy Pants was genuinely thinking if he did nothing it was an immoral act he had the power to change the outcome. He valued his life, and he didn’t want to die, but the lives of the five they didn’t want to die either, and the city would suffer as well. Before he could make his answer known Braxton spoke again, he couldn’t decide and found himself speechless.

“Last piece of the puzzle my friend...one of the five is your foal.”

Fancy Pants needed no more thought after hearing that he stated plainly, “Take my life and spare the five.”

Those around that had drawn near to listen let out a collective sigh of relief. A noble deed is done so with Braxton’s warm smile the group left, leaving only Braxton, Lyra, and Fancy Pants together. Fancy Pants for his part wore a concerned look on his brow and once the room had given them room to breathe he asked softly. “The last piece of the puzzle was not part of the original problem was it?”

“You’re right, it was not,” Braxton said with a smile.

“Then why add that Braxton?” Lyra asked before Fancy Pants could. If she were pregnant, or had a foal of her own, she would willingly give her life in exchange for it in a heartbeat. She had faced that problem already before Braxton came and pulled her out of it. She looked to Braxton for a moment. Her eyes began to mist as she began to understand how much she was falling in love with him.

Braxton held both Lyra’s and Fancy Pants’ attention—both had to agree he had charisma. “I knew your answer from your hesitation, my friend,” Braxton said.

Fancy Pants looked to Braxton for a moment before he asked irritation creeping into his tone unintentionally “And what would you do friend?”

“Step forward, better my life than someone else's,” Braxton said with conviction but seemed to be withholding something.

Fancy Pants cocked his head a moment before speaking “There is more isn’t there.”

Braxton smiled “Just because I offer my life doesn't mean one gets to take it freely. You’re working for it. I die on my terms, so I die fighting for the right thing.”

Fancy Pants laughed softly. “Turn the tables on them, both noble and tactical.”

Lyra for her part listened to the exchange thinking herself. Braxton didn’t seem to have a low opinion of himself; he seemed to have confidence in spades and a tactical mind. So why would he wish to risk his life for somepony he never knew and hadn’t ever met? A mare would be hard pressed unless it were a friend, or a herd sister, a stallion, or their foal. Her train of thought became a train wreck when she overheard him say he would die for the doing the right thing. And that mushroomed into what he had done for Bon Bon and her, and it warmed her heart. He would do that for anypony, not just her. Braxton was indeed one of a kind; he never gave anyone a rock painted gold. It was gold all the way through.

Lyra was drawn out of her thoughts by hearing Braxton speak to Fancy Pants. “You had asked about my politics earlier. From a quick listen about the room I would have to surmise that many mares and some stallions about the room think that the common ponies of this country exist to provide them with a position. In reality, your position exists to provide the common ponies of this land with freedom. As a War Mage, it is my job to see that they have it. There is an old saying in my land, people don’t follow titles of their own volition. But they will follow courage. There is my politics my friend.”

The court had grown silent as others began to gather around the new dignitary to listen to him. The ordinary pony had to admit the visitor made quite a bit of sense. The forward thinkers were speechless; the traditionalists were divided fifty-fifty some merely wishing to dismiss his words as empty rhetoric and some beginning to take this new visitor seriously. Luna smiled while Celestia wasn't as open but had to admit Braxton reasoned like an old sage. Lyra smiled knowing that he was this way a person of action a hero.

This was at best the high point in court for Braxton sat in Granny Smiths place as he listened to others talk to Celestia. All the while gauging what type of ruler she was. Fair, just, a bit sexist inadvertently, but overall a pony that cared for the ponies she governed and wanted to enrich their lives. Most of the nobles were far from said word and sought only to steal and usurp power for themselves. Braxton yawned wanting this to end.

* * *

The Friendship Express pulled into the station on the second round of its circuit into Canterlot from Ponyville. Twilight looked over the letter from Celestia for the umpteenth time on the trip. Her mind working overtime on many questions. Why had she invited her and her friends to dinner? Why did she give instructions to tell no pony? How had Braxton and Lyra managed to beat the train? And why did Lyra even go with him? Also, did Rarity have to mess with her mane while she was trying to think?

At the present moment, the fashionista was trying to put the finishing touches on her mane to look ‘stunning’ as Rarity would say. Applejack had looked at both her turn and the whole affair with a stoic tolerance. Rainbow had taken to the roof of the train car at the mention of a pedicure for her hooves to make them shine. Fluttershy let Rarity be. Given it would drive her crazy otherwise, but it hid her being nervous about a dinner with the princesses. Spike was counting down the hours till he could ask Braxton to show him the cantrip spell again given he had spent the hour cleaning the castle that turned into a lot of fun. And showing off to the cutie mark crusaders with little pyrotechnics and other little tricks. Pinkie meanwhile was having the time of her life her hair done in various windblown styles that she kept asking Rarity if this would work as she kept leaning out the window and then back in. Only causing Rarity to facepalm at the antics given she had done Pinkie's’ mane already as well on the trip up.

Applejack looked to Twilight as soon as she had a clear view of her rather than try to talk through the fashionista fussing with Twilight’s mane. “Twi I gotta tell ya this whole day has been weird. Granny left the house early this morning to head to Canterlot f’r some odd reason. When Big Mac and I asked, she only said 'court.' She hates court and never attends, plus I didn’t think the common folk could visit today. Though I must say, I’ve never seen Granny dote on all us before. Kinda reminded me of when Big Mac and I were young...after…” Applejack withdrew into her thoughts as she made the connection. A shadow of sadness crossed her face for a moment remembering her parents killed in a timberwolf attack. Granny Smith was doting on all of them because she had almost lost Apple Bloom. Applejack may not fully trust Braxton—his ways and abilities both extraordinary and unnerving—but she had to give that man his due. She owed him a debt she and her family couldn’t repay. Maybe she could ask Celestia or Luna for advice on the matter over this dinner.

* * *

Lyra paced back and forth in the suite that the princesses had given her to use for the night. Dinner was fast approaching, and she was unable to find somepony to help her with her table manners in the royal court. She looked around the beautiful room that was as big as her entire house. There was a luxurious bed, a fine desk of solid mahogany, and tapestries of silk hung on walls around the room. An oak door nearby lead into Braxton's suite. Lyra’s thoughts turned to Braxton. She wanted to help him as well, but when ponies heard who they would teach, they suddenly had other places to be. It was frustrating. Plus Lyra couldn’t tell if it was from her social status or his that they didn’t want to help. She may as well change clothes, she thought to herself.

Lyra looked over what Bon Bon had packed. Some semi-formal clothes if one was going out on a date, a few extra shirts for cold nights, two changes of bras and panties, a few toiletries, and the last item had Lyra scrambling to bury it in the bottom of her duffle bag. A black thong with a very sheer black camisole teddy complete with garters and stockings, a gift from her mother thinking that Lyra could wear it for BonBon since her mom thought they were an item. She bit her lip. 'What would Braxton think of me in this?' The sudden thought came to her mind. The knock on the adjoining room door had her trying to put the very racy undergarment back, zipping the duffle bag in a hurry.

“Lyra, may I come in?” Braxton asked after knocking.

“Come in,” Lyra answered after a few frantic moments.

Braxton entered the room and looked at the nervous mare before him. He dressed in black breeches, but his normal cream white muslin shirt he was dressed in a blue silken shirt. His boots had a soft shine to them, and he wasn’t wearing his sword nor his armor. His platinum blonde hair was swept back into a ponytail, and his face was cleanly shaven. He looked the part of a very handsome stallion. A far cry from the imposing warrior she knew he was.

“Are you okay, Lyra? You seem nervous,” he asked.

Again he read her like an open book. She was beginning to wonder what she could hide from him... if she even wanted to protect anything from him.

“Nervous about dinner, I guess. I am trying to remember proper royal table manners.”

“Tiberius taught me some, if it is any consolation. I never thought any of it would come in handy before tonight.”

Lyra smiled at him. At least she didn’t have to worry about him tonight. She noticed one of Braxton’s hands was behind his back as he stood before her. “What is behind your back Braxton?”

Braxton smiled before bringing both hands up, showing them empty as he walked toward her. As he closed the distance, he bent the fingers of the previously hidden hand at the knuckle to reveal a single mint green Hydrangea flower. “A gift for my escort.” He then placed the flower in her hair.

Lyra turned beet red and bit her lip as she looked at Braxton. “You know in pony culture Braxton you just proposed to me.”

This time it was Braxton's turn to blush, realizing he had just made a rather significant social blunder. “Oh!” He gave a short whistle. “Somewhat awkward… and here I was giving a flower to a beautiful mare.”

Lyra blushed at his words, but she was not about to let this man turn the tables on her this time. “You know… if I eat this flower it means I accept.” Lyra stuck the stem in her mouth and wiggled the flower in her lips as she watched Braxton and inched closer “Become your lead mare… help you build your house...” Lyra stopped when she saw it. That flicker of sadness, like he was afraid of something. The same look when she had asked him if he was married when he came out of the tree in the forest.

“I'm sure the guards will get us for dinner soon,” Braxton said before retreating slowly, widening the gap between them. It left Lyra stunned and feeling somewhat confused. Had she done something wrong? Before Braxton shut the door to his room, he looked to Lyra and said, “Please, Lyra, give me a little time.” Braxton shut the door softly and just like that the mask was back in place once again

Lyra held on to the flower Braxton had given her. She would have been honored to eat it. She held the flower to her heart. She had done nothing wrong, he had merely asked her for time. She looked at the flower as tears began to form at the sides of her eyes. Her mind sprung to life, inspired by the flower, and by him. How could I let you be, when I know not where you alight. How was I able to see, when the darkness took me that night. You have become my warmest ray of light, oh gentle knight. I am yours is all I have to say, it is all I want to tell you aloud one day.

Braxton looked to about his room. His pack was in the corner, Klynn Ka’ Tar rested sheathed on a sword stand; a mannequin held his cloak and armor. His mind quieted as a familiar voice rippled across his thoughts.

“Don’t rush it, brother. But be very careful with her heart. You both are very fragile.”

“I thought I was past all this. That I had gone through all of the denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and learned to accept it all after sixty-five years. It feels like I haven’t.”

“How did you feel before you told my sister about yourself?”

Braxton leaned back against the cold, smooth stone wall as he thought about it and came to one crystallized conclusion.

“The same as I do now… scared to take that step…”

“I would tell her that, then, for she is hopelessly falling in love with you, brother.”

The knock at the door and then another knock one door down signaled that the guards had come to get the two of them for dinner.

* * *

The elegant dining hall lit in the gathering twilight; silver candelabras held tall white taper candles spaced out evenly on the rich mahogany long table. Each place had a card on the main entrée plate that awaited its guest to sit.

Luna’s place was at the head of the table, Celestia’s was at the far end. On the left-hand side of the table, the names read Lyra, Braxton, Twilight, and Spike. On the right-hand side was Rarity, Pinkie, Fluttershy, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash.

Luna and Celestia welcomed them in as each shown to their seat. Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Twilight, and Pinkie sat down without a thought. Rarity, Braxton, and Fluttershy seemed to hesitate. As Lyra was about to take her seat Braxton gently took her hand and whispered to her with a smile. “Wait.” This gave Lyra pause. She was sure after what had happened in her room he shouldn’t be talking to her. Maybe he was just nice, but it had the effect he wanted for she just nodded at him in understanding.

Braxton looked over the table the utensils set with beautiful dishware. The entrée plate was in the center on the right were two knives and two spoons on the left two forks and at the top of the plate itself was a tiny fork and spoon. Each placed in the order the courses would come to Braxton whispered once more to Lyra quietly. “Salad, Soup, Main course, and Dessert is the course order Lyra.”

The hostesses of the dinner took their seats and gave the nod to be seated. Braxton helped Lyra into her seat before taking his own. By this time Pinkie had made a hat out of her elegant napkin and Applejack, and Rainbow had theirs stuck inside their shirts like bibs looking about slightly bored with events. Twilight, Celestia, Luna, Rarity, and Fluttershy had to hand it to Braxton he knew how to be a gentle stallion for a mustang.

Celestia was the first to speak as she looked over the table “There is no need to stand on ceremony nor call to impress, my guests, please be yourselves.”

Most of the table—even Luna—seemed to relax, except for Braxton and Celestia. “I once more thank my hostesses for their hospitality,” Braxton spoke while he set his napkin upon his lap. Lyra mimicked his actions, as did Rarity, Twilight, Fluttershy, Celestia, and Luna.

“Princess Celestia, I don’t mean any disrespect, but could we talk about the elephant in the room? Like why we’re all here?” Applejack asked politely.

The salad was the first course, delivered by the maids as they set a small mixture before each place upon their entrée plate. The colorful salad was a mix of carrots, lettuce, avocado, baby potatoes, broccoli, and red peppers light roasted, topped with olive oil and a pinch of curry seasoning.

“I was leading to it, Applejack,” Celestia said in a motherly tone and continued as the food served around the table. Pinkie, Twilight, and Rainbow Dash...dug in as soon as their bowls were set before them. Rarity, Fluttershy, Braxton, Lyra waited for Luna to take the first bite of hers before eating themselves. Spike’s salad was different given it looked laced with gems and gem shards. Celestia continued as the salads made their way around the table. “I wanted our newest ambassador, my sister, his envoy, and the Elements of Harmony here so that we are all on the same page, as it were.”

Celestia took a couple of bites of her salad then continued after wiping her mouth. “First off I must congratulate Spike for his newest skill: use of magic. Well done, young drake.” There was a small round of clapping about the table for Spike, who smiled sheepishly at the praise.

“Congratulations, Spike,” Fluttershy said after she wiped her mouth.

“We should have a ‘Spike can do magic’ party!” Pinkie beamed a piece of lettuce stuck in her teeth.

Braxton smiled warmly and gave a soft clap with the group.

Lyra was both surprised and intrigued that Spike could use Braxton's magic.

“Huzzah! Spike, it seems you are coming into your own.” Luna gave a smile to the young drake.

Applejack looked to Spike with a smile and said: “Huh. Who’da thunk it. Congratulations Spike!”

Twilight for her part pouted, though it didn’t reach her eyes, and stuck her tongue out at Spike.

Spike playfully poked Twilights tongue to get it to retreat from the sharp claw as he said with a smug smile, “That’s bad manners, 'princess'”

Rainbow couldn’t help herself and said with a half mouthful of food. “Yeah, Sweetie Belle, Applebloom, and Scootaloo won't stop talking about it. Way to impress the mares stud.”

This caused Spike to blush and the mares about the table to giggle. Rarity wiped her mouth with her napkin before speaking to Rainbow. “Rainbow, dear, it’s a napkin, not a bib and one doesn't speak with one's mouth full.”

Wanting to shift the attention away from him, Spike turned to Braxton. “Braxton I wanted to ask if I could please get that spell from you so I can cast it again?”

Braxton nodded. “Of course, Spike. I will give you a few of them to take home with you. Just remember to keep one for transcription.”

Spike smiled. Twilight gave Spike a look that all but screamed ‘I hope you plan on sharing.’

Celestia and Luna giggled softly behind their napkins as the salad cleared away and the next course of chilled tomato basil soup placed before each. The Apple family cider and water refilled in all the glasses. As one of the maids came to refill Braxton’s cider stem glass, he put his right hand over the top of the half drank the liquid. The maid refilled his water, and he thanked her. This gave the mare a small start, but she recovered quickly and tended the others and departed.

“With the arrival of the second course, we come to another topic this one directed to our Elements of Harmony and our new Royal Cryptozoologist,” Celestia said, sampling the soup before speaking again once she had everypony’s attention. “While the court recognizes you as our Royal Cryptozoologist this is but a front. I would like you to join the Secret Monster Intelligence League of Equestria, an old unit I am restoring in response to growing concerns around Equestria. This unit is known as SMILE. We will train you, pay you handsomely, and you can still live with your partner Bon Bon in Ponyville, given she has already told you she was working for Luna and myself. Report to us, and in the event we are indisposed,Vicereine Granny Smith will be your contact in Ponyville.”

Lyra looked at Braxton, her mouth agape. She could not believe it. Braxton looked at her and gave her a warm smile, then whispered to her softly. “Take it.”

Spike, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie, and Fluttershy didn’t have much reaction to the word Vicereine. Twilight’s mouth hit the table; Rarity dropped her spoon in her soup, not caring that a little of it splashed upon her. She looked to Celestia, then over to Applejack. “Applejack, dear, do you know what it means that your grandmother is a Vicereine?”

Applejack paused with a tablespoon of soup to her mouth and took a page from her brother's book of vocabulary. “Uh, enope.” Then let the spoon continue to her mouth.

Rarity stood up in a state of shock, sending the chair sliding away from her. She looked to Applejack, her words coming out quick and clipped. “It means you’re fourth in line for the throne as a Duchess of Equestria!!”

The next few dominoes fell quickly after that. Applejack did a spit-take covering Rainbow Dash with cold tomato soup. She looked to Rarity and said, “WHAT?!”

Rainbow Dash fell back in her chair, covering her face and bemoaning, ”Ah sweet Celestia it got in my mouth!”

Luna would have also been in the line of fire had she not put up a magical shield to stop the drops of red liquid. Luna didn’t bother to hide her reaction and laughed.

Celestia cocked an eyebrow. “I was not aware I was an expression.”

Pinkie wanted to throw another party for Applejack, Lyra was somewhat gobsmacked as was Fluttershy and Spike.

Braxton leaned back in his chair so that he could address Spike in Draconic. “This happens a lot?”

“As often as rabbits fornicate,” Spike deadpanned.

“I’m hyperventilating,” Rarity said as she went to sit down. Twilight, not wanting her friend to fall on her butt, used her magic to bring the chair back under her.

Twilight gave Spike a rap on the shoulder and hissed in a whisper, “That didn’t sound nice, Spike!”

“It’s Draconic, it will never sound nice,” Spike retorted in a hiss.

Luna helped Rainbow up into her seat and used a napkin to dry her face. She gave her a glass of water, which Rainbow drank in gulps.

“Sorry, Sugarcube.” Applejack’s ears went flat as she apologized to Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow dash threw Applejack a look that promised revenge later but nodded in acceptance.

Celestia spoke once more bringing all attention back to the table as the party finished their soup. “What I ask of the Bearers of the Elements of Harmony is to form the other side of SMILE, the Friendship Ranger Organization of Worldwide Neighgotiations. Or FROWN by its designation.”

The corners of Braxton's mouth had to fight to remain straight as he recalled his gnomish friend Alanadale Tinkerton III Esquire. A chairman of the Key Automaton Benefits Organization Of Machinations. He hid his musing laughter in his napkin in the form of a sneeze. “Pardon me,” he said as the table looked at him then back to Celestia.

Luna not fooled, and she merely gave a knowing smile. The soup was cleared away as the mares of the table nodded. The maids then brought out the main course, a daisy and zucchini lasagna, setting a slice on each mare’s plate. The maid removed Braxton's plate and set a covered main course plate before him. Braxton noticed that the maid that brought it to him looked decidedly green around the gills and also looked like she wanted nothing more than to be far away from the tall bipedal ambassador. Braxton thanked the maid and listened to his hostesses, before speaking. “If it pleases my hostesses, may I wait to dine till others have had a chance to enjoy your hospitality, to not befowl their appetites?”

“I see no objections. Do you, Luna?” Celestia asked, looking to her sister, as most carnivorous dignitaries she had entertained in the past gave little credence to the thoughts of others.

“Nay we hath no objections sister,” Luna said

“What's under that cover, Braxton, that might ruin our appetites?” Rainbow asked incredulously between bites of her main dish.

“Meat, Rainbow,” Lyra said, answering her question.

Braxton smiled, showing off sharp canine teeth in his smile. Twilight wanted a closer look at Braxton's teeth. Rainbow and Applejack leaned back even though they were on the other side of the table. Lyra was pretty much used to the idea that he was, in fact, a meat eater. Pinkie for her part still lost in thought about Applejack’s party that she wanted to throw. Spike and Luna shrugged, and Rarity and Fluttershy were also nervously looking to the two rulers for any help.

“That isn’t pony meat, is it?” Rainbow asked Celestia without really thinking.

Lyra, Fluttershy, Braxton, Spike, and Twilight all facepalmed. Applejacks mouth hit the table as she turned to her friend with a look that seemed to scream ‘How could you be so bucking thoughtless, mare?!’ Luna fell out of her chair laughing, holding her sides. Pinkie's mane became slightly flat as she looked to Celestia.

Braxton grumbled loud enough for Spike to hear in draconic. “And here we go for round two.”

Spike shook his head and replied, “Eeyup.”

Lyra and Twilight hit their respective dinner partners on the thigh. Braxton turned to provide Lyra with a look of ‘What did I do?’

“Would the two of you stop speaking draconic at the table? It's insulting,” Twilight said to both of them.Celestia spoke

“No, Rainbow,” Celestia answered motherly, “it is from the Gryphon kingdom. And Rarity, I forbid you to faint.” She pointed at the unicorn who was preparing to do that very thing, only to bite her lip and shake in her chair. “Sister, will you please get up off the floor,” Celestia said, looking at the head of the table.

Luna was crawling back into her chair from her laughter she looked to Celestia and said mentally, “Oh sister! This dinner has been the funniest I have sat in upon in ages.”

Celestia and Braxton almost within moments of each other rubbed the bridges of their nose and shook their heads.

Celestia continued as the level at the table came back to manageable chaos. “My little ponies and good ambassador, we reach out to you for your help. This is the main matter at hand due to attacks of late within the land. This is the main reason why I have reactivated the elite guard as well as SMILE and FROWN. I am sorry to call upon you so soon, Lyra, but there is a creature my sister and I would like you to take a look at.”

Lyra watched Braxton wipe his mouth with his napkin and set it over the whole course before him as he looked at Celestia and Luna. Lyra could tell that Braxton went from coasting in his thoughts to progressive thinking and gathering.

The mares about the table could see the change even Spike could see it as well. Celestia continued “We had had this creature in preservation for the last three days and are no closer to discerning its secrets than when it was brought to us at a heavy cost.”

“A heavy cost?” Rainbow asked curiously only to have a hand go over her mouth by Applejack

Celestia shook her head “Yes...thirteen brave ponies gave their lives to bring it to us.”

The air about the table became very serious as that fact sunk in for the group at the dinner table.

“Princess Celestia would you please describe this creature?” Lyra asked as she watched Braxton focus.

“We know a few things, Lyra Heartstrings. It’s a type of spider. From its body out to the tips of its legs it has a twelve-foot diameter, and has a weight of five hundred imperial pounds. The survivors of the group that brought it back said it stood about 4 feet in height, and most disturbingly of all, it has a very human face. That is all we know about it.” A collective shiver made its way around the table as Celestia described the spider out of their nightmares. “There is one other thing it can do my little ponies, it seems the spider can teleport.”

Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Twilight all erupted in a flurry of comments from 'thats not possible?!', to 'there is no spider like that in Equestria?!', to 'Tar-nation more critters we don’t know about.', to 'Oh dear...these creatures don’t sound very friendly!'

Hearing the last piece, Braxton drew his attention to Lyra who seemed to freeze. Within Lyras mind a whisper called to her like a spark in the dark, and she followed. A book one that her sister Minuette had given her on her birthday. The old black nameless tome had only been with her for about a week for no sooner had she finished it. Then it dissolved to dust in her hands, and she for the life of her couldn’t remember anything she had read in it. Lyra saw this book fly open and its pages turn as she saw the facts before her that Celestia had named sink into the book. The ink on the page looked smudged, like it had been pulled out of the water. For she could read very little, but two words stood out before her: Phase Spider.

Lyra met Braxton's concerned gaze as she seemed to come out of her trance like state and asked Braxton from within the din of mares. “Braxton have you in your travels dealt with a Phase spider?”

The table fell silent, drawing attention to both of them. Each mare bore a look of surprise. Lyra looked into Braxtons eyes, terrified and not knowing whether her mind was playing tricks on her. The concerned look Braxton was giving was not helping. The war mage said calmly, “I have, and Phase Spiders are terrible creatures… Lyra, where did you hear that name?”

Lyra shook her head. “It was in a book, and the strange thing was my sister gave it to me for my birthday four months ago, saying she had found it on her travels. She couldn’t read it and gave it to me as a gift. It was just a plain titleless black book, and I read it. I didn’t understand how she couldn’t have read it. It was written in Equestrian. I had it for a week and finished it. But once it was finished it just turned to dust in my hands, and I couldn’t remember anything about it. How can I remember it now..? I’m so scared, Braxton…”

This time it was Braxton’s turn to go silent as he looked around the table. His eyes settled on the Apple family cider. He had half a glass, and she had a solid two. “I think I know part of the answer, Lyra, so I will compare it to what I know. First, this type of recall isn’t the first time you have done this. You did it the night I rescued Bon Bon when we were together, and Princess Luna visited us in a lucid dream. You gave everything, height, weight, even a little ecology of the Hellhound.”

“I don’t remember doing that,” Lyra said, a blush mounting on her face. “I just remember nodding off in your arms...and waking up in my bed.”

Rainbow whistled only to be silenced with a glare from Twilight, Celestia, and Luna. She shrunk back wishing she hadn’t done that.

The others listened as if engrossed in a tale. He continued, “I have a feeling what you picked up was something called a tome of understanding. It is a rare item even in my world, though how it got here, I haven’t the foggiest. Can you answer me one question more, Lyra?”

Lyra nodded, she had to know why. “Please, ask me.”

“Was your sister upset after she gave you the book and learned of its destruction?” Braxton watched her as she recalled the week after her birthday.

“Yes we had a big fight a week later…” her eyes began to show signs of tears “She hasn’t said a word to me since.”

Braxton nodded “Doesn't surprise me at all, in fact, it makes perfect sense.”

“What does Braxton?!” both Lyra and Twilight said together.

“There are only a handful of potent spells that have that amount of subtlety and power with them. One is a seventh tier spell called contingency, think of this spell as a way of saying if these criteria are met then this effect will happen. The other spell is called a geass. It’s an eighth-tier spell. This spell is a pretty sinister one if done right because it compels you to do something without you realizing you're doing it, but you are in full command of your mental and physical facilities. The whammy at the end is that once the spell is done, you remember everything you did.”

“What a truly horrible spell.” Celestia, Twilight, and Luna said in unison realizing full well the power and suducivity of a spell of that power.

“So your sister didn’t want to give you that book, but the geass made her do that, and with the destruction of the book the geass spell was no more,” Braxton finished as all the pieces came together for Lyra.

“...she called me a thieving diamond dog bitch... Said so many hurtful things...” Lyra’s mind turned inward to the fight and knew she threw as much venom back at her sister. Saying things that were as hurtful and cutting. She almost started to cry when she felt herself be pulled into Braxton’s arms as he whispered to her. “We will work it out, Lyra, but first this has to be our number one priority, so I need you to focus.”

Again her thoughts became calm, and the storm of her thoughts evaporated as she looked into his eyes before he turned and looked at Celestia.

“Forgive this boorish request your highnesses, but we must see this creature now. Not later… now. If it is a Phase Spider, then I’m sorry princess, but your problems have just escalated,” Braxton said with an iron-clad certainty in his voice.

Chapter 12 Cowards, Aces, Eight-Eyed Faces Pt I

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Chapter 13 Cowards, Aces, Eight-Eyed Faces Pt II

Chapter 13

Cowards, Aces, Eight-Eyed Faces

Part II

Twinkle Diamond landed upon the soldier’s bailly and made her way into the throne room where Princess Luna was listening to a mother and father desperate to find their child that had gone missing in the north woods earlier in the evening. The mother gave the princess the description of her filly and begged for Luna to intervene. As the mare rose Luna came before the mare who inadvertently took a step back but held her ground afterward.

“Your plight touches my heart, and I shall have my guards search for your foal personally. Allow me to speak with a guard whom just arrived, Please return to your home. I will bring news by dawn.”

Once the mare and stallion departed, the wind seemed to fall away from Luna’s sails and she sighed heavily to Twinkle Diamond. “Please tell me good news, my little bat pony.”

Twinkle Diamond gave a low bow, splaying her wings and awaiting her princess to tell her to rise. Luna made a made a gesture with her fingers so that her friend could stand. Luna waved her hand and shadows began to envelop the two. Both mares drew near the wall.

Twinkle Diamond spoke quietly but quickly. “Might I speak plainly and in confidence, Princess?”

Luna lit her horn for a moment a trail of eerie blue magic raced to the horns point only to make a sound no louder than the snap of one’s fingers. “Speak your mind.”

Twinkle Diamond nodded and spoke softly. “Forgive me, highness, but I bring ill news. Less than three quarters of an hour past, my sister Mystic Diamond returned telling her mother that all that had been dispatched to deal with the Phase Spiders… Whatever those are, have been slain.

Luna’s eyes went wide in disbelief. “Tell me everything.”

Twinkle Diamond recounted what Mystic Diamond had told her mother. Luna listened and pondered. As Luna listened her eyes her eyes caught sight of a runner entering the court coming to a stop the mare having a perplexed look upon her face as she looked about the empty throne room.

Luna placed a finger to her lips and whispered to Twinkle Diamond “Wait here. Do not move, friend.”

Twinkle Diamond nodded and remained in the shadows as Luna parted from her company drawing the attention of the runner.

To the runner Luna simply stepped out of a long shadow cast by the light of a torch sconce startling her. The mare bowed as Luna addressed her. “Forgive me, I was dealing with a nightmare.”

“Yes, your highness. I come from the home of my mistress the House of Diamonds…” The mare hesitated. While she did not wish to relay this information to Celestia she also did not want to be standing in the presence of Luna Alcyone, Nightmare Moon. Between the choice of two evils this was more than likely the better one. So, she continued. “Mistress Ebony Moon calls an emergency meeting of the great houses to order at dawn to discuss a matter of grave importance to Equestria.” With the message delivered the runner left the court with a bow.

Luna thought for a moment as this did not bode well. These meetings were only to the nobility and no commoners were allowed to sit in or voice opinions. She returned to her friend that was still hid within the shadows. “Forgive me for calling upon you, we will send you to Hollow Shades to gather the most wonderous houses of the night.”

Twinkle Diamond gave a bow and looked to Luna. “Im sure they are alright and I hope that my sister was lying,” she said, before leaving the shadow to set upon her task.

Braxton stumbled from the circle and collapsed as smoke rolled off his body he felt like he had been kicked in the chest by a horse. Twilight came to see if he was alright only to have Braxton wretch out, “Don’t touch me! ...please... don’t touch me...”

Twilight was truly frightened as she watched Braxton cough up blood and lean against a dead tree as he panted to catch his breath. What cost had this dark ritual asked of him? Looking off to her left her eyes grew wide at what she beheld. Honey Song, gone was her short cropped mane, for her hair now cascaded down to the small of her back. She was panicked first about the spiders and then looked somewhat confused as her sister wailed her name in joy. As she was wrapped in a protective hug, she patted her sister’s arm and began to take stock of herself. Twilight had her hands covering her mouth in sheer shock. Honey Song was alive! Braxton had turned the hands of death’s clock backwards!

“Sister?...Why am I naked?” Honey Song asked as she pulled the makeshift blanket around herself.

“Sister... you were dead and... that stallion... brought you back to life... I don’t know how he did it... but he DID IT!” Star Song exclaimed.

As Braxton rose to his feet holding on to the dead tree for support most of the ponies backed away from him leaving only three to look upon him with concern and five others looking on with concern for Twilight. The rest turned to look in awe of the mare that a few moments ago had been lifeless.

Twilight finally came forward and asked Braxton softly, “Are you alright? ...who are you, Braxton Zeddmore?”

Braxton Nodded and shut his eyes as he caught his breath—the spell had stripped him of a good deal of his constitution. “I'm alright. I will be without my magic for a little while, though. As for what I am? I am just someone doing the right thing.” Braxton made his way to the vulpine that was lying unconscious before Fluttershy as ponies parted before him in reverence and with a bow. As he passed Honey Song she grabbed his cloak to stop him. She looked him right in the face and said, “I swear upon my dead relatives...even the ones not feeling too good, I am your mare forever.”

Braxton smiled and looked to Honey Song, his voice gentle and kind. “You deeply flatter me, brave mare, but I didn’t do that so you could pledge that type of fealty to me.”

Honey Song looked to him pleadingly “Tell me why. Please, I know I haven’t a right to ask... but please... tell me why?”

