War Mages & False Prophets

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.”