Braxton knelt down so he was on the same eye level with Honey Song and her sister and they didn’t have to look up to him. “I did that so that a foal would not have to count their birthdays as the anniversary of their mothers death, and a herd would have direction and not be lost...no more... no less.” Braxton returned to his feet. Twilight could tell each time he stood it was hard and that something was keeping him going beyond what would have told anypony else that they should quit. Hearing his reason, Star Song put her hand to her mouth in shocked wonderment, her eyes misting with tears. She was not alone in that action as Pinkie, Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Rarity all did the same thing.

Braxton neared Fluttershy and she could only bow and splay her wings in reverence to the approaching war mage. Braxton stopped and once more helped Fluttershy to her feet all she could do was blush as their eyes met. “Please, everypony, this reverence is reserved for royalty. I am no nobler than anypony else here. We are all equal here.”

Thunderhoof spoke first. “Such humility..”

“Such uncommon valor,” said Star Song softly in wonder.

“Such virtue,” Honey Song said as she closed the blanket around herself.

“Braxton…” Scarlet Star called to him, drawing his attention away from Fluttershy’s blushing face. “We guards do not get the opportunity to do what I am about to voice… We do not get the privilege of selecting who we guard with our lives... and yet I think I speak for every guard here when I say we would be honored to guard you with our lives.”

Braxton nooded looking away from the direction of the still naked mare clothed only in a bed comforter. “You might wish to dress, Honey Song. Then, would the rest of you please help me see these kind folk back to their kin?”

Braxton picked up the vulpine with a grunt of effort while the three armored mares used their shields as a barrier to allow Honey Song to dress. The colt and Thunderhoof walked up to Braxton. The colt and the two fillies as well as the two mares came to walk beside Braxton as he explained that the foals would be returned to their parents and the mares would be escorted to the palace. The guards fell into step with Braxton once Honey Song was dressed back in her clothes and armor.

The Elements of Harmony each rubbed their hands as the mountain glyphs vanished. They spoke in hushed whispers, mostly upon the topic of the fact that Braxton had the support of a herd that wasn’t his but the lead mare had placed herself and through her actions the herd she lead in his service as well. Almost as unheard of as somepony bring another back to life. It was all too much—it didn’t seem real.

Twilight was lost in her own thoughts as they walked. What Braxton had done wasn’t magically possible, at least from her point of view. He had done that act out of the most selfless of reasons and she was sure that those materials he used in that ritual were not cheap by any stretch of the imagination. As she only half listened to her friends talking another thought crept into Twilights mind. Did Lyra know what she had in her hooves, for in Equestria the term 'Mustang' was used maybe for a thousand stallions. Out of those thousand, Maybe a few hundred lived up to that namesake. Braxton however was in a class all by himself—an extraordinary apex being. It sent a mix of fear and adrenaline down her spine to pool in the pit of her stomach, yet this feeling was coupled with something else as well, attraction. Her thoughts came back to Lyra. Did she feel this just being near him? Lyra knew this man deeper than most ponies did and she wanted to learn about him too. Twilight made the decision to sit down with Lyra and compare notes. Nothing drove her crazier than a mystery she couldn’t figure out.

Two ponies held on to one another as they watched the sunrise. With no word from Princess Luna, their hopes were falling with the rising sun. The stallion softly sobbed trying to be strong for his mate but it was for naught. The young mare that held onto her husband had other members of her small herd there for support as they began to lose hope that their foal was among the living. Till a knock at their door drew all hope to it. Opening the door was a tired mare in battle worn armor of the day court. She smiled softly to them “Good morning. I think we found something that belongs to you,” Scarlet Star said with a smile as she stepped out of the way to reveal the lost filly to her parents. Once they saw her alive the house erupted in jubilation and relief that their little one was alive. All smiled enjoying the reunion as Scarlet Star turned to leave the mother came back outside to see that she was in the presence of the Elements of Harmony, the Princess of Friendship, and the guards of Celestia. “Praise you all! We owe you a debt we can never repay. All praise you in the glory of sun and moon. We do not have much but may we at least offer you hospitality and a meal?”

The group said yes given most were hungry. They shared fruits, breads and daisy salads. Braxton made due with an apple and a couple of slices of sugarbread while he kept an eye on the unconscious vulpinus vixen listening to the group talk.

Twilight watched Braxton half expecting him to fall asleep but he remained awake and alert. In the repeating marching order of her thoughts about Braxton another thought added itself into the line, would Lyra be willing to share him?

The sun rose this morning with no comfort to Princess Celestia Alcyone. Her fourth night without sleep, and Luna had brought her the news that the nobles were calling for a closed session of the great houses. She was no in the mood for this, the force she had dispatched to help Braxton deal with the Phase spiders had not returned and Twilight had not teleported to her to give her a report. She sat down in front of her mirror to do her mane and place her crown upon her head. She gave herself a smile but it never reached her eyes. Rubbing her face, she steeled herself and rose. She made her way to her door. if she could just hold on till Twilight came back, she could have her take over for a little in order to get a few hours sleep.

It had been a night full of worry and a sleepless night for Lyra. She couldn’t keep her mind off Braxton, and hoped that he was okay. She had so much to say to him and hoped he would return. It made her heart ache at the thought that she would never get to tell him sorry, never get to tell him how she felt about him, never feel his touch or his calming embrace. She had tried to sleep in his bed but wound up unable to sleep even with the Jewel Of the Desert only the size of a handkerchief. But it still smelled like him, earth, cinnamon, and burned firewood leaving his room after returning the handkerchief to the packs pocket. Lyra decided she should try to maybe eat something so she asked a mare by the name of Soft Serve if there was anything on hand.

Soft Serve was about a head shorter than Lyra and bore a soft pink coat with a blue mane and tail. Her green eyes sparkled and she gave Lyra a smile as the chef’s hat she wore was just a little off center. “We do, Royal Cryptozoologist, what can I get for you?”

“I don’t have much in the way of bits yet just some steamed oats.”

“Preposterous. As the Royal Cryptozoologist you have a open tab here that Princess Celestia and Luna set up for you so please order what you will.”

Lyra gave what bits she had more in thank you than in payment and was about to sit down and eat when an admonishing voice echoed across the cafeteria that made her ears cock.

“Lyra Harper Heartstrings! Daughter of House Symphony what are you doing grazing when we should be in parliament for the emergency meeting?!”

Lyra turned to look at the admonishing caster of the voice and realized it was her mother Countess Viola da Gamba. The mare stood somber, and half a head taller than her daughter. Her mint hued coat bore a shiny gloss—she was out to make an impression on somepony. Lyra rolled her eyes and said, “Hello to you, too, mom.”

“Get your flank out of that chair, we are late for court. If you are hungry after this meeting I have a stallion that will make a fine breeder for your herd I want you to meet and see if you two hit it off. And take him back to Bon Bon.”

Lyra rose with a heavy sigh of disgust. “Mom no. Bon Bon and I are not an item and I wish you would stop putting stallions in my path that you have more than likely rutted in an interview for me.” Lyra looked over to Soft Serve. “Sorry for leaving this for you to clean up.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Soft Serve said with a smile as Lyra went to join her mother begrudgingly.

As Lyra neared her mother, she leaned in to give her daughter a hug and then looked at her daughter with an objective eye. “Who are they young filly? And why haven't I met them yet?”

Lyra picked up her pace a little bit as they walked to the great hall of the castle. “What are you talking about, Mom?”

“Don’t you play coy with me, young filly. The stallion or the mare that smells of cinnamon, earth, and firewood and is all over you.” Viola da Gamba said incredulously. “Did you join a herd or did you finally mare up and get yourself a saddle blanket?”

Now Lyra remembered why she left this madhouse. But once more Lyra’s heart didn’t check with her brain before she spoke. “Braxton Zeddmore, mother, is no saddle blanket! He is a mustang.”

The almost predatory gleam in her mother's eye did not make Lyra feel too good nor too safe. “A mustang? ... and just how did YOU rope yourself one?”

Kicking herself internally as a blush mounted her cheeks at her mother's more than lewd way she said that she had to think fast. “Oh look Mom we are here can’t talk about stallions now.” Lyra hurriedly opened the door and walked in the door guards giving Lyra a nod and salute.

Countess Viola da Gamba prided herself on being a pony with sharp perspicacity. A few things stuck out immediately. The guards didn’t bother to stop her, nor did they bow to her like they did other nobles. They saluted her, why? What had her daughter been up to? Why when she made the passing comment about the stallion being a saddle blanket did it make her so hot under the collar and she proclaimed him a mustang. Plus she was covered in his scent so they had to be close. It left only an obvious answer her daughter was head over hooves for this pony. Completely smitten. This warranted some networking to see what was going on.

The court was in session as the guards parted the doors for Celestia to enter and the court turned and gave a bow of reverence as candor and debate died away into silence. Near her throne was seated Silver Quill and Timely Manner, each to keep a log of the minutes of the session. Each stood and gave their respective bows. The door ward then rapped her staff as her voice rang out across the great hall. “The Court of Houses will come to order!”

“May we find harmony and wisdom in the light of the sun and moon,” the court echoed back in unison.

“Who has called this emergency meeting?” Celestia asked in regal tone.

“The Mares Of Tradition, I, Countess Ebony Moon, Lead mare and speaker of House Diamonds,” Ebony Moon said with authority.

“Then let us hear it so we may devise a solution with light and wisdom,” Celestia said somewhat rehearsed, given that the nobles seemed to call these meetings once every few years. It was going to be a very long day, she feared.

“My daughter Mystic Diamond has returned with a harrowing tale of the loss of the Elements of Harmony and the Princess of Friendship, along with the unit assigned to her. We must select new element bearers and a worthy pony to be made into an Alicorn for the fallen princess of friendship.”

The court went mad at the news Lyra for her part drew in a breath and grasped at her chest feeling her heart beginning to break. It took Celestia using her royal voice to bring the chamber to order. Gone was Celestia's laid back attitude that this was going to be some trivial matter it had her very worried and she rested upon the edge of her throne looking to Ebony Moon who was keeping silent for dramatic effect. Had the gods chose to ignore her plea last night Celestia tried to keep her voice level it was one of the hardest things she had to do in a very long time.

“Summon your daughter Ebony Moon,” Celestia said, her breathing elevated as she fought to remain calm.

“She is among us, Princess Celestia.” Ebony Moon said regally to her liege.

“Then I want your full report, Mystic Diamond,” said Celestia as she locked eyes upon the mare, a mix of fear and denial etched upon Celestia's face.

The group walked toward the castle, Braxton carrying the vixen in his arms. He and Thunderhoof had took turns carrying her. What most of the group found very strange was that for the beginning of the morning there were very few ponies en route to the castle. Most of the shops were full of common ponies that were waiting for something, but few nobles.

The line of ponies at the main gate was the real shocker for the guards were not letting anypony in, and only when Twilight, Braxton, the Elements of Harmony, and the guards approached the crossed halberds did the gate guards let them pass. Most of the common pony sought to beseech Twilight for answers and begged her to intervene. Twilight said she would look into the matter and get to the bottom of things. Making their way across the bailey, the group found it empty, entering into the keep and castle proper, the door to the great hall was lined with guards each ready for a fight and each ready to spill blood. They relaxed as Twilight approached and gave a bow to all a few of the guards opted to salute Scarlet Star as she passed them.

“Give me a sitrep one of you,” Scarlet Star said as they made their way to the great hall.

“Yes, Vintanear Star. There is an emergency meeting of the great houses of day and night so no common pony is allowed within the castle at this time,” a guard answered with a snap of a salute.

“We must enter to give our report to Princess Celestia,” Twilight said flatly knowing that they would not contest her word.

“At once, your highness,” said a guard mare with a salute. She opened the doors to the court.

“Oh Braxy?” Pinkie said as her ears twitched, “could you please pass me our unconscious visitor?”

“Might I ask what for?” Braxton said wearily.

Pinkie giggled. “Pinkie sense”

“Is he gonna need a helmet?” Rainbow Dash asked.

As Braxton passed his charge over to Pinkie he heard Lyra shouting at the top of her lungs. “YOU LIE!”

Mystic Diamond had just finished her tale about how the ambassador was a coward, and how he had took the reigns of control from her unjustly, blundering into the nest with no real plan. Which led to the eggs hatching and covering him with a mess of the deadly spiders leading to his demise as they bit at him and sadly the elements of harmony as they tried to save his cowardly life. The troops tried to bring the bodies back but the spiders pursued them and the unit had to split up in order to save themselves she valiantly sounded the retreat and when none made it to the fall-back location they had planned. She then went to her mother for she had a standing squadron of troops, and was making her way to the castle to muster more troops of the day and of the night if she could.

Not caring about order, nor caring about what others would think about her, Lyra stepped in front of the mare, her back to Celestia. Her mind and near breaking heart hoping that this mare was lying she had to be for that was not Braxton. He was no coward, nor was he one that did anything without a plan. In the short time she had known him he was always one chess move ahead, that one extra step prepared. He was her mustang. She pointed an accusing finger at Mystic Diamond and shouted, “YOU LIE!”

“Sorry your mustang is dead.” Mystic Diamond said tactlessly “his incompetence cost the lives of-...” Mystic Diamond heard the great doors open as a gasp reverberated through the court.

Mystic Diamond went pale as a ghost when she saw the doors open to reveal the Ambassador, the Elements Of Harmony, and ALL of her squad come through the door with two extra mares in tow. The Element of Laughter was taking a female fox like creature in her arms from the ambassador. And Lyra wailed Braxtons name in joy.

Very few things in life ever took Braxton by surprise. However, his keen senses were dulled, his will was the only thing keeping him upright and trudging on to finish the mission. His constitution had been heavily taxed from a ritual, and to put the icing on this cake with Pinkie Pie taking the vulpinus female from his arms, his armor’s displacement was rendered useless for a moment. A moment long enough for Lyra to plow into him with such force it put him on his back, and hold him in her arms not caring that she was straddling him or smothering him with kisses till she was dizzy.

Klynn Ka’ tar giggled softly. “Someone is happy to see you, brother.”

“I couldn’t tell, sister,” Braxton groaned inwardly to her.

A sharp whistle that Lyra knew very well caught her attention and she stopped kissing Braxton and looked up into the face of a white unicorn mare with a two toned blue mane her violet eyes sparkling with mischief as she made a series of hand gestures, before she slapped the back of her hand to the mare standing next to her with her mouth agape, the slate grey mare closed her mouth as she looked over to the giggling unicorn with a look of irritation then back to Lyra and said, “This bad flank is your colt friend?!”

Lyra blushed giving a sheepish confused smile “Vinyl? Tavi? What are you two doing here I thought you had an audition in Manehattan?”

“We were till we were attacked by brigands and then as we tried to get my cello back from those thieves we got lost in the forest only to be found by spiders and would have been food had it not been for your coltfriend,” Octavia said.

Vinyl made another series of hand gestures that Lyra and Octavia understood. “Are you going to let your colt friend up or buck him here on the floor?”

Lyra turned a bright shade of pink and got off Braxton in hurry while Vinyl laughed, even when Octavia lightly cuffed her on the back of the head. “Rude!” she said as she made the hand gesture at the same time.

Lyra helped Braxton to his feet giving him a sheepish smile, her ears flattening out to the sides. “Sorry,” she squeaked.

Braxton looked first to Lyra and said, “Thank you,” warmly before looking to Celestia who was standing stock still. Braxton could see that even with her royal mask she was seething beneath it, fighting for control of her emotions. “Mission accomplished, Celestia. All are safe and sound and the spiders are dead.”

At that, Celestia whipped around from the group pointing at Mystic Diamond. “Elites, seize that mare!”

Mystic Diamond was trying to sneak out of the court hopping her mother could handle this better than she could. She was stopped by three ponies that seemed to come out of the shadows very quickly and grab her. A pegasus mare wrenched her arm behind her back and pinned it to her so she could not move. She gave a yelp as the three brought her back over to Celestia, one used the butt of her arbalist to strike a nerve cluster upon Mystic Diamond’s back making the mare go to her knees. Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked up into the face of a very angry monarch. Mystic was terrified as she saw flames dance within Celestia’s eyes.

“You have lied to me. You have abandoned your post, your comrades in arms, and worst of all you placed a mare I look upon as my daughter in grave danger and you have the audacity to return and proclaim them dead?!” Celestia was not shouting, nor was she yelling. This carried far more rage behind it because it was just above a whisper, but all within the court heard it clearly. It made her quite terrifying as most onlookers could see that her mane was changing from the multi-colored pastel they knew to a soft orange at the base of her hair. “I sentence you to death as soon as I can hire a headsmare...if I had an axe I would do it myself here and now!”

Several noble mares and stallions fainted Mystic Diamond turned to look at her mother who was in shock. ”Mama don’t let her kill me I am a noble!”

“You are a coward and unworthy of any title given to you and as princess I can and WILL strip you of it.” Celestia hissed in a whisper.

“Princess Celestia forgive me but might I inform you of something?” said Timely Manner in a professional tone.

Celestia took a breath before speaking to Timely, her tone level and cool. “Speak.”

Timely gave a bow “Yes, your majesty. The sentence of death cannot be carried out due in part to the death penalty being abolished fifty years ago by harmless act fifty-four. The other was harmless law twenty-two, no noble could lose any station once awarded to, or born into it.

“I passed no such law,” Celestia stated plainly.

“Both harmless laws were attached to the one you did pass that granted the building of several orphanages here in Canterlot and the school in Ponyville as well as the housing reclamation act so no pony in Ponyville would have to live in a shanty or tent.”

Those Celestia did remember passing, she thought back over the bill she didn't remember those laws within it. Only a referendum to a note of HL fifty-four and HL twenty two.

Timely manner continued. “The nomenclature of both harmless laws were worded that if you took either of them away the entire law would fail in its entirety and would have to go back to the Houses of Commons and Mares for review. If I recall it was also when we were coming out of that bad drought and the weather ponies had said they needed more snow that winter to make up for the rain loss.”

“Very well with both laws passed I can just repeal the harmless laws after all I am princess of this land and I am sure my sister will not object.” Celestia said turning her gaze back to the forlorn mare who was beginning to stand with some relief as he mother drew near only to go back to her knees with a yelp as Shade Dancer hit her in the nerve cluster her fellow arbalist had, and hissed as she placed her hand upon her short sword in the small of her back “Her Highness gave you no permission to stand coward... and you advancing, stay back.” Shade Dancer flicked her wing towards Ebony Moon, not bothering to look at the noble mare as a single primer feather from her wing flew like a missle between Ebony Moon’s legs stopping her in her tracks as it stuck into the stone. Ebony Moon jumped back, then looked at the beautiful black feather. It was hard as steel and gleamed with pegasus magic that danced along its razored edges in the light.

Celestia made a motion with her hand and Shade Dancer folder her wing back, the steel feathers returning to their black silken softness.

“If I may continue?” Timely manner asked.

“Of course, Timely Manner,” Celestia said her own frustration beginning to show like subtle hairline cracks in a piece of glass.

“With the Ponyville reconstruction project after Tirek’s attack there was a harmless law in that bill as well harmless law forty-two stated that no princess could repeal any harmless law past or present. Under the caveat however that a queen could.”

“This is bullshit!” Shade Dancer exclaimed

“No captain of the elite guard this is progress,” said Ebony Moon before her voice took on a smug tone that said she had all the cards. “We the House of Diamonds as well as the other great houses can offer the princess access to our breeding stallions if she so desires and can choose a husband from any one of them, we nobles do not call into question her ability to raise and lower the sun for there is no pony in Equestria that can do that. What we are calling her upon is her ability to lead.” The court gasped as tension mounted Ebony Moon knew she had the court eating out of her palm and pressed her advantage. “And this is the litany of why I have the right... no, the duty to say this to my beloved princess. With the ever growing pool of alicorns that are ruling swaths of Equestria answering only to themselves when they should be loving and adoring our sun and our moon princesses, with the Elements of Harmony and the princess of friendship being more center stage doing the princess’s leg work, her blunders at the Canterlot Wedding in front of us as well as her defeat at the hooves of Chrysalis, the fact that in two hundred years she seems to have sworn off taking a lover despite her last... what was her name...” Ebony Moon had about ninety percent of the court in her favor she could tell just by their body language they held their collective breaths as she paused and made her closing statement. “Carcouche, that was her name, and in a thousand years she has bore no heir despite the lovers that could seed her. I say this because I love my princess and wish to see her a Queen to not fade into obscurity... to be relevant once more.”

Something within Celestia shattered, she felt like somepony had placed a bag over her head and hit her with a thick staff between her eyes.

It wasn’t a scream of a foal within a nightmare that woke Luna from her slumber. After she had just retired for the day. No it was an eerie sound like shattering glass within an echo cave. It worried Luna, she tried the mental link with her sister.

“Sister are you alright?”

Silence was loud. She quickly dressed and teleported to the throne room, hoping all was well.

The court was in shock after hearing Ebon Moon make that declaration the Mares of Tradition began to applaud and soon came a voice within the din of clapping. “I second the motion!” “Hear hear!” came another voice as more of the court was being won over to Ebony Moons side. Luna appeared behind her sister just in time to hear Celestia use the royal voice.

“SILENCE! I AM NOT IRRELEVANT!”

Every pony in the court fell to the knees deafened by her voice a stained glass window of discord shattered from the volume the stained glass window of the elements cracked as did the window of twilight’s coronation, spider webbing the beautiful windows. Even Luna had to cover her ears a moment.

Celestia looked to the cowering mare before her she was frozen in fear Celestia picked her up and she gasped as she came up off the ground so Mystic Diamond was eye level with her princess and her fear turned to terror when she saw Celestia had fangs.

“Since I can’t kill you,” She hissed cooly at Mystic Diamond, “I sentence you to endure a Ceremony of Disgrace a law that is still upon the books! Upon the morrow I will have you brought from the dungeons to the town square. I will carry out the sentence myself since so many think me powerless! I will strap you ten lashes strong across your flanks, I will dent and break every piece of armor and weapon you possess and have you wear it upon a walk of public shame back to your home. But not before I brand you with a C upon your cheek and shave your mane and crop your tail as close to your worthless dock as I can!”

Celestia threw Mystic back into Shade Dancer with enough force it made Shade Dancer almost lose her footing. She in all her time with Celestia had never seen her this angry, her eyes blazed like the torch fire, her pupils were cat-like slits. Celestia looked to her friend before speaking her voice like that of a piece of molten steel dropped into a quenching trough. “Now get this worthless mare out of my sight till tomorrow!”

Mystic Diamond tried to wriggle out of Shade Dancers grasp only to find the pegasus had her firmly. “Momma please I can’t go to the dungeons!” she whined as she was being drug away.

Some crocodile tears later Ebony Moon was groveling before Celestia begging that her daughter not be taken to the dungeons but at least allowed to sleep in her own bed and arrive tomorrow for the ceremony.

Celestia gave a smirk watching her grovel and was about to crush the smug mare when the scream of a earth pony caught the court's attention as she fell from the upper balcony hitting the stone floor with a sick smack the next sound right on its heels was a klick klack sound and then a crossbow being fired the bolt hissed through the air with a shrill whistle and struck Mystic Diamond in the chest the bolt sinking up to the fletching as the bolt stuck out her back next to her heart

“Tortoise! Tortoise!” cried Shade Dancer as seven elite guards surrounded Celestia and Luna, three unicorns standing before her and four pegasi in the next row each interlocking their shields that the unicorns had summoned.

“Diamond! Diamond!” Cried Thunderhoof as he brought Lyra back to Braxton and Honey Song and Star Song came to Braxton’s aide. Honey Song pulled Braxton down behind her shield.

The court itself was in chaos as ponies tried to flee and even a pony or two fell from the overhead platform above. Ebony Moon ran to her fallen daughter and held her as she looked blankly up at her mother she mewled out as she coughed up blood her hand clutching at her mothers clothes “Mommy!..where are you? ...mommy I’m scared… I’m..” her hand went slack and her eyes stared blankly beyond her mother as her bowels voided Ebony Moon screamed in sorrow.

Braxton, weakened as he was, did not let that fact slow him down as he left Lyra and his guards behind. He jumped up the wall and the pillar to the upper floor with his boots in a few short hops.

Twilight called upon a shield to cover herself and her friends as she watched Braxton leap up the wall like a well-trained acrobat. It amazed her that he could still ask his body to do that even when he a few moments ago could barely stand. What kept him going?

Shade Dancer a moment later met up with Braxton on the upper floor“I hope you have some spells primed ambassador we will need them,” she said cooly, her eyes looking into shadows for any movement.

“I can’t tap my magic, I’ve burned too much tonight.” Braxton panted as he fought to both stay alert as well as in fighting form. He dug deep for all his strength. Braxton’s eyes became cat like as most of the nobles had cleared out.

As the two searched the upper floor, one moving clockwise the other moving counterclockwise both spotted it upon the remains of the discord window—a small piece of a cloak upon the glass.

“Here, keep that till I can get a divination upon it my friend,” Braxton said, his hand outstretched to the side so that Shade Dancer could take it.

Shade Dancer took the scrap of cloth not fully knowing what Braxton meant, but something told her that it was important.

Braxton brought his other keen senses up. He needed them most right now and be damned the consequences. It was a good thing he did for a flutter of cloth gave away the sound of movement Braxton pushed Shade Dancer out of the way. He was the target, the assassin was still in the room. The three bolts flew toward Braxton, the first hit Braxton’s displacement giving him enough time to draw his blade. The sharp ring of steel echoed off the walls and in a feat that Shade Dancer had to give Braxton his due, he parried the other two bolts in flight. From the direction of the bolts and their spacing Braxton knew this weapon...a gnomish repeating crossbow that assassin had half a dozen more bolts to fire if he or she chose but Braxton couldn't see his attacker so he had to summarize the attacker was also covered with a cloak of improved invisibility or similar spell.

Shade Dancer reoriented herself after Braxton had pushed her out of the way and was about to rise when Braxton shouted, “Stay low!” She then made her way along the parapet wall to get to Braxton.

“Thank you!” she said as she drew near/

“Don’t thank me yet. They still have about half dozen bolts left.” Braxton said as he rested for a moment by the wall his strength fading fast and he had drawn his sword without drawing blood.

“This day just keeps on getting better and better.” Braxton said mentally.

“I am sorry brother.” Kylnn Ka’ tar voiced within his mind apologetically.

“Don’t be. it’s the price I pay for wielding you,” Braxton returned with pride in his voice.

“What did you say?” asked Shade Dancer in a quiet whisper confused over what language he said something in.

Braxton hadn’t realized he said his last statement out loud rather than in his head. He looked over to Shade Dancer, “Nothing pertinent to our situation,” he panted as he reigned in his breathing. As he heard hoof falls coming around the corner he raised his sword ready to deliver a stab in the gut to who ever was coming around the corner and almost stabbed Thunderhoof.

“Easy Braxton we all can’t climb walls like you do some of us have to take the stairs. Thankfully the door up here was open,” Thunderhoof said, oblivious to the danger and panting.

Shade Dancer gave a whistle and four pegasi came up to look around upon the upper level. Braxton slid along the wall, fatigue taking its toll upon his body and his mind. He gave a soft growl as he willed himself to go on. “Look sharp, they are still up here, but invisible.”

“Sir there is nopony here its just us,” Thunderhoof said as he stood up only to be pulled back down by Braxton as another bolt struck the wall the arrow bursting with a splash of acid.

“Don’t bet your life on that!” Braxton said as pegasi swept the room looking for where the bolt had come from,their arbalests at the ready. Braxton and Shade Dancer heard the soft crunch of glass. The assassin was going for the open window rather than the door.

Shade Dancer could smell what Braxton had cooking. He would be the bait, she would strike. She watched as Braxton gave her a silent three... two... one… both leapt up, Shade used her family’s technique, her wings became metal and with a flap of them threw several steel wing darts that fanned out before her. Braxton at the same time hurled his sword as the assassin fled out the window but not before taking a dart in the shoulder. The figures yelp of pain tipped off the assassin was a mare.

Klynn Ka tar sailed out the window but never hit the ground for a moment later she returned to Braxton’s hand.

“Missed!” Braxton groused as he leaned upon the wall and upon his sword near total exhaustion.

“I didn’t” Shade Dancer said as her magic called the darts back to her the feathers reattaching to her wings like dripping shadows save one that was covered in blood she was about to wipe it when braxton stopped her.

“Keep that one, it’s gold,” Braxton said, his free hand stopping her from wiping the blood off. She nodded her understanding, and kept the feather steel-like as she wiped the blood off upon the piece of cloak before returning the feather to her wing. Braxton nodded. That was gold—they had their assassin as soon as he had his magic back.

“I owe you a pint of cider, Braxton. You saved my life and fought like no other. Plus I have never seen anypony parry bolts in flight that was pretty amazing!” Shade Dancer said as she watched Braxton lean against the wall and rest his sword by it for a moment while he dug out a bandage from his personal first aid kit. His friends watched as he drew up his sleeve and then drew Klynn Ka’ tar across his arm coating the blade in his blood. He grunted in pain as the swords keen edge bit into his skin, then sheathed the sword and placed the bandage over his arm to staunch the bleeding.

“Why did you do that, Braxton?” Thunderhoof asked recovering from seeing his fellow comrade in arms do that to himself.

Braxton took a few moments to recover from the pain before he spoke. “Klynn Ka’ Tar, while it is a powerful sword, must have a due of blood whenever drawn... yours or your foes. It is the price she exacts for the use of her power.”

“Sounds terrible,” said Shade Dancer. “I would be rid of such a cursed item.”

As they all left the upper floor Braxton smiled and said to Shade Dancer and Thunderhoof wearily, “When I first was given the sword I thought the same way you did now. After traveling with it, I grew to like the damnable trait.”

“How could you even grow to love that trait?” Shade Dancer asked.

“I have to agree with the General here, sir. I'm at a loss,” Thunderhoof said, bewildered.

Braxton gave a smile as the rest of the group of his guards and Lyra came into view. He looked back over his shoulder. “Both of you are intelligent. Think upon what I said, the answer will come to you.”

Thunderhoof looked to Lyra as the group made their way back into the throne room. “My lady, is he always this cryptic?”

“Yes, he is,” Lyra replied only half hearing Thunderhoof since she was looking over Braxton with a concerned look upon her face.

The throne room was empty save for the princesses, the Elements of Harmony, and the phase spider corps lead by the ambassador that went out the previous night the morning sun lit the room as the corpse and Ebony Moon were sent away so she could bury her daughter after the bolt had been retrieved from the dead mare.

“Let us have your report, Shade Dancer, of the events that happened twenty minutes ago,” Celestia said, her tone regal and even.

“Yes, my princess,” Shade Dancer saluted and continued. “The assassin mare attacked with a crossbow of unknown type, she evaded capture by unknown means, and unseen by unknown means...the only good news to this is that she was wounded in the shoulder and that the ambassador said that was a golden piece of luck for us because we could catch her at our leisure.”

“Please explain ambassador,” Celestia said.

“Very well, princesses. The weapon the assassin used was a gnomish crossbow of repeating, With it all someone would need is a rudimentary skill with a crossbow to use it and it holds twelve bolts before needing to be reloaded. The way she remained unseen was due to either a magical item such as a cloak or a ring, imbued with Improved Invisibility—a spell could also do this, but I think an item is the way this assassin chose, for if injured the spell would have dropped.” Braxtons breathing was labored and yet he still stood Lyra and Honey Song came under each of his arms to keep him from falling over from the sheer exhaustion. “Thank you, you two.” He continued with his report. “As for catching the assassin at our leisure, we can do that by means of divination and scrying spells as soon as my magic returns—most likely within a day or two.”

“Why not sooner, Ambassador?” Celestia pressed.

“Ordinarily I would say of course but given last night’s fight has overtaxed my mana, my constitution is paying the price.”

“Please explain this, Ambassador,” Celestia asked in confusion.

“I think I can help clear some of this up, Celestia,” Twilight said. “I have an interview with Braxton that details his magic and will help you shed light upon his powers.”

Celestia nodded. “Very well I will read that report but please ambassador tell us why you look as ragged as you do.”

“There were more spiders than we thought. Two adults and three hatchlings, and twenty-two eggs.” That made Celestia nervous as he continued. “During the fight Honey Song fell in battle, killed by a spider’s bite.”

“But how does she stand before us now?” Celestia asked now very confused.

“This is where I overtaxed myself, Princess Celestia. I called upon a seventh tier spell though all of my spells had been near exhausted in protecting the others of the group. While this spell worked fully, restoring her to life, it taxed my constitution heavily, severed my magical powers for a time and with the excitement here in court has delivered me more or less in the state you see before you.”

“Then allow us to repay you please Braxton those materials could not have been cheap.” Twilight said.

“If the princesses seek to pay me I ask for only one blank hardback book and we are even.” Braxton said gently

“While that shall be granted Ambassador what was the total value of the materials you used?” Celestia asked curiously.

“Very well. In my world’s currency the spell casting and the materials would run fifty three hundred pieces of platinum.” Lyras mouth dropped open, Braxton continued. “If you converted that over to your country’s currency, with the conversion rate it would come out to seventy six million three hundred and twenty thousand bits.” Honey Song, Rarity, and Thunderhoof fainted, while everypony else in the room had to pick their mouths up off the floor. None seemed to take note of a small finch that had landed upon the sill of the upper window looking into the throneroom.

Braxton moved to ask Pinkie who was standing there with her mouth agape. “Pinkie would you please look after our injured guest?”

All Pinkie Pie could do was nod yes as she watched him make his way out of the throne room at a slow plod. Lyra was next to follow behind him coming up so that he could lean on her, which earned her a warm smile and an equally warm thank you. She leaned her head into him as she walked into the hall with him she could tell he was nearly asleep on his feet by the time Lyra opened the door to his room.

Braxton pulled at the buckles of his armor and set his sword upon the holder the armor fell away with Lyra's help. Lyra waited for him to get his boots off before pulling his shirt off of him. Around his neck upon Leather thong was a beautiful stone of one and a half inch labradorite its soft prismatic blue hue danced in the morning sun. wonderfully cut, and cradled by a fox of silver. Its paws and tail wrapped around the stone. Lyra’s eyes couldn’t help but look over the rest of him as her eyes made their way down his chest and abs, it was truly alluring the strength that rippled softly under her touch. seeing the wound that was on his forearm she changed out the bandage as she spoke softly to him “Braxton... about what I did before... I’m sorry, I just…”

Braxton gently placed a finger over her lips and whispered softly. “There is nothing to forgive, angel... free your heart from any worry.” His hand moved to softly cup her cheek and with the last of his strength he pulled her into him, giving her a deep kiss.

Lyra’s eyes went wide as her mind went blank. His kiss was more intoxicating than anything the Apple family could brew, and she melted into him. Time seemed to stand still for her. As they parted she heard him whisper as his breath exhaled upon her lips warm and weary. “Good night, beautiful.”

Lyra watched him fall asleep in moments, still feeling the warmth of his lips upon hers. Sleep nearly claimed her but she rose and took the comforter from her bed and drug it into his room to cover the both of them as she too fell asleep upon his left side holding tight to her mustang. “Sweet dreams my love... sweet dreams.”

Chapter 14 Spotlights and Reflections In Webbed Glass

Chapter 14

Spotlights and Reflections In Webbed Glass

The small finch flew from the window, landing on a nearby table of a cafe and began to chirp and sing while a pegasus mare listened. Her olive green eyes were going wide. She gave her long fuschia colored bangs an absent-minded swipe and leaned forward in her seat, writing down everything that the little finch had both witnessed and heard going on in the castle behind closed doors—but thankfully not sealed off windows. After a few moments of frantic shorthand, she looked to the finch. “Are you sure? Did you get everything, Chickadee?”

The little finch chirped incredulously at her friend, and bounced from one foot to the other in excitement looking up to her.

Hot Topic beamed and rubbed her hands together before moving a plate of bread over to the excited little bird, squeeing in glee. “Here, you more than earned it, my little Chickadee!” Realizing she was in a public place, she put a hand over her mouth, receiving some slightly sidelong stares and raised eyebrows from other mares for her behavior.

Quickly paying the ticket, leaving her bits on the table, she ran off to get this information to her co-reporter Biased Opinion—who was gathering information on why the castle was behaving so strange—as well as try to collect more details of the noble comings and goings from the castle.

Hot Topic found her earth pony counterpart sitting on a bench, his steel grey eyes looking over his notepad in frustration at how little he had to work with. He rubbed his face and ran his hand through his short linen white mane, before tossing his notepad down with a frustrated whinny. Hot Topic couldn't help but giggle at him as she came up behind him.

“Not much luck?” she inquired

“Very little,” came his curt reply. When he turned his head and saw her smiling at him rather than berating him, he cocked an eyebrow. “What has you so chipper?”

“How about I tell you over dinner?” Hot Topic replied with confidence as she gave his neck a soft nuzzle.

“Are you in heat?” he said, making a little more room between them and giving the flirting mare a sidelong glance.

“Not till fall and it's dinner, possible sex, and definite career advancement. Not a family propitiation, nitwit,” she said, not losing any of her sultry tones—but she could still lace it with a barb.

“How could any stallion refuse THAT invitation?” he asked somewhat incredulously.

“Could always leave you behind, Mr. Pranceton graduate,” she said, playing her final card.

“Alright, let’s see what you have. We’ll see if it’s dinner worthy of a stallion like me.”

Giggling, she gave a flap of her wings and sat down with him on the bench making, sure her tail brushed his face as she sat down just to embarrass the stallion. “Oh, I think so.” She smiled at him and showed him her notepad. He rose to his hooves as he read it and looked to Hot Topic.

“Where were you thinking?! This is golden carrot material...couple it with what little I have, and we have the whole ball of wax,” Biased Opinion said, growing in excitement.

“So is this dinner worthy?” Hot Topic asked fluttering her eyelashes at him.

“Dinner... rut me silly for the next week... but please take me with you,” He all but pleaded with her.

“Then we have presses to stop, a story to write, and dinner at Cafe Prance to be had, my dear.”

“Agreed. If we head back to the office now, we could get it in the evening edition with plenty of time,” Biased said as he gave her a quick peck on the side of her muzzle, a smile on his face.

Hot Topic couldn’t hide her blush, but she recovered quickly. As they walked in the direction of their office on pudding lane, she said “When we arrive, we shout to stop the presses together, and you handle the byline, I will take the headline, and we then each sit back and collect our golden carrots for this.”

Biased Opinion smiled. “Then let’s get cracking.”

Lyra was first to stir from peaceful sleep beside Braxton. She rose from the bed, and he gave her hand a gentle squeeze as she left. She smiled warmly at him before looking at the beautiful water clock to get the time. It read a quarter past five; she had slept for four hours. While she thought about sleeping next to Braxton till he woke, her stomach decided otherwise. Stepping out of his door as she made her way to the hall, Lyra caught the attention of a pair of mares standing guard outside of the door. Their simple, rough-hewn wooden staves in an X. Spying her they drew to attention and saluted. Each wore a plain gambeson fitted for them. One was an Earth pony with blonde hair cropped short; her height came just perking above Lyra. Despite her significant build she was well trimmed and lean, her white and tawny fur complemented her perfectly. The other was a unicorn mare who was shorter than Lyra. Her lagoon colored mane cropped as short as her counterpart, but her fur was a soft pebble beige. As she left for the kitchen one of the guards remained behind while the other followed. Turning to catch the mare in her view, Lyra looked to see who was following her. It was the earth pony keeping a watchful eye on her. Walking two steps behind her, quietly.

When Lyra turned to look at her, the mare stopped and drew to attention. This action caused Lyra to look at the mare in confusion. So she asked, “Pardon me... but why are you following me around, miss..?”

The mare merely gave Lyra a bow and replied to her question, her tone professional. “To keep you safe, Ms. Heartstrings. Our orders by our lead mare Honey Song said that she would look after your stallion, Zeddmore, and as such we are under your command by proxy when he is absent. My name is Sonnet Sunrise. My herd sister—the Unicorn that remained behind—her name is Midnight Aria. Our lead mare should have returned by now. She is late, and that is a first for her.”

Lyra nodded and grew somewhat nervous, as Braxton had picked up a herd that was going to be stabling with him. She resumed walking, as her stomach made another low growl about being ignored, and it caused her guard to giggle a little. As Lyra made her way to the dining room of the castle, a loud din began to grow as she drew closer to the intersecting hallway.

“There is his envoy!” came a voice in the din and the mob shifted their focus from the guards to Lyra bombarding her with questions.

“Envoy Heartstrings, is it true the ambassador brought somepony back to life?”

“Envoy, how long does the ambassador plan on staying with us?”

“Envoy, what are his sexual preferences? Do they run towards stallions or mares?”

“Envoy, does the ambassador have an established herd?”

“Envoy, where is the ambassador at this moment? Is he entering into any talks with the nobles of this country?”

“Will others from his country be seen more around the pony nobles to strengthen relationship ties, and are all as handsome as him?”

“Is it true that he helped the elite guard in thwarting an assassin who struck down a noble? Will he be raising her from the dead with the same magic?”

“Will the mare he did raise be able to pay him back in her lifetime?”

“What species is he, and how does he compare to a pony?”

“What magic does he use?”

“I like your mane, envoy!”

“Is it true the ambassador saved the Cutie Mark Crusaders from certain doom in Ponyville?”

Lyra’s eyes grew wide for a moment, only to be blinded by flashes and clicks of camera shutters. Her guard reacted by going from behind her to in front of her, using her body as a shield. This gave her enough time to let her eyesight recover from the sensory overload just in time to see Vinyl elbowing her way through the crowd of press reporters about to be stopped by her guard with a flick of her staff when she whispered: “The one in purple shades is family, she is okay.” In response, the guard turned her wrist to block a press mare and hook Vinyl at the small of her back and bring her behind the guard mare.

“What the buck did you do, sister?” Vinyl signed close to her chest, her back to the press corp of ponies.

“First, language! Second, what are you doing here, I thought you, Octi, and mom went home?” Lyra signed back keeping her hands low and between the two of them.

“Octi and I got separated from mom when this mob of reporters swarmed the castle on all sides. Octi is in the dining room, and I have been looking for you. Where have YOU been hiding?” Vinyl smiled impishly as her keen nose picked up on a new scent practically rolling off of her sister. “Has somepony FINALLY lost her V card?”

Lyra gained a noticeable red tinge under her minty green fur as she, her sister, and bodyguard came into the dining hall to get some food. Most of the palace guards were working overtime with their hooves full of press ponies wanting to get the inside exclusive.

As Lyra made her way over to Soft Serve, who smiled to Lyra noticing the deep blush the mare had. “Good heavens, doctor, are you alright? How might I serve you this evening?”

“Wouldn’t think you would be hungry after having the cream of some young stallion!” Vinyl quipped. Lyra ignored it but cocked her ears in annoyance.

“Anything you have on hoof Soft Serve I'm famished and need to eat please.” Lyra looked at her badgering sister and asked, “Do you want anything, Vinyl?”

This caused Vinyl to stop talking for a moment while she knew the food was delicious here she also knew it was really expensive. “Just what you have, stay cheap.”

“Just two of what you would give for my sister and me since I'm buying her dinner tonight,” Lyra amended to Soft Serve before the mare turned to get her meal.

Soft Serve smiled and went to prepare two orders. “I’ll be right back with your trays you two.”

Soft Serve returned a few minutes later with what was on hand and quick to grab. Vinyl’s eyes grew to the size of the dinner plates upon the tray as she looked over what was on it. Stuffed Mushrooms, Olive Oil Roasted Eggplant with lemon, carrot rice, and a slice of apple butter cake with a soft drizzle of chocolate. Vinyl picked up the tray to follow her sister after Lyra thanked Soft Serve for the both of them.

Lyra knew this had a two-fold purpose if Vinyls hands were full she would shut up, and the second the food smelled divine and she was famished. Lyra spied an open table and made her way to sit down as Vinyl joined her she sat down with her hands-free she signed to Lyra “Sister this is expensive do you want my help to cover it?”

Lyra had already taken a bite of food when Soft Serve came out, holding two-pint tankards of cider, one each hand. “Forgot your drinks, you two. Don’t worry, it’s not the hard stuff.”

Lyra took a moment to swallow her mouthful of food before she said, “Thank you, Soft Serve. I will pay for my sister's tray before I leave.”

Soft Serve gave a dismissive gesture with her hand and replied, “Don’t worry about it. I’ll add it to your tab. Trust me, it won't make a dent in it.”

Lyra smiled to Soft Serve and resumed eating as Soft Serve left. Vinyl, after trying the heavenly meal before her, signed to her sister,“You have a tab here, sister? ...How? And since when? Also, when did you get a bodyguard?”

Vinyl caught sight of Octavia out of the corner of her eye and waved her over to their table, still keeping an eye on Lyra for her answer. Lyra for her part was distracted by Sonnet as she locked eyes with Octavia, before Lyra gave her the thumbs up. She seemed to relax and resume watching out for anything.

Octavia sat down catching only the last few words that she had signed to her sister. Seeing the two costly plates before both of them added yet another question to her already growing list of things she wanted to know about her sister—who last she knew was pretty much a laughingstock in the academic community as well as within the community of court. Octavia let the two of them eat till there was a lull and asked Lyra, “Lyra, who or what is your coltfriend? And how did you afford those plates before for the two of you? And why are press ponies swarming the castle to talk to you and a few guards as well as the royalty? And why do you have a bodyguard?”

Lyra gave a heavy, resigned sigh, knowing her sisters would badger her till she gave them something. “First, his name is Braxton Zeddmore, and he is a human. How I can afford this meal...”

Vinyl interrupted with a flurry of hand signs, “She has a bucking tab here, sis, she works here... somewhere...”

Lyra gave her sister a fast flicking gesture that conveyed she wasn’t happy about the interruption while she continued to talk to Octavia and listened to Vinyl giggle. “Why the press ponies are swarming the castle, I don’t know. As far as Sonnet Sunset, she works for Braxton—and me by proxy... still getting used to that one.”

“You still haven’t answered my question about your coltfriend, sister,” Octavia redirected.

“I haven’t asked him in all truth,” Lyra stated matter-of-factly, desperately wanting the focus off of her.

“You haven’t asked him, and yet your actions were practically saying rut me here you relentless sex stallion. You are practically dripping with his scent,” Vinyl gestured.

“Have to agree with Vinyl here, Lyra. You have it pretty bad, and...” Octavia started.

“Would the two of you kindly get the buck out of my sex life?!” Lyra hissed, showing she was losing patience with her sisters. They took the cue and rather than press, they apologized, before Octavia spoke, reaching out to grab her sisters arm gently.

“Lyra... we are happy for you if not even a little jealous of you.”

Vinyl nodded as Octavia spoke and signed to Lyra, ”It’s true, sister.”

“Your actions are going to put more pressure on Vinyl and me..”

“Why would you and Vinyl have any pressure in relationships... Octi, you and Minuette, are the family success stories, Vinyl you're the baby of the family they care about the three of you. Mom never really cared about me. I’m the outcast…”

“The outcast that hit the mother bucking jackpot with a mustang that nopony can touch, you have a tab at the royal kitchen, and we don’t even know what you do here?!” Vinyl gestured.

“Language, Vinyl,” both Lyra and Octavia said together in unison, before shrugging to each other. Octavia continued, “While I could have put it a little more tactfully than Vinyl, she does make an excellent point. You blindsided mom, and she is going to want to meet him...”

“Lyra, just the mare I was looking for,” Twilight said, approaching the three mares at the table to the shocked looks from Octavia and Vinyl. Twilight gave Lyra a warm hug, catching her in the middle of her bow, while the other two mares bowed. Vinyl signed to Octavia, “Did you know they were that close?”

“I didn’t,” Octavia returned, looking near gobsmacked.

“Rise you two, you don’t have to be so formal with me; I live in Ponyville with you,” Twilight said as she sat down with the three of them. Both mares sat back down, and Octavia was about to open her mouth when Vinyl moved a hand under the table to sign to her sister, “Clam up and let us watch this play out!”

Vinyl went back to becoming interested in her meal and noticing her sister had nothing but to stare off into space passed her the cake and signed, “Fill that vacant stare with cake.”

“Buck, you sister!” Octavia signed back under the table looking to the cake as Vinyl slid a fork over to her with her magic, signing her retort as Octavia turned an ear to listen to Lyra and Twilight talking. “Eat your indignation.”

“I know I asked back in Ponyville, but could I please see your notes on Braxton? You know him better than anypony.”

Lyra cocked her ears as a blush slowly mounted on her face. “I have to separate what I wrote down, or it might as well be my diary, Twilight.”

“I can give you time to recopy, but there must be something we can share. What if I offered you a scroll of the magic he used when he cleaned up Fluttershy’s cottage.”

“I do have a report on his money when we first met that is pretty tame.” Lyra summoned a pair of scrolls. “The second scroll also has drawing of the chimera he killed.”

“He has money?!” Vinyl gestured.

“He killed something besides the spiders?!” Octavia signed in reply.

Twilight bit her lip in thought a moment and summoned her notes on witnessing what Braxton called his 'Cantrip' spell. A gleam lit both mares eyes and as they hurriedly traded notes to open them each giggling like fillies sharing a secret. Twilight was first to finish her report and looked to Lyra, a real hunger in her eyes for more. “Celestia will want to look this over first. it certainly explains why his currency is so much greater value than ours. May I take it to show her?”

“How much do you think he has?” Vinyl asked.

“How much do you think he has spent?” Octavia replied.

“Of course, Twilight,” Lyra voiced, grateful to help Twilight out.

“By the way, how did you two get here before the train? Celestia said you two arrived shortly after seven and the first train leaves the station at eight?” Twilight asked

Lyra bit her lip in thought, and decided that the truth was the best way to tell it. “We flew,” Lyra closed her eyes, and a warm smile spread slowly over her muzzle as she finished with a heavy romantic sigh. “We flew upon his magic carpet, camped out under the stars, and then made our way into town.”

“She has lost her mind,” Vinyl waved in disbelief.

“I have never seen her have it this bad. Are we voyeurs for watching this?” Octavia signed in amazement.

“Shut up and don’t make any sudden moves you will scare the bookworms. I want to watch this!” Vinyl signaled quickly, so Octavia wouldn’t open her mouth to ruin this. This was gold ribbing ammo.

“He has a magic carpet?” Twilight asked, the curiosity lighting up in her eyes, wanting to know more and more. “Did you know that he has a lab?”

Lyra wanted to know more about Braxton's magic what he had used at Fluttershy’s cottage as well what else he could cast. Once more those questions would have to be put on hold as Sonnet Sunrise cleared her throat, drawing the attention of the four mares at the table. “Forgive me my fellow mares, but I think we should discuss this in a more secure area where there are fewer ears and fewer press ponies.”

The mares looked around them to see that reporters had sat in a circle around the table of the four noble mares and guard—in some cases five to a table writing frantically about the reactions of Lyra and Twilight.

“Mares, could you please put your hands on the tabletop, one on top of the other?” Twilight whispered.

Each mare did as she was told. Twilight smiled and lit her horn, and all five of them vanished from where they sat.

Braxton opened his eyes and sat up. He had a few problems. He had a headache, his muscles ached, his stomach was screaming for meat, and he stank of sweat. He looked around his room and didn’t see a wash tub. He pulled himself out of bed and opened up his pack, then he shed his breeches, casting them to the foot of the bed. He pulled out a crimson silk shirt from his traveler’s pack along with a fresh pair of breeches, and three strips of jerky, savoring the first stick only a moment before ravenously devouring it. The second stick he placed in his mouth and let his saliva soften it up before chewing it with a content sigh. Beginning to look for a tub within his room in earnest, Braxton came to the bathroom. Spying the commode and tub, he stepped into the cold porcelain tub only to find it dry. He looked around for a way to call the water. ‘No incantations or words written anywhere...’ he thought to himself, before getting out of the tub. His gaze did settle on a small wash basin and pitcher of water by the door, though it was a strange place for it to be there. ‘Well I guess I bird-bath it.’ Washing off with the limited water he had in the carafe, he didn’t get as clean as he would have liked, but it did in a pinch. He had finished his second stick of jerky by the time this quick bath was done. Not wanting to leave the water for the servants to clean up, Braxton took the full basin over to the window and pitched the water out of it.

The water cleared the balcony, and instead of just a splash, there was an effeminate whinny, and a voice cracking like an adolescent teen. “Oh merciful aunty Celestia, it got in my mouth!” exclaimed Blueblood as the cold bath water doused him mercilessly.

Midnight Aria stood outside, her gaze making sweeping arcs up and down the hallway, her ears moving back and forth to catch any sound that would alert her to danger. A few minutes after her herd sister escorted the lead mare to the dining room for food, she was swarmed in the commons room by press ponies. She almost left at that point to aid her herd sister but knew that would leave the Mustang unguarded and Honey Song had left explicit instructions that Braxton was not to be left alone while she rested till being relieved.

Midnight Aria thought the entire situation completely unfair. That the herd was serving this no-name mustang that more than likely wasn't going to pay them, and all of the herd had to resign their various ranks and posts to accommodate the lead mare, she had just finished her guard training and accepted a position within the royal guard. While she did plan to bring it up with her lead mare in private, she thought back on how Honey Song had acted when she held her foal. Carrying the little colt like she never wanted to let him go with tears streaming down her face. It wasn’t until after that she received the story from her lead mare she indeed became skeptical. Nopony could do what she was describing, and the creatures they fought seemed more nightmare than fact.

Midnight Aria was taken from her reverie with the sound of knocking on the door down from her. The mares gaze looked to what had taken her from her thoughts and saw a noble unicorn mare. She had a paper folded under her arm. She watched as the mare knocked a little more forcefully this time. “Lyra Heartstrings, you heed your mother and open this door this instant!”

“Forgive me noble mare, but Dame Heartstrings is not in her room. She left under the guard of my sister before your arrival,” she spoke drawing the noble mare's attention. The other mare narrowed her eyes at her and marched over.

“As the matriarch of the House of Strings, I command you to tell me how you came to guard my daughter and under whose authority was that given?” Viola Da Gamba stated in a commanding tone

Midnight Aria cocked her ears and drew herself up she would be damned if this noble mare was going to treat her like a piece of furniture. The rebuttal would have to wait as she heard a scream come from inside her wards room. Wasting no words she flung the door open “Ambassad...whoa bocce balls!”

The group appeared in the guest room that was acting as Lyra’s Room. Taking stock that they were alone Twilight turned to Lyra asking “Okay please tell me about this carpet of his.”

Lyra was about to answer Twilight in earnest when the mares of the room head an effeminate male scream from Braxton’s room. Lyra thinking to herself that here was her chance to be strong for what was troubling Braxton opened the door rushing into the room and the group of mares followed Lyra wondering why she took off so suddenly.

Sonnet Sunset overheard her herd sister give a shout and moved Octavia and Vinyl out of the way was about to do the same for Twilight only to be the third mare in a small mare pile up. What the mares beheld was something one does not see everyday a well chiseled naked male with no pony features holding an empty water basin in his hands as the mares noted the door at his back was open as well as the door to his front.

Braxton had only enough time to cast a nonplussed look back over his shoulder looking at the two unknown mares that walked into his room, before the door to Lyra’s room swung open bringing his focus back to the group of mares that Lyra and Twilight were at the forefront of. The room had a palpable tension as Braxton slowly put the basin back on the dresser.

The paper that Viola Da Gamba carried dropped as she caught sight of Braxton’s naked body. Midnight Aria of course managing her jaw dropping expression before seeing her employer in such a state. Twilight and Lyra could only stare at Braxton, each trying to outdo the other in how red they could get. Octavia and Vinyl looked to Lyra in astonishment. Sunset Sonet shut her eyes.

Kylnn Ka’ Tar, unheard save by one, laughed in total childish merriment. “Brother, you have got to hear this list! Two are praying that Celestia has some sort of memory erasing spell, two can not believe their sister gets ploughed by such a handsome creature despite all lack of pony features, Lyra and Twilight are wondering what you would feel like inside of them, and the older one at your back thinks the fortune she could make off your stud fees would…”

ISister there is something you failed to put on that list,” Braxton responded with an almost saccharine sweetness.

“Oh? What is that brother?” Klynn Ka’ Tar inquired

“Pitch one nosy sword out the window.” Braxton deadpanned in thought, before clearing his throat.

“Good mares… please, in or out. It is rude to lurk in doorways,” Braxton said in a calm even tone, as though he were clothed.

Octavia was first to respond among the group of mares. “I… can not move my legs.”

“I am so sorry Braxton” Twilight said sheepishly trying and failing to pry her eyes away from the nude male. She used her wing to cover her eyes, but she could see through the primaries of her feathers.

Lyra for her part just stared at Braxton. She had felt his power when she first hugged him, even rested her head against his chest, but seeing him before her like this, she had no words. She couldn't even stutter out a reply for why she was admiring her mustang this way. But then she wasn’t hiding that she was, either.

In an attempt to sound diplomatic—and failing miserably—Viola Da Gamba could only sputter. “I take it...”

Midnight Aria, not one to miss an opportunity to give a barb back to the noble mare who thought she was moving furniture. “Technically, Mistress, Dame Lyra is the one taking it.”

This caused Sunset Sonnet to giggle and shake her head as if not wanting to visualize what her sister had voiced. Viola Da Gamba looked to the guard in shock.

“Oh for fuck’s sake,” Braxton said rolling his eyes as he made his way over to the bed and pulled on the breeches he had set aside. As he did so, tying up the laces of his breeches, his eyes caught the paper on the lying open on the floor the headline in large bold words on the front page. ‘NEW AMBASSADOR, NEW LEASE ON LIFE!’ looking over the paper and quickly reading the text Braxton saw it was the report given to Celestia his brow furrowed somewhat at the byline that was said to be on page three read ‘SHOT THROUGH THE HEART BUT SHE CAN'T BE BLAMED.’ The details were somewhat haphazard of the events of the assassination of the daughter of Countess Ebony Moon. Braxton finished pulling on his boots and cloak of elvenkind before departing to talk to Celestia. With Braxton having left the room, this left all of the mares involved rather red-faced and thinking about what they have just seen, though not all of them thinking along the same lines. Lyra looked over to Twilight and with a red face spoke to her, "I think I need to teach him about modern Equestrian bathing."

Twilight could only nod in agreement with Lyra’s statement.

Braxton made his way down the hall as the din of noise rose in volume. It was truly hard to miss the press ponies milling about trying to get photos of various other nobles, as well as trying to draw the guards into giving them any juicy tidbits of information. However, it was an earth pony mare—about five foot four, with sky blue fur and white stylised mane, dressed in a fine Flory Del Hay dress—that caught sight of Braxton as he made his way across the commons first. She chose not to say anything, hoping to get the magic snapshot before the room would become a hive of activity.

Braxton caught sight of the approaching mare holding a strange device in her hands. Most hadn’t noticed him just yet given he all but walked in silence on the stone floor. Braxton looked to the mare with a curious look before she raised the camera to her eye and took a photograph. That was till the flash shattered with a loud pop and a trail of blue smoke came from Photo Finish's camera. Leaving Braxton flash blinded for a moment.

“Ah! I, Photo Finish, have lost ze magics of ze camera!” she exclaimed in a thick germaneic accent, drawing the attention of everypony.

The room reacted like a swarm of bees drawing in and around Braxton rifling off questions to him, each trying to out talk the other each wanting something. The guards in the commons were nearly overwhelmed but managed to keep most of the reporters at bay. Looking over the crowd as Braxton made his way to the throne room to see Celestia. He had to get that book now more than ever, but something caught his keen eyesight.

“You there, part the way.” Braxton said to a few members of the press as he made his way over to what had caught his eye. On the ground in a fetal ball lay a young colt trying to protect something and not get stepped on in the process from the wave of activity.

“Have your back my friend.” came a voice that made Braxton smile as he began to push the tide of ponies away from the swirl of activity

“Glad to have you at my back friend.” Braxton stated as he made his way over to the downed colt

“Would you mares clear away from that downed colt!” Thunderhoof shouted over the din

That statement was like a oil and water the crowd parted no mare wanted to be responsible for damaging the next generation especially a colt. As the pair cleared the way to put the colt between themselves and the crowd.

“Are you alright, young one?” Braxton asked the young colt.

The young earth pony colt shook his head yes, and got to his hooves. He had been protecting a small ornate box with his body. The colt’s fur was grey and his mane black. He was dressed well in an ivory white shirt, blue slacks with a green sash, and a red tie. “Are you the one who can do what nopony else can?” he looked up to Braxton, pleading in a timid voice.

“I don’t know, young one. You haven’t asked me to do anything yet. How might I help you?” Braxton responded softly, sitting down on the floor so the young colt didn’t have to look up at him.

“I… I... sought you out because my best friend passed away this morning when I went to go feed him ,and since you brought a mare back to life... I wanted to see if you could or would do it for me as well. I brought him with me.” The colt stifled a sob as he explained his plight.

Braxton and Thunderhoof smiled to the young colt while most of the press noise died away. Thinking this was better than a demonstration would seal the deal. The young colt showed the small bird to Braxton in the ornate box the colt had been protecting.

The small bird, its plumage bright blue with white and silver, was no bigger than a Cerulean warbler. Braxton gently shut the box the colt had before him with a soft voice he looked to the colt. “I can do nothing for your friend, young one.”

The young colt looked about ready to cry. “But I miss him. Why can’t you?”

Thunderhoof was next to speak he knelt down so the colt didn’t have to look up taking a page from Braxton’s book. “Young one, that small bird was very old. Did you raise him?”

He shook his head yes and Braxton drew his attention. “You misunderstand me, my young friend. It’s not that I can’t. It is that the body he would return to would be unable to handle that, and he would pass away again.” Braxton waited for the colt to nod in understand before continuing.

“For you, your friend was with you for but a short time, but to your friend, he knew you a lifetime.

The young colt dried his eyes but nodded in understanding with a hopeful, heartened smile. Holding the box with great reverence he smiled to it before looking to Braxton and to Thunderhoof. “Thank you, both of you.”

Braxton and Thunderhoof watched the young colt leave as the crowd parted to let him through thanks to the guards. As the colt made his way out of the castle proper, he ducked into an alleyway. Once he was sure nopony followed him, he opened the box and let the small bird out and he whispered softly to it. “Thank you for your help, little friend.” The bird seemed to wake up in mid air and fly away. The colt pitched the box into the trash; it became nothing more than an empty cake box. As the colt blinked his eyes his pupils became red and his eyes yellow. He pondered after meeting the Ambassador, his instincts were dead on. He was what this land needed. While he thought, two things ran through his mind. Should he give the hero a little bit of a push? Or should he stay out of his way, given one of his many selves in the multiverse had set him up to come here. The young colt smirked, a small snaggletooth fang showing under his grin as he came to a decision. ‘What is the point in playing fair if I don’t get to play,’ he thought to himself before he vanished into thin air.

Braxton and Thunderhoof watched the little colt depart. Braxton turned his attention away from the press ponies and put his hand on Thunderhoof’s shoulder. “Thank you, friend, for your help.”

“Least I can do. I can’t ever come close to repaying you for all you have done. What are you up to this evening?” Thunderhoof inquired.

“Wanted to get a blank book from Celestia. Need one as soon as possible,” Braxton commented.

“Well it is a zoo here since the events of last night have been found out somehow. Let me escort you to the throne room The princess wanted to see you as soon as you woke<” Thunderhoof said as he gave a press pony with a camera a push away from Braxton. The camera died in a sputter of sparks like Photo Finish's. The press ponies were having a field day as both stallions were inundated with questions from all sides.

“Do you have foals of your own?” Biased Opinion asked.

“Are you in a herd?” rifled another mare.

“I think you would make a great house stallion!” shouted a mare in the crowd.

“What would you charge for stud services?”

“Do you have any siblings as handsome as yourself?”

“Do you have a special somepony?”

“How long do you plan on staying in Equestria?”

“Will you stable or court the mare you saved?”

“Would you pose for Play Mare magazine?”

“Sounds like a good plan. Let us not keep her waiting,” Braxton replied to Thunderhoof, both wanting to be free from the waves of questions.

Two made their way to the throne room, the guards opening the doors and allowing the two stallions passage, before shutting the doors to the din of the press, both breathing a sigh of relief. “Jumping hop toads!” Braxton exclaimed as he looked back at the now closed double doors. Before he looked around the throne room the golden evening light gave the polished marble an amber hue. As Braxton made his way up to the raised dais of the throne, seeing Celestia holding a large scroll in her magic and a small plate with a slice of cake in her hands as she ate and read. Seeing Braxton before her, she set the plate aside, half the cake remaining.

“Forgive me, Ambassador Zedmoore, I was just having a snack,” Celestia said, trying to scramble back under her royal mask.

Braxton merely waved dismissively. “Fear not, good princess, eat. Benevolent gods know both of us could use the respite.” Braxton then took out the last piece of jerky from the pocket of his breeches as he sat on the floor.

“Might I offer you some tea good ambassador?” Celestia offered.

“I would be honored to have a cup, Princess.” Braxton answered.

Celestia used her magic to levitate over a cup and saucer of tea to Braxton. He took it and opened the red belt pouch on his right and pulled a few dried leaves from it. Before he crushed the leaves and added them to the tea. He also added some dried bark to the tea as well. Celestia looked at him curiously.

“What did you add to the tea if I may ask?” Celestia inquired, curios.

“Dried Meadowsweet leaves and Willow bark. I have a bit of headache,” Braxton replied evenly.

"What do you mean he just took off?!" Honey Song exclaimed in an exasperated tone to the two mares she left to guard her ward for the day.

Honey Song and Star Song had come to give relief to the two mares who had been on guard duty all day. After learning that he had gone, Honey Song wanted to know where he went. Lyra and Twilight thought the safest bet was he more than likely went to see Celestia.

The group of mares followed Honey Song. As she neared the Press ponies that milled in the commons area, she heard most complaining about their cameras being broken. Thankfully most ignored the group, as the group made their way to the throne room. The guards on duty let them all pass with a quick salute and shut the door behind them.

Braxton and Celestia both looked to the group as Braxton smiled to the group as he drank his tea and ate the last strip of jerky. Honey Song neared Lyra and spoke in hushed tones. "Mistress would you please admonish your stallion for his reckless behavior. We can not protect him if we don't know where he galivants off to,"

"Indeed, we resigned our posts for this Mustang and the least he could do is let us guard him with our meager equipment," Midnight Aria hissed a little louder than she intended to. Honey Song glared at Midnight Aria for her thoughtless remark.

Lyra nodded and walked up to Braxton she knelt down beside him after giving Celestia a bow of respect and hugged Braxton. "Braxton, could you try not to run off and worry your bodyguards?"

Braxton cocked an eyebrow and looked back to the group of four in padded gambesons, and two had rough-hewn staves.

He turned back to look at Lyra before standing and offering his hand to help her up. "I have been a lousy employer haven't I?"

Braxton made his way over to the four mares under his employment and seemed to inspect each with a glance before speaking again. "You four have resigned your commissions with Princess Celestia to act as my guard, yes?"

Each mare shook her head yes. It was a rhetorical statement, but he wanted to hear it from each of them.

"Very well, then. On the morrow, I will procure you proper weapons and armor. and I can pay you for one month in advance now. Since you're working for me, I will pay Avawyvrenn wage for trained guards."

All ears perked up in an instant. Braxton reached into the Belt pouch on his left and placed one platinum coin into each hand of a mare under his command. "A guard in my country makes roughly ninety pieces of silver in a months time. So I will pay you each one platinum a month, making the wage around ten pieces of gold, respectively. Does that sound like a fair wage?"

Each mare stared at the piece of precious metal each held in hand. Lyra whispered with a smile to a somewhat confused Honey Song, "That lone coin is worth thirteen thousand bits give or take a hundred." The four mares’ mouths dropped open in total shock.

Celestia then put her two bits worth in. "Good ambassador, as part of your reward for all you have done, merely submit your order to my smith and I will see the order carried out at no charge. Also, here is the first book I promised you."

Braxton looked back toward Celestia "Thank you, Princess,” Braxton said, taking the levitating book from the glowing gold aura. He looked at his guards. "I'm headed out to a library, would two of you please accompany me?"

"I could show the way, Braxton," Twilight offered, her face lighting up.

"Twilight and Lyra, might I have a word with the two of you in private?" Celestia voiced, drawing Twilight’s attention away with an adorable pout.

"Yes, we will show you the way," Honey Song saluted, near tears. This Mustang had given her so much, and he wasn't done giving. She and her sister flanked him as they left for the library.

The events unfolding were happening too fast for Viola De Gamba to process. Her daughter was holding private talks with the ruler of Equestria, she had roped herself a wild mustang from another land, she was close friends with the Princess of Friendship and even had bodyguards to cover her. What had her daughter been playing at since she left the house? Viola de Gamba's train of thought derailed when her other daughter Octavia waved a hand in front of her face.

"Are you okay, mom?" Octavia asked in a concerned voice.

Viola De Gamba shook her head yes and made a vow that she was going to have a long talk with her daughter about including her in her life. Realizing she and her other daughters were standing in the hall as the press ponies began to thin out from the day's events.

"Yes, I'm alright sweetheart. Let us all go home together."

Celestia entered her bedroom with a few minutes to spare after discussing matters of Braxton's magic and his currency. She called upon her power to finish lowering the sun. As she set her circlet of gold down by her vanity, her reflection began to change; her flowing ethereal mane darkened to the color of flames. The eyes staring back at her became dancing flames that raked her soul in fire. The reflection drew back to smile at her, showing a pair of fangs and to Celestia's total disbelief, it spoke. "Well it is down to just you and me, and here I was wondering when you would look in a mirror."

Celestia flinched and shut her eyes for a moment.he chalked it up to a near four nights without sleep, and made her way over to her bed as the moon began to rise, summoned by Luna.

Daybreaker was not deterred from her badgering as she laughed in a mocking cackle. "You are an irrelevant fool to ignore your instincts for what makes our newest guest so dangerous. The danger does pose an outstanding attraction. Something in the blood seems to scream for you to flee in terror."

"Honestly, put a lid on it, I am quite tired," Celestia retorted.

"Yes, let us talk of honesty, centuries of boiling water for tea when you can cook the water from the seas. Of lifting quills and shuffling paper when you could sculpt a world governed only by the limits of your imagination. Cracking wax seals when you should be breaking the skulls of anypony that stands in your way!" Daybreaker became more impassioned as she spoke, so much so that Celestia found herself rubbing her temples, her eyes shut trying to tune out Daybreaker's voice.

"Don't ignore me, you know I am right."

"Stop it."

"No... Tell me, what did you feel when you saw that young mare lose it? To cast aside what anypony thought about her. As she tackled that mustang smothering him with kisses?"

"Stop this train of thought at once!" Celestia shook her head trying to conceal the truth, but Daybreaker broke in with a smug grin.

"You envied her... for that freedom, just as you do for his. He sat before you and asked you for a pittance for fulfilling your prayers."

"Shut up!"

Daybreaker gave a mocking laugh prattling on playfully. "You have painted yourself into such a pathetic corner you don't see anypony showing you a way out. You are a prisoner not of iron bars and chains, but of silk and gold. Let us not even talk about what your heart truly desires-"

"I said shut up!" Celestia exclaimed, finally losing all composure. She sent a blast of telekinetic power at the mirror. The mirror shattered with a loud crash, spider webbing. As Daybreaker's reflection returned slowly to Celestia’s own, she left an echoing thought in Celestia's mind. "I love hitting nerves... especially yours. We will speak again…"

Chapter 15 Hunting Shadows In The City Of Light

Author's Note

My humble apologies for real life taking up so much of my time. :twilightsheepish:
To my editors and pre readers I crack a cold one in your honor. :yay:
As always to my readers thank you. :twilightsmile:

Chapter 15 Hunting Shadows In The City Of Light

Chapter 15

Hunting Shadows In The City Of Light

Braxton exited the throne room after his visit with Celestia. He was grateful for two things. The first was the press ponies had dissipated down to the genuinely die-hard and were trying to wring any gossip out of any of the remaining nobility. The second was none noticed him, given they were so preoccupied with the nobles.

His bodyguards followed. As he made his way back to his room, Honey Song was first to speak up. "Sir... the library is the other way, if I may speak,"

Braxton cast a glance back to the pair following him. "Honey Song there is no need for all the military etiquette. Everypony is free to speak their mind, and besides, Braxton will do."

"But you are our employer," Star Song voiced.

Braxton nodded as they walked into his bedroom. He picked up his sword from the sword stand. "Yes, and when something within that sphere rises, I will address it as such, but I'm not a hardass. One needs to know when to crack the whip and when to let things slide."

Both mares looked to each other, the unsaid question passing between them. 'How did this stallion come by this wisdom?' Honey Song looked back to Braxton and asked, "Are we going out somewhere?"

"No. Just needed to get my sword and a few items from my pack, since it will be needed for the next part of what I am about to do," Braxton stated matter-of-factly. Braxton opened his pack, took out a quill and a bottle of ink, along with a soft dark leather drawstring pouch, his fingers looping into the pouch loops so he could carry all items with one hand. Braxton then used his foot to close the flap of the pack. "Please, my bodyguards, lead me to the library," he said making an 'after you' motion with his hand.

The trip to the library of the castle was uneventful as the shadows began to lengthen. Braxton entered quietly with his group. He set the items upon the table and also went to get the books he would need, one on Equestrian penmanship and a map of the city, a relatively easy find. Sitting down at the workspace Braxton began to write in the blank book. His bodyguards milled around but soon became bored as the time passed.

Braxton didn't look up from his studies, but spoke softly to his guards. "You two don't have to stay with me, I'm pretty sure there is no danger here."

"We can not do that, Braxton. You are our ward," Honey Song said in a whisper.

"At least sit-down and read. It will be a long boring night, otherwise," Braxton replied softly, still writing in the blank book.

The two mares did concede that point, and each went to get a book of their liking. While they departed, another voice softly chimed in to Braxton's mind. "I see you are entertaining thoughts of how to slip your leash, brother."

"True, Klynn, I just haven't figured that much out yet. I thought of trying to do something a little after midnight, given most of the pony folk aren't nocturnal, and it would give me time to complete your spell list for you to absorb. This way I'm not entirely without spell backup," Braxton noted.

"Sounds like a decent plan but won't drugging them make you look like an ass and also have repercussions upon the trust they give to you?" Klynn Ka' Tar asked.

"Hence why I need the time to think about it sister!" Braxton returned, an edge of irritation growing in his thoughts.

"I meant no offense, brother," Klynn Ka' Tar said, her gentle words turning away her brother's irritation.

"I'm sorry sister, I shouldn't snap at you. There is a good deal on my mind as you well know. If you can help, please feel free to do so," Braxton said apologetically.

The bodyguards returned each with a book and sat in silence while Braxton wrote and compiled spells into the book.

As Braxton continued to scribe spells and read on writing techniques, he failed to hear the soft song that began to slowly began to edge in upon his hearing. By the time his mind had put the pieces together his quill had stopped moving.

"Mama! Papa!" came the terrified voice of a six-year-old boy from within the darkness. His short platinum blonde hair was matted with sweat. His jade green eyes flicked back and forth trying to make out shapes in the night, the covers of his bed were his only shield. His chisel tipped ears catching the sound of hurried footfalls.

"Keegan?! Are you alright?!" Braxton asked, urgency in his voice as he came into his son’s room, a small ball of light hovering in his hand. He Looked around the room for what had caused his son such distress.

Close upon his heels was a woman a head shorter than him. She had long hair the color of honey, her brilliant jade green eyes though dulled from being pulled from sleep still seemed to sparkle under Braxton's spell. She came into Keegan’s room and sat down upon her son's bed,one hand supporting her distended belly that was heavy with child. Her other hand cleared the hair away from her own chisel tipped ear as she asked her son, "What troubles you, my beloved child?"

"I had a scary dream, mama. I was running from something chasing me!" Keegan said in the elven tongue as he clutched at the safety of his pregnant mother. Both parents gave soft knowing smiles of understanding.

Aurora kissed Keegan softly on the forehead and whispered back in elven. "It was just a dream, my little fire."

"Oh, the elven tongue doesn't this exclude the poor human," Braxton said playfully.

"Hush, human," Aurora said with mock haughtiness in her voice as she settled Keegan back into bed, tucking him in. "The elves are talking."

"Oh, the elves are talking," Braxton mouthed, opening and closing his free hand making faces behind the back of his wife and causing Keegan to giggle.

Aurora turned around to face her husband with a raised eyebrow and a motherly look. Braxton had the time to move into a pose with the light above his head as he gave his wife an exaggerated dour look. "Don't mind me the lamp will find a corner to cry in."

This made both giggle softly as Aurora went back to the common tongue. "While it loses something in translation... get over here."

Braxton let go of the sphere and went to hug his family, all laughing merrily. "I love you all beyond words," Braxton said in elven, the words soul-warming to all who heard them.

"I love you too, Papa," Keegan said with a yawn in common.

Aurora sighed happily, switching to common. "Man-children."

Braxton and Keegan gave her the same smile she loved the men in her life dearly.

Aurora began to hum softly as Keegan started to drop off to sleep as she and Braxton sung him a soft elven lullaby.

Braxton drew in a deep breath as he came away from the Elven reverie and quickly reined in his breathing. The reverie Aurora had taught him had taken him by surprise—it had been almost seventy years since he had done that. There was no control over what memories would come to one in this state, but Braxton was thankful it was a happy memory. He rubbed his face, the tear stains still wet as he rubbed them away. His guards were sound asleep. As he looked around the room, he placed the sword in the book, its spine not liking the oversized object.

Braxton noted that the moon was now at its zenith. Making no noise, he left the library to head out into the city. As he neared the double doors, Klynn Ka' Tar rippled softly through his thoughts. "You honor me beyond words brother... thank you."

Braxton said nothing as he left, for nothing needed to be said.

As the sun set, Lyra found herself pacing back and forth, thinking back on her visit with Celestia. Celestia rolled up the scroll that contained the notes on Braxton's interview with Twilight regarding his magical abilities. Against all her knowledge she now knew why Braxton's magic was so cold. As Celestia passed the scroll back to Twilight, she asked her favorite student, "So Twilight, have you figured out why the magic Braxton casts has such a cold aura with each spell?"

"To be honest, I have been wracking my brain trying to figure that mystery out," Twilight said as she passed the scroll over to Lyra.

"Then, my faithful student, let me give you a push in the right direction. Think of our four types of magic and the elements of harmony as the branches, leaves, and trunk of a tree respectively."

Twilight nodded, Lyra listened, and Celestia continued. "Braxton's magic would be the roots of that tree."

Twilight thought for a moment as the ramifications began to sink in. "His magic is that different?"

"More like closer to the source. He talked of tapping 'mana'. This means that his magic is a blank slate with which he can then craft those energies into anything he desires," Celestia said.

"But in both Starswirl the Bearded and Clover the Clever's dissertations, both said such energies would be too unstable to render anything into reality," Twilight pondered. "Without another force acting upon it as a focus for that medium... the Elements of Harmony,"

"Correct, Twilight. And as you know, mana is in all things. From the tiniest of rocks, to the mightiest of alicorns in reality around us. But has its limits within the bounds of life and death—a force not even Starswirl himself could touch," Celestia answered.

Twilight’s eyes went wide as the last piece of a puzzle fell into place. "Mana has no such limits! He can tap into the very core of what makes magic!" A few hairs on Twilights mane curled as a pen and paper appeared in a magenta aura and began writing at a manic pace.

Celestia giggled softly at her student's antics, but her attention was caught by Lyra raising her hand—as if in a classroom—with a worried look on her muzzle.

"Yes, Lyra?" Celestia asked.

"Um...I am just wondering if it is okay that I should hear all of this? For it sounds more like a royal affair."

"While it is, Lyra, you serve as an envoy to a foreign dignitary. Therefore this affair rests upon your shoulders. Let us not forget you are now also an agent of S.M.I.L.E., so we will be having talks that only royalty and your new fellow agents shall be privy to." Celestia gave a soft smile before stepping down from her throne and giving Twilight a hug, breathing a sigh of relief before turning to Lyra.

"Lyra, you don't have to answer this question because I'm not asking it as your princess. I am asking you mare to mare. Are you in love with Braxton?" Celestia asked, looking at Lyra.

The blush was all the answer Celestia needed as she looked to the smitten mare but Lyra didn't run from the question and answered softly "I am, I am falling in love with him more and more as time goes by."

Celestia could only smile softly "Then all I can tell you, Lyra, is please be careful. You see him as a hero—and perhaps he is—but that is not all he is. His eyes say quite a bit, they seek out danger, not love."

"I don't understand, your highness," Lyra said, puzzled by her princess;s words.

"Please, Lyra, just Celestia. This is merely a mare to mare talk. What I meant by his eyes was that they belong to a man who's torn by conflict and the desperation that comes from fighting for his life. Can somepony like that truly know how to love?" Celestia asked softly.

"He did once, Prin... Celestia," Lyra said, coming to champion her absent mustang.

Twilight stopped writing and looked to Lyra. "Was he separated from his special somepony being brought here?"

Lyra shook her head. "No, Twilight. He told me he was a widower, but Braxton didn't go into detail."

The papers and pen dropped out of Twilight’s magical grasp as her hand went to her heart. A stallion that had lost their special somepony would lose the drive to do anything for a long time, and if there were others in his herd, they too would have to work hard to keep a stallion on the right track. Twilight’s heart went out to Braxton for how lonely he must be. "Lyra that is terrible!"

Lyra and Celestia could only nod in agreement.

Luna had just finished raising the moon to its zenith and ushering in the shroud of the night for the kingdom. She and two of her sister's elite guards were the first to hear the crash as Luna made her way to Celestia's bedroom.

Both elite guards were quick to open the doors with magic, and both swept the room with their arbalists drawn and ready to fire. One moved to Celestia's side to protect her. The other flanked the mare on point. Luna for her part brought up the rear summoning a shield of magic and a short sword for better close quarters combat.

"Sister, are you alright?" asked Luna with a concerned tone, keeping an eye out for danger.

"I am unharmed sister, please, don't worry. It was nothing," Celestia said, forgetting just how fast her elite guard reacted. She rubbed her brow she desperately needed sleep.

Luna took in the detail of the broken mirror before looking back to her sister questioningly.

"I am just tired; thank you, my guard. You may return to your posts. Sister please just let it be, it was nothing," Celestia said dismissively.

Luna let the subject drop for now, but it left her with a nagging feeling that something was amiss. Returning to her own chambers, she walked past a grand mirror framed in beautiful silver moons and stars of filigree. The eyes of her own reflection became serpentine as the reflection spoke back to her. "She lied to you...I would not ignore that."

Luna stopped near a sconce of lilacs that hung near the door to her balcony before stepping onto it. "Why are you here, Nightmare Moon? Above all, why are you helping me?" Luna voiced inwardly.

"I'm not... I am helping me," came the smug reply from the mirror.

Luna rolled her eyes. Since the Elements Of Harmony had redeemed her, Nightmare Moon had been both quiet and had pretty much left the mare of the moon in peace... only surfacing to nettle her in some way before retreating back into the halls of her psyche. "Damn it!" Luna muttered as she shook her head not wanting to add more fuel to an already growing fire. Luna resolved to get to the bottom of why her sister lied. When her sister was better rested and in a better mood.

She stepped out onto the balcony after setting her own mind to the task of preparing to help the ponies of her land with their dreams. She caught sight of their guest walking down the side of the castle wall, before making a jump to another rooftop into a shadow and then seeming to melt with it and vanish. Teleporting to the place were he melded into the shadows, she looked around for him and didn't find him. She had to give that man his due—when he didn't want to be seen he wasn't seen. She Sensed no magic... how had he done it?

Braxton caught sight of Luna and pulled the hood of his cloak of Elvenkind up over his head, and the modeled mantle took on the mortar and brick of the buildings around him. He jumped from one shadow to the next along the thief's highway, his steps quick and silent. Trust in the cloak, he remembered his wife telling him at one point. That advice had saved his life on more than one occasion. He was going to have to rely upon its subtle power, for he didn't dare summon his sword.

Braxton made his way from shadow to shadow and rooftop to rooftop along the thief's highway. Recalling the city layout from the map, he made his way to the university, stopping on the ridgepole of a roof to catch his breath. The spell last night had taken a lot out of him. He paused for a few moments to look around, listen, and think.

Keen ears told him a guard patrol was nearby heading away, but they would return. Upon the breeze that softly moved the edges of his cloak, Braxton caught a familiar scent, and he tensed as he made his way to the ground and stayed within the shadows. Master Facade was here.

Braxton tracked the scent back to a suite of offices. As Braxton was about to burst through the door, a loud pop was heard on the other side of the door. Followed by cursing in the common tongue of Avawyvren.

"Damnable light source!" Master Facade groused.

Braxton took this as his cue to enter. Master Facade spun quickly to face whoever had opened his office door at such an hour. To his horror, it was no pony but a human. Master Facade tried to read the humans thoughts thinking to get a leg up on his opponent. That idea went out the window when Braxton's fist made a reliable connection to Master Facade's muzzle, sending the stallion's hooves up over his head as he went back over his desk.

Braxton took the shortest distance between two points up over the desk, wanting to press his advantage. Master Facade rolled off to the side, trying to put distance between himself and his attacker. His pony features began to melt until his true form became visible. Gone were the pony features of a unicorn what came to its feet was an altogether more hideous creature. It stood five and a half feet tall, its gaunt grey-skinned gangly limbs, and large bulbous head belittled its robust nature. Its large octopoid eyes the only noteworthy feature on its otherwise featureless face. The eyes locked with Braxton's cold blue cat-like eyes for a moment before flinching as though struck.

Braxton smiled before replying in common. "Trouble reading my thoughts Doppelganger?"

Braxton wasted no motion or time reversing his direction, springing off the desk and colliding with Master Facade, elbow first, knocking both to the ground in a tangle of limbs.

Master Facade’s elbow caught Braxton near his temple, and the world swam for a moment but righted itself as Braxton's hand closed around the doppelganger's throat. Braxton's fingernails lengthed and curved downward by almost an inch and turned black.

Master Facade froze feeling the razor-sharp claws at his throat. "I yield to you, human!" came a raspy voice as the grey figure reverted back to its pony form.

"Now I want some truthful answers, or I will tear your throat out and use necromancy to dig them out of your soul," Braxton said, shifting his weight to get to his knees.

"Ask," came a raspy reply from master Facade.

"First off what are you doing here?" Braxton said cooly his breathing coming under control.

"I don't know. It has been a few months since I was pulled here." Braxton's hold loosened a little but not enough for Master Facade to extract himself from those razor-sharp claws.

"You're not lying to me," Braxton said with genuine interest.

"Perceptive," Master Facade croaked as the claws tightened back over his throat. "You hold my life in your hands. I kinda want it back."

Braxton loosened his grip a little as he asked, "Why did you go after the mare in the bell tower?"

"That was not my idea. I wanted only to coerce Lyra Heartstrings into withdrawing her thesis. Wild Snow wanted the extra fun. Hope the Hell Hounds had a decent loose end feast," Master Facade grunted in open contempt.

"The only thing you succeeded in doing was getting my attention. So here is how this is going to play out. You are going to work for me as my spy." Braxton lifted his other hand and extended his index finger. Master Facade watched as Braxton's fingernail became another razor-sharp claw. Braxton dug it into Facade's shoulder shallowly, just enough to draw blood and soak the bit of cloth, before Braxton cut it way with his nail.

"Why did you...," Facade asked before comprehension dawned upon him.

"Helps track my investment," Braxton said, cutting off Master Facade. "You're done with those two mares. If I so much as get one whiff of the scent that even seems to point to you I will return. The next visit won't be as pleasant as this one, and in keeping with the for-yourself mentality... What keeps you alive tonight?" Braxton began to close his hand like a slow, deadly vise. Master Facade felt the claws tips begin to sink deeper into his skin.

"Ledger!... Ledger!" Master Facade squeaked in panic.

"Wonderful that wasn't so difficult; let's get it," Braxton said in an icy whisper. He held Facade by the throat and placed him in front like a shield. "Walk."

Master Facade walked forward to his desk. He knew there was a hand crossbow under the desk, but this creature could rip his throat out before he could employ it, so he would have to wait till he gave him the ledger, just enough of a distraction. Facade opened the drawer, took out a leather bound ledger and held it up over his left shoulder.

Braxton spotted the crossbow but decided to feign ignorance his claws tightened making Facade go still. "Thank you would you please repeat my earlier statement."

"I work for you as your spy... and I'm done with the two mares," Master Facade began to gasp as his airway constricted.

"And I am?" Braxton asked in a cold whisper.

"I don't know," Master Facade replied with trepidation.

"Correct answer, professor. Let that little mystery keep you up at night," Braxton said as he let go of Master Facade's throat.

Master Facade wasted no time, grabbing the crossbow from its hiding place and drawing it to look for the assassin that had not killed him. The fluttering of the nearby curtains caught his eye, and he aimed and fired a bolt through the fabric, shattering the window behind it. His one shot spent, his office in disarray, his ledger gone with the mysterious human, and all his frustration poured into a single word as he threw his crossbow out the remains of the shattered window. "FUCK!"

At the edge of her keen hearing, soft snoring was the first thing the sleeping vulpine became aware of. Her forest green eyes shined like glowing jewels as she looked around. She saw a grey pony with a wavy mane, who may as well have been snoring at the top of her lungs for all the noise she was making. Balloons and get-well-soon cards littered the area around her.

The second thing she became acutely aware of was the amount of pain she was in. Her mind raced as she slowly sat up as to not wake the snoring pony keeping vigil over her. This might be one of King Sombra's minions, and she was not about to take a chance. Despite her pain, she stifled most of her mewling as she made her way out of the bed. Looking at herself for a moment she found herself naked. Two sets of fang marks marred her fur with dried blood—one upon her left breast, the other upon her right thigh. She had to escape Sombra's castle. She was not going to be a slave—he would take death before submission. Opening the window, she looked out over the sleeping town, thankful for the night. If the moon goddess was watching over her, she could make her way out of town without being spotted. But first, she had to jump to the nearby rooftop without waking her guard, and without falling to the street below.

Jumping and pulling herself up to the first rooftop left her winded but she was driven to get out of Sombra's city at any cost. If the guards recovered her naked body, so be it. Running on both two and four legs, the vulpine managed to jump four more roofs. On the fifth roof, her fear-driven adrenaline gave way to weakness. She landed short, and her front claws scraped at roof tiles, and her back nails tried desperately to find purchase. Her ears splayed flat as she realized she was going to fall to her death in this weakened state. She was about to let go, as the last of her strength was leaving her grip... when a hand caught her by the wrist.

Braxton was nearly back to the castle without being spotted. After his errand, he would have to look over the book Master Facade gave him. He was tired, and was looking forward to a few more hours of sleep before sunrise.

The war mage's keen senses however never take a break, and there were times Braxton wished his senses weren't quite so sharp. Hearing desperate scratching and the clatter of roof tiles that were sure to draw the night guards, Braxton ran toward the sounds of distress, his own fatigue be damned. He caught sight of the naked vixen trying to scramble up a roof she had fallen short of. Braxton had enough time to close the distance and grab her by the wrist before she fell completely.

"What are you doing out here?" Braxton asked softly to the vixen in her own language.

The vixen paled when Braxton brought her up into his arms and began to carry her back towards the very castle she had worked so hard to flee from. She began to weep. Her flagging strength was all she had left. "Please, Cartouche, don't deliver me to Sombra," the vixen pleaded through her tears.

Braxton looked to the weeping Vixen. “You are safe. Upon my word to give, and my power, you are safe. I don't know who this Sombra is, but he shall not harm you."

"He is an evil king who rules the castle and keeps vulpine and pony alike for slaves under an iron fist. Whatever he has deceived you with, he has lied to you, Cartouche,"the vixen said, her tears giving way to anger as Braxton continued to carry her bridal style across the rooftops, back to her window following her trail.

"I haven't met a king of the castle, but Princess Celestia and Princess Luna rule together. Both strike me as fair and just, if I had to go with my gut,” Braxton said as they neared her window. Her scent was strongest here, as was Pinkie’s.

"The moon goddess walks upon the land?" the vixen asked in surprise.

Braxton nodded and replied softly, "she does, though I hardly think her a goddess. If I might ask you your name? You call me Cartouche, but that is not my name. It is Braxton Zeddmore."

"I'm Oriana," she whispered softly. More facts began to put themselves together in her mind. When the moon goddess walked the land, a warrior of light would appear wielding a blade that would light the path to freedom for all enslaved.

Oriana began to cover her nudity, realizing slowly that this being carrying her could be the one to do just that. She felt a kinship with this male, though why, she did not know. What her mind was slowly putting together, however, was that if he was the warrior, he had saved her from death. She had nothing to give him in return, save herself.

Braxton crossed into her room without a sound and set the blushing and nervous vixen down upon the bed. Braxton covered her. Before she could move or speak again, he sought the calm center within himself before talking to her. His icy blue eyes lit like soft blue flames the whites of his eye were the same shade of blue. "Rest and be at peace, for now. We will talk more in the morning."

Braxton left by the door, making no more noise than a gentle breeze. His last stop before returning to the library was the kitchen, to grab a snack and some water for tea.

Chapter 16 Meet the Parents, Forest Tales and Dwellers Trails Part I

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Chapter 17 Meet the Parents, Forest Tales and Dwellers Trails Part II

Chapter 17
Meet the Parents, Forest Tales and Dwellers Trails Part II

"I don't see why you are dragging me along to the castle, mom. It won't change my mind, I am not apologizing to the freak of our family. Just because she is in town and you think I should make peace with her," Minuette groused, running a hand through her long white and dark blue hair as she scratched the back of her head. She stood an inch or two above her mother. Pouting like a filly that didn't get her way before she chose to nettle her mother a little more. "And I also have zero interest in meeting who she is working for. If the sensationalist papers are even to be believed then whoever this creature sounds like just as big a freak of nature. So why are we trying to rope this freak into our herds?”

Viola De Gamba whirled on her daughter, hissing with an icy whisper and locking eyes with her. "Young filly, you will not speak of that. I will not have you ruining this chance to increase our standing. I will also not have you air this family's dirty laundry to frighten this prospect away. You will be cordial, or I will see to it your monthly stipend is stopped."

Minuette flinched like she had been slapped, her jaw dropping in shock. "Mom!"

Vinyl and Octavia flinched as well. They had also been brought along at their mother's insistence. Vinyl would have tagged along for another shot to see Braxton and Lyra again. Octavia, on the other hand, wanted to begin the tremendous amount of paperwork that would be needed to get a replacement for Marchello. She had to maybe pick up a rental for the gala that was tomorrow night, and she was more than worried that she would play poorly, given that it would be a rental.

Vinyl signed to Octavia, " Isn't that Lyra over there?"

Octavia looked over to a nearby table where indeed her sister was seated. She was alone for once, and that surprised her. "Yes."

Lyra had come to this particular restaurant because she liked the food and it was a familiar place for her to think. Right now, her thoughts were centered on the date she had made with Twilight. After assuring the mare that she would never be excluded from any herd of hers—mostly due in part to the fact Twilight had single-handedly introduced the pair, as well as saved her from taking her own life. Running in equal measure of thought was Braxton. The man had given her just enough of a nudge to even think about starting a herd. He had inadvertently proven the oldest mare’s tales right about mustangs. 'The essential joy of being with a true mustang is that it brings us in contact with the rare elements of grace, beauty, spirit, and fire.' Lyra was happy that he would adopt pony customs. But a few books did not all knowledge make. She was also having second thoughts about showing him off to the academics of Canterlot, given he had called her his lead mare, and it made her feel guilty... like she would be using him to elevate herself. But then again, why did she care what the nobles thought about her? Even though as an academic she was laughed at. Thought of only as a joke to them. But she had helped her Mustang with the spiders, and all had come back alive.

Lyra was drawn out of her musings when she heard Vinyl's whistle to get her attention. She smiled till she saw the whole family, her expression going stoically flat as the other three mares approached and sat down at the table.

"Nice place, sis. Where is your coltfriend?" Vinyl signed sitting down at the table.

"Said he had an errand to run and that he would be back soon," Lyra mouthed, since Vinyl could also read lips.

"Vinyl is right, it is a nice place to come and relax," Octavia said sitting down by her sister. Her mother sat next to Octavia as a waiter came to ask the mare what they would like to drink as they sat down. Only Minuette stayed standing.

Vinyl made a series of hand gestures, and Octavia said pointing to Vinyl, "She'll have a Zap-Apple daiquiri, hay burger and fries, I will have a cherry malt and salad, mom?...Apple House cider?" Viola De Gamba answered with a nod of her head yes. Octavia looked to Minuette for what she wanted.

Minuette looked over the group with scorn before she opened her mouth. "If I am going to sit here at this table I will take a Zap-Apple on the rocks,"

"Lushing out early sister?" Vinyl sniped.

"Buck you street trotter! Minuette said in lashing gestures.

"Not bent to mares. Besides, don't you already cover from Stone Saddle Street to Pasture Gardens?" Vinyl signed. Her older sister was too easy sometimes.

Minuette looked shocked for a moment, then anger swiftly took its place and she looked like she was to let what her sister said come to blows but Viola interceded.

"Young fillies, that is enough out of the two of you. If you think you can behave like spoiled rich fillies just because we are in public, I have zero qualms about punishing you two here in public as I am well within my right to do to the two of you!" Viola said, her tone icy and seething. Daring anypony at the table to test her.

Both mares capitulated, sinking into their seats. Given both knew full well what their mother was like when she finally lost her collective cool.

The attending waiter, a blue and white-maned pegasus—feeling uncomfortable around the mares at the table—took the orders and beat a hasty retreat.

Lyra rubbed her eyes and temples, trying to get rid of a headache her mother and family had inadvertently brought on. She sighed heavily, looking to her own glass of mint tea and maybe wished she had ordered something stronger. Lyra saw the tactic her mother was about to use but still let it happen anyway.

"So daughter...," Viola began her tone calm once more. "could you please tell us about this who-man you are seeing and working for?"

"Yes! Let's talk about that bad flank coltfriend of yours. Octi, and I wanted the dish on this all day. But mom said we should focus on spending time together," Vinyl signed as Octavia looked to her sister shocked.

"Thank you for throwing me under the cart, sister," Octavia signed giving a pout, resting her chin in her hand.

Viola De Gamba rolled her eyes at her youngest daughter for her lacking youthful tact.

"Could you please call him Braxton? Or even Ambassador Zeddmore," Lyra asked, holding her hands out over the table pleadingly, her ears cocked in annoyance. "And he is a human, not a whoman. Can you do that for me?"

"Oh sweetie you're right, and I am sorry, we just want to understand," her mother amended with a soft smile, taking her daughter's hands and brought them down to rest on the table.
Here was the tactic her mother loved most—herd pressure.

"Understand what?" she asked at length, her gaze passing to each member at the table in turn before returning to her mother’s gaze. "That I love him? That I am falling more and more for him every day?"

"Sweetheart I know what love is like the first time. I know he seems very exotic, but there are too many differences, and I know you had always flown in the face of the status quo, especially when it came to human studies. This is just too different, sweetheart. Given his size and being so prone to violence ...he could hurt you without meaning to."

Lyra released a short laugh at that she wasn't really going to deny any of it, she was going to let her mother get it all out on the table be the good daughter and listen till Viola was finished...then Lyra would let her have it.

"The herd worries about you, dear. It's great that you work for him, but it is a different matter to take that stallion to bed Lyra." her mother finished as Lyra leaned back separating her hands from her mothers.

Now it was her turn, and Lyra planned on giving it to her mother with both barrels. "Mom it's only different because you don't know him like I do. I know it hardly sounds fair, but you haven't even asked me about him. Or how it started? Or why I trust him so in such a short time? Or when did I realize? Or even when did he realize it? But no. All I'm hearing is how worried you are and that something might happen to me. You could at least ask some of these questions of me before you start telling me I am making a mistake!"

Violia flinched at her daughter's words she was about to open her mouth in rebuttal when she looked behind her daughter as her gaze joined the other members of the herd looking behind Lyra.

Lyra realized they were looking behind her for but a breath before gentle hands, eight fingers caressed down her mane and the back of her neck. The feather-light touch causing all tension to drain out of her. The tingle of his touch causing her body to melt back into the chair, her head rolling back to look into a pair of beautiful Lapis Lazuli eyes. He was the most beautiful stallion on the planet for all she was concerned. His sword slung over his shoulder, its hilt resting on his shoulder, glinting in the sun, as the supple baldric complimented the mottled green cloak that shimmered in the sun, a small breeze turning up the edges of it. His scent hit her nose once more; that smell of firewood, earth, and cinnamon.

His warm smile that he was giving her made her own lips turn upward when his fingers found the ultrafine fur at the base of her ears for a scratch. A romantic gesture but coming awful close to what the public might take offense to but the main thought running through her mind was wishing her mom and sisters weren't at the table, or she might have wallowed in the sensation… she didn't give a buck, she wallowed in it.

Lyra closed her eyes and let out a slow sigh of contentment only to open them once more when Braxton spoke.

"Your mother is correct, you know, it is different," Braxton said in a warm, gentle tone. Lyra cocked an eyebrow at him. "Different than anything you have encountered,"

"Oh, stars and stones I hope so," she groaned without the least bit of guilt feeling his fingers give her one last touch to the ultrafine fur at the base of her ears. My beautiful Mustang I love you!

Braxton pulled out a small bell out of his red belt pouch as he moved from behind her. "While it isn't around my neck I guess it could work," the bell gave a ridiculously small little tinkle, and Lyra giggled as he put the bell away and asked softly "Might I join the good mares at this table?"

Four out of the five mares nodded yes with a smile. As Braxton took a chair from a nearby table and sat down signaling the waiter that he would be joining the mares.

”I take back just how bad she has it. If sis were a pegasus she would be sporting the most prominent wing boner right now,” Vinyl signed, not bothering to hide it.

"Vinyl!" Lyra barked at her sister as she blushed at how brazen her sister was just because Braxton didn't understand sign language.

Braxton and Octavia laughed softly. Braxton for watching the sisters at play, and Octavia for seeing Vinyl get a rise out of her sister in front of her coltfriend.

Things were going well by Braxton's gauge, given the mares at the table were being cordial, save for the one called Minuette. Why she held such animosity, he didn't know, but he could piece it together given time. Her body language told him she didn't want to be here and she was more than likely going to be abrasive just to get under everyone's skin.

When Minuette opened her mouth, it merely gave Braxton all the proof his hunch was right while coming as a total shock to most members of the table. "What do you really want out of my sister, human?"

The abrupt and far less friendly tone of the question brought everypony at the table to a standstill. Braxton let the words break upon him like a wave as he kept a calm demeanor and placed his arm on the back of Lyra’s chair his fingers working softly in her mane. Lyra realized this had a two-fold effect. It was keeping her calm, and it was distracting her.

Braxton kept his face carefully blank, save for a small smile that turned up on one side of his mouth. "You're going to have to need to be a little more specific good mare," he said as he continued to run his fingers down the back of Lyra's neck to quell the anger he could see brewing. He gave a soft smile when he was rewarded by feeling her give a little tremble under his touch and her lean into it. Though her eyes still burned hot as she looked to her sister. As Braxton continued speaking. "What do I want from her now? An hour from now? Years from now? Those all have very different answers."

"Ambassador Zeddmore you don't need to answer her question. She has forgotten her manners," Viola said trying to play peacemaker, While casting a warning glance to her daughter. One which she ignored after downing her second zap-apple on the rocks.

"No, mom, he does need to answer!" she all but shouted, sitting tensely in her chair. Minuette looked ready to jump across the table, her shoulders shaking, teeth gritted and her ears flat against her head. Braxton could read that she was brave because they were in public, but the sense of fear rolling off the mare in waves was as clear as the anger. Braxton had to proceed with gentle caution till he could ascertain if it were just fear weeping from under his amulet or if it was something deeper.

Minuette continued, "Most of the top minds and tutors on the study of humans paint them as savage, bloodthirsty carnivores. Whom can't use magic or any type of tools. She keeps saying that he loves her, but how does she know? How do we even know that 'love' means the same thing to him? You can train a seal to hit different pitch horns to get a fish, and they will 'love' you for it. Ow! Vinyl!”

The ruckus at the table increased as Vinyl kicked her sister under the table, earning her a scolding from her mother as she tried to keep the situation into devolving into a one-sided shouting match. Braxton looked to Lyra, tuning out all of the noise. All the anger seemed to have drained away, replaced by sadness that he could read in her body language by the slump of her shoulders and the set of her ears. Refusing to look at her family—or even look at him when his hand rested upon her shoulder.

Right now his lead mare was miserable, and he wanted that to stop.

His eyes moved out of reflex as he saw Minuette get up forcefully from the table and begin to storm away.

"Hey, Minuette." Maybe it was the oddly calm, easy-going tone of his voice, amidst the melee of emotions. Or perhaps it was he knew her name without being introduced to her. Either case it made the mare stop dead in her tracks and look to the human male with a mix of fear and anger in her eyes, but once she did stop he merely motioned to the chair that she had left. "If you sit down, and listen, I will tell you."

Surprise seemed to crack through the waves of anger and fear, and the moment of hesitation looked to have the restaurant holding its collective breath. (mainly because it was as the arguing and shouting had drawn the eyes of quite a few patrons.) The mare reluctantly moved back to her seat and sat down, her expression no less hostile, but she wore a look of 'This I have to hear!' "Well. Spit it out, Ambassador."

"Minuette," Lyra began the irritation as evident as the sadness in her voice. Braxton gave her a warm smile and her shoulder a gentle squeeze and shook his head. Lyra leaned back in her seat crossing her arms as she gave him a look of 'I hope you know what you're doing.'

Braxton drew in a slow breath and then let it out in a windy sigh as he closed his eyes recalling everything he and Lyra had shared over their time together. "There are dozens of ways to explain this… at least a dozen more that would be the same basic platitudes and pretty words that anypony falling in love could say... she is a beautiful mare, she is stronger in spirit than she gives herself credit for. She isn't afraid to sacrifice herself for others so that they may be happy. When I see her eyes fill with wonder, it’s absolutely adorable. Adorable isn't an insult to a mare, is it? He questioned opening his eyes and finding that they were all staring at him. He had been muttering it all as if talking to himself. Which he had not been, but the desired result had been achieved: all eyes and ears were on him.

"You know what," Braxton continued as he crossed his arms in front of himself and leaned on the table. "Forget all the apparent chatter and pretty words, I will just tell you about my day."

“I didn't ask about how your day went," Minuette said, her ears cocking in irritation.

“I know, but please just hear me out," Braxton said holding up his hand in a placating gesture. "You know when Celestia raises the sun, and many ponies probably drag themselves out of bed wondering why the day has to start so early... I don't. I wake up wondering how many minutes it will be before I see Lyra. Every time my eyes meet hers, I can feel a certain weight that lifts just by being in her presence, and that she has a smile that I would like to think is just for me. And I find myself seeing if there are little ways to prolong the day rather than end it. Was there some story that I could tell her about my past adventures, was there some sight I had not seen here in Equestria she could tell me about? But the day does come to an end, and when we are apart, I am thinking about how long it will be before I come back to her. And when sleep finally takes me, I see that smile in the dark behind my eyes. Her voice the last I hear telling me goodnight, not realizing that I am doing it all for her in thanks for what she has done for me, in a short amount of time."

They were watching him intently now leaning forward in their seats, hanging on every word. But Braxton's eyes weren't on them—they had turned to look into the stunned golden eyes of the mare at his side. And he wasn't telling them; moreover, he was confessing to her more than anypony else.

"Mind you that was just a long-winded way of telling you what this very mare is fastly becoming to me."

That they saw how gentle he was when he brushed away the first tear with his thumb didn't matter to him in the least. He smiled to Lyra warmly when she released a shaky laugh and tilted her silky cheek into his hand, cupping it adoringly. It wasn't until she gave a gave a soft sniffle, and glanced in the direction of her siblings and mother, that Braxton's gaze settled on Minuette silently brooding but looking… uncertain and nervous.

"You asked me to tell you if the love I feel for Lyra is what YOU expect it to be… by all the benevolent gods I hope it is not. I hope it is unique, because I don't feel one straightforward emotion when I am with her. I feel pride, I feel a longing of just wanting to be closer to her. Hope that I can rekindle a sense of being that I haven't touched in a long time. And fear that I may screw it all up and lose her entirely. There is this crazy happiness that I can't describe, and I can't help think it shouldn't even be mine. I'll hold onto it with everything I have. And I will fight sword and magic to keep it."

"I love her," he said his voice gentle but held all the power of a thunderstorm. He turned his eyes to each one to make sure he drove this point home passing over each Vinyl was looking at him with eyes a few dozen degrees warmer than they had been at the start, Viola just watched them looking more than a little thunderstruck. Octavia looked like she was ready to melt or cry. Maybe cry and melt. Minuette looked more fearful, and even a little ashamed as Braxton held her gaze longest, and it made her feel like a target. "And I don't need it to mean anything to anypony, as long as it means everything to her."

The world fell away when Braxtons gaze came back to Lyra he gave her one soft smile more before she pulled him into her arms and kissed him passionately. He returned the kiss in equal measure to part from her leaving her breathless. It was only a few adoring awws and whoas from onlookers and family that brought the pair back to reality, making Lyra blush and Braxton smile.

"Lyra..." the voice came from Octavia, drawing Lyra's attention. "Does he have a brother? Because I want one."

Lyra's only response was to light her horn, and several napkins on the table wadded themselves up and then began to bean Octavia in the muzzle making her giggle.

"Oh, the napkins remind me, Octavia, here. This is for you," Braxton said as he shared in the laugh and pulled out a small piece of folded cloth, passing it to her.

Octavia unfolded it and looked at it, bewildered, before asking,"What is this, Braxton?" The unfolded cloth looked like a cello that had been burned into it from the threads themselves.

"Refold it, then place it on the table and unfold it," Braxton said. Octavia did as she was instructed. To the amazement of all at the table. The cloth, once it was unfolded, began to glow for a short moment only to become the object that was drawn on the fabric as the threads became beautiful polished wood and strings. It was Marchello.

Those that had been listening as well as watching gasped, seeing the magic the foreign ambassador use. Minuette slid back from the table with a start. Viola almost fell over as she went back in her chair. Vinyl whistled in amazement, and Octavia looked absolutely gobsmacked.

"Well, good mares I should be going. I thank you for sharing your table with me," Braxton said as he rose to reach into the pocket of his breeches and drew out the Crown Jewel Of The Desert. He whispered softly as he still held on to it, "volitant."

The crowd gave another gasp as they saw a handkerchief grow into the rug and hover in the air as the ambassador climbed onto it with ease.

Lyra looked down at her tea and then realized Braxton was about to leave and she then she figured to herself that her flanks needed to be better toned anyway as she looked to Braxton. She used the chair as a stepping stool. "Take me with you, Braxton,"

Braxton smiled as he helped pull her onto the carpet and she hugged him around his hips. The carpet rose a few more feet before turning and flying off with the pair in the direction of the castle.

Vinyl's whistle was the only sound that could be heard from the stunned and silent crowd of pony onlookers as she dropped a few bits onto the table for her hay burger, catching Octavia's attention—Vinyl didn't pay for anything unless she had to. "I said it once, and I will repeat it. No Stallion can touch him," she signed,drawing the attention of her family.

"Where are you going?" Octavia signed, looking to her herd sister.

"HecutmeoutofthecacoonfirstIcalldibsbye," Vinyl signed in a flurry before she ran toward the castle.

Octavia for her part picked up Marchello gently and also took off after Vinyl. There was no way she was going to let that street trotter try to cut in on Lyra’s Mustang without her permission.

Viola's thoughts raced, and her first order of business was to kick every spy in her stable out and have them find out about this ambassador that had stolen her daughter's heart. And find out what he had been doing today!

Minuette left the table so that her mother didn't see her fear. She wished Silvermane was here, but that worthless stallion had plain dropped off the face of Equestria. She needed to see Master Facade. He would know how to find her comfort stallion to at least take her mind off her troubles.

Chapter 18 Puppets & Puppeteers

Author's Note

Finally finished this chapter not a lot of time to write in the last 6 months but now that I'm settled in the chapters shall return. :twilightsmile: once again a thanks to my readers and my editors.

Chapter 18 Puppets & Puppeteers

Chapter 18

Puppets and Puppeteers

Minuette made her way to the Canterlot University Campus. She almost breezed past the reception pony as she worked, her eyes downcast, not giving the mare who frequented the office a second thought. "He is in, miss."

Minuette stopped and looked to the mare, she found herself relaxing at those words, her brooding mood ebbing away, since she left the table thankful for the relief it brought. "Thank you, Phantasia,"

The midnight blue Pegasus smiled before returning to her tasks at hand.

Minuette opened the door to see Master Facade. He looked up from his desk looking as though the stallion hadn't slept a wink all night even still he smiled at her. "Minuette what brings you to my door with such a gloomy face?"

As Minuette crossed the room, it was then the scent of Zap-Apple hit Master Facade’s nose. As she spoke, the dam of emotion broke, and she slowly fell apart with each step she took. "I haven't seen Silvermane, and he hasn't written or even came back to me. I fear another mare may have poached him. My mother is threatening to stop my stipend. I find out my sister is banging a science project that somepony made an ambassador. He isn't even a pony!" she scoffed before continuing. "A flat-faced 'human'," she said mockingly, making air quotes. "I feel genuinely skittish when I get near him; I don't know why. But I feel genuinely terrified when I lock eyes with him," She said as she gave a soft pant at the end of her rant before wiping a hand over her face and looking to Master Facade apologetically. "I'm sorry, sir. I didn't mean to unload these problems on you, but I had nowhere else to turn."

Master Facade sat in shocked silence as he was told the events of the afternoon by one of his students who had quickly become his best eyes and ears even if she didn't know it. Master Facade listened with intent before licking the tips of his fingers and tracing them along his eyebrows. The gesture was a tick he used to draw attention away from the fact he would have to stare at students for a few moments to allow his ESP to comb over the student's mind. His students found it odd, but he always knew what to say to calm them down.

Master Facade’s ignored the other thoughts and feelings in the room for they were brooding and angered about being interrupted and needing to hide in the nearby corner like a common criminal. He focused in on his student. To both his shock and his terror he saw the very creature that had assaulted him.

If he were any other being in this pastel world of ponies, he would be sweating bullets, but his poker face never wavered. He kept up his act as his ESP took a more in-depth look into the mare's thoughts. She was terrified of him, and upon hearing his name as Braxton Zeddmore, she had valid and legitimate grounds to be concerned—as did the one sulking in the corner, to say nothing of himself.

The one's thoughts in the corner were growing impatient with waiting, and Master Facade decided to get rid of Minuette, as most of her concerns were on the worthless stallion he had killed. So he decided to get rid of Minuette for the time being.

Clearing his throat as he spoke to her in a soft understanding tone placing a hand on the seated mare's shoulder "Oh dear mare, has none told you?"

"Told me what, Master Facade?" Minuette asked her exasperation turning to worry as she looked to her

"I am sorry, dear mare, it is not my place to tell you. Have you visited his parents to hear from them?"

"He hardly ever spoke of them. Where do they live?"

"They live here in Canterlot, on Sunset Way. Their estate is not easy to miss."

"Did something happen to my colt friend?!"

"Minuette, it is not my place to tell you. Please, go see his parents," Facade replied setting his hands on her shoulders to calm the mare as she was getting worked up.

The calming gesture worked, and Minuette stood up. "Thank you, Professor. I will go see his parents." Worry washed over her features, hoping her colt friend had not hurt himself, or she hoped he was not involved in some weather accident.

Once the mare was out of his mane Master Facade turned back toward the window. He rubbed his muzzle with an exasperated sigh of frustration. He made sure that the news of Silvermane’s death reached the colt’s parents today as he assumed the look of a royal guard mare and delivered the report himself, arriving back minutes before Minuette came calling to his office. She was interrupting his somewhat clandestine meeting with a stallion from the House of Diamonds. Even in death, that useless colt was still making trouble for him.

Mystic Haze threw back the hood on his Invisibility Cloak, breaking its concealment and allowing him to be visible once more, allowing Master Facade to see the scowl on his face. "About time you got rid of that mare. Now before we were interrupted, my mistress wishes the ledger she wanted you to cook returned to her."

"Your Mistress will have to wait for it, Mystic Haze. Complications have arisen and if I choose to sit on that ledger for a year or two to see to it that attention is fixated elsewhere I shall," Master Facade replied flatly not looking to the stallion who scowled at his back

"A year or two?! What type of madness is that-" Mystic Haze asked before Master Facade turned on him, cutting him off and looking right through him.

"The kind of reasoning that says we are playing the long game for our goals, not rushed as if we are out to get caught. Sacrificing your organization's work and throwing it away. After all, how would they treat the House of Diamonds if they found it was their ineptitude that jeopardized three centuries worth of work?" Master Facade hissed leaning on his desk punching a hole in the enthusiasm of the effeminate stallion who cowed back and averted his gaze.

"You have a point. They would eradicate us to the last pony as punishment," Mystic Haze said as he began to mill over what Facade had told him. "You spoke of a complication. What is it? Do the others need to know?"

"The complication is a man...a human it would be wise to inform them...but do NOT act against this creature. He is evil in a way that would pale even your worst nightmares," Facade said running his hand through his mane.

"Hold on, are you talking of the new Equestrian ambassador that is currently at the castle under Celestia's protection and hospitality?" Mystic Haze asked before waving dismissively. "The assassin that killed my daughter easily enough could kill him, and I must say it was a stroke of brilliance for us to spin the disgrace into a tragedy," a smug smile of confidence coming to his face as he straightened himself back up nobly.

"Allow me to help you see the perspective of the storm cloud you are kicking before you task that assassin. Do you have an elite standing fighting force? Are you prepared to see your home and all that your House and the other Houses in cooperation with you become smoldering craters in the equestrian landscape? Your loved ones placed on pikes to rot in the open air? If you answered 'yes' then please, by all means, send an assassin that is foredoomed to fail!" Master Facade spoke in a seething whisper hoping it would mask the fear in his voice knowing that the human was none other than Braxton Zeddmore.

Whatever confidence that Mystic Haze was gathering up seemed to die as he looked to the desk like it was in front of him. "No pony is THAT cruel!"

"Then Pray to all Celestia and Luna that you never call a War Mage of the first rank and file to action especially if you piss him off," Master Facade deadpanned.

"Warmage? First Rank and File? Stallion you talk nonsensical-" Mystic Haze once more started but was cut off as he locked eyes with Master Facade as he spoke calmly to Mystic Haze.

"Inform those who you must," Mystic Haze nodded once as Master Facade spoke calm cool and collected.

"Do nothing against this stallion." Another nod as Master Facade continued.

"Tell your mistress that the ledger will be back in her possession when I feel it is safe to move it," Mystic haze nodded once more.

"Good colt. Now leave the way you came," Master Facade finished letting his spell sink into the stallion.

Mystic Haze put up his hood and vanished leaving Master Facade in his office alone for the time being as he muttered to himself what an ignorant jackass

With the actual problem out of his mane, his thoughts once more came back to Silvermane wishing he could kill the worthless stallion again for falling in love with his target. He had one damn job to get the book he described to Master Facade away from Minuette and her sister before it could give up its secrets. But no, he had to go and fall in love with the fucking horse.

The Crown Jewel of the Desert landed soundlessly in the courtyard, its passengers stepping off before Braxton shrunk it back to the size of a handkerchief.

"There you are. You two great timing. Celestia would like to see you two as soon as we found you. She will be in the dignitaries chamber," Star Song called out seeing the pair as they landed, and she saw the rug vanish back into her employers pocket she shook her head with a smile.

"We had best not keep our hostess waiting for us dear," Lyra said with a breathless shiver as Braxton playfully traced the outside of one of her ears with a finger from behind her. The pair made their way to the diplomatic chamber, were Celestia received dignitaries of foreign countries. The pair of guards outside spotted the two as they came into view. Thunderhoof smiled as he opened the door for both of them and gave a salute. Braxton returned the salute in kind, as they walked in. Lyra let Braxton go in first before she walked in falling behind him a little to allow him to do so.

"If I may ask Lyra why did you come in behind me? The door was wide enough for us to enter together," Braxton asked curiosity in his voice as she linked her arm through his.

"Well I am a mare of manners stallions first after all," she smiled warmly to him. "Though it’s also a pony tradition that the lead mare go through the door last to show her importance, and to show she is the tie that holds her herd together."

"Interesting," Braxton replied thoughtfully.

Celestia cleared her throat drawing the pair out of their world. "Welcome you two, please sit down," she said motioning to the seats near a table and a mountain of papers.

As both sat down Braxton cringed inwardly he hated bureaucracy this was going to suck.
"I figured it was time to lay out the duties and responsibilities expected of an ambassador, and at least get the paperwork started to cover our tails should the nobility make a point to cause trouble," Celestia began.

Braxton looked over the paperwork as Celestia continued to speak. "here is also a reclamation deed for the land that Granny Smith bequeathed to you, and that also must be signed as well.”

Picking up the duties contract, Braxton read it over carefully. The points were pretty straight forward. Attend at least two sessions every three full moons, establish an embassy, open a line of financial credit to allow trade, and attend every Grand Galloping Gala.

"If I may ask a few questions, Princess, on the matter of this contract how often do you hold your sessions?" Braxton asked looking over to Celestia.

"We meet for a total of one hundred and thirty-eight days of the year," Celestia remarked seeing Lyra was at a loss and looking over her paperwork as well.

As Celestia was helping Lyra with her paperwork Braxton drew her attention by asking, "Would this be enough to start a line of credit?” Braxton placed five pieces of Electrum down on the table. “Also, could I build both my home and embassy upon the land that Vicereine Granny Smith bequeathed to me?"

"More than enough, and yes you can. It would kill two birds with one stone," Celestia said keeping her attention divided between the two as they each covered the long trail of paperwork that lay before them.

The tedium of the paperwork had lasted until sundown. As the trio made to retire for the night, Braxton's bodyguards returned from their errand of depositing the coins and spending time together as a herd while Braxton and Lyra were preoccupied, and were in good spirits when they met him for what he had set aside for them.

As the six drew near Braxton's room, he caught sight of Marchello leaning up outside of his open door. The next thing that drew the attention of the six was a sight that most mares say 'you don't see that every day.' An embarrassed well-dressed earth pony dragging a surprised and provocatively clothed unicorn in a mini skirt and no panties out into the hallway by her tail.

Vinyl for her part had been taken by surprise when she thought the ambassador had grabbed her flagged tail. The double take of this was that he was pulling her out of the room. She wanted him to see her sex and her winking clit. When he opened the door quite a turn on in her mind, she gave an eep as she turned to see the embarrassed face of her sister and her butt hit the cold stone floor she shot to her hooves, abandoning the comforted in her grip.

"Vinyl! Come on you undersexed mare; our sister will kill us if she finds us here! To say nothing of the guards if they see us here without permission!" Octavia signed frantically looking down the hall and then straight into the faces of the five ponies and one human she didn't want to see.

"...hell...uck," Vinyl said as she looked into the group after following her sister's gaze.

Lyra's ears cocked as she inadvertently pulled Braxton closer to her and gave a hand gesture to Vinyl that conveyed one word to her. "Mine!" As the blush rose up her cheeks from being so embarrassed she looked to her other sister and said, "My room now you two!"

Octavia sighed, and as one hand took Marchello, the other reached out and took Vinyl by the collar as she tried to weasel out of the chewing out she more than rightly earned. As Octavia passed Braxton, she looked to him and said "Sorry about this."

Lyra gave Braxton a small peck on the cheek once the pair of mares were in her room. Despite her embarrassment, her tone was a mix of anger as well as hurt. "I have to take care of this before it becomes a real problem."

Braxton smiled softly to her. "Just don't alienate her, dear." His hand caressed her cheek softly as she leaned into the gentle touch. By Celestia, she loved when he did that it was like water to a parched plant and she loved every moment of it before she drew away and entered her room and slammed the door.

At the same moment the other four mares whom were in horribly concealed stages of mirth lost it.

The Celestial Mercy Orphanage was the first thing in Master Facades ledger that caught Braxton's eye to investigate. HIs thoughts drifted back to the pages of the book a roster of banks, orphanages, and hospitals. He would have to make a note to check each out with the help of his guards.

Returning to the present Braxton rested on a rooftop like a gargoyle, his attention drawn away from his task by the sound of hooves lightly touching down on the roof behind him.

"You know stud, thankfully we see as well as we hear or we might have missed you," Twinkle Star cooed playfully as she and Sapphire Moonlight landed behind him.

"Mind if we ask what you're doing up on rooftops at night good ambassador?" Sapphire Moonlight asked in a more serious tone.

"Just out doing some nocturnal sightseeing with a bird's eye view," Braxton said cooly.

"So we don't need to tell your lead mare that we found you going into the red light district?" Twinkle Star teased.

"The what?" Braxton asked confused by the terminology turning to look at the two thestral mares.

"He isn't kidding, Twink," Sapphire moonlight said as she looked to her partner.

Twinkle Star decided to try and rattle this stallions cage a little. She made her way up to Braxton her hips and tail moving back and forth she placed one hand on his chest. looking up to him her large cat-like eyes looking up to him as she cooed, "It’s a place were lead mares sometimes send their stallions to make bits," her hand slid down his chest and gripped his groin. "With their bits."

"would you please leave my testicles alone," Braxton grunted at the firm touch. He had to think fast and get this mare off of him; the message book came to mind. Braxton figured it was time for a test. He reached out behind Twinkle Star and let his fingers lightly drum at the sensitive flight muscles at her back drumming down to the small of her back.

The effect was like throwing gasoline on an open flame. Twinkle Star's bat wings shot straight up quivering in excited shakes, and she opened her hands in shock be a wave of ecstasy washed over her freezing like a statue for a moment before sinking to her knees panting softly.

Braxton stepped around the puddle of a mare and looked to Sapphire Moonlight... who was more in shock than anything else. "Thank you for looking out for my safety. I will see to it Princess Luna knows her guards do a wonderful job." He waved to the pair and with a few well-placed leaps was soon out of sight, swallowed by the shadows.

"Wow did he ever do a number on you Twink," Sapphire Moonlight said as the gift of speech had once more returned to her and she gave Twinkle Star’s wing a playful twang. "Need a change of bottoms after that, little miss hair trigger?" she asked teasingly.

"I so hate you right now, Moonie," Twinkle Star retorted, a heavy blush on her face and the night breeze not helping the dampness between her legs. She sat on the roof with a pout waiting for her wings to go down.

The Celestial Mercy Orphanage lay separated by a park in a rather well-to-do neighborhood. The twin story houses looked both warm and inviting and gave the appearance of a peaceful and comforting place for those without parents or those abandoned to grow up in a place of peace.

Braxton made his way from shadow to shadow stopping when the pair of lunar guards landed at the gate of the orphanage and wrapping on the door.

"Brother, I detect magic," Klynn said softly.

"Show me," Braxton returned the thought.

Braxton felt the pull on his shallow mana pool, but at least he had a little to spare as upon the cobblestones and spaces roughly twenty feet apart runes began to lift and give a soft blue glow at the orphanage’s perimeter.

Braxton studied the runes for a moment as he drew a small crystal prism out of his red belt pouch. As long as he could see them he could read them but was also more startling was the soft blue glow was also coming from window sills as well as doorways.

"Sister I am going to need you to read for me," Braxton thought.

"Way ahead of you brother," Klynn returned as she took another small bit from Braxton's fragile mana pool.

Braxton noticed that the guards had not gone into the parlor area but stayed at the doorway each giving their arms a subconscious rub to chase away the goose flesh as he saw them receive both a sleepy looking colt and filly. It was Pipsqueak and Ice Lilly.

Pipsqueak looked to the two Lunar guards nervously and then to Ice Lilly who bore a smile upon her face, biting her lip as she quietly shed happy tears.

One of the Thestral mares knelt and spoke to the pair of young foals. "Hello you two. I am Lunar Love, and I bring you a message that Princess Luna would like to speak with the two of you."

"Are they in any trouble?" came a mare's voice behind the two children who looked as if she were covering anger before ice lily opened the door.

Braxton eyed the unicorn mare who asked the guards a question, her demeanor while pleasant, belittled the sheer anger she kept in check.

"That is one ugly mare, brother," Klynn commented.

"What do you sense?" Braxton asked.

"she is furious that Ice lilly disobeyed her and wants nothing more than the guards to be gone so she could beat the mare," Klynn voiced with concern.

Braxton let that take a backseat for a moment as he studied the runes on the cobblestones, doorframe, and windowsills. They hid something revealing when he brought the crystal prism to his eye. Two spells: Contingency and Forget.

Breaking the two spells apart was a simple matter. The Contingency spell held that if one dreamed, then the spell Forget would cast within that twenty-foot cube. The Forget spell while being relatively weak would have the effect of one forgetting the last three minutes of whatever the unsuspecting pony dreamed, be it good or bad.

Braxton lowered the crystal from his eye; this was getting strange. "Why would these spells be placed all over the grounds?" Turning to look at the orphanage he made a choice. "Sister we have to get in there and take a look something very strange is going on, and I think it doesn't bode well."

”I agree with your thinking, brother” Kylnn, concurred.

Another set of interesting questions, Braxton thought to himself. "Those spells were in place long before we ever came here. How has our magic made it to this land before our arrival... and who or what is casting them?"

"I do not know brother, but we had better find out." Klynn answered
As Braxton made his way closer to the orphanage, moving from shadow to shadow, he caught sight of Ice Lilly. She seemed to have a smile on her face.

Both Pip and Ice Lilly were ushered away by the Lunarian guard, the two young foals barely containing their excitement over the ‘next new chapter of their lives’ as Ice Lilly had put it.

Melding into a shadow cast by one of the walls of the orphanage, Braxton once more placed the crystal over his eye before trying the window. Just the two spells Contingency and Forget scrawled upon the window sill; no other spells revealed themselves.

Finding the window unlocked, Braxton slowly slid the window up before silently making his way into the orphanage. The room he entered appeared to be an office. An elegant wooden desk chair sat in the center of the room along with several bookshelves mostly containing children's books and one shelf mainly containing financial information there was one doorway leading deeper into the orphanage itself and a strange set of double doors also along the same wall.

Braxton crossed the room to the double doors; he noticed that across the threshold and even on the doors themselves, the same runes marked the wood subtlety. Raising the crystal once more to his eye he found a change in the Contingency spell. This spell's contingency was triggered on if someone was beaten or received any physical trauma. Before the forget spell would activate.

Braxton opened one of the doors peering into a small stone room its stone marked with black patches. Braxton's sense of smell told him there was a lot of blood spilled in this room. Quietly shutting the door Braxton made his way over to the desk. Looking in several of the drawers, they contained little more than what a secretary or bookkeeper would need to do their job. The only thing that stood out was a small hourglass. Taking a quick count Braxton realized this glass could only account for three minutes.

Braxton was in the middle of pondering what use this item would have when his keen hearing caught the sound of approaching hoof falls. Too late to go back out the window, Braxton jumped into the rafters, wrapping himself around one of the support beams.

The unicorn mare that had been talking to Lunarian guard entered the room first. Her body language showing the rage and anger despite her outward appearance of being calm. One step behind her was a young Pegasus colt, his nervous expression showing both in his body language, with twitching wings and his face. His eyes darted from left to right as he chewed on his lip.

“Do you know why I called you here, child?" the unicorn asked her tone calm and collected as she took the hourglass out of her desk drawer.

"No, I don't, Mrs. Gentle Heart," the young Pegasus replied nervously.

Mrs. Gentle Heart turned the hourglass over and lit her horn. Her demeanor completely changed; she looked only young stallion with hatred and contempt. "I am angry because of you worthless bastards defying me at every turn," she roared as she struck the young colt in the body.

The colt reared back from the powerful blow. Mrs. Gentle Heart caught the colt by the flailing arm to keep him from falling to the floor. She struck him twice more, all the while ranting, slapping him across the face, calling him worthless. For nearly two minutes she rained slaps and body blows on the young colt mercilessly.

Mrs. Gentle Heart dragged the near-unconscious colt over near the double doors, the hourglass was almost spent sands nearly gone. She opened the door and threw him in, leaving him sprawled out on the floor, a small pool of blood escaping his mouth from a cut lip, and a small cut on his forehead as his head hit the stone.

The young colt groaned in pain not sure what had happened or when it happened. He looked into the concerned face of Mrs. Gentle Heart who wore a worried expression like a fake mask.

“Child, you really should be more careful; let's get you patched up, that fall was nasty. Now you know why I always make the rule about not running inside," she scolded warmly to him.

The young colt could only nod. His thoughts were hazy; what had happened? He had walked in with Mrs. Gentle Heart and the next thing he knew he was in pain and she was tending to his wounds. A cold chill ran down his spine as the stones worked their magic all he could do in frustration and anxiety was cry.

Mrs. Gentle Heart helped him into a sitting position, her horn gave a pulse, and a small first aid kit popped into existence near her. "Young colts always running around, it must be a boy thing," she said sweetly, surprising herself that she nearly didn't vomit on the words. Her horn gave another soft pulse. "Always running around and you being clumsy, it never ceases to amaze me that you don't trip over your hooves,.

The young colt hugged Mrs. Gentle Heart saying he was sorry and that he wouldn't run inside the orphanage anymore.

Cleaning his wounds, stopping the bleeding, and letting her horn give one last pulse to both summon a few sugary gumdrops and finish the spell as she helped the colt walk out of the room.

When the door closed, she grimaced at her own words as she realized just how vile her own words had been. She made her way over to the bookshelf and pulled a child's book from it.

Braxton's fingers dug into the soft wood of the rafter, his nails becoming long black claws as he watched the events unfold. He shook with rage and wanted nothing more than to end this mare’s life for what she did to the young colt, but he knew if he moved or if one acted rashly, it would tip his hand for what he was trying to accomplish. He hated when he felt helpless despite all his great powers and gifts.

Braxton's patience, thankfully, was rewarded for staying his hand as the mare placed the book upon her desk and sat. She began to write her name within the book. At first, Braxton wondered what she was doing... until text started to answer her.

You have our attention; it better be necessary for your sake, Mrs. Gentle Heart.

A development has occurred I thought you should know about. One of our subjects has left under lunar guard.

That is an important development we definitely needed to know.

Do you think the Royals have become alerted to our presence

No, but it is something that we will look into. Did you press the guards about their business with the test subject?

Tried to, but they were very tight-lipped—they said nothing.

Interesting, we will proceed with caution. Who is the next candidate coming of age?

There are two who show potential.

Good then increase the amount they get in their diets and see to it that no harm comes to them.for your life depends upon it.

It shall be done for we are the power that rules between Sun and Moon.

Powers be between the Sun and the Moon.

Mrs. Gentle Heart closed the book. She hated talking to these ponies. Yes, they had cleaned up many of her messes. Yes, they had hidden her here in the orphanage to run it. But they left her with one very stern warning—kill another, and she would be only a memory. She got up from the desk and opened the window, hoping to let a little breeze in to cool her.

That was the moment Braxton was waiting for. Calling on a little prestidigitation he made the sound of footfalls going down the hall. Mrs. Gentle Heart, hearing them, went to investigate. Braxton dropped down from the rafters and quickly scribed a hasty Wizard's Mark upon the spine of the book before exiting out the window he had come in.

The four mares stood near a bench in the park while they waited for Braxton to return from his end of the assignment. They had been dispatched earlier in the night to spiral out or combing the city from the castle to look for clues as to the whereabouts of the assassin that had managed to turn betrayal into tragedy. There had been some success in that endeavor, for the scouting party found a bloody handprint and evidence that the Pegasus assassin had taken a hit to the wing. For a few more bloodied feathers had been seen as well as the bolt fletching to keep the exit wound from becoming any bigger when they pulled the bolt out — the tracks and clues once the mare became grounded all but vanished once she reached the cobblestone street.

“Do we have any idea where he is?” asked Midnight Aria in an exasperated tone.

“He gave us an order, and that is what we must do,” said Sonnet Sunrise in a soft tone to placate her herd sister.

“I have to agree with Midnight Aria. I don't know where he went, but I do see why he had us work in twos given how you missed the feathers by the trash can,” Honey Song teased Star Song in a mirthful voice.

Star Song gave Honey Song an obscene gesture and crossed her arms in a huff. "I was distracted by the bloody hand print give me a break."

"No sister, I think you were distracted by the mouse," Honey Song said playfully causing the others to giggle.

Braxton arrived after that. "Mares, I'll take your report," he said, causing all of the mares to jump.

"Your lead mare has yet to get that bell for around your neck, hasn't she," Star Song said.

Braxton gave a soft chuckle. "She has yet to get it. Chances are she will tomorrow. But for now, I'll take your report."

Star Song cleared her throat and gave the report. "We found a small mass of feathers and blood in one of the allies near the castle. The assassin must have landed there after climbing down from the roof. It must've been relatively painful due to Shade Dancer’s feather dart in her wing. I say that because we found extra feathers near one of the trash cans in the alley. I also think the assassin may have had help because that type of wound is not one easily reached by a single pony. Our trail went cold when they reached the cobblestones."

"Good work. Can you take me to the alley where you found the blood print?" Braxton asked.

"Yes, it's not far from here actually," Star Song said.

The alley was no different from any other in Canterlot. Garbage cans stood silent watch near their buildings as they collected their refuse. The four mares lead Braxton away from the cobblestone street to the place where they found the bloodied handprint.

"This is where we found it. The assassin must've come in off that roof—you can see where some of the feather molt caught in the shingles," Star song said pointing out the feathers to Braxton.

Braxton looked around and then reached into his belt pouch for a stick of chalk. Braxton began to draw a door on the far wall on a nearby building. "Stay here, girls. I will be back in a moment," he said to them as he stepped into the side of the building as though it had an open door.

The mares were still picking their jaws up off the pavement when he returned carrying a beautiful three-inch sphere of crystal.

"What was that? Where did you go? How did you do that?" Star song asked being the first to shake herself out the sheer surprise she just witnessed.

“A mage has many secrets. You might find them out in time," Braxton said with a wink. "Now then, let's find out what happened here," Braxton said as he began to look into the crystal ball. The other four joined him their curiosity getting the better of them.

Celestia's Sun may have been brightly shining, but thanks to the shadows thrown by the two brick buildings, the warm sunlight hardly touched the ground below. The white pegasus mare in question was thankful for those shadows as she gave a quiet yelp as she felt the steel feather in her wing to be magically recalled back to its owner. Looking over the damage to her wing, she could no longer fly. And she would have to come up with some excuse for her Mistress when she would ask about the injury. She whimpered as she touched the wound in her wings and tried to stop the bleeding. It wouldn't be long. Her master's carriage would park in the front of the alley, she would get in, and she would go back to her life as a cook.

“Coruscant my love are you alright?" asked a concerned and effeminate male voice.

Coruscant jumped she been too focused on trying to heal her wing and get away from the prying eyes of the local guard to notice her lover Purple Haze in one of the shadows.

"Oh my sweet stallion, it's done. Only been winged as it were, but you should've seen the look upon mistress’s face as her daughter died in her arms. When the press gets wind of it they'll have a field day," she said with a soft proud smile at the accomplishment of taking the life of purple Haze's daughter. She held him in no one arm, careful not to get the blood on her hand upon him. She sighed happily and content as he responded by hugging her tight the pain barely ignored, but the embrace made her happy.

"Now my dear before the carriage arrives please brace yourself on the wall and I'll take care of your wing," Purple Haze said in a sweet voice as Coruscant looked to her left seeing that the carriage had arrived.

It was in that moment that a silk ascot wound around her neck for the second time that day. Coursont was in a fight for her life though not from arrows and swords from the guards but from the Earth pony who she loved. She struggled against his strength trying to fly not caring of the pain in her wings, but he held her tight as her vision began to fade to black her hand slid from the stone wall leaving a bloody handprint behind.

Purple Haze held her a few moments more, making sure that the life was snuffed out entirely from the mare. Yes, she had done well, yes she worked for him and did exactly as he had tasked her to do. But she still had killed his daughter. So her life was his to take and he did so almost gleefully. He drug her lifeless body deeper into the alley where he hid it within a shadow. He calmly retied the silk Ascot around his neck, stripped her of the cloak she wore, and took the carriage that had stopped moments before in front of the alley.

Reality returned to four shocked, and teary-eyed faces as Braxton's bodyguards held hands over their mouths in sheer shock the pony in cold blood would murder another pony.

“How could he do that to her?"Asked Sonnet Sunrise being the first to speak.

“Why would he do that to her?" Midnight Aria said as she wept.

For their part Honey Song and Star song were beside themselves. In the past two days, their lives had changed so drastically and while this was another shocking development under their new employer neither was going to back down. Each mare began to comfort the two others who had not gone through Braxton's baptism of fire.

By this time Braxton was falling back into the shadows he let his eyes slip into the infrared spectrum the greys and blues and reds of heat sources became visible and allowed him to see further into the dark. There tucked into one of the darkest shadows lay a cold lump of gray devoid if heat. As Braxton neared the lifeless body her back facing him his keen nose picked up the scent of sulfur.

Braxton called upon a cantrip merely opening his hand and closing it is the lifeless body turned onto its back, confirming his suspicion what had been in the vial had been a sulfur-based acid. The mare's face had been dissolved down to the back of her mouth; her thigh had been dissolved down to the bone. Braxton returned to the group. Intercepting them on his way they looked up to him in bewilderment, before he merely asked quietly, "Mares, you saw the same thing I did. Do you want to go back there?"

The group stopped and thought for a moment before shaking their heads no. Braxton could only marvel at their innocence. Braxton Looked into his guards, and it was time to give them some new orders. "Honey Song, Star Song, I need the two of you to stay with me. Midnight Aria, Sonnet Sunrise, I need you two to get the Lunarian guards and Princess Luna herself."

The two guards saluted and went to complete their task. It was Star Song who looked at Braxton and said, "Thank you, Braxton."

Braxton merely nodded in acknowledgment.

Twinkle Star and Sapphire Moonlight were the first to show up. Followed by Princess Luna and two guards, who touched down merely moments later. Midnight Aria and Sonnet Sunrise were the last to enter the alleyway.

Good to see you again, Princess Luna," Braxton said noting Twinkle Star, and Sapphire Moonlight were sweating bullets.

“To you as well, Ambassador," Luna replied. "If we might ask, why did you request for our presence? Are the guards with you not enough?"

“No, princess ,this matter requires your direct attention since involves your little ponies," Braxton responded matter-of-fact ly.

“Then, by all means, lead on, and my guards and I will accompany you," Luna said.

"It may be best if your guards wait here, for what we are about to see is not easy," Braxton cautioned.

“Very well," Luna said, giving the signal for her Guards to stay put.

Before the pair went deeper into the alley, Braxton paused a moment, looked skyward and then to Luna. "On a more personal note, I've meant to tell you that the night starscapes look absolutely out of this world,"

"Thank you, Ambassador, not many are around to see them," Luna replied, the night thankfully hid the soft mounting blush of her cheeks.

Braxton once more put his game face back on and took Luna deeper into the alley.

Luna was grateful that Braxton had chosen to ask her guards to remain behind, for the horrible sight was not something that even she was prepared for. A mare without a face, burned away by acid and her cutie mark also burned away. The scene caught her by surprise, but she recovered quickly.

"Thank you for sparing my guards this awful sight," whispered Luna.

"Yyou are welcome."

"How did this happen and for what reason?" Luna asked.

"Thankfully she was already dead when the acid was poured on her," Braxton stated as he brought up the crystal ball. "This details the last moments of her life. Bring justice for her murder since she escaped justice for another murder."

Braxton let a little magic flow into the crystal ball. Luna watched as the life was snuffed out from the mare.

"She was the assassin?"Luna asked when the crystal ball had finished revealing to her what Braxton's party already witnessed.

"She was, yes. For what it is worth she saved your sister the bother of executing a coward," Braxton said before continuing. "However she turned humiliation into a tragedy for the family to escape justice."

"We will see to it that Coruscant is laid to rest with respect and that we have another reason to thank you for finding her," Luna said her thoughts already busy with how she was going to tell her sister this bit of bad news.

"Princess Luna, I know it is not my place to ask for your sister to keep quiet on this matter," Braxton asked.

This request took Luna by surprise. "Why keep quiet about it? Is there more to it?"

"Your insight does you credit, Princess Luna. I don't know who to trust within the day court fully, so my workaround is to act in night court," Braxton said with a nod.

Luna thought a moment. Her instincts were telling her that the war mage knew more than he was letting on. But he was entrusting her with this knowledge rather than working alone so she, in turn, would help him. "Very well. On that, I will cooperate with you,"

“Thank very much princess Luna," Braxton said, relieved that she was going to put trust in him.

"We had best make the body look presentable so that the Undertaker can pick up her body.”

Luna could only agree with Braxton and so the to set to work to get the body some simple dignity and wait for the Undertaker to arrive. Once done with their task, it was time to return to the castle. There would still be more to do and more to investigate. Braxton was looking forward to his four hours of much-needed rest.

Chapter 19 At The Gala: Beauty In The Eye Of The Beholder Pt I

Chapter 19

At The Gala: Beauty In The Eye Of The Beholder Pt I

The sun rose once more over the Equestrian landscape. Typically, this task would've brought Celestia a small fraction of peace and a way to begin her day, with a fresh outlook on her responsibilities for the day. As the sun crested to its place in the sky, she found only guilt. Reading Twilight’s letter, she learned that all was not well with her and her friends. For the first time in many years, Celestia found herself not wanting to face the day... in fact, she almost felt like crying.

Looking over the letter, Twilight’s penmareship—which typically was flawless—seemed to have almost been painstakingly written with each letter being exclusive in attention to detail. It looked like the poor mare was up all night writing it with a ruler to make sure the text was perfectly aligned.

The darkness that enveloped Rainbow was surprisingly tight and she seemed to struggle against the bonds that held her. She began to hyperventilate, it reminded her of being in the cocoon despite her attempts to break free of the webbing. The spider seemed to spin around her effortlessly. It's cold and methodical, and the uncaring way she would hang like a dead piece of meat,Rainbow could feel her guts liquefying ready to come apart like the poor mare's head had in the storage room. She could feel the stickiness of the webbing on her face, and across her skin. This wasn't a nightmare, for Luna took care of such things. This dream was a reality; it was an actual living nightmare come to life. She screamed, only to thrash around as she fell out of bed with a thud. Rainbow took a few moments realizing she was awake, safe in her room... merely tangled up within the bedsheets. She felt drained as though she had not slept at all. Rainbow began to cry, pulling her knees up to her chest, curling into a small ball. Why had she gone with them? Why was she acting like this? She is the Element of Loyalty. She was tough, but here she was, crying like a little filly on the floor. She couldn't let her friends see her like this... they wouldn't let her live it down. She even called off for the weather patrol this morning, something she used to truly love. Why was she so miserable? She needed to see Twilight, her friend would know what to do.

Pinkie Pie woke up without a care in the world to a beautiful sunny day at Sugarcube corner. Mr. and Mrs. Cake had given her a list of things to do this morning, and she was going to do them. However, while she had her hands in the dough for making cookie dough cakes and pies, as well as the other treats and sweets, there was something in the back of her mind bothering her. Like she couldn't put her finger on it, and it was driving her crazy. Maybe Twilight would know something, but for the moment these cakes and pies wouldn’t make themselves, and those customers were going to be arriving soon and be hungry, so it was up to her to see to it that they were going to be full and happy. Without realizing it, she made almost three portions for everypony.

The barn door opened as the sun rose on Sweet Apple Acres. Applejack slid the door back into place along its track, looking over her shoulder. "I'm telling you, Granny, I'm fine. I just need to finish up the back forty today."

"Young lady you did your morning chores, then helped Twilight renovate her house and then came home and did the center forty, and for all of that was an eighteen-hour day. Plus tomorrow is the Gala, and I don't want any work being done on that day, just the morning chores," said Granny Smith incredulously, looking at her stubborn granddaughter. "You need to slow down, Applejack. It's going to catch up to you."

“Granny I said I was fine, I-" Applejack started to say before she was interrupted as the backdraft caused by opening the barn door blew several small cobwebs into her face. Something that always happened given the spiders made small webs at night in the barn to eat. The reaction was instantaneous, causing her to immediately to stiffen and flinch—something she had never done. And for a moment Applejack thought she heard a skittering the same skittering sound made by the phase spider's walk. Adrenaline coursed in her veins before she managed to wrestle with a fight or flight response back to reason. All the phase spiders they faced with Braxton were dead—he even said so. They had wiped out the nest. There wasn't any of them left anymore. Applejack turned and looked at Granny Smith, who watched her with concern before saying calmly, "you know, Granny, I think I should probably visit Twilight. I'm sorry for stacking Big Mac with all the morning chores, but I do need to see her."

Granny Smith just nodded and watched her granddaughter walk off to see Twilight. What had happened to her? Granny Smith was sure Applejack would tell her in her own time she always did.

Rarity looked at herself in the mirror, trying to get her makeup right. To cover up the dark circles that had formed under her eyes, and a foundation to cover the faint lines of fatigue on her face. Her last two nights had been very hard on her. She barely slept, and she felt that every time she closed her eyes, she would return to that darkened area of the forest, that awful black patch of midnight. Rarity decided that today was the absolute last straw for this nonsense and she would go in to see Twilight. Maybe a little bit of Twilight's magic could help her sleep.

Fluttershy's morning routine—which often meant getting up early and feeding her animal friends—was interrupted by her oversleeping. Her best animal friend Angel Bunny hopped up on her bed, wanting her to get up and make him breakfast. He thumped loudly with his foot on her base board. Her response was not quite what he was expecting; he met a pillow. Her aim was surprisingly accurate for it carried the little bunny off the bed. Angel gave a surprised yelp when he hit the floor. This, in turn, woke Fluttershy up who put the pieces together relatively quick that she had thrown a pillow at Angel. "I'm so sorry, Angel," Fluttershy stammered in a startled tone. She hugged her other pillow to her chest tightly, wishing she had a stallion to hold at a time like this. Fluttershy was mare enough to know she needed Twilight's help because as she held the pillow and Braxton entered her mind, the more she thought, the angrier she grew. Till she saw the face of one of the phase spiders snap its jaws shut on Rainbow, killing her and making another lunge for her. Fluttershy whinnied, shaking herself from her racing thoughts and fears. It was time to go to Twilight's house.

Braxton smiled as he held up a small leather loop in his fingertips, showing it to her. The leather loop disintegrated, and Braxton stepped off the side of the clock tower edge but didn't fall—instead, he offered his hand to Bon Bon. "Going down, good mare," Braxton says with a warm smile.

Bon Bon looked down over the edge to see her savior was floating in the air, and all without a unicorn horn! "How are you doing that?"

Braxton merely winked at her and said, "It's a kind of magic. And forgive me, my good mare, but where are my manners? I am Braxton Zeddmoore, at your service," He bowed low as he hovered.

For the first time a week, Bon Bon found a reason to giggle. She took Braxton's hand, he wrapped his arms around her, and as she stood on his feet, he lowered himself and her to the ground. Bon Bon drew near Braxton as the spell he cast faded, and then looked up to him. "You know, good mustang, I don't have anything to give you, but should any part of my body please you. I would give it to you gladly," Bonbon said in a whisper.

Braxton kissed Bonbon deeply, and she moaned into the kiss, letting him enjoy it for a moment before she began to kiss him with more passion urging him to take more of her. She moved her hands down his muscular frame, and her hands began to pull and fumble with his belt till it was free from its buckle. Braxtons hands slid under Bonbons shirt till his hands cupped her breasts, his fingers pulling upon and playing with her nipples till they were hard and erect.

Bonbon broke the kiss and moaned in pleasure. As Bonbon's hand had by now cupped Braxton's balls and began to caress his stiffening cock, he moaned before he aggressively pushed her back against the clock tower wall. Bonbon smiled when Braxton's hands left her breasts and took her pants and her panties down with one pull. Bonbon stepped out of one leg while she used this small pause to kiss him again passionately.

Bonbon then pulled him in, wrapping one leg around him as she pulled him into her arms and herself. She felt him enter, and she screamed out her delight. A mix of fear and passion and pent up distress all mixing into an endorphin cocktail, and she wanted more as his hips began to move to thrust within her she moaned into his ear and nibbled on it he shuddered and picked up his pace. Before he gave one last thrust and felt him cum inside of her, Bonbon's own body instinctively wanting to milk him dry squeezed him intimately, and she moaned as another wave of orgasmic bliss was about to envelop her she screamed again, and her eyes fluttered open as her waking mind caught up with her body to see her staring at her headboard.

Bonbon found herself asleep upon her stomach her right arm under her body and numb from lack of circulation her fingers within her drenched sex her thumb resting upon her erect clit, groaning as she rolled to her side to free her arm. She immediately wished she hadn't done that as a wave of pins and needles raced down her shoulder to the tips of her fingers. As she pulled her hand away from her sex, her eyes looked over to the book; she had fallen asleep reading it. The title of the book written in elegant calligraphy read, "You Belong to Me." The tale of a Mare who tamed a headstrong Mustang upon the high seas.

Sitting up, Bonbon picked up the book and threw it "Stupid book!... Lucky horse," she said to no one in particular before settling down, crossing her arms pouting, and drawing her legs up close to her chest. Celestia's letter had arrived yesterday afternoon, calling on her by her call sign as "Agent Sweetie Drops." to both welcome Lyra into the fold of S.M.I.L.E. and to train her to be an agent and also her partner. Bonbon grunted, glad that Lyra wasn't here as she would have teased her about reading one of Lyra's romantic books. She could already hear her friend say smugly, "Now who is the filly for reading those trashy novels," and that thought pissed her right the buck off. Bonbon shook herself free of the anger and calmed down as more of her mind became less hormonal and more reasonable. She was going to have to talk to Lyra to get a few things off her chest and at least tell her upfront that she was jealous and wouldn't want it to jeopardize the friendship and bond she held for her friend. She had a train to catch, and if she showered and cleaned up, she could find the first one out of Ponyville.

Celestia set the letter aside that Twilight had written about her, and her friends she decided it was time to talk to Braxton herself. She spotted him in one of the guest' towers. Were Celestia had accommodated him for the night. He was out on the balcony enjoying the rise of the sun itself she didn't bother teleporting to him nor did she take the stairs down merely hoisted herself over the rail and used her wings to glide down to the balcony where he stood leaning against the railing lost in thought.

"Good morning, Princess." Braxton said gently, not taking his eyes off the waterfall in the distance, enjoying its sound and its serenity.

"Good morning to you. You're up early," Celestia said, before continuing. "I know you gave an oral report of events, but you look like one who has a lot on his mind and as a guest to one of my subjects would you care to share your thoughts?"

Braxton nodded he hadn't taken his eyes off the waterfall before he asked: "When are you going to apologize to them? Because I must do so as well."

This question took Celestia a moment to process and somewhat by surprise. "Apologize? For what must I apologize for good ambassador?"

"The apology needs to go to the Elements of Harmony for dragging them into harm's way. Another needs to go to the group of soldiers you assigned me, would you like an accurate assessment of their abilities?" Braxton said in a calm and gentle tone, not condescending but as one who was an adviser.

"I am curious, war mage," Celestia said, crossing her arms.

The stones on this Stallion are impressive. He thinks we will listen to him Daybreaker admonished breaking into Celestia's train of thought before being silenced.

Braxton didn't look at Celestia but did keep her within the corner of his eye, noting the movement. "Overall the rating I would give them is abysmal. The Elements of Harmony went in without a single stitch of armor or weapon; I let this slide because I thought they had other magic at their disposal, and it turned out I was wrong. And I will live with the guilt that I brought six souls into combat who had no right to be there. It also turned out that I'm glad I gave each of them stone skin, or otherwise, you would be very likely burying at least two of them. The troops you sent with me were barely seasoned as well, and I think I finally figured out why the casualties were so high. Why you lost twenty to the spider in the first encounter because they tried to talk to it, approaching it in a friendly manner."

Despite Braxton's gentle tone, his words hit harder than any fist. Celestia couldn't help but flinch how he had pieced it together, how he had ferreted out the mistake she made at first.

Braxton continued to watch the waterfall. He gave her a moment to piece it together before continuing, her subtle flinch and shift from one hoof to the other told him he was right. Braxton wished he wasn't.

"How dare he stand there and berate us as though we did something to fail," Daybreaker said, breaking into a small tirade about how she would strangle the life out of this Stallion. Celestia could only smile inwardly at Daybreaker’s displeasure. She was returning her attention to Braxton.

"In looking over your history, I have to commend you and Luna on the long reign of peace you have given your subjects, but sadly that's also been your most magnificent double-edged sword. Because very few of you know how to wage war and know how to fight, taking you or your sister out of the kingdom would create a power vacuum that would crumple the country like a house of cards. You and your sister are the reason why nothing comes into this land, and from what I read, I know Twilight is taking to the grooming rather well to be your successor."

"Well our sister is irrelevant, we have run the country for a thousand years without her, Mr. Bookworm," said Daybreaker condescendingly.

"Silence, the adults are talking, Celestia said inwardly before returning her attention to Braxton. "My sister is correct to say you are very astute. Might I ask if this is a professional opinion of our troops?"

"No, it isn't. I haven't seen enough of them to gather the valid professional opinion, this is just a personal opinion," Braxton said, his gaze never wavering from the waterfall.

"Why won't he look at us?! Is our beauty not worthy of being looked upon with wonder? He is starting to piss me off!" Daybreaker said waltzing back into the conversation going on in Celestia's mind. However this point did give Celestia pause. "Why aren't you looking at me as you say this?" she asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.

"Because I don't have to. I can convey just how angry I am not only with you, but with myself, for my naïveté," Braxton said, gently pushing away from the rail. "If you will excuse me, princess, some other matters require my attention."

No, no, he does not get to walk away from us! He does not get to give us advice as though we asked for it! He does not get to stare off into space and at least acknowledge our presence with some form of genuflection! And he does not under any circumstances get to bucking walk away and turn his back on us. Daybreaker mentally screamed within Celestia, her body taking a step forward before Celestia managed to wrangle her fiery temper under her regal mask.

Braxton, hearing Celestia take a step on the stone floor, turned his head and looked over his shoulder. His icy gaze went right through her before his gentle voice said, "Something the matter, Princess?"

For the second time that day, Celestia flinched. This look was one that an Apex predator gave its prey before setting upon it to kill it. Celestia merely brought her hand over her heart and said, "Thank you for being honest, and you are right; I too should finish getting ready, for the Day Court will start soon."

"You're welcome, princess; please tend to your subjects first, they need you now more than ever," Braxton said, entering into his room.

Braxton entered his room, going to Lyra's door that adjoined his room he cracked the door open to find the three sisters asleep together in bed. Braxton shook his head with a soft smile. Looking around, Braxton spotted a flower vase near the entrance adorned with fresh-cut roses. Crossing the room with all the noise of a gentle breeze, Braxton took one of the roses out of the vase. He called upon a cantrip to bring the rose to full bloom, looking back over his shoulder at the still sleeping trio. Braxton then drew near the bedside where Lyra slept peacefully he drew the rose softly over her skin and across her nose.

The smell of roses began to draw Lyra out of her slumber. She had missed her Mustang.The touch of something very soft caressed her cheek before trailing down her nose, lips, and chin. Her eyes fluttered open to see her Mustang using the rose to softly wake her bringing his finger to his lips in a shushing gesture. Lyra couldn't help but smile. If this was a dream, she didn't want to wake up. He beckoned for her to rise as he withdrew, and she quietly left her two sisters still sleeping in bed.

Lyra got up out of the bed as she saw him raise an eyebrow and give a smile that hid quiet laughter. Lyra blushed, realizing she was wearing only his shirt and her panties. The muslin shirt hem was stopping just before her half thigh saddling over her tail and rear end. As Lyra slid through the door he was retreating through, she whispered to him, "Missed you." he drew near him and embraced him gently, holding him in her arms.

Braxton smiled and returned the embrace, one of his arms going across her shoulder, and the other hand resting upon the small of her back. "Good morning, Lyra, that shirt you’re wearing looks vaguely familiar."

Giggling like a filly, she nuzzled into his chest, drawing a chuckle from him as she looked up to him. "I think a certain Mustang, as good looking as he is, needs a bath."

"Indeed, I do. I was waking you up to at least tell you I was going down to the base of the falls-," Braxton said as his weight started to shift away from Lyra.

Lyra playfully grabbed his arm with a smile "Why in the wide world of Equestria would you go take a bath in a cold waterfall? I'm sure it hasn't warmed since winter wrap up. when you could take a bath here in the palace, it has running water?"

"Does it now? Are you offering to show me how that tub works?" Braxton said in an attempt to embarrass Lyra.

Despite the blush mounting in her cheeks, she replied, "I thought you would never ask, my mustang."

Drawing close to her, so he had to look down, and she had to look up at him, "Oh lead mare… lead me to the water," Braxton said, being both playful and overdramatic, before stealing a kiss from her lips with a smile.

Lyra had a moment to think that Octavia's plan could have backfired on her. 'Remember a stallion loves a mare to chase after him and the grander you make the chase, the deeper he will love you for it.' This went out the window with the speed of a Wonderbolt when Braxton stole a kiss from her lips. All she could do afterwards was point to the bathroom and say, "tub… that way..."

Braxton smiled. "Lead on, my beautiful mare. I will stay behind and enjoy the view."

Lyra suddenly remembered that his shirt saddled her tail and she pulled it down over her rump and her tail. This caused the front to come up, and Braxton chuckled at her antics as he followed her into the bathroom.

She was closing the door behind them with her magic. Lyra turned to face Braxton, who was already taking off his shirt and moving to take off his boots. 'Get a grip mare, you dragged him in here and you're the nervous one?!' Her eyes going to him was a mistake. Because that is where they stayed as she watched him take off his clothes. Her breath hitched, taking in how his muscles moved and flexed. Her tail instinctively flagged, and she could feel herself wink the more she looked at him.

A gentle touch that made electricity dance over her fine fur of her back brought her out of her thoughts, and the focus back to a very naked Mustang standing before her a soft look upon his face. "Are you alright, my dear?" Braxton asked.

Lyra shook her head yes. "Just looking at a very handsome man."

Braxton smiled before he replied, "And I am looking at a lovely mare." His hands drew up her shirt before taking it off of her to learn she wasn't wearing a bra, and when her breasts came into view she instinctively crossed her arms as he smiled, his gaze taking in her figure. "So what is the incantation oh beautiful mare of the waters."

Lyra couldn't help but giggle softly. "No incantation, it’s mechanical. Two knobs: one for hot, one for cold. You turn them to fill the tub to the desired water level," she explained, turning on the water to fill the tub.

"Sounds like a tinker gnome’s machination. Does it have better odds of working?" Braxton asked with caution as the water came crashing into the tub, causing him to give a reflexive jump.

“Tinker gnomes? What are they, dear?" Lyra asked curiously as the large tub began to fill with hot water.

"Well," Braxton said as he stepped into the still filling tub, "That tale calls for a bath, soak, and a mare."

Lyra gave a startled eep as she was pulled into the tub with him. She hadn't taken her panties off as she slashed down into the bathtub against him surprised and laughing. "Much better," she heard him say and watched as he used his feet to turn off the water. While she rested between his legs looking over her shoulder, her rear end up and her wet tail was flagging. She looked back to him and muttered "show off," trying not to sound too impressed, sticking out her tongue at him.

"I've got to be me," Braxton said, his voice smug he was rewarded with a splash to the face and he laughed. Braxton kissed Lyra on the end of her muzzle. He was watching her eyes cross for a moment before he began speaking once more.

"Tinker Gnomes are kin to Dwarves, and they tend to be noticeably smaller than their distant cousins. While your typical Dwarf stands about four feet eight inches, your average tinker gnome stands about three foot four. Gnomes, as they proudly maintain are less rotund than dwarves, though there is a running joke among the dwarves that a gnome's nose is one size too big for its face."

Lyra couldn't help but laugh as she nuzzled into her Stallion while they bathed. She wished she had stopped in to get more paper to write this down. Twilight would love to hear about it. She would have to remember as much as she could. Her attention returned to her Stallion as he smiled down at her.

"Tinker Gnomes or ‘Tinkers’ love to construct and design machines. Each Tinker belongs to a guild that focuses on one particular branch of technology. almost all are utterly incomprehensible to intelligent non-gnomish folk. Often, Tinkers’ industry far exceeds their skill producing complex and worthless machines. We humans have a saying that "there is a fifty-fifty chance, that whatever a tinker is working on blows up in your face. Should you stumble into a community of tinkers, the gods have wholly abandoned you, for if the one you're standing next to doesn't get you, his neighbors might." Braxton finished with a shiver.

Again Lyra found herself laughing; it was horrible, but in recent days, the truth had become stranger than fiction. She had to know more. "That reaction sounds like a man who has seen it happen," she prompted, looking to him as her hands made trails of water down his chest.
"Oh yes, first accounts here, my mare, all around. I was honoring a contract for a shipping company taking a ship full of provisions from the human portside capital of Kingsport to Twin Sunspire Peak, a small coastal town in the northwest, that had become besieged by Minotaur pirates from across the Draco sea.

“Minotaurs?" Lyra asked for Braxton to nod in response. Lyra couldn't quite see Iron Will as a pirate till the book opened up once more in her mind. Showing a much more terrifying creature that stood over seven and a half feet tall, muscular and broad shouldered. Still, the thing that made Lyra's blood run cold was that they where man-eaters beholden to a clan structure and very warlike.

"You have Minotaurs here?" Braxton asked as he shifted to look at Lyra, who nodded pleadingly

"Yes but they are very nice. One is a motivational speaker."

Now it was Braxton's turn to be surprised. "I might have to meet these Minotaurs for myself, but we digress. Our contract had tasked us with clearing out the blockade and resupplying the town that had been besieged and terrorized. Our group of sellswords, comprised of myself, Jinn Silverclaw, our warrior, Jorace Thacher, our Priest, and Cynthia Swanflight, our huntress. We decided that our best course of action was we pose as merchants blending in with other merchants on the Merchantman ship. To appear as a target, letting the pirates come to us, instead of hunting for them and wasting time." Braxton made a sour face recalling the memories of the trip before he spoke again.

"A one-month journey in winter seas. The first two weeks, Cynthia and I spent more time heaving our guts over the rail than blending in. When I think about after all was said and done, I would have gladly traded it all for two hours of peace on the rack."

"Rack? What is a rack?" Lyra asked.

"An instrument of torture made to dislocate the joints of your body by pulling."

"Why in the name of all the creators, would you wish to do that to yourself?!" Lyra exclaimed, deeply troubled that her Stallion would choose that form of mutilation over what happened.

"Okay, maybe an hour, but no less. The back half of the three weeks... that is when things became interesting, and I use that term loosely."

Lyra chuffed and looked to him as he smiled back at her knowing she wanted to hear the rest of the story. "Please go on, dear. You can't dangle this story in front of me and not expect you to finish it."

Braxton chuckled softly, "We were two weeks out when the pirate's ship finally found us, and we were more than happy to earn our combat pay by this point. Once the fighting started, it turned out we had overestimated our crew and our passengers in thinking that they would fight… that was not the case. So as it came down to it, four stood against thirty; not good odds in even the best of circumstances. The fight itself wasn't going our way. But believe me, we gave as good as we got, by the time it got to that point. Jorace lay near death's door, Cynthia was down to three arrows in her quiver, and while my spells were exhausted, I was helping Jinn cover Cynthia so she could try to get a potion down Jorace's gullet to try to heal him."

Lyra shivered despite the warmth of the bathwater and being near Braxton, yet she found herself wanting to hear more and gave him a quick kiss before she spoke. "What happened next?"

"Well, whether the gods blessed us or had forsaken us is often a matter of debate amongst my friends. But I am firmly in the camp of ‘they just like throwing things at us to see how we handle it’," Braxton said with a smirk, realizing that maybe the day of looking back on this and laughing had finally come. If that was the case he owed Jinn about fifty pieces of gold. He smiled at the sad irony of it all, but it was enough of a pause that his mare noticed.

"What is it, sweetheart?" Lyra asked, standing up and taking off her panties, wringing out the wet fabric before casting them aside and returning to the warm water with her Stallion. Letting her eyes travel over his naked form, stopping to admire a healthy erection from him. While not shaped like a stallion in size and girth, he was nothing to sneeze at ten inches by her best guess. He gave a soft grunt when she moved him out of the way so she could return to lay between his legs and hold him.

"Just thinking about Jinn. He and I had a wager that one day I would look back on this adventure and laugh at it... one day," he smiled giving a small laugh. "Seems I owe my brother-in-arms fifty pieces of gold."

"Oh," Lyra replied, her ears flattening, realizing Braxton would not be able to see his friends or brother-in-arms again to pay him back. "We could stop if you want." She looked to him and his smile warmed her heart.

"As my mare eloquently put, I can't quit halfway through," he replied, giving her a soft kiss which she gladly returned, along with a hug that made him smile. "The fight wasn't looking good, and while we focused on our enemies—and they had focused upon us—we both failed to spot another ship. A gnomish ship that—while it posed little threat to the merchantman, or so we thought, it would have been more than a match for the barque the pirates were using. My last thoughts running through my head was they are going to hit us. We woke up on what we later dubbed "The Miracle."

"The Miracle?" Lyra asked giving a laugh and a sigh of relief.

"Oh yes," Braxton deadpanned " 'The Miracle', a miracle we all survived, a miracle we made it to where we were going, and a miracle that after spending three weeks on that damned ship we didn't say that we would take our chances swimming with the sharks."

Lyra could only laugh it was horrible she knew, but she said it to her Mustang all the same "It couldn't have been that lousy, sweetheart, you’re still alive."

Braxton raised an eyebrow and tried to sound incredulous and keep the smile off his face at the same time. "Well then my little mare, let me paint you a picture of a Tinker Gnomish vessel." Braxton shifted to let her once more get comfortable in his arms. "'The Miracle', a real technological horror to behold. The horror that this ship existed and the phenomenon it managed to stay afloat, much less sail in the direction it was pointed in. According to its gnomish crew, years in development, even longer years in comity, and centuries of craftsmanship later, it was the terror of the high seas. Come to think of it. That is all they got right. Most ships would flee at the sight of the gnomish colors, a golden screw on a field of puce mostly because the steam-powered boilers that ran the ship had an unfortunate habit of exploding. Take two ships, saw them in half, and put their prows together so that it looked the same coming and going. The figurehead will still haunt my dreams. A buxom gnome holding large screws in their hands and looking resolutely out to sea."

Lyra couldn't help but laugh once more, and she tried unsuccessfully to stifle it. She could see her love on an old ship commanding ponies like the Stallion in 'You Belong To Me.'

"But the sail," Braxton continued, "that is the stuff of pure nightmares. The Gnomes, feeling that all ships have sails being requisite in a ship being a ship, had studied the 'lesser intelligent' races and deemed that it was a waste of space cluttering up a deck with masts, ropes, and canvas. Plus, it was also a waste of energy in their eyes. To spend all that time trimming and climbing the rigging. To try to maneuver sails to catch the wind. The gnomish solution was to have one giant sail that not only captured the wind but dragged the ship along with it. According to the gnomes, this was the feature of the vessel that gave the ship its revolutionary design. An enormous affair of billowing canvas with a beam the size of ten stout oaks rested on three greased rails running on either side and down the middle of the ship. Massive cables ran the length of the ship, powered by the steam boilers down below, operated this technological terror. It pulled the sail along the length of the vessel at a high rate of speed, thus to the gnomes, self-generating wind. And according to them could go forward or backward as needed."

Lyra was beginning to get the picture as Braxton continued to describe this nightmarish sail.

"Once it reached the end of the rail, it was supposed to wind itself up neatly and then travel under the ship to return and make its journey. Again, in whatever direction the captain wants the vessel to move in," Lyra listened spellbound as Braxton continued. "At least that is what the sail did on the drawing board, and probably numerous gnomish bathtubs, I would wager. In actuality, the gears that controlled the wind-up mechanism for the sail rusted almost immediately in the saltwater. The sail often hit the water partially rolled up or fully unfurled, this created a giant drag on the ship and sometimes dragged the vessel back further than it had traveled forward at times. The fact that this design meant the ship made about half a knot on a good day with a strong wind didn't seem to bother them.The gnomes entirely outweighed this 'minor' inconvenience as they put it by an unexpected bonus as the sail would leave the water; it acted as a net bringing with it schools of fish. Providing breakfast, lunch, and the occasional concussion for any poor sod not wearing a helmet getting struck by a falling tuna."

Lyra couldn't hold her laughter in. This ship could not be real. She caught her breath and wiped the tears from her eyes. "So let me get this straight, my love, this ship had two prows, no stern, so I will go out on a limb and say no tiller either?" Braxton nodded, yes."So how did the ship steer? Also, how did it turn the battle that wasn't going well for your party and the merchants?"

"Well, nothing daunted the gnomes overcame this flaw by the use of pressurized air casks powered by steam-driven bellows that when vented could steer the ship whooshing it along on a different tack. The gnomes learned that day that if one released the air in both casks simultaneously, the ship would conduct a turn away maneuver through a three hundred and sixty-degree rotation perpendicular to ninety degrees of your original heading. Guaranteed a one way trip over the side or assured you wouldn't be able to walk in a straight line again." Lyra buried her face into Braxton's chest, howling with laughter as he waited for her to finish before continuing. "This maneuver is what saved and doomed us in one stroke. For when one of the casks released its air supply, it overcame one of the rusty seals that held it in place. It blew a hole out of the side from within the ship. Skipping across the ocean waves like a stone and putting two man-sized holes in both the barque and the merchantman below the waterline. In effect, stopping the fight dead in the water. Both ships sinking puts a damper on fighting after all. The crew of the Miracle pulled most of us from the icy waters, and as much of the cargo as could be salvaged. I learned later both Jorace and I spent time in the company of gnomish healers, while those not eaten by sharks or frozen to death by hypothermia retrieved most of the goods for the town we initially set out to save. It took us three extra weeks to make that voyage and was not conducive to peace of mind or keeping one's dinner down. The ship wallowed in the water like a drunken sea elf when the sail was under it. Surged forward with a stomach-wrenching jolt when the sail was out of the water and rocked sickeningly when the sail hit the water behind. The bilge pumps worked to keep the ship from sinking till we could get to the port. Our party was never more grateful to back on solid land again. I can remember Jinn kissing the earth repeatedly. I had lost my appetite for fish after having eaten it for three weeks straight. Jorace thanked every god and goddess he knew of, and Cynthia later that night also became religious, but I think I attribute that more to Jorace's handy work than any act of divinity."

"I think I know where Cynthia is coming from," Lyra cooed softly. She drew herself up to her knees and kissed Braxton softly, so glad she had him. She deepened the kiss, and his hand came up to cup her face as she reveled in the embrace. She was about to straddle him when she felt his posture change he broke from the kiss and made a motion with his hand.

Chapter 20 At The Gala: Beauty In The Eye Of The Beholder Pt II

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Chapter 1 - 50/50 Chance And In Need Of A Break

Chapter 1

Fifty / Fifty Chance And In Need Of A Break

Buried knee-deep in gold, silver, copper, and jewels—and on the run from an angry dragoness—was not the way Braxton Zeddmoore imagined his last moments on the living plane of existence to be.

Braxton leaned his forty-year-old form up against a bit of cool cave stone. His short ponytailed platinum blonde hair touched with vibrant silver and perceptive lapis lazuli eyes looked for a way out of the antechamber he found himself occupying, thankfully only dark and damp. Braxton attributed his rather bleak set of circumstances to several damning variables in no particular order.

There were the villagers of Emir, who had asked him to look into why the swamp was overtaking their fertile farmlands. After offering Braxton—a militant Invoker by trade—enough gold to probably keep the village going for at least three planting seasons, and more than likely the life savings of all of the farmers upon the Fife. Benevolent gods, why was the lord of the fife not here asking Braxton for aid himself?

Easy answer: by Braxton's reckoning, no nobility ever felt the pinch of loss of goods or gold. Those that worked the lands did, however, benevolent gods bless them, and thus he bartered his fee down to one-fourth the cost. Though the task they asked of him was not as simple as casting a spell to fix the situation, Braxton did not have the heart to take hard-earned needed gold from honest folk.

Then there was the matter with the magicians’ guild. After Braxton had sent what passed for their bully-boy enforcers/recruiters packing with a few apprentice spells and a swift boot to the ass, they came back on far more cordial terms to Braxton's Keep. The last matter might have put events on a more personal note as the encroaching swamp has also overtaken where Braxton had built his keep, and the inundating swamp causing said keep to fall into the said swamp. To top off the rather unpleasant week, Braxton had found the reason for the swamps exponential growth: An adult Black Dragoness had desired to set up her new home here.

The Lizardfolk village could be seen by the torchlight that ringed the perimeter, as both the Blue Moon and Threeal made their way into the sky. Braxton knew that going into the village without a plan was a sure way to get yourself killed, particularly at night. As a precaution, his willed his eyes to become cat-like slits instead of normal human eyes. In that state, his vision became black-and-white and he could see the heat of the torches around the Village as well as the black and white shapes of the lizardmen.

Sneaking past the two perimeter guards patrolled outside of the torchlight, Braxton had to thank his cloak of elvenkind for camouflaging him to look like the swamp, its magic making him look like the vegetation about him and covering his own heat since the lizard men possessed the gift of seeing in the infrared spectrum.

That was far from his only asset, however. He was armed with a sword upon his back, and in the sword's pommel was a pale lavender ellipsoid stone. The stone had mercurial stars that seemed to shimmer softly even in the starlight; the handle looked as though it had a silvery filigree etched into the hardwood. The gold hilt was sculpted into the shape of a dragon posed in a gentle S as the head made its way down near the pommel with the tail acting as a back strap guard. On the throat of the scabbard was a polished brass dragon’s head, with its mouth opened to look as though it was swallowing the sword itself. A silver silk cord braided its way down to the polished brass tip cap with a dragon’s face embossing it.

Such was his weapon, but he had a shield of sorts as well. His black leather armor and green chainmail that overlaid it helped complement the cloak in doing its job, the latter providing stealth while the former offered protection against swords and spellcasting. His black breeches were the color of dark ink and his magical boots of spider-climbing, while they did little here, were at least waterproof despite being caked in mud and muck. The Lizardfolk would surely kill him given his name was known about the land as a hero of good and one who played fast and loose with the laws. The latter they wouldn't care about; the former they would.

As Braxton looked over the village contemplating his next move, a soft melodic voice rippled into his mind. One he had known for many years and shared just as many adventures with him. “So, do we go in spells and sword blazing? Or do we have a possible plan?”

“If the lizardfolk keep to their normal patterns and tactics, this will be a forward outpost that the women and children and slaves will migrate to,” Braxton reasoned. “But I do have a plan.”

Making sure to be at the edge of his vision and using swamp vegetation to cover himself, Braxton began to cast a spell. He grew a full two feet four inches from his already imposing six foot two height. His tawny skin became scale like the color of tarnished green silver, his fingers grew to match his height and his fingernails became claws. From his shoulders grew wings and his eyes became emerald green and cat-like, even more so than his night-vision spell already made them. His armor and sword seemed to vanish as Braxton polymorphed into another denizen of the swampland--a Shivak Draconian. A particularly wealthy one—Braxton's clothes seemed to grow with him and became fine rich cloth.

“Might be a good idea to stay hidden, Kylnn Ka' Tar,” Braxton thought as he moved the sword to the small of his back and made his way to the perimeter guards.

The two guards drew steel when the draconian approached, their pockmarked swords shining dully in the torchlight.

“Who goessss there?” the guard on Braxton's right said.

“A skin brother who seeks to see the shaman,” the draconian said to the two.

The two guards looked to the imposing draconian then to one another before allowing him passage into the village, apparently deciding he far as important as he looked, they had best let him pass quickly.

“The ssshaman isss in hissss hut. With the sssmooth ssskin woman.” one of the guards said off offhandedly going back to patrol.

“They are talking about an elven woman. At least, that is what I picked up on surface thoughts,” Kylnn Ka' Tar told him.

“No surprise there,” Braxton answered as he made his way to the shaman's hut where he pounded on the door with his fist.

When the rough-hewn wood door opened, a bipedal lizardman roughly six feet tall and broad-shouldered answered the door. Tattoos covered his carapace and a side of his face in tribal markings denoting his power as an unholy man. His cold black soulless eyes looked up at the imposing figure at the door. The shaman drew in a breath for a moment before speaking. “Sssskin brother... I am honored by your visssssit. What bringssss you to our door?”

Braxton leaned down so he could look into the shaman's eyes. “My leader of the Shvak legion wishes to know why the swamp is spreading and worries that it may be an omen of impending war.” Braxton had at best a few precious seconds to take in everything about the room, though he could hardly miss the prominent altar to the vile seven-headed goddess Tiamat. The black dragon head stood taller than the other six heads and was sculpted out of Onyx, while the rest of the dragoness bore more of a primitive look of woods and grasses and more common stone. In front of the altar was a fire pit with a large bubbling cauldron next to it a cage of cold iron suspended from a rafter just high enough for its occupant to not be able to touch the floor with her feet or her hands.

The beautiful elven maiden that resided in the cage had bruises upon her naked flesh. Several long trails of cuts marred her finely shaped breasts and her pear shape hips. Her matted golden hair had been cropped crudely with a knife to just to the base of her slender neck. Her eyes of deep jade bore the look of one whom had endured much suffering at the hands of her host and looked as though her only sustenance was water.

“Come in, sssskin brother.” The lizardman beckoned the tall draconionan into the hut. “Yesss, war isss brewing. With the aid of our goddessss, we will have many more warmbloodsssss in time.” As Braxton entered the hut while the shaman spoke and ducked down so as not to hit his head on the ceiling rafters, closing the door behind him. “If your ssssuppior wissshesss to join ussss, we would gladly sssshare ssslaves.” The shaman made his way over to the cauldron.

Braxton thought a moment before he spoke again. “Then our general of the legion will be informed. I am sure he will be honored to join you in battle, skin brother.” Braxton turned towards the door to leave when Klynn Ka' Tar echoed within his thoughts softly “He is casting a spell, Braxton!” she warned him.

Braxton spun around, his hand going for his blade hidden at the small of his back. The shaman completed the spell of hold monster as Klynn Ka' Tar cleared the scabbard with a sharp ring of steel. The reflections of the elven girl and Braxton in a Draconian form shone within the blades reflective surface, but the lizardman did not for he was without honor. Braxton put the blade defensively in front of him. As the spell orb struck the sword, it was reflected back to the shaman, striking him in the chest and leaving him with a stunned look on his face.

The sharp ring of steel had brought the elven girl up from her state of hopelessness with a small ember of hope. Only one blade in all the land made that noise upon being drawn... The seed of prosperity. Seeing the runes in mythril filigree upon the blade told the elven girl it was the true sword, but how in the name of all she held sacred did this evil being come to wield that noble blade…?

With the hapless shaman under the sway of his own spell, the Draconian made his way over to the cage. His emerald green eyes turned to their natural Lapis Lazuli hue, and he spoke in flawless elven. “Be at peace, fair maiden. I will get you out of there. Might I ask who you are?” Braxton pulled on the hinge bolts of the cage door and both bolts came free, hitting the soft dirt with a thud. The draconian form he had polymorphed into giving him greater strength than his normal form.

The elven girl tried to cover her nakedness under the gaze of this very strange draconian who seemed more than he claimed to be. An arm covered her breasts and a hand covered the cleft of her womanhood as a strong blush crossed her cheeks. “Arryn,” she all but whispered into the imposing figure’s dragon-like face, and it was all the name she dared give this strange draconian being.

Braxton nodded and said as he turned his back to her once more in flawless elven. “I am Braxton Zeddmoore, my fair lady. Can you get away from here without my aid?”

Arryn's eyes widened at the mention of the name. “As in High Arch WarMage Braxton Zeddmoore?” she stammered quietly, instant respect and even greater awe in her voice.

“The same... but I don't like such titles, fair lady,” Braxton replied to Arryn, his head still turned away from her.

Arryn began to sob as she leaned into Braxton, no longer caring about her nudity. “Thank Mielikki! She heard my prayers!”

Braxton smiled at that. “Do you follow Mielikki in faith or practice, good lady?” he asked softly.

“I am a druidess of her herd, honored War Mage,” Arryn answered with a small hint of pride in her soft voice.

“I see. Then if you have the will and some favor left with her, can you cast a spell for me?” Braxton asked as he heard Arryn moving about the hut looking for her belongings, or at least looking to cover herself up in front of a male with enough manners to turn his back to give her a bit of privacy.

“If I've not exhausted all favor with her? I can cast such a spell. Where would you like it centered?” Arryn asked as she found a few rags that would cover her nude body and give her a little modesty. Of more relief to her was that she also found upon the blasphemous altar her holy symbol—a silver unicorn upon a silver chain.

“Upon myself. So that I may interrogate our gracious host to find out about the goddess he serves. I expect it will be noisy.”

“As you wish, noble war mage.” Arryn held her holy symbol and softly whispered an ancient incantation. Her hands began to glow a soft blue hue before she reached out to touch them to the large draconian before her with his back turned still. “Two feet or closer and they will hear you. But fifteen feet out none will hear a thing. I thank you for your kindness and respect for my modesty, sir. You can turn around now.”

Turning around Braxton gave a nod and said in a gentle tone “I thank you as well, fair maiden, but it is time for you to leave the village now. Not in a panic, but now.”

“I can Earth meld. But what are you going to do?” Arryn asked with concern in her voice.

Braxton looked at the still frozen shaman.“After I am done with him I am going to level this village. So get as far away as you can good maiden.”

Arryn could only nod. She would spare no regret for her prison and even if she were inclined to object, the last thing she wished to do was tangle with him. Whatever business the High Arch War Mage had was his and with that thought, sunk into the earth and was gone within moments without a trace to mark her departure.

Satisfied that she was safe, Braxton walked up to the Shaman, his sword still drawn. “Harm him and it will break the spell,” Klynn Ka' Tar said to him softly.

“You say that like it’s a bad thing.” Braxton wasted no time after that as he drove his sword into the shaman in a painful but not life-threatening area, stabbing him through the shoulder while grabbing him by the throat.

The shaman let out a wail of agony as his spell broke, his eyes focusing with difficulty on his captor. “Where is your goddess' lair, you walking piece of luggage?” Braxton asked in a hard tone.

Despite his predicament, the shaman worked up some defiance, refusing to answer. “Even were I to tell you, The Goddesss will kill you for trespassssing, fool! You will be her most long ssssuffering victim.”

Braxton withdrew his sword as the lizard man gave a gasping yelp, his thick greenish blood coating the blade. Placing the blade on the altar and then grabbing the shamans arm at the elbow, he dragged the shaman over to the boiling cauldron. “Victims... aren't we all,” he mused as he drove the shaman’s hand into the boiling substance, causing his captive to scream in pain, though the elf’s spell kept anyone from hearing it. He pulled the parboiled hand free a moment later and the lizardman's cries faltered, eyes squeezed shut in agony. “Your head goes in next… so I ask again: where is the lair?”

The lizardman had near entered a state of shock, but Kylnn Ka' Tar read the shaman’s thoughts. “The shaman is going to see her in his mind as he prays to her. The lair is southeast by half a night’s travel.” She fed him an image of their destination she’d picked up from his mind.

At the receiving of that information, The War Mage upended the shaman and placed him head first into the boiling cauldron. He then uttered another spell and his form changed shape again to that of the shaman himself. His immediate task complete, he retrieved Kylnn Ka' Tar, sheathing her in her scabbard before exiting the hut disguised as the shaman. “Let us give this village a blessing. I will need your help with the spells, Klynn Ka' Tar.” Braxton thought as he opened the door and turned around to flick a small red pearl into the hut’s thatch.

“Of course,” Klynn replied, helping him cast an incantation on the pearl.

After that, Braxton moved from hut to hut spacing out more pearls twenty feet apart--a quick and simple task as thankfully, the village only had seven huts built so far. Braxton made sure there were no other followers of good within range of the spell he would soon unleash before placing his last pearl into one of the torch sconces as he exited. He then walked away without breaking stride, counting his paces. It was only when he reached his spell’s limit of four hundred feet from the final pearl that he snapped his fingers.

The moment Braxton did so a reverse domino chain of explosive power ripped through the village, starting with the last pearl he laid and proceeding quickly to the first. The blast was deafening and quite lethal; Lizardmen caught in the flames were incinerated if not outright vaporized as the fireballs were hot enough to turn gold molten. Huts were blown apart sending chunks of their wooden and earthen make almost fifty feet into the air; even the guard posts with their sentries were incinerated. Within seconds the village was a small rippled collection of craters that the swampy ground quickly filled; it might have drowned the survivors were there any to be had.

“So, Braxton, what is next?” Klynn Ka' Tar asked softly as the two continued walking. Braxton dismissed the disguise spell and returned himself to his human form.

“We are off to try a carrot and stick approach with a dragon,” said her master, the tall human not breaking stride as he headed off to the southeast.

The parlay and the audience initially went off without a hitch. To the victor of a simple game of chess went the prize of a near bottomless sack of gold coins, bars, and jewels and allowed the Invoker walk out naked but alive. The Dragoness accepted the terms and even gave her name in the Draconian tongue, naming herself Radiant Onyx.

Queen Onyx—as she wished to be addressed by the lowly but rather attractive looking forty-year-old human before her—decided to play the chess game upon the human timetable, rather than the draconian one. The simple human otherwise was likely to drop dead from old age or be eaten before the game would conclude. While the game was in play, they traded points back and forth on all manner of topics, such as the sword Braxton wore on his back, his clothing—rich and elegant silks—and the rings he wore on every finger, even the prospect of Braxton's seed, given all he had managed talk his way into the Queen’s audience.

Braxton came to know that “Queen” Radiant Onyx prided herself on three fundamental points near and dear to her black heart: One such point was the art of the deal, which Braxton closed by telling the Queen that the bag of coins was all she would get. This was but a small annoyance to the dragoness, but a more perturbing matter was losing the chess game she was cheating at. Though Braxton now ruefully reflected that the straw that broke the camel's back was telling the Queen that the bile he just choked down and the thought of sharing carnal knowledge with her was merely coincidental.

The ensuing slight caused the Queen to become very unladylike towards her guest. Striking out with her massive claws and thirty-four-foot long tail eviscerating the illusion of her guest as well as everything in the general area. Braxton took this as his cue to run like hell into the lair of the Dragoness knowing full well she would follow.

The enraged roar of a Black Dragoness shook Braxton out of his thoughts and back to the present. Letting him know that his rest period was coming to a close, and if he didn't think of something fast, so would his life. Braxton's highly keen and alert senses told him that he was about to be hit if he stayed put, so he threw himself off to the right pushing off the stone wall over a mound of gold coins. The five-foot-wide stream acid that hit his last location splashed up against the stone with a loud sizzle and thankfully the gold coin mound took the residual side splash.

“My treasure! You worthless human, I'll torture you for twenty years for that!” Radiant Onyx roared loud enough to nearly shake down the stalactites in her cave. Braxton had to cover his ears as he rolled away from the mound of gold that had saved him. It was now melting just like the stone her acid had struck and he for one didn't care to join it.

As Braxton crawled away keeping himself low to another pile of silver A soft feminine voice echoed softly in his mind from the sword upon Braxton's back. “I must say, Braxton, you have such a nice light touch with the ladies, and after she practically offered herself to you.”

“Not helping, Kylnn Ka' Tar,” Braxton retorted in thought as his eyes went from rounded to catlike slits. With his vision slipping into the black and white spectrum, he peered around the pile of silver, seeing Radiant Onyx enter the chamber proper still at the entryway.

“Great. One way in and one way out,” Braxton groused to himself.

Braxton smiled softly as he quietly cast a spell, and his entire form faded from sight before he began to crawl slowly. He may have been hidden, but he still made noise if he moved too fast or ran into other objects that would.

“I can still smell you, human! You can't hide from me forever. When I find you I will have my revenge for making a fool of me!” Radiant Onyx roared and snorted.

“Braxton, I retract that earlier statement. She is truly very angry.” Kylnn Ka' Tar mused in amused tones.

“Kylnn I need a distraction over by that pile of copper across our way.” Braxton mentally commanded as Radiant Onyx looked over the cave she whipped her head towards a pile of clinking copper coins.

“Stay still, worm!” she growled and cast a spell covering the room in a thick webbing of silk. In some places, the webbing was two feet thick and very sticky. While this would normally immobilize everyone and everything in the room, Braxton was prepared and thanks to the embossed spiders in the leather of his boots, it merely rose him up off of the floor. But even if he wasn’t immobilized by it, he was still rendered visible by the outline of boots in the webbing.

Radiant Onyx's keen eyesight caught Braxton's outline in her field of view. She lunged at the elusive human with her claws, restraining her temper as she did not wish to melt any more of her hoard. Her own webbing slowing her down despite her size, Radiant Onyx was nevertheless on him quickly, aiming a back-handed claw strike at him after hitting the illusion of his outline.

Braxton ducked under the attack, rolling out of the way as Radiant Onyx's blows sent coins and gems flying high into the air, a few sticking to the webbing upon their return to the ground. Seeing his opportunity, Braxton drew his blade and in one smooth stroke struck the Dragoness. The blow, while not deep, let Radiant Onyx know that the blade THIS mage wielded was powerful as well as skilled. The enchanted metal bit painfully into her hard onyx scales and left a small trench like dragging a warm knife through butter upon her left shoulder.

Radiant Onyx screamed in pain and used her tail on the now visible human, hitting him squarely in the chest. Braxton left the ground as the blow sent him flying through the air like a rag-doll. Thankfully the spider webbing slowed his speed as well as her tail’s impact, though Braxton could feel that a couple of his ribs were definitely cracked, each breath now causing him pain. It was only through sheer force of will that the human adventurer managed to both stay conscious and keep hold of his sword as he skidded through another pile of platinum coins and jewels, coming to rest near the wall of the cave.

“Any other ideas?” Kylnn Ka' Tar mused softly within Braxton's mind.

He didn’t reply as both combatants took stock of each other and themselves. Both were hurt, both were angry, and both had a healthy stock of respect for the other by this point. For Braxton, it was growing increasingly hard to breathe; each gulp of air burned like he was inhaling fire. The ring on his left hand began to glow softly as he forced the pain down to stay focused.

For Radiant Onyx her blood poured from the wound the sword had given her and as much as it hurt, she didn't want to suffer that blade any more than she already had. As their standoff and war of wills continued, they looked into each other’s eyes, searching for any sign of fear or hesitancy; any weakness that could be exploited.

But none could be seen. Braxton knew that if he was drawn into tunnel vision he might miss something. So he widened his view, looking up the trail he had carved through the piles of platinum coins. It was then he saw a staff that he recognized as formerly belonging to Sir Orion Windtalker the White.

Radiant Onyx saw Braxton's eyes flick to the staff for but a moment. Realizing his intent, she drew in a breath and readied to release another blast of acid, not caring about her hoard as much as she just wanted this human dead.

Braxton didn’t give her chance. He sheathed his sword and ran at top speed toward the staff, calling it to him with his magic so he could meet it halfway. Pulling it to him, he snatched it up to show the Dragoness and bent it slightly, threatening to break it, watching as the Dragoness immediately choked back the geyser of acid she was threatening to unleash. Queen Radiant Onyx had never encountered any human that even gave her remotely this much trouble! First, he charms his way past her worshipers, then he beats her in a chess match that her cheating should have guaranteed victory on, he then insults her, wounds her, and now stands before her threatening to break a powerful staff of magi to kill them both. Recognizing the danger, she aborted her acid attack, swallowing a good portion of it back down her gullet. Some of the acids though drooled out the sides of her mouth as she glared daggers that the human; she reflected then that under different circumstances if she was not so enraged with him, she actually might like this conniving little bastard!

“Are you insane?” both Radiant Onyx and Kylnn Ka' Tar shouted, one voiced aloud and the other within Braxton's thoughts.

“Braxton... this is like going all in on a poker game with a pair of twos!!” Kylnn Ka' Tar exclaimed with both a touch of anger and trepidation in her voice.

“Maybe so... but I'm banking on the fact you want to live a little bit longer, eh Radiant Onyx?” Braxton said with a small knowing smirk touched his face as he spits blood from his mouth; the pain from his ribs was now a dull but tolerable throb in his side. “So what is it going to be? Leave the area and take your swamp with you and we’ll pick this fight up another time... or we both die right here and now!

Fate to Braxton had always been either a help or a hindrance, though he was under no illusions that in this case, Lady Luck had blessed him with a fair bit of fortune of late. But luck only went so far, and he knew his was about to run out. It was high time to give him a good swift kick in the ass, and as fate desired, it happened while Radiant Onyx was contemplating her next move.

Braxton awaited her reply while still keeping the pressure on the staff he held, starting to back slowly towards the exit. It was a good plan, and any other time might even have worked. But this time, the ancient staff proved to be the weak link in this chain when it snapped in his grasp leaving one gobsmacked Black Dragoness, one gobsmacked invoker, and one sword screaming about how irresponsible and foolish Braxton was within the halls of his mind.

“Oh, Shi...” was all Braxton was able to get out of his mouth before a large explosion of magic rocked the underground cavern.

The resulting displacement caused the cave ceiling above to rupture and crumble. Swamp water then poured into the cavern as most of the peat and organic matter filled the void in a mix of very rich soil that would take about a year or so to return the surface above to normal fertile farmland.

After the cave-in was complete, and the shifting earth and rock had settled, an elf in a white robe emerged from the peat, floating to the top of it. He had sun-kissed blonde hair and his skin was very pale; he stared lifelessly up into the clear blue sky but seemed to have a soft smile that seemed to make his chiseled features very lifelike. A broken staff lay over him, and nearby was half the body of a large black Dragoness. Radiant Onyx's head, all the way to her fifth rib was gone.

The shadow of a beautiful woman encased in a blue aura looked over the body of the elf blocking the view of the sun's light, her human features marred by a look of the way a mother looks to a small child to chastise.

“Brother Discord, are you just going to lay there ‘till someone discovers you, or are you going to get up?” the human woman asked in a patronizing tone, crossing her arms over her athletic chest.

With a sigh, the elf blinked. His eyes turned from lifeless to red before a blue aura surrounded him as well as he sat up.

“Ah, sister Fortuna. I fear you’re blocking my avatar’s ability to get a tan.” Discord tossed the broken pieces of the Staff Of Magi away and each piece turned into earthworms. “If this is about your champion, he will be fine. I just need to borrow him for a little while. Besides, the boy could use a break. I daresay he was getting bored here.”

Fortuna merely scowled at him as he continued to talk before a small smirk danced across her face. “How like my brother to always want to play with my toys.”

Discord stood up and dusted himself off before turning his nose up in the air. “I don't have to explain anything to you, sister, nor do I have to be here. So ta ta, and if you wish to visit him, you may find your favorite toy ten tenths from here, hour nine thousand, one dimension over.” Discord gave a nonchalant wave before turning into an orb of blue light shooting skyward.

Fortuna watched him go before she let what was on her mind and lips escape them. “Brother, you are going to pay for this, and it is going to be... expensive,” She informed him before she herself followed suit, turning herself into an orb of blue light shooting skyward.

Chapter 2 - Crash Landings, Language Barriers,And Fine Messes

Chapter 2

Crash Landings, Language Barriers ,and Fine Messes

Braxton's reentry into reality went with all the grace of a boulder out of a trebuchet.

He awoke to find himself crashing roughly through trees and bushes within a dark, unknown forest. Though hardly a stranger to hard knocks and long drops, the explosion and subsequent fall through the forest was too much even for him, knocking him unconscious and subsequently causing him to lose control of the spell masking his true form.

Had any been present to witness his ungentle arrival to this new land, they would have seen Braxton was NOT the slightly-graying forty-year-old man who bore the mark of many battles, but instead a much younger looking adventurer with the body of a twenty-one-year-old. One whose physique may as well have been chiseled from solid granite, much to the dismay of the sculptor who broke many tools creating this vision of the male form.

Braxton would need all his youthful muscle and magic at that moment, for when he came to rest, the baldric of his sword caught upon a sturdy branch and yanked him hard, nearly wrenching his hip out of its socket. It arrested most of his forward momentum, though not quickly enough. The sharp end of an interposing branch pierced him through his breeches and nearly made him far less of a man. Thankfully he was aware of little of it to start, stunned by the force of the fall, or he might have immediately realized that his left side the arm was caught up in a nearby branch, twisted and broken, but still attached to him.

Kylnn Ka' Tar was the first to regain her senses, and so took stock. She was still quite angry at Braxton for doing something so foolish and stupid, but observing him now in the state he was in, she had never felt so utterly helpless. Worse, she could do nothing to assist him as she lost memory of all her spells, including the ones that might have helped heal him whenever Braxton lost consciousness.

“Braxton, please wake up! I can't help you in this state!” Kylnn Ka' Tar pleaded within Braxton's mind, trying to coax him into consciousness. It took five minutes before Braxton stirred, and he immediately wished he hadn’t. He drew a ragged breath as awareness of his injuries flooded him, leaving him in agony as he realized his state. The pain severe. He opened his mouth to scream but no sound was forthcoming.

“Thanks be to the benevolent gods you are alive!” Kylnn Ka' Tar said as relief flooded her voice—though Braxton himself might have begged to differ, unsure if being alive was a blessing or a curse. All he knew at that moment was intense and unyielding pain; his hip was pierced, his arm was broken, he was hanging in a tree by his baldric, and he knew damn well that accidentally breaking that Staff Of Magi was an absolutely idiotic mistake. He groaned as the pain washed over him in another wave, recognizing only then the state of his arm.

“Aw, shit…” Braxton grimaces as he saw it. He knew he had to reset it, and he also knew that when he did, it was going to hurt even worse than it did now. But he had do it—and secure the arm—before he could get himself down. Looking up to the branch upon which he hung, dimly visible in what seemed the deepening dusk of evening, Braxton saw a twig that looked like it would break under a little pressure. He reached up with his good arm for it, though as scraped up as it was, even that hurt. When the twig snapped the entire tree shook, and fresh pain welled up in new nauseating waves; he had to let it pass and the tree’s motion cease before he moved again.

“This is gonna suck…” Braxton placed the twig in his mouth and bit down hard. In one quick motion he reset his arm, thankfully getting it right the first time. A good thing, because he didn't want to do it again, as the pain was blinding. The ring on his left hand glowed a soft blue light in the deepening twilight. The artifact did its work as within a few minutes the pain became more tolerable and now left him to look over the branch that had nearly gelded him. Braxton once more bit down on the branch as, this time with a whine and ragged breathing, he let the branch slowly slide out of his impaled hip, withdrawing its bloody tip two inches but still leaving another two to go.

His head swam and his breathing was labored as he fought back waves of pain. While his lefthanded ring dulled the pain, he knew it couldn't heal him before he bled out and if he gave the ring time, it would save him in a roundabout way. Using his right hand to steady himself and his left to reach into the pouch at his belt, he withdrew one stick of chalk. His vision once again swam at the pain the motions produced, and he fought back unconscious. This was getting old quick and he needed it to end.

Braxton drew a crude window upon the trunk of the tree with the chalk. “Home is where my heart belongs,” he whispered softly in the melodic tongue of the elves. In response to his plaintive plea, the ring upon his right hand glowed with a soft auburn hue and he lifted the crude window as though it could open all the while.

Kylnn Ka' Tar heard Braxton utter that whisper while she kept lookout for any danger. If she had a body to feel her heartbeat within, she would have placed her hand over it, for she recognized it had been almost five decades since he had used her sister’s gift. “He must truly feel like a cornered animal,” she thought to herself.

By this time, Braxton had placed his hand into the open window and withdrew a glass test tube that glowed with a brilliant neon blue hue. He then used his teeth to pull the stopper out of it before spitting it back through the window. In one solid motion he pulled himself off of the impaling branch, got his baldric free of the other branch, and despite the nausea that wracked him along with the pain, he forced the potion down.

“Yeah, that’s the stuff…” The deed done and knowing he was saved, he let himself fall out of the tree to the soft mosses below, then rolled over on his back and allowed himself to pass out from the sheer pain. The liquid in the tube he drank did its work while he slept; before long the impaling wound and all his other myriad injuries had nearly healed.

Braxton awoke feeling exhausted and dehydrated, as though he had been in an all-night drinking binge with old friends.

In those, however, he didn’t wake up until noon the next day, and wherever he was then, it was night out. The stars were unfamiliar to him, but at the moment he didn't care, just grateful to be alive. His senses returning to him—and the pain he had felt almost entire subsided—Braxton sat up stiffly and checked his previously broken arm, finding the bone nearly completely healed. “How long was I out, old friend?” he asked Kylnn within his mind.

Kylnn Ka' Tar's voice was a mix of happiness and relief, but there was also an element of wariness. “Two hours. Your awakening is well-timed. I wasn't able to rouse you earlier to tell you that we have company out there. I can sense their approach."

“Company, you say…” Braxton understood the implications immediately and once more let his eyes become cat-like, his pupils becoming slits as his vision slipped into a black and white spectrum. “Then let’s see…” He turned his gaze outward, scanning his darkened surroundings.

It was then he saw them: Five wolf-like creatures made not of flesh but some sort of living wood. Their eyes glowed a sickly greenish-yellow and their hearts sent green-glowing blood throughout their bodies, visible through breaks in the tree-like bark that covered them instead of fur. “What the… never seen creatures like those!” Braxton thought, slowly sitting up so the wolves were not alerted to his awareness as they stalked and moved into position around their prey.

Still badly weakened and in no shape for a fight with unfamiliar adversaries, Braxton took his chalk and drew a door upon the tree he had so recently been impaled upon, opening it as he had done the earlie window. He then pulled himself inside into the tree and shut the door with his foot, mere seconds before the first wolf of the pack reached the point where Braxton had originally lay; he could soon hear it sniffing around for their lost quarry.

The house foyer where Braxton now lay, catching his breath for a moment, allowed him to look at the wolf in question as though behind a pane of solid glass. “What the hell are those things?” he wondered at Kylnn, who knew no more than he. Visibly confused but uncertain where he was, the wolf-like creature and its companions sniffed around the tree a couple times before giving up and then leaving to find other prey. Standing up on shaky knees, Braxton held onto the banister that was near the foyer entrance. Braxton whispered again within the tongue of the elves: “Fireflies and stars shall light my path.”

As if in answer to his spoken prayer, a beautiful crystal chandelier that adorned the ceiling lit up and illuminated the foyer that Braxton stood in, along with wall lanterns up the stairs like welcoming stars. In the new light of the home, a plush chair with a sheet over it as well as several other pieces of furniture could be seen, each with their own covering. Sitting on the stairs, Braxton removed his boots before dragging himself up the stairs to the second door on the right where his bedroom awaited.

Hanging his cloak upon a hook as he had done so many years before, he next put his leather armor on a mannequin so it would keep its form. Everything he wore had its place; he then picked up Kylnn Ka' tar and placed the sword that was her home over the headboard, before removing the sheet from the tall oval mirror and stripping himself down fully to look himself over. The hole at his hip was fully closed and scabbed over. He would need a bath in the morning. His arm was no longer sore, merely a little stiff, and under the last of his power he crawled into the only thing familiar in a world he knew nothing about.

A six-foot-two midnight-blue Alicorn walked softly down a corridor she had walked many times since returning from her banishment from the moon.

Her mane and tail waved as if in an ethereal breeze, the twinkling within looking like spiral arms of a galaxy of stars in the sky. Her midnight blue wings almost touched the floor as she walked with a purpose; her hooves make soft clicking sounds off the silent corridor. As she carried her work, the blue Alicorn wore a beautiful iridescent soft green gown that complemented her figure and allowed her total freedom of movement. She walked with arms outstretched; her two fingers and thumb playing softly over doors adorned with various symbols, each belonging to a different pony within her realm.

She was Princess Luna, Guardian of dreams, keeper of the moon and protector against nightmares.

Luna had just finished walking down the hall that held the dreams of many of her earth-bound ponies, finding nothing amiss. It was only as she rounded a corner that began a pegasus hallway that Luna felt a pulse of magical energy wash over the dream world like a sudden gust of wind. As she followed the pulse back to its source, which seemed to be at the three-hallway intersection of the three races of her realm, she saw no physical door there, nor should there have been.

However, magic belonging to all three races seemed to be collecting there, and there was something odd. Ordinarily the corridors were always immaculate, but this night, this particular intersection was bathed in a white dust. Luna touched the walls and some of the dust came off of the walls where she touched it. Luna lit her horn to see what the substance was on her fingers and was surprised by what she saw:

“What is chalk doing here?” She wondered aloud, as if the substance itself would answer her.

Though very curious, the mystery would have to be put on hold as Luna sensed that down the unicorn hallway there were foals in distress and nightmares that needed to be dealt with. Luna smiled and made her way off to help her little ponies with them.

Braxton awoke after a full night’s rest, a relieved Kylnn greeting him upon awakening and teasing him that it had been many years since he had slept that long.

Agreeing, he tended to his morning ritual of bathing, followed by dressing in a muslin shirt and fresh pair of black breeches, eventually donning all but his actual armor. Feeling far more himself, Braxton then made his way downstairs and into his study after grabbing some tea made fresh from his kitchen, sitting down at his sturdy desk where he kept his book of spells. This massive tome was almost a foot wide and nearly four feet thick, and weighed in at nearly one hundred pounds, with a thick golden clasp helping to keep it shut.

Despite its weight, Braxton opened it effortlessly with a mere motion of his hand; the clasp giving way as the book opened without sound. Setting his tea to one side, he sat down to study from the massive tome, soon pulling a second book from a nearby shelf, this one the size of a textbook and about as thick.

Returning to his tea, he mixed in some of the leaves and began to study from the massive book, jotting small notes into the blank book with quill and ink.

While Braxton studied, Kylnn Ka' tar's voice rippled softly within Braxton's mind. “So what is our plan?”

“Only three main objectives Kylnn…” Braxton turned the page and took a sip of the revitalizing tea. “Find food, explore where we are…” Braxton set down his tea and scribbled a few lines into his text book before finishing his sentence. “... and somewhere in there find our way back to Avawyvrenn.”

“Is that wanderlust talking, Braxton?” Kylnn Ka' Tar asked in a playful tone.

“Ask wanderlust all you like; that does not mean it will answer...” Braxton quipped while Kylnn Ka Tar giggled softly. “Asking me on the other hand? Yeah, it is...” Braxton set the book aside now that he had his cliff notes for the day. He then pushed the textbook to half its thickness, then folded it into fourths, reducing the large textbook to about the size of a pocket notebook. Ready for action—or as much as he could, given the still-lingering effects of his wounds and the curious circumstances he found himself in—he made his way upstairs to don his leather armor, and placed the book into one of its pockets. He checked the mail to make sure it was undamaged, and made his way over to the window he opened the previous night by his potions-mixing table with a mortar and pestle.

Taking two vials of the same glowing neon blue liquid he used the previous night, he placed them in leather loops located in the small of his back—one at the right and one at the left, protected but within easy reach if he needed them.

The sun rose over the Equestrian lands at the willing of its ruler, much as it had done every day for well over a millennium.

On this day, a four-foot eight-inch filly raced from her farm home at Sweet Apple Acres. No more than twelve years old with brilliant amber eyes, a mane and tail of fiery red, and a carnation pink bow that kept her back locks out of her face, Apple Bloom wore a mint green tee-shirt and blue jeans adorned with a simple black belt fastened with a brass buckle, same as she did most days. She was hurrying to join her two equally young friends that were already waiting for her, ready to try the latest activities to earn their cutie marks.

As she drew near their club house in the apple orchards, she spotted one of her friends, a four-foot-six snow-white unicorn only a month or two older with eyes of bright emerald and mane and tail of soft lavender and pink. Sweetie Belle wore a pink tee-shirt under a white open vest with her white slacks held in place by a green belt with a silver buckle, making her look a little better dressed than her friends. Then again, that was no surprise, given who her sister was.

“Mornin' Sweetie Belle,” Apple Bloom greeted her friend in a country drawl. “Sorry I’m late, But big sis wouldn't let me go till I did my mornin' chores. Has Scootaloo arrived yet?” She looked around for the third member of their group.

“Good morning, Applebloom. Yes, Scootaloo is in the clubhouse,” Sweetie Belle replied in a dignified and gentle tone, but greeted her good friend with a hug.

At the call of Scootaloo's name, a four-foot-five inch Pegasus filly with honey-orange fur, deep violet eyes, and a pompadour-styled mane and tail stuck her head out one of the club house windows, her smaller wings barely visible in the window's shadow.

“Hey Applebloom! Good you’re finally here, but you’re bit late, though!” Scootaloo mildly groused as she came out of the window of the clubhouse and gripped the floor of the wooden deck before swinging down from it. Scootaloo's wings gave the young daredevil-in-training just enough lift to glide and land safely, but not true flight.

“Had to do my chores. And I did say sorry, Scootaloo.” Applebloom took her seat next to Sweetie Belle at the table made from the stump of an old apple tree outside of the clubhouse. “So let’s get started and call this meetin' of the Cutie Mark Crusaders to order!” she announced theatrically.

“So what are we gonna do today?” Sweetie Belle asked with a smile.

“Well, my idea was that we try to get our cutie marks in bow making,” Scootaloo suggested.

“You mean like with ribbons and such for winter wrap up?” Sweetie belle asked Scootaloo, who shook her head.

“No sissy stuff like that. I mean bows as in archery! I hear the ponies in Canterlot Palace pay good bits for a decent bow,” Scootaloo explained, looking to both of the bewildered fillies.

“Okay, but… how in tarnation do we make one, Scootaloo?” Applebloom asked.

“Oh, that’s easy. I read it in one of Spike’s survivor stallion comics that he made a bow from a tree and braided grass and rocks for the arrowheads,” Scootaloo put a hand to her chin trying hard to recall all that was in the story. “Most, if not all of the things we could find lying around the Everfree Forest, because the comic said the Stallion used a piece of yew wood.”

“We could also grab Spike’s comic book for reference when we gather up all the materials,” Sweetie Belle chimed in as the idea hit her

“You can get it from Spike an’ I’ll put it all together...” Applebloom smiled, giving Sweetie Belle a look as she smirked playfully. “Besides, you like him, an’ I don't trust ya with carpentry tools.”

Sweetie Belle stuck her tongue out at Applebloom, trying to hide the blush on her face. But she didn’t succeed, and it made Applebloom and Scootaloo giggle. “Let’s go fillies! We won’t earn our cutie marks sitting here all day!” Sweetie Belle stood up from the chair with a smile, as did Applebloom and Scootaloo.

“Cutie Mark Crusaders! YAY!” The three fillies chanted as they made their way out of the clubhouse to the Everfree Forest for the materials for their bows and arrows.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders soon made their way into the Everfree forest proper on a path they had taken numerous times to go to Zecora's hut.

Scootaloo soon found a large meadow area with dead timber and other materials they needed off the beaten trail, and it was there she and Apple Bloom began to collect wood for bows while Sweetie Belle made bow string from the long grass by braiding it.

The task too most of the afternoon, but as evening fell, , the CMC had gathered what they thought was enough materials to make multiple bows and arrows for each of them. They even came away with a bonus, in the form of shed feathers from some of the forest birds for the arrows, and after their successful foray, they bundled the collected materials up and tied them together with the fresh made bow strings. As they prepared to leave the clearing, they were oblivious to the six eyes that had been watching and studying the fillies for the last hour as the shadows in the Everfree Forest lengthened. Stalking, waiting for the perfect time to strike its ambush. Pulling in tighter and tighter circles it had its victim marked.

Oblivious to the potential danger, the girls picked up a bundle that each could carry: Scootaloo a medium bundle, Apple Bloom the largest, and finally Sweetie Belle the lightest. Satisfied, Scootaloo turned toward her friends. “Ready you two?” she asked.

Sweetie Belle nodded eagerly while Apple Bloom shifted her bundle to rest it on her right hip. “eyu...”

Apple Bloom's words were cut off by a loud roar as she was tackled by an eight-hundred-pound beast, and immediately screamed.

The fillies freeze in terror looking at what just attacked their best friend. The monstrous beast stood five feet at the shoulder, possessing the hindquarters of a black goat but the forequarters of a tawny lion. Upon its back laid a set of brownish-black dragon wings while the most attention was had at the front.

This beast had not one, but three heads belonging to the various creatures that comprised it, but looked all the worse for them being together. The first was a goat head colored pitch black with glowing amber eyes and long ocher horns, while the second was a lion head surrounded by a brown mane whose maw was filled with sharp teeth. The lion's head had its sickly glowing green eyes focused on Applebloom as it swiftly tore apart the large bundle she carried, separating her from it with its razor sharp teeth before finally pinning her down with a large paw. The long 3 inch claws sadistically raked across her chest slowly to both prolong her death, and to keep the other two morsels in the monster’s reach as they watched in fear.

“Help ME! ...HELP ME! HELLPP!” Apple Bloom screamed at the top of her lungs, not knowing who could save her.

The last head of this monster was that of a dragon covered in orange red scales and its eyes a soulless black. The head also looked toward the two shell shocked fillies and inhaled sharply before ejecting a stream of flame towards them.

Sweetie Belle was only aware of something warm running down her leg as Scootaloo acted to save them both. Dropping her bundle she turned and swiftly tackled a frozen Sweetie Belle before the flames could consume them. Scootaloo yelped loudly in pain as a few molten embers landed on her wing feathers.

Injured, on the ground and unable to escape should the beast attack again, she clutched Sweetie Belle, closed her eyes and waited to die with her best friends.

Braxton had just finished assembling a traveler's pack and had donned his armor when his keen hearing caught the scream of a child in distress not far from his temporary home.

He shut the window in haste and rushed back downstairs taking the steps two or three at a time before charging for the front door. He opened the entrance with his left hand, his right held back behind him. “Kylnn!” he called to her, and by the time his left hand had open and shut the door, his sword and scabbard was resting in his right. Braxton raced out of the house slamming the door behind him and heading with all his considerable speed for the sound of the screams.

The adventurer ran with all his might hoping to all the benevolent gods he was not too late; he had a few weaknesses but children in distress were one of them. The thought of their peril impelled him and in the span of three seconds Braxton had run nine hundred feet. Arriving at a clearing, Braxton spied what he thought was three children menaced by a monstrous beast; as he got closer he also saw the Chimera sadistically raking one child with its claws.

“Back, beast!” Braxton pointed his left hand at the chimera and five six-inch bolts of magical energy, each an inch thick, crackled to life. At his mere thought, they flew like missiles to strike unerringly upon their target, causing it to recoil in surprise and pain, turning its attention from the young girls to him. With his right hand he flipped the sword, changing his grip from the throat of the scabbard to the handle of the blade and flicked his wrist to part the sword from the scabbard. A sharp ring of steel seemed to announce the sword’s presence to the fight. Braxton jumped to close the distance just as the dragon head turned to breathe fire at him.

The fire breath of the dragon head hit two feet higher than Braxton's arcing jump as the chimera had fallen for an illusion that projected his position on the ground below where he actually was. It was a well-practiced tactic for him, one that had served and saved him many times in the past. And now it would save three young girls who were turning towards him in astonishment and desperate hope as he brought his sword overhead in an overhead strike, targeting a wing to prevent the Chimera from taking flight.

The blow struck true, cleaving the right wing from the Chimera with a sickening splash of black blood. The dragon head howled in pain while the unaffected lion one turned with surprising speed, whirling its entire body to take a wild swipe at him. Braxton pirouetted away from the lion using a back cross parry to deflect the claws of the Chimera, which in turn left the dazed dragon head exposed. The seasoned fighter then seized the opportunity and, in a single masterful stroke, severed the dragon’s head from the Chimera.

The chimera howled in frenzied pain as it sought to get away from a situation it wasn't prepared for, abandoning the three girls and fleeing as the hunter became the hunted. Not about to let it escape, Braxton reared back and hurled Kylnn Ka’ Tar at the now fleeing chimera. The sword tumbled end over end trailing a streak of blue light before it struck, burying itself in the creature’s chest up to the hilt while piercing a lung and the beast’s black heart.

The chimera crumpled as the goat head gave one last bemoaning bleat and the light left its eyes. The body shuddered once as a pool of black blood began to slowly spread out around the fallen beast as its life left and the forest seemed to return to its silent foreboding state.

His foe vanquished, Braxton rushed to the side of the first child that the chimera had been working over. As he looked to the young child, he quickly realized from her equine features that she belonged to a race he hadn't seen before, but that detail that would have to wait. “Easy, lass, you’re safe now…” he promised her as he broke open a small personal first aid kit pouch on the left thigh of his Mithril greaves. Braxton began to staunch the wounds left by the claws and took a vial from its holder on the left side of the small of his back. He pulled the stopper from the vial and placed his thumb on the child's chin to open her mouth and poured a third of the liquid into her mouth before using his thumb and two fingers to hold her nose and her mouth shut. Though it tasted awful, Apple Bloom reflexively swallowed.

Given the shallow nature of her wounds, far less severe than his the previous night, the potion’s effect was instantaneous. Awakening immediately, and with memories of the Chimera still fresh in her mind, Apple Bloom's eyes shot open in terror as she recognized the alien above her and flailed her arms trying to get away. Her hand hit the blue vial , sending it flying and shattering against a tree as she skittered backwards towards Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, who reflexively hugged her and each other after their close call, staring in wariness and fear at the newcomer.

With adrenaline still coursing through their veins, the effects of pain had not been felt, yet their focus was no longer solely upon the chimera but the alien creature before them. He was a tall figure nearly as tall as Celestia herself, who stood on two legs as they did, but didn't have hooves. This creature also had two extra fingers upon his hands, hair that looked like silver and his eyes a shade of blue they had only ever seen in stones.

His armor was strange as well; it had a almost soft iridescent green sheen against its black backdrop that the light danced across as he moved. He wore a modeled cape with a hood that also possessed that same iridescent sheen. By the time they returned their gaze to his face they saw that the sword he threw earlier was upon his back once again, but he hadn't moved from where he had been to retrieve it.

“Okay. You clearly haven’t seen my kind before. Then let’s try this…” he mused aloud, realizing they didn’t understand his language.

What bewildered the three frightened fillies the most was that he didn't close the distance but knelt to their eye level and made a slow pinch like motion with his right thumb and index finger. Scootaloo, and Applebloom held their breath as he moved slowly to take a glowing neon blue vial from behind his back. Setting it upon the ground, he held up his right hand and pulled on one of the laces that held his hooded cape he wore. Removing it, he set it on the ground next to the vial and, to their astonishment the cloak turned to mimic the ground,becoming nearly imperceptible so the figure set the vial on the cloak, and backed away slowly.

The fillies released the breaths they had been holding as he backed away, still clutching each other with Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle still burned and in pain. But they held it again as they watched him point to the vial and then to Scootaloo. He pantomimed a drinking motion and held up one finger.

“I’m th-thinkin’ he... he wants you ta dr-drink that Sc… Scootaloo,” Applebloom stuttered to her pegasus friend, wondering what had happened to Sweetie Belle. She looked at her friend who seemed to be in a near catatonic state from the shock she suffered, beginning to shake slowly at first.

A soft whistle got their attention as the fillies looked the figure pointed to the cape and made a motion to wrap himself in it and pointed to Sweetie Belle. The look in his eyes said “now.”

Scootaloo moved quickly, the pain was starting to become more prevalent as the adrenaline wore off and the burns from her wings made themselves known. Obeying the stranger’s instructions—he had seemingly saved Sweetie Belle, after all!—he quickly wrapped Sweetie Belle in the cloak as her shaking became more and more pronounced, but not before she suddenly let out a bloodcurdling scream and collapsed within the cloak and Scootaloo’s embrace, breaking down sobbing as she did so.

With Sweetie Belle for the moment taken care of, Scootaloo then focused her attention on the mysterious blue vial. Taking a better grip and removing the cork from it, she took a good swallow. The taste was horrible but the results were amazing, as the pain from her wings seemed to fade away immediately once she recovered from the taste. Scootaloo couldn't help but look to the figure in wonder, before he pointed towards Applebloom and mimicking a drinking motion, her attention immediately focused on her friend's well-being and she approached quickly.

“Here, Apple Bloom! Drink this. It tastes horrible, but it takes away the pain,” Scootaloo said as she gave the vial over to Apple Bloom.

Applebloom blinked through her tears as the pain was getting worse than the time she cracked a hoof last summer. Taking the vial into unsteady hands she drank the last of it down and dropping it when she emptied it. Scootaloo had warned her of the taste but it was near vomit-inducing and it was all she could to keep it down. She couldn't argue with the effects, though, as the pain seemed to melt away and she was soon able to relax and gather her thoughts.

The figure pointed once more to the now white unicorn filly in the cloak and brought his arms forward like a pair of forks for carrying lumber. The two girls took a moment to process this realizing the figure was asking to carry their unconscious companion.

“Can't ya talk, mister?” Applebloom asked the figure whom looked to her but didn't answer, making only the same motion asking again. With a glance at each other, the girls moved aside and the figure picked up Sweetie Belle gently in his arms. Once he had her situated, the figure craned his head in the direction deeper into the forest. The girls merely shook their heads no—they’d been told over and over not to go home with strangers, after all, and instead started heading back towards Ponyville at a smart pace, motioning for the figure to follow them